El Rey Network Founder and Chairman Robert Rodriguez sits down with acclaimed filmmakers Frank Darabont and Jon Favreau for “The Director’s Chair” two-hour special airing on September 25th beginning at 8:00pm.
“I spent seven years walking into offices trying to convince people that
yes, a zombie show could be successful. It took seven years. It was quite
a Willy Loman experience.” Frank Darabont on “The Walking Dead”
“As a director you have to live and breathe that thing and be completely immersed in what you are doing to the exception of everything else.” Jon Favreau
This programming event begins with Robert Rodriguez and writer, producer, director and three time Academy Award® nominee Frank Darabont discussing Darabont’s craft and career spanning over 30 years. He reflects on his journey to success beginning as a set dresser and struggling writer to creating the critically acclaimed works The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile, The Walking Dead and Mob City.
The second interview features Jon Favreau who recounts his journey from aspiring actor and comedian to widely successful blockbuster director. Favreau reveals how his creative vision has developed over the years, made visible through his diverse filmography ranging from Swingers, Elf, Iron Man, Chef and his latest movieThe Jungle Book. They discuss how each of his films demonstrates his unique ability to merge comedy and a sense of humanity with visually stunning and technically innovative blockbuster films.
“Frank‘s and Jon’s films are so distinct because of their expert use of specific styles. The undercurrent of comedy in all of Jon’s films is truly inspired and the use of suspense and horror in all Frank’s films is spectacular,” said Rodriguez. “I love making ‘The Director’s Chair’ because audiences can learn so much about the directors whose work I’ve always admired.”
“The Director’s Chair” is a series of specials featuring the industry’s most cutting edge directors as they engage in a revealing and unexpected exchange about the world of filmmaking. The series provides access to one-on-one interviews between Rodriguez and some of cinema’s most iconic filmmakers. Past guests have included John Carpenter, Francis Ford Coppola, Michael Mann, George Miller, Guillermo del Toro, Robert Zemeckis and Quentin Tarantino.
“The Director’s Chair” is produced by Troublemaker Studios and Kick Punch Studios in association with FactoryMade Ventures. Executive producers are Robert Rodriguez, Skip Chaisson, John Fogelman and Cristina Patwa.
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About El Rey Network
El Rey Network is a 24-hour English language network founded by maverick filmmaker Robert Rodriguez. Curated by Rodriguez and his artistic collective, the network unites “the new mainstream” through badass content that awakens the renegade in everyone. El Rey’s action-packed slate is anchored by signature series including the original drama, “From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series” which returned for a second season in summer 2015, the one-on-one interview program, “El Rey Network Presents: The Director’s Chair” and “Lucha Underground,” a freestyle wrestling series from Mark Burnett. El Rey Network’s lineup also showcases a wide range of iconic feature films and TV series including genre, cult classics, action, and horror/sci-fi. El Rey Network LLC is jointly owned by Robert Rodriguez and FactoryMade Ventures with a minority stake held by Univision Networks & Studios, Inc.
