The Matrix with Vera Miao

Explicit content warning

07/19/18 • 46 min

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,

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

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,

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

Previous Episode

Birth with Kate Berlant

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,

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

Next Episode

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

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,

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