Ezra

EPISODE 106
ABOUT “EZRA”:
A Conversation with Director Tony Goldwyn, Writer Tony Spiridakis
and Casting Consultant, Elaine Hall

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Show Notes

Ezra is a major motion picture that tells the story of a family, across generations, that has a deep love for a young autistic boy. The film authentically conveys the challenges that a family faces when confronted with societal expectations and insensitive professionals who has little understanding or respect for a child that sees the world through a different lens. It also beautifully portrays those rarefied times when other people, even strangers, see the beauty, the honesty, and the inspirational qualities of a young child who has a strong sense of self, and approaches life with eyes wide open. Barry and Dave explore themes of Ezra with Tony Goldwyn, its director, Tony Spiridakis, writer of the screenplay, and Elaine Hall who is a casting consultant for the film.

Learn more about Ezra here

Featuring

Tony Goldwyn

TONY GOLDWYN

Tony Goldwyn’s latest feature directing project, Ezra, with Bobby Cannavale and Robert DeNiro will be opening this summer. Goldwyn also has a role in the film, reuniting him with Ghost castmate Whoopi Goldberg. He can currently be seen in the Academy Award winning Best Picture Oppenheimer and in the original “Law & Order” series talking over as the new DA.

Tony Spiridakis

TONY SPIRIDAKIS

Tony Spiridakis is an award-winning screenwriter, director, producer, and actor with nearly four decades in the film and television industry. His most recent film, “Ezra,” which he wrote and produced alongside director Tony Goldwyn, his longtime friend. Currently, Spiridakis is a writer and consulting producer on the MGM+ apocalyptic drama series “Earth Abides.” He is also adapting Sandy Greenberg’s acclaimed memoir, “Hello Darkness, My Old Friend” for Wayfarer Studios. A longtime educator who is passionate about working with emerging filmmakers, Spiridakis is the Founder and Executive Director of the North Fork Arts Center in Greenport, N.Y.

Elaine Hall

ELAINE HALL
Honorary Co-Host and Hollywood Correspondent.

Elaine Hall, “Coach E”, is an internationally recognized leader and in inclusion and belonging. Her groundbreaking now evidence-based theater and film program, The Miracle Project, was profiled in the Emmy winning HBO documentary Autism: The Musical. Her memoir, Now I See the Moon, was the official selection by the United Nations for World Autism Awareness Day in 2011. As one of Hollywood’s first Access Coordinators, Elaine has provided consultation for TV and film production companies including Netflix, Amazon, Disney, Hulu, Sony among others. She is a co-founder of 1IN4 Coalition, which focuses on long-term shifts to increase employment and authentic representation of disabled people. Receiving numerous awards from autism as well as media outlets, Elaine was selected to Forwards “50 most remarkable people in America doing remarkable things in 2020” and was nominated by the LA Magazine as one of Los Angeles’ “most inspiring women who are game changers.” Hall has been featured on CNN, CBS, NPR, in the NY Times, the LA Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Boston Globe, among others and has appeared in Netflix’ Love on the Spectrum, where she also consulted and coached some of the participants, and on Amazon’s As We See It. Identifying as neurodivergent herself, and the mother of a non-speaking autistic adult son, she is committed to changing the way the media portrays disability. As a keynote speaker Elaine gives audiences the ability to change their mindset, break through obstacles, and celebrate uniqueness.

Visit Elaine’s Website

Know more about The Miracle Project

Her books:
Now I See The Moon
Seven Keys to Unlock Autism: Making Miracles in the Classroom

To receive a free downloadable copy of Keys to Gratitude by Elaine Hall email Elaine at elaine@elaine-hall.com

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…and Continue the Discussion

Do you have a book or podcast club? If so, you may use this discussion guide to facilitate a conversation about this episode.

1. Tony G. and Tony S. discuss how their personal experiences helped with formulation of the story, and helped to guide how important scenes were crafted. What struck you about the connections between their lived experiences and the film?

2. The discussion addressed the issue of myths about autism, and how the film addressed or intentionally did not attempt to debunk many myths. What was your impression of how Tony and Tony chose to have “Ezra” address so many myths?

3. Many universal themes are discussed that go well beyond autism, such as the importance of the arts to change society. Which themes are most striking to you, and why do you believe it is important that the arts are recognized for the profound impact they have on society?

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Music

Matt Savage, courtesy of Savage Records

Matt Savage is an autistic jazz musician, composer, and bandleader. Matt has collaborated with jazz greats like Chick Corea, the Ellington All Stars, Chaka Khan, Wynton Marsalis, Bobby Watson, Clark Terry, Jimmy Heath, Jason Moran, Arturo O’Farrill, John Pizzarelli, Joshua Redman, Terri Lyne Carrington, Jon Faddis, Jerry Bergonzi. Donny McCaslin, and more. He has recorded more than a dozen records and graciously contributes the music for Uniquely Human.

Production and Sound Design

ELEVATEDSTUDIO

Uniquely Human: The Podcast is produced, engineered, and edited by Elevated Studio in Denver, Colorado. Owned and operated by co-host Dave Finch, Elevated Studio produces digital media assets and content strategies for the electronics, entertainment, and lifestyle industries.