The Interview Show with John Ridley (12 Years A Slave) (podcast edition) #235

This summer I took The Interview Show on the road to the Banff World Media Festival at the staggeringly beautiful Banff Fairmont Springs Luxury Hotel and Resort. I got to hang out a bit with screenwriter and showrunner John Ridley. In fact we sat down for some tea right after he walked off the stage. John Ridley has had a very interesting and varied career. Most people know him as the 2014 Oscar winner for best adapted screenplay for 12 Years a Slave or as the show runner of the recently concluded ABC anthology series, American Crime. But did you know that John wrote the screenplay for Undercover Brother? And Three Kings? He started his career doing stand up and has written sci-fi novels and a graphic novel about his own superhero universe. We chatted about writing Emmy-winning material for actor Regina King, his new superhero graphic novel from DC Comics, the most challenging time in his career, and the work that still needs to be done to increase the participation of under-represented people in mainstream media. Listen! Tracks played on the show... 1) Mark Isham, American Crime Season One OST (2015) "Previously On" (background) 2) Hans Zimmer, 12 Years a Slave OST (2013) "Solomon" (background) 3) Alabama Shakes, 12 Years a Slave OST (2013) "Driva Man" NO songs CANCON