THE SMITH SOCIETY is a podcast where stories and storytelling unite. Through intimate interviews and insightful discussions, we bring you the voices behind the stories you love. We feature world-renowned actors, writers, directors and more -- discussing a variety of topics related to the film and television industry. We uncover the secrets of their craft and celebrate the diverse tales that shape our world.
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Today, we’ll be chatting with the writer, director, skater Sean Wang about his beautiful film DÌDI (弟弟), we will discuss the challenges and triumphs he encountered while bringing this story to life. So, whether you’re a film buff, an aspiring filmmaker, or just someone who loves a good story, you won’t want to miss this conversation.
Sean Wang is a filmmaker from Fremont, CA. His latest short film, NǍI NAI & WÀI PÓ, premiered at SXSW 2023 where it won the Grand Jury Prize & Audience Award. Since then, it received Grand Jury Awards at AFI Fest and SIFF 2023 and was nominated for Best Documentary Short Film for the 96th Academy Awards. His debut feature film, DÌDI (弟弟), had its world premiere at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival where it won the U.S. Dramatic Audience Award and Special Jury Prize for Best Ensemble Cast.
Steady Cadence is a brilliant father daughter duo out of North Carolina. There is an episode later this season about the theme song, their unique sound which blends together analog and digital, their inspiration, creative approach and how Cadence, who is currently in high school, has so much soul.
The Smith Society logo: Designer, Chris Scott
Edited by: Marshall Baker
Follow your dreams, no matter where they take you.
Today we sit down with Gabriela Cowperthwaite and discuss her latest documentary film, The Grab.
Quietly and seemingly out of sight, governments, private investors and mercenaries are working to seize food and water resources at the expense of entire populations. These groups are establishing themselves as the new OPEC, where the future world powers will be those who control not oil, but food.
And it's all beginning to bubble to the surface in real time. Global food prices have hit an all-time high, threatening chaos and violence. Meanwhile, Russia is using food as a weapon against the Ukrainians, and as a geopolitical tool to wield global power.
THE GRAB is a global thriller combining hard-hitting journalism from The Center for Investigative Reporting with the compelling character-driven storytelling of director Gabriela Cowperthwaite, taking you around the globe from Arizona to Zambia, to reveal one of the world’s biggest and least known threats.
Steady Cadence is a brilliant father daughter duo out of North Carolina. There is an episode later this season about the theme song, their unique sound which blends together analog and digital, their inspiration, creative approach and how Cadence, who is currently in high school, has so much soul.
The Smith Society logo: Designer, Chris Scott
Edited by: Marshall Baker
Follow your dreams, no matter where they take you.
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S1E7: Nena Erb and Choices, Okay?!
Season 1 · Episode 7
Tuesday, August 16, 2022 • Duration 26:25
On our latest episode, I’m lucky enough to have a chat with Nena Erb. Nena is an ACE, Emmy-winning film and television editor based in Los Angeles. Raised in an Asian American immigrant family, Nena’s father wanted her to be a doctor and her mother wanted her to be a pianist with the LA Philharmonic. Nena wanted to be Andy Warhol.
After graduating with an art degree, a friend brought her into the entertainment industry and she started working in various capacities in production. It was her stint as an associate producer that opened her eyes to the impact of editing. It combined her love of photography with the art of storytelling, and she was hooked. Since then, Nena has edited on productions for HBO, Universal, CBS, Apple, and others. She is experienced in multiple genres from dramas to feature films, documentaries, and comedy.
In 2016, she received her first Emmy award for her work on HBO’s documentary series Project Greenlight. In 2020, she received an HPA award and her second Emmy award for her work on HBO’s comedy-drama series Insecure. In addition, she has received three ACE Eddie nominations, two for Insecure and the other for CW's acclaimed series Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. In 2021, she edited three episodes of the HBO coming-of-age series Genera+ion. She's currently editing Downtown Owl for Sony, and the highly anticipated yet-to-be-named comedy feature directed by Adele Lim, and produced by Point Grey and Lionsgate.
Nena’s Emmy nomination this year is for Insecure’s (Season 5 - Episode 8) "Choices, Okay?!"
Synopsis: At a crossroads in her career, Issa weighs the pros and cons of two viable paths while simultaneously contemplating an important personal next step. Meanwhile, Molly spends an overwhelming day getting her parents' estate plan in order.
