Every season of On Story ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best seasons of On Story!

his first episode of On Story includes new interviews from Randall Wallace, Writer-Director, Secretariat; Lawrence Kasdan, Screenwriter, Empire Strikes Back; Shane Black, Writer-Director, Lethal Weapon, Long Kiss Goodnight, and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang; and the short film Northeast Front, an Austin Film Festival 2010 Official Selection, by Angela Torres Camerena.

Northeast Front

In episode 2 of "On Story," the creative minds behind STAR TREK, TRANSFORMERS, EL MARIACHI, and WATCHMEN discuss the challenge of creating fantastical worlds and getting the audience to suspend their disbelief. Featuring David Hayter, Roberto Orci, Damon Lindelof, and Robert Rodriguez. Film: Tadpoles by Miguel Alvarez

Tadpoles

In episode 3 of "On Story," the creative minds behind TO DIE FOR, THE 40 YEAR OLD VIRGIN, NATIONAL LAMPOON'S VACATION, and THE HANGOVER discuss comedy in film. Featuring Harold Ramis, Judd Apatow, Buck Henry, and Jon Lucas. Film: Sleep Study by Kerri Lendo and John Merriman and MY BIGGEST WEAKNESS by Bradley Jackson.

Sleep Study/My Biggest Weakness

In episode 4 of "On Story," the creative minds behind APOLLO 13, SCHINDLER'S LIST, and A BEAUTIFUL MIND discuss the inspiration behind these classic, Academy Award winning films. Featuring 'Ron Howard' and Steven Zaillian.

Red Wednesday

Episode 5 of "On Story," the creative minds behind UNFORGIVEN, A PERFECT WORLD, and 3:10 TO YUMA discuss creating westerns with resonance. Featuring John Lee Hancock, David Peoples, Michael Brandt and Derek Haas. Film: WESTERN by Lucas Millard

Western

The creative minds behind the shows Mad Men, The Wire, and Treme discuss historical and modern day relevance in television dramas.

Bringing Mad Men and The Wire to Life

War in film is discussed by the creative minds behind Red Dawn, Born on the 4th of July and Apocalypse Now. Featuring Oliver Stone and John Milius.

War on the Big Screen

Creating a film from script to screen is discussed by the writer/directors behind Slumdog Millionaire, Up in the Air, and The Brothers McMullen. Featuring Danny Boyle, Jason Reitman, and Ed Burns.

Script to Screen

Working within the studio system is discussed by the local filmmakers behind Office Space, Lonesome Dove and El mariachi. Featuring Mike Judge, Bill Wittliff and Robert Rodriguez.

Untitled Moon Project

The Suspense and the Release

Martha

Developing and understanding heroes and villains is discussed by the creative minds behind RAMBO, LETHAL WEAPON, BRAVEHEART, and Dexter. Featuring Álvaro Rodríguez, Shane Black, Randall Wallace, John Turman, and Melissa Rosenberg. Films: WEIGHT OF THE WORLD by Jenny Goddard and EULOGY MAKER by Leslie Langee.

Weight of the World & Eulogy Maker

Academy Award-winning director Sydney Pollack (Out of Africa, Tootsie, The Way We Were) and NYPD Blue and Deadwood creator David Milch discuss the inspiration behind creating classic film and television characters. Followed by the suspenseful short film The Lab by writer/director Ryan Scheer, about two young boys whose summer afternoon in the woods goes horribly awry.

Creating New Characters

Curb Your Enthusiasm and Seinfeld writer/producer Alec Berg and Bridesmaids director and Freaks and Geeks creator Paul Feig pull back the curtain to show how they create comedy that resonates with us all. Followed by the hilarious short film Spit by writer/director Benjamin Hayes. Paul will never have his first kiss until he overcomes his fear of saliva.

The Comedy That Resonates

The creators behind the explosions Con Air, Gone In Sixty Seconds, Hulk, Zombieland and Machete debate what makes a great action movie. Followed by the riveting short film SOLD by writer/director John Irwin. A young investigative journalist goes undercover and is captured into a human trafficking ring.

