The Frame

Alice Armendariz, aka Alice Bag, became part of L.A.'s punk scene in the late '70s and she's still keeping that spirit alive; members of SAG-AFTRA want a share of revenue from the lucrative video game industry; Gianfranco Rosi’s “Fire At Sea” is about African migrants risking their lives in the Mediterranean.

Actress Naomie Harris wasn’t sure about playing a drug-addicted mother in “Moonlight,” but she couldn’t resist the powerful coming-of-age story; Donald Trump's campaign hosted a Facebook Live show before, during and after the debate; the latest album by Natalie Mering, aka Weyes Blood, was inspired by growing up in a devoutly religious household

Documentarian Dawn Porter had a legal career before picking up a film camera. Now she uses her legal knowledge to look at social issues such as abortion rights in her new film, "Trapped"; "Hamiltunes LA" was created by a group of superfans whose love of the Broadway musical, "Hamilton," led to the sing-along event that's now being replicated nationwide

Actress Rebecca Hall knew nothing of troubled news reporter Christine Chubbuck before she received the script for "Christine." She discusses the larger issues at work in Chubbuck's life; China's Wanda Group announced plans for a huge new studio facility in China and a hefty production incentive to lure filmmakers; After the election, will Donald Trump create his own media empire?

In the HBO series "Westworld," Thandie Newton plays a robot prostitute who's one of the "hosts" in the dystopian theme park. She opens up about how this role is empowering in that it gives her the opportunity to challenge sexism and the objectification of women; Guatemalan singer-songwriter Gaby Moreno talks about why she moved to LA and she reflects on border culture in her new album "Illusion."

Filmmaker Gavin O'Connor worked with Ben Affleck to make sure the actor's portrayal of a character on the autism spectrum was accurate and respectful; Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan and an army of former Prince collaborators were on hand for the tribute; Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig from the band Lucius on working with the Pink Floyd legend.

The New Yorker editor David Remnick on Bob Dylan's literary cred; Jonás Cuarón explains why he made a movie about immigration as an action-thriller; Amazon wants your music streaming business; "A Nation Engaged": "Fresh Off the Boat" creator Nahnatchka Khan; Neon Trees singer Tyler Green comes out and leaves the Mormon church.

America Ferrera says she's as much an activist as she is an actress, and she proves it in a documentary for the Epix cable channel; is NBC's attempt at synergy to blame for the Donald Trump/Billy Bush tape debacle?; visual artist Edgar Arceneaux imagines a better future for creatives.

"Improvisos Peligrosos" (Dangerous Improvisations) is diversifying the improv comedy scene in L.A.; Actress Constance Wu on what it means to be an American; "Newtown" is a portrait of the small Connecticut town in the wake of the 2012 massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

How did NBC get beat on its own "Access Hollywood" tape of Donald Trump and Billy Bush? What does this tell us about the blurring of lines between news and entertainment?; the first weekend of Desert Trip was full of music, politics and high-end food; "The Birth of a Nation" underwhelms at the box office; "A Nation Engaged": playwright Jon Robin Baitz

Show biz veterans run a TV channel at an industry retirement home (pictured); the head of UCLA's Center for African American Studies weighs in on e-mails from studio executives joking about President Obama's taste in films; and acclaimed photographer Sebastião Salgado gets the documentary treatment from his son.

Julianne Moore talks about her role as an Alzheimer's patient in "Still Alice" (pictured); the British holiday stage tradition known as panto comes to the Pasadena Playhouse; and a movie marketing executive assesses Sony's challenge with "The Interview."

Several Screen Actors Guild award nominees took risky bets that paid off; Singer-songwriter Gaby Moreno rewrites some holiday classics; and director Laura Poitras talks about her Edward Snowden documentary, "Citizenfour."

There's some casting controversy over Ridley Scott's Biblical tale, "Exodus" (pictured); Sean Rameswaram of the Sideshow podcast leads us through the gems and lumps of coal among this year's holiday albums; and playwright Rebecca Gale mines the social welfare system in "Luna Gale."

World premieres at next month's Sundance Festival include Paul Weitz's "Grandma," starring Lily Tomlin (pictured); as "Boyhood" garners more praise, Ethan Hawke talks about the film's effect on audiences; artist Jennifer Moon gets her inspiration behind the wheel; and Jean-Marc Vallee says he didn't choose "Wild," the project chose him.

Grammy nominations are out: What did voters get right/wrong?; LACMA curator Franklin Sirmans attends Art Basel Miami and lives to tell the story; Chadwick Boseman has played Jackie Robinson, James Brown (pictured) and soon will play Marvel’s first black superhero; Robert Downey Sr. on his film retrospective.

NBC's coverage of the Rockefeller Plaza Christmas tree lighting ceremony was almost disrupted by protests (pictured); Alexandre Desplat is one of Hollywood’s busiest and most celebrated composers; a neuroscientist on how cinema manipulates our minds; and why the current dearth of great sitcoms?

Filmmaker Kyle Alvarez on the thrill of being invited to the Sundance Film Festival; why Kevin Costner reached into his own pocketbook for "Black or White" (pictured); “Into the Woods” is back onstage and headed for the multiplex; and Daniel Catán's operatic legacy won't end with 'Florencia en el Amazonas.'

As movie award season gets underway, talk inevitably returns to the novelty of "Boyhood," which was named 2014's best film by New York critics; the Wende Museum in Culver City turns East German artifacts into artwork; and Carmen Esposito may be the hardest-working comedian in show biz.

Sony Pictures computers were hacked last week, resulting in several unreleased films being leaked. We also talk about the wider effects of film piracy; actress Reese Witherspoon (pictured in "Wild") and her producing partner, Bruna Papandrea, talk about how they're working to change the film industry.

CalTech physicist Kip Thorne talks about getting the science right for "Interstellar"; Tim Robbins' Actors' Gang theater company works to rehabilitate inmates; and Margaret Lyons of Vulture.com has some viewing suggestions after the mashed potatoes turn you into a couch potato.

Killer Mike talks about performing in St. Louis on the night the Ferguson decision came down; actor Benedict Cumberbatch shares the tragic story of the genius who broke the Enigma code; the indie film version of the Oscars unveils its nominations; and musician Ben Watt talks about his solo career.