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Welcome back to Insider Pix, where we uncover what entertainment and culture insiders are watching, reading, and listening to! Next up:
Daniela Taplin Lundberg
Producer Daniela Taplin Lundberg is the founder of Stay Gold Features, an entirely women-run independent film finance and production company focused on championing singular visions. Her recent project, Club Kid, is making waves this week after landing at A24 following a bidding war at Cannes.
Under Stay Gold, she has also produced Goodrich, starring Michael Keaton and Mila Kunis; Harriet, which earned Cynthia Erivo her Oscar; the Independent Spirit Award nominee Honey Boy; the Sundance Grand Jury winner Nanny; and many more.
Daniela is also the host of the Hollywood Gold podcast, where she interviews producers behind some of the industry’s most iconic films!
Daniela’s 5 Picks
Best movie you've watched recently?
I was lucky enough to executive produce a film called Club Kid that A24 just picked up in a bidding war out of Cannes. I read Jordan Firstman’s script when my friend Ryan Heller told me about it over lunch this past summer. It’s one of the most authentic-feeling films I’ve seen in such a long time. It’s got heart and humor and the greatest ensemble cast I’ve seen in years. I’m so excited for people to be blown away by it.
A hidden gem you wish more people knew about?
My best friend Riva Marker just produced a film called Is God Is that Orion/Amazon just released. I try not to use too many superlatives, but I actually thought it was a masterpiece. It’s based on a play of the same name and feels like a mashup of Toni Morrison and Quentin Tarantino; it blew my mind.
Best TV show you’ve watched recently?
I still think Euphoria is genius, and the further I get into season 3 the more I am drawn into each of the individual character journeys. Zendaya as “Rue” is one of the funniest and rawest performances I have ever seen from her. I know there was a lot of consternation about bringing everyone back after such a long hiatus, now that everyone from that show is a global movie star, but I am still here for it.
Most accurate show or movie about the entertainment industry?
I grew up with an actress for a mother, so I’m going to cite Tootsie as one of the great reflections on what it’s like to be an actor in the film industry: constant rejection with little to no feedback ever; it’s why I always try to tell an actor when they’ve done great work. They so rarely hear it in the audition room or even on set.
A 5-star-worthy book you'd recommend to anyone?
I am in the middle of The Correspondent by Virginia Evans and am absolutely loving the sharp-elbowed correspondence of Sybil Van Antwerp. I love the complexity of her character and the wry humor that belies it all.
Pix: When you watch movies now, is it hard to turn off the producer brain, or can you still watch purely as a fan? What’s something you can’t help noticing that most moviegoers wouldn’t?
DTL: I am always noticing crowd size and now volume stages. “Extras “ are often the first thing to go when you are trying to cut your budget. I heard a funny story when interviewing the producer of Whiplash. The climax of the film is Miles Teller performing a big drum set in front of a large audience with a broken finger. If you’ve seen the movie, it’s one of the most frenetic, intense sequences of the whole film. Well, apparently the “big audience” in attendance was just a bunch of white T-shirts put over chairs. That was the audience. The movie was so good and that moment was so intense that you would never even know unless the producer was giving you the tip. I love movie magic!
Pix: You host the Hollywood Gold podcast, where you talk with producers about how some of the most iconic films actually got made. What’s a moment from producing one of your own films that perfectly captures how unpredictable filmmaking can be?
DTL: I have one thousand good stories at this point, many of which I can’t tell because a lot of my best stories often include men throwing temper tantrums. I’ll break them out during dinner parties, and people will say, “NO! But he seems so nice!!!”
Pix: Can you tease any upcoming Stay Gold projects you’re especially excited about?
DTL: As I mentioned, Club Kid will be coming soon to a theater near you. We also just completed a film starring Sam Rockwell entitled Tumor, based on a very cool graphic novel that we are so excited to take to market soon. And of course, the 4th season of Hollywood Gold is coming in September.