I was invited to a screening of Sunset Blvd. A dark comedy made by Billy Wilder in 1950. William Holden, Gloria Swanson, Erich Von Stroheim - at the last minute I was going to see it by myself, thought twice about it - but something or someone insisted I go.

At the screening, Nancy Olson who starred in the film as the girlfriend of William Holden was there. She had wonderful stories about her experience on the film - her second movie. After the screening I had an urge to go to the Chateau Marmont hotel... I didn't know why, but couldn't talk myself into doing it.

Later, I discovered that Billy Wilder, the director and writer of the film wrote it while he was living in the hotel, and the room that Holden lives in with a Murphy bed was identical to the one that Wilder lived in when he wrote it.

Then for the past few days, I have been hearing, getting messages from Mr. Wilder, about my own career, about films I've written and scripts I haven't yet gotten into production.

So that was the genesis of this conversation. First Carl Weathers, who was an active member of the DGA, my pal whom I wrote a script with (Apollo Creed in Rocky) started the conversation, which then drifted to Luana Anders - where I asked if this Billy fellow wanted to be interviewed.

He did. He said he was greeted by his mother on the flipside - which was poignant because she had not come with him to the US and when he went back to extricate her from Germany, she and her husband and Billy's grandmother were victims of the Nazis.

He expressed sadness at not trying harder to get her to join him in America. I had a million questions to ask him about his writing partner and others - but he spoke about the fast times and laughs (and booze) that he and William Holden shared.

At some point I asked Walter Matthau some questions, since I was his dialog coach on a Charles Grodin film "Movers and Shakers." It was a treat to meet him - part of Hollywood royalty.

Billy talked about the great times they had back then, and how being back home was like "being in a Fred Astaire movie." He noted that he'd made "about 30 movies" (for the record he directed 27 films, including Spirit of St. Louis, the Apartment, Some Like It Hot, etc). He said that in the afterlife, it was like being on a back lot and each sound stage was filled with all the people he'd made a film with - and so each sound stage was another "chapter in his life."

Amazing description. We asked him about Marilyn Monroe and other folks he worked with - and he knew them all.

When I mentioned what a great screenwriter he was, Robert Towne showed up to talk a bit about the process, and how on the flipside, he's still honing his writing skills. He said that he was learning how to be more open to the muse - and agreed that was something for every artist, painter, musician... that we are always honing our skills either onstage or offstage.

And when talking about it, he pointed out that he was in the "before life" zone and not an "after life" arena. Because we can and do return when we want to.

Another mind bending episode.

Another mind bending podcast. In this case as usual, Jennifer and I had no idea whom Luana Anders, our moderator on the flipside would bring to the conversation.

In this case it was my old boss Robert Towne, the screenwriter who passed away recently. He brought up the topic of "DreamBombing" a person's dream. Jennifer said the term, then later I asked him if he coined it or she did - and he took credit for it.

The idea is that they can "slip into" a dream we're having and just say hello. We may be disconcerted, we may not be aware of it - I have no conscious idea that I saw Robert recently, but it is accurate that an hour ago I got an email from his daughter, and it is accurate that I've had dreams in the past where I'm suddenly hearing Robert's comments or voice.

He was a unique voice in life and as a writer. Previously we'd asked him who he may have rubbed elbows with since crossing over and he mentioned both Charles Dickens and William Shakespeare.

I asked Will an innocuous question - I know that Jennifer doesn't remember the questions we've asked people before, and when I ask a vague question like "Was the last time we spoke an accurate description of events?" I know that Jennifer is capable of saying "No." Or "Not so much."

In this instance he replied "More than I imagined it would be." And in that instance I asked him a multitude of questions about his life, his family, the stories about his work, the rewriting done by actors onstage, the genesis of his ideas, as well as remarking how he'd written Romeo and Juliet during the pandemic.

He said "A lot of great work comes out of pandemics."

Unusual comment to make, and in his case; absolutely accurate.

Robert said he'd just come by to mention the dream bombing - and then Luana said she wanted to emphasize the idea of how people should think in terms of doing this kind of work - accessing people offstage.

She said 1. You have to believe it.

That echoes what her friend Harry Dean Stanton had said, that to "allow for the possibility that life goes on is key" in terms of getting any information.

