Supporting Characters

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

James Laczkowski James Laczkowski

Episode 29: Jonathan Rosenbaum

Bill talks to author and film critic Jonathan Rosenbaum about some of his many endeavors in film culture, including books like MOVING PLACES and MOVIE WARS, his tenure as principal film reviewer at the Chicago Reader, and his involvement in multiple Orson Welles-related projects, ranging from THIS IS ORSON WELLES to THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WIND. Other topics include: Critical interactivity, identity politics in film criticism, André Téchiné, film culture in New York and Paris in the late '60s, confusing Art with Class, audio commentaries, TWIN PEAKS, hate mail, film festivals and how plagiarism can be a positive thing if your ideas are important.

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James Laczkowski James Laczkowski

Episode 28: Kat Ellinger

Bill talks to writer, editor and podcaster Kat Ellinger about the various film culture projects she’s been involved in, from creating her first blog to co-hosting the Daughters Of Darkness podcast and serving as the Editor-In-Chief at Diabolique Magazine. Other topics covered include accents, Video Nasties, sexism in film culture, Heather Drain, Parental Advisory stickers, the importance of editors, audio commentaries, New Age travellers, the Japan Cuts film festival, Kat’s forthcoming book on Harry Kümel’s DAUGHTERS OF DARKNESS, work/life balance and the proper use of newspapers to ward of vampires.

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James Laczkowski James Laczkowski

Episode 27: Tim Lucas

Bill talks to writer and film historian Tim Lucas about some of his many contributions to film culture, from early mimeographed fanzines and articles like “The Shape Of Rage” and "The Butchering of Dario Argento" to award-winning efforts like Video Watchdog magazine and the book MARIO BAVA: ALL THE COLORS OF THE DARK. Other topics covered include David Cronenberg and the filming of VIDEODROME, and more!

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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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