Explore every episode of the podcast Don't Kill the Messenger with Movie Strategist Kevin Goetz
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jeffrey Cole (Media Analyst & Author) on Disrupters, Streaming, AI, and the Future of Moviegoing | 04 nov. 2026 | 00:53:34 | |
Jeffrey Cole, founding director of USC Annenberg’s Center for the Digital Future and founder of the World Internet Project, joins host Kevin Goetz to explore how technology reshapes media, business, and human behavior. A longtime adviser to governments and major companies, Cole is the co-author of Disrupters at the Gate. He and Goetz discuss why transformative change comes from unexpected places, why successful companies miss it, and whether anything can truly disrupt the movie theater. Skipping Law School and Betting on the Internet (02:37): Cole recounts abandoning law school days before classes began, then teaching at UCLA while working in television production. His conviction that the internet would change the world led to the World Internet Project and a career advising presidents and CEOs. Disruption vs. Innovation (07:14): Cole explains that innovation improves on what exists, while disruption often comes from unknown players and upends the business model. By that measure, he argues, Apple has shifted from disrupter to innovator since Steve Jobs’s death. Cascading Disruptions and Elon Musk (11:20): Cole says world-changing disruptions typically arrive about every 150 years, yet the internet, COVID, and AI have all hit within 25 years. He also calls Musk the Thomas Edison of the 21st century, while explaining how Tesla fumbled self-driving, and Waymo succeeded. Finding a New Lane (19:45): Cole credits Fred Smith’s FedEx as the model for Amazon, then shows how companies can survive when their business models collapse. A wall cleaner became Play-Doh, and Fuji turned its film chemistry into cosmetics. Streaming, Netflix, and the Moviegoing Decline (26:39): Cole explains why he told CinemaCon that theaters aren’t going anywhere, while Goetz argues that streaming’s cost, convenience, and choice have permanently changed moviegoing. Cole praises Reed Hastings for disrupting his own DVD business and Ted Sarandos for building an original content powerhouse. Hollywood vs. New Technology (37:26): Cole shows how studios fought sound, television, and the VCR before finding ways to profit from them. Television divisions now often out-earn film divisions, and the VCR became a major source of studio revenue. What Would Disrupt the Theater? (45:14): Goetz presses Cole on what could bring real growth back to moviegoing. Cole points to special, big-screen experiences like The Odyssey but says those are innovations, and that any true disruption will come from somewhere unexpected. Host: Kevin Goetz For more information about Jeffrey Cole: For more information about Kevin Goetz: | |||
| Gerry Rich (Hollywood Marketing Veteran & Author) on His Book – Chasing Hollywood, and the Art of Selling a Movie | 21 oct. 2026 | 00:52:26 | |
Gerry Rich has led marketing at Columbia Pictures, Miramax, MGM/United Artists, Paramount Pictures, and Amazon MGM Studios. He joins host Kevin Goetz to talk about his new memoir, Chasing Hollywood: A Marketing Chief’s Lessons on Breaking Through. Ad Age has named him one of the Top 100 Marketers in America. His campaigns range from independent breakouts like The Crying Game and Leaving Las Vegas to Mean Girls, Iron Man, and the James Bondfranchise. Rich shares hard-won lessons on finding a campaign’s hook, creating urgency, and choosing who to work with. Selling a Movie in a Four-Week Window (02:44): Rich likens movie marketing to a weekend retail sale, with most media now packed close to opening weekend. He explains why live sports and high-impact digital buys like TikTok still drive reach, and why more of the budget now goes to content creators, the new journalists. Coming Out, Guy Pearce, and Writing the Book (08:33): After the pandemic and Amazon’s acquisition of MGM, Rich felt it was the right moment to look back on a career spanning more than a thousand films. He explains why he wove his personal story into his book, from meeting lifelong friend Guy Pearce on a film shoot in Fiji to coming out, which he says made him more authentic in his work. Rebuilding MGM and Reinventing Bond (24:25): Frank Mancuso brought Rich in to help rebuild a bankrupt MGM, where GoldenEye had to revive a franchise audiences saw as “my father’s Bond.” The campaign introduced Pierce Brosnan as a new Bond for a new generation, with help from a Nintendo 64 game. Rapid Fire: The Crying Game, The Birdcage, Mean Girls, and Chicago (27:57): Goetz runs through some of Rich’s most memorable campaigns. Rich explains how the Miramax team turned The Crying Game’s twist into its hook and persuaded critics not to spoil it. He recalls repositioning Mean Girls around the fear of the first day at a new school, and bringing audiences who didn’t usually see musicals to Chicago. Mentors and Moguls (42:32): Rich shares mentor Hal Gaba’s rule to avoid people who would never visit you in the hospital. He also reflects on Harvey Weinstein’s complicated legacy, crediting his impact on independent film while condemning the abuse and hostile environment he created. Going Against the Algorithm (47:26): Rich agrees audience research has a role once a script exists but warns that greenlighting by data models produces sameness. He argues that a shortage of films in certain genres is an opportunity, pointing to originals like Ted, Tropic Thunder, and Sinners. Host: Kevin Goetz For more information about Gerry Rich: For more information about Kevin Goetz: | |||
| Graham King (Oscar-Winning Producer) on Michael, Bohemian Rhapsody, and Letting the Audience Decide | 07 oct. 2026 | 00:52:26 | |
For the 100th episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz welcomes back his very first guest, Oscar-winning producer Graham King. King's films, including The Departed, The Aviator, Hugo, Argo, Blood Diamond, The Town, and Bohemian Rhapsody, have collected 61 Academy Award nominations, and he won Best Picture for The Departed. His latest, Michael, took seven years to reach the screen and has since surpassed Bohemian Rhapsody as the highest-grossing biopic of all time. King traces the film back to a chance meeting at a gas station in 1982 and explains why the real win is the audience showing up. A Mother’s Blessing (03:33): King recalls showing Katherine Jackson and Michael's sister Rebbie the first hair and makeup test of Jaafar Jackson. Michael’s mother’s emotional response ranks among the top five moments of his career. The Gas Station and the Softball Game (05:30): While pumping gas in Sherman Oaks, a young King hummed "Let's Get Serious" to Jermaine Jackson and was invited to the family's softball game. There, Michael introduced himself by tapping King on the shoulder, saying "You're it," and running off. Learning from Scorsese (11:55): King prefers to let the film do the talking. He credits his years with Martin Scorsese for teaching him how to excite an audience, work with actors, run a set, and layer music into the story. Previews, Critics, and the Real Win (20:21): Scorsese taught King the value of fresh eyes from outside the business. He admits he has ignored warnings and paid for it, and he argues that reviewers critiqued Michael Jackson rather than the movie. King tells filmmakers that the green light isn't the win; the audience showing up is. Casting and Testing Michael (29:52): King shares how his daughter suggested Colman Domingo would make a great Joe Jackson. He tells the story about the lunch where he told Jaafar Jackson he was auditioning to play his uncle, the three years of preparation that followed, and the boundless energy of first-time actor Juliano Krue Valdi. Unable to preview Michael publicly, he leaned on Goetz's and editor John Ottman’s reactions. The Departed at 20 and Dancing Audiences (49:47): King calls The Departed the hardest and most memorable film he has produced, and says his goal was to be the producer when Scorsese finally won his Oscar. Seeing audiences around the world dance through Michael's end credits, he says, is higher than any award. Host: Kevin Goetz For more information about Graham King: For more information about Kevin Goetz: | |||
| Bob Greenblatt (Television Executive & Producer, Tony-Winning Broadway Producer) on Building Hits at Fox, Showtime, NBC, and Broadway | 16 sept. 2026 | 00:57:43 | |
Bob Greenblatt joins host Kevin Goetz for a conversation that follows the television executive through four separate turnarounds, from a struggling young Fox Network to the top of Showtime, NBC, and WarnerMedia Entertainment. Greenblatt helped develop Beverly Hills, 90210, The X-Files, and Party of Five at Fox, produced Six Feet Under, turned Showtime into a creative rival to HBO with Weeds and Dexter, ran NBC during the network's return to number one with The Voice and This Is Us, and later helped launch HBO Max. He's also a five-time Tony-winning Broadway producer. Learning the Business from Peter Chernin and Scott Rudin (06:28): After an MBA and film school, Greenblatt credits his mentors Scott Rudin and Peter Chernin for the real education in how to give notes and run a company without losing the creative instinct. Launching Fox with Beverly Hills, 90210 (15:36): Greenblatt walks through developing 90210 from Barry Diller's original idea, hiring an unproven Darren Star to write it, and watching the 90-minute pilot test through the roof. Its breakout success helped define the young-adult demo strategy that built the network. American Beauty, and the Birth of Six Feet Under (24:13): Greenblatt recounts partnering with David Janollari to launch their production company, signing sitcom writer Alan Ball without realizing he'd also written a script called American Beauty, and sending that script to HBO right as the film became an Oscar-winning phenomenon. HBO ordered Six Feet Under straight off the page. Turning Around Showtime and NBC (34:55): Greenblatt explains his pattern of leaving a job once it stops changing, his preference for buying over developing, and how he rebuilt Showtime around original series like Dexter and Weeds. He also details how The Voice gave NBC the lead-ins it needed to climb back to number one. Executive Mentors and the One That Got Away (39:53): Asked to name the greatest network executive in television history, Greenblatt points to Brandon Tartikoff and Grant Tinker's "first be best, then be first" philosophy. He also revisits Profit, his short-lived anti-hero drama that paved the way for Dexter, and his famous pass on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The Green Room and The Rockford Files (48:54): Greenblatt previews current projects at his production company The Green Room. He closes by discussing his Broadway work on Ragtime, and his memoir, The Rockford Files. Host: Kevin Goetz For more information about Bob Greenblatt: For more information about Kevin Goetz: | |||
| Billy Ray (Oscar-Nominated Screenwriter & Director) on The Hunger Games, Great Characters, and the Craft of Storytelling | 02 sept. 2026 | 00:57:15 | |
Billy Ray, the Oscar-nominated screenwriter behind Captain Phillips, The Hunger Games, Shattered Glass, Richard Jewell, State of Play, Breach, and Flight Plan, joins host Kevin Goetz for a candid conversation about the throughline of integrity in his work and the mechanics of great storytelling. Ray lays out his theory of what every protagonist and villain requires using Jaws, Rocky, The Wizard of Oz, and Ordinary People as case studies, and shares stories from Donald Sutherland, Jennifer Jones, and the making of The Hunger Games. Integrity and the Stories Billy Ray Tells (01:41): Ray identifies integrity as the recurring theme in his work, and explains why the best screenwriting is an intellectual exercise designed to create an emotional response rather than an impressive one. The Untold Story of Ukraine's Abducted Children (10:20): Kevin and Billy discuss Ash and Crayons, a documentary about children abducted from Ukraine into Russia during the war. He calls it the great untold story of the conflict. Knowing Your Audience: Messaging and Persuasion (13:35): A discussion about political communication becomes a broader conversation about audiences. Ray argues that effective messaging begins by understanding where people are emotionally and moving them from there, a principle Goetz connects directly to movie marketing and persuasive advertising. What Makes a Great Screenplay? (22:38): Ray recalls being handed Ordinary People by his literary-agent father as the standard to aspire to, and lays out his fundamental rule of character: a protagonist needs an external problem to solve and an internal problem only the story can fix. Great Characters, Great Villains, and the Cathartic Contract (26:29): Using Ordinary People, Rocky, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, and Schindler's List, Ray and Goetz examine character construction. Ray argues a great antagonist needs a defensible point of view. Outworking the Competition and Shattered Glass (42:01): Ray discusses early influences including Rod Serling, and his realization that he couldn't control talent or the industry, only how hard he worked. He names Shattered Glass, his directing debut, as the film he's proudest of. The Hunger Games and the Art of Reverse Engineering (46:30): Ray remembers reading Suzanne Collins' novel overnight and recognizing its potential. He shares changes that strengthened the adaptation, and the security measures involved in writing the franchise's newest installment. Failure, Audience Testing, and the Oscar Chase (51:15): Ray speaks candidly about directing Secret in Their Eyes, losing an investor's money, and his Oscar nomination for Captain Phillips, including why chasing that recognition can be dangerous for a career. Host: Kevin Goetz For more information about Billy Ray: For more information about Kevin Goetz: | |||
| Roy Lee (Prolific Producer & Industry Innovator) on Weapons, Barbarian, The Departed, and Trusting His Instincts | 19 août 2026 | 00:45:27 | |
Roy Lee, the producer behind some of Hollywood’s most successful horror films, franchises, and international adaptations, joins host Kevin Goetz to explore the unconventional path that took him from law school to building one of the most prolific producing careers in Hollywood. Lee has produced or executive produced The Ring, The Grudge, The Departed, It, Doctor Sleep, The Lego Movie, How to Train Your Dragon, Barbarian, Weapons, and A Minecraft Movie, among dozens of others. Through his company Vertigo Entertainment, he's built a reputation for spotting opportunity where others see risk, whether that means Asian horror remakes, emerging filmmakers, or video game IP. From Law School to Script Tracker (02:56): Lee describes going from law school to taking a job at a production company after moving to Los Angeles, where he was a development executive and script tracker responsible for knowing virtually every script and manuscript circulating around town. Twenty-Five Asian Films in Twenty-Five Months (10:20): Lee explains how he acquired the rights to twenty-five Asian titles, including The Ring, The Grudge, and The Departed. Eighteen of the twenty-five eventually made it to the screen. Reading by Instinct: What Makes Roy Lee Say Yes (15:54): Lee lays out his process, reading scripts between 4 and 6 a.m., abandoning any that don't make him care about the characters after the first act, and passing on stories he can predict in full. It, Reinvented (17:52): Lee recounts discovering that Warner Bros. quietly owned the rights to Stephen King's It, and pitching his producing partner Dan Lin on isolating the kids' story as its own film. The Barbarian Gamble (22:57): Every studio passed on Barbarian, but Lee was certain from the first act that it worked. It became a sleeper hit that also launched his ongoing partnership with writer-director Zach Cregger onWeapons and the upcoming Gladys. The Departed: A Home Run from the Start (29:11): Lee remembers watching Infernal Affairs, the Hong Kong film that would become The Departed, and knowing immediately it was a sure thing that went on to win the Best Picture Oscar. Common Sense, No Regrets, and Advice for the Next Generation (35:44): Asked about his superpower, Lee points to good judgment and the ability to capitalize on opportunity. He tells aspiring filmmakers that talent, not just passion, should determine who tries to break in. Where AI Fits In (40:06): Lee predicts AI will cut visual effects budgets, streamline storyboarding and animatics, and reshape script reading, even as he doubts audiences will see fully AI-generated lead performances anytime soon. Host: Kevin Goetz For more information about Roy Lee: For more information about Kevin Goetz: | |||
