The Frame

A new report by the Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies at UCLA says movies and TV shows with diverse casts (such as "Empire," pictured) make good financial sense; Song Exploder breaks down the theme song for "House of Cards"; a new stage production at CalTech takes "Alice Through the Wormhole."

How did Amy Poehler's sitcom (pictured) survive seven seasons of average ratings?; Sam Beam, aka Iron & Wine, returns to his musical roots with "Archive Series Volume Number One"; Wes Anderson's Oscar-winning film is the subject of a new book; the L.A. Philharmonic stages a multimedia production of "Alice in Wonderland."

Sam Beam -- better known by his stage name Iron and Wine -- started writing stripped down folk songs more than a decade ago in his bedroom in Miami, Florida. After experimenting with Jazz, R&B and Pop, he returns to his quiet folk music roots with “Archive Series Volume No. 1.” Iron and Wine performs a live-set of songs new and old for The Frame. Set List: "Everyone’s Summer of ’95” “Two Hungry Blackbirds” “Low Light Buddy of Mine” Our interview with Beam and more here: http://www.scpr.org/programs/the-frame/2015/02/20/41644/iron-wine-performs-songs-from-archive-series-volum/ Video produced by Zach Stamey, James Kim and Maya Sugarman.

A special edition of The Frame examines Hollywood's diversity challenge with screenwriter José Rivera, producer Effie Brown and Frank Leonard, CEO of the The Black List screenplay project.

Many of the winners of the 87th Academy Awards joined us on The Frame to talk about their work. Hear from Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu, Best Adapted Screenplay winner Graham Moore (pictured), Best Actress Julianne Moore and ... more!

“Comedy Bang Bang” host Scott Aukerman (far right, with sidekick Reggie Watts) loves and laughs at late-night talk shows; How the "Interstellar" sound editor created the sound of gravity; The indie film crowd gets raucous at the Independent Spirit Awards; How "Hero" by Family of the Year became the unofficial theme song of “Boyhood."

Photographer Sandro Miller talks about how he recreated some of the world’s most famous portraits with actor John Malkovich (pictured) as his muse; Kate Burton and Jason Robards talk about being second-generation actors; The sound designer from "Birdman" breaks down a scene from the film.

Lin-Manuel Miranda and Thomas Kail have another stage hit with their hip-hop musical, "Hamilton" (pictured); How the sound editors for "Unbroken" created a pivotal scene for the movie; Thomas Lennon plays Felix Unger in CBS' remake of "The Odd Couple."

Jason Blum made his name producing successful, low-budget horror films, but he could get an Oscar as part of the producing team for "Boyhood" (pictured); the Sundance Institute pairs composers and filmmakers at Skywalker Ranch; Simon Rich's "Man Seeking Woman" is one of the most bizarre sitcoms on TV.

Our interviews with the best actors, best directors and more ahead of the Academy Awards. Hear from Wes Anderson, Alejandro Iñárritu (far right, with Michael Keaton), Richard Linklater, Benedict Cumberbatch, Julianne Moore, Eddie Redmayne, Reese Witherspoon and more.

Lili Zanuck worked decades to produce her biopic of blues singer Bessie Smith, and to make sure Queen Latifah got the lead role; Sony bought the rights to 33 Van Morrison albums and will make many available digitally for the first time; Rob Cordrry and David Wain on making their spoof of medical dramas.

José Padilha tells the story of Pablo Escobar in the new Netflix series, "Narcos;" The indie band Gardens and Villa has an artist compound near Dodger Stadium; Warner Bros. is in talks to co-finance a slate of movies made in China; 40 years ago today, Bruce Springsteen released his landmark album, “Born to Run.”

Yo La Tengo's new album has the trio reimagining songs they love by other artists; Regal Cinemas steps up security measures at movie theaters; Emmy-nominated actor Titus Burgess from "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt"; Neil Young's Pono needs money

Jim Reid says he couldn't imagine the band's 1985 debut album, "Psychocandy," remaining popular 30 years later; "Sneakerheadz" is a documentary about obsessive sneaker collectors; writer Steven Johnson says the digital age has not brought on the expected apocalypse for the creative class.

Doug Aitken didn't want a traditional documentary about his music and art-filled train project, so he instead made 62 one-minute films; FYF founder Sean Carlson talks about the music festival's growing pains; for bands like Lower Dens and The Drums, FYF is another stop on a never-ending road trip.

"Jackass" stunt master Johnny Knoxville made a documentary, "Being Evel," about his childhood hero; Mac Quayle went from producing dance music for the likes of Donna Summer to composing music for TV shows such as "American Horror Story"; a vote by SAG-AFTRA members could chart the future for Hollywood's biggest union.

“Straight Outta Compton" received rave reviews, but some critics say the movie minimizes the misogyny and violence against women at the heart of N.W.A.’s music; The L.A. band Health continues to rise in the music scene, but is the band at its peak?; poet Claudia Rankine’s book on racism and prejudice gets adapted to the stage.

Ice Cube is played by his son in "Straight Outta Compton" and the father/son duo tell us how they wanted the performance to be authentic; Guy Ritchie's "The Man From U.N.C.L.E." isn't your average, everyday spy movie; Star Wars Land and other Disney-related news from D23; Tracy Morgan to return as host of SNL.

OITNB's Crazy Eyes actress Uzo Aduba embraces her Nigerian looks; African-American artist Mark Bradford puts a unique South L.A. spin on abstract art; How we watch TV today hurts the market value of traditional media companies.

Cinespia lures Angelenos to the Hollywood Forever Cemetery for outdoor movies; The 50th anniversary of the Watts Riots inspires a new play; Sarah and Sean Watkins make an album with Fiona Apple and other friends who play in their Watkins Family Hour stage show

From Stephen Colbert's late-night foray to Kim Jeong's new sitcom, we recap the news from the Television Critics Association press tour; Thundercat breaks down his song "Them Changes" in the latest Song Exploder podcast; Cheating death and finding love while making the documentary 'Meru'. The Log Lady is ready for the new "Twin Peaks."

F. Gary Gray dealt with drama both on and off set to get his vision right for "Straight Outta Compton"; comedian Jen Kirkman takes us backstage at Outside Lands Fest; it's got an Emmy nomination but what the hell is Acorn TV?