The Oscar Project Podcast

Jonathan Ytreberg
  • 4.0 (4)
  • Film History
  • Updated Semiweekly

A discussion of all the films nominated for Oscars, starting in 1929, plus interviews with filmmakers and authors writing about the film industry.

  1. 1d ago

    4.60-Filmmaker Interview with Kat Butterfield and Daniel Audritt

    Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, I interview Kat Butterfield and Daniel Audritt, directors of the short film “Life Goes On,” a darkly humorous take on a man in hospice who is forced to relive the same day over and over. Listen to hear about the story that was ten years in the making, some time loop films that inspired this film, and the challenges of keeping a time loop film straight when it comes time to edit all the footage together. Books mentioned in this episode include: The works of Simon RichSombrero Fallout by Richard BrautiganI Feel Bad About My Neck: And Other Thoughts on Being a Woman by Nora EphronThe works of Fran LebowitzYou'll Grow Out of It by Jessi KleinFour Thousand Weeks by Oliver BurkemanFilms and TV shows mentioned in this episode include: “Life Goes On” directed by Kat Butterfield and Daniel AudrittPalm Springs directed by Max BarbakowGroundhog Day directed by Harold RamisLittle Miss Sunshine directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie FarisWhen Harry Met Sally directed by Rob ReinerAbout Time directed by Richard CurtisEternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind directed by Michel GondrySchool of Rock directed by Richard LinklaterBridesmaids directed by Paul FeigChef directed by Jon FavreauThe Big Lebowski directed by Joel CoenFollow the film on Instagram @lifegoesonfilm and Kat and Daniel @audrittbutterfield. Support the show

    4.60-Filmmaker Interview with Kat Butterfield and Daniel Audritt

  2. 5d ago

    4.59-Tabu with James Kreul

    Send us Fan Mail Today's episode is my conversation about the 1931 film Tabu: A Story of the South Seas. I'm joined by James Kreul from the Moving Image Madison newsletter and we talk about how the film's pacing suffers due to trying to blend documentary filmmaking with a loose narrative structure, the film's influence on modern films set in the same region like Moana, and the sad passing of the film's director just a week before it debuted. You can watch Tabu on Amazon Prime or YouTube or purchase a copy for yourself and be sure to check out James's newsletter. Other films mentioned in this episode include: All Quiet on the Western Front directed by Lewis MilestoneDracula directed by Tod BrowningNanook of the North directed by Robert J. FlahertyMoana directed by Robert J. Flaherty and Frances Hubbard FlahertyWhite Shadows of the South Seas directed by W.S. Van DykeJaws directed by Steven SpielbergSunrise directed by F. W. MurnauNosferatu directed by F. W. MurnauCity Girl directed by F. W. MurnauWith Byrd at the South Pole directed by Julian JohnsonBlack Pearl directed by Michał WaszyńskiThe Hurricane directed by John FordMutiny on the Bounty directed by Frank LloydThe Last Laugh directed by F. W. MurnauTrader Horn directed by W.S. Van DykeMorocco directed by Josef von SternbergCimarron directed by Wesley RugglesThe Right to Love directed by Richard WallaceSvengali directed by Archie MayoOther referenced topics: B.C. (comic)Wizard of Id (comic)Zog I of Albania"The Star Spangled Banner""The Academy and the Cameramen" from Experimental Cinemalantern digital library"Reri's Real Name is Anna" from Movie ClassicMorduant Hall in The New York TimesAndréas Giannopoulos on Senses of Cinema"Photoplayfare" by Roy W. Winton in Movie MakersInformation on the San Francisco Film Preserve's new restoration of Sunrise: A Song of Two HumansSupport the show

    4.59-Tabu with James Kreul

  3. Jul 15

    4.58-250th Episode Celebration!