Action!

TV mega-hit Everybody Loves Raymond creator Phil Rosenthal discusses the (not so) universal language of comedy in his documentary Exporting Raymond with Kiss Kiss Bang Bang writer/director Shane Black. Followed by the charming Danish short film First Anders by writer/director Kristian Ussing Anderson about a well-meaning, bookish father who attempts to teach his artistic and bullied young son a valuable lesson.

Exporting Comedy

The challenges of making true stories compelling on the screen are discussed by Oscar®-nominated Scott Silver (The Fighter), Oscar®-nominated Nicholas Kazan (Reversal of Fortune), Pamela Gray (Conviction), Oscar®-winner Ron Howard (Apollo 13). Followed by Overnight Stay, directed by Daniela Sherer. A woman recalls a horrific night in Krakow where she experienced the best and worst of human intentions.

Based on a True Story

On the next On Story, Bones creator Hart Hanson and Veronica Mars and Party Down creator Rob Thomas discuss the creation of a successful TV series. Followed by the short films 0507 by Ben and Chris Blaine and Smile by Lauren Elmer.

Creators

On the next On Story, the inspiration behind such classic films as Edward Scissorhands, Toy Story, and Up is discussed by Academy Award winning Pixar director John Lasseter and screenwriter Caroline Thompson followed by the short Playing Ghost directed by Bianca Ansems.

Heart of Film

Oscar®-winning writer Ted Tally gives a provocative look at the adaptation and production of the highly acclaimed film The Silence of the Lambs. Tally covers it all: working with director Jonathan Demme, anticipating Jodie Foster's Oscar® win, the changed ending for the world's most famous cannibal, and more. Followed by Thomas Ward's haunting short, In the Middle, about a small-town waitress in the middle of nowhere waiting for her shift to end.

Silence of the Lambs

From THE GRADUATE and CATCH-22 to Saturday Night Live and Get Smart, iconic comedic and distinctly American writer, director, and actor Buck Henry recalls his long and storied career in Hollywood. Followed by the heartwarming story of a failed ukulele player and her talking puppet dog, THE BALLAD OF FRIDAY AND JUNE by writer/director Tate English.

Buck Henry

Writer/director Rodrigo Garcia discusses the influence of his father, Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Gabriel García Márquez, and the complexities and flaws that form nuanced characters in THE GODFATHER, CAPOTE, and his own MOTHER AND CHILD and IN TREATMENT. Followed by the harrowing Spanish short WHO LASTS LONGER by writer/director Gregorio Muro in which the bond between a mother and her son are tragically tested.

Creating Complex Characters

The writers behind the beloved animated classics KUNG FU PANDA 1 & 2, King of the Hill, and THE IRON GIANT discuss the comedy, action, and emotion that go into creating the worlds and characters that appeal to audiences of all ages. And then enter the magical world of the short film DREAMGIVER by director/producer Tyler Carter. What fanciful adventures happen after we go to sleep?

The Humor & Heart of Animation

Thriller master writer/director Shane Black (KISS KISS BANG BANG, LETHAL WEAPON) discusses the critical elements of a taut, suspense-filled movie - raising stakes, unexpected reversals, and satisfying payoffs - using examples from such classics as ROCKY, THE LONG KISS GOODNIGHT, and LA FEMME NIKITA. Followed by the apocalyptic short film BLIND SPOT by writer/director Matthew Nayman.

Raising Stakes, Reversals, and Payoffs

Legendary television writer Chris Carter reveals the secret behind the creation and success of The X-Files. Lost and "Prometheus" writer, Damon Lindelof, speaks with Carter on how his use of the paranormal and search for truth have become staples of popular culture. Followed by Todd Somodevilla and Marysia Makowska's surreal short film, "Sea Pavilion".

