The Next Reel Film Podcast

How effective is Peter Bogdanovich’s first try at directing a film? Does Boris Karloff still provide the scares he once did? Is the film still relevant today? Tune in to this week’s show to hear our answers to these questions and more!

Show Notes

"My kind of horror isn’t horror anymore."
One of Roger Corman’s claims to fame is that he’s never lost money on a movie, and one of the reasons that holds true is because he never spends much money on any of them. For beginning filmmakers looking to learn their craft and hopefully make it big, this is something they work with. Like many great filmmakers who got their start with Corman (another of his claims to fame), Peter Bogdanovich worked as a writer before being given a chance to write and direct his own feature for Corman, and right out of the gate, he proved himself a director worth discussing. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we kick off our 1968 crime film series with Bogdanovich’s film Targets.
We talk about how effective and affecting this film still is 50 years after its release, and how shocking it is that it actually (and sadly) feels more relevant today. We look at the crazy way the film came to be – including Boris Karloff’s role in it. We chat about the powerful performance by Tim O’Kelly and look at why it’s so off-putting. We discuss the way the two stories are intercut and why it worked for us. And we look at some of the key crew members, including cinematographer László Kovács and the woman wearing many hats, Polly Platt.
It’s a powerful film that does a good job of disguising its low budget, and certainly provides for a great conversation on the show this week. So check it out then tune in! The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins.
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Creators and Guests

Host
Andy Nelson
With over 25 years of experience in film, television, and commercial production, Andy has cultivated an enduring passion for storytelling in all its forms. His enthusiasm for the craft began in his youth when he and his friends started making their own movies in grade school. After studying film at the University of Colorado Boulder, Andy wrote, directed, and produced several short films while also producing indie features like Netherbeast Incorporated and Ambush at Dark Canyon. Andy has been on the production team for award-winning documentaries such as The Imposter and The Joe Show, as well as TV shows like Investigation Discovery’s Deadly Dentists and Nat Geo’s Inside the Hunt for the Boston Bombers. Over a decade ago, he started podcasting with Pete and immediately embraced the medium. Now, as a partner at TruStory FM, Andy looks forward to more storytelling through their wide variety of shows. Throughout his career, Andy has passed on his knowledge by teaching young minds the crafts of screenwriting, producing, editing, and podcasting. Outside of work, Andy is a family man who enjoys a good martini, a cold beer, a nice cup o’ joe. And always, of course, a great movie.
Host
Pete Wright
#Movies, #ADHD, & #Podcasting • Co-founder @trustory.fm🎥 The Next Reel Family of #Film Podcasts @thenextreel.com🎙️ Taking Control: The ADHD Podcast @takecontroladhd.com📖 Co-author of Unapologetically ADHD • https://unapologeticallyadhdbook.com

What is The Next Reel Film Podcast?

A show about movies and how they connect.
We love movies. We’ve been talking about them, one movie a week, since 2011. It’s a lot of movies, that’s true, but we’re passionate about origins and performance, directors and actors, themes and genres, and so much more. So join the community, and let’s hear about your favorite movies, too.
When the movie ends, our conversation begins.