The Broken Projector Movie Podcast
A movie podcast that isn't boring.
Canceling the Apocalypse

The dynamite is going boom this weekend with Pacific Rim, so we've got an interview with screenwriter Travis Beacham about building monsters with his brain. Plus, we present a handy pop quiz on earth-threatening, stories-tall beasts and some of the most ridiculous examples of them in movie history. You can play along at home, but just know that if you lose, Godzilla will find you and smash your house.

And as a magical bonus, Geoff has some advice about how to approach working screenwriters on Twitter for advice.  

Speaking of which, you can follow Travis Beacham (@travisbeacham), interviewer Jack Giroux (@jackgi), the show (@brokenprojector), Geoff (@drgmlatulippe) and Scott (@scottmbeggs) for more fun stuff on a daily basis.

And, as always, we welcome your feedback.

Direct download: brokenprojector-episode24.mp3
Category:Screenwriting -- posted at: 5:04am EDT

Summer Movies You Can See in a Year

We're a little bit exhausted by the summer of 2013. To take a break from it, we wanted to look into the future, and even though there's a giant conversation to be had about Untitled Marvel Studios Movie hitting in 2016, we figured we'd keep it simple by only jumping ahead a year.

So we'll be getting excited about the bursting-with-potential summer movies of 2014, and Geoff will answer a listener's screenwriting question focused on which character romantic comedies should focus on. Plus, we've got an outstanding piece of orchestral music fresh out of the Warner Bros. studio to share with you. It's from a promising young composer with a Reddit-worthy story.

For more from us on a daily basis, follow the show (@brokenprojector), Geoff (@drgmlatulippe) and Scott (@scottmbeggs) on the Twitter.

And, as always, we welcome your feedback.

Direct download: brokenprojector-episode23.mp3
Category:Screenwriting -- posted at: 9:08am EDT

DOMA Movies and the Indie Pains of Online Piracy

Not everyone knows what online piracy has done to indie filmmakers, so this week we have a pair of stories that try to shed some light into dark recesses. First, horror filmmaker Filip Tegstedt outlines the saga of futilely trying to find a distributor for a movie that had already been pirated, and then Cinedigm's Jill Calcaterra explains the company's new distribution partnership with BitTorrent.

Plus, Geoff and I offer up the Top Best Greatest Five Movies with which to celebrate the end of DOMA. Yes, it'll be fabulous.

For more from us on a daily basis, follow Cinedigm (@cinedigm), Filip (@thenorthlander), the show (@brokenprojector), Geoff (@drgmlatulippe) and Scott (@scottmbeggs) on the Twitter.

And, as always, we welcome your feedback.

Direct download: brokenprojector-episode22.mp3
Category:Director Interviews -- posted at: 6:58am EDT

The Best Weapon for the Zombie Meltdown

What's the perfect zombie-killing weapon? We settle the question with writer/director Joel Morgan, who may or may not be opening a crowbar store in the near future.

And if one Apocalypse isn't enough, we've got another in the form of comments made by Steven Spielberg about the inevitable "meltdown" of the Hollywood studio system. Geoff and I get our hands dirty with that one before appreciating and responding to this screenwriting post by Scott Myers at Go Into the Story.

Grab your crowbar and prepare yourself.

For more from us on a daily basis, follow Joel Morgan (@joelmorgan23), the show (@brokenprojector), Geoff (@drgmlatulippe) and Scott (@scottmbeggs) on the Twitter.

And, as always, we welcome your feedback.

Direct download: brokenprojector-episode21.mp3
Category:Movies -- posted at: 3:50am EDT

Superman Versus Victor Crowley

This week, we kneel before Zod and Hatchet III star Danielle Harris, who describes her Pussy Posse and explains what it's like to have hoses filled with fake blood aimed at your face.

Plus, Geoff faces an Interrogation Review of Zack Snyder's Man of Steel, and Scott talks with a budding filmmaker who'll learn this weekend if his new project gets funding or not.

For more from us on a daily basis, follow Danielle Harris (@halloweengal), the show (@brokenprojector), Geoff (@drgmlatulippe) and Scott (@scottmbeggs) on the Twitter.

