DreamPath Podcast

Bryan and Jason discuss takeaways from Bryan's interviews with film directors Amber Sealey and Michele Civetta, wax philosophic about the fragility of life and our gratitude for being alive, and Jason tries to make amends for a joke he made about Keith Richards, but Bryan isn't letting him off the hook so easily. To be clear, Jason is still going to hell. Finally, Bryan previews his upcoming interviews with iconic Pacific Northwest musician Jeff Fielder, and film director Rebecca Eskreis.

Michele Civetta is a writer, producer, Emmy nominated director, and founder of the production company Quintessence Films. Michele’s feature film, Agony, starring Asia Argento, was released in 2020. His most recent film is The Gateway, starring Shea Whigham, Olivia Munn, Bruce Dern,Frank Grillo, Mark Boone Junior, and Taryn Manning. The Gateway is a gritty crime-thriller about a social worker who gets in over his head when he tries to save one of his clients from her maniacal, drug-dealing husband, who was just released from prison.

What you will learn:

• Michele breaks down what The Gateway is about and tells the story of how the script came to him and how he shaped it into final form. [0:00-6:30]
• What the casting process was like for The Gateway and how they were able to bring in big names even for smaller roles, such as Bruce Dern, Frank Grillo and Taryn Manning. [6:30-10:00]
• How Michele found his way into photography, shooting music videos, commercial work, and then directing. What inspired him to pursue a career in visual arts. How film school and the opportunities that film school provided led to directing feature films. Where Michele sees his career going next. [15:21-21:41]
• Why he chose to shoot The Gateway in Virginia as opposed to St. Louis (where the film is set) and the necessity of being flexible about a film’s shooting location. How the pandemic affected post-production and the film’s launch date, and how Michele plans to navigate COVID restrictions in the future, starting with how he writes scripts to what types of stories he may tell. [21:41-28:16]
• How Olivia Munn became attached to The Gateway and the amazing performance and generosity she brought to the film. Advice Michele has for young people aspiring to make it in the film industry. [28:16-35:50]

Resources:

• Michele Civetta’s: Website, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn

Actor and award-winning filmmaker Amber Sealey has directed film festival favorites such as How Does it Start, No Light and No Land Anywhere, and How to Cheat. Her most recent film, No Man of God starring Elijah Wood, Luke Kirby, and Robert Patrick, follows the real life friendship that developed between FBI Special Agent Bill Hagmaier (played by Wood), and serial killer Ted Bundy (played by Kirby) during the last four years of Bundy’s life, before he was executed.

What you will learn:

• Why No Man of God provides a fresh perspective on Ted Bundy’s story, making it a unique and stand-alone narrative film, which can be enjoyed no matter how many Bundy films one has seen, and even if viewers know nothing about Bundy going in. Amber also talks about what drew her to a project which was much different than her prior work. [0:00-8:13]
• Amber discusses the questions No Man of God raises about the duality of man, how one defines good and evil, and how Elijah Wood had a pivotal understanding of his character and the film from the beginning. [8:13-17:52]
• What it was like casting the part of Ted Bundy, how she was able to talk Luke Kirby into taking the role, the joy of working with Luke Kirby and why she enjoyed shooting a film set in the 80s. Amber also gives personal insight into why screenwriters, like C. Robert Cargill who wrote the screenplay for No Man of God, sometimes choose to use pseudonyms in lieu of their real name on certain projects. [17:52-26:07]
• Amber discusses her previous film, No Light and No Land Anywhere, why she chose to cast her father in the role of the protagonist’s “deadbeat dad,” and how the film creates tension in a different yet similar way to No Man of God. [26:07-30:34]
• Amber shares about her creative and artistic childhood, what it was like going to drama school in England, and how she found her calling in film. Amber also gives advice to young (and old) aspiring filmmakers, while emphasizing that there is no single, definitive path to success in film. [30:34-39:51]
• The experience Amber had making a short film and the financial struggles one can face trying to get a short film off the ground. Finally, Amber discusses the barriers to entry in the film industry, and shares tips on how to obtain grants and funding to create your own film projects. [39:51-48:27]

Resources:

• Amber Sealey’s: Website, IMDb, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube

Bryan and Jason recap Bryan's interviews with Carson Mell, Olivia Taylor Dudley, and Al Di. Carson wrote, directed, and acted in the film Some of Our Stallions, which is now available on VOD. Olivia and Al co-starred in the film (which Al also produced).

