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.

Jill Soloway on the making of the "musicale finale" of "Transparent" — without actor Jeffrey Tambor; a group of up-and-coming film composers and indie directors convene at Skywalker Ranch for some intensive collaboration.

Jim Gaffigan is best known for his comedy, but can play a mean child kidnapper too; what the retirement of the head of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame could mean for overlooked artists; singer/songwriter Lupita Infante carries on her grandfather's legacy.

The LA-based contemporary dance company BodyTraffic debuts new works; what The Black Keys concert fiasco says about the live music industry; how the prolific musician Alex G transforms his voice.

Executive producers Susannah Grant and Sarah Timberman on their Netflix adaptation of a true story about the search for a serial rapist; concerns in Aurora, Colorado about the themes in "Joker"; the band Trashcan Sinatras.

The actress talks about playing the iconic singer and actress Judy Garland; Emmys were a big night for Phoebe Waller-Bridge, not so good for the broadcast networks; our resident "Downton Abbey" nerds revel in their big weekend.

Television is exploding and it’s time to celebrate! Join The Frame's John Horn and L.A. Times TV critic Lorraine Ali as they break down the year in television and this year's Emmy-worthy shows.

Documentary filmmaker Irene Taylor Brodsky turns the camera on her 11-year-son and his effort to learn Beethoven's composition; Hollywood struggles to strike the right note of climate urgency; how sound becomes a character in the film, "The Sound of Silence."

The writer/director of the hit film talks about the making of the movie, and life as a woman director in Hollywood; "Bandersnatch" is not your average TV movie.

In the animated series from the people behind “Bojack Horseman” (Raphael Bob-Waksburg and Kate Purdy), there’s no horse, but there’s still an existential crisis; the play Mike Pesca on SNL's on- again, off-again casting of Shane Gillis; "American Mariachi" is a soundtrack for Mexican-American life.

The director and co-writer of the space epic talks about his new film, which stars Brad Pitt as an astronaut on a perilous mission; NBC announces plans for its streaming service, which will be called Peacock; Rhiannon Giddens talks about her affinity for country music.

The singer and songwriter has a new album and a new movie score coming up, plus a documentary about his time with The Band; Variety film critic Peter Debruge wraps up the Toronto International Film Festival.

Nick Offerman goes on tour; NYT TV critic deconstructs Donald Trump's TV character; Gay of Thrones and The Handmaid's Tale costumer go for Creative Arts Emmys; La Santa Cecilia plays in El Paso and "This Close" is a TV show created by and starring deaf people.