Back To One

Jonathan Majors is an actor. His latest film is "Magazine Dreams." He sat down with Peter Rinaldi to talk about the work.  Back To One is the in-depth, no-nonsense, actors-on-acting podcast from  Filmmaker Magazine. In each episode, host Peter Rinaldi invites one working actor to do a deep dive into their unique process, psychology, and approach to the craft.  Follow Back To One on Instagram    

Ariella Mastroianni is an actor from New Jersey by way of Ontario, Canada. With director Ryan J. Sloan, she co-wrote and co-produced "Gazer," which she also stars in. The film, which the duo shot on weekends over the course of two years, brings the paranoid thriller genre into wildly original new territory. On this episode, Mastroianni tells the story of deciding to shoot on film, using their own money, with no formal support, no connections, just a deep desire to make the film they were both dying to see. She talks about the tools her acting teachers (like Brad Fleischer and Kyle Donnelly) provided that still serve her, how “mapping” her character’s physical journey grounded her on the set, the trick she used to stop worrying and love her marks, the “desperate love” it took to see this film through, and much more. "Gazer" open in New York on April 4th and LA on April 11th. Back To One is the in-depth, no-nonsense, actors-on-acting podcast from  Filmmaker Magazine. In each episode, host Peter Rinaldi invites

An actor’s actor of the first order, Vincent D’Ononfrio has been delivering “all in” performances, usually in supporting roles, for  nearly four decades—“Full Metal Jacket,” “Men In Black,” “Household Saints,” “Steal This Movie!,” “The Cell,” “The Magnificent Seven,” to name just a few, not to mention 10 audience-loving seasons of “Law & Order: Criminal Intent.” He’s getting more accolades for his latest performance as Wilson Fisk in “Daredevil: Born Again.” On this episode he talks about the “emotional event” that he has to summon to bring about Fisk’s voice in that series and its predecessor. He takes us all the way back to his introduction to Stanislavsky through Sonia Moore and Method work through Sharon Chatten, talks about renting camera equipment to make an early self-tape to send to Stanley Kubrick, explains why script analysis is the best way to serve the story, how “Law & Order” made him a better actor, the fundamental importance of failure, and much more. Back To One is the in-depth, no-non

The celebrated period drama "Belle" marked the arrival of Gugu Mbatha-Raw and since then she hasn’t stopped impressing audiences in films like “Motherless Brooklyn," “Misbehaviour” and series like “Doctor Who,” “Black Mirror” (San Junipero episode), “Loki," “The Morning Show,” and “Surface,” which is now releasing episodes from its second season. On that Apple TV+ series, Gugu plays Sophie, a woman who has lost her recent memories and must piece them together. She talks about the “liberating” feeling she got playing someone with a missing back story and how it forced her to be present. She explains how she utilizes her sense of smell in her preparation process, how she learned to claim her space on set and not be “crushed by the technicalities,” how taking on the leadership role of EP expanded all aspects of her work, plus much more. Back To One is the in-depth, no-nonsense, actors-on-acting podcast from  Filmmaker Magazine. In each episode, host Peter Rinaldi invites one working actor to do a deep dive into

Caveh Zahedi is one of the most influential independent filmmakers of our time. Jay Duplass, Lena Dunham, Richard Linklater, Greta Gerwig, are all big fans of his 30+ years worth of ultra-autobiographical work (five features, “I am A Sex Addict” perhaps being the most popular). His magnum opus, “The Show About The Show,” started out as a “self-reflexive TV show about its own making” for BRIC TV and has continued despite lawsuits, loss of distribution, re-castings, and many more obstacles, thanks to Zahedi’s dogged determination to simply tell the story, mostly through re-enactments using the actual people in his orbit playing themselves, of what happened in his life. He gets a small, but passionate amount of support from his loyal fanbase who want him to see this now decade long journey come to an end in the final season, which is about to be released. Zahedi has done a lot of interviews about his filmmaking, but rarely any, like this one, that focuses on his work as an actor for other filmmakers and in front

