In Proximity

We’re going back into the IN PROXIMITY archives for the next several weeks, rereleasing masterclasses on filmmaking and screenwriting. On this episode, we’re rebroadcasting a conversation between Ryan Coogler and Cord Jefferson, writer/director/producer of the award-winning feature film AMERICAN FICTION. A few weeks after winning the 2024 Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, Cord hopped on a call with Ryan to discuss their first films, his unconventional path to filmmaking, and his experience as a first-time director. They also talk about their upcoming projects, and Ryan teases a little bit about SINNERS. He recorded this conversation from New Orleans as he was just about to go into production on the film. CHECK OUT THE ORIGINAL EPISODECord Jefferson and Ryan Coogler on Writing, Directing, and What They’re Doing Next SHOP OUR PROX BOOKS RECS ON BOOKSHOP.ORG LEARN MORE AND READ THE TRANSCRIPT AT PROXIMITYMEDIA.COM WATCH/LISTEN TO IN PROXIMITYYOUTUBEAPPLE PODCASTSSPOTIFY FOLLOW PROXIMITY MEDIAINSTAGRAMTIKTOK (01:45) From the archives… Ryan Coogler and Cord Jefferson! (02:30) Get Reel (10:46) Cord’s first writing job took GUTS  (19:28) How Cord learned to collaborate with Jeffrey Wright on AMERICAN FICTION (27:58) Ryan and Cord’s next projects (hint: SINNERS)  (35:48) “You shouldn’t be doing this if the end goal is to win an Oscar.” (39:49) Prox Recs IN PROXIMITY IS A PRODUCTION OF PROXIMITY MEDIA Host, Director, Producer: Paola Mardo Executive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian Theme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig Göransson Co-Director and Director of Photography: Patrick Epino Sound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken Nana Editors: Patrick Epino, Ken Nana, Ben Caloza, Cedric Wilson, Judybelle Camangyan  Motion Graphics Designer: Apollo Baldoz Producer: Caitlin Plummer Associate Producer: Celine Mendiola Production Coordinator: Joy Woo Production Assistants: Isabella Miller, Polina Cherezova Social Media Coordinator: Alexandria Santana Production Intern: Ben Caloza

Kelli Dunson Buchanan, Head of Proximity’s Nonfiction team who produces investigative and historical documentaries, and Gaby Arvizu, Creative Executive who develops and supports nonfiction filmmakers. They talk day-to-day development and production, choosing and ethically documenting subjects, editing huge amounts of footage, finding new talent, and practical tips for first-time filmmakers.

For this special episode of IN PROXIMITY, we’re celebrating the artisans who brought SINNERS to life. Relive the insightful conversations with Academy Award winners Ryan Coogler, Michael B. Jordan, Autumn Durald Arkapaw, and Ludwig Göransson, and more. CHECK OUT THE ORIGINAL EPISODESAUTUMN DURALD ARKAPAW AND RYAN COOGLERDOLLY LISTEVE GEHRKELUDWIG GÖRANSSON AND RYAN COOGLERMICHAEL B. JORDAN AND RYAN COOGLER SHOP OUR PROX BOOKS RECS ON BOOKSHOP.ORG LEARN MORE AND READ THE TRANSCRIPT AT PROXIMITYMEDIA.COM WATCH/LISTEN TO IN PROXIMITYYOUTUBEAPPLE PODCASTSSPOTIFY FOLLOW PROXIMITY MEDIAINSTAGRAMTIKTOK (00:00) Celebrating SINNERS! (01:41) IMAX filmmaking with Autumn Durald Arkapaw and Ryan Coogler (07:23) Delta Chinese history with Dolly Li (11:04) Script supervisor conversation with Steve Gherke (14:38) Blues music with Ludwig Göransson and Ryan Coogler (18:53) Acting with Michael B. Jordan and Ryan Coogler IN PROXIMITY IS A PRODUCTION OF PROXIMITY MEDIA Host, Director, Producer: Paola Mardo Executive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian Theme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig Göransson Co-Director and Director of Photography: Patrick Epino Sound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken Nana Editors: Patrick Epino, Ken Nana, Ben Caloza, A.J. Calomay, Brittani Brown, Andrea Walter, Bianca Catbagan Video Producer: Bianca Catbagan Director of Photography: Andrea Walter Associate Producer: Celine Mendiola Production Coordinator: Joy Woo Camera Operator: Josh Ortiz Production Sound Recordists: Mark Patino, Marcelo de Oliveira Gaffer: Chris Boulos Key Grip: Kevin “Chui” Chiu Production Assistants: Devin Saddler, Isabella Miller Production Interns: Ben Caloza, Jun Sawada, Faith Wang Social Media Coordinator: Alexandria Santana Motion Graphics Designer: Apollo Baldoz Barista: George Stevenson

