PODCAST · tv
Center Stage
by Mark Gordon
Center Stage pulls back the curtain on the creative minds shaping film, television, music, and the arts. Join host Mark Gordon as they sit down with award-winning directors, groundbreaking writers, legendary performers, and rising talents for deep-dive conversations that explore the passion, struggles, and triumphs behind their work. From behind-the-scenes stories to creative breakthroughs, each episode brings you closer to the heart of the storytellers who move us. Whether you're a fan of unforgettable films, gripping documentaries, powerful performances, or innovative storytelling, Center Stage is your front-row seat to the art—and the artists—who inspire us all.
Episodes
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Kevin McDonald Talks about The Runner
Kevin McDonald Talks about The Runner by Mark Gordon
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Louis Paxton "The Incomer"
Louis Paxton joined Mark Gordon Center Stage to talk about his latest film, The Incomer. The Sundance Award-winning comedy is a modern folk fairy tale set on a remote Scottish island, where two siblings survive by hunting seabirds, retelling their ancestors' stories, and defending the isle from...
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Rubberhead
Filmmaker Nick Taylor joined me on Center Stage to talk about his latest documentary, RUBBERHEAD: THE LIFE AND MONSTERS OF STEVE JOHNSON. The film makes its’ Fantasia world premiere on July 23.
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Roc Morin on Meduza and the Collision of War and Storytelling
On this episode of Center Stage with Mark Gordon, filmmaker and journalist Roc Morin talks about Meduza, a powerful project that explores war, identity, and the strange overlap between performance and reality. Mark Gordon and Roc Morin discuss the origins of the film, the emotional and creative...
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Ai Weiwei’s Turandot: Art, Activism, and the Power of Opera
On this episode of Center Stage with Mark Gordon, filmmaker Christine La Monte discusses her new documentary Ai Weiwei’s Turandot, which follows artist and activist Ai Weiwei as he makes his operatic directorial debut at the Rome Opera House. Known for his fearless art and political engagement…
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🎙️ Yvonne Russo – Viva Verdi! The Power of Music, Mentorship, and Legacy
Filmmaker Yvonne Russo joins Center Stage with Mark Gordon to discuss Viva Verdi!, a powerful documentary that celebrates composer Giuseppe Verdi’s home for aging musicians and the enduring power of music, mentorship, and creativity. 🎬 Viva Verdi! is currently screening across the U.S.…
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Michael Pierro on the Dark Roads of Self Driver
"One ride changes everything…" Filmmaker Michael Pierro joins Center Stage to talk about Self Driver, a dark thriller where a cab driver’s morals are tested in the dead of night. Self Driver is currently available for streaming https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/self-driver Share your thoughts in...
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Lisa D’Apolito: Bringing Shari & Lamb Chop Back to Center Stage
Filmmaker Lisa D’Apolito joins Mark Gordon Center Stage to discuss her new documentary Shari & Lamb Chop, exploring the life, career, and lasting legacy of beloved ventriloquist Shari Lewis and her iconic sock puppet sidekick.
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"Aliens, Angst & Araki: Inside the World of Nowhere"
In this episode of Center Stage, Mark Gordon sat down with provocative indie filmmaker Gregg Araki to talk about his cult classic Nowhere. Released in 1997 as the final chapter of his so-called “Teen Apocalypse Trilogy,” Nowhere is a bold, kaleidoscopic ride through the chaos of L.A. youth...
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No Wire Hangers, No Regrets: Christina Crawford Reflects on Her Memoir
In 1978, Christina Crawford shook Hollywood to its core with the publication of Mommie Dearest, a raw and unflinching memoir detailing the abuse she endured at the hands of her adoptive mother, screen legend Joan Crawford. The book became an instant sensation, igniting a firestorm of debate and...
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When the Killer Is Family: A Conversation with Filmmaker John Kastner
In this episode, Mark Gordon talks with acclaimed filmmaker John Kastner about his gripping documentary Life with Murder. The film unpacks the devastating real-life story of the Jenkins family in Chatham, Ontario, whose world was shattered when 18-year-old Jennifer Jenkins was found shot to death...
