FROM THE ARCHIVES: Cord Jefferson and Ryan Coogler on Writing, Directing, AMERICAN FICTION, and SINNERS (sort of)
Podcast: In ProximityPublished On: Mon Mar 30 2026
Description: We’re going back into the IN PROXIMITY archives for the next several weeks, rereleasing masterclasses on filmmaking and screenwriting. On this episode, we’re rebroadcasting a conversation between Ryan Coogler and Cord Jefferson, writer/director/producer of the award-winning feature film AMERICAN FICTION. A few weeks after winning the 2024 Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, Cord hopped on a call with Ryan to discuss their first films, his unconventional path to filmmaking, and his experience as a first-time director. They also talk about their upcoming projects, and Ryan teases a little bit about SINNERS. He recorded this conversation from New Orleans as he was just about to go into production on the film. CHECK OUT THE ORIGINAL EPISODECord Jefferson and Ryan Coogler on Writing, Directing, and What They’re Doing Next SHOP OUR PROX BOOKS RECS ON BOOKSHOP.ORG LEARN MORE AND READ THE TRANSCRIPT AT PROXIMITYMEDIA.COM WATCH/LISTEN TO IN PROXIMITYYOUTUBEAPPLE PODCASTSSPOTIFY FOLLOW PROXIMITY MEDIAINSTAGRAMTIKTOK (01:45) From the archives… Ryan Coogler and Cord Jefferson! (02:30) Get Reel (10:46) Cord’s first writing job took GUTS (19:28) How Cord learned to collaborate with Jeffrey Wright on AMERICAN FICTION (27:58) Ryan and Cord’s next projects (hint: SINNERS) (35:48) “You shouldn’t be doing this if the end goal is to win an Oscar.” (39:49) Prox Recs IN PROXIMITY IS A PRODUCTION OF PROXIMITY MEDIA Host, Director, Producer: Paola Mardo Executive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian Theme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig Göransson Co-Director and Director of Photography: Patrick Epino Sound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken Nana Editors: Patrick Epino, Ken Nana, Ben Caloza, Cedric Wilson, Judybelle Camangyan Motion Graphics Designer: Apollo Baldoz Producer: Caitlin Plummer Associate Producer: Celine Mendiola Production Coordinator: Joy Woo Production Assistants: Isabella Miller, Polina Cherezova Social Media Coordinator: Alexandria Santana Production Intern: Ben Caloza
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