And, as always, we welcome your feedback.

Direct download: brokenprojector-episode20.mp3
Category:Actor Interviews -- posted at: 9:17am EDT

Winning The Most Dangerous Game

It's funny that our last episode was called The Greatest Escape, because this week we'll be talking about how to survive when someone who hunts people for sport is chasing you. Or, at least, what movies have taught us about it. Hint: your chances aren't good.

With Geoff on vacation, Brian Salisbury helps us out with his Count Zaroff impression and his latest research into the only way to enjoy M. Night Shyamalan's The Happening. Plus, we top it all off with an interview with Black Rock writer/actor/director Katie Aselton (seen running for her life above) where we don't ask her for fantasy football tips.

For more from us on a daily basis, follow Brian (@briguysalisbury), the show (@brokenprojector), Geoff (@drgmlatulippe) and Scott (@scottmbeggs) on the Twitter.

And, as always, we welcome your feedback.

Direct download: brokenprojector-episode19.mp3
Category:Actor Interviews -- posted at: 8:52am EDT

The Greatest Escape

With a ton of classic films and an Oscar under his belt, producer Walter Mirisch joins us to talk about The Great Escape, Steve McQueen and the key to producing great movies. 

Plus, with so much news landing, Geoff and I offer opinionated insight and some insightful opinions on Ray Harryhausen, the future of a potential Downey-less Marvel, a delayed Jurassic Park IV, and the best trailers of the week.

For more from us on a daily basis, follow the show (@brokenprojector), Geoff (@drgmlatulippe) and Scott (@scottmbeggs) on the Twitter.

And, as always, we welcome your feedback.

Direct download: brokenprojector-episode18.mp3
Category:Filmmaker Interviews -- posted at: 7:19am EDT

Two-Faced Conspiracy Theories

You know how you went downstairs this morning, and there wasn't quite as much cereal left in the box as you thought there should be? We did that. We have operatives everywhere. We can see and hear everything you taste and smell. Which is why this week -- on an episode that won't self-destruct no matter how much you want it to -- we offer some of our favorite conspiracy narratives after talking with Aaron Eckhart about his latest CIA thriller, Erased.

Plus, we've got a review of Iron Man 3 done interrogation style.

For more from us on a daily basis, follow the show (@brokenprojector), Geoff (@drgmlatulippe) and Scott (@scottmbeggs) on the Twitter.

And, as always, we welcome your feedback.

Direct download: brokenprojector-episode17.mp3
Category:Actor Interviews -- posted at: 9:00am EDT

Amazon recently launched 14 TV-style pilots (including Zombieland), and they're asking users to provide feedback that will theoretically help them decide which shows to keep and what to do with them. Is it a smart move to democratize the development process or will shows end up cowering in fear below a ravenous mob of faceless. aggregated opinions?

Veteran actor Donal Logue weighs in on bringing pilots to the people, shares some Copper-style 19th century Irish American history and drops a piece of advice that should make you change your mindset about finding success. Plus, Geoff wants to warn aspiring writers about the wrong way to present your work.

Then, screenwriter Justin Marks and The Bitter Script Reader join us to dig way too deep into what Amazon is trying to do.

For more from us on a daily basis, follow Logue (@donallogue), Justin Marks (@justin_marks_), The Bitter Script Reader (@BittrScrptReadr), the show (@brokenprojector), Geoff (@drgmlatulippe) and Scott (@scottmbeggs) on the Twitter.

And, as always, we welcome your feedback.

Direct download: brokenprojector-episode16.mp3
Category:Actor Interviews -- posted at: 1:20pm EDT

The Biggest 2013 Summer Movie Preview Ever

It's almost time for sunscreen, something you won't need to purchase if you plan on staying in the cool, dark space of the movie theater from June through August. But what are you going to see? How could you possibly know what's coming out and when? Did you even know there's a Superman movie on the way? Of course you did.

