Introducing "Seen on the Screen with Jacqueline Coley,” a bi-weekly podcast and your ticket to the personal narratives happening behind the scenes at Universal....
From TV Enthusiast to TV Trailblazer with Pearlena Igbokwe
Like film, television has the power to connect audiences and shape culture. Jacqueline Coley sits down with Pearlena Igbokwe, Chairman of Universal Studio Group, to explore her extraordinary journey from discovering American culture through television as a child to becoming one of today’s leading voices in the industry. For the first time on “Seen on the Screen,” television takes center stage as Pearlena shares her experience developing culturally significant shows like Soul Food, Dexter, and The Equalizer. As a champion of ambitious storytellers, she discusses her pivotal role in bringing groundbreaking stories to life for platforms like NBC, Peacock, and Netflix.Overseeing NBCUniversal’s four TV studios—which collectively produce 100+ series across 25+ platforms—Pearlena offers a unique perspective on television’s impact, the importance of representation, and the art of pairing stories with the right platforms.
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30:19
The Power of Music in The Wild Robot with Kris Bowers
In this special episode, Jacqueline Coley sits down with Emmy and Grammy nominated composer and Academy Award® winning filmmaker Kris Bowers, in front of a live audience at the SCAD Film Festival in Savannah, GA. Known for his genre-defying scores in films like Bob Marley: One Love, The Color Purple, the Emmy winning series Bridgerton and his latest project, DreamWorks Animation’s acclaimed hit, The Wild Robot, Bowers reflects on his early passion for piano, the emotional resonance of music, and how personal experiences have shaped his work. We’ll explore his collaborative process with director Chris Sanders, the challenges of crafting melodies that tell a story, and his approach to creating unforgettable moments of sound and cinema. From his Oscar-winning short The Last Repair Shop to iconic film scores, Kris shares insights into his creative process, lessons learned from his career, and his vision for the future of music and storytelling.
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30:40
A Filmmaker-Driven Focus with Peter Kujawski
Bringing movies to the big screen takes passion and expertise. In this episode, Jacqueline Coley sits down with Peter Kujawski, Chairman of Focus Features, to talk about his path from intern to head of a studio known for award-winning, auteur-driven films. Peter shares an inside perspective on Focus’s commitment to unique, culturally relevant stories—from Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind to NOSFERATU and beyond. Hear how Peter’s lifelong love of cinema shapes his vision for films and inspires the distinctive culture he’s built at Focus Features.
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32:46
Opening the Aperture of WICKED with Director of Photography Alice Brooks
As the Director of Photography for WICKED, Alice Brooks shaped the film’s visual identity, bringing Director Jon M. Chu’s vision to life with a vibrant and immersive cinematic experience. In this episode, Alice joins Jacqueline Coley to share her journey working in entertainment, from growing up in a creative family to discovering her passion for cinematography. Learn how Alice’s early college film projects were all leading up to bringing the massive production of WICKED to life. Discover how she balanced technical precision and creative intuition to capture the stunning sets and incredible performances of this cultural phenomenon. Hear how the deep personal connection Alice formed with the magical world of WICKED created a special bond between her and her daughter during filming, and how it has already begun to inspire a new generation of creatives.
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Defying Gravity with WICKED Director Jon M. Chu
How do you bring a cultural phenomenon like WICKED to the big screen? In this episode, Jacqueline Coley joins director Jon M. Chu in Oz to talk about his work on his generation-defining cinematic event and how his personal connection to the stage musical inspired him to take on the project.We’ll explore Chu’s special connection to WICKED, his creative process, the film’s grand spectacle, and the key character moments that deliver WICKED's narrative and emotional impact. Hear how Chu’s collaboration with stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, along with the film’s talented crew, resulted in show-stopping musical numbers, stunning sets and meticulously crafted details that will enchant audiences worldwide.
Acerca de Seen on the Screen with Jacqueline Coley
Introducing "Seen on the Screen with Jacqueline Coley,” a bi-weekly podcast and your ticket to the personal narratives happening behind the scenes at Universal. Hosted by Jacqueline Coley, Awards Editor at Rotten Tomatoes, each episode invites you into intimate conversations with NBCUniversal employees and our creative community to explore how the magic of film impacts their lives. With a blend of entertaining games and thought-provoking questions, Jacqueline guides us through an exciting journey with each guest – asking them to reflect on the films that have rocked their world, scared the daylights out of them, and changed them forever.Join us for "Seen on the Screen," where every story is meaningful, and each experience is filled with authenticity. Because when art and entertainment connect with us on a human level, that's when the real magic happens. New episodes available bi-weekly starting April 24! Please follow and listen wherever you listen to podcasts 🎧
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