WRAP DRINKS

Before he escaped set life, Matthew Borgatti was working for legendary set shops designing animatronic props for films like Snakes on a Plane, Garfield, and Alien vs. Predator. Tune in as we chat with Matthew about the elements that go into deciding how much function an animatronic prop needs in order to be picture ready and what some of the on the fly solutions are that this type of work inspires.

You ever wonder how a beautiful "oner" gets shot? Well it's talented operators like BJ McDonnell who use their techniques and skills to capture those elaborate long takes. When he's not operating the steadicam rig, BJ works as the A camera operator on films like The Interview, Fall Guy, and the latest Naked Gun. BJ's love for working on set means that he's less interested in going to work and more interested in having a great time with the people he's working with. Tragically, BJ's home was destroyed by the Palisades fires in 2025. Although he's working to rebuild his life from scratch, he maintains a positive outlook on the future of his home life and the industry he works in. Tune in as we chat with BJ about how he got into steadicam, some of the BTS stories of working as a camera operator, and where he sees the industry going.

If you're down in South Florida, chances are your production has rented gear from Unique Producers Service. On this mini episode, we chat with Adam Roback, the Operations Manager and what it's like to work with local productions to provide equipment. We touch a bit on their history as a rental house, the importance of maintaining their gear, and their customer service approach.

You've definitely seen the stickers, Vinny Raffa has a posse. But for his day time job he's a balloon tech. Both he and Mario Pignard Jr. have been illuminating scenes from above with balloons for over 25 years. Tune in as we chat with these lighting techs about how light balloons work on set, the expectations from production, and how they collaborate with other departments to set up scenes.

Before he was working on nonlinear edits, NYC based editor Davy Gomez was taking the commercials out of VHS rips of his favorite TV shows. Today, Davy's resume includes work on music videos, commercials, and a popular TV show called "The Bear." Tune in as we pick Davy's brain about post production teams, workflows, bin management, and his methodology when approaching a project.

You know it goes. You make your first movie and you catch the filmmaking bug. Next thing you know, you're working as a PA and breaking into your department of choice and it's not too long before you're as grumpy as the guys that mentored you. For Dan Kanes, this trajectory changed for him when he went to see "Punch Drunk Love" and he fell in love with the look of anamorphic lenses. You would think the path to becoming a CEO would start right there but Dan decided to take a few side quests while also working as a set lighting technician. Join us as we talk with Dan about his side hustle of designing camera carts with renowned DP Erik Messerschmidt, starting the wireless video company Paralinx, and using the earnings from that company's sale to launch one of the most innovative lenses companies to date.

Miami based Director of Photography Alexandra Taupier discovered her passion for film making while in school. Through mentorship and on set learning, Alexandra quickly discovered that she has a natural talent for camera operating. This boost of confidence from other operators and cinematographers helped pave the way for her career as a DP. Tune in as we talk with Alexandra about her jump into camera department, what it’s like to learn to pull focus, and her work on the fan sponsored YouTube series, "Cassius".

A Florida based technician, Alex Chou marks the start of his career on the day he made an impulse buy on a camera. When he's not taking photos at Swim Week, he's working on set as a digitech, applying fast looks and ensuring that the client only sees the best take coming from the other end of the tether cable. Join us as we chat with Alex about what it's like to work in a city with a hurricane season and how he manages his work schedules when everyone is operating on "Miami time".

A trained dancer, Emily's career came to a halt after an injury kept her from performing. Luckily, her experience in the theater world made the transition to film & television easy when she was offered a costume PA gig. Fast forward to present day, Emily is costuming for popular films like Scream, Halloween, and TV shows like Daredevil: Born Again. Tune in as we talk with Emily about what it's like to rebuild costumes for established franchises, collaborate across a bunch of departments, and how her experience as a dancer helps her design clothing for stunt actors.