| Jim Orr (Universal Pictures) & Brandon Purdie (Angel Studios) on Distribution Strategy in Hollywood, Angel's Audience-First Model, & Why Content Is Still King | 05 août 2026 | 00:55:21 | |
Jim Orr is President of Domestic Theatrical Distribution at Universal Pictures. He began his career at Paramount and joined Universal in 2016 after leading distribution at Focus Features and MGM. Brandon Purdie is Executive Vice President and Head of Theatrical Distribution at Angel Studios, the audience-funded studio behind Sound of Freedom, where he helped build a community-driven model that puts greenlight decisions in the hands of its 2.4 million members. Host Kevin Goetz brings the two together for a wide-ranging conversation on how films find audiences in an era of theaters, streaming, VOD, and direct fan engagement. From Del Monte to Distribution (08:41): Orr recounts talking his way into a sales job at Del Monte out of college, then cold-calling studio distribution heads until Paramount hired him on the spot. The Roadshow Era and the First Wide Break (11:36): Orr traces distribution's earliest days, when prints traveled by car with regional reps, through to the thousand-plus theater breaks standard by the time of Star Trek. Content Is Still King (23:02): Both guests agree the movie itself remains the deciding factor in box office success, with Purdie noting a quiet week usually just means there isn't a film people want to see yet. Building Angel Studios from a Membership, Not a Subscription (30:02): Purdie explains Angel's founding principle: no executive can greenlight a film without approval from the Angel Guild, whose members vote on projects and get free tickets to every release. Pay It Forward and the Sound of Freedom Phenomenon (34:06): Purdie details how Angel's "Pay It Forward" ticketing model generated more than $20 million in donated tickets, helping turn Sound of Freedom into a summer 2023 box office surprise. The Green Book Playbook (44:27): Orr points to Green Book as his proudest Universal moment, explaining how a deliberately limited release avoided split grosses and let the film build week over week toward a Best Picture win. What Keeps Them Up at Night, and the Next Five Years (49:26): Purdie names human apathy as Angel's biggest threat. Orr predicts modest theater consolidation and growth in premium formats, while Purdie sees Angel continuing to scale its guild and slate. Host: Kevin Goetz For more information about Jim Orr and Brandon Purdie: For more information about Kevin Goetz: | |||
| Lauren Shuler Donner (Legendary Producer) on X-Men, Pretty in Pink, and the Producer's Job of Protecting the Vision | 15 juil. 2026 | 00:47:48 | |
Lauren Shuler Donner, one of Hollywood's most influential and adaptable producers, joins host Kevin Goetz for a wide-ranging career retrospective. Over nearly five decades, Shuler Donner has produced roughly 40 films that have grossed more than $5 billion worldwide — including Mr. Mom, St. Elmo's Fire, Pretty in Pink, Dave, Free Willy, and the X-Men franchise she helped build years before Marvel became Marvel. She talks with Goetz about breaking into a male-dominated industry, her 38-year love story and creative partnership with director Richard Donner, her philanthropic work with the Motion Picture & Television Fund, and her latest chapter producing the Broadway musical adaptation of The Lost Boys. Breaking Into a Male-Dominated Industry (06:10): Shuler Donner recalls knocking on doors with no connections, becoming one of only three women among 300 men in NBC's camera department, and working her way into producing. Discovering John Hughes and Making Mr. Mom (12:29): Shuler Donner recalls cold-calling John Hughes, championing his unproduced script Mr. Mom, and casting an unknown Michael Keaton after seeing him in Night Shift. Falling for Dick Donner on the Set of Ladyhawke (16:43): Shuler Donner describes pursuing Richard Donner to direct Ladyhawke, working with him as a producer, and falling in love with him during the Italian shoot. Radio Flyer, Free Willy, and the Power of Testing (24:53): Shuler Donner discusses Radio Flyer's heartbreaking low box office despite strong scores, and how a fan's $10 donation "for the whales" inspired Free Willy's end-credit hotline. The Midwest Gut Check and the Search for Real Villains (28:01): Shuler Donner explains testing projects against whether "a kid from Cleveland" would pay to see them, and demanding villains like Magneto have real, human motivations. Finding Hugh Jackman (30:40): Shuler Donner recounts spotting Hugh Jackman in a self-taped Oklahoma! audition, flying him to LA, and sending him to read for Bryan Singer in Toronto sight unseen. Getting X-Men Made (34:07): After Warner Bros. passed, Shuler Donner pitched X-Men to Fox's Bill Mechanic, who, unbeknownst to her, had sold his own comic collection to pay for college. The Lost Boys on Broadway (37:02): Shuler Donner talks about bringing The Lost Boys, and eventually Dave, to the Broadway stage. Testing Pretty in Pink's Ending (43:53): Shuler Donner explains how test audiences rejected the original ending of Pretty in Pink, leading to a reshoot that paired Molly Ringwald with Andrew McCarthy instead of Jon Cryer. Host: Kevin Goetz For more information about Lauren Shuler Donner: For more information about Kevin Goetz: | |||
| Bob Bookman (Literary Agent, Manager & Producer) on Adapting Great Books, Discovering Hollywood Classics, and Why the Best Movies Aren't Always Based on the Best Books | 01 juil. 2026 | 00:45:12 | |
Bob Bookman, one of Hollywood's most respected literary agents, managers, and producers, joins host Kevin Goetz for a masterclass on the art of discovering stories that successfully make the leap from page to screen. Over a remarkable career, Bookman has represented authors and filmmakers including Michael Crichton, John Irving, Thomas Harris, Jonathan Demme, Cameron Crowe, and Tom Stoppard, helping bring to the screen films like Jurassic Park, The Silence of the Lambs, Hannibal, The Cider House Rules, A Beautiful Mind, and Jerry Maguire. In recent years he's brought that same eye for material to producing, including the Best Picture nominee A Complete Unknown. Running the Yale Law School Film Society (06:54): Bookman recalls building an underground film education out of 16mm prints borrowed from historian Bill Everson, bringing legends like Frank Capra, Fritz Lang, and Miloš Forman to campus for free screenings. Landing the Job and Skipping the Mailroom (18:26): Bookman shares how his father connected him with Abe Lastfogel, how a chance introduction from agent Jack Gilardi led to an interview with David Begelman, and how he ultimately landed at IFA, bypassing the mailroom. Becoming "The Book Guy" (23:24): Bookman describes how agency head Marvin Josephson handed him ICM's entire literary publications franchise,launching his decades-long reputation as Hollywood's go-to book agent. What Makes a Book Cinematic (27:09): Bookman breaks down why great novels rarely make great films, and what he actually looks for: three-act structure, character conflict, and a story that takes audiences somewhere new. The Secret to a Great Adaptation (29:15): Using John Irving's Oscar-winning adaptation of his own novel The Cider House Rules as the gold standard, Bookman explains why most authors shouldn't adapt their own books, and why Irving was the exception. The Best Adaptations, and a Hawks-Hemingway Bet (33:00): Bookman names The Silence of the Lambs and A Beautiful Mind among the best adaptations he's seen, then tells the story of how Howard Hawks turned Ernest Hemingway's self-described worst book into To Have and Have Not. Rapid-Fire on the Legends (37:43): Bookman gives quick, candid impressions of the writers and directors he's worked with — Michael Crichton, Jonathan Demme (including his own cameo in The Silence of the Lambs), Cameron Crowe, Tom Stoppard, and Paul Greengrass. Originality, AI, and What's Next (40:24): Bookman argues that algorithms can imitate stories but not replicate the human heart, and discusses his new venture producing low-budget original films. Host: Kevin Goetz For more information about Bob Bookman: For more information about Kevin Goetz: | |||
| Sid Ganis (Veteran Studio Executive, Producer) on Marketing Lucas and Spielberg's Biggest Films, Running Studios, & Leading the Academy | 17 juin 2026 | 00:44:33 | |
Sid Ganis, former President of the Motion Picture Group at Paramount Pictures, former Vice Chairman of Columbia Pictures, and four-term President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, joins host Kevin Goetz for a wide-ranging conversation spanning more than five decades in Hollywood. Ganis traces his path from an office-boy job won through a chance connection, to marketing campaigns for The Empire Strikes Back and Raiders of the Lost Ark, to greenlighting Ghost and Fatal Attraction, and to acquiring the rights to Forrest Gump during his years running Paramount. Brooklyn Roots and Greek Jewish Heritage (03:14): Ganis traces his Romaniote Jewish heritage to Ioannina, Greece, and his grandparents' flight to New York's Lower East Side. Ganis recalls his first solo trip to the movies, seeing Gunga Din for 25 cents at a neighborhood theater. Quitting College and a Lucky Break (08:50): After dropping out of Brooklyn College, Ganis landed his first publicity job thanks to a chance connection from his Uncle Phil. Joining 20th Century Fox (12:57): Ganis describes his early years in publicity, working for Lee Solters and later joining Fox while Cleopatra was in production. Working with Joseph L. Mankiewicz (17:44): Ganis remembers collaborating with the director years later and calls him one of Hollywood's greats. Testing Ghost (28:01): Ganis shares a test-screening story from Ghost that captures how unpredictable audiences can be. Meeting George Lucas and Joining Lucasfilm (31:34): Ganis recalls being introduced to a young George Lucas by Francis Ford Coppola, then later joining Lucasfilm as Empire Strikes Back went into production. Marketing Raiders of the Lost Ark and Meeting Nancy (33:40): While promoting Raiders of the Lost Ark, Ganis met his future wife, Nancy Hult, through a PBS fundraiser project that later won him an Emmy. Columbia Pictures and a Career in Marketing (37:20): Recruited to Columbia by Peter Guber and Jon Peters, Ganis explains why he stayed in marketing rather than move into production. Four Terms as Academy President (42:26): Ganis reflects on his proudest achievement: spearheading the 17-year effort to build the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. Sid Ganis's career is a reminder that cultivating relationships and a willingness to stay close to the audience can carry someone through every era of a changing industry. In his own words, his story is one of gratitude for the people who opened doors for him, and for a business he never stopped loving. Host: Kevin Goetz For more information about Sid Ganis: For more information about Kevin Goetz: | |||
| Jeff Annison & Paul Scanlan (Co-Founders, Legion M) on Democratizing Hollywood, Fan Ownership, and the Power of the Audience | 03 juin 2026 | 01:00:36 | |
Jeff Annison and Paul Scanlan, Emmy-winning co-founders of the world's first fan-owned entertainment company, Legion M, join host Kevin Goetz for a conversation about disrupting industries, building communities, and betting on the audience. Annison and Scanlan pioneered mobile television at MobiTV and launched the very first equity crowdfunding campaign in U.S. history. The duo have spent two decades proving that the audience is the most powerful force in entertainment. Chicago, Boston, and a Love of Film (01:48): Paul Scanlan traces his passion for filmmaking to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and to a family trip to Cape Cod where seeing Jaws at age five both terrified and captivated him. Jeff Annison arrived at storytelling through an unlikely path: a mechanical engineering degree at UCLA and a series of screenwriting classes taken on a lark. MobiTV: Putting Television on a Flip Phone (07:18): The two founders recount how a mutual friend with a micro-display technology brought them together in 1999 to build what would become MobiTV, the first company to stream live television to mobile phones. Colossal (25:49): Legion M's first major move was a small P&A investment alongside the distributor Neon on the Anne Hathaway film Colossal. With just 3,500 investors and a million dollars, they organized screenings and community meetups. Community as Marketing Engine (29:54): Annison and Scanlan explain how Legion M's 60,000-plus investors are an organic grassroots marketing force. As Scanlan puts it, communicating with their community costs nothing but can drive millions in box office. Saving Coyote vs. Acme (35:25): One of the most discussed projects in recent Hollywood history found new life through Catchup Entertainment. Legion M is partnering on its release, and the trailer has already surpassed 50 million views. Advice for the New Filmmaker (43:22): Annison urges emerging creators to start with the end in mind, thinking not just about the key scene but about how to communicate a story in a brief window of attention. Scanlan adds a hard truth: the industry is more entrepreneurial than most people expect, and selling to a major studio is rarely the path. On Being on the Side of the Audience (56:44): Annison reflects on what keeps him grounded amid industry uncertainty and the rise of AI: the belief that no matter what technology produces, only human beings pay to watch movies. Building a company on the side of the audience, he argues, is the most defensible position in entertainment. Host: Kevin Goetz For more information about Legion M: For more information about Kevin Goetz: | |||
| Mark Canton (Producer, Veteran Studio Executive) on Showmanship, Smelling the Circus, and Trusting Your Instincts | 20 mai 2026 | 00:57:27 | |
Mark Canton, producer of 300, Immortals, Men in Black, Air Force One, and My Best Friend's Wedding, former President of Worldwide Production at Warner Bros., and former Chairman of Columbia Pictures and Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Companies, joins host Kevin Goetz for a conversation about a career defined by passion and instinct. From delivering mail on the Warner Bros. lot as a college student to greenlighting some of Hollywood's most beloved films, Canton reflects on the legends he learned from, the risks he took, and why he still smells the circus every time he walks onto a sound stage. Queens, New York, and Family (02:40): Canton traces his love of film to a father who survived being shot down over France in WWII, won an Oscar for a short film on Van Gogh, and went on to do publicity for Hitchcock and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and to a mother who was a published poet. The movies, he says, were always destiny. Learning from the Greats on Papillon (15:30): Working for director Franklin Schaffner in Jamaica and living between the houses of Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman, Canton learned what it meant to commit to a film. From the Warner Bros. Mail Room to Running the Studio (31:52): Canton traces his rise from UCLA film student to head of Worldwide Production at Warner Bros., sharing stories about the Vacation franchise, Caddyshack, and Lethal Weapon. Taking the Helm at Columbia Pictures (41:28): Recruited by Peter Guber and Jon Peters, Canton became Chairman of Columbia Pictures and later oversaw Columbia TriStar. He reflects on the team he assembled and the record-breaking run that followed, including Jerry Maguire, My Best Friend's Wedding, Bad Boys, and Air Force One. The Art of the Difficult Screening (47:02): Canton recounts two defining test screening moments: a chaotic preview of Scorsese's The Age of Innocence in a New Jersey bowling alley, and a tough audience response to Luc Besson's Léon: The Professional that led to an ultimatum and a reworked film that became a modern classic. The Cable Guy and No Regrets (49:35): Canton defends paying Jim Carrey $17 million and notes what history confirmed: the film launched Ben Stiller's directing career, introduced Jack Black, Owen Wilson, and Judd Apatow. He also recalls his affectionate standoff with Mike Nichols over the ending of Wolf. What Keeps Audiences Coming Back (54:09): Canton argues that what fills theaters today is the same thing that made Purple Rain a phenomenon: the feeling of a live, communal, irreplaceable experience. For more information about Mark Canton: For more information about Kevin Goetz: | |||