A Conversation with Chris Carter

The writers behind WANTED, "The Bourne Ultimatum", "Con Air", and "Snitch" discuss how they use action scenes to further the plot, convey tension, and build toward a satisfying climax. Followed by Lucas Martell's animated short film, PIGEON: IMPOSSIBLE, about a trained CIA agent faced with an unexpected sudden threat to national security.

Explosive Action Building Action Through Character

The writers of re-imagined classics & popular franchises such as GHOST, CHARLIE & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, TWINS and SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN deliberate how to keep stories fresh while staying true to the original. Paired with Spencer and Lloyd Harvey's short film JACK & JILL, a fresh take on the classic nursery rhyme that follows a young Australian girl who finds an inventive way to contact her father, a WWII soldier stationed in New Guinea.

Re-Imagining the Classics

Professional horror writers explore how great drama lies at the core of the most frightening films, and discuss the style and techniques used to invoke fear, suspense and thrills that linger long after the credits roll. Followed by Lynne Vincent McCarthy's STRANGEFACE, a haunting and suspenseful short film about a peculiar and defiant young girl who unexpectedly finds companionship.

Elements of Horror

The creative minds behind the films THOR, THE AVENGERS, THE INCREDIBLE HULK, THE GREEN LANTERN, X-MEN: THE LAST STAND, and X-MEN: FIRST CLASS divulge the complexities of heroes & villains. Followed by John Mitchell's SUPER POWERS, a short film about a husband & wife who try to salvage their love-life by dressing as superheroes, and find they save more than their marriage when forced out of their home in costume.

Constructing Comic Book Movies

Damon Lindelof discusses his hand in some of the most celebrated and scrutinized works of science fiction over the past five years, and how much of their success is attributed to writing stories that leave a lot up to one's imagination. Accompanied by Dean Loxton's improvised short film, METRO 7 BIS about a woman's encounter with a handsome stranger in Paris, only to find their meeting was hardly by chance.

A Conversation with Damon Lindelof

James Franco reveals his unique experience working on 127 HOURS, including his faith in director Danny Boyle's vision, and the collaborative approach from cast and crew to fulfill the tension needed to capture this true and tantalizing story. Followed by the allegorical short film, VOICE OVER, directed by Martin Rosete, about a few extreme situations that literally take your breath away.

James Franco: A Look Inside 127 Hours

Larry Wilmore, the Senior Black Correspondent on The Daily Show and creator of The Bernie Mac Show reflects upon different forms of comedy, his own comic influences, and always looking to maximize comedic potential. Followed by two short films about courage and endurance: Chris Bourke and Kevin Harger's LOVE, EMILY, shadowing young love and how to best navigate its awkward terrain, and Andrea Gomez's 036, measuring the fortitude and grit required to survive the paper-pushing, no-nonsense depths of cubicle number 036.

The Evolution of Funny: TV Comedy with Larry Wilmore

The voices behind THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, BRIDESMAIDS, and RACHEL GETTING MARRIED deliberate how the most impressionable characters - both good and evil - are compelling because of their flaws, complexities, and personal truths. Accompanied by the short film, MENTIROSO by writer/director Will Shipley about trailing a young boy whose incessant lies are almost as far-fetched as an astonishing encounter with the most beautiful girl in town.

Heroes and Anti-Heroes: Loving the Villain

The screenwriters behind NEVER BEEN KISSED, SAFE HAVEN, GOING THE DISTANCE and HE'S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU contemplate the important balance of relationship, conflict and originality when creating romantic comedies. Followed by the short film, DO OVER by David Fabelo, illustrating several failed judicious attempts of mastering a first date.

Romantic Comedies

Brian Hegleland, the creative force behind 42, L.A. Confidential, Mystic River, and A Knights Tale, shares his experience as a screenwriter, director, and producer, along with the ups, down, and left turns of the filmmaking industry. Accompanied by the short film, Hector is Gonna Kill Nate, from Ari Issler about a basketball student that rolls into his High School gym looking for revenge.

