It may be hard to believe, but “BlacKkKlansman” represents Spike Lee’s first Oscar nomination for directing.
He had previously received nominations for writing (“Do the Right Thing,” 1989) and documentary (“4 Little Girls,” 1997), and an honorary Oscar in 2015. It’s also the first editing nomination for longtime collaborator Barry Alexander Brown (whose 1979 documentary, “The War at Home,” had been nominated). Brown has cut most of Lee’s features since “School Daze” in 1988. Times columnist Mary McNamara sat down with Lee and Brown for a Q&A following an Envelope Live screening of “BlacKkKlansman” last week at the Montalbán in Hollywood. The filmmakers talked about their long collaboration and their latest work, which is nominated for six awards.
“My job is to deliver his vision. Even in the delivery of the vision, I get the freedom to do other things,” said Brown. “For both of us, it’s in the recut most of the time that you find the movie.”
An example, he said, was a scene in which protagonist Ron Stallworth (John David Washington) is being roughed up by police as Ku Klux Klan members arrive nearby. Lee didn’t buy that the Klansmen wouldn’t have noticed this and recognized Stallworth — the jig then being up. The editor got the idea to have the Klansmen listening to their leader, David Duke, on the car’s sound system, so they were distracted. Lee loved it so much, he started seeding it in other scenes.
“ ‘Every time they’re in a car, I want them to be hearing that,’ ” Brown said Lee told him, the director nodding. “‘They’re being indoctrinated all the time. Constant, constant indoctrination.’ Like if you only watch Fox TV — constant indoctrination … I didn’t think about that as being a motif for the film. But once Spike sees it … ‘This can be one of the threads that wasn’t originally there.’ ”
“BlacKkKlansman” director Spike Lee and editor Barry Alexander Brown dispute the idea that the best direction is done in editing, but agree some of a film’s best ideas can come in postproduction.
For Spike Lee and his two longtime collaborators, ‘BlacKkKlansman’ Oscar nods hold extra meaning »
FILM SCHOOL DUO
The duo met while Lee was still in film school. A few months later, Brown hired him to work part-time at the film-distribution company he’d started, and they became friends. Brown cut a scene for Lee’s debut feature, “She’s Gotta Have It” (1986). Later, Lee published a book about the making of that film, “Spike Lee’s Gotta Have It: Inside Guerrilla Filmmaking” (1987). Brown says he picked it up and read in it:
“ ‘Barry’s gonna cut my next film.’ And I thought, ‘I am?’ … And that’s how I found out I was supposed to cut Spike’s next film,” said the editor.
“BlacKkKlansman” director Spike Lee and editor Barry Alexander Brown share the story about when they met and how they became a filmmaking duo.
HUMOR
“BlacKkKlansman” is based on a real investigation in which two Colorado Springs police officers, one black and one white, worked together to infiltrate the Klan in the 1970s. It’s harrowing, yet somehow the film may be Lee’s funniest.
The director and co-writer said, “I think it’s very important that people understand that Kevin Wilmott and I — my co-writer — we’re not writing jokes. This is not a funny subject matter. And the humor comes from the absurdity of the premise, of the six-word pitch: ‘Black man infiltrates Ku Klux Klan.’ ”
When asked about balancing that inherent humor with the hideousness of the real situation, Lee said, “That’s why my main man is sitting to my left. His nickname is ‘The Cut Creator.’ ”
Brown said, “Spike sees humor in a lot of places where a lot of other people don’t. As an editor —”
“As a great editor,” interjected Lee.
“— I try not to ruin a moment, you know?”
“BlacKkKlansman” director Spike Lee and editor Barry Alexander Brown talk about finding moments of comedy within a story that is no laughing matter.
FULL COVERAGE: Get the latest on awards season from The Envelope »
THE ENDING
Lee said the film’s intended ending was to be an image of the Klan burning a cross. Instead, that scene is followed by a powerful montage of the 2017 “Unite the Right” rally in a Virginia town that led to the murder of a peaceful counter-protester.
“Before we started shooting, Charlottesville happened,” he said. “I knew that was the ending. But I still needed to get the blessing of Susan Bro; it was her daughter, Heather Heyer, who was murdered. And she gave me the blessing, and that was the end of the movie.”
He adds. “Everything has to go right for a film to click, and a lot of that is timing,” said Lee, as Brown agreed. “That’s why I think when historians, many years from now, when they want to choose a piece of art that could describe the crazy time we live in today, one of the things they’ll go back to is ‘BlacKkKlansman.’ Especially with that Charlottesville coda.”
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“Vice” was the subject of an L.A. Times Envelope Live screening and Q&A at the Montalbán in Hollywood.
