The Envelope

Latest Episodes:

The Reel: Celebrating 1968: Interview with Filmmaker Michel Hazanavicius Apr 20, 2018

Show notes

The year 1968 was one of cultural and political turmoil. To mark the year's significance, the L.A. Times published a package of stories and interviews on the various films, events and individuals that made the year so memorable. As part of this package, film reporter Mark Olsen (@IndieFocus) spoke to filmmaker Michel Hazanavicius, an Oscar-winner for his film The Artist, about his film Godard Mon Amour.

The Reel: Beyoncé at Coachella & What to Expect This Weekend Apr 20, 2018

Show notes

Our reporters discuss the most talked about performance at Coachella: Beyoncé's 2 hour set. They also predict what you can expect to see this upcoming weekend for round 2 of "Beychella".

Featuring reporters Mark Olsen (@IndieFocus), Tre'vell Anderson (@TrevellAnderson) and Gerrick Kennedy (@GerrickKennedy).

The Reel: Scandal: The Legacy and Finale Apr 19, 2018

Show notes

One of the most talked about shows on social media is coming to an end. Tune in to hear entertainment reporters Yvonne Villarreal (@villarrealy) and Lorraine Ali (@LorraineAli) talk with editor Mary McNamara (@MaryMacTV) and writer Mark Olsen (@IndieFocus) about the show's legacy, it's revolutionary audience engagement and it's tackling of contemporary issues.

Also, hear from the stars of the show and creator Shonda Rhimes as they reminisce before the big finale.

The Reel: Roseanne: Nostalgia and Modern Families Apr 12, 2018

Show notes

What should we make of the new Roseanne reboot? What about this moment in time has caused it to soar in popularity? And is it worth a watch?

Reporters and TV critics Lorraine Ali (@LorraineAli), Yvonne Villareal (@villarrealy), Greg Braxton, Mary McNamara (@marymacTV) and Robert Lloyd (@LATimesTVLloyd) talk with Mark Olsen (@IndieFocus) about what they make of this TV phenomenon.

The Reel: What to Watch: Blockers, A Quiet Place and More Apr 05, 2018

Show notes

Four of the movies released this week: Blockers, A Quiet Place, You Were Never Really Here and The Endless, all have notable storylines and directors. Film reporters Jen Yamato (@JenYamato) and Tre'vell Anderson (@TrevellAnderson) talk with film critic Justin Chang (@JustinCChang) about what makes these movies significant, why you should be looking out for these directors and which of these movies you should watch this weekend.

The conversation is moderated by film reporter Mark Olsen (@IndieFocus).

The Reel: Isle of Dogs: Cultural Appropriation, Translation and Creativity Mar 30, 2018

Show notes

Since its debut, Isle of Dogs has been met with controversy over the question of the film's cultural appropriation and seemingly inexplicable setting in a future Japan. Our film critic, Justin Chang (@JustinCChang), tackled this problem and eloquently asked in his review, "does this white American filmmaker's highly selective, idiosyncratic rendering of an East Asian society constitute a sincere act of homage, or a clueless failure of sensitivity?"

In response to Chang's review, and Jen Yamato's (@JenYamato) subsequent discussions about the film on social media, Wes Anderson critics and fans have fought tirelessly over these questions, debating the relationship between appropriation and creative freedom.

Should the movie--like the dogs in it--be sent to Trash Island? Our reporters will debate this question, with Mark Olsen (@IndieFocus) moderating, on this week's episode of The Reel.

The Reel: Emmys Season and Outlander: Interviews with the Frasers Mar 29, 2018

Show notes

The Los Angeles Times Emmy Contender Chats have begun! The first interviews of the series featured the cast of Outlander. TV reporter Yvonne Villarreal (@villarrealy) spoke with with Sam Heughan (Jamie Fraser) and Caitriona Balfe (Claire Fraser) about portraying their characters' grief, gaining inspiration from the novels and more on the latest season.

Listen to clips from the interviews as Mark Olsen of Indie Focus (@IndieFocus) talks to Yvonne about Emmys season and Outlander's cult status.

To see the full interviews with Claire, Sam and other Emmy contenders, go to latimes.com.

The Reel: Female TV Directors, Jessica Jones and the Male Gaze Mar 22, 2018

Show notes

Join Assistant Managing Editor of Arts & Entertainment Mary McNamara (@marymacTV), TV critic Lorraine Ali (@LorraineAli), entertainment reporter Yvonne Villarreal (@villarrealy) and TV writer Meredith Blake (@MeredithBlake) as they discuss the realities of being a female director in television.

Our group of reporters will ask many questions of the TV industry, like: why is TV such fertile ground for female directors? How is Jessica Jones breaking the mold? What really is the male gaze--and how do we start representing the female gaze?

This podcast is supported by HBO. Watch the premiere of Barrythis Sunday March 25th on HBO.

The Reel: Oscars Recap: The Red Carpet, Drake Sightings, and Fist-Pumps Mar 06, 2018

Show notes

For our last Oscars-centric episode this season, Sarah Rodman (@SarahARodman) talks to Justin Chang (@JustinCChang), Glenn Whipp (@GlennWhipp), Amy Kaufman (@AmyKinLA) and Tre'vell Anderson (@TrevellAnderson) about their experiences covering the Academy Awards last Sunday.

From the red carpet to star-studded after parties to cheers and gasps in the press pit, these reporters saw and heard it all.

This podcast is supported by iTunes Movies. Get The Shape of Waterand many other Award-winning films on iTunes. Go to iTunes.com/Oscars2018.

The Reel: Covering the Oscars--and What Happened in 2017?! Mar 01, 2018

Show notes

Hear directly from L.A. Times entertainment reporters about how they cover the biggest night in Hollywood. Arts and film writer Jeffrey Fleishman (@JeffreyLA), film reporter Josh Rottenberg (@joshrottenberg) and Hollywood writer Amy Kaufman (@AmyKinLA) discuss where they were last year when the La La Land/Moonlight fiasco happened, why Warren Beatty refused to let go of the envelope and what we might expect from this year's ceremony.

Also, hear from Assistant Managing Editor Mary Mcnamara (@marymacTV) and Glenn Weiss, the director of the Oscars ceremony.

This podcast is supported by iTunes Movies. Get Get Outand many other Award-nominated films on iTunes. Go to iTunes.com/Oscars2018.