Tungsten Originals Podcast

This week we're joined by David Gutnik, writer and director of Materna, which won best actress and best cinematography at Tribeca and makes its online debut this week. We discussed filmmaking as a form of therapy, the hardest parts about making a feature debut, and his advice for upcoming directors. Links below:Check out the video version on our YouTube channel!Materna ShowtimesDavid's WebsiteTungsten:PatreonYouTubeInstagramTwitterWebsiteFacebookWest:Instagram

Writer and director Alexandra Pechman joins us to discuss how her career as a magazine writer led to her career as a filmmaker, her short film Thumb, which is premiering at Fantasia August 10th and 12th, and her latest short film Sleep, which won her a grant from the organization the Future of Film is Female. Links below:Checkout the video version on our YouTube channel!Alexandra:Thumb Premiere TicketsWebsiteTungsten:PatreonYouTubeInstagramTwitterWebsiteFacebookWest:Instagram

Writer and director Ned Cooper joins us to discuss his recent short film Hammer: how he helped his lead actor go through an intense physical transformation, the ways in which his crew were pushed to their limits, and why he thinks it’s this film that finally made him a director. Links below:Check out the video version on our YouTube channel!Ned:InstagramVimeoTungsten:PatreonYouTubeInstagramTwitterWebsiteFacebookWest:Instagram

Writer & director Quinn McHugh Fluet joins us to discuss his recent short film Singularity, how he combines world-building sci-fi with intimate human stories, and his work as the editor for this podcast. Links below:Checkout the video version on our YouTube channel!Quinn:WebsiteInstagramTungsten:PatreonYouTubeInstagramTwitterWebsiteFacebookWest:Instagram

Writer, director, and cinematographer Joe Russ joins us to discuss his biggest learning experiences as a filmmaker, his work as a DP on my latest short film Blueberries, and the impact he hopes to have as a producer at Tungsten. Links below:Check out the video version on our YouTube channel!Joe:WebsiteInstagramTungsten:PatreonYouTubeInstagramTwitterWebsiteFacebookWest:Instagram

Producer Raegan Levan joins us to discuss her philosophies on the role of producer, how she manages a wide array of content, and what she hopes to achieve as the first official producer at Tungsten. Links below:Check out the video version on our YouTube channel!Raegan:WebsiteInstagramTungsten:PatreonYouTubeInstagramTwitterWebsiteFacebookWest:Instagram

Raegan Levan and Joe Russ join us to discuss how Tungsten has changed since our first podcast episode, our goals and values as a company, and how we’d like to impact the future of the film industry. Links below:Check out the video version on our YouTube channel!Tungsten:PatreonYouTubeInstagramTwitterWebsiteFacebookWest:WebsiteInstagramRaegan:WebsiteInstagramJoe:WebsiteInstagram

Production designer and painter Jenna Rae Tooley joins us to discuss how her experience as a fine artist influences her work on productions, the two feature films she’s working on as a production designer, and how she’s pursuing a career across multiple disciplines. Links below:Check out the video version on our YouTube channel!Jenna:PortfolioInstagramTungsten:PatreonYouTubeInstagramTwitterWebsiteFacebookWest:Instagram

Director Pong Tulyathan joins us to discuss his award winning music videos, his process when working with an artist, and finding his voice as a south East Asian filmmaker. Links below:Check out the video version on our YouTube channel!Pong's WebsiteTungsten:PatreonYouTubeInstagramTwitterWebsiteFacebookWest:Instagram

Writer & director Aidan Casey joins us to discuss his upcoming short film Junk: how his experience as a producer prepared him for the role of director, the film’s balance between a traditional and experimental structure, and how it felt to see it all come together after years of hard work.Today we launched a fundraising campaign to push Junk through post-production. Help us share this film with the world by visiting our campaign! Junk Indiegogo CampaignCheck out the video version on our YouTube channel!Aidan:WebsiteInstagramTungsten:PatreonYouTubeInstagramTwitterWebsiteFacebookWest:Instagram

Filmmaker Kevin Plachy joins us to discuss becoming a filmmaker during the rise of social media, if the entertainment industry should take YouTube seriously, and his journey from fan to collaborator at The Valleyfolk, a YouTube channel with over 250k subscribers. Links below:Check out the video version on our YouTube channel!KevinYouTube ChannelThe ValleyfolkTungsten:PatreonYouTubeInstagramTwitterWebsiteFacebookWest:Instagram

Writer and director Justin Robinson joins us to discuss his documentary, My Brother Jordan, and why the film took eight years to make, its non traditional distribution which led to 15 million views on YouTube, and why channeling grief is such an honest form of storytelling. Links below:Check out the video version on our YouTube channel!Justin: My Brother JordanMBJ Behind the ScenesJustin's WebsiteTungsten:PatreonYouTubeInstagramTwitterWebsiteFacebookWest:Instagram

Producer Thomas Verrette joins us to discuss his documentary Zero Gravity, the film’s inspiring message, and how his career led him to this moment. Links below:Zero Gravity WebsiteTungsten:PatreonYouTubeInstagramTwitterWebsiteFacebookWest:InstagramDue to technical difficulties, there is not a video version of this episode.