Lucy Boynton is known for delivering exceptional performances in films like “Sing Street,” “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Chevalier,” and “The Greatest Hits.” Her latest is the BritBox’s limited series “A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story,” about a woman convicted of killing her abusive lover who then became the last woman to be hanged in the UK. On this episode, she talks about why the challenge she faced portraying Ellis “wasn’t an actor issue,” but more about facing the traumas women are still dealing with decades later. She ponders how acting as a child served her into adulthood, explains why over-direction is never a problem for her, why “turning the dials” on micro-facial acting excites her, makes a plea for more women screenwriters, and much much more. Back To One is the in-depth, no-nonsense, actors-on-acting podcast from  Filmmaker Magazine. In each episode, host Peter Rinaldi invites one working actor to do a deep dive into their unique process, psychology, and approach to the craft.  Follow Back To One on I

Griffin Dunne has balanced acting, directing, and producing for over 40 years in this business. “Chilly Scenes of Winter,” “An American Werewolf in London,” “After Hours,” “Practical Magic,” “This is Us,” to name just a small handful of his credits. For his latest, “Ex-Husbands,” he delivers a performance revelatory in its ease, miraculously blending lightness and dread. It’s so much fun, and even inspirational, to simply watch him walk around as this character, carrying this load. Hopefully, this is the start of a new chapter: Dunne as the contemplative man of a certain age who has seen it all. On this episode, he shares his favorite piece of direction, talks about how producing affected his acting work, tells the story of discovering he’s a Chekhovian actor, explains why it all comes down to listening and being in the moment, and much more. Back To One is the in-depth, no-nonsense, actors-on-acting podcast from  Filmmaker Magazine. In each episode, host Peter Rinaldi invites one working actor to do a deep

In movies like “Million Dollar Baby,” "August: Osage County,” “Blow The Man Down,” and series like "The Americans,” “Justified,” and “Sneaky Pete,” “esteemed character actress Margo Martindale” loves to play people much different from herself. And she’s been so good at it for so long that she only started to get truly recognized for her work in her 60s. Three Emmys later, she’s able to pick and choose what she wants to do. Her latest, the Amazon series “The Sticky,” finds her number one on the call sheet and having a blast playing the bombastic maple syrup farmer Ruth Landry. On this episode she explains why the first step in her preparation process is knowing where a character was born and raised. She talks about feeling most free when she’s able to “play” like she did in her backyard, what makes Alexander Payne and Robert Benton great directors, why it took some time for her to settle in to sit-com acting, and much more. Back To One is the in-depth, no-nonsense, actors-on-acting podcast from  Filmmaker Mag

Brad Fleischer is an actor, teacher, coach, filmmaker, producer, and founding partner of GhostLight Media. He originated the role of Doug in “Gruesome Playground Injuries” alongside Selma Blair. On Broadway, he starred opposite Robin Williams in “Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo,” opposite Tony Schaloub in “Golden Boy,” and played the title character in the Olivier award winning “Coram Boy.” On the screen, Brad has worked with Robert De Niro in “The Good Shepherd,” Scott Frank and Liam Neeson in “Walk Among the Tombstones”, Greg Nicotero on “The Walking Dead”, among many others. For 17 years and counting, he continues to run his own professional acting class in New York and Los Angeles, strictly through word of mouth. On this episode, he tells the story of how he came to a level of dedication similar to what athletics required, which he now passes on to his students. He talks about the difference between the visceral and the intellectual; the importance of finding and working with good actors that you can lear

Marianne Jean-Baptiste is getting accolades and awards for her incredible performance in Mike Leigh’s “Hard Truths.” The two last worked together nearly 30 years ago, on Leigh’s “Secrets and Lies,” for which Jean-Baptiste was nominated for an Oscar. On this episode, she takes us all the way back to her first time working with Mike Leigh, on the play “It’s A Great Big Shame,” and details for us the ins and outs of working with him on these three projects. She talks about her love of process, how this intense character work fuels her on less actor-centric jobs, why she’s still mad at Leigh for “murdering” Pansy’s mother, and much more. Back To One is the in-depth, no-nonsense, actors-on-acting podcast from  Filmmaker Magazine. In each episode, host Peter Rinaldi invites one working actor to do a deep dive into their unique process, psychology, and approach to the craft.  Follow Back To One on Instagram

