Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
In this episode, we discuss Cullen’s all-time favorite film. Released in 1969, directed by George Roy Hill and starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford. We dive in and in our own, special, super-nerdy way dissect the heck out of this masterpiece.
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Episode 032 - The Elephant Man
The Elephant Man
In this episode, we discuss a film that had a significant impact on Clark growing up, David Lynch’s 1980 The Elephant Man starring Anthony Hopkins, John Hurt, and Anne Bancroft.
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Episode 032 - The Elephant Man
The Silence of the Lambs
In this episode, we discuss the one of Cullen’s all-time favorite films - Jonathan Demme’s 1991 thriller, Silence of the Lambs, starring Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster.
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Episode 031 - The Silence of the Lambs
The Road Warrior, and Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome
In this episode, we discuss the greatest trilogy cinema has ever seen (this is Clark talking here, not sure Cullen would agree!). In all seriousness though, since their release in the 80’s, these three films have only grown in stature, especially after the much more recent fourth film brought these original three into focus for a whole new generation. We discuss our personal relationship with these films, what they meant to us growing up,. and the impact they had on our cinema sensibilities.
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Episode 030 - Mad Max, Mad Max 2 - The Road Warrior, and Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome
Duel and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
The podcast’s horizons expand! We move beyond the discussion of Werner Herzog to discuss other filmmakers. In this episode, we take a look at Spielberg’s first feature, the made-for-tv thriller Duel, and compare and contrast that work with what we consider Spielberg’s quintessential film, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.
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Episode 029 - Spielberg’s Duel and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
A Very Special Personal Episode
We discuss our personal experiences with cinema in general. We share stories and discuss where our love for film come from, early film inspirations, and when we were first exposed to Herzog and what his films meant to us in our formative years.
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Episode 028 - A Very Special Personal Episode
Episode 027 - Rescue Dawn
We explore Herzog's 2006 film, Rescue Dawn, starring Christian Bale. This is the second part of our examination of Herzog's films about Dieter Dengler - a German-born United States Navy aviator during the Vietnam War and friend of Herzog's.
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Episode 027 - Rescue Dawn
Episode 026 - Little Dieter Needs to Fly
In this episode we discuss Herzog’s 1997 film Little Dieter Needs to Fly, a documentary about German-American pilot Dieter Dengler’s extraordinary experiences and escape as a POW in Vietnam. Herzog would later go on to direct a narrative feature, Rescue Dawn, starring Christian Bale, about the same subject.
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Episode 026 - Little Dieter Needs to Fly
Episode 025 - My Best Fiend
In this episode we discuss Herzog’s 1999 documentary, My Best Fiend. Herzog explores his love/hate relationship with infamous actor Klaus Kinski and what that relationship might say about himself, filmmaking, and the human condition in general.
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Episode 025 - My Best Fiend
Episode 024 - Grizzly Man
We dive into Herzog’s masterpiece of documentary filmmaking, his 2005 film, Grizzly man. Using footage shot by Timothy Treadwell as well as newly-shot interview footage of those who knew Treadwell, Herzog presents yet another window through which to peer into the Human Condition. Treadwell lived among grizzly bears for 12 seasons in a national park in Alaska before being attacked and killed by one of the Grizzlies. Join us as we explore yet another Herzogian Landscape of the Soul.
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Episode 024 - Grizzly Man
Episode 023 - Nosferatu the Vampyre
We discuss the themes, technical aspects, and the stories behind the making of Nosferatu the Vampyre, (1979). We dig into Herzog’s homage to Murnau’s 1922 Nosferatu.
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Episode 023 - Nosferatu the Vampyre
Episode 022 - Family Romance, LLC.
We discuss the themes and technical aspects of Family Romance, LLC. (2019), Herzog’s narrative film that stars the real-life owner of a Japanese company that offers family and friends for rent.
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Episode 022 - Family Romance, LLC.
Episode 021 - Nomad: In the Footsteps of Bruce Chatwin
We discuss Herzog’s film, Nomad: In the Footsteps of Bruce Chatwin (2019) - We discuss the themes Herzog explores as well as the technical aspects of Herzog’s fantastic film about Herzog’s friend and the importance of traveling on foot.
