On Story

his first episode of On Story includes new interviews from Randall Wallace, Writer-Director, Secretariat; Lawrence Kasdan, Screenwriter, Empire Strikes Back; Shane Black, Writer-Director, Lethal Weapon, Long Kiss Goodnight, and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang; and the short film Northeast Front, an Austin Film Festival 2010 Official Selection, by Angela Torres Camerena.

In episode 2 of "On Story," the creative minds behind STAR TREK, TRANSFORMERS, EL MARIACHI, and WATCHMEN discuss the challenge of creating fantastical worlds and getting the audience to suspend their disbelief. Featuring David Hayter, Roberto Orci, Damon Lindelof, and Robert Rodriguez. Film: Tadpoles by Miguel Alvarez

In episode 3 of "On Story," the creative minds behind TO DIE FOR, THE 40 YEAR OLD VIRGIN, NATIONAL LAMPOON'S VACATION, and THE HANGOVER discuss comedy in film. Featuring Harold Ramis, Judd Apatow, Buck Henry, and Jon Lucas. Film: Sleep Study by Kerri Lendo and John Merriman and MY BIGGEST WEAKNESS by Bradley Jackson.

Academy Award-winning director Sydney Pollack (Out of Africa, Tootsie, The Way We Were) and NYPD Blue and Deadwood creator David Milch discuss the inspiration behind creating classic film and television characters. Followed by the suspenseful short film The Lab by writer/director Ryan Scheer, about two young boys whose summer afternoon in the woods goes horribly awry.

Curb Your Enthusiasm and Seinfeld writer/producer Alec Berg and Bridesmaids director and Freaks and Geeks creator Paul Feig pull back the curtain to show how they create comedy that resonates with us all. Followed by the hilarious short film Spit by writer/director Benjamin Hayes. Paul will never have his first kiss until he overcomes his fear of saliva.

The creators behind the explosions Con Air, Gone In Sixty Seconds, Hulk, Zombieland and Machete debate what makes a great action movie. Followed by the riveting short film SOLD by writer/director John Irwin. A young investigative journalist goes undercover and is captured into a human trafficking ring.

Legendary television writer Chris Carter reveals the secret behind the creation and success of The X-Files. Lost and "Prometheus" writer, Damon Lindelof, speaks with Carter on how his use of the paranormal and search for truth have become staples of popular culture. Followed by Todd Somodevilla and Marysia Makowska's surreal short film, "Sea Pavilion".

The writers behind WANTED, "The Bourne Ultimatum", "Con Air", and "Snitch" discuss how they use action scenes to further the plot, convey tension, and build toward a satisfying climax. Followed by Lucas Martell's animated short film, PIGEON: IMPOSSIBLE, about a trained CIA agent faced with an unexpected sudden threat to national security.

The writers of re-imagined classics & popular franchises such as GHOST, CHARLIE & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, TWINS and SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN deliberate how to keep stories fresh while staying true to the original. Paired with Spencer and Lloyd Harvey's short film JACK & JILL, a fresh take on the classic nursery rhyme that follows a young Australian girl who finds an inventive way to contact her father, a WWII soldier stationed in New Guinea.

Vince Gilligan, creator of the AMC hit series Breaking Bad, reflects upon the show's hyper-serialized storytelling as well as his inspirations and influences. Accompanied by Victor Nores' short film, Euthanas Inc.

Frank Darabont, writer and director of such classics as The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile and The Mist, discusses adapting works by Stephen King and keeping his characters at the core of the story. Followed by Jeffrey DeChausse's short film, Anniversario, trailing a woman's visit to her two favorite hairdressers on the day of her 45th wedding anniversary for what becomes the most important makeover of their lives.

An iconic example of its genre, Alien's tension, pacing, and craftsmanship are deconstructed by veteran screenwriters John August and Ashley Miller. Accompanied by Jason Mann and Frieda Luk's mystical short film, Delicacy, following a culinary connoisseur and his loyal chef as they dangerously navigate into the unknown with hopes to obtain a rare treat.

Mad Men creator, Matthew Weiner, dissects the culture, identity, and status quo of the show, and the psychology behind its beloved antihero, Don Draper. Followed by Faraday Okoro's short film, Full Windsor, about a young boy's quest to preserve a meaningful piece of his past.

True Detective director, Cary Fukunaga, and Fargo creator, Noah Hawley, discuss the rise of the television anthology series and how to execute a compelling balance of plot, character, and structure within the bounds of one season. Followed by Elaine Poon's short film, Entrain about Laurent, a young man who absorbed in his own world, draws the attention of a fellow train passenger who shares his interest in rhythm, despite their obvious language barrier.

John Ridley reflects on his beginnings and the inspirations that have shaped his approach to screenwriting, with a special look into his journey adapting the Academy Award®-winning script for 12 Years a Slave. Accompanied by Alex Clark's short film, Siren, about two ambulance paramedics faced with an emergency that's out of this world.

