Live Read

{{Infobox stage production

| name = Live Read

| image =

| location = Bing Theater, LACMA
Los Angeles, Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts

| type = Staged Reading

| creatortitle1 = Creator

| creatorname1 = Jason Reitman

| creatortitle2 = Director

| creatorname2 = Jason Reitman (2011-2016, 2018)
Guest directors (2013-present)

| creatortitle3 = Host

| creatorname3 = Elvis Mitchell (2011-2019)
Rachel Bleemer (2019-present)

|Producer = Will Slocombe
Rachel Bleemer
Rebecca Montalvo

| website = https://www.filmindependent.org/blog/tag/live-reads/

}}

Live Read is a monthly live staged reading of a film script and a part of the Film Independent at LACMA film series at the Bing Theater directed by Jason Reitman and hosted by Elvis Mitchell from 2011 to 2016. In 2019, Film Independent brought the series back as part of Film Independent Presents... at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, produced by director of programming and events, Rachel Bleemer. A guest director reads the stage directions in the scripts while images from the film would be projected behind the cast. The script is typically announced days before the event and while some actors were announced beforehand, full cast lists and the role each actor would play were kept secret until the event itself. The actors do not rehearse ahead of time.

The readings are one-night-only and are not recorded due to rights issues. Because of this, tickets for the 500 seats, go on pre-sale to members of Film Independent one week ahead of the general public, and sell out almost immediately.

The series is to show audiences how actors create characters.{{cite web|last=Zeitchik|first=Steven|title='Breakfast Club' reading: Jason Reitman heads to detention|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/movies/2011/10/breakfast-club-jason-reitman-lacma-tickets.html|work=Los Angeles Times|date=19 October 2011|accessdate=1 March 2014}}{{cite web|last=Creeden|first=Molly|title=Live From New York: Jason Reitman On His Table Reading Series|url=http://www.vogue.com/culture/article/live-from-new-york-jason-reitman-on-his-table-reading-series/#1|work=Vogue|accessdate=1 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109052236/http://www.vogue.com/culture/article/live-from-new-york-jason-reitman-on-his-table-reading-series/#1|archive-date=9 January 2014|url-status=dead}}

Readings

Jason Reitman directs and reads the stage directions unless otherwise noted. Many of the actors play multiple supporting roles. Specific roles are stated only when information is known.

=2011=

==October (''The Breakfast Club'')==

The Breakfast Club by John Hughes{{cite magazine|last=Murphy|first=Shaunna|title=Jason Reitman gathers Jennifer Garner, Aaron Paul and more for star-studded reading of 'The Breakfast Club'|url=http://popwatch.ew.com/2011/10/21/jason-reitman-jennifer-garner-aaron-paul-breakfast-club/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|accessdate=1 March 2014}}

;Cast

==November (''The Apartment'')==

The Apartment by Billy Wilder and I. A. L. Diamond{{cite magazine|last=Labrecque|first=Jeff|title=Jason Reitman's table-read of 'The Apartment': And his Baxter is... -- EXCLUSIVE|url=http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/11/17/cc-baxter-the-apartment-reitman/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|

accessdate=1 March 2014}}

;Cast

==December (''The Princess Bride'')==

The Princess Bride by William Goldman, based on the novel by Goldman{{cite web|last=Pearon|first=Ben|title=Review: Jason Reitman's Live Read of THE PRINCESS BRIDE|url=http://geektyrant.com/news/2011/12/17/review-jason-reitmans-live-read-of-the-princess-bride.html|work=Geek Tyrant|accessdate=1 March 2014}}

;Cast

=2012=

==January (''Shampoo'')==

Shampoo by Robert Towne and Warren Beatty{{cite web|last=Appelo|first=Tim|title=Patton Oswalt, J.K. Simmons and Lena Dunham Steal the Show at Jason Reitman's 'Shampoo' Reading|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/shampoo-patton-oswalt-jk-simmons-lena-dunham-283773|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=21 January 2012|accessdate=1 March 2014}}{{cite web|title=On The Scene: Jason Reitman's Live Read of Shampoo|url=http://www.film.com/uncategorized/on-the-scene-jason-reitmans-live-read-of-shampoo|work=Film.com|accessdate=1 March 2014}}

