Welcome to the DMF! I’m Justin Younts, and today we’re exploring the fascinating world of filmmaking through the experiences of Alan Katz.
Alan recalled the immense challenges of working with Tim Curry on a project that pushed everyone involved to their limits. The creative process was daunting, especially when Tim was tasked with playing three different roles in a single story. It terrified him—and, as Alan admitted, it scared the entire team as well.
But that fear transformed into a powerful opportunity for collaboration and creativity. Alan remembered how carefully the team worked to ensure that the music, acting, and overall tone of the scenes reflected the gravity of the story rather than slipping into unintended comedy.
One surreal highlight was guiding the legendary Michael Kamen on how to score a pivotal moment—an experience Alan described as both intimidating and unforgettable. For him, the key takeaway from the process was simple: always stay open to feedback and collaboration, because the best ideas often come from unexpected places.
Alan’s behind-the-scenes stories remind us that filmmaking is as much about resilience and adaptability as it is about creativity and vision.
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:00:05 - The Death of Some Salesmen: Concept and Casting
00:00:26 - The Challenge of Playing Multiple Parts
00:00:55 - Casting Tim Curry
00:02:27 - Scoring the Sex Scene
00:04:05 - The Importance of Being Open to Criticism
00:05:43 - Working with Tim Curry
00:07:20 - Casting Against Type
00:07:33 - Dead Weight: The First Episode
00:08:22 - The Importance of the Script as a Technical Document
00:10:45 - What's Cooking: Writing and Casting
00:11:38 - Challenges with Special Effects
00:14:04 - Conclusion
Check out his other podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-how-not-to-make-a-movie-podcast/id1616014436
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0441623/
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-how-not-to-make-a-movie-podcast/id1616014436
https://thedonorpodcast.com/
