Movie Trailers: An Insider’s Guide to How They’re Made – IP 155

Summer movie blockbuster season is well underway and there’s no better time to revisit our episode that focuses on what goes in to making movie trailers. Have you ever wondered how a movie trailer is created? Have you ever questioned why you see a shot in a trailer that doesn’t exist in the film or fretted over the amount of plot detail a trailer reveals? Well wonder no more! This week, we speak to Nati Braunstein, Co-President and Creative Director at the Creative Advertising agency, Aspect, and get a look inside the process of making memorable movie trailers.

Nati discusses the collaborative effort behind the production of trailers and reveals some inside info about the trailers and TV spots for Aquaman and Mary Poppins Returns.

Plus, in the Big Sell, Sean reviews the new Riz MC single, “Mogambo” and sells Amita on an article about Stan Lee after his passing.

Aspect Website

Aspect on Twitter

Aspect Instagram

If you enjoyed this episode check out:

Our conversation with the Music Supervisor of The Florida Project and Tangerine

Our conversation with the Cinematographer of 20 Feet From Stardom and Won’t You Be My Neighbor?

Follow us on Twitter & Instagram @PopInsiders

Like us on Facebook

And you can also find us on MaximumFun.org

Movie Trailers: An Insider’s Guide to How They’re Made – IP139

Have you ever wondered how a movie trailer is created? Have you ever questioned why you see a shot in a trailer that doesn’t exist in the film or fretted over the amount of plot detail a trailer reveals? Well wonder no more! This week, we speak to Nati Braunstein, Co-President and Creative Director at the Creative Advertising agency, Aspect, and get a look inside the process of making memorable movie trailers.

Nati discusses the collaborative effort behind the production of  trailers and reveals some inside info about the trailers and TV spots for the highly anticipated Aquaman and Mary Poppins Returns.

Plus, in the Big Sell, Sean reviews the new Riz MC single, “Mogambo” and sells Amita on an article about Stan Lee after his passing.

Aspect Website

Aspect on Twitter

Aspect Instagram

If you enjoyed this episode check out:

Our conversation with the Music Supervisor of The Florida Project and Tangerine

Our conversation with the Cinematographer of 20 Feet From Stardom and Won’t You Be My Neighbor?

Follow us on Twitter & Instagram @PopInsiders

Like us on Facebook

And you can also find us on MaximumFun.org

 

Interracial Relationships in Pop Culture – IP 138

Why is it still rare to see a romantic relationship between a black man and a white woman on TV? Is Netflix more progressive depicting interracial relationships than other networks?  How did the casting of a Cheerios commercial ignite a racist backlash?

In this week’s episode, we chat with Lori Tharps, a former Entertainment Weekly and Vibe Magazine writer, novelist and Associate Professor of Journalism at Temple University about how interracial relationships are portrayed on film and TV.

Lori breaks down the positive and negative aspects about the depiction of some of the more memorable interracial relationships in pop culture including Tom and Helen Willis on The Jeffersons, Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner in The Bodyguard and Aziz Ansari’s love interests in Master of None.

Then, Amita gives her rating and review of Jose James’ latest covers album Lean on Me and sells Sean on a new single from her multi-talented fantasy husband- Riz MC aka Riz Ahmed.

Links:
Follow Lori on Twitter & Instagram
Lori’s blog- My American Melting Pot

Follow us on Twitter & Instagram @PopInsiders

Like us on Facebook

And you can also find us on MaximumFun.org

Riz MC- “Mogambo”

Blade Runner 2049, Riz Ahmed, Vegas Baby documentary, Big Sell 30 – IP 95

This week we dive inside Box Office Busts, a bold new doc and #BigSell30 is underway!

First up,  Sean and Amita examine why the highly anticipated, sure-fire hit Blade Runner 2049 actually failed at the box office. Why did the masses stay away from Denis Villeneuve’s artistry and Ryan Gosling’s baby blues? And are the masses actually missing out on a great film? We’ll discuss!

Also,  Amita was in the same room with her celebrity husband, Riz Ahmed, and didn’t faint! Find out how she got to see him in person and what happened.

Then, Amita interviews Oscar nominated director, Amanda Micheli about her new documentary, Vegas Baby, which follows multiple stories of women and couples and their struggles to have a child.

Plus, Amita reviews last week’s Big Sell from Sean, an early film from Ava DuVernay, Middle of Nowhere, and then sells him on a new single from Lin-Manuel Miranda featuring a slew of popular Latino singers and hip hop artists, who came together to raise funds for hurricane relief in Puerto Rico. And we review some of our favorite Big Sells thus far in the Big Sell 30!

Follow us on Twitter & Instagram @PopInsiders

Like us on Facebook

You can also find us on MaximumFun.org

Best New Music, Emmy Awards Recap, Big Sell 30 Announcement – IP 92

We’re donning our imaginary capes to bring you the very best of a very busy Pop Culture week!

First, we chat new music from Sam Smith, Miguel and Mavis Staples.

Then, the Emmy Awards were awarded on Sunday night and we discuss how overwhelmed and overjoyed we were by how many of our favorite shows and actors won! Amita gives her Red Carpet Fashion Slay or Nay and we discuss all of the ‘firsts’ of the evening. Were we rooting for the Black and Brown people? Listen to find out!