Luke Matheny is a writer, director, and showrunner who won the Academy Award for Best Live-Action Short Film in 2010 for GOD OF LOVE. Luke sat down with IN PROXIMITY host Paola Mardo to talk about what makes an Oscar-winning short film, how he prepared for his speech, and how he built a career in comedy and children’s programming writing, directing, and running shows like MARON, GORTIMER GIBBON’S LIFE ON NORMAL STREET, and, most recently, the animated series CHARLOTTE’S WEB on HBO Max starring Amy Adams, Elijah Wood, Jean Smart, and Randall Park. CHECK OUT THE FILMSGOD OF LOVEAWESOME ASIAN BAD GUYS SHOP OUR PROX BOOKS RECS ON BOOKSHOP.ORG LEARN MORE AND READ THE TRANSCRIPT AT PROXIMITYMEDIA.COM WATCH/LISTEN TO IN PROXIMITYYOUTUBEAPPLE PODCASTSSPOTIFY FOLLOW PROXIMITY MEDIAINSTAGRAMTIKTOK (00:00) Guest intro (02:21) About GOD OF LOVE (04:59) The Oscar trophy — live in the studio! (06:42) Winning an Oscar (10:05) Making GOD OF LOVE at NYU film school (12:10) Using a short film to showcase your talents (16:20) Working with the crew to execute your vision (18:51) What makes a great short film? Imply a sense of structure! (23:54) Remember: time is finite! (28:11) Launching a career after the Oscars, working with Marc Maron (32:13) Showrunning the animated series CHARLOTTE’S WEB  (33:10) The cast: Amy Adams, Jean Smart, Elijah Wood, Cynthia Erivo, Randall Park (37:28) Children’s programming (39:05) Make something, keep going! (41:49) Prox Recs IN PROXIMITY IS A PRODUCTION OF PROXIMITY MEDIA Host, Director, Producer: Paola Mardo Executive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian Theme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig Göransson Co-Director and Director of Photography: Patrick Epino Sound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken Nana Editors: Patrick Epino, Ken Nana, Ben Caloza Motion Graphics Designer: Apollo Baldoz Associate Producer: Celine Mendiola Production Coordinator: Joy Woo Social Media Coordinator: Alexandria Santana Production Intern: Ben Caloza

Before his debut animated feature GOAT claimed the #1 spot at the box office, director Tyree Dilihay joined IN PROXIMITY host Paola Mardo for an in-depth conversation about the animated sports film. Tyree breaks down his directing process including building the film’s “Brooklyn meets Brazil” world, designing roarball plays with basketball stars Andre Iguodala and Stephen Curry, and working with an all-star cast that includes Caleb McLaughlin, Gabrielle Union, Jenifer Lewis, and Curry (who makes his voice acting debut in the film and produces through Unanimous Media). Tyree also reflects on growing up in Inglewood, California where he was inspired by filmmakers like Spike Lee and John Singleton, and how his supportive mother helped him pursue a career in animation. SHOP OUR PROX BOOKS RECS ON BOOKSHOP.ORG LEARN MORE AND READ THE TRANSCRIPT AT PROXIMITYMEDIA.COM WATCH/LISTEN TO IN PROXIMITYYOUTUBEAPPLE PODCASTSSPOTIFY FOLLOW PROXIMITY MEDIAINSTAGRAMTIKTOK (00:00) Running plays with Andre Igoudala (02:49) Stephen Curry’s voice acting debut  (04:22) How GOAT came together (07:12) Worldbuilding “Brooklyn meets Brazil” (10:31) Costume design (12:04) From local Angeleno to seasoned animator (14:22) Spike Lee’s SHE’S GOTTA HAVE IT and John Singleton’s BOYZ N THE HOOD (16:03) How Tyree started his animation journey (19:20) Running plays with Andre Igoudala (full story) (22:20) “Roots run deep!” (25:05) The inspo: SPACE JAM I & II, HOOSIERS, MAJOR LEAGUE, MIGHTY DUCKS, ROCKY, RUDY…and more! (28:48) The cast: Caleb McLaughlin, Gabrielle Union, Jenifer Lewis, Steph Curry (30:54) Creating and directing diss tracks, “GOAT TEARS”  (33:31) The seven-year journey to the “right version”  (35:44) Collaborating with studio execs to make the best movie (38:08) Prox Recs IN PROXIMITY IS A PRODUCTION OF PROXIMITY MEDIA Host, Director, Producer: Paola Mardo Executive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian Theme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig Göransson Co-Director and Director of Photography: Patrick Epino Sound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken Nana Editors: Patrick Epino, Ken Nana, Ben Caloza Motion Graphics Designer: Apollo Baldoz Associate Producer: Celine Mendiola Production Coordinator: Joy Woo Social Media Coordinator: Alexandria Santana Production Intern: Ben Caloza

