“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” has been sweeping the awards circuit (collecting the Annie, PGA, Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice prizes, among others) and is now the first Marvel property to be Oscar nominated for animated feature. Producers Phil Lord and Chris Miller, and co-directors Peter Ramsey, Bob Perischetti and Rodney Rothman, joined The Times’ Jeffrey Fleishman at the Montalban in Hollywood last week for an Envelope Live screening and Q&A.
Sony asked the team of Miller and Lord, known for their absurd, meta, pop-culture-infused movies, to take the reins of the multi-billion-dollar Spider-Man franchise and shepherd the first Sony/Marvel animated film.
“We said we’d do it if it could be about Miles” Morales, said Lord of the alternate-universe version of the ultra-popular hero. Afro-Latino Miles is younger than the traditional Spider-Man, Peter Parker — Morales is a middle schooler in the film — and debuted in comics in 2011. Lord said, “We wanted to make a movie that made people feel powerful and important and necessary.”
“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” producer Phil Lord talks about why the only reason he’d make a Spider-Man movie is if it focused on the character of Miles.
What the ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’ post-credits scene means »
INFLUENCES
Producers Phil Lord and Chris Miller reveal the films that influenced them the most and had an impact on how they produced this movie.
In moving the Spider-Man franchise forward with Miles’ story, a wide-open plot introducing the Marvel multiverse and a free-for-all animation style, Lord said they were influenced by a wide range of movies, including 1978’s “Superman” and Robert Altman’s “Popeye” from 1980: “Popeye actually turns into a circle; they made a Robin Williams that was a circle and they pushed him down a hill … and these heartbreaking songs, and the most naturalistic performances you could have. This Robert Altman shooting style in a super-heightened reality.”
“I was going to say Coen brothers stuff …” Chris Miller interjected.
“That’s a much better answer,” Lord said, which brought about laughter.
“Their stuff is always really unexpected but always based in something real, relationships, real observations, just cranked to a crazy degree,” Miller explained.
“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” producers Phil Lord and Chris Miller reveal the films that influenced them the most and had an impact on how they produced this movie.
MORE LIKE COMIC BOOK
Director Peter Ramsey discusses how making an animated movie allowed them the freedom to create a style that closely resembled the comic books.
“For us, using the medium of animation — it’s a drawn medium … it doesn’t have to be photo realistic, it doesn’t have to be literal cinematography; there’s all these things that bring it really close to comic books,” he said. “Rather than it being a gimmick or a stylistic thing, how can we take what comic books give us to make this story land that much harder and more personally with audiences?”
“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” director Peter Ramsey discusses how making an animated movie allowed them the freedom to create a style that closely resembled the comic books.
‘Spidey’ sense: Experimental innovation is a superpower for Sony hit ‘Into the Spider-Verse’ »
ABOUT MILES
Co-director Peter Ramsey said one of the film’s challenges was to make a Spider-Man movie unlike what audiences had seen before.
In the film, Miles meets Spider-people from different parts of the Marvel multiverse. There are versions of Peter Parker, including a depressed, doughy, 40-something Peter B. Parker; a couple of extremely different teen girls who were bitten by radioactive spiders; a black-and-white “noir” version; and even a cartoon pig. Co-director Bob Perischetti said these Spider-mentors had “different life experiences and represented a wide swath of culture and race and sex …”
“And species,” added Ramsey, to much laughter.
Perischetti continued, “But really, it was just about trying to show that, through that diversity, all these people had something in common and they could all put an imprint on Miles and help him figure out who his best version of him was.”
“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” director Bob Persichetti and producer Phil Lord talk about the importance of the eclectic supporting characters around Miles and how audiences respond to him “finding his tribe.”
POWERFUL SILENCES
Director Bob Persichetti and producer Phil Lord talk about the importance of the supporting characters around Miles and how audiences respond to him “finding his tribe.”
The film features an innovative mix of animation styles, humor, action and memorable character design. Co-director Rothman (also a co-writer, with Lord) said the film was shaped by the realism of the vocal performances — including the silences therein.
“We were working with these performers, a bunch of whom had never done animation/voice performances before, and were really doing, almost like, Method style, very internal performances,” he said, citing Mahershala Ali as Miles’ beloved uncle. In the takes they selected as strongest, “often things were being left unsaid, or we were including silences and stuff. And then we started to see what the animators were sending back, and what they were doing with the things that weren’t being said, or what they were doing in the moments when people were saying nothing … It changed how we were writing the movie.”
“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” director Rodney Rothman talks about how the quiet moments in the film are just as strong as the action.
RELATE TO CHARACTERS
When asked with which of the Spider-people they identified, several of the filmmakers mentioned their young outsider protagonist, Miles. Not all did.
“I mean, obviously, Peter B. Parker, as a 40-something, out-of-shape guy,” said Miller, citing the Spider-schlub voiced by Jake Johnson. “We can be heroes too, you guys.” He paused as the audience laughed, then added, “But really, in the darkness of my bedroom, it’s Peter Porker.”
Rothman said, “I feel like everyone on this stage thinks that they’re Miles, but really, they’re Peter B. Parker.”
“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” producers Phil Lord and Chris Miller and directors Peter Ramsey and Rodney Rothman reveal the characters in the movie they identify with the most.
For more information on future Envelope Live screenings and events, click here.
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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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