WHAT WENT WRONG

[Bonus Preview] Deep Cuts: October 2025

October 31, 2025

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  • The hosts of WHAT WENT WRONG are releasing a preview of their "Deep Cuts: October 2025" episode, which includes audience Q&A and a discussion on creative control versus financial interest in filmmaking, accessible in full to $5 tier subscribers. 
  • The segment featured listener feedback praising Michael C. Williams's contribution to *The Blair Witch Project* and highlighted the hosts' personal experience seeing *Hereditary* at Sundance. 
  • The podcast production process involves significant research hours (20-40 hours per episode) now supported by dedicated researchers (Jesse and Laura), and episode selection is often influenced by current film releases or anniversaries. 

Segments

Episode Introduction and Context
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(00:00:08)
  • Key Takeaway: The WHAT WENT WRONG [Bonus Preview] Deep Cuts: October 2025 episode features audience questions and a discussion on creative control versus financial interest in filmmaking.
  • Summary: This segment introduces the second deep cuts episode where hosts answer questions and discuss a through line between October’s spooky movies. Full access to the episode, including discussions on book-to-film adaptations, requires a $5 tier subscription on Apple Podcasts or Patreon. David facilitates the conversation, which follows up on previous film discussions.
Blair Witch Listener Feedback
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(00:01:04)
  • Key Takeaway: Listener feedback confirmed the lasting impact of The Blair Witch Project’s viral marketing, with some audience members believing the film was real.
  • Summary: Lizzie enjoyed the October spooky movie roundup, noting positive responses to the Blair Witch episode. One listener, Gregory M., shared an anecdote praising actor Michael C. Williams (who played Michael C. Williams), describing him as talented and kind, and expressing relief that he received credit for his monumental contribution to the film’s success. Williams’s idea to kick the map into the river was cited as a massive plot point.
Host Personal Updates
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(00:04:01)
  • Key Takeaway: Chris is recovering well from a fire, now living in a new rental, while David and Lizzie are preparing to return to Los Angeles after living in Seattle since the fire.
  • Summary: The first patron question addressed Chris’s post-fire recovery, which Chris confirmed was fine, noting they are in a new rental without insurance issues. David and Lizzie shared that they have been in Seattle since the fire and are excited about returning to the Los Angeles area soon. They view the past year as making the best of a curveball situation.
Dream Interview Subjects
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(00:05:12)
  • Key Takeaway: Lizzie would interview composer Bernard Herrmann to understand his unconventional scoring techniques, while Chris would interview Charlton Heston during the making of Ben-Hur to clarify subtextual intent.
  • Summary: Lizzie chose Bernard Herrmann, known for his work with Hitchcock and unconventional use of instruments like five harps and two theremins for The Day the Earth Stood Still, to discuss his boundary-pushing approach. Chris selected Charlton Heston during the Ben-Hur production to inquire about potential homosexual subtext, given Heston’s complex political evolution later in life. Lizzie also named Uma Thurman and Christian Bale as desired interviewees.
Podcast Production Workflow
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(00:10:49)
  • Key Takeaway: The process of selecting and researching a film for WHAT WENT WRONG is flexible, often timed to current events, and research now heavily relies on dedicated staff like Jesse and Laura, saving the hosts significant time.
  • Summary: Film selection is not bound by a set window; some movies are chosen immediately, while others are timed for anniversaries or current news (e.g., planning a James Cameron Christmas episode coinciding with Avatar: Fire and Ash). Research and scripting can take 20 to 40 hours, but researchers handle the initial heavy lift, allowing hosts to focus on narrative formulation. David noted that editing takes approximately eight to twelve hours for a rough cut, equating to about one hour per ten minutes of audio.
Revisiting Past Episodes
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(00:15:23)
  • Key Takeaway: Chris regrets the dismissive, ‘holier than thou’ approach taken when discussing religion in the The Exorcist episode, acknowledging a disservice to exploring that period of American history.
  • Summary: The hosts were asked if they would cover any past films differently today due to new information or perspective shifts. Chris specifically cited the episode covering The Exorcist, admitting they were too dismissive of religious belief, even though they still find the Book of Revelation silly. Chris aims to adopt a less dismissive approach, contrasting it with their more nuanced handling of Ben-Hur despite not being religious.