Switchblade Sisters

Feeling Seen - 'Somebody, Somewhere' star Bridget Everett on 'Rudy'

shows@maximumfun.org (Jordan Crucchiola) — Fri, 4 Feb 2022 08:05:00 +0000

It's a Feeling Seen feed drop! One of Maximum Fun's newest shows is one that Switchblade Sisters fans oughta know.

In this episode, host Jordan Crucchiola (a former Switchblade Sisters guest) talks with Bridget Everett, a comedian, singer, and the star of her own new HBO series, Somebody Somewhere. Her journey to the semi-autobiographical series had lots of twists and turns along the way.

Bridget shares how she sees herself in the title character of 1993's Rudy -- from being underestimated to being cheered on by heroes when she needed it most. BRIDGET! BRIDGET! BRIDGET!

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With Jordan Crucchiola and Bridget Everett

The Exciting Conclusion of Switchblade Sisters

Thu, 25 Feb 2021 08:00:00 +0000

Well, we did it. It’s the final episode of Switchblade Sisters. Instead of doing a traditional show, April invited Katie Walsh, Drea Clark, and producer Casey O’Brien to discuss the making of Switchblade Sisters. We listen to messages from listeners and past guests and share our stories from the history of the podcast. We laugh, we cry, and Drea says “connective thread” at least 300 times. Thank you to everyone who listened and supported us. We will miss you. The episodes will stay up forever. So if you ever need any filmmaking advice, or maybe some assurance to follow your dreams, the show will always be there.

Keep up with April Wolfe on her Twitter. And give Drea Clark and Katie Walsh a follow, too.

‘Mars Attacks!’ with Jo Firestone

shows@maximumfun.org (April Wolfe, Casey O'Brien, Jo Firestone) — Thu, 18 Feb 2021 08:00:00 +0000

This week we are joined by the wonderful Jo Firestone. She’s a comedian, whose writing can be seen on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. You can see her in front of the camera as Sarah Connor, the doomsday prepping band teacher on Joe Pera Talks with You. Or you can hear her on Maximum Fun’s own Dr. Gameshow. But on this episode, she is here to talk about the magnificent Mars Attacks! She and April discuss the important things, like Lisa Marie’s “Sexy Alien” character, and how Jo used to want to work at Hooters. Plus, Jo talks about how a lack of funds on a project can foster a more creative environment. And, she explains the strange experience of running into The Backstreet Boys while they were dressed as chickens on The Tonight Show.

You can watch Rate The Cookie on Adult Swim now.

Also, please consider financially supporting our show by becoming a Maximum Fun member at Maximumfun.org/join

If you haven’t seen Mars Attacks! – move it!

With April Wolfe and Jo Firestone.

‘To Die For’ with ‘I Blame Society’ Director Gillian Wallace Horvat

shows@maximumfun.org (Casey O'Brien, April Wolfe, Gillian Wallace Horvat) — Thu, 11 Feb 2021 09:00:00 +0000

This week we are joined by the wonderful writer, director, producer, and actor Gillian Wallace Horvat. She sits down with host Katie Walsh to discuss Gus Van Sant’s classic, To Die For. Rarely has a movie chosen by a guest better fit with their own work than with this film and Gillian’s latest, I Blame Society. Gillian begins the discussion by drawing parallels between the two movies, both about psychotic women who do not let anyone get in the way of their desires. Gillian elaborates on how gatekeepers and the invisible barriers to the film industry inspired her film. She also talks about her friendship with To Die For screenwriter Buck Henry and how they became lunch buddies. And lastly, Gillian reveals a conspiracy theory about To Die For that involves witchcraft.

You can see I Blame Society on VOD February 12th

Please call in to leave your message for the finale episode: 818-962-0286

Also, please consider financially supporting our show by becoming a Maximum Fun member at Maximumfun.org/join

If you haven’t seen To Die For – move it!

With Katie Walsh and Gillian Wallace Horvat.

‘Bride of Frankenstein’ with ‘A Nightmare Wakes’ Director Nora Unkel

shows@maximumfun.org (Nora Unkel, April Wolfe, Casey O'Brien) — Thu, 4 Feb 2021 09:00:00 +0000

This episode begins with a very important announcement from our host April Wolfe about the future of Switchblade Sisters. But as far as guests go, this week we are joined by the phenomenal writer and director Nora Unkel. Her latest feature, A Nightmare Wakes, explores the personal turmoil of writer Mary Shelley. This is so appropriate because the movie she chose to discuss this week is James Whale’s classic, Bride of Frankenstein. Nora begins the conversation by elaborating on how Whale’s movie directly inspired her latest film. She also talks about having to ignore what is currently popular in modern cinema in order to pursue the projects she’s most excited about. And lastly, she and April dissect the gay undertones of the film, from director James Whale’s influence to the “archetypical Queen” Dr. Pretorius.

You can see A Nightmare Wakes on Shudder.

Also, please consider financially supporting our show by becoming a Maximum Fun member at Maximumfun.org/join

If you haven’t seen Bride of Frankenstein – it’s fun!

With April Wolfe and Nora Unkel.

‘The Game’ with ‘Happiest Season’ Co-Writer and Actor Mary Holland

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 09:00:00 +0000

We are joined this week by the lovely Mary Holland. She is an actor and writer, who can most recently be seen in Happiest Season, a film that she co-wrote with director Clea DuVall. Mary’s on the show to talk about a movie that is nothing like Happiest Season at all, and that would be David Fincher’s mystery-thriller, The Game. Mary is an admitted fan of “games and escape rooms,” so it makes sense she gravitates towards this film. She and April go in-depth on the writing of Mary’s latest feature. She talks about how the script naturally changes when the film is cast, and how Mary Steenburgen breathed a different life into her role than was originally written. Mary also talks about her acting craft, the difficulty of shooting movies out of order, and the exhausting process of shooting “table scenes.” And lastly, she discusses the emotional “revelation scene” in Happiest Season, and how Kristen Stewart, Mackenzie Davis, and everyone involved had to really gear themselves up for shooting it.

You can see Happiest Season on Hulu now.

Please check out storyblocks.com/SWITCHBLADE

Also, please consider financially supporting our show by becoming a Maximum Fun member at Maximumfun.org/join

If you haven’t seen The Game – it’s fun!

With April Wolfe and Mary Holland.

‘Blow the Man Down’ with Mallory O’Meara

shows@maximumfun.org (April Wolfe, Mallory O'Meara, Maximum Fun, Casey O'Brien) — Thu, 21 Jan 2021 09:00:00 +0000

This week we are joined by the amazing author and producer Mallory O’Meara. Some may know her as one of the hosts of the Maximum Fun podcast Reading Glasses. But she is here today to talk about 2020’s sea shanty bonanza, Blow the Man Down. She and April get into the nitty-gritty of the creative process and discuss why some projects take longer to correctly finish. Mallory also talks about what brought her to writing her book The Lady from the Black Lagoon about Milicent Patrick, “the only woman in history to create one of Hollywood’s classic movie monsters.” Mallory also hammers home that women are not just joining the cultural conversation after #MeToo, but have always been there, contributing to history.

Listen to Reading Glasses and check out Mallory’s book The Lady from the Black Lagoon

Please check out storyblocks.com/SWITCHBLADE

Also, please consider financially supporting our show by becoming a Maximum Fun member at Maximumfun.org/join

If you haven’t seen Blow the Man Down – it’s great!

With April Wolfe and Mallory O’Meara.

'Sisters' with 'Insecure' Actor & 'Definition Please' Director Sujata Day

shows@maximumfun.org (Katie Walsh, April Wolfe, Maximum Fun) — Thu, 14 Jan 2021 09:00:00 +0000

We are joined by the multi-hyphenate, uber-talented writer, actor, director, producer Sujata Day. You may know her best from her role as Sarah on Insecure. But she also recently wrote, directed, and starred in her debut feature Definition Please, about a former spelling bee champion who must reconcile with her family and her past. She joins Katie Walsh to discuss Brian De Palma’s severely underrated Sisters. Katie and Sujata gush over the “bonkers” quality of the film. But Sujata goes further and points to De Palma’s use of split-screens and imaginative filmmaking techniques that directly inspired her work. Sujata also discusses scrappy filmmaking (she shot her film in two weeks), utilizing Indian music, and having complete creative control over low-budget projects.

Please consider financially supporting our show by becoming a Maximum Fun member at Maximumfun.org/join

If you haven’t seen Sisters – it’s great!

With Katie Walsh and Sujata Day.

'Strange Days' with 'Lucky' Director Natasha Kermani

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 7 Jan 2021 09:00:00 +0000

This week we are joined by the incredibly talented director Natasha Kermani to talk about Kathryn Bigelow’s undersung classic, Strange Days. Katie Walsh takes over hosting duties to speak to Natasha about the disturbing prescience of this film and Bigelow’s oeuvre in general. They also chat about Natasha’s latest film, the Brea Grant penned slasher satire, Lucky. Natasha discusses creating a “Final Woman,” as opposed to the typical “Final Girl.” She elaborates on working with action and fight choreography and how she always tries to ground it in service of the story. Natasha also elaborates on the creation of the killer’s mask in Lucky, and how she wanted it to look subtle as if there were no mask at all.

Please consider financially supporting our show by becoming a Maximum Fun member at Maximumfun.org/join

If you haven’t seen Strange Days – it’s great…but hard to track down.

With Katie Walsh and Natasha Kermani.

‘Us’ with Writer, Producer, & Professor Tananarive Due

shows@maximumfun.org (Casey O'Brien, April Wolfe, Tananarive Due) — Thu, 31 Dec 2020 09:00:00 +0000

This week we are joined by a very special guest; writer, producer, and educator Tananarive Due. For those who don’t know, Tananarive recently produced the groundbreaking documentary Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror. She’s also an award-winning author of several books. And she teaches Black Horror and Afrofuturism at UCLA. This week she joins April to discuss Jordan Peele’s Us. Tananarive begins the discussion by revealing her connections to Peele, which includes several interviews with the filmmaker and writing the introduction on the Black Horror aesthetic for the annotated screenplay of Get Out. As the discussion continues, she and April thoughtfully dissect several aspects of the film. Tananarive compares her isolation of being a Black woman in a white environment to Jordan Peele’s isolation that inspired both Get Out and Us. She also examines the personalities of predators, and how they are so similar to us. And she talks about the political statement made when a director casts a dark-skinned Black woman in the leading role of a Hollywood film.

You can watch Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror streaming now.

Please consider financially supporting our show by becoming a Maximum Fun member at Maximumfun.org/join

If you haven’t seen Us – c’mon, you gotta.

With April Wolfe and Tananarive Due.

‘Ghost’ with ‘Wander Darkly’ Writer & Director Tara Miele

shows@maximumfun.org (Tara Miele, Maximum Fun, Katie Walsh, Casey O'Brien) — Thu, 24 Dec 2020 09:00:00 +0000

Writer and director Tara Miele joins host Katie Walsh this week to discuss 1990’s massive hit, Ghost. Tara explains the connection between this film and her latest movie, Wander Darkly, and how both explore the space between life and death. She goes on to tell the story about the horrific car accident she and her husband were in that inspired her movie. Tara talks about the casting of Diego Luna and how she was influenced by his reaction to the Mexico City earthquake. She also elaborates on the importance of casting people of color in lead roles. And, at the end of the interview, Katie, Tara, and possibly the listener, gain an appreciation for the earnestness of Ghost and films of its ilk.

You can watch Wander Darkly on VOD now.

Please consider financially supporting our show by becoming a Maximum Fun member at Maximumfun.org/join

If you haven’t seen Ghost – c’mon, you gotta.

With Katie Walsh and Tara Miele.

‘Volver’ with ‘Miss Juneteenth’ Writer & Director Channing Godfrey Peoples

Thu, 17 Dec 2020 09:00:00 +0000

Katie Walsh returns to take over hosting duties this week, and she is joined by the truly talented filmmaker, Channing Godfrey Peoples. The movie that Channing has chosen to discuss is Pedro Almodóvar’s classic, Volver. Channing elaborates on the relationship between Almodóvar’s film and her latest, Miss Juneteenth. She explains how both movies are about the struggles of women and the work that women do in order to survive. Channing also chats about the writing of her film, how it was written in a Texan dialect, and how there are specific differences between the way people talk in Fort Worth and Houston. And lastly, Channing covers the importance of naming her film Miss Juneteenth.

You can watch Miss Juneteenth on VOD now.

Please consider financially supporting our show by becoming a Maximum Fun member at Maximumfun.org/join

If you haven’t seen Volver – c’mon, you gotta.

With Katie Walsh and Channing Godfrey Peoples.

'Jackass: The Movie' with 'Dick Johnson Is Dead' Director Kirsten Johnson

shows@maximumfun.org (April Wolfe, Maximum Fun, Kirsten Johson, Casey O'Brien) — Thu, 10 Dec 2020 09:00:00 +0000

This week’s episode is truly one of our most powerful…and, of course, the film being discussed is Jackass: The Movie. April is joined by cinematographer and director Kirsten Johnson, recording from her closet in New York City. Kirsten has so many poignant and beautiful observations about pain, the body, life, and death. And she somehow connects it all back to Jackass and her latest film Dick Johnson Is Dead. In her latest film, Kirsten explores mortality and the impending death of her ailing father by staging him in a series of comical fake death scenes. Throughout the course of the episode, discussing this film allows April to open up about the recent passing of her own grandfather who raised her. This episode is funny, touching, heartening, life-affirming, and incredibly gripping. Share it with a loved one.

You can watch Dick Johnson Is Dead on Netflix now.

Please consider financially supporting our show by becoming a Maximum Fun member at Maximumfun.org/join

If you haven’t seen Jackass: The Movie – c’mon, you gotta.

With April Wolfe and Kirsten Johnson.

Please you promo code: Switchblade at kittypooclub.com for 20% off

‘The Passenger’ with ‘Luxor’ Director Zeina Durra

shows@maximumfun.org (Zeina Durra, Casey O'Brien, April Wolfe, Maximum Fun) — Thu, 3 Dec 2020 09:00:00 +0000

This week we are joined by the phenomenal writer and director Zeina Durra. She’s on the program to discuss Michelangelo Antonioni’s The Passenger. Zeina elaborates on how this film influenced her latest movie Luxor. She goes on to discuss the production of her most recent movie, shooting in Egypt, and how cigarette breaks almost sabotaged her production schedule. Zeina also chats about her research in making the film, interviewing nurses on the Jordanian/ Syrian border and hearing the horrific, literal “Sophie’s Choice” situations that women face in the region. Lastly, she talks about showing The Passenger to her children and how Disney has destroyed their movie palettes.

Luxor is available on Digital and On Demand December 4th.

Please consider financially supporting our show by becoming a Maximum Fun member at Maximumfun.org/join

If you haven’t seen The Passenger – you should!

With April Wolfe and Zeina Durra.

Please you promo code: Switchblade at kittypooclub.com for 20% off.

‘A History of Violence’ with ‘Proxima’ Director Alice Winocour

shows@maximumfun.org (Alice Winocour, April Wolfe, Casey O'Brien, Maximum Fun) — Thu, 26 Nov 2020 09:00:00 +0000

This week we are joined by the celebrated writer and director Alice Winocour. She calls in from Paris to talk about David Cronenberg’s A History of Violence. Alice and April dissect the film and admire Cronenberg’s craft of layering intricate depth on top of a simple story idea. Alice points out the “69-ing” sex scene in particular and explains how it inspires her to create images that she has never seen before. She also discusses how being a mother influenced her latest space drama, Proxima. And lastly, Alice talks about working with Eva Green, and how Eva claims to be from another planet.

Please consider financially supporting our show by becoming a Maximum Fun member at Maximumfun.org/join

You can watch Proxima on VOD now.

If you haven’t seen A History of Violence – you should!

With April Wolfe and Alice Winocour.

Please you promo code: Switchblade at kittypooclub.com for 20% off.

‘Sorry to Bother You’ with ‘Freaky’ Actor Celeste O’Connor

shows@maximumfun.org (April Wolfe, Maximum Fun, Casey O'Brien, Celeste O'Connor) — Thu, 19 Nov 2020 10:00:00 +0000

This week we are joined by the fabulous actor Celeste O’Connor to dissect Boots Riley’s new classic, Sorry to Bother You. Celeste and April discuss the risks that Tessa Thompson took by doing this particular movie, and how Celeste felt they were taking a similar risk in accepting the role of Nyla in Freaky. Celeste also covers larger topics like expanding beyond stereotypical Black representation in film, and how they are so tired of being offered “slave roles.” Celeste elaborates on this point and has a lot to say about telling stories about Black people that don’t just cover their own personal trauma. Plus, Celeste talks about their time making Freaky, hitting (and hurting) another actor in the head with a prop frying pan, and the joy of working with Vince Vaughn.

Please consider financially supporting our show by becoming a Maximum Fun member at Maximumfun.org/join

You can watch Freaky in select theaters now.

If you haven’t seen Sorry to Bother You – you should!

With April Wolfe and Celeste O’Connor.

Please you promo code: Switchblade at kittypooclub.com for 20% off.

‘Train to Busan’ with ‘Kaali Khuhi’ Director Terrie Samundra

shows@maximumfun.org (Terrie Samundra, Maximum Fun, April Wolfe, Casey O'Brien) — Thu, 12 Nov 2020 10:00:00 +0000

We have the wonderful filmmaker Terrie Samundra on the show this week. She’s the co-writer and director of Netflix’s new horror Kaali Khuhi. And she’s here to discuss and analyze 2016’s zombie classic, Train to Busan. She and April gush about all the things they love about this movie, down to the fascinating zombie choreography. They then move on to discuss Terrie’s career and the expectations that go along with being an Indian filmmaker. Terrie talks about how she is so tired of the fact that every movie shot in India uses an orange and yellow filter. Plus, Terrie also reveals that in Los Angeles everyone assumes she’s going to make movies about identity and the immigrant experience, which is why she finds genre filmmaking so freeing.

Please consider financially supporting our show by becoming a Maximum Fun member at Maximumfun.org/join

You can watch Kaali Khuhi on Netflix now.

If you haven’t seen Train to Busan – it’s good!

With April Wolfe and Terrie Samundra.

Please you promo code: Switchblade at kittypooclub.com for 20% off.

‘The Babadook’ with ‘The Craft: Legacy’ Director Zoe Lister-Jones

shows@maximumfun.org (Casey O'Brien, April Wolfe, Zoe Lister-Jones, Maximum Fun) — Thu, 5 Nov 2020 10:00:00 +0000

It’s the perfect week to call upon the collected power of a coven. This is why we are delighted to have as a guest, the director of The Craft: Legacy, Zoe Lister-Jones. She’s on the show to talk about a new classic, Jennifer Kent’s The Babadook. Zoe discusses making her first “genre” film and grounding the film in emotional truth. She even reveals that she drew inspiration for the script from being raised by her single mother and having to interact with the men that her mother brought home. Zoe also talks about her terror of “Men’s Rights Activists” and how that influenced The Craft: Legacy. She elaborates on how her experience as an actor has helped her directing career and admits that, as an actor, we “can be difficult.” Plus, Zoe hammers home the importance of earning the trust of every person working on set or else, as she states, “you’re fucked.”

Please consider financially supporting our show by becoming a Maximum Fun member at Maximumfun.org/join

You can watch The Craft: Legacy on VOD now.

If you haven’t seen The Babadook – c’mon!

With April Wolfe and Zoe Lister-Jones.

‘The City of Lost Children’ with ‘The True Adventures of Wolfboy’ Writer Olivia Dufault

shows@maximumfun.org (Casey O'Brien, Maximum Fun, April Wolfe, Olivia Dufault) — Thu, 29 Oct 2020 08:00:00 +0000

We are joined by a truly thoughtful and talented writer, Olivia Dufault. You may know her work from writing on the shows Legion and Preacher. But she also has a new movie out called The True Adventures of Wolfboy, about a young “Wolfboy” who is on the lam in search of his estranged mother. Olivia is on the show this week to talk about a similarly fantastical film, The City of Lost Children. She and April dive deep into the human elements of the movie, as well as the freedom that comes with working in genre cinema. Olivia also talks about the relationship between writing the script and actually realizing the crazy things the writer wrote. And she reveals the importance of strange-looking actors and reclaiming the word “freak.”

Please consider financially supporting our show by becoming a Maximum Fun member at Maximumfun.org/join

You can watch The True Adventures of Wolfboy on VOD now.

If you haven’t seen The City of Lost Children – it’s wonderful!

With Olivia Dufault and Olivia Dufault.

‘The Fog’ with ‘Tito’ Director and Star Grace Glowicki

shows@maximumfun.org (Casey O'Brien, Maximum Fun, April Wolfe, Grace Glowicki) — Thu, 22 Oct 2020 09:00:00 +0000

This week we have an emerging artist who has created a truly unique and original debut film. We have writer, director, and actor Grace Glowicki, whose debut feature Tito can now be seen on Amazon Prime. She’s calling into the show from Canada to discuss John Carpenter’s The Fog. Grace and April dissect the creativity and ingenuity that went into the creation of Carpenter’s film. And Grace relays the struggles that she had with Tito. Grace reveals that the movie was really shaped in post and that the original monsters were removed from the film entirely. She goes on to discuss other innovative solutions that occurred on set, like making a barf machine out of a beer bong. And she also speaks to fighting the urge to be a “total dictator” when it comes to creative control, and how it’s best to only be “partially a dictator.”

Please consider financially supporting our show by becoming a Maximum Fun member at Maximumfun.org/join

You can watch Tito on Amazon Prime now.

If you haven’t seen The Fog – it’s fun!

With April Wolfe and Grace Glowicki.