Maggie Gyllenhaal, actress-turned-director and writer of The Bride, and Ryan Coogler, filmmaker and Proximity Media founder, chat over pour-over coffee. They dive into reimagining Frankenstein, giving the Bride a voice, surreal directing notes, working with family and actors, night shoots, and shooting on IMAX and Sony cameras with mixed lenses.

We are sealing the Honmoon with KPOP DEMON HUNTERS directors and co-writers, Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans! The veteran animation filmmakers break down how Maggie developed the story based on Korean culture and music, how she collaborated with Chris as a directing team, and how they pitched the idea to Netflix and K-pop music producers. They also share stories from behind the scenes of their seven-year production process including the creation of the film’s iconic “popcorn eyes” and how they worked with songwriter and producer EJAE to write the music… with a special surprise voice memo from the woman behind Rumi’s singing voice herself!  SHOP OUR PROX BOOKS RECS ON BOOKSHOP.ORG LEARN MORE AND READ THE TRANSCRIPT AT PROXIMITYMEDIA.COM WATCH/LISTEN TO IN PROXIMITYYOUTUBEAPPLE PODCASTSSPOTIFY FOLLOW PROXIMITY MEDIAINSTAGRAMTIKTOK (00:00) K-pop meets demon hunters (00:47) Let’s talk K-pop… and demon hunters! (02:04) Fun fan reactions (03:02) Honmoon in the club, the origin of honmoon (06:12) How Maggie’s Korean upbringing in Toronto shaped her storytelling (07:51) K-pop meets demon hunters (the full story) (09:59) How they became a directing team, WISH DRAGON (11:19) How they pitched KPOP DEMON HUNTERS (12:45) The music was the hardest part, how EJAE’s demos made it seem possible (13:20)EJAE, Teddy Park, THEBLACKLABEL, the demo for HOW IT’S DONE (15:23) Comps: “old people” anime, Cowboy Bebop, Sailor Moon, K-dramas, and GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY (17:10) Comedy, female empowerment, being your “stupidest self” with your friends (18:04) Collaborating on directing and screenwriting (19:53) Writing the script for KPOP DEMON HUNTERS (20:39) Sony Pictures Animation, shout out to the crew (25:00) The joke that became the iconic “popcorn eyes” scene (27:12) Voice Memo from EJAE (Musician, Songwriter, Producer, Singing Voice of Rumi) (29:45) Prox Recs IN PROXIMITY IS A PRODUCTION OF PROXIMITY MEDIA Host, Director, Producer: Paola Mardo Executive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian Theme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig Göransson Co-Director and Director of Photography: Patrick Epino Sound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken Nana Editors: Patrick Epino, Ken Nana, Ben Caloza Sound Recordist: Isabella Miller Motion Graphics Designer: Apollo Baldoz Associate Producer: Celine Mendiola Social Media Coordinator: Alexandria Santana Production Intern: Ben Caloza

