Seen on the Screen with Jacqueline Coley

3d ago

Filmmaker Craig Brewer has always been drawn to stories where music fuels big dreams — often against the odds. From his award-winning films Hustle & Flow and Dolemite Is My Name to acclaimed series like Empire and Fight Night, Brewer’s work is steeped in rhythm and resilience. Now, he's back directing Song Sung Blue, a new Focus Features film starring Kate Hudson and Hugh Jackman, about the incredible true story of "Lightning & Thunder," two Milwaukee musicians whose Neil Diamond tribute act became an inspiring sensation. In this episode, Craig sits down with Jacqueline Coley to talk about transforming a documentary into a feature film, earning the trust of the family behind the story, and capturing the soulful spirit that runs through his work. Craig opens up about his Memphis roots, his long creative partnerships, and the musical heartbeat that drives his storytelling. Plus, he shares the wild origin of the Oscar-winning “It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp” and the touching note Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder sent after reading the Song Sung Blue script.

Dec 3

For award-winning Paul Tazewell, costume design is storytelling in its purest form. From Death Becomes Her and Harriet to The Wiz Live ! and Wicked, his work blends imagination, history, and emotional detail to reveal who characters are long before they speak. His designs for Wicked and Wicked: For Good reimagine Oz through texture, silhouette, and color—shaping a world that feels both fantastical and grounded. In this episode of Seen on the Screen, Jacqueline Coley talks with Paul about building Glinda and Elphaba’s looks from the inside out, collaborating with Jon M. Chu and the creative team, and crafting costumes that can withstand stunts, emotion, and cinematic scale. Together, they take a closer look at two of Paul’s signature designs from the Wicked: For Good, breaking down the choices that bring each character to life. From iridescent bubble silhouettes to Elphaba’s reimagined witch’s hat, Paul shares how every detail carries meaning—and how costume design can turn fantasy into something deeply human.

Nov 26

Transforming a beloved game into a cinematic world isn’t simple, but Emma Tammi approaches it with equal parts respect, curiosity, and boldness. After turning Five Nights at Freddy’s into a global phenomenon, she returns with FNAF 2—a sequel that’s bigger, scarier, and packed with animatronics fans have been waiting years to see. In this episode, Jacqueline Coley sits down with Emma to revisit how she first entered the Freddy’s universe—answering Jason Blum’s pandemic-era phone call, diving into a fast-track education in lore, and uncovering the emotional spine beneath all the jump scares. Emma shares how collaborations with creator Scott Cawthon, Jason Blum, and the cast shaped the films, and why the franchise’s themes of grief, memory, and paranoia demanded a deeper, more character-driven approach in the sequel. She also breaks down the massive scale-up for FNAF 2: new set pieces, expanded world-building, and an entire army of animatronics engineered with the Jim Henson Creature Shop. From practical effects to Easter eggs designed for frame-by-frame internet sleuthing, Emma explains what it takes to make Freddy’s feel alive—sometimes terrifyingly so.

Nov 19

To Marc Platt, producing is not just about stories that entertain but that are aspirational and celebratory. Whether it’s the determination of Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, the passion of Sebastian and Mia in La La Land, or the powerful friendship between Glinda and Elphaba in Wicked, his work reminds us how courage and collaboration turn stories into cultural touchstones everyone can relate to. In this episode of Seen on the Screen, Jacqueline Coley sits down with the award–winning producer to explore how stories evolve from page to stage and screen. Marc shares how Wicked grew from Gregory Maguire’s novel to a Broadway phenomenon, and how it ultimately became two feature films shot at the same time. He reflects on working with visionary directors like Jon M. Chu, Damien Chazelle, and Edgar Wright, and the singular Steven Spielberg. Marc shares the pressure and joy of adapting beloved stories and how his own family has been a creative compass throughout his career.

Nov 12

What makes audiences fall in love with a movie—and what makes them walk out? Kevin Goetz is the founder and CEO of Screen Engine/ASI, the research and strategy firm trusted by major Hollywood studios. Nicknamed “The Doctor of Audience-ology,” Kevin has built his career helping filmmakers and studios understand their audiences. In this episode, Jacqueline Coley sits down with Kevin to explore his unexpected journey from child actor to the world’s leading voice on audience testing, work that continues to influence some of Hollywood’s films, from Fatal Attraction to the most recent blockbusters. He shares stories behind test screenings that changed movie history, the art of interpreting data without losing emotion, and his newest book, How to Score in Hollywood: Secrets to Success in the Movie Business. In the end, Kevin reminds us that the audience is never wrong—and that listening may be a creator’s most valuable skill.

Nov 5

From Titanic to Despicable Me, Fifty Shades of Grey to Oppenheimer, Mike Knobloch has helped define the sound of modern cinema. As President, NBCUniversal Music and Publishing for Universal Film, he’s spent his career shaping the way audiences experience music on screen—whether that’s through a sweeping score or a pop song that takes on a life of its own. In this episode, brought to you by the Universal Composers Initiative, Jacqueline Coley talks with Mike about his journey from production assistant on Father of the Bride to one of the most influential music executives in Hollywood. He shares the high-stakes tension behind Titanic’s now-iconic theme, the unlikely struggle that led to Pharrell’s hit “Happy,” and what it means when a movie song reaches the elusive diamond certification.

Oct 17

Not many actors have lived as many lives on screen as Ethan Hawke. From Dead Poets Society to Reality Bites, Training Day to The Black Phone, his career is nothing short of a masterclass in evolution. At New York Comic Con, Jacqueline Coley sat down with the award-winning actor to talk about his return in The Black Phone 2 and the creative choices that have helped shape his second act. Ethan opens up about reuniting with longtime collaborator Scott Derrickson, stepping once again behind the mask of “The Grabber,” and how genre films allow him to explore deeper truths. Reflecting on his decades-long collaborations with Richard Linklater and Jason Blum, Ethan shares insights on aging with curiosity and the wisdom that comes from a life devoted to storytelling. As he put it: “One lifetime is not enough.”

Oct 8

Seen on the Screen is a finalist for 6 Signal Awards. Register to vote now . Voting ends October 9, 2025. ------------- What movies do news anchors watch to unwind after a day of breaking stories? Jacqueline Coley sits down with Tom Llamas—anchor and managing editor of NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas and host of Top Story with Tom Llamas on NBC News Now—to find out. From growing up in Miami and interning at Telemundo to anchoring across network and streaming, Tom reflects on his journey through nearly every newsroom role at NBCUniversal. He shares how he balances the weight of covering hard news and enjoying some of his favorite films like Major League, The Searchers, and The Godfather. Tom opens up about passing movie classics down to his kids (even if Jaws gave the youngest a scare), his Cuban American roots and food recommendations, and what authentic depictions of journalism on screen resonate most with him—from Spotlight to Deadline U.S.A. Plus, he talks about finding humanity at the anchor desk and the playful friendship he shares with fellow broadcaster Craig Melvin.