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An exhibit hangs in the mezzanine gallery at the the Montalbán in Hollywood, where “Vice” was screened at an L.A. Times Envelope Live event.
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Christian Bale as Dick Cheney shows onscreen as “Vice” is shown at the L.A. Times Envelope Live screening in Hollywood.
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L.A. Times awards columnist Glenn Whipp takes the stage to introduce the director and editor of “Vice” at the movie’s L.A. Times Envelope Live screening.
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“Vice” director Adam McKay makes a point in the Q&A session following the screening of the movie at an L.A. Times Envelope Live event at the Montalbán in Hollywood.
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“Vice” editor Hank Corwin talks with his hands during the Q&A session following the screening of the movie.
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L.A. Times columnist Glenn Whipp, left, moderates a discussion about “Vice” after it screens, chatting with director Adam McKay and editor Hank Corwin in Hollywood.
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A downpour didn’t stop Charlie Bennett from attending the L.A. Times Envelope Live screening of “BlacKkKlansman” at the Montalbán in Hollywood.
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Director Spike Lee, right, arrives to the L.A. Times Envelope Live screening of “BlacKkKlansman” in Hollywood.
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Attendees check in at the L.A. Times Envelope Live screening of “BlacKkKlansman” in Hollywood.
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Spike Lee and editor Barry Alexander Brown catch up in the green room before the Q&A for “BlacKkKlansman.”
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Popcorn was served up at the “BlacKkKlansman” screening in Hollywood.
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“BlacKkKlansman” screens at the L.A. Times Envelope Live event at the Montalbán in Hollywood.
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Director Spike Lee and editor Barry Alexander Brown talk about “BlacKkKlansman” at a Q&A at the L.A. Times Envelope Live screening at the Montalbán in Hollywood.
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Director Spike Lee and editor Barry Alexander Brown talk about “BlacKkKlansman” at a Q&A at the LA Times Envelope Live screening.
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Phil Lord, writer and producer of “Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse,” meets a fan at the Montalbán in Hollywood.
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A line formed for “Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse” at the L.A. Times Envelope Live screening at the Montalbán in Hollywood.
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The audience watches “Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse” at it’s L.A. Times Envelope Live screening at the Montalbán.
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“Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse” attracted a full house at its L.A. Times Envelope Live screening at the Montalbán.
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Bob Persichetti listens at the Q&A for “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” at the L.A. Times Envelope Live screening.
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Chris Miller was part of the creation of “Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse.” The movie screened as part of L.A. Times Envelope Live at the Montalbán in Hollywood.
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Rodney Rothman talks about the creation of “Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse” at the L.A. Times Envelope Live screening at the Montalbán in Hollywood.
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Peter Ramsey, center, one of the directors of “Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse,” speaks at the movie’s L.A. Times Envelope Live screening in Hollywood.
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The marquee outside of the L.A. Times Envelope Live screening of “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?,” with a Q&A moderated by Los Angeles Times writer Lorraine Ali to follow with director Morgan Neville.
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Fans take photos at the L.A. Times Envelope Live screening of “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”
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At the L.A. Times Envelope Live screening of the documentary “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?,” director Morgan Neville sits down for a moderated chat with L.A. Times writer Lorraine Ali.
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Moderator Lorraine Ali of the Los Angeles Times questions “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” director Morgan Neville at the L.A. Times Envelope Live screeening of the movie.
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“Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” director Morgan Neville smiles at a Q&A moderated by Los Angeles Times writer Lorraine Ali.
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Director Morgan Neville chats with onlookers at the L.A. Times Envelope Live screening of the documentary “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”
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Los Angeles Times writer Mark Olsen, left, discusses “The Hate U Give” with actors Regina Hall, Amandla Stenberg and director George Tillman Jr. at an Envelope Live screening at the Montalbán.
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Actor Amandla Stenberg discusses “The Hate U Give” at an Envelope Live screening.
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Director George Tillman Jr. discusses “The Hate U Give.”
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Actors Regina Hall, left, Amandla Stenberg and director George Tillman Jr. at The Envelope Live’s presentation of “The Hate U Give.”
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Actor Amandla Stenberg, center, takes a picture with a fan at the Los Angeles Times Envelope Live screening of “The Hate U Give” at the Montalbán.
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Actor Regina Hall, center, talks with attendees at the Los Angeles Times Envelope Live screening of “The Hate U Give.”
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The marquee for the Los Angeles Times Envelope Live’s “Rise of the Documentary” panel at The Montalbán.
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Los Angeles Times writer Amy Kaufman moderates a “Rise of the Documentary” discussion with documentary directors Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi (“Free Solo”), left, Tim Wardle (“Three Identical Strangers”), Betsy West (“RBG”), Morgan Neville (“Won’t You Be My Neighbor”) and Sandi Tan (“Shirkers”) during a Los Angeles Times Envelope Live event at The Montalbán.