;Cast

==February (''Reservoir Dogs'')==

Reservoir Dogs by Quentin Tarantino.{{cite web|last=Pearson|first=Ben|title=Review: Jason Reitman's Live Read of RESERVOIR DOGS|url=http://geektyrant.com/news/2012/2/17/review-jason-reitmans-live-read-of-reservoir-dogs.html|work=Geek Tyrant|accessdate=1 March 2014}}{{cite web|last=Tyrell|first=Jason Chase|title=A Screenplay Reading with Bark and Bite: Jason Reitman & Co. Take on 'Reservoir Dogs'|url=http://www.filmslatemagazine.com/blog/a-screenplay-reading-with-bark-and-bite-jason-reitman-a-co-take-on-reservoir-dogs|work=Filmslate|accessdate=1 March 2014|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20140301212608/http://www.filmslatemagazine.com/blog/a-screenplay-reading-with-bark-and-bite-jason-reitman-a-co-take-on-reservoir-dogs|archivedate=1 March 2014}}{{cite magazine|last=Breznican|first=Anthony|title=Laurence Fishburne as Mr. White! Inside the all-black (almost) 'Reservoir Dogs' reading|url=http://insidemovies.ew.com/2012/02/17/laurence-fishburne-as-mr-white-inside-the-all-black-almost-reservoir-dogs-reading/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|accessdate=1 March 2014}}{{cite web|last=Horgan|first=Richard|title=Jason Reitman's Reservoir Dogs Rocks the LACMA House|url=http://www.mediabistro.com/fishbowlny/quentin-tarantino-jason-reitman-reservoir-dogs-lacma-film-independent-live-read_b161991|work=Fishbowl LA|accessdate=1 March 2014}} Reitman assembled an all-Black cast to play roles originally played on screen by white actors.

;Cast

==March (''The Big Lebowski'')==

The Big Lebowski by the Coen brothers.{{cite web|last=Pearson|first=Ben|title=Review: Jason Reitman's Live Read of THE BIG LEBOWSKI|url=http://geektyrant.com/news/2012/3/29/review-jason-reitmans-live-read-of-the-big-lebowski.html|work=Geek Tyrant|accessdate=1 March 2014}}{{cite magazine|last=Breznican|first=Anthony|title=A cloud of weed descends on Jason Reitman's live-read of 'The Big Lebowski'|url=http://insidemovies.ew.com/2012/03/30/jason-reitman-the-big-lebowski-weed/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly}} Due to the huge turnout, speakers were set up outside to allow those without tickets limited access to the proceedings.{{cite web|last=Reverte|first=Michele|title=The Dude Abides at LACMA: Jason Reitman Directs All-Star Live Read of 'The Big Lebowski'|url=http://laist.com/2012/03/30/big_lebowski_live_read.php#photo-1|work=LAist|accessdate=1 March 2014|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140609031627/http://laist.com/2012/03/30/big_lebowski_live_read.php#photo-1|archivedate=9 June 2014}}

;Cast

==April (''The Apartment'')==

The Apartment by Billy Wilder and I. A. L. Diamond at The New York Times Center. This was the first of the Live Read series to take place outside of Los Angeles{{cite web|last=Everett|first=Cory|title=Jason Reitman Debuts His 'Live Read' Series In NYC With 'The Apartment' Starring Paul Rudd & Emma Stone|url=http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/jason-reitman-debuts-his-live-read-series-in-nyc-with-wonderful-reading-of-the-apartment-starring-paul-rudd-emma-stone-20120428|work=IndieWire|accessdate=1 March 2014}}

;Cast

==September (''American Beauty'')==

American Beauty by Alan Ball at the Toronto International Film Festival.{{cite web|last=Barnes|first=Henry|title=American Beauty shines in Toronto live reading|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2012/sep/07/american-beauty-shines-in-live-reading|work=The Guardian|date=7 September 2012|accessdate=1 March 2014}}{{cite magazine|last=Breznican|first=Anthony|title=Look closer: Jason Reitman reveals leads in Toronto live-read of 'American Beauty' -- EXCLUSIVE|url=http://insidemovies.ew.com/2012/09/05/jason-reitman-american-beauty-breaking-bad/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|accessdate=1 March 2014}}{{cite web|last=Love|first=Noah|title=Review: Jason Reitman's American Beauty live reading|url=http://arts.nationalpost.com/2012/09/07/review-jason-reitmans-american-beauty-live-reading/|work=The National Post|accessdate=1 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615171403/http://arts.nationalpost.com/2012/09/07/review-jason-reitmans-american-beauty-live-reading/|archive-date=15 June 2013|url-status=dead}}

;Cast

Woody Harrelson was originally slated to play Colonel Fitts while Nick Kroll would play Buddy Kane, but when Harrelson was stuck in Hawaii, Kroll played Fitts and Paul Scheer played Kane.