| Mark Johnson (Academy Award-Winning Producer of Rain Man) on Diverse Storytelling, Discovering Talent, and a Lifelong Passion for Filmmaking | 06 mai 2026 | 00:44:27 | |
Mark Johnson, Academy Award-winning producer of Rain Man and Emmy Award-winning executive producer of Breaking Bad, joins host Kevin Goetz for a conversation about a career defined by creative restlessness and uncommon decency. The interview ranges from his transformative partnership with Barry Levinson, which produced Diner, The Natural, and Good Morning Vietnam, to shepherding beloved films like The Notebook, A Little Princess, Donnie Brasco, and Galaxy Quest to championing an unknown writer named Vince Gilligan, Johnson reflects on what it means to serve a director's vision, why he refuses to make the same movie twice, and how audience testing changed the way he thinks about filmmaking. Never the Same Movie Twice (02:14): Johnson explains his resistance to repeating himself across genres. From Galaxy Quest to The Notebook to Breaking Bad, he compares his varied tastes to simply deciding what he wants for breakfast. Meeting Barry Levinson (04:07): Johnson recalls how a chance connection on the Mel Brooks comedy launched one of Hollywood's most fruitful producing partnerships, and what he learned from working alongside a director who always began with character. The Lesson of Good Morning Vietnam (13:12): Johnson describes how audience testing transformed his understanding of filmmaking, including working with the mercurial and brilliant Robin Williams and the pivotal decision to restore a scene with J.T. Walsh. Winning the Oscar for Rain Man (18:29): Johnson reflects on the bittersweet experience of winning Best Picture for a film he credits largely to others, Tom Cruise's underappreciated subtlety in the role, and the one name he forgot to thank from the podium. The Closest Thing to a Perfect Movie (26:08): Johnson singles out Alfonso Cuarón's A Little Princess as the film he holds most dear as a lesson in collaborative craftsmanship. Discovering Vince Gilligan (30:06): In 1988, Johnson read a script by an unknown writer at a Virginia Film Festival jury and knew immediately he was in the presence of singular talent. He details how he championed Gilligan for years before Breaking Bad made the world take notice. The Producer's True Role (38:57): Johnson shares what he hopes listeners take away — that his passion for moviemaking is as alive today as when he started, and that a producer's job is never to claim ownership of a film, but to help a director realize their vision. For more information about Mark Johnson: For more information about Kevin Goetz: | |||
| Ann Sarnoff (First Female CEO of Warner Bros.) on Breaking Barriers, Knowing Your Audience, and Why the Best of Hollywood Is Still Ahead | 14 avr. 2026 | 00:51:21 | |
Ann Sarnoff, the first woman to serve as Chair and CEO of a major Hollywood studio and named one of Forbes' World's Most Powerful Women, joins host Kevin Goetz for a conversation about her path from a working-class upbringing in Massachusetts to the top of the entertainment industry. From her early days at Nickelodeon pioneering audience research, to guiding Warner Bros. through one of the most turbulent periods in Hollywood history, to her current role on the boards of major entertainment companies, Sarnoff shares insights on leadership, the power of knowing your audience, and what theaters must do to survive. From Wilbraham to Warner Bros. (03:11): Sarnoff discusses her roots in a blue-collar, Polish-Catholic family in Massachusetts, where she played three varsity sports, instilling competitive instincts and teamwork skills that would define her leadership style. Georgetown, Harvard, and the Road to Media (04:06): With no family connections to the industry and student loans to repay, Sarnoff built her foundation in strategy consulting before finally making her move into media. Nickelodeon and MTV (22:23): As head of strategy and research at Nickelodeon, Sarnoff championed deep audience research, running 200 focus groups a year. That rigor produced breakout hits like Rugrats and Blue's Clues. Audience as North Star (21:21): Sarnoff explains how cable television changed the broadcast model by starting with the customer, building channels around specific passions rather than the broadest possible reach. That philosophy of programming for real audiences became the throughline of her entire career. Breaking the Barrier at Warner Bros. (28:03): Ann shares her experience of becoming the first female CEO of Warner Bros. in 2019 and occupying Jack Warner's office, her picture joining a wall of men dating back to 1923. Sarnoff reflects on the women who came before her, and guiding the iconic studio through a pandemic, a streaming revolution, and a corporate merger. What Comes Next (36:00): Sarnoff breaks down how the combination of streaming, COVID-era demand, and supply-side surplus led to a wave of content the industry is only now working through. She's cautiously optimistic that a leaner, more creatively diverse slate is emerging on the other side. Theaters as Third Spaces (47:04): Drawing on her board role at Regal Cineworld, Sarnoff argues that the future of theatrical exhibition lies in becoming a communal “third space, and that the only real limit is imagination.” For more information about Ann Sarnoff: For more information about Kevin Goetz: | |||
| Stuart Ford (Film & Television Producer and Entrepreneur) on Independent Film, Risk Management, and the Future of Hollywood | 01 avr. 2026 | 00:55:25 | |
Stuart Ford, Chairman and CEO of AGC Studios and one of the most influential figures in independent cinema, joins host Kevin Goetz for a candid conversation about his journey from Oxford-educated lawyer to Miramax insider to founder of two major independent studios. Ford reflects on the mentors, deals, and instincts that shaped his career, and shares an optimistic vision for the future of independent film in an era of AI, streaming, and global market expansion. From Liverpool to Hollywood (04:17): Ford traces his unlikely path from an upbringing in Liverpool through Oxford, where he studied law and caught the entrepreneurial bug managing bands, to becoming an entertainment attorney during the British cinema boom of the early 90s. Miramax: The Real Film School (09:26): Drawn to the energy of American independent cinema, Ford leveraged his relationship with Miramax's UK office into a move to New York, where he rose to senior executive, co-heading acquisitions and ultimately leading international sales, working with filmmakers including Quentin Tarantino, Anthony Minghella, and James Mangold. The Birth of IM Global (14:55): After leaving Miramax, Ford moved to Los Angeles, borrowed $5 million from a London hedge fund, and launched IM Global in 2007. Paranormal Activity (19:50): Ford recounts acquiring the international rights to Paranormal Activity for $250,000 while the film languished at DreamWorks, then orchestrating a midnight screening that helped persuade Paramount to release it. Kevin Goetz reveals that a reshoot suggested by Steven Spielberg raised test scores by 15 to 20 points and sealed the deal. Launching AGC Studios (29:17): After selling IM Global to a Chinese private equity group, Ford launched AGC Studios in 2018. AGC has since produced nearly 45 films and television shows, including Hitman, Woman of the Hour, The Tinder Swindler, and Those About to Die. The Art of Risk Management (32:57): Ford lays out his core investment philosophy: financial and creative risk are inseparable, and the key is to manage both simultaneously. He offers Ron Howard's Eden as a case study in successful risk management. The Future of Independent Film (43:23): Ford shares an optimistic outlook for the independent sector, citing evolving streaming models, cost reductions, and growth in international markets as reasons for optimism. His message for the next generation is simple: responsible filmmaking doesn't mean compromising on creativity. It just means doing it at the right number. For more information about Stuart Ford: For more information about Kevin Goetz: | |||
| Ric Roman Waugh (Director, Writer, Producer) on Growing Up in the Stunt World, Filmmaking with Purpose, and Listening to the Audience | 18 mars 2026 | 00:52:33 | |
Filmmaker Ric Roman Waugh joins host Kevin Goetz for a conversation about his unconventional path from stuntman's son to one of Hollywood's most distinctive action directors. Waugh discusses growing up inside the stunt world, his mentors, and his mission to make commercial action films that also deliver an important message. During the conversation, he touches on his collaborations with Dwayne Johnson, Gerard Butler, and Jason Statham, and on films such as Felon, Snitch, Shot Caller, Angel Has Fallen, Greenland, and Shelter that have defined his brand of character-driven action movies. Working with Tony Scott and Jerry Bruckheimer (02:47): Waugh credits Tony Scott and Jerry Bruckheimer as the mentors who shaped his collaborative instinct…leaders who respected everyone on set, demanded the best, and inspired those around them. Growing Up in Stunts Unlimited (06:13): Waugh's father, Fred Waugh, was a founding member of Stunts Unlimited, the legendary stunt group led by Hal Needham. Ric grew up on sets and, to his father’s disappointment, was more dazzled by the stuntmen than the movie stars. In the Writers' Room (15:20): Before directing, Waugh spent years writing originals for producers like Mark Gordon, Neil Moritz, and Jerry Bruckheimer. He describes how this process taught him how Hollywood actually worked. Finding His Voice and Making Felon (17:54): Inspired by Sidney Lumet's socially-conscious entertainments, he researched the California prison system, became a volunteer parole agent, and made Felon on spec. Snitch and Dwayne Johnson (24:10): Working with Dwayne Johnson on Snitch was a pivotal experience for Waugh. Both men were at a crossroads in their careers, and this film helped clarify Waugh’s mission: to use the commercial action films as a Trojan horse for social commentary. The Audience Is the Real Collaborator (29:56): Waugh reflects on his long working relationship with Kevin Goetz and the role of test screenings in his process. Waugh shares how he uses early and formal audience feedback to identify what isn't being communicated. Marketing in a Distracted World (46:10): Waugh and Goetz discuss the challenge of building audiences for original stories amid the declining effectiveness of traditional marketing. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and share it with a fellow film lover. We look forward to bringing you more behind-the-scenes stories next time on Don't Kill the Messenger. For more information about Ric Roman Waugh: For more information about Kevin Goetz: | |||
| Robert Wagner (Legendary Actor) on Eight Decades in Hollywood, the Studio System, and a Life in Film & Television | 04 mars 2026 | 00:42:57 | |
Hollywood icon Robert Wagner (known as “RJ”) joins host Kevin Goetz for an intimate, wide-ranging conversation about his life and career. From caddying alongside Clark Gable and Cary Grant to starring opposite Spencer Tracy. From the golden age of the studio system to reinventing himself as a television star, Wagner reflects on the journey that made him one of Hollywood's most enduring figures, later delighting a new generation of audiences as Number 2 in the Austin Powers films. He also reflects on his personal life, including his marriage to actress Natalie Wood, and the family and friendships that shaped him, including his wife of nearly four decades, Jill St. John. Caddying for Legends (06:21): Wagner recounts his early days as a caddy, where he found himself watching Clark Gable, Cary Grant, Fred Astaire, and Randolph Scott walk down the fairway. Marilyn Monroe and Screen Tests (09:22): As Fox's go-to "screen test guy," Wagner did Marilyn Monroe's first two tests. His own breakthrough came when Zanuck cast him as a shell-shocked soldier in With a Song in My Heart. Spencer Tracy as Mentor (14:49): Working alongside Tracy in Broken Lance, Wagner earned the older actor's respect and friendship. Advice from Cary Grant (18:07): When Wagner was preparing to play a thief for It Takes a Thief, he went to Grant for guidance. Years later he would become a television icon again opposite Stefanie Powers in Hart to Hart. Lou Wasserman and the Move to Television 18:41): At a time when television was considered beneath film stars, Lew Wasserman called Wagner in and told him, "I think this is your medium." Barbara Stanwyck and Bette Davis (22:43): Wagner speaks warmly about his three-year relationship with Barbara Stanwyck. He also recalls reaching out to Bette Davis after she publicly praised his work. John Ford Knocks Him Down…Literally (26:39): On the set of a John Ford film, Wagner followed a script direction and glanced toward where music was playing. Ford stopped the scene, questioned him, and knocked him down. Pink Panther (29:21): When the studio system collapsed, and Fox dropped its contract players, Wagner moved to Rome and worked on The Pink Panther, his all-time favorite film. Jill St. John, Family, and Friends (36:16): In one of the episode's most moving moments, Wagner reflects on the profound role friends and family have played in his life. Few careers in Hollywood history span as many eras, genres, or legends as Robert Wagner's, and fewer still have been lived with such grace. Host: Kevin Goetz For more information about Robert Wagner: For more information about Kevin Goetz: | |||
| Bob Cooper (Veteran Studio Executive and Producer) on Finding Your "And", Transforming HBO, and Championing Bold True Stories | 18 févr. 2026 | 00:50:51 | |
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz welcomes Bob Cooper, the influential executive who helped transform HBO from a movie channel into a creative powerhouse, producing landmark films like The Josephine Baker Story and Barbarians at the Gate, and who later shaped the theatrical landscape as President of Tri-Star Pictures and head of development and production at Dreamworks, where he championed American Beauty. From prosecuting organized crime in Montreal to greenlighting American Beauty, Bob's career is a lesson in reinvention and risk-taking. Finding Your "And" (00:28): Bob traces his winding path from studying acting at the Pasadena Playhouse to law school to founding Canada's first storefront legal aid office to prosecuting organized crime to hosting a national investigative news program. The Birth of HBO Originals (14:47): When his early Canadian film production company collapsed, Bob flew to New York in desperation and pitched HBO on making original movies, starting with The Terry Fox Story. No Vanilla Allowed (19:34): Bob developed a strategy of bold, true-story-based films that couldn't be seen in theaters or on network TV. The Josephine Baker Story became the blueprint. The Projects Nobody Wanted (22:29): Bob consistently bet on the projects others passed on, championing films like And the Band Played On, Barbarians at the Gate, and The Positively True Adventures of the Alleged Texas Cheerleader-Murdering Mom. Tristar and Jerry Maguire (28:26): Bob shares how he helped crack the marketing code on Jerry Maguire by identifying its core theme as "a comedy about not selling out.” Dreamworks and American Beauty (37:22): At Dreamworks, Bob got Steven Spielberg to read a script that was almost impossible to pitch – American Beauty. Spielberg read it overnight, called a meeting the next morning, and immediately declared it "an Academy movie." Meet the Parents and the Spielberg Phone Call (41:25): Bob spotted an unmade script at Universal called Meet the Parents and brought it to Spielberg, who simply picked up the phone and called Edgar Bronfman on the spot to acquire it. What Makes Stories Universal (47:15): Bob shares his deepest creative philosophy: that pain is the engine of every great story, including comedy. He closes with a moving account of his current stage project about Bobby Kennedy. Bob Cooper's career is a reminder that unconventional paths often lead to the most enduring work. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and share. We look forward to bringing you more behind-the-scenes revelations next time on Don't Kill the Messenger. Host: Kevin Goetz For more information about Kevin Goetz: | |||