Filmmaker Jeremy Mohler joins us to discuss producing independent projects while working professionally, his advice for budding filmmakers, and what he’s learned as a 2nd AD on Law and Order: SVU. Links below:Check out the video version on our YouTube channel!We launched a Patreon!JeremyLove RadioTungsten:PatreonYouTubeInstagramTwitterWebsiteFacebookWest:Instagram

Cinematographer Alissa Rooney joins us to discuss her compelling body of work, how she approaches different styles of content, and her role as the DP for Frame.io’s Camera to Cloud product launch. Links below:Watch the video version of this episode!AlissaWebsiteInstagramTungsten:YouTubeInstagramTwitterWebsiteFacebookWest:Instagram

Independent filmmaker Sasha Garcia joins us to discuss her work as both a director and a 1st AD, how her background affects her storytelling, and the impact she hopes to have on the film industry. Links below:Watch this video version of this episode!SashaWebsiteInstagramTungsten:YouTubeInstagramTwitterWebsiteFacebookWest:Instagram

Writer and director Nicole Barley joins us to discuss our collaboration on her upcoming short film Lighthouse Keeping, how we think the film industry should improve, and the tangible impact of women-led film sets. Links below:NicoleInstagramLighthouse KeepingRootsTungsten:YouTubeInstagramTwitterWebsiteFacebookWest:Instagram

Writer & Director Melissa Haizlip joins us to discuss Mr. Soul! Before Oprah – before Arsenio – there was Mr. SOUL! Ellis Haizlip ensured the Revolution would be televised with SOUL!, America's first “Black Tonight Show.” We discussed why the film took 10 years to make, its critical recognition, and why Melissa knew she was the perfect person to tell this story. Links below:Mr. Soul WebsiteTungsten:YouTubeInstagramTwitterWebsiteFacebookWest:Instagram

Writer and director Kevin Brooks joins us to discuss his fellowship at the Sundance Institute, his award-winning filmography, and his dedication to filming projects in his hometown of Memphis, Tennessee. Don't forget to check out the video version on our YouTube channel! Links below:Kevin:InstagramTungsten:YouTubeInstagramTwitterWebsiteFacebookWest:Instagram 

Editor Jayda Cardoza joins us to discuss her growth as an editor, the director editor relationship, and her new job working in the post production department at Marvel Studios. Links below:Jayda:WebsiteInstagramTungsten:YouTubeInstagramTwitterWebsiteFacebookWest:Instagram

Writer, director, and CEO Jewel Hamrick joins us to discuss his philosophies about the entertainment industry, his thesis film Exposure, and why he decided to start his own production company, IV Vision. Links below:Jewel & IV Vision:Jewel's InstagramIV Vision WebsiteTungsten:YouTubeInstagramTwitterWebsiteFacebookWest:Instagram

Today we're joined by writer, director, and activist Lei White. We discussed his first industry job after graduating from film school, the equality he’s fighting for, and how to combat imposter syndrome. Links below:LeiA Crown of FeathersInstagramTungsten:InstagramTwitterWebsiteFacebookWest:Instagram

Creative producer Kait Elizabeth joined us to discuss how working at The Valleyfolk has evolved her approach to filmmaking, shooting her first short film after film school, and how her thesis project gave her clarity and hope to her creative future. Links below:Kait Instagram Twitter The Valleyfolk Tungsten: Instagram Twitter Website Facebook Merch West: Instagram Twitter Website

Production designer Reece Koetter joined us to discuss how he fell in love with production design, the challenges with designing a set that's hours away, and his thoughts on how production designers are a huge asset to your film. Links below:Blueberries Indiegogo campaign!Blueberries Facebook page!Blueberries Instagram!ReeceInstagram Tungsten: Instagram Twitter Website Facebook Merch West: Instagram Twitter Website

Producer and editor Elizabeth Hancuch joined us to discuss how she discovered her love for filmmaking, her thoughts on producing and editing simultaneously, and why she felt compelled to work on Blueberries. Links below:Blueberries Indiegogo campaign!ElizabethInstagram Tungsten: Instagram Twitter Website Facebook Merch West: Instagram Twitter Website

Kierra Hall joined us to discuss her senior thesis film Dissociation, which follows the disappearance of Katie Olsen and the mysteries surrounding the truth. We discussed the true story that inspired this film, the challenges of filming on location in Colorado, and the pressure that comes with fictionalizing a true story. Links below:Dissociation Fundraising campaign coming soon!!Dissociation Facebook Page!Dissociation Instagram!Tungsten: Instagram Twitter Website Facebook Merch West: Instagram Twitter Website