‘The Wailing’ with ‘Helstrom’ Actor Elizabeth Marvel

shows@maximumfun.org (Casey O'Brien, Elizabeth Marvel, April Wolfe) — Thu, 15 Oct 2020 09:00:00 +0000

This week we are joined by the prolific, multiple Obie Award-winning actor, Elizabeth Marvel. She’s on the show to discuss 2017’s cuckoo zombie/murderer/demon-possession film, The Wailing. Elizabeth initially talks about how this film inspired her latest role as a demon on Hulu’s Marvel show Helstrom. But she also goes on to elaborate on the details of her creative process. She discusses how she approaches acting as a “visual medium,” which is why she always speaks to the DP on set. She also talks about loving to shoot on location because she “wants chaos.” Elizabeth did so much research on The Wailing and she is such a wealth of information on the craft of acting. She has a phenomenal story about working in a cramped townhouse with Ben Stiller and Adam Sandler in The Meyerowitz Stories. And she reveals that the Coen Brothers called people she knew before working with her to make sure she wasn’t an asshole.

Please consider financially supporting our show by becoming a Maximum Fun member at Maximumfun.org/join

You can watch Helstrom on Hulu starting October 16.

If you haven’t seen The Wailing yet – you simply must!

With April Wolfe and Elizabeth Marvel.

‘Repulsion’ with ‘The Neon Demon’ Co-Writer and ‘Monsterland’ Creator Mary Laws

shows@maximumfun.org (Mary Laws, Casey O'Brien, Katie Walsh, Maximum Fun) — Thu, 8 Oct 2020 09:00:00 +0000

This week we are joined by the incredibly talented writer Mary Laws. You may know Mary from writing the screenplay for Nicolas Winding Refn’s The Neon Demon or from her work on the show Succession. But most recently Mary has created and executive produced the new Hulu anthology series Monsterland. In this episode, Mary joins guest host Katie Walsh to discuss Roman Polanski’s Repulsion. She and Katie do not stray away from the controversy surrounding Polanski, and both of them try to tackle and reconcile with the fact that they both find this movie hugely inspirational. Mary reveals how this very film motivated her to move away from the normal three-act structure. She also elaborates on why she loves working in the horror genre and how it allows for more creative freedom. Plus, Mary also covers her stint as a writer on HBO’s Succession and the differences between writing for theater and film.

Please consider financially supporting our show by becoming a Maximum Fun member at Maximumfun.org/join

You can watch Monsterland on Hulu now.

If you haven’t seen Repulsion yet – it’s very good.

And if you want to listen to our Rosemary’s Baby episode, click HERE.

With Katie Walsh and Mary Laws.

‘May’ with ’12 Hour Shift’ Director Brea Grant

shows@maximumfun.org (Brea Grant, Casey O'Brien, April Wolfe, Maximum Fun) — Thu, 1 Oct 2020 09:00:00 +0000

It is the return of one of our all-time favorite guests; writer, actor, director, and ‘Reading Glasses’ host, Brea Grant. She’s on the show this week to talk about 2002’s May, a movie described by April Wolfe as a spiritual prequel to Brea’s latest film, 12 Hour Shift. Brea discusses expediting the exposition in her film, Lucky, and how she pitched it by describing one specific scene; a wife wakes up to find a murderer in her house. She wakes her husband who says, “Of course he’s here, that’s the man that tries to kill us everyday.”

May and 12 Hour Shift also happen to share the same lead actress, Angela Bettis. Brea describes what a dream she was to work with, and how she even helped the crew wrap the set on the final night of shooting. Brea talks about the expressiveness of the human face, and how one DP on the set of Heroes showed her how much her face takes up the screen, changing her acting forever. And lastly, Brea describes how David Arquette brought a donkey to set to raise spirits, and it did just that!

Please consider financially supporting our show by becoming a Maximum Fun member at Maximumfun.org/join

You can watch 12 Hour Shift on October 2nd.

If you haven’t seen May yet – it’s great!

With April Wolfe and Brea Grant.

‘Orlando’ with Rachel True

shows@maximumfun.org (Casey O'Brien, Maximum Fun, Rachel True, April Wolfe) — Thu, 24 Sep 2020 09:00:14 +0000

This week’s episode is a real treat because we get to talk to the wonderful and exuberant Rachel True. She has chosen a movie that really blew our hair back; Sally Potter’s fantastical romance, Orlando. Rachel begins the episode by detailing her journey to see this movie in the early ’90s by taking a bus across Los Angeles. Rachel goes on to elaborate on the difficulty of being a black female actor and the limited roles she gets offered. She also talks about how she was often forced to utilize a “hood” accent when auditioning, and how that may have lost her a part in Clueless. And lastly, Rachel opens up about her experience working on The Craft, and why she fights to get the same respect as the other members of the cast.

Please consider financially supporting our show by becoming a Maximum Fun member at Maximumfun.org/join

You can purchase Rachel’s True Heart Intuitive Tarot, Guidebook and Deck right HERE.

If you haven’t seen Orlando yet – it’s great!

With April Wolfe and Rachel True.

‘Thelma & Louise’ with ‘Unpregnant’ Director Rachel Lee Goldenberg

Thu, 17 Sep 2020 09:00:05 +0000

This week we are joined by the wonderful director, Rachel Lee Goldenberg, to discuss the “perfect film,” Thelma & Louise. Her movie choice is actually a direct inspiration for her latest movie, HBO Max’s Unpregnant. That film stars Haley Lu Richardson as a teenage girl who needs to get across state lines to get an abortion, and the only person she can turn to for help is her weird ex-best friend. In this episode, Rachel elaborates on the joy of working with Haley Lu, and how she would sometimes get so deep into character that she would get lost. Rachel explains her storyboarding process by quoting the great Werner Herzog: “Storyboards are for cowards.” Plus, Rachel describes her time making films for the Roger Corman-Esque studio ‘The Asylum,’ and how it honed her ability to come up with big ideas on a small budget.

Please consider financially supporting our show by becoming a Maximum Fun member at Maximumfun.org/join

You can watch Unpregnant on HBO Max now.

If you haven’t seen Thelma & Louise yet – it’s great!

With April Wolfe and Rachel Lee Goldenberg.

‘Double Indemnity’ with ‘Lingua Franca’ Director Isabel Sandoval

shows@maximumfun.org (Isabel Sandoval, Casey O'Brien, April Wolfe) — Thu, 10 Sep 2020 09:00:17 +0000

We are joined by a truly magnetic and unique voice in filmmaking, director/writer/actor Isabel Sandoval. She calls in from New York to discuss the film noir classic, Double Indemnity. Isabel has so much to cover on the craft of filmmaking. She discusses the power of the human face as a tool for storytelling, and why it so often leaves dialogue superfluous. She and April dissect Isabel’s latest film, Lingua Franca, and why all of her film’s center around women. Isabel also reveals her feelings on the current state of Filipino cinema, and why she wants to stay away from her films being labeled “poverty porn.” And lastly, Isabel shares her ultimate goal for her career; for her films to be considered their own film genre.

Please consider financially supporting our show by becoming a Maximum Fun member at Maximumfun.org/join

You can watch Lingua Franca on Netflix now.

If you haven’t seen Double Indemnity yet – it’s great!

With April Wolfe and Isabel Sandoval.

'The Faculty' with 'Coin Heist' Director Emily Hagins

shows@maximumfun.org (Emily Hagins, Maximum Fun, Casey O'Brien, April Wolfe) — Thu, 3 Sep 2020 09:00:41 +0000

We are joined by the wonderful director Emily Hagins (Coin Heist, Scare Package) to discuss the classic Robert Rodriguez film, The Faculty. Emily reveals that this particular film was a huge inspiration for her as it was shot in her hometown of Austin, Texas. She talks about the similarities between writing comedy and horror and how the two genres mix well together. And she and April discuss the way writing dialogue for teenage characters has changed in recent years.

Please consider financially supporting our show by becoming a Maximum Fun member at Maximumfun.org/join

You can watch Coin Heist on Netflix now.

If you haven’t seen The Faculty yet, it’s great!

With April Wolfe and Emily Hagins.

‘Truly, Madly, Deeply’ with ‘Model Minority’ Director and ‘ER’ Actor Lily Mariye

shows@maximumfun.org (Lily Mariye, Maximum Fun, Casey O'Brien, April Wolfe) — Thu, 27 Aug 2020 09:00:26 +0000

This week’s episode is an utter delight. We are joined by director and actor Lily Mariye to discuss Anthony Minghella’s Truly, Madly, Deeply. Both the guest and this movie could be described similarly; delightful, thoughtful, and inspiring. Lily talks about the process of casting and how she gets emotional when an actor perfectly delivers the material. She even gives April a little acting lesson and teaches her not to luxuriate in her emotions, but rather move between them and let them crash into one another. Lily elaborates on her directing strategy of taking ideas from anyone on set, even the craft services person. And lastly, she explains the deeper meaning of why she always wears lipstick when directing.

Please consider financially supporting our show by becoming a Maximum Fun member at Maximumfun.org/join

You can watch Model Minority on VOD now.

And if you haven’t seen Truly, Madly, Deeply yet, you simply must!

With April Wolfe and Lily Mariye.

‘Twister’ with ‘Yes, God, Yes’ Director Karen Maine

shows@maximumfun.org (April Wolfe, Maximum Fun, Karen Maine, Casey O'Brien) — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 09:00:11 +0000

This week we have the joy of discussing a true classic film with a phenomenally talented writer and director. We are joined by the co-writer of the Jenny Slate film Obvious Child and the writer/director of the recently released Yes, God, Yes, Karen Maine. She’s on the show to discuss Jan de Bont’s perfect film, Twister. Karen elaborates on her particular attachment to this film and how it is tied to her Iowa roots. She also talks about her new film Yes, God, Yes starring Stranger Things’ Natalie Dyer and the inspiration behind her story about a young Catholic Schoolgirl navigating her sexual awakening at a religious retreat. Not only that, but Karen also discusses her admiration for Helen Hunt’s perfectly quaffed 90’s hair. And, she talks mad shit about Jan de Bont, but in the most loving way possible.

Please consider financially supporting our show by becoming a Maximum Fun member at Maximumfun.org/join

You can watch Yes, God, Yes on VOD now.

And if you haven’t seen Twister yet, then you are a pervert.

With April Wolfe and Karen Maine.

‘The Company of Wolves’ with Actor and ‘Prevenge’ Director Alice Lowe

shows@maximumfun.org (Alice Lowe, April Wolfe, Maximum Fun, Casey O'Brien) — Thu, 13 Aug 2020 09:00:03 +0000

This is a special episode because one of our guests is an actual baby. The other guest is her mother; actor, writer, and director Alice Lowe. You may recognize Alice from her acting work in any number of things; Ben Wheatley’s Sightseers (which she co-wrote), Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace, Hot Fuzz, The IT Crowd, and many others. But she’s also a director, and wrote, directed, and starred in 2016’s Prevenge. She’s on the show today, calling in from London, to talk about the undersung 1984 fantasy, The Company of Wolves. She and April discuss making independent films and not limiting your imagination just because you’re doing things differently. They chat about the writer Angela Carter and utilizing dream logic. Plus, Alice hammers home the importance of not eliminating the tragic elements from fairy tales.

Please consider financially supporting our show by becoming a Maximum Fun member at Maximumfun.org/join

You can watch Alice most recently in Dark Encounter on Prime.

Or check out her feature Prevenge on Shudder.

If you haven’t seen The Company of Wolves, you simply must.

With April Wolfe and Alice Lowe.

‘Border’ with Actor and ‘Amulet’ Director Romola Garai

shows@maximumfun.org (Casey O'Brien, Maximum Fun, Romola Garai, April Wolfe) — Thu, 6 Aug 2020 10:00:27 +0000

Calling in from a hotel in Greece, we have the phenomenally talented actor and director Romola Garai on the show this week. She’s chosen to discuss Ali Abbasi’s 2018 troll romance, Border. Romola opens up about the creative process and how every actor is striving to be truly seen by a director. She chats about the difficulty she had finding the perfect house for her new film Amulet, and how she wishes she’d started looking for it the moment she began writing the script. She and April also talk at length about the unusual, yet beautiful, sex scene between the trolls in Border, and how it could have been silly in another director’s hands.

Please consider financially supporting our show by becoming a Maximum Fun member at Maximumfun.org/join

You can watch Amulet on VOD now.

If you haven’t seen Border, you simply must.

With April Wolfe and Romola Garai.

‘Beetlejuice’ with Sydney Fleischmann and Mel Eslyn of HBO’s ‘Room 104’

Thu, 30 Jul 2020 10:00:07 +0000

We have two wonderful guests today, both from HBO’s excellent show, Room 104 – executive producer & director Sydney Fleischmann, and executive producer, writer, director, & president of Duplass Brothers Productions, Mel Eslyn. They join April to discuss Tim Burton’s, Beetlejuice. Both Mel and Sydney chat about writing dark material and keeping it rooted in character. They discuss the creative fulfillment that comes with being a producer. Plus, they also chat about their show, Room 104, and how it has allowed them to exercise their personal creative fantasies.

Please consider financially supporting our show by becoming a Maximum Fun member at Maximumfun.org/join

You can watch Room 104 on HBO.

If you haven’t seen Beetlejuice, then you are an odd person.

With April Wolfe, Mel Eslyn, and Sydney Fleischmann

'Possession' with 'The Rental' and 'A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night' Actor Sheila Vand

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 23 Jul 2020 10:00:18 +0000

We have the wonderful actor Sheila Vand on the program today to talk about Andrzej Żuławski’s 1981 bizarro nightmare, Possession. Sheila and April really dig into the process of acting, being in touch with your emotions, and infusing your performance with real-life experiences. Sheila also talks about improvising a key moment in A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night. And she elaborates on the necessity for directors to have an open line of communication with their actors. This is such a funny, heartfelt, and fascinating interview with a truly talented artist.

Please join us for a live watch along of The Apple on Saturday, July 25th at 2:00 pm PT. You can find all the info right here.

Also, please consider financially supporting our show by becoming a Maximum Fun member at Maximumfun.org/join

You can watch The Rental on VOD on July 24th.

If you haven’t seen Possession, you simply must!

With April Wolfe and Sheila Vand

‘Pillaged’ with ‘First Cow’ Director Kelly Reichardt

shows@maximumfun.org (Kelly Reichardt, April Wolfe, Casey O'Brien, Maximum Fun) — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 10:00:04 +0000

We recorded this episode back in February and have been anxiously waiting to release it since. On this week’s episode, we had the good fortune to talk with one of the greatest directors of the 21st century, Kelly Reichardt. She is on to discuss the obscure 1967 French film, Pillaged. She also discusses her newest film, First Cow. Kelly takes April through the adaptation process and explains how she made First Cow a unique story from the novel. She also chats about making westerns and utilizing the tropes of the genre. Kelly is a true master of cinema, but she’s also genuinely hilarious. This is one of our most entertaining episodes and one you should not miss.

Please consider financially supporting our show by becoming a Maximum Fun member at Maximumfun.org/join

You can watch First Cow on VOD now.

If you haven’t seen Pillaged, you can watch this crappy version on YouTube.

With April Wolfe and Kelly Reichardt

‘Man on Fire’ with ‘Love & Basketball’ and ‘The Old Guard’ Director Gina Prince-Bythewood

Thu, 9 Jul 2020 10:00:06 +0000

This week we are so lucky to be joined by the groundbreaking and phenomenal director, Gina Prince-Bythewood. You may know her from any one of her wonderful films – Love & Basketball, The Secret Life of Bees, and Beyond the Lights. She’s on the show to discuss Tony Scott’s Man on Fire. During the discussion Gina reveals that she has a “No Asshole” policy for working with people on set. She even details how she goes about determining an individual’s “asshole status” ahead of time. Gina talks about the importance of casting and how that is 70% of directing. She discusses her working relationship with her longtime editor Terilyn A. Shropshire, and how it is so unique and special for there to be a black female director and editor team like that. Lastly, she discusses the importance of Patty Jenkins’ success with Wonder Woman, and how that opened up the doors for her to make her new action/fantasy film The Old Guard.

You can watch The Old Guard on Netflix on July 10th.

If you haven’t seen Man on Fire…get on it!

AND, if you want to check out April’s Staff Pick – watch Chinonye Chukwu’s Clemency

With April Wolfe and Gina Prince-Bythewood

‘Thirst’ with ‘Relic’ Director Natalie Erika James

Thu, 2 Jul 2020 10:00:05 +0000

We have another amazing Australian director calling in this week. Natalie Erika James is on the program to talk about Park Chan-wook’s vampire classic, Thirst. She also discusses her newest film, the Sundance hit, Relic. Natalie reveals that after production wrapped, she was surprised to learn from her actors that she was a demanding director when it came to performances. She talks about how she created the sensation of being trapped in her film Relic. And she elaborates on the importance of realistic reactions in horror films.

You can watch Relic on VOD on July 3rd.

If you haven’t seen Thirst…get on it!

AND, if you want to check out April’s Staff Pick – watch Lee Kyoung-mi’s The Truth Beneath

With April Wolfe and Natalie Erika James

‘Drive’ with ‘Stray Dolls’ Director Sonejuhi Sinha

shows@maximumfun.org (April Wolfe, Sonejuhi Sinha, Casey O'Brien, Maximum Fun) — Thu, 25 Jun 2020 10:00:27 +0000

We have the wonderful director of the new neo-noir Stray Dolls on the program, Sonejuhi Sinha. She’s calling in from New York to talk about a very Los Angeles movie – Nicolas Winding Refn’s Drive. Sonejuhi talks all about subverting the typical noir leading man with a female protagonist of color. She discusses creating a “mysterious city” for her film to take place in, much like the movie Drive. Plus, she elaborates on her obsession with motels. And she reveals why she sets a timer to write for 90 minutes.

You can watch Stray Dolls on VOD now.

If you haven’t seen Drive…get on it!

AND, if you want to check out April’s Staff Pick – watch Alice Winocour’s Disorder

With April Wolfe and Sonejuhi Sinha

‘Gattaca’ with ‘Twilight’ and ‘Thirteen’ Director Catherine Hardwicke

Thu, 18 Jun 2020 15:54:07 +0000

We have the legendary director Catherine Hardwicke on the show this week. In light of her upcoming Quibi show Don’t Look Deeper, she has decided to discuss the “near future” film Gattaca. Catherine talks about her start in the film industry as a production designer and how that influenced her directing career. She elaborates on the techniques she used with Twilight and Thirteen to get the actors comfortable with one another. Plus, she reveals the minor regrets she has with a few of her films.

You can watch Don’t Look Deeper on Quibi this summer.

If you haven’t seen Gattaca…it’s quite good

AND, if you want to check out April’s Staff Pick – watch Kristina Buozyte’s Vanishing Waves

With April Wolfe and Catherine Hardwicke

‘Spring Breakers’ with ‘Babyteeth’ and ‘Killing Eve’ Director Shannon Murphy

shows@maximumfun.org (Maximum Fun, April Wolfe, Shannon Murphy, Casey O'Brien) — Thu, 11 Jun 2020 10:00:09 +0000

We have another fantastic director calling in, all the way from Australia. This week we’ve got Babyteeth director Shannon Murphy on to discuss Harmony Korine’s Spring Breakers. Shannon talks about the use of music in Korine’s film and how she used music when directing Killing Eve. She discusses motivating her actors to take interesting risks in their performances. She also chats about casting Ben Mendelsohn against type. And she reveals how she obsessively stalked a band until they gave her the rights to their song.

You can watch Babyteeth on VOD June 19th.

If you haven’t seen Spring Breakers…check it out!

AND, if you want to check out April’s Staff Pick – watch Lynne Ramsay’s You Were Never Really Here

With April Wolfe and Shannon Murphy

‘Underwater’ with Zoey Luna

shows@maximumfun.org (April Wolfe, Zoey Luna, Casey O'Brien, Maximum Fun) — Thu, 4 Jun 2020 10:00:16 +0000

A tender, hilarious, thoughtful, and illuminating conversation with transgender actress Zoey Luna. She’s on the show to talk about Kristen Stewart’s recent nautical sci-fi film, Underwater. Zoey compares her own struggles in dealing with her mother, her abuser, and having to suppress her emotions to move forward, with the struggle of Kristen Stewart’s character in the film. Zoey also discusses how she made herself cry on the set of the upcoming The Craft remake (it was by watching a scene from The Fox and the Hound). And she reveals why she doesn’t like other people doing her hair. Zoey is a star. You will know that as soon as you hear her. Also, she says she’s a star in the episode.

You can watch Pose now to catch some of Zoey’s work.

If you haven’t seen Underwater…it’s really good!

AND, if you want to check out April’s Staff Pick – watch Claire Denis’ High Life

With April Wolfe and Zoey Luna

‘Adventures in Babysitting’ with ‘Driveways’ Co-Writer Hannah Bos

shows@maximumfun.org (Casey O'Brien, Maximum Fun, April Wolfe) — Thu, 28 May 2020 10:00:28 +0000

A fun and adventurous episode with the delightful writer and actor Hannah Bos. She’s on the show to discuss the pivotal 1980’s comedy, Adventures in Babysitting. Hannah and April both declare their love for Elisabeth Shue while dissecting the outdated humor of the film. Hannah also talks about her new movie Driveways, co-written with Paul Thureen. She elaborates on the process of getting the film made, working with director Andrew Ahn, and the generosity of the late great Brian Dennehy.

You can watch Driveways on VOD now.

If you haven’t seen Adventures in Babysitting…it’s great!

