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Listen "BTL Radio Show - 11/24/2025 with guests MARISA GUTERMAN & KEITH GERCHAK and ZAC MONCRIEF & JON COLTON BARRY"
Episode Synopsis
With it already Thanksgiving this week, it’s time for BEHIND THE LENS (and all of you) to haul out the holly, put up the tree, fill up the stockings, and grab those dreidels because the holiday season is here! And what better way to kick off the Yuletide than to get in the spirit of the season with #BTLRadioShow, talking about two wonderful films and four fabulous filmmakers. So get ready as MARISA GUTERMAN and KEITH GERCHAK tell us all about their feature directorial debut, the nostalgically charming LOST & FOUND IN CLEVELAND, while ZAC MONCRIEF and JON COLTON BARRY fill us with the fun and joy of Christmas and their animated delight, A CHUCK E. CHEESE CHRISTMAS. Can you believe there has never been a Chuck E. Cheese Christmas movie???
Our first stop today is Cleveland with the wonderfully warm and toasty slice of Americana, LOST & FOUND IN CLEVELAND. A look at the American Dream set in “the best location in the nation”, this is a slice of life set over a 24-hour period that follows the personal odysseys of five very different people, whose lives intertwine when America’s favorite televised antiques appraisal show comes to Cleveland. A true tapestry of the heart of America, co-directors and co-writers MARISA GUTERMAN and KEITH GERCHAK bring us a tale that shows us what is truly to be cherished in our lives.
Boasting an amazing cast with Dennis Haysbert, Dot-Marie Jones, Esther Povitsky, Jeff Hiller, Jon Lovitz, June Squibb, Stacey Keach, Loretta Devine, Mark L. Walberg, Martin Sheen, Yvette Yates Redick, and the scene stealing Benjamin Steinhauser, the film spans the generations and all walks of life, this is a film that has something and someone for every age, every demographic, and fills you with the holiday spirit.
As you listen to Marisa and Keith, they highlight the film’s heartfelt portrayal of core moral values and Americana. The film, with its setting inspired by “Antiques Roadshow”, uses music and nostalgia to explore themes of self-worth and the American Dream. As they break it down for us, they discuss the 12-year production process in detail, including casting challenges and the importance of authenticity. Of course, discussing the outstanding work of cinematographer Davon Slininger and production designer Kristen Adams is mandatory, as both showcase the intimate storytelling and all of Cleveland's unique charm. And we talk music and monologues, and more.
Then we dive headfirst into Christmas and Santa and Mrs. Claus and presents and elves and Chuck E. Cheese and his friends with A CHUCK E. CHEESE CHRISTMAS.
Written and executive produced by ZAC MONCRIEF and JON COLTON BARRY, and co-directed by ZAC MONCRIEF, A CHUCK E. CHEESE CHRISTMAS is a unique blend of family-friendly animation, songs destined to become holiday classics, and filled with holiday cheer as Chuck E and his pals Helen Henny, Jasper Jowls, Bella Brinca, Munch, and Pasqually create a plan to throw a surprise party to lift Santa’s Christmas spirit! But surprising the man who “sees you when you’re sleeping and knows when you’re awake” won’t be easy. Can the gang pull it off in time to save Christmas?
A CHUCK E. CHEESE CHRISTMAS is a film that puts a smile on your face and your heart from beginning to end. And it boasts two new tunes co-written by Zac Moncrief, composer Ben Bromfield and Jon Colton Barry’s legendary songwriter father Jeff Barry who gave us the Christmas anthem, “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” popularized by Darlene Love and Mariah Carey, along with songs like “I’m A Believer” by The Monkees, “Sugar Sugar” by the Archies, and so many more. You’ll hear Jon talk all about bringing his dad into the production, while Zac and Jon give us an interesting perspective and breakdown on the relationship between animation and music, and why they include music and lyric songs in all of their animated productions. And by the way, there are music videos for the film’s two new songs, “What Would We Do Without Christmas” and “Robot Banana Christmas,” which are now available on various streaming platforms as well as the Chuck E. Cheese YouTube channel.
