How Did They Get There

2026 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame finalist, author, actor, and Emmy-winning broadcaster Marques Johnson is a five-time NBA All-Star, First Team All-NBA selection, and one of the greatest players in Milwaukee Bucks history. In The Crenshaw Chronicles , Marques turns his attention to the formative institution that helped shape his own trajectory: Crenshaw High School in South Central Los Angeles. Under legendary basketball coach Willie West—who compiled more than 800 victories at Crenshaw while winning eight state titles, 16 Los Angeles City Section titles, and 28 league championships—Marques became the 1973 Los Angeles City Player of the Year and helped establish a tradition that would influence generations of athletes to follow. Through conversations with notable Crenshaw alumni spanning sports, music, entertainment, business, and civic life, The Crenshaw Chronicles explores the guidance, exposure, adversity, and sense of community that affected the direction of their lives. Among them are actor Mykelti Williamson; rapper and actor Ice-T; Cheryl Cooley, guitarist and co-founder of Klymaxx; baseball greats Darryl Strawberry and Ellis Valentine; Super Bowl champion Wendell Tyler; David “Doc” Robertson; Robert “Pookie” Smith; and members of Marques’ own family, including his son Kris Johnson. Twenty years after his father earned Los Angeles City Player of the Year honors, Kris received the same distinction in 1993 before helping UCLA win the 1995 NCAA national championship—making father and son national champions at the same university. Marques' own path from Crenshaw led just a few miles west to UCLA, where he played under John Wooden and helped deliver Wooden's 10th and final NCAA championship in 1975. As a senior in 1977, Marques averaged 21.4 points and 11.1 rebounds per game and became the inaugural recipient of the John R. Wooden Award. The Milwaukee Bucks selected him third overall in the 1977 NBA Draft, beginning an 11-year career in which he averaged 20.1 points and seven rebounds per game, earned five All-Star selections and three All-NBA honors, and helped pioneer the role that would become known as the “point forward.” His career included memorable postseason battles with Larry Bird's Boston Celtics and a 33-point performance in the deciding Game 4 of Milwaukee's 1983 Eastern Conference Semifinal sweep of Boston. After later joining the Los Angeles Clippers, a devastating neck injury threatened to end his playing career, but Marques eventually made an improbable return to the NBA with the Golden State Warriors in 1989. The Bucks retired his No. 8 jersey in 2019. His career beyond the court has been similarly varied. Marques became an Emmy-winning basketball broadcaster and pursued acting, appearing as Raymond in White Men Can't Jump , Mel in Blue Chips , and in films and television projects including Dark City , Caught Up , Dangerous Minds , Hangin' with Mr. Cooper , Boston Legal , and The Gambler . In our conversation, we discussed his upbringing in Los Angeles and his journey to Crenshaw; the enduring influence of Willie West, John Wooden, and Don Nelson; his transition into acting and broadcasting; and the countless stories within The Crenshaw Chronicles that examine humanity, courage, resilience, love, mentorship, and dedication to one's craft. Opening Credits: Podington Bear - Blue Highway I CC BY-NC; Black Ant - 6,49 I CC BY. Closing Credits: Eric Van der Westen - A Left Hook I CC BY-NC.

Editor Katie McQuerrey has collaborated with Joel and Ethan Coen on several significant films over the past 25 years, including Intolerable Cruelty, No Country for Old Men, A Serious Man, True Grit, and Inside Llewyn Davis. Their partnership began during the Coens' transition from film to digital – a period that also saw major changes to their editing process and suite. Katie’s work transcends a unique range of genres and styles. Her credits include Matthew Barney's six-hour opera film River of Fundament; the road films Driveways and Wanderland; Roger Waters' concert documentaries Roger Waters: The Wall (2014) and Us + Them (2019); X, the short film directed by Josh Brolin; Naked Singularity, starring John Boyega; and Asphalt City (formerly Black Flies), starring Sean Penn, Tye Sheridan, and Michael Pitt. Asphalt City marked her third collaboration with director Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire, following Punk and A Prayer Before Dawn. In television, Katie has also edited episodes of Human Giant, the cult classic The Andy Milonakis Show, and George & Tammy. Her most recent project, De Gaulle: Résistance, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2026. Directed by Antonin Baudry and starring Simon Abkarian as Charles de Gaulle, the film chronicles de Gaulle's emergence as one of the defining military and political figures of World War II France. Adapted by Baudry and Bérénice Vila from Julian Jackson's biography A Certain Idea of France: The Life of Charles de Gaulle, Résistance is the first installment of an ambitious two-part epic, preceding De Gaulle: Liberté, which opened theatrically across France on June 26, 2026. In our conversation, we discussed Katie's multicultural background; the profound impact of seeing Apocalypse Now at a young age; her path to becoming one of Hollywood's most sought-after editors and collaborating with Joel and Ethan Coen; and her experience editing De Gaulle through an international post-production process spanning France and the United States. Opening Credits: Pierce Murphy - Persimmon I CC BY; Pierce Murphy - Among The Stars I CC BY. Closing Credits: Tommaso Croce - Electric Clementine I CC BY-NC.