AND, if you want to check out April’s Staff Pick – watch Debra Granik’s Winter’s Bone

With April Wolfe and Hannah Bos

‘Blade Runner’ with ‘Tigers Are Not Afraid’ Director Issa López

shows@maximumfun.org (Casey O'Brien, Maximum Fun, April Wolfe, Issa López) — Thu, 21 May 2020 10:00:09 +0000

This is truly a momentous occasion. This episode marks the return of the inimitable Issa López. This time she’s on the show to talk about Ridley Scott’s classic, Blade Runner. Issa has so many fantastic anecdotes from her many years of working in Mexico’s film industry. She talks about the nightmare of someone else directing her own script. She reveals how she was fired from writing a screenplay for a movie she was directing. And she talks about collaborating with her old pal Guillermo del Toro. One of our favorite guests of all time, and she does not disappoint.

You can watch Tigers Are Not Afraid on Shudder now.

If you haven’t seen Blade Runner…it’s great!

AND, if you want to check out April’s Staff Pick – watch Kathryn Bigelow’s Strange Days

With April Wolfe and Issa López

‘Galaxy Quest’ with ‘Mother’s Little Helpers’ Director Kestrin Pantera

shows@maximumfun.org (Casey O'Brien, Kestrin Pantera, Maximum Fun, April Wolfe) — Thu, 14 May 2020 10:00:14 +0000

A very fun and fantastic episode with the actor, writer, and director Kestrin Pantera (Mother’s Little Helpers, Let’s Ruin It with Babies). She’s on the program to discuss 1999’s classic Galaxy Quest. Kestrin elaborates on her deep love for Star Trek, and even throws in a “mind meld” reference. She talks about her process of writing for specific actors. And she also reveals her method for gaining actors’ trust on set and allowing them to work freely.

You can watch Mother’s Little Helpers on VOD now.

If you haven’t seen Galaxy Quest…it’s great!

AND, if you want to check out April’s Staff Pick – watch Mimi Leder’s Deep Impact

With April Wolfe and Kestrin Pantera

‘Sexy Beast’ with ‘The Wolfpack’ and ‘Skate Kitchen’ Director Crystal Moselle

shows@maximumfun.org (Crystal Moselle, Casey O'Brien, April Wolfe, Maximum Fun) — Thu, 7 May 2020 10:00:18 +0000

A fascinating episode with Crystal Moselle, the director of one of the most interesting documentaries of the last decade, The Wolfpack. She’s on to discuss a film that has very little in common with her own work, at least stylistically, but one that she loves nonetheless; Jonathan Glazer’s Sexy Beast. She starts the conversation off by revealing that the protagonist of the film, the sunbaked retired gangster Gal, is her dream man. Crystal also talks about how she learned to trust her instincts after randomly approaching the subjects of The Wolfpack, the Angulo Brothers, on the streets of New York. She opens up about tackling every new creative challenge that comes her way. And lastly, Crystal discusses her newest project, HBO’s ‘Betty’ about a crew of skateboard girls in New York.

You can watch Betty on HBO now.

If you haven’t seen Sexy Beast…oooooh man it’s good!

AND, if you want to check out April’s Staff Pick – watch Kathryn Bigelow’s Point Break

With April Wolfe and Crystal Moselle

‘The Vanishing’ with Essie Davis

shows@maximumfun.org (Maximum Fun, Essie Davis, Casey O'Brien, April Wolfe) — Thu, 30 Apr 2020 10:00:04 +0000

A truly monumental episode. The Essie Davis calls in all the way from Tasmania. You know her from The Babadook, Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, and her latest The True History of the Kelly Gang. She is a treasure, and she’s on the show today to discuss the 1988 creep fest, The Vanishing. Essie divulges her innermost beliefs on the craft of acting and being able to know the thoughts of a character. She reveals that while working on The True History of the Kelly Gang, she and her co-stars were directed to form a punk band and actually play a show (the band’s name is Fleshlight, if you were wondering). But she also talks about the importance of studying and learning how to be a better actor. This is such a phenomenal and enlightening episode.

You can watch The True History of the Kelly Gang on VOD or if you live in LA you can catch it at the Mission Tiki Drive-In.

If you haven’t seen The Vanishing…it’s spooky!

AND, if you want to check out April’s Staff Pick – watch Bette Gordon’s Variety

With April Wolfe and Essie Davis

‘Earth Girls Are Easy’ with Mitra Jouhari

shows@maximumfun.org (Mitra Jouhari, Maximum Fun, April Wolfe, Casey O'Brien) — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 10:00:26 +0000

What’s not to love about this episode?! We have the majestic writer, actor, and comedian Mitra Jouhari on to discuss the luminescent classic Earth Girls Are Easy. Mitra chats about her deep love for movies that “don’t take themselves seriously as films.” She discusses working on her new show Three Busy Debras and explains why Sandy Honig’s character has a sister who is over 40 years older than her. Mitra also elaborates on the necessity for surreal and cuckoo comedy to be grounded in an emotional truth. And, of course, she discusses the “Touchdown Jesus” of Ohio getting hit by lightning.

You can watch Three Busy Debras on Adult Swim now

If you haven’t seen Earth Girls Are Easy…truly, what is wrong with you?

AND, if you want to check out April’s Staff Pick – watch Susan Seidelman’s Making Mr. Right

With April Wolfe and Mitra Jouhari

'Gremlins' with Felicia Day

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 16 Apr 2020 10:00:08 +0000

Just because we’re doing remote recordings doesn’t mean we’re not going to give you one of our best episodes. We’re joined by writer, actor, and producer Felicia Day. She’s here to discuss the classic horror/ comedy Gremlins. Felicia reveals the secret to being true to herself when creating projects. She discusses how her classic film literacy has influenced her career. And she talks about the creation of her newest film Pooka Lives! Make sure to listen to this episode to hear Felicia’s great story about how she nailed her monologue as a horse grooming psychic in a Hallmark movie.

You can watch Pooka Lives! on Hulu now

If you haven’t seen Gremlins…truly, what is wrong with you?

AND, if you want to check out April’s Staff Pick – watch Jackie Kong’s Blood Diner

With April Wolfe and Felicia Day

‘Brick’ with ‘Selah And The Spades’ Director Tayarisha Poe

shows@maximumfun.org (Casey O'Brien, April Wolfe, Tayarisha Poe, Maximum Fun) — Thu, 9 Apr 2020 11:00:24 +0000

Our first remote recording, and it’s a spectacular one. We’re joined by director Tayarisha Poe to discuss Rian Johnson’s Brick. Tayarisha takes April step by step through the process of getting her first feature film financed and produced, Selah And The Spades. She discusses going through the Sundance Labs and taking joy from her mentors ripping her project apart. She also talks about creating a unique world in her own film, with its own original language and look, on the smallest possible budget.

You can watch Selah And The Spades on Amazon Prime on April 17th

If you haven’t seen Brick…it’s good!

AND, if you want to check out April’s Staff Pick – watch Coralie Fargeat’s Revenge

With April Wolfe and Tayarisha Poe

‘Mandy’ with ‘Aliens’ and ‘Terminator 2: Judgment Day’ Actor Jenette Goldstein

Thu, 2 Apr 2020 11:00:15 +0000

This week we’ve been graced by a legend. An actor who can be seen in such films as Aliens, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Near Dark, and Titanic – the one and only Jenette Goldstein. She’s on the show to talk about Panos Cosmatos’ heavy metal, psycho-horror, Mandy. Jenette speaks about her career as a character actor and working with James Cameron. She also discusses digging deep for emotional scenes and reveals the secret to crying on camera.

If you haven’t seen Mandy…buckle up.

And if you’re interested in Jenette Bras, head on over to jenettebras.com.

If you’re interested in getting 20% off your Beta Brand purchases go to www.betabrand.com/switchblade

With April Wolfe and Jenette Goldstein.

‘Ms .45’ with ‘The Ranger’ Director Jenn Wexler

shows@maximumfun.org (Maximum Fun, Casey O'Brien, Jenn Wexler, April Wolfe) — Thu, 26 Mar 2020 11:00:05 +0000

We are joined this week by the director of the 2018 horror, The Ranger, Jenn Wexler. You may remember previous guest Heather Buckley, who was a producer on the film, discussing Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer. Well, Jenn has chosen an equally challenging film, Abel Ferrara’s Ms .45. She and April discuss what it means to portray sexual violence on the screen, and the effect it has on the viewer. They also chat about making low budget indie films and the importance of creating your own film community.

You can watch The Ranger on Shudder now.

And if you haven’t seen Ms .45…it’s fantastic.

If you’re interested in getting 20% off your Beta Brand purchases go to www.betabrand.com/switchblade

With April Wolfe and Jenn Wexler.

'The Wicker Man' with 'Blow the Man Down' Directors Danielle Krudy & Bridget Savage Cole

Thu, 19 Mar 2020 17:52:13 +0000

This could be described as a “best buds” episode because our host and guests go way back! Katie Walsh returns to the hosting chair to speak with her old pals, Danielle Krudy and Bridget Savage Cole, who just happen to be the directors of the new Amazon film, Blow the Man Down. They are on the program this week to talk about the folk-horror classic, 1973’s The Wicker Man. Both Krudy and Savage Cole have a cinematography background, and they discuss how having technical expertise can be both a blessing and a curse on set. They go in depth on creating the unique setting of the old fishing town in their film. And they proclaim the joy of working with the one-and-only Margo Martindale. If you’re starting to get those “social isolation blues,” this episode is so much fun that it can help clear that all up.

You can watch Blow the Man Down on Amazon Prime on March 20th!

And if you haven’t seen The Wicker Man…get to it, man!

If you’re interested in getting 20% off your Beta Brand purchases go to www.betabrand.com/switchblade

With Katie Walsh, Danielle Krudy, and Bridget Savage Cole.

‘Willow’ with ‘I Am Not Okay with This’ Co-Creator Christy Hall

shows@maximumfun.org (April Wolfe, Maximum Fun, Casey O'Brien, Christy Hall) — Thu, 12 Mar 2020 16:41:28 +0000

We are joined today by the exceptionally talented writer, producer, and co-creator of the new Netflix show I Am Not Okay with This, Christy Hall. She is here to talk about the beautifully weird Ron Howard/ George Lucas fantasy epic, Willow. This episode’s conversation is particularly illuminating and helpful as Christy gets into the nitty-gritty of being a writer. She elaborates on her initial struggle, and inevitable embrace, of using outlines when crafting a script. She also discusses the need to hone your craft and put in the work in order to get to the desired place in your career. Young writers, this is the podcast episode for you!

You can watch I Am Not Okay with This right this very minute on Netflix!

And if you haven’t seen Willow…it’s good!

If you’re interested in getting 20% off your Beta Brand purchases go to www.betabrand.com/switchblade

With April Wolfe and Christy Hall.

‘Don’t Breathe’ with ‘Into the Dark: Culture Shock’ Director Gigi Saul Guerrero and a Conversation with the Artistic Director of Indie Memphis Film Festival Miriam Bale

Thu, 5 Mar 2020 17:26:14 +0000

We have an exceptionally packed show with two separate guests! First up, we’ve got the electrifying director of Blumhouse’s Into the Dark: Culture Shock, Gigi Saul Guerrero. She’s on to talk about the terrifying 2016 film, Don’t Breathe. She and April chat about motivating actors with intensity and trickery. Gigi also talks about communicating with the entire crew so no one gets impatient. After Gigi we have a quick conversation with the artistic director of Indie Memphis Film Festival, Miriam Bale. She and April discuss diversity at film festivals, capturing the spirit of Memphis, and, of course, ghosts. This is an episode not to be missed!

You can watch Into the Dark: Culture Shock right this very minute on Hulu!

And if you haven’t seen Don’t Breathe…it’s freaky!

If you’re interested in getting 20% off your Beta Brand purchases go to www.betabrand.com/switchblade

With April Wolfe, Gigi Saul Guerrero, and Miriam Bale.

‘Kill Bill’ with ‘Sacred Lies’ Showrunner Raelle Tucker

shows@maximumfun.org (Casey O'Brien, Laura Swisher, April Wolfe, Raelle Tucker) — Thu, 27 Feb 2020 18:31:54 +0000

Today we are so lucky to have the amazingly talented showrunner for the Facebook Watch show Sacred Lies, Raelle Tucker. Raelle is also a playwright and has written for such TV shows as Supernatural, Jessica Jones, and True Blood. The movie she has chosen to discuss today is Kill Bill (both 1 and 2). Raelle and April have a long conversation about loving this film (and other films of its ilk) despite the problematic elements that went on behind the scenes. Raelle also talks about working with the wonderful Juliette Lewis. And she details how she gets her projects off the ground.

You can watch Sacred Lies right this very minute!

And if you haven’t seen Kill Bill…what are you doing?

With April Wolfe and Raelle Tucker.

‘It Follows’ with Jenna Kanell

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 20 Feb 2020 18:21:46 +0000

Today we have the multi-talented Jenna Kanell (Terrifier) on the program. She’s a writer, director, actor, and stunt performer. And she’s on the show today to talk about 2014’s It Follows. Jenna discusses the infusion of social commentary into the horror genre. She talks about the difficulty and isolation that can go along with the acting process. And she elaborates on performing her own stunts and how that can help her feel more “in her own body” for a role.

If you haven’t seen It Follows…you should! It’s good!

With April Wolfe and Jenna Kanell.

‘The Lost Boys’ with ‘Into the Dark: My Valentine’ Director Maggie Levin

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 13 Feb 2020 17:04:34 +0000

We have the magnificent director Maggie Levin (Blumhouse’s Into the Dark: My Valentine, Miss 2059) on the show to discuss Joel Schumacher’s vampire-classic, The Lost Boys. Maggie and April chat about making genre films on a shoestring budget. Maggie takes us through the laborious and often entertaining process of the “name clearance phase” of filmmaking. And she emphasizes the necessity of talented actors to make a quality film.

You can watch Into the Dark: My Valentine on Hulu now.

And if you haven’t seen The Lost Boys…get to it!

With April Wolfe and Maggie Levin.

‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ with ‘Birds of Prey’ Director Cathy Yan

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 6 Feb 2020 16:45:01 +0000

What a FANTABULOUS episode this is! We have the magnificent Cathy Yan, director of Birds of Prey, on to talk all about Mad Max: Fury Road. Cathy discusses what it’s like making her own standalone film in a “sequalized environment.” She elaborates on the function of using practical effects and stunts. And she discusses working with Margot Robbie and further developing Harley Quinn’s character.

You can watch Birds of Prey: And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn in theaters on February 7th.

And if you haven’t seen Mad Max: Fury Road…what?

With April Wolfe and Cathy Yan.

‘Adaptation’ with ‘Color Out of Space’ Star Madeleine Arthur

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 30 Jan 2020 17:56:28 +0000

This week we are joined by the wonderful actress Madeleine Arthur (Color Out of Space, Big Eyes, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before) to talk about 2002’s Adaptation. Madeleine discusses the craft of self-taping an audition, doing an ADR session, and grounding supernatural dialogue. She also reveals what it was like co-starring with Nicolas Cage. And she even sings the song he made up for the times when he needs to focus on set.

You can watch Color Out of Space in theaters now.

And if you haven’t seen Adaptation…what are you even doing with your life?

With April Wolfe and Madeleine Arthur.

‘Bunny Lake Is Missing’ with ‘She’s Missing’ Director Alexandra McGuinness

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 23 Jan 2020 17:24:06 +0000

We are so lucky to be joined by the phenomenal director of the new film She’s Missing, Alexandra McGuinness. She’s on the program to talk about the aptly chosen movie, Otto Preminger’s Bunny Lake Is Missing. Alexandra discusses the significance of making films in foreign places. She elaborates on unintentionally making her work personal. And she chats about her love of collaborating with inexperienced actors – especially child actors who correct Josh Hartnett when he doesn’t remember a line.

You can watch She’s Missing on streaming now.

And if you haven’t seen Bunny Lake Is Missing…do it now!

With April Wolfe and Alexandra McGuinness.

‘Addams Family Values’ with Julia Prescott

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 16 Jan 2020 18:19:24 +0000

This week we have one of our very own Max Fun pals on the program, writer and Round Springfield co-host Julia Prescott! She’s on the show to talk about the delectable Addams Family Values. Julia discusses her love of 90’s comedies and the genius of Joan Cusack. Plus she elaborates on her own writing mindset and the joy of taking silliness very seriously.

You can listen to Round Springfield now.

And if you haven’t seen Addams Family Values…what are you doing?!

With April Wolfe and Julia Prescott.

‘The Texas Chainsaw Massacre’ with Writer Megan Amram

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 9 Jan 2020 18:11:15 +0000

What a great way to start off the New Year. Writer Megan Amram (The Good Place, Parks and Rec) joins April to discuss the monumental classic, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Megan and April explore the idea of objectifying the human body in an interesting and meaningful way. Plus Megan talks about the moral approach in her scripts for the way character’s make decisions. And it should be noted that this entire interview was conducted with Megan shrouded in her own The Texas Chainsaw Massacre blanket.

You can watch NBC’s The Good Place on Thursday nights.

And if you haven’t seen The Texas Chainsaw Massacre…what are you doing?!

With April Wolfe and Megan Amram.

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook.

Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org.

Produced by Casey O’Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

‘Ladyhawke’ with Janet Varney

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 2 Jan 2020 17:24:17 +0000

A Maximum Fun crossover extravaganza! ‘The JV Club’ host Janet Varney joins host Katie Walsh to discuss the forgotten 1985 fantasy epic, Ladyhawke. Janet and Katie obsess over the score and insane romanticism of the film. Plus, Janet talks about the use of sincerity in her own work and navigating social media interactions.

If you haven’t seen Ladyhawke…good luck!

With Katie Walsh and Janet Varney.

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook.

Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org.

Produced by Casey O’Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

‘Scream’ with Clarke Wolfe

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 26 Dec 2019 17:15:20 +0000

Ladies and gentlemen, Katie Walsh is back in the booth. She’s joined by the wonderful writer, actor, and host Clarke Wolfe to talk about Scream. This is a truly in depth analysis of the film by two bonafide “Scream heads.” Plus, Katie and Clarke examine how prescient this film was with its criticism of incels, the feminization of young men, and the prediction of Columbine. Scream has layers!

If you haven’t seen Scream…run don’t walk to see it.

With Katie Walsh and Clarke Wolfe.

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook.

Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org.

Produced by Casey O’Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

'Brazil' with 'Watchmen' and 'The OA' Writer Claire Kiechel

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 19 Dec 2019 18:02:06 +0000

We are so lucky because – A). We have Claire Kiechel, writer for Watchmen and The OA, on the show this week. And B). She’s discussing Terry Gilliam’s Brazil, which is technically a Christmas movie! She and April elaborate on all the things that make this film magical – the production design, the world building, the performances. Plus, we get a peek inside the writer’s room of Watchmen and hear Claire dissect the motivations of characters like Dr. Manhattan and Angela Abar.

The entire first season of Watchmen is available on HBO now.

And if you haven’t seen Brazil…why?

With April Wolfe and Claire Kiechel.

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook.

Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org.

Produced by Casey O’Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

‘Prince of Darkness’ with ‘Black Christmas’ Co-Writer and Switchblade Sisters Host April Wolfe

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 18:19:04 +0000

We have traveled through the mirror and everything is backwards and evil! April has become the guest on her own show! That’s right, Katie Walsh is taking over the reigns as host and speaking to our “intrepid leader” about John Carpenter’s Prince of Darkness. April discusses writing and working on her new film Black Christmas. Plus, you can hear her examine the relationship between cosmic horror, religion, and misogyny!

Black Christmas is in theaters in wide release on December Friday the 13th.

And if you haven’t seen Prince of Darkness…get on it!

With April Wolfe and Katie Walsh.

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook.

Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org.

Produced by Casey O’Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

‘The Visit’ with ‘Little Joe’ Director Jessica Hausner

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 5 Dec 2019 18:42:06 +0000

This is a truly fascinating and unique episode of Switchblade Sisters. The phenomenal Austrian director Jessica Hausner joins April to talk about M. Night Shyamalan’s The Visit. But unlike any previous episode of Switchblade Sisters, Jessica had never seen The Visit and had to turn it off halfway through because she was too frightened! Nonetheless, this is a deeply insightful conversation that covers her personal philosophy of precise filmmaking, working with child actors, and her new sci-fi film starring Emily Beecham and Ben Whishaw called Little Joe, which won Best Actress for Beecham at the Cannes Film Festival and was in competition for the Palme d’Or.

Little Joe is in theaters and streaming on December 6.

And if you haven’t seen The Visit…you should!

With April Wolfe and Jessica Hausner.

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook.

Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org.

‘Safe’ with ‘Knives and Skin’ Director Jennifer Reeder

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 28 Nov 2019 15:42:14 +0000

April is joined by the magnificent filmmaker and artist Jennifer Reeder to discuss Todd Haynes’ 1995 classic, Safe. Jennifer discusses the making of her new film Knives and Skin and the necessity of shooting it at home in Chicago. She articulates the toxic way that motherhood is portrayed in films and how she tries to correct that in her own movie. Plus, she and April gush over the masterful filmmaking executed in Safe.

Knives and Skin is in theaters and streaming on December 6.

And if you haven’t seen Safe…get on it!

With April Wolfe and Jennifer Reeder.

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook.

Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org.

Produced by Casey O’Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

'Another Earth' with 'Fun Size Horror' Producer & Director Mali Elfman

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 21 Nov 2019 19:50:05 +0000

April is back in the studio to talk with the one and only Mali Elfman. She's on the show to talk about the very interesting Brit Marling film, Another Earth. Mali elaborates on the challenges of working with investors. She discusses the strategy for producing Karen Gillan's directorial debut The Party's Just Beginning. Plus, she talks about how her father, the famed composer Danny Elfman, taught her to "speak composer."

