004.5 - Marc Menchaca [WGA Mini-season]

07/22/23 • 39 min

This week's episode features the incredibly talented actor, writer, and director, MARC MENCHANCA. Marc was one of the first directors to ever hire me as a cinematographer, bringing me on board to shoot his debut feature, THIS IS WHERE WE LIVE. Marc wrote, directed, and starred in the film back in 2013. It played SXSW in competition and then went on to a small theatrical run. That film was the starting point for a long friendship and frequent collaboration over the years. Marc was one of the first "real" actors that I ever had a chance to direct and I've been incredibly fortunate to learn from many on set experiences with him. Marc is an actor by trade and he has had an incredible run over the past 5-7 years. Most notably he played RUSS LANGMORE on OZARZ, creating a nuanced and complex portrait of a man in crisis. He played JACK HOSKINS on HBO's THE OUTSIDER as well as roles on White House Plumbers, American Rust, Homeland, Black Mirror, Hawaii-Five-O, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Jack Ryan, and GENERATION KILL. I invited Marc into our writer's group to speak about the script from the perspective of an actor - what they're looking for, how they imagine the roles after those first read-throughs, and what collaboration between writers and actors might look like. Especially in light of the SAG strike, this episode - recorded in our writer's group in early 2020 - has only felt more relevant to the current climate.

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003.5 - Bassam Tariq [WGA Mini-season]

This is the third episode in the WGA inspired mini-season. A break from the usual "Directors on Directing," this season is focused on the granular mechanics screenwriting. Each of these conversations were recorded as a part of a remote writer's group that I ran in early 2020. Though they weren't ever intended to be released publicly - given the WGA (and now SAG) strikes, I thought it would be a small act of solidarity to bring our attention back to the work that goes into the creation of the screenplay This episode features a conversation with BASSAM TARIQ. Bassam was born in Karachi, Pakistan, and later migrated to the United States, where he grew up in Queens, New York. His dual-cultural upbringing significantly influenced his work, providing him a distinctive lens through which to explore and portray complex issues related to identity, belonging, and the immigrant experience. Tariq's debut feature film, "These Birds Walk," premiered at South by Southwest in 2013 and was named one of the best indie films of the year by The New Yorker. In 2019, he directed "The Ghosts of Sugarland" - a documentary short he wrote and directed about his post-9/11 high school experience. The film premiered at Sundance in 2019. He then directed "Mogul Mowgli" in 2020, starring Riz Ahmed, which earned rave reviews for its exploration of diaspora identity and the physical and emotional toll of ambition. The film premiered at Berlinale in 2020. Throughout his career, Tariq has consistently demonstrated his ability to deftly intertwine personal narratives with broader societal themes and his profound dedication to storytelling continues to resonate powerfully in the work he creates. In this conversation we specifically discuss page count, finding and maintaining a "voice", the movement from documentary to narrative storytelling, and the importance of protecting your vision.

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2.001 Greg Kwedar + Clint Bentley

Greg Kwedar and Clint Bentley are the filmmaking duo behind Sing Sing, the critically acclaimed drama that earned them an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay. Known for their deeply humanistic approach to storytelling, Kwedar and Bentley craft films that center on overlooked communities and the resilience of the human spirit. Their latest film, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, continues their tradition of immersive, character-driven narratives and is set for release later this year. Before Sing Sing, Kwedar and Bentley first collaborated on Transpecos (2016), a gripping border thriller that Kwedar directed and Bentley co-wrote. They followed that with Jockey (2021), Bentley’s directorial debut, which premiered at Sundance and earned widespread acclaim for its intimate storytelling and naturalistic performances. Throughout their work, they have consistently demonstrated a commitment to authenticity, often working with non-actors and embedding themselves deeply in the worlds they portray. For directors navigating the complexities of feature filmmaking, this conversation is a must-listen—touching on everything from financing challenges to the emotional toll of the creative process. Greg and Clint offer a candid look at what it really takes to bring a story to life, proving that even as they move onto bigger stages, their process remains rooted in trust, curiosity, and an unwavering dedication to their craft.