To the White Sea
A close look at the work of the Coen brothers through the lens of their unproduced screenplay To the White Sea, based on the novel by James Dickey. Hosted by filmmakers Jordan Fish and Ray Tintori, the show features guests and a weekly deep dive. Each week they read two pages of the screenplay. Ray has read the screenplay and Jordan hasn't.
Episodes
TTWS Directs Ethan Coen’s ‘Waiting’ at SPRING/BREAK Art Show - Announcement
We’re putting on a play! We are excited to announce that To the White Sea is directing a performance of the Ethan Coen one-act Waiting at SPRING/BREAK Art Show. Starring Max Isaacs, Sam Geller, and Lee Pender.The show premieres September 23 and runs through September 28. Tickets are available here.The play will be performed at the former 60 Minutes offices in the middle of our favorite art show f
33: Shoot the Driver with Pete Ohs
Today we’re joined by visionary filmmaker Pete Ohs, director of Erupcja, Jethica, and The True Beauty of Being Bitten by a Tick. We kick things off talking about script doctoring, first-time actors, and Pete’s process of “living the story” through which he's able to write, shoot, and direct feature films in remarkably quick, concentrated productions. As you might expect, collaboration and trust a
The Films of Mary Cybulski (feat. Tony Gilroy and John Sayles)
This Memorial Day weekend we are celebrating the life of Ray’s mom, filmmaker Mary Cybulski. We start by discussing a retrospective of Mary’s experimental short films, co-directed with John Tintori, which will screen this Sunday at the Walter Reade Theater, Lincoln Center. We then hear from two of Mary’s longtime collaborators, Tony Gilroy and John Sayles. Ray also discusses his mom’s career in a
32: The Light Touch
Today we’re keeping it light, mostly with scenes of horrific violence, all of which evoke a paradoxical sensation, a strange weightlessness like you feel at the top of a rollercoaster. This is THE LIGHT TOUCH. Think Wade Gustafson’s jacket expelling feathers in Fargo, or Moon’s God-fearing monologue in True Grit. We conclude with a deep dive into the ending of Raising Arizona, which is perhaps th
TTWS Double Feature: Short Cuts (35mm) / Send Help (4DX)
It’s movie night in New York City! Join us for some roving recording as we pound the cobblestones of Manhattan and take in two films in vastly different formats: Robert Altman’s Short Cuts in glorious 35mm and Sam Raimi’s Send Help in sensuous 4DX.Along the way we discuss Raymond Carver’s short stories, Altman’s influence on hyperlink cinema, Cast Away as an archetype of 21st century filmmaking,
31: Point of View
You are about to listen to a mega episode. Charged up and sans guest, we dive deep into a core facet of moviemaking and film-viewing: point of view—the power of films to invisibly place you behind the eyes, and inside the mind, of a specific character. Jumping off from two dynamite script pages, and pulling crucial info from our film studies education, we explore how subjectivity is essentially i
TTWS Xmas Party – Bad Santa with Jason Adam Katzenstein & Michael Tyburski
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good commentary! That’s right—to celebrate the holiday season and ring in the new year we’re watching Terry Zwigoff’s 2003 holiday classic Bad Santa. We’re joined by our dear friends Jason Adam Katzenstein, New Yorker cartoonist and co-author with Roz Chast of the forthcoming graphic novel The Two Saddest Kitchens, and Michael Tyburski, director of Palimpsest,
30: Someone You’re Not with Rebecca Rose Bulnes
We’re back with a positively joyful episode about white-knuckling it through life :) These are scenes where characters are undercover, pretending to be different than they are, or otherwise just trying to act normal while being observed and under significant stress. Yikes! To help light a path through this nine-eyed, five-0 vision quest we’re joined by writer, actor, comedian, and podcaster Rebecc
COENS SECRETS UNLOCKED with Griffin Newman, Skip Lievsay & Joni Tefoya (Heidi Gardner)
