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Envelope Live 2018: ‘Better Call Saul,’ ‘Private Life’ and more

The Times' Yvonne Villarreal moderates a discussion at the L.A. Times Envelope Live screening of "Better Call Saul" at the Montalbán with star Bob Odenkirk and executive producers Peter Gould and Thomas Schnauz.
The Times’ Yvonne Villarreal moderates a discussion at the L.A. Times Envelope Live screening of “Better Call Saul” at the Montalbán with star Bob Odenkirk and executive producers Peter Gould and Thomas Schnauz.
(Michael Owen Baker / For The Times)
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Maggie Gyllenhaal. Bob Odenkirk. Connie Britton. Once again, The Envelope is bringing readers, Hollywood guild members and Oscar voters together with the biggest stars to discuss the most buzzed-about projects. Whether it’s screenings and discussions for titles such as “Better Call Saul” and “Private Life” or live panels featuring talent from “A Star Is Born” and “Black Panther” and more, The Envelope Live is your ticket to get up close and personal with the people, movies and TV shows going for the gold. Keep this page bookmarked throughout awards season to see the latest highlights from every single event and check out our events page to find out what’s coming up next.

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‘Better Call Saul’

"Better Call Saul" star Bob Odenkirk and executive producer Peter Gould discuss the Season 4 finale in an Envelope Live screening at the Montalbán.
(Michael Owen Baker / For The Times)

On Nov. 5, star Bob Odenkirk and executive producers Peter Gould and Thomas Schnauz gathered at the Montalbán in Hollywood for a screening of the Season 4 finale. The screening was followed by a candid conversation about the episode’s big ending, the legacy of sister series “Breaking Bad,” how much longer “Saul” will run, and another potential character demise on the horizon. Read our full report and watch the video playlist below for more highlights.

Envelope Live screening series: ‘Better Call Saul’

'Better Call Saul' writers on the legacy of 'Breaking Bad' On Now

'Better Call Saul' writers on the legacy of 'Breaking Bad'

What about Gene? 'Better Call Saul's' Bob Odenkirk on Jimmy's other identity On Now

What about Gene? 'Better Call Saul's' Bob Odenkirk on Jimmy's other identity

'Better Call Saul' star Bob Odenkirk shares his karaoke secrets On Now

'Better Call Saul' star Bob Odenkirk shares his karaoke secrets

Will 'Better Call Saul' kill off Kim Wexler? On Now

Will 'Better Call Saul' kill off Kim Wexler?

'Better Call Saul's' Bob Odenkirk on transitioning from Jimmy to Saul On Now

'Better Call Saul's' Bob Odenkirk on transitioning from Jimmy to Saul

How much longer will 'Better Call Saul' run? On Now

How much longer will 'Better Call Saul' run?

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‘Private Life’

The Times' Justin Chang moderates a discussion with writer-director Tamara Jenkins, center, and star Kathryn Hahn at the Envelope Live screening of "Private Life" at the Montalbán.
(Michael Owen Baker / For The Times)

On Nov. 12, writer-director Tamara Jenkins and star Kathryn Hanh attended a screening of their Netflix fertility drama at the Montalbán. After the closing credits, the two touched on a range of topics, openly discussing the film’s therapeutic power for others who have struggled with infertility, Jenkins’ very personal inspiration for the film and the last-minute casting change that almost derailed the entire project. Read our full report and watch the video playlist below for more highlights.

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Envelope Live screening series: ‘Private Life’

How director Tamara Jenkins' personal experiences played into making 'Private Life' On Now

How director Tamara Jenkins' personal experiences played into making 'Private Life'

'Private Life' director on Michelle Obama openly writing about her own infertility On Now

'Private Life' director on Michelle Obama openly writing about her own infertility

'Private Life' star Kathryn Hahn on working with Paul Giamatti On Now

'Private Life' star Kathryn Hahn on working with Paul Giamatti

Inside 'Private Life's' major last-minute casting change On Now

Inside 'Private Life's' major last-minute casting change

‘Capernaum’

LA Times movie reporter Mark Olsen, from left, discusses "Capernaum" with director Nadine Labaki, actor Zain Al Rafeea and producer Khaled Mouzanar at an Envelope Live screening of at the Montalbán.
(Ana Venegas / For The Times)

On Nov. 14, the Envelope Live hosted a screening of the foreign-language film “Capernaum.” Afterward, director Nadine Labaki, actor Zain Al Rafeea and producer Khaled Mouzanar opened up about the challenges behind making the movie — including how Mouzanar had to mortgage his house to help finance the production — and the “amazing victory” of screening the film at Cannes in May. Read our full report and watch the video playlist below for more highlights.

