🎙️ Tribute to Andy Kuehn (Part 8) – with special guest Jim Gibbons and co-host Benedict Coulter
From Madison Ave to Hollywood: The Birth of a Trailer Empire 📌 Episode Summary This week, we continue our heartfelt tribute to Andy Kuehn, a visionary often considered the father of the modern trailer industry. This week, Corey and special co-host Benedict Coulter of REBEL welcome longtime industry luminary Jim Gibbons (EVP of Paramount, founder of Flamingo Films) who takes us on a journey through the formative years of trailer creation—from New York’s Madison Avenue to Hollywood's 7️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣ Santa Monica Blvd. In this edition, we explore the early days of Kaleidoscope, Andy’s legendary influence, and how the art of trailers evolved into what it is today. From pioneering trailer edits to running parallel campaigns against studio execs, Andy’s legacy looms large. 🕰️ Timestamps & Highlights [00:00:00] Welcome & intro by Corey Nathan [00:01:00] Greg McClatchy on Andy Kuehn's AJK Foundation and film preservation 🌈🎞️ [00:03:00] Enter Jim Gibbons: From liquor stores to Kaleidoscope in 1969 [00:06:00] The story of Andy defying studio orders with A/B testing campaigns 📊🔥 [00:08:00] Jim’s memories of Andy's legendary NYC loft salons 🥂🎭 [00:10:00] Launching Kaleidoscope in LA, reunions at 7026 Santa Monica Blvd [00:14:00] From Kaleidoscope to Utopia, and starting Flamingo Films [00:20:00] The evolution of trailer shops—from National Screen Service to creative boutiques [00:25:00] Behind-the-scenes on Star Wars, lasers, and early VFX 💥🛸 [00:30:00] From competitor to client: Jim working with Andy at Paramount [00:34:00] Collaboration with Benedict at Trailer Park [00:40:00] Reflections on transitioning from indie shops to studio system [00:44:00] Modern-day trailer creation: Streamers, social, digital 🎥📱 [00:45:00] What Jim misses most about Andy Kuehn [00:47:00] History of Kanew-Manger-Deutsch, Geronimo, and the rise of trailer giants [00:48:00] Signature sounds, trailer style debates, and fun industry lore 🎧😂 [00:50:00] Final reflections & gratitude 🌟 Notable Quotes "Andy created a standard... the tone was: be innovative. Don’t settle for the norm." — Jim Gibbons "He was always Andy. That smile, that mustache. You couldn’t miss him. You felt him in the room." — Jim Gibbons "We all owe a lot to Jim... he was part of the original group that really started it all with Andy." — Benedict Coulter 📚 Related Links 🌐 AJK Foundation: ajkfoundation.org – Support film preservation & LGBTQ+ cinema history. Our Sponsors: 24/96 Sound & Music Design: 2496soundandmusic.com The Golden Trailer Awards: goldentrailer.com/ Soundstripe: app.soundstripe.com Call to Action: Please leave us a rating and review: https://apple.co/3QYy80e You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.linkedin.com/in/coreysnathan. Want to hear how the best in the business craft the world’s most exciting movie trailers? Tune in every week to Trailer Geeks and Teaser Gods! 🎬🎤
--------
50:37
--------
50:37
🎙️ Tribute to Andy Kuehn (Part 7) – with special guest Gregory McClatchy and co-host Benedict Coulter
🎬 Spielberg, Scott, Streisand & the Trailers Behind the Legends This week, we continue our heartfelt tribute to Andy Kuehn, the visionary known as the father of the modern trailer industry. In this episode, we're joined by Greg McClatchy, President of Motor Entertainment and longtime Kaleidoscope editor, along with returning guest Benedict Coulter, co-founder of REBEL and the original rock-star trailer editor. Together, they revisit their years at Kaleidoscope, the groundbreaking agency Andy Kuehn co-founded. From crafting trailers for The Omen and Top Gun to working with Spielberg, Barbra Streisand, and Tony Scott, this conversation offers a rare glimpse into the formative years of modern trailer-making. 🎧 In this episode: The AJK Foundation and Andy’s legacy work in film preservation How Kaleidoscope dominated the trailer industry in the 70s–90s Andy’s unique style: part Clark Gable, part Don Draper What it was like working directly with legends like Spielberg and De Palma How Andy gave countless creatives their big break Reflections on Andy’s mentorship, leadership, and generosity 💬 “Andy Kuehn wasn’t just a boss. He was a mentor, a friend, and a creative force unlike any other.” 🔗 Speecial Mention: AJK Foundation: ajkfoundation.org Our Sponsors: 24/96 Sound & Music Design: 2496soundandmusic.com The Golden Trailer Awards: goldentrailer.com/ Soundstripe: app.soundstripe.com Call to Action: Please leave us a rating and review: https://apple.co/3QYy80e You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.linkedin.com/in/coreysnathan. Want to hear how the best in the business craft the world’s most exciting movie trailers? Tune in every week to Trailer Geeks and Teaser Gods! 🎬🎤
