The Business
The Bentonville Film Festival; Transition in Late Night
Oscar-winner Geena Davis has played some memorable roles, but she knows that great parts for women are all too rare. She shares her plan to boost diversity on the screen and behind the cameras -- by launching a film festival in Arkansas. Then, Rick Ludwin, former head of NBC late night, shares insight from more than 30 years on the job.
By Michael Schneider • • 29m ListenActress Geena Davis has long been an advocate for women in film. Now Davis and ARC Entertainment CEO Trevor Drinkwater have joined forces with Wal-Mart to host a film festival with an emphasis on women and diversity. Davis tells us why improvements for women in the industry have stalled over time, and how she hopes to make a lasting change with this festival. And Rick Ludwin, the former head of late night at NBC stopped by The Spin-off podcast recently. We share part of his conversation about why The Tonight Show has spurred so many battles over the years.
Photo: Geena Davis, actress and chair of the Bentonville Film Festival. Courtesy of Rogers & Cowan
In this episode
3 storiesHollywood News Banter
Kim Masters and Michael Schneider discuss top entertainment news stories of the week.
Read the story7 minThe Bentonville Film Festival
You may remember Geena Davis when she was on the lam in Thelma and Louise, or as Dottie the baseball-playing dairy farmer in A League of Their Own. She also played the President of the United States in the television show Commander In Chief.
Read the story17 minRick Ludwin on Late Night
Rick Ludwin oversaw Late Night and Special Programming at NBC for more than 30 years -- from 1980 until 2012. Michael Schneider and Joe Adalian pick his brain about famous late night transitions and the shortage of women in late night.
Read the story4 min