| Chuck Roven (Legendary Producer) on Creative Financing, Oppenheimer, and Four Decades of Blockbuster Filmmaking | 04 févr. 2026 | 00:49:21 | |
In this episode of Don’t Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz sits down with Academy Award-winning producer Charles "Chuck" Roven, the co-founder of Atlas Entertainment, one of Hollywood’s most enduring and successful production companies. Across four decades, Chuck has built a producing career defined by creative ambition and commercial scale — including five of the 100 top-grossing films of all time. From his early struggles to winning the Academy Award for Oppenheimer, Chuck’s journey reveals how smart dealmaking, creative instinct, and relentless tenacity shaped one of the most impressive producing legacies in modern Hollywood. From Czechoslovakia to Cinderella Homes (03:22): Chuck's father escaped post-war Europe and built a real estate empire in Los Angeles, teaching Chuck the principle of horizontal business. Dawn Steel (08:16): Chuck recounts meeting his first wife, Dawn Steel, who revolutionized her way into Hollywood through merchandising hits like Gucci toilet paper before becoming Paramount's president of production. The 90-Day Escrow Deal (20:48): Instead of optioning Dick Tracy, Chuck negotiated a 90-day escrow deal to "check the title," wrote a script, and sold it to Universal. 12 Monkeys and the Art of International Financing (30:34): Chuck explains how he assembled a consortium of international partners to co-finance Terry Gilliam's $32 million film. The Phone Call That Led to Batman Begins (36:30): After producing the hit Scooby-Doo, Chuck received a call inviting him to partner with an up-and-coming director named Christopher Nolan on a little project called Batman Begins. Bringing Oppenheimer to Nolan and Winning the Oscar (37:29): Chuck recounts how he brought the Oppenheimer project to Christopher Nolan. The film earned 11 Oscar nominations and Chuck's first Best Picture win. Making Mercy (42:24): Chuck describes developing the "Screen Life" concept into the thriller Mercy, featuring an AI judge with access to every camera and computer. The Value of Test Screenings (46:34): Despite working with directors like Christopher Nolan who prefer friends-and-family screenings, Chuck explains why recruited audience testing remains invaluable. Chuck Roven's producing philosophy combines his father's business lessons with an unwavering respect for the audience, proving that hunger, passion, and smart dealmaking can result in four decades of Hollywood success. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and share. We look forward to bringing you more behind-the-scenes revelations next time on Don't Kill the Messenger. Host: Kevin Goetz For more information about Chuck Roven: For more information about Kevin Goetz: | |||
| Gail Berman (Producer & Entertainment Executive) on Creative Fearlessness Across Stage, Television, and Film | 21 janv. 2026 | 00:53:22 | |
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz welcomes Gail Berman, one of Hollywood's most versatile executives. From producing Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat on Broadway at 22 to becoming the first woman to lead both a major TV network (Fox Entertainment) and a film studio (Paramount Pictures), she has consistently rewritten what creative leadership looks like in Hollywood. From Brooklyn to Broadway: The Joseph Origin Story (04:03): At just 22 years old, Gail and her partner, Susan Rose, produced Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. They brought the show to Broadway, earning seven Tony nominations. The Red Dress and the Palisades Fires (15:52): Gail's Tony Awards dress remains in storage due to insurance settlements following the recent Palisades fires that damaged her home. Starting Over in Television (19:30): Gail shares how she received a message on her answering machine about a new venture at HBO. Despite knowing nothing about television, she took the job at the comedy channel that would become Comedy Central. The Buffy Breakthrough at Sandollar (23:56): After reading the Buffy the Vampire Slayer film script, Gail saw it as a perfect TV show. While serving as President of Sandollar, she partnered with Sandy Gallin and Dolly Parton to develop and executive produce the show—launching a cultural phenomenon. The Austin Butler Screen Test for Elvis (28:26): When Baz Luhrmann showed four screen tests, Austin Butler's was last. The film would earn Gail an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture. From Regency Television to Running Fox (33:49): After producing Malcolm in the Middle, Roswell, and The Bernie Mac Show at Regency Television, Gail received a call from Peter Chernin asking her to run Fox Entertainment. The Paramount Years (40:28): Hired to run Paramount Pictures, MTV Films, and Nickelodeon Films, Gail faced some resistance. She secured the Star Trek film rights back from CBS with just 18 months to put it into production, hiring J.J. Abrams and Damon Lindelof to work fast. Black Swan: The Musical (50:43): After leaving Paramount, Gail launched The Jackal Group. She's now producing the musical adaptation of Black Swan with Darren Aronofsky, Kevin McCollum, and Scott Franklin. Gail Berman's story shows how versatility and the willingness to start over can create a remarkable career. From Broadway to broadcast television to film, she's proven that embracing new challenges leads to extraordinary places. Host: Kevin Goetz For more information about Gail Berman: For more information about Kevin Goetz: | |||
| Matthew Specktor (Novelist & Screenwriter) and Fred Specktor (Agent) on The Golden Hour, Hollywood Family, and a Changing Industry | 07 janv. 2026 | 00:43:00 | |
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz welcomes acclaimed writer Matthew Specktor and his father, legendary CAA agent Fred Specktor. Matthew's latest book, The Golden Hour: A Story of Family and Power in Hollywood, captures the underbelly of Los Angeles through the lens of three generations embedded in the motion picture industry. Together, Matthew and Fred explore the industry that shaped American culture. The College Course with James Baldwin (9:47): Matthew describes being chosen by lottery to study with James Baldwin at Mount Holyoke. Baldwin taught Henry James and told his students, "For it to have happened or for it to be beautiful is not enough." Lew Wasserman's Assistant at 19 (18:26): Fred recalls working for Lew Wasserman at MCA, the most powerful man in the industry. The Birth of the Modern Motion Picture Industry (22:43): Matthew explains how his family lived through the entire transformation of Hollywood, recalling Lew Wasserman seeing the line of people waiting to see Jaws in a Texas rainstorm and pioneering the wide release. "No More Middle-Class Movies" (30:14): Matthew recounts a Fox 2000 corporate retreat where Bill Mechanic announced the studio would only make films over $100 million or under $10 million – nothing in between. The Gene Hackman Call That Won an Oscar (34:19): Fred describes how Gene Hackman passed on Unforgiven due to violence concerns. Fred gave Clint Eastwood Gene's phone number, and Clint convinced Gene to take the role that won Gene the Academy Award. Letting the Artist See What Others Don't (37:37): Fred's philosophy: "I believe every one of my clients belongs at the top of the list." He shares thoughts on his clients, including Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren, Taylor Hackford, and Danny DeVito. This conversation reveals how great writers mine their personal history to illuminate an industry, and how great agents operate, not as cartoon hustlers but as believers in fairness and quality. Matthew and Fred Specktor show us that Hollywood's golden hour wasn't just about glamour; it was about families, power, and the American dream colliding in ways both beautiful and devastating. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and share. We look forward to bringing you more behind-the-scenes revelations next time on Don't Kill the Messenger. Host: Kevin Goetz For more information about Matthew and Fred Specktor: For more information about Kevin Goetz: | |||
| Jon M. Chu (Director, Producer, & Screenwriter) on Wicked, Casting Elphaba and Glinda, and Defending Cinema | 17 déc. 2025 | 00:57:23 | |
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz welcomes Jon M. Chu on the opening day of Wicked: For Good, a film that generated exciting audience reactions during test screenings. From his family's Chinese restaurant in Silicon Valley to directing one of the most anticipated musicals in Hollywood history, Jon's journey reveals how generosity, gratitude, and respect for storytelling shape extraordinary movies. The Most Explosive Audience Reaction Ever (00:29): Kevin describes how Wicked test screenings produced reactions unlike anything he'd experienced. The Risk of Adapting a Broadway Phenomenon (03:57):After 20 years of failed attempts by other directors, Jon wasn't sure he should take on Wicked. But Elphaba's lyrics, "something has changed within me," convinced him to take on the project. The House of Stories: A Silicon Valley Restaurant (18:40):Jon's family restaurant, Chef Chu's (now 56 years strong), became "a house of stories,” an intersection where customers shared beginnings and endings while Silicon Valley engineers dreamed of the future. The Spielberg Meeting and the Costume Chest Pitch (29:52): After creating a musical short, Steven Spielberg saw it and invited Jon to Dreamworks. Jon describes the hilarious pitch meeting that included a trunk full of costumes. Finding Cynthia and Ariana: No Chemistry Read Required (41:15):When casting Wicked, Jon was guided by the saying, "It's about the girls, stupid." Cynthia Erivo brought vulnerability and dignity to Elphaba, while Ariana Grande proved to be the perfect choice. The Fiyero Tree Nest: What Cinema Is All About (46:10): Jon breaks down every intentional choice in the intimate scene between Elphaba and Fiyero. What's Next: From Dr. Seuss to Britney Spears (52:59): Jon's upcoming slate includes Oh, The Places You'll Go!,Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, the Britney Spears biopic based on The Woman in Me, and a live-action Hot Wheels movie. The Sacred Space of Movie Theaters (56:11): Jon delivers a passionate defense of theatrical exhibition, "You have to put your phone down, sit in the dark with strangers and live through someone else's eyes for two hours.” Jon Chu shows how great art can come from a foundation of gratitude, generosity received and given forward, and unwavering commitment to stories that challenge us to become who we want to be. Host: Kevin Goetz For more information about Jon M. Chu: For more information about Kevin Goetz: | |||
| Suzanne de Passe (Producer, Executive) on Motown, The Jackson 5, and Building an Entertainment Empire | 03 déc. 2025 | 00:58:35 | |
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz sits down with legendary producer and entertainment executive Suzanne de Passe. From championing the Jackson 5 early in their career to producing Emmy Award–winning miniseries like Lonesome Dove, Suzanne’s career is defined by vision, talent recognition, and breaking barriers in Hollywood. An Eclectic, Wonderful Childhood (02:16) Suzanne describes growing up in Harlem, attending the progressive private school New Lincoln, and spending summers in Martha's Vineyard. Suzanne’s Superpower (12:46) Suzanne talks about her greatest talent: recognizing the talent of others and knowing what to do with it. The Meeting That Changed Everything (16:22) Through her friendship with Cindy Birdsong of The Supremes, Suzanne met Berry Gordy in 1967, a moment that changed her life forever. "One Day, That's Gonna Be Me" (21:19) Standing under the Essex House sign, watching Diana Ross depart in one limo, and the other Supremes in another, Suzanne had a realization: she wanted to be a part of that world. Championing The Jackson 5 (31:39) When Bobby Taylor invited her to hear a young group of brothers sing four songs a cappella, “the hair on the back of my neck flew up,” Suzanne recalls. Despite Berry Gordy’s initial resistance to signing another kid act, her relentless advocacy is what finally got the Jackson 5 their Motown audition. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction (38:04) In 2024, Suzanne was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Ahmet Ertegun Award, the fifth woman and the first solo living female recipient among male legends. Lonesome Dove (40:28) After optioning Larry McMurtry's unpublished novel for $50,000, Swifty Lazar called with news: it had won the Pulitzer Prize. The resulting CBS miniseries was nominated for 19 Emmys, won 11, and received a Golden Globe and a Peabody Award. Immortal Studio: The Next Chapter (51:17) Suzanne has launched the production company Immortal Studio with partners Madison Jones, Cory Martin, and investor Yang Ben Wang. Focused on premium television, the company already has full seasons scripted and is built to be nimble, artist-friendly, and protective of creative vision — avoiding the industry’s usual “fingerprinting process,” where too many people try to leave their mark. Suzanne de Passe demonstrates that recognizing talent, whether in five kids singing a capella or an unpublished western novel, combined with persistence and vision, can build an entertainment legacy that spans decades. Host: Kevin Goetz For more information about Suzanne de Passe: For more information about Kevin Goetz: | |||
| Nia Vardalos (Writer, Actress, Director, & Producer) on My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Motherhood, and Authenticity | 19 nov. 2025 | 00:59:02 | |
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz sits down with Academy Award-nominated writer, actor, director, and producer Nia Vardalos. From her one-woman show in a tiny Los Angeles theater to creating one of the highest-grossing independent movies of all time, Nia's path shows what happens when you refuse to give up on your story. The Topline She Carried for 24 Years (01:36) Kevin reveals that Nia has carried the original test screening results from My Big Fat Greek Wedding in her wallet for over 24 years. Kevin shares why the film isn’t allowed to be referenced at his company, not because it was bad, but because it was such an unprecedented outlier that had no business doing what it did, except that it was "so damn good." Second City Training and Seizing the Moment (04:40) Nia traces her journey from Shakespearean training at Ryerson to discovering improv. From Rejection to the Stage (19:15) When Nia couldn't get her screenplay read, she rented a small theater and performed her story for audiences who kept coming back. She shares how she placed a $500 ad in the Los Angeles Times that caught Rita Wilson's attention. Rita Wilson, Tom Hanks, and Unwavering Loyalty (26:51) When Rita Wilson saw the show, her first words were "I love you." When she said, "this should be a movie," Nia instantly handed her the screenplay so fast that “her hair flew back." The result: $241.4 million domestic, $368.7 million worldwide. 14 Hours Notice to Motherhood (35:53) After years of fertility treatments, Nia received just 14 hours notice to adopt a daughter from foster care. She talks about the trials, and the joys of motherhood and adoption. Academy Award Nomination (39:35) On the morning of her Best Original Screenplay nomination, Nia was driving through rain to a fertility clinic when her best friend called first with the news. Returning to Theater (48:38) Nia returned to her theatrical roots with Tiny Beautiful Things, adapted from Cheryl Strayed's book and directed by Hamilton's Thomas Kail. The play became a New York Times Critics' Pick and was licensed in 250+ productions worldwide. She recently performed it in Greek in Athens at a 1,500-seat theater. Nia Vardalos proves that Hollywood's greatest success stories don't always follow the expected path. Sometimes they start with a $300 theater rental and an unshakeable belief in your own voice. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and share. We look forward to bringing you more behind-the-scenes revelations next time on Don't Kill the Messenger. Host: Kevin Goetz For more information about Nia Vardalos: For more information about Kevin Goetz: | |||