John Stewart Muller directs films that explore themes of commitment, abandonment, unrequited love, obsession, and emotional emptiness through psychologically complex characters. The son of the noted creative and graphic designer of the same name, John moved to Los Angeles following his upbringing in Kansas City to pursue writing, directing, and producing after studying at Loyola Marymount University. He co-wrote his debut feature, Fling, with his partner, Laura Boersma. Starring Brandon Routh, Courtney Ford, and Steve Sandvoss, the film explores the expectations and fragility of commitment when a couple's experiment with polyamory is disrupted by the return of an ex-partner. Fling marked Routh's first feature following Superman Returns and premiered at the 2008 Newport Beach Film Festival before receiving a theatrical release. Nick Urata of DeVotchKa contributed original music to the film, which complemented its ethereal themes of longing, uncertainty, and unrequited love. He followed with Indiscretion, a noir thriller set against the backdrop of Louisiana state politics, starring Mira Sorvino, Cary Elwes, and Christopher Backus. Continuing Muller's and Boersma's exploration of infidelity and desire, the film examines mental and emotional conflict, greed, and the intersection of art and ambition. Shot on location in New Orleans, the film features Sorvino as a psychiatrist whose life becomes increasingly entangled with politics and personal obsession. Throughout their careers, John and Laura have collaborated on numerous additional projects, including commercial work for clients such as Buick, MasterCard, and Mattel, as well as several acclaimed short films. In our conversation, we discussed why John loves living in Los Angeles; his tendency to collaborate with real-life couples; recent A24 films that have resonated with him; the influence of Ingmar Bergman on his work; and his next feature. Opening Credits: Loyalty Freak Music - Harsh Lovel I CC0; Tommaso Croce - Shapeshift I CC BY-NC. Closing Credits: Pierce Murphy - Caldera Blue I CC BY.

Hip hop group Basic Vocab's trajectory shifted rapidly when their signature track, "Come Get With It," was discovered by HBO and featured during the closing credits of Season 5 of Entourage. In doing so, they joined artists such as Saigon, Gang Starr, Alice Smith, Outkast, Radiohead, and Jay-Z, whose music was also featured during the series' end credits. The track appeared on their debut album, The General Dynamic, featuring JL Sorell, MG, and Square, with production from Tony Galvin, whose work with artists including T.I., Mystikal, and Trick Daddy brought a classically trained sensibility to the group's sound. They followed with A Better Way (2010), a more energy-oriented record infused with b-boy influences. The album included tracks such as "Prescription," "Tears," "Keep It Simple"—later featured on HBO's Crashing—and "Just Dance," which appeared in Hulu's Random Tropical Paradise. Their next releases, Type 3 (2022) and Straight Kemistry (2022), reflected on the post-pandemic landscape, exploring subjects including politics, social media, and healthcare. In 2025, the group released their latest single, "Sign of the Times," and they continue to collaborate together. In our conversation, featuring JL and Square, we discussed the South Beach "conscious rap" scene; the artists who influenced them and those to whom they are most often compared; how their lives changed following Entourage; recent collaborations with Sadat X; composing for film and television; and maintaining originality, creativity, and consistency over time. Opening Credits: Genx Beats - 07 Already (Lofi Mix) I CC BY 3.0 I Black Ant - Dark Slide I CC BY-NC-SA. Closing Credits: Jangwa _ Dilating Times - Flutter I CC BY.