==October (''Bull Durham'')==

Bull Durham by Ron Shelton

;Cast

==November (''Manhattan'')==

Manhattan by Woody Allen[http://insidemovies.ew.com/2012/11/09/jason-reitman-woody-allen-manhattan-live-read/ "Jason Reitman to re-create Woody Allen's Manhattan in live-read event"] by Anthony Breznican, Entertainment Weekly, November 9, 2012. Retrieved March 1, 2014.[http://www.woodyallenpages.com/2012/11/jason-reitman-to-live-read-manhattan-in-l-a/ Jason Reitman to Live Read Manhattan in L.A], The Woody Allen Pages, November 10, 2012. Retrieved August 31, 2013.[http://www.woodyallenpages.com/2012/11/stephen-merchant-and-olivia-munn-starred-in-jason-reitmans-manhattan-live-read/ "Stephen Merchant and Olivia Munn Starred in Jason Reitman's Manhattan Live Read"], The Woody Allen Pages, November 18, 2012. Retrieved March 1, 2014.

;Cast

==December (''Ghostbusters'')==

Ghostbusters by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis.{{cite magazine|last=Breznican|first=Anthony|title='Ghostbusters' live-read grabs Seth Rogen, Jack Black, and Rainn Wilson -- EXCLUSIVE|url=http://insidemovies.ew.com/2012/12/11/seth-rogen-jack-black-rainn-wilson-ghostbusters-reitman/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|accessdate=1 March 2014}}{{cite web|last=Mays|first=Robert|title=Jason Reitman Stages a Reading of Ghostbusters With Seth Rogen, Jack Black, and Kristen Bell|url=http://grantland.com/hollywood-prospectus/jason-reitman-stages-a-reading-of-his-ghostbusters-with-seth-rogen-jack-black-kristen-bell/|work=Hollywood Prospectus|date=14 December 2012|publisher=Grantland|accessdate=1 March 2014}} Jason Reitman's father Ivan Reitman directed the original film.

;Cast

=2013=

==January (''His Girl Friday'')==

His Girl Friday by Charles Lederer, based on the play The Front Page by Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur{{cite web|title=LACMA's Live Reading Of His Girl Friday (pics)|url=http://adam-scott.org/lacmas-live-reading-of-his-girl-friday-pics/|accessdate=4 March 2014|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304092623/http://adam-scott.org/lacmas-live-reading-of-his-girl-friday-pics/|archivedate=4 March 2014}}

Guest director: Fred Savage

;Cast

==February (''Glengarry Glen Ross'')==

Glengarry Glen Ross by David Mamet, based on the play by Mamet.{{cite web|last=Lussier|first=Germain|title=Jason Reitman's All-Female Live Read of 'Glengarry Glen Ross' Transcends Gender With Brilliant Performances|url=http://www.slashfilm.com/jason-reitmans-all-female-live-read-of-glengarry-glen-ross-transcends-gender-with-brilliant-performances/|work=/Film|date=22 February 2013|accessdate=1 March 2014}}{{cite web|last=Fennessey|first=Sean|title=We Went There: The Brass Balls of an All-Female Live Read of Glengarry Glen Ross|url=http://grantland.com/hollywood-prospectus/we-went-there-the-brass-balls-of-an-all-female-live-read-of-glengarry-glen-ross/|work=Hollywood Prospectus|date=22 February 2013|publisher=Grantland|accessdate=1 March 2014}}{{cite web|last=Raden|first=Bill|title=Jason Reitman Directed an All-Female Glengarry Glen Ross Reading at LACMA Last Night|url=http://www.laweekly.com/publicspectacle/2013/02/22/jason-reitman-directed-an-all-female-glengarry-glen-ross-reading-at-lacma-last-night|work=LA Weekly|accessdate=1 March 2014}} Reitman assembled a cast of women to read the all-male script.

;Cast

==March (''The Usual Suspects'')==

The Usual Suspects by Christopher McQuarrie{{cite web|last=Lussier|first=Germain|title=Jason Reitman's 'The Usual Suspects' Live Read Highlights the Power of McQuarrie's Script and Singer's Direction|url=http://www.slashfilm.com/jason-reitmans-the-usual-suspects-live-read-highlights-the-power-of-mcquarries-script-and-singers-direction/|work=/Film|date=22 March 2013|accessdate=1 March 2014}}

;Cast

==July (''Breaking Bad''{{'}}s pilot episode)==

The pilot of Breaking Bad by Vince Gilligan.{{cite web|last=Lussier|first=Germain|title=Jason Reitman's 'Breaking Bad' Live Read Featured Sharp Writing and Deleted Scenes From The Pilot Episode|url=http://www.slashfilm.com/jason-reitmans-breaking-bad-live-read-featured-sharp-writing-and-deleted-scenes-from-the-pilot-episode/|work=/Film|date=24 July 2013|accessdate=1 March 2014}} This was the first television episode performed at the readings.

