The Crew List

Send us a textOn this episode of The Crew List, we sit down with one of television's most accomplished directors, Kenneth Fink. With more than 200 scripted shows, pilots, and cable films to his name, Ken has left an indelible mark on the industry, as a director, executive producer, and writer. From his early days as an award-winning documentary filmmaker to directing series like Homicide: Life in the streets, CSI, Gotham, Fringe, and Person of Interest, Ken's career is a masterclass in storytelling and craftsmanship.We'll discuss what sparked his interest to begin with, and all the stops he's made along the way.

"Welcome to The Crew List, Today, I'm excited to have a conversation with Lawrence A. Mirisch, a seasoned talent agent and film industry veteran whose career spans over four decades. From his early days as a second assistant director on films like 'Grease 2' to founding the Mirisch Agency and serving in leadership roles at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Larry has seen it all. So please join me as I explore his journey, insights, and the evolving landscape of Hollywood.”

Today, we're featuring Bill Zabala, a seasoned film editor with a remarkable journey in both film and life.Born in San Bernardino and raised in Upland, California, Bill is a proud member of the first full television generation and developed a love for movies at just 8 years old. His early passion for cinema led him to explore drama in college, but a career on the stage took a detour when Bill left school to go on tour as a drummer before serving in the Army. After 17 months in Germany and working for the Gas Company, a chance meeting with friends in the television industry led Bill to Universal studios and a career in filmmaking. Bill went on to become a wonderful film editor, helping bring stories to life on screen.

Mary Seward – Script Supervisor, Producer, and StorytellerBorn in Rapid City, South Dakota, Mary's love for storytelling began in her childhood, nurtured by countless hours spent at her local library. After discovering her passion for drama in high school, Mary pursued a degree in Communication Arts and later an MFA in Theatre. Her journey in the arts led her to Los Angeles, where she co-founded a theatre company. However, it was on film sets where she truly found her calling.Transitioning from acting to behind-the-scenes work, Mary trained as a Script Supervisor, utilizing her natural organizational and leadership skills. Since joining the union in 1996, she has worked on numerous projects, finding joy in being part of the creative process and storytelling with talented crews.

Joining me today is Elizabeth Devine, Liz is a writer producer, and before that she was a Senior Criminalist for the LA County Sheriff's Department for 15 years. Liz Has a bachelor's and a master's degree from UCLA. As a criminalist and Crime Scene expert, Devine had a chance to work in the film industry as technical adviser. When after 15 years with LASD she retired from her work as a crime scene investigator, she joined the team for the show CSI : Crime Scene Investigation, first as a technical consultant, and later as writer and co-executive producer. She was nominated for a Writer's Guild award with Ann Donahue, for their Season 1 CSI episode entitled "Blood Drops." In 2004, as one of the CSI producers she was nominated for the Emmy Award in the Outstanding Drama Series category. Recently she was an Executive producer on “James Patterson's Murder is Forever, and a consultant on the mini series Unbelievable. 

Welcome to The Crew List, I'm Alec Smight, Joining me is filmmaker, author, and journalist, Sam Irvin. With over 50 movies and TV shows to his credit, including cult classics like "Elvira's Haunted Hills," "Oblivion," and "Magic Island," Sam's has been on quite a creative journey.His contributions extend far beyond the director's chair. He was a co-executive producer of Bill Condon's Oscar-winning film "Gods and Monsters" a historical consultant on Liza Minnelli's Tony Award-winning Broadway show "Liza's at the Palace,”. Sam has also made his mark in the literary world. Author of the acclaimed biography "Kay Thompson: From Funny Face to Eloise," Sam's has written tales ranging from children's book parodies to erotic pulp sci-fi adventures.With five Rondo Awards to his name, including Best Interview and Writer of the Year. As well as the 2023 Queer Screams Film Festival Career Achievement Award and the 2023 Tod Slaughter Award for Lifetime Achievement in Horror.I'm sure you'll enjoy hearing about Sam's journey, and what the future holds for him.

I am delighted to welcome Annabelle K. Frost as my guest. Annabelle is a versatile director-producer with an impressive resume, having helmed episodes of renowned series such as "Gotham" and "God Friended Me." Additionally, she has showcased her storytelling skills in the short films "Growing Up" and "Side Show," both of which she not only directed but also wrote.Her expertise extends to the production realm, where she has made significant contributions as a Producer on notable television shows like "Pennyworth," "Gotham," and "The Royals." Furthermore, Annabelle has served as a post-production supervisor on a multitude of TV movies and shows. Beyond her work in the industry, she shares her passion for film as a teacher at Chapman University in Southern California.A native of Massachusetts, Annabelle pursued her film education at Northwestern University in Chicago, culminating in an MFA in Directing from the American Film Institute in Los Angeles. Today, we delve into the multifaceted roles she plays and explore the intriguing journey that has shaped her career.https://annabellekfrost.com/

My guest on the Pod is Riley Rudy. She's a writer, director and actor. Just out of college. She recently wrote, directed, and starred in her first short film “You Look So Good”, which is currently being submitted to the festival circuit. She is a self professed “Theatre kid” having gone on from high school to study theatre at USC and grad school at Columbia in New York. She's currently in pre-production on her next short film, which she will also write, direct, and act in. She lives in Los Angeles, CA.