Fun Size Horror Vol. 1 is streaming on Prime now.

And if you haven't seen Another Earth... get on it!

With April Wolfe and Mali Elfman.

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook.

Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org.

Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

'The Ring' with 'Pure' & 'Sickhouse' Director Hannah Macpherson

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 14 Nov 2019 19:48:48 +0000

Katie Walsh returns to talk to the groundbreaking director Hannah Macpherson (Pure) about 2002's The Ring. Hannah discusses her fascination with the film and how it ties into her obsession with the effects of technology on the human experience. She also chronicles the making of her Snapchat film, Sickhouse, and how it really tricked the audience into thinking the events were real.

Pure is streaming on Hulu now.

And if you haven't seen The Ring...be careful, it's scary.

With Katie Walsh and Hannah Macpherson.

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook.

Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org.

Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

'Psycho' with 'Blue' Director Gabriela Ledesma

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 7 Nov 2019 18:26:26 +0000

Katie Walsh is back in the hosting chair this week to speak with the fascinating director of the new film Blue, Gabriela Ledesma. Gabby's on the show to talk about the iconic Alfred Hitchcock film, Psycho. She opens up about the dark subject matter of Blue and how her own suicide attempt inspired the film. She also discusses the lessons she learned during her naval career that she has applied to filmmaking. Plus, Katie and Gabby just generally obsess over the genius of Alfred Hitchcock.

Blue is streaming now.

And if you haven't seen Psycho...what are you doing with your life?

With Katie Walsh and Gabriela Ledesma.

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook.

Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org.

Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

'Logan's Run' with 'Paradise Hills' Director Alice Waddington and Halloween Horror Recs with Jordan Crucchiola

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 31 Oct 2019 18:30:49 +0000

Just in time for Halloween, we have the amazingly talented Alice Waddington (director Paradise Hills) on the program to talk about Logan's Run. She discusses creating specific fantasy worlds, being inspired by Logan's Run, and the pleasures of working with Awkwafina. We also get Vulture associate editor, Jordan Crucchiola, on the line to talk about what horror films we should check out this Halloween.

Paradise Hills is in theaters and streaming on November 1st.

And if you haven't seen Logan's Run, you simply must!

With April Wolfe, Alice Waddington, and Jordan Crucchiola.

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook.

Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org.

Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

'Black Widow' with '10 Things I Hate About You' & 'Legally Blonde' Screenwriter Kiwi Smith

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 17:25:52 +0000

We have royalty on this week's episode. We are graced by the presence of Kiwi Smith, writer of 10 Things I Hate About You, Legally Blonde, She's the Man, The House Bunny, and so many more. She's on the show to talk about a VERY different film from her own work - Bob Rafelson's 1987 neo-noir, Black Widow. Kiwi gushes over the obsessive relationship between Debra Winger and Theresa Russell's characters. She discusses having to change the ending of Legally Blonde several times. And she talks about how she physically mailed pages to her writing partner during the writing of 10 Things I Hate About You.

Watch Kiwi's show, Trinkets, streaming on Netflix now.

And if you haven't seen Black Widow, you simply must!

With April Wolfe and Kiwi Smith.

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook.

Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org.

Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

'Polyester' with 'Greener Grass' Actors and Directors Dawn Luebbe & Jocelyn DeBoer

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 17 Oct 2019 17:42:06 +0000

We have the honor and distinction to be graced by the presence of Dawn Luebbe & Jocelyn DeBoer, the actors, writers, and directors of the new film Greener Grass. They discuss a classic film that would pair perfectly in a double feature with their own movie - that would be John Waters' Polyester. They elaborate on the notion of "shock value" and how Polyester is shocking for different reasons than Waters' previous films. They also open up about the production of their own film, and how they lucked into shooting in the "Golf Cart Capital of the World."

Greener Grass is streaming and in theaters on October 18th.

And if you haven't seen Polyester - GO NOW!

With April Wolfe and Jocelyn DeBoer & Dawn Luebbe.

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook.

Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org.

Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

'Ravenous' with 'Bloodline' Writer Avra Fox-Lerner

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 10 Oct 2019 14:30:17 +0000

This week we initiate another woman into the Switchblade Sisterhood. Avra Fox-Lerner, writer of the new Seann William Scott led horror, Bloodline, is on the show to talk about 1999's Ravenous. She and April discuss this bizarre and twisty cannibalistic horror film, and how it's a miracle that it got made in the first place. Avra elaborates on discovering aspects of her film through the editing process. Plus she details how she finally broke into the film industry by pitching a screenplay to Blumhouse that they said they would never make.

Bloodline is streaming now.

And if you haven't seen Ravenous - you should!

With April Wolfe and Avra Fox-Lerner.

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook.

Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org.

Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

'Get Out' with 'A Black Lady Sketch Show' & 'Full Frontal with Samantha Bee' Writer and Actor Ashley Nicole Black

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 3 Oct 2019 16:51:44 +0000

This week we are joined by multi-talented writer, actor, and director Ashley Nicole Black. She can most recently be seen as a regular on A Black Lady Sketch Show. And prior to that she was a writer and correspondent on Full Frontal with Samantha Bee. The movie she has chosen to discuss also has its origin in the comedy world - Jordan Peele's Get Out. Ashley discusses how efficiently this film works at getting information out quickly, and how those same lessons can be applied to writing sketches. She reveals the origin of her character "The Most Annoying Woman in the World" and how it is based on the worst aspects of her personality. And she elaborates on writing jokes for black and white audiences.

You can watch A Black Lady Sketch Show on HBO.

And if you haven't seen Get Out - what's wrong with you?

With April Wolfe and Ashley Nicole Black.

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook.

Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org.

Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

'The Witch' with 'The Long Walk' Director Mattie Do and 'Tigers Are Not Afraid' Director Issa López (LIVE AT FANTASTIC FEST)

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 26 Sep 2019 17:34:09 +0000

Recorded LIVE at Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas, this show has a little bit of everything - special guests, witchcraft, and a stuffed animal version of Black Phillip. Mattie Do, Laos's first, and only, female film director, is our special guest. And she's on the show to talk about 2015's The Witch. She details her own personal connection to magic and witchcraft, and how this film influenced the look and feel of her own horror-folk film, The Long Walk. She and April are also joined by Tigers Are Not Afraid director Issa López to help decide which member of the audience gets to sell their soul to the devil.

You can see Mattie's film The Long Walk on the film festival circuit.

You can see Issa's film Tigers Are Not Afraid on Shudder.

And if you haven't seen The Witch, you simply must!

With April Wolfe, Mattie Do, and Issa López .

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook.

Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org.

Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

'Picnic at Hanging Rock' with 'The Office' and 'Maniac' Writer Caroline Williams

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 19 Sep 2019 18:34:41 +0000

Caroline Williams is a screenwriter originally from Atlanta, Georgia. In 2008 she created the ABC series Miss Guided starring Judy Greer and Chris Parnell, about a high school guidance counselor who must relive her unpopular high school days when another old classmate joins the faculty and staff. From there, Caroline went on to write for The Office, Modern Family, Up All Night, BoJack Horseman and others including, most recently, Arrested Development and Maniac for Netflix. In addition to television, Ms. Williams has written on studio features and directed short films, and she’s currently setting up her feature directorial debut. She is also married to fellow filmmaker Drew Goddard, Oscar nominated writer of The Martian and director of Cabin in the Woods and Bad Times at the El Royale.

The movie that Caroline chose to discuss can be found in the video store under "dreamy" - that would be Peter Weir's Picnic at Hanging Rock. She and April explore the makings of a good mystery and how sometimes things are better left unexplained. Caroline elaborates on the importance of writing structure - by both knowing when to follow it and when to stray. And she also talks about the joy of being able to direct something she has written.

You can see Caroline's work all over the place.

And if you haven't seen Picnic at Hanging Rock, you simply must!

With April Wolfe and Caroline Williams.

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook.

Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org.

Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

'Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer' with Producer Heather Buckley

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 12 Sep 2019 18:13:22 +0000

Heather Buckley is a grand maester of film and horror. The first feature she produced, Jenn Wexler’s The Ranger, for Glass Eye Pix and Hood River Entertainment, premiered at SXSW and played numerous festivals on an international run before it was released in NYC and LA. Heather’s work as a film analyst and journalist spans over a decade, with bylines in Vulture, Dread Central, and Fangoria. Her background in SFX work includes: Circus of the Dead, Dead Still, and We Are Still Here. She is currently a Blu-Ray special features producer, creating documentaries for Kino Lorber, Lionsgate/Vestron, Arrow Films and Shout Factory releases, including John Carpenter's The Thing, Barton Fink, The Long Riders, Saw 10th Anniversary Reissue, and Army of Darkness.

The movie that Heather chose this week is a real doozy - Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer. Heather talks about how she believes it's one of the most important films ever made. She discusses how this film forces the audience to root for violence. She elaborates on the fact that this movie has no moral center, and how it's the audience's job to gauge morality. And she and April also discuss the controversy this film sparked upon release and why the movie was initially difficult to get a hold of.

You can see Heather's work all over the place. Plus, you can watch The Ranger on Shudder.

And if you haven't seen Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer yet, be careful.

With April Wolfe and Heather Buckley.

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook.

Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org.

Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

'Dead & Buried' with 'Riot Girls' Director Jovanka Vuckovic

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 5 Sep 2019 19:16:56 +0000

Jovanka Vuckovic is an award-winning filmmaker and writer. In the past two decades, she has worked as a visual effects artist, earning a Gemini Award, and cemented a reputation as a genre film authority—she was twice named one of the most important women in the history of horror, serving for a time as editor-in-chief of famed Rue Morgue Magazine. In 2016, she spread her wings into the US film market, joining the DGA after directing a segment of XX, the first-ever all-female horror film anthology from Magnolia Pictures, which had its premiere at Sundance 2017. Her debut Riot Girls, written by Katherine Collins, will see its release this year. The film tells the story of two young women who must save a young man from the clutches of a little psychopath on the wrong side of Potter’s Bluff — a town divided after a mysterious disease wiped out all the adults.

The movie that Jovanka has chosen to discuss is a grossly underappreciated classic - 1981's Dead & Buried. Jovanka talks about how she named the small town of Potter's Bluff in Riot Girls after the Potter's Bluff of Dead & Buried. She even goes as far to say she envisions that both films exist in the exact same town. Jovanka also opens up about her intense fear of death and how that influences her films. And she and April discuss the struggles of getting a movie made as a female filmmaker.

You can see Riot Girls in theaters and on demand on September 13th.

And if you haven't seen Dead & Buried yet, you simply must!

With April Wolfe and Jovanka Vuckovic.

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook.

Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org.

Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

'Heathers' with 'Jawline' Director Liza Mandelup

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 29 Aug 2019 19:01:27 +0000

Liza Mandelup is an award winning film director from New York residing in Los Angeles. Starting her career in photography, she graduated from New York’s School of Visual Arts and embedded herself in fascinating communities for photo series that culminated in two photo books. In 2018, Liza received the prestigious Sundance Documentary Fund grant for her film Jawline, following a handful of online teen heartthrob boys to chronicle the curious rise of a burgeoning yet fleeting economy. Jawline premiered at Sundance Film Festival and went on to win the Special Jury Award for Emerging Filmmaker. She was also named by Filmmaker magazine as one of the 25 New Faces of Independent Cinema in 2018 and one of 10 Documentary Filmmakers to Watch by Variety.

The movie that Liza chose to discuss ties in effortlessly with her own film Jawline - that would be 1988's dark comedy Heathers. April and Liza discuss the nature of being a teenager and just how serious everything feels. Liza talks about interviewing all the wannabe influencers for her film Jawline and how, no matter the place, everyone dressed the exact same. She also discusses the effects of "follow culture" and how that is demonstrated in both Heathers and Jawline.

You can stream Jawline on Hulu now.

And if you haven't seen Heathers yet, watch it now!

With April Wolfe and Liza Mandelup.

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook.

Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org.

Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

'Hereditary' with 'Pet Sematary' Director Mary Lambert

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 22 Aug 2019 18:12:02 +0000

Mary Lambert is an Arkansas native and a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design. There she became enfolded in the music scene, and her experimental shorts led her to the world of music videos. In her early career, she directed some of the most iconic videos of the time. A short list of these includes Janet Jackson’s “Control” and “Nasty Boys,” Madonna’s “Borderline,” “Like a Virgin,” “Material Girl,” “La Isla Bonita,” and “Like a Prayer.” Other artists include Tom Tom Club, Whitney Houston, The Go-Gos, Sting, Annie Lennox, and Debbie Harry. From there, Lambert ventured into feature films with her debut narrative, Siesta, an adaptation of Patrice Chapman’s novel by Patricia Knop. After that film, Lambert went back to music videos until she got the call that Stephen King was adapting his book Pet Sematary. She got the big OK from King and Pet Sematary was a hit. Most recently Lambert directed episodes of Step Up: High Water, Arrow, and The Blacklist.

The movie that Mary chose to discuss is TOO scary. She chose Ari Aster's Hereditary. Mary gets mystical on us - she examines witches, spells, and the subconscious tokens in art that are felt and not spoken. Plus, she talks about working with actors that have very different approaches. She and April dissect the inner workings of a melodrama. They celebrate the performances in Hereditary, particularly Milly Shapiro and Toni Collette. And Mary reveals the difficulty in cutting something she loves out of one of her projects.

You can stream Pet Sematary now.

And if you haven't seen Hereditary yet, be careful.

With April Wolfe and Mary Lambert.

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook.

Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org.

Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

'Rebecca' with 'The Wind' Director Emma Tammi

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 15 Aug 2019 18:14:13 +0000

This week, the wonderful Katie Walsh returns to chat with director Emma Tammi. Emma is a filmmaker based in Los Angeles, whose most recent documentary films include Election Day and Fair Chair. She made her narrative feature directorial debut with the Western horror movie The Wind, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2018, and was released in April by IFC Midnight.

The movie that Emma has chosen to discuss shares a number of similarities to her own lonely-haunted-woman film - Alfred Hitchcock's sole Best Picture winner, Rebecca. She and Katie discuss all of the masterful aspects of the movie - the mood, the set, the acting, the lighting. Emma shares how many of these attributes inspired her decisions on The Wind. Plus, Katie reveals some hilariously volatile memos between producer David O. Selznick and Alfred Hitchcock. And Emma talks about her all-time favorite Hitchcock films, and what makes him such a genius.

You can stream The Wind now.

And if you haven't seen Rebecca yet, run - DON'T WALK! - to see it.

With Katie Walsh and Emma Tammi.

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook.

Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org.

Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

'American Psycho' with 'Satanic Panic' Director Chelsea Stardust

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 8 Aug 2019 16:18:21 +0000

Chelsea Stardust has been a horror film fan since the age of 10. After working for comedy legends Ivan Reitman and Judd Apatow, Chelsea found her horror home at Blumhouse Productions, where she served as the executive assistant to Jason Blum for several years. Chelsea’s first feature film, the science fiction thriller All That We Destroy, was part of Blumhouse series 'Into The Dark' and is currently available on Hulu. Her second feature film, the horror comedy Satanic Panic, written by novelist Grady Hendrix, and produced by Fangoria and Cinestate, releases nationwide theatrically, on VOD and digital HD on September 6th.

The movie that Chelsea chose to discuss is near and dear to our hearts - Mary Harron's American Psycho. She and April go in deep on the making of the film - from the writing of the script by former Switchblade Sisters guest Guinevere Turner, to the studio's objection to the casting of Christian Bale. They dive into the film's portrayal of male vanity, the performance of Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman, and the difficult job of balancing horror and comedy in one movie. Plus they also discuss Chelsea's latest film Satanic Panic.

You can see Satanic Panic on September 6th.

And if you haven't seen American Psycho yet, go watch it!

With April Wolfe and Chelsea Stardust.

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook.

Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org.

Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher. Edited by Jordan Kauwling for MaximumFun.org.

'The Innocents' with 'The Babadook' and 'The Nightingale' Director Jennifer Kent

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 1 Aug 2019 18:49:08 +0000

Jennifer Kent is probably best known for directing her 2014 film, The Babadook. The film screened at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2014 to critical and audience acclaim, and has won over 50 international and domestic awards, including the Australian Director's Guild award for Best Director, the Australian Academy Award (AACTA) for Best Direction, Best Screenplay and Best Film, and the New York Critics Circle Awards for Best First Feature. This year now sees the release of her second feature, The Nightingale, a brutal colonial revenge tale about a woman who loses everything and joins up with an aboriginal tracker to find and inflict punishment on the men who wronged her.

The movie that Jennifer has chosen to discuss is the 1961 classic, The Innocents. Jennifer elaborates on the aspects of the film that she used as direct influence for her own films. She talks about taking the young actor Noah Wiseman to the zoo in order to prepare him for the truly horrifying scenes in The Babadook. Plus, she divulges how the misconceptions about her film The Nightingale have really hurt her personally. She tells a story about how one journalist at the Venice Film festival even called her a "whore" for directing the film. And finally, if you listen all the way through the episode, you get to hear Jennifer's impeccable impression of a Tasamanian devil.

You can see The Nightingale in select theaters now.

And if you haven't seen The Innocents yet, go watch it!

With April Wolfe and Jennifer Kent.

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook.

Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org.

Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

'Little Shop of Horrors' with 'The Last Time You Had Fun' Director Mo Perkins

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 25 Jul 2019 16:38:50 +0000

Mo Perkins earned an MFA in directing from UCLA’s School of Film and Television. Her master’s thesis film, Piss Hat, was nominated for a student Academy Award. Her writer/directorial debut feature was an independent film called A Quiet Little Marriage starring Mary Elizabeth Ellis, Cy Carter, Jimmi Simpson, Michael O’Neill, Charlie Day and Melanie Lynskey. On the festival circuit, it won many awards including the Grand Jury Prize at Slamdance, and it was distributed by IFC. Her second feature film was a comedy called The Last Time You Had Fun starring Demetri Martin, Eliza Coupe, Mary Elizabeth Ellis, Charlene Yi and Kyle Bornheimer. The film premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival and was distributed by Gravitas Ventures. Most recently Mo directed the second season, six episodes, of a romantic musical comedy called I Ship It for the CW.

The movie that Mo has chosen is just a delight - 1986's Little Shop of Horrors. Mo discusses how this movie meant so much to her personally, as it was one of the first films she saw after leaving her commune. April and she talk about the two different endings of the film and how the original was roundly rejected by preview audiences. Mo also elaborates on being flexible during shoots, working on low budget films, and facing the scenes that she was scared to direct.

You can see I Ship It on the CW.

And if you haven't seen Little Shop of Horrors yet, go watch it!

With April Wolfe and Mo Perkins.

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook.

Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org.

Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

'Donnie Darko' with 'Braid' Director Mitzi Peirone

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 18 Jul 2019 15:58:27 +0000

Mitzi Peirone was born and raised in Turin, Italy. After high school Peirone left Italy to study theater in New York City at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. She ended up writing and directing a short film called “Chaosmos,” and directing another short called “Versperlings” while she geared up for a feature. The screenplay for Braid rapidly became her main focus, and in 2016 Peirone partnered up with entrepreneur Joseph Lubin to create a new business model to finance her film, which became the first one ever to be fully financed through a cryptocurrency equity crowdsale. The sale raised 1.7 million dollars in two weeks. The film premiered at Tribeca in 2018 and won Best Picture at the Lausanne Underground Film Festival. Braid, which tells the story of two women who decide to rob their wealthy psychotic friend - but must participate in the friend’s perverse game of make believe, received worldwide distribution via Blue Fox Entertainment. Mitzi then signed with ICM, and her next directorial effort is a sci-fi thriller set in a tech-apocalypse, starring Bella Thorne.

The movie Mitzi chose to discuss this week is a real mind bender - 2001's cult classic, Donnie Darko. Part of the reason that Mitzi loves this film is that, much like her own movie Braid, it can be hard to tell what is real and what is imagined. She discusses her unusual fundraising technique for the movie which involved a cryptocurrency equity crowdsale. Mitzi also emphasizes the need for filmmakers not to concern themselves with whether the audience will completely understand their vision. Plus, she talks at length about her belief that there is no difference between reality and dreams - a conversation that makes April's brain explode.

You can see Braid streaming now.

And if you haven't seen Donnie Darko yet, go watch it!

With April Wolfe and Mitzi Peirone.

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook.

Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org.

Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

'Drop Dead Gorgeous' with 'Grown-ish' Writers Melanie Kirschbaum & Alexandra Decas

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 11 Jul 2019 17:22:22 +0000

Melanie Kirschbaum started her LA career working for Jeff and Jackie Filgo, and then Vali Chandrasekaran on Modern Family, while Alexandra Decas was with Jonathan Groff on Black-ish. The two met when their bosses were working on a pilot together, and they decided to join forces when they found themselves standing outside of their offices at Disney, bemoaning their crappy Tinder matches. They wondered, presumably aloud, "If Elizabeth Smart has it all figured out — a husband, a career, great hair — what’s our excuse?" So they wrote a one-act play entitled "Smart" to get to the bottom of it, as well as a comedic one-act about 9/11 called "Center of the Universe." After that, they joined the Netflix/Dreamworks show The Boss Baby: Back in Business as staff writers, but then hit some network gold when they were staffed on the critically acclaimed hit show Grown-ish, a spinoff of Black-ish that follows Zoey Johnson as she navigates college life. Grown-ishwas just renewed for season 3 and can be seen on Freeform.

