Behind the Slate

Join host Aaron Strand live at the historic Plaza Theatre in Atlanta, GA as he presents Hiroshi Teshigahara's 1964 film 'Woman in the Dunes'. Aaron gives an opening monologue giving a brief historical background of the filmmaker. After the screening, we open up the conversation for a lively audience discussion! If you would like to join us for future live events, please visit plazaatlanta.com for...

The boys are back for another thrilling tournament pitting the greatest filmmakers of all time in a head-to-head pitch competition. Hop in the time machine and get ready to laugh, cry, and everything in between. Email us: behindtheslatepod@gmail.com Instagram: @behindtheslatepod TikTok: @behindtheslatepod YouTube: @behindtheslatepodcast Scene and Heard Podcast on Instagram: @sceneandheardpod Produ...

Join host Aaron Strand live at the historic Plaza Theatre in Atlanta, GA as he presents Krzysztof Kieślowski's 1994 film 'Three Colours: White'. Aaron gives an opening monologue giving a brief historical background of the filmmaker. After the screening, we open up the conversation for a lively and delightful audience discussion! If you would like to join us for future live events, please visit pla...

Join Aaron Strand live at the historic Plaza Theatre in Atlanta, GA as he presents Akira Kurosawa's 1963 masterpiece 'High and Low' Email us: behindtheslatepod@gmail.com Instagram: @behindtheslatepod TikTok: @behindtheslatepod YouTube: @behindtheslatepodcast Producer: Greg Kleinschmidt Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you would like to discu...

After 10 long months, countless rehearsals, meetings and podcasts...we have finally wrapped principal photography on 'Withdrawal'. Special guest host Shub Agrawal sits down with director, Aaron Strand, producer, Jonathan Walls, and assistant director Scout Smith to talk through the experience. Jonathan on IG: @jonathanwalls23 Scout on IG: @scoutsmith__ Email us: behindtheslatepod@gmail.com Instagr...

Aaron sits down with Actor, Writer, Director, and pioneering Intimacy Coordinator, Kristina Arjona. Kristina gives a crash course on this relatively new role set job, and discusses the facts and misconceptions about the profession. Kristina's webpage: https://www.atlintimacycoordinator.com/about Kristina on IG: @kristina.arjona Kristina's email: kristinaarjona.ic@gmail.com Email us: behindtheslate...

Aaron is joined by world-renowned vocalist, Cécile McLorin Salvant. Cécile shares her incredible journey from casual singer to multi-time Grammy Award winner, how she coped with stage fright before singing 'America the Beautiful' at the US Open's Women's Tennis Final, and the importance of putting googly eyes on things. Cécile's webpage: https://www.cecilemclorinsalvant.com/ Cécile on IG: @cecilem...

Aaron is joined by actor, writer, musician and yoga teacher, Jeanne Heaton. Jeanne shares her incredible journey from a Pennsylvania steel town to the rough-and-tumble Lower East Side of the early 1980's. As her artistic career blossomed, so did her addiction, leading to a 19 year battle with heroin. Now, with nearly two decades sober, Jeanne has dedicated her life to recovery, art, and giving bac...

Aaron is joined by special guest, Ben Golliver. In addition to working as the National NBA Writer for The Washington Post, Ben hosts a bi-weekly basketball podcast, 'Greatest of All Talk', where he and co-host Andrew Sharp talk hoops, life, and everything in between. Ben shares an incredible story of passion and perseverance that saw him transform from an uncertain college kid looking for a path t...

Aaron sits down with renowned film critic Sucharita Tyagi for a wide ranging discussion of Hindi Cinema, Film Criticism, and finding your path as an independent creator ARTIST. Sucharita on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sucharitatyagi Sucharita on IG: @su4ita Email us: behindtheslatepod@gmail.com Instagram: @behindtheslatepod TikTok: @behindtheslatepod YouTube: @behindtheslatepodcast Producer:...

Aaron is joined by filmmaker and co-host of the 'Scene and Heard' Podcast, Jacqueline Postajian to have a post-set debrief! Jackie on IG: @jacpostaj Scene and Heard on IG: @sceneandheardpod Withdrawal on IG: @withdrawalfilm Email us: behindtheslatepod@gmail.com Instagram: @behindtheslatepod TikTok: @behindtheslatepod YouTube: @behindtheslatepodcast Producer: Greg Kleinschmidt Hosted on Acast. See...

We are four days away from beginning production on 'Withdrawal'. A very tired Aaron Strand gives a brief update on the final weeks of pre-pro. Film Instagram: @withdrawalfilm Email us: behindtheslatepod@gmail.com Instagram: @behindtheslatepod TikTok: @behindtheslatepod YouTube: @behindtheslatepodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you woul...