;Cast

==September (''Boogie Nights'')==

Boogie Nights by Paul Thomas Anderson at the Toronto International Film Festival{{cite web|last=Foundas|first=Scott|title=Toronto: Jason Reitman Does 'Boogie Nights' Live Read|url=https://variety.com/2013/film/news/toronto-jason-reitman-does-boogie-nights-live-read-1200602796/|work=Variety|date=9 September 2013|accessdate=1 March 2014}}

;Cast

==October (''Boogie Nights'')==

Boogie Nights by Paul Thomas Anderson{{cite magazine|last=Bahr|first=Lindsey|title='Boogie Nights' live read: Taylor Lautner, Don Johnson, and cast giggle through the racy script|url=http://insidemovies.ew.com/2013/10/11/boogie-nights-live-read/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|accessdate=1 March 2014}}{{cite web|last=Teran|first=Jasmine|title=BIG, BRIGHT, SHINING STARS AT BOOGIE NIGHTS LIVE READ|url=http://www.filmindependent.org/blogs/big-bright-shining-stars-at-boogie-nights-live-read/|work=Film Independent|accessdate=1 March 2014}}{{cite web|last=Fennessey|first=Sean|title=We Went There: Feeling the Heat of a Boogie Nights Live Read|url=http://grantland.com/hollywood-prospectus/we-went-there-feeling-the-heat-of-a-boogie-nights-live-read/|work=Hollywood Prospectus|date=11 October 2013|publisher=Grantland|accessdate=1 March 2014}}

;Cast

==November (''Tootsie'')==

Tootsie by Larry Gelbart and Murray Schisgal{{cite magazine|title=7 Highlights From the 'Tootsie' Remake|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/news/7-highlights-from-the-tootsie-remake-20131122|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=22 November 2013|accessdate=1 March 2014}}{{cite web|last=Buendia|first=Diana|title=LIVE READ RECAP: NICK KROLL HITS THE HIGH OCTAVES AS TOOTSIE|url=http://www.filmindependent.org/blogs/live-read-recap-nick-kroll-hits-the-high-octaves-as-tootsie/#.UxG9dfSVnFk|work=Film Independent|accessdate=1 March 2014}}

Guest director: David Wain

;Cast

==December (''Raising Arizona'')==

Raising Arizona by the Coen brothers{{cite web|last=Appelo|first=Tim|title=Amy Poehler, Timothy Olyphant, Patton Oswalt Impress in LACMA Live Read's 'Raising Arizona'|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/amy-poehler-timothy-olyphant-patton-665747|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=13 December 2013|accessdate=1 March 2014}}

Guest director: Patton Oswalt

;Cast

=2014=

==January (''American Pie'')==

American Pie by Adam Herz. Reitman gender-swapped the cast, with women playing the male roles and men playing the female roles.

;Cast

==February (''Pulp Fiction'')==

Pulp Fiction by Quentin Tarantino{{cite web|title=Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen Unite for 'Pulp Fiction' Live Read|url=https://variety.com/2014/scene/news/joseph-gordon-levitt-jonah-hill-seth-rogen-unite-for-pulp-fiction-live-read-1201115080/|work=Variety|date=February 21, 2014|access-date=March 1, 2014}}{{cite magazine|title=Royale with Cheese: 'Pulp Fiction' Gets a Live Reading at LACMA|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/news/royale-with-cheese-pulp-fiction-gets-a-live-reading-at-lacma-20140221|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=21 February 2014|accessdate=1 March 2014}}

Guest director: Evan Goldberg

;Cast

==March (''Groundhog Day'')==

Groundhog Day by Danny Rubin and Harold Ramis. Reitman chose this reading as a tribute to Harold Ramis, who died the previous month. He also chose an earlier draft of the screenplay rather than the final shooting script.{{cite web|last=Walton|first=Brian|title=Jason Reitman's LIVE READ Returns With Groundhog Day|url=http://www.nerdist.com/2014/03/jason-reitmans-live-read-returns-with-groundhog-day/|work=Nerdist|accessdate=21 March 2014}}

;Cast

==April==

===''The Graduate''===

April 17: The Graduate by Calder Willingham and Buck Henry. Based on the novel by Charles Webb.{{cite web|last=Wolfe|first=Clarke|title=THE GRADUATE LIVE READ CLOSES SEASON AT LACMA|url=http://www.nerdist.com/2014/04/the-graduate-live-read-closes-season-at-lacma/|work=The Nerdist|accessdate=20 May 2014}}

;Cast

===''The Hateful Eight''===

File:LACMA The Hateful Eight Live Reading.jpg, as part of LACMA's Live Read series on April 19, 2014.]]