Filmmaker Jared Isaac’s debut feature, An Autumn Summer, is currently in theatrical release in select cities ahead of its digital release on June 9 on Apple TV and all major VOD platforms, including Vudu and Fandango at Home. Recently featured in Deadline, the coming-of-age romance stars Sing Street and Wayne actor Mark McKenna alongside Shrinking breakout Lukita Maxwell, who also stars in A24’s upcoming Backrooms. The film follows Kevin (McKenna) and Cody (Maxwell), a young couple spending their final summer before college in a magical Northern Michigan lake town, chasing the feeling of an endless summer in the eve of adulthood, and was cinematographer Brandon Somerhalder’s debut narrative feature film, whose work on The Queen of Basketball won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Short in 2022, and whose 2026 documentary Come See Me in the Good Light received an Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary Feature. Their collaboration captures the wistfulness and emotional uncertainty of transition in calm, serene fashion. Semi-autobiographical in nature, the story draws from Isaac’s own close friendships and formative summers spent in Northern Michigan. The film premiered on the festival circuit to strong audience and critical response, including a Best Director win for Isaac at the 2025 Phoenix Film Festival, before its Chicago premiere at the legendary Music Box Theatre on April 23, featuring a post-screening Q&A moderated by acclaimed filmmaker Joe Swanberg. The venue held special significance for the Chicago native, who grew up watching films there. Jared recently adapted Zane Grey’s Riders of the Purple Sage for Samuel Goldwyn Films and is currently developing narrative projects on the horizon. In our conversation, we discussed Jared’s journey of independently bringing his first feature to life, the value of casting and how that can enable intuitive chemistry between actors, crafting the film’s dreamlike montage sequences, lessons learned from working on Spike Lee’s Chi-Raq, as an actor, and a disco feature he has written — including the actor he believes is perfect for the lead role. Opening Credits: Ketsa - My Deal I CC BY 4.0; Black Ant - 5 Piece I CC BY 3.0. Closing Credits: Podington Bear - No Solace I CC BY-NC 3.0.

Laura Veirs crafts musical portraits shaped by daily life, family, and the broader dynamics she encounters through international touring, the record business, and motherhood. Her 15th studio album, Temple Songs, arrives August 14 and features the single “Flying Into Darkness,” which she describes as joyous, “but also dark.” Veirs’ musical path has been marked by constant evolution: while studying at Carleton College, she formed the all-female group Rair Kx, and her 1999 self-titled debut leaned heavily into punk. By the time she recorded The Triumphs and Travails of Orphan Mae (2001)—one of her personal favorites of her catalogue—she was exploring bluegrass and country influences, later incorporating more melancholic, blues-inflected tones while maintaining her folk roots, as heard in tracks like “Tom Skookum Road.” In her next album, Carbon Glacier (2004), she introduced more electronic textures, notably on the percussive opener “The Cloud Room.” Year of Meteors (2005) leaned into a rock-infused folk sound, while Saltbreakers (2007) pushed toward a rawer, more experimental edge, with its track “Drink Deep” appearing in the soundtrack to the film Hello I Must Be Going (2012), starring Melanie Lynskey. Her 2010 album July Flame—named after a peach she encountered at a farmers’ market—features one of multiple collaborations with Jim James of My Morning Jacket. She followed this with Tumble Bee (2011), a children’s folk album, and Warp & Weft (2013), recorded during her pregnancy. Over the next couple of years, Laura collaborated with artists like Sufjan Stevens —contributing backing vocals to “Should Have Known Better” on his album Carrie & Lowell (2015) —and Neko Case, with whom she formed the supergroup (and released their eponymous album), case/lang/veirs (2016), alongside k.d. lang. Her later work reflects both personal and cultural shifts: The Lookout (2018) channels anxiety surrounding the 2016 U.S. presidential election, while subsequent albums—including My Echo (2020), released at the onset of the pandemic, Found Light (2022), and Phone Orphans (2023)—demonstrate her fluid, impactful genre-blending talent and ability. Within the music world, she has also hosted the podcast Midnight Lightning, which features interviews with musicians who communicate their approach towards balancing parenthood and artistry, with guests including legendary bassist Carol Kaye and Rosanna Arquette. In our conversation, we discussed her move to the Pacific Northwest in the early 2000s, her evolving musical influences, maintaining a self-care routine, balancing life as an artist and parent, and her upcoming tour across Europe and North America. Opening Credits: Pierce Murphy - The Shadow Of The Bluff I CC BY 4.0; The Top One Percent - Cavalier I CC BY 4.0. Closing Credits: Podington Bear - Surface Tension I CC BY-NC 3.0.

