Claim OwnershipDon't Kill the Messenger with Movie Strategist Kevin Goetz
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© 2025 Don't Kill the Messenger with Movie Strategist Kevin Goetz
Description
Don’t Kill the Messenger dives deep into the careers of Hollywood’s most influential voices including executives and filmmakers alike. Hosted by entertainment research expert Kevin Goetz, the interviews are more than story-sharing, they are intimate conversations between friends and a powerful filmmaking masterclass. Discover what it really takes to bring your favorite movies to life. Find Don’t Kill the Messenger on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform. Learn how movies begin, and end—with the audience.
Host: Kevin Goetz
Producer: Kari Campano
Writers: Kevin Goetz, Darlene Hayman, Nick Nunez, & Kari Campano
Audio Engineer: Gary Forbes
Produced at DG Entertainment, Los Angeles CA
Marketing Team: Kari Campano, Dax Ross, Daniel Gamino, & Ashton Brackett
Guest Booking: Kari Campano & Kathy Manabat
71 Episodes
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Send Kevin a Text Message In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz brings together three of his top focus group moderators from Screen Engine to reveal the secrets behind their craft during the filmmaking stage of movie testing. Terri Cavanaugh (VP of Qualitative Insights), Ari Virgil-Paige (Executive VP of the Movie Group), and Aaron Feuer (VP of the Movie Group) reveal how honest audience feedback helps filmmakers perfect their vision. What Makes Focus Groups Essential ...
Send Kevin a Text Message In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz sits down with Michael Uslan, the originator and executive producer of the Batman and Batman-related movie universe, who turned his childhood passion for comic books into Hollywood gold. As an avid comic book collector and Batman superfan, Uslan is proof that following your passion pays off. He shares the story of his decade-long journey to bring a dark, serious Batman to the big screen after being horrifi...
Send Kevin a Text Message In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz sits down with legendary producer Jerry Bruckheimer, the mastermind behind billion-dollar blockbusters, including Top Gun, Pirates of the Caribbean, Bad Boys, Beverly Hills Cop, and the television shows CSI, The Amazing Race, and Fire Country. Bruckheimer shares insights into his detailed approach to filmmaking, the power of test screenings, and what it takes to consistently deliver crowd-pleasing entertai...
Send Kevin a Text Message In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz sits down with Arnold Rifkin, the legendary talent agent who pioneered the concept of a total talent agency and helped build one of Hollywood's most recognizable action stars. From founding Triad Artists to leading William Morris's film division and producing blockbuster films alongside Bruce Willis, Rifkin has built careers, brokered deals, and produced films over the course of four decades. He shares can...
Send Kevin a Text Message In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz interviews Scott Ross, a pioneering figure in the visual effects industry. As the former general manager of Industrial Light and Magic (ILM), Senior VP of LucasArts Entertainment, and co-founder of Digital Domain with James Cameron and Stan Winston, Scott Ross shares insights into the evolution of visual effects, from practical models to the digital revolution. His impressive portfolio includes iconic film...
Send Kevin a Text Message In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz interviews Mike Marcus, whose impressive 57-year career spans from agency mailroom to MGM Pictures president to management company founder. In his early career as an agent, Marcus built an impressive client roster including Robin Williams, John Landis, and Sidney Pollack before transitioning into a top studio executive role and eventually launching the management division at Echo Lake Entertainment. Marcus...
Send Kevin a Text Message In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz interviews Tony Sella, the legendary marketing executive behind some of Hollywood's most iconic movie campaigns. During his decades at 20th Century Fox, Sella was the creative force behind unforgettable posters, trailers, taglines, and promotions for films including Avatar, X-Men, Independence Day, Bohemian Rhapsody, and nearly 1,000 others. He shares insights into his creative process, memorable marketing...
Send Kevin a Text Message In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz interviews Shane Black, one of Hollywood's highest-paid screenwriters, who redefined action films with witty dialogue, dark humor, and unforgettable characters. From Lethal Weapon to The Nice Guys, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, and Iron Man 3, Shane discusses his journey from a self-described "oddball" to a filmmaking powerhouse. Pittsburgh Roots and Early Influences (02:55) Born in Pittsburgh, Black shares how his...
Send Kevin a Text Message In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz welcomes an industry titan-- film producer and studio executive Mike Medavoy. With a career spanning over five decades, Medavoy has been closely involved with over 300 feature films, with seven winning Best Picture Oscars. From agent to studio chief to producer, his remarkable journey from Shanghai to Hollywood has shaped some of cinema's most important films, including Rocky, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Ne...
