Podcast
Supporting Characters
Hosted by Bill Ackerman · EN
Host Bill Ackerman talks to writers, bloggers, podcasters, fanzine publishers, programmers, preservationists and more about their creative endeavors and today's film culture.
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Episode 79: Fran Simeoni
Apr 1301:58:40Tap to summarizeBill speaks to Fran Simeoni about his experiences in home video, from his years serving as a director of content at Arrow Films to the successful launch of his own label, Radiance Films. Topics include: Abel Ferrara, transparency and engaging with customers, Mainline Pictures, working with filmmakers, Eureka Entertainment's Masters Of Cinema series, David Lynch and the differences between boutique and major studio home video releases. Links: Visit the Radiance Films site: https://www.radiancefilms.co.uk/ Follow Radiance Film on Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/radiancefilms/ Follow Radiance Film on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/radiance.films/ Watch Fran Simeoni on The Disc-Connected: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2k3xhmlbgXw&t=2420s Listen to Fran Simeoni on the Chasing Labels Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFCYgJGRJOg Listen to Fran Simeoni on the Cereal At Midnight Podcast: https://www.cerealatmidnight.com/2022/10/radiance-films-new-label-with-francesco.htmlListen to Fran Simeoni on the They Live By Film Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVH3nIhSzQc
Transcribe →Episode 78: Heidi Honeycutt
Mar 2403:01:02Tap to summarizeBill speaks to author, film historian and film programmer Heidi Honeycutt about her various creative endeavors, from writing freelance film journalism and creating websites like Pretty Scary to acting in independent films, co-founding film festivals like Viscera and Etheria, writing the book I SPIT ON YOUR CELLULOID - THE HISTORY OF WOMAN DIRECTING HORROR MOVIES, and contributing extras to boutique Blu-Ray releases. Topics include: Lela Swift, Kier-La Janisse, THE HOWLING, interview and research techniques, Anna Biller, the Wench Film Festival, Jim Van Bebber, nepotism in Hollywood, Astrid Frank's RED, Elvira, the "Rack Focus" series at the American Cinematheque, MGM musicals, BRIDES OF HORROR, lax television censorship practices in California, Stephanie Rothman, and the pros and cons of artificial intelligence. Visit Heidi Honeycutt's website: https://heidihoneycutt.com/ Visit the Etheria Film Festival website: https://www.etheriafilmnight.com/ Visit the Wench Film Festival: https://www.wenchfilmfestival.com/ Watch Heidi Honeycutt's film WRETCHED: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVwZ8-3qgyU Watch Heidi Honeycutt on Trailers From Hell: https://trailersfromhell.com/gurus/honeycutt-heidi/#google_vignette Listen to Heidi Honeycutt on Mystic Party: https://shows.acast.com/59ee7d40f8387c75588e590e/episodes/59ee837b5d6ff59869bbeb74? Watch HER HORROR LEGACY: A DISCUSSION ON WOMEN DIRECTING HORROR MOVIES - Fantasia Film Festival https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dwqj1aRSqGk Preorder THE STUPEFYING SIREN TALES OF PAMELA SUTCH: https://vinegarsyndrome.com/products/the-stupefying-siren-tales-of-pamela-sutch Buy SHORT SHARP SHOCKS Volume 4 Blu-Ray (Region B): https://diabolikdvd.com/product/v4-short-sharp-shocks-v4-bfi-flipside-2-disc-blu-ray-region-b-preorder/ Buy CHERRY 2000: https://kinolorber.com/product/cherry-2000-special-edition Buy DAN CURTIS' LATE NIGHT MYSTERIES: https://kinolorber.com/product/dan-curtis-late-night-mysteries Buy 3 x TEUVO TULIO - 3-Disc Deluxe Limited Edition from Deaf Crocodile: https://deafcrocodile.com/products/3x-teuvo-tulio-3-disc-deluxe-limited-edition-pre-order?_pos=12&_sid=6f7257ac5&_ss=r Buy HOLLYWOOD 90028: https://shop.grindhousereleasing.com/products/hollywood-90028-1973-3-disc-2-blu-ray-cd-soundtrack-set