Actor and filmmaker Cara Ronzetti brings a striking sense of human intensity to her performance in Group: The Schopenhauer Effect, now in theatrical release, continuing her work from seasons 1 and 2 of the web series. Her portrayal of Tilda carries a raw authenticity that continually shifts the group dynamic, blurring the line between fiction and reality and sparking curiosity about what her character is truly experiencing, while her deeply immersive character work leaves a lasting impression with the result of elevating the material. The Miami native and Carnegie Mellon alum has appeared in a range of projects, including the television shows New Amsterdam (NBC) and The First (Hulu), the latter created by Beau Willimon and starring Sean Penn; as well as the films Superior — which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2021 — The Reunion, and Daniel Isn’t Real. In our conversation, we discussed Tilda’s backstory; Words4Warmth, her poetry-driven initiative supporting individuals experiencing homelessness in New York; the importance of preserving language and culture in our lives; and how she decompresses and compartmentalizes after portraying complex, emotionally intense roles. Opening Credits: A. Cooper - Track XXIV I CC BY 4.0; Lopkerjo - Sa Ta Na Ma I CC BY 4.0. Closing Credits: snoozy beats - smile and wave I CC BY 4.0.

Filmmaker Alexis Lloyd has made a distinctive impact on contemporary cinema with Group: The Schopenhauer Effect , currently in its theatrical run at The Quad Cinema in Greenwich Village, NYC. The film draws deeply from his upbringing immersed in psychiatry and psychoanalysis, blending that foundation with his passion for storytelling. Conceived as a prequel to his acclaimed, eponymous YouTube web series, the project offers a poignant exploration of the conflicts, epiphanies, and catharses that emerge within group therapy. Released five years after the first season, the film reunites much of the original cast while introducing a pivotal new character portrayed by Thomas Sadoski, reuniting Lloyd with one of his frequent collaborators. Sadoski plays a documentarian named Alexis, caught between artistic ambition and financial survival, who must earn the group’s trust while seeking permission to use their sessions professionally—an inherently delicate and potentially disruptive undertaking. Lloyd’s last feature, 30 Beats , is an ensemble exploration of sexual compulsivity and the longing for connection, featuring Sadoski alongside Lee Pace, Justin Kirk, Paz de la Huerta, and Jennifer Tilly. Earlier in his career, he directed several short films, including Indiscretion (2001) and Le 10ème Jour (2003). In addition to his work as a filmmaker, Lloyd had a prolific career as Managing Director at Pathé, where he oversaw distribution on a range of influential films, including Basquiat , Swingers , Pi , The Virgin Suicides , Memento , The Blair Witch Project , Bound , Austin Powers , The Fifth Element , and The Spanish Prisoner . In our conversation, we explore the origins of his interest in mental health storytelling, the response to his latest feature, the challenges of filming during COVID-19, and why casting a real psychoanalyst was essential to creating an authentic group dynamic. Opening Credits: Ketsa - Goes Red I CC BY 4.0; Pierce Murphy - Chania I CC BY 4.0. Closing Credits: Pierce Murphy - Baby, Write I CC BY 4.0.

Trying to pigeonhole Tom Epperson into a single category is impossible—and that’s part of what makes his career so compelling. His path as a novelist and screenwriter has been anything but linear, weaving through genres and mediums with equal parts grit and curiosity. He knew early on that writing would be his life’s work, and meeting lifelong friend and collaborator Billy Bob Thornton during boyhood only strengthened that conviction, leading to a six-decade partnership that produced tremendously profound films like One False Move , The Gift , and A Family Thing . Their work has earned significant critical acclaim, including Independent Spirit Award and Saturn Award nominations, and recognition from the Writers Guild of America. As a novelist, Tom’s range is just as impressive, spanning noir, historical fiction, and adventure with titles such as Sailor, Make Believe , Roberto to the Dark Tower Came , the Edgar Award nominated The Kind One , and most recently Baby Hawk —available wherever books are sold. In our conversation, we dived into the origins of his new book, the dangers of group-think, the challenging nature of AI, his first move to Los Angeles, and what it takes to remain grounded in a chaotic world. Opening Credits: Arana - Jazz at Mladost Club I CC BY-NC-SA 3.0; Komiku - Old artefact to destroy the patriarchy hidden somewhere I CC0 1.0. Closing Credits: Jalikebba Kuyateh and the Toubabs - Griot and the Family I CC BY-NC-SA 3.0.