Insecure:
Creators: Issa Rae, Larry Wilmore
Starring: Issa Rae, Yvonne Orji, Jay Ellis, Natasha Rothwell, Amanda Seales
S1E6: David and Chris and Brian and Charles
Season 1 · Episode 6
Friday, June 17, 2022 • Duration 31:12
Today we’re sitting down with David Earl and Chris Hayward from Focus Features’ upcoming title, “Brian and Charles.” The film follows Brian (David Earl), a lonely inventor in rural Wales who spends his days building quirky, unconventional contraptions that seldom work. Undeterred by his lack of success, Brian attempts his biggest project yet: an artificially intelligent robot named Charles (Chris Hayward), who learns English from a dictionary and has an obsession with cabbages. What follows is a humorous and entirely heartwarming story about friendship, family, finding love, and letting go.
David Earl is a comedian, best known for his comedy character Brian Gittins. He has featured in several projects associated with Ricky Gervais, most notably as Kevin "Kev" Twine in the comedy-drama Derek, Extras, After Life and the film Cemetery Junction.
Chris Hayward is a writer/performer with extensive experience of the UK comedy scene. He has written for shows including Cardinal Burns and Trollied, and landed development deals with Channel Four, Sky, BBC, ABC, Fox and CBS. As an actor, he has appeared in shows such as The It Crowd, King Gary, Pls Like, and Friday Night Dinner.
Our mission is putting a spotlight on beautiful stories with phenomenal performances. “Brian and Charles” achieves this with such ease – at its core it’s a uniquely charming story that tackles some complex themes in a way that leaves audiences filled with joy, and most importantly, hope.
Brian and Charles:
Directed by Jim Archer
Written by David Earl and Chris Hayward
Produced by Rupert Majendie
Executive Produced by Damian Jones, Mary Burke, Lauren Dark and Ollie Madden
Starring David Earl, Chris Hayward, Louise Brealey, James Michie and Nina Sosanya
The Smith Society Podcast: This is the Smith Society, a podcast about storytellers and storytelling.
S1E5: Clifton Collins Jr. and the Jockey
Season 1 · Episode 5
Friday, February 11, 2022 • Duration 51:04
Ladies and gentlemen, this is a really good one and I’ve been so excited to share it with you. My next guest is an actor I consider one of the greatest of our generation. He’s worked with everyone from Del Toro to Malick, Tarantino to Soderbergh. He’s an extraordinary actor who loses himself in the life of his film and television characters. Ever evolving, he’s a true chameleon and shapeshifter, presenting us with a new and intriguing character. This is Clifton Collins. Jr.
Clifton Collins Jr. has acting in his blood. His grandfather, Pedro Gonzalez Gonzalez, became an American icon, starring alongside John Wayne and Mel Blanc throughout his career. Clifton burst onto the scene in 1997, but it was his portrayal of Frankie Flowers in Traffic that forever cemented his status as an actor to be taken seriously. Since then he’s stolen the screen in films like Capote and Sunshine Cleaning.
Clifton’s latest film Jockey is yet another work of art, with his titular performance earning him the Sundance Film Festival U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Best Acting.
Jockey tells the story of an aging jockey competing to win one last title for his longtime trainer, who has acquired what appears to be a championship horse. But the years – and injuries – have taken a toll on his body, throwing into question his ability to continue his lifelong passion. And the arrival of a young rookie rider, who claims to be his son, and whom he takes under his wing, further complicates the path to fulfilling his dream.
The Smith Society is an interview series focused on storytellers. It’s an intimate look at artists -- who they are, how they got from A to B, a detailed look at what makes them tick and advice to those pursuing a career in telling stories, as well as some insight into the industry, pitching projects, and, of course, how we can make the world a better place.
The Smith Society Podcast: This is the Smith Society, a podcast about storytellers and storytelling.
In this episode of The Smith Society we have the incredible opportunity to chat with the extraordinary director (and dear friend), Alice Gu and learn more about The Donut King.
Alice Gu is an award-winning director and Director of Photography. A Los Angeles native, Alice began her career as a director of photography, working with world-renowned directors like Werner Herzog and Stacy Peralta.
