Producer Jonathan Glickman joins Hollywood Gold again to discuss the making of 1995's classic romantic comedy WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING. Made at a time when a good romcom could launch the career of an unknown actress, Sandra Bullock's star turn put her into a category alongside the likes of Julia Roberts and Demi Moore, both of whom were offered the part. As a young producer in charge of running a set for the first time, Jon Glickman had a scare when the table read was a disaster and his lead actor almost quit. Quick and effective rewrites were done and the film was a huge hit, grossing over $180 million at the box office and solidifying its place in romcom history.

Producer Debra Martin Chase returns to Hollywood Gold to talk about the making of 2005's THE SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELLING PANTS, a film that resonated (and still resonates) with countless women as it showcases the enduring value of female friendship. Based on the popular novel by Ann Brashares, Debra knew the film would need an incredible director and cast to portray the multitude of emotions within several storylines. She found that director in Ken Kwapis, but the casting was trickier as every young actress of the time was up for the sisterhood. The magic of Hollywood intervened to bring Blake Lively in as the final piece of a perfect cast.

Director/Producer Elizabeth Banks, who always impresses us with her vast array of talents, joins Hollywood Gold for a second time to discuss one of 2023's most talked about movies, COCAINE BEAR. Banks responded to the script as soon as she read it as she was looking for an unexpected follow up to CHARLIE'S ANGELS. The myriad difficulties of having a CGI bear as the main character were amplified by the restrictions of a film shoot in the middle of COVID. Shot in Ireland, the film has a unique feel that is an homage to monster movies of the 1980s.

Producers Ed Guiney and Andrew Lowe discuss the long and winding road to production for Yorgos Lanthimos' fantastical POOR THINGS, which was just nominated for a mind-blowing 11 Oscars. The producing pair had been fans of Yorgos' Greek films, and helped him successfully navigate the transition to English language films beginning with 2015's breakout THE LOBSTER. Having worked with Emma Stone on hit THE FAVORITE, Yorgos knew she would be perfect for this unconventional story of a brought back to life in a woman's body. Emma came on to produce and star, and her name helped get the movie MADE by a studio. Yorgos' ability to make actors feel comfortable and free allowed for incredible performances in a film that looks way more expensive than it was.

Producer Janet Yang recounts the making of 1993's groundbreaking adaptation of Amy Tan's THE JOY LUCK CLUB. After trailblazing a career path bridging the gap between American movies and Chinese audiences, Janet got her first taste of producing with Spielberg's EMPIRE OF THE SUN. Her initial experience of THE JOY LUCK CLUB was reading three chapters of the unpublished manuscript, but she knew right away that she wanted to make it into a film. An intimate tale of immigrant experiences told within the universality of familial relationships, the film achieved both critical and commercial success, despite the studio's initial reluctance to market it as an Asian film.

Producer Sean Covel details the making of 2004's surprise box office smash NAPOLEON DYNAMITE. In contrast to the poppy, feel-good films of the early 2000s, Sean saw genius in the offbeat humor of the film's unlikely hero. Despite being difficult to cast with the likes of Jake Gyllenhaal, Jack Black, and Bruce Campbell all passing on the project, the filmmakers eventually found movie magic and a standing ovation at Sundance. After grossing $45 million at the box office, the film remains a cult classic.

Editor Wyatt Smith guides us through the making of the most ambitious Disney live action remake to date. Wyatt, fresh off the remake of another Disney classic (Mary Poppins Returns), was involved in THE LITTLE MERMAID from day one with his frequent collaborator, director Rob Marshall. The filmmaker faced numerous challenges from updating the music, lyrics, and characters to modernize the story, to finding new and innovative ways to make a VFX heavy film feel organic for the actors.

Producer Nina Jacobson recounts the making of 2012's wildly successful THE HUNGER GAMES, the adaptation of the hit book series that became a cultural phenomenon and catapulted Jennifer Lawrence to superstardom. Nina, fresh off a gig as the head of Disney, used her studio experience to navigate the tricky road to successfully launch the first film of a female-centered action franchise that is still putting out new installments over a decade later.

Producer Wendy Finerman discusses the making of 2006's Oscar-nominated classic THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA. Wendy was confident in the unexpected casting of Meryl Streep in a role that many didn't think she would be funny in, and was proved right when Meryl truly embodied a role that immortalized Vogue's already famous Anna Wintour. Paired with the brilliance of Anne Hathaway and a young Emily Blunt in a role that would launch her career, the film went on to be nominated for two Oscars and become a critical and commercial success.

Producer Bruce Cohen recounts the making of 2012’s Oscar winning Silver Linings Playbook, David O. Russell’s brilliant film about a bipolar man and the widow who changed his life. Not only did the film launch a young Jennifer Lawrence into a new career stratosphere and encourage Bradley Cooper’s interest in directing, it remains one of the few films to be nominated for the Big Five Oscars. David O. Russell’s penchant for improv helped him realize the magic in his cast and solidified the film’s iconic status.