In July 2016, more than a year before the #MeToo movement began, Gretchen Carlson made a bold decision to sue Fox News chief Roger Ailes for sexual harassment. Now she and Julie Rogisnky, a former Fox News contributor who also sued Ailes, have made it their mission to end nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) that can muzzle those who sue over misconduct. Their initiative is called Lift Our Voices.

In July 2016, more than a year before the #MeToo movement began, Gretchen Carlson made a bold decision to sue Fox News chief Roger Ailes for sexual harassment. Now she and Julie Rogisnky, a former Fox News contributor who also sued Ailes, have made it their mission to end nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) that can muzzle those who sue over misconduct. Their initiative is called Lift Our Voices. 

The Business

Anti-NDA initiative ‘Lift Our Voices’

Autumn de Wilde has more than 20 years of experience photographing rock bands and directing commercials, but she’d never made a feature film. Then out of the blue, a British production company asked her to pitch ideas for a new version of the Jane Austen classic, “Emma.” De Wilde tells us how she made her light and bright version of “Emma,” the famous comedy of manners.

Autumn de Wilde has more than 20 years of experience photographing rock bands and directing commercials, but she’d never made a feature film. Then out of the blue, a British production company asked her to pitch ideas for a new version of the Jane Austen classic, “Emma.” De Wilde tells us how she made her light and bright version of “Emma,” the famous comedy of manners.  

Autumn de Wilde’s ‘Emma’

“Sonic the Hedgehog” is director Jeff Fowler’s first feature film, and it looked like it was going to be his first bomb when the trailer dropped last spring. Fans of the video game emphatically rejected the too-realistic look of the lead character. “Sonic” director Jeff Fowler tells us how he brought the speedy blue hedgehog from the brink of disaster to big box office success.

“Sonic the Hedgehog” is director Jeff Fowler’s first feature film, and it looked like it was going to be his first bomb when the trailer dropped last spring. Fans of the video game emphatically rejected the too-realistic look of the lead character. “Sonic” director Jeff Fowler tells us how he brought the speedy blue hedgehog from the brink of disaster to big box office success.

Bob Iger’s resignation, ‘Sonic’ saved

Twelve jurors found Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein guilty on two counts: criminal sexual assault in the first degree and rape in the third degree.

Twelve jurors found Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein guilty on two counts: criminal sexual assault in the first degree and rape in the third degree.

Harvey Weinstein in jail following guilty verdict

We look at high-profile movies that had their theatrical releases delayed for months. Tim Miller talks about dealing with the online blowback related to “Terminator: Dark Fate,” which he directed, and “Sonic the Hedgehog,” which he executive produced. And we revisit a chat with Damon Lindelof, co-writer of the movie “The Hunt.” Universal pushed the theatrical release of “The Hunt” from September 2019 to March 2020.

We look at high-profile movies that had their theatrical releases delayed for months. Tim Miller talks about dealing with the online blowback related to “Terminator: Dark Fate,” which he directed, and “Sonic the Hedgehog,” which he executive produced. And we revisit a chat with Damon Lindelof, co-writer of the movie “The Hunt.” Universal pushed the theatrical release of “The Hunt” from September 2019 to March 2020.  

Theatrical release delays: ‘Terminator: Dark Fate,’ ‘Sonic,’ ‘The Hunt’

American independent filmmakers might envy Céline Sciamma, director of the French film, “Portrait of a Lady on Fire.” Sciamma had no problem getting funding for her lesbian romance set in the 18th century, and for that she credits France’s support for directors. But she says the system is far from perfect. She tells us about the three-year-long process of planning her newest movie and the heightened political environment surrounding French filmmaking at the moment.

American independent filmmakers might envy Céline Sciamma, director of the French film, “Portrait of a Lady on Fire.” Sciamma had no problem getting funding for her lesbian romance set in the 18th century, and for that she credits France’s support for directors. But she says the system is far from perfect. She tells us about the three-year-long process of planning her newest movie and the heightened political environment surrounding French filmmaking at the moment. 

‘Portrait of a Lady on Fire’ director on contradictions of filmmaking in France

Kim and Matt met up the morning after the Oscars to talk "Parasite" making history, Netflix nearly striking out, and hold on, what was Eminem doing there?

Kim and Matt met up the morning after the Oscars to talk "Parasite" making history, Netflix nearly striking out, and hold on, what was Eminem doing there?

Post-Oscars bonus banter!

The Netflix series “Cheer” focuses on the stressful lives of junior college cheerleaders fighting for their next national championship. Director Greg Whiteley says he could’ve done a better job of portraying one set of cheer parents, who came off as controlling.

The Netflix series “Cheer” focuses on the stressful lives of junior college cheerleaders fighting for their next national championship. Director Greg Whiteley says he could’ve done a better job of portraying one set of cheer parents, who came off as controlling. 

‘Cheer’ director on the glory and agony of college cheerleading

Filmmaker Waad al-Kateab spent years documenting the horror and humanity of life in Aleppo, Syria. When she fled with her family, she smuggled 12 hard drives of footage past a Syrian checkpoint. That footage became the Oscar-nominated documentary “For Sama.” Al-Kateab and her collaborator Edward Watts tell us how they crafted an intimate 90-minute film dedicated to al-Kateab’s daughter.

