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In this NSNP episode, I chat with filmmakers Jordan Tetewsky and Joshua Pikovsky about their debut feature film, "HANNAH HA HA." I'm also joined by the star of the indie darling, HANNAH LEE THOMPSON. Hear how they took a short film and expanded it into a feature that is a NY Times critics pick and the winner of the best narrative feature prize at the 2022 Slamdance Film Festival. Hannah Ha Ha Puts New Twist On Old Coming-Of-Age Tale, setting up a sweet and realistic movie about finding oneself and figuring out how much the opinions of others matter. The movie is out in theaters now and will then head to Fandor. Find theater info, the movie trailer, and other info below.   THEATER INFO: NYC AMC Empire 25 (2/10 – 2/16) (Q&A 2/10 and 2/11) Alamo Lower Manhattan (2/13 – 2/15) (Q&A 2/14) LA AMC Americana at the Brand (2/10 – 2/16) Alamo Downtown LA (2/13 – 2/15) https://linktr.ee/hannahhahamovie https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/09/movies/hannah-ha-ha-review.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HnTac2VhNg   https://slamdancechannel.com/films/hannah-ha-ha/61ae80355dd06f34d7007f51  

This episode, I talk REBECCA and JOSH TICKELL ("Kiss the Ground") and WILLIAM MAPOTHER ("Lost") about their powerful new environmental thriller, "ON SACRED GROUND." Josh and Rebecca directed the film and William stars in this drama, which is inspired by real events surrounding the 2016 protests over the Dakota Access Pipeline at Standing Rock Reservation. Josh and Rebecca are veteran documentary filmmakers but this is their first narrative feature. We discuss the pressure they faced and why they chose to make this story their first scripted film. "On Standing Ground" is inspired by Josh's actual experiences at Standing Rock and follows the colliding paths of a journalist (Mapother) searching for the truth and an oil man (David Arquette) determined to get the pipeline built and oil flowing. Amy Smart also stars. Check out the trailer and website below and see the film in theaters or on demand now.   "ON SACRED GROUND" TRAILER https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F64dUVAaQV8   WEBSITE https://www.onsacredgroundmovie.com    

In this episode, I talk to award-winning director RACHEL LEARS ("Knock Down the House") about her riveting new climate crisis documentary, "TO THE END," and one of the film's stars, ALEXANDRA ROJAS, the executive director of Justice Democrats. Filmed over 4 tumultuous years, "To the End" captures the emergence of a new generation of environmental leaders and the movement behind the most sweeping climate change legislation in U.S. history. The film follows four dynamic young women— Representative ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ (AOC), activist Varshini Prakash, climate policy writer Rhiana Gunn-Wright, and political strategist Alexandra Rojas— as they grapple with new challenges of leadership and power and work together to defend their generation’s right to a future. As Rachel and Alexandra tell me, these bold leaders went from street protests to the halls of Congress, fighting to shift the narrative around climate, revealing the crisis as an opportunity to build a better society. Check out the film's trailer and website below. It's in theaters now so go see it! https://www.totheendfilm.com https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cv2jtKboDi0   MY SOCIALS: https://berkreport.com https://post.news/steveberkowitz https://twitter.com/steveberkowitz https://www.instagram.com/stevemberkowitz/

Emmy-winning documentary filmmaker RORY KENNEDY joins the podcast to chat about the new film she's directed, "THE VOLCANO: RESCUE FROM WHAKAARI," which premieres December 16, 2022, on NETFLIX. The feature doc chronicles the tragic events surrounding a sightseeing trip to a remote island off the coast of New Zealand in 2019, where 47 tourists and guides became trapped by a volcanic eruption. Rory does a fantastic job with minute-by-minute iPhone footage, stylish recreations and intimate interviews with individuals who were there, as you really see humanity at its most resilient. Listen to the interview and watch the doc on Netflix. Trailer below. "THE VOLCANO: RESCUE FROM WHAKAARI" - TRAILER & INFO https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnxGV9RQutE     https://www.indiewire.com/2022/11/the-volcano-rescue-from-whakaari-trailer-leonardo-dicaprio-1234786172/     MY SOCIAL MEDIA https://www.instagram.com/stevemberkowitz/ https://post.news/steveberkowitz https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-berkowitz-5a09ab8/ https://berkreport.com https://twitter.com/steveberkowitz    

In this episode, I chop it up with filmmaker CJ RUSSO, the visionary behind the wonderful documentary feature film, "LADY BUDS," which tells the story of 6 courageous women who come out of the shadows of the CANNABIS underground to forge a path to legalization, battling deep-pocketed corporations as they risk everything to make their American Dream come true in the market they helped create. This film has heart, humor, and grit. CJ talks to me about how she brought it to life over 4 years and had to gain the trust of the cannabis community, which doesn't always welcome outsiders. You can watch "Lady Buds" on STARZ, AMAZON PRIME, YouTube, VUDU, GOOGLE PLAY, ITUNES, and MICROSOFT. Trailer below as well as some great news for CJ regarding a scripted spin on the "Lady Buds" story. Listen to this episode of "No Script, No Problem" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn, and Google Podcasts. Thanks! 🙏 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxYoD1xDD7c   https://deadline.com/2022/02/lady-buds-cannabis-doc-spinoffs-1234958078/?fbclid=IwAR1fAwf28jPgkNgjFTo64UlkZBlXNYmVVrij7OjH5dsyQop8sivkoZ_iypg  

The 2022 Academy Awards are set for March 27th, and my guest - MATT OGENS - will be there with his film - "AUDIBLE" - nominated for an Oscar in the category of Best Documentary Short. Streaming now on NETFLIX, "Audible" is a cinematic and immersive coming of age documentary film, which takes you inside a high school football season with the Maryland School for the Deaf, introducing the world to some incredibly talented and resilient student-athletes who face many obstacles — on and off the field. Twelve years in the making, Matt, a Maryland native, talks about how special and personal this project is to him and how this is much more than a "sports doc." We also discuss the stylistic choices he made to develop a sense of intimacy and how he made "sound a character." Along with Ogens, acclaimed "Friday Night Lights" director PETER BERG serves as an executive producer on the project, so don't be surprised if you feel some of those "clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose" chills when you watch "Audible." Check out the film on Netflix now and let's root for Matt on the 3/27/2022 at the Academy Awards! Trailer below.   Trailer for "Audible" on Netflix https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5htMIBhdGk    

In this episode, I talk to award-winning director and executive producer ALEXANDRA DEAN about her shocking and powerful 10-part A&E documentary series, Secrets of Playboy, a no-holds-barred exposé on the Playboy empire and legendary founder Hugh Hefner. The series paints a damning portrait of Hefner, the pipe-smoking, silk pajama-wearing mogul, who once was a famed champion of women's rights and the sexual revolution. As Alex tells me on the podcast and you can see in the docu-series, several former Playmates claim Hefner raped, coerced and dominated them, allowing his friends and celebrities (among them Bill Cosby) to do likewise, and fashioned a cult-like environment to satisfy his incessant appetite for sex and power. Alex talks to me about her investigative process, specifically how she uncovered the dark side of the Playboy Mansion, as numerous former Playmates and employees revealed tales of abuse and cover-ups to keep scandals out of the press. We also discuss the role that E!'s reality show, "The Girls Next Door" played in perpetuating the myth of Hugh Hefner and building up the Playboy facade. Check out the trailer below and watch the series on Mondays on A&E. Listen to our conversation on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and TuneIn. Thanks! 🙏   "Secrets of Playboy" - Trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuWdBMon3EU

In this episode, I talk to the talented filmmakers of the wonderful HBO documentary, "STREET GANG: HOW WE GOT TO SESAME STREET," a fascinating film that gives a rare window into the early days of the groundbreaking TV series, “Sesame Street,” revealing the creators, artists, writers and educators, who together established one of the most influential and enduring children’s programs in television history. My guests are the fantastic director of the documentary, Marilyn Agrelo, and two of the producers, Trevor Crafts and Ellen Scherer Crafts - both of whom put years into making this film happen. The trio explains how Sesame Street is as relevant today as it was when it began in 1969, and we discuss the many important barriers it broke, becoming an essential part of our culture and national dialogue. “STREET GANG: HOW WE GOT TO SESAME STREET” is on HBO and HBO Max. Find links to the trailer below and their website. You can hear the episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Bleav.com, and TuneIn. See my website below as well. Email questions and suggestions to: NoScriptNoProblemPodcast@gmail.com 📧 Thanks! 🙏 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQEFS6aKXCU&t=1s https://www.hbo.com/movies/street-gang-how-we-got-to-sesame-street https://berkreport.com      

In this episode, I chat with director/editor/producer JODY MCVEIGH-SCHULTZ about his outstanding 3-part HBO true crime documentary series, “The Murders at Starved Rock,” which explores the 1960 brutal murders of three women at Starved Rock State Park in LaSalle, Illinois, and the decades of questions and doubts left in their wake. 🎥 Jody tells me about the pressures of directing his first TRUE CRIME docu-series and how he brought his own style and POV to it but also makes sure to give true crime fans what they want and maintains the HBO standards. 📺 🙌 We discuss how they made this a story as much about generational trauma as it is about the search for truth and who is guilty. Of course, I also had to ask Jody about his time editing DRUNK HISTORY, one of my favorite guilty pleasures. He shares some fun insights from that experience. 😂 You can watch “The Murders at Starved Rock” on HBO and HBO Max and you can hear my interview with Jody and all eps of "No Script, No Problem" on Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, and TuneIn. See links below to the trailer of the HBO docu-series as well as where to find me on social media. Email any questions you have here: NoScriptNoProblemPodcast@gmail.com Thanks! 🙏   https://www.hbo.com/murders-at-starved-rock https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVZL2pAnaZU&t=2s   https://berkreport.com https://twitter.com/steveberkowitz https://www.instagram.com/stevemberkowitz/  

In this episode, I chat with Academy and Emmy Award-winning film producer and director EVA ORNER, whose incredible works include “Bikram: Yogi, Guru, Predator” on Netflix, “Burning” on Amazon Prime, "Chasing Asylum," "Out of Iraq," "Taxi to the Dark Side" (she won an Oscar for producing this), and "Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson." Listen as Eva shares some fascinating details about the making of her amazing documentary, "Burning," which takes an unflinching look at the unprecedented and catastrophic Australian bushfires of 2019-2020, known as ‘Black Summer.’ Eva exposes the Australian government's negligence and disregard for climate change, as she documents the deadly effects of fire after fire throughout Australia over the decades. The film tackles the climate crisis head-on and leaves viewers longing for and demanding political change. Watch "Burning" on Amazon Prime now. There's a link to the film and the trailer below. We also discuss Eva's powerful feature doc about the criminal yoga guru, Bikram Choudhury, which is streaming on Netflix. Her passion for uncovering wrongdoing and shining a light on critical societal issues comes through again here, as it has throughout her career. Listen to the episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and TuneIn. Please remember to subscribe, download, and rate the show with 5 stars. 📧 questions or suggestions to: NoScriptNoProblemPodcast@gmail.com Thanks!   https://www.amazon.com/Burning-EVA-ORNER/dp/B09M45NHTX   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTfyD7ALJtU    

In this episode, I'm psyched to chat with Peabody and Emmy Award-winning director/producer ERIKA COHN, who Variety recognized as one of 2017’s top documentary filmmakers to watch. We discuss her powerful, shocking and incredibly impactful feature doc, "BELLY OF THE BEAST," which exposes modern-day eugenics and illegal sterilizations in California prisons. Erika explains how she filmed Belly of the Beast over seven years and was able to gain such extraordinary access and intimate accounts from currently and formerly incarcerated people. She shares insight of how patience, passion and determination helped her and her team achieve change in the system and reparations for the victims of forced sterilizations. And the film even boasts a theme song from the one and only Mary J. Blige!  You can find info on Erika and Belly of the Beast below as well as where to find me on social media. Please remember to subscribe, download, and rate "No Script, No Problem" with 5 stars. You can find it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher and TuneIn. Thanks! 🙏   ERIKA'S WEBSITE: https://www.idlewildfilmsinc.com BELLY OF THE BEAST TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoD7VgFl9EI  MY WEBSITE: https://berkreport.com MY TWITTER: https://twitter.com/steveberkowitz MY INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/stevemberkowitz/    

