Switchblade Sisters

This is truly a momentous occasion. This episode marks the return of the inimitable Issa López. This time she’s on the show to talk about Ridley Scott’s classic, Blade Runner. Issa has so many fantastic anecdotes from her many years of working in Mexico’s film industry. She talks about the nightmare of someone else directing her own script. She reveals how she was fired from writing a screenplay for a movie she was directing. And she talks about collaborating with her old pal Guillermo del Toro. One of our favorite guests of all time, and she does not disappoint.You can watch Tigers Are Not Afraid on Shudder now.If you haven’t seen Blade Runner…it’s great!AND, if you want to check out April’s Staff Pick – watch Kathryn Bigelow’s Strange DaysWith April Wolfe and Issa López

A very fun and fantastic episode with the actor, writer, and director Kestrin Pantera (Mother’s Little Helpers, Let’s Ruin It with Babies). She’s on the program to discuss 1999’s classic Galaxy Quest. Kestrin elaborates on her deep love for Star Trek, and even throws in a “mind meld” reference. She talks about her process of writing for specific actors. And she also reveals her method for gaining actors’ trust on set and allowing them to work freely.You can watch Mother’s Little Helpers on VOD now.If you haven’t seen Galaxy Quest…it’s great!AND, if you want to check out April’s Staff Pick – watch Mimi Leder’s Deep ImpactWith April Wolfe and Kestrin Pantera

A fascinating episode with Crystal Moselle, the director of one of the most interesting documentaries of the last decade, The Wolfpack. She’s on to discuss a film that has very little in common with her own work, at least stylistically, but one that she loves nonetheless; Jonathan Glazer’s Sexy Beast. She starts the conversation off by revealing that the protagonist of the film, the sunbaked retired gangster Gal, is her dream man. Crystal also talks about how she learned to trust her instincts after randomly approaching the subjects of The Wolfpack, the Angulo Brothers, on the streets of New York. She opens up about tackling every new creative challenge that comes her way. And lastly, Crystal discusses her newest project, HBO’s ‘Betty’ about a crew of skateboard girls in New York.You can watch Betty on HBO now.If you haven’t seen Sexy Beast…oooooh man it’s good!AND, if you want to check out April’s Staff Pick – watch Kathryn Bigelow’s Point BreakWith April Wolfe and Crystal Moselle

A truly monumental episode. The Essie Davis calls in all the way from Tasmania. You know her from The Babadook, Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, and her latest The True History of the Kelly Gang. She is a treasure, and she’s on the show today to discuss the 1988 creep fest, The Vanishing. Essie divulges her innermost beliefs on the craft of acting and being able to know the thoughts of a character. She reveals that while working on The True History of the Kelly Gang, she and her co-stars were directed to form a punk band and actually play a show (the band’s name is Fleshlight, if you were wondering). But she also talks about the importance of studying and learning how to be a better actor. This is such a phenomenal and enlightening episode.You can watch The True History of the Kelly Gang on VOD or if you live in LA you can catch it at the Mission Tiki Drive-In.If you haven’t seen The Vanishing…it’s spooky!AND, if you want to check out April’s Staff Pick – watch Bette Gordon’s VarietyWith April Wolfe and Essie

What’s not to love about this episode?! We have the majestic writer, actor, and comedian Mitra Jouhari on to discuss the luminescent classic Earth Girls Are Easy. Mitra chats about her deep love for movies that “don’t take themselves seriously as films.” She discusses working on her new show Three Busy Debras and explains why Sandy Honig’s character has a sister who is over 40 years older than her. Mitra also elaborates on the necessity for surreal and cuckoo comedy to be grounded in an emotional truth. And, of course, she discusses the “Touchdown Jesus” of Ohio getting hit by lightning.You can watch Three Busy Debras on Adult Swim nowIf you haven’t seen Earth Girls Are Easy…truly, what is wrong with you?AND, if you want to check out April’s Staff Pick – watch Susan Seidelman’s Making Mr. RightWith April Wolfe and Mitra Jouhari

Just because we’re doing remote recordings doesn’t mean we’re not going to give you one of our best episodes. We’re joined by writer, actor, and producer Felicia Day. She’s here to discuss the classic horror/ comedy Gremlins. Felicia reveals the secret to being true to herself when creating projects. She discusses how her classic film literacy has influenced her career. And she talks about the creation of her newest film Pooka Lives! Make sure to listen to this episode to hear Felicia’s great story about how she nailed her monologue as a horse grooming psychic in a Hallmark movie.You can watch Pooka Lives! on Hulu nowIf you haven’t seen Gremlins…truly, what is wrong with you?AND, if you want to check out April’s Staff Pick – watch Jackie Kong’s Blood DinerWith April Wolfe and Felicia Day