Envelope Live screening series: ‘Capernaum’

'Capernaum' star discusses improvising the film's dialogue On Now

'Capernaum' star discusses improvising the film's dialogue

'Capernaum' director on why she wanted to work with untrained actors On Now

'Capernaum' director on why she wanted to work with untrained actors

The meaning behind the title of 'Capernaum' On Now

The meaning behind the title of 'Capernaum'

Why making 'Capernaum' was like 'going to war' On Now

Why making 'Capernaum' was like 'going to war'

'Capernaum' producer mortgaged his house to finance the film On Now

'Capernaum' producer mortgaged his house to finance the film

'Capernaum' team on the film's 'amazing victory' at Cannes On Now

'Capernaum' team on the film's 'amazing victory' at Cannes

'Capernaum': That final scene explained On Now

'Capernaum': That final scene explained

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‘Eldorado’

Director Markus Imhoof, center, in a Q&A for his movie "Eldorado" with Times critic Lorraine Ali, left, and Muna Sharif of Amnesty International, right, at the LA Times Envelope Live screening at the Montalbán.
Director Markus Imhoof, center, in a Q&A for his movie “Eldorado” with Times critic Lorraine Ali, left, and Muna Sharif of Amnesty International, right, at the LA Times Envelope Live screening at the Montalbán.
(Ana Venegas / For The Times)

On Nov. 15, The Envelope Live hosted a screening of the Swiss documentary “Eldorado” with director Markus Imhoof and Muna Sharif of Amnesty International. The conversation touched on Imhoof’s “emotional bridge” to the film’s central topic — the European migrant crisis — as well as the difficulty in making the film (hint: there were spy cameras involved). Imhoof also discussed the ongoing issue of slave labor, and Sharif shared some startling statistics about the current refugee crisis. Read our full report and watch the videos below for more highlights.

Envelope Live screening series: ‘Eldorado’

Inside the struggle to make 'Eldorado' On Now

Inside the struggle to make 'Eldorado'

'Eldorado': The facts and figures behind the growing refugee crisis On Now

'Eldorado': The facts and figures behind the growing refugee crisis

'Eldorado' shines a light on slave labor On Now

'Eldorado' shines a light on slave labor

'Eldorado' director reveals his personal connection to the film On Now

'Eldorado' director reveals his personal connection to the film

‘The Kindergarten Teacher’

Actress Maggie Gyllenhaal speaks with reporter Glenn Whipp during a The Envelope Live screening of "The Kindergarten Teacher" at the Montalbán.
(Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times)

Maggie Gyllenhaal took part in an Nov. 19 Envelope Live screening and discussion for her film “The Kindergarten Teacher.” Topics included audiences’ surprising reactions to the film, how President Trump’s election inspired the film and her candid thoughts on working with Netflix: “This movie would have had no life without them,” she said. Read our full report and watch the videos below for more highlights.

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Envelope Live screening series: ‘The Kindergarten Teacher’

A deep dive into the poetry of 'The Kindergarten Teacher' On Now

A deep dive into the poetry of 'The Kindergarten Teacher'

Maggie Gyllenhaal on how Donald Trump's election influenced 'The Kindergarten Teacher' On Now

Maggie Gyllenhaal on how Donald Trump's election influenced 'The Kindergarten Teacher'

Maggie Gyllenhaal reveals the benefits of releasing 'The Kindergarten Teacher' on Netflix On Now

Maggie Gyllenhaal reveals the benefits of releasing 'The Kindergarten Teacher' on Netflix

Maggie Gyllenhaal on what makes 'The Kindergarten Teacher' 'undefinable' On Now

Maggie Gyllenhaal on what makes 'The Kindergarten Teacher' 'undefinable'

Maggie Gyllenhaal reveals 'The Kindergarten Teacher' was shot in just 22 days On Now

Maggie Gyllenhaal reveals 'The Kindergarten Teacher' was shot in just 22 days

Maggie Gyllenhaal shares the most surprising reactions to 'The Kindergarten Teacher' On Now

Maggie Gyllenhaal shares the most surprising reactions to 'The Kindergarten Teacher'

‘Dirty John’

Actress Connie Britton at the LA Times Envelope Live screening of "Dirty John" at The Montalbán.
(Michael Owen Baker / For The Times)

The team behind “Dirty John,” the popular Times podcast and series-turned-Bravo anthology series, participated in an Envelope Live screening and discussion Nov. 27. Stars Connie Britton, Julia Garner and several of the show’s key behind-the-scenes personnel, covered a wide range of topics, including why it was important for Britton to meet with her real-life counterpart Debra Newell, the importance in showing the lighter side of central villain John Meehan, and how the show’s producers made sure they were respectful to Newell and her family while also maintaining creative freedom. Read our full report here and watch the videos below for more highlights.

