
Martha Coolidge (Award Winning Film & Television Director) on Filmmaking and Movie Research
04/05/23 • 44 min
Kevin is joined by Martha Coolidge, a celebrated American film director known for her groundbreaking work in the film industry.
Martha Coolidge, Director
Coolidge has directed a wide range of films over the course of her career, including the iconic 1983 teen comedy Valley Girl, the critically acclaimed drama Rambling Rose, and the romantic comedy Introducing Dorothy Dandridge. She has received numerous awards and accolades for her work, including the Women in Film Crystal Award. She has served as the president of the Directors Guild of America, making her one of the most influential women in Hollywood. Throughout her career, Coolidge has been a trailblazer for women in the film industry, inspiring a new generation of filmmakers with her innovative storytelling approach and commitment to diversity and inclusivity.
An Actor’s Director (4:05)
Martha has the reputation of being an actor’s director. Having worked with such names as Nicolas Cage, Val Kilmer, Halle Berry, Laura Dern, and Robert Duvall, Martha shares her directing process and how her goal is to figure out what an actor needs to be relaxed.
Early career and turning trauma into a documentary (6:28)
Martha talks about her early directing experience at the Rhode Island School of Design. She discusses her early years as a documentary filmmaker.
“Gag me with a spoon.” On self-producing Valley Girl(11:28)
Kevin asks Martha about her first job in Hollywood, and Martha talks about financing Valley Girl, shooting it in New York, and capturing the idiosyncratic voice of the movement. Martha shares how Brian Grazer saw Valley Girl, liked it, and how that led to her directing Real Genius starring Val Kilmer.
The screening process and being a literal nervous wreck (13:19)
The test screening process tends to make filmmakers nervous. Martha shares her experience with the audience preview of Valley Girl and how they pulled people in off the street to preview the film.
Love for directing and making a movie several times (19:12)
Kevin asks Martha about her favorite part of filmmaking. Martha talks about her love of directing and her special relationship with actors. She also shares her passion for post-production and how you make the movie several times in post.
First woman president of the Director’s Guild of America (28:45)
Coolridge was named the first woman president of the Director’s Guild of America. She talks about how some were not ready for a woman president, but most welcomed the diversity. Kevin and Martha discuss women in filmmaking and the underrepresentation of female directors.
Host: Kevin Goetz
Guest: Martha Coolidge
Producer: Kari Campano
For more information about Martha Coolidge:
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004838/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marthacoolidge/?hl=en
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Martha_Coolidge
For more information about Kevin Goetz:
Website: www.KevinGoetz360.com
Audienceology Book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Audience-ology/Kevin-Goetz/9781982186678
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @KevinGoetz360
Linked In @Kevin Goetz
Screen Engine/ASI Website: www.ScreenEngineASI.com
Kevin is joined by Martha Coolidge, a celebrated American film director known for her groundbreaking work in the film industry.
Martha Coolidge, Director
Coolidge has directed a wide range of films over the course of her career, including the iconic 1983 teen comedy Valley Girl, the critically acclaimed drama Rambling Rose, and the romantic comedy Introducing Dorothy Dandridge. She has received numerous awards and accolades for her work, including the Women in Film Crystal Award. She has served as the president of the Directors Guild of America, making her one of the most influential women in Hollywood. Throughout her career, Coolidge has been a trailblazer for women in the film industry, inspiring a new generation of filmmakers with her innovative storytelling approach and commitment to diversity and inclusivity.
An Actor’s Director (4:05)
Martha has the reputation of being an actor’s director. Having worked with such names as Nicolas Cage, Val Kilmer, Halle Berry, Laura Dern, and Robert Duvall, Martha shares her directing process and how her goal is to figure out what an actor needs to be relaxed.
Early career and turning trauma into a documentary (6:28)
Martha talks about her early directing experience at the Rhode Island School of Design. She discusses her early years as a documentary filmmaker.
“Gag me with a spoon.” On self-producing Valley Girl(11:28)
Kevin asks Martha about her first job in Hollywood, and Martha talks about financing Valley Girl, shooting it in New York, and capturing the idiosyncratic voice of the movement. Martha shares how Brian Grazer saw Valley Girl, liked it, and how that led to her directing Real Genius starring Val Kilmer.
The screening process and being a literal nervous wreck (13:19)
The test screening process tends to make filmmakers nervous. Martha shares her experience with the audience preview of Valley Girl and how they pulled people in off the street to preview the film.
Love for directing and making a movie several times (19:12)
Kevin asks Martha about her favorite part of filmmaking. Martha talks about her love of directing and her special relationship with actors. She also shares her passion for post-production and how you make the movie several times in post.
First woman president of the Director’s Guild of America (28:45)
Coolridge was named the first woman president of the Director’s Guild of America. She talks about how some were not ready for a woman president, but most welcomed the diversity. Kevin and Martha discuss women in filmmaking and the underrepresentation of female directors.
Host: Kevin Goetz
Guest: Martha Coolidge
Producer: Kari Campano
For more information about Martha Coolidge:
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004838/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marthacoolidge/?hl=en
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Martha_Coolidge
For more information about Kevin Goetz:
Website: www.KevinGoetz360.com
Audienceology Book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Audience-ology/Kevin-Goetz/9781982186678
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @KevinGoetz360
Linked In @Kevin Goetz
Screen Engine/ASI Website: www.ScreenEngineASI.com
Previous Episode

Jonathan Glickman (Veteran Studio Executive and Producer) on Developing Films, Audiences, Streaming, and More
Kevin is joined by highly accomplished film and television producer and former studio executive, Jonathan Glickman.
