We’re back in the archives with a re-release of one of our first episodes ever featuring writer, producer, and Proximity Media founder Sev Ohanian and writer/director Aneesh Chaganty. Together, Sev and Aneesh wrote, directed, and produced the hit thrillers SEARCHING (2018), RUN (2020), and MISSING (2023). Their next project together is the upcoming DOPPELGÄNGER, produced with their producing partner Natalie Qasabian at Search Party and Proximity Media. This episode is a deep dive into Sev and Aneesh’s intricate and informative screenwriting process. It’s a masterclass with top tier writing pros well as a peek into what makes a solid creative partnership.

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Screenwriting Masterclass with SEARCHING’s Aneesh Chaganty and Sev Ohanian

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(00:50) From the archives… Sev Ohanian and Aneesh Chaganty!
(02:37) Aneesh started his writing partnership with Sev… on a lie!?
(08:15) The “Blue Skies” phase of screenwriting
(11:44) Outlining: SAVE THE CAT, Google Docs, and phone call arguments
(14:53) Share your work with friends! (and ask a thousand questions)
(18:33) Research should inform your story, not BECOME the story
(21:41) Need a recap? Click HERE
(25:19) Prox Recs

IN PROXIMITY IS A PRODUCTION OF PROXIMITY MEDIA
Host, Director, Producer: Paola Mardo
Executive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian
Theme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig Göransson
Co-Director and Director of Photography: Patrick Epino
Sound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken Nana
Editors: Patrick Epino, Ken Nana, Ben Caloza, Cedric Wilson, Judybelle Camangyan
Motion Graphics Designer: Apollo Baldoz
Producer: Caitlin Plummer
Associate Producer: Celine Mendiola
Production Coordinator: Joy Woo
Production Assistants: Isabella Miller, Polina Cherezova
Social Media Coordinator: Alexandria Santana
Production Intern: Ben Caloza

We’re going back into the IN PROXIMITY archives for the next several weeks, rereleasing masterclasses on filmmaking and screenwriting. On this episode, we’re rebroadcasting a conversation between Ryan Coogler and Cord Jefferson, writer/director/producer of the award-winning feature film AMERICAN FICTION. A few weeks after winning the 2024 Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, Cord hopped on a call with Ryan to discuss their first films, his unconventional path to filmmaking, and his experience as a first-time director. They also talk about their upcoming projects, and Ryan teases a little bit about SINNERS. He recorded this conversation from New Orleans as he was just about to go into production on the film.

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Cord Jefferson and Ryan Coogler on Writing, Directing, and What They’re Doing Next

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(01:45) From the archives… Ryan Coogler and Cord Jefferson!
(02:30) Get Reel
(10:46) Cord’s first writing job took GUTS
(19:28) How Cord learned to collaborate with Jeffrey Wright on AMERICAN FICTION
(27:58) Ryan and Cord’s next projects (hint: SINNERS)
(35:48) “You shouldn’t be doing this if the end goal is to win an Oscar.”
(39:49) Prox Recs

IN PROXIMITY IS A PRODUCTION OF PROXIMITY MEDIA
Host, Director, Producer: Paola Mardo
Executive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian
Theme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig Göransson
Co-Director and Director of Photography: Patrick Epino
Sound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken Nana
Editors: Patrick Epino, Ken Nana, Ben Caloza, Cedric Wilson, Judybelle Camangyan
Motion Graphics Designer: Apollo Baldoz
Producer: Caitlin Plummer
Associate Producer: Celine Mendiola
Production Coordinator: Joy Woo
Production Assistants: Isabella Miller, Polina Cherezova
Social Media Coordinator: Alexandria Santana
Production Intern: Ben Caloza

We’re celebrating docs and nonfiction series with Proximity’s Nonfiction department! IN PROXIMITY host Paola Mardo sits down with Kelli Dunson Buchanan (VP, Head of Nonfiction) and Gaby Arvizu (Creative Executive, Nonfiction), whose projects include the award-winning series HURRICANE KATRINA: RACE AGAINST TIME, STEPHEN CURRY: UNDERRATED, ANTHEM, and HOMEROOM. They share their career stories and what their day-to-day is like developing and producing nonfiction projects at Proximity Media. They also answer listener questions about selecting stories and subjects, editing hours of footage, advice for first-time filmmakers, and how to ethically document stories and engage with communities around traumatic events. Kelli and Gaby drop a lot of gems here… watch, listen, and take notes!

CHECK OUT THE PREVIOUS Q&A EPISODE
Inside Proximity: Working in Film & TV

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LEARN MORE AND READ THE TRANSCRIPT AT PROXIMITYMEDIA.COM

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(00:00) These questions are FIRE!
(02:18) Meet Proximity’s Nonfiction department
(05:18) The day-to-day of development and production
(10:55) Career stories
(17:10) Question #1: How to choose your doc’s subject
(19:52) Shoutout director Pete Nicks!
(20:46) Making HURRICANE KATRINA: RACE AGAINST TIME with Traci Curry
(22:45) Question #2: How to ethically document stories and engage with communities around traumatic events
(27:57) Question #3: Tips for first-time filmmakers
(30:07) What makes first-time doc filmmakers stand out
(32:16) How Kelli and Gaby find and cultivate new talent
(33:11) Question #4: Editing hours of footage into a film|
(37:40) What is cinéma vérité?
(39:21) Prox Recs

IN PROXIMITY IS A PRODUCTION OF PROXIMITY MEDIA
Host, Director, Producer: Paola Mardo
Executive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian
Theme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig Göransson
Co-Director and Director of Photography: Patrick Epino
Sound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken Nana
Editors: Patrick Epino, A.J. Calomay, Ken Nana, Ben Caloza
Associate Producer: Celine Mendiola
Production Coordinator: Joy Woo
Production Intern: Ben Caloza
Social Media Coordinator: Alexandria Santana
Motion Graphics Designer: Apollo Baldoz