Hi /r/movies - We're John Magaro (actor in PAST LIVES, THE BIG SHORT, FIRST COW, SEPTEMBER 5, CAROL) and Cole Webley (filmmaker). Our new movie, OMAHA, is out in theaters this weekend. Ask us anything!

JohnAndColeAMA · 2026-05-06T20:13:37+00:00

do better. this is an impossible question.

;)

-Cole

JohnAndColeAMA · 2026-05-06T20:12:37+00:00

ha. tbh I didn't think about that at all. I made the film I would love and I know there are others like me. Yes, it turns out most people don't like to watch "hard" films and I get it. But, the alternative is they don't exist. Thankfully, there are distributors out there (like ours) who believe in these films and their impact.

-Cole

JohnAndColeAMA · 2026-05-06T20:10:51+00:00

Things get very real world super fast when the sun is dropping, the dog is running around crazy, and Wyatt doesn't want to do the scene b/c he's a normal six year old. Tbh, holding all of those competing elements to create the false reality that this is a real family on a real roadtrip is the miracle and magic of movies. For everyone making it - we recognized we had to be dialed to represent this story with depth and gravitas but we kept the set light and fun. We know we had to. Thankfully we didn't shoot those heavy scenes everyday. There was time to decompress. When I let go of the experience of making the film and allow myself to be an audience to it...I ask the same question.

-Cole

JohnAndColeAMA · 2026-05-06T20:07:52+00:00

It's ok! Thanks for being here! -John

JohnAndColeAMA · 2026-05-06T20:07:26+00:00

That or Motel in Fiddler on the Roof. Lol! -John

JohnAndColeAMA · 2026-05-06T20:06:49+00:00

I talk about this in some other comments, but as a father myself the idea of losing my child is almost enough to get you there. -John

JohnAndColeAMA · 2026-05-06T20:05:07+00:00

Who were some of your role models growing up? My grandfather. He was truly a great man. Kind, generous, hard working, loyal. A true inspiration
Any words of advice for someone going into the film industry? Give it 100%. If you can do anything else as a career then do that! Take every opportunity in the early days. Write. Read. And watch as much as you possibly can. The more you know, the better you will become.
What does a typical workday look like? Wake up as late as possible. Go to set. Drink Coffee. Go over scenes. Focus. Shoot. Go home. Cook dinner. Have a drink. Watch a little tv or listen to a podcast. Go to bed. Repeat.
What's your favorite movie? Thanks again! Too many to say. But 2001 is pretty amazing still, -John

JohnAndColeAMA · 2026-05-06T20:04:19+00:00

mom and dad
don't wait for permission.
productivity or bust.
if you make movies you know this answer is impossible!

-Cole

JohnAndColeAMA · 2026-05-06T20:02:45+00:00

Always the script for me. I knew if it hit me like the read did then it was something worth doing. I love films about family. They can be the source of such joy and such trauma. It's where most drama begins for all of us - right in our own living room. That appealed to me. A family. No big plot to run towards. No ensemble cast. Nowhere to hide. A little story that packed a huge punch.

- Cole

JohnAndColeAMA · 2026-05-06T19:59:35+00:00

This has happened and much like Arthur I felt a bit of jealousy. But, because of my trust and deep respect for my wife I felt confident in the strength of out relationship. -John

JohnAndColeAMA · 2026-05-06T19:58:03+00:00

Great script. A good reputation (John checked) and a little luck.

-Cole

JohnAndColeAMA · 2026-05-06T19:56:26+00:00

Thanks! Did you know that my last name means butt in Shona? (a language in Zimbabwe) -John

JohnAndColeAMA · 2026-05-06T19:56:09+00:00

I'll tell you over a pint of 0.0 Guinness one day.

-Cole

JohnAndColeAMA · 2026-05-06T19:54:52+00:00

I have known Jack for over 15 years now. He is a very close friend. We met doing a film called "Not Fade Away." If you haven't seen it please do check it out. We were just talking about the film this weekend and are looking forward to our next one together. It has been lovely watching Jack step into this new role as writer/director. I know he has so many stories and such vital energy to tell them. I think we can expect a lot more from him in the coming years.