Send Kevin a Text Message In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz sits down with Chris Landon, the acclaimed writer, director, and producer known for films like Happy Death Day, Freaky, Disturbia, and most recently, Heart Eyes. Son of television legend Michael Landon, Chris has carved his own path in Hollywood, specializing in horror comedy or what he calls "feel-good horror." He candidly shares personal stories about his Hollywood upbringing, coming out, surviving kidne...
Send Kevin a Text Message In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz sits down with acclaimed producer David Permut, the visionary behind films like Face/Off, Hacksaw Ridge (Academy Award nominee for Best Picture), Dragnet, and most recently, Rustin. His films have garnered multiple Academy Award nominations, and he is known for his exceptional ability to discover new talent and bring challenging stories to the screen. From selling star maps as a teenager to executive produ...
Send Kevin a Text Message In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz sits down with Elizabeth Gabler, known for transforming literary works into cinematic successes. From her early days as an agent's assistant to becoming president of Fox 2000 and now Sony 3000 Pictures, Gabler shares insights from her remarkable career developing hit films like Life of Pi, The Devil Wears Prada, Mrs. Doubtfire, Marley and Me, and Where the Crawdads Sing. Early Career and Love of Reading (0...
Send Kevin a Text Message In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz welcomes director and producer Brad Furman, known for films like The Lincoln Lawyer, The Infiltrator, Runner Runner, The Take, and City of Lies. The episode opens with Furman reading a touching tribute letter he wrote after the passing of his friend, filmmaker John Singleton, setting the tone for an intimate conversation about perseverance, mentorship, and the evolution of his career. From Basketball to F...
Send Kevin a Text Message In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz sits down with his good friend, mentor, and colleague, Catherine Paura, a pioneering force in entertainment research who co-founded National Research Group (NRG) in 1977. As an accomplished entrepreneur, Paura helped establish the foundation for modern movie research and marketing. From her humble beginnings to becoming one of Hollywood's most influential research experts, Paura shares insights from her ca...
Send Kevin a Text Message In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz interviews legendary producer Brian Grazer. As co-founder of Imagine Entertainment with Ron Howard, Grazer's films and television shows have earned 47 Oscar nominations and 242 Emmy nominations, with his movies grossing nearly $15 billion globally. Known for hits like A Beautiful Mind (which won him the Academy Award for Best Picture), Apollo 13, and Friday Night Lights. During the conversation, Grazer ope...
Send Kevin a Text Message In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz interviews David Friendly, whose remarkable career transition from journalism to film production led to an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture with Little Miss Sunshine. David worked with industry giants like Ron Howard and Brian Grazer before establishing himself as a successful producer. His producing credits include Courage Under Fire, Dr. Dolittle, Big Momma's House, Laws of Attraction, and the h...
Send Kevin a Text Message In this episode of "Don't Kill the Messenger," host Kevin Goetz sits down with Gary Lucchesi, the acclaimed producer and former President of the Producer’s Guild of America. From his early days as a talent agent at William Morris to his tenure as President of Production at Paramount Pictures, Gary has been a driving force behind numerous hit films. As a producer, his credits include Primal Fear, Million Dollar Baby, The Lincoln Lawyer, and Runaway Bride, among many o...
Send Kevin a Text Message (Interview recorded Aug 14, 2024 and released Nov 6, 2024. George Folsey Jr. died on December 29th, 2024 at the age of 85. Thank you, George, for all that you gave to this industry--you will be missed.) In this episode of "Don't Kill the Messenger," host Kevin Goetz sits down with George Folsey Jr., the legendary film editor and producer whose illustrious career spans over five decades. Folsey Jr. has collaborated with acclaimed directors like John Landis, Eli Roth,...
Send Kevin a Text Message In this episode of "Don't Kill the Messenger," host Kevin Goetz sits down with Susan Cartsonis, a renowned producer and former studio executive known for championing women's stories in Hollywood. From 20th Century Fox to independent producing, Susan has been behind hits like What Women Want, Where the Heart Is, Aquamarine, Sitting in Bars with Cake, and True Sprit. She shares her journey in the film industry, her passion for storytelling, and her commitment to bringi...
Send Kevin a Text Message In this episode of "Don't Kill the Messenger," host Kevin Goetz sits down with Spring Aspers, the Grammy-nominated President of Sony Pictures Music Group. With a career spanning from intern to President, Spring has become a powerhouse in the film music industry. Her work on blockbuster soundtracks like Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Versehas earned her critical acclaim and a Grammy nod. As the executive behind numerous hit movie soundtracks and a champion for emerging a...
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