Envelope Live screening series: ‘Dirty John’

Connie Britton reveals what drew her to 'Dirty John' On Now

Connie Britton reveals what drew her to 'Dirty John'

'Dirty John' producer on staying true to the real-life story On Now

'Dirty John' producer on staying true to the real-life story

'Dirty John': Connie Britton talks about meeting Debra Newell On Now

'Dirty John': Connie Britton talks about meeting Debra Newell

'Dirty John': Why it was important to find humor in the true-crime drama On Now

'Dirty John': Why it was important to find humor in the true-crime drama

Julia Garner on how she found her 'Dirty John' character On Now

Julia Garner on how she found her 'Dirty John' character

'Dirty John': The similarities between John Meehan and Charles Manson On Now

'Dirty John': The similarities between John Meehan and Charles Manson

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‘Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts’

Director Mouly Surya at the LA Times Envelope Live screening of "Marlina The Murderer In Four Acts" at The Montalbán.
(Michael Owen Baker / For The Times)

On Nov. 28, “Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts” filmmaker Mouly Surya visited the Montalbán for a screening and discussion. Surya talked about why she wanted to flip feminism on its head with the female-centric western, what kind of censorship she faced in Indonesia and how the film speaks to the #MeToo movement. Read our full report here and watch more of the videos from the Q&A below.

Envelope Live screening series: ‘Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts’

How 'Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts' speaks to the #MeToo movement On Now

How 'Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts' speaks to the #MeToo movement

'Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts' flips feminism on its head On Now

'Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts' flips feminism on its head

'Marlina the Murderer of Four Acts' shines a light on patriarchal societies On Now

'Marlina the Murderer of Four Acts' shines a light on patriarchal societies

'Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts': The meaning behind headless Markus On Now

'Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts': The meaning behind headless Markus

'Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts' puts the Indonesian police on blast On Now

'Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts' puts the Indonesian police on blast

‘The Hate U Give’

Actors Regina Hall, left, and Amandla Stenberg, and director George Tillman Jr. discuss “The Hate U Give” during an Envelope Live screening at the Montalbán in Los Angeles.
(Michael Owen Baker / For The Times)

“The Hate U Give” stars Regina Hall and Amandla Sternberg joined director George Tillman Jr. for a screening and discussion at the Montalbán on Dec. 7. The movie was followed by an in-depth conversation about adapting the YA novel for the big screen, the film’s sensitive subject matter, the recasting of one of the film’s key roles, and the emotional reactions the film has garnered. Read our full report here and watch more of the videos from the Q&A below.

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Envelope Live screening series: ‘Hate U Give’

Amandla Sternberg on tackling current issues in 'The Hate U Give' On Now

Amandla Sternberg on tackling current issues in 'The Hate U Give'

Regina Hall opens up about emotional reactions to 'The Hate U Give' On Now

Regina Hall opens up about emotional reactions to 'The Hate U Give'

'The Hate U Give': Why one of the film's major roles had to be recast On Now

'The Hate U Give': Why one of the film's major roles had to be recast

Amandla Sternberg on playing multiple versions of her 'Hate U Give' character On Now

Amandla Sternberg on playing multiple versions of her 'Hate U Give' character

'The Hate U Give': Regina King and Amandla Sternberg on crafting chemistry On Now

'The Hate U Give': Regina King and Amandla Sternberg on crafting chemistry

Regina Hall reveals how two failed auditions led to 'The Hate U Give' On Now

Regina Hall reveals how two failed auditions led to 'The Hate U Give'

‘Rise of the Documentary’

The “Rise of the Documentary” panel.
(Michael Owen Baker / For The Times)

On Dec. 8, the Envelope Live hosted a special “Rise of the Documentary” roundtable event at the Montalbán to look back at what has been one of the format’s biggest years ever. The roundtable included Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi (“Free Solo”), Tim Wardle (“Three Identical Strangers”), Betsy West (“RBG”), Morgan Neville (“Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”) and Sandi Tan (“Shirkers”). Read the full report here and watch more videos below from the event below.