Jonathan Glickman, Producer and Former Studio Executive
With over two decades of experience in the entertainment industry, he has established himself as a creative force and a visionary producer with a keen eye for identifying and developing successful projects. As president of the MGM Motion Picture Group, Glickman guided a bankrupt company into a thriving studio. During his tenure, he oversaw production on Skyfall and Spectre, the two highest-grossing installments of the James Bond franchise, as well as No Time to Die, Daniel Craig’s final outing in the series. Other highlights of his tenure include overseeing the production of the Rocky spinoff Creed and Creed 2 and the 2019 animated hit The Addams Family. After his tenure at MGM, Glickman founded Panoramic Media. His productions include Creed 3 and the Golden Globe-nominated tv series Wednesday, which recently became the second most-watched show in Netflix’s history.
Important lessons from growing up in a political family (3:42)
Jonathan grew up in Kansas, where his father was a congressman, and he learned an important political lesson that carried over to his career in entertainment, the public is always right. Kevin and Jonathan discuss the intersection of entertainment and politics.
“All that matters are beginnings and endings and in the end, the beginning doesn't matter”(10:19)
Kevin and Jonathan discuss the importance of a good ending and leaving the audience satisfied. Jonathan emphasized how everything should lead up to that ending in order to have people buzzing about the movie as they leave the theater.
The elevator pitch (12:47)
Jonathan discusses how he landed his first internship at Caravan Pictures by cornering Joe Roth, the head of Caravan, in an elevator and asking him for the internship. The pair discuss Jonathan’s rise at Caravan, how, as an intern, he pitched the idea for a Jerky Boys movie followed by While You Were Sleeping. Four years later, Jonathan became head of the studio.
The Creed Bake-Off (31:53)
The pair discuss the film Creed and how screening two different endings led to the decision to have Adonis Creed lose at the end of the first film. Jonathan relates that the film was shot with two endings which were shown to test audiences. Both endings tested well, but one tested higher. He also shares a story of what happened when Sylvester Stallone joined the Creed focus group.
Marketing and the streaming platforms (41:38)
With the success of Wednesday, Kevin and Jonathan turn the discussion to streaming platforms and marketing.
Wednesday as the main character (45:43)
Glickman talks about The Addams Family and why he wanted to focus on Wednesday as the main character for the Netflix series.
Host: Kevin Goetz
Guest: Jonathan Glickman
Producer: Kari Campano
For more information about Jonathan's upcoming projects:
Website: https://thisispanoramic.com/
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0322802/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/glickmania
For more information about Kevin Goetz:
Website: www.KevinGoetz360.com
Audienceology Book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Audience-ology/Kevin-Goetz/9781982186678
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @Kevi
Next Episode

Ellen Goldsmith-Vein (Film/TV Producer, Manager, & Executive) on Breaking Into the Business, Producing, & More
Kevin is joined by Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, founder and CEO of Gotham Group, a management and production company.
Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, Gotham Group CEO, Producer
Ellen Goldsmith-Vein is a business woman and producer, widely recognized for her prolific work as the founder and CEO of Gotham Group, a leading management company in the entertainment industry. In addition to her successful career in management, Ellen is a notable philanthropist and political fundraiser, dedicating her time and resources to various charitable causes. With an impressive portfolio spanning both television and film, Ellen has produced blockbuster hits such as The Maze Runner film series, which grossed over 1 billion dollars at the box office worldwide. She has also produced critically acclaimed films such as Star Girl and its sequel Hollywood Star Girl, Wendell and Wild, Abduction, My Best Friend's Exorcism, and The Spiderwick Chronicles. Ellen's work has earned her several accolades, including an Emmy award nomination in 2008 for her contributions to the popular television series, Creature Comforts.
Ellen's background and starting Gotham Group (3:00)
Ellen talks about being the first woman to own the size of management company that she does. She discusses how she started Gotham Group 30 years ago and how she went from a career in banking to the entertainment industry.
Ellen's transition to representation (8:10)
Ellen talks about her desire to be on the same side of the table as the talent and how she transitioned to the representation business.
Finding White Space(14:15)
Ellen discusses the importance of finding white space in the industry and how focusing on the animation space helped Gotham Group become successful.
Producing a $125 million movie (17:53)
Ellen talks about her experience producing The Spiderwick Chronicles and the challenges of being a producer.
Social activism (26:39)
Kevin and Ellen discuss Ellen and her husband Jon Vein’s involvement in social activism and their efforts to make a positive impact through their work in the entertainment industry.
Challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated industry (37:10)
Ellen talks about the difficulties of being a woman in the entertainment industry and how she had to work hard to be taken seriously.
Providing opportunities and advice for young women (38:34)
Ellen discusses the importance of providing opportunities for young women in the entertainment industry and how she tries to help them get their foot in the door. Ellen gives advice to young women to focus on their own work and not worry about what others are doing to create success for themselves.
Tune in to hear Kevin and Ellen discuss Ellen's career path, her experience as a producer, her political activism, and the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated industry.
Host: Kevin Goetz
Guest: Ellen Goldsmith-Vein
Producer: Kari Campano
For more information about Ellen Goldsmith-Vein:
The Gotham Group: https://gotham-group.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellengoldsmithvein/?hl=en
Twitter: https://twitter.com/egvgotham?lang=en
For more information about Kevin Goetz:
Website: www.KevinGoetz360.com
Audienceology Book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Audience-ology/Kevin-Goetz/9781982186678
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @KevinGoetz
Don't Kill the Messenger with Movie Research Expert Kevin Goetz - Martha Coolidge (Award Winning Film & Television Director) on Filmmaking and Movie Research
Transcript
Podcast: Don't Kill the Messenger with Movie Research Expert Kevin Goetz
Guest: Award Winning Film and Television Director Martha Coolidge
Interview Transcript:
Announcer (00:02):
There's a little-known part of Hollywood that most people are not aware of known as the audie
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