Jason talks about his experience watching Some of Our Stallions.

Bryan and Jason also talk about the loss of drumming legend Charlie Watts of the Rolling Stones, and Bryan reviews the HBO series The White Lotus.

Finally, Bryan talks about his recent interview with film director Amber Sealey, who directed No Man of God, starring Luke Kirby (as Ted Bundy) and Elijah Wood (as FBI agent/criminal profiler Bill Hagmaier). The film dramatizes the relationship that developed between Bundy and Hagmaier during during the last four years of Bundy's life, before he was executed for murdering numerous women and girls.

Bryan and Jason also talk about the allure of Ted Bundy and why his story has resulted in so many documentaries and narrative films.

Writer, producer, animator, and actor Carson Mell was a writer on HBO’s Silicon Valley (created by Mike Judge), and wrote on Eastbound & Down, starring Danny McBride. Carson also created the animated series Tarantula (executive produced by Danny McBride), and wrote road trip comedy The Long Dumb Road, directed by Hannah Fidell and starring Jason Mantzoukas and Tony Revolori. Carson wrote, directed, and starred in his most recent film, Some of Our Stallions, executive produced by Mike Judge and co-starring Olivia Taylor Dudley and Al Di (who also produced the film).

What you will learn:

• Carson’s relationship with “road movies,” the inspiration behind his 2018 film The Long Dumb Road, and what it means to write a script on on “spec.” [0:00-9:12]
• Carson’s personal path to the writer’s room and advice he can give in hindsight to aspiring screenwriters. What the writer’s room for Silicon Valley looked like and how Carson’s connection with creator Mike Judge led to Mike executive producing and playing a character in Some of Our Stallions. [9:12-18:00]
• The story behind how the script for Some of Our Stallions was written, casted, and produced, and how the script was almost forgotten in a drawer for years before being resurrected. [18:00-25:43]
• Why Carson chose to take a nuanced yet realistic approach to the portrayal of mental illness with his character Beautiful Bill in Some of Our Stallions, and the choices he made to protect the Olvia’s and Al’s characters from the usual Hollywood tropes. Why Carson’s friend Al Di views this film as the “first white guy/Chinese guy buddy comedy without Kung Fu in it.” [25:43-33:57]
• Considering all of the options his diverse skill set provides, Carson talks about where he sees his career going, provides first-hand insight into how negotiating and selling a show/script works, and talks about his interest in writing/directing horror films. [33:57-43:26]

Resources:

• Carson Mell’s: Website, IMDb, YouTube, Instagram

Musician, film producer, and actor Al Di began his career in music before connections in the music world gave him the opportunity to produce movies. Al has produced Dreamland with Jason Schwartzman, Brigsby Bear with Kyle Mooney,Greg Kinnear and Claire Danes, and Lost Transmissions with Simon Pegg, among others. His most recent film,Some of Our Stallions, was written and directed by Carson Mell, executive produced by Mike Judge, and stars Carson, Al, andOlivia Taylor Dudley.

What you will learn:

• How Al got attached to produce the 2018 film Piercing and what attracted him to the script. How Al found his way from music into the film industry. [0:00-8:08]
• What skills and talents are required to be a good film producer, and what skills he personally brings to the job, specifically in relation to Some of Our Stallions. Al and Bryan talk about their love of music, and Al talks about his music education and early music career. [8:08-14:08]
• How Al’s passion to make a film whose script was being overlooked led him to pursue his first acting role, and the benefits of making movies with friends. The challenges he facesas a producer securing funding and distribution for films. [14:08-23:11]
• What Al has planned for the future, and why he is putting music on the back-burner. Why audiences should see Some of Our Stallions and what makes the film so unique. [23:11-28:09]

Resources:

• Al Di’s: IMDb and Instagram

Olivia Taylor Dudley is an actress, producer, and writer known for playing the beloved character Alice Quinn on SyFy’s The Magicians. Early in her career she appeared in sitcoms such as Arrested Development, Curb Your Enthusiasm and The Mindy Project, but made a splash on the big screen with Chernobyl Diaries, Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension and The Vatican Tapes. Her most recent film is Some of our Stallions, written, directed, and co-starring Carson Mell, and produced by/co-starring Al Di.

