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Artwork for Supporting Characters

Supporting Characters

Bill Ackerman
Physical Media
Film Distribution
Film Preservation
Home Video
Commentary
The Physical Media Advocate
The Disconnected
Antenna (company)
Film Criticism
Accessibility For Disabled Audiences
Transgender Representation
Trans Cinema
Indian Cinema
Film Festivals
Educational Films
AV Geeks
Cultural Artifacts
Independent Film
Keith Gordon
Iconoscope

Host Bill Ackerman talks to writers, bloggers, podcasters, fanzine publishers, programmers, preservationists and more about their creative endeavors and today's film culture.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes79Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
TV & FilmArtsVisual Arts

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Supporting Characters

Latest Episodes

Bill speaks to author, film historian and film programmer Heidi Honeycutt about her various creative endeavors, from writing freelance film journalism and creating websites like Pretty Scary to acting in independent films, co-founding film festivals ... more

Bill speaks to author and film/music historian Jimmy McDonough about his work, including his latest biography, GARY STEWART: I AM FROM THE HONKY TONKS. Topics include: Andy Milligan and THE GHASTLY ONE, Teuvo Tulio, WHISPERS FROM SPACE, June Ormond, ... more

Bill speaks to author and film historian "42nd Street Pete" Chiarella about his various endeavors, from selling 8mm loops and managing Past Midnight Video to working security at horror conventions, hosting radio and YouTube shows, publishing magazine... more

Bill speaks to Vinegar Syndrome's film scanning technician and restoration artist Brandon Upson about his various pursuits, from working on film and television productions to overseeing the new Iconoscope sub-label. Topics include: DON'T BE AFRAID OF... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Jimmy McDonough
Biographer and journalist specializing in music and film figures
Episode: Episode 77: Jimmy McDonough
Pete Chiarella
42nd Street Pete, historian and writer of grindhouse/60s-90s exploitation cinema
Independent
Episode: Episode 76: "42nd Street Pete" Chiarella
Ryan Verrill
A physical media advocate and creator of the YouTube channel 'The Disconnected'
Someone's Favorite Productions
Episode: Episode 74: Ryan Verrill
Keith Gordon
Renowned filmmaker and actor known for his work in 'Christine', 'Back to School', and several acclaimed independent films.
Episode: Episode 73: Keith Gordon
Skip Elsheimer
Founder of AV Geeks, known for curating and preserving educational and ephemeral films.
AV Geeks
Episode: Episode 72: Skip Elsheimer
Willow Catelyn Maclay
Professional film critic and co-author of Corpses, Fools and Monsters: The History And Future Of Transness In Cinema.
Episode: Episode 70: Willow Catelyn Maclay

Host

Bill Ackerman
Host of Supporting Characters

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 119 ratings
  • Bill is the best

    Bill is one of my favorite voices on film. His interviews are unparalleled and his knowledge is vast and varied. This is the only podcast on film and the people involved that I return to time and again. Highly recommended.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    djsharonneedles
    United States2 months ago
  • Bill Ackerman, one of the best interviewers.

    Supporting Characters is back after a long hiatus! As great as ever!

    Bill has always provided in depth interviews, digging deep into each persons background. Never dull, always with humor and lots of interesting info.

    I’ve never heard a bad episode, and the latest with Erica Shultz is no exception. Wonderful new Ep!

    also - Bill, please come back to us on Letterboxd!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JackBluRay78
    United States4 months ago
  • Ackerman Delivers!!!!

    I could only wish to tackle the details he does. Love all these!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Larles Chongo
    United States3 years ago
  • One if the best film related podcasts I’ve heard.

    Great podcast! Great guests and thoughtful questions. Lengthy interviews too which I love.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cluny Brown
    United States3 years ago
  • The wonderful world of cinephilia

    An absolute diamond off a podcast floating in a sea of junk. Each episode traces the life of an individual cinephile through the interview format. The host, Bill, is simply top tier as an interviewer, having researched meticulously beforehand, yet never failing to follow up on an intriguing answer which then takes the conversation down the occasional unanticipated alleyway. I love this podcast. It has meant a lot to me over the years. I even appreciate the long gap between seasons, because it ju... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Typical Podlistener
    United Kingdom4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guest lineups are diverse and deeply knowledgeable about film history and preservation.
The format and discussion depth are appreciated, though some listeners wish for more frequent new episodes.
Listeners praise the host's deep prep and genuine curiosity, delivering long, informative interviews.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 76: "42nd Street Pete" Chiarella
Q: How did you start with the loops and your writing career?
He explains starting by selling loops at flea markets, trading tapes, and writing handwritten pieces that evolved into Blue Books and later journalistic work, with Frank Henenlotter recognizing his early writing.
Episode 76: "42nd Street Pete" Chiarella
Q: What kind of films did you like as a kid?
Pete describes a lifelong draw to monster movies and early horror, cued by TV showcases and 50s-60s drives, which shaped his taste before he discovered 42nd Street's grindhouse ecosystem.
Episode 75: Brandon Upson
Q: Is there a particular film or filmmaker that changed the way you looked at film?
Apocalypse Now changed my perspective; it opened my eyes to what a movie could be.
Episode 75: Brandon Upson
Q: What kind of films did you like as a kid?
As a kid, I loved exploitation and horror movies, especially those from the 70s and 80s that I watched with my family.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Supporting Characters

What is Supporting Characters about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers on deep-dive conversations with filmmakers, critics, historians, and preservationists who live and breathe film culture. Episodes frequently explore career trajectories, archival research, restoration, genre histories, and the personal stories behind notable projects and publications. Listeners can expect thoughtful, long-form interviews that peel back the layers of cinema history, often with a focus on preservation, niche genres, and the communities that sustain them. A standout aspect is the mix of creators who work behind the scenes—editors, curators, fanzine publishers, and archivists—delivering rich context and behind-the-scenes perspectives that aren't often covered in mainstream coverage. This makes it especially ap... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Supporting Characters?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Supporting Characters:

1. Pure Cinema Podcast
2. Eros + Massacre
3. The Severin Films Podcast
4. The Movies That Made Me
5. The Important Cinema Club

How many episodes of Supporting Characters are there?

Supporting Characters launched 10 years ago and published 79 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Supporting Characters?

Recent guests on Supporting Characters include:

1. Jimmy McDonough
2. Pete Chiarella
3. Ryan Verrill
4. Keith Gordon
5. Skip Elsheimer
6. Willow Catelyn Maclay

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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