Producer Bruce Cohen recounts the making of 2012’s Oscar winning Silver Linings Playbook, David O. Russell’s brilliant film about a bipolar man and the widow who changed his life. Not only did the film launch a young Jennifer Lawrence into a new career stratosphere and encourage Bradley Cooper’s interest in directing, it remains one of the few films to be nominated for the Big Five Oscars. David O. Russell’s penchant for improv helped him realize the magic in his cast and solidified the film’s iconic status.

Producer Dan Levine recalls the making of 2016's iconic ARRIVAL. From the moment he read Ted Chiang's STORY OF YOUR LIFE, Dan knew he had to find a way to bring it to the screen. Director Denis Villeneuve, an incredible talent but still relatively unknown, was the perfect choice. Producers had to wait until Denis wrapped SICARiO, but things moved quickly once Amy Adams came on board and suggested Jeremy Renner as her co-star. Production went smoothly, although the material presented endless challenges for Denis and the producers. The scariest moment was after the finished film was screened for the studio - they did not like it and wanted rewrites and a reshoot to change the ending. Dan knew the film worked and fought for the ending that garnered 8 Oscar nominations.

Producer Sarah Pillsbury details the Superstar women both in front of and behind the screen who made1985's iconic film DESPERATELY SEEKING SUSAN. Taking a risk on newcomer Madonna, an emerging musician who would walk the streets of New York with a boombox on her shoulder, turned out to be a genius bet. "Like a Virgin" was released during production and Madonna suddenly became a superstar in need of security. Her newfound popularity and pairing her with the brilliant Rosanna Arquette made for movie magic as the film wowed audiences and critics alike at Cannes.

Multi-hyphanate writer, director, and producer Nancy Meyers shares how studios initially rejected her idea for a romantic film about an older couple. No one wanted to see people of a certain age be sexy, but Meyers believed in the value and impact of telling a non-traditional love story. Meyers' brilliant writing and masterful production design found their perfect match in stars Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson. Nicholson, who always wanted to star in a "tuxedo comedy", brought life to the character with improvised props and gestures, while Keaton's dignified yet vulnerable performance resonated with women across the country.

Producers Jason Michael Berman and Jordan Moldo talk about the kismet involved in assembling the perfect team to tell Sonny Vaccaro's story in AIR. From the marriage of sports, movies, and aritst equity in the production comapnies, to Ben Affleck boarding as director, to securing the dream cast and the blessings of Sonny, Michael Jordan, and Nike, the producers describe a production that felt like walking on air. Ben Affleck was a true leader, taking it upon himself to meet Michael Jordan, and then bowing out of the lead role of Sonny and switching with Matt Damon in service of the film. Sonny wanted his truth be told, and the film succeeds in capturing the essence of these characters, that time in sports history, and empire that is Nike.

Writer Akiva Goldsman guides us through the long and winding road to the production of 2001's Best Picture Oscar winner A BEAUTIFUL MIND. Inspired to take on the challenge of adapting the book by growing up in a house that fostered kids with mental illness, Akiva's connection to the material was evident in his first pitch to Ron Howard's partner Brian Grazer. He knew the subject had to be handled with the appropiate respect and sensitivity, but was also incredibly creative in his vision for how to cinematically portray the intricacies of schizophrenia. Star Russell Crowe, who had to leave in the middle of filming to accept his Oscar for GLADIATOR, was particular and precise in a role that helped define his career.

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Producer Fred Berger guides us through the making of 2016's wildly popular musical LA LA LAND starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone. The film was the brainchild and passion project of director Damien Chazelle, but as a young and new filmmaker, no studio was willing to take a chance on his vision for a big movie musical that he wanted to be both nostalgic and incredibly modern. In order to prove himself, he made 2014's Oscar-winning WHIPLASH, and soon it was off to the races with producers Fred Berger and Jordan Horowitz, whose faith in him never wavered.

Producer Mason Novick recalls the making of 2007's unlikely cultural sensation Juno. Mason reached out to Wisconsin-based writer Diablo Cody whose edgy blog grabbed his attention. Diablo had written a book about her time as a stripper, but never a screenplay. A few years later, after securing huge stars Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman and the genius casting of Elliot Page and Michael Cera to star in Jason Reitman's groundbreaking film, Diablo and Mason found themselves at the Oscars. Juno resonates to this day and remains one of the only indie films to find massive success at both the box office and the Oscars.