Soundstage Access

EP 65 | Max Aruj, Composer ('Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning')

EP 65 | Max Aruj, Composer ('Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning') by Soundstage Access

EP 64 | Nicholas Stoller, Director / Screenwriter ('Forgetting Sarah Marshall', 'Yes Man')

This week on the show, it’s Nicholas Stoller — a BAFTA-nominated Hollywood director and screenwriter whose credits YES MAN, NEIGHBORS, THE MUPPETS and FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL. His latest film is YOU'RE CORDIALLY INVITED, starring Will Ferrell and Reese Witherspoon, and it’s currently streaming on Amazon Prime. In today’s conversation, Nick and I discuss the circumstances that brought his first produced film credit as a 28-year-old writer to be a comedy led by Jim Carrey; also, the one project that got away, as well as Nick’s memories from meeting his idol, Oscar-nominee Nora Ephron, the writer of WHEN HARRY MET SALLY and YOU'VE GOT MAIL, and the lesson that Nora taught Nick and that changed his approach to screenwriting forever. All of this… and much more! Make sure you subscribe to Soundstage Access on your favorite podcast platform so you can share your favorite episodes with your friends. INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/soundstageaccess/ FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/soundstageaccess/ TWITTER: twitter.com/SoundstageAC

EP 63 | Erik Jendresen, Screenwriter ('Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning')

This week on the show, it’s Erik Jendresen —an Emmy-winning Hollywood screenwriter whose credits include the HBO mini-series BAND OF BROTHERS, as well as the two latest installments in the MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE franchise. In today’s conversation, deep dive into the writing and making of MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - DEAD RECKONING (2023) and MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - THE FINAL RECKONING (2025). Erik discusses the reasons the two films were shot simultaneously over the course of four years, and the ways the projects developed — including the actor who was originally cast in the role of the film’s main villain; we also discuss a secret WWII thriller which Erik wrote during the pandemic, and the circumstances that brought Tom Cruise to choose it as his next movie. All of this… and much more! Make sure you subscribe to Soundstage Access on your favorite podcast platform so you can share your favorite episodes with your friends. INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/soundstageaccess/
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/soundstageaccess/
TWITTER: twitter.com/SoundstageAC

EP 62 | Timothy Dowling, Screenwriter ('Role Models', 'Just Go With It')

How wonderful to welcome on the show Timothy Dowling, a Hollywood screenwriter whose credits include the cult classic ROLE MODELS, the Adam Sandler romantic comedy JUST GO WITH IT, and the explosive rom-com THIS MEANS WAR (starring Tom Hardy, Chris Pine and Reese Witherspoon). In today’s conversation, Tim and I discuss how one of his first scripts making the Blacklist led to him getting the attention of Will Smith, and who were the other Oscar-nominated actors who almost starred in THIS MEANS WAR. Also, how Tim navigated some of the biggest Hollywood writing assignments, especially when the projects he was hired for didn't interest him. All of this… and much more! Make sure you subscribe to Soundstage Access on your favorite podcast platform so you can share your favorite episodes with your friends. INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/soundstageaccess/ FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/soundstageaccess/ TWITTER: twitter.com/SoundstageAC

EP 61 | Alexander Witt, Second Unit Director ('Fast X', 'James Bond' Franchise)

What a special opportunity to welcome on the show ALEXANDER WITT, perhaps the most influential second unit director of his generation. When it comes to action cinema, he may as well be responsible for the most iconic action sequences of the last 30 years, with credits that include everything from the epic battles of GLADIATOR, PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN and AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR, to the car chases in THE ITALIAN JOB, FAST X and the 'Daniel Craig era' of the JAMES BOND franchise — including the most recent entry NO TIME TO DIE. Today on the podcast is a masterclass in action cinema, as we discuss behind-the-scenes stories and the making of these movies. All of this… and much more! The trilogy of action thrillers directed by Alexander Witt, titled SAYEN — are now available to stream on Amazon Prime. Make sure you subscribe to Soundstage Access on your favorite podcast platform so you can share your favorite episodes with your friends. INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/soundstageaccess/ FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/soundstageaccess/ TWITTER: twitter.com/SoundstageAC