Geoff and I have combed through studio press releases, had a lot of secret meetings in parking garages, and decided to talk about 6 Limited Release Summer Movies that you should keep an eye on.

Plus, our big interview is with Cheech and Chong, who review Derek Cianfrance's The Place Beyond the Pines and promise to make Up in Smoke 2 if their new animated movie makes $100m in its opening week.

For more from us on a daily basis, follow the show (@brokenprojector), Geoff (@drgmlatulippe) and Scott (@scottmbeggs) on the Twitter.

And, as always, we welcome your feedback.

Direct download: brokenprojector-episode15.mp3
Category:Movies -- posted at: 8:25am EDT

Women of Action

Several studies and reams of statistics show what's obvious at a gut level: there aren't nearly as many women directing movies as men, and there probably aren't nearly as many women directing as want to be. What are we missing out on as a culture as a result? How do we help to fix the problem? Is there even a problem that we can fix, and if so, how do we each define it?

Today on the show we'll speak with writer/director Beth Schacter about her experiences and how she sees things can improve. We'll also briefly highlight Tangerine Entertainment and speak with Filminism columnist Jenni Miller and Movies.com editor Peter Hall about women directors who've earned a bigger spotlight.

For more from us on a daily basis, follow Beth (@bethshax), Jenni (@msjennimiller), Peter (@petershall), the show (@brokenprojector), Geoff (@drgmlatulippe) and Scott (@scottmbeggs) on the Twitter.

And, as always, we welcome your feedback.

Direct download: brokenprojector-episode14.mp3
Category:Director Interviews -- posted at: 8:02am EDT

How to Build Your Own Jurassic Park

You're going to need some foam core, a few Jeeps and some black-tinted KY jelly. Such is the glamour of the filmmaking business. With Jurassic Park in theaters again, renowned special effects artist Shannon Shea joins us to talk about what it was like building dinosaurs and being on set for the Steven Spielberg picture.

He was also nice enough to share some rare behind-the-scenes pictures (and a dramatic reading of the infamous baby triceratops scene that never made the film).

For more from us on a daily basis, follow the show (@brokenprojector), Geoff (@drgmlatulippe) and Scott (@scottmbeggs) on the Twitter.

And, as always, we welcome your feedback.

Direct download: brokenprojector-episode13.mp3
Category:Movies -- posted at: 8:42am EDT

The Prank Beyond the Pines (w/ Ryan Gosling and Jason Arnopp)

Facial tattoos and boredom-induced improvisation! Jack brings us an interview with Place Beyond the Pines star Ryan Gosling who discusses the consequences and magic of making mistakes.

Plus, Screen Rant's Ben Kendrick joins us to discuss a few favorite movie pranks, we explore a personalized horror short story prank from author Jason Arnopp, and then celebrate the pure majesty of the too-often-maligned dumb action genre. Body massage machine go!

For more from us on a daily basis, follow Ben (@benkendrick), Jason (@jasonarnopp), Jack (@jackgi), the show (@brokenprojector), Geoff (@drgmlatulippe) and Scott (@scottmbeggs) on the Twitter.

And, as always, we welcome your feedback.

Direct download: brokenprojector-episode12.mp3
Category:Actor Interviews -- posted at: 5:22am EDT

Jake Gittes Saves the Cat

Films noir, crime novels and detective stories all have a long history of unlikable characters that we cheer for. Bad guys doing good work. Flawed heroes who always know the right line to say and the right time to offer a lady a light. Agatha Christie this ain't, and this week we're getting our hands dirty by talking with Killing Them Softly director Andrew Dominik about violence and "Seduction of the Innocent" author Max Allan Collins about the history of the genre.

He'll offer the best films noir for new fans to start with, and then Geoff and I will discuss how to write unlikable characters with Chinatown in our sites.

For more from us on a daily basis, follow the show (@brokenprojector), Geoff (@drgmlatulippe) and Scott (@scottmbeggs) on the Twitter. And, as always, we welcome your feedback.

Direct download: brokenprojector-episode11.mp3
Category:Director Interviews -- posted at: 7:58am EDT

Vimeo has launched a new distribution channel for creators, and a major studio is using Kickstarter. It's been quite a week for the future of film financing. 

