Chillpak Hollywood Hour is an insider’s look at the world of indie film making in the Heart of Hollywood.
Dean Haglund runs the production company Rational Exuberance, and Phil Leirness runs Cinema Arts Entertainment, and their offices happen to be right next door to each other. Every Monday morning, they talk show around the water cooler from the Heart of Hollywood.
Now you can listen in to what they talk about when you are not around.
Chillpak Hollywood Hour is where creative brilliance intersects with lunacy. It’s the talk show for Hollywood outsiders who are curious about the “other” side, hosted by industry insiders who don’t take themselves too seriously. It’s for sci-fi and conspiracy fans and skeptics alike. Dean, Phil and their guests are always fascinating and funny, without the phoniness of most celebrity interview programs. It’s like being invited into the home of one of your favorite ex-X-Files’ characters, for a weird but friendly and funny conversation.
I ran across this podcast while random browsing. I was looking up Gunmen stuff for a still as of yet to be completed fanfic. I thought I’d give it a listen to really understand Dean’s natural character, as Langly was to be the main focus, and also any conspiracy stuff they might talk about. I still subscribe and listen to every episode. While listening to the show, I ran across “Spectres” at Blockbuster pre-viewed so I, naturally, purchased it immediately. So I got a new favorite movie and new favorite podcast. It’s one of two that I make sure not to miss.
I like when they talk about “the business,” but my favorites are the theme shows. Whether it’s a list or a special guest, those are not to be missed for sure.
Keep up the awesome work, guys! Looking forward to hearing the next one tomorrow!
This is a very entertaining and insightful podcast from two people with a perspective on showbiz that the average person may not get to see. They are both obviously very knowledgeable and their interests in movies and such go far beyond the mainstream, so I always find myself exposed to gems I may not have ever known existed otherwise. I love the off-the-cuff, unscripted nature of the show because it allows for hilarious rants and amusing anecdotes. Both Dean and Phil have great senses of humor, so it’s never dull. They also have interviews with all types of people in the industry: actors, directors, writers, producers… (I found the interview with Tucker Smallwood particularly fascinating)
This podcast will definitely appeal to filmmakers and the like, but even if you just have a passing interest in movies beyond what you see on the screen, you’ll find Chillpak Hollywood Hour a worthwhile listen every week.
It is obvious that Phil and Dean have a genuine friendship and a lot of experience in the world of filmmaking and television. This translates to an honest, no-holds-barred and yet easygoing and good-natured podcast, as they discuss current showbiz headlines, cinema, box-office, showbiz trends and their own experiences in the world of film and TV. This relaxed banter between old friends on a diverse range of topics makes for personal and enlightening conversation without the clash of egos or airtime, as they come to you every week straight from the belly of the beast- downtown Los Angeles. Their own involvement in the world of showbiz also gives insight to their day to day experiences in the worlds of directing, acting, stand up comedy and filmmaking.
This is no mindless geek-podcast with a couple of morons who pretend to be knowledgeable in everything, nor do they ‘pretend’ to be witty…they in fact ARE witty! This is one of the best podcasts out there if you are interested in filmmaking, combined with insight into the world of film, science fiction, conspiracy theories and any number of subjects. These guys always come up with something refreshing. Phil’s take on any number of subjects is unhinged to any cry-baby politics, and while he tends to be caustic to Dean at times, he has a sincerity, that you won’t find easily in Hollywood, on Podcasts, or much else anywhere… Phil’s confidence in his ideals makes you believe his every word, even when he’s outright being nasty to Dean Haglund…
Dean plays the madman, and the goof, but one we can all relate to, for sure. He’s also has a head full of unusual anecdotes and conspiracy theories…never boring or outright lame.
I have been listening to this show for over a year, and the important thing is: THEY KEEP THE SHOW GOING. There’s never a week or two that goes by where they don’t put out a podcast…if you’re a podcast listener you know it sucks when you wait around for months with no new shows. They manage to get great interviews, and Phil always drives the shows straight to where it counts. This isn’t podcasting…its some kind of random-chaos phenomenon which makes its way straight to the heart. Silly? Hell yes. Fun? Damn straight. Intelligent? You’re damn right. Insightful? The best. Relevant? You got it baby.
The truth is, its too good to be true….
Its almost like the way Radio shows used to be, where people THINK about things and discuss them, from the center of sincerity, honesty…and of course they wouldn’t be any fun if they weren’t fun. I honestly look forward to each weekly show, like a personal habit, its like a weekly vitamin of sanity which cannot be found anywhere else.
It is literally the “Unobtainium” of podcasts, and what most podcasts wish they were…no cheap thrills, no loud and shiny nonsense, its the real deal, with a couple guys just like you and me.
Thanks Phil and Dean, for wasting your time for us, you’ve spread the meme of ’sanity’ perhaps vicariously through being insane enough to make a podcast…Listen to this Podcast, you shall not be disappointed.