Someone breaking into a song is truly not the strangest thing that happens on subways.” – Michael Berry

It’s an ensemble film, so all the main characters get their solos, and the film includes memorable performances from Amy Madigan (Field of Dreams), Arden Cho (Teen Wolf), Ashanti (Coach Carter), Gerard Canonico (Fred in the Broadway production of Groundhog Day), and Omar Chaparro (Overboard).

Michael has a background in theater: He’s performed on Broadway in shows like Les Misérables and Next to Normal, and he credits his theatrical background with training him to get the most out of his indie-sized film budgets. His theater experience also helped him to work with marquee talent when he transitioned into film.  Frontera, the first feature film that Michael directed, includes performances from Ed Harris, Eva Longoria, and Michael Peña.

Some of the things that we discuss in this episode include

• Why the musical is an inherently fantastical genre but one that can also be grounded in reality
• The recording technique that allowed his performers the freedom to riff on the musical numbers
• How he was able to shoot a memorable musical with a budget that was a fraction of La La Land and The Greatest Showman
• What went into recreating a New York subway car and how that helped the crew get ready for shooting in a real New York City subway for a few days
• How Stuck was able to depict characters with opposing viewpoints without demonizing anyone

I was moved by how the film depicted its assorted characters with depth while undercutting stereotypes.  The film also suggests that to get unstuck we might need each other, even those whose outlook is different from ours, and that reminded me of a certain show.

I initially mentioned Stuck in my recap of Louisiana International Film Festival 2018. Stuck was my favorite film that I saw at LIFF, which is where I met Michael.

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As mentioned above, Gerard Canonico also has a role in the Broadway production of Groundhog Day. To learn more about that production came together, check out this interview I did with Danny Rubin, the writer of the film and musical adaptation of Groundhog Day.

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The post Musical with Ashanti & Giancarlo Esposito for Getting Unstuck appeared first on NICKSAV Film & Music SHOW.

In the summer of 2016, Groundhog Day the musical premiered in  London’s Old Vic. It was written by Danny in collaboration with Tim Minchin, who wrote the music and the lyrics. That production would go on to win the 2017 Olivier Award for Best Musical. The musical is currently playing on Broadway, where it received several Tony nominations.

The film has meant a lot to me over the years, so I was thrilled that I got the chance to talk to Danny about it.

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Our Groundhog Day discussion includes

• Danny’s outline process that allowed him to write the rough draft in four days
• The way the film gets a lot of mileage out of its setups and payoffs.
• How the story was influenced by Anne Rice’s The Vampire Lestat and Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life
• What makes Groundhog Day‘s structure different from other films in the genre
• The collaboration process with Harold Ramis and Bill Murray
• What goes into developing a musical, and how is it different from film

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Sponsor for this Episode

nsavides productions – I make videos and tell stories. My new video portfolio is here!

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Let’s talk about what we can do together. Email: podcast@nsavides.com.

 

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Related Things

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Films Discussed

• Back to the Future
• Days of Future Past
• Doctor Strange
• Groundhog Day
• It’s a Wonderful Life
• Looper
• Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
• Wizard of Oz
• Wonder Woman

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Books Discussed

• A Christmas Carol 
• How to Write Groundhog Day
• The Odyssey
• The Vampire Lestat
• We Don’t Need Roads

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The post Groundhog Day Writer – Danny Rubin appeared first on NICKSAV Film & Music SHOW.