The dynamic duo also talks about the film’s themes and avoiding commercialism while featuring handmade decorations and a heartwarming story about Santa Claus's low spirits. Inspired by classic Christmas specials of days gone by, they aimed to capture the essence of family and celebration, choosing 2D animation but with a modern twist to evoke nostalgia, and how about score composer Ben Bromfield paying out of his pocket for a live orchestra for the score to enhance the story and the emotional depth. That’s how much he believed in this film. And trust me when I tell you this film is not an ad for the restaurants.
Enjoy!
Our first stop today is Cleveland with the wonderfully warm and toasty slice of Americana, LOST & FOUND IN CLEVELAND. A look at the American Dream set in “the best location in the nation”, this is a slice of life set over a 24-hour period that follows the personal odysseys of five very different people, whose lives intertwine when America’s favorite televised antiques appraisal show comes to Cleveland. A true tapestry of the heart of America, co-directors and co-writers MARISA GUTERMAN and KEITH GERCHAK bring us a tale that shows us what is truly to be cherished in our lives.
Boasting an amazing cast with Dennis Haysbert, Dot-Marie Jones, Esther Povitsky, Jeff Hiller, Jon Lovitz, June Squibb, Stacey Keach, Loretta Devine, Mark L. Walberg, Martin Sheen, Yvette Yates Redick, and the scene stealing Benjamin Steinhauser, the film spans the generations and all walks of life, this is a film that has something and someone for every age, every demographic, and fills you with the holiday spirit.
As you listen to Marisa and Keith, they highlight the film’s heartfelt portrayal of core moral values and Americana. The film, with its setting inspired by “Antiques Roadshow”, uses music and nostalgia to explore themes of self-worth and the American Dream. As they break it down for us, they discuss the 12-year production process in detail, including casting challenges and the importance of authenticity. Of course, discussing the outstanding work of cinematographer Davon Slininger and production designer Kristen Adams is mandatory, as both showcase the intimate storytelling and all of Cleveland's unique charm. And we talk music and monologues, and more.
Then we dive headfirst into Christmas and Santa and Mrs. Claus and presents and elves and Chuck E. Cheese and his friends with A CHUCK E. CHEESE CHRISTMAS.
Written and executive produced by ZAC MONCRIEF and JON COLTON BARRY, and co-directed by ZAC MONCRIEF, A CHUCK E. CHEESE CHRISTMAS is a unique blend of family-friendly animation, songs destined to become holiday classics, and filled with holiday cheer as Chuck E and his pals Helen Henny, Jasper Jowls, Bella Brinca, Munch, and Pasqually create a plan to throw a surprise party to lift Santa’s Christmas spirit! But surprising the man who “sees you when you’re sleeping and knows when you’re awake” won’t be easy. Can the gang pull it off in time to save Christmas?
A CHUCK E. CHEESE CHRISTMAS is a film that puts a smile on your face and your heart from beginning to end. And it boasts two new tunes co-written by Zac Moncrief, composer Ben Bromfield and Jon Colton Barry’s legendary songwriter father Jeff Barry who gave us the Christmas anthem, “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” popularized by Darlene Love and Mariah Carey, along with songs like “I’m A Believer” by The Monkees, “Sugar Sugar” by the Archies, and so many more. You’ll hear Jon talk all about bringing his dad into the production, while Zac and Jon give us an interesting perspective and breakdown on the relationship between animation and music, and why they include music and lyric songs in all of their animated productions. And by the way, there are music videos for the film’s two new songs, “What Would We Do Without Christmas” and “Robot Banana Christmas,” which are now available on various streaming platforms as well as the Chuck E. Cheese YouTube channel.
The dynamic duo also talks about the film’s themes and avoiding commercialism while featuring handmade decorations and a heartwarming story about Santa Claus's low spirits. Inspired by classic Christmas specials of days gone by, they aimed to capture the essence of family and celebration, choosing 2D animation but with a modern twist to evoke nostalgia, and how about score composer Ben Bromfield paying out of his pocket for a live orchestra for the score to enhance the story and the emotional depth. That’s how much he believed in this film. And trust me when I tell you this film is not an ad for the restaurants.
Enjoy!
In God we trust