Philip Andelman’s inspired take on the language and rhythm of music videos has impacted the medium in countless ways. The results are evident in his collaborations with contemporary artists, including Usher, Melissa Etheridge, Ludacris, Maxwell, d4vd, James Bay and Taylor Swift. Formative experiences with Annie Leibowitz launched his entry-point into photography. After NYU, continued experiential education under the guidance of Joseph Kahn, the legend, exposed Philip to the world of music videos with an ethos to help keep head above water. He worked as a second unit director on some of the most pivotal music videos ever made, including Moby’s Southside and U2’s Elevation. Soon after came the opportunity to step into the director’s chair for the first of six video collaborations with Lenny Kravitz, beginning with 2004’s Where Are We Runnin - a hedonistic exploration of faith. Some of the notable videos in Philip’s catalogue include John Mayer’s Waiting on the World to Change; Duck Sauce’s It’s You; Fiona Apple and Andrew Bird’s Left Handed Kisses; Miriam, by Norah Jones; and Beyonce’s Halo, featuring Michael Ealy. In our conversation, we discussed the origins of his journey and upbringing in France and New York; the grant he received from Martin Scorsese; the artistry in working with Maxwell; showing Jay-Z what he thought was an unfinished video; and a fateful Samsung commercial he directed. We also discussed his degree of versatility, and its effect on transcending genre. Opening Credits: Anitek - Tab & Anitek - Mina I CC BY-NC-ND 3.0; Genx Beats - Lofi Beats - 01 Always (Lofi Mix) I CC BY 3.0. Closing Credits: HoliznaPATREON - Tapping On The Roof I CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.

Director Nabil Elderkin shoots music videos and films governed by vision, collaboration and diversity. While thematic similarities connect the dots between his projects, each video is different and a product of the stellar combination of the right artist, the right lighting, and maybe most importantly - the right feel. Growing up in a multi-cultural sphere, dictated by several international moves, led to an open-mindedness and an adaptability which did not hurt his transition into film. Surfing was the context which facilitated his portal in, and although he spent more time on the beach than in the water, the education he received, through direct exposure shooting his friends, was invaluable. His photography interest and experience developed further when he settled in Chicago, and came into Kanye West’s orbit. Soon after, he started shooting music videos for a dossier for artists which continues to expand, and includes The Black Eyed Peas, Common, Seal, Bruno Mars, Foals, J. Cole, Travis Scott, Dua Lipa and Kendrick Lamar. For his work on Swim Good and Mercy, which feature Frank Ocean and Kanye West, respectively, Nabil received 3 VMA nominations, including Best Direction in a Video and Best Hip Hop Video for the latter. Among his feature films are the Ugandan breakdancing documentary, Bouncing Cats, and the gut-wrenching exploration of trauma - Gully - which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2019 and stars Charlie Plummer, Amber Heard, Jacob Latimore, Terrence Howard and John Corbett. In our conversation, we discussed the kernels of his film beginnings; working with actors like Willem Dafoe and Don Cheadle; collaborating with friends like John Legend; upcoming music video and narrative concepts he is developing; and a memorable encounter with Snoop Dogg. Opening Credits: HoliznaPATREON - Green Again ( LoFi) I CC BY-NC-ND 4.0; Anitek - Gnats I CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 US. Closing Credits: snoozy beats - stylish days I CC BY 4.0.

As an actor and filmmaker, Onur Tukel challenges the audience to delve into the frightening parts of who they are by, at times, leading them to live vicariously through his protagonists’ colorful experiences. From exploring the joy of mortality in Drawing Blood, to the perils of masculinity in 2001’s Ding-a-ling-Less, to a platonic theme of friendship amidst a romantic undertone in Richard’s Wedding, the loss of one’s identity among the backdrop of a physical manifestation of revenge in Catfight, and apathy transforming into adventure after an encounter with a vampire in Summer of Blood, which also features friend and contemporary Alex Karpovsky, Onur’s films are like shining a mirror towards the more intimate and carnal senses. We learn about the power of perspective and its impact on perception in The Misogynists, which features Dylan Baker; psychotic longing for the one that got away in That Cold Dead Look in Your Eyes, which is shot near-exclusively in French; and the connectedness of spirituality during the Pandemic in Scenes from an Empty Church, which stars Kevin Corrigan. His latest projects include the novel Run Werewolf Run, which he authored and illustrated, and will be released in 2025 by Pitchstone Publishing (ironically based in Durham, NC); and a puppet film he directed about a marionette performer which wrapped in 2024. In our conversation, we discussed his collaborations with several actors, including Anne Heche, Sandra Oh, Ariel Kavoussi and Josephine Decker; growing up in North Carolina; the unveiling of psychotherapy’s purpose in a cinematic endeavor; and the filmmakers who affected and inspired the origins of cinema in his eyes. Opening Credits: Anitek - Strange Sensations I CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 US; Jangwa - Slow Me Down I CC BY 4.0. Closing Credits: Beat Mekanik - Old Souls I CC BY 4.0.