Plus, we announce the return of The Big Sell 30 Day Challenge! Find out what #BigSell30 is all about, why we need you to be part of it and hear about some of our favorite Big Sells from last year’s challenge.

And in this week’s Big Sell, Sean reviews the Glamour article written by Reese Witherspoon about ambition and sells Amita on an interesting coming out video by actor Haaz Sleiman.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @PopInsiders

You can also find us at MaximumFun.org

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Sense8, The Dark Tower, The Defenders, South Asians on TV & Film, Broadway, Game of Thrones – IP 74

The May pop culture hot streak continues so we discuss the release of the trailers for the highly anticipated film adaptation of the Stephen King series, The Dark Tower; and The Defenders on Netflix.

Then, Amita gives her immediate (and spoiler free) reaction to Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and also shares her exciting experience winning a Broadway Lottery. Meanwhile Sean is incapable of containing his excitement over the premiere of the 2nd season of Sense8.

The Pop Insiders also share the details of the recently announced Game of Thrones spin-offs and share which GoT characters they’d most want to see Frasiered.

Plus, Amita celebrates the influx of South Asians on TV and Film and the joy and inspiration they have given her.

And Sean reviews  last’s week’s Hall & Oates big sell and sells Amita on a climate change focused Instagram feed.

Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram @popinsiders

Links:

The Defenders trailer

The Dark Tower trailer

Big Sell: Everyday Climate Change Instagram feed

Top Fashionable Females on TV, March Madness Bracket Winner, The White Helmets – IP 69

We conclude our pop culture themed Women’s History Month segments with an interview with Esta Fiesta, host of the Poised N Polished podcast! We talk to Esta about her top 3 fashionable female characters on TV and discuss fashion and feminism.

Next, the conclusion of our inaugural March Madness bracket dedicated to Amita’s celebrity husbands contains a surprising finale. Wait until you hear who she chooses to be her ultimate celeb husband.

And we discuss Sean’s Big Sell from last week, the Oscar winning documentary short, The White Helmets.

Tweet us who you would have picked to win the March Madness bracket @Popinsiders and let us know your favorite fashionable female on TV.

Links:

Poised N Polished on iTunes

Esta Fiesta’s Blog – Living Fiesta

 

Inside Pop Quiz, Amita’s Celebrity Husbands Bracket, Jorja Smith – IP 68

This week, we continue our special Women’s History Month segments with a female themed Inside Pop Quiz and Amita starts to narrow down her celebrity husbands in the Inaugural Inside Pop March Madness Bracket! You won’t believe who she picked. (And neither does Sean!)

And Sean gives his review of last week’s Big Sell, British singer/songwriter Jorja Smith.

Tweet us your thoughts on Amita’s Celebrity Husband choices and quiz our pop culture knowledge @PopInsiders

Post Election Pop Culture, A Tribe Called Quest, SNL, Years of Living Dangerously, Hamilton Mixtape – IP 53

File this episode under “Life Goes On”. Yes brothers and sisters, we’re still coming to terms with last week’s election, so we begin this week’s show with a discussion of the pop culture we consumed over the past week as a means of escape, comfort and inspiration. We watched everything from Westworld to Moana; listened to Nina Simone and attended the Maxwell and Mary J. Blige show at MSG in an effort to soothe our hearts and minds.

atcqThen, we discuss the album that was a tiny light amidst the gloom – A Tribe Called Quest’s new release, We got it from Here… Thank You 4 Your service. We review the album, talk about Tribe’s place in the Hip Hop canon, rate favorite tracks and celebrate their triumphant performance on Saturday Night Live. We also talk about highlights from what we think will go down as one of the most important episodes in SNL history thanks to Kate McKinnon’s incredible cold open performance and Dave Chappelle’s brilliant turn as host.

hamilton-mixtape-artist-lineupWe also preview the highly anticipated Hamilton Mixtape, a collection of re-recordings of the songs from Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hit musical, Hamilton. Sean is a Hamilton obsessive (remember the House of Hyperbole?) and Amita has yet to see the musical or listen to the cast album. Listen to hear their reviews from two very different perspectives.

yearsWe’re also excited to bring you the first in our Producer to Producer series in which we interview a producer about their latest work. We launch the series with Joel Bach, co-creator of the Emmy Award-winning series, Years of Living Dangerously. The show explores the effects of climate change in the world through the eyes of high-profile celebrities. We find out how producers sent Arnold Schwarzenegger to the Middle East, Gisele Bundchen to the Amazon and also learn what YOU can do to join the battle to save our planet.

And we cap the show off with The Big Sell. Find out what Amita thinks of Sean’s Valerie June Big Sell. And discover the new music video Amita has to share with Sean.

LINKS

  • Actor Riz Ahmed ( The Night Of, Rogue One) appears on the Hamilton Mixtape as Riz MC. Here is a clip that features his flow with none other than Childish Gambino! Check out this dynamic duet right HERE!
  • Post election, Sean traveled back to the early 90’s. A time where a Clinton won the presidency! Enjoy this clip of Michael Stipe and Natalie Merchant performing To Sir, With Love to celebrate a new era.
  • Kate McKinnon’s stunning performance on SNL as Hillary Clinton singing “Hallelujah.”
  • Head to the Years of Living Dangerously Action page to get more information on how you can contribute to the climate change movement.