Our first remote recording, and it’s a spectacular one. We’re joined by director Tayarisha Poe to discuss Rian Johnson’s Brick. Tayarisha takes April step by step through the process of getting her first feature film financed and produced, Selah And The Spades. She discusses going through the Sundance Labs and taking joy from her mentors ripping her project apart. She also talks about creating a unique world in her own film, with its own original language and look, on the smallest possible budget.You can watch Selah And The Spades on Amazon Prime on April 17thIf you haven’t seen Brick…it’s good!AND, if you want to check out April’s Staff Pick – watch Coralie Fargeat’s RevengeWith April Wolfe and Tayarisha Poe

This week we’ve been graced by a legend. An actor who can be seen in such films as Aliens, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Near Dark, and Titanic – the one and only Jenette Goldstein. She’s on the show to talk about Panos Cosmatos’ heavy metal, psycho-horror, Mandy. Jenette speaks about her career as a character actor and working with James Cameron. She also discusses digging deep for emotional scenes and reveals the secret to crying on camera.If you haven’t seen Mandy…buckle up.And if you’re interested in Jenette Bras, head on over to jenettebras.com.If you’re interested in getting 20% off your Beta Brand purchases go to www.betabrand.com/switchbladeWith April Wolfe and Jenette Goldstein.

We are joined this week by the director of the 2018 horror, The Ranger, Jenn Wexler. You may remember previous guest Heather Buckley, who was a producer on the film, discussing Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer. Well, Jenn has chosen an equally challenging film, Abel Ferrara’s Ms .45. She and April discuss what it means to portray sexual violence on the screen, and the effect it has on the viewer. They also chat about making low budget indie films and the importance of creating your own film community.You can watch The Ranger on Shudder now.And if you haven’t seen Ms .45…it’s fantastic.If you’re interested in getting 20% off your Beta Brand purchases go to www.betabrand.com/switchbladeWith April Wolfe and Jenn Wexler.

This could be described as a “best buds” episode because our host and guests go way back! Katie Walsh returns to the hosting chair to speak with her old pals, Danielle Krudy and Bridget Savage Cole, who just happen to be the directors of the new Amazon film, Blow the Man Down. They are on the program this week to talk about the folk-horror classic, 1973’s The Wicker Man. Both Krudy and Savage Cole have a cinematography background, and they discuss how having technical expertise can be both a blessing and a curse on set. They go in depth on creating the unique setting of the old fishing town in their film. And they proclaim the joy of working with the one-and-only Margo Martindale. If you’re starting to get those “social isolation blues,” this episode is so much fun that it can help clear that all up.You can watch Blow the Man Down on Amazon Prime on March 20th!And if you haven’t seen The Wicker Man…get to it, man!If you’re interested in getting 20% off your Beta Brand purchases go to www.betabrand.com/switchb

We are joined today by the exceptionally talented writer, producer, and co-creator of the new Netflix show I Am Not Okay with This, Christy Hall. She is here to talk about the beautifully weird Ron Howard/ George Lucas fantasy epic, Willow. This episode’s conversation is particularly illuminating and helpful as Christy gets into the nitty-gritty of being a writer. She elaborates on her initial struggle, and inevitable embrace, of using outlines when crafting a script. She also discusses the need to hone your craft and put in the work in order to get to the desired place in your career. Young writers, this is the podcast episode for you!You can watch I Am Not Okay with This right this very minute on Netflix!And if you haven’t seen Willow…it’s good!If you’re interested in getting 20% off your Beta Brand purchases go to www.betabrand.com/switchbladeWith April Wolfe and Christy Hall.

We have an exceptionally packed show with two separate guests! First up, we’ve got the electrifying director of Blumhouse’s Into the Dark: Culture Shock, Gigi Saul Guerrero. She’s on to talk about the terrifying 2016 film, Don’t Breathe. She and April chat about motivating actors with intensity and trickery. Gigi also talks about communicating with the entire crew so no one gets impatient. After Gigi we have a quick conversation with the artistic director of Indie Memphis Film Festival, Miriam Bale. She and April discuss diversity at film festivals, capturing the spirit of Memphis, and, of course, ghosts. This is an episode not to be missed!You can watch Into the Dark: Culture Shock right this very minute on Hulu!And if you haven’t seen Don’t Breathe…it’s freaky!If you’re interested in getting 20% off your Beta Brand purchases go to www.betabrand.com/switchbladeWith April Wolfe, Gigi Saul Guerrero, and Miriam Bale.

