Damiano Fina

The Projection Booth is a podcast that delves into film analysis across various genres, with over 500 episodes released by February 2021. Hosted primarily by Mike White, the show features in-depth discussions of individual films, often supplemented by conversations with guests who possess unique insights into the movies or are filmmakers themselves. Episodes can vary significantly in length, with some extending up to seven hours. The podcast has garnered attention from major publications like The Washington Post and Entertainment Weekly for its quality. Though not exclusively focused on horror, it has received multiple nominations for the Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards, indicating a significant following within that community.

The podcast originated from a conversation between Mike White and Justin Bozung during a road trip in 2010, where they discussed their preferences for film podcasts. Over time, the show has seen changes in co-hosts, with Rob St. Mary and Justin Bozung being early contributors. Maitland McDonagh, David Kittredge, and Kat Ellinger are among the rotating co-hosts who have joined since 2014. The show's format typically centers on a single main film per episode, though related or contrasting films may also be explored. While the podcast covers a broad spectrum of cinema, it has occasionally been noted for dedicating episodes to films that are not readily available on DVD.

Each episode of The Projection Booth is dedicated to a thorough examination of a single primary film, offering critical analysis. Occasionally, the discussion expands to include other films that either complement or contrast with the central theme. A frequent component of the show involves interviews with guests, who are often other podcast hosts, authors, or individuals with specialized knowledge relevant to the film or topic at hand. At times, filmmakers themselves are invited to share their perspectives. Episode durations are flexible, ranging from under an hour to as long as seven hours. Some of the most popular episodes have focused on films such as 'The Magnificent Ambersons' and 'Conan the Barbarian'. While the podcast covers a diverse range of cinematic works, it has faced criticism for occasionally featuring obscure films that are not easily accessible on DVD.

The inception of The Projection Booth podcast occurred when its original hosts, Mike White and Justin Bozung, were traveling to the 2010 B Movie Celebration. During this journey, they engaged in discussions about their favorite and least favorite film podcasts. Justin Bozung departed the show following the episode dedicated to 'Hickey & Boggs.' After a period with various guest co-hosts, Rob St. Mary became a semi-permanent co-host, with his first full-time episode airing on February 29, 2012, focusing on 'Frankenhooker.' St. Mary eventually stepped down from his full-time role after the November 24, 2015 episode on 'Shadow of a Doubt.' The podcast has received recognition from prominent media outlets including The Washington Post, The A.V. Club, and Entertainment Weekly, being highlighted as one of the premier film podcasts available.

Mike White, a writer from Detroit, Michigan, is the primary host and founder of the podcast. He also initiated the zine 'Cashiers du Cinemart' in 1994 and is recognized for his work on 'Who Do You Think You're Fooling?'. White has also made appearances in documentaries such as 'David Goodis: To A Pulp' and 'The People vs. George Lucas.' He participated in a panel discussion titled 'Misadventures in Horror Podcasting' at the Rue Morgue Festival of Fear in 2003. The show features a unique element known as 'Robohost,' a computer program developed by Bell Laboratories that continuously updates with all podcast episodes and mentions of the show. The podcast has also been nominated multiple times for the Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards, despite not being exclusively a horror-focused program. Other co-hosts who have contributed include Maitland McDonagh, David Kittredge, and Kat Ellinger, among others.