Joining me today is Mark C Baldwin. He's a multi faceted filmmaker, having directed and edited network television as well as documentaries. Mark is also a voice over artist and an author. He's here to share his story with us and talk about how he began his long and storied career. His documentary film which he wrote and directed,  “Tropical Iron: The Saga of Minor Keith” is about the construction of the Costa Rican Atlantic Railway in the 19th Century. A seemingly small infrastructure project, laying one hundred miles of track which cost the lives of over 4000 men, and took nearly 20 years to complete, bankrupting a nation. It's available to stream on Amazon, and his book: “The Biggest Party on the Planet: An American at the World Cup” is also available on Amazon. It's a fun and informative interview!

With me today is Deborah Hecht, she's a vocal and dialogue coach with a career that has spanned teaching, she has taught at Circle in the Square, NY; Yale School of Drama; American Conservatory Theatre; and NYU's Graduate Acting Program, and currently teaches speech/voice/Shakespeare text at The Juilliard School.  98 broadway shows , Sweeney Todd (with Josh Groban), How I Learned to Drive, Martin McDonagh's Hangmen, and The Skin of Our Teeth. She also coached the Tony Award-winning Angels in America (both the original and recent Broadway productions as well as Michael Grief's production at the Signature Theatre), and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, and The Ferryman. Deborah's film credits include All the Money in the World, Kinsey, Under the Skin, John Turturro's Illuminata, and many others.  In television, Deborah has been the speech and/or dialect coach on the Disney/Hulu limited series, We Were the Lucky Ones, and HBO Max's Tokyo Vice.  She also coached the first two Live Broadway musicals, The Sound of Music, and Peter Pan.  She has traveled the world working on some amazing projects with some wonderful actors, many of who's names will be familiar to you. She speaks with us about how she got started, and all of the wonderful adventures her career has sent her on. 

In this episode of "The Crew List," we're delving deep into the art of film and TV location management with industry veteran Paul Wilson.    Join me as we explore the fascinating work that breathes life into the locations you see on screen. Learn how everyday spaces are transformed into cinematic wonders through location scouting, permits, and creative magic, and how the logistics of moving a film company around a city and a location manager are so important. And along the way, we'll discover how Paul found his way into a career.     Please follow and rate “The Crew list” and spread the word, Thanks!

Barry Wetcher is my guest, Barry is a production still photographer based in New York. He's has worked on some amazing productions over the years, and shares his story with us. We discuss the challenges he has to deal with on the set, learning set etiquette, on the job and how the role of a production still photographer has evolved over the years. It's a great look into a career that not everyone is aware of. I know you'll enjoy his story. I've included a link to a talk he gave at The School of Visual Arts in NYC.www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPabph0e52o

Danny Bergold joins me to discuss his career as president of About Entertainment, a full-service entertainment booking and production agency that creates shows for corporate events, private parties, and cruise lines. His company hires performers, sound and lighting technicians, video personnel and more, staging events (shows) all over the world. Danny began his career as a performer, and we discuss how he got to where he is from there. It's a fascinating story!

Today We have the pleasure of speaking with Christian Sebaldt, Christian is a highly acclaimed cinematographer who was born and raised in Germany.  He has compiled 40 feature film credits including, “Resident Evil: Apocalypse”, “Starship Troopers 2”, & “Crossover”  “Feardotcom” , “Race to Space” & “Bratz” & “The Dark”.His latest theatrical feature films are “REAGAN” and “On A Wing And A Prayer” (MGM), to be released in 2023.He has photographed over 175 television episodes (over 100 for Jerry Bruckheimer TV, 26 for Shondaland) and also commercials, music videos, network promos, TV movies and documentaries. In 2010 he received a Primetime EMMY Award and an ASC nomination for his work on “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation”.  Other awards include a Silver Clio, Art Director's Club Gold and a Kodak Vision Award for Outstanding Achievements in Cinematography. Throughout his career, Christian has developed a keen eye for visual storytelling, to create stunning and memorable images on screen. In our conversation today, we'll delve into Christian's approach to his craft, discussing his creative process, his influences, and his advice for aspiring cinematographers.Whether you're a film buff, a student of cinematography, or simply someone who appreciates beautiful visuals, you won't want to miss this conversation with Christian Sebaldt. So sit back, relax, and join us as we explore the art and science of cinematography with one of its most accomplished practitioners.https://sebaldt-asc.com/