Filmmaker Waad al-Kateab spent years documenting the horror and humanity of life in Aleppo, Syria. When she fled with her family, she smuggled 12 hard drives of footage past a Syrian checkpoint. That footage became the Oscar-nominated documentary “For Sama.” Al-Kateab and her collaborator Edward Watts tell us how they crafted an intimate 90-minute film dedicated to al-Kateab’s daughter. 

Oscar nominees turn footage smuggled out of Syria into ‘For Sama’

“Parasite” has already made history as the first Korean film nominated for Oscar -- or six Oscars to be exact, including Best Picture. Director Bong Joon Ho tells us about clashing with Harvey Weinstein over cuts to his 2013 film “Snowpiercer,” and explains how that led him to make “Okja” for Netflix, even though he prefers to watch films in theaters. And he shares his thinking behind the planned “Parasite” TV series.

“Parasite” has already made history as the first Korean film nominated for Oscar -- or six Oscars to be exact, including Best Picture. Director Bong Joon Ho tells us about clashing with Harvey Weinstein over cuts to his 2013 film “Snowpiercer,” and explains how that led him to make “Okja” for Netflix, even though he prefers to watch films in theaters. And he shares his thinking behind the planned “Parasite” TV series. 

Bong Joon Ho on making ‘Parasite,’ then making history

It’s a podcast crossover event! Recently, Kim Masters sat on the other side of the mic as Ronan Farrow interviewed her for an episode of his “Catch and Kill Podcast.” They talked about why it was so hard to reveal the allegations against Harvey Weinstein for so many years. This week, we play sections from Episode Five of Farrow’s "Catch and Kill Podcast" and Kim adds a few additional memories of her own.

It’s a podcast crossover event! Recently, Kim Masters sat on the other side of the mic as Ronan Farrow interviewed her for an episode of his “Catch and Kill Podcast.” They talked about why it was so hard to reveal the allegations against Harvey Weinstein for so many years. This week, we play sections from Episode Five of Farrow’s "Catch and Kill Podcast" and Kim adds a few additional memories of her own.

Kim Masters on ‘The Catch and Kill Podcast’ with Ronan Farrow

This week, some very tasty leftovers from three filmmakers reflecting on the early, not-so-easy days of their careers. "Star Wars" second unit director Victoria Mahoney, "Little Women" filmmaker Greta Gerwig and Nanfu Wang, director of "One Child Nation" share some of the ups and downs from when they were first starting out.

This week, some very tasty leftovers from three filmmakers reflecting on the early, not-so-easy days of their careers. "Star Wars" second unit director Victoria Mahoney, "Little Women" filmmaker Greta Gerwig and Nanfu Wang, director of "One Child Nation" share some of the ups and downs from when they were first starting out. 

Three filmmakers reflect on early career struggles

When filmmaker Lulu Wang set out to write and direct a personal movie based on a real-life family saga, she had a clear vision for an American film, largely set in China, mostly in Mandarin. But buyers weren’t biting. Wang tells us about her circuitous route to finally making “The Farewell,” which turned into an indie success story and now, an awards contender.

When filmmaker Lulu Wang set out to write and direct a personal movie based on a real-life family saga, she had a clear vision for an American film, largely set in China, mostly in Mandarin. But buyers weren’t biting. Wang tells us about her circuitous route to finally making “The Farewell,” which turned into an indie success story and now, an awards contender.

Revisiting director Lulu Wang on ‘The Farewell’

Victoria Mahoney literally went through homelessness to direct a small indie feature in 2011 and then became a TV director. She wanted to make more movies, sure, but she certainly wasn’t expecting a call from "Star Wars" director J.J. Abrams. As the second unit director on "The Rise of Skywalker," Mahoney's made history: the first woman and first person of color to direct in the "Star Wars" movie universe.

Victoria Mahoney literally went through homelessness to direct a small indie feature in 2011 and then became a TV director. She wanted to make more movies, sure, but she certainly wasn’t expecting a call from "Star Wars" director J.J. Abrams. As the second unit director on "The Rise of Skywalker," Mahoney's made history: the first woman and first person of color to direct in the "Star Wars" movie universe. 

How Victoria Mahoney made ‘Star Wars’ history

The streaming wars got real, writers fired their agents and time was up--or was it? Matt Belloni, editorial director of The Hollywood Reporter, and Lucas Shaw, entertainment reporter for Bloomberg, join Kim Masters to discuss top industry news stories of 2019.

The streaming wars got real, writers fired their agents and time was up--or was it? Matt Belloni, editorial director of The Hollywood Reporter, and Lucas Shaw, entertainment reporter for Bloomberg, join Kim Masters to discuss top industry news stories of 2019. 

Megabanter year-in-review: 2019 edition

The Business is a weekly podcast featuring lively banter about entertainment industry news and in-depth interviews with directors, producers, writers and actors. The show is hosted by award-winning journalist Kim Masters of The Hollywood Reporter...

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