4.62-Filmmaker Interview with Johnny Russell

4.62-Filmmaker Interview with Johnny Russell

Author: Jonathan Ytreberg July 28, 2026 Duration: 17:45
Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, I interview Johnny Russell, director of the short film "A Scent." The film is based on a real person who claimed to have the ability to smell patients with a certain disease. Listen to hear about how Johnny came to telling this story in his film, the challenges of filming a drama set in a hospital on a short film budget and schedule, and finding the balance between melodrama and the quieter moments of reflection and discovery. Books mentioned in this epis...

There's a whole century of stories waiting in the Academy's archives, and The Oscar Project Podcast is digging through every single one. Instead of just focusing on the current awards season, this show takes the long view, working its way through every film ever nominated for an Oscar starting all the way back in 1929. Each episode is a deep dive into a specific year or a particular film, unpacking not just the cinematic craft on screen but the historical context that shaped it. You'll hear about forgotten gems, surprising snubs, and how the art of filmmaking has evolved over decades. Alongside these detailed reviews and discussions, the podcast regularly features conversations with filmmakers, historians, and authors who provide unique insights into the industry's past and present. It’s for anyone who loves film history as much as the movies themselves, offering a structured but fascinating journey through Hollywood's most celebrated-and sometimes controversial-moments. Tune in to this thoughtfully crafted podcast for a richer understanding of how the Oscars have reflected, and sometimes directed, the entire trajectory of modern cinema.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

The Oscar Project Podcast
Podcast Episodes
4.59-Tabu with James Kreul [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:09
Send us Fan Mail Today's episode is my conversation about the 1931 film Tabu: A Story of the South Seas. I'm joined by James Kreul from the Moving Image Madison newsletter and we talk about how the film's pacing suffers…
4.58-250th Episode Celebration! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:36
Send us Fan Mail With today's episode, The Oscar Project has official hit a huge milestone, 250 episodes! That includes over 100 interviews with authors, filmmakers, and more as well as over 80 episodes focusing on speci…
4.57-Filmmaker Interview with Ingrid Runde Saxegaard [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:05
Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, I interview Ingrid Runde Saxegaard, director of the short film “Sandy Fannies,” a deeply personal film about the conversations we often don't have with those we love the most. Listen…
4.56-Cimarron with Kevin Pettit [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:15
Send us Fan Mail Today's episode is my conversation about the 1931 film Cimarron. I'm joined by Kevin Pettit from the See You At the Movies newsletter and we talk about the unbelievable scale of the world created for thi…
4.55-Filmmaker Interview with Ran Jing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:07
Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, I interview Ran Jing, director of the short film “Imprint,” a look at how topics like immigration, class, and advancing technology can all be intertwined. Listen to hear about the gen…
4.54-Trader Horn with Rob Thomas [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:41
Send us Fan Mail Today's episode is my conversation about the 1931 film Trader Horn. I'm joined by Rob Thomas from the Not That Rob Thomas newsletter and we talk about how the film is at times an adventure story and at o…
4.53-Filmmaker Interview with Misha Calvert [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:23
Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, I interview Misha Calvert, director of the short film “Fault,” an exploration of buried trauma that threatens the career of a star tennis player on the eve of the U.S. Open. Listen to…
4.52-Little Caesar with Charlotte Simmons [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:53
Send us Fan Mail Today's episode is my conversation about the 1931 film Little Caesar. I'm joined by Charlotte Simmons from The Treatment newsletter and we talk about the array of differences between the novel and the fi…
4.51-Filmmaker Interview with Guy Trevellyan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:47
Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, I interview Guy Trevellyan, director of the short film “Plastic Surgery,” a unique take on the body horror genre mixed with awareness of a crisis with global impact. Listen to hear ab…
4.50-The Criminal Code with Murray Mintz [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:50
Send us Fan Mail Today's episode is my conversation about the 1931 film The Criminal Code. I'm joined by Murray Mintz from the CineVibeZ Fanzine newsletter and we talk about what it means to stick to the criminal code, a…