Chris Morgan & Andrew Lane's early days in production introduced them into the very niche world of Hidden Camera Television. They got their start as Production Assistant's on VH1's "Sledgehammer" where they discovered concealable tech, a market that they would become deeply invested in both technically and financially. After a few years of working together, they decided to start their own company, TV Boy, where they earned a reputation for capturing hidden camera, reality, and competition shows. Join us as we chat with them about what it takes to execute hidden camera shows from a technical standpoint, some of their successful prank shenanigans, and why they'll never get tired of filming the millionth shopper gag.

Although he isn't a native Floridian, Gaffer Chris Hill has made the sunshine state his home for the last 15+ years, but that doesn't keep him from traveling for work. In his trusty van, he often finds himself on the road moving to wherever the work is. Not surprising for someone who nearly joined the circus before deciding to enter the film business instead.Join us as we talk with Chris about his experience working on the Oscar winning film "Anora", his approach to working with local crews when he's not lighting in his backyard, and why Florida is such an important base of operations for him.

Dallas based Director and DP Alex Tellez has a made a career for herself by strategically curating her Instagram page. By posting the type of content she wanted to be hired to make, Alex found herself getting contacted directly by brands in the sports world to shoot, direct, and edit content for them. Tune in as we talk with Alex about the journey from her days as an intern to her current work directing a documentary for Salomon. We talk about the lessons she learned along the way and what choices helped her get noticed by brands she wanted to align her work with. (00:00:00) Intro(00:01:25) Background & Early Gigs(00:09:06) Going DP to Director(00:17:34) Pursuing Brands/Clients(00:27:31) Using Socials & Working with Athletes(00:44:46) Doc Research/Branded Docs(00:54:55) Separating Directing & DPing(01:16:08) Using References(01:25:56) Shooting Kit(01:36:29) Post Workflow & Client Management(01:55:08) Client notes change scope(02:00:40) Putting Your Work Out(02:06:41) Outro

Rian Johnson has been making movies with his friends since he was a kid. By the time he graduated high school he had amassed a portfolio of over 100 shorts. Though he says, "they weren't all great," his tenacity proved to be essential in his career. After graduating he spent years looking for the money to finance his first feature, "Brick", which led him to make his own European romp-around feature "The Brother's Bloom" before taking off with "Looper". Today he's best known for directing whodunnit murder mystery films for his tentpole "Knives Out" series and producing other projects through his company T-Street. The scale of the work might have changed, but Rian's love for being on set and making films with friends remains at the core of his relationships on set. Tune in as we have a chat with Rian about his career as he tries to convince us that he's a fan of our show.(00:00:00) Intro(00:02:00) 100 Shorts(00:04:18) Relationships from Childhood and Brick(00:06:15) Directing is the Only Entry Level Position on Set(00:09:52) Brick: Lessons on Coverage and Sound Design(00:16:54) The Brothers Bloom: More Money, More Problems(00:23:55) Growing as a Director through Experienced Actors(00:27:10) It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere(00:28:52) Practical Props and Set Design(00:34:54) Set Friends(00:39:29) TV Pacing Takes Away the Preciousness(00:46:10) The Star Wars Call(00:52:09) Noah Segan is on a Real Journey(00:54:44) Meeting Ram / Director's Jail(01:01:14) Studio Notes(01:09:11) Wake Up Dead Man Locations(01:17:55) Does Editing Experience Help You Be A Better Director(01:26:51) Talking to Another Director(01:33:50) Is the Producer the Enemy? Not at T Street.

Chauvet Cinema Group Sales Manager Chad Tiller, sat with us at the 4Wall Vendor Showcase in 2025 to talk lighting, sales approach, and his love for chatting with crew to get feedback on their units. 🏆✅ Follow Us ✅ 🏆ShittyRigs on IG: https://www.instagram.com/shittyrigsShittyRigs on Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shittyrigsChad Tiller on IG - https://www.instagram.com/litegearchad/?hl=en

