Hollywood Gold

MONEYBALL: Brad Pitt's Billy Beane and the Team That Rewrote Baseball

Producer Rachael Horowitz joins Hollywood Gold to talk about the making of Moneyball, the underdog baseball story that became one of the defining sports films of the era. Horowitz traces her unconventional path into producing and walks listeners through the film’s long, high-stakes development, from surviving a bidding war to optioning Michael Lewis’s book, an abrupt director change that ultimately brought Bennett Miller on board, and major shifts in post-production that helped define the final film. In this episode, she reveals how Moneyball evolved into something more than a sports movie: a deeply personal story about devotion, identity, and the love affair between a man and his work. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

SINNERS: Ryan Coogler, Vampires, the Record-Breaking 2026 Oscar Nominee

Line Producer Kenneth Yu joins Hollywood Gold discuss the record breaking, Oscar-nominated film, Sinners. From the challenges of shooting in Louisiana to working with acclaimed director Ryan Coogler, Yu shares the highs and lows of the adventure that was creating this groundbreaking film. Diving into behind-the-scenes stories about building entire sets in the middle of nowhere, the technical magic behind filming Michael B. Jordan as twins, and the unpredictable chaos of shooting on location, this episode will be sure to leave you surprised. Be sure to watch before the 2026 Academy Awards! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MIRACLE: Team USA, Olympic Hockey, and the Movie Behind the Miracle

Producer Mark Ciardi joins us to discuss Miracle, the rousing 2004 ice hockey drama, in anticipation of the 2026 Olympic Winter Games. A former professional athlete himself, Ciardi shares how he came to develop the film, from shaping the screenplay to taking a chance on up-and-coming director Gavin O’Connor. He also recounts the challenge of balancing dramatic storytelling with authentic on-ice action, casting real hockey players and filming live crowds at college games. Miracle ultimately emerged as an enduring and beloved American sports film, delivering an unforgettable underdog story through the triumph of the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

THE INCREDIBLES: How Pixar, Clever Animators, and Steve Jobs Made a Superhero Classic

Producer John Walker joins Hollywood Gold to revisit Pixar’s superhero adventure, The Incredibles. After beginning his career in theater, Walker teamed up with director Brad Bird to help usher in a new era of animated filmmaking. He reflects on the early-2000s challenges of animation, from the unprecedented task of bringing believable human characters to life to collaborating with Steve Jobs to develop the film’s groundbreaking technology. Over several years of production, Walker learned to balance creative perfectionism with forward momentum, guiding his team through an exacting process that ultimately produced a critically acclaimed, enduring family classic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

BACK TO THE FUTURE: Marty McFly, Robert Zemeckis, and Time Travel Magic

Writer Bob Gale shares the story behind the iconic film Back to the Future following its 40-year anniversary. Gale traces his creative partnership with director Robert Zemeckis back to their USC days and a shared love of classic Hollywood storytelling and time-travel tales. The idea clicked in 1980 after Gale discovered his father’s 1940 high school yearbook and asked: What if you went to high school with your dad? Despite multiple rejections, a tumultuous casting process, grueling production challenges, and a tight schedule, Back to the Future ultimately came together to form a beloved franchise that instantly captured audiences worldwide.This episode is sponsored by Film Parliament, an online course that teaches filmmakers how to schedule and budget a feature film. Built by a working producer, the course is practical, hands-on, and designed to help you move your project forward with confidence.Get 10 percent off with code GOLD10 at filmparliament.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.