KCRW The Business

“One Child Nation,” a documentary about the devastating effects of China’s one-child policy, has been nominated for many awards. But director Nanfu Wang says any film buff who has to rely on Chinese media to follow these competitions wouldn’t even know her film exists--it's totally banned in China. Wang tells us about making “One Child Nation,” which started as a personal story and grew into something broader. 

When a studio executive “suggested” that Greta Gerwig change the ending she had devised for her version of "Little Women," Gerwig channeled Jo March, the fiery heroine of the Louisa May Alcott classic. Gerwig who was Oscar-nominated for best director in 2018 with "Lady Bird." She tells us about making "Little Women"-- her way. 

This week, we talk with a Hollywood assistant who, like many, has not only been underpaid, but has had staplers and markers thrown at her. She came to the studio with former assistant Liz Alper, who created the #PayUpHollywood hashtag. Alper and script coordinator Joelle explain why assistants feel now is the time to demand change, for the sake of the assistants themselves and the future of the industry. 

Most filmmakers hide for a while after a bomb, but not ‘Terminator: Dark Fate’ director Tim Miller. Miller tries to figure why audiences were not saying “I’ll be back”...for another Terminator movie. And he walks us through his career post-‘Deadpool,’ from departing ‘Deadpool 2’ to seizing what seemed like the opportunity of a lifetime--directing a Terminator movie with James Cameron producing. 

Peter Jackson generated whole worlds for his ‘Lord of the Rings’ and ‘Hobbit’ trilogies. Last year he made a documentary that magically brought to life old footage shot on the front lines of World War I. It was no easy feat. This week we’re revisiting our conversation with Peter Jackson about ‘They Shall Not Grow Old,’ which returns to theaters for 3 nights in December. Plus, an all new banter!