Paul Schrader wrote classics like Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, and The Last Temptation of Christ, directed American Gigolo, Affliction and First Reformed, documented the history of the transcendental style of film, and he’s still hard at work telling stories with impact.

In this special episode, we present his engaging Story Summit VIP Guest Lecture, recorded shortly after the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, where he premiered his latest feature, Oh, Canada.

Hear how a strict Calvinist upbringing devoid of cinema led to Paul picking up the mantle of the transcendental style of filmmaking, and how he utilizes metaphor to draw audiences into his stories without all the handholding.

If you care about meaningful cinema with lasting impact, or simply want to hear what Taxi Driver is actually all about, don’t miss this episode.

Produced by Brian Landwehr and Bailey Patterson

Brian and Bailey chat with The Naked Gun (2025) screenwriters Dan Gregor and Doug Mand.

Comedy ain’t easy. And neither is the job of continuing the beloved Naked Gun franchise with a new chapter that honors the spirit of Lt. Frank Drebin without feeling stuck in the past.

But that is exactly what Dan Gregor and Doug Mand have accomplished, and they are here to discuss why and how they do what they do, the lessons learned from years of partnership, and what it takes to keep audiences laughing in a new era.

Their journey from the improv comedy scene to How I Met Your Mother, from Chip ’n Dale: Rescue Rangers to The Naked Gun, is a colorful one. So tune in for all that, plus their thoughts on comedy writing in the age of YouTube, and why even in Hollywood a good script is never truly dead.

This episode is produced by Brian Landwehr and Bailey Patterson.

Brian Landwehr and Bailey Patterson conclude their two-part conversation with former president of Paramount Motion Picture Group, David Paul Kirkpatrick.

As the man who greenlit some of the most iconic films in cinematic history, David knows not only how the Hollywood machine works, but why it sometimes doesn’t.

Why do so few people in the studio system actually read scripts? Why does strong coverage matter more than you think? What does it take to get a studio project across the finish line? And what really happens when a movie falls apart?

Plus, why did Michael Jackson shed tears over lunch with David? And is Steven Spielberg truly the mensch the world believes he is?

With a remarkable career, a writer’s heart, and a mentor’s wisdom, David brings both insight and irresistible Hollywood tales in one of the most revealing conversations we’ve ever had.

This podcast is produced by Brian Landwehr and Bailey Patterson.