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Making Hippo: A Twisted Take on the American Family
On this episode of Center Stage, Mark Gordon sat down with filmmakers Mark H. Rapaport and Kimball Farley to talk about their offbeat and unforgettable new film, Hippo. Quirky, funny, and deeply unsettling, Hippo offers a surreal yet sharply observed portrait of an American family teetering on…
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Inside Hitchcock’s Obsession: Laurence Leamer on the Women Who Defined a Legend
When it comes to Alfred Hitchcock, most biographies center on the master of suspense himself—his genius, his control, his darkness. But in his latest book, Hitchcock’s Blondes, bestselling author Laurence Leamer flips the lens, focusing instead on the women who helped shape the director’s legacy...
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Messiah or Monster? The Chilling World of Deliver Us
On this episode of Center Stage, I sit down with filmmakers Lee Roy Kunz and Cru Ennis to explore their provocative and spine-chilling horror film, Deliver Us. Set in a secluded convent, the story begins when a nun claims she is experiencing an immaculate conception, triggering alarm bells at the...
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Trapped Below: Max Erlenwein on Survival and Suspense in The Dive
On this episode of Center Stage, Mark Gordon dives into the depths with filmmaker Max Erlenwein to discuss his pulse-pounding thriller The Dive. Set against the eerie, isolated backdrop of the open sea, the film tells the gripping story of two sisters on a freediving trip that turns into a...
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From Cornfields to the Gridiron: The Untold Story of A.E. Staley
On this episode of Center Stage, Mark Gordon sits down with film producer Michael Pollack to discuss Fields of Gold, a fascinating documentary that unearths the extraordinary life and legacy of agribusiness pioneer A.E. Staley. At the turn of the 20th century, Staley revolutionized the corn and...
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Twists, Tension, and Nicolas Cage: Inside Sympathy for the Devil
On this episode of Center Stage, Mark Gordon sits down with award-winning filmmaker Yuval Adler to talk about his latest psychological thriller, Sympathy for the Devil. Starring Nicolas Cage and Joel Kinnaman, the film kicks off with a chilling yet straightforward premise: a man is forced at...
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Creating Consciousness: The Chilling Vision Behind The Artifice Girl
On this episode of Center Stage, Mark Gordon sits down with writer-director Franklin Ritch to discuss his thought-provoking and emotionally resonant sci-fi thriller The Artifice Girl. The film tells the story of a team of investigators who develop a highly advanced AI designed to lure and trap...
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From Vampires to Rock Gods: Inside Stephen Woolley’s Cinematic World
Stephen Woolley has never shied away from provocative stories or complex characters. The award-winning producer behind The Crying Game and Interview with the Vampire has built a career on bringing bold, emotionally charged narratives to the screen. In 2005, Woolley came Center Stage with Mark...
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The Unexpected Side of Josh Stolberg: From Horror to Conception
Known for his sharp edge and darker thrills in films like Piranha 3D, Sorority Row, and the Saw franchise entries Jigsaw and Spiral, screenwriter and director Josh Stolberg made an unexpected pivot in 2011 with Conception—a romantic comedy that trades gore for giggles and explores the emotional,...
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From Rock Bottom to Reboot: Joe Cross on Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead
On this episode of Center Stage, Mark Gordon talks with health advocate and filmmaker Joe Cross, the driving force behind the inspiring documentary Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead. In the film, Cross takes us on a deeply personal journey—from battling a debilitating autoimmune disease and obesity to...
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From Spinal Tap to the Simpsons: Harry Shearer Unfiltered
Few entertainers wear as many hats—or voices—as Harry Shearer. Emmy-winning actor, writer, musician, and master of political satire, Shearer has carved out a one-of-a-kind career spanning decades of comedy, commentary, and cultural critique. Known to millions as the voice behind some of The...
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From Wonka to Wattstax: The Vision of Mel Stuart
Behind the Camera with Mel Stuart: From Willy Wonka to Wattstax Mel Stuart may not be a household name, but his work has left an indelible mark on generations of film lovers. In this rare and insightful interview, the legendary director reflects on his time bringing Willy Wonka & the Chocolate...
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Inside The Houses October Built: A Road Trip into Real Terror
What starts as a thrill-seeking road trip quickly descends into a chilling nightmare in The Houses October Built, the found footage horror film that blurs the line between documentary realism and pure terror. Filmmakers Zack Andrews and Bobby Roe take audiences deep into the world of underground...
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From The Daytrippers to Asteroid City: The Enduring Talent of Hope Davis
On this episode of Center Stage, Mark Gordon revisits a conversation with the remarkably gifted Hope Davis—an actress whose intelligence, emotional depth, and quiet strength have made her one of the most consistently compelling performers of her generation. In 1996, she was gaining attention for...
