FRANKLIN LEONARD’s Life at the Movies (Founder and CEO of The Black List)
Summary
Grant Moniker interviews Franklin Leonard, founder of The Blacklist, discusses his journey from a math nerd in Georgia to a Hollywood producer. He shares formative cinema memories, including seeing *Jurassic Park* and *Malcolm X*, and recounts how renting *Amadeus*, *Dr. Strangelove*, and *Being There* inspired his move to Los Angeles. Leonard also explains the creation of The Blacklist survey and its impact on the industry.
Topics discussed
Introduction and guest background
Ideal movie theater seating preferences
Childhood memories of going to the cinema
The impact of Jurassic Park and Spielberg
Programming the festival board and theater snacks
Teenage movie habits and early career paths
The Kim's Video snowstorm and move to LA
Creating the Blacklist and early Hollywood experiences
The Matrix and college movie nights
Festival screenings: Parasite and Black Panther
Box office metrics and the value of foreign films
Dream screening: Sidney Pollack and Nina Simone
Closing night: Daughters of the Dust and conclusion
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