Sergio Lazarov is an international live producer and multi-cam director. Starting his career abroad, now based in the United States, his Spanish language productions of The Voice, X-Factor, and The Grammys have taken him around the world. Sergio leans on his background in post-production and love for music to help inform his camera cuts during live events. In addition to live shows, Sergio’s resume also includes work in scripted content. He is currently reconnecting with his late father, a former TV director, through the development of documentary about his life. Join us as we chat about with Sergio about what it’s like to navigate hurdles on the fly when you only get a moment to get the shots right.This episode of Wrap Drinks is sponsored by Unique Producers Grip & Lighting based in South Florida. Thank you Unique for supporting our podcast and for hosting us at your wonderful warehouse. For more info on their grip & lighting rentals visit their website - https://uniqueproducers.com/

Our set at the 2025 4 Wall Showcase would not have been possible without Eve Roth's amazing leadership and design skills. We sat down with Eve to talk about what it takes to run an ideal Virutal Production and got the inside scoop on working with AWGE team to produce a branded piece of ASAP Rocky and Puma.

When most people hear the title makeup artist, they think this responsibility only focuses on beauty, but luckily for us, Anna Stachow came on the podcast to clarify this misconception. As a makeup designer, Anna's job is to figure out how best to visualize a character's backstory. Whether that's a fighter that needs special effect bruises, a creature that needs prosthetics, or a teenager who just loves lip gloss, Anna's got a wealth of experience preparing her actors for these roles. Join us as we explore this world of makeup through Anna's journey that started in a bar and catapulted her into a world where she gets to translate the creative ideas of multiple departments into one cinematic look.(00:00) Intro(00:46) Bar Story(09:06) Projects that inspired Anna(14:01 ) No Formal Training, to Hunger Games(18:42) How Are Departments Collaborating(33:50) Reg makeup on top of SFX Makeup(47:57) Collaborating with Actors(01:03:08) Working on John Wick(01:20:27) Bald Cap Not Hair(01:23:36) Tattoo Work(01:26:29) Matching Looks(01:36:20) First Stop for Gossip(01:56:52) More on Tattoo Work(02:09:51) Makeup Union

Earlier this year, 4Wall hosted us at their 2025 Vendor Showcase. This year, they went above and beyond to work with their team putting together a volume set just for us. We sat down with Ben and Mat, who were kind enough to explain how the setup works and tell us how their relationship with 4Wall came to be.

While most cinematographers seem to have a fixed trajectory that eventually lands them a tentpole Marvel series, Hillary Spera's came almost from left-field. Before her contribution to the the Daredevil Born Again series, Hillary was traveling the world as a documentary DP filming on fishing boats, documenting Insane Clown Posse shows, and filming in abortion clinics in the Mid-west. Still, the pursuit has always been the same, challenging herself and finding unique ways to tell stories through the lens. Tune in as we chat with Hillary about her incredible journey as a cinematographer from making her first film about carving Venison, to working in the freezing cold in Massachusetts on Dexter, and everything in between.(0:00) Intro(3:34) Vennison(5:40) Documentary and Fiction(12:47) When To Cut for BRoll in Doc(16:35) Handheld Operating(21:55) After Tiller(28:17) Oxyana(35:25) American Juggalo(43:00) Sitting in on the edit(45:47) Wildlike(56:41) Lost Boys Reboot(59:43) Dexter Resurrection(01:10:53) Parenting(01:16:31) Doc Crew to TV Crew(01:20:05) Daredevil(01:22:50) Daredevil "Look" Pitch(01:33:33) Daredevil Camera Rig(01:41:55) Daredevil Stunt Team(01:55:19) Crazy Donkey Story

Bill Almeida is gaffer known for his work on the John Wick Franchise, Fallout, and Instigators. In June 2025, he made some time to stop by the 4 Wall Vendor showcase in Moonachie NJ. Tune in as we pick Bill's brain while we sit on the volume that the 4wall team designed just for Wrap Drinks!

Like most of us breaking into the film industry, Jamie Rice's career began with PA work. Although she quickly knew she didn't want to be an AD, she found a path assisting both directors and producers. When the writer's strike happened, Jamie pivoted and began photographing bands like Meet Me @ The Altar and Daisy Grenade. Tune in as Jamie shares all the lessons she learned during her many shifts in film and photo and all the tips that helped her stay ahead of the game.