Joe Boyd’s revered productions of artists ranging from Pink Floyd, The Incredible String Band and Nick Drake had been widely-circulated and universally-acclaimed. He had worked with Stanley Kubrick at Warner Bros to assemble the soundtrack to A Clockwork Orange. He founded the UFO Club which featured avant-garde artists like Soft Machine — which became his house band — and Yoko Ono. Productions of R.E.M., Billy Bragg, 10,000 Maniacs, Fairport Convention and Richard and Linda Thompson followed. He directed Jimi Hendrix, the eponymous documentary. But if you were paying attention, you would have made note of the through-line running through Joe’s prolific output — World Music. His productions of artists such as Dagmar Krause, Nazakat & Salamat Ali, the Trio Bulgarka, ¡Cubanismo!, Virginia Rodrigues, Damir Imamović and several others demonstrated his versatility to trancend not only genre, but also language and culture. Joe’s vibrant musical output eclipsed what we thought was possible in the art and science of music. His latest book, And the Roots of Rhythm Remain, examines the origins, impact and cultural undertones which define world music through his lens. In our conversation, we discussed the roots of his latest masterpiece; political-songwriting through shifting of culture; categorization as a benefit toward creativity; and musical and storytelling experiences with Brian Eno, David Bryne, Bob Dylan, Mike Heron and others. Opening Credits: 1st Contact - Just Quickly I CC BY-SA; Ahmadreza Safarian - Forgotten Corpses I CC BY-NC-SA. Closing Credits: Till Paradiso - Here the Stars for You (TP 063) - CC BY-NC-SA.

Arizona O’Neill’s art delves into topics derived from her Montreal upbringing and French-Quebec culture, and include the ramifications of gentrification, the vibrancy of music, and the origins of revolt. She has contributed several pieces to The CBC Creator Network, which include Hockey Riots, Period Pieces, and History of Jazz. Her novel, Est-ce qu’un artiste peut être heureux? (or “Can an Artist be Happy?”) was published in November 2022. And her impressive catalogue of illustrations, for publications like National Geographic Canada, includes the 2024 edition of " L'enfant dans le miroir " by Nelly Arcan which features a feminist perspective on the late-author’s legacy. Her latest book will be published by Drawn & Quarterly, and is inspired by her own experience donating her late-father’s organs, and surveys themes which include grief and addiction. In our conversation, we discussed her experience growing up in Montreal; her take on the legacy of the Montreal Canadiens; her collaborations with Patrick Watson, as a music video director; and the challenging territory she explored in authoring her latest work. Opening Credits: HoliznaPATREON - Relic 1 ( LoFi , Dark ) I CC BY-NC-ND 4.0; Anitek - NeedleLess To Say I CC BY-NC-SA. Closing Credits: Christophe Frémiot - l-ind-pendante I CC BY-NC-SA.