Filmmaker Michael Chaney joined us to discuss how his students’ films have evolved throughout his teaching career, what he considers the most important thing about making a short film, and his recent project Thin Places: Iceland that screened at the 2019 SCAD Savannah Film Festival. Links below:Michael ChaneyWebsite Tungsten: Instagram Twitter Website Facebook Merch West: Instagram Twitter Website

Editor Chris Brannan joined us to discuss how he got his footing in the film industry, what he’s learned throughout his career, and the process of making his most recent feature documentary Finding Tyler, which follows an American fugitive who fled to the island of Corsica. Links below:Chris BrannanWebsite Tungsten: Instagram Twitter Website Facebook Merch West: Instagram Twitter Website

Jake Redmond joined us to discuss his senior thesis film Carrots, which is about a teacher force-feeding her young student baby carrots. We discussed his journey into filmmaking, a hard decision he had to make about this film, and the true story that inspired this script. Links below:Carrots IndieGoGo campaign!!Carrots Instagram pageCarrots Facebook pageJake Instagram Art Instagram Tungsten: Instagram Twitter Website Facebook Merch West: Instagram Twitter Website

Davi Pena is back to discuss his senior thesis film Eyes of Eidolon, which is a surreal thriller about love, loss, and the horrors of addiction. We discussed the origin of this script, the lessons he's learned from previous films, and how he's tackling this intimate story. Links below:Eyes of Eidolon IndieGoGo Campaign!!Eyes of Eidolon InstagramDaviInstagram Tungsten: Instagram Twitter Website Facebook Merch West: Instagram Twitter Website

Jaxson Varni joined us to discuss his senior thesis film Camping is Cheaper, which is a dark comedy about a couple's camping trip that turns deadly. We discussed the music video we made together, the importance of representation, and how he plans to tackle his biggest project yet. Links below:Camping is Cheaper IndieGoGo!!JaxsonInstagram Tungsten: Instagram Twitter Website Facebook Merch West: Instagram Twitter Website

Jared Wang joined us to discuss his senior thesis film Crosses of Lorraine, which is a romantic war drama set during the final winter of World War II. The story follows an American G.I. wounded in battle and taken in by a former member of the French resistance. We discussed the inspiration for this script, the biggest difficulties with making a war film, and why Jared is going all out on his thesis. Links below:Crosses of Lorraine IndieGoGo Campaign!Jared:InstagramTungsten: Instagram Twitter Website Facebook Merch West: Instagram Twitter Website

Lucy Artigas joined us to discuss her senior thesis film A Flote, which is a coming of age film about brotherhood, family, and sacrifice. We discussed the inception of this idea, the pros and cons of filming on location in Mexico, and her dreams for a more interconnected film community. Links below:A Flote IndieGoGo Campaign!A Flote Instagram!Lucy Instagram Artigas & Co. Instagram Tungsten: Instagram Twitter Website Facebook Merch West: Instagram Twitter Website

Filmmaker Sammi Shoemaker joined us to discuss her senior thesis film Pink, which takes the abstract concepts of anxiety, existentialism, and death and creates a tangible representation. We discussed how she got attached to this project, her experience directing a film of this size, and the groundbreaking production design this movie requires. Links below:Pink Fundraising Campaign!SammiInstagram Tungsten: Instagram Twitter Website Facebook Merch West: Instagram Twitter Website

Filmmaker Seth Cunningham joined us to discuss his senior thesis film Genesis, which is a sci-fi film about a mother and son living on a foreign planet after Earth is made uninhabitable by climate change. We discussed the origin of the story, how Seth crafts his ideas, and how his previous films prepared him for this one. Links below:Genesis Kickstarter!Seth Cunning Films Instagram Cunning Films Website Personal Instagram Tungsten: Instagram Twitter Website Facebook Merch West: Instagram Twitter Website

Julia Corin joined us to discuss her senior thesis film Wild, Wild, Us, which is an experimental film that follows three superficial friends lost in the materialistic world of their own creation. We discussed the inception of this idea, Julia's connection to the world around her, and why collaboration is so important for this project. Links below:Wild, Wild, Us IndieGoGoWild, Wild, Us InstagramJuliaInstagram Tungsten: Instagram Twitter Website Facebook Merch West: Instagram Twitter Website

Taylor Wedding joined us to discuss her senior thesis film Fix It Box, which is a love letter to family, and additionally, the deaf community. We discussed her inspiration for the script, the importance of finding a deaf actor for the lead role, and the impact she hopes this film has. Links below:Fix It Box IndieGoGoFix It Box InstagramTaylor Instagram Website Tungsten: Instagram Twitter Website Facebook Merch West: Instagram Twitter Website

