Don't Kill the Messenger with Movie Strategist Kevin Goetz
Don’t Kill the Messenger dives deep into the careers of Hollywood’s most influential voices including executives and filmmakers alike. Hosted by entertainment research expert Kevin Goetz, the interviews are more than story-sharing, they are intimate conversations between friends and a powerful filmmaking masterclass. Discover what it really takes to bring your favorite movies to life. Find Don’t Kill the Messenger on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform. Learn how movies begin, and end—with the audience.
Host: Kevin Goetz
Producer: Kari Campano
Writers: Kevin Goetz, Darlene Hayman, Nick Nunez, & Kari Campano
Audio Engineer: Gary Forbes
Produced at DG Entertainment, Los Angeles CA
Marketing Team: Kari Campano, Dax Ross, Daniel Gamino, & Ashton Brackett
Guest Booking: Kari Campano & Kathy Manabat
- Update frequency
- every 14 days
- Average duration
- 46 minutes
- Episodes
- 74
- Years Active
- 2022 - 2025
Dick Cook (Powerhouse Hollywood Executive & Former Studio Chief) on His Journey from Disney Ride Operator to Running Walt Disney Studios
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz sits down with Dick Cook, the former Chairman of Walt Disney Studios known as "the filmmaker's Chairman." From h…
Basil Iwanyk (Acclaimed Producer & Former Studio Exec) on Jersey Grit, Building Thunder Road Films, and Mastering Independent Producing at Scale
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz sits down with Thunder Road Films founder Basil Iwanyk, the producer behind some of the most engaging films of t…
Donald Petrie (Veteran Movie and Television Director) on Comedy Directing, Family Legacy, & the Power of Audience Testing
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz welcomes director Donald Petrie, the American Film Institute Fellow whose romantic comedies have grossed hundred…
Special Episode: The Art of Audience Test Screening Focus Groups in the Filmmaking Process
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz brings together three of his top focus group moderators from Screen Engine to reveal the secrets behind their cr…
Michael Uslan (Originator & Executive Producer of the Batman movie franchise) on his role as Batman’s Batman and his journey
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz sits down with Michael Uslan, the originator and executive producer of the Batman and Batman-related movie unive…
Jerry Bruckheimer (Producer) on Making Blockbusters, Audience Testing, and 50+ Years in Hollywood
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz sits down with legendary producer Jerry Bruckheimer, the mastermind behind billion-dollar blockbusters, includin…
Arnold Rifkin (Legendary Agent & Producer) on Hollywood Deal-Making and His Life-Changing Relationship with Bruce Willis
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz sits down with Arnold Rifkin, the legendary talent agent who pioneered the concept of a total talent agency and …
Scott Ross (Visual Effects Pioneer, Producer, and Entrepreneur) on Creating Movie Magic and the Future of Hollywood Effects
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz interviews Scott Ross, a pioneering figure in the visual effects industry. As the former general manager of Indu…
Mike Marcus (Manager, Producer, & Former Studio Head) on Building Hollywood Networks and Creating Hit Films
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz interviews Mike Marcus, whose impressive 57-year career spans from agency mailroom to MGM Pictures president to …
Tony Sella (Marketing Executive and Producer) on Creating Unforgettable Movie Campaigns
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz interviews Tony Sella, the legendary marketing executive behind some of Hollywood's most iconic movie campaigns.…
Shane Black (Writer, Director) on Redefining Action Movies and Embracing Authenticity
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz interviews Shane Black, one of Hollywood's highest-paid screenwriters, who redefined action films with witty dia…
Mike Medavoy (Legendary Agent, Producer, & Studio Executive) on an Extraordinary Hollywood Journey
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz welcomes an industry titan-- film producer and studio executive Mike Medavoy. With a career spanning over five d…
Chris Landon (Writer, Director, Producer) on Growing Up in Hollywood & Creating "Feel-Good Horror"
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz sits down with Chris Landon, the acclaimed writer, director, and producer known for films like Happy Death Day, …
David Permut (Oscar® & Emmy® Nominated Producer) on Movie Maps, Making Movies That Matter, and Discovering New Talent
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz sits down with acclaimed producer David Permut, the visionary behind films like Face/Off, Hacksaw Ridge (Academy…
Elizabeth Gabler (President of Sony 3000 Pictures) on the Art of Book-to-Screen Movie Magic
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz sits down with Elizabeth Gabler, known for transforming literary works into cinematic successes. From her early …
Brad Furman (Director/Producer/Writer) on his Journey from the Basketball Court to Film Sets
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz welcomes director and producer Brad Furman, known for films like The Lincoln Lawyer, The Infiltrator, Runner Run…
Catherine Paura (Veteran Entertainment Strategist) on Transforming Movie Marketing and Audience Research
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz sits down with his good friend, mentor, and colleague, Catherine Paura, a pioneering force in entertainment rese…
Brian Grazer (Oscar and Emmy-Winning Producer) on Curiosity, Creativity, and Human Connection
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz interviews legendary producer Brian Grazer. As co-founder of Imagine Entertainment with Ron Howard, Grazer's fil…
David Friendly (Academy Award-Nominated Producer and Former Journalist) on His Journey from Newsweek to Hollywood Success
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz interviews David Friendly, whose remarkable career transition from journalism to film production led to an Acade…
Gary Lucchesi (Veteran Producer, Studio Executive, and Former Agent) on Working with Talent and Successful Filmmaking
In this episode of "Don't Kill the Messenger," host Kevin Goetz sits down with Gary Lucchesi, the acclaimed producer and former President of the Producer’s Guild of America. …