April 19, special event: The Hateful Eight by Quentin Tarantino at the United Artists Theater at the Ace Hotel Los Angeles. Unusually for the series, this script had not been filmed prior to the reading. After a script leak in January, Tarantino considered dropping the film, but decided to hold a reading of the first draft of this script.{{cite web|last=Thompson|first=Anne|title=Once in a Lifetime 'The Hateful Eight' Live Read with "Tarantino superstars!"|url=http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/tarantino-mounts-once-in-a-lifetime-the-hateful-eight|work=Thompson on Hollywood|publisher=Indiewire|accessdate=23 April 2014}}{{cite news|last=Sharkey|first=Betsy|title=Much to love in live reading of Quentin Tarantino's 'Hateful Eight'|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-quentin-tarantino-hateful-eight-reading-story.html|newspaper=LA Times|date=20 April 2014|accessdate=20 May 2014}}{{cite web|title=THE HATEFUL EIGHT – The Live Read|url=http://www.miramax.com/subscript/quentin-tarantinos-the-hateful-eight-the-live-read|work=Miramax.com|accessdate=20 May 2014|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140426064657/http://www.miramax.com/subscript/quentin-tarantinos-the-hateful-eight-the-live-read|archivedate=26 April 2014}}

Guest director: Quentin Tarantino

;Cast

==October (''American Beauty'')==

American Beauty by Alan Ball. All cast members starred in Jason Reitman's 2014 film Men, Women & Children.{{cite web|last1=Lussier|first1=Germain|title=Jason Reitman Uses His Own Cast For 'American Beauty' Live Read With Gorgeous Results|url=http://www.slashfilm.com/american-beauty-live-read/|website=Slashfilm|date=17 October 2014|accessdate=13 January 2015}}

;Cast

==November (''Diner'')==

Diner by Barry Levinson. All cast members have appeared in a lead or recurring role in the FX show The League.

;Cast

==December (''The Empire Strikes Back'')==

The Empire Strikes Back by Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan, story by George Lucas.{{cite web|last1=Lussier|first1=Germain|title=The Force Was With Jason Reitman's 'Empire Strikes Back' Live Read; Full Recap and Photos|url=http://www.slashfilm.com/empire-strikes-back-live-read-recap/|website=Slashfilm|date=19 December 2014|accessdate=19 December 2014|ref=Empire}}

;Cast

=2015=

==January (''Goodfellas'')==

Goodfellas by Nicholas Pileggi and Martin Scorsese. Based on Wiseguy by Pileggi.

;Cast

==February (''Sideways'')==

Sideways by Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor. Based on the novel by Rex Pickett.{{cite web|last1=Bogulski|first1=JB|title=Sideways Gets the Live Read Treatment|url=http://www.filmindependent.org/blogs/sideways-gets-the-live-read-treatment/#.VRj50DvF8vE|website=Film Independent|accessdate=30 March 2015}}

;Cast

==March (''Dazed and Confused'')==

Dazed and Confused by Richard Linklater. Most actors except Travis Tope also played various freshmen.{{cite web|last1=Lombardi|first1=Chris|title=Dazed and Confused and Hilarious--Another Great Live Read Night|url=http://www.filmindependent.org/blogs/dazed-and-confused-and-hilarious-another-great-live-read-night/#.VRj6xDvF8vE|website=Film Independent|accessdate=30 March 2015}}{{cite web|last1=Lussier|first1=Germain|title='Dazed and Confused' Live Read: Nostalgia and Novelty Provide a New Look at Classic Characters|url=http://www.slashfilm.com/dazed-and-confused-live-read/|website=Slashfilm|date=20 March 2015|accessdate=30 March 2015}}

;Cast

==April (''Major League'')==

Major League by David S. Ward

Guest director: Joe Manganiello. In a departure from Live Read tradition, Manganiello did not read the stage directions, but instead played a character. He cast sportscaster Rich Eisen as the narrator.{{cite web|last1=Sveen|first1=Tom|title=Top Five Plays from Last Night's Major LeagueLive Read|url=http://www.filmindependent.org/blogs/top-five-plays-from-last-nights-major-league-live-read/|website=Film Independent|accessdate=20 April 2015|ref=Tom Sveen}}

;Cast

==May ("The Wheel" from ''Mad Men'')==

The first-season finale of Mad Men, "The Wheel" by Matthew Weiner and Robin Veith. The reading was held on the same day as the premiere of the series finale and was followed by a screening of that episode.{{cite web|last1=Friedlander|first1=Whitney|title='Mad Men' Live Read in Perfect Harmony with Finale|url=https://variety.com/2015/scene/news/mad-men-finale-jason-reitman-live-read-fred-savage-kevin-pollak-1201499293/|website=Variety|date=18 May 2015|accessdate=23 May 2015}}{{cite web|last1=Rozeman|first1=Mark|title=Live Reading: How Mad Men Said Goodbye in Style|url=http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2015/05/live-reading-how-mad-men-said-goodbye-in-style.html|website=Paste Magazine|date=22 May 2015|accessdate=23 May 2015}}

