The Backlot

Listen as Paramount Pitcures CEO Jim Gianopulos talks about his professional path from being an aspiring lawyer for the Rolling Stones to head of Fox and then Paramount.

Writer, Director, and Producer Eileen Cabiling discusses her creative process and her inspiration for the critically acclaimed short film Basurero.

Screenwriter Robert Mark Kamen discusses working with Luc Besson on The Professional (Leon), The Fifth Element, Kiss of The Dragon, the Taken series, and his inspiration for and work on The Karate Kid.

On this episode of The Backlot, we sit down with Nollywood filmmaker, Femi Odugbemi as he discusses the rise of Nollywood and the direction he hopes the industry will take.

Nathalie Emmanuel discusses her iconic role as Missandei on Game of Thrones as well as her more recent roles, including starring along side Kevin Hart in Quibi's Die Hart and Mindy Kaling's Four Weddings and a Funeral reboot.

On this episode Academy Award nominated actress Juliette Lewis recounts her start in the industry, her experience filming "Cape Fear" with Martin Scorsese and "Kalifornia" with then boyfriend Brad Pitt.

Listen to cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond, whose work on Close Encounters of the Third Kind garnered him an Academy Award, as he speaks on his career and his experience filming McCabe & Mrs. Miller, The Deer Hunter, and working with Steven Spielberg.

Since he was an acting student at NYFA, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo has worked in Hollywood hits such as "The Magnificent Seven", "Widows", and "Murder on the Orient Express". On this Episode of The Backlot, he takes time to come back to his alma mater and discuss how he got started, his career, and his experiences on set.

After breaking onto the scene with a Golden Globe-winning performance for his role in Stand and Deliver (1988), Lou Diamond Phillips remains a strong name in Hollywood. Listen to our interview with him as he discussing directing, acting opposite Denzel Washington, and more.

Get to know Amy Smeed, head of animation on Disney's Moana and Raya and the Last Dragon. Smeed discusses the process of creating the character of Moana and the importance of truly understanding and knowing your character as well as acting out scenes.

In this episode, we sit down with Janusz Kaminski, an Oscar-winner from his work as the cinematographer on Schindler's List (1993) and Saving Private Ryan (1998). Listen along as he speaks about his start in the industry and working with the legendary Steven Spielberg.

Kelly Fremon Craig gathered an impressive reputation after working as the writer and director of The Edge of Seventeen (2016) and takes the time to discuss her experience on the film with us, including working closely with Oscar-winner James L Brooks.

On this episode, NYFA alum Hayden Szeto discusses how he got his start in the industry, the auditioning process, and what it was like filming "The Edge of Seventeen" (2016).

After playing prominent roles in hit films "Lady Bird" and "Booksmart", Beanie Feldstein recently worked as the star on "How to Build a Girl." Talking to Eric Conner from NYFA, Feldstein takes times to discuss her experience on Broadway and her challenges as Johanna in "How to Build a Girl".

Former Oscar nominee Alec Baldwin has made his mark all over Hollywood, such as starring in the popular sitcom "30 Rock", his role in the action-filled "Mission Impossible" series, and his legendary monologue in "Glengarry Glen Ross." Listen as he recounts his acting career.

Reginald Hudlin, director of "House Party" and producer of "Django Unchained," "Marshall," and Netflix's "The Black Godfather", discusses his experience working with the award-winning Quentin Tarantino on Django.

Noted film critic and author Peter Rainer joins The Back Lot to discuss the profession of film critic after working for The New Yorker, The L.A. Times, and currently the Christian Science Monitor.

From comedies such as 21 Jump Street and Super Bad to Oscar-nominated performances in Moneyball and Wolf of Wall Street, Jonah Hill has carved out an impressive career in Hollywood. Take a listen as he discusses how he became an actor and his experiences working with living legends such as Martin Scorsese, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Brad Pitt.

On this week's podcast, we sit down with Steve Mitchell and Matt Verboys, the directors of "King Cohen", to discuss the career of legendary Sci-fi and horror screenwriter Larry Cohen.

Ron Howard joins us to discuss his acting and directing career in Hollywood, including his Oscar-winning work on A Beautiful Mind and other classics such as Apollo 13 and American Graffiti.

In this episode, Peter Rainer discusses his career, approach to film critique and how critics can uplift films that would otherwise go relatively unnoticed.

There are few working today with as an illustrious career as Steven Spielberg, whose works have been nominated for 14 Oscars, including three wins. Listen as he discusses the filming of Jaws and how he came to choose films such as Schindler's List and Saving Private Ryan.