The movie that Alex and Mel have chosen to discuss is an important film for Minnesotans everywhere - 1999's Drop Dead Gorgeous. The two of them and April marvel at the fact that this movie is so inappropriate by today's standards - but still so funny! The two writers open up about how their writing process used to be incredibly unorthodox. One of them is outed as a frequent "office cryer." And, of course, the conversation covers something April is very passionate about - the eyebrow styles of the 1990s.

You can see Grown-ish on Freeform.

And if you haven't seen Drop Dead Gorgeous yet, go watch it!

With April Wolfe, Melanie Kirschbaum and Alexandra Decas.

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook.

Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org.

Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

'Blacula' with 'Jezebel' Director Numa Perrier

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 4 Jul 2019 15:29:39 +0000

Born in Haiti and raised in small town USA, Numa Perrier is a Los Angeles-based actor, filmmaker, and artist. Early in her acting career, she landed a recurring role on General Hospital, but now you can see her on SMILF and films including Florida Water, Jerico, In The Morning, and Beautiful Destroyer. An early creator in the digital space, she starred in and was co-writer of the web series 'The Couple' which landed an HBO deal. She later started writing a script for her first feature, which would become Jezebel. That project was accepted into the Tribeca Film Institute "Through Her Lens" incubation program. Now Jezebel is premiering at SXSW 2019. The film follows 19-year-old Tiffany as she deals with her dying mother and tries to make ends meet when her older phone sex operator sister grooms her to become one of the first black webcam girls in the 1990s.

The movie that Numa has chosen to discuss is a classic - 1972's Blacula. She and April go deep on their discussion of William Marshall's intense, Shakespearean portrayal of the eponymous vampire. Plus, they dissect how radical this film was in terms of its portrayal of black men on screen. Numa opens up about the making of her own movie, Jezebel. She gives some great advice on filming and completing a micro-budget film. Plus, she discusses the double standard that low budget black filmmakers face versus their white counterparts.

You can see Jezebel out this fall.

And if you haven't seen Blacula yet, go watch it!

With April Wolfe and Numa Perrier.

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook.

Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org.

Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

'Black Christmas' with 'Night of the Comet' & 'Chopping Mall' Star Kelli Maroney

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 17:52:08 +0000

Kelli first got her big break in daytime TV, both as the evil adolescent Kimberly in Ryan's Hope and then as vengeful Tina in One Life to Live. Her film debut as the ‘Spirit Bunny’ Cindy Carr in Fast Times at Ridgemont High caught a lot of attention, but Kelli achieved her greatest enduring cult popularity with her delightful turn as the endearingly spunky Samantha in the science-fiction end-of-the-world Night of the Comet. She’s especially memorable as the sweet, killer-robot slayer Alison Parks in the entertaining romp, cult classic Chopping Mall, and as Jamie, a strong female survivor in The Zero Boys, as well as many other films.

The movie that Kelli has chosen to discuss is especially prescient because our host April Wolfe just happens to be writing the remake of the film. That's right, Kelli has chosen to discuss the 1974 classic, Black Christmas. She and April discuss Kelli's career in horror, and how Kelli takes great joy from the fact that horror has recently received the respect it has always deserved. She also talks about "embracing her crap" and coming to terms with the fact that she is most remembered for her cult and horror films. But she also elaborates on how honored she is by the support she receives from the fans of her work, and how meaningful that relationship is to her. Plus, she has a great story about how an off-the-cuff line she said while shooting a machine gun became one of Night of the Comet's most famous lines.

If you haven't seen any of Kelli's films, Night of the Comet is a great place to start.

And go watch Black Christmas too, while you're at it.

With April Wolfe and Kelli Maroney.

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook.

Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org.

Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

'Night Tide' with 'Gas Food Lodging' Director Allison Anders

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 20 Jun 2019 17:47:51 +0000

Allison Anders is an award-winning screenwriter, film and television director who was born in Kentucky and raised in LA. She attended film school at UCLA, where she co-directed the 1987 feature film Border Radio. Her first solo feature film, starring Fairuza Balk and Ione Skye, Gas Food Lodging premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 1992, and earned her Independent Spirit Award Nominations for Best Director and Best Screenplay. She went on to write and direct the feature films Mi vida loca, Grace of My Heart, and Sugar Town, as well as Things Behind the Sun, for which she won a Peabody award. She’s directed episodes of Sex and the City, Orange Is the New Black, Southland, Riverdale, Murder in the First and recently Sorry for Your Loss.

The movie that Allison has chosen to discuss is a deep cut, but a good one. It's the moody, horror, thriller Night Tide. Allison discusses her early fascination with the film and how it keeps re-emerging in her life. She elaborates on the beginning of her career, and how it really spawned from deeply stalking Wim Wenders. Allison talks at length about the move from independent features to directing television. And she has an amazing story of helping Harry Dean Stanton cultivate his character on Paris, Texas with a poem she wrote after having a catatonic episode.

If you haven't seen any of Allison's films, Gas Food Lodging is a great place to start.

And go watch Night Tide too, while you're at it.

With Katie Walsh and Allison Anders.

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook.

Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org.

Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

'3 Days of the Condor' with the Incomparable Adrienne Barbeau

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Fri, 14 Jun 2019 00:48:43 +0000

3 Days of the Condor

Adrienne Barbeau was born in Sacramento, California, and caught the showbiz bug while entertaining troops on Army bases in Southeast Asia as part of the San Jose Civic Light Opera. She moved to New York City in the 1960s and made her Broadway debut co-starring in Fiddler on the Roof with Bette Midler. She went on to star in more than 25 musicals and plays, originating the role of Rizzo in the Broadway production of Grease, for which she was nominated for a Tony. From 1972 to 1978, Adrienne starred in the sitcom Maude as Carol, the daughter of Bea Arthur’s character. She was nominated for a Golden Globe for that role. She also made appearances in numerous TV shows, movies of the week and game shows. In 1980 Adrienne starred in her first theatrical film, John Carpenter’s The Fog, as radio deejay Stevie Wayne. That film established her as a genre film star. She went on to star in sci fi and horror classics such as Escape from New York, Wes Craven’s Swamp Thing, and the Steven King adaptation Creep Show. She’s also starred in comedies like Canonball Run and Back to School and Cannibal Women in the Avocado Jungle of Death. She’s never stopped working and we’re thrilled to have her on the show with guest host Katie Walsh.

Adrienne chose to talk about 3 Days of the Condor, based on the 1974 novel Six Days of the Condor by James Grady. Sidney Pollack directed the 1975 film, which was written by Lorenzo Semple Jr. and David Rayfiel.

If you haven't seen it yet, go watch 3 Days of the Condor. For those of you with library cards, you can stream it for free on Kanopy.

With Katie Walsh and Adrienne Barbeau.

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook.

Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org.

Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

‘Shaun of the Dead’ with ‘Broad City’ writer and comedian Naomi Ekperigin

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 6 Jun 2019 22:35:37 +0000

Shaun of the Dead

Naomi Ekperigin is a stand-up comedian, writer, actress, and podcaster (gotta be a multi-hyphenate these days!). She was born and raised in Harlem, New York, and studied Film and English at Wesleyan University, where she and guest host Katie Walsh made student films together, and she also started her comedy career, doing improv. After college, she toured with the National Theater for the Deaf, and started stand-up in New York in 2007. She has a half-hour stand up special on Comedy Central, and she’s also appeared on HBO’s Two Dope Queens, Late Night with Seth Meyers, Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell, Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, and she has written for Broad City, Difficult People, Great News, and Mrs. Fletcher. You can find Naomi doing stand up around town in LA and New York, and she co-hosts the monthly standup show Couples Therapy in LA at the Virgil, the first Saturday of every month, with her fiance Andy Beckerman, and Couples Therapy is also a podcast, where she and Andy talk about relationships and play sets from their live show.

Naomi chose the 2004 ZomCom Shaun of the Dead, written by Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright, and directed by Wright. She and Katie delve into what makes this “a perfect film”, analyzing the film’s use of visual jokes, pacing, and character development. Katie asks Naomi what the parallels are between the writing and humor on Shaun of the Dead and Broad City.

Plus, Ekperigin has given a lot of thought to how she would handle herself in a zombie apocalypse, and shares her thoughts on what weapons she’d carry, as well as the best clothing for survival.

If you haven't seen it yet, go watch Shaun of the Dead

With Katie Walsh and Naomi Ekperigin.

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook.

Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org.

Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

'Unfaithful' with 'Being Frank' Director Miranda Bailey

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 30 May 2019 18:43:43 +0000

Unfaithful

Miranda Bailey is a producer, actor and director. She’s produced over 20 films, among them the Oscar-nominated The Squid and the Whale, the Spirit Award-winning The Diary of a Teenage Girl, as well as James Gunn’s Super, the Sundance hit Swiss Army Man and the critically acclaimed Norman. Her directorial debut came in 2010 with the documentary Greenlit, a humorous piece examining the hypocrisy inherent in Hollywood’s green movement, which premiered at SXSW. Bailey’s directorial narrative feature debut Being Frank, an offbeat family dramedy premiered in the Spotlight Section at the 2018 SXSW Film Festival and 2018 Los Angeles Film Festival. The film stars Jim Gaffigan, Anna Gunn, Samantha Mathis and Logan Miller.

The movie that Miranda has chosen to discuss is the super sexy Unfaithful. She and April talk about the art of seduction in film, and Miranda relates some stories of directing sex scenes in her own movies. Miranda shares her experience working with Richard Gere and why she feels she could call him if she was being murdered. Plus the two dissect director Adrian Lyne's filmography of seductive thrillers, and why the most important scenes in his films frequently involve the toilet.

You can check out Being Frank in theaters this Father's Day.

If you haven't seen it yet, go watch Unfaithful.

With April Wolfe and Miranda Bailey.

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook.

Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org.

Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial' with 'The Devil Wears Prada' writer and 'Crazy Ex-Girlfriend' Co-Creator/ Showrunner Aline Brosh McKenna

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 23 May 2019 17:55:56 +0000

Aline began her screenwriting career in 1999 with her first produced feature, the romantic comedy Three to Tango, starring Neve Campbell. That film established Aline as a go-to writer of realistic drama and romance. She followed that film up with 2004’s Laws of Attraction, starring Julianne Moore and Pierce Brosnan. But her best known work came with the film adaptation of the popular novel, The Devil Wears Prada, a modern classic, and features one of Meryl Streep’s signature roles as the imperious magazine editor, Miranda Priestly. In 2014, Aline added television to her resume when she co-created the critically acclaimed, Emmy award-winning comedy series, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, on which she served as head writer, showrunner, and executive producer. The series just finished airing its fourth and final season on the CW.

The movie that Aline has chosen to discuss is the wonderful Steven Spielberg film, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. She discusses how the film has become one of her favorites over the years, and one that she admires as a feat of technical storytelling. She dives into the process of working with actors to help change movie scripts on set, like working with Emily Blunt on The Devil Wears Pradato fully develop her character. She elaborates on showrunning Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and the insane schedule of producing a musical one hour sitcom. Aline also bemoans the lack of character-driven films that were so prevalent in the '70's, and how she frequently falls asleep during the final fights of Marvel films.

You can check out Crazy Ex-Girlfriend on Netflix now.

If you haven't seen it yet, go watch E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.

With April Wolfe and Aline Brosh McKenna.

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook.

Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org.

Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

'An American Werewolf in London' with 'American Psycho' and 'Charlie Says' Writer Guinevere Turner

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 16 May 2019 18:53:31 +0000

Guinevere Turner is a writer, director and actor who has been working in film and TV since her 1994 debut feature Go Fish, which she wrote, produced and starred in. The film premiered at Sundance and then got picked up by Samuel Goldwyn. Next, Guinevere teamed up with director Mary Harron to write the adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis’ novel American Psycho, starring Christian Bale as a psychopathic finance guy who murders people for fun and to see how much he can get away with. Guinevere also worked with Harron writing The Notorious Bettie Page. She was a writer, story editor, and played a recurring character on Showtime’s The L Word. Her latest screenplay, Charlie Says, tells the story of the women who killed for Charles Manson as they serve out the first few years of their decades-long prison term. Charlie Says is directed by Mary Harron and is in theaters now.

The movie that Guinevere has chosen to discuss is An American Werewolf in London. She and April elaborate on just how groundbreaking this film was in terms of its combination of comedy and real horror. They, of course, dissect the famous werewolf transformation scene. Plus, Guinevere talks about her own process, and how her childhood spent in a cult inspired her newest film Charlie Says. She reveals that she hates it when actors change the dialogue from one of her screenplays, but conversely, as an actress she always asks if she can change lines. She discusses her dislike of tricking actors into performances. And she even touches upon working with Christian Bale on American Psycho and her decades long collaborative relationship with Mary Harron.

You can check out Charlie Says in theaters now.

If you haven't seen it yet, go watch An American Werewolf in London.

With April Wolfe and Guinevere Turner.

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook.

Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org.

Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

'The Red Queen Kills Seven Times' with 'Body at Brighton Rock' Director Roxanne Benjamin

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 9 May 2019 18:14:39 +0000

Roxanne Benjamin is a Los Angeles-based filmmaker, who began her career in creative development, analyzing story for film festivals and production companies. In 2010, she moved up the ladder at a company called The Collective, where she went on to produce the well known anthology horror films V/H/S and V/H/S/2, which premiered at Sundance Midnights. Roxanne then helmed the short “Don’t Fall”, part of Magnolia Pictures’ all-women-helmed horror anthology, XX. She served double duty on the film, co-writing and producing the segment “The Birthday Party” for musician-turned-director Annie Clark aka St. Vincent. Body at Brighton Rock is her solo feature directorial debut. It tells the story of a young woman working the trails of a mountainous park, who finds a dead body in the middle of nowhere and is given orders to guard the scene, facing down all her worst fears. Roxanne is currently working on a remake of Night of the Comet for Orion Pictures.

The movie that Roxanne has chosen to discuss is a giallo classic - The Red Queen Kills Seven Times by Emilio Miraglia. She and April go over all the tenants of the Italian giallo genre - the murder, the fashion, the blood! Roxanne talks about how giallo has influenced the way she works on her own films, and particularly, how she crafts her kills on screen. Plus she goes into detail on the production of her newest film, Body at Brighton Rock, and the "1980's TV movie" look she was going for. She and April also dissect the unfortunate prevalence of rape in the horror genre, and how so often it's disturbingly used as a device to titillate.

You can check out Body at Brighton Rock streaming now.

If you haven't seen it yet, go watch The Red Queen Kills Seven Times.

With April Wolfe and Roxanne Benjamin.

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook.

Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org.

Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

'Mulholland Drive' with 'Wild Nights with Emily' Director Madeleine Olnek

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 2 May 2019 18:40:13 +0000

Madeleine Olnek is a New York City based playwright and filmmaker. She began her career with award-winning and widely screened comedy shorts. Countertransference (2009) and Hold Up (2006) were official selections of Sundance, while Make Room For Phyllis (2007) premiered at Sarasota. Olnek was also awarded best female short film director at Sundance in 2009 by LA’s Women In Film organization. Her debut feature, Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same, told the story of three lesbian space aliens who come to Earth, and one of them falls in love with an earthling. It premiered at Sundance 2011 and is now translated into eleven languages. Her second feature, The Foxy Merkins, is a kind of buddy-comedy homage about two lesbian prostitutes. She is one of the authors of The Practical Handbook for The Actor (with a foreword by David Mamet), a widely used acting textbook. And now she’s back with her third feature, Wild Nights with Emily, a perhaps more truthful yet comic telling of the life of Emily Dickinson, starring Molly Shannon as the eponymous poet. Madeleine was awarded the Guggenheim Fellowship for the completion of the film, so it is a BIG DEAL.

The movie that Madeleine has chosen to discuss is one that she calls a "masterpiece." That would be David Lynch's Mulholland Drive. Madeleine likens the film to The Bible in that there are many interpretations that are applicable across generations. She discusses how she is personally connected to the film and how she felt that it truly mirrored her own life. Madeleine even dons David Lynch "our great poet of filmmaking" and explains why this film (and Inland Empire) are his greatest poems. She also discusses why she cast Molly Shannon in her newest film, Wild Nights with Emily. And how most literary adaptations do not properly portray the true words and feelings of a piece of literature. She ends the conversation with explaining why artists have the moral obligation to put humor in their work, and how making a straight drama is not a creative choice.

You can check out Wild Night with Emily in theaters now.

If you haven't seen it yet, go watch Mulholland Drive.

With April Wolfe and Madeleine Olnek.

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook.

Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org.

Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

'The Peanut Butter Solution' with 'Pet Sematary' Actor and 'The Girlfriend Experience' Co-creator Amy Seimetz

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 25 Apr 2019 19:22:26 +0000

Amy Seimetz started out writing, directing, and acting in short films and made her feature debut in a pair of films, Black Dragon Canyon and the indie cult hit Wristcutters: A Love Story. She appeared in films such as Gabi on the Roof in July, Tiny Furniture, You're Next, and The Myth of the American Sleepover before directing her own feature debut, Sun Don't Shine in 2012. Amy went on to co-create and executive produce the critically acclaimed Starz series The Girlfriend Experience. In 2018, Amy directed two episodes of the acclaimed FX series Atlanta and subsequently signed a first look television production development deal with the network. But yes, she continued acting throughout that time as well, and you’ve seen her in Upstream Color, Alien: Covenant, The Killing, Stranger Things, Wild Nights with Emily, and Pet Sematary.

But the movie that Amy chose to discuss has nothing to do with any of that! She's chosen The Peanut Butter Solution, a Canadian children's movie from the eighties that most people thought they dreamed up. April and Amy dissect the crazy plot and how something this unconventional could be made for children. Amy discusses working on her debut Sun Don't Shine, collaborating with Hiro Murai and Donald Glover on Atlanta, and being directed by Madeleine Olnek on Wild Nights with Emily. Plus, they ponder the lessons on creative freedom that can be learned from children's films and how it's sometimes best to not think logically.

You can check out Pet Sematary and Wild Nights with Emily in theaters now.

If you haven't seen it yet, go watch The Peanut Butter Solution.

With April Wolfe and Amy Seimetz.

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook.

Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org.

Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

'Alien' with 'Little Woods' Director Nia DaCosta

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 18 Apr 2019 18:08:07 +0000

To quote the Tribeca Film Festival, director Nia DaCosta is “a name you’re gonna need to get familiar with.” Nia DaCosta was born and raised in New York City and attended NYU’s Tisch. She started her film career paying her dues in production, on the documentary series, Ke$ha: My Crazy Beautiful Life, while also writing and directing shorts. In 2015, she took an early draft of her script for a film called Little Woods to the Sundance Directors Lab. There, she hooked up with Tessa Thompson, who read the part of a woman named Ollie, who’s caught in a poverty trap in rural North Dakota and must decide whether she’ll re-enter a life of crime to help her pregnant sister. Tessa Thompson continued with the project, and Nia then cast Lily James to play her sister. The film premiered in 2018 at the Tribeca Film Festival. Shortly after that, it was announced that Nia would be directing the “spiritual sequel” to Candyman off a script penned by Jordan Peele and Win Rosenfeld, which will be released by MGM.

The movie Nia has chosen to discuss is 1979's Alien. To quote Nia, "it's a perfect film." She and April discuss the revolutionary character of Ripley, played by Sigourney Weaver, and how the world had never seen someone like her before. Nia talks about working and collaborating with Tessa Thompson on her character in Little Woods. She elaborates on directing the upcoming Candymanand what she learned from Jordan Peele. Plus, Nia tells April how Tessa Thompson is excellent at acting with her hands, or as Nia calls it - "hacting."

You should check out Little Woods in theaters on April 19.

If you haven't seen it yet, go watch Alien.

With April Wolfe and Nia DaCosta.

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook.

Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org.

Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

'The Bad Seed' with 'Breakthrough' Director and 'Star Trek: Voyager' Actor Roxann Dawson

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 11 Apr 2019 19:16:56 +0000

Roxann got her first job playing Diana Morales in the Broadway production of A Chorus Line. But fans probably know her best for her role as B'Elanna Torres in Star Trek: Voyager. Voyager offered her the first opportunity to direct and she proceeded to direct 10 episodes of the next Star Trek series, Enterprise. Since then, she’s directed The Deuce, House of Cards, The Americans, The Path, Bates Motel, Crossing Jordan, Lost and many others. She will also be directing the upcoming Morning Show, starring Reese Witherspoon, Steve Carrell, and Jennifer Aniston. She makes her feature film directing debut with Breakthrough, starring Chrissy Metz, Josh Lucas, and Topher Grace, an adaptation of Joyce Smith’s memoir, The Impossible: The Miraculous Story of a Mother’s Faith and Her Child’s Resurrection.

The movie that Roxann has chosen to discuss is, kind of, the exact inverse of her own upcoming film - 1956's The Bad Seed. Maintaining such a prolific acting and directing career, Roxann has so much insight into the craft of acting. She discusses how actors often think that by making "small" acting decisions they are being more authentic, when in reality these decisions are just "lazy" and "boring." She also expresses her belief that the characters in a film should not be discussing the philosophical ideas of the movie, but rather, the film should inspire discussion from the audience. And of course, she talks all about her role as the half-human, half-Klingon, B'Elanna Torres, and what that role has meant not just to fans, but to her personally.

You should check out Breakthrough in theaters on April 17.

If you haven't seen it yet, go watch The Bad Seed.

With April Wolfe and Roxann Dawson.

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook.

Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org.

Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

'One False Move' with 'Miss Stevens' and 'Fast Color' Director Julia Hart

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 4 Apr 2019 19:03:18 +0000

Julia Hart was a school teacher for eight years before she quit to make a go of screenwriting. Her debut screenplay, The Keeping Room, landed on the 2012 Black List and was made into a feature directed by Daniel Barber (Harry Brown) and starring Brit Marling, Hailee Steinfeld and Sam Worthington. Julia's directorial debut, Miss Stevens, is based on Julia’s experience as a teacher. It starred Lily Rabe, Timothee Chalamet, Lili Reinhart, and Rob Huebel.

