Skip to content
Sign in
Artwork for In Proximity
ArtsVisual ArtsSociety & CulturePersonal JournalsTV & FilmFilm Interviews

In Proximity

Proximity Media

IN PROXIMITY is a podcast about craft, career, and creativity from Proximity Media, the production company that helped bring you SINNERS, CREED III, JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH, SPACE JAM: A NEW LEGACY, BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER PODCAST & SOUNDTRACK, and more. Hosted by Paola Mardo. New episodes every Monday.

Play
Open in
  • 20 episodes
  • Avg 41 min
  • English

Episodes 20

NewestOldestLongest
All20Unplayed20In progress0Played0
  • S3 · E41
    June 29 · 32 min

    Inside the Making of IN PROXIMITY Season 3 with Paola Mardo & the Crew

    We’ve made over 40 episodes for season 3! To celebrate our season finale, host Paola Mardo takes you on a tour around the Proximity Media office and the IN PROXIMITY podcast studio to answer your questions about how we make the show. Paola also sits down with the podcast crew in her office to look back at our production process, behind-the-scenes memories, and favorite moments. If you head over to our video episode, you can also watch our Prox spin on some popular YouTube shows. Thank you for wa

  • S3 · E40
    June 22 · 57 min

    INSIDE PROXIMITY: Film Festival How-To with Sev Ohanian, Terra Potts & Paola Mardo

    If you’re an emerging filmmaker, this episode is for you! IN PROXIMITY host and first-time filmmaker Paola Mardo sits down with Proximity Media founder Sev Ohanian and Chief Marketing & Operations Officer Terra Potts to answer your questions about navigating film festivals. Before he was a producer on SINNERS, Sev co-wrote and produced the award-winning film SEARCHING, which premiered at Sundance and was the subject of a bidding war. Other films he has produced and sold at festivals include Ryan

  • S3 · E39
    June 15 · 49 min

    Pixar Storytelling Secrets with Directors and Writers of TOY STORY 5

    More than 30 years after the release of TOY STORY, the Pixar franchise’s latest chapter, TOY STORY 5, premieres in theaters this week. Award-winning writer/director Andrew Stanton and co-director/writer Kenna Harris joined host Paola Mardo for a virtual conversation about why the film pits Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), Jessie (Joan Cusack) and their gang of toys against tech, in the form of the tablet Lilypad (Greta Lee). Andrew and Kenna also discuss how they collaborated on th

  • S3 · E38
    June 8 · 47 min

    FROM THE ARCHIVES: Using Your Fear in Filmmaking with Jordan Peele and Ryan Coogler

    We’re going back into the archives to rerun this insightful and hilarious conversation with Ryan Coogler and Jordan Peele. From GET OUT to US to NOPE, Jordan has delighted – and frightened – audiences with his mastery of horror and social satire. On this episode, he breaks down his journey from clown school to KEY AND PEELE to horror, how he made the decision to direct GET OUT, and that one time a famous Batman actor advised him to use his fear.

  • S3 · E37
    June 1 · 47 min

    From Stage to Screen: Playwright & Filmmaker Aleshea Harris

    Playwright Aleshea Harris made her feature film directorial debut with IS GOD IS, adapted from her Obie Award-winning play of the same name. On the day her film opened in theaters, Aleshea sat down with host Paola Mardo to talk about her jump from playwriting to writing and directing a film with an all-star cast including Kara Young, Mallori Johnson, Vivica A. Fox, Sterling K. Brown, Janelle Monáe, and Erika Alexander. She also talks about how she worked with producers Tessa Thompson and Janicza

  • S3 · E36
    May 25 · 46 min

    How Shirley Kurata Designed the Maximalist Costumes for I LOVE BOOSTERS

    From her Oscar-nominated work in The Daniels’ EVERYTHING, EVERYWHERE, ALL AT ONCE, to her latest project I LOVE BOOSTERS, written and directed by Boots Riley, costume designer and stylist Shirley Kurata has built her reputation on creative, colorful storytelling through fashion and clothing. Ahead of the premiere of her latest film, Shirley joined host Paola Mardo to talk about collaborating with Boots Riley and designing the maximalist costumes for the film’s ensemble cast, including Keke Palme

