Hollywood Gold

Director Neil Burger joins us to talk about his classic film LIMITLESS. He takes us through the film's central image of the fractal, including the unique camera techniques it took to capture the theoretical mathematical structure through a practical film lens. Burger also reflects on Bradley Cooper's performance in his first true starring role, as well as the courtship rituals it took to get Robert De Niro onboard the project. In the years since its release, LIMITLESS has become a household name, and a project that Burger is still finding new things to love about. Tune in this week as we break our own limits to examine LIMITLESS.

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Producer David Permut and Executive Producer Alex Astrachan take us through the unique production process of THE INVITE. The producers recount the many twists and turns along the way, including the original version starring Pedro Pascal, Tessa Thompson, Amy Adams, and Paul Rudd, which was derailed by the writers’ and actors’ strikes. After years of setbacks, Olivia Wilde came aboard to direct, bringing together a new cast of Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz, Edward Norton, and Wilde herself. Listen now as Permut and Astrachan take us behind the scenes of Olivia Wilde’s newest film and the unconventional path that brought it to life.

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Writers Todd Bartels and Lou Howe join us to explore the ingredients that went into bringing Anthony Bourdain's story to the screen in TONY. Howe and Bartels take us through their writing process, including the monumental decision to hyperfocus on a single summer in Bourdain's life, rather than a sweeping coverage of his legacy. Howe and Bartels also recall the additions of Matt Johnson as director and Dominic Sessa & Antonio Banderas as actors, which added the metaphorical salt, pepper, and cumin that the film needed. Take a listen to hear the story of telling the story of a pivotal summer in the life of Anthony Bourdain.

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Producers David Heyman and Shannon McIntosh take us through the wild world of working with Quentin Tarentino on Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood. From secretive, no-copy script reads to Tarentino making an appearance at a city council meeting, production of the film required the kind of drive and eccentricity that can only come from a project like this. Heyman and McIntosh reflect on the rush to get the film to Cannes in time, the necessity to have physical film prints delivered in order to make the deadline, and the success that followed. Listen now to hear just what it takes to make a movie about the town that makes movies.

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Producers Dan Cohen and Michael Clear recall the development and subsequent production of horror hit BACKROOMS. Cohen and Clear take us through the discovery of Kane Parsons' Backrooms web series, their shock at his young age, and his incredible ability to learn what it means to direct a project of this scale. The two also break down the unique production challenges the film presented, including the practical construction of the seemingly infinite Backrooms. Take a listen to learn how a small internet project became one of the summer's biggest films.

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Producer Jeremy Thomas remembers the making of 1987's legendary film The Last Emperor. Jeremy was a young indie producer with an eager spirit and a history of ingenuity when iconic director Bernardo Bertolucci approached him about making a film about the last Emperor of China. Jeremy knew it would be a feat to accomplish such an undertaking, but instead of shying away from the challenge, he leaned in and got the support of the Chinese government. A true international collobration, the film's authenticity is evident and it remains a classic.

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Welcome back to a brand-new season of Hollywood Gold! To kick things off, producer Riva Marker joins Daniela for a deep dive into the summer's biggest blockbusters. From sweeping epics like The Odyssey to horror box-office sensations such as Backrooms and Obsession, the two break down the hits, surprises, and industry trends that defined the season. Tune in for their candid takes on what worked, what didn't, and what this summer means for the future of Hollywood.

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On this special episode of Hollywood Gold, Daniela, Vanessa, and Andrew gear up for summer as they discuss the most anticipated movie releases of the season. From showstopping sequels like Toy Story 5 and The Devil Wears Prada 2 to tales like Disclosure Day and The Odyssey, there’s no doubt this summer will bring some of the year’s biggest hits. To our loyal listeners, have a wonderful summer, and we’ll see you in the fall!

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Producer Wendy Finerman discusses the making of 2006's Oscar-nominated classic The Devil Wears Prada. Wendy was confident in the unexpected casting of Meryl Streep in a role that many didn't think she would be funny in, and was proved right when Meryl truly embodied a role that immortalized Vogue's already famous Anna Wintour. Paired with the brilliance of Anne Hathaway and a young Emily Blunt in a role that would launch her career, the film went on to be nominated for two Oscars and become a critical and commercial success. Catch The Devil Wears Prada 2 out in theaters May 1st!

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Producer Mason Novick recalls the making of 2007's unlikely cultural sensation Juno. Mason reached out to Wisconsin-based writer Diablo Cody whose edgy blog grabbed his attention. Diablo had written a book about her time as a stripper, but never a screenplay. A few years later, after securing huge stars Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman and the genius casting of Elliot Page and Michael Cera to star in Jason Reitman's groundbreaking film, Diablo and Mason found themselves at the Oscars. Juno resonates to this day and remains one of the only indie films to find massive success at both the box office and the Oscars.

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Producer Nina Jacobson recounts the making of 2012's wildly successful THE HUNGER GAMES, the adaptation of the hit book series that became a cultural phenomenon and catapulted Jennifer Lawrence to superstardom. Nina, fresh off a gig as the head of Disney, used her studio experience to navigate the tricky road to successfully launch the first film of a female-centered action franchise that is still putting out new installments over a decade later.