In 2017, Alice garnered attention for her work behind the lens of “Take Every Wave: the Life of Laird Hamilton,” a documentary directed by the Academy Award nominated Rory Kennedy.
“The Donut King” is Alice’s feature directorial debut and was slated to premiere at the 2020 SXSW film festival. Despite the festival’s cancellation, the film won the Special Jury Prize for Excellence in Documentary Storytelling, and went on to win the One in a Million Award at the 2020 Sun Valley Film Festival. “The Donut King” is about the rise and fall of a Cambodian refugee turned donut tycoon. Ted’s story is one of fate, love, survival, hard knocks, and redemption. It's the rags to riches story of a refugee escaping Cambodia, arriving in America in 1975, and building an unlikely multi-million-dollar empire baking America's favorite pastry: the donut. Ted sponsored hundreds of visas for incoming refugees, and helped them get on their feet teaching them the ways of the donut business.
“The Donut King” is executive produced by Academy Award winners Ridley Scott and Freida Lee Mock.
In this episode we’re going to feature a true triple threat, Justin Chon. Justin Chon is a writer, director and actor who also produced (he’s technically a quadruple threat!) the film “Blue Bayou,” a moving and timely story of a uniquely American family fighting for their future.
A Story that Matters: Speaking to Issues of Today
Blue Bayou Logline: As a Korean-American man raised in the Louisiana bayou works hard to make a life for his family, he must confront the ghosts of his past as he discovers that he could be deported from the only country he has ever called home.
Blue Bayou is a moving and timely story of a uniquely American family fighting for their future. Antonio LeBlanc (Chon), a Korean adoptee raised in a small town in the Louisiana bayou, he is married to the love of his life Kathy (Alicia Vikander) and he is the step-dad to their beloved daughter Jessie. Struggling to make a better life for his family, he must confront the ghosts of his past when he discovers that he could be deported from the only country he has ever called home.
Justin Chon is known for his '90s LA Riots drama Gook (2017), which won the NEXT category of the Sundance Film Festival and went on to win him the Independent Spirit award for "someone to watch" in 2018. He followed up with a contemporary Koreatown sibling drama MS. PURPLE (2019), which also premiered at Sundance.
Blue Bayou
Focus Features in association with MACRO and eOne presents Blue Bayou
Written and Directed by: Justin Chon
Produced by: Charles D. King, Kim Roth, Poppy Hanks, Justin Chon
Starring: Justin Chon, Alicia Vikander, Mark O’Brien, Linh Dan Pham, Emory Cohen
On this episode of The Smith Society we sit down with the wildly creative and brilliant Lee Sung Jin.
Lee Sung Jin is currently the Creator/Writer/Showrunner/Executive Producer of BEEF, a Netflix series starring Steven Yeun and Ali Wong, produced by A24.
Lee's current television development includes: an A24 animated pilot, THE IMMORTAL JELLYFISH, with writer Joanna Calo, designed by artist Lauren Tsai, and NOWHERE, a half hour pilot with Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, Point Grey Pictures and Lionsgate Television, directed by Rhys Thomas (DocumentaryNow, Hawkeye).
His past credits include FX’s DAVE, Amazon’s UNDONE, Netflix’s TUCA & BERTIE, HBO’s SILICON VALLEY, and FX’s IT’S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA.
On the feature side, he is currently writing BARNEY for Mattel, Valparaiso, and Daniel Kaluuya, as well as an untraditional theatrical experience, OMNI, starring Jaden Smith with Kanye West and Scooter Braun producing. He is also a producer on A24's LURKER, written by Alex Russell, with Eli Bush and Chris Storer producing.
The Smith Society Podcast: This is the Smith Society, a podcast about storytellers and storytelling. On this episode we’re going to feature the incomparable Lee Sung Jin.
The Smith Society is a podcast that focuses on the intricacies of storytelling, while giving an open and honest platform for each guest to shine and provide their own insight to empower each listener through the strength of their own experiences.
Smith (noun) - MAKER
Our pilot episode features a short introduction to The Smith Society podcast, the story behind it, what you can expect and what’s in a name. More importantly, this episode features a conversation with the star of the new Focus Features’ film Limbo, Amir El-Masry.