In this extra special live event To the White Sea makes study group history as we explore deep secrets, hidden connections, and cinematic revelation in the work of the Coen brothers. In our quest for the truth we're joined onstage by Connoisseur of Context Griffin Newman, longtime Coens collaborator Skip Lievsay, and script supervisor of The Ladykillers Joni Tefoya (Heidi Gardner). Legendary story
COENS THEATER VOL. I: “SAWBONES” / LIVE SHOW ANNOUNCEMENT
Boo! In this special episode we announce our live show COENS SECRETS UNLOCKED and unveil our new miniseries exploring the stage play work of the Coens. We kick off COENS THEATER VOL. I with the radio play SAWBONES, which debuted in April 2005 as part of Carter Burwell’s Theater of the New Ear. Sawbones is a thrilling and bewildering triptych, simultaneously a 60s western TV show, a suburban melodr
29: Mega Presences with Will Oldham
Today is all about mega presences—performances with so much character, life, and musicality breathed into them by their actors that they seem to haunt an entire film and stick with you long after the credits have rolled and the house lights have come on. And we are thrilled beyond words to be joined by a one-of-one artist, the great Will Oldham!Jumping off from a rather intense skydiving scene in
28: Laughed Out of Hollywood with Ian Faria
Laughter—why does it happen? Brilliant filmmaker and comedy consigliere Ian Faria joins the study group to break down comedy in all its forms, be it slapstick physical violence, zinging dialogue, or a slow-burn silent reveal. Ian is just wrapping up post-production on a feature with his comedy group Simple Town and has much to share. This episode is the whole ball of wax and you're just gonna love
27: The Dialectic with Edward Ongweso Jr.
Today we’re joined by writer, researcher, and podcaster Edward Ongweso Jr. to discuss “the essence of The Dialectic,” as a highly-fictionalized Herbert Marcuse proclaims in Hail, Caesar! Dialectics: what are they, what is their function, and how might their theory and praxis manifest multifariously across the Coens’ body of work? We discuss the history of the term, how the concept of keeping two i
HONEY DON’T! – A PANEL DISCUSSION with Ben Brewer, Emilio Diaz, & Melissa Tuckman
To the White Sea is back to discuss HONEY DON’T!—the slapjacking new film from Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke—and we’re bringing a new episode format to attempt to wrap our minds around this monumental moment. We’ve gathered some of our favorite minds of filmmaking and film analysis—Melissa Tuckman, Ben Brewer, and Emilio Diaz—for an unrehearsed panel discussion affectionately dubbed The McDunnough G
26: Intergenerational Warfare with Will Menaker & Hesse Deni
Today we’re excited to be joined by Will Menaker and Hesse Deni—cohosts of Movie Mindset, as well as Chapo Trap House and Seeking Derangements respectively—to split the everlasting light of cinema via a prism of great importance: tensions between the old and the young in the films of the Coen brothers.Jumping off from a thrilling duel between Muldrow and the blind swordsman we unpack the trope of
25: Perfect Quiet with Skip Lievsay
Like a seashell to your ear, we are here. In this extra special episode of To the White Sea we are thrilled and honored to welcome Academy Award-winning sound editor Skip Lievsay, who has worked on more Coen brothers movies than the Coen brothers themselves! This paradox wrapped in an enigma will be unraveled along with so much more. Together we listen closely to scenes of “perfect quiet” when the
24: Suspense and Surprise
Surprise! We're back with a new episode. We jump off from the idea introduced to us by J. Todd Anderson, by way of Alfred Hitchcock, that filmmaking is about two things (and according to J. Todd only these two things): suspense and surprise. We analyze ways in which films create a “burden of knowledge” in the mind of the audience, and how this can dramatically affect the way scenes play out on a s
UNLOCKED: TTWS Goes on Hit Factory - A Simple Plan