Today on the Crew list I'm happy to have as my guest New York-based assistant editor, Paul Penczner.As an assistant editor, Paul plays a critical role in helping bring an editor's, director's, and a show runner's vision to life. His meticulous attention to detail, creativity, and technical expertise have earned him a reputation as one of the best team members you could hope to work with.In this episode, we'll get to know Paul and his journey into the world of film editing. We'll discuss the challenges he's faced along the way and how he's managed to overcome them. We'll also talk about some of the exciting projects he's been a part of and the lessons he's learned along the way.

My guest is Set decorator Andi Brittan, a South African native, Andi moved to Los Angeles in 1995. Her talent and dedication soon caught the attention of production designers and set decorators, who recognized her skills and offered her the opportunity to work as a set decorator. She has worked on numerous high-profile projects, her career has spanned features, television, commercials, and music videos. Some of her most notable credits include the cult classics Midnight Meat Train and The Babysitter: Killer Queen, CSI, The Affair, Commercials for Ford, GMC, and Nike, Music Videos for Mary J. Blige and the Rolling Stones, recently she just finished “Daisy Jones and the Six” Andi is known for her meticulous attention to detail and her ability to create immersive and authentic worlds onscreen. She works closely with production designers and directors to ensure that the sets she creates are not only visually stunning but also serve the story and characters.  She's here to share her journey with us, and break down the role of a set decorator, and how they work hand in hand with the entire production team. It's a fascinating interview.https://andibrittan.com

Gary Muller is a highly skilled and experienced first assistant camera person, AKA focus puller. As first assistant camera, Gary is responsible for working closely with the director of photography to ensure that all camera equipment is properly set up and ready for filming, but there is much more to the job.He has worked extensively in New York, one of the busiest and most vibrant hubs of the film industry in the world. As first assistant camera, he has contributed his skills and expertise to a wide range of film projects, from independent films to major studio productions. He has a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the technical aspects of camera operation, allowing him to capture stunning visuals that bring the director's vision to life on the screen. Gary's commitment to his craft and his dedication to delivering exceptional work have earned him a reputation as one of the most reliable and talented first assistant cameras in the business.

My guest in Daniel Novotny, he's a production designer , and a talented guy. He's here with me today to share with us what that is, how he got there and to just talk about the business in general. We cover lots of ground including the affect of AI in the motion picture world. If you have time, check out Daniel's web site for a glimpse at his work.www.danielnovotny.com

My guest is Brad Tanenbaum, a wonderful director/producer and film teacher who has a great story to tell. We've know each other for years, and I can safely say, he is one of the good ones. I hope you enjoy hearing him share his journey with us.

Veronica Hodge-Hampton is here to talk in depth about the role of a first assistant director, and also to share her journey. Veronica is Atlanta based and has done just about everything there is to do on a production, from driving to stunts. She's currently working the series “Stargirl”. Her credits include the shows “Atlanta”, “Halt and catch fire”, and “the walking dead” just to name a few. During our talk Veronica mentions an Atlanta food bank, for those of you interested in helping out, here is the link-https://www.acfb.org/about-us/

There will be more TCL!

My guest is Louis Bravo. He's a talented young man who has been now editing for the past ten years, and before that was an AE and a visual effects editor. Louis has a wonderful story with a few twists and turns on his way to his current career. Also, he's an all around good guy! Enjoy...

Jamal has spent the last nine years working with big names and big names to be, helping to craft unique and memorable stories executing the production process from end to end. His experience spans working with studios and networks, producing and directing indie shorts, producing feature films, and creating IP in comic books and other mediums.Before this, he worked in higher education as an academic advisor. Here, he learned how to guide those still trying to figure things out and coach them along.In his personal quest to find and develop new creative voices and stories, he has started two ventures, Same But Different and Between The Page. These projects were designed to share new stories that connect with audiences.Jamal fundamentally believes that every person's story should be heard and shared, that within each of our journeys, there are nuggets of gold that can connect and ignite others.

Jacqueline Basse is an editor in New York City. Originally from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, she graduated from Tisch School of Arts at NYU. Her eight year career in post production includes working for Netflix, HBO, Travel Channel, and Investigation Discovery. She has worked as an assistant editor on Spike Lee's Netflix series adaptation of, She's Gