Supporting Characters

Bill Ackerman talks to writers, bloggers, podcasters, publishers, programmers & more about creative endeavors & film culture.

James Laczkowski James Laczkowski

Episode 26: Joseph A. Ziemba

Bill speaks with Joseph A. Ziemba, creator of the website Bleeding Skull, director of genre programming and promotions at Alamo Drafthouse, and a lead archivist for American Genre Film Archive (AGFA). They discuss the origins of his various projects, as well as formative cinematic experiences, the aesthetic of BOARDINGHOUSE, work/life balance, the evolution of AGFA, and why preserving films like BAT PUSSY won’t necessarily get you disinvited from future family get-togethers these days.

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James Laczkowski James Laczkowski

Episode 25: Abbey Bender

Bill speaks with film critic Abbey Bender. They discuss her experiences in film culture, from childhood repertory screenings to writing for publications like Film Comment, The Village Voice, Playboy and Rolling Stone. Other topics include: “women’s interest” writing assignments, fashion as it relates both to Rainer Werner Fassbinder and ‘The Brady Bunch”, New York film culture, politics and contrarian auteur favorites on Twitter, JOSIE AND THE PUSSYCATS and forging short-lived friendships in order to have someone to see Jean-Luc Godard movies with.

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James Laczkowski James Laczkowski

Episode 24: Lee Gambin

Bill speaks with author and film historian Lee Gambin. They talk about his wide array of artistic pursuits, from directing confrontation stage plays and selling fanzines for beer money to writing for Fangoria and lecturing at film festivals and universities. Topics include: FROGS, the origins of Lee’s various books (including the new NOPE, NOTHING WRONG HERE: THE MAKING OF CUJO), tailoring one’s writing style for specific publishers, Melbourne film culture, and how researching movies like THE PACK can improve your relationship with your own dog.

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James Laczkowski James Laczkowski

Episode 23: Ashley Clark

Bill speaks with writer and film programmer Ashley Clark about his pursuits, from his early blog Permanent Plastic Helmet and programming screenings at the movie theatre where he worked to writing for publications like The Guardian, Sight & Sound, Reverse Shot and Vice and programming for the BFI and MOMA.

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James Laczkowski James Laczkowski

Episode 22 - Elric Kane

Bill speaks with Elric Kane about the wide variety of film culture projects he’s been involved in, from hosting podcasts like Killer POV, Shock Waves and Pure Cinema, to directing films, producing and hosting interview shows like This Week In Horror and Inside Horror, teaching film, working at Facets, launching an entrepreneurial venture with Jump Cut Café, and much more. Other topics covered include New Zealand film culture, female horror film directors, Monte Hellman, the Hollywood Underground Film Festival, POSSESSION and having tuna fish sandwiches with the director of CHRISTMAS EVIL.

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James Laczkowski James Laczkowski

Episode 21: Barry Solan

Bill speaks with Barry Solan about both his years running repertory movie houses like The State Theatre and experiences as owner of the Video Americain video store chain. They also discuss midnight movie culture of the early 1980s, discovering rare movies on Youtube, and much more!

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James Laczkowski James Laczkowski

Episode 20: Amanda Reyes

Bill speaks with writer/podcaster Amanda Reyes about her many experiences that shape her work, from discovering Scandinavian films on Bravo as a teenager to the professional satisfactions of becoming as an archivist.  They discuss the origins of her many film cultural endeavors, including the Made For TV Mayhem blog and its companion podcast, as well as the new book Are You in the House Alone? A TV Movie Compendium 1964-1999. Other topics include frustrating screenwriting experiences, BAD RONALD, Kindertrauma, Wes Craven, nostalgia, female-driven horror movies, The Strange And Deadly Show, and a surprise revelation about being quoted on the back cover of a DVD.

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James Laczkowski James Laczkowski

Episode 19: Brian Saur

Bill speaks with film blogger and podcaster Brian Saur about the origins of his many endeavors, from his long-running Rupert Pupkin Speaks site to the recent Pure Cinema and Just The Discs podcasts. Other topics discussed include Saur’s in-progress documentary on author Danny Peary, the influence of social media on initial viewing experiences, the merits of film lists and the circumstances that can lead a person to record podcasts from within a car alongside their dog.

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James Laczkowski James Laczkowski

Episode 18: Nick Pinkerton

Bill speaks with film critic Nick Pinkerton about his experiences and practices as a writer, from his initial reviews for Reverse Shot to becoming a regular contributor at publications like The Village Voice, Sight & Sound, Artforum and Film Comment. Other topics discussed include the late Kim’s Video chain, the importance of great editors, moderating Q&As, New York City film culture, criticism in the age of social media, work/life balance and the professional hazards that can come from having the wrong attitude about frozen yogurt.

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James Laczkowski James Laczkowski

Episode 17: Marc Walkow

Bill speaks with DVD/Blu-Ray producer, writer and film festival programmer Marc Walkow about his many projects and pursuits in the world of film culture, from his early days at TLA Video to programming for the New York Asian Film Festival to his essential role in turning Nobuhiko Obayashi’s HOUSE into a popular cult film. They discuss his extensive history in home video and more!

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