Hello study group! We will be back soon with more mainline episodes of To the White Sea. To tide you over we bring you a delightful side-quest / amuse-bouche. A couple months ago we went on Hit Factory to discuss A Simple Plan, directed by frequent Coens collaborator Sam Raimi. We enjoyed our discussion with Aaron so much, and thought it Coens-adjacent-enough to put it out as a bonus. Hope you enj
ROAD EPISODE: Drive-Away Dolls Rapid Response
We're on the road! Ray and Jordan step out of the AMC Lincoln Square 13 and give their immediate impressions of Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke's new film DRIVE-AWAY DOLLS while walking the streets of Manhattan.Spoilers are everywhere so you'll want to see the film before diving into this. Thanks in advance for rocking with the "punk rock" audio quality in this special gonzo episode.Want to join the s
23: INSTINCT with Devyn Waitt
Emerging from a cloud of goose feathers, TTWS returns! Filmmaker Devyn Waitt joins the study group today to discuss INSTINCT, moments in the Coens films that defy logic but somehow make sense on an intuitive, almost physical level. We touch on whether they could be a connection between survival skills and artistic expression, and speculate on the Coens’ writing process, which seems to be where the
22: Left Field Production Design with Alex DiGerlando
Today on the program we start things off with a reality-shattering two pages, then shoot into outer space with our guest, the brilliant production designer Alex DiGerlando. We explore film sets and designed environments that come out of left field and reshape our understanding of what it is we’re watching. We also dive into Alex’s approach to his own work, which he describes as “part muse, part cu
21: Surprisingly Good Vibes with Robin Comisar
We’re back with a delightful conversation about surprisingly chill hangs. Joining us is brilliant writer, director, and dog lover, Robin Comisar. We discuss moments in the Coens’ films where the story sneaks up on you with unexpectedly tender, guileless, and open-hearted scenes. In these moments of connection, characters often go beyond their “type” or “role”. It's weird, it's satisfying, and it's
20: Behavioral Acting with Griffin Newman
We're back with our first post-hiatus numbered episode and what a show we've got for you. Today we welcome actor, comedian, podcaster and our good friend Griffin Newman to the study group. Griffin walks us through his process as an actor, and what he calls behavioral acting—the use of secondary actions, latent desires, and bottled-up nervous energy to shape a performance and create a character tha
EMERGENCY EPISODE: Lost Pages Found! with Kate Sanford
We're back everybody! After our extended hiatus we couldn't be more excited to be back with this emergency episode. We have the lost pages folks, and to tell the story of how this all happened, we bring you an interview with legendary picture editor Kate Sanford! Hope you enjoy, and are as excited as we are for TTWS Season 2! Stick around after the interview for DISCORD MAILBAG where we answer all
19: Intertexts/The Same Old Song with Melissa Tuckman
Hi everyone! Today we welcome professor, writer, and poet Melissa Tuckman to the study group. First we read pages 37-38 which are, as with last week’s excerpt, truly horrifying. Take heed. Then we jump into the prism and explore the idea of an intertext, which is simply a work which relates in some way to another work. We look at scenes in Coens’ movies where a character or the film itself quotes
18: River of Flame with Becca Brooks Morrin
Hello! We’re back with a deep dive and wild ride through mind-melting, unforgettable images you’ve never seen before, and we’re joined by our friend, the brilliant and infinitely creative production designer Becca Brooks Morrin! We also read pages 35 and 36 and follow Muldrow as his story gets even more intense and horrifically violent—if we haven’t said it yet, we’ll say it here: this screenplay
17: Open World with Liz Ryerson
