Pizza Film School, created by filmmakers Anthony and Joe Russo, began as a way to make the world of filmmaking more approachable through candid, engaging conversations. Originally conceived during the pandemic as discussions about the movies that inspired their own creative journeys, the series has since evolved into a deeper exploration of the art and craft of cinema.
Season Three expands the concept into a masterclass that shifts focus from films to the people who make them possible—costume designers, editors, composers, casting directors, and producers. Many of these collaborators helped shape the Russos’ own projects, from Avengers: Endgame to Everything Everywhere All at Once. By spotlighting these often-overlooked contributors, the season reframes filmmaking as a profoundly collective art form and reveals the craft behind what gives movies their power and texture.
The goal of this season is twofold: to educate and to celebrate. It demystifies the technical and creative processes behind film, breaking them down into conversations that are both rigorous and accessible. At the same time, it honors the artistry of the behind-the-scenes disciplines that bring a director’s vision to life.
Grounded in the Russos’ curiosity and passion, the tone remains warm and conversational—sharing pizza keeps the discussions unpretentious—while the insights elevate the series into a true cultural resource. Ultimately, Season Three embodies AGBO’s mission to champion storytelling in all its forms, amplifying the diverse voices that make cinema possible and inviting audiences to experience filmmaking from the inside out.
Pizza Film School was born from a simple idea: that the best conversations about movies shouldn’t happen behind closed doors. Anthony and Joe Russo, filmmakers who began as independent storytellers before directing some of the most successful films in history, wanted to reimagine film education for the digital age. What started as a casual livestream evolved into a platform where industry knowledge is shared freely, with warmth, humor, and zero pretense. Season Three represents the full realization of that mission.
This season required the same level of rigor and preparation the Russos bring to their productions. Alongside the producing team, we spent months determining which of their longtime creative collaborators to feature, identifying guests whose work shaped not only AGBO projects like The Electric State and the Avengers films, but the broader landscape of cinema. Our guests had 20–50 years of experience across iconic titles: composer Alan Silvestri (Back to the Future, Forrest Gump), costume designer Judianna Makovsky (Harry Potter, The Hunger Games), and production designer Dennis Gassner (Skyfall, Blade Runner 2049, 1917) to name a few.
This was not a “sit down and turn the mic on” show. For each episode, we reviewed each guest’s entire body of work, sometimes spanning hundreds of credits, to identify not only the Russo-collaborated films, but the scenes, design choices, and creative pivot points that best revealed their craft. We prepared 11+ page briefing documents per episode, queued scenes, surfaced stories from prep and production, and structured conversations to let guests define their discipline while also breaking down the decisions behind cinema’s most memorable moments.
Filming took place at AGBO, often accommodating complex schedules: some days required recording two episodes back-to-back, and one week involved filming five full episodes (talk about a pizza overload, Anthony Russo pitched renaming to Pizza and Salad Film School after that week). The AGBO stage we used is often utilized for other productions, requiring careful coordination to re-stage and maintain consistency. Crews shifted quickly between setups to preserve quality while staying nimble. Even logistical details, like sourcing local pizzerias for every shoot regardless of time of day, were handled with intention to maintain the series’ signature tone.
This season also marked our debut on audio platforms, vs YouTube-only on the first two seasons. The launch coincided with the release of The Electric State, and eight of the nine guests featured this season worked on the film. Though the season was filmed while the movie was still in production, the timing allowed audiences to make direct connections between the podcast insights and the work they saw on screen.
The most meaningful outcome was the audience response. Comments described the show as “a goldmine for film lovers,” “getting me through NYU film school,” and “supporting my film students with real-world knowledge.” Listeners praised each episode as “packed with gems” and thanked AGBO for “a peek under the hood.” This community validation affirmed our approach: a deeply prepared, highly technical, but entirely accessible masterclass delivered by the collaborators who shape cinema.
Season Three of Pizza Film School delivered on—and exceeded—our core objectives of educating audiences about the craft of filmmaking and celebrating the often-overlooked artists who bring films to life.
This approach resonated strongly with listeners. By the end of Season Three, Pizza Film School ranked in the top 1% of all podcasts based on average first 7-day downloads, a clear indication that audiences are hungry for deeper, more accessible conversations about film craft. The season generated nearly 25,000 downloads, over 140,000 YouTube views, and earned a 5/5 rating on Apple Podcasts—demonstrating both reach and sustained listener satisfaction. The series was further validated by winning a Gold Signal Award in the TV & Film category, affirming its quality and cultural value.
We consider the season a success not only because of its strong performance metrics, but because it fulfilled its creative mission. Season Three maintained a warm, inviting tone—true to its origins—while elevating its content into a masterclass on filmmaking. It broadened public understanding of cinema’s collaborative nature and celebrated the individuals who make great films possible.
