Tavi Gevinson, Dave Franco, Logan Lerman, and Zoey Deutch

One of the exciting byproducts of visiting a film festival like Sundance is getting a sneak peek at the next big thing, whether it be a filmmaker or an actor. Certainly this year was no exception with relative unknowns like Chante Adams (“Roxanne Roxanne”) and Danielle Macdonald (“Patti Cake$”) breaking through in a big way. 

Then there’s the young talent, already established, but still on the rise. That’s what this week’s “Happy Sad Confused” delivers with four conversations with some of the best and the brightest actors working today, each making a splash at Sundance this year.

Tavi Gevinson is only 20 years old, but already boasts an eclectic list of accomplishments, from writer and fashion maven to magazine editor. It’s her acting career however that is the focus of this conversation, from her stage work in “The Crucible” to her Sundance debut, “Person to Person”.

Returning to the podcast on this episode is the charming and self-deprecating Dave Franco, whose Sundance flick “The Little Hours” teams him up with Aubrey Plaza, John C. Reilly, and real-life fiancé Alison Brie. Franco talks about his absurdly awkward sex scenes, being objectified, and still finds time to rib Josh for never having seen “The Room”. 

Another returning guest and Sundance veteran at just 25 is Logan Lerman, starring in the ambitious drama, “Sidney Hall”. Lerman again proves he’s the real deal in this heartbreaking story of a young writer grappling with success, fame, and his own demons. 

Finally, Josh welcomes a newcomer to “Happy Sad Confused” in Zoey Deutch, making her Sundance debut with two films, “Rebel in the Rye” (she stars as Oona O’Neill opposite Nicholas Hoult’s JD Salinger) and “Before I Fall”, a sort of dramatic “Groundhog Day” by way of YA that’s garnered great reviews in advance of it’s March 3rd opening.