You may know Amir El-Masry from his work in Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker, Tom Clancy's “Jack Ryan,” Industry, The One, or one of his many other roles. But Amir’s performance in Limbo, taking on the lead role of Omar, is by far one of the most extraordinary performances I have seen in years, and as you’ll hear in this episode, it made me rearrange the entire first season of the podcast.
We discuss how important Limbo is for the world, his absolutely incredible performance and how he prepared for it, his favorite football club, how he got into acting, the food I must have when I visit Cairo and much more. Limbo is out now, and I recommend you all see it as soon as possible, then tell all your friends and family to see it. I truly believe this film can make the world a better place.
Limbo: Omar is a promising young musician. Separated from his Syrian family, he is stuck on a remote Scottish island awaiting the fate of his asylum request.
After a brief hiatus...we’re back with a brand new season of The Smith Society podcast! In our premiere episode, we chat with brilliant cinematographer Matthew Chuang. We discuss his early life and trajectory in this business, and we reflect on his stunning work in past films like Blue Bayou, You Won't Be Alone, and Of an Age. We cover all my favorite talking points: pre-production (IYKYK), comfort food, and of course, his latest project — helping create the epic visual world of Chief of War, a new Apple series (coming soon).
Steady Cadence is a brilliant father daughter duo out of North Carolina. There is an episode later this season about the theme song, their unique sound which blends together analog and digital, their inspiration, creative approach and how Cadence, who is currently in high school, has so much soul.
Edited by: Marshall Baker
The Smith Society logo: Designer, Chris Scott
Follow your dreams, no matter where they take you.
Steady Cadence is a brilliant father daughter duo out of North Carolina. There is an episode later this season about the theme song, their unique sound which blends together analog and digital, their inspiration, creative approach and how Cadence, who is currently in high school, has so much soul.
Steady Cadence is a brilliant father daughter duo out of North Carolina. There is an episode later this season about the theme song, their unique sound which blends together analog and digital, their inspiration, creative approach and how Cadence, who is currently in middle school, has so much soul.
Steady Cadence is a brilliant father daughter duo out of North Carolina. There is an episode later this season about the theme song, their unique sound which blends together analog and digital, their inspiration, creative approach and how Cadence, who is currently in middle school, has so much soul.
The Smith Societylogo: Designer, Chris Scott
Edited by: Marshall Baker
Follow your dreams, no matter where they take you.
JOCKEY
Directed by: Clint Bentley
Written by: Clint Bentley & Greg Kwedar
Produced by: Clint Bentley & Greg Kwedar, Nancy Schafer
Co-Producer: Linda Halbert
Executive Producers: Larry Kalas, Larry Kelly, Linda & Jon Halbert, Cheryl & Walt Penn, Genevieve & Mark Crozier, Cindy & John Greenwood, Ann Grimes & Jay Old, Benjamin Fuqua & Jordy Wax, Clifton Collins Jr.
Steady Cadence is a brilliant father daughter duo out of North Carolina. There is an episode later this season about the theme song, their unique sound which blends together analog and digital, their inspiration, creative approach and how Cadence, who is currently in middle school, has so much soul.
The Smith Society logo: Designer, Chris Scott
Sound Mixer: Paul Stula
Edited by: Marshall Baker
Follow your dreams, no matter where they take you.
Steady Cadence is a brilliant father daughter duo out of North Carolina. There is an episode later this season about the theme song, their unique sound which blends together analog and digital, their inspiration, creative approach and how Cadence, who is currently in middle school, has so much soul.
The Smith Society logo: Designer, Chris Scott
Edited by: Marshall Baker
Follow your dreams, no matter where they take you.
Steady Cadence is a brilliant father daughter duo out of North Carolina. There is an episode later this season about the theme song, their unique sound which blends together analog and digital, their inspiration, creative approach and how Cadence, who is currently in middle school, has so much soul.
The Smith Society logo: Designer, Chris Scott
Edited by: Marshall Baker
Follow your dreams, no matter where they take you.
Email and ask a question or share a thought: me@duanefernandez.com
The Smith Society theme song by: Steady Cadence
Steady Cadence is a brilliant father daughter duo out of North Carolina. There is an episode later this season about the theme song, their unique sound which blends together analog and digital, their inspiration, creative approach and how Cadence, who is currently in middle school, has so much soul.
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