A Conversation with Brian Hegleland

David McGee discusses adapting Finding Neverland and Life of Pi, and how he approached translating such imaginative worlds for screen. Followed by, The Return, Jeremy Mackie's short film about a college graduate that is literally scared off the screen of his first job.

Writing the Fantastical: A Conversation with David McGee

Vince Gilligan, creator of the AMC hit series Breaking Bad, reflects upon the show's hyper-serialized storytelling as well as his inspirations and influences. Accompanied by Victor Nores' short film, Euthanas Inc.

Breaking Bad: A Conversation with Vince Gilligan

Frank Darabont, writer and director of such classics as The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile and The Mist, discusses adapting works by Stephen King and keeping his characters at the core of the story. Followed by Jeffrey DeChausse's short film, Anniversario, trailing a woman's visit to her two favorite hairdressers on the day of her 45th wedding anniversary for what becomes the most important makeover of their lives.

Frank Darabont: A Filmmaker's Journey

An iconic example of its genre, Alien's tension, pacing, and craftsmanship are deconstructed by veteran screenwriters John August and Ashley Miller. Accompanied by Jason Mann and Frieda Luk's mystical short film, Delicacy, following a culinary connoisseur and his loyal chef as they dangerously navigate into the unknown with hopes to obtain a rare treat.

Alien: Deconstructing a Sci-Fi Classic

House of Cards creator, Beau Willimon, discusses writing for Netflix, working with David Fincher, and delving into the psychology of narrative power struggles. Artiz Moreno's short film, Colera, follows with an ominous glimpse of a town that decides to take the law into their own hands, without considering the consequences.

House of Cards: A Conversation with Beau Willimon

Rian Johnson, Richard Kelly, and Roberto Orci, masters of weaving time travel into film, dissect the elements that make for a believable "operating system" when writing a comprehensible screenplay timeline. A Conversation About Cheating with my Time Traveling Future Self follows, with one man's attempt to better his life by traveling back in time to offer himself advice.

Time Travel and the Filmmaker's Trek

Callie Khouri reflects upon her experience working with Ridley Scott and writing the classic female-driven-buddy film, Thelma and Louise. Followed by Avram Dodson's short film, Pistachio Milk, a coming of age tale about a young suitor using only his wits and a bottle of pistachio milk to pursue his love interest.

Thelma & Louise: A Conversation with Callie Khouri

The Clint Eastwood/David Peoples classic Unforgiven is deconstructed by Into the West's Kirk Ellis and Apaloosa's Robert Knott as they explore its gritty action, ambiguous morality, and the tried-and-true tropes of its genre. Christian Baker's short film, The Well, follows suit, trailing a young Civil War soldier stationed alone on the US/Mexico faced with nothing but his own demons.

Unforgiven: Deconstructing an Anti-Western

Men in Black writer, Ed Solomon, explores the genesis of the movie and its journey from pre-production through post. Solomon documents his experiences getting fired and re-hired on the project, the evolution of the story, and working with the cast and crew.

Men in Black: A Conversation with Ed Solomon

Ray McKinnon, creator of the Sundance Channel's breakout hit, Rectify, details how to capture the personality of a culture through establishing strong characters, tone, and atmosphere. The short film Spanola Pepper Sauce Company follows, directed by McKinnon and written by Graham Gordy, suggesting there's more brewing in Spanola, AK than just its fine pepper sauce cooking.

Rectify: Ray McKinnon on Characters & Culture

Ron Nyswaner recounts the social impact of his screenplay Philadelphia, a bold film released during a delicate time in history. Followed by Oliver Kember's Puzzled, about a young boy whose only chance at survival on the playground is to outsmart the other children.

Philadelphia: A Look Back

Frank Pierson's Academy Award® winning Dog Day Afternoon elevates the classic crime genre through its exploration of textured characters and rationale. Screenwriters Robin Swicord (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) and Peter Craig (The Town) examine the story's masterful reveal of information and its surprising, but inevitable and honest conclusion.

