Story and Craft with Marc Preston

Ken Leung | Raised by Acting

On this episode of Story and Craft, we sit down with actor Ken Leung. Known for his roles in “Rush Hour”, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”, “The Sopranos”, and notably “Lost”, Ken shares his experiences across stage, TV, and film, as well as his role in the new season of HBO’s “Industry”. We dive deep into Ken's diverse career, discussing his induction into the acting world, his memorable roles, and the nuances of playing distinct characters in different genres. They also chat about the impact of “Lost”, working on “Industry”, and Ken's upcoming film, “Project Hail Mary” with Ryan Gosling and Milana Vayntrub. Tune in for an insightful conversation that will inspire!00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:32 Guest Introduction: Ken Leung01:15 Substack and Listener Engagement02:45 Interview Begins: Ken's Background06:16 Growing Up in New York09:43 Acting Journey and Family Dynamics12:37 Learning Through Acting20:39 Working with Sidney Lumet23:10 Landing the Role in Lost26:26 Experiencing Hawaii and Settling In27:28 The Evolution of Lost27:46 The Impact of Streaming on TV Shows31:17 Transition to Industry35:52 Project Hail Mary and Future Projects38:12 The Seven Questions

Thomas Jane | Throwing Dreams Into Space

On this episode of The Story & Craft Podcast, we sit down with actor,Thomas Jane from the Amazon Prime Video film “Play DIrty”, as well as projects such as The Expanse and Boogie Nights.  We cover Jane's impressive body of work, as well as his journey from modest beginnings in Maryland to becoming a notable actor in Hollywood. We discuss Thomas’ passion for storytelling, the joys and challenges of being an actor, and the importance of authentic human experiences in film. Thomas also reveals his graphic novel projects and his deep dive into writing a book about visiting aliens. Tune in for an enlightening conversation that covers everything from chocolate to extraterrestrials!SHOW HIGHLIGHTS03:26 Thomas Jane's Early Life and Career Beginnings13:54 Playing Mickey Mantle08:48 The Expanse and Sci-Fi Genre18:34 High School and Early Acting27:47 Reflections on Education and Society36:32 Independent Films and Future Projects43:17 Sci-Fi and Authentic Stories44:26 Advice to Aspiring Actors46:00 Family and Personal Life48:38 Memories of Paul Reubens53:31 Working with Talented Directors55:38 The Seven QuestionsListen and subscribe on your favorite podcast app. Also, check out the show and sign up for the newsletter at www.storyandcraftpod.com...#podcast #PodcastInterview #Storytelling #ActorInterview #HollywoodInterview #FilmNerd #ThomasJane #PlayDirty #TheExpanse #Troppo #PrimeVideo #MarkWahlberg #Actor #Acting #StoryAndCraft #GraphicNovels #SyFy #Aliens #IndieFilm 

Danny O’Malley | Culinary Storyteller

On this episode of The Story & Craft Podcast, we sit down with producer,Danny O’Malley. Danny is a Grammy and James Beard award nominee. He just picked up an Emmy nomination for theNetflix series “Chef's Table”. Danny takes us on a culinary journey through his experiences. They also talk about everything from the impact of Anthony Bourdain, Chicago-style pizza preferences, memorable dining experiences, to the global influence of food and its power to bridge cultures. Danny also shares insights into his Greek heritage, his obsession with Chinese cuisine, and the making of compelling food stories. Tune in for an exciting conversation filled with delicious tidbits and behind-the-scenes stories that food lovers won't want to miss!SHOW HIGHLIGHTS01:34 Chicago Roots and Pizza Preferences04:10 Journey into Food Television07:19 Food and Cultural Connections08:58 Anthony Bourdain’s Impact17:03 Memorable Culinary Experiences20:34 A Culinary Journey Through History25:18 Exploring Food Cultures and Personal Favorites27:47 The Uncharted Territory of African Cuisine29:19 The Evolution of Food Programming33:03 The Seven QuestionsListen and subscribe on your favorite podcast app. Also, check out the show and sign up for the newsletter at www.storyandcraftpod.com...#podcast #DannyOMalley #ChefsTable #Netflix #Alinea #GrantAchatz #AnthonyBourdain #JamesBeard #Proudcer #Producing #storyandcraft #Cooking #Restaurants #Chefs #FoodNetwork #FoodTV 

Larry Charles | Comedy Samurai

On this episode of The Story & Craft Podcast, we sit down with author, writer, producer and director,Larry Charles , who has a new memoir out called “Comedy Samurai: Forty Years of Blood, Guts, and Laughter”. He’s known for a constellation of projects, such as Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Entourage, Mad About You, Borat, The Dictator and The Comedians.  We dive into Larry's journey from Brooklyn to Hollywood, discussing his work on iconic shows, as well as collaborations with the likes of Jerry Seinfeld, Larry David, Sacha Baron Cohen, Bob Dylan and Bill Maher. We cover Larry's inspirations, his experiences in the industry, and his new memoir. This is a great bit of insight into the crafts of comedy and storytelling from one of the best in the business.SHOW HIGHLIGHTS02:43 Larry Charles' Personal Story02:58 Impact of Losing a Home07:34 Comedy in Tragedy08:37 The Influence of George Carlin13:32 Creating Content in the Digital Age18:50 Larry Charles' Early Life and Family29:08 Jewish Influence in Comedy34:15 Comedy Inspirations and Influences40:17 Exploring Comedy Preferences42:24 The Pressure of Producing Sitcoms43:42 The Evolution of Comedy44:37 Behind the Scenes of Entourage49:32 Directing Borat52:05 The Joys and Challenges of Directing55:58 The Seven Questions58:50 Dream Dinner Guests01:01:07 Religulous and Satirizing Religion01:05:08 Celebrity Crushes and Desert Island Picks01:12:10 Advice to My Younger SelfListen and subscribe on your favorite podcast app. Also, check out the show and sign up for the newsletter at www.storyandcraftpod.com...#podcast #LarryCharles #Seinfeld #CurbYourEnthusiam #Borat #Comedy #JerrySeinfeld #SachaBaronCohen #LarryDavid #BillyCrystal #PaulReiser #BillMaher #BobDylan #MelBrooks #Author #Writer #Producer #Director #ComedySamurai #storyandcraft #HBO #Author #Bruno #TheDictator #Jewish #Religulous 

Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine | Ugandan Moving Pictures

On this episode of The Story & Craft Podcast, we sit down with actor,Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine from theApple TV Series “Smoke”, as well as upcoming projects such as “Dexter: Resurrection” and “Washington Black.”  We discuss Ntare's extensive career, including his roles in popular TV shows like “The Chi” and “Treme.” Ntare also opens up about his Ugandan heritage, and his own journey into acting. We also chat about his and his long-term documentary project “Memories of Love Returned.” It’s a great chat about a unique journey!SHOW HIGHLIGHTS02:20 Ntare's Background and Family03:27 Journey into Acting10:12 Life in New York and Los Angeles12:52 Cultural Connections and Cuisine16:07 Colonial History and Family Lineage18:49 Acting Career Highlights21:04 Landing the Role in “Smoke”24:49 Unexpected Career Paths27:25 Family and Acting29:26 Cultural Connections and Cooking31:24 Upcoming Projects37:05 The Seven QuestionsListen and subscribe on your favorite podcast app. Also, check out the show and sign up for the newsletter at www.storyandcraftpod.com...#podcast #NtareGumaMbahoMwine #Smoke #Dexter #WashingtonBlack #AppleTV # TaronEgerton # JurneeSmollett #GregKinnear # JohnLeguizamo #Actor #Acting #storyandcraft #Uganda #Photography