A look inside the creative process of writers, creators and filmmakers.
Episode 1
Academy Award-winning director Sydney Pollack (Out of Africa, Tootsie, The Way We Were) and NYPD Blue and Deadwood creator David Milch discuss the inspiration behind creating classic film and television characters. Followed by the suspenseful short film The Lab by writer/director Ryan Scheer, about two young boys whose summer afternoon in the woods goes horribly awry.
Episode 2
Curb Your Enthusiasm and Seinfeld writer/producer Alec Berg and Bridesmaids director and Freaks and Geeks creator Paul Feig pull back the curtain to show how they create comedy that resonates with us all. Followed by the hilarious short film Spit by writer/director Benjamin Hayes. Paul will never have his first kiss until he overcomes his fear of saliva.
Episode 3
The creators behind the explosions Con Air, Gone In Sixty Seconds, Hulk, Zombieland and Machete debate what makes a great action movie. Followed by the riveting short film SOLD by writer/director John Irwin. A young investigative journalist goes undercover and is captured into a human trafficking ring.
Episode 4
TV mega-hit Everybody Loves Raymond creator Phil Rosenthal discusses the (not so) universal language of comedy in his documentary Exporting Raymond with Kiss Kiss Bang Bang writer/director Shane Black. Followed by the charming Danish short film First Anders by writer/director Kristian Ussing Anderson about a well-meaning, bookish father who attempts to teach his artistic and bullied young son a valuable lesson.
Episode 5
The challenges of making true stories compelling on the screen are discussed by Oscar®-nominated Scott Silver (The Fighter), Oscar®-nominated Nicholas Kazan (Reversal of Fortune), Pamela Gray (Conviction), Oscar®-winner Ron Howard (Apollo 13). Followed by Overnight Stay, directed by Daniela Sherer. A woman recalls a horrific night in Krakow where she experienced the best and worst of human intentions.
Episode 6
On the next On Story, Bones creator Hart Hanson and Veronica Mars and Party Down creator Rob Thomas discuss the creation of a successful TV series. Followed by the short films 0507 by Ben and Chris Blaine and Smile by Lauren Elmer.
Episode 7
On the next On Story, the inspiration behind such classic films as Edward Scissorhands, Toy Story, and Up is discussed by Academy Award winning Pixar director John Lasseter and screenwriter Caroline Thompson followed by the short Playing Ghost directed by Bianca Ansems.
Episode 8
Oscar®-winning writer Ted Tally gives a provocative look at the adaptation and production of the highly acclaimed film The Silence of the Lambs. Tally covers it all: working with director Jonathan Demme, anticipating Jodie Foster's Oscar® win, the changed ending for the world's most famous cannibal, and more. Followed by Thomas Ward's haunting short, In the Middle, about a small-town waitress in the middle of nowhere waiting for her shift to end.
Episode 9
From THE GRADUATE and CATCH-22 to Saturday Night Live and Get Smart, iconic comedic and distinctly American writer, director, and actor Buck Henry recalls his long and storied career in Hollywood. Followed by the heartwarming story of a failed ukulele player and her talking puppet dog, THE BALLAD OF FRIDAY AND JUNE by writer/director Tate English.
Episode 10
Writer/director Rodrigo Garcia discusses the influence of his father, Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Gabriel García Márquez, and the complexities and flaws that form nuanced characters in THE GODFATHER, CAPOTE, and his own MOTHER AND CHILD and IN TREATMENT. Followed by the harrowing Spanish short WHO LASTS LONGER by writer/director Gregorio Muro in which the bond between a mother and her son are tragically tested.
Episode 11
The writers behind the beloved animated classics KUNG FU PANDA 1 & 2, King of the Hill, and THE IRON GIANT discuss the comedy, action, and emotion that go into creating the worlds and characters that appeal to audiences of all ages. And then enter the magical world of the short film DREAMGIVER by director/producer Tyler Carter. What fanciful adventures happen after we go to sleep?
Episode 12
Thriller master writer/director Shane Black (KISS KISS BANG BANG, LETHAL WEAPON) discusses the critical elements of a taut, suspense-filled movie - raising stakes, unexpected reversals, and satisfying payoffs - using examples from such classics as ROCKY, THE LONG KISS GOODNIGHT, and LA FEMME NIKITA. Followed by the apocalyptic short film BLIND SPOT by writer/director Matthew Nayman.