Nicole Avant's father, Clarence Avant, worked as a music executive who kickstarted countless musicians, including the late Bill Withers. Listen as we sit down with her to talk about her powerful new documentary on Netflix, The Black Godfather.

For the fans of the snappy dialogue from the John Wick trilogy, Derek Kolstad is the man to thank. We got the chance to sit with him and discuss his career, from how he got into screenwriting to how he treats his characters.

Peter Rainer has a long career has a film critic, but the inspiration to get into the film industry goes back even further. Listen here as he talks about the works and directors that inspired him, such as American classics like The Godfather and international innovators like Japanese director Akria Kurosawa.

Film Critic Peter Rainer looks back at the 2020 Academy Awards, including Parasite's historic night, his takes on the acting categories, and more. Listen to his review here.

Rachel Bloom started as the creator of videos on the internet, eventually garnering attention that would lead to the creation of her hit Golden Globe-winning TV show, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend". She sits down with us today to discuss her work on the show she stars in.

Tony Hale has put together quite the comedic career in Hollywood, featuring heavily in two of the most successful comedy TV shows: Arrested Development and Veep. We talked with him to discuss his start in the industry and his career.

A conversation with founder and CEO of Ace Entertainment, Matt Kaplan, who produced Netflix's 'To All the Boys I've Loved Before.'

Potentially nothing has changed film over the past decade-plus quite like the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and Kevin Feige is the man behind the mission that has led them to so much success. He sat down with NYFA to discuss how he did it.

Sir Ben Kingsley has played some of the most powerful roles in film, from his Oscar-winning performance in "Gandhi" to his character in "Schindler's List." Listen here to when he joined us to discuss his career.

On this episode of The Backlot, we sit down with NYFA senior directing instructor Nick Sivakumaran to discuss a Christmas (or is it?) classic: Die Hard.

On this episode of The Backlot, we speak with the lead actor, Isabelle Germain, and director, Coco de Bruycker, of the NYFA Student Directed Play, Ugly Lies The Bone.

In this episode of The backlot, we sit down with Mario Van Peebles (New Jack City, Ali) as he talks about the challenges of directing, acting and the balancing act between the two.

In this episode, we sit down with NYFA Filmmaking alum Bill Hader as he speaks about his hit show Barry as well as his experience on Saturday Night Live.

In this episode, we speak with writer-producer John Altschuler, the mind behind two of TV's most legendary shows King of the Hill and Silicon Valley.

Film critic and NYFA master faculty member Peter Rainer takes a look back at the film greats we lost in 2018: from Doris Day to Stanley Donen to John Singleton. Listen now!

We sit down with director Steven Caple Jr. and Ivan Drago himself, Dolph Lundgren as they discuss Creed 2 and the Rocky franchise.

In this episode, we bring you writer and producer Allan Heinberg whose credits include Wonder Woman, Grey's Anatomy, Gilmore Girls, The O.C., and Sex and the City just to name a few.

In this episode, we sit down with Ayelet Zurer, an accomplished Israeli actress who has had several iconic roles in Hollywood US, like that of Vanessa Marianna in "Daredevil."

Join us, as we sit down with Cedric the Entertainer, one of the hardest working people in show business, and discuss his career and credits including "Barbershop."

In this episode, we sit down with writer and producer, Nancy Meyers, to discuss her career and what sets her apart in Hollywood: putting female characters front and center.

In this episode of The Backlot, we sit down with Gordon Smith, the Emmy Award-winning writer for Better Caul Saul as he recounts his approach to screenwriting.

This week we sit down with Jan De Bont, the Producer and Academy Award nominated Director behind Speed, Twister, Minority Report, and The Haunting.

We sat down with Careen Ingle, director of Unikitty, Anne Walker Farrell, director of Bojack Horseman, and Kelly Harper who works as a development executive at Comedy Central.

On this episode of The Backlot, we speak with Netflix Chief Content Officer, Ted Sarandos. He's the man who green-lit some of your favorite shows, like Stranger Things, and The Crown and so many more..

In this episode of The Backlot, we talk with Chad Stahelski, stuntman turned director who's worked on action blockbusters Captain America: Civil War, John Wick, and The Matrix Reloaded.

Join us as we sit down with actor Sean Young as she recounts her experience filming one of the greatest science fiction movies of all time, Blade Runner.

Join us as we talk to actor Ernie Hudson and discuss his role as one of the OG Ghostbusters as well as his other roles in The Hand that Rocks the Cradle, and Congo.

In this episode of The Backlot, we sit down with Adam Driver as he discusses his career path to acting as well as his experience in the military. Known for his roles in Start Wars, Paterson, and Girls, Driver explained his acting technique and his approach to learning lines as well as characters. Join Us!