Gladiator II co-editor SAM RESTIVO joins "No Script No Problem" to talk about cutting the massive action sequel to the Academy-Award winning film and how he came to collaborate with legendary director RIDLEY SCOTT for the 5th time. Listen as Sam shares intimate details of how he and co-editor Claire Simpson cut critical scenes in the film, working with over 10 cameras on some scenes and heavy VFX at times to bring this epic movie to life. Sam brings us amazing stories from inside the edit bay and on the set of this hit film, which has grossed over $435-million at the global box office so far.

In the interview, Sam also explains how he got his start in the industry and worked his way diligently up the Hollywood ladder to be able to edit a blockbusters like Gladiator II and Napoleon. He provides some valuable advice for anyone working their way up in the entertainment industry. Sam and I also discuss the ongoing debate about AI's presence in Hollywood. And lastly, I give you my take on Netflix's foray into broadcasting NFL games on Christmas Day. Thanks for listening! You can also watch on YouTube.

Gladiator II Trailer

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This week on "No Script No Problem," I chat with award-winning filmmakers RICKI STERN and JESSE SWEET, the directors of the fascinating new HBO documentary, "NATURE OF THE CRIME," which chronicles the emotional journeys of three inmates, as they try to make parole while serving long prison sentences for serious offenses. Listen as they describe a tough 4-year production process and how they were able to get access to the prisons. Plus, Ricki and Jesse describe the struggle to balance the sensitivity with victims of the crimes along with the effort to tell a unique story about the quest for a second chance. Lastly, we discuss the state of documentaries today and what AI's role might be in the future of nonfiction. Listen to the episode anywhere you get podcasts and stream "Nature of the Crime" on MAX. You can check out the trailer below. Thanks!

Nature of the Crime trailer

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This week, I'm joined by Aisha Corpas Wynn, one half of "The AI Chicks", and the hosts of the "AI Powered by People" podcast - Chad Reynolds and Sarah Nagle - for a riveting discussion about how AI is affecting the entertainment industry now and what effects it might have in the future. Chad is a CEO of Vurvey AI, and Aisha provides some outstanding insight on how the technology is working inside Hollywood today. If you are interested or worried about how AI will affect your job or your endeavors, listen to this episode.

I also dig into the earth shattering move by Comcast to spin off a slew of its cable companies into a new entity. What does this mean for news? What about Bravo? And I give you my two cents on the disastrous Jake Paul v. Mike Tyson event. Listen anywhere you get podcasts and watch on YouTube. Email any questions you have here: NoScriptNoProblemPodcast@gmail.com

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AI Powered by People Podcast

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In this episode of No Script No Problem, BAFTA-nominated filmmaker NATALIE HEWIT joins the show to talk about her new epic Nat Geo documentary, "ENDURANCE," which deftly chronicles the inspiring stories of two landmark expeditions in Antarctica - the original by Ernest Shackleton in 1914 and the modern-day search for his sunken ship. Natalie shares some riveting details of what it was like to be on the boat with the crew searching for the shipwreck Endurance while filming in below freezing temperatures. She also describes some of the groundbreaking AI technology they used to bring Shackleton's voice into the film.

If you love adventure and defying the odds, this is a documentary you will love. You can watch it on Nat Geo, Disney + and Hulu. Listen to my interview with Natalie anywhere you get podcasts and watch it on YouTube.

Some other topics I discuss include:

• Comcast's possible spinoff of its cable assets
• Governor Newsom's proposal to increase the film tax credit in California
• Netflix's 3rd quarter earnings

Newsom proposes an increase in tax credit

Comcast could spin off cable assets

Endurance Trailer

This week on No Script No Problem, I talk to documentary filmmaker Amy Nicholson about her new feature doc “Happy Campers,” which chronicles the final days at a waterfront Virginia trailer park that welcomes all with a smile… until developers come in, buy up the property, and kick the folks who've loved the place for generations out.

Listen as Amy explains how she lived in the trailer park during production and how she felt when capitalism collided with this loving community. Amy also explains how she got the film made, which was not easy, and gives some advice for young filmmakers. You can watch "Happy Campers" via video on demand on platforms like Apple TV+ and Amazon. Here's the trailer.

Listen to NSNP anywhere you listen to podcasts and watch the show on YouTube. Thanks!

This week I chat with award-winning filmmakers Mary Robertson and Emma Schwartz to discuss their Emmy-nominated, critically acclaimed, and hugely popular MAX and Discovery ID docuseries - "Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV," which sheds light on the troubling experiences of child actors in the entertainment industry, particularly those who worked on popular Nickelodeon shows produced by powerful showrunner Dan Schneider. Emma and Mary explain how they brought the project together and the keys to getting this very sensitive information from folks who were hesitant to talk. We also discuss why these types of projects are so important.

The groundbreaking series set the internet ablaze with revelations of a toxic environment on set that included a voice coach getting arrested for sexually abusing one of the young stars. Dozens of former child stars have spoken out both during the series and since causing a reckoning in Hollywood and forcing the industry to make changes.

Afterwards, I discuss the recent slew of insane announcements in entertainment, including a famous chicken restaurant entering the streaming wars and journalists declaring cable TV dead.

This week I'm joined by Barry L. Levy, the creator, showrunner and executive producer of the new Apple TV+ original coming-of-age superhero series, “ME”. The show revolves around 12-year-old Ben Vasani, who is struggling at a new school with his new blended family when his life gets even more complicated. Ben discovers that he can transform into anyone he meets. As a shapeshifter, Ben must figure out who he is and who he wants to be.

We get into how he sold an original series in the time where IP is everything and platforms are hesitant to buy new ideas. We also talk about his visions of an "Apple Cinematic Universe" and how he crafted the characters based on people he knows in real life. Plus, I get into the struggles in reality TV and the industry at large. Listen to the episode anywhere you get your podcasts and check out "ME" on Apple TV+. You can find the trailer below along with my website. Thanks!

ME Trailer

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A little horror and a little hip-hop in this two-interview episode of No Script No Problem. I'm joined by award-winning documentary filmmaker SACHA JENKINS to discuss his amazing film, "ALL UP IN THE BIZ," about the late rapper BIZ MARKIE, and I talk to author CHRIS PANATIER about his riveting new horror novel, "THE REDEMPTION OF MORGAN BRIGHT." Check out the All Up in the Biz Trailer and watch the documentary on Showtime or Paramount +. Or maybe it's Paramount + with Showtime. Something like that. Biz's hit "Just a Friend" is one of the top 100 greatest hip-hop songs of all time, and his humor was groundbreaking to the genre. I talk to Sacha about the legacy Biz leaves behind and his influence on hip-hop.

Chris talks about his evolution as an author and his attraction to the horror genre. His journey from civil litigator to full-time writer is inspiring and definitely worth hearing. The book is scary and gripping. If you like thrillers or horror, this is for you. You can buy The Redemption of Morgan Bright on Amazon here.

Send any questions you have here: NoScriptNoProblemPodcast@gmail.com

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