| Bob Levin (Veteran Marketing Executive) on Audience Insights, Campaign Strategy, and the Business of Movie Appeal | 05 nov. 2025 | 00:58:20 | |
In this engaging episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz interviews his business associate, Bob Levin, about his remarkable journey from Sears catalog copywriter to President of Worldwide Marketing at Disney, Sony Pictures, and MGM, before joining Kevin at Screen Engine in the role of President and COO. Listen in as these two industry veterans share marketing insights and discuss their upcoming book, How to Score in Hollywood (Simon & Schuster, November 11th), which reveals the hidden formula behind a movie’s profitability — showing how audience understanding drives smarter decisions from greenlight to release. Disney's Renaissance Era (09:00) Bob recounts joining Disney just as Eisner and Katzenberg were revitalizing the studio, leading marketing during 17 consecutive hits, including Down and Out in Beverly Hills, The Lion King, and Pretty Woman. Marketing Philosophy (15:51) "Good marketing is both instinct and data," Bob explains, describing his pioneering approach of creating targeted messaging for different audience segments at Disney's animation division. Pretty Woman & Marketing Triumphs (19:33) Bob reveals how he helped to transform Pretty Woman from a potentially dark R-rated film into a celebration of female empowerment, even suggesting the iconic title to replace the original "3000". The Screen Engine Years (34:40) After leading marketing at three major studios, Bob joined Screen Engine, helping to build their research business, which started in Kevin's living room, into an industry powerhouse that expanded beyond film into other industries. How to Score in Hollywood (42:48) Bob discusses their upcoming book, which examines how movies get greenlit, applying the principle that "every movie if made and marketed for the right price should make money.” Understanding Audience Response (47:42) Levy notes that audiences aren't "wrong" when they dislike something; they're simply reacting honestly. Bob learned that viewers fundamentally seek characters with whom they can identify. The Attention Economy (48:54) Rather than thinking in terms of being in "the movie business," Levin suggests viewing entertainment as part of "the attention economy" where respecting the audience and telling great stories remains paramount. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and share. We look forward to bringing you more behind-the-scenes revelations next time on Don't Kill the Messenger. Host: Kevin Goetz For more information about Bob Levin: For more information about Kevin Goetz: | |||
| Stephen Follows (Film Industry Data Analyst) on Getting the Greenlight and Film Profitability | 15 oct. 2025 | 00:56:38 | |
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz welcomes film industry analyst Stephen Follows for a discussion about film profitability and its connection to data. Stephen's digital book Greenlight Signals analyzes over 10,000 films and 4 million audience responses using secondary data (existing reviews, ratings, and comments from across the internet) to discover what makes a film successful. Together, Kevin and Stephen explore the same mission from different angles: ensuring filmmakers can make money while making the movies they're passionate about. From Film School to Data Research (2:32) Stephen shares his path from producing micro-budget features to becoming an entertainment data analyst, driven by his love of cinema and his passion for solving problems through logic and research. The Numbers Don’t Lie (9:59) Stephen recounts the eye-opening experience of helping a producer friend with a business plan, only to discover that every similar film had lost money. Why Experience Doesn't Equal Success (12:47) Stephen reveals his surprising research finding: there's little to no correlation between a producer's experience and their film's profitability, showing how passion can interfere with business sense. Two Books, One Goal (22:01) Kevin and Stephen discuss their approaches to data: Kevin's How to Score in Hollywood focuses on pre-greenlight capability testing using audience data, while Stephen's Greenlight Signals uses secondary data to identify patterns across genres. Both emphasize that data guides decisions rather than dictating them. Horror Films: Control and Atmosphere (33:50) Stephen and Kevin discuss what makes horror movies work, from declaring your genre early to shot-length and how controlling what audiences see and when they see it is essential to creating fear. Every Movie Should Make Money (45:50) Kevin and Stephen discuss Kevin's theory that every film, if made and marketed for the right price, should be profitable. Universal Rules Across All Genres (47:49) Stephen and Kevin identify critical commonalities of successful films: emotional authenticity, clear character wants, visible stakes, avoiding confusion, respecting established rules, and maintaining consistent tone throughout. This episode offers invaluable insights for anyone interested in the intersection of art and commerce in Hollywood. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and share. We look forward to bringing you more behind-the-scenes revelations next time on Don't Kill the Messenger. Host: Kevin Goetz For more information about Stephen Follows: For more information about Kevin Goetz: | |||
| Troy and Mark Paul (Founders of SGG Media) on Rewriting Hollywood’s Marketing Playbook with Micro-Influencers and Studio Partnerships | 01 oct. 2025 | 00:49:59 | |
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz explores the intersection of social media and film marketing with Troy and Mark Paul, the son and father duo behind SGG Media. Their innovative agency represents over 2,300 sports micro-influencers with a combined reach of 88 million followers, helping major studios navigate a sea change in content marketing. Once reliant on TV, radio, and outdoor advertising, studios and streamers now lean heavily into social media to connect with audiences, particularly the elusive 18-35 year old male demographic. SGG's network of passionate superfans creates authentic engagement in ways traditional advertising simply cannot. What Makes Micro-Influencers Different (03:10) Troy explains that SGG represents everyday superfans, not celebrities. These creators have built loyal, engaged communities around their passion for sports. The Origin Story: From NYU to Entrepreneurship (18:02) Troy shares how he identified an untapped opportunity during COVID-19: sports fans creating content with millions of impressions but no monetization strategy. His high school friend Joe Hayes, who had built a 150,000-follower account, became employee number one. A Father's Investment and Guidance (12:38) Mark discusses putting his money where his belief was, investing $1 million of the company's total $3 million raised capital, and how he and Troy have deferred compensation for two consecutive years to reinvest in growth. The Pizza Entrepreneur at Age 11 (25:55) Mark shares the story of Troy's first business venture: hiring runners to buy pizzas and reselling slices to lazy classmates. Authenticity Over Celebrity (36:39) Troy contrasts traditional influencer marketing with SGG's approach: their creators have smaller but deeply loyal audiences, creating authentic engagement rather than paid celebrity endorsements that feel like "cash grabs." Universal's Breakthrough Campaign (39:35) Troy details how Universal brilliantly marketed the Jordan Peele film Him by timing the trailer drop with the NFL Draft and having 400+ NFL accounts create organic debate and engagement. Amplification: A New Marketing Strategy (42:32) Troy reveals SGG's most powerful tool: having hundreds of micro-influencers repost studio content simultaneously, building the studio's own social presence while reaching targeted audiences. Troy and Mark demonstrate how understanding shifting media consumption, building authentic creator relationships, and targeting niche audiences can cut through today's marketing noise to reach a “holy grail” demographic. Host: Kevin Goetz For more information about Troy and Mark Paul: SGG Media: https://sggmedia.com/ For more information about Kevin Goetz: | |||
| Stacey Sher (Acclaimed Producer) on Pulp Fiction, Jersey Films, and Movies That Changed the Culture | 17 sept. 2025 | 00:46:52 | |
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz sits down with two-time Academy Award-nominated producer Stacey Sher, the creative force behind some of Hollywood's most unconventional and influential films. From executive producing Pulp Fiction to producing Django Unchained, Out of Sight, Erin Brockovich, Get Shorty, Reality Bites, Man on the Moon, and The Hateful Eight, Stacey has built a career through her collaborations with visionary directors like Quentin Tarantino, Steven Soderbergh, and Danny DeVito. Her work demonstrates exceptional taste and the rare ability to bridge indie passion projects with mainstream success. Lessons from a Family Crisis (09:12) Stacey opens up about her personal life during her early career, how it informed her storytelling choices, and the impact it had on her perspective of Hollywood hierarchy and loyalty. Finding Great Material Through Unconventional Methods (16:03) Stacey reveals her mentor Lynda Obst's genius strategy of scouring "Filming in the Future" columns to identify scripts with great cast attachments, which led her to discover Reservoir Dogs and meet Quentin Tarantino. Warren Beatty's Career-Defining Question (27:44) At age 26, Warren Beatty asked Stacey what kind of movies she wanted to make, leading to his profound advice: "Do you want to have various children or marry various men? Because that's the same commitment you need to have to the movies that you make." The Birth of Jersey Films and Creative Freedom (28:15) How Stacey became a founding partner with Danny DeVito and Michael Shamberg, using their discretionary fund to make blind deals with emerging talent like Quentin Tarantino before he'd directed a single frame. Hollywood's Most Beloved Collaborators (35:11) Stacey shares insights on working with industry legends: Stephen Soderbergh, Julia Roberts, George Clooney, John Travolta's generosity, and Hillary Swank's determination to use her Oscar win to get Freedom Writers made. Django Unchained and Controversial Testing (41:03) Stacey shares the remarkable story of how Django Unchained tested similarly across demographic groups, including a screening in the Deep South. Stacey demonstrates how authentic relationships, unwavering taste, and commitment to meaningful stories can create a lasting impact on cinema and culture. Host: Kevin Goetz For more information about Stacey Sher: For more information about Kevin Goetz: | |||
| Dick Cook (Powerhouse Hollywood Executive & Former Studio Chief) on His Journey from Disney Ride Operator to Running Walt Disney Studios | 03 sept. 2025 | 00:46:40 | |
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz sits down with Dick Cook, the former Chairman of Walt Disney Studios known as "the filmmaker's Chairman." From his humble start as a Disneyland train operator to running one of Hollywood's most successful studios, Dick shares how his Bakersfield roots and team-oriented leadership helped deliver some of Disney's most loved and profitable films, including Finding Nemo, The Lion King, National Treasure, and Pirates of the Caribbean. From Bakersfield to Disneyland (01:42) Dick shares how a 17-year-old with railroad experience landed a job operating Disney's steam train and monorail, setting the stage for an extraordinary career journey. Small-Town Values in Hollywood (06:10) Growing up in Oildale, California, Dick explains how losing his father at 12 and his mother's dedication to baseball helped shape his character. The Disruption Era (12:38) Dick discusses joining Disney during the home video and pay television revolution, when many thought it would kill the theatrical business. Learning from Legends (17:25) Dick shares insights from working with Disney visionaries like Jeffrey Katzenberg, Michael Eisner, and Card Walker. Convincing Eisner on Pirates (20:43) The inside story of how Dick had to sell Michael Eisner on Pirates of the Caribbean, an expensive pirate movie with an arthouse actor that became a massive franchise. The Team Philosophy (32:33) Dick emphasizes how success came from building loyal teams and treating the movie business as "a game" - serious work that he genuinely loved doing with people he cared about. Green-Lighting Lessons (35:54) Dick walks through his decision-making process for approving films, from budget considerations to the ancillary market. Remembering The Alamo (37:37) A candid discussion about one of his biggest missteps, how killing the protagonist at the end of the second act doomed The Alamo, and why pre-green-light audience testing might have caught the flaw. Friday Night Phone Calls (40:44) Dick recalls the excitement of Splash's surprising opening weekend success, when hand-calculated box office numbers seemed too good to believe. Dick demonstrates how humility, small-town decency, and collaborative leadership can drive Hollywood success while maintaining his integrity. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and share it with others. We look forward to bringing you more behind-the-scenes revelations next time on Don't Kill the Messenger. Host: Kevin Goetz For more information about Dick Cook: Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Cook For more information about Kevin Goetz: Website: www.KevinGoetz360.com Audienceology Book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Audience-ology/Kevin-Goetz/9781982186678 How to Score in Hollywood: https://www.amazon.com/How-Score-Hollywood-Secrets-Business/dp/198218986X/ Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Substack: @KevinGoetz360 LinkedIn @Kevin Goetz Screen Engine/ASI Website: www.ScreenEngineASI.com For more information about Kevin Goetz: | |||
| Basil Iwanyk (Acclaimed Producer & Former Studio Exec) on Jersey Grit, Building Thunder Road Films, and Mastering Independent Producing at Scale | 20 août 2025 | 00:54:19 | |
