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PODCAST

We Need to Talk About Oscar

We Need to Talk About Oscar offers in-depth interviews with filmmakers, actors, and industry professionals. Although inspired by titles you expect to be represented at the Oscars, our conversations extend to buzzy indie projects and TV shows, exploring both the technical aspects of filmmaking and the personal stories behind them.

tv & film social sciences

All Episodes

31:49

John-Michael Powell sculpts violence in 'Violent Ends'

We Need to Talk About Oscar ·

2025/10/31

Writer-director John-Michael Powell joins us to discuss 'Violent Ends,' his southern crime thriller hitting theaters on Halloween. Powell opens up about the leap from his micro-budget debut 'The Send-Off' to this significantly larger production, sharing insights into navigating that scale shift.Our conversation explores John-Michael's extensive editing background and how it shaped his approach to directing. He discusses how his editorial experience allows him to move efficiently on set and make

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24:13

Sailing towards compassion, with the co-directors of...

We Need to Talk About Oscar ·

2025/10/25

Co-directors Salvatore Scarpa and Max Burgoyne-Moore join us to discuss Largo, their short film about a young Syrian refugee in the U.K. that took nearly five years to develop. The filmmakers open up about the dynamics of their creative partnership, exploring how two voices shaped one vision, and what can be achieved within the constraints and creative possibilities of short film format.We dig into the film’s exploration of displacement and their choice to depict a reversal of migration, examining

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22:08

We Need to Talk About Emmy #27: Cooper Raiff is a kid...

We Need to Talk About Oscar ·

2025/10/19

This time around, we talk with Cooper Raiff, the creator, director and star of the limited series ‘Hal & Harper,’ about navigating the indie scene on the TV side.Cooper breaks down one of the show’s central conceits: he and Lili Reinhart playing their characters as kids in certain scenes. We explore what it took to get into that childhood headspace and how those scenes shape the series.We also dig into what it’s like juggling multiple roles on a project, from directing and acting to editing,

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21:26

‘Anino’ director M.G. Evangelista on genre and identity

We Need to Talk About Oscar ·

2025/10/14

Filmmaker M.G. Evangelista joins us to discuss their horror short 'Anino,’ premiering at this year's NewFest. Our conversation explores the integral role of language in shaping their film's narrative and the ongoing search for identity that drives their work. M.G. opens up about their venture into genre filmmaking with this monster story, revealing how horror became a vehicle for exploring deeper personal themes.We also delve into the extensive development journey of their debut feature 'Burning

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26:03

We Need to Talk About Emmy #26: Mattias Nyberg on the...

We Need to Talk About Oscar ·

2025/10/10

Cinematographer Mattias Nyberg joins us to discuss his work on episodes 1-3 of 'The Girlfriend,' directed by Robin Wright. Mattias reveals what drew him to the project - the opportunity to collaborate with Wright, whose directorial vision he'd long admired - and how they developed a visual language that serves the story's emotional core.Our conversation explores Mattias's tailored approach to capturing the dual perspectives of Laura and Cherry, deliberately avoiding neutral shots to position viewers

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43:56

Mercedes Bryce Morgan & Nick Matthews navigate the...

We Need to Talk About Oscar ·

2025/10/07

Director Mercedes Bryce Morgan and cinematographer Nick Matthews join us to discuss 'Bone Lake,' a film that shifts the typical thriller focus from "whodunit" to exploring why chaos unfolds in the first place.Our conversation explores how Mercedes and Nick crafted a visual experience that subverts audience expectations, blending genres and pushing boundaries. Mercedes discusses the creative evolution that brought this twisted world to life, while Nick reveals his approach to creating imagery that

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21:55

Alexander Dynan on visualizing sound and time in 'The...

We Need to Talk About Oscar ·

2025/10/03

Cinematographer Alexander Dynan joins us to discuss his work on 'The History of Sound,' tracing his collaboration with director Oliver Hermanus from their previous project 'Mary & George.' Alexander reveals how lessons from episodic filmmaking informed his feature approach, while acknowledging the distinct storytelling demands of each medium.Our conversation explores the film's ambitious temporal scope, spanning decades. From visual strategies for communicating the passage of time - from color

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20:57

Building bridges in Brooklyn, with ‘All God’s...

We Need to Talk About Oscar ·

2025/09/27

This week, we sit down with director Ondi Timoner to talk about her documentary ‘All God’s Children,’ which follows the partnership between Congregation Beth Elohim and Antioch Baptist Church in Brooklyn.Ondi walks us through how the project began with her sister’s activism and the challenges of filming within sacred spaces while balancing her roles as both filmmaker and family member. We explore the messy realities of the partnership - including moments that threatened to fracture the alliance -

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15:47

Policing Your Feelings: Carmen Emmi on the emotional...

We Need to Talk About Oscar ·

2025/09/20

This week, writer-director Carmen Emmi takes us through his creative process for ‘Plainclothes,’ where he threw technical perfection out the window to focus on raw, heartfelt storytelling.Carmen shares his journey from cinematographer to director, and how he navigated the transition from worrying about flawless shots to weaving a personal story that resonates with queer audiences. We talk about the film’s festival run, including stops at Sundance and Frameline, and the meaningful connections he’s

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18:55

The soundscape of the supernatural, with 'Rabbit...

We Need to Talk About Oscar ·

2025/09/17

Writer-director Bryn Chainey joins us to discuss 'Rabbit Trap,' his haunting exploration of how supernatural folklore mirrors our deepest human experiences. Bryn reveals his unique approach to using nature and the otherworldly as tools for confronting inner truths, tracing his thematic evolution from early work like 'Moritz and the Woodwose' to this latest feature.Our conversation centers on Bryn's innovative integration of sound and visuals, where he treats audio not as an afterthought but as the

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20:45

Shaking up the future, with 'Happyend'...