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Writer Kiwi Smith recalls the making of the 2001 classic LEGALLY BLONDE. Fresh off of her first hit 10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU, Kiwi and her writing partner Karen McCullah were eager to find a story centered on female empowerment that was fun, fresh, smart, and accessible. She found all that and more in an unpublished manuscript about a sorority girl going to Stanford Law. Kiwi remembers wearing pink to their studio pitch and being fully committed to bringing Elle's story to the screen in the right way. A huge part of that was the casting. Among many others, Britney Spears was floated as a possible idea, but it was undeniably Reese Witherspoon's part. Reese emerged as a true leader and her turn as Elle is the stuff of movie legend and inspired a generation of beautiful, smart, and successful women.

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Producer Brad Simpson recalls the production of the hit romantic comedy that was groundbreaking in both its casting and concept. After one meeting where a studio exec pitched changing the lead character to white to appeal to a wider audience, the producers decided to finance the script independently. Authenticity was incredibly important to them, but it was hard to find support for a film set in Singapore. They struck gold with writers Peter Chiarelli and Adele Lim alongside director Jon M. Chu, and multiple studios bid on the film that went on to gross over $200 million at the box office.

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Stunt Coordinator Don Theerathada joins Hollywood Gold to discuss his journey from action star in Thailand to working on major Hollywood productions. He shares how meeting Jackie Chan helped launch his career and reflects on his experiences on films like The Matrix, John Wick, and Pirates of the Caribbean. Don also breaks down the role of stunt coordinators, the importance of preparation and safety, and why top action stars like Keanu Reeves and Tom Cruise stand out for their discipline and commitment to the craft.

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On this episode of Hollywood Gold, Daniela and producer Riva Marker return for an Oscar recap, breaking down the biggest moments from the 98th Academy Awards. They discuss major wins for One Battle After Another, including Best Picture and Best Director for Paul Thomas Anderson, alongside standout victories for Sinners, with Michael B. Jordan taking Best Actor and Autumn Arkapaw making history with her cinematography win. They also unpack surprise wins, memorable speeches, and the overall vibe of a ceremony that felt like a warm celebration of filmmaking. Along the way, they touch on standout fashion, a nostalgic Bridesmaids reunion, and what the night’s results say about where the industry is heading next.

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Producer Fred Berger guides us through the making of 2016's wildly popular musical LA LA LAND starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone. The film was the brainchild and passion project of director Damien Chazelle, but as a young and new filmmaker, no studio was willing to take a chance on his vision for a big movie musical that he wanted to be both nostalgic and incredibly modern. In order to prove himself, he made 2014's Oscar-winning WHIPLASH, and soon it was off to the races with producers Fred Berger and Jordan Horowitz, whose faith in him never wavered.

This episode is sponsored by Film Parliament, an online course that teaches filmmakers how to schedule and budget a feature film. Built by a working producer, the course is practical, hands-on, and designed to help you move your project forward with confidence.

Get 10 percent off with code GOLD10 at filmparliament.com.

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On this episode of Hollywood Gold, Daniela and producer Riva Marker return for their annual Oscar predictions, breaking down the biggest categories from Best Picture to acting, directing, writing, and the newly added casting category. They debate the race between Sinners and One Battle After Another, share insider knowledge into what drives Academy voters, and make their final calls ahead of Hollywood’s biggest night.

This episode is sponsored by Film Parliament, an online course that teaches filmmakers how to schedule and budget a feature film. Built by a working producer, the course is practical, hands-on, and designed to help you move your project forward with confidence.

Get 10 percent off with code GOLD10 at filmparliament.com.

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Editor Olivier Bugge Coutté joins us to reveal how he and Director Joachim Trier used nonlinear storytelling, formally playful filmmaking, and layered emotional arcs to craft the character-driven tapestry of Sentimental Value. Reflecting on their friendship, which began in film school, Coutté shares the kinds of films that shaped their sensibilities and explores why their intimate, international collaborations, including The Worst Person in the World, resonate so deeply with American audiences. He also discusses his approach to editing ensemble films, what the ending means to him as an artist, and offers insight into Gustav’s motivations, as portrayed by Stellan Skarsgård, throughout the film. Be sure to catch this nominated film before the 2026 Academy Awards!

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Producer Rachael Horowitz joins Hollywood Gold to talk about the making of Moneyball, the underdog baseball story that became one of the defining sports films of the era. Horowitz traces her unconventional path into producing and walks listeners through the film’s long, high-stakes development, from surviving a bidding war to optioning Michael Lewis’s book, an abrupt director change that ultimately brought Bennett Miller on board, and major shifts in post-production that helped define the final film. In this episode, she reveals how Moneyball evolved into something more than a sports movie: a deeply personal story about devotion, identity, and the love affair between a man and his work.

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Line Producer Kenneth Yu joins Hollywood Gold discuss the record breaking, Oscar-nominated film, Sinners. From the challenges of shooting in Louisiana to working with acclaimed director Ryan Coogler, Yu shares the highs and lows of the adventure that was creating this groundbreaking film. Diving into behind-the-scenes stories about building entire sets in the middle of nowhere, the technical magic behind filming Michael B. Jordan as twins, and the unpredictable chaos of shooting on location, this episode will be sure to leave you surprised. Be sure to watch before the 2026 Academy Awards!

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