Transcribe →Episode 77: Jimmy McDonough
Mar 1101:10:01Tap to summarizeBill speaks to author and film/music historian Jimmy McDonough about his work, including his latest biography, GARY STEWART: I AM FROM THE HONKY TONKS. Topics include: Andy Milligan and THE GHASTLY ONE, Teuvo Tulio, WHISPERS FROM SPACE, June Ormond, visiting the places where an interview subject lived, Jack Nitzsche and upcoming projects. Visit Jimmy McDonough's official site: https://www.jimmymcdonough.com/ Buy GARY STEWART: I AM FROM THE HONKY TONKS: https://www.wolfandsalmon.com/product-page/gary-stewart-i-am-from-the-honky-tonks Buy THE EXOTIC ONES: Slipcased Collector's Edition, which includes the exclusive bonus book on Georgette Dante, THE MOST EXOTIC ONE: https://www.fabpress.com/the-exotic-ones-slipcased-hardcover.html Buy THE GHASTLY ONE: https://www.fabpress.com/the-ghastly-one-paperback.html Read BE WILD, NOT EVIL: THE LINK WRAY STORY https://www.furious.com/perfect/linkwray.html Read ALL THE WAY WITH JIMMY SCOTT: FOR WHATEVER REASON https://www.villagevoice.com/all-the-way-with-jimmy-scott/ Read HOT-BLOODED: THE DAMES OF DALE BERRY: https://bynwr.com/posts/the-dames-of-dale-berry-part-1 Listen to The Projection Booth episode on the FASTER, PUSSYCAT! KILL! KILL!: https://www.projectionboothpodcast.com/2017/01/episode-304-faster-pussycat-kill-kill.html Listen to the The Projection Booth's Special Report: Jimmy McDonough on The Exotic Ones: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvBqk2E5KfA Read Mike McPadden's interview with Jimmy McDonough for Diabolique: https://diaboliquemagazine.com/the-ghastly-one-is-coming-bynwr-is-here-an-interview-with-jimmy-mcdonough-biographer-andy-milligan-and-co-conspirator-of-nicolas-winding-refn/ Read SLEAZE, SMUT, AND TIMES SQUARE: OUTLAW BIOGRAPHER JIMMY MCDONOUGH ON '80s DRUG CULTURE: https://merryjane.com/culture/outlaw-biographer-jimmy-mcdonough-on-80s-drug-culture-the-ghastly-one/ Buy 3 x TEUVO TULIO - 3-Disc Deluxe Limited Edition from Deaf Crocodile: https://deafcrocodile.com/products/3x-teuvo-tulio-3-disc-deluxe-limited-edition-pre-order?_pos=12&_sid=6f7257ac5&_ss=r Buy GUTTER AUTEUR: THE LOST LEGACY OF ANDY MILLIGAN from Severin Films: https://severinfilms.com/collections/pre-order/products/gutter-auteur-the-lost-legacy-of-andy-milligan-3-disc-blu-ray-box-set
Transcribe →Episode 76: "42nd Street Pete" Chiarella
Mar 202:16:36Tap to summarizeBill speaks to author and film historian "42nd Street Pete" Chiarella about his various endeavors, from selling 8mm loops and managing Past Midnight Video to working security at horror conventions, hosting radio and YouTube shows, publishing magazines like Grindhouse Resurrection and writing books like A WHOLE BAG OF CRAZY. Topics include: Sid Haig, Something Weird Video, movie theatre riots, Sage Stallone and Grindhouse Releasing, Gary Klar, Screw Magazine, Sam Peckinpah, Pete's appearances in the documentaries UNCONVENTIONAL and 42nd STREET MEMORIES, Vanessa Del Rio, managing a drive-in in 1973, Lee Van Cleef, the changing nature of horror conventions, THE DEATH COLLECTOR, Gary Kent, snuff movies and giving to charities. Visit Pete Chiarella's website: https://www.42ndstreetpete.net/ Watch UnConventional: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVC-QzMwW4k Watch 42nd Street Memories: The Rise and Fall of America's Most Notorious Street: https://tubitv.com/movies/616810/42nd-street-memories Watch The Strange And Terrible Saga Of New York City Liquidators,inc. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaB0lpx7DqM Subscribe to the 42nd Street Pete YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@42ndStPetesGrindhousePurgatory Listen to 42nd Street Pete on the Hellbent For Horror podcast: https://hellbentforhorror.com/podcast-episodes/2017/11/19/episode-060-slave-to-the-grindhouse-with-42nd-street-pete-chiarella Buy Blue Book #1 from Something Weird Video: https://somethingweird.com/products/bucky-beavers-blue-book-1 Buy DVDs and Blu-Rays from Alternative Cinema: https://alternativecinema.com/ Buy PIECES from Grindhouse Releasing: https://shop.grindhousereleasing.com/products/pieces-1983-2-blu-rays-cd-combo?_pos=1&_sid=7a16fbb9a&_ss=r
Transcribe →Episode 75: Brandon Upson
Feb 901:51:35Tap to summarizeBill speaks to Vinegar Syndrome's film scanning technician and restoration artist Brandon Upson about his various pursuits, from working on film and television productions to overseeing the new Iconoscope sub-label. Topics include: DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK, The Archive, made-for-TV movies, THE FIREWORKS WOMAN, Hollywood Home Video, THE NAVIGATOR, Bill Morrison and watching THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE with his grandmother. Visit the Vinegar Syndrome site: https://vinegarsyndrome.com Buy home video releases from Iconoscope: https://vinegarsyndrome.com/collections/iconoscope Watch Brandon Upson on Just The Discs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPizGTSpgD8 Listen to Brandon Upson on the Punk Vacation podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-32-subscriber-week-with-brandon-upson--69359161 Read Adrianna Gober's interview with Brandon Upson and James Neurath on The Archive: https://cinepunx.com/mining-the-archive-exploring-vinegar-syndromes-new-brick-and-mortar-store-interview-with-brandon-upson-and-james-neurath-of-vinegar-syndrome/ Watch the Black Maria Film Collective interview with Brandon Upson: https://www.blackmariafc.com/post/brandon-upson-vinegar-syndrome
Transcribe →Episode 74: Ryan Verrill
Jan 1202:53:46Tap to summarizeBill speaks to Ryan Verrill about his many creative endeavors, from creating The Disc-Connected podcast/YouTube channel and The Physical Media Advocate zine to producing Blu-Ray special features and hosting a podcast network with Someone's Favorite Productions and launching Antenna, a new film distribution company. Topics include: Booking punk shows, producing accessible home video extras, LOVE BROOKLYN, Deaf Crocodile, moderating Facebook groups, The Sin Syndicate and developing public speaking skills through hosting pub trivia. Subscribe to The Disc-Connected YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDiscConnected Visit the Someone's Favorite Productions website: https://www.someonesfavoriteproductions.com/ Support The Disc-Connected on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/DiscConnected Vote for the Shelf Shock 2025 Disc Awards: https://freeonlinesurveys.com/s/QHMfG0JP/i/6746278/q/14397430 Hear Ryan Verrill and Brian Tallerico talk about the films of Michael Mann on Director's Club: https://directorsclub.substack.com/p/michaelmann2 Visit the Deaf Crocodile website: https://deafcrocodile.com/ Follow Antenna Releasing on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/antennareleasing/ Visit the Antenna Releasing site: https://www.antennareleasing.com/ Watch Ryan Verrill on Split Your Head: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fDLXc1b-gg
Transcribe →Episode 73: Keith Gordon