  • S3 · E35
    May 18 · 18 min

    SINNERS Symposium: Behind the Scenes of Movie Marketing

    In this 2-part series, we’re sharing gems about fandoms, creators, and marketing movies from the TikTok SINNERS Symposium. Last week, Paola Mardo sat down with Ryan Coogler, Sev Ohanian, and Jocelyn Yates (@jocwatchlist) about making SINNERS, thinking about the audience, and creating content around movies. This week, we’re diving into the SINNERS marketing campaign from the perspectives of the production company, social media platform, and studio. On this episode, Proximity Media’s Chief Marketi

  • S3 · E34
    May 11 · 48 min

    SINNERS Symposium: How TikTok Creators are Fueling Viral Movies

    In this 2-part series, we’re sharing gems about fandoms, creators, and marketing movies from the TikTok SINNERS Symposium. The day before the Oscars, the Proximity Media team attended a symposium hosted by TikTok, Gold House, and Warner Bros., where panelists explored how fans and creators can help fuel the marketing of a film. In this first episode, IN PROXIMITY host Paola Mardo sits down with SINNERS writer/director/producer Ryan Coogler, producer Sev Ohanian, and TikTok creator Jocelyn Yates

  • S3 · E33
    May 4 · 48 min

    How to Build a YouTube Empire with Michelle Khare

    YouTube’s daredevil Michelle Khare has tackled the world’s toughest professions and stunts in her award-winning series CHALLENGE ACCEPTED — from mastering Harry Houdini’s water torture cell escape to tackling Tom Cruise’s deadliest stunt. With over 6 million followers, Michelle made history when she successfully petitioned for her independently-produced YouTube series to join the Primetime Emmy ballot for Outstanding Hosted Nonfiction Series. On this episode of IN PROXIMITY, host Paola Mardo sit

  • S3 · E32
    April 27 · 47 min

    Behind the Music: How PinkPantheress Produces Hits

    We’re going stateside on IN PROXIMITY! Before she became a multi-platinum Grammy-nominated musician, PinkPantheress was a film student in London who loved editing videos and watching Hitchcock movies. Now, she is the first woman and the youngest person to win the BRIT Award for Producer of the Year, and she landed at #1 on the Billboard Global 200 for “Stateside + Zara Larsson,” which was also featured in the Winter Olympics during Alysa Liu’s figure skating exhibition performance. Ahead of her

  • S3 · E31
    April 20 · 33 min

    How SINNERS Built Its Oscar-Winning Score

    We’re celebrating the theatrical anniversary of SINNERS with a musical deep dive featuring executive music producer Serena Göransson. Alongside her creative partner Ludwig Göransson, the former violinist and concertmaster helped produce the film’s Oscar-winning score and soundtrack. Serena has collaborated with Ludwig on BLACK PANTHER, OPPENHEIMER, and the upcoming THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU and THE ODYSSEY. On this episode of IN PROXIMITY, Serena joins host Paola Mardo to break down the role of

  • S3 · E30
    April 13 · 47 min

    FROM THE ARCHIVES: The Art of the Pitch and Other Writing Tips with Juel Taylor, Tony Rettenmaier, and Sev Ohanian

    Take another trip to the archives with Proximity founder and writer/producer Sev Ohanian’s conversation with screenwriting duo Juel Taylor and Tony Rettenmaier! Juel and Tony are the writers behind CREED II, SPACE JAM: A NEW LEGACY, and THEY CLONED TYRONE, which was also Juel’s directorial debut. Their next project is the upcoming HOT WHEELS movie, directed by Jon M. Chu and produced by Bad Robot. On this episode of IN PROXIMITY, Juel and Tony talk to Sev about the origins of their writing partn

  • S3 · E29
    April 6 · 28 min

    FROM THE ARCHIVES: Screenwriting Masterclass with Sev Ohanian and Aneesh Chaganty