This February, we’re celebrating the 8th anniversary of the release of BLACK PANTHER! We dug deep into the In Proximity archives to re-release this iconic conversation with BLACK PANTHER director Ryan Coogler and Ta-Nehisi Coates. Ta-Nehisi is a journalist and the bestselling author of books like BETWEEN THE WORLD AND ME and THE MESSAGE. He has also written successful comic book runs for CAPTAIN AMERICA and BLACK PANTHER, and hosted the WAKANDA FOREVER podcast back in 2023. On this special re-release episode, we combine the two parts of Ryan and Ta-Nehisi’s original conversation, where they dive deep into their experiences telling T’Challa’s story for BLACK PANTHER, the impact of hip-hop music and art, Ta-Nehisi’s decades-long writing career, and their mutual friendship with the late Chadwick Boseman. CHECK OUT THE ORIGINAL EPISODESRyan Coogler and Ta-Nehisi Coates Episode 1Ryan Coogler and Ta-Nehisi Coates Episode 2WAKANDA FOREVER: THE OFFICIAL BLACK PANTHER PODCAST SHOP OUR PROX BOOKS RECS ON BOOKSHOP.ORG LEARN MORE AND READ THE TRANSCRIPT AT PROXIMITYMEDIA.COM WATCH/LISTEN TO IN PROXIMITYYOUTUBEAPPLE PODCASTSSPOTIFY FOLLOW PROXIMITY MEDIAINSTAGRAMTIKTOK (00:00) Celebrating the anniversary of BLACK PANTHER the film (01:51) PART 1: Meet Ryan Coogler and Ta-Nehisi Coates  (02:21) Ta-Nehisi’s production company, Maceo-Lyn (06:40) Howard University, meeting Chadwick Boseman (11:18) Hip-hop, poetry, and genres  (15:04) Tupac Shakur (18:27) How Ta-Nehisi’s hip-hop aspirations pushed him to writing poetry (21:54) “Art that feels like it’s always been made”, A PROPHET, GET OUT, MOONLIGHT (29:20) PART 2: The beginning of Ta-Nehisi’s writing career (33:24) The 20-year-old journalist (36:45) The Case for Reparations (39:55) Writing the BLACK PANTHER comics (41:58) Toni Morrisson, James Baldwin, BETWEEN THE WORLD AND ME (45:31) Takes on T’Challa’s character (49:59) CREED (53:33) Prox Recs IN PROXIMITY IS A PRODUCTION OF PROXIMITY MEDIA Host, Director, Producer: Paola Mardo Executive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian Theme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig Göransson Co-Director and Director of Photography: Patrick Epino Sound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken Nana Editors: Patrick Epino, Ken Nana, Ben Caloza, Cedric Wilson Motion Graphics Designer: Apollo Baldoz Production Assistant: Polina Cherezova Associate Producer: Celine Mendiola Social Media Coordinator: Alexandria Santana Production Intern: Ben Caloza

What does it take to build a successful TV writing career in comedy, procedurals, and drama? Executive producer, showrunner, and author Kimberly Ann Harrison reveals how she landed an internship on FRIENDS, wrote 78 episodes of CRIMINAL MINDS over 12 years, and made the leap to showrunner (DEPUTY, THE CROSSOVER, WASHINGTON BLACK). On this episode of IN PROXIMITY, Kim talks to host Paola Mardo about her transition from comedy to drama, the importance of finding a character's “why”, tips on pitching episodes and applying for writing jobs, lessons on loneliness and leadership, writing her debut novel BEYOND THE PADDOCK, and why her advice for new writers is to keep blinders on and just write. (00:00) Just write! (01:50) Born and raised in LA by teachers - shout out Diamond Bar! (03:30) College, Intro to Broadcasting, Tammy Trujillo, learning about TV (05:28) Interning on FRIENDS (07:15) How to get a job on the “FRIENDS of today” (08:45) Writer tips for the best cover letter ever (09:18) Lessons from the FRIENDS writers room (10:43) CRIMINAL MINDS, transitioning from comedy to drama, mentorship (14:30) Jumping from writers assistant to writer, pitching tips (16:30) It’s all about the “why” of the killer (17:20) Industry advice for writers today: “keep blinders on”, “it just takes one yes” (18:15) Becoming a showrunner (19:48) How lonely showrunning can be, how to lead and manage a team (22:26) Writing a novel: BEYOND THE PADDOCK (28:17) Prox Recs SHOP OUR PROX BOOK RECS ON BOOKSHOP.ORG LEARN MORE AND READ THE TRANSCRIPT AT PROXIMITYMEDIA.COM WATCH/LISTEN TO IN PROXIMITYYOUTUBEAPPLE PODCASTSSPOTIFY FOLLOW PROXIMITY MEDIAINSTAGRAMTIKTOK IN PROXIMITY IS A PRODUCTION OF PROXIMITY MEDIA Host, Director, Producer: Paola Mardo Executive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian Theme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig Göransson Co-Director and Director of Photography: Patrick Epino Sound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken Nana Editors: Patrick Epino, Ken Nana, Ben Caloza Sound Recordist: Isabella Miller Motion Graphics Designer: Apollo Baldoz Production Assistant: Isabella Miller Post-Production Coordinator: Celine Mendiola Social Media Coordinator: Alexandria Santana Production Intern: Ben Caloza

Ryan Coogler, acclaimed writer-director known for Fruitvale Station and Black Panther, shares his timeline mapping and set coffee rituals. Michael B. Jordan, actor-producer famous for Creed, explains playing the Smokestack Twins with journals, dialect work, and physical details. They discuss the twins' lore, split histories, hair and styling choices, and how rituals and prep shape dual-role filmmaking.