An Hour With... Fathom Entertainment CEO Ray Nutt
In this episode, host Scott Mendelson talks with Ray Nutt, CEO of Fathom Entertainment, about the company’s evolution from event cinema to a specialty distributor that revives classic films and launches new titles. Nutt highlights the success of the 3D re‑release of "Coraline," which earned $35 million domestically, and explains how Fathom selects about 3,000 titles a year for potential theatrical or event releases, focusing on anniversaries and diverse genres. He also discusses the upcoming nationwide theatrical debut of the stop‑motion animated film "Wildwood," which has already amassed over 100 million trailer views, and shares insights on the impact of digital projection technology on the industry. Throughout, Nutt draws on his 40‑year background in both exhibition and distribution to illustrate how strategic technology adoption and genre diversification keep Fathom relevant in a changing market.
I Believe The Children Are Our Future!
In this episode of the Box Office Podcast, host Scott Mendelson and regular panelists Jeremy Fuster, Lisa Layman, and Chrissy Michael riff on their formative horror movies, lamenting the “torture‑porn” era of the 2000s while recalling childhood scares from titles...
The Right and Wrong Lessons From ‘Backrooms’ and ‘Obsession’
The episode examines the surprise box‑office success of two low‑budget horror films—Backrooms ($10 M budget, $81 M domestic) and Obsession (under $1 M, $100 M domestic)—and what Hollywood can learn from the rise of YouTube‑born filmmakers. Guest Lucas Schaar argues that the key takeaway...
Peter Chernin on ‘Backrooms’ and Where the Smart Money Is Going in Hollywood
In this episode, veteran media mogul Peter Chernin discusses the surprise box‑office success of the low‑budget horror film "Backrooms," which he co‑financed through Chernin Entertainment and A24, and explains how his company’s North Road division scouts and backs creator‑driven projects....
'Obsession' Compulsion and 'Shrek'-Cavation
In this lively episode of the Box Office Podcast, host Scott Mendelson and a rotating panel of film analysts—including Jeremy Fuster, Lisa Layman, Max Deering, and guest Randy Jones—delve into the enduring appeal of the Shrek franchise, dissecting favorite scenes,...
William Shatner & Neil deGrasse Tyson Think ‘The Universe Is Absurd’
In this episode of KCRW's The Business, host Kim Masters chats with William Shatner and astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson about their joint live show, "The Universe Is Absurd," which blends science fact with science‑fiction humor. They recount how the partnership...
Kirk Jones and Robert Aramayo on the Making of ‘I Swear’
Director Kirk Jones explains how he self‑financed his biopic "I Swear" about Tourette’s advocate John Davidson, using his life savings and a bank loan after selling his family home. This autonomy let him keep the script’s authentic profanity and cast...
Moonwalk Hard
In this episode of the Box Office Podcast, hosts Scott Mendelson, Lisa Layman, and guest Chrissy Michaels discuss recent box‑office performance, highlighting the surprise success of the music biopic "Michael" which earned $97 million domestically and $217 million worldwide, making it the...
What Scares Hollywood’s Top Producers the Most About the State of Movies
In this live CinemaCon episode, legendary producers Jerry Bruckheimer and Emma Thomas discuss the new Filmmakers Council aimed at protecting theatrical exhibition, the fallout from compressed release windows, and the looming Warner‑Paramount merger. They stress that strong, well‑budgeted movies and...
Jason Blum Built a Hit-Making Movie Machine. Does It Still Work?
In this episode, Peter Kafka talks with Jason Blum of Blumhouse Productions about the evolution of his low‑budget horror model in an era where theater attendance is declining. Blum explains his original formula—tiny budgets, profit‑sharing with talent, and a high‑volume...
Riz Ahmed on Bringing 'Hamlet' Into the Modern World
In this episode of The Business, Riz Ahmed discusses his upcoming modern adaptation of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, which reimagines the Danish royal family as a wealthy South Asian clan in contemporary Britain. He reflects on how his own outsider experience and...
Jon Favreau on the Future of Star Wars, AI, and New Filmmaking Technology
In this episode, host Matt Bellany chats with director Jon Favreau at CinemaCon about the transition of "The Mandalorian" from a streaming hit to a theatrical Star Wars film, the blend of practical sets and cutting‑edge tech like the Volume and...
Drew Goddard Shoots for the Stars with ‘Project Hail Mary’
Screenwriter Drew Goddard discusses his career trajectory—from early TV work on Buffy, Alias, and Lost to high‑stakes film projects like Cloverfield, World War Z, and his latest adaptation of Andy Weir’s *Project Hail Mary*. He explains how fast‑paced TV training helped...
The ‘Lorne’ Director on Two Years of Exclusive ‘SNL’ Access
In this episode of The Town, Oscar‑winning documentary filmmaker Morgan Neville discusses his new film Lorne, which offers unprecedented two‑year access to Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels and the inner workings of the show. Neville reveals how the documentary...
The A-List Filmmakers Evangelizing Movie Theaters
The episode previews CinemaCon and focuses on Cinema United’s new Filmmaker Council, led by Jerry Bruckheimer and Emma Thomas, with members like Ryan Coogler, Brad Bird, Jason Reitman, and Celine Song. CEO Michael O'Leary explains the council’s role in championing...