In 2018, Julia’s second feature, Fast Color, debuted at SXSW. It tells the story of a family of women afflicted/blessed with a mysterious power and stars Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Lorraine Toussaint, and David Straithairn. Most recently, Julia directed and co-wrote (with Jordan Horowitz) Star Girlfor Disney, starring Grace Vanderwall and based on the best-selling book by Jerry Spinelli.

Although Julia only recently saw One False Move, she was shocked at how thematically similar her film Fast Color compares to it. She and April discuss the use of violence in cinema, and how a filmmaker can make it have an emotional impact on the audience. Julia also reveals how she rewrites her scripts once the films have been cast in order to tailor the role to the actor. And she and April also adulate the performance and career of the late, great Bill Paxton.

You should check out Fast Color in theaters on April 19.

If you haven't seen it yet, go watch One False Move.

With April Wolfe and Julia Hart.

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook.

Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org.

Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

'Dead Ringers' with The Soska Sisters! PLUS an Interview with Michele Meek

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 21:56:19 +0000

Identical twins Sylvia and Jen Soska, known as The Soska Sisters, are an unstoppable force. You may know them best from their films Dead Hooker in a Trunk and American Mary. You may also know them as the hosts of the Blumhouse game show, 'Hellevator.' Or even as the writers for the most recent installment of the Black Widow comics. They are on the program this week for a very special Max Fun Drive episode talking about David Cronenberg's masterpiece, Dead Ringers. The sisters are avid Cronenberg devotees and, not to mention, this film centers around identical twins Beverly and Elliot Mantle. The pairing of guest and movie is truly a match made in heaven. The sisters also discuss what went into making their body modification horror, American Mary, and why agents and managers warn actors about working with them.

And in celebration of the Max Fun Drive, we have an additional segment this week. April talks to writer and filmmaker Michele Meek about her new book, Independent Female Filmmakers: A Chronicle Through Interviews, Profiles, and Manifestos. They discuss the travesty that not one film made by a woman is on the AFI Top 100 Films list. And how movies actually influence society's concept of consent.

This episode has a little bit of everything. And it's all in celebration of our annual Max Fun Drive. If you would like to support this show, please become a monthly member at:

maximumfun.org/donate

You should check out American Mary by The Soska Sisters.

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

ALSO, go and buy Michele's book - Independent Female Filmmakers: A Chronicle Through Interviews, Profiles, and Manifestos

With April Wolfe, The Soska Sisters, and Michele Meek.

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook.

Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org.

Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

'Pickup on South Street' with 'Leave No Trace' and 'Winter's Bone' Director Debra Granik

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 21 Mar 2019 20:32:33 +0000

Debra was a Boston independent filmmaker before she picked up and left for NYU’s graduate film program. Her first short film there, “Snake Feed,” was accepted into the Sundance Labs, where she developed the concept into her first narrative feature, Down to the Bone, starring Vera Fermiga. From there, Debra and her creative partner Anne Rossellini developed a film based on Daniel Woodrell’s 2006 novel, Winter's Bone. The film was released in 2010 and tells the story of a girl who’s the sole caretaker of her family who must hunt down her missing father to avoid being kicked out of her house and losing everything. The girl was played by Jennifer Lawrence. Lawrence was nominated for an Academy Award, as was Debra’s film and screenplay. In 2018, she directed Leave No Trace, a story about a father with PTSD trying to raise his teen daughter off the grid when some well-meaning people intervene and change the course of their lives. Starring Ben Foster and newcomer Thomasin Mckenzie Harcourt, Leave No Trace has been on multiple Top Ten lists, and won Debra the Best Director award at the 2019 LAFCA awards ceremony.

The film that Debra has chosen to discuss is Samuel Fuller's classic noir, Pickup on South Street. This is a personal favorite of Debra's and it becomes clear with how much appreciation and thought she has for the film. Debra discusses how she is able to create realistic dialogue for people who aren't from her "bougie, liberal" world. She talks about working with actress Dale Dickey, and why people love watching her on screen. Debra also elaborates on the use of guns in cinema, how we rely on them to tell stories, and how she is trying to "restore meaning to the woundable body."

You can watch Leave No Trace on Amazon Prime.

If you haven't seen it yet, go watch Pickup on South Street.

With April Wolfe and Debra Granik.

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook.

Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org.

Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

'What We Do in the Shadows' with 'At Home with Amy Sedaris' Producer Katie Tibaldi

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 14 Mar 2019 18:53:43 +0000

Katie Tibaldi is a writer, director and producer born and raised in Michigan. She also has the distinction of being childhood best friends with the host, April Wolfe! Between working on shows such as Broad City, Nurse Jackie and Damages, Katie's already worked on over 300 episodes of television. She’s currently producing the documentary feature Street Fighting Men, which will be distributed by First Run Features later this year. Her work on that made her a 2016 Sundance Institute Doc Fellow. She’s also Co-Producer on truTV's Emmy-Nominated comedy series, At Home With Amy Sedaris. She recently directed the independent half-hour comedy pilot, Ian Owes U, that had its world premiere at the New York Television Festival in July. She is also the writer, director and executive producer of Seeking Sublet, a comedy series with 9 full episodes debuting later this year. The series has been showcased by MovieMaker Magazine, Script Magazine, Tumblr and Funny or Die.

The movie that Katie has chosen to discuss this week is the vampire mockumentary, What We Do in the Shadows. Katie and April discuss the improvisational style of the film and how it contrasts with that of Amy Sedaris on her show, At Home With Amy Sedaris. They also dissect the anatomy of comedy; how jokes can age badly, what makes a physical joke work, and grounding comedy in reality. Plus, they discuss vampire movies in general, and how even though something's been made a million time, it can be made unique by simply adding a personal touch.

You can watch 'At Home with Amy Sedaris' on truTV in theaters now.

If you haven't seen it yet, go watch What We Do in the Shadows.

With April Wolfe and Katie Tibaldi.

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook.

Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org.

Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

'Ex Machina' with 'Mapplethorpe' and 'Dig!' Director Ondi Timoner

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 7 Mar 2019 20:10:33 +0000

Ondi is a Floridian, born in Miami, but she studied film, literature, and theater at Yale University. Her 2004 documentary Dig! made waves on the indie circuit, winning her the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance. Dig! followed two indie bands — The Brian Jonestown Massacre and The Dandy Warhols — on a journey that would bring art and commerce to collision points. She then directed Join Usbefore returning to Sundance with 2009’s documentary We Live in Public, about the work of Josh Harris, an “internet visionary” and dot-com entrepreneur who was one of the most prominent people to sacrifice his privacy and peace for a very public internet life. We Live in Public also took home the Grand Jury Prize, making her the sole director to do it twice. This year, though, she’s releasing her first narrative feature, Mapplethorpe, a look at the life of photographer Robert Mapplethorpe from his rise to fame in the 1970s to his untimely death in 1989.

The movie that Ondi chose to discuss this week is Alex Garland's Ex Machina. Based on her work with Josh Harris, Ondi has some fascinating things to say about the terrifying rise of A.I. and how we will inevitably be overtaken by machines. She elaborates on shooting her latest feature, Mapplethorpe, in just 19 days and how that frenetic energy seeped into the film - which is a good thing. Ondi reveals that for her, behind every creation there must be love. And lastly, she discusses the role of the director, as conductor, and the necessity of collaboration with the many departments on a film.

You can watch Mapplethorpe in theaters now.

If you haven't seen it yet, go watch Ex Machina on Netflix.

With April Wolfe and Ondi Timoner.

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook.

Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org.

Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

'Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me' with 'Shirkers' Director Sandi Tan

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 28 Feb 2019 18:22:05 +0000

Born in Singapore, Sandi began her career as a film critic at The Straits Times, Singapore’s largest newspaper. She then threw that all away to run off to film school at Columbia University. Sandi most recently wrote, directed, produced, and co-edited Shirkers (2018) which won the World Cinema Documentary Directing Award after its Sundance 2018 premiere. It was picked up as a Netflix Original Documentary and was on the shortlist for the 2019 Best Documentary Academy award. Shirkers reconstructs the story of an unfinished feature film Sandi made as a teenager using actual footage from the film combined with personal interrogations exploring how exactly the film came to be before it went missing.

The movie that Sandi chose to discuss this week is David Lynch's Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me. Although this film may not seem to have much to do with her own film, Shirkers, throughout the conversation she and April discover a great deal of overlap. Both movies are steeped in murder, reconciling the past, and mysterious disappearing male figures. Sandi details the incredible story of how she came to make the documentary. And she and April explore the intuitive filmmaking of David Lynch, and why he wanted to tell Laura Palmer's side of the story.

You can watch Shirkers on Netflix.

If you haven't seen it yet, go watch Twin Peaks: Fire Walks with Me.

With April Wolfe and Sandi Tan.

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook.

Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org.

Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

'Labyrinth' with 'Solace' Director Tchaiko Omawale

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 21 Feb 2019 22:38:47 +0000

Tchaiko graduated from Columbia University before going on to intern for Spike Lee and Mira Nair. While assisting directors George C. Wolfe and Tom Vaughan she directed several short-form projects, including America's Shadows: HIV Risk in Black & Latino Youth. In 2012, she wrote the script called Solace, which would eventually become her feature debut. At that time, it was a semi-finalist for the Sundance Writers Lab. In 2015, the project became a recipient of the Panavision New Filmmakers Program. Solace premiered at the LA Film Festival 2018, winning Special Jury Mention Best Ensemble Cast. Tchaiko was a 2017 School of Making Thinking resident fellow where she created the VR film Shapeshifters. In between her independent projects she produces and directs commercials and branded content.

The movie that Tchaiko has chosen to discuss this week is the wonderful, wacky, goblin-y, Labyrinth. April and Tchaiko touch upon the arousing gender fluidity of David Bowie's character "Jerith." Tchaiko talks about how she strives to make "imperfect" films. She also elaborates on being inspired by nature in the writing of her next fantasy film. Plus, there's a lot of puppet talk - from the construction to the puppeteering itself. If you love Labyrinth, you will love this discussion.

You can watch the trailer for Tchaiko's feature Solace here.

If you haven't seen it yet, go watch Labyrinth.

With April Wolfe and Tchaiko Omawale.

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook.

Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org.

Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

'Head' with 'B.C. Butcher' Director Kansas Bowling

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 14 Feb 2019 19:20:40 +0000

Kansas is a born-and-raised-in-Hollywood writer and director. She wrote her first feature when she was only 15, and then went on to direct it for release at 17. The film, titled, B.C. Butcher, is a “pre-historic slasher” starring Kato Kaelin. B.C. Butcher was distributed by Troma Entertainment, and Kansas was inducted into the Troma Institute for Gifted Youth. Since then, she has directed 25 music videos for artists including Collapsing Scenery, Boyd Rice, Iggy Pop, and the Death Valley Girls. Aside from directing, Kansas also acts. She’s appeared in more than 30 projects, including the upcoming directorial debut of Glenn Danzig, and also Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time In Hollywood. She also starred in a short film series called 'Curious Females', which premiered on Refinery29 in 2017.

The movie that Kansas has chosen to discuss on this week's episode is the 1968 freak-out fest by The Monkees called, Head. It's evident immediately that Kansas has a deep love for The Monkees and this film. She points out that The Monkees were very self aware in the film, as they comment on being "wind-up dolls" meant to distract people from the Vietnam war. She describes how her favorite films have a frenetic editing style, like Head, and also incorporate elements of "artistic non-fiction." Kansas covers some of her craziest experiences working on her own movies, like getting Kato Kaelin to appear in her film B.C. Butcher for free when she was only seventeen. Or like the time she called up Iggy Pop and asked if he'd be in a music video - and he said yes. If there's anything you should take away from this interview, it's that it never hurts to ask.

You can see B.C. Butcher streaming online.

If you haven't seen it yet, go watch Head.

With April Wolfe and Kansas Bowling.

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook.

Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org.

Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

'Don't Look Now' with 'Untogether' Director Emma Forrest

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 7 Feb 2019 19:27:08 +0000

What a fascinating episode we have in store for you this week. We are so lucky to be joined by writer/director, Emma Forrest. Emma has lived a life. She started out as very young journalist in London, when at the age of 15, she wrote a lauded story on Madonna for The Sunday Times, which prompted her to leave school at 16 to become a full-time writer for the Times. In 1998, she moved into writing fiction with the publication of her novel Namedropper. From there Emma began writing screenplays, selling one to Plan B, another to Miramax, and subsequently being named by Variety as one of the "Top Ten Screenwriters to Watch in 2009." Emma, however, has taken her screenwriting into her own hands and in 2018 debuted her first feature, Untogether, at the TriBeca Film Festival. Untogether stars Jemima and Lola Kirke, Ben Mendelsohn, Jamie Dornan, and Billy Crystal, and tells the story of two sisters in the middle of their own artistic and life crises — one a recovering addict, and the other in a withering relationship she doesn’t understand but can’t let go of.

In addition to discussing her newest film, Emma has chosen to talk about Nicolas Roeg's Don't Look Now. Emma describes how she feels so connected to this film - having seen it at an inappropriately young age and also being burdened by the feelings of premonitions. She and April admire all the incredibly unique aspects of the film - the writing, editing, cinematography, and even the performances of the leads Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie. Emma even notes the similarities between Don't Look Now and her own film, Untogether, in how both movies take place in cities that seem to know the fates of the protagonists before the characters do. Emma also opens up about the difficulties of working on her newest release, in particular having to direct her ex-husband Ben Mendelsohn while they were going through a divorce, and how that emotion on set powered many of the performances in the film.

You can see Untogether in select theaters and streaming on February 8th.

If you haven't seen it yet, go watch Don't Look Now.

With April Wolfe and Emma Forrest.

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook.

Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org.

Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

'The Wiz' with 'How to Get Away with Murder' Director DeMane Davis

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 31 Jan 2019 19:33:09 +0000

This week we are graced by the presence of the wonderful writer/director, DeMane Davis (Lift, 'Queen Sugar', 'How to Get Away with Murder'). She's on the program this week to discuss The Wiz. She and April begin the conversation by fawning over the performance of the one and only Diana Ross as Dorothy. They also cover the technical prowess of director Sidney Lumet, and why he considers this film somewhat of a failure. The conversation then turns towards DeMane's work as a TV director. They go in depth on what a day on set actually looks like. DeMane tells a story about a time when the producers of her feature Lift brought on another editor. But she also stresses that the most important thing is getting your work out in to the world. And lastly, DeMane emphasizes the lessons she learned from The Wiz about believing in yourself, and that when you are comfortable and confident in the work that you're doing, that's when you become really dangerous.

You can see DeMane's episode of How to Get Away with Murder on February 14.

If you haven't seen it yet, go watch The Wiz.

With April Wolfe and DeMane Davis.

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook.

Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org.

Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

'The Bourne Identity' with 'Close' Director Vicky Jewson

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 19:41:37 +0000

This week we have the amazing writer/director Vicky Jewson (Lady Godiva, Born of War) on the program. Her new film, Close, stars Noomi Rapace as a counter-terrorism expert and bodyguard tasked to protect a wealthy heiress. It's a gritty, intimate action film, and that's why the movie Vicky has chosen to discuss is so apt. This week Vicky will be discussing 2002's, The Bourne Identity. Vicky elaborates on the influence this film had on her, and how the Bourne series has had a huge influence on the current iterations of the Bond movies. Vicky goes in depth on mapping out action sequences and working with stunt coordinators to achieve a spontaneous feel in her film. She also talks about working with Noomi Rapace, and why it was difficult for her to call "cut." Vicky and April also go behind the scenes of The Bourne Identity and outline Doug Liman's career trajectory from indie films to directing an unorthodox blockbuster action film.

You can see Close on Netflix.

If you haven't seen it yet, go watch The Bourne Identity.

With April Wolfe and Vicky Jewson.

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook.

Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org.

Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

'The Lure' with 'Abducted in Plain Sight' Director Skye Borgman

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 18:59:16 +0000

We are so lucky to have on the program this week, cinematographer and director Skye Borgman. Her most recent documentary, Abducted in Plain Sight, follows the story of a young girl in a tight-knit LDS community, who is abducted twice by her neighbor and parent's best friend. It's an intense and serious film, which makes Skye's chosen genre movie all the more interesting. She has decided to discuss 2015's Polish, horror, mermaid musical, The Lure. She and April pinpoint how this film is able to deftly deliver harsh truths about female sexualization within the framework of a mythic fairytale. The two also marvel at the director Agnieszka Smoczynska, and what she was able to do in terms of pushing the limits of the mermaid's fin designs. Skye also touches upon working with the Broberg family on her doc, and how she was able to get them to discuss incredibly difficult subjects like pedophilia and child abuse.

You can see Abducted in Plain Sight on Netflix.

If you haven't seen it yet, go watch The Lure.

With April Wolfe and Skye Borgman.

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook.

Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org.

Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

'Defending Your Life' with 'Operator' Director Logan Kibens

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 10 Jan 2019 20:12:03 +0000

This week we slice and dice with writer/director Logan Kibens. She's on the program to discuss Albert Brooks' Defending Your Life. This is one of Logan's favorite films as well, and she explains the philosophical aspects of it that keep her coming back to watch over and over again. She and April point out how this film is a precursor to shows like 'The Good Place.' Logan elaborates on working with actors and getting past the intimidation phase. She discusses convincing people to invest in her first feature, even though she'd never directed one before. Logan also talks about working on that debut feature, Operator, starring Martin Starr and Mae Whitman. Plus, they examine how even though Defending Your Life flopped upon its release, it has endured due to its universal message of living without fear.

You can see Operator on Netflix.

If you haven't seen it yet, go watch Defending Your Life.

With April Wolfe and Logan Kibens.

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook.

Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org.

Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

'Under the Skin' with 'Rust Creek' Director Jen McGowan

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 3 Jan 2019 19:44:18 +0000

This week we've got director Jen McGowan (Rust Creek, Kelly & Cal) on the program to discuss Jonathan Glazer's Under the Skin. Jen takes April deep into the world of filmmaking as she discusses the concept of "process dictating product." They examine the differences between making films in Europe and the US. They break down the genius of Jonathan Glazer and the exact steps he took to complete this film. Jen explains what it's like pitching as a director for hire. Plus, she and April dissect Scarlett Johansson's risky performance and how she's both sexy and scary at the same time.

You can see Rust Creek in limited theaters and VOD on January 4th.

And if you haven't seen it yet, go watch Under the Skin on Netflix.

With April Wolfe and Jen McGowan.

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.

'Point Break' with 'Alaska Is a Drag' Director Shaz Bennett

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 27 Dec 2018 18:35:54 +0000

This week we've got writer and director Shaz Bennett on the program to talk about Kathryn Bigelow's classic, Point Break. As Shaz says on the show, this is the movie she most wishes she had directed. She and April also discuss Shaz's newest film, Alaska Is a Drag, which follows an aspiring drag queen turned boxer stuck working at a cannery in Alaska. The two of them dissect the masterful directing of Bigelow during the visceral chase scenes. They look at the unconventional casting of Patrick Swayze and Keanu Reeves. They praise the performance and genius of Lori Petty. And Shaz elaborates on being yourself while directing, and being close to your actors on set. April has a special connection with this film as well, having written a retrospectivefor Rolling Stone last year.

If you haven't seen it yet, go watch Point Break.

With April Wolfe with Shaz Bennett.

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.

'Black Panther' with Director, Actor, and Dancer Delila Vallot

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 20 Dec 2018 23:17:45 +0000

This week we are so lucky to have on director, actress, and dancer, Delila Vallot. Delila is a prolific worker and has too many credits to list. But some of her films as director include the thriller Tunnel Vision and the documentary Can You Dig This? which won a Jury Award at the Los Angeles Film Festival. On this episode she is here to discuss Black Panther. She and April talk about Michael B. Jordan's acting techniques and the effects of going method for a role. They touch upon how director Ryan Coogler was able to take a huge property like Black Panther and still make it personal. And they cover the intentional use of the actor's natural hair in the film and the importance of representing it in media.

If you haven't seen it yet, go watch Black Panther.

With April Wolfe with Delila Vallot.

'Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte' with 'Clara's Ghost' Director Bridey Elliott

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 21:52:19 +0000

This episode specializes in creepy haunted houses with potentially crazy women living inside them. And who better to have on the show than director and actor, Bridey Elliott. She's on to discuss her new film Clara's Ghost. Her film features Bridey's own mother, Paula Niedert Elliott, playing Clara, an isolated woman who begins seeing a ghost around the house. And appropriately, the film Bridey chose to discuss today is Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte starring Bette Davis. Davis' character Charlotte also believes she's seeing ghosts in her family's plantation home. These movies work well together thematically as they both touch upon paranoia, disbelief of women, and a real confusion on who is actually going crazy. Bridey talks about making her new film with her entire family, including her mother who had never acted before. She even shares a story about how she was able to shoot a scene with a naked woman walking around her childhood neighborhood. April and she also discuss the history of Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte, all the behind the scenes drama, and how this is a feminist film.

Check out Clara's Ghost in theaters and streaming.

And if you haven't seen it yet, go watch Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte.

With April Wolfe with Bridey Elliott.