Jose Ramirez is a Sound Mixer born and raised in Queens NY. You’ve probably heard some of his work on Funny Pages, 2nd Chance, and Bad Shabbos. Unlike most of his peers in SVA, Jose chose the path of sound guy instead of a Director during his undergrad education. He found himself working so much while attending school that he nearly dropped out to work full time. Join us as we pick Jose’s brain about his career as a sound mixer, some of his tips for getting rehired, and his experience working on indies and the majors.

With a career spanning across 40 years, DP and ASC member Wolfgang Held has been traveling the world photographing award winning films. Whether it's a narrative feature or documentary film, Wolf's choices for lighting, framing, and even how many cameras are on a set are dictated by his verite approach. We talked with Wolf about some of his most notable work, his early projects, and what it's like applying for ASC membership.

Anni Abbruzzese is a union loader and 2nd AC who has worked on projects such as Hocus Pocus 2, Castle Rock, and The Instigators. Anni's journey into the camera department began when they were scooped up from their role as a PA by a camera team person who saw their potential. Anni quickly learned the camera department can be a challenging experience that tests your limits, but this taught them how and when to say no. Join us as we talk to Anni about how to navigate the politics of working on set and some of the nerdy solutions to their technical hurdles on set.

Stratton Bailey is an underwater key grip and cinematographer whose credits include Nanny, Rosemead, and Thalassophobia. Growing up, diving and being in the water became second nature to Stratton. Little did he know he was developing an integral skill for his future career. As the guard for set safety, being a key grip is already a complex line of work and when you add water it can easily become a recipe for disaster. Join us as we talk through Stratton's early days dipping his toes into this niche area of production and how he joined this small community of sea grips.

Although she is a bit softspoken, Food Stylist Jen Beauchesne is not afraid to dish out the truth on styling food for camera. Before venturing into this craft, Jen was working as a photo assist. After realizing her calling, Jen took the steps to transition careers and has collaborated with innovators such as Victoria Granof and Steve Giralt. Jen's years of experience include commercial work for Dunkin', Pepsi, and Buffalo Wild Wings. Tune in as we learn about the magic sauces that really make food look incredible for camera.Support the show

Originally based in Ohio, Jeremy dropped out of film school and moved to Florida to pursue his career in film. After several years working in indie production, he joined the union where we was able to work on productions like Elementary, Cold Souls, and Hello Tomorrow. We spoke with Jeremy about his journey and learn about what the prop exam for the union is like, learning to work with big celebrities like Ryan Gosling, and his podcast venture: The Seltzer Kings Podcast Network.⁠Support the show⁠

If you've worked on a New York Production, the chance that you've bumped into Smitty on your set is pretty high. If you haven't - it's likely the Key Grip on your set probably trained under him.Born and raised in the Bronx, Rob Smith says he was saved by the film industry after years of getting into trouble on the streets. After a friend brought him to set of a music video in 1990s, he was immediately pulled into the industry where he tackled multiple crafts from PA, Director, AD, and more before eventually becoming most known as a Key Grip.Smitty is probably one of the most seasoned non-union Key Grips you'll ever meet with an unforgettable personality. He's no BS, always keeps his cool, but loves a good challenge when it comes to rigging on his shoots. We talk with Smitty about his experiences working in music video world in its heyday, some of the challenges he encountered during his 30 year career in the industry, and where he thinks the industry is headed.Support the show

Perhaps best known for working with the Polish Brothers on Northfork and Twin Falls Idaho, David Mullen has shot over 40 other independent feature films; Jennifer’s Body and the Love Witch to name a few. David's resume also includes television series such as United States of Tara, West World, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.David is not only renowned for his work, but he also has a reputation for being an avid film nerd. In many ways, David’s cinematographer education came from a hybrid of real world experience and film school. Before he was enrolled in CalArts, David had already mastered lighting and filming on Super 8mm cameras. He digested journals, magazines, almost any piece of literature that could give him the knowledge he needed to pursue this passion for photography.Join us as we talk to this 3-time Emmy Winner and a 2-time ASC Award Winner about how he got started in this chaotic world of cinema and pick his brain about the wealth of knowledge he's collected during his career.Support the show