In this episode, I'm honored to have the award-winning documentary filmmaker SONIA KENNEBECK as my guest, as we discuss 3 of her incredible films: "Enemies of the State," "United States vs. Reality Winner," and "National Bird." In the 3 films, Sonia investigates the critical topics of government surveillance, national security, and the role of the whistleblower in a powerful and necessary way. We talk about how Sonia adjusted in real time during the filming of "Enemies of the State" to several twists and turns in the story. We also get into why she thinks the story of whistleblower Reality Winner needs more attention and why her story is important for all Americans. And of course, we chat about "National Bird," which focuses on the controversial drone program and premiered at the Berlin Film Festival 2016 and was also selected for Tribeca, Sheffield, and IDFA. You can find info on Sonia and her films below as well as where to find me on social media. Please remember to subscribe, download, and rate "No Script, No Problem" with 5 stars. You can find it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher and TuneIn. Thanks! 🙏   SONIA'S WEBSITE: https://www.codebreakerfilms.com WEBSITE FOR "ENEMIES OF THE STATE": https://www.enemiesofthestate.movie WEBSITE FOR "NATIONAL BIRD": http://nationalbirdfilm.com MY WEBSITE: https://berkreport.com MY TWITTER: https://twitter.com/steveberkowitz MY INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/stevemberkowitz/  

