Popcorn With Peter Travers Season 7 Episode 26 Zach Braff's Fan-Funded Film 'Wish I Was Here'

In this episode of "Popcorn with Peter Travers," host Peter Travers sits down with actor/director Zach Braff to discuss his fan-funded film "Wish I Was Here." Braff, best known for his role as J.D. on the television show "Scrubs," discusses how he raised funds for the film through the crowd-funding website Kickstarter and how he used the creative freedom afforded by this method to tell the story he wanted to tell.

Travers and Braff talk about the themes of family, identity, and the search for purpose that run throughout "Wish I Was Here." Braff shares his inspirations for the film, including his own experiences with his family and the works of filmmakers like Wes Anderson and Cameron Crowe.

The discussion also covers the cast of the film, which includes Braff himself, Kate Hudson, Mandy Patinkin, Josh Gad, and Joey King. Braff shares behind-the-scenes stories about working with each actor, including how Patinkin improvised some of his lines and how Gad's character was partially inspired by Braff's own brother.

Throughout the interview, Travers and Braff delve into the creative process behind "Wish I Was Here." Braff talks about the challenges of writing and directing a film, and how he worked to balance the dramatic and comedic elements of the story. He also discusses the importance of music in the film, both in terms of the soundtrack and the musical score.

Overall, this episode of "Popcorn with Peter Travers" offers a fascinating look into the making of "Wish I Was Here" and the creative choices that Braff made in bringing his vision to life. Whether you're a fan of Braff's work or just interested in the filmmaking process, this conversation is sure to offer insights and entertainment.