Meet Kathleen Kim, you might have seen her on SNL, Awkwafina is Nora from Queens, Helpsters, or even Sesame Street, but you probably didn't know it was her. Kathleen is a puppeteer who's been the talent behind some incredible characters.Puppeteering wasn't always a part of Kathleen's original career trajectory but this changed when she took a "puppetry for comedy" improv class. Kathleen's witty sense of humor and voice acting skills landed her a spot in the Sesame Street Puppetry Workshop where she would eventually be selected to perform as Ji-Young, the first Asian American character on Sesame Street.Join us as we talk to Kathleen about putting her own life experiences into her characters, the pressure of living up to her predecessors, and hear some incredible stories of how her small size made it possible to squeeze herself into this industry.-----This episode is brought to you in part by MUBIExperience groundbreaking cinema on MUBI with the stunning 4K restoration of Tarsem Singh’s THE FALL. Filmed over four years in 28 breathtaking locations and starring Lee Pace, it's a monumental production that transcends genres.For a limited time, you can try MUBI free for 30 days at mubi.com/shittyrigs-----Support the show

Larry Fessenden is a producer, director, and the founder of Glass Eye Pix. Above all, he is a lover of cinema and not afraid to get involved in the technical process and do the work. In fact, he prefers it. A performer in his own right, when Larry isn't making films, he's starring in them.In many ways, Larry is a local legend and icon of the horror genre. His career spans over 40+ years and 20+ films throughout which he has earned a spirit award and acknowledgment from the Criterion Collection. His production company Glass Eye Pix, has not only been a film school of sorts for successful directors like Ti West, he's even invested in their earlier work.Larry is a fascinating case study of what it takes to make your film when you're up against all the odds. His process is his and he doesn't claim to have the right one either but he'll fight you tooth and nail for it. Literally.-----This episode is brought to you in part by MUBIExperience groundbreaking cinema on MUBI with the stunning 4K restoration of Tarsem Singh’s THE FALL. Filmed over four years in 28 breathtaking locations and starring Lee Pace, it's a monumental production that transcends genres.For a limited time, you can try MUBI free for 30 days at mubi.com/shittyrigs-----Support the show

Tony Pettine has worked as a Script Supervisor on 50+ films. Tony is also the co-creator of ScriptE, which is the market leader in Script Supervision software with over 5000 users worldwide. On today's episode, we get to dive down the rabbit hole of what it's like to work as a script supervisor on films and television. We get to hear the ins and outs of being a department of one and learn about how his software ScriptE has improved the workflow for script supervisors around the world.-----This episode is brought to you in part by MUBIExperience groundbreaking cinema on MUBI with the stunning 4K restoration of Tarsem Singh’s THE FALL. Filmed over four years in 28 breathtaking locations and starring Lee Pace, it's a monumental production that transcends genres.For a limited time, you can try MUBI free for 30 days at mubi.com/shittyrigs-----Support the show

On this episode, we have a 2 guest segment lined up. First up, Smokey Nelson is back in the studio to co-host. Smokey was the Gaffer on "Half Nelson" and "Blue Valentine". He's also the DP on "Neon Joe Werewolf Hunter".Our featured guest is a good friend of Smokey's, Luke Geissbühler. Luke Geissbühler is a Director of Photography best known for his work on Helvetica, The Borat Films, and Robots.With the power of these nerds combined, we touch on the differences between working on documentary films VS narrative films and how it can inform their style of cinematopgraphy. We also pick their brains on how they build their teams and hear some of their memorable troubleshooting stories from being on set.We can't wait for you to hear these two ramble about their years of experience, conveniently consolidated into a 2 hour window.Support the show

Visiting all the way from the UK, Director of Photography Spike Morris stopped by the Wrap Drinks set to chat with us about all things cinematography related. Spike's love for photography and working with analogy technology morphed into a passion for filmmaking. Spike's desire for experimentation has led him to work on some exciting projects like Moses Boyd's "Stranger than Fiction" music to video, to Lewis Capaldi's "Forget Me" music video - a shot for shot recreation of Wham's "Club Tropicana" music video. He's also had the honor of working as the 2nd unit DP for "Don't Hug Me I'm Scared," a show he describes as Sesame Street on acid. Tune in as we chat with Spike and Christelle de Castro who is back on the show as a lovely co-host.⁠⁠Support the show⁠