Dec 2902:56:37Tap to summarizeBill speaks to actor and filmmaker Keith Gordon about his life and career, from making Super 8 shorts and interning at MOMA's film archives after school to acting in Off-Broadway plays and Hollywood movies like JAWS 2, ALL THAT JAZZ, DRESSED TO KILL and CHRISTINE, to directing independent films like THE CHOCOLATE WAR, A MIDNIGHT CLEAR, MOTHER NIGHT and WAKING THE DEAD and television series like BETTER CALL SAUL and FARGO. Topics include: Stanley Kubrick, Billy Crudup, DRESSED TO KILL controversies, Joan Micklin Silver, STATIC, making independent films in the 1980s vs. the 1990s, Keith's filmed appreciations for Indicator/Powerhouse Blu-Rays, working in television, HOME MOVIES, deleted scenes, DVDBeaver, Nicolas Roeg, recording director's commentaries and the nature of memory. Watch Keith Gordon on BLUE COLLAR: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhzVpOct_O8 Buy THE CHOCOLATE WAR on Blu-Ray: https://mvdshop.com/products/the-chocolate-war-blu-ray?_pos=1&_sid=082406b4d&_ss=r Buy Film Focus: Jennifer Connelly (1991 – 2003) on Blu-Ray: https://viavision.com.au/shop/film-focus-jennifer-connelly-1991-2003-imprint-collection-240-242/ Read "The Many Acts of Keith Gordon" by David Obuchowski: https://longreads.com/2018/01/25/the-many-acts-of-keith-gordon/ Watch John Carpenter, Alexandra Paul, John Stockwell and Keith Gordon discuss CHRISTINE at the 2010 Texas Frightmare Weekend: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EztyuCwyYag Hear Keith Gordon discuss underrated films of the 1960s on Director's Club: https://directorsclub.substack.com/p/episode-201-keith-gordon-underrated-6bc Hear Keith Gordin on The Projection Booth podcast: https://www.projectionboothpodcast.com/search/label/Keith%20Gordon?m=0 Hear The Kubrick Series Uncut by Movie Geeks United with Keith Gordon: https://www.moviegeeksunited.com/thekubrickseriesuncut3 Hear Keith Gordon on The Movies That Made Me podcast: https://moviesthatmademe.com/podcast/keith-gordon/
Transcribe →Episode 72: Skip Elsheimer
Dec 1602:02:04Tap to summarizeBill speaks with archivist and A/V Geeks founder Skip Elsheimer about his many creative endeavors, from publishing fanzines like Preparation X and performing with the Wifflefist musical collective to preserving and sharing thousands of 16mm educational and ephemeral films. Topics include ZOOM, George Lucas, FELICIA, sponsored nutritional films, Rolf Forsberg, stock footage, CYPHER IN THE SNOW, how a lunchbox helped get Fassbinder movies into Best Buy and the unlikely thing that connects Adolph Hitler, sperm and Mahatma Gandhi. Visit the A/V Geeks website: https://avgeeks.com/ Subscribe to the A/V Geeks YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@avgeeks Visit 16mm Filmography: https://16mmfilmography.org/ Watch Felicia (1965) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDG4-uZ7d9c Watch Pride On Parade (1979) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ijotrWPYR8&t=602s Watch Do You Smell Smoke https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nE2jn5iSp5w Watch Stalked https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brLINTAYM8E The Late Great Planet Earth https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCCD9FAA18C5794FE Watch Inside/Out: Bully (1973): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBwml5Mrdhk Watch AV Geeks 16mm Lunch 5-30-2025 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOMVv_5prgU&t=1s Watch Cypher In The Snow https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8gilSEOteE Listen to "Cypher In The Snow" episode of Kier-La Janisse's The Song From The Heart Beats The Devil Every Time podcast: https://asongfromtheheart.podbean.com/e/episode-2-cipher-in-the-snow/
Transcribe →Episode 71: Josh Hurtado