Today we are so lucky to have the amazingly talented showrunner for the Facebook Watch show Sacred Lies, Raelle Tucker. Raelle is also a playwright and has written for such TV shows as Supernatural, Jessica Jones, and True Blood. The movie she has chosen to discuss today is Kill Bill (both 1 and 2). Raelle and April have a long conversation about loving this film (and other films of its ilk) despite the problematic elements that went on behind the scenes. Raelle also talks about working with the wonderful Juliette Lewis. And she details how she gets her projects off the ground.You can watch Sacred Lies right this very minute!And if you haven’t seen Kill Bill…what are you doing?With April Wolfe and Raelle Tucker.

Today we have the multi-talented Jenna Kanell (Terrifier) on the program. She’s a writer, director, actor, and stunt performer. And she’s on the show today to talk about 2014’s It Follows. Jenna discusses the infusion of social commentary into the horror genre. She talks about the difficulty and isolation that can go along with the acting process. And she elaborates on performing her own stunts and how that can help her feel more “in her own body” for a role. If you haven’t seen It Follows…you should! It’s good! With April Wolfe and Jenna Kanell.

We have the magnificent director Maggie Levin (Blumhouse’s Into the Dark: My Valentine, Miss 2059) on the show to discuss Joel Schumacher’s vampire-classic, The Lost Boys. Maggie and April chat about making genre films on a shoestring budget. Maggie takes us through the laborious and often entertaining process of the “name clearance phase” of filmmaking. And she emphasizes the necessity of talented actors to make a quality film. You can watch Into the Dark: My Valentine on Hulu now. And if you haven’t seen The Lost Boys…get to it! With April Wolfe and Maggie Levin.

What a FANTABULOUS episode this is! We have the magnificent Cathy Yan, director of Birds of Prey, on to talk all about Mad Max: Fury Road. Cathy discusses what it’s like making her own standalone film in a “sequalized environment.” She elaborates on the function of using practical effects and stunts. And she discusses working with Margot Robbie and further developing Harley Quinn’s character. You can watch Birds of Prey: And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn in theaters on February 7th. And if you haven’t seen Mad Max: Fury Road…what? With April Wolfe and Cathy Yan.

This week we are joined by the wonderful actress Madeleine Arthur (Color Out of Space, Big Eyes, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before) to talk about 2002’s Adaptation. Madeleine discusses the craft of self-taping an audition, doing an ADR session, and grounding supernatural dialogue. She also reveals what it was like co-starring with Nicolas Cage. And she even sings the song he made up for the times when he needs to focus on set. You can watch Color Out of Space in theaters now. And if you haven’t seen Adaptation…what are you even doing with your life? With April Wolfe and Madeleine Arthur.

We are so lucky to be joined by the phenomenal director of the new film She’s Missing, Alexandra McGuinness. She’s on the program to talk about the aptly chosen movie, Otto Preminger’s Bunny Lake Is Missing. Alexandra discusses the significance of making films in foreign places. She elaborates on unintentionally making her work personal. And she chats about her love of collaborating with inexperienced actors – especially child actors who correct Josh Hartnett when he doesn’t remember a line. You can watch She’s Missing on streaming now. And if you haven’t seen Bunny Lake Is Missing…do it now! With April Wolfe and Alexandra McGuinness.

This week we have one of our very own Max Fun pals on the program, writer and Round Springfield co-host Julia Prescott! She’s on the show to talk about the delectable Addams Family Values. Julia discusses her love of 90’s comedies and the genius of Joan Cusack. Plus she elaborates on her own writing mindset and the joy of taking silliness very seriously. You can listen to Round Springfield now. And if you haven’t seen Addams Family Values…what are you doing?! With April Wolfe and Julia Prescott.

What a great way to start off the New Year. Writer Megan Amram (The Good Place, Parks and Rec) joins April to discuss the monumental classic, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Megan and April explore the idea of objectifying the human body in an interesting and meaningful way. Plus Megan talks about the moral approach in her scripts for the way character’s make decisions. And it should be noted that this entire interview was conducted with Megan shrouded in her own The Texas Chainsaw Massacre blanket. You can watch NBC’s The Good Place on Thursday nights. And if you haven’t seen The Texas Chainsaw Massacre…what are you doing?! With April Wolfe and Megan Amram. You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters on Twitter or Facebook. Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org. Produced by Casey O’Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.