We Need to Talk About Oscar ·

2025/09/15

This week, we talk with cinematographer Bill Kirstein about his work on ‘Happyend,’ which premiered at the Venice Film Festival last year.Bill shares stories from his childhood, and how that rebellious spirit carries into his approach to filmmaking. We explore what draws him to projects where directors have bold visions that challenge conventional execution.Our conversation digs into the artistic choices behind Happyend, a near-future story about friendship set against impending disaster. Bill walks

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31:25

Anu Valia on the many layers of 'We Strangers’

We Need to Talk About Oscar ·

2025/09/12

This week, we sit down with writer-director Anu Valia to talk about her feature debut ‘We Strangers,’ which premiered at SXSW 2024.Anu walks us through the journey from festival premiere to theatrical release, and how her relationship with the film has evolved along the way. We dig into the story of Ray, a woman navigating spaces where she feels like an outsider, and explore how Anu wove themes of identity, class, and belonging into her character’s journey.Coming from directing episodes of

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16:18

Director Oliver Hermanus on how music shapes the...

We Need to Talk About Oscar ·

2025/09/10

Director Oliver Hermanus joins us to discuss 'The History of Sound,' drawing from his South African background to explore how cinema can foster empathy across divides. Oliver reflects on his commitment to creating narratives that invite audiences into unfamiliar perspectives, shaped by experiences in a country where marginalized voices were systematically silenced.Our conversation explores his collaboration with Ben Shattuck, who adapted his own short story despite having no screenwriting

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24:09

We Need to Talk About Emmy #25: Alex Disenhof on the...

We Need to Talk About Oscar ·

2025/09/08

Cinematographer Alex Disenhof joins us to discuss his work on HBO's limited series 'Task,' revealing the dramatic shift from the fantastical landscapes of 'The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power' to the gritty streets of Philadelphia. Alex opens up about his creative philosophy—that every project demands genuine emotional investment, and without that personal connection to the script, he simply cannot deliver his best work.Our conversation explores the nuanced art of genre transition, as Alex

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18:52

Yeo Siew Hua wants you to see through ‘Stranger Eyes’

We Need to Talk About Oscar ·

2025/08/29

Yeo Siew Hua joins us to discuss 'Stranger Eyes,' the thriller that made history as the first Singaporean film ever to compete for the Golden Lion at Venice International Film Festival. A year after this landmark achievement, he reflects on creating a deeply culturally rooted story that resonates internationally, exploring how surveillance paranoia transcends geographical boundaries while remaining authentically Singaporean.Our conversation delves into Siew Hua's distinctive approach to day and

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15:14

Improv Magic: How Sam Davis and Co redefined short...

We Need to Talk About Oscar ·

2025/08/22

Academy Award nominated filmmaker Sam Davis joins us to discuss 'The Singers,' his genre-bending adaptation of Turgenev's 19th-century tale that transforms a lowly pub into a stage for unexpected human connection. Working exclusively with first-time actors discovered on TikTok and YouTube, he reveals how embracing spontaneity led to moments of pure cinematic magic—including a bathroom performance that became one of the film's most powerful scenes.Our conversation explores Sam's commitment to

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19:25

We Need to Talk About Emmy #24: Christophe Nuyens on...

We Need to Talk About Oscar ·

2025/08/17

Cinematographer Christophe Nuyens joins us to discuss his work on 'Andor' Season 2, where he partnered with director Ariel Kleiman to expand the show's established visual language. Treating each episode block as a standalone film, Christophe reveals his character-driven approach to framing—finding angles that immerse audiences in the emotional weight of rebellion rather than relying on spectacle alone.Our conversation touches on his international filmmaking experience and how working across Belgium,

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17:56

We Need to Talk About Emmy #23: Ante Cheng takes us...

We Need to Talk About Oscar ·

2025/08/14

How do you visually transport audiences across three decades while maintaining narrative cohesion? Ante Cheng, whose breathtaking cinematography on 'Pachinko' Season 2 earned him an Emmy nomination, joins us to unravel this complex creative puzzle. Fresh off his recognition for the season's opening chapter, Ante discusses the ambitious leap from an already celebrated first season and the artistic freedom that showrunner Soo Hugh and new directors afforded him.Beyond the technical mastery, Ante opens

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21:39

We Need to Talk About Emmy #22: Kalina Ivanov’s...

We Need to Talk About Oscar ·

2025/08/11

Production designer Kalina Ivanov takes us inside the visual world of HBO's 'The Penguin,' revealing how she adapted Matt Reeves' Gotham for television. From the surprising discovery that Penguin's iconic Maserati is actually purple to the intentional color storytelling that contrasts Oz's pastel childhood memories with his dark present reality.We discuss her collaboration with cinematographer Darren Tiernan in creating Gotham as a living character, the technical challenges of transitioning from

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25:00

Visual storytelling and cultural roots: James J....

We Need to Talk About Oscar ·

2025/08/07

Filmmaker James J. Robinson joins us to discuss his debut feature 'First Light,' which premieres at the Melbourne International Film Festival. Robinson opens up about his Filipino-Australian identity and how reconnecting with his roots shaped this deeply personal project, exploring themes of cultural heritage, belonging, and authentic representation.We dive into James' transition from still photography to filmmaking, his philosophy of creating breathing room in visual storytelling, and the ethical

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128 results

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