Love this episode! Producer/Director/Filmmaker REBECCA HALPERN joins "No Script, No Problem" to talk about her new documentary film: "Love, Charlie: The Rise and Fall of Chef Charlie Trotter," which premieres 10/18/21 at the Chicago Film Festival. 🎥 Halpern, a Chicago native, makes her feature doc debut with a complex and nuanced portrait of the legendary chef, Charlie Trotter, who could be a hopeless romantic, who mentored dozens upon dozens of young talents, who is lauded as a wonderful friend and a dedicated father — but could also be enigmatic, mercurial, hot-tempered and dismissive of anyone he felt couldn’t meet his impossibly high standards. Rebecca explains the challenges of making her first film during the pandemic and how she adapted her style and approach but was still able to accomplish her goals. A veteran of true crime, Rebecca talks about how she used her unscripted TV skills as she makes the transition to feature docs. Check out the amazing review "Love, Charlie" received in the Chicago Sun Times below and listen to the episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and TuneIn. Thanks! 🙏   https://chicago.suntimes.com/movies-and-tv/2021/10/12/22714995/love-charlie-review-trotter-documentary-chef-chicago   See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If you love docs, this is a great episode for you. My guest is award-winning producer ETHAN GOLDMAN, the founder and president of Anchor Entertainment, a production company that collaborates with documentarians and filmmakers to create timely, character-driven content for premium networks and platforms. 🎥 Ethan and I talk about Anchor's incredible feature doc, "Rebel Hearts," which is currently streaming on DISCOVERY +. We also discuss their upcoming documentary about legendary newsman DAN RATHER and why that is such an important project to make at this moment in time. Ethan also explains what he looks for in a documentary, what it takes to sell a doc today, and provides some advice for young non-fiction filmmakers. 🎞 Please remember to subscribe, download, and rate with 5 stars. Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and TuneIn. Email questions to: NoScriptNoProblemPodcast@gmail.com 📧 Thanks! 🙏 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Veteran executive producer, director and content creator PATTY IVINS SPECHT joins "No Script, No Problem" to discuss her compelling new 3-part documentary special, "ALY RAISMAN: DARKNESS TO LIGHT," which premieres on both LIFETIME and HULU Friday, September 24th. 📺 Specht serves as executive producer and director for this timely and powerful project, as Raisman, the gymnastics gold medalist and world champion, just testified in front of the US Senate about the FBI's failures in her sexual abuse case. Specht tells us this documentary is designed to raise awareness about sexual abuse across all ages and backgrounds while supporting survivors. The special follows Raisman as she meets with individuals who have suffered abuse and discusses their trauma while sharing her story.   Listen as Patty describes what it was like working with Aly and how she approached this project from a unique POV. Here's the teaser for "Aly Raisman: Darkness to Light": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1oc-sT8nJc 🎥   We also discuss Patty's career, which includes reality TV hits like "The Simple Life" and "Dress My Nest." And of course, we chat about the 2021 Emmys. Please subscribe and download the show. You can find it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and TuneIn. 🎙   Thanks! 🙏 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The super talented and hilarious Sahara Bushue joins the "No Script, No Problem" podcast to talk about her exciting role as Senior Vice President and Head of Unscripted at Westbrook Studios, a subsidiary of Westbrook Inc., the media company founded by Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith to empower artists to tell stories that connect with a global audience. 🙌   After working for 12 years at NBC, rising all the way to SVP of Alternative Development & Current Programming, Sahara is now on the selling side at Westbrook Studios. She reveals what it's like being on the other end of a pitch and how her time as a buyer is helping her in the new job. Sahara also shares some of her favorite moments from her time at NBC, including a wild story from the set of "America's Got Talent," as well as the best and worst pitches she's ever heard. Listen for all of this and more on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and Tuneln. Thanks! 🙏 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If you're a fan of HISTORY CHANNEL's hit survival series "ALONE," you'll love this episode of the "No Script, No Problem" podcast. 🎙 SHAWN WITT, the Co-President of Leftfield Pictures and an executive producer on the series, breaks down how the show came about, how it's produced, and the keys to casting these incredibly unique individuals. We also chat about Shawn's development strategy in today's always changing entertainment landscape with new streamers popping up all the time. And we get into how Shawn's time as an internal producer at MTV during the "Total Request Live" days helped to hone his skills and create some unforgettable memories. Listen in as Shawn pulls the curtain back to share some stories from BTS of both Alone and TRL. You can find NSNP on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and TuneIn. Thanks! 🙏 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It's hard to believe that iconic prank and stunt show "JACKASS" has been a part of our lives for over 20 years! 🤕 With "Jackass 4" ready to hit theaters this fall, I chatted with Executive Producer TRIP TAYLOR about the keys to the franchise's lasting success, his favorite pranks, working with Johnny Knoxville, the most disgusting and shocking moments, and how the series has evolved over the years from MTV into full length films on the big screen. 🎥 🍿 Trip also executive produces the NITRO CIRCUS franchise with Travis Pastrana so we discuss what it's like to produce a show where someone could literally die and the type of stress and excitement that brings. 🏍 As you can imagine, Trip has some insane and hilarious stories to share from his 21 years with Jackass. Learn how Johnny Knoxville tore his urethra, how they kidnapped Brad Pitt, and why it's not a good idea to wear a fart helmet. 🪖 Definitely an episode you wanna check out. 🙌🎙 Plus, make sure to check out the Jackass Shark Week Special on Discovery Channel Sunday, July 11, at 10 p.m. ET/PT 🦈👍📺 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of "No Script, No Problem," I'm joined by award-winning filmmaker KIM A. SNYDER, director of "US KIDS" - an incredible documentary about the 2018 school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, and the subsequent student-led worldwide March for Our Lives movement, which became the largest youth protest in American history. Nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival, "Us Kids" is an insightful, rousing coming-of-age story of a generation of youth leaders determined to take the reins and fight for justice at a most critical time in our nation’s history. Listen in as Kim, who won a Peabody Award for her previous documentary "Newtown," reveals how she gained access and trust with the students, traveled the country chronicling the work of the activists for months, and found a way to tell a traumatic story with passion and sensitivity. You can watch "Us Kids" on all Video On Demand platforms. The website and trailer are below. "Us Kids" Official Website https://uskidsfilm.com "Us Kids" Trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8xAjFPBg-c&t=2s Listen to NSNP on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and TuneIn. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trailblazer Studios SVP of Development Ashleigh DiTonto joins me to discuss the company's TWO powerful documentaries about the 1921 Tulsa Massacre. DiTonto serves as executive producer on both projects and we chat about how each came about, why they are different, and why it's so important to tell these stories. You can watch "Rise Again: Tulsa and the Reds Summer," directed by Dawn Porter, on Nat Geo and Hulu. Additionally, "The Legacy of Black Wall Street" is directed by Deborah Riley Draper as a 2-part doc for OWN and is streaming now on Discovery +. 🎥 Ashleigh and I also talk about how Trailblazer, which is based in North Carolina, stays competitive with bigger production companies in LA and NY. And as a bonus, she describes how she went from working behind the scenes in porn (yes, seriously) to working at a network to developing reality TV & game shows to producing premium docs. This is a good story, trust me. 👍 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, and TuneIn. Thanks! 🙏 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.