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The Man Behind the Mix: A Conversation with Doug Hemphill
Just days before Life of Pi would go on to win four Academy Awards, including Best Director and Best Original Score, I had the chance to sit down with legendary re-recording mixer Doug Hemphill—one of the quiet forces behind the film’s immersive sonic landscape. From his early days working with...
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Brilliant Disguise: A Journey into Samadhi with Raghu Markus
On this episode of Center Stage, I’m joined by spiritual seeker, teacher, and filmmaker Raghu Markus to discuss his deeply moving documentary Brilliant Disguise: The Samadhi of K.C. Tewari. In the late 1960s, Raghu embarked on a journey to India, driven by a yearning for something beyond the...
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Me To Play
Jim Bernfield talks about making the documentary Me To Play which follows Dan Moran and Chris Jones, New York actors who live with Parkinson’s disease — a disease that affects all the elements essential to their craft. They get together to do a one-night performance of Samuel Beckett’s Endgame,...
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Buried Alive: Inside the Alpine Meadows Avalanche Documentary
On this episode of Center Stage, I had the privilege of sitting down with filmmakers Jared Drake and Steven Siig to talk about their gripping documentary, BURIED: The 1982 Alpine Meadows Avalanche. Their film revisits the devastating events of March 31, 1982, when a colossal avalanche—unleashing...
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India’s Daughter: Leslee Udwin on Courage, Outrage, and Change
On this powerful episode of Center Stage, I speak with filmmaker and human rights activist Leslee Udwin about her searing documentary India’s Daughter. The film tells the harrowing story of the 2012 gang rape and murder of Jyoti Singh, a 23-year-old medical student in Delhi—a crime so brutal it...
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Interrogating the Truth: Alex Gibney’s Journey Into Taxi to the Dark Side
Inside the Mind Behind Taxi to the Dark Side: An Interview with Alex Gibney Few filmmakers have the courage—or the tenacity—to peel back the layers of power and expose what lies beneath. Alex Gibney is one of them. In this candid interview, the Oscar-winning documentarian opens up about the…
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"Neil LaBute Unleashes the Sinister Charm of House of Darkness"
In this episode of Center Stage, Mark Gordon talks with acclaimed playwright and filmmaker Neil LaBute about his latest provocative thriller, House of Darkness. Known for his sharp dialogue and unsettling explorations of human behavior, LaBute once again leads us into murky psychological...
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In the Shadow of Violence: The U.S.-Mexico Drug War Uncovered
On this episode of Center Stage, I speak with award-winning filmmaker Bernardo Ruiz about his powerful and sobering documentary Kingdom of Shadows. With unflinching honesty, the film dives deep into the human cost of the U.S.-Mexico drug war through the eyes of three individuals whose lives have...
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Big Eyes, Bigger Lies: Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski on Art, Truth, and Tim Burton
On this episode of Center Stage, Mark Gordon talks with Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski, the dynamic screenwriting duo, masters of the offbeat biopic, and the minds behind some of Hollywood’s most fascinating true-life stories. From Ed Wood to The People vs. Larry Flynt to Man on the Moon,...
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Love, Loss, and the Occult: Inside Anything for Jackson
On this episode of Center Stage, I’m joined by director Justin Dyck and writer Keith Cooper to talk about their chilling and unexpectedly emotional film Anything for Jackson. Known for their work in lighter genres, the duo takes a bold leap into horror with this unique story—a grieving elderly...
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The Storyteller’s Curse: Ryan Spindell Unpacks The Mortuary Collection
On this episode of Center Stage, I sit down with writer-director Ryan Spindell to explore the eerie and exquisitely crafted horror anthology The Mortuary Collection. Set in the fog-shrouded town of Raven’s End, the film follows a curious young drifter who stumbles into a crumbling mortuary and...
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Exposing the Invisible War: The Fight Against Agent Orange
On this episode of Center Stage, I speak with filmmakers Alan Adelson and Kate Taverna about their urgent and eye-opening documentary The People vs. Agent Orange. While many believe the devastation of Agent Orange ended with the Vietnam War, this powerful film reveals a chilling truth: the toxic...
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Love Without Limits: Inside Show Me What You Got
On this episode of Center Stage, I sit down with director Svetlana Cvetko and co-writer/producer David Scott to discuss their visually poetic and emotionally daring film, Show Me What You Got. Blending the intimacy of a love story with the raw energy of youthful rebellion, the film follows three...