Ad agencies, lighting design, non-profit work, special effects, protests, and psychedelic art shows; these two have seemingly done it all. Natalie Cleveland currently finds herself as a Producer & Industry Advocate, while Simon Cleveland is working under the title of Lighting & Effects Wizard.In this episode of Wrap Drinks we sit down with the industry power couple to talk about understanding the obstacles of a working relationship and how sometimes a change of departments can better suit your lifestyle.In May of 2024, FREE THE WORK, closed this chapter of the nonprofit. Natalie has since started "Working Insights" with a few of the FTW visionaries, they're working on the same values and crossing over some of the programs.Support the show

Blake's eventual role as a cinematographer didn't happen through the most traditional route. In fact, Blake's stint in the film industry began as a Production Assistant - infamously on the huge sets like "The Dark Knight Rises". Blake's ambitions however took him beyond this when he transitioned to AC work. In recent years, his accomplishments include being the Tech Producer for the NFL featurettes during the pandemic. Today, he is a Trinity Steadicam operator but he hasn't forgotten his roots or the experiences that made him the DP he is today. Join us as we chat with Blake about these experiences and more.Support the show

Heidi Koleto is a Prop Master with experience working on TV Shows such as Barry, Julia, and Kevin Can Fuck Himself. On today's episode, she gives us insight on what it's like to work on these large productions and how she handles the day to day tasks and responsibilities to keep a show running. Throughout this conversation we also learn about some of her amazing quirks that contribute to her success as a Prop Master as well as some helpful organizations that can contribute to your success.Support the show

Demian Neufeld is a Drone Pilot and the co-owner of Ryders Alley. Before DJI was breaking ground with their cinematic drones, Demian was attempting to fly cameras using RC helicopters. At the age of 12, he started his passion for photography before changing his focus to something more financially secure, pre-med. However, it wasn't long after he graduated that he decided to leave this career and go back into photography. Today his work can be found in TV series, commercials, and feature films.Support the show

In the era before digital movie theaters, film projectionists were integral part of the movie theater experience. Adrianne Jorge began her journey as a projectionist in college doing film screening in classrooms before moving to local theaters. Adrianne landed her spot in the union through a film festival after proving her value, and would later work for Woody Allen in his private screening room. After the era of digitization shattered the movie screening industry, Adrianne was fortunate enough to continue her craft working at the Somerville theater in Boston. While being a film projectionist today is considered a niche job, thanks to a few big names in the industry we can still enjoy the human element being connected to the film viewing experience.Support the show

Before Valerie Armstrong was able to sell her show "Kevin Can F**k Himself" (spoilers ahead of you haven't watched yet) to AMC, she worked a number of different jobs to pay the rent. Whether it was being an assistant to the owner of a Pistachio farm, working as an NBC Page, or being a writing assistant on "Masters of Sex", these jobs prepared Valerie for the daunting task of creating her own original series. We talked with her about the highs and lows of making it as a writer, what the inside of a writer's room looks like, and how surrounding yourself with the right people makes everything that much better.Support the show

Jeff Brink might currently be known as the CEO of Blackout Lighting Console, but his exploits as a disruptor in the film industry goes back to his days at NYU. In the days when attaching a cinema camera to a drone was unheard of, Jeff and his team were determined to innovate and find a path, paving the way for drone photography as we know it today. Ultimately, this pursuit reached its end and Jeff found himself back in the lighting department. Seeing the change in LED technology while he was away inspired him to make a mobile console app that would improve the role of a board operator in the field. All of his successes and failures in the film and industry have led to this moment, our couch.Support the show