What you will learn:​​

• ​​Olivia reveals how she landed the role of Bonnie in the film Some of Our Stallions, how her previous friendship with producer/co-star Al Di convinced her to read the script, and how the positive work environment cultivated by director Carson Mell and Al Di on set, as well their genuine off-screen friendship, translated to the screen. [0:00-6:51]
• What attracted Olivia to Some of our Stallions and why she appreciated the way the film tackles subjects like mental health and friendship with a blend of comedy and drama. How Olivia, as a woman working in Hollywood, respected Carson Mell’s ability to tell a story on screen without leaning on Hollywood cliches and tropes. [6:51-12:51]
• Olivia reflects on her early career and her journey transitioning between comedy and drama, as well as television and film. She also discusses what types of projects she’s hoping to work on in the future. [12:51-17:51]
• What inspired Olivia to quit school and move to L.A. at the age of 17, the hustle it took to work in Hollywood before landing acting roles, how shegot her first big break in horror films, and the importance of working in every department on set to fully understand the film industry. Olivia also talks about her experience making Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension [17:51-23:36]
• How Olivia navigates the world of Hollywood while coping with social anxiety, especially when it comes to networking, and why situations like doing press at Comic Con for The Magicians actually helped her grow and learn to better deal with her anxieties. [23:36-28:39]
• Advice Olivia would give to young people hoping to make it as an actor and how her advice has evolved over the years. Finally, Olivia discusses the importance of beinghumble, respectful, and hardworking in the film industry. [28:39-36:37]

Resources:

• Olivia Taylor Dudley’s: IMDb, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook

Bryan and Jason discuss takeaways from Bryan's chat with comedy icon Tommy Chong, give their respects to recently departed ZZ Top bass player Dusty Hill, and marvel at the the longevity of Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts. Finally, Bryan airs a grievance over a bass guitar he loaned to Jason.

Tommy Chong began his comedy career in the iconic comedy duo Cheech and Chong. Together they recorded numerous comedy albums and made multiple films throughout the 70s and early 80s, including Up In Smoke. After Cheech and Chong broke up, Tommy performed standup and booked more than 60 film and television roles, playing Leo for five seasons on That 70s Show, and Yax in the Disney film Zootopia, among many others. Tommy has also been a long-time supporter of the legalization of marijuana and has his own line of cannabis products throughout the United States.

What you will learn:

• Tommy reflects on how he got his start in comedy in the 70s, and how playing in multiple bands throughout the 60s prepared him for the world of entertainment. [0:00-12:52]
• The process and inspiration behind Tommy and Cheech’s first, self-titled Cheech and Chong album, and how they trail-blazed through the LA comedy club scene. [12:52-21:21]
• The tumultuous events behind the scenes of Up in Smoke, and the tensions that continued into future Cheech and Chong films. [21:21-36:07]
• How, after the Cheech and Chong broke up, Tommy’s wife became an integral part of his comedy act, and what happened to that dynamic when Tommy and Cheech reunited. [36:07-47:10]
• How Tommy approached comedy as a solo act and what parts of his Cheech and Chong persona he kept during his solo act. During his five season run on That 70s Show, why Tommy felt so comfortable playing Leo, even though he doesn’t really consider himself to be an “actor.” [47:10-56:06]
• Tommy opens up about his unique upbringing, including his time spent living in an orphanage, how a number of tragedies instilled within him early survival instincts, and how he found passion and inspiration in music. Why his humble beginnings as a child still affect his world view on consumerism and his definition of financial success. [56:06-1:08:56]
• Finally, Tommy talks about the medical benefits he has experienced using marijuana and CBD, and what plans he has in store for the world when his cannabis business flourishes. [1:08:56-1:18:30]

Resources:

• Tommy Chong’s: Twitter, Instagram, YouTube
• Tommy Chong’s Cannabis (21+)

Bryan and Jason discuss takeaways from Bryan's interviews of Mark Pickerel and Jeffrey Paul King, review the new Paul McCartney/Rick Rubin documentary on Hulu (McCARTNEY 3, 2, 1), and preview next week's launch of Bryan's interview with Tommy Chong.