In this episode, I talk to filmmakers EMILY KASSIE and JULIAN BRAVE NOISECAT, who are nominated for an Academy Award in the Best Documentary Feature category for their incredible documentary film, "SUGARCANE," which hails from National Geographic Documentaries.

"Sugarcane" chronicles a groundbreaking investigation into decades of systemic abuse at Indigenous boarding schools in Canada. Listen as I talk to Emily and Julian about how they were able to embed with the participants of the film for 160 days of shooting. Learn how the co-directors raised money to make their first documentary feature and how Julian balanced participating on camera with his father while also co-directing with Emily. We also dig into their bold stylistic and story choices, as this film looks and sounds unlike any of the other Oscar nominees. Watch "Sugarcane" on Hulu, Nat Geo, or Disney+ and catch our interview anywhere you get podcasts, including YouTube.

Additionally... Below are some links to GoFundMe pages for folks who have lost their homes as well as some other ways to donate to people or groups in need due to the wildfires. If you are able, please give these folks a few bucks. Thanks!

GoFundMe for documentary filmmaker Tracy Droz Tragos

GoFundMe for producer Laura Korkoian

GoFundMe for editor and producer Buzz Chatman

GoFundMe producers Dustin and Erin Rubin

GoFundMe for producer/director CJ Russo

for Black Families Impacted by LA Wildfires

Fundraisers for Hollywood Crew Members Affected by LA Fires

Wildfire Relief Fund 2025

Los Angeles Fire Department

Other organizations to donate to

This week, I chat with award-winning filmmakers MARY ROBERTSON and ARIANNA LAPENNE, the creative forces behind AMAZON PRIME VIDEO'S four-part documentary series, "Glitter and Greed: The Lisa Frank Story." Listen as Mary and Arianna explain how and why they investigated the rise and fall of this famously colorful but internally and privately troublesome company. As director, Arianna takes us inside her creative process of how she shaped the unique interview looks, which help drive the series and illustrate who these former employees really are. Plus, Mary discusses why her company - MAXINE PRODUCTIONS - likes these types of nostalgic documentaries that shine a light on certain issues that may not have been so obvious back then.

Lastly, I discuss the effects of the horrendous wildfires that are destroying the Pacific Palisades and Altadena in the Los Angeles area. While I am safe, several of my former colleagues and friends have lost their homes. It is the most destructive and devastating fire in my 20 years of living in LA. Below are some links to GoFundMe pages for folks who have lost their homes as well as some other ways to donate to people or groups in need due to the wildfires. If you are able, please give these folks a few bucks. Thanks!

GoFundMe for documentary filmmaker Tracy Droz Tragos

GoFundMe for producer Laura Korkoian

GoFundMe for editor and producer Buzz Chatman

GoFundMe producers Dustin and Erin Rubin

Fundraisers for Hollywood Crew Members Affected by LA Fires

Wildfire Relief Fund 2025

Los Angeles Fire Department

Other organizations to donate to

Gladiator II co-editor SAM RESTIVO joins "No Script No Problem" to talk about cutting the massive action sequel to the Academy-Award winning film and how he came to collaborate with legendary director RIDLEY SCOTT for the 5th time. Listen as Sam shares intimate details of how he and co-editor Claire Simpson cut critical scenes in the film, working with over 10 cameras on some scenes and heavy VFX at times to bring this epic movie to life. Sam brings us amazing stories from inside the edit bay and on the set of this hit film, which has grossed over $435-million at the global box office so far.

In the interview, Sam also explains how he got his start in the industry and worked his way diligently up the Hollywood ladder to be able to edit a blockbusters like Gladiator II and Napoleon. He provides some valuable advice for anyone working their way up in the entertainment industry. Sam and I also discuss the ongoing debate about AI's presence in Hollywood. And lastly, I give you my take on Netflix's foray into broadcasting NFL games on Christmas Day. Thanks for listening! You can also watch on YouTube.