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“Won’t You Be My Neighbor” director Morgan Neville discusses his, and other, documentaries during a Los Angeles Times Envelope Live event at The Montalbán.
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Director Sandi Tan (“Shirkers”) discusses the “Rise of the Documentary” during a Los Angeles Times Envelope Live event at The Montalbán.
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Director Tim Wardle of “Three Identical Strangers” discusses with other documentarians the “Rise of the Documentary” during a Los Angeles Times Envelope Live event.
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“Free Solo” director Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi talks during the “Rise of the Documentary” panel during a Los Angeles Times Envelope Live event.
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The director of “RBG,” Betsy West, takes part in a panel -- “Rise of the Documentary” -- during a Los Angeles Times Envelope Live event at The Montalbán.
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“Free Solo” director Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, center, talks with attendees at a reception following “Rise of the Documentary” at a Los Angeles Times Envelope Live event.
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“Three Identical Strangers” director Tim Wardle, center, talks with attendees at a reception following the “Rise of the Documentary” panel.
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At the Los Angeles Times Envelope Live screening of “Science Fair,” following the “Rise of the Documentaries” panel at The Montalbán.
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Directors Darren Foster, left, Cristina Constantini, actor Robbie Barrat, Ava DuVernay and actor Serena McCalla at the Los Angeles Times Envelope Live screening of “Science Fair” at The Montalbán.
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A fan of the film, director Ava DuVernay introduces “Science Fair” at Los Angeles Times Envelope Live screening at The Montalbán.
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Closer on Ava DuVernay, who is introducing a screening of “Science Fair” at Los Angeles Times Envelope Live.
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Directors Cristina Constantin and Darren Fosteri stand on stage at the Los Angeles Times Envelope Live screening of “Science Fair” at The Montalbán.
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Los Angeles Times writer Chris Barton, left, directors Darren Foster, Cristina Constantini, actors Serena McCalla and Robbie Barrat discuss “Science Fair.”
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Director Darren Foster looks out at the crowd during the q&a session at the Los Angeles Times Envelope Live screening of “Science Fair” at The Montalbán.
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Actor Robbie Barrat makes a point at the Los Angeles Times Envelope Live screening of “Science Fair.”
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Director Cristina Constantini listens while onstage at the Los Angeles Times Envelope Live screening of “Science Fair.”
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Teacher/actor Serena McCalla smiles during he q&a seession at the Los Angeles Times Envelope Live screening of “Science Fair.”
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Los Angeles Times writer Chris Barton, left, poses a question to the assembled panel including directors Darren Foster and Cristina Constantini, and actors Serena McCalla and Robbie Barrat while discussing “Science Fair” during a Los Angeles Times Envelope Live screening.
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Los Angeles Times writer Chris Barton, left, directors Darren Foster and Cristina Constantini discuss “Science Fair.”
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Los Angeles Times writer Chris Barton, left, directors Darren Foster, Cristina Constantini, actors Serena McCalla and Robbie Barrat pose onstage at the Los Angeles Times Envelope Live screening of “Science Fair” at The Montalbán.
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L.A. Times Envelope Live screening of “Dirty John” at The Montalbán.
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Free “Dirty John” books for attendees at L.A. Times Envelope Live screening of “Dirty John” at The Montalbán.
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Free “Dirty John” books are given to attendees at the L.A. Times Envelope Live screening of “Dirty John” at The Montalbán.
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Actor Connie Britton at the Envelope Live screening of “Dirty John” at The Montalbán.
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Actors Connie Britton, left, and Julia Garner at the L.A. Times Envelope Live screening of “Dirty John” at The Montalbán.
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Director Jeffery Reiner, right, at the Envelope Live screening of “Dirty John” at The Montalbán.
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Los Angeles Times writer Christopher Goffard, from left, moderates a discussion with actors Connie Britton, Julia Garner, showrunner Alexandra Cunningham, executive producer Richard Suckle and director Jeffery Reiner at the L.A. Times Envelope Live screening of “Dirty John” at The Montalbán.
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Los Angeles Times writer Christopher Goffard, from left, moderates a discussion with actors Connie Britton, Julia Garner, showrunner Alexandra Cunningham, executive producer Richard Suckle and director Jeffery Reiner at the Envelope Live screening of “Dirty John” at The Montalbán.
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Attendees arrive for the Envelope Live screening of “The Kindergarten Teacher” at the Montalban in Los Angeles.
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Reporter Glenn Whipp speaks during the Envelope Live screening of “The Kindergarten Teacher.”