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz sits down with Thunder Road Films founder Basil Iwanyk, the producer behind some of the most engaging films of the last two decades. From The Town and Sicario to the game-changing John Wick franchise, Basil's films have redefined modern action cinema while earning over $2 billion worldwide. He shares how his New Jersey roots, immigrant family values, and tireless work ethic shaped his approach to filmmaking. Jersey Roots and the Chip on His Shoulder (02:18) Basil reveals how growing up in Teaneck, New Jersey as a first-generation American gave him the work ethic that drives his career. Breaking Into Hollywood (06:33) Basil shares his unconventional path into the mailroom and promotion to Warner Bros executive. Warner Bros Years and Learning the Business (13:11) Basil discusses his six-year stint as a creative executive, working on films like Ocean's Eleven, Training Day, and the infamous Wild Wild West. He credits mentors like Courtenay Valenti and Lorenzo di Bonaventura for shaping his career. The Move to Producing (18:04) Basil shares his reasons for leaving Warner Brothers for the uncertainty of producing, first at Intermedia, where he learned international financing, then founding Thunder Road Films. Budgeting Disasters and Hard Lessons (23:10) Basil opens up about expensive mistakes like Seventh Son and Gods of Egypt, explaining how projects can spiral from modest concepts into bloated productions. The John Wick Phenomenon (33:36) The story of how a $15,000 script about a 75-year-old man became Keanu Reeves' career-defining franchise. Audience Testing The Town and Sicario (41:51) Kevin and Basil share how The Town found its stride by focusing on its core audience and owning its identity as a gangster tale, and how Sicario proved that a film’s most shocking moment can become an audience favorite. Moving Back Home and Thunder Road Books (48:37) Basil's decision to leave LA for Spring Lake, New Jersey, and open an independent bookstore as a way to give back to his community and inspire the next generation. Basil demonstrates how authentic storytelling, a relentless work ethic, and staying true to your vision can create lasting cinema. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and share. We look forward to bringing you more behind-the-scenes revelations next time on Don't Kill the Messenger. Host: Kevin Goetz For more information about Basil Iwanyk: Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basil_Iwanyk For more information about Kevin Goetz: Website: www.KevinGoetz360.com Audienceology Book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Audience-ology/Kevin-Goetz/9781982186678 How to Score in Hollywood: https://www.amazon.com/How-Score-Hollywood-Secrets-Business/dp/198218986X/ LinkedIn @Kevin Goetz Screen Engine/ASI Website: www.ScreenEngineASI.com For more information about Kevin Goetz: | |||
| Donald Petrie (Veteran Movie and Television Director) on Comedy Directing, Family Legacy, & the Power of Audience Testing | 06 août 2025 | 00:45:53 | |
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz welcomes director Donald Petrie, the American Film Institute Fellow whose romantic comedies have grossed hundreds of millions worldwide. From launching Julia Roberts in Mystic Pizza to directing Sandra Bullock in Miss Congeniality and pairing Jack Lemmon with Walter Matthau in Grumpy Old Men, Donald has helmed some of Hollywood's most beloved films. Donald shares how he transformed from actor to director while maintaining the family tradition of integrity and craftsmanship. The Petrie Family Legacy (04:48) Donald reveals how his parents instilled respect for talent and collaboration, moving the family wherever his father was filming rather than using nannies. Discovering Julia Roberts (08:49) Three weeks before shooting Mystic Pizza, Donald found his perfect Daisy - a young actress who could be both brazen and vulnerable. He recalls the moment Julia Roberts auditioned and how he immediately knew she was the one. Emmy Nomination at 26 (13:13) Donald discusses how directing the famous "Venus Butterfly" episode of LA Law earned him an Emmy nomination and changed his career trajectory, leading to feature film offers. Grumpy Old Men Magic (18:16) Donald shares behind-the-scenes stories of directing Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau, including Matthau's direction philosophy and how the legendary duo grounded each other's performances. The Test Screening Revelation (25:23) A crucial lesson from Grumpy Old Men: Donald explains how the original opening killed the comedy and why he learned to signal to audiences that "it's okay to laugh." Miss Congeniality's Secret Formula (35:33) Donald reveals his pitch that transformed the pageant comedy. The Power of Audience Testing (42:01) Donald advocates for test screenings, explaining how audience feedback helped him completely restructure Grumpy Old Men's opening and Miss Congeniality's ending. Donald demonstrates how family values, collaborative spirit, and respect for the audience can create lasting entertainment. His insights into comedy directing, star discovery, and the creative process offer valuable lessons. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and share. We look forward to bringing you more behind-the-scenes revelations next time on Don't Kill the Messenger. Host: Kevin Goetz For more information about Donald Petrie: Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Petrie For more information about Kevin Goetz: Website: www.KevinGoetz360.com Audienceology Book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Audience-ology/Kevin-Goetz/9781982186678 How to Score in Hollywood: https://www.amazon.com/How-Score-Hollywood-Secrets-Business/dp/198218986X/ LinkedIn @Kevin Goetz Screen Engine/ASI Website: www.ScreenEngineASI.com For more information about Kevin Goetz: | |||
| Special Episode: The Art of Audience Test Screening Focus Groups in the Filmmaking Process | 16 juil. 2025 | 00:53:48 | |
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz brings together three of his top focus group moderators from Screen Engine to reveal the secrets behind their craft during the filmmaking stage of movie testing. Terri Cavanaugh (VP of Qualitative Insights), Ari Virgil-Paige (Executive VP of the Movie Group), and Aaron Feuer (VP of the Movie Group) reveal how honest audience feedback helps filmmakers perfect their vision. What Makes Focus Groups Essential (01:43) The moderators explain why there's no substitute for hearing verbally from audiences and how focus groups add crucial nuance beyond quantitative data. The Magic First Question (02:27) Aaron reveals the power of asking "Can you give me a word or phrase to describe what you just saw?" and how those initial responses catalyze entire conversations. What Makes a Great Moderator (06:33) The team discusses essential qualities, including curiosity, intuition that can't be taught, and the ability to read a room while multitasking through multiple layers of observation. The Most Important Question (14:04) Each moderator shares their approach to the one question they'd ask if limited to just one, revealing different philosophies about serving the client versus finding truth. Dealing with Naysayers (18:51) The moderators address criticism head-on, explaining why they're advocates for the audience, not critics looking to serve their agendas. Handling Difficult Respondents (27:29) Practical advice on managing disruptive participants, from body language techniques to knowing when to remove someone entirely. Building Trust Quickly (30:42) Techniques for engaging audiences immediately, from working with shy kids to using strategic authenticity to create safe spaces for honest feedback. Filmmaker Appreciation (35:12) Stories of working with receptive movie directors like Peter Farrelly, Paul Feig, Matt Damon, and the Russo Brothers, who embrace the process and see research as a valuable tool. The Art of the Nugget (41:22) How one small audience insight can crack the code and solve major story problems, with examples of breakthrough moments that transformed films. These moderators demonstrate that great focus group leadership combines theatrical instincts, detective curiosity, and empathy for both audiences and filmmakers. Their stories reveal the delicate balance of extracting truth while respecting the creative process. Please leave us a review and share our podcast with others. Host: Kevin Goetz Guests: Terri Cavanaugh, Ari Virgil-Paige, and Aaron Feuer Producer: Kari Campano Writers: Kevin Goetz, Darlene Hayman, and Kari Campano Audio Engineer: Gary Forbes (DG Entertainment)
For more information about Screen Engine: Website: https://www.screenengineasi.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/screen-engine-asi Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/screenengineasi/?hl=en
For more information about Kevin Goetz: Website: www.KevinGoetz360.com Audienceology Book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Audience-ology/Kevin-Goetz/9781982186678 How to Score in Hollywood: https://www.amazon.com/How-Score-Hollywood-Secrets-Business/dp/198218986X/ LinkedIn @Kevin Goetz Screen Engine/ASI Website: www.ScreenEngineASI.com For more information about Kevin Goetz: | |||
| Michael Uslan (Originator & Executive Producer of the Batman movie franchise) on his role as Batman’s Batman and his journey | 02 juil. 2025 | 00:53:14 | |
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz sits down with Michael Uslan, the originator and executive producer of the Batman and Batman-related movie universe, who turned his childhood passion for comic books into Hollywood gold. As an avid comic book collector and Batman superfan, Uslan is proof that following your passion pays off. He shares the story of his decade-long journey to bring a dark, serious Batman to the big screen after being horrified by the campy 1960s TV show. The Origin of Michael Uslan’s Passion (07:47) Ten Years of Hollywood Rejection (09:53) Batman's Batman (15:12) Peter Guber Says Yes (16:15) Financing the Dream (22:43) Comic Book Academic Pioneer (25:16) Stan Lee's Mentorship and Marvel's Debt to Batman (39:54) Tim Burton and Michael Keaton (40:58) Uslan demonstrates persistence, vision, and the courage to say no when protecting something he believed in. His journey from comic book collector to Hollywood producer offers insights into passion-driven success, handling rejection, and the importance of having people who believe in you. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and share. We look forward to bringing you more behind-the-scenes revelations next time on Don't Kill the Messenger.
Host: Kevin Goetz Guest: Michael Uslan Producer: Kari Campano Writers: Kevin Goetz, Darlene Hayman, and Kari Campano Audio Engineer: Gary Forbes (DG Entertainment)
For more info about Michael Uslan: Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_E._Uslan IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0882388/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeluslan/?hl=en
For more info about Kevin Goetz: Website: www.KevinGoetz360.com Audienceology Book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Audience-ology/Kevin-Goetz/9781982186678 Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, & Substack : @KevinGoetz360 LinkedIn @Kevin Goetz For more information about Kevin Goetz: | |||
| Jerry Bruckheimer (Producer) on Making Blockbusters, Audience Testing, and 50+ Years in Hollywood | 18 juin 2025 | 00:43:22 | |
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz sits down with legendary producer Jerry Bruckheimer, the mastermind behind billion-dollar blockbusters, including Top Gun, Pirates of the Caribbean, Bad Boys, Beverly Hills Cop, and the television shows CSI, The Amazing Race, and Fire Country. Bruckheimer shares insights into his detailed approach to filmmaking, the power of test screenings, and what it takes to consistently deliver crowd-pleasing entertainment. The Power of Audience Testing (01:22) Bruckheimer emphasizes the crucial role audience research has played in his success, citing examples like Armageddon and Bad Boys: Ride or Die, which both saw significant improvements in test screening scores. The Origins of Top Gun and Casting Tom Cruise (08:49) Bruckheimer reveals how Top Gun almost didn't get made due to studio concerns about airplane movies, and his brilliant strategy of arranging for Tom Cruise to fly with the Blue Angels, which sealed Cruise's commitment to the project. Learning from The Lone Ranger (18:05) Goetz and Bruckheimer analyze why The Lone Ranger didn't connect with audiences, emphasizing how budget discussions overshadowed the creative vision and the importance of early concept testing. F1: The Upcoming Blockbuster (24:20) Bruckheimer details the three-year process of making F1, from convincing Formula 1 teams to participate to achieving record-breaking test screening scores. Working with Hollywood Legends (29:22) Bruckheimer shares personal stories about collaborating with icons like Gene Hackman, Will Smith, Eddie Murphy, and Johnny Depp. Television Empire and The Amazing Race (40:01) With 10 Emmy wins for The Amazing Race and over 2000 episodes across franchises like CSI and Fire Country, Bruckheimer discusses his approach to television and how he maintains the quality across multiple projects. Over the course of the interview, Bruckheimer shares how his pursuit of perfection, genuine respect for audiences, and ability to adapt while maintaining his core philosophy, "I don't make movies for anybody but the audience," contributed to his mega success. His insights reveal the strategic thinking and collaborative spirit behind some of Hollywood's biggest franchises. Host: Kevin Goetz Guest: Jerry Bruckheimer Producer: Kari Campano Writers: Kevin Goetz, Darlene Hayman, Nick Nunez, and Kari Campano Audio Engineer: Gary Forbes (DG Entertainment)
For more information about Jerry Bruckheimer: Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Bruckheimer IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000988/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jerrybruckheimer/?hl=en
For more information about Kevin Goetz: Website: www.KevinGoetz360.com Audienceology Book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Audience-ology/Kevin-Goetz/9781982186678 How to Score in Hollywood: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/How-to-Score-in-Hollywood/Kevin-Goetz/9781982189860 Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, TikTok, Substack: @KevinGoetz360 Linked In @Kevin Goetz Screen Engine/ASI Website: www.ScreenEngineASI.com For more information about Kevin Goetz: | |||
| Arnold Rifkin (Legendary Agent & Producer) on Hollywood Deal-Making and His Life-Changing Relationship with Bruce Willis | 05 juin 2025 | 00:45:36 | |
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz sits down with Arnold Rifkin, the legendary talent agent who pioneered the concept of a total talent agency and helped build one of Hollywood's most recognizable action stars. From founding Triad Artists to leading William Morris's film division and producing blockbuster films alongside Bruce Willis, Rifkin has built careers, brokered deals, and produced films over the course of four decades. He shares candid stories about deal-making, friendship, and the business of entertainment. Building an Agency Empire (03:21) Rifkin discusses his sales DNA, inherited from his father, and founding an agency with Nicole David for just $1,500. He also shares the story of discovering Bruce Willis and building Triad Artists into a powerhouse before being acquired by William Morris. Bruce Willis Partnership and Discovery (11:52) Arnold shares Bruce's Moonlighting casting story, including his first impression, their shared speech impediment, and how Bruce's swagger and humor made him a star, despite not being a typical leading man. The Die Hard Deal and Negotiation Mastery (19:26) Arnold reveals the high-stakes negotiation technique he used that secured Bruce Willis $5 million for Die Hard. He also shares the Look Who's Talking voiceover deal and the Seagram's wine cooler campaign, which shed light on his deal-making prowess. From Agent to Producer (26:57) Rifkin explains his decision to leave agenting after 35 years, partnering with Bruce Willis to form Cheyenne Entertainment, and his spiritual transformation through Native American practices that guided this major career shift. Bruce's Health and Honoring His Legacy (34:22) Arnold speaks movingly about maintaining his friendship with Bruce during his health challenges, their continued Friday lunches, and plans to honor Bruce's legacy through a documentary with his new company, Incite. Life Philosophy and Legacy (42:34) Rifkin reflects on choosing abundance over scarcity, teaching at UCLA for 15 years, raising five children, and how true success isn't about material possessions but about the impact you make on others. Throughout the conversation, Rifkin demonstrates the relationship-building, risk-taking, and loyalty that defined his extraordinary career. From an immigrant’s son to Hollywood power broker, his journey offers insights into deal-making, friendship, and the human side of the entertainment industry.
