2.001 Greg Kwedar + Clint Bentley

Explicit content warning

03/21/25 • 150 min

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.

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004.5 - Marc Menchaca [WGA Mini-season]

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.