Envelope Live: Documentary roundtable

The life-or-death ethical question at the center of 'Free Solo' On Now

The life-or-death ethical question at the center of 'Free Solo'

'RBG' and Fred Rogers: How art imitates life On Now

'RBG' and Fred Rogers: How art imitates life

Mr. Rogers' widow on 'Won't You Be My Neighbor': 'Don't Make Fred into a Saint' On Now

Mr. Rogers' widow on 'Won't You Be My Neighbor': 'Don't Make Fred into a Saint'

The very personal dilemma behind the making of 'Shirkers' On Now

The very personal dilemma behind the making of 'Shirkers'

Why Ruth Bader Ginsburg didn't initially say yes to 'RBG' On Now

Why Ruth Bader Ginsburg didn't initially say yes to 'RBG'

'Three Identical Strangers': Where are its subjects now? On Now

'Three Identical Strangers': Where are its subjects now?

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‘Science Fair’

"Science Fair" directors Darren Foster and Cristina Costantini, joined by subjects Dr. Serena McCalla and Robbie Barrat during a Los Angeles Times Envelope Live screening at The Montalbán.
(Michael Owen Baker / For The Times)

On Dec. 9, “Science Fair” directors Cristina Costantini and Darren Foster reunited with two of the documentary’s subjects, Dr. Serena McCalla and Robbie Barrat, at an Envelope Live screening at the Montalbán. After a screening of the film, the group discussed the surprising inspiration for the film, the “challenging” casting process and why they decided to cut out a mention of President Trump from the finished product. Read our full report here and watch the videos below for more highlights.

Envelope Live screening series: ‘Science Fair’

'Science Fair': The surprising inspiration for the doc On Now

'Science Fair': The surprising inspiration for the doc

'Science Fair' subjects reveal why they agreed to be filmed On Now

'Science Fair' subjects reveal why they agreed to be filmed

How cutthroat is the 'Science Fair' world? On Now

How cutthroat is the 'Science Fair' world?

'Science Fair' directors on why they cut Trump out of the film On Now

'Science Fair' directors on why they cut Trump out of the film

'Science Fair' directors discuss the 'challenge' of casting On Now

'Science Fair' directors discuss the 'challenge' of casting

‘Won’t You Be My Neighbor’

"Won't You Be My Neighbor?" director Morgan Neville at a Q&A moderated by Los Angeles Times writer Lorraine Ali.
(Ringo H.W. Chiu / For The Times)

On Jan. 7, “Won’t You Be My Neighbor” director Morgan Neville screened his hit Fred Rogers documentary at the Montalbán. The screening was followed by a Q&A with Times critic Lorraine Ali to discuss how Neville came up with the idea to do a documentary centered on the “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” host, what he found during his research for the film and the message he hopes viewers take away from the final product. Read our full report here and watch the videos below for more highlights.

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Envelope Live screening series: ‘Won’t You Be My Neighbor?’

Why Morgan Neville wanted to do a Fred Rogers documentary On Now

Why Morgan Neville wanted to do a Fred Rogers documentary

'Won't You be My Neighbor' director tackles Trump comparisons On Now

'Won't You be My Neighbor' director tackles Trump comparisons

How Bobby Kennedy's death influenced 'Won't You Be My Neighbor?' On Now

How Bobby Kennedy's death influenced 'Won't You Be My Neighbor?'

The advice Fred Rogers' wife gave to Morgan Neville On Now

The advice Fred Rogers' wife gave to Morgan Neville

'Won't You Be My Neighbor?': The importance of Coco the gorilla On Now

'Won't You Be My Neighbor?': The importance of Coco the gorilla

‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’

Peter Ramsey, center, at the "Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse" LA Times Envelope Live screening at the Montalbán in Hollywood.
(Ana Venegas / For The Times)

On Jan. 30, “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” co-directors Peter Ramsey, Bob Perischetti and Rodney Rothman, along with producers Phil Lord and Chris Miller, attended an Envelope Live screening for their Oscar-nominated animated superhero film. Speaking with Times reporter Jeffrey Fleishman, the creative team hit on a wide array of topics, including how the Coen brothers influenced the creative process, why they knew the film had to focus on Miles Morales and the pros and cons of doing an animated film. Read our full report here and watch the videos below for more highlights.