So it's not that one has to believe in religion, or believe in tooth fairies, or believe in pyramid hats, but to believe that it's possible that one's loved ones still exist - that's key to them being able to communicate.

Because if you don't believe you can communicate; you won't.

Second part is to 2 open yourself up to the possibility of communication. That means don't focus on sound, image, answers - focus on the question one is asking and allowing them to find a way to answer it. Could be a coincidence, could be music, could be a specific answer, could be that one turns on the radio hears the answer, opens a book reads the answer, or somehow is made aware of the answer in some method.

They communicate in the best way they know how, and that might be the best way they think we can comprehend what they're saying.

So this podcast is more about process, and a visit from two great writers.

Click subscribe on our podcast Hacking the Afterlife on YouTube (MartiniZone.com) to enjoy more videos and perks from our podcast Hacking the Afterlife. To book a session with Jennifer: JenniferShaffer.com - to book a guided meditation with Rich; RichardMartini.com

Thanks!

I went to the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce ceremony for my pal Carl Weathers. (We wrote a script together were friends for 20 years.) At the ceremony I met some relatives and friends, and told them I might be able to reach out to Carl via our podcast (again.) If one searches his name on this podcast, they'll see the initial interview.

But in honor of his family and friends, here's an article that talks about what the ceremony was like:

HOLLYWOOD, LOS ANGELES -- Carl Weathers was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame this week.

On Thursday, the actor, known for his role as boxer Apollo Creed in the "Rocky" films as well as his time as an NFL linebacker for the then-Oakland Raiders, was posthumously honored during a ceremony by his dear friends in Hollywood and sports, including Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis, actress Bryce Dallas Howard and actor LeVar Burton.

Carl Weathers' sons Matthew Weathers and Jason Weathers, as well as his partner Christine Kludjian, also paid tribute to him in moving speeches.

"My father was an individual with dreams and aspirations," Matthew Weathers said in his speech. "He knew what he wanted at a very young age. He told me on numerous occasions that if he had some money in his pocket as a young man, he'd go to the movies."

A picture of Carl Weathers, the late actor renowned for his iconic roles in films such as "Rocky," is displayed on his star as he is honored posthumously on the Walk of Fame. A picture of Carl Weathers, the late actor renowned for his iconic roles in films such as "Rocky," is displayed on his star as he is honored posthumously on the Walk of Fame. "Not a lot of people have the opportunity to do what he did," he added of his father's illustrious career. "He was proud of what he created. So am I. It's hard to imagine that he's not here."

Jason Weathers echoed his brother's words about their father and said that he's "so proud" of him.

"I wish he could be here to experience this," he continued. "I know he was looking forward to this -- over 50 years in Hollywood, in his career, and now to be immortalized with a star is just truly wonderful."

Along with the "Rocky" films, Carl Weathers starred in "Happy Gilmore" alongside Adam Sandler, "Predator" with Arnold Schwarzenegger and more. More recently, he played Greef Karga in the Disney+ series "The Mandalorian" and directed several episodes of the show.

Howard, who worked as a director on "The Mandalorian" alongside Carl Weathers, called him a "titan of a man."

"Carl was not only one of the central stars of 'The Mandalorian,' he was also one of the show's regular directors," she said. "It astonished me how effortlessly he wore both hats. It was truly remarkable to spin both those plates, acting and directing."

"Carl did it with grace, ease and enthusiasm," she added. Burton, meanwhile, called Carl Weathers "the embodiment of a good man." "Carl was also an icon," he added. "A legend. Apollo Creed will go down in history as one of the most popular figures in entertainment history and that is due to the charisma and talent of Carl Weathers."

Here's the youtube clip with those speeches... https://www.youtube.com/live/QdVMklVyGK0?si=CH5OPTwMgwsK5-DI&t=1589

I share this information as an old friend of Carl's and some family members and I talked about me sharing this interview later on in the day.

It's an example of how easy it is to speak to our loved ones offstage. Jennifer is very talented at what she does, and because I knew Carl well, as well as the other questions I ask during this podcast, I know that we're hearing new information from someone offstage.

Anyone can.

To book a session with Jennifer: JenniferShaffer.com To book a guided meditation with Richard: RichardMartini.com

Enjoy the play!