Take the Cannoli: The Godfather Podcast

www.TheGodfatherPodcast.com presents... The Unseen Magic: A Hollywood Insider's Journey Beyond the Camera Lens In this special interview, movie industry veteran Liz Scully shares her journey and experiences working in the visual effects industry in Hollywood. She discusses her role in post-production, where she added visual effects to films after they were shot. She also talks about the challenges of working with green screens and fiberglass models, as well as the evolution of technology in the industry. The guest reflects on the similarities between film directors and entrepreneurs, both of whom juggle multiple projects simultaneously. The interview is filled with humor and insights into the world of visual effects and the creative process. Join us for an entertaining and enlightening conversation with our guest, a visual effects expert who spent years working in Hollywood. In this episode, she takes us behind the scenes of the movie industry, sharing her experiences in post-production and visual effects. From working with green screens to creating intricate models, she reveals the challenges and rewards of bringing movie magic to life. She also discusses her transition from physical effects to digital technology and how it has transformed the industry. As the conversation unfolds, our guest draws parallels between film directors and entrepreneurs, highlighting the common traits of creativity, multitasking, and determination. Whether you're a movie buff or an aspiring entrepreneur, this episode is sure to captivate and inspire you. Don't miss this fascinating journey into the world of visual effects and Hollywood!

The Mythology of The Godfather:  In this episode of The Godfather Podcast, we're looking at the historic and record-breaking opening of The Godfather, including what it meant to a struggling movie business, the unexpected and lasting impact on our culture, and why the film still resonates 50 years later. This episode features some very rare, behind-the-scenes "home movie" footage from the making of The Godfather, as well as highlights from an interview with Godfather producers Al Ruddy and Peter Bart.  In addition, we've got footage and clips with celebrities and film directors who recall being part of the historic premiere and first few weeks of the motion picture's opening. Check out this episode and previous episodes on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/LiZeKU2_0Rs

Vivendi recently reported that a whopping 77% of brands could disappear tomorrow and no one would care. Customer disloyalty is the new normal. How can you and your business gain and retain new clients, customers, and even employees in this uncertain, post-pandemic world? (Without using fear and intimidation like the Mafia?) The answer is loyalty. And the proof comes from an unlikely source: The Godfather. In this episode of The Godfather Podcast, we look at the theme of "loyalty," and what it means not only in The Godfather, but also in business today.  I'll explain why "Loyalty is the New Currency," and how you can build a "wall of friendship" just like Don Vito Corleone. We'll also look at some of the best and most repeated quotes from The Godfather! ============================================================= Lou Bortone is a writer, producer and speaker who keeps his friends close and his enemies closer. Lou is also a ghostwriter, author, and Consigliere to some of the best and brightest minds in digital marketing. Lou’s brushes with fame include getting drum lessons from Doors drummer John Densmore, and standing up to “Sonny Corleone” when he refused to re-write a promo script for James Caan while working at E! Entertainment Television.

How a Hollywood Has-Been Landed the Role of a Lifetime By the late sixties, the legendary star once considered the greatest actor in the world was an overweight, out of work, washed up has-been. Worse yet, after a string of bad movies and a reputation for being difficult to work with, he was considered "box office poison." No studio in Hollywood would touch him…  So when Godfather author Mario Puzo and director Francis Ford Coppola told the studio execs at Paramount that they wanted the once-great 47-year-old Marlon Brando to play The Godfather, the suggestion was met with ridicule.  The very mention of Brando's name sent Paramount owner "Hurricane" Charlie Bluhdorn into a fit of rage. Studio head Robert Evans said "anyone but Brando - Marlon is as dead as could be." Another Paramount exec insisted that Brando would tank the movie. "He's washed up, he's finished," they warned Bluhdorn. I n fact, studio president Stanley Jaffe had a meeting with Coppola and stated: "As long as I'm president of the studio, Marlon Brando will not be in this picture, and I will no longer allow you to discuss it."  Today, it's hard to imagine anyone but Brando in the role of Don Vito Corleone, but at the time, everyone involved had an opinion about who should play The Godfather…

The Godfather’s most famous line - which has become a cultural touchstone and perhaps the most famous quote in movie history, is uttered twice in the first few minutes of the movie… First, Michael tells Kay that his father helped his Godson, Johnny Fontaine, early in his career by making a band leader “an offer he couldn’t refuse” to get Johnny out of the bandleader’s contract. Then, of course, as Johnny bemoans the fact that movie studio head Jack Woltz won’t give Johnny the part in the big new war movie… The Don assures his Godson that he’ll make the movie mogul “an offer he can’t refuse.” Even Johnny Fontaine is skeptical when The Godfather assures im “leave it all to me.” Then the Don discharges new Consigliere Tom Hagen to Hollywood to talk with Jack Woltz, the powerful head of the movie studio… We'll  take a look and then we’ll break down the classic  "offer he can't refuse" scene, and we'll explore the scenes with movie mogul Jack Woltz.  Of course, we'll also talk about the infamous horse's head scene!  Watch or listen to Episode Four and other episodes on Spotify at: https://open.spotify.com/show/5yhF2riUHUmJmc4O5C8E1Y

In this new episode of The Godfather Podcast, we take a look at the opening scene of the original Godfather movie, as we meet Don Corleone for the first time.   We take a deeper dive and scene analysis to explore how the film introduces The Godfather, including how Amerigo Bonasera's request of the Don echoes the formation of the Mafia itself.   We also look at the opening scene from the director's standpoint, and why they shot the scene the way they did.  We'll even reveal how Marlon Brando's unscripted use of a cat nearly wrecked the scene.  

Sample Video Clip from Lou Bortone's Keynote: Loyalty is the New Currency-Leadership Lessons of The Godfather.   Here’s what Loyalty is the New Currency is about, and how it relates to business: Vivendi recently reported that a whopping 77% of brands could disappear tomorrow and no one would care. Customer disloyalty is the new normal. How can you and your business gain and retain new clients, customers, and even employees in this uncertain, post-pandemic world? (Without using fear and intimidation like the Mafia?) The answer is loyalty. And the proof comes from an unlikely source: The Godfather. Using stories from my own upbringing in the "mob's backyard," along with memorable examples from The Godfather novel and movies, I'll show you how loyalty is the new currency, and how you can use lessons from The Godfather and the Mafia's "Code of Honor" to create fiercely loyal customers and employees who “can’t refuse” your offers!