In this episode, we'll talk with Vimeo VP for Creative Development Blake Whitman about Vimeo On Demand, and then Operation Kino co-hosts Matt Patches and Da7e Gonzales join us for a four-way conversation about whether Warner Bros. getting into the crowdfunding game with Veronica Mars is good, bad or ugly.

For more from us on a daily basis, follow the show (@brokenprojector), Geoff (@drgmlatulippe), Scott (@scottmbeggs), Patches (@misterpatches) and Da7e (@da7e) on the Twitter. And, as always, we welcome your feedback.

Direct download: brokenprojector-episode10.mp3
Category:Crowdfunding -- posted at: 8:24am EDT

What The Hell is Happening to VFX?

Rhythm and Hues and several companies at the top of their game have now gone bankrupt; hundreds protested outside the Oscars; the Jaws theme added insult to injury; and it all adds up to the VFX industry being in trouble. But how can something so central to modern filmmaking be struggling to stay alive? If blockbusters earn billions on the back of stunning CGI wizardry, why are the best in the business failing?

Industry veteran Jim Hillin joins us to explain it all in simple terms and to offer a few solutions in the face of a complex, dire situation. Plus, Geoff and Scott share a few big visual effects moments that changed movies by delivering real magic.

For more from us on a daily basis, follow the show (@brokenprojector), Geoff (@drgmlatulippe) and Scott (@scottmbeggs) on the Twitter. And, as always, we welcome your feedback.

Direct download: brokenprojector-episode9.mp3
Category:Movies -- posted at: 6:08am EDT

Building a Better Video Game Movie

Nerdist's Alison Haislip joins us this week as we get our hands dirty solving the deep-seeded problem of video game movies. They're pretty much all terrible, but it doesn't have to be that way! They can all be better! Alison explains why they need an Iron Man moment, and we give Hollywood studios permission to take video game stories seriously.

For more from us on a daily basis, follow the show (@brokenprojector), Geoff (@drgmlatulippe), Scott (@scottmbeggs) and Alison (@alisonhaislip) on the Twitter. And, as always, we welcome your feedback.

Direct download: brokenprojector-episode8.mp3
Category:Movies -- posted at: 5:52am EDT

With painted-on Tuxedos and a foolish bet about who can accurately predict more Oscar winners, we set out to discuss the Academy Awards with the lucky benefit of hindsight. We'll be borrowing expertise from Guy Lodge of HitFix's In Contention blog for a look into how this year shapes up (and what the future may bring).

Plus, one of us is going to be drunkenly reciting the opening monologue from Patton next week. It all comes down to who wins for Best Achievement in Costume Design.

Direct download: brokenprojector-episode7.mp3
Category:Movies -- posted at: 7:58am EDT

Charlie Day joins us this week to talk about the inventive offensiveness of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia as well as what it was like to play a hipster scientist for Guillermo del Toro's Pacific Rim.

Plus, Sasha Grey gives us some romance tips after scaring us in Would You RatherCraig Mazin shares the creation of four Identity Thief script pages, and we answer a listener question about finding viable production partners.

That's a lot of ground to cover, and we're all hung over on discount champagne, so let's get started.

Direct download: brokenprojector-episode6.mp3
Category:Actor Interviews -- posted at: 8:12am EDT

There were far too much news stories about Star Wars this week. It was a shock and awe campaign of rumors, half-truths and legitimate plans that all pointed to Disney making 29 new films featuring all our favorite characters for the next 200 years. To help dig through it all, Full of Sith podcast host Consetta Parker and Jovial Jay from TheForce.net join us to explain whether a movie about Yoda, Boba Fett or Han Solo should shoot first.

Plus, Identity Thief screenwriter Craig Mazin explains how to make an uninteresting character interesting, and Geoff and I tackle a listener question about overcoming the fears of rejection and failure by talking about our own biggest failures.

Direct download: brokenprojector-episode5.mp3
Category:Screenwriting -- posted at: 6:56am EDT