Deconstructing Dog Day Afternoon

Shane Black (Kiss Kiss Bang Bang) and Brian Helgeland (LA Confidential) discuss the modern day Neo Noir - a genre-bending response to the Film Noirs of the 1940s and 50s - and dissect the basic styles, impulses, themes, and tones that embrace this form of storytelling.

Neo Noir: The Modern Day Film Noir

Filmmaking legends Paul Thomas Anderson and Jonathan Demme pay tribute to Robert Downey Sr.'s cult classic Greaser's Palace. Next, Andrew Napier's short film, Grandma's Not a Toaster, where a whiskey-guzzling mother-to-be aims to enlist her neurotic brother in attempt to thieve from their ailing grandmother's fortune.

Greaser's Palace with Jonathan Demme & Paul Thomas Anderson

In this second On Story® installation featuring Paul Thomas Anderson and Jonathan Demme, the duo look back on the vision, style, influences, and creative passion for Demme's The Silence of the Lambs, Stop Making Sense, Rachel Getting Married and Something Wild.

Jonathan Demme and Paul Thomas Anderson: A Conversation

Mad Men creator, Matthew Weiner, dissects the culture, identity, and status quo of the show, and the psychology behind its beloved antihero, Don Draper. Followed by Faraday Okoro's short film, Full Windsor, about a young boy's quest to preserve a meaningful piece of his past.

Mad Men: A Conversation with Matthew Weiner.

True Detective director, Cary Fukunaga, and Fargo creator, Noah Hawley, discuss the rise of the television anthology series and how to execute a compelling balance of plot, character, and structure within the bounds of one season. Followed by Elaine Poon's short film, Entrain about Laurent, a young man who absorbed in his own world, draws the attention of a fellow train passenger who shares his interest in rhythm, despite their obvious language barrier.

Fargo & True Detective: Television Anthologies

John Ridley reflects on his beginnings and the inspirations that have shaped his approach to screenwriting, with a special look into his journey adapting the Academy Award®-winning script for 12 Years a Slave. Accompanied by Alex Clark's short film, Siren, about two ambulance paramedics faced with an emergency that's out of this world.

A Conversation with John Ridley

Mick Garris (Masters of Horror) and Alvaro Rodriguez (Machete) deconstruct the shock, suspense, and subtleties of David Cronenberg's The Fly and how his execution has contributed to the legitimacy and intellect of the horror genre.

Deconstructing "The Fly"

Terry George (writer/director Hotel Rwanda; writer In the Name of the Father) reflects on the art of fictionalizing fact and placing ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances as a storytelling vehicle. Followed by Dean Loxton's short film, Under, about a train operator struggling to deal with a traumatic event and finding solace in an unsuspecting way.

Selling Non-Fiction to an Audience: A Conversation with Terry George

Beau Willimon (creator House of Cards) and Eli Attie (writer The West Wing) debate politically- driven narratives, power struggles, and dramatizing the truths and fictions that comprise ideologically-charged stories. Accompanied by Topher Field's short film, The Hustle, offering a glimpse inside a swindler's artful technique and deception.

The Left and Write: Politically Driven Narratives

Jay Duplass (writer/director Jeff Who Lives at Home, The Puffy Chair) recollects his journey with brother Mark Duplass onto the DIY indie film scene, along with their specific approach to storytelling. Followed by Future Hero, the story of a father, son, and a time-travelling killer android, in a short film by Ramin Serry.

Indie Filmmaking in Hollywood: A Conversation with Jay Duplass

Danny Rubin, co-writer of "Groundhog Day," deconstructs the film's progression from script to screen and talks about his collaboration with the film's co-writer and director Harold Ramis.

Groundhog Day: Deconstructing the Comedy Classic

Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver, co-writers of Rise of the Planet of the Apes, discuss re-imagining the popular sci-fi franchise and their delicate approach to depicting the protagonist's journey.