    We’re back in the archives with a re-release of one of our first episodes ever with writer, producer, and Proximity Media founder Sev Ohanian and writer/director Aneesh Chaganty. Together, Sev and Aneesh wrote, directed, and produced the hit thrillers SEARCHING (2018), RUN (2020), and MISSING (2023). Their next project together is the upcoming DOPPELGÄNGER, produced with their producing partner Natalie Qasabian at Search Party and Proximity Media. This episode is a deep dive into Sev and Aneesh’

  • S3 · E28
    March 30 · 44 min

    FROM THE ARCHIVES: Cord Jefferson and Ryan Coogler on Writing, Directing, AMERICAN FICTION, and SINNERS (sort of)

    We’re going back into the IN PROXIMITY archives for the next several weeks, rereleasing masterclasses on filmmaking and screenwriting. On this episode, we’re rebroadcasting a conversation between Ryan Coogler and Cord Jefferson, writer/director/producer of the award-winning feature film AMERICAN FICTION. A few weeks after winning the 2024 Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, Cord hopped on a call with Ryan to discuss their first films, his unconventional path to filmmaking, and his experie

  • S3 · E27
    March 23 · 43 min

    INSIDE PROXIMITY: Meet (and Learn from!) our Nonfiction Team

    We’re celebrating docs and nonfiction series with Proximity’s Nonfiction department! IN PROXIMITY host Paola Mardo sits down with Kelli Dunson Buchanan (VP, Head of Nonfiction) and Gaby Arvizu (Creative Executive, Nonfiction), whose projects include the award-winning series HURRICANE KATRINA: RACE AGAINST TIME, STEPHEN CURRY: UNDERRATED, ANTHEM, and HOMEROOM. They share their career stories and what their day-to-day is like developing and producing nonfiction projects at Proximity Media. They al

  • S3 · E25
    March 9 · 44 min

    How to Make an Oscar-Winning Short Film with Luke Matheny

    Luke Matheny is a writer, director, and showrunner who won the Academy Award for Best Live-Action Short Film in 2010 for GOD OF LOVE. Luke sat down with IN PROXIMITY host Paola Mardo to talk about what makes an Oscar-winning short film, how he prepared for his speech, and how he built a career in comedy and children’s programming writing, directing, and running shows like MARON, GORTIMER GIBBON’S LIFE ON NORMAL STREET, and, most recently, the animated series CHARLOTTE’S WEB on HBO Max starring A

  • S3 · E24
    March 2 · 40 min

    Directing GOAT, Animation, and Dreaming Big with Tyree Dillihay

    Before his debut animated feature GOAT claimed the #1 spot at the box office, director Tyree Dilihay joined IN PROXIMITY host Paola Mardo for an in-depth conversation about the animated sports film. Tyree breaks down his directing process including building the film’s “Brooklyn meets Brazil” world, designing roarball plays with basketball stars Andre Iguodala and Stephen Curry, and working with an all-star cast that includes Caleb McLaughlin, Gabrielle Union, Jenifer Lewis, and Curry (who makes

  • S3 · E23
    February 23 · 51 min

    Maggie Gyllenhaal and Ryan Coogler: Writing, Directing, and IMAX

    Here comes the THE BRIDE writer/director/producer Maggie Gyllenhaal, who joins SINNERS writer/director/producer and Proximity founder Ryan Coogler, for an exclusive conversation with IN PROXIMITY host Paola Mardo about her new film THE BRIDE, a wildly original and imaginative take on the Frankenstein story, inspired by the 1935 film THE BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN and Mary Shelley’s original novel. Maggie and Ryan share their processes for writing and directing, working with actors, shooting on IMAX c

  • S3 · E22
    February 16 · 33 min

    Writing and Directing KPOP DEMON HUNTERS

    We are sealing the Honmoon with KPOP DEMON HUNTERS directors and co-writers, Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans! The veteran animation filmmakers break down how Maggie developed the story based on Korean culture and music, how she collaborated with Chris as a directing team, and how they pitched the idea to Netflix and K-pop music producers. They also share stories from behind the scenes of their seven-year production process including the creation of the film’s iconic “popcorn eyes” and how they w

Showing 1–20 of 20 episodes