Host: Kevin Goetz Guest: Arnold Rifkin Producer: Kari Campano Writers: Kevin Goetz, Darlene Hayman, and Kari Campano Audio Engineer: Gary Forbes (DG Entertainment)
For more information about Arnold Rifkin: Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arnold_Rifkin IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0726476/ Incite Studios: https://www.incite-studios.com/
For more information about Kevin Goetz: Website: www.KevinGoetz360.com Audienceology Book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Audience-ology/Kevin-Goetz/9781982186678 How to Score in Hollywood Book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/How-to-Score-in-Hollywood/Kevin-Goetz/9781982189860 Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Substack: @KevinGoetz360 Linked In @Kevin Goetz Screen Engine/ASI Website: www.ScreenEngineASI.com
For more information about Kevin Goetz: | |||
| Scott Ross (Visual Effects Pioneer, Producer, and Entrepreneur) on Creating Movie Magic and the Future of Hollywood Effects | 21 mai 2025 | 00:49:27 | |
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz interviews Scott Ross, a pioneering figure in the visual effects industry. As the former general manager of Industrial Light and Magic (ILM), Senior VP of LucasArts Entertainment, and co-founder of Digital Domain with James Cameron and Stan Winston, Scott Ross shares insights into the evolution of visual effects, from practical models to the digital revolution. His impressive portfolio includes iconic films like Star Wars, Terminator 2, Titanic, Apollo 13, and What Dreams May Come, and in this conversation, Ross reflects on working with some of Hollywood's greatest directors and creative minds. Early Career and Entry into Visual Effects (01:59) The Evolution of Visual Effects (04:26) Working at Industrial Light and Magic (09:19) Seminal Projects: Who Framed Roger Rabbit (15:04) Collaborating with George Lucas and James Cameron (17:57) Visual Effects Economics and Challenges (25:54) The Impact of AI on Visual Effects (30:36) Reflections on Iconic Films (39:09) Throughout the conversation, Ross shares his perspective as a business leader who navigated the transition from creating practical to digital effects, offering both historical context and insights about the future of filmmaking as the technology continues to evolve. We look forward to bringing you more revelations from behind the scenes next time on Don't Kill the Messenger! Please leave us a review or connect on social media. Host: Kevin Goetz Guest: Scott Ross Producer: Kari Campano Writers: Kevin Goetz, Darlene Hayman, and Kari Campano Audio Engineer: Gary Forbes (DG Entertainment)
For more information about Scott Ross: Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Ross_(film_executive) IMDB:https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0743824/ Upstart: The Digital Film Revolution (Book): https://a.co/d/iRhI0uR
For more information about Kevin Goetz: Website: www.KevinGoetz360.com Audienceology Book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Audience-ology/Kevin-Goetz/9781982186678 Instagram, Facebook, X, TikTok, YouTube, and Substack: @KevinGoetz360 Linked In @Kevin Goetz Screen Engine/ASI Website: www.ScreenEngineASI.com For more information about Kevin Goetz: | |||
| Mike Marcus (Manager, Producer, & Former Studio Head) on Building Hollywood Networks and Creating Hit Films | 07 mai 2025 | 00:43:42 | |
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz interviews Mike Marcus, whose impressive 57-year career spans from agency mailroom to MGM Pictures president to management company founder. In his early career as an agent, Marcus built an impressive client roster including Robin Williams, John Landis, and Sidney Pollack before transitioning into a top studio executive role and eventually launching the management division at Echo Lake Entertainment. Marcus was instrumental in bringing iconic films like The Fisher King, Trading Places, An American Werewolf in London, Get Shorty, and Stargate to the screen. The Agency Mailroom: Hollywood's Ultimate Training Ground (01:37) Building a Client Roster and Packaging Films (07:07) The CAA Years and Client Relationships (10:48) Transition to Studio Executive at MGM (14:21) The Value of Research and Testing (22:50) The Streaming Revolution and Theater Experience (27:44) Building Echo Lake Entertainment (31:19) Industry Outlook and Future Projects (33:11) Throughout the conversation, Marcus demonstrates how his skill for recognizing creative talent and building relationships helped create classic films through the years. His journey from agency mailroom to industry leader offers essential insights for anyone interested in the inner workings of Hollywood. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review or connect on social media. We look forward to bringing you more revelations from behind the scenes next time on Don't Kill the Messenger! Host: Kevin Goetz Guest: Mike Marcus Producer: Kari Campano Writers: Kevin Goetz, Darlene Hayman, and Kari Campano Audio Engineer: Gary Forbes (DG Entertainment)
For more information about Mike Marcus: IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0546152/ Echo Lake Entertainment: https://www.echolakeentertainment.com/
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 For more information about Kevin Goetz: | |||
| Tony Sella (Marketing Executive and Producer) on Creating Unforgettable Movie Campaigns | 16 avr. 2025 | 00:48:39 | |
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz interviews Tony Sella, the legendary marketing executive behind some of Hollywood's most iconic movie campaigns. During his decades at 20th Century Fox, Sella was the creative force behind unforgettable posters, trailers, taglines, and promotions for films including Avatar, X-Men, Independence Day, Bohemian Rhapsody, and nearly 1,000 others. He shares insights into his creative process, memorable marketing moments, and the philosophy that guided his extraordinary career. Research as the Foundation for Creative Solutions (01:55) Sella emphasizes that research is only as valuable as the questions asked, highlighting how audience feedback helped solve marketing challenges for films like The Happening and Life of Pi. He and Goetz discuss their long collaboration using qualitative research to refine marketing approaches for hundreds of successful campaigns. Finding the "Essential Idea" in Marketing (03:56) Sella explains his unique ability to identify a film's core marketing hook, as demonstrated with the Devil Wears Prada campaign featuring the iconic Prada shoe as a trident. Balancing Trailer Impact with Movie Quality (11:35) Sella reveals a crucial marketing principle about the relationship between trailers and the films they promote, using examples from both Avatar and The Simpsons Movie. For good movies, the trailer must be exceptional, while for truly great films, the trailer must match the emotional impact of the film itself. Groundbreaking Campaigns: Independence Day (15:49) Describing the legendary Super Bowl spot featuring the White House explosion, Sella explains how they created a cultural phenomenon with the tagline "Enjoy the Super Bowl. It may be your last." From Disney to Fox: Career Evolution (21:12) Sella recalls getting his "PhD" at Disney, working on hits like Good Morning Vietnam before moving to Fox, where he helped transform films like Taken through innovative marketing approaches and identifying powerful campaign hooks. The Three Pillars of Creative Success (43:55) Reflecting on campaigns for Walk the Line and Bohemian Rhapsody, Sella shares his philosophy that the most important elements in creative work are passion, talent, and taste—innate qualities that cannot be acquired. During this lively discussion, Sella showcases the creative intuition that made him a marketing legend while acknowledging the collaborative nature of his success. His story offers helpful insights for anyone interested in film marketing, promotion, or the art of connecting with audiences. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review or connect on social media. We look forward to bringing you more revelations from behind the scenes next time on Don't Kill the Messenger!
Host: Kevin Goetz Guest: Tony Sella Producer: Kari Campano Writers: Kevin Goetz, Darlene Hayman, and Kari Campano Audio Engineer: Gary Forbes (DG Entertainment)
For more information about Tony Sella: IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2523305/
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 For more information about Kevin Goetz: | |||
| Shane Black (Writer, Director) on Redefining Action Movies and Embracing Authenticity | 02 avr. 2025 | 00:55:50 | |
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz interviews Shane Black, one of Hollywood's highest-paid screenwriters, who redefined action films with witty dialogue, dark humor, and unforgettable characters. From Lethal Weapon to The Nice Guys, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, and Iron Man 3, Shane discusses his journey from a self-described "oddball" to a filmmaking powerhouse. Pittsburgh Roots and Early Influences (02:55) Born in Pittsburgh, Black shares how his father's printing business and bookshelf of detective novels sparked his love for "tough guy literature" that would later influence his writing style. Overcoming Personal Struggles (08:00) Black candidly discusses his battles with OCD and alcoholism. He reveals how he transformed these challenges into creative strengths and encourages others to "just lean into being weird." The Psychology Behind His Characters (12:04) Black explains how his characters often represent different aspects of his own psychology. He emphasizes that truly compelling writing comes from creating characters with authentic emotional DNA that resonates with the writer's own experiences. The Creation of Lethal Weapon (15:32) Black describes Lethal Weapon as "an urban western" with Mel Gibson's character representing "a Frankenstein kept in a cage" - a Vietnam veteran reviled by society but needed when violence intrudes on everyday life. Working with Hollywood Icons (27:13) Black shares insights about working with legends like Richard Donner, Tony Scott, Joel Silver, and Robert Downey Jr. From Writer to Director (40:06) Black explains his transition to directing to have more creative control over his work. Black adds that directing allows him to move beyond returning to the blank page and into a more collaborative aspect of filmmaking. Latest Project: Play Dirty (52:01) Black discusses working with Mark Wahlberg, and adapting Donald Westlake's Parker series for Amazon, calling Westlake "the king" among mystery writers and explaining his lifelong admiration for these stories he first read at age 12. Throughout the conversation, Black offers a masterclass on screenwriting in Hollywood. Black and Kevin Goetz discover numerous personal connections, creating an unusually intimate portrait of a filmmaker who transformed Hollywood's action genre. His journey from a bookish child to acclaimed filmmaker serves as proof that leaning into one's unique perspective can lead to extraordinary creative achievements. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review or connect on social media. We look forward to bringing you more revelations from behind the scenes next time on Don't Kill the Messenger! Host: Kevin Goetz Guest: Shane Black Producer: Kari Campano Writers: Kevin Goetz, Darlene Hayman, Nick Nunez, and Kari Campano Audio Engineer: Gary Forbes (DG Entertainment)
For more information about Shane Black: Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shane_Black IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000948/ Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/director/shane-black/
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 For more information about Kevin Goetz: | |||
| Mike Medavoy (Legendary Agent, Producer, & Studio Executive) on an Extraordinary Hollywood Journey | 19 mars 2025 | 00:40:23 | |
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz welcomes an industry titan-- film producer and studio executive Mike Medavoy. With a career spanning over five decades, Medavoy has been closely involved with over 300 feature films, with seven winning Best Picture Oscars. From agent to studio chief to producer, his remarkable journey from Shanghai to Hollywood has shaped some of cinema's most important films, including Rocky, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Apocalypse Now, Platoon, and Silence of the Lambs. With characteristic humility and wisdom, Medavoy shares fascinating stories from his illustrious career. Early Life and Global Upbringing (03:12) Born in Shanghai in 1941 to Russian-Ukrainian Jewish parents, Medavoy moved to Chile in 1947 before settling in California, speaking Shanghai-nese, Russian, Spanish, and English. Breaking into Hollywood (07:40) After UCLA and the US Army Reserve, Medavoy started in Universal's mailroom in 1964, making industry friendships that became the foundation of his career. From Agent to Studio Executive (11:15) Medavoy recounts transitioning from talent agent to Senior VP of Production at United Artists, where his first major film was One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. United Artists and an Unprecedented Oscar Run (16:26) At UA, Medavoy helped shepherd three consecutive Best Picture winners: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Rocky, and Annie Hall. Formation of Orion Pictures (19:43) Medavoy discusses co-founding Orion Pictures, which produced classics like Amadeus, Platoon, and The Silence of the Lambs. Stories Behind the Classics (24:26) Fascinating behind-the-scenes stories about iconic films including Platoon, Terminator, and Apocalypse Now. Advice for the Next Generation (38:56) For emerging filmmakers, Medavoy recommends "The Story of Film" as essential viewing. Throughout this conversation, Medavoy reveals himself as not just an industry treasure but a thoughtful observer of both cinema and life. His journey from immigrant roots to Hollywood exemplifies the dream many pursue but few achieve. With remarkable candor, he discusses both triumphs and regrets, offering listeners a rare glimpse into the mind of someone who has truly shaped modern cinema while remaining, as Kevin notes, "a very charming and decent human being." If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review or connect on social media. We look forward to bringing you more revelations from behind the scenes next time on Don't Kill the Messenger! Host: Kevin Goetz Guest: Mike Medavoy Producer: Kari Campano Writers: Kevin Goetz, Darlene Hayman, Nick Nunez, and Kari Campano Audio Engineer: Gary Forbes (DG Entertainment) For more information about Mike Medavoy: Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Medavoy Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Youre-Only-Good-Your-Next/dp/0743400550 For more information about Kevin Goetz: Website: www.KevinGoetz360.com Audienceology Book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Audience-ology/Kevin-Goetz/9781982186678 Facebook, Twitter (X), Instagram: @KevinGoetz360 Linked In @Kevin Goetz Screen Engine/ASI Website: www.ScreenEngineASI.com For more information about Kevin Goetz: | |||