In today’s episode we’re joined by multi-disciplinary artist and writer Liz Ryerson. Liz brings her background in music and game design to discuss scenes from the Coens’ movies in which characters drift through the wide world of their story, and in their wanderings—be they pastoral, tacky, gnarly, or urbane—make discoveries without and within.Outro Music: Liz Ryerson - Village ThemeSupport Liz on
16: Act 1 -> Act 2 with Benh Zeitlin
Today we’re joined by our friend, the mega-talented and ever-thoughtful Benh Zeitlin, director of Glory at Sea, Beasts of the Southern Wild, and Wendy. We’re thrilled to welcome Benh to the study group as we cross the threshold on pages 31-32, and see Muldrow’s journey plummet into action. From here, we break down act breaks, specifically the crucial transition from Act 1 to Act 2. We discuss the
EMERGENCY PODCAST: Coens Reunited
This is an emergency podcast. We discuss the deluge of Coen brothers headlines including the premiere of the Drive-Away Dolls trailer, and the Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke feature in Empire Magazine which reveals, amongst many fascinating tidbits, that Ethan and Joel Coen are at work on a new project. We also discuss Ray’s new music video for Bonnie “Prince” Billie and pluck some all important pins
15: Visual Storytelling with J. Todd Anderson
We’re back with an episode we are beyond excited to share with you. Today we’re joined by legendary storyboard artist and key Coens collaborator J. Todd Anderson. Anderson has drawn storyboards for every Coen brothers film since Raising Arizona, as well as The Tragedy of Macbeth and the upcoming Drive-Away Dolls. He also directed The Naked Man which he co-wrote with Ethan Coen. We get into a wide-
14: Guiding Lights
Today we read pages 27-28 and refract the screenplay's beams through a prism called Guiding Lights. Coens characters who are struggling to find their bearings look to maps, mathematics, icons, and guidebooks. Do they get the guidance they seek or are they led down a primrose path?Coens Covered: Barton Fink, Tuileries (short), World Cinema (short), A Serious ManPlus: Climates, Crumb, Dick Tracy TV
13: Sneakers
In today's episode we read pages 25-26 before beaming through the prism with a new and exciting catchphrase. It's all about sneaky, sneaky sneaks. Sneaking around. Sneaking here and sneaking there. Sneaking everywhere.Coens covered: Burn After Reading; Raising Arizona; Hail, Caesar!; Bridge of SpiesPlus (of course): SNEAKERS (1992)If you're enjoying To the White Sea please follow us on social medi
12: Distant Father Figures
Today we read pages 23-24 and discuss father figures in the films of the brothers Coen. The conversation is oceanic and infused with psychodrama, so we hope you enjoy it :)Coens covered: Fargo, No Country for Old Men, Inside Llewyn Davis, The Big LebowskiIf you're enjoying the show please follow us on social media, tell your friends about the show, and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts. For rea
11: Unforgivable Protagonists
Today we’re back in the studio with a classic Ray and Jordan episode. We read pages 21-22 and discuss unforgivable protagonists, lead characters who defy traditional story conventions, as well as the laws of man and the almighty. They function as a sort of off-ramp for audiences, which isn’t often what you want from a main character. What makes them so unforgivable and why can’t they just save the
10: Teamwork
In today’s episode, recorded live at Dunkunsthalle in a roundtable study group format, we discuss teamwork in the Coens’ films. Sequences where three or more characters form a coalition and try to accomplish something together. Coens covered: Hail, Caesar!; O Brother Where Art Thou; Inside Llewyn Davis; True Grit; The Big LebowskiThank you to Austin Purnell for co-hosting, JT Anderson for photogra
TTWS EXTRA: Ben Brewer - A Folded Ocean Q&A at Dunkunsthalle
In this live episode we bring you the Q&A from our screening of Ben Brewer’s astonishing short film A Folded Ocean at Dunkunsthalle.If you’d like to watch A Folded Ocean online it is streaming for one week on the Dunkunsthalle site!Stream A Folded Ocean now through 5/16!Special ThanksRachel Rossin, Jeff Delauter, Sam Geller, Ben Hosley
