Switchblade Sisters

Latest Episodes:

Blood Simple with Julie Hébert Feb 08, 2018

Show notes

"Now, in Russia, they got it mapped out so that everyone pulls for everyone else... that's the theory, anyway. But what I know about is Texas, an' down here... you're on your own."

This week April talks to writer/director Julie Hébert (American Crime, The Good Wife, ER) about the phenomenal feature debut of the Coen Brothers, Blood Simple. April and Julie delve into the genius of the directing duo and how they pulled off making such a complete movie on their first try. Julie talks about her directing style and how she likes to let the actors make most of the decisions in creating a character. She discusses working closely with Felicity Huffman. Plus, Julie tells April how she feels bad for actors auditioning, because she can actually smell the sweat of fear coming from the audition waiting room.

Check out Julie Hébert's work in American Crime, The Good Wife, and ER.

And if you haven't seen it yet, go watch Blood Simple.

With April Wolfe and Julie Hébert

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters at @SwitchbladePod on Twitter. Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

Raw with Barbara Crampton Feb 01, 2018

Show notes

On this week's episode we have the legendary horror actress Barbara Crampton. You may know her from a number of classic horror/thrillers; Re-Animator, Body Double, From Beyond, and many others. She sits down with April to discuss last year's best french, veterinary school, cannibal film, Raw. Barbara regales April with stories from her prolific acting career, working with Brian De Palma, and eschewing the 'Scream Queen' title. She dives deep on what it takes to motivate her as an actor. Plus, they cover Barbara's thoughts on the use of sex and nudity in horror films.

Check out Barbara Crampton's work in From Beyond, Re-Animator, and most recently Beyond The Gates.

And if you haven't seen it yet, go watch Raw.

With April Wolfe and Barbara Crampton

Set It Off with Tina Mabry Jan 25, 2018

Show notes

Much like Queen Latifah's character, Cleo, April is also about to SET IT OFF...with this interview! Director Tina Mabry (Mississippi Damned, Insecure, Dear White People, Queen Sugar) is on this week's episode to discuss the 1996 bank heist classic. Tina goes in depth on her history with the film and how much Queen Latifah's character meant to her growing up. She also discusses her directing techniques for getting through emotional scenes, growing up in the south, and why her cinematographer refused a helicopter shot on her debut feature Mississippi Damned.

Check out Tina Mabry's TV work on Queen Sugar, Insecure, and Dear White People. Also check out her feature Mississippi Damned

And if you haven't seen it yet, go watch Set It Off.

With April Wolfe and Tina Mabry

Star Trek Generations with Marianna Palka Jan 18, 2018

Show notes

Resistance to this episode is futile. This week, April talks to writer, director, and actress Marianna Palka (Good Dick, Bitch, GLOW) about the undersung Star Trek film Star Trek Generations. Marianna covers what makes this particular Star Trek film so beautiful and how it has inspired her to be a better person. She also talks about her filmmaking process and how there is no reason to be unkind and frustrated on a film set. April and Marianna also dive into the work that Marianna has done to promote awareness for Huntington's disease, a disorder that runs in her family. This is a truly fascinating episode that, of course, goes boldly where no woman has gone before.

Marianna Palka's Bitch is available on Google Play. And if you haven't seen it yet, go watch Star Trek Generations. With April Wolfe and Marianna Palka You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters at @SwitchbladePod on Twitter. Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

The Legacy with Lotti Pharriss Knowles Jan 11, 2018

Show notes

On this week's episode, April talks to producer, writer, and actress Lotti Pharriss Knowles about the 1978 supernatural horror, The Legacy. They discuss the hot chemistry of the leads Katharine Ross and Sam Elliott, their favorite death scenes, and, of course, cats! Plus Lotti talks about the making of her film Chastity Bites, the casting process, and her desire to produce a remake of The Legacy.

Lotti Pharriss Knowles' Chastity Bites is available on Amazon Prime And if you haven't seen it yet, go watch The Legacy. With April Wolfe and Lotti Pharriss Knowles

Snowpiercer with Trish Sie Jan 04, 2018

Show notes

Just in time for record freezing temperatures, this week April talks to Pitch Perfect 3 director Trish Sie about Bong Joon-ho's frozen feature, Snowpiercer. They discuss the amazing performance of Tilda Swinton as the authoritative Mason, the commanding directorial style of Bong Joon-ho, and the train car on the Snowpiercer they'd most like to spend time in. Trish also talks about getting her start directing the famous OK GO "treadmill video" for the song 'Here It Goes Again' and what it's like taking over an existing franchise with Pitch Perfect 3. She also shares some fascinating tidbits about the eating habits of polar bears.

Trish Sie's Pitch Perfect 3 is in theaters now.

And if you haven't seen it yet, go watch Snowpiercer.

With April Wolfe and Trish Sie

Sudden Fear with Anna Biller Dec 28, 2017

Show notes

On this week's episode April sits down with The Love Witch director, Anna Biller, to discuss the 1952 noir thriller, Sudden Fear. Anna confesses her love for old movies and in particular the work of Joan Crawford. The two of them dissect the masterful screenplay, written by famed female screenwriter, Lenore Coffee. Plus, Anna details what it was like collaborating with Samantha Robinson on The Love Witch. She also breaks down how much time she spent on production design, including spending months making one rug for the film.

Anne Biller's The Love Witch is available on Amazon now.

And if you haven't seen it yet, go watch Sudden Fear.

With April Wolfe and Anna Billerl

Rosemary's Baby with Jessie Nickson-Lopez Dec 21, 2017

Show notes

On this week's episode April talks to Stranger Things and Narcos writer Jessie Nickson-Lopez about the controversial film, Rosemary's Baby. The two dive right into the complicated relationship both of them have with the film, and what makes the movie so effective. Jessie discusses how she is inspired by Roman Polanski's work, while simultaneously hating him as a person. She also shares her writing process and what it's like in the writers room. A WARNING to our listeners, April and Jessie talk in depth about sexual assault and the sexual crimes that Roman Polanski has committed.

Stranger Things Season 1 and 2 are available now on Netflix.

With April Wolfe and Jessie Nickson-Lopez

Body Double with Sophia Takal Dec 14, 2017

Show notes

Things get steamy as April talks to actress and director Sophia Takal about the somewhat problematic Brian De Palma erotic thriller, Body Double. The two discuss how the film influenced Sophia's own work and her debut film, Always Shine. Sophia recalls her time as an actress, and the objectification that came with the audition process. They also analyze the violence against women's bodies in the film and the sexuality of Melanie Griffith's character, Holly Body. Despite its issues, April and Sophia also marvel at the craftsmanship of Brian De Palma, and how this film can be used as a template for how NOT to treat female characters.

Sophia Takal's Always Shine is available on Amazon now.

And if you haven't seen it yet, go watch Body Double.

With April Wolfe and Sophia Takal

The Others with Anne Hamilton Dec 07, 2017

Show notes

Things get spooky as April talks to director Anne Hamilton about the 2001 gothic horror film, The Others. They discuss Nicole Kidman's casting in the film, the director Alejandro Amenábar's rejection of Catholicism, and how films like these just don't exist anymore. Plus, Anne discusses what she would have done differently had she directed The Others, and what is was like working on her own gothic film, American Fable.

Anne Hamilton's American Fable is available on Netflix now.

And if you haven't seen it yet, go watch The Others.

With April Wolfe and Anne Hamilton

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