John Singleton, the youngest and first African American filmmaker to win an Academy Award® for his work on Boyz N the Hood, discusses his process, influences, and inspirations, from the work of acclaimed playwright August Wilson to pioneering directors Spike Lee and Federico Fellini.

Perhaps one of the most influential contributors to the landscape of situational comedies and progressive writing in Hollywood, Norman Lear transformed a genre known for play-it-safe humor into a platform for how Americans experience social issues. In this week's On Story, Lear remembers a few of his favorite episodes and how he created some of the most beloved characters in the history of television.

Nicole Perlman (Guardians of the Galaxy) and Angela Kang (The Walking Dead) explore navigating a male-dominated industry as female genre writers. The women discuss tackling comic book adaptations, the importance of character development, and the fine line between staying true to the spirit of the source material while also breathing new life into preexisting storylines.

In this episode, award-winning writer/director Jeff Nichols talks about bringing a highly charged true story to the screen and finding the personal connection to Richard and Mildred Loving – apolitical people at the center of the landmark 1967 civil rights decision of the U.S. Supreme Court to invalidate laws prohibiting interracial marriage.

Screenwriter Justin Marks shares the bear necessities on updating the classic Disney story to the modern screen. Drawing from influences like Westerns, the New York City black out, and more, this episode takes audiences through the jungle and to the beloved wolf pack that raised Mowgli from a cub to a boy.

From Arrested Development’s Buster Bluth to Veep’s bag man, actor Tony Hale discusses meeting audience’s expectations, getting into character, making out with Liza Minnelli, and the collaborative environment of comedy.

Director and actress Greta Gerwig talks about her theatrical beginnings and how she came to write and direct "Lady Bird."

Writer, director and producer Keenen Ivory Wayans talks about his path to Hollywood and how "In Living Color" helped pave the way for many artists and projects.

Academy Award-winning writer-director Kenneth Lonergan compares screenwriting with playwriting and talks about being open to mistakes.

Television producer, actor, comic and writer Larry Wilmore discusses comedy in front of and behind the camera.

Linda Woolverton, the first woman to write an animated feature for Disney, talks about her work, including "Beauty and the Beast," "The Lion King," "Alice in Wonderland" and "Maleficent."

Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, writers of "Avengers: Infinity War," discuss juggling a massive ensemble cast and multiple storylines.

Craig Mazin, Emmy Award-winning creator of the HBO miniseries "Chernobyl," talks about the creative process behind his account of the 1986 nuclear accident.

Lulu Wang, writer and director of "The Farewell," talks about the autobiographical story of her family's decision to plan a wedding instead of telling her grandmother the truth about her terminal illness.

Series co-creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss explain the process of adapting George R. R. Martin's books into the HBO series "Game of Thrones."

Writer, director and producer Gina Prince-Bythewood discusses her character-driven work in "The Old Guard," "Love & Basketball" and "Beyond the Lights."

Academy Award-winning screenwriter Akiva Goldsman discusses "A Beautiful Mind," "A Time to Kill," "Star Trek" and "Titans," and the role of personal experience and self-exploration in developing characters.

Writer and director Brenda Chapman talks about what influenced her writing in the animated classics "The Lion King," "The Prince of Egypt" and "Brave."

Television creator Michael Schur discusses his role in creating and writing for "Parks and Recreation," "The Office" and "The Good Place."

Screenwriter Dave Callaham talks about the role of personal experience and self-exploration in the development of big budget movies.

Writers Jihan Crowther and Zach Baylin talk about tackling real-life events and how they translate on screen.

Comedy writer Stephen Merchant talks about co-creating the BBC original series "The Office," creating relatable characters and how he found comedy inspiration from drama.

Producer and showrunner Joe Wiseman talks about his work behind the American adaptation of the BBC series "Ghosts," including finding the cast and the process of recreating the story for an American audience.

Writer-director Nikyatu Jusu talks about her early short films and the process behind creating her debut feature "Nanny."

Joanna Calo delves into her experience sharing showrunning duties on "The Bear" with creator Christopher Storer, and crafting lovable characters that keep an audience invested.

"Lawmen: Bass Reeves" creator Chad Feehan and series directors Christina Alexandra Voros and Damian Marcano discuss their revival of the television Western.

Cord Jefferson discusses writing and directing his debut feature, "American Fiction."

Emmy Award-winning creator and showrunner Craig Mazin talks about adapting a video game into the episodic television drama series "The Last of Us."

Producer Kathleen Kennedy reflects on her career producing such films as "E.T.," "Back to the Future" and "Schindler's List" and shares stories and inspiration from her decades of experience.

Screenwriter and producer Clint Bentley and producer Monique Walton discuss the making of "Sing Sing," and how they developed a script inspired by a real life rehabilitation through the arts program.