Gladiator II Trailer

The Berk Report

My Instagram

Connect with me on Bluesky

This week on "No Script No Problem," I chat with award-winning filmmakers RICKI STERN and JESSE SWEET, the directors of the fascinating new HBO documentary, "NATURE OF THE CRIME," which chronicles the emotional journeys of three inmates, as they try to make parole while serving long prison sentences for serious offenses. Listen as they describe a tough 4-year production process and how they were able to get access to the prisons. Plus, Ricki and Jesse describe the struggle to balance the sensitivity with victims of the crimes along with the effort to tell a unique story about the quest for a second chance. Lastly, we discuss the state of documentaries today and what AI's role might be in the future of nonfiction. Listen to the episode anywhere you get podcasts and stream "Nature of the Crime" on MAX. You can check out the trailer below. Thanks!

Nature of the Crime trailer

My website

This week, I'm joined by Aisha Corpas Wynn, one half of "The AI Chicks", and the hosts of the "AI Powered by People" podcast - Chad Reynolds and Sarah Nagle - for a riveting discussion about how AI is affecting the entertainment industry now and what effects it might have in the future. Chad is a CEO of Vurvey AI, and Aisha provides some outstanding insight on how the technology is working inside Hollywood today. If you are interested or worried about how AI will affect your job or your endeavors, listen to this episode.

I also dig into the earth shattering move by Comcast to spin off a slew of its cable companies into a new entity. What does this mean for news? What about Bravo? And I give you my two cents on the disastrous Jake Paul v. Mike Tyson event. Listen anywhere you get podcasts and watch on YouTube. Email any questions you have here: NoScriptNoProblemPodcast@gmail.com

My Website

AI Powered by People Podcast

Vurvey AI company website

The AI Chicks Podcast

In this episode of No Script No Problem, BAFTA-nominated filmmaker NATALIE HEWIT joins the show to talk about her new epic Nat Geo documentary, "ENDURANCE," which deftly chronicles the inspiring stories of two landmark expeditions in Antarctica - the original by Ernest Shackleton in 1914 and the modern-day search for his sunken ship. Natalie shares some riveting details of what it was like to be on the boat with the crew searching for the shipwreck Endurance while filming in below freezing temperatures. She also describes some of the groundbreaking AI technology they used to bring Shackleton's voice into the film.

If you love adventure and defying the odds, this is a documentary you will love. You can watch it on Nat Geo, Disney + and Hulu. Listen to my interview with Natalie anywhere you get podcasts and watch it on YouTube.

Some other topics I discuss include:

• Comcast's possible spinoff of its cable assets
• Governor Newsom's proposal to increase the film tax credit in California
• Netflix's 3rd quarter earnings

Newsom proposes an increase in tax credit

Comcast could spin off cable assets

Endurance Trailer

This week on No Script No Problem, I talk to documentary filmmaker Amy Nicholson about her new feature doc “Happy Campers,” which chronicles the final days at a waterfront Virginia trailer park that welcomes all with a smile… until developers come in, buy up the property, and kick the folks who've loved the place for generations out.

Listen as Amy explains how she lived in the trailer park during production and how she felt when capitalism collided with this loving community. Amy also explains how she got the film made, which was not easy, and gives some advice for young filmmakers. You can watch "Happy Campers" via video on demand on platforms like Apple TV+ and Amazon. Here's the trailer.

Listen to NSNP anywhere you listen to podcasts and watch the show on YouTube. Thanks!

This week I chat with award-winning filmmakers Mary Robertson and Emma Schwartz to discuss their Emmy-nominated, critically acclaimed, and hugely popular MAX and Discovery ID docuseries - "Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV," which sheds light on the troubling experiences of child actors in the entertainment industry, particularly those who worked on popular Nickelodeon shows produced by powerful showrunner Dan Schneider. Emma and Mary explain how they brought the project together and the keys to getting this very sensitive information from folks who were hesitant to talk. We also discuss why these types of projects are so important.

The groundbreaking series set the internet ablaze with revelations of a toxic environment on set that included a voice coach getting arrested for sexually abusing one of the young stars. Dozens of former child stars have spoken out both during the series and since causing a reckoning in Hollywood and forcing the industry to make changes.

Afterwards, I discuss the recent slew of insane announcements in entertainment, including a famous chicken restaurant entering the streaming wars and journalists declaring cable TV dead.