Go beyond the screen with the official podcast from Required Watching. This is your audio masterclass in the art of storytelling, designed for filmmakers, screenwriters, and dedicated cinephiles.
Each week, host and film analyst Tray Epps (and sometimes other guests) deconstruct the craft of cinema, providing practical "Toolkit" episodes to improve your work and in-depth interviews with industry professionals who are shaping the future of film.
If you're looking for actionable advice on everything from writing dialogue to sound design, or you want to hear from the directors, editors, and composers behind your favorite films, you've found your new required listening.
New episodes every week.
Find our full video essays and written guides at requiredwatching.com.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Go beyond the screen with the official podcast from Required Watching. This is your audio masterclass in the art of storytelling, designed for filmmakers, screenwriters, and dedicated cinephiles.
Each week, host and film analyst Tray Epps (and sometimes other guests) deconstruct the craft of cinema, providing practical "Toolkit" episodes to improve your work and in-depth interviews with industry professionals who are shaping the future of film.
If you're looking for actionable advice on everything from writing dialogue to sound design, or you want to hear from the directors, editors, and composers behind your favorite films, you've found your new required listening.
New episodes every week.
Find our full video essays and written guides at requiredwatching.com.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tray Epps explores Martin Scorsese’s cult classic The King of Comedy—the original parasocial horror story. We discuss Rupert Pupkin’s delusional quest for fame, Jerry Lewis’s poignant straight-man role, and how this film foresaw our current influencer culture.
Episode Highlights:
– Scorsese’s use of silence and dread to build tension
– Robert De Niro’s portrayal of ambition vs. delusion
– Satire on celebrity obsession long before social media
– Takeaways for storytellers on character, tone, and satire
Whether you’re editing your next short or mapping out your feature, this breakdown offers cinematic insights you won’t want to miss. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, and visit requiredwatching.com for full show notes, timestamps, and exclusive filmmaker resources.
Required Watching is your curriculum for cinematic literacy. We deconstruct the art and craft of filmmaking to help you become a sharper storyteller.
▶️ Subscribe for new video essays every week:
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▶️ Letterboxd
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.