Planet of the Apes: Reimagining a Sci-Fi Franchise

Tom Schulman, writer of Dead Poet's Society, deconstructs the story's journey from script to screen, along with his unique working relationships on set with Robin Williams and director Peter Weir.

Dead Poets Society: Deconstructing the Acclaimed Classic

Tommy Lee Jones, writer, director, and protagonist of The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada, reflects on the making of the film, accompanied by some of his cast and crew. Followed by Roy Rutngamlug's short film, Formosa, TX, about a first generation Asian-American's fleeting encounter with an out-of-towner who stumbles upon his family's diner.

Tommy Lee Jones: Bringing the Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada to Life

Scott Frank (Get Shorty, Out of Sight) reflects on his diverse career writing thrillers and pulp films, and his approach to developing complex characters in search of their identity.

Scott Frank: A Screenwriter's Design

Writers from the hit show Justified discuss adapting Elmore Leonard's short story for television and the evolution of the show's tone, rhythm, and setting.

Justified: Inside the Writers' Room

Peter Gould, writer, producer, and director of Breaking Bad and co-creator of its spinoff Better Call Saul discusses shifting gears, schemes, and swindles within the world of Saul Goodman pre-Walter White.

Better Call Saul: A Conversation with Peter Gould

John Singleton, the youngest and first African American filmmaker to win an Academy Award® for his work on Boyz N the Hood, discusses his process, influences, and inspirations, from the work of acclaimed playwright August Wilson to pioneering directors Spike Lee and Federico Fellini.

John Singleton's Classic Influences

Perhaps one of the most influential contributors to the landscape of situational comedies and progressive writing in Hollywood, Norman Lear transformed a genre known for play-it-safe humor into a platform for how Americans experience social issues. In this week's On Story, Lear remembers a few of his favorite episodes and how he created some of the most beloved characters in the history of television.

Norman Lear - A Retrospective

Nicole Perlman (Guardians of the Galaxy) and Angela Kang (The Walking Dead) explore navigating a male-dominated industry as female genre writers. The women discuss tackling comic book adaptations, the importance of character development, and the fine line between staying true to the spirit of the source material while also breathing new life into preexisting storylines.

Zombie and Groot - Bringing Comics to Life

Rodrigo Garcia, whose credits include Albert Nobbs, Nine Lives, Mother and Child, and most recently, Last Days in the Desert, contemplates the importance of writing honest relationships in his work, and the visceral connection audiences have with stories about family.

Rodrigo Garcia on Writing Relationships

Robert Mark Kamen looks back on his long-time working relationship with Luc Besson and his approach to writing description, violence, and well-developed characters in films such as The Fifth Element, The Transporter, and the Taken franchise. Followed by Luke Patton's short film, Foos Your Daddy?, about a young man's turning point with his overbearing father on the day he leaves for college.

The Path of an Action Writer: A Conversation with Robert Kamen

Christos and Ruth Fletcher Gage discuss the process of adapting the Marvel comic Daredevil for television. The duo break down the juxtaposition of brute realism and the moral complexity of Daredevil's characters, along with how they navigated the show's unconventional story structure in the writers room.

Daredevil: Behind the Screen

Comedy titan Carl Reiner looks back on creating The Dick Van Dyke Show, how the show evolved over the course of its five seasons, and the collaborative efforts of the writers and actors involved. Reiner recalls special moments from behind the scenes and, ultimately, how the creative vision was translated to the screen.

Carl Reiner: A Conversation with a TV Legend

Creator/director/producer/star Issa Rae discusses the unique challenges that surround creating independent webseries, the freedoms that come with doing it your own way, and how to navigate the growing sensation of developing original online content. Followed by The Unexpected, a short webisode from The Mis-Adventures of Awkward Black Girl.

Awkward Black Girl: A Conversation with Issa Rae

Chris Cooper, the Academy Award® winning Best Supporting Actor for his role in the comedy-drama Adaptation, discusses this acting career in both film and television. Cooper looks back on how he managed to navigate through his roles in iconic films such as Lone Star, Adaptation, American Beauty, Seabiscuit, and August: Osage County among many others.