9: Budget Destroying Effects (Feat. Ben Brewer)
Today’s episode is mega! We’re joined by amazing filmmaker and VFX artist Ben Brewer. We read pages 17-18 and break down sequences in the Coens’ films that feature eye-popping—and potentially budget-breaking—special effects. We analyze what makes an effects shot “work”, and the crucial story context that that entails. We also dive into Ben’s mind-blowing short film A FOLDED OCEAN and hear about hi
8: Sudden Loss of Cabin Pressure (Feat. Dan Romer)
Today we're so excited to be joined by our dear friend, composer and musician, Dan Romer. We read pages 15-16 and discuss Dan's unique, POV-driven approach to composing scores for films and TV shows. Then we freefall through this week's prism: it's all about moments in Coens films when the tone shifts radically. Along the way we read from Carter Burwell's notes on how the films and their scores ca
7: Fever Dream Action Sequences (Feat. Emily Kai Bock)
On this episode we’re joined by one of our favorite filmmakers, Emily Kai Bock. We read pages 13-14 and analyze five action sequences that careen between do-or-die realism and out-and-out phantasmagoria.Coens covered: No Country for Old Men, True Grit, Raising Arizona, The Ladykillers, A Serious ManFor more of Emily’s work visit emilykaibock.com.Afterlife music video.A Funeral for Lightning short
TTWS EXTRA: Xander Robin Q&A at Dunkunsthalle
In this bonus live episode we bring you the Q&A from Xander Robin - Mutations in Nature: Hidden Florida Movies, an evening of short films, sizzle reels, and discussion at Dunkunsthalle.Watch Lance Lizardi on Vimeo.Watch Are We Not Cats on Tubi.Event Producer + Audio Engineer: Sam GellerSpecial ThanksRachel Rossin, Jeff Delauter, Danny Garfield, Ben HosleyLike the show? Buy some merch or suppor
6: When You See Something You Can Barely See (Feat. Xander Robin)
We’re thrilled to bring you today’s episode and today’s guest, filmmaker Xander Robin. We read pages 11-12 and stare into the unknown through a fractured prism of glints, glimpses and glimmers.Please join us at Dunkunsthalle for Xander Robin - Mutations in Nature: Hidden Florida Movies. It’s going to be amazing; don’t miss it! Thursday, April 13. 730pm. 64 Fulton St. Manhattan.Coens covered: Lebow
TTWS EXTRA: Geppetto 2.0 Q&A at Dunkunsthalle (Feat. Z Behl and Julia Simpson)
In our first bonus episode we bring you the Q&A from our live screening of Z Behl's film Geppetto 2.0 at Dunkunsthalle. Featuring writer/director Z Behl and producer Julia Simpson.Watch Geppetto 2.0 at the following link: https://vimeo.com/432671444Event Producer + Audio Engineer: Sam GellerSpecial ThanksRachel Rossin, Joey Frank, Jeff Delauter, Ben Hosley
5: Help Me (feat. Z Behl)
Today we welcome our first ever guest to the TTWS study group, artist and filmmaker Z Behl. We read pages 9-10, and then take a deep dive into this week’s theme—Help Me—scenes where Coens characters ask for help. Do they get it? You’ll have to listen and find out.We have another live event coming up we’re super excited about. Next week filmmaker Xander Robin will be our guest on the show, and on T
4: Setup
We read pages 7-8 and discuss a fundamental aspect of storytelling: setup. We look at how the Coens put pieces on the board and advance them, and how these opening moves set—and set off course—expectations for what's to come. We also discuss Theater 2 at the Lincoln Square 13. >>> IMPORTANT LIVE EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT: If you're in NYC, join us at the Dunkunsthalle gallery at 64 Fulton Street
3: Little Guy v. Big Guy
We're back with pages 5-6. This week we bring you a wide-ranging discussion about a recurring Coens motif: when there's a little guy and there's a big guy, and they go versus on each other.
2: Meticulous Montage
We read pages 3-4 and discuss how the Coens build story and character through a particular type of montage sequence.
1: Cold Open Monologues
In our first episode, we read pages 1-2 and discuss cold open monologues in the Coens’ films.