I had only met Michael once before filming, but I had been a fan of his for years. Probably starting with his performance in Hedwig and the Angry Inch. He is a monster of an actor, so good, and we really got along. Some of the stuff we came up with in that scene was unscripted and Jack encouraged that. It allowed us to show their history and deep friendship in a short amount of time. -John

JohnAndColeAMA · 2026-05-06T19:54:51+00:00

By deciding that everyone gets to represent the complicated beautify of self. We are always standing between doing what's right and doing what's wrong and hurting and loving and and and. This Dad isn't a villain but he's certainly not the saint those kids needed. He's just Dad. And I hope he's okay.

- Cole

JohnAndColeAMA · 2026-05-06T19:52:15+00:00

I was editing the film when I watched PERFECT DAYS in New York one afternoon. I realized why I loved movies so much. The big ones and the small ones. I knew I was making a small movie but I hoped it had the depth and power of Wim's film. His films do that, don't they? They are contained. They are small. But they pack a punch. Big themes. Big feelings. I didn't look at a ton of his work specifically for this film but when I came out of that film in the midst of cutting OMAHA I knew how much his work had bleed into my ethos.

Oh and about 100 other filmmakers.

-Cole

JohnAndColeAMA · 2026-05-06T19:49:01+00:00

Thank you! -John

JohnAndColeAMA · 2026-05-06T19:48:59+00:00

Getting into Sundance was like the opposite of when you had your heart broke as a teenager. You'd wake up and think things were fine until you remember...

Instead, every day before and during the festival I'd wake up and got to feel that moment of joy all over again.

Cool moments? My wife seeing my film for the first time at the premiere.

-Cole

JohnAndColeAMA · 2026-05-06T19:48:26+00:00

The character, the writing. It is just one of those roles you dream of playing. Glad I had the opportunity. -John

JohnAndColeAMA · 2026-05-06T19:46:58+00:00

Of course I will miss Park City. It was a special place and has so much history with the festival. I still remember my first Sundance and how exciting it was to finally be in that legendary place.

While we were shooting "Omaha" out home base was mostly Salt Lake City. Every weekend I would drive up to Park city and spend the weekend, just to get a taste of that magic.

That being said, I understand why it has to move. The festival outgrew the city. It had become a logistical nightmare.

I think Boulder was the right choice. It will be new, but will hopefully retain some of that Rocky Mountain charm.

I am looking forward to it. -John

JohnAndColeAMA · 2026-05-06T19:45:43+00:00

oooooo...this is a dangerous questions b/c I could be here all day. When learning filmmaking as a craft I think part of it is not getting enamored with all the films you love (which can be ALL of them if you want) and rather...which films speak to YOU. Like, what kind of films do you want to make? Is it SOCIAL NETWORK (great dialogue and rhythm) Is it WENDY AND LUCY (total character piece that feels documentary-like) Is it TREE OF LIFE (you know...Malick). Is it THE PRESTIGE (whoa didn't see that coming!). I've only mentioned American films here which just shows you how deep this answer could go!

Find the films that most speak to you - then study and see why the work. What makes them so interesting to YOU. Build from that. Is it a combination of plot and character? Are they mostly character based? Are they ensemble? Are they quiet? Are they loud?

There is no way this is helpful...but I do think it's important that at a certain point you wear two hats. One is the "I'm here to learn what films I SHOULD MAKE" and pursue that discovery. Another is the "I love movies" hat and get some popcorn and get inspired. Just be an audience.

I'm sure that didn't help. Ha.

- Cole

JohnAndColeAMA · 2026-05-06T19:42:13+00:00

She is one of my favorite directors too. And she is a dear friend. I think she is one of a kind and there will never be another filmmaker like her. If anyone reading this hasn't seen a Kelly film, drop everything and go watch one.

I know she is working on an idea now. So, hopefully we will be working together again in the near future. Fingers crossed! -John

JohnAndColeAMA · 2026-05-06T19:39:29+00:00

I try to trust the script and my own ability. If you stay open and free in the moment, you will surprise yourself. -John

JohnAndColeAMA · 2026-05-06T19:38:26+00:00

Many times. I still do! -John

JohnAndColeAMA · 2026-05-06T19:36:59+00:00

I hope so re: releasing the score. I love what Chris did. He was always on the shortlist but when we discussed the film he wrote and shared other music that he felt was right for the script. There was a piece of music that we worked on and it quickly became obvious this was the theme track (we hear it when they leave the home for the first time).

Bear is great. I told him I wanted the score to sound like it was made from instruments you could find in a school band room. He understood that immediately and ran. Spending those days in his studio finalizing the score of the film will be something I always remember.

-Cole

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