--------
1:04:38
--------
1:04:38
🎙️ Tribute to Andy Kuehn (Part 6) – with special guest Margery Doppelt and co-host Benedict Coulter
The Words Behind the Magic – with special guest Margery Doppelt 🎙️ In this sixth installment of our special tribute to the legendary Andy Kuehn—founder of Kaleidoscope Films and godfather of the modern trailer—we’re joined by a true industry icon: Margery Doppelt, one of the most influential and celebrated writers in motion picture advertising. 🎞️ Margery’s iconic taglines and copy helped define decades of cinematic promotion—from Jurassic Park to Fatal Attraction and beyond. Her creative fingerprint is embedded in the DNA of trailer history. Joining us for this conversation is none other than Benedict Coulter, a legendary editor and co-founder of REBEL, who brings firsthand insight into Kaleidoscope’s heyday and Andy’s enduring legacy. Together, we share behind-the-scenes stories, reflect on a golden era of creativity, and celebrate the unique bond that made Kaleidoscope more than just a company—it was a creative home. 💫 🕰️ Timestamps & Highlights: [00:00:00] Welcome & remembering Andy Kuehn's impact through the AJK Foundation 🌈 [00:05:00] Introducing Margery Doppelt: writer behind the most iconic taglines [00:08:00] Her hilarious first taco at Lucy's El Adobe and surviving on $81/week 💵🌮 [00:10:00] How a missing script led to her first interaction with Andy [00:14:00] Margery’s first big hits and her transition to writing 🎬 [00:18:00] Ryan O’Neal, outtakes, and the power of improvisation 😂 [00:25:00] Jurassic Park: the story behind “An adventure 65 million years in the making” 🦖 [00:29:00] Collaboration with editors and the lost art of copy in trailers [00:33:00] Why Andy’s leadership created a golden age for creatives ✨ [00:37:00] The ripple effect: How Kaleidoscope alumni shaped the industry [00:45:00] Favorite campaigns, unforgettable lines, and why copy still matters [00:47:00] Parting reflections on Andy’s legacy and what made him so special 💡 Key Takeaways: Margery’s approach to copy was fearless, playful, and deeply intuitive. Andy’s genius lay not just in his creative vision but in his ability to champion others. Kaleidoscope was more than a trailer house—it was a training ground for some of the industry’s best. The collaboration between writer and editor was once a sacred space in trailer-making. The power of copy can still define a campaign—sometimes in just one unforgettable line. 📝 Notable Quotes: “Andy had this amazing gift—he was so talented and confident that he enjoyed other people’s success.” — Margery Doppelt “I know you f** her—anything else?”* — Margery, in a legendary moment with Ryan O’Neal 🤯 “A comedy and a drama—just like life.” — Tagline from Nothing in Common “If adventure has a name, it must be Indiana Jones.” — One of Margery’s enduring classics 🏆 Our Sponsors: 24/96 Sound & Music Design: 2496soundandmusic.com The Golden Trailer Awards: goldentrailer.com/ Soundstripe: app.soundstripe.com Call to Action: Please leave us a rating and review: https://apple.co/3QYy80e You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.linkedin.com/in/coreysnathan. Want to hear how the best in the business craft the world’s most exciting movie trailers? Tune in every week to Trailer Geeks and Teaser Gods! 🎬🎤
--------
48:55
--------
48:55
🎙️ Tribute to Andy Kuehn (Part 5) – with special guest Vincent Arcaro and co-host Benedict Coulter
K-scope's Blueprint: Andy K. & The Architects of Modern Movie Advertising 🎙 Introduction: Joined by special guest Vincent Arcaro, President of Dark Light Pictures and a Kaleidoscope alum, and co-host Benedict Coulter. Together, they honor the legacy of Andy Kuehn, a creative force behind some of the most iconic trailers and a beloved mentor in the industry. Vince shares stories of his early days at Kaleidoscope, how Andy shaped the modern trailer business, and how deep personal bonds were formed through a shared love of movie magic. 