Episodes

  • The Art of Action with Ke Huy Quan

    The Art of Action with Ke Huy Quan
    Jan 29 2025
    Ke Huy Quan has captured audiences’ hearts for decades, from his early roles in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and The Goonies to his Oscar-winning performance in Everything Everywhere All at Once. Now, in his first leading role, Ke stars in Love Hurts, a high-energy action comedy that blends heartfelt storytelling with thrilling fight sequences.


    In this episode of Seen on the Screen, Jacqueline Coley speaks with Ke about stepping into the spotlight as a leading man, his dedication to authentic action choreography, and how his love for classic Hong Kong cinema influenced his approach to the genre. Ke also reflects on his personal journey, from childhood stardom to his triumphant Hollywood comeback, and the mentors who helped shape his career, including Steven Spielberg and the Daniels.


    With humor and humility, Ke shares his passion for storytelling, the importance of representation, and the resilience it takes to break new ground in the entertainment industry.
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    29 mins
  • From TV Enthusiast to TV Trailblazer with Pearlena Igbokwe

    From TV Enthusiast to TV Trailblazer with Pearlena Igbokwe
    Jan 15 2025
    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 mins
  • The Power of Music in The Wild Robot with Kris Bowers

    The Power of Music in The Wild Robot with Kris Bowers
    Dec 4 2024
    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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    31 mins
  • A Filmmaker-Driven Focus with Peter Kujawski

    A Filmmaker-Driven Focus with Peter Kujawski
    Nov 13 2024
    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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    33 mins
  • Opening the Aperture of WICKED with Director of Photography Alice Brooks

    Opening the Aperture of WICKED with Director of Photography Alice Brooks
    Oct 23 2024
    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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    27 mins
  • Defying Gravity with WICKED Director Jon M. Chu

    Defying Gravity with WICKED Director Jon M. Chu
    Oct 9 2024
    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.
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    30 mins
  • Bringing THE WILD ROBOT to Life with Chris Sanders

    Bringing THE WILD ROBOT to Life with Chris Sanders
    Sep 25 2024
    How do you bring a beloved book series to life on the big screen? In this episode, we chat with Chris Sanders, the writer and director behind DreamWorks Animation's THE WILD ROBOT. Chris shares how he first discovered the project and what drew him to adapt Peter Brown’s popular book series, giving us a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process.

    We’ll learn how Chris and his team crafted the film’s unique hand-painted, analog-inspired look and the challenges of blending traditional animation techniques with modern CGI. Plus, we’ll get insight into the casting process and how Lupita Nyong'o brought the character Roz to life with remarkable depth and transformation.
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    30 mins
  • How Passion Powers Film Production with Ryan Jones

    How Passion Powers Film Production with Ryan Jones
    Sep 11 2024
    How do you turn an idea into a box office hit? Meet Ryan Jones, Senior Vice President of Production at Universal Pictures, who has a built a career on tackling just that! In this episode, Ryan takes us into the world of creative development and reveals what has inspired him to work on some of the most talked-about films and how they take shape. From action blockbusters to heartfelt dramas, to horror movies and beyond - Ryan has been at the forefront of bringing movies to life that not only entertain but also push the boundaries of storytelling.

    Learn how taking bold risks—like making Deadpool an R-rated sensation or leaning into the virality of a killer doll in M3GAN—can lead to major rewards. Join us as Ryan provides a sneak peek into what life is like on the iconic Universal lot, where Hollywood history meets the thrill of creating the next cinematic sensation.
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    28 mins