Mayvis Payne got her start in makeup artistry in retail before transitioning to the film industry. While working at MAC cosmetics, Mayvis got her break when a "regular customer" turned out to be a producer for BET who was impressed by her talents later recommended her for work on network shows. Today, she is a self published author with her book "Lipgloss Chronicles," in which she shares her experiences and "spills the tea without breaking the mug". Mayvis also has her own luxury cosmetics brand LIPLOX/LASHLOX providing quality lip glosses, lipsticks, and eyelashes at affordable prices.Support the show

Steve Giralt is a director, DP, and photographer with a side of engineer. He founded The Garage to push the art of tabletop cinematography forward and empower artists to create the most innovative work. Steve talks about what it took to make his famous "burger drop" video, how much easier it would be for him today, and how brands keep him busy pushing the limits of what motion control technology can produce.⁠Support the show

Director of Photography Fletcher Wolfe spent her time working as a juicer, then a gaffer, before finally moving to cinematography. Fletcher recounts the struggle of having to turn down jobs when making a change in departments. Hear about building her own lights, her favorite tools of the trade, and how hard work all pays off as her time on commercials, documentaries, and narrative films has landed her a spot at Sundance more than once.⁠⁠Support the show⁠

Director, Editor, and DP Nick Neofitidis shares stories from his days starting out in the MTV News gear closet, shifting into field work, and eventually getting to shoot and travel as a lone DP. The few essential tools he could bring in his kit were only as useful as the street smarts he had to pick up when traveling through places like South Africa, India, and Peru. Nick's experiences along the way prepared him perfectly to shoot "Reincarnated," the documentary film that captured Snoop Dogg's journey to Jamaica to produce his first reggae record. Tune in and find out how his journey as a one man band earned him both an Emmy and the nickname "Slick Nick."⁠⁠Support the show⁠

Joe Bearese is a stunt driver and co-owner Metro Camera Cars, providing specialty tracking vehicles for film, television, and commercials. Joe talks us through the unique challenges faced when using this specialized equipment from coordinating multiple moving vehicles to maneuvering tight city streets. Whether it's pushing these vehicles to their limits filming F1 cars or waiting to change a dead battery, Joe keeps us on the edge of our seats. Seat belt highly recommended.⁠⁠Support the show⁠

Makeup FX artist Brian Spears takes us behind the scenes, sharing insights into the magical process of transforming everyday faces and bodies into extraordinary masterpieces for film, television, and more. From crafting intricate prosthetics to seamlessly blending reality with fantasy, Brian possesses a unique blend of artistic vision and technical prowess. Come along on this captivating journey of wizardry you won't want to miss!⁠⁠Support the show⁠

Dive into the creative brilliance of Christelle de Castro, a renowned commercial Director and Photographer, whose work has made an indelible mark on the industry. Hear how she went from living and working in a dark NYC basement to co-founding the international production company Ground Work. Christelle's visionary touch extends to campaigns for global brands including Nike, Samsung, Supreme, Coach, Lululemon, Calvin Klein, and more, solidifying her as a creative powerhouse in the field.⁠⁠Support the show⁠

Costume Designer Rebecca Hofherr takes us behind the scenes of movies like Winter's Bone and Good Burger 2, unraveling the creative process, and challenges of creating iconic costumes. Whether it's unexpected encounters with with celebrities like Meryl Streep or working closely Jennifer Lawrence, Rebecca goes deep into the nuances of costume design in today's ever-evolving film industry! Hear some of the untold stories of the film world, including a gripping account involving a PA entangled on the wrong side of the law.⁠⁠Support the show⁠

Chris Ingvordsen is a prolific filmmaker with an incredible career that began during the home video revolution in the 1980s. He produced and directed 24 feature films, working with legendary actors and actresses like Sandra Bullock, Robert Mitchum, Julia Roberts, and more. Ingvordsen's unique approach to filmmaking, influenced by his mentor Larry Cohen, involved tact and resourcefulness, often filming without permits, and making the most of low budgets. Now, as we enter a new digital revolution, Ingvordsen's message to aspiring filmmakers is clear: With affordable digital cameras, accessible editing software, and a multitude of distribution channels, there's never been a better time to bring your filmmaking dreams to life. Learn your craft, gain experience, and when inspiration strikes, have the courage to make your movie.⁠⁠Support the show⁠