Chris Cooper: A Conversation on Acting

Screenwriter Andrew Kevin Walker dissects his bleak thriller masterpiece, Se7en and working with director David Fincher to create the cult classic film.

Se7en: Script to Screen w/Andrew Kevin Walker

Writer/Director Gary Ross discusses his film trajectory from co-writing the iconic film Big to approaching and adapting Seabiscuit on screen as well as working on historically depicting his new film Free State of Jones starring Matthew McConaughey.

Gary Ross on Drive and Inspiration

Producer/Emmy®-award winning actress, America Ferrera talks about her early roles in film and television including the hit show Ugly Betty, Real Women Have Curves, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and working with Ryan Piers Williams on the independent film The Dry Land.

America Ferrera on the Storyteller's Responsibility

Writer/Director/Producer Charles Burnett shares his career development process in narrative and documentary filmmaking with Killer of Sheep (1978), his seminal film, which was definitive in highlighting African American cultural experience. Burnett's films Killer of Sheep and To Sleep with Anger were both added to the National Film Registry at the Library of Congress for being culturally significant.

Charles Burnett: Film as a Means for Social Change

Director John Lee Hancock and writer Kelly Marcel discuss how the script for Saving Mr. Banks was successfully transformed onto the screen using heavily stylized elements, and musical cues from the classic film Mary Poppins to depict the life of author PL Travers during the 1960's.

Saving Mr. Banks: Script to Screen

Writer/director Jason Reitman, whose credits include Thank You for Smoking, Up in the Air, Juno, and most recently the TV series Casual, discusses his journey from novice filmmaker to indie stalwart.

A Conversation with Jason Reitman

In this episode, award-winning writer/director Jeff Nichols talks about bringing a highly charged true story to the screen and finding the personal connection to Richard and Mildred Loving – apolitical people at the center of the landmark 1967 civil rights decision of the U.S. Supreme Court to invalidate laws prohibiting interracial marriage.

Loving: Jeff Nichols Brings History to the Screen

Screenwriter Justin Marks shares the bear necessities on updating the classic Disney story to the modern screen. Drawing from influences like Westerns, the New York City black out, and more, this episode takes audiences through the jungle and to the beloved wolf pack that raised Mowgli from a cub to a boy.

The Jungle Book: Justin Marks on Updating a Classic

From Arrested Development’s Buster Bluth to Veep’s bag man, actor Tony Hale discusses meeting audience’s expectations, getting into character, making out with Liza Minnelli, and the collaborative environment of comedy.

Arrested Development to Veep: A Conversation with Tony  Hale

Writer and producer Marta Kauffman discusses "Friends" and "Grace and Frankie."

"I'll Be There for You" A Conversation on Friends(hips) with Marta Kauffman

John Patrick Shanley holds a unique position as both playwright and screenwriter. The writer behind Moonstruck, Doubt, and others shares how he pulls from real life and makes every action count toward story.

John Patrick Shanley: Writing for the Stage and Screen

With Saturday Night Live and the movies Sisters and This is 40 in her credits, Paula Pell is the queen of comedy. In this episode, Pell talks about her background in theater, creating characters that stick, and drawing from a funny family.

Comedy is Queen: A Conversation with Paula Pell

As charming as any muppet, actor/writer Jason Segel relays how he was destined for the stage at an early age and how, from goofball to vampire puppet musical to full frontal nudity, he’s formed a family of weirdos in film and television.

Freaks & Muppets: A Conversation with Jason Segel

In this episode, writer Aaron Covington discusses how he and co-writer/director Ryan Coogler came up with the idea for a unique and personal spin on the Rocky Balboa story and in the process created a new legend.

Creed: A New Legend

Inarguably one of the greatest storytellers in Hollywood, filmmaker Billy Wilder’s classic films include Double Indemnity, Sabrina, Sunset Boulevard, Some Like it Hot, The Apartment, and more. This episode dissects several of his films to analyze what makes his filmmaking style so unique and relevant to audiences today.