    Send us Fan Mail With today's episode, The Oscar Project has official hit a huge milestone, 250 episodes! That includes over 100 interviews with authors, filmmakers, and more as well as over 80 episodes focusing on specific Oscar nominated films from the first four years of the Academy Awards. This special episode is a bit of a history of the show, a chance to recognize everyone who has helped me turn it into what it is today, and a chance to publicly thank those closest to me without whom the show would not be possible. Here's to 250 more episodes and thank you for listening. Please share your favorite episode of the podcast with a friend and if you'd like to drop me a message to be featured on a future episode, go to www.speakpipe.com/TheOscarProject. Thank you for listening and I'll see you at the movies! Support the show

    4.58-250th Episode Celebration!

  4. Jul 14

    4.57-Filmmaker Interview with Ingrid Runde Saxegaard

    Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, I interview Ingrid Runde Saxegaard, director of the short film “Sandy Fannies,” a deeply personal film about the conversations we often don't have with those we love the most. Listen to hear about the challenges of filming on a remote beach on the Norwegian coast, how the story went through many iterations before landing on its final structure, and the lengthy process of finding the two actors to play the mother and daughter featured in the film. Books mentioned in this episode include: Blood Awful in Different Ways by Andrev WaldenFilms and TV shows mentioned in this episode include: “Sandy Fannies” directed by Ingrid Runde Saxegaard“A Mash Moss Story” directed by Ingrid Runde SaxegaardThe Sound of Music directed by Robert WiseMy First Love (Min første kjærlighet) directed by Mari StorsteinPippi Longstocking directed by Olle HellbomThe Florida Project directed by Sean BakerMamma Mia! directed by Phyllida LloydDreams (Sex Love) directed by Dag Johan HaugerudPride and Prejudice directed by Joe WrightOne Battle After Another directed by Paul Thomas AndersonFollow the film on Instagram @sandyfannies_short and Ingrid @ingridsaxegaard. And if you've seen the film, don't forget to log and rate it on Letterboxd. Support the show

    4.57-Filmmaker Interview with Ingrid Runde Saxegaard

  5. Jul 10

    4.56-Cimarron with Kevin Pettit

    Send us Fan Mail Today's episode is my conversation about the 1931 film Cimarron. I'm joined by Kevin Pettit from the See You At the Movies newsletter and we talk about the unbelievable scale of the world created for this film, the absolute character that is Yancey Cravat, and several excellent double features that you can pair with this film. You can watch Cimarron online or purchase a copy for yourself and be sure to check out Kevin's newsletter. Other films mentioned in this episode include: Men in Black directed by Barry SonnenfeldDodgeball directed by Rawson Marshall ThurberCross Creek directed by Martin RittRebel Without a Cause directed by Nicholas RayPredator directed by John McTiernanMad Max: Fury Road directed by George MillerJackass: The Movie directed by Jeff TremaineKillers of a Flower Moon directed by Martin ScorseseThe Three Amigos directed by John LandisThere Will Be Blood directed by Paul Thomas AndersonA Few Good Men directed by Rob ReinerForrest Gump directed by Robert ZemeckisTo Kill a Mockingbird directed by Robert MulliganThe Man Who Shot Liberty Valance directed by John FordMy Darling Clementine directed by John FordThe Searchers directed by John FordHow Green is My Valley directed by John FordStagecoach directed by John FordThe Ten Commandments (1923) directed by Cecil B. DeMilleNorth by Northwest directed by Alfred HitchcockAll the President's Men directed by Alan J. PakulaThe Addams Family (1991) directed by Barry SonnenfeldThief directed by Michael MannKing Kong directed by Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. SchoedsackThe Broadway Melody directed by Harry BeaumontThe Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King directed by Peter JacksonOther referenced topics: Full House (series)Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI (book) by David GrannCimarron (book) by Edna FerberLittle House on the Prairie (series)Our Gang (series)Film Daily reviewVariety reviewPauline Kael in The New YorkerChristopher Lloyd on Film YapThe Hollywood Reporter reviewSupport the show