Aaron is joined by cinematographer Emily Marquet. Emily is serving as the Director of Photography on 'Withdrawal' and takes us through her long journey to finding her passion for camerawork, that included stops in NYU, Haiti, and London School of Film. Emily's Website: https://emilymarquet.myportfolio.com/work Emily's Instagram: @emilymarquet Email us: behindtheslatepod@gmail.com Instagram: @behin...

Aaron is joined by Dr. Tracy Vettese, a internist at Grady Hospital in Atlanta who works with the Georgia Harm Reduction Coalition on the front lines of the opioid epidemic. Dr. Vettese takes us through her first hand account of the opioid epidemic and how she has responded to the growing crisis. She shares her message of hope and progress and gives a few suggestions of things to keep in mind as w...

Aaron shares several updates on the Withdrawal pre-production process and gives his thoughts on the film industry shut down. Email us: behindtheslatepod@gmail.com Instagram: @behindtheslatepod TikTok: @behindtheslatepod YouTube: @behindtheslatepodcast Producer: Greg Kleinschmidt Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this...

Aaron is joined by filmmaker, and actor Brent Michal who plays the lead role of 'Jay' in Withdrawal. Brent talks about his journey from child actor to filmmaker back to acting again and shares the love of the process that keeps him going. Brent's Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/brentmichal Email us: behindtheslatepod@gmail.com Instagram: @behindtheslatepod TikTok: @behindtheslatepod YouTube: @behindthesl...

Aaron is joined by filmmaker, Evan McNary. In 2021, Evan released his debut feature film 'Ragged Heart' which was shot in Athens, GA. After scrapping and saving enough money to shoot the film himself, Evan used many unconventional filmmaking techniques to craft a unique and heartfelt story about father grieving for his daughter. He talks all about his process in making the film, sharing helpful ti...

Outside of the script, casting is the most part of the filmmaking process. Today, Aaron talks through the casting process for 'Withdrawal' and then speaks with lead actor, Millie Rose Evans. Millie is an actor and musician based in Atlanta, GA. She gives a step-by-step insight into her experience during the 'Withdrawal' casting process, providing valuable tips, and honest testimony. Follow Millie...

Aaron is joined by filmmaker, podcaster, blogger and all around Indie Film expert, Noam Kroll. Since 2012, Noam has created one of the greatest free resources available to filmmakers, www.noamkroll.com . Through reviews, tutorials, and first hand narratives, Noam provides everything you need to become a self taught filmmaker. Additionally he runs a podcast, 'Show Don't Tell' dedicated to micro-bud...

Today we get into the plot of our upcoming feature film 'Withdrawal'. Aaron discusses where the idea came from and how it evolved from an inspired thought to an actionable project, culminating in a 8-Point 'Upfront Aims Program' inspired by Melvin Van Peebles. Follow the film on IG: @withdrawalfilm Email us: behindtheslatepod@gmail.com Instagram: @behindtheslatepod TikTok: @behindtheslatepod YouTu...

On this episode, I introduce our new summer series, 'Withdrawal'. Unlike our previous historical deep dives, this series is going to go inside the production of a current film project... my own feature-film. I am currently in pre-production and won't have time to do my usual history research so instead I am going to be taking you step-by-step through my filmmaking process and whatever might happen...

Today Aaron is joined by actor, writer, producer and comedian. Jonathan has acted in shows like Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and Broad City as well as commercials and feature films. He is an acclaimed writer working on shows like Grownish , and is currently developing a project with Ramy Youssef and Judd Apatow. He is the co-creator of the first all-black improv team at Upright Citizens Brigade theat...

Aaron is joined by award winning director, Alfred Preisser. In 2006, Mr. Preisser directed the acclaimed 2006 revival of 'Ain't Supposed to Die a Natural Death', during which time he became close friends with Melvin Van Peebles. Preisser went on to act in Van Peebles' final film 'Confessions of an Ex-Dufus Itchyfooted Mutha' and work on the staged Opera of 'Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song'. We a...

Melvin takes over Broadway only to see his midas touch leave him. Later in life he experiences a Renaissance as the first black trader on Wall Street and ages gracefully into one of the greatest elder statesmen in cinema history. Rest In Peace Melvin Van Peebles (8/21/32-9/21/21), one of the greatest artists of the 20th Century. Email us: behindtheslatepod@gmail.com Instagram: @behindtheslatepod T...

Aaron is joined by Millie De Chirico, co-host of the podcast 'I Saw What You Did' and co-author of the book 'TCM Underground: 50 Must-See Films from the World of Classic Cult and Late-Night Cinema'. We talk about five films featured in the book that challenge the preconceived notions of Blaxploitation. We then dive in to our mutual loves: cinema and basketball...to find the common ground between a...