;Cast

==June (''Fast Times at Ridgemont High'')==

Fast Times at Ridgemont High by Cameron Crowe. Based on book Fast Times at Ridgemont High: A True Story by Crowe at the Los Angeles Film Festival{{cite web|last1=Gettell|first1=Oliver|title=Lily Collins, Haley Joel Osment, Courtney Love in 'Fast Times' live reading|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-film-festival-eli-roth-cast-fast-times-ridgemont-live-reading-20150617-story.html|website=Los Angeles Times|date=17 June 2015|accessdate=9 July 2015|ref=Gettell Fast Times}}{{cite web|last1=Chernov|first1=Matthew|title=Eli Roth, Courtney Love Highlight 'Fast Times at Ridgemont High' Live Read at L.A. Film Fest|url=https://variety.com/2015/scene/vpage/eli-roth-courtney-love-los-angeles-film-festival-fast-times-at-ridgemont-high-live-read-1201523903/|website=Variety|date=19 June 2015|accessdate=9 July 2015|ref=Chernov Fast Times}}

Guest director: Eli Roth

;Cast

==July (''The Big Lebowski'')==

The Big Lebowski by the Coen brothers at the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal{{cite magazine|last1=Breznican|first1=Anthony|title=Imagine Michael Fassbender in 'The Big Lebowski' ...|url=http://www.ew.com/article/2015/07/06/michael-fassbender-big-lebowski-live-read-jason-reitman?hootPostID=342fc2dfd8316ff101571ec4cfc94c00|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|accessdate=9 July 2015|ref=Breznican Lebowski 2015}}{{cite magazine|last1=Breznican|first1=Anthony|title=Jennifer Lawrence joins Jason Reitman's The Big Lebowski live read in Montreal|url=http://www.ew.com/article/2015/07/22/jennifer-lawrence-joins-jason-reitmans-big-lebowski-live-read-montreal|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|accessdate=22 July 2015}}

;Cast

Fassbender, Lawrence, and Munn would all appear in X-Men: Apocalypse. Miller and Starr appeared on the series Silicon Valley, created by Judge.

==September (''The Princess Bride'')==

The Princess Bride by William Goldman, based on the novel by Goldman at the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival.{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.ew.com/article/2015/08/27/jason-reitman-princess-bride-tiff-live-reading|title = Jason Reitman is bringing a 'Princess Bride' live read to TIFF| magazine=Entertainment Weekly }}{{cite web|last1=Kestler-D’Amours|first1=Jillian|title=Inconceivable! Princess Bride live-read wows TIFF audience|url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/2015/09/12/inconceivable-princess-bride-live-read-wows-tiff-audience.html|website=TheStar.com|date=12 September 2015|accessdate=16 October 2015|ref=kestler-damours}}{{cite web|last1=Kit|first1=Borys|title=The TIFF crowd enjoyed Rachel McAdams playing Princess Buttercup and Patrick Stewart as Prince Humperdinck|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/jason-reitmans-princess-bride-live-822681|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=13 September 2015|accessdate=16 October 2015|ref=kit princess}}

;Cast

Gael Garcia Bernal was late for the show due to a delayed flight, so Catherine Reitman filled in until he arrived.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/2015/09/12/inconceivable-princess-bride-live-read-wows-tiff-audience.html|title=Inconceivable! Princess Bride live-read wows TIFF audience|website=Toronto Star |date=12 September 2015}}

==October (''Ferris Bueller's Day Off'')==

Ferris Bueller's Day Off by John Hughes

==November (''Network'')==

Network by Paddy Chayefsky

Guest director: Scott Sternberg

==December (''True Romance'')==

True Romance by Quentin Tarantino

=2016=

==January (''Dr. Strangelove'')==

Dr. Strangelove by Stanley Kubrick, Terry Southern & Peter George. Based on the novel Red Alert by Peter George.