📚 What We Discuss: How Andy Kuehn cultivated a culture of creative freedom and excellence at Kaleidoscope Vince Arcaro’s journey from messenger to head of production and beyond The evolution of featurettes and their impact before EPKs Behind-the-scenes stories of major productions like Taxi Driver, Annie, and Smokey and the Bandit Why relationship-building and a producer’s “black book” are still essential tools in the business 🎬 Episode Highlights: [00:01:00] Vince Arcaro’s start at Kaleidoscope in 1976 [00:03:00] Becoming a production manager “by fire” [00:06:00] Andy’s management of creative “renegades” [00:12:00] Andy immerses himself as an extra on Eyes of Laura Mars [00:20:00] Vince’s serendipitous hiring story [00:26:00] Kaleidoscope expands into titles and second unit work [00:35:00] Vince on hiring: “It’s not about the degree—it’s about the drive” [00:45:00] Favorite campaigns: Taxi Driver, Jaws, Annie PBS special [00:50:00] Final reflections on Andy’s legacy 💬 Featured Quotes: “Andy had the perfect storm for creating movie advertising. He knew how to manage his creative staff... they were renegades.” – Vincent Arcaro “Andy wasn’t afraid to make a good mistake. He encouraged his editors to go for it.” – Vincent Arcaro “Your most important asset as a producer is your black book.” – Andy Kuehn (as shared by Vince) “He was like a big brother / father figure. I miss the stories, the dinners, the genuine interest in what we were doing.” – Vincent Arcaro Our Sponsors: 24/96 Sound & Music Design: 2496soundandmusic.com The Golden Trailer Awards: goldentrailer.com/ Soundstripe: app.soundstripe.com Call to Action: Please leave us a rating and review: https://apple.co/3QYy80e You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.linkedin.com/in/coreysnathan. Want to hear how the best in the business craft the world’s most exciting movie trailers? Tune in every week to Trailer Geeks and Teaser Gods! 🎬🎤
--------
52:55
--------
52:55
🎙️ Tribute to Andy Kuehn (Part 4) – with special guest Mark Trugman and co-host Benedict Coulter
Andy's Nurturing Legacy and the Aura of Old Hollywood So cool to sit down with veteran entertainment advertising executive Mark Trugman to continue our tribute and honor the legacy of Andy Kuehn — a pioneer of the modern movie trailer industry and beloved founder of Kaleidoscope Films. And we're joined once again by our special co-host, Benedict Coulter. Mark shares his journey from graphic design and television promotion into the world of trailers, his first encounters with Andy, and the profound influence Andy’s leadership style had on generations of creative talent. Together, they reflect on the culture Andy fostered, the careers he helped launch, and the personal memories that made him unforgettable. What We Discuss How Mark Trugman transitioned from television graphics to running one of the industry’s most respected trailer companies. The leadership philosophy Andy Kuehn embodied — nurturing, non-proprietary, and deeply passionate. Inside stories about the unique culture at Kaleidoscope Films during its heyday. The ripple effect of Andy’s mentorship on multiple generations of creative leaders in entertainment marketing. Anecdotes that reveal Andy’s charisma, generosity, and larger-than-life presence both in and out of the office. Episode Highlights [00:02:00] Mark recalls his first job with Kaleidoscope Films — and a rookie mistake involving a “two-pop” that still makes him laugh. [00:09:00] The first meeting with Andy Kuehn, complete with a calf tan, a parrot, and quick-witted banter. [00:13:00] Life inside a small but mighty Kaleidoscope team — and the rite of passage that was Andy’s 5 p.m. wine gatherings. [00:16:00] How Andy’s and Steve’s management styles gave editors room to create and clients reason to trust. [00:22:00] A vivid description of Andy’s Moroccan villa and legendary holiday parties. [00:27:00] The last-minute speech Mark delivered at the Key Art Awards, honoring Andy after his passing. [00:36:00] Reflections on what Mark misses most about Andy and why his presence might have made the industry a kinder place. [00:42:00] The hilarious Academy Awards “seat switch” story that put Andy in Oliver Stone’s spot on live television. Featured Quotes “Andy was the most passionate, supportive, enthusiastic person I’ve ever dealt with — there wasn’t an ounce of cynicism in him.” – Mark Trugman “It wasn’t about heavy-handed management; it was about giving you the space to create and the encouragement to solve problems your way.” – Mark Trugman “If you love doing something, why stop? It feeds your soul.” – Benedict Coulter “The Beatles are always going to be the Beatles for a reason… Benedict, you’re one of those rock stars.” – Mark Trugman Our Sponsors: 24/96 Sound & Music Design: 2496soundandmusic.com The Golden Trailer Awards: goldentrailer.com/ Soundstripe: app.soundstripe.com Call to Action: Please leave us a rating and review: https://apple.co/3QYy80e You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.linkedin.com/in/coreysnathan. Want to hear how the best in the business craft the world’s most exciting movie trailers? Tune in every week to Trailer Geeks and Teaser Gods! 🎬🎤
Trailer Geeks and Teaser Gods... the podcast that honors the art of making movie trailers, teasers, key art, and all the strategic content that launched the movies, TV shows, and games you love.
España