Academy Awarding winning director, writer, Paul Haggis joins us at the Park Hyatt in Toronto, Canada to chat about the making of his latest thriller “The Next Three Days”(2010). Haggis is very charming, over 6 feet tall, with an easy manner, twinkling blue eyes and a ready smile. I had met Paul Haggis a few years earlier at the TIFF Talent Lab. He spoke of the challenges of making his first movie Crash and how it very nearly got derailed part way through production as funds dried up. He found himself facing a 24 hour deadline to find the money. Obviously he succeeded.  Paul got his start as a screenwriter writing for TV. Paul Haggis and Michael Nozik his friend and producing partner recently formed their own production company Hwy 61 and “The Next Three Days” is the first feature.

The talented and celebrated Canadian Paul Haggis impressed the world by becoming the first screenwriter to win back-to-back Best Film Oscars for Million Dollar Baby (2004), which Clint Eastwood directed and Crash (2004), which he directed himself. Crash won 2 Oscars for Best Picture and Best Original Screen Play. He quickly followed these successes with a number of notable screenplays including “Flags of Our Fathers” (2006), “Casino Royale” (2006), “Letters from Iwo Jima” (2006), “In the Valley of Elah” (2007), and “Quantum of Solace” (2008). In the same time period he also conceived of and wrote the TV series The Black Donnellys (2007), which the New York Times considers one of the most influential series “of all time”. Haggis confesses that the strain of the work took a toll on his health in the middle of all this. He has received 32 other film awards, 27 other awards nominations working with and earning the respect of the best in the film industry.

Paul Haggis made Razor Magazine’s list of 25 mavericks of our time “nonconformists that defy dictates, iconoclasts that cling to independent thought, radicals that refuse adherence, that give us pause.”  Rolling Stone chose him as breakthrough filmmaker of the year (2005).

Paul Haggis provides some memorable insights into the making of “The Next Three Days” as he discusses the secrets of making such a fast paced, action packed thriller with stars Russell Crowe, Liam Neeson, Elizabeth Banks and young Ty Simpkins.

Myetvmedia would like to thank Maple Pictures, the Canadian distributor of the film and Paul Haggis for the opportunity to have this interview with one of our most talented Canadian filmmakers.

Moira Romano

Podcast Editing: Mat Kolodziejski

On Friday the 14th Igloofest featured female Dj Anja Schneider who came in from the unofficial techno capital of the world, Germany. Anja is touring heavily in the next few months kicking it off at Igloofest. Her label Mobilee has made waves in the techno scene by dropping big tracks and remixes from Anja as well as other label artists such as SEboK and Pan-Pot.

MyETVmedia caught up with Anja after her performance so keep an eye out for the release of the interview and spotlight later this month.

Nora Ephron, acclaimed screenwriter, director and novelist took time to visit with some of her fans in Toronto at the invitation of Heather Reisman, Indigo Books. Who can forget the famous restaurant scene in When Harry Met Sally, or Sleepless in Seattle with Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks atop the Empire State Building? Nora Ephron gives a candid, funny and inspired talk about the making of her famous movies including You’ve Got Mail. She divulges some of her most remarkable memories of working with the incomparable Meryl Streep in Julia & Julia, Heartburn and Silkwood. Watch both the short version and the long version of this inspiring interview.

Camera: Mike Pukay, Editing: Mike Pukay and Mat Kolodziejski

A rebel with a cause, Troy Duffy is an inspiration for aspiring screenwriters and directors. Here he is in his own words to pass on some insightful thoughts on The Boondock Saints movies. You will also be surprised by some of Troy’s influences. For more listen to this unique interview now…