Lei White and Paige Petersen joined us to discuss Lei's senior thesis film Cutthroat, which is about a runway model navigating the fashion industry by any means necessary. We discussed how they came to work together, Lei's inspiration for the script, and the most ambitious aspects of the project. Links below:Cutthroat IndieGoGo Campaign!Cutthroat InstagramCutthroat FacebookLeiInstagram PaigeInstagram Tungsten: Instagram Twitter Website Facebook Merch West: Instagram Twitter Website

Editor Alex Newton joined us to discuss his journey into professional editing, the most daunting projects he's worked on, and what he's learned along the way. Links below:Alex NewtonWebsite Tungsten: Instagram Twitter Website Facebook Merch West: Instagram Twitter Website NOTE: There was an issue uploading the original file, so this is a quick re-upload of the episode. Sorry about that!

Comedian & Actor Craig Anton joined us to discuss his path into the industry, what it was like working on shows such as Mad Men, MADtv, and Curb Your Enthusiasm, and also some advice for those who want to make it in show business. Links below:CraigThe Realistic JonesesTungsten: Instagram Twitter Website Facebook Merch West: Instagram Twitter Website

Sound designer Ryan Sullivan joined us to discuss the mysteries behind sound design, his most challenging project in his eight years of experience, and what continues to inspire him every day. Be sure to give us a rating and a review on iTunes to redeem your free Tungsten sticker! Links below:Ryan Website Instagram Tungsten: Instagram Twitter Website Facebook Merch West: Instagram Twitter Website

Editor Andrew Paynter joined us to discuss our partnership as he edits our biggest short film yet, how to price your work when entering the commercial market, and some client horror stories. Listen til the end for an exciting announcement involving Tungsten's first live event! Links below:Savannah Presents Instagram Spotify Coastal Videography Website Instagram Tungsten: Instagram Twitter Website Facebook Merch West: Instagram Twitter Website

Singer-songwriter Warren Givens joined us this week! We discussed the current state of the music industry, making music in the age of streaming, and the music video that we made together. Links below:Warren Website Instagram Show on September 18th in Asheville, NC half alive - "still feel" music video Tungsten: Instagram Twitter Website Facebook Merch West: Instagram Twitter Website

Photographer and filmmaker Kobe Van Someren discussed using art to help those in need, the dangers of exploitation when documenting disadvantaged communities, and that one time he was voluntarily homeless for a week. Don't forget to rate and review us on iTunes to get your free Tungsten Originals logo sticker! Links below:Kobe: Instagram World Operation Apparel Tungsten: Instagram Twitter Website Facebook Merch West: Instagram Twitter Website

Producer Stephen Stanley joined us to discuss navigating the film industry, diversity in Hollywood, and making a feature film with zero filmmaking experience. Links below:Stephen Stanley Website IMDb Fauve short filmTungsten: Instagram Twitter Website Facebook Merch West: Instagram Twitter Website

Talented musician and West's childhood best friend, Daniel Nunnelee joined us this week! He released his debut EP, Tired Eyes, on July 12th, and has been on tour ever since. We discussed the stories behind his songs, the success his music has seen, and that one time he had a run-in with the police at 10 years old. Links below:Daniel: Instagram (where you can find all of his tour dates) Tired Eyes: Spotify iTunes Google Play Music DM Hailey Morris on Instagram if you want to submit questions for next week's episode where she'll interview West!Tungsten: Instagram Twitter Website Facebook Merch West:Instagram

Suzannah Herbert and Lauren Belfer join us to discuss their 9 time award-winning documentary "Wrestle," an intimate coming-of-age documentary about four members of a high-school wrestling team at Huntsville's J.O. Johnson High School, a longstanding entry on Alabama's list of failing schools. We discussed how they discovered the story, the hardest parts of production, and what they learned throughout the process. Links below:Wrestle Website iTunes Amazon Tungsten: Instagram Twitter Website Facebook Merch West:Instagram

Andrew & Cody joined us to discuss the films they worked on at SCAD, their expectations of film school, and their podcast Savannah Presents. We also cover the one time Cody made West get in an outdoor pool in the middle of November. Links below:Savannah Presents: Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram Andrew:InstagramCody:InstagramTungsten: Instagram Twitter Website Facebook Merch West:Instagram

Our lovely and talented bts photographer Hunter Hill joined us this week! We discussed how we first met, his growth as an artist, and what his future holds now that he's transferring to an art school. Links below:Hunter Instagram Website Tungsten: Instagram Twitter Website Facebook Merch West:Instagram

James Sadwith discusses his journey from Martha's Vineyard to Hollywood, his independent feature film, and what it's like to win an Emmy. Links below:James Sadwith:IMDbTungsten: Instagram Twitter Website Facebook Merch West:Instagram