    4.56-Cimarron with Kevin Pettit

  6. Jul 7

    4.55-Filmmaker Interview with Ran Jing

    Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, I interview Ran Jing, director of the short film “Imprint,” a look at how topics like immigration, class, and advancing technology can all be intertwined. Listen to hear about the genesis for the story out of a conversation she had with a friend, how the film addresses the common fear of falling behind in our society, and the challenge of casting a young actor who needed to cover a wide array of talents in the film. Books mentioned in this episode include: Gone with the Wind by Margaret MitchellOur Missing Hearts by Celeste NgThe City and Its Uncertain Walls by Haruki MurakamiA Guardian and a Thief by Megha MajumdarFilms and TV shows mentioned in this episode include: “Imprint” directed by Ran JingThe Matrix directed by Lana and Lilly WachowskiGone with the Wind directed by Victor FlemingThe Nightmare Before Christmas directed by Henry SelickLust, Caution directed by Ang LeeAmélie directed by Jean-Pierre JeunetMy Neighbor Totoro directed by Hayao MiyazakiFollow Ran on Instagram @ranjing0108. Support the show

    4.55-Filmmaker Interview with Ran Jing

  7. Jun 26

    4.54-Trader Horn with Rob Thomas

    Send us Fan Mail Today's episode is my conversation about the 1931 film Trader Horn. I'm joined by Rob Thomas from the Not That Rob Thomas newsletter and we talk about how the film is at times an adventure story and at others a nature documentary, the sometimes surprising amount of violence on display in the film , and the most obnoxious pith helmet this side of the Sahara. You can watch Trader Horn online or purchase a copy for yourself and be sure to check out Rob's newsletter. Other films mentioned in this episode include: City Lights directed by Charlie ChaplinWhite Shadows in the South Seas directed by W. S. Van DykeThe Thin Man directed by W. S. Van DykeThe Great Gatsby (1949) directed by Elliott NugentForbidden Planet (1956) directed by Fred M. WilcoxHallelujah! directed by King VidorMr. Smith Goes to Washington directed by Frank CapraMission: Impossible directed by Brian De PalmaThe Bridge of San Luis Rey (lost film) directed by Charles BrabinTrader Horn (1973) directed by Lewis J. RachmilTrader Hornee directed by Jonathan LucasTrader Horn: The Journey Back directed by Clyde LucasSpace Balls directed by Mel BrooksCimarron directed by Wesley RugglesEast Lynne directed by Frank LloydThe Front Page directed by Lewis MilestoneSkippy directed by Norman TaurogOther referenced topics: Trader Horn (book) by Alfred Aloysius "Trader" Horn and Ethelreda LewisDoom Patrol (comic)Doom Patrol (series)The Cisco Kid (series)New York Times reviewTime Magazine reviewVariety reviewRip Jagger on Rip Jagger’s DojoSupport the show

    4.54-Trader Horn with Rob Thomas

  8. Jun 23

    4.53-Filmmaker Interview with Misha Calvert

    Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, I interview Misha Calvert, director of the short film “Fault,” an exploration of buried trauma that threatens the career of a star tennis player on the eve of the U.S. Open. Listen to hear about the story that was adapted from the personal story of the film's star, the potential alternate setting for the film that still comes through in the final product, and how they found the fantastic home that the film uses as its main setting. Books mentioned in this episode include: The Prophet by Kahlil GibranFilms and TV shows mentioned in this episode include: “Fault” directed by Misha CalvertRaiders of the Lost Ark directed by Steven SpielbergJurassic Park directed by Steven SpielbergWillow directed by Ron HowardThe Passion of Joan of Arc directed by Carl Th. DreyerThe NeverEnding Story directed by Wolfgang Petersen"Pink Flags" directed by Misha Calvert (forthcoming)"The F*ckboy Diaries" directed by Misha Calvert (forthcoming)Follow Misha on Instagram @mishacalvert and follow the film @faultfilmofficial. Support the show

    4.53-Filmmaker Interview with Misha Calvert
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About

A discussion of all the films nominated for Oscars, starting in 1929, plus interviews with filmmakers and authors writing about the film industry.

Information

  • Creator
    Jonathan Ytreberg
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    252
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Oscar Project
  • Show Website
    The Oscar Project Podcast

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