Blockbuster (podcast)
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| Blockbuster | |
|---|---|
 Cover art for Blockbuster. | |
| Presentation | |
| Starring | |
| Genre |
|
| Created by | Matt Schrader |
| Written by | Matt Schrader |
| Creative Director | Peter Bawiec |
| Updates | Limited series |
| Length | Variable (20–31 minutes) |
| Production | |
| Production | Epicleff Media |
| Composed by |
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| Audio format | 320kbps 48K MP3 |
| No. of seasons | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 28 |
| Publication | |
| Original release | April 16, 2019 |
| Related | |
| Website | http://GetBlockbuster.com |
Blockbuster is a 2019 original dramatic podcast created by Matt Schrader detailing the friendship and rise of early Steven Spielberg and George Lucas in the 1970s Hollywood.
The series is structured like a biopic film in the years before Spielberg and Lucas came to prominence as they struggled to complete Jaws (1975) and Star Wars (1977), as well as Close Encounters (1977). It also follows the rise of composer John Williams in the years following the death of his wife, when he earned his first Academy Awards for his original scores.[1]
The series stars Ray Chase, Max Mittelman, Matthew Bohrer, Lex Lang and Julia McIlvaine, and is narrated by Schrader, an Emmy Award-winning investigative journalist and documentary filmmaker.
The idea for Blockbuster began while Schrader was doing research for his film Score: A Film Music Documentary (2017). "We were really inspired in making the first scripted biopic for the podcast platform," Schrader said. "We took a large-scale 'feature film' approach to research, script development, casting, design and music, and really wanted to create a 2.5-hour movie for your ears."[2]
The script and story for Blockbuster were finished in July 2018, according to the "making of" interviews at the end of each episode of the series. From August 2018 to April 2019, Schrader and film sound designer Peter Bawiec worked together with composers Ryan Taubert and Benjamin Botkin.[3]
Notably, Blockbuster forgoes traditional in-episode advertisements for a more immersive experience, and instead asks listeners to consider voluntarily supporting the production via its own website.[4]
Voice actors Ray Chase and Max Mittelman were cast to play George and Steven, respectively. Also cast were television actor Matthew Bohrer (John Williams), Lex Lang (Harrison Ford), Julia McIlvaine (Marcia Lucas), and Kenny Holmes (Sylvester Stallone).