Cultural incongruence and its consequences is a theme which has shaped Bernardo Cubria’s work in several different ways. As an actor, in television shows like Group, his work explores what it means to be misunderstood, and delves into the epiphany which often arises when one realizes his peers’ criticisms and insights, which they initially may have dismissed, may, in fact, lead to realizations about self that may significantly affect their perspective. As a playwright, it has laid the backdrop that surrounds his stories about typecasting, politics, cultural appropriation, and the trivialization of minorities in America that can be seen in works like Crabs in a Bucket, which won the 2024 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Writing; The Giant Void In My Soul, a satirical journey into fulfillment (and the lack thereof); Neighbors: A Fair Trade Agreement; and the timely portrait of electoral pregnancy in The Hispanic/Latino/Latina/Latinx/Latine Vote. His work has been awarded the Smith Prize for Political Theater and has been nominated for Stage Raw and Ovation awards. As a screenwriter, he wrote Like It Used to Be and Guerrero which Gina Rodriguez is attached to direct and star in, and he was a 2023 Sundance Screenwriters Lab fellow for the screenplay Kill Yr Idols which he cowrote. In our conversation, we discussed the interplay of the notable themes in Bernardo’s projects, including Loop Group: Or Shia Lebeouf's Version, as well as being part of the writer’s staff on Seasons 3 and 4 on the Apple + series, Acapulco. Opening Credits: AvapXia - Do You Still Think About Me? I CC BY 4.0; Anitek - 09 Lola I CC BY-NC-SA 4.0. Closing Credits: Útidúr - Fisherman's Friend I CC BY-NC-SA 3.0.

Matt Williams utilizes a character-centric approach in creating and developing iconic television series, including Roseanne and Home Improvement. The Humanitas Prize and 6-time Emmy nominated Evansville native received graduate degrees in directing and acting, and embarked on a host of television commercials, as an actor, before realizing his talent and bliss as the driving force behind impactful, relatable film and television projects. After cutting his teeth as an actor (and de facto writer and re-writer) on the CBN soap, Another Life, Matt produced and joined the writing staff of The Cosby Show during its premiere season. It was there where he learned the relevance of inviting the audience to the family table — a concept that bore fruit with regard to the development of Roseanne. In the years which followed, Matt co-created and executive produced a number of television shows under the umbrella of Wind Dancer, the production company he founded with Carmen Finestra and David McFadzean, the latter whom Matt first met at University of Evansville, which include Home Improvement, Buddies, Thunder Alley and Soul Man. He directed and produced the films Where the Heart Is, starring Natalie Portman and Ashley Judd, about a young woman who delivers a baby in a Wal Mart after being abandoned by the latter’s father in the parking lot, and her journey of growth and self-discovery which follows; and Walker Payne, which he also co-wrote, and starred Jason Patric, Bruce Dern, Drea de Matteo and the legendary Sam Shepard and premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. Additional producing efforts include What Women Want, Bernie, As Cool as I Am and Wild Hearts Can’t be Broken. The focus of our discussion was his latest book, Glimpses: A Comedy Writer's Take on Life, Love and All That Spiritual Stuff. Opening Credits: Lobo Loco - Room of Longing B (ID 2240) I CC BY-NC-SA 4.0; Anitek - Bricolage I CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 US. Closing Credits: Útidúr - Grasping for Thoughts I CC BY-NC-SA 3.0.

Stephen Suettinger directs and writes projects which address complicated themes, such as substance use, depression and unrequited love. His unique portrayals have a tendency to delve deeper into their most intimate desires, which occasionally blur the line between fiction and reality and makes for interesting storytelling. Following his debut short film, Writing Wrongs, the Maryland native attended the film MFA program at USC and cut his teeth in experiences surrounding the world of film on projects like Contact, Avatar and Beowulf. At USC, Steve directed his next short, Wentworth, which PBS picked up as part of its Imagemakers series. The film explored idealism and longing among two contemplative lovers, who are already in a state of love and comfort. He directed his first feature, A Year and Change, which was released in 2014 and starred an ensemble cast including Bryan Greenberg, T.R. Knight, Jamie Chung and Jamie Hector and was shot in his home state. In 2020, he directed the period short film, Waiting, which surveyed the patience of love in the wake of the Pandemic. In the midst of several more corporate endeavors, Steve describes the latest projects he is currently developing in our conversation, as well as his early-film experiences, the generation of Maryland filmmakers he is indefinitely part of, and working with some excellent actors and directors. Opening Credits: Jangwa - two beats I CC BY 4.0; Anitek - SuperNatural I CC BY-NC-SA 4.0. Closing Credits: human gazpacho - pigeons at my window I CC BY-NC 4.0