'Leave Her to Heaven' with 'Dirty John' Showrunner Alexandra Cunningham

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 6 Dec 2018 21:40:08 +0000

We've got a truly fascinating conversation on this week's episode with 'Dirty John' showrunner Alexandra Cunningham. Her new show is based upon the wildly popular LA Times true crime podcast of the same name. It deals with deception, seduction, and intrigue. These are all themes found in the film that Alexandra chose to discuss, the 1945 technicolor noir classic Leave Her to Heaven. As 'Dirty John' deals with the mind of a manipulative conman, Alexandra has become somewhat of an expert on the mindset of villains. And she has some enlightening words on Gene Tierney's coldhearted Ellen in Leave Her to Heaven. Alex comes from a playwriting background and explains how she learned to show rather than to tell. April and she dissect the famous drowning scene in the film. And Alex has a fascinating story about working for a suicide hotline, and reveals how sometimes the scariest things happen in the light of day.

Check out Dirty John on Bravo.

And if you haven't seen it yet, go watch Leave Her to Heaven.

With April Wolfe with Alexandra Cunningham.

'Funny Games' with 'The Long Dumb Road' Director Hannah Fidell

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 18:57:49 +0000

A great new episode coming your way with the director of the new road comedy The Long Dumb Road, Hannah Fidell. Her film follows the sheltered Nat (played by Tony Revolori) as he drives cross country to attend art school in Los Angeles. On his way he picks up a hitchhiker (played by Jason Mantzoukas) who shakes up Nat's close minded worldview.

The movie that Hannah has chosen to discuss this week is Michael Haneke's Funny Games. She sort of picks both the American and Austrian version since they are almost perfectly identical films. April calls Hannah's own film The Long Dumb Road a comedic Funny Games, since both deal with an intruder breaking the unwritten rules of politeness and social decency. Hannah and April really dig into the genius of Haneke and his masterful filmmaking. They elaborate on how Funny Gamesis eerily prescient in its prediction of the emergence of "alt-right trolls." April also reveals that this movie was somewhat born out of Haneke's hatred for Natural Born Killers and how this Austrian film was really intended for American audiences.

Check out The Long Dumb Road streaming now.

And if you haven't seen it yet, go watch Funny Games, either the Austrian or the American version.

With April Wolfe with Hannah Fidell

'Jennifer's Body' with 'Cam' Writer/Producer Isa Mazzei

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Wed, 21 Nov 2018 19:57:57 +0000

In this season of Thanksgiving, we give thanks for our wonderful guest this week. We've got the writer and producer of the new film Cam, Isa Mazzei. We're so excited about having her on the show that we dropped the episode a day early! She's on the program to talk about the much under appreciated Jennifer's Body. Isa is a former camgirl herself and discusses the expertise she brought in creating her film. She also discusses her role on set and how she needed to direct some scenes to maintain the female gaze. She and April also discuss Jennifer's Body and how it subverts the expectations of a teen comedy. They elaborate on the role of director Karyn Kusama and screenwriter Diablo Cody and the results of having an all female creative team. This a great episode and one that should be recommended to your in-laws over Thanksgiving dinner.

Check out Cam, now streaming on Netflix.

And if you haven't seen it yet, go watch Jennifer's Body on HBO Go.

With April Wolfe with Isa Mazzei.

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 Mask' with Emily Heller

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 15 Nov 2018 19:34:50 +0000

On today's episode, we're talking about the movie for which the masses have been clamoring. That's right, we've got comedian Emily Heller on to talk about The Mask. Emily is a stand-up comedian, but also an actor and Emmy nominated writer. She's written for 'Crowded', 'People of Earth', and most recently 'Barry.' On this episode, she gives April an inside look of what it is like to be in a writer's room. She discusses how she got started as a TV writer, what she did to get hired, and what kind of pilot's people are looking to read. She and April also dive right into the mixed messages of The Mask and how the movie is basically one giant meme. This is a hilarious episode and one not to be missed. Some would say it's "SMOKIN'!" (Sorry).

Check out Emily's new stand-up album, Pasta, which is out November 19th.

Also check out Emily's podcast on Maximum Fun, Baby Geniuses.

And if you haven't seen it yet, go watch The Mask on HBO Go.

With April Wolfe with Emily Heller.

'The Host' with 'Unlovable' Director Suzi Yoonessi

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 8 Nov 2018 16:22:20 +0000

This week we are so lucky to have the director of the new film Unlovable, Suzi Yoonessi. Her movie follows Joy, played by Charlene deGuzman, a recovering sex and love addict who finds solace in making music with the gruff brother (John Hawkes) of her sponsor (Melissa Leo). The movie that Suzi has decided to discuss is 2006's Korean monster masterpiece, The Host. While maybe not immediately recognizable as an influence, Suzi explains that director Bong Joon-ho's focus on character and relationships has had a great effect on her work. She and April go over the process of pitching a movie that's never been made before, and the kind of work that goes into those types of meetings. Suzi also elaborates on working with John Hawkes and Melissa Leo. She even explains how it was difficult to cast John Hawkes because he doesn't have an email address. And lastly, Suzi and April compare how both The Host and Unloveable take real elements from the lives of the filmmakers in order to create a truly believable and engrossing story.

Check out the trailer for Unlovable which is streaming and in select theaters now.

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

With April Wolfe with Suzi Yoonessi.

'The Skeleton Key' with 'Lez Bomb' Director Jenna Laurenzo

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 1 Nov 2018 17:50:22 +0000

We've got a great episode this week with the director of the new film Lez Bomb, Jenna Laurenzo. While her film is a romantic comedy about a woman attempting to come out to her family on Thanksgiving, the film that Jenna chose to discuss is nothing like that at all! The movie Jenna picked is 2005's The Skeleton Key. While many have probably forgotten about this movie, we certainly haven't. Jenna and April discuss some of the more "delicate" issues that are brought up in the film - e.g. the opening lynching scene. Plus they touch upon the genius of Gena Rowlands and John Hurt. Jenna dives deep on the process of making her debut feature. She elaborates on how she was able to secure actors like Bruce Dern, Kevin Pollak, and Cloris Leachman for a film she shot in her own parents house. And she explains the lessons she learned from working with the Farrelly brothers.

Check out the trailer for Lez Bomb which will be in select theaters on November 9th.

And if you haven't seen it yet, go watch The Skeleton Key

With April Wolfe with Jenna Laurenzo

'All That Jazz' with 'Party Girl' Director Daisy von Scherler Mayer

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 25 Oct 2018 18:06:14 +0000

If you listen to this episode you don't have to go to film school. Our guest this week is Daisy von Scherler Mayer. You may know her best for her "debut tour de force" Party Girl. She is a prolific television director who has worked on everything from Mad Men to Orange Is The New Black. The movie she has chosen to talk about this week is one of her favorite films, Bob Fosse's All That Jazz. Daisy takes April through exactly how this film has influenced her life, and even names specific scenes she has stolen from the movie (a practice she heartily encourages for film students). Daisy does a wonderful job of explaining how she speaks to actors and creates a supportive environment for them. This episode is also particularly enlightening as Daisy and April really get into the creative process and the emotional rollercoaster it can be. She also discusses the genius of Bob Fosse and how he was able to create a "perfect film." This episode is required listening for anyone who wants to be filmmaker. Take notes during this one.

Check out the trailer for Party Girl.

And if you haven't seen it yet, go watch All That Jazz.

With April Wolfe with Daisy von Scherler Mayer.

'Black Swan' with 'Jinn' Director Nijla Mu'min

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 18 Oct 2018 18:38:39 +0000

This week we are very lucky to have award winning writer and director Nijla Mu'min on the program. In 2014, she was selected for the Sundance Institute Screenwriters Intensive and her debut feature, Jinn, won the Special Jury Recognition Award for screenwriting at the 2018 SXSW Film Festival. Jinn tells the story of a high school senior whose mother becomes taken by the beliefs and practices of Islam, which sets up a series of trials for the girl as she tries to navigate her own belief systems. The central character uses dance as a type of release. So it's fitting that the film Nijla has chosen to discuss is Darren Aronofsky's Black Swan. April and she explore the different ways that Nijla's film and Aronofsky's film use dance as a form of expression for the protagonists. Nijla also describes how she relates to Natalie Portman's character Nina Sayers in her pursuit of perfection. Plus, Nijla elaborates on her desire to honor her community in the representation of Islam in her film Jinn.

Check out the trailer for Jinn. The film will be in select theaters on November 15th and streaming on November 16th.

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

With April Wolfe with Nijla Mu'min.

'12 Monkeys' with 'Sadie' Director Megan Griffiths

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 11 Oct 2018 18:36:08 +0000

This week we have the director of the new drama Sadie, Seattle's own Megan Griffiths. The genre film that she has chosen to discuss is Terry Gilliam's weirdo time travel movie 12 Monkeys. Megan and April really get into the ins and outs of working in independent cinema; from the casting to achieving control on set. Megan discusses how she and Terry Gilliam have the similarity of not working within the Hollywood system; Gilliam living in London while Megan lives in Seattle. She elaborates on her new movie Sadie and shooting in a trailer park with Melanie Lynskey. April and she also cover shooting nudity and the need for the actors to be completely comfortable. This is a great conversation that proves you don't have to work within the confines of Hollywood in order to be a successful filmmaker.

Check out the trailer for Sadie which is in theaters now.

And if you haven't seen it yet, go watch 12 Monkeys

With April Wolfe with Megan Griffiths.

'Matilda' with Documentary Producer Erikka Yancy

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 4 Oct 2018 19:17:11 +0000

This week we are very lucky to have the prolific documentary producer Erikka Yancy on the program. The movie she chose to discuss is the beloved 1996 film Matilda. Erikka discusses her documentary career and what is like having to do research for films with such dark subject matter. She goes on to talk about having to go through footage from 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina, and how it's still important to offer some hope in even the most depressing of films. She also elaborates on her love for the movie Matilda and how it is rooted in the fact that the parents are so mean to the main character. April and her cover the directing career of Danny Devito and the history behind his production company Jersey Films. Plus, Erikka talks about the character of Lavender, and how having the representation of a black character is so vital to her enjoyment of the film. If you love this movie, you will love this conversation.

You can watch Erikka's film Homegrown: The Counter-Terror Dilemma on HBO.

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

With April Wolfe with Erikka Yancy

LIVE FROM FANTASTIC FEST: 'The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant' with 'Ladyworld' Director Amanda Kramer

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 27 Sep 2018 17:28:34 +0000

You are looking LIVE on Switchblade Sisters at Fantastic Fest. Recorded at The Highball theater at the Alamo Drafthouse in Austin, Texas. April welcomes one of the filmmakers from the festival, Amanda Kramer, to discuss the Rainer Werner Fassbinder masterpiece, The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant. Amanda's film Ladyworld screened right before the recording of this episode. The day also marks her birthday! April and Amanda note that both of the films in this discussion share a similar theme of hysterical women trapped in a confined space. Amanda talks about her love of melodramatic performances and pushing her actresses to reach beyond realism. She also coins a term for her type of filmmaking: "Tamponnui." Plus, she discusses the fact that she never uses a camera, rarely bathes, and would happily be crowned "The Female Fassbinder."

Check out the trailer here for Ladyworld.

And if you haven't seen it yet, go watch on The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant

With April Wolfe with Amanda Kramer

'Freaks' with Jess Weixler

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 20 Sep 2018 20:02:13 +0000

This week we are so lucky to have actor, writer, and director Jess Weixler on the program. Most people know her from her breakout role in the 2007 film, Teeth. But she has a new movie out called Chained for Life. In it she stars opposite Adam Pearson, who some may remember from Under The Skin. And the movie she chose to discuss is Tod Browning's infamous 1932 film, Freaks. Jess reflects on her own experiences working and living with people with disabilities. She touches upon the experience of acting with Adam and other actors with facial differences. April and she also crack open whether or not Freaks is an offensives film. And they try to tackle the fine line between exploitation and celebration. This is a truly enthralling conversation that is entertaining, funny, and very heartfelt.

If you are attending Fantastic Fest this year in Austin, go check out Jess' movie Chained For Life.

And if you haven't seen it yet, go watch on Freaks

With April Wolfe with Jess Weixler

'Let the Right One In' with 'Nancy' Director Christina Choe

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 13 Sep 2018 18:35:35 +0000

This week we've got the fantastic director of the new film Nancy, Christina Choe. She's on the program to talk about the vampire classic, Let the Right One In. This episode is really gripping because throughout the show Christina slowly realizes the similarities between her film and Tomas Alfredson's: the snowy backdrop, the vampiric characters, the bleak eeriness. Christina elaborates on the the amount of flexibility required to direct a feature. She discusses the importance of casting great actors and how she got Steve Buscemi and Andrea Riseborough to be in her film. Plus, she talks about the difficulties of shooting in the snow.

Nancy is streaming now.

And if you haven't seen it yet, go watch on Let the Right One In.

With April Wolfe with Christina Choe.

'Basket Case' with Brea Grant

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 6 Sep 2018 18:09:24 +0000

This week we've got fellow Maximum Funster, podcast host of Reading Glasses, actor, writer, and director, Brea Grant. She has chosen, maybe, one of the most fun and fascinating movies we've discussed on the show, 1982's cult classic, Basket Case. The story follows a young man named Duayne, who keeps his formerly conjoined, mutant brother Belial in a picnic basket. Duayne and Belial move to New York in order to seek out and murder the doctors who surgically separated them. A truly lovely tale that April and Brea fully dissect. They go in depth on what makes this gritty, New York classic just so memorable; the commitment of the actors, the gore, and the execution of the ridiculous concept. Brea also details the life of a working actress. She explains the struggle of acting in a movie that never gets released, returning clothes for an audition to the store, and always carrying around a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. This is a truly fun episode that touches upon the honorable practice of making art for the sake of making it.

Dead Night stars Brea Grant and former Switchblade Sisters guest Barbara Crampton. It is streaming now.

And if you haven't seen it yet, go watch on Basket Case

With April Wolfe with Brea Grant

'The Night of the Hunter' with 'Night Comes On' Director Jordana Spiro

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 30 Aug 2018 18:42:19 +0000

This week we're so lucky to have the director of the critically acclaimed new movie Night Comes On, Jordana Spiro. She is maybe best known for her acting roles in shows like 'My Boys,' 'The Mob Doctor,' and 'Ozark.' But after receiving her Masters degree in film from Columbia, she began directing shorts and her most recent debut feature. She's on the show to talk about another "Night" movie, Charles Laughton's The Night of the Hunter. She finds many parallels between this film and her own. And she even shares a similar career path to the director, actor Charles Laughton. April and her discuss the film's completely unique but assured visual style, along with the incredible performances of Robert Mitchum, Lillian Gish, and Shelley Winters. Plus, they cover the reason that this is the only film Charles Laughton ever directed.

Night Comes On is streaming now

And if you haven't seen it yet, go watch The Night of the Hunter

With April Wolfe with Jordana Spiro

'Unbreakable' with 'Like Father' Director Lauren Miller Rogen

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 23 Aug 2018 17:48:26 +0000

This week, we could not be more excited to have the director of the new film Like Father, Lauren Miller Rogen! Like Father stars Kristen Bell and Kelsey Grammer as an estranged daughter/father who accidentally end up taking a honeymoon cruise together after Bell's character is left jilted at the altar. The movie that Lauren chose to talk about this week is M. Night Shyamalan's Unbreakable. Lauren discusses the effect this film had on her when she was in film school and how it recently resurfaced in her life with the release of the trailer for its sequel, Glass. She elaborates on the process of shooting a movie on a cruise ship - from clothing choices to working with the parrot donning captain. Plus she discusses what it was like directing Kelsey Grammer and allowing him the opportunity to play a character that he does not normally get to play.

You can see Like Father on Netflix now.

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

With April Wolfe with Lauren Miller Rogen

'Young Frankenstein' with 'The Miseducation of Cameron Post' Director Desiree Akhavan

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 18:34:54 +0000

This week we are elated to have the director of the new film The Miseducation of Cameron Post, Desiree Akhavan. The film stars Chloë Grace Moretz as a young gay teenager in the early '90's forced to attend a conversion therapy camp. Desiree's choice of film to discuss this week is Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein. Desiree shares her special connection to the film and how it reminds her of her father. She is also critical of the movie, in particular the scene where Frankenstein's monster "ravages" Madeline Kahn. April and her explore how certain jokes have not aged well. Desiree discusses directing her current film; working with Chloë Grace Moretz, not making Christianity the butt of a joke, and trying to make her version of a "John Hughes film." She also bemoans the fact that American studios are totally unwilling to take any creative risks and how she had to move to London to get her TV show made.

You can see The Miseducation of Cameron Post in theaters now.

And if you haven't seen it yet, go watch on Young Frankenstein

With April Wolfe with Desiree Akhavan

'The Innkeepers' with 'Summer of 84' Co-Director Anouk Whissell

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 9 Aug 2018 18:05:36 +0000

This week we've got one of the director's of the new film Summer of 84, Anouk Whissell. Anouk is a member of the Montreal film collective known as RKSS, along with François Simard and Yoann Whissell. You may know them best for their previous effort, 2015's uber-violent Turbo Kid. Anouk is on the program to discuss Ti West's The Innkeepers. April and her praise the beauty of the "slow horror" genre and how it puts the audience ill at ease. Anouk describes her love for practical effects and the realness of the image on screen. She details the breakdown of directing duties between her and her RKSS fellows. And she goes through the freedom and challenges of making an independent horror film. Plus, she elaborates on her love for American horror and how that has influenced all of her work.

You can see Summer of 84 in theaters now.

And if you haven't seen it yet, go watch The Innkeepers on Amazon.

With April Wolfe and Anouk Whissell.

'The Big Lebowski' with 'Never Goin' Back' Director Augustine Frizzell

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 2 Aug 2018 18:00:39 +0000

This week we're very lucky to have the director of A24's new film Never Goin' Back, Augustine Frizzell. She's on the show to talk with April Wolfe about the Coen Brothers' The Big Lebowski. April and her discuss the friendship on screen between Jeff Bridge's character 'The Dude' and John Goodman's 'Walter', and how that relationship is the emotional center of the film. Augustine relates this to the friendship she crafted in her film, and how writing for those characters was walking a fine line between pathetic and endearing. They also compare these two films in terms of capturing the essence of a city; Los Angeles for The Big Lebowski and Dallas for Never Goin' Back. Plus, Augustine has a pretty fascinating story of how she came to filmmaking after being a broke, single Mom at the age of eighteen. And she explains how those life experiences helped shape her debut film.

You can see Never Goin' Back in theaters now.

And if you haven't seen it yet, go watch The Big Lebowski

With April Wolfe with Augustine Frizzell

'Wild Tales' with 'Buster's Mal Heart' director Sarah Adina Smith

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 18:53:53 +0000

This week we're joined by friend of the podcast, writer and director Sarah Adina Smith. You may know her from her feature film Buster's Mal Heart starring Rami Malek. But she's also directed episodes of 'Wrecked', 'Room 104', and 'Legion'. Sarah was actually the very first guest on our pilot episode of the podcast, so it's so good to have her back to discuss Damián Szifron's Wild Tales. The film is made up of six short films of comical revenge. Sarah and April dive in to what makes this movie "clean" and "perfect" - as they call it. Sarah reveals that she shares some similar obsessive qualities with director Szifron. She also talks about how a location is just another form of casting. This episode is a really fun discussion about following your instincts when creating art.

You can watch Buster's Mal Heart on Netflix now.

And if you haven't seen it yet, go watch Wild Tales

With April Wolfe with Sarah Adina Smith,

The Matrix with Vera Miao

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 19 Jul 2018 18:03:36 +0000

This week we're joined by writer and director Vera Miao. You may know her best from her acting roles on 'Eastsiders', 'NCIS', and 'State of Affairs'. But since then she's switched her focus to writing and directing. Her most recent work was as creator and showrunner of the 'Two Sentence Horror Stories' horror anthology series, of which she wrote every episode and directed the two installments 'Ma' and 'Singularity.' She's on Switchblade Sisters this week to talk about the Wachowskis' classic, The Matrix. Vera reveals what she finds most inspiring about the film; from the non-linear story to the diverse casting. She discusses why she loves genre films and how they are the perfect vehicle for promoting a message in a film. Plus, she talks about the things she would never say to an actor when directing. This is a truly fascinating conversation that goes in depth on philosophy, art, and the process of putting together a visual story.

You can watch Vera's episodes of 'Two Sentence Horror Stories' on go90 now.

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

With April Wolfe with Vera Miao,

Birth with Kate Berlant

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 12 Jul 2018 18:42:32 +0000

We are joined by the wonderful comedian, writer, and actor Kate Berlant. She's on the show to talk about the underappreciated Jonathan Glazer film, Birth. April and Kate dive right into this truly unique movie about a woman who's dead husband may have come back as a 10 year old boy. They make the case for this being Nicole Kidman's best performance as the role is so perfectly catered to her. They discuss the inspired vision of Jonathan Glazer and how he was the only one who could make this film. The two talk about Kate's role in Sorry to Bother You and her short film series 555. Kate elaborates on what goes into writing comedy and the kinds of white people she makes fun of. Plus, she explains why she feels compelled to make silly faces as a form of protest.

You can watch 555 on Vimeo now.

Check out Kate in Sorry to Bother You

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

With April Wolfe with Kate Berlant,

Jurassic Park with The Writers of 'Lost in Space' - Vivian Lee, Kari Drake and Katherine Collins

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 5 Jul 2018 19:00:46 +0000

We've got a full house this week as the writers for Netflix's 'Lost In Space' are in the studio. We've got Vivian Lee, Kari Drake and Katherine Collins on to discuss Steven Spielberg's classic, Jurassic Park. The three of them touch upon what it's like having to write a sci-fi/action show for the whole family, and how they use Jurassic Park as inspiration. They elaborate on what it's like writing for a big budget action-adventure with a ton of special effects. They give us an inside look into the writers room for 'Lost in Space' and how the group comes up with solutions and ideas. Plus, they discuss what makes Jurassic Park a more intimate film than people realize. And don't worry - the sexy Robot is thoroughly discussed.