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Episode 021 - Nomad: In the Footsteps of Bruce Chatwin
Episode 020- Discussing Herzog’s Masterclass Lesson 24 & 25
We discuss Herzog’s Masterclass Lesson 24 & 25 - Career Strategy & Life as a Filmmaker. Short films can be your film school. Take initiative! Handling rejection (of which you will receive a lot) . Specificity in your career goals is vital. Thinking long term. Making what you want and ignoring the rest. Keeping your curiosity awake. Experiencing the essential moments. You are alone and all you have are your dreams.
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Episode 020 - Discussing Herzog’s Masterclass Lesson 24 & 25
Episode 019 - Discussing Herzog’s Masterclass Lesson 22 & 23
We discuss Herzog’s Masterclass Lesson 22 & 23 - Dealing with Human Beings and Truth in Nonfiction. There are no clear rules, but you must know yours and respect ethical boundaries. Being exploitive isn’t generally ethical and it doesn’t make for good film anyway when it comes to documentaries. Getting to the heart of people quickly - learning how and when to push your subject - never forget they are human beings! Documentaries are movies - they don’t have to be all truth. As a matter of fact - facts don’t make truth! You are seeking to illuminate your audience with the ecstasy of truth!
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Episode 019 - Discussing Herzog’s Masterclass Lesson 22 & 23
Episode 018 - Discussing Herzog’s Masterclass Lesson 20 & 21
We discuss Herzog’s Masterclass Lesson 20 & 21 - Documentary Filmmaking: Making the Conversation & Eliciting Difficult Stories. It’s not a interview, it’s a conversation! We aren’t journalists, so don’t act like one. We discuss conversation strategies. Knowing your subjects’ hearts, making your subjects human, managing your own emotions while remaining present and engaged, getting to the heart of the story, and how to shape the story and get the essentials.
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Episode 018 - Discussing Herzog’s Masterclass Lesson 20 & 21
Episode 017 - Discussing Herzog’s Masterclass Lesson 18 & 19
We discuss Herzog’s Masterclass Lesson 18 & 19 - Invaded By Images. How to choose subjects for films? Ideas are like invaders who come to you in the middle of the night! The importance of traveling on foot - both literally and figuratively. When you are grabbed by an idea - be sure to capture it - but how? Keep opened to the unplanned. Let ideas come to you in unexpected ways. Gather your ideas and give them time.
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Episode 017 - Discussing Herzog’s Masterclass Lesson 18 & 19
Episode 016 - Discussing Herzog’s Masterclass Lesson 17
We discuss Herzog’s Masterclass Lesson 17 - Editing. Be careful not to force your intentions on your footage, consider it as if you hadn't shot it - what is it trying to tell you? Watch less and remember more - use a log book to make notes as you watch your footage the first time, don't ignore takes (you never know) and don't make yourself numb to the footage by watching it over and over. Be ruthless with your footage - don't be afraid to be decisive! Listen to your audience, but know when to take a stand or your vision. Use the footage you can't ignore!
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Episode 016 - Discussing Herzog’s Masterclass Lesson 17
Episode 015 - Discussing Herzog’s Masterclass Lesson 16
We discuss Herzog’s Masterclass Lesson 16 - Music. In this episode, we discuss Herzog's always fascinating usage of music in film and what we can learn from him for our own films. We discuss how emusic informs our entire filmmaking process and offer suggestions on working with composers.
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Episode 015 - Discussing Herzog’s Masterclass Lesson 16
Episode 014 - Discussing Herzog’s Masterclass Lesson 15
We discuss Herzog’s Masterclass Lesson 15 - Sound. We discuss Herzog’s Masterclass Lesson 15 - Sound. Learn from Herzog's mistakes (her couldn't show his first few films to an audience the sound was so bad). Take the time to learn the basics. Be sure to have sound in mind when location scouting. ADR vs. Location sound. Foley. Thinking of sound like a special effect. Diegetic vs. extradiegetic. Going above just the competent recording of sound and adding stylization to your work. Listen for the remarkable.
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Episode 014 - Discussing Herzog’s Masterclass Lesson 15
Copyright 2017, Clark Coffey and 54-40 Films.