Guest director: Mark Romanek

  • Josh Gad as Captain Lionel Mandrake (originally played by Peter Sellers)
  • Catherine O'Hara as President Merkin Muffley (originally played by Peter Sellers)
  • Patrick Stewart as Dr. Strangelove (originally played by Peter Sellers)
  • Seth Rogen as General Buck Turgidson (originally played by George C. Scott)
  • Shia LaBeouf as Brigadier General Jack D. Ripper (originally played by Sterling Hayden)
  • Colin Hanks as Colonel Bat Guano (originally played by Keenan Wynn)
  • Johnny Knoxville as T.J. "King" Kong (originally played by Slim Pickens)
  • P. J. Byrne as Alexei de Sadeski (originally played by Peter Bull)
  • Olivia Wilde as Miss Scott (originally played by Tracy Reed)
  • Fred Willard as the narrator{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2016/scene/news/shia-labeouf-patrick-stewart-dr-strangelove-1201686181/|title = Shia LaBeouf and Patrick Stewart Drop the Bomb at 'Dr. Strangelove' Live Read|date = 22 January 2016}}
  • Fiona Apple sang "We'll Meet Again" to close out the reading. She was pied in the face by Johnny Knoxville.{{cite web|last1=Chernov|first1=Matthew|title=Shia LaBeouf and Patrick Stewart Drop the Bomb at 'Dr. Strangelove' Live Read|url=https://variety.com/2016/scene/news/shia-labeouf-patrick-stewart-dr-strangelove-1201686181/|website=Variety|date=22 January 2016|accessdate=10 February 2016}}

==February (''The Maltese Falcon'')==

The Maltese Falcon by John Huston. Based on the novel by Dashiell Hammett.

Guest director: Laurence Fishburne.{{cite web |url=http://www.filmindependent.org/lacma/films/live-read-guest-directed-by-laurence-fishburne/ |title=Live Read: Guest Directed by Laurence Fishburne | Film Independent at LACMA |accessdate=2016-02-10 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160124220104/http://www.filmindependent.org/lacma/films/live-read-guest-directed-by-laurence-fishburne/ |archivedate=2016-01-24 }} LACMA curator and event host Elvis Mitchell read the stage directions.

==March (''Stand by Me'')==

Stand by Me by Bruce A. Evans & Raynold Gideon. Based on the novella The Body by Stephen King.{{cite web |url=http://www.filmindependent.org/lacma/films/live-read-march-2016/ |title=Live Read | Film Independent at LACMA |accessdate=2016-03-12 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160222161350/http://www.filmindependent.org/lacma/films/live-read-march-2016/ |archivedate=2016-02-22 }} Like the Glengarry Glen Ross reading, the all-male script was read by all women.

==April (''Thank You For Smoking'')==

Thank You for Smoking by Jason Reitman. Based on the novel by Christopher Buckley. For the first time, Reitman staged a performance of one of his own scripts.

  • Courtney B. Vance as Nick Naylor (originally played by Aaron Eckhart)
  • Mae Whitman as Joey Naylor (originally played by Cameron Bright), Jack (originally played by Adam Brody),{{cite magazine|last1=Breznican|first1=Anthony|title=Courtney B. Vance will star in Jason Reitman's Thank You For Smoking Live Read|url=http://www.ew.com/article/2016/04/20/courtney-b-vance-thank-you-smoking-live-read|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|accessdate=20 April 2016}} and other roles
  • Ashley Greene as Heather Holloway (originally played by Katie Holmes)
  • Rhea Seehorn as Polly Bailey (originally played by Maria Bello)
  • Josh Gad as Bobby Jay Bliss (originally played by David Koechner; Patton Oswalt was originally slated to play this role, but was replaced by Gad at the last minute) and other roles{{cite web|last1=Santos|first1=Nix|title=Jason Reitman Says Farewell to His Live Read Series With His Very Own 'Thank You For Smoking'|url=http://www.indiewire.com/article/live-read-jason-reitman-farewell-thank-you-for-smoking-20160422|website=Indiewire.com|date=22 April 2016|accessdate=2 May 2016}}
  • Bill Simmons as Senator Ortolan Finistirre (originally played by William H. Macy)
  • Tim Allen as the Captain (originally played by Robert Duvall)
  • Ron Livingston as B.R. (originally played by J. K. Simmons)
  • Tommy Dewey as Jeff Megall (originally played by Rob Lowe) and other roles

Reitman announced that this reading would be the last of the series.

=2018=

==December (''Casablanca'')==

For the first time since April 2016, Reitman directed another live read, featuring an all-female cast, of Casablanca, by Julius J. Epstein, Philip G. Epstein, and Howard Koch. The reading was sponsored by Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice.

=2019=

==March (''My Dinner With Andre'')==

Film Independent Presents, the producers of the Live Read series, resumed again with (what was supposed to be) My Dinner With Andre by Andre Gregory and Wallace Shawn with comedy stars Nick Kroll and John Mulaney. Hosted by Elvis Mitchell, the evening veered into a comedy put-on by Kroll and Mulaney, as the reading was staged with Michael Keaton and Paula Pell doing the main roles from the original script, heavily interrupted by Kroll and Mulaney's Oh, Hello characters Gil Faizon and George St. Geegland, respectively.[https://www.filmindependent.org/blog/nick-kroll-and-john-mulaney-rudely-interrupt-my-dinner-with-andre/ Nick Kroll and John Mulaney Rudely Interrupt ‘My Dinner with Andre’]

==June (''When Harry Met Sally...)''==

When Harry Met Sally... by Nora Ephron.