Deconstructing Billy Wilder

From Private Benjamin to Something’s Gotta Give, writer/director Nancy Meyers has created and championed some of the most memorable complicated women characters on the screen. In this episode she shares her career path and stories of her collaborations – with Goldie Hawn, Mel Gibson, and former husband and writing partner Charles Shyer.

Complicated Relationships: A Conversation with Nancy Meyers

Heavily-influenced by politics and family, the screenwriter of In the Name of the Father, My Left Foot, In America, and more discusses his efforts to do justice to Irish fathers, and translate Irish situations and accents for American audiences.

A Conversation with Jim Sheridan

In this episode, screenwriter Jose Rivera discusses his approach to bringing Che Guevara’s story to the screen, balancing Guevara’s political awakening with his road trip adventures, and working with director Walter Salles and actor Gael Garcia Bernal.

Script to Screen: Motorcycle Diaries

Screenwriter Mark L. Smith discusses adapting The Revenant from book to screen, working with Alejandro Iñárritu, and getting that famous bear attack right. For their work on this stunning - and freezing - historical picture, Iñárritu won the Academy Award(r) for Best Director, Emmanual Lubezki won for Best Cinematography, and DiCaprio won his first award for Best Actor.

Script to Screen: The Revenant

The Bobby half of the Farrelly brothers team that brought us There’s Something About Mary, Kingpin, and Dumb and Dumber talks about improv, keeping the material fresh, and what makes comedy funny.

Writing Dumb: A Conversation with Bobby Farrelly

The writers behind Red Eye, The X-Files, Disturbia, and Shut In weigh in on the crucial elements for those psychological thrillers that keep you up all night; namely putting regular people into horrifying scenarios – and hopefully getting them out in one piece.

Psychological Thrillers

The filmmakers behind Sense and Sensibility, The Jane Austen Book Club, and The Lizzie Bennet Diaries discuss the timelessness and relate-ability of Jane Austen’s characters, from the jealousies, the romances, the desire to improve one’s status, and, of course, Mr. Darcy.

Deconstructing Jane Austen

Producer Suzanne de Passe, screenwriter Bill Wittliff, and crew share stories about the making of Lonesome Dove, the movie adapted from the NYT bestselling novel by Larry McMurtry. From Tommy Lee Jones doing his own stunts to cattle stampedes, cowboy hats with personality to confounding Hollywood executives, this episode is full of entertaining stories about the made-for-TV movie that almost didn't happen.

Trail Stories: The Making of Lonesome Dove

With hundreds of film and television credits to his name, including Better Call Saul, A Mighty Wind, and Six Feet Under, second generation actor Ed Begley Jr. talks about what he looks for when choosing new projects, finding the pain in a character, and working with Christopher Guest and other comedy legends.

From the Golden Age to the Platinum Age: A Conversation with Ed Begley Jr.

Parks and Recreation and Master of None writer Alan Yang talks about making up for lost time, writing for the Harvard Lampoon, and putting stories from his personal life into the show.

Treat Yo Self: A Conversation with Alan Yang

The producer behind Raiders of the Lost Ark, Back to the Future, The Sixth Sense, and more talks about starting his career with Spielberg, Coppola, and Lucas, the creativity in producing, and working with writers.

Frank Marshall on Producing from the Creative Side

Director and actress Greta Gerwig talks about her theatrical beginnings and how she came to write and direct "Lady Bird."

A Conversation with Greta Gerwig

An inside look at the creative process behind some of our most popular and beloved movies and television shows. All episodes feature recorded conversations between acclaimed and award-winning screenwriters, TV creators, and filmmakers from the Austin Film Festival's annual conference and year round events.

The Best Seasons of On Story

The Best Seasons of On Story

Season 1

Season 2

Season 3

Season 4

Season 5

Season 6

Season 7

Season 8

Season 9

Season 10

Season 11

Season 12

Season 13

Season 14