Running Scared

Definitely, uh, definitely check it out.

Um, then after that, uh, watched the movie Running Scared from 1986.

This is another Billy Crystal movie.

This time it's a buddy cop film with him and Greg H- uh, Greg Hines about two, uh, Chicago cops who have to pursue a drug dealer.

It's like, come on

...

I, so I, I was just watching Running Scared, I was talking about earlier, and, um, they have an a- a amazing moment of that where they're chasing after a car, like, on foot, and they run around the corner, and they do, like, the classic really wide split as they're aiming.

They're, like, way down there, and then they, [laughs] it's, it's just so good.

So Michael Pierce is a film producer, serial investor, entrepreneur, and CEO and father.

His producing and financing credits include The Cooler, Running Scared, Flawless, and He was also an early investor in companies including Thrive Market, Cameo, and Cargomatic.

That sounds like it should be like an inventing machine, and you'll have to tell me about that.

Today, Michael is the founder and CEO of American Gun Owners, where he is working to simplify and rebuild experience for first-time firearm buyers.

Apparently, Hours is a really good performance of his.

Everybody always talks about Running Scared.

So I really want to check those out, because I'm not that familiar with his filmography.

Outside the movies that you brought up, Mike, kind of the ones everybody knows, you know, the comedies.

You know, it came out, it was kind of a big deal when it came out in 2000, but it's like nobody, nobody, Talks about it.

But it's worth watching.

But I really liked him in Running Scared.

I think Running Scared is his best movie outside of the Fast and Furious franchise.

I

think the first time I met him, I think it was after I had made Running Scared, but it hadn't been released yet.

And I think we were both at the same agency, which I think at the time was ICM before it became WME.

And the one agent there said, I know you're a big fan of Walter Hill.

And I think they also thought that Paul Walker would be a good choice to star in the film.

And And I don't know where Walter at that time had sat on the fence about it.

I don't know what Walter did, but I know he wanted to come see Running Scared, I think.

So Walter came to the editing room, and I showed him Running Scared of The Avid.

And today, part of our Flashback Friday segment here on the show, this the first Friday in September, I am delighted to be welcoming to the show first-time guest, Mr. Matthew Anderson of the Lone Screenplay Nominee Podcast.

Today, we're going to be talking about a film that actually turns 20 years old this year, Running Scared.

And in case you were wondering, it is not the Billy Crystal film, but I'll get more into that in a little bit.

The plot of the film involves a low man on the mafia totem pole, named Joey, played by Paul Walker.

a local boy and neighbor who uses the gun to kill his deplorable stepfather, who just so happens to be a Russian mobster.

As Joey sets off to find Oleg before the cops or the Russian mob can nab him, he is pursued by a crooked cop named Rydell, who has his own agenda.

So as I said, today's topic is on the film Running Scared, and Matthew, I want to welcome you to the podcast, my friend.

Thank you for having me, Phil.

Keep promoting.

We just did the Running Scared episode not that long ago.

And I think we made it the whole episode without mentioning soap.

So I wanted to make sure we get that.

My guest today has spent much of his career betting on ideas, creative people and businesses that others might overlook.

Michael Pierce co-founded Pierce Williams Entertainment and Zero Gravity Management and produced and financed films including The Cooler, Running Scared and Flawless.

He later moved into technology investing, founding DigiVentures and backing early-stage companies across several industries.

Today, Michael is the founder and CEO of American Gun Owners, a company created to simplify the experience for first-time firearm buyers.

So yeah, highly correlated to what I do now.

Yeah, I would imagine.

Films such as The Cooler, Running Scared, gave you some pretty impressive credits.

But success often hides the difficult parts of the story, right? It's easy to go to a premiere and go, I know, Michael.