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PVT CHAT
Ben Hozie talks about his latest film PVT CHAT on Center Stage with Mark Gordon. Hozie states, "PVT CHAT is an attempt to understand this epoch's stimulation addiction and the philosophical ramifications of this stimulation transaction economy. It is also an attempt to bring film eroticism into…
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M.C. ESCHER: JOURNEY TO INFINITY
Marijnke de Jong and Robin Lutz discuss their latest documentary M.C.ESCHER: JOURNEY TO INFINITY M.C. Escher: Journey To Infinity is the story of world famous Dutch graphic artist M.C Escher (1898-1972). Equal parts history, psychology, and psychedelia, Robin Lutz’s entertaining, eye-opening...
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WHAT LIES BELOW
Braden R. Duemmler came Center Stage with Mark Gordon to talk about his first feature film, WHAT LIES BELOW, an eerie tale of family, love, and trust. The film follows Liberty, a socially awkward 16-year-old, who returns home from two months at camp to find her mother living with John Smith, a...
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ECHO BOOMERS
Seth Savoy is a Cajun American film director and screenwriter from Little Rock, Arkansas. He studied filmmaking at Columbia College Chicago. There he made multiple award-winning short films that screened at more than 65 film festivals around the world. In 2015, Seth took his script “The Echo...
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COME PLAY
Jacob Chase came Center Stage with Mark Gordon to talk about his latest film about a boy and his scary friend Larry.
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DEATH OF ME
Darren Lynn Bousman has been terrorizing audiences ever since he directed SAWII. His current film, DEATH OF ME, follows a couple whose beautiful island vacation turns into a nightmare when discovering a mysterious video of one of them killing the other. DEATH OF ME is currently streaming on Prime...
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BE THE LIGHT
Malcolm Goodwin & Victor Hawks talk about their inspiring new film BE THE LIGHT, a musical/family drama about the power of love, faith, and redemption, follows a down and out girl who tries to make amends with her dying father. For more information about the film visit www.bethelightmovie.com
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WINE & WAR
Mark Johnston and Mark Ryan discuss WINE AND WAR, a documentary about the history of winemaking in Lebanon and the resilience of the Lebanese entrepreneurial spirit seen through the lens of war and instability. The film will have its virtual theatrical release at Laemmle Theaters on October 9th…
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TURNING POINT
James Keach talks about his latest film, TURNING POINT: A GUEST FOR A CURE, which follows a group of scientists searching for a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. For more information about the film and where you can watch it visit www.turningpointmovie.com
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A QUICK FALL OF LIGHT
Sherrida Woodley talks about her award-winning novel Quick Fall of Light. Set during a bird flu epidemic, a woman vows to protect a passenger pigeon whose secret existence will determine humankind's future. The book's inspiration came from her experience working in a pathology lab in the…
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THE ANDORRA HUSTLE
Award-winning documentary filmmaker and journalist Eric Merola talks about his latest film, THE ANDORRA HUSTLE, a documentary about a private bank closure in Andorra, meant to destroy the Catalonian Independence Movement. THE ANDORRA HUSTLE left dozens facing prison time for money laundering…
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Z
Brandon Christensen talks about his latest film, Z, which follows a family who finds themselves terrorized by their eight-year-old son's imaginary friend. Z is streaming on www.shudder.com and available on VOD, Digital HD, DVD, and Blu-ray on September 1, 2020. Be sure to lock the doors, look…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Center Stage pulls back the curtain on the creative minds shaping film, television, music, and the arts. Join host Mark Gordon as they sit down with award-winning directors, groundbreaking writers, legendary performers, and rising talents for deep-dive conversations that explore the passion, struggles, and triumphs behind their work. From behind-the-scenes stories to creative breakthroughs, each episode brings you closer to the heart of the storytellers who move us. Whether you're a fan of unforgettable films, gripping documentaries, powerful performances, or innovative storytelling, Center Stage is your front-row seat to the art—and the artists—who inspire us all.
HOSTED BY
Mark Gordon
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Center Stage have?
Center Stage currently has 68 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Center Stage about?
Center Stage pulls back the curtain on the creative minds shaping film, television, music, and the arts. Join host Mark Gordon as they sit down with award-winning directors, groundbreaking writers, legendary performers, and rising talents for deep-dive conversations that explore the passion,...
How often does Center Stage release new episodes?
Center Stage has 68 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Center Stage?
You can listen to Center Stage on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Center Stage?
Center Stage is created and hosted by Mark Gordon.
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