Shows
A Take on the AcademyThe 2026 Oscar Nomination Show (w/ Mike Wendt)It’s Oscar Nomination Day, and Matt is joined by Cleveland’s own powerhouse Location Manager Mike Wendt to break down the biggest surprises, the expected frontrunners, and the early predictions for who might take home gold this year. From record-setting nomination totals to category-by-category picks, Matt and Mike dive into the movies, performances, and behind-the-scenes craft that defined the year in film.
Mike also teases his upcoming documentary project as well, giving listeners a look at what’s next for him in the local film scene.
Tune in for film-lover energy, and the perfect blend...
2026-01-281h 09A Take on the AcademySeason Six Finale - CASTING! w/ Angela BoehmFor the Season 6 finale of A Take on the Academy, Matthew sits down with acclaimed Casting Director Angela Boehm, whose work has helped shape film and television across the Midwest and beyond.
Angela’s career spans more than 25 years — from her early days building Olmsted Performing Arts into a cultural hub, to founding Angela Boehm Casting, a company that has become a trusted source for authentic talent in major studio films, independent features, and national commercial campaigns. As a member of the Casting Society of America, Angela has contributed to projects such as Cherry, White Boy Rick, My Fr...
2025-12-181h 22A Take on the AcademyDid Julia Roberts Deserve her Award for "Erin Brockovich"?In this episode of A Take on the Academy, host Matthew Sprosty is joined by special guest Jenna Messina to revisit one of the most iconic — and debated — Oscar wins of the 21st century: Julia Roberts’ Best Actress victory for Erin Brockovich at the 2001 Academy Awards.
Jenna comes in unconvinced, worn down by Hollywood’s ongoing Roberts reverence. Matt, on the other hand, has loved Julia Roberts since Pretty Woman and will defend her smile, charm, and courtroom monologue to the end. Together, they revisit the race, reassess the nominees, and try to determine whether Oscar got it right...
2025-12-041h 21A Take on the AcademyDudes Dissecting Disney - The Lost EpisodeBefore A Take on the Academy found its rhythm, before the guest interviews and Oscar debates, there was a forgotten experiment called Dudes Dissecting Disney. During the early days of the pandemic, Matthew Sprosty and his friend Rudy set out to create a collaborative podcast where anyone could record Disney conversations with friends or partners — no hosts, no format, just genuine conversation. The project never progressed beyond one episode…
In this long-lost recording, Matt and Rudy revisit Beauty and the Beast (1991), Disney’s timeless tale that became the first animated feature ever nominated for Best Picture. They talk ab...
2025-11-201h 33A Take on the AcademyGoing Streeping! (Part V) with the Fade to Black PodcastIn this episode of A Take on the Academy, Sprosty is joined by Imani and Sunflower B. Rose from Fade to Black Podcast to revisit the 1999 Oscars and ask the unthinkable: should Meryl Streep really have been nominated for Music of the Heart? Together, they take a deep dive into the performances of that year’s standout actresses — from Diane Lane’s quiet strength in A Walk on the Moon, to Cecelia Roth’s raw emotion in All About My Mother, to Cameron Diaz’s surprising turn in Being John Malkovich, and more.
The trio re-examines the Academy’s...
2025-11-061h 20A Take on the AcademyHow to Set Yourself on Fire* And Win an Academy Award (*Don't)In this blazing episode of A Take on the Academy, Matt Sprosty and MC sit down with Academy Award and Emmy winner Jayson Duminego — the mind behind Action Factory and a driving force in modern stunt innovation. From his groundbreaking fire gel technology, which has changed the way film sets handle full-scale burns, to his lifelong journey in the stunt world, Jayson opens up about the artistry, science, and danger behind the action.
We talk about how Action Factory came to be, the years of testing and teamwork that led to his Scientific and Technical Achievement Award fro...
2025-10-2359 minA Take on the AcademyDid Heath Ledger Deserve Best Supporting Actor for "The Dark Knight"?In this episode of A Take on the Academy, we dive into one of the most unforgettable Oscar races of all time: 2008’s Best Supporting Actor. Did the Academy make the right call in giving Heath Ledger the award for his chilling, iconic performance as the Joker in The Dark Knight—or should Robert Downey Jr.’s fearless turn in Tropic Thunder have taken home the gold? We revisit both performances, the cultural context, and what this race says about comedy vs. drama at the Oscars.
The Mount Rushmore Podcast
Second Chance Cinema
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2025-10-091h 32A Take on the AcademyHISTIE QUICKIE: The Bet that Made FilmHost Matthew Sprosty kicks off Quickie History — bite-sized dives into the wild beginnings of film — with a story that has it all: money, science, photography, and a galloping horse. In 1872, California tycoon Leland Stanford made a bet: Does a horse ever lift all four hooves off the ground while running? To prove it, he hired eccentric photographer Eadweard Muybridge, whose groundbreaking experiment didn’t just settle the wager — it created the very first “motion picture.”
Along the way, we’ll talk about the tricks of the human mind (persistence of vision), how a horse’s sprint gave birth to cinema...
2025-09-2515 minA Take on the AcademyDid "LOTR: The Return of the King" Deserve Best Picture?Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King swept the 2004 Academy Awards, tying the record with 11 wins—including Best Picture. But two decades later, does it deserve the crown?
Matt, Kyle, and Andy break down why ROTK dominated, what the Academy was really voting for, and which 2003 films may have been more deserving. Expect spirited debate, sharp arguments, and a little irreverence as we reimagine what Best Picture could have looked like.
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2025-09-112h 10A Take on the AcademySeason 6 TrailerGet ready for another year of bold debates, deep dives, and unfiltered conversations about the Academy Awards. This season, host Matthew Sprosty takes you beyond the red carpet — from rewriting Oscar history to exploring overlooked performances, hidden Hollywood stories, and the changing face of cinema. Whether you’re a die-hard Oscars fan or love great movie talk, A Take on the Academy is ready to challenge what you think you know about film’s biggest night.
True cinephiles don't just watch movies, they analyze and question them. So, why would movies biggest awards night get a pass?
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2025-08-2801 min
Rumikay TalksInto the Unknown: Matthew Sprosty on AI, Oscars, and the ParanormalSend a textJoin us for a fascinating conversation with writer Matthew Sprosty as we delve into the world of AI in filmmaking, the importance of entertainment lawyers, and the power of writers supporting one another. Matthew shares his personal experience with a "cursed" script that's been struggling to make it to the big screen, and how he's processing AI advancements in a "Brave New World" of filmmaking. We also discuss his book, "The Dead Life," and his thoughts on the Oscar ceremony. From the practicalities of navigating the entertainment industry to the...
2024-05-011h 12