The U.S. premiere of “Hard Truths” at the New York Film Festival in October brings director Mike Leigh back to the podcast for the third time (Ep. 54 and Ep. 204). He talks about working again with Marianne Jean-Baptiste after nearly 30 years, how a lower budget didn’t change his process but made him “dig vertically,” why American actors are unofficially not allowed in his films. Plus he shares his hope for cinema after he’s gone, but explains why he refuses to officially pass down his process. And much more! "Hard Truths" opens in select U.S. theaters on Friday January 10th.  Back To One is the in-depth, no-nonsense, actors-on-acting podcast from  Filmmaker Magazine. In each episode, host Peter Rinaldi invites one working actor to do a deep dive into their unique process, psychology, and approach to the craft.  Follow Back To One on Instagram

Tiffany Boone’s breakout role was Jerrika Little on the series “The Chi.” “Little Fires Everywhere,” “The Midnight Sky,” “Nine Perfect Strangers” and “Hunters” followed. Now she voices Sarabi in Disney’s “Mufasa: The Lion King.” She explains how getting back to her childlike imagination was a must for that role. She tells the story of trying to break up with acting but acting wouldn’t break up with her. She talks about the importance of knowing the character better than anyone else, how focusing on connecting with people through her art allowed her to “let go of the desperation,” and much more. Back To One is the in-depth, no-nonsense, actors-on-acting podcast from  Filmmaker Magazine. In each episode, host Peter Rinaldi invites one working actor to do a deep dive into their unique process, psychology, and approach to the craft.  Follow Back To One on Instagram

Tommy Dewey is best known for playing Alex Cole on the Hulu series “Casual” for five seasons. This year, two movies benefit from his talents—the Jason Reitman ensemble comedy “Saturday Night”, and Caroline Lindy’s romantic/horror/comedy “Your Monster,” where he brilliantly plays the titular character. On this episode, he talks about what went into deciding on the proper mixture of absurdity and tenderness  for that special role. He explains why, if a comedy script connects with him, he “maybe reads it once and stay the hell away from it.” Plus how writing can help you as an actor, the increased pressure of 3-dimensionality the higher you are on a call sheet, and much more. Back To One is the in-depth, no-nonsense, actors-on-acting podcast from  Filmmaker Magazine. In each episode, host Peter Rinaldi invites one working actor to do a deep dive into their unique process, psychology, and approach to the craft.  Follow Back To One on Instagram

Alessandro Nivola returns to the podcast (Ep. 37 and Ep.170) to discuss three performances he gives in three different films out at the same time this week—Pedro Almodóvar’s “The Room Next Door,” “The Brutalist,” and “Kraven The Hunter.” He gifts us with a detailed peek into what it took to build each of these characters. He talks about the interesting way he received a “green light” from Almodóvar in terms of his approach to the role of an Upstate New York policeman, the challenge of balancing adherence to period authenticity with a modern accessibly as Attila in Brady Corbet’s epic, tells the thrilling story of how he found a way to bypass the Marvel committee approval to bring his version of The Rhino to life while miraculously having a creatively fulfilling time in the process, and much more. Back To One is the in-depth, no-nonsense, actors-on-acting podcast from  Filmmaker Magazine. In each episode, host Peter Rinaldi invites one working actor to do a deep dive into their unique process, psychology, an

Ethan Herisse and Brandon Wilson are the stars of “Nickel Boys,” RaMell Ross’ bold and brilliant adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s novel that tells the story, cinematically, almost entirely in a first-person POV-style. Herisse and Wilson talk about the challenge of acting to the camera, their saga of navigating auditions, the “freedom” and “openness” they both felt from Ross, how the trust they built with the crew played a big part in performing in this process, and much more. “Nickel Boys” opens in select theaters on December 14th. Back To One is the in-depth, no-nonsense, actors-on-acting podcast from  Filmmaker Magazine. In each episode, host Peter Rinaldi invites one working actor to do a deep dive into their unique process, psychology, and approach to the craft.  Follow Back To One on Instagram