Guest director: Randall Park. Park assembled a cast entirely of Asian-American actors. Film Independent curator and event host Elvis Mitchell read the stage directions.

This was Elvis Mitchell’s final night at the helm of Film Independent's signature screening series, which would continue under the purview of director of events Rachel Bleemer.

== October (''Singles)'' ==

Singles by Cameron Crowe.

Guest director: James Ponsoldt. Ponsoldt read the stage directions and acted as the host encouraging the audience to "wear their flannel."

A nice treat leading into evening's main event was an email from Crowe, which Ponsoldt read to the audience. "The movie came from a special time in my life," Crowe said. "I'd fallen in love with Seattle, and so many of the soulful members of the community." He went on to acknowledge the late Soundgarden frontman, who has a cameo in the film, saying: "Love live Chris Cornell!"

=2020=

== February (''Breaking Away)'' ==

Breaking Away by Steve Tesich

Guest directors: Michael Angelo Covino and Kyle Marvin, the creative team behind The Climb.

A live string quartet provided musical accompaniment.

{{Cite web|url=https://www.filmindependent.org/blog/live-read-recap-original-cast-and-surprise-cyclists-make-breaking-away-hard-to-forget|title = Live Read Recap: Original Cast and Surprise Cyclists Make 'Breaking Away' Hard to Forget|date = 9 March 2020}}

== March (''Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind)'' ==

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind by Charlie Kaufman from a story by Kaufman, Michel Gondry, and Pierre Bismuth

Guest director: Brett Haley

= 2021 =

== January (''Bringing Up Baby)'' ==

Bringing Up Baby by Dudley Nichols and Hagar Wilde from a story by Wilde

Guest director: Paul Feig

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, Film Independent Presents hosted their first virtual live read event.

== November ==

=== ''Sunset Boulevard'' ===

Sunset Boulevard by Billy Wilder, Charles Brackett and D.M. Marshman Jr.

Guest director: Marlee Matlin

=== ''L.A. Story'' ===

L.A. Story by Steve Martin

Guest director: Marvin Lemus

= 2023 =

== February (''Triangle of Sadness'') ==

Triangle of Sadness by Ruben Östlund

Guest director: Ruben Östlund, writer and director of the original film

== April (''Jennifer's Body'') ==

Jennifer's Body by Diablo Cody

Guest director: Karyn Kusama, director of the original film

== June (''Back to the Future'') ==

Back to the Future by Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale

Guest director: Ben Schwartz

Stage directions were read by Scott Aukerman.

= 2024 =

== February (''Anatomy of a Fall'') ==

Anatomy of a Fall by Justine Triet and Arthur Harari

Guest director: Justine Triet, writer and director of the original film

====June====

===''Wayne's World''===

Wayne's World by Mike Myers, Bonnie Turner and Terry Turner

Guest director: Zoe Lister-Jones

A special appearance was made by Tia Carrere who played Cassandra in the original film. Music from the film was performed by Miya Folick, featuring Amelia Randall Meath (Sylvan Esso) and Claud.

===''Napoleon Dynamite''===

Napoleon Dynamite by Jared and Jerusha Hess

Guest director: Natalie Morales

= 2025 =

==February (''Conclave'')==

Conclave by Peter Straughan, based on the novel by Robert Harris

Guest director: Edward Berger, director of the original film

==April (''Cruel Intentions'')==

Cruel Intentions by Roger Kumble

Guest director: Julio Torres

The live read was held at the DGA Theater in New York City. The song "Bitter Sweet Symphony", from the film's end credits was performed by Boy Radio.

Trivia

Other events

On March 23, 2014, Jensen Karp assembled a cast to read Space Jam by Leo Benvenuti, Steve Rudnick, Timothy Harris and Herschel Weingrod at the UCB Theatre in Los Angeles.{{cite web|last1=Anthony|first1=David|title=Watch Nick Kroll, Seth Green, Paul Scheer, and more do a live reading of Space Jam|url=http://www.avclub.com/article/watch-nick-kroll-seth-green-paul-scheer-and-more-d-203569|website=The AV Club|date=17 April 2014 |accessdate=5 October 2014}} The event was in many ways a parody of Reitman's series. While the scripts Reitman chooses are from well-received and occasionally Academy Award-winning films, Space Jam is a children's film that received, at best, mixed reviews. In addition, LACMA's Bing Theater is a large auditorium, while the UCB Theatre is a small comedy club. The cast included:

References

{{Reflist|30em}}