ROAD COMEDIANS IN THE TIME OF COVID-19

Over the past week, the lights have gone out at live venues around the world, in order to prevent further contagion of the novel coronavirus. That loss of work has hit a lot of people hard... including comedians. The Frame contributor Tim Greiving set out to learn how this time of “social distancing” is affecting the people who make us laugh.

#PAYUP HOLLYWOOD ADVOCATES FOR THE OVERLOOKED ASSISTANTS AMONG US

The group #PayUpHollywood was started last year to bring attention to the chronically underpaid people who work as assistants in the entertainment business. Now, with virtually all production halted because of the coronavirus, many of them are being let go. John talks with TV writer and former assistant Liz Alper, who helped launch the #PayUpHollywood movement and has helped start a GoFundMe campaign for assistants who've lost work. 

FRAME RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SOCIAL ISOLATION

Like so many people, The Frame team has been working remotely. Many others have been forced to stop working all together. All our interviews are being conducted with people who are also in their homes. So we’ve been thinking a lot about how to stay connected-- to each other, to what makes us happy. And we’ve got some advice about things you might want to do, or watch. 

MOVIE LIMBO FOR 'THE CLIMB'

In the past week we’ve seen movie theaters go from limiting the number of patrons to completely shutting down. In the time of social distancing, some studios have hurried their films onto streaming and video-on-demand platforms. But not all movies are getting that same treatment. One film that was supposed to open this weekend and now doesn’t have a new release date is “The Climb.” It's about best friends who have a life-altering conversation while riding bikes up a mountain in France “The Climb” is co-written by and stars real-life best friends Michael Angelo Covino and Kyle Marvin. Mike also directed the film. John spoke with them about working on a film for years, and then being put on limbo just as the film was to be released.

MOVING IS STILL MOVING TO THEM

M. Ward has had a prolific career as a songwriter. He’s a member of Monsters of Folk with Conor Oberst, he’s one half of She & Him with Zooey Deschanel, and he’s released nearly a dozen albums as a solo artist. His latest, titled “Migration Stories,” was inspired by headlines and conversations about immigration. John Horn spoke with the singer songwriter about his latest record and about how musicians have been affected by COVID-19.

A ONE-WOMAN WORLD MUSIC SOURCE

Sudan Archives is the stage name of Brittney Parks. She’s an unconventional singer-songwriter who is also a self-taught violinist. Her influences range from R&B and rock to Sudanese and Irish folk music. Last year she released her debut album, "Athena," and it got raves. When she spoke with The Frame producer Jonathan Shifflett, she shared some of the YouTube videos that have most impacted her music.

MISSING, DEAD AND STILL UNSOLVED

When her eldest daughter, Shannan, vanishes in a wealthy Long Island neighborhood in 2010, Mari Gilbert (played by Amy Ryan) sets out to find some answers. Inspired by Robert Kolker’s 2013 nonfiction book of the same name, "Lost Girls" (directed by Liz Garbus for Netflix) tells the story of the search for Shannan Gilbert, which ultimately led to the discovery of the bodies of nine young women (including Gilbert) who worked as prostitutes. The cases are still unsolved. Amy Ryan spoke with The Frame about what drew her to this role and what "Lost Girls" has to say about what it takes to be believed.