Michael Shannon is known for his intense and versatile performances across film, television, and theater—“Take Shelter,” “99 Homes,” “Nocturnal Animals,” “Boardwalk Empire,” “Long Days Journey Into Night,” “George and Tammy,” to name just a few. On this episode, he talks about his “simplistic” approach to preparation, the test he gives directors to see if he can trust them, the importance of “disappearing,” why he no longer likes to do endless takes, and much more. Plus he discusses his love for George Mackay, who plays “Son” to Shannon’s “Father” in “The End,” Joshua Oppenheimer’s post-apocalyptic musical which opens in select theaters December 6th. Back To One is the in-depth, no-nonsense, actors-on-acting podcast from  Filmmaker Magazine. In each episode, host Peter Rinaldi invites one working actor to do a deep dive into their unique process, psychology, and approach to the craft.  Follow Back To One on Instagram

In this time of the year when traditions give us a sense of comfort and repetition that we need, especially in these volatile times, Back To One has a tradition of its own—the annual Kevin Corrigan episode! The patron saint of the indie film actor was the first guest on this podcast and he has returned every year since, telling hilarious stories from his adventures in the acting world, waxing about Brando, Walken, Scorsese, expounding on music, philosophizing about life in general—these episodes have become listener favorites. In this installment, Corrigan talks about shooting a scene recently where his emotions were almost too much at his finger tips, shares the awe and pride he felt working for his old friend Natasha Lyonne, and the similar feeling of working for his Daughter in a film she directed. Plus he brings back the Moss Hart story he told in a previous episode, but this time movingly reads it in Hart’s words, and much much more. Past Kevin Corrigan Episodes: Ep. 1, Ep. 67, Ep. 133, Ep.185 Ep. 23

As an actor, Peter Vack is known for his work in television series such as “I Just Want My Pants Back (series lead),” “Mozart In The Jungle,” and “Love Life,” and recent independent films like “PVT Chat,” Eugene Kotlyarenko’s “The Code” and his virtuoso turn as an evil version of “Peter Vack” in “Actors” (written, directed, and co-staring his sister Betsey Brown). As a filmmaker, he has gotten a reputation for demanding an “all in” approach from his performers. His first feature, “Assholes” (called “the most disgusting movie ever”), won a jury prize at SXSW, and his latest, “www.RachelOrmont.com,” described as a “psychedelic techno-satire about growing up in captivity,” just premiered in September and is already on the fast track toward “cult hit” status. On this episode, he describes his belief that an actor has to develop a pure, almost religious faith in their ability, fueled by positivity and joy. He explains why “intellectual homework” doesn’t help him at all anymore, how incorporating a “toxic method” a

Jack Dunphy is a writer, filmmaker, animator, actor and podcaster. His shorts have played in festivals around the world and his latest, “Bob’s Funeral,” won Best Nonfiction Short Film at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. As an actor, he starred in Peter Vack’s “Assholes” and Caveh Zahedi’s legendary, unfinished, 24-hour retelling of Joyce’s “Ulysses.” He can soon be seen in “Paradise and Lunch,” the new film from Jordan Tetwesky and Joshua Pikovsky, and "Anything That Moves” from Alex Phillips. His wonderful new podcast, “Revelations with Jack Dunphy,” in which he talks about his struggles with addiction and mental illness with fellow artists, is out now on the Talkhouse network. Even though he draws on his real life so much in his work, Jack talks about his difficulty with playing a version of himself. He explains why authenticity shouldn’t be a brand but a necessity, what it means to be a “three chord” actor, how fame would negatively impact his addiction management, and much more. Listen to "Revelations wit

Jaclyn Bethany is an Emmy award winning filmmaker, writer and actor based in New Orleans, Louisiana. She has been committed to creating art and telling stories exploring complex women, the intimacy of female friendship, sisterhood and queerness from the female perspective. Some upcoming film projects include "Delusion “- a short film in collaboration with Adult Film NYC, “In Transit,” written by Alex Sarrigeorgiou and featuring Jennifer Ehle and Francois Arnaud, and “All Five Eyes,” which she co-wrote with Greta Bellamacina, featuring Bellamacina and Honor Swinton-Byrne. In this episode she talks about her role as the Co-Artistic Director of The Fire Weeds, a female driven immersive theater company based in New Orleans, and her endeavor to present new theater, and new approaches to old theater, in a place where “new” takes some getting used to. She also discusses what she learned as an actor that helps her directing, why she’s so fascinated by Tennessee Williams, the importance of a “child-like” approach to t