You can watch Season 1 of Lost in Space on Netflix now.

If you haven't seen it yet, go watch Jurassic Park

With April Wolfe with Vivian Lee, Kari Drake, and Katherine Collins

Children of Men with The Last Man on Earth's Cleopatra Coleman

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 28 Jun 2018 18:55:12 +0000

This week we've got the multi-talented actor, writer, producer Cleopatra Coleman. You may know her best from her role as Erica on the beloved 'The Last Man on Earth' with Will Forte. But she's on the show this week to talk about Alfonso Cuarón's masterpiece, Children of Men. Cleopatra discusses the direct influence this film had on her new movie, the apocalyptic thriller that she wrote and produced, Hover. They discuss what the future looks like in both of these films and how the advertising and technology affect the lives of the characters. Cleopatra opens up about writing her first feature and the relationship she had with the film's director. She also reveals that she actually auditioned for a role in Children of Men. Plus, April discusses what went into the famous one take finale shot of the film and how it all went wrong.

You can watch Hover in select theaters now. It will be available on VOD on July 3.

If you haven't seen it yet, go watch Children of Men

With April Wolfe with Cleopatra Coleman

Rear Window with 'The Killing' and 'Seven Seconds' Creator Veena Sud

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 18:08:04 +0000

We are so lucky this week to have TV creator, writer, and director Veena Sud on the program. She's most well known for creating the TV show, The Killing. But she's got a new show out now called Seven Seconds. It follows the aftermath of the death of a 15 year old black cyclist who is killed in a hit and run accident by a white police officer. She's also on the program to discuss Alfred Hitchcock's classic Rear Window. Veena elaborates on the effect that Hitchcock has had on her career, and how it has influenced her being drawn to darker stories. She reveals that she's just completed her first feature about a teenage girl who accidentally kills her best friend. She also tells a wonderful story of working with the late Jonathan Demme on her show Seven Seconds. This is a truly engrossing episode that deals with the craft behind writing and cultivating a meaningful story.

You can watch Seven Seconds on Netflix.

If you haven't seen it yet, go watch Rear Window

With April Wolfe with Veena Sud

Death Becomes Her with Angela Trimbur, Lauren Parks and Jenée LaMarque of 'The Feels'

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 22:38:01 +0000

We've got a packed house today with Angela Trimbur, Lauren Parks, and Jenée LaMarque of the new film The Feels. The three women all act in the film with Jenée directing and co-writing with Lauren. They're on the show to discuss Robert Zemeckis' Death Becomes Her. Although not similar in tone or genre, April and the guests quickly find that both of these films are united in their commentary on women's bodies. The Feels analyzes the shame felt by women unable to have an orgasm. While Death Becomes Her addresses the pressure women face to constantly look young - in, albeit, a very violent and supernatural way. Plus, they all discuss the special effects, the production design, and, of course, the delicious performance of Meryl Streep as the aging movie star, Madeline Ashton.

The Feels is available on Amazon.

If you haven't seen it yet, go watch Death Becomes Her

With April Wolfe with Angela Trimbur, Lauren Parks and Jenée LaMarque

Deep Rising with Rebekah McKendry

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 7 Jun 2018 17:57:18 +0000

Rarely do we get a PhD. level academic on the show to discuss horror, but we got one this week! It's writer, director, professor and 'Shock Waves' podcast host Rebekah McKendry. She's on to discuss the underseen Deep Rising. She details her connection to aquatic horrors, dating back to her childhood growing up next to a river infested with alligator gars. April and her "dive" into what separates Deep Rising from all the other late '90's disaster/monster movies. Rebekah also divulges what goes into her filmmaking process; creating characters, directing actors, and designing creatures. To quote the tagline of this film - "Full scream ahead!"

Shock Waves is available wherever you listen to podcasts.

If you haven't seen it yet, go watch Deep Rising

With April Wolfe and Rebekah McKendry.

28 Days Later with 'Bob's Burgers' Writers/Producers Lizzie & Wendy Molyneux

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 31 May 2018 22:06:26 +0000

We've got a great episode this week with our first pair of sisters - Lizzie and Wendy Molyneux. The 'Bob's Burgers' writers/producers are on to discuss the Danny Boyle film, 28 Days Later. They elaborate on what goes into a storyline for Bob's Burgers, staying true to the format of the show, and seeing Tina Belcher in real life. Plus they explore what makes 28 Days Later such a classic; Cillian Murphy's performance, the introduction of the "fast" zombie, and the humanity behind the film. The sisters also make a case for adopting children during a zombie outbreak. This is a must listen episode for people interested in the process of writing comedic television.

Bob's Burgers is on Fox now.

If you haven't seen it yet, go watch 28 Days Later

With April Wolfe and Lizzie Molyneux & Wendy Molyneux.

The Craft with 'UnREAL' Creator Sarah Gertrude Shapiro

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 24 May 2018 18:55:11 +0000

This week's episode was recorded LIVE at Resident in downtown LA, as a part of The Voyager Institute's lecture series. So you may hear some noises in the background that you're not normally accustomed to - audience members laughing, drinks being made, and people having the best night of their lives! We have on the program the co-creator of Lifetime's 'UnREAL', Sarah Gertrude Shapiro. She's on to talk about the beloved, 90's, goth-inspiring masterpiece, The Craft. April and Sarah discuss their love for the campiness of the film and the perfect casting of Fairuza Balk as the evil teenage witch, Nancy. Sarah also elaborates on what it is like running a TV show. She dives into the challenges of directing an episode while also needing to be in the writing room. Plus, she details her journey from working on 'The Bachelor', to ending up in advertising in Portland, to creating her own TV show.

UnREAL is on Lifetime now.

If you haven't seen it yet, go watch The Craft

With April Wolfe and Sarah Gertrude Shapiro.

Being John Malkovich with 'The Magicians' creator Sera Gamble

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 17 May 2018 18:51:45 +0000

This week we've got the amazing creator of Syfy's 'The Magicians' - Sera Gamble. She's on to talk about the film that introduced the world to the mind of Charlie Kaufman - Being John Malkovich. Sera elaborates on her deep personal connection to the film. And admits it may have something to do with John Malkovich being her very first celebrity crush. She also takes April through the process of writing, and how often times the best way to write is by not knowing where you're going. They celebrate the performances of Cameron Diaz, John Cusack, and Catherine Keener - and also Cameron Diaz's phenomenal wig! They dissect the writing of Charlie Kaufman and how he came to create one of the most unique screenplays of all time. Sera connects the lessons she's learned from this film to her own work, and how she takes great pleasure in making the audience squirm.

The Magicians is on Syfy now.

If you haven't seen it yet, go watch Being John Malkovich

With April Wolfe and Sera Gamble.

'The Fly' with 'Divergent' & 'Hell or High Water' Producer Rachel Shane

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 10 May 2018 18:31:56 +0000

This week we are joined by producer Rachel Shane. She's produced such films as Divergent, Lawless, Hell or High Water and the National Geographic show Genius. She's on the program to talk all about David Cronenberg's The Fly. April and Rachel discuss all the aspects that make this movie great; Jeff Goldblum, the disgusting special effects, the efficiency of David Cronenberg. Plus Rachel shares what it is like working as a feature producer. She details the working relationships with directors, getting a hold of a really powerful script, and allowing actors and directors to see out their creative visions. Plus, she also elaborates on what it's like to be on set during risky stunts and how she chooses which projects she will produce.

Genius: Picasso is on National Geographic now.

If you haven't seen it yet, go watch The Fly

With April Wolfe and Rachel Shane.

'Carrie' with 'RBG' Directors Betsy West & Julie Cohen

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 3 May 2018 23:11:45 +0000

This week, we are joined by the directors of the brand new Ruth Bader Ginsburg documentary, RBG, Betsy West and Julie Cohen. They are on to discuss the Brian De Palma classic Carrie. Believe it or not, in this episode several similarities are drawn between the "Notorious RBG" and Carrie White. Julie and Betsy discuss what the world was like when Carrie was released and the type of workplace humiliations they had to put up with back then. Betsy even shares a story involving a penis shaped cake. They dig into the importance and power of Justice Ginsburg and how she actually changed the world. They also discuss the techniques they use to interview people, making sure not to manipulate the audience, and staring at Ruth Bader Ginsburg while she watched the documentary.

RBG opens theatrically on May 4th.

If you haven't seen it yet, go watch Carrie

With April Wolfe, Betsy West and Julie Cohen

The Witches of Eastwick with Ramaa Mosley

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 21:06:51 +0000

This week director Ramaa Mosley (The Brass Teapot, Tatterdemalion) stops by to discuss George Miller's The Witches of Eastwick. If you're looking for an in depth discussion on making independent feature films, this is a must listen for you. Ramaa opens up about the difficulties and rewards of creating your own movie - from fighting for what you need, to learning how to push back against producers interference, to working with actors. Plus, she discusses the influence that The Witches of Eastwick has had on her as an artist. April and Ramaa praise Jack Nicholson's performance as the devilish Daryl Van Horne, the masterful directing of George Miller, and the powerful women (Cher, Susan Sarandon, and Michelle Pfeiffer) that drive the film.

Ramaa's latest film is Tatterdemalion

And if you haven't seen it yet, go watch The Witches of Eastwick

With April Wolfe and Ramaa Mosley

The Big Sleep with Martha Coolidge

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 19 Apr 2018 20:51:15 +0000

In a spectacular new episode, director Martha Coolidge (Real Genius, Valley Girl, Rambling Rose) joins April to discuss Howard Hawks' The Big Sleep. The two of them dissect the film: the amazing script by Leigh Brackett and William Faulkner, the electric chemistry between Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart, and the masterful directing of Howard Hawks. Plus Martha relays some truly remarkable stories from her celebrated career, including the time the producers on one of her movies secretly cast a prostitute in her film. She also talks about discovering Nicolas Cage for Valley Girl, her work as the DGA president, and screening a film for Princess Diana. This episode is a wild one.

If you haven't seen it yet, go watch The Big Sleep

With April Wolfe and Martha Coolidge

The Heat with Tamra Davis

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 22:43:07 +0000

This week director Tamra Davis (Billy Madison, Half Baked, CB4) sits down with April to discuss Paul Feig's The Heat. Tamra takes April through what it's like directing comedies, how she worked with actors Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, and collaborating with comedy writers during a shoot. She also discusses the wonderful experience of directing the uber famous Britney Spears during the filming of Crossroads. April and her dissect Melissa McCarthy's performance in The Heat and her ongoing work with director Paul Feig. Tamra also details what it's like directing action scenes and the collaborative process of making a movie. Plus Inkoo Kang stops by to discuss why people should donate to the MaxFunDrive and Switchblade Sisters.

If you haven't seen it yet, go watch The Heat

With April Wolfe and Tamra Davis

Fatal Attraction with Heather Graham

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 5 Apr 2018 21:47:50 +0000

We've got a huge episode this week. Actress, writer, director Heather Graham sits down with April to talk about the salacious Fatal Attraction. The two of them discuss relating to Glenn Close's character, even though she is technically the villain. Heather elaborates on her experience directing her debut feature, Half Magic. She discusses getting the movie made, the inspiration behind it, and how she decided to include a "vagina empowerment" class in the film. She also dives into her acting career; being directed by Paul Thomas Anderson and David Lynch, working with a ton of men who have been accused of sexual harassment, and finding her desire to direct. Plus, Drea Clark stops by to talk with April about the MaxFunDrive.

You can see Half Magic on all digital platforms.

And if you haven't seen it yet, go watch Fatal Attraction

With April Wolfe and Heather Graham

The Silence of the Lambs with Liz Hannah

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 21:52:56 +0000

This week we have on the phenomenal writer of this year's The Post, Liz Hannah, to talk about Jonathan Demme's classic The Silence of the Lambs. Liz delves into her process and how she became a first time screenwriter with her script for The Post. She discusses the amazing talent of Meryl Streep, the story of Washington Post owner Kay Graham, and what it was like collaborating with Steven Spielberg. Plus, April and her dissect everything that makes The Silence of the Lambsa masterpiece. They discuss Anthony Hopkins performance (he only blinks once in the movie), the amazing craftsmanship of director Jonathan Demme, and the groundbreaking character of Clarice Starling played by Jodie Foster.

If you haven't seen it yet, go watch The Silence of the Lambs on HBO Go.

Also, you can still see The Post in theaters.

With April Wolfe and Liz Hannah

Monsters with Meera Menon

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 22 Mar 2018 19:22:14 +0000

This week we've got the wonderful director Meera Menon (Farah Goes Bang, Equity, GLOW, Halt and Catch Fire) to discuss Gareth Edwards' Monsters. Meera touches upon how well the film works despite the small budget and how that inspires her to create a monster movie someday. She discusses what it's like to direct using visual effects on The Magicians, and how a lot of it is guess work. Meera also speaks to the difficulties and delights of working with non-actors, the moral obligation of the director, and approaching filmmaking like a journalist.

If you haven't seen it yet, go watch Monsters.

Also check out Meera's latest film Equity.

With April Wolfe and Meera Menon

Code 46 with Lynn Shelton

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 15 Mar 2018 18:18:02 +0000

This week we've got the amazing director Lynn Shelton (Humpday, Your Sister's Sister, Laggies) talking about the mostly ignored Michael Winterbottom film, Code 46. Lynn describes the film as the "one of the most romantic films" she's ever seen. April and her dissect the "light futurism" and lack of CGI used in the movie. They discuss the amazing work of Samantha Morton and how her face really carries the emotion of the film. Lynn also talks about her new film Outside In and working with Edie Falco and Jay Duplass. She describes how she went from being an indie filmmaker living in Seattle to working constantly as a TV director for such shows as Mad Men, Fresh Off the Boat, Love, and The New Girl.

If you haven't seen it yet, go watch Code 46.

Also check out Lynn's newest film Outside In which will be in NY/LA on March 30th and all digital platforms on April 3rd.

With April Wolfe and Lynn Shelton

The Witch Who Came from the Sea with Drea Clark

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 8 Mar 2018 19:39:37 +0000

You're in for a real freaky treat this week because April talks to 'Who Shot Ya?' regular, producer Drea Clark, about the under appreciated The Witch Who Came from the Sea. The two of them explore the nutty movie about a psychotic barmaid who sexually fantasizes about murdering large men. They discuss how the character remains relatable despite the murders, and how the film actually does a responsible job representing the effects of child abuse. Drea discusses how she approaches projects to produce, the realities of being an indie producer, and what her working relationship with the director is like. She also discusses her most recent film, No Light and No Land Anywhere, and its similarities to The Witch Who Came from the Sea.

If you haven't seen it yet, go watch The Witch Who Came from the Sea.

Also check out Drea's film No Light and No Land Anywhere that comes out on digital platforms (iTunes, Amazon, Vudu, Google Play, etc.) on March 27.

With April Wolfe and Drea Clark

Invasion of the Body Snatchers with Leigh Janiak

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 1 Mar 2018 23:04:56 +0000

"We don't hate you - there's no need for hate now. Or love." Dr. Kibner (Invasion of the Body Snatchers)

Invasion of the Body Snatchers

Don't be a pod! On this week's episode April welcomes director Leigh Janiak (Honeymoon, Scream: The TV Series) to discuss 1978's Invasion of the Body Snatchers. The two touch upon how Leigh's film, Honeymoon, and Invasion both contemplate the question, "What would you do if the people closest to you were suddenly not themselves?" They discuss the incredible sound design of the film and how it creates a very creepy atmosphere. Leigh elaborates on working on the Scream: TV Series and how she learned to improvise on set. They both agree that Donald Sutherland may not be the typical leading man, but that frock of permed hair is really working for him. Plus, they dive into the famous ending of the film and what it really means to be a human being.

You can watch Leigh's film Honeymoon on Hulu

And if you haven't seen it yet, go watch Invasion of the Body Snatchers.

With April Wolfe and Leigh Janiak

Night of the Comet with Amber Benson

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 22 Feb 2018 23:33:08 +0000

This week April is joined by the phenomenal writer, director, and actor Amber Benson (Buffy The Vampire Slayer) to talk about the cult classic Night of the Comet. The two discuss the wonderful Kelli Maroney as the gun toting cheerleader, Samantha, how the film does a great job of combining horror and comedy, and how it is actually a realistic representation of being a teenager. Amber also dives into how she learned to be a filmmaker directing her first film Chance. She discusses her time on Buffy, her groundbreaking role as Tara, and the joy that comes from working on something important. She also elaborates on the need for female roles to be written with more complexity and for those characters to not be "perfect."

If you haven't seen it yet, go watch Night of the Comet.

With April Wolfe and Amber Benson

The Shining with Lin Shaye

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 22:58:29 +0000

This week we have the star of Insidious: The Last Key, the wonderful and vibrant Lin Shaye. She speaks with April about the seminal horror film, The Shining. Lin discusses how it was actually Jack Nicholson who discovered her and cast her in the film that brought her to LA. She also talks about convincing the Farrelly brothers to cast her as the disgusting landlady in King Pin, working with James Wan on Insidious, and how she really is game to play any type of character. April also details the intense production of The Shining, the extreme techniques used to get the desired performance from Shelley Duvall, and the effort that went into the set design. This is a fantastic episode for all those interested in the art of acting.

Check out Lin Shaye in Insidious: The Last Key in theaters now.

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

With April Wolfe and Lin Shaye

Blood Simple with Julie Hébert

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 8 Feb 2018 19:53:52 +0000

"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

Raw with Barbara Crampton

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 1 Feb 2018 22:12:52 +0000

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

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 21:57:22 +0000

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

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 18 Jan 2018 22:31:21 +0000

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

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 11 Jan 2018 21:56:53 +0000

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

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 4 Jan 2018 22:18:27 +0000

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

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 21:26:05 +0000

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

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 21 Dec 2017 19:57:11 +0000

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

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 14 Dec 2017 19:03:39 +0000

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

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 7 Dec 2017 22:02:36 +0000

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

Pan's Labyrinth with Issa López

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 30 Nov 2017 22:03:49 +0000

This week is a fantastical episode of Switchblade Sisters where April sits down with director Issa Lopez to discuss the influential Guillermo Del Toro film, Pan's Labyrinth. Issa opens up about her lonesome adolescence, the death of her mother, and how these events influenced her work. She tells April about the emotional process of working with children on her most recent film, the fantasy-horror Tigers Are Not Afraid. And she also discusses the culture of witchcraft and magic in Mexico and how that pervades many Mexican artist's work.

Keep an eye out for Issa López's most recent film Tigers Are Not Afraid.

And if you haven't seen it yet, go watch Pan's Labyrinth.

With April Wolfe and Issa Lopez

The Invitation with Heather Matarazzo

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 23 Nov 2017 20:48:03 +0000

This week, April sits down with actress, producer, and director Heather Matarazzo (Welcome to the Dollhouse, Saved, The Princess Diaries). They talk about a movie directed by last week's guest Karyn Kusama, the 2015 film The Invitation. April and Heather discuss the effectiveness of the setting as well as the powerful performance of Tammy Blanchard. Heather also talks about what it's like navigating a corrupt Hollywood system as a woman, having her role recast two weeks before a production, and what interests her about violence committed by women in cinema.

If you haven't seen it yet, you must go watch The Invitation on Netflix now.

With April Wolfe and Heather Matarazzo

Near Dark with Karyn Kusama

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 16 Nov 2017 22:18:04 +0000

This week, April sits down with director Karyn Kusama (Girl Fight, Jennifer's Body, The Invitation) to discuss the Kathryn Bigelow vampire classic, Near Dark. The two marvel at Bigelow's mastery in crafting a vampire western, the amazing performance of Bill Paxton as the villainous Severen, and the elegant cinematography throughout the film. Plus, Karyn talks about her journey as a director from discovering Michelle Rodriguez for Girl Fight, to subverting genre expectations for Jennifer's Body.

You can watch Karyn's most recent film The Invitation on Netflix.

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

Bone Tomahawk with Emily Gordon

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Thu, 9 Nov 2017 21:53:15 +0000

On the debut episode of Switchblade Sisters, April talks with the writer and producer of The Big Sick, Emily Gordon. Things get gruesome quickly as the two of them discuss the 2015 horror-western, Bone Tomahawk. April and Emily examine what makes the movie so good; the insane violence, the heartbreaking monologues, the beautiful cinematography. Plus, Emily talks about the making of The Big Sick and how she uses her psychology background in her writing.

You can buy or rent The Big Sick today.

And if you haven't yet, go watch Bone Tomahawk .

With April Wolfe and Emily Gordon.

Switchblade Sisters Preview

shows@maximumfun.org (MaximumFun.org) — Tue, 7 Nov 2017 01:10:01 +0000

Our debut episode drops this Thursday!

Make sure to subscribe where ever you listen to podcasts.

On the upcoming premiere episode, April Wolfe (lead film critic at LA Weekly) sits down with the writer and producer of The Big Sick, Emily Gordon. The genre film Emily chooses to discuss is the 2015, horror-western, Bone Tomahawk. Emily highlights the things she loves about the film; the crazy violence, the heartbreaking monologues, the beautiful cinematography. Plus, she also discusses what challenges and joys she encountered in the making ofThe Big Sick.

That's just a taste of what's to come. Some other upcoming guests include Karyn Kusama (Jennifer's Body, The Invitation) Heather Matarazzo (Welcome to the Dollhouse, The Princess Diaries) and Issa Lopez (Tigers Are Not Afraid).

The first episode of Switchblade Sisters arrives this Thursday, November 9th.

You can check us out on @SwitchbladePod on Twitter. Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.