| Chris Landon (Writer, Director, Producer) on Growing Up in Hollywood & Creating "Feel-Good Horror" | 05 mars 2025 | 00:50:26 | |
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz sits down with Chris Landon, the acclaimed writer, director, and producer known for films like Happy Death Day, Freaky, Disturbia, and most recently, Heart Eyes. Son of television legend Michael Landon, Chris has carved his own path in Hollywood, specializing in horror comedy or what he calls "feel-good horror." He candidly shares personal stories about his Hollywood upbringing, coming out, surviving kidney cancer, and the creative approaches that have defined his successful career. Growing Up as Michael Landon's Son (05:04) Landon discusses his childhood as the son of a famous father, his parents' divorce, and how his mother's sudden religious conversion impacted his youth. Facing Personal Challenges (10:56) Chris opens up about his father's untimely death from pancreatic cancer when Chris was just 16, and his own journey as a cancer survivor, sharing an important message about health vigilance. Early Film Influences and Career Beginnings (12:07) Landon talks about his early love for horror films, how watching his father's fulfillment at work influenced him, and his introduction to both horror and emotional films like Terms of Endearment. From Writer to Director's Jail (24:41) Chris details his path from writing Disturbia to joining the Paranormal Activity franchise after boldly speaking up in a meeting, his experience with residuals, and eventually facing "director's jail" after Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse. Breaking through with Happy Death Day (38:38) Landon shares the story of how he resurrected a shelved script called Half to Death that became Happy Death Day, a $5 million film that grossed around $150 million and revitalized his career. Learning from Test Screenings (43:17) Landon explains key insights gained from audience screenings, including respecting the audience's intelligence and never betraying the rules established in a film. Upcoming Film: Drop (46:48) Landon previews his new edge-of-your-seat thriller Drop (releasing April 11), calling it his "grown-up movie" and a modern-day Hitchcock thriller starring Meagan Fahy. Throughout the conversation, Chris Landon demonstrates his resilience, creative vision, and commitment to authentic storytelling. From navigating Hollywood as the son of a legend to creating his own distinct voice in the horror genre, his journey offers insights into filmmaking, audience engagement, and personal growth. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review or connect on social media. Host: Kevin Goetz Guest: Chris Landon Producer: Kari Campano Writers: Kevin Goetz, Darlene Hayman, Nick Nunez, and Kari Campano Audio Engineer: Gary Forbes (DG Entertainment)
For more information about Chris Landon: Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Landon_(filmmaker) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechrislandon/?hl=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: @KevinGoetz360 Linked In @Kevin Goetz Screen Engine/ASI Website: www.ScreenEngineASI.com For more information about Kevin Goetz: | |||
| David Permut (Oscar® & Emmy® Nominated Producer) on Movie Maps, Making Movies That Matter, and Discovering New Talent | 19 févr. 2025 | 00:46:47 | |
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz sits down with acclaimed producer David Permut, the visionary behind films like Face/Off, Hacksaw Ridge (Academy Award nominee for Best Picture), Dragnet, and most recently, Rustin. His films have garnered multiple Academy Award nominations, and he is known for his exceptional ability to discover new talent and bring challenging stories to the screen. From selling star maps as a teenager to executive producing with Barack and Michelle Obama, Permut shares candid stories about his remarkable journey in Hollywood. Early Beginnings and Star Maps (02:15) Permut discusses his start as the publisher of Beverly Hills Map Company, selling maps to celebrity homes while meeting stars like Fred Astaire, Elvis Presley, and Katherine Hepburn. Learning from Bill Sargent (09:17) The producer shares how meeting promoter Bill Sargent led to his first major projects, including Give 'em Hell, Harry! starring James Whitmore. Richard Pryor Live in Concert (16:30) Permut reveals the story behind producing Richard Pryor's groundbreaking concert film, which grossed $32.5 million. Face/Off: From Shelf to Screen (24:33) Details the fascinating journey of acquiring Face/Off from Warner Brothers, investing his own money for the option, and bringing John Woo on board to direct what would become a major hit. The Making of Hacksaw Ridge (30:04) Permut talks about the 17-year journey to bring Desmond Doss's story to screen, culminating in six Oscar nominations and working with Mel Gibson. Rustin and Working with the Obamas (36:05) Permut discusses collaborating with Barack and Michelle Obama's Higher Ground Productions on Rustin and the importance of telling meaningful stories. Current Projects and Future Vision (41:27) The producer shares his excitement about discovering new talent and his upcoming projects, including Twinless with James Sweeney and Being Heumann, the story of disability rights activist Judy Heumann. Throughout this engaging conversation, David Permut embodies his own philosophy: "Die with your memories, not your dreams." From selling star maps to producing Oscar-nominated films, his journey demonstrates the power of passion and persistence in Hollywood. Whether creating blockbusters or meaningful dramas, Permut's enthusiasm for discovering new talent and telling important stories remains as strong as ever. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review or connect on social media. We look forward to bringing you more revelations from behind the scenes next time on Don't Kill the Messenger! Host: Kevin Goetz Guest: David Permut Producer: Kari Campano Writers: Kevin Goetz, Darlene Hayman, and Kari Campano Audio Engineer: Gary Forbes (DG Entertainment)
For more information about David Permut: Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Permut IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0674303/ Variety: https://variety.com/exec/david-permut/
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 For more information about Kevin Goetz: | |||
| Elizabeth Gabler (President of Sony 3000 Pictures) on the Art of Book-to-Screen Movie Magic | 05 févr. 2025 | 00:52:04 | |
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz sits down with Elizabeth Gabler, known for transforming literary works into cinematic successes. From her early days as an agent's assistant to becoming president of Fox 2000 and now Sony 3000 Pictures, Gabler shares insights from her remarkable career developing hit films like Life of Pi, The Devil Wears Prada, Mrs. Doubtfire, Marley and Me, and Where the Crawdads Sing. Early Career and Love of Reading (01:43) Gabler discusses her background in English literature and unexpected entry into entertainment, influenced by her early love of reading and her mother's influence as a librarian. United Artists and Early Development (10:12) The conversation explores her time at United Artists, working with industry legends like Jerry Weintraub and Billy Wilder, and developing projects like Roadhouse and Presumed Innocent that would later become successful films. Mrs. Doubtfire Development (13:30) Gabler shares the fascinating story of bringing Mrs. Doubtfire to the screen, including working with Robin Williams and director Chris Columbus, and overcoming initial skepticism about the project. Cast Away and Production Innovation (23:22) Discussion of the unique production process of Cast Away, including Tom Hanks' physical transformation and Robert Zemeckis making an entire other film during the production break. Life of Pi Journey (29:43) Elizabeth offers a detailed look at the challenging journey to bring Life of Pi to the screen, including Ang Lee's involvement and the innovative technical approaches required. Devil Wears Prada Casting (36:48) The pair discuss the casting process for The Devil Wears Prada, including securing Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway, and the discovery of Emily Blunt. Current Projects and Personal Life (46:20) Gabler discusses her current project Klara and the Sun with director Taika Waititi and stars Jenna Ortega and Amy Adams, while also touching on personal aspects including the recent loss of her husband Lee. This intimate conversation reveals not just the mechanics of bringing books to screen, but the passion, persistence, and vision required to create lasting cinema. Gabler's deep love for storytelling and family themes runs throughout her work and this discussion, offering insights into how personal values can shape professional success. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review or connect on social media. We look forward to bringing you more revelations from behind-the-scenes next time on Don't Kill the Messenger! Host: Kevin Goetz Guest: Elizabeth Gabler Producer: Kari Campano Writers: Kevin Goetz, Darlene Hayman, and Kari Campano Audio Engineer: Gary Forbes (DG Entertainment)
For more information about Elizabeth Gabler: Variety: https://variety.com/exec/elizabeth-gabler/ IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1992894/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-gabler-7b030a19
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 For more information about Kevin Goetz: | |||
| Brad Furman (Director/Producer/Writer) on his Journey from the Basketball Court to Film Sets | 15 janv. 2025 | 00:47:59 | |
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz welcomes director and producer Brad Furman, known for films like The Lincoln Lawyer, The Infiltrator, Runner Runner, The Take, and City of Lies. The episode opens with Furman reading a touching tribute letter he wrote after the passing of his friend, filmmaker John Singleton, setting the tone for an intimate conversation about perseverance, mentorship, and the evolution of his career. For more information about Kevin Goetz: | |||
| Catherine Paura (Veteran Entertainment Strategist) on Transforming Movie Marketing and Audience Research | 01 janv. 2025 | 00:51:26 | |
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz sits down with his good friend, mentor, and colleague, Catherine Paura, a pioneering force in entertainment research who co-founded National Research Group (NRG) in 1977. As an accomplished entrepreneur, Paura helped establish the foundation for modern movie research and marketing. From her humble beginnings to becoming one of Hollywood's most influential research experts, Paura shares insights from her career. The episode is particularly special as it features a conversation between two longtime friends - Paura and Goetz have maintained a close personal and professional relationship spanning nearly 40 years. For more information about Kevin Goetz: | |||
| Brian Grazer (Oscar and Emmy-Winning Producer) on Curiosity, Creativity, and Human Connection | 18 déc. 2024 | 00:44:07 | |
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz interviews legendary producer Brian Grazer. As co-founder of Imagine Entertainment with Ron Howard, Grazer's films and television shows have earned 47 Oscar nominations and 242 Emmy nominations, with his movies grossing nearly $15 billion globally. Known for hits like A Beautiful Mind (which won him the Academy Award for Best Picture), Apollo 13, and Friday Night Lights. During the conversation, Grazer opens up about the power of curiosity, the secret to his 40-year partnership with Ron Howard, and the magic of connecting with audiences through emotionally resonant storytelling. For more information about Kevin Goetz: | |||
| David Friendly (Academy Award-Nominated Producer and Former Journalist) on His Journey from Newsweek to Hollywood Success | 04 déc. 2024 | 00:55:09 | |
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz interviews David Friendly, whose remarkable career transition from journalism to film production led to an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture with Little Miss Sunshine. David worked with industry giants like Ron Howard and Brian Grazer before establishing himself as a successful producer. His producing credits include Courage Under Fire, Dr. Dolittle, Big Momma's House, Laws of Attraction, and the hit USA Network series Queen of the South. In this conversation, Friendly shares candid stories about his career transition, the making of Little Miss Sunshine, lessons learned from his mentors, and his perspective on an ever-changing industry. For more information about Kevin Goetz: | |||
| Gary Lucchesi (Veteran Producer, Studio Executive, and Former Agent) on Working with Talent and Successful Filmmaking | 20 nov. 2024 | 00:51:35 | |
In this episode of "Don't Kill the Messenger," host Kevin Goetz sits down with Gary Lucchesi, the acclaimed producer and former President of the Producer’s Guild of America. From his early days as a talent agent at William Morris to his tenure as President of Production at Paramount Pictures, Gary has been a driving force behind numerous hit films. As a producer, his credits include Primal Fear, Million Dollar Baby, The Lincoln Lawyer, and Runaway Bride, among many others. In this insightful conversation, Gary shares stories from his career, discussing the art of assembling the right talent, the power of test screenings, and his thoughts on the future of the film industry. For more information about Gary Lucchesi: For more information about Kevin Goetz: For more information about Kevin Goetz: | |||
| George Folsey Jr. (Veteran Film Editor & Producer) on Film Editing and the Art of the "Fix" | 06 nov. 2024 | 00:42:53 | |
(Interview recorded Aug 14, 2024 and released Nov 6, 2024. George Folsey Jr. died on December 29th, 2024 at the age of 85. Thank you, George, for all that you gave to this industry--you will be missed.) For more information about Kevin Goetz: | |||
| Susan Cartsonis (Veteran Producer & Former Studio Executive) on Filmmaking and Championing Women’s Stories | 16 oct. 2024 | 00:56:48 | |
In this episode of "Don't Kill the Messenger," host Kevin Goetz sits down with Susan Cartsonis, a renowned producer and former studio executive known for championing women's stories in Hollywood. From 20th Century Fox to independent producing, Susan has been behind hits like What Women Want, Where the Heart Is, Aquamarine, Sitting in Bars with Cake, and True Sprit. She shares her journey in the film industry, her passion for storytelling, and her commitment to bringing diverse perspectives to the screen. For more information about Kevin Goetz: | |||