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Actress Maggie Gyllenhaal speaks with reporter Glenn Whipp during the Envelope Live screening of “The Kindergarten Teacher” at the Montalbán in Los Angeles.
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Actress Maggie Gyllenhaal speaks during the Envelope Live screening of “The Kindergarten Teacher.”
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Actress Maggie Gyllenhaal speaks with reporter Glenn Whipp during the Envelope Live screening of “The Kindergarten Teacher” at the Montalbán in Los Angeles.
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Director Markus Imhoof attends the LA Times Envelope Live screening of his movie “El Dorado” at the Montalbán.
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Los Angeles Times critic Lorraine Ali, left, director Markus Imhoof and Muna Sharif of Amnesty International at the LA Times Envelope Live screening for “El Dorado.”
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Director Markus Imhoof attended the LA Times Envelope Live screening of his movie “El Dorado.”
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Director Markus Imhoof, center, in a Q&A for his movie “El Dorado” with Los Angles Times critic Lorraine Ali, left, and Muna Sharif at the LA Times Envelope Live screening.
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Muna Sharif, a field organizer with Amnesty International, in a Q&A for “El Dorado.”
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Actor Zain Al Refeea, right, poses for photos at the “Capernaum” screening.
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Actor Zain Al Rafeea at the Envelope Live screening of “Capernaum.”
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Times reporter Mark Olsen, left, discusses “Capernaum” with director Nadine Labaki, actor Zain Al Rafeea and producer Khaled Mouzanar at an Envelope Live screening of the movie.
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Director Nadine Labaki discusses “Capernaum” at the movie’s Envelope Live screening.
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Producer Khaled Mouzanar discusses “Capernaum” at the L.A. Times Envelope Live screening of the movie at The Montalban.
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Los Angeles Times film critic Justin Chang, left, moderates a discussion with writer-director-producer Tamara Jenkins and actress Kathryn Hahn at The Times’ Envelope Live screening of “Private Life.”
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Writer-director-producer Tamara Jenkins at the Envelope Live screening of “Private Life.”
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Actress Kathryn Hahn, right, writer-director-producer Tamara Jenkins and Times film critic Justin Chang discuss “Private Life” at the L.A. Times Envelope Live screening of the film.
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Times film critic Justin Chang, left, writer-director-producer Tamara Jenkins and actress Kathryn Hahn have a hearty laugh during their discusion of “Private Life.”
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Writer-director-producer Tamara Jenkins, center, gets into the conversation with Times film critic Justin Chang and actress Kathryn Hahn at The Times’ Envelope Live screening of “Private Life” at the Montalban.
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Times film critic Justin Chang, left, moderates a discussion with writer-director-producer Tamara Jenkins and actress Kathryn Hahn at The Times’ Envelope Live screening of “Private Life.”
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Actress Kathryn Hahn, left, greets fans at the L.A. Times Envelope Live screening of “Private Life.”
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Writer-director-producer Tamara Jenkins pauses for a photo with a fan at the L.A. Times Envelope Live screening of “Private Life.”
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The L.A. Times Envelope Live screened “Better Call Saul” at the Montalban in Hollywood.
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Bob Odenkirk takes the stage at the L.A. Times Envelope Live screening of “Better Call Saul.”
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Audience members take a selfie at the L.A. Times Envelope Live screening of “Better Call Saul” at the Montalban.
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“Better Call Saul” actor Bob Odenkirk with co-creator/executive producer Peter Gould at the L.A. Times Envelope Live screening.
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Los Angeles Times reporter Yvonne Villarreal moderates a discussion at the L.A. Times Envelope Live screening of “Better Call Saul” with actor Bob Odenkirk, co-creator/executive producer Peter Gould and writer/executive producer Thomas Schnauz.
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The lobby at the L.A. Times Envelope Live screening of “Better Call Saul” at the Montalban.
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“Better Call Saul” writer/executive producer Thomas Schnauz takes part in a discussion following the L.A. Times Envelope Live screening of the Season 4 finale.
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A woman takes a photo outside the L.A. Times Envelope Live screening of “Better Call Saul” at the Montalban.
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Los Angeles Times reporter Yvonne Villarreal moderates a discussion for “Better Call Saul” with actor Bob Odenkirk, co-creator/executive producer Peter Gould and writer/executive producer Thomas Schnauz as part of The Envelope Live.
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Audience members react to the panel at the L.A. Times Envelope Live screening of “Better Call Saul” at the Montalban.
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Los Angeles Times reporter Yvonne Villarreal moderates a discussion about “Better Call Saul” with actor Bob Odenkirk, co-creator/executive producer Peter Gould and writer/executive producer Thomas Schnauz for The Envelope Live.
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