On Story Season 7, Episode 19: Treat Yo Self: A Conversation with Alan Yang

1

Loving: Jeff Nichols Brings History to the Screen

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.

2

The Jungle Book: Justin Marks on Updating a Classic

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.

3

Arrested Development to Veep: A Conversation with Tony Hale

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.

4

"I'll Be There for You" A Conversation on Friends(hips) with Marta Kauffman

Writer and producer Marta Kauffman discusses "Friends" and "Grace and Frankie."

5

John Patrick Shanley: Writing for the Stage and Screen

John Patrick Shanley holds a unique position as both playwright and screenwriter. The writer behind Moonstruck, Doubt, and others shares how he pulls from real life and makes every action count toward story.

6

Comedy is Queen: A Conversation with Paula Pell

With Saturday Night Live and the movies Sisters and This is 40 in her credits, Paula Pell is the queen of comedy. In this episode, Pell talks about her background in theater, creating characters that stick, and drawing from a funny family.

7

Freaks & Muppets: A Conversation with Jason Segel

As charming as any muppet, actor/writer Jason Segel relays how he was destined for the stage at an early age and how, from goofball to vampire puppet musical to full frontal nudity, he’s formed a family of weirdos in film and television.

8

Creed: A New Legend

In this episode, writer Aaron Covington discusses how he and co-writer/director Ryan Coogler came up with the idea for a unique and personal spin on the Rocky Balboa story and in the process created a new legend.

9

Deconstructing Billy Wilder

Inarguably one of the greatest storytellers in Hollywood, filmmaker Billy Wilder’s classic films include Double Indemnity, Sabrina, Sunset Boulevard, Some Like it Hot, The Apartment, and more. This episode dissects several of his films to analyze what makes his filmmaking style so unique and relevant to audiences today.

10

Complicated Relationships: A Conversation with Nancy Meyers

From Private Benjamin to Something’s Gotta Give, writer/director Nancy Meyers has created and championed some of the most memorable complicated women characters on the screen. In this episode she shares her career path and stories of her collaborations – with Goldie Hawn, Mel Gibson, and former husband and writing partner Charles Shyer.

11

A Conversation with Jim Sheridan

Heavily-influenced by politics and family, the screenwriter of In the Name of the Father, My Left Foot, In America, and more discusses his efforts to do justice to Irish fathers, and translate Irish situations and accents for American audiences.

12

Script to Screen: Motorcycle Diaries

In this episode, screenwriter Jose Rivera discusses his approach to bringing Che Guevara’s story to the screen, balancing Guevara’s political awakening with his road trip adventures, and working with director Walter Salles and actor Gael Garcia Bernal.

13

Script to Screen: The Revenant

Screenwriter Mark L. Smith discusses adapting The Revenant from book to screen, working with Alejandro Iñárritu, and getting that famous bear attack right. For their work on this stunning - and freezing - historical picture, Iñárritu won the Academy Award(r) for Best Director, Emmanual Lubezki won for Best Cinematography, and DiCaprio won his first award for Best Actor.

14

Writing Dumb: A Conversation with Bobby Farrelly

The Bobby half of the Farrelly brothers team that brought us There’s Something About Mary, Kingpin, and Dumb and Dumber talks about improv, keeping the material fresh, and what makes comedy funny.

15

Psychological Thrillers

The writers behind Red Eye, The X-Files, Disturbia, and Shut In weigh in on the crucial elements for those psychological thrillers that keep you up all night; namely putting regular people into horrifying scenarios – and hopefully getting them out in one piece.

16

Deconstructing Jane Austen

The filmmakers behind Sense and Sensibility, The Jane Austen Book Club, and The Lizzie Bennet Diaries discuss the timelessness and relate-ability of Jane Austen’s characters, from the jealousies, the romances, the desire to improve one’s status, and, of course, Mr. Darcy.

17

Trail Stories: The Making of Lonesome Dove

Producer Suzanne de Passe, screenwriter Bill Wittliff, and crew share stories about the making of Lonesome Dove, the movie adapted from the NYT bestselling novel by Larry McMurtry. From Tommy Lee Jones doing his own stunts to cattle stampedes, cowboy hats with personality to confounding Hollywood executives, this episode is full of entertaining stories about the made-for-TV movie that almost didn't happen.

18

From the Golden Age to the Platinum Age: A Conversation with Ed Begley Jr.

With hundreds of film and television credits to his name, including Better Call Saul, A Mighty Wind, and Six Feet Under, second generation actor Ed Begley Jr. talks about what he looks for when choosing new projects, finding the pain in a character, and working with Christopher Guest and other comedy legends.

19

Treat Yo Self: A Conversation with Alan Yang

Parks and Recreation and Master of None writer Alan Yang talks about making up for lost time, writing for the Harvard Lampoon, and putting stories from his personal life into the show.

20

Frank Marshall on Producing from the Creative Side

The producer behind Raiders of the Lost Ark, Back to the Future, The Sixth Sense, and more talks about starting his career with Spielberg, Coppola, and Lucas, the creativity in producing, and working with writers.