Dec 102:33:25Tap to summarizeBill talks to film critic and Potentate Films founder Josh Hurtado about his many pursuits, from writing for Screen Anarchy and contributing Blu-Ray special features to consulting for film festivals and teaming up with Dylan Marchetti's Variance Films on a wildly successful theatrical re-release of S.S. Rajamouli's RRR. Topics include: Masala films, SANTA SANGRE, Indie Meme, Psychobilly, the distribution of Indian cinema in North America, the recent reemergence of key John Woo and Russ Meyer movies, skinheads, John Waters and vegan warnings on Letterboxd. Read Josh Hurtado at Screen Anarchy: https://screenanarchy.com/globalvoices/j-hurtado/ Read Simon Abrams' article "How the Indian Action Spectacular 'RRR' Became a Smash in America" for The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/03/movies/rrr-ss-rajamouli.html Follow Potentate Film on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/potentatefilms Watch Josh introduce S.S. Rajamouli's EEGA at Weird Wednesday: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCB83chhKLE Visit the Indie Meme site: https://www.indiememe.org/ Buy HUKKLE from Dekanalog: https://vinegarsyndrome.com/products/hukkle Buy BLOODSTONE from Arrow Video: https://diabolikdvd.com/product/bloodstone-arrow-us-blu-ray/ Buy DOBERMAN from Fractured Visions:https://diabolikdvd.com/product/doberman-fractured-visions-blu-ray-region-b-preorder/ https://www.orbitdvd.com/products/dobermann-limited-edition-booklet-region-b Buy the Second Sight 4K/Blu-Ray (Region B) Limited Edition of RE-ANIMATOR:https://diabolikdvd.com/product/uk-le-re-animator-limited-second-sight-4k-uhd-all-region-blu-ray-region-b-preorder/ Listen to Josh talk about PURANA MANDIR on Unsung Horrors: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/purana-mandir-1984-w-josh-hurtado--57853238
Transcribe →Episode 70: Willow Catelyn Maclay
Nov 2402:10:56Tap to summarizeBill speaks with film critic and author Willow Catelyn Maclay about her various endeavors in film culture, from writing freelance criticism and creating the Curtsies and Hand Grenades website to contributing to special features to Blu-Rays from labels like Mondo Macabro, Arrow Video and American Genre Film Archive and co-authoring the book CORPSES, FOOLS AND MONSTERS: THE HISTORY AND FUTURE OF TRANSNESS IN CINEMA with Caden Mark Gardner. Topics include: BLADE RUNNER, Simran Hans' Girls Gotta Eat fanzine, Letterboxd, BOYS DON'T CRY, Elizabeth Purchell, the "Body Talk" series, constructive feedback from editors, COME BACK TO THE 5 & DIME, JIMMY DEAN, JIMMY DEAN and the Lou Reed/Metallica "Lulu" album. Read Curtsies and Hand Grenades: http://curtsiesandhandgrenades.com/ Buy CORPSES, FOOLS AND MONSTERS: THE HISTORY AND FUTURE OF TRANSNESS IN CINEMA: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/725695/corpses-fools-and-monsters-by-willow-maclay/ Buy the EVA MAN double feature - Limited Red Case Edition from Mondo Macabro: https://mondomacabro.bigcartel.com/product/eva-man-double-feature-limited-red-case-edition Read Willow Catelyn Maclay on the music videos of Kate Bush: https://musings.oscilloscope.net/post/174602794486/moving-on-the-cinema-of-kate-bush-by-willow Read Willow Catelyn Maclay and Caden Mark Gardner's Body Talk series: http://curtsiesandhandgrenades.blogspot.com/search/label/Body%20Talk Read Willow Catelyn Maclay's 2014 essay "Under the Skin's Transgender Allegory": http://curtsiesandhandgrenades.blogspot.com/2018/03/under-skins-transgender-allegory.html Read and follow Willow Catelyn Maclay on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/willowcatelynmaclay Watch Willow Catelyn Maclay on Turner Classic Movies: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRKhKh_Dm6s/ Read Caden Mark Gardner's essay "From the Margins: What the Archives Show Us About Trans Cinema and Audiences" for The Criterion Collection: https://www.criterion.com/current/posts/7254-from-the-margins-what-the-archives-show-us-about-trans-cinema-and-audiences
Transcribe →