Actor and filmmaker Wade Allain-Marcus has a unique approach toward his involvement in a variety of films and television projects. It derives from factors like his mixed background, training in the Experimental Theatre Wing (ETW) at NYU, and growing up with parents in the business. The approach is one thing, but the result speaks for itself and is shaped by the ensembles he finds himself immersed into, such as the regular casts of HBO’s Insecure or Netflix’s Eric, the latter opposite Benedict Cumberbatch. From Lucy Forbes to Antoine Fuqua to John Singleton, Wade has worked with a variety of interesting directors who have affected his own approach to the craft. After making his directorial debut with Una y Otra y Otra vez, starring NYU classmate Gina Rodriguez, he directed the acclaimed French Dirty which premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival in 2015, and dealt with topics including male-friendships and infidelity in the context of a love triangle. He shot the film with close friends and NYU classmates including Arjun Gupta and his spouse Melina Lizette. Following a host of acting projects, he joined the writer’s room of Grownish, which he also directed an episode of, and recently directed Academy Award Nominee June Squibb in the BET remake of Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead. in our conversation, we discussed parental relationships and influence; the musicality of filmmaking; and why it’s so difficult to trivialize his acting and directing credits. Opening Credits: Jangwa - V I CC BY 4.0; LaFaena - Car Drive I CC BY 4.0. Closing Credits: reed blue - INTROMATU_2006 I CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 US.

Idan Ravin is the elite NBA trainer who has individually worked with over 100 NBA players, including LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Dwight Howard and Kobe Bryant. When an NBA player realizes a flaw in their game is keeping them from being able to operate at their full potential, they call Idan for assistance. He is known for his unorthodox (no pun intended) training sessions, which tend to prioritize dynamic movement over traditional, stationary drills. Idan’s thumbprint on the league can be seen in so many players, and has affected the culture and style of the league. He describes his notable transition from miserable California attorney to sought-after basketball trainer in The Hoops Whisperer (2015), his best-setting novel, which uses his upbringing and life history to outlay the meticulousness, candid nature and patience which is required to deliver athletic wisdom at the highest level of sport. He is also the author of It Takes Patience and Harmonica, which were both published in 2021. Since then, he has ventured into the world of cinema. He was a producer on the second season of HBO's Winning Time, and has been a creative consultant for sports-inspired national commercials for Nike, Right Guard, Sprite, Samsung, Gatorade, Degree, State Farm, NBA, Wells Fargo, Beats and Door Dash. He has collaborated with brands such as Nike, Degree, Dove Men, Acuvue and HBO to build and execute experiential activations anchored in training and brand messaging, and his unique approach towards training has been featured in several publications including the Wall Street Journal, the New Yorker, Sports Illustrated, Men's Health, and the Hollywood Reporter. In our conversation, we discussed his latest transition into film; the parallels between training NBA players and treating psychiatric conditions; spending an Israeli summer with Amar’e Stoudemire; and the 2024 NBA playoffs. Opening Credits: pretochines - Dark Fall I CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 DEED; Jangwa - Frumento I CC BY 4.0 DEED. Closing Credits: Trans Atlantic Rage - A REALM IN A OPEN INTERPRETATION I CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 DEED.

Actor, writer and director Max Azulay leveraged his obsession with filmmaking to create unique, irreverent films armed with his comedic sensibility. The influence of the legendary Mel Brooks seeped in early on in his Suburban upbringing, which happened to take place 40 minutes from New York City, and helped inspire his young creativity. Finding his community of like-minded comedic cinephiles led to several short films which channelled his interests. He moved to Los Angeles to attend Occidental College, after transferring from Sarah Lawrence, his parents’ alma mater, and made a number of short films which led to 5 Doctors, his first feature film. Robert Altman would be proud of the film’s tone, which captured fundamental aspects of Max’s own life, including his high school, a thematic undertone of anxiety, and members of his family. He co-directed the film with frequent collaborator, Matt Porter. In addition to starring in the film, the pair wrote the screenplay alongside Phil Primason for an ensemble cast, including Bobby Moynihan, Jeremy Shamos, Peter Friedman and Eddie Pepitone among several others. In addition, Max has directed and written several short films with his collaborators, including Xander; Lenny; One Mutual Friend; and Carmen & Moony, the latter starring his partner Kate Adams, with whom he is developing his next feature. In our conversation, we discussed growing up near the big city; the influence of Borscht Belt comedy; the path towards his first feature; kleptomania; WiFi; and the through-line of family which runs through his catalogue. Opening Credits: John Lopker - Embryo Murder I CC BY 4.0 DEED; Caleb Lemon - A Road in the Country I CC BY-NC 4.0 DEED; Jangwa - Jupiter Czar I CC BY 4.0 DEED; Closing Credits: Piki - Clear Blue I CC BY 4.0 DEED.