Envelope Live screening series: ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’

Why 'Spider-Man' producers wanted to center the story on Miles Morales On Now

Why 'Spider-Man' producers wanted to center the story on Miles Morales

How 'Popeye' and the Coen brothers influenced 'Spider-Man' On Now

How 'Popeye' and the Coen brothers influenced 'Spider-Man'

'Spider-Man' team on the pros and cons of making an animated film On Now

'Spider-Man' team on the pros and cons of making an animated film

'Spider-Man': The importance of the film's diverse cast of characters On Now

'Spider-Man': The importance of the film's diverse cast of characters

'Spider-Man': Breaking down the film's most relatable characters On Now

'Spider-Man': Breaking down the film's most relatable characters

How 'Spider-Man' shows the power of the film's quiet moments On Now

How 'Spider-Man' shows the power of the film's quiet moments

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‘BlacKkKlansman’

"BlacKkKlansman" director Spike Lee, left, and editor Barry Alexander Brown talk about the movie at an Envelope Live screening.
(Ana Venegas / For The Times)

On Feb. 2, longtime collaborators Spike Lee and Barry Alexander Brown appeared at the Montalbán in Hollywood for a screening of their latest work, “BlacKkKlansman.” That was followed by a lively Q&A with Times columnist Mary McNamara, which ran the gamut from how the director and editor first met and started working together some three decades ago to how current events affected the film, both during production and when the film hit theaters. Read our full report here and watch the videos below for more highlights.

Envelope Live screening series: ‘BlacKkKlansman’

Spike Lee on how current events bolstered 'BlacKkKlansman's' impact On Now

Spike Lee on how current events bolstered 'BlacKkKlansman's' impact

'BlacKkKlansman': How Charlottesville affected the film's ending On Now

'BlacKkKlansman': How Charlottesville affected the film's ending

Spike Lee and his longtime editor reveal how their partnership began On Now

Spike Lee and his longtime editor reveal how their partnership began

'BlacKkKlansman' editor reveals a key moment that wasn't in the script On Now

'BlacKkKlansman' editor reveals a key moment that wasn't in the script

Spike Lee talks about finding the humor in 'BlacKkKlansman' On Now

Spike Lee talks about finding the humor in 'BlacKkKlansman'

‘Vice’

"Vice" director Adam McKay and editor Hank Corwin at an Envelope Live screening at the Montalbán in Hollywood.
(Ana Venegas / For The Times)

On Feb. 4, “Vice” director Adam McKay and editor Hank Corwin took part in a screening and Q&A for their Dick Cheney biopic. Moderated by awards columnist Glenn Whipp, the panel took a closer look at how editing played an important role in crafting the film, including two major scenes that were cut out of the final version, and how early test screenings of the film inspired a few more trims in the editing room. Read our full report here and watch the playlist below for more video highlights.

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Envelope Live screening series: ‘Vice’

How 'Vice' is a 'love story wrapped in addiction' On Now

How 'Vice' is a 'love story wrapped in addiction'

'Vice' director doesn't agree with the film being labeled a comedy On Now

'Vice' director doesn't agree with the film being labeled a comedy

'Vice:' Why an elaborate musical number was cut from the film On Now

'Vice:' Why an elaborate musical number was cut from the film

How Christian Bale helped craft 'Vice's' powerful ending On Now

How Christian Bale helped craft 'Vice's' powerful ending

'Vice' team talks about the importance of test screenings On Now

'Vice' team talks about the importance of test screenings

'Vice' director reveals why he changed the film's opening scenes On Now

'Vice' director reveals why he changed the film's opening scenes

‘Roma’

"Roma" stars Marina de Tavira and Yalitza Aparicio at the London West Hollywood Hotel for an Envelope Live screening.
(Ana Venegas / For The Times)

On Feb. 16, “Roma” stars Yalitza Aparicio and Marina de Tavira took part in an Envelope Live screening and Q&A for the Netflix drama. The discussion, moderated by awards columnist Glenn Whipp, covered a wide range of topics, including the film’s central themes, the unique shooting style and filming that pivotal beach scene, as well as the most surprising reactions they’ve received from viewers. Read our full report here and watch the videos below for more highlights.

Envelope Live screening series: ‘Roma’

'Roma' actresses talk about the stigma surrounding failed marriages On Now

'Roma' actresses talk about the stigma surrounding failed marriages

How 'Roma' has inspired surprising reactions from male viewers On Now

How 'Roma' has inspired surprising reactions from male viewers

'Roma' stars on why it helped not to have a full script On Now

'Roma' stars on why it helped not to have a full script

'Roma': The story behind that pivotal beach scene On Now

'Roma': The story behind that pivotal beach scene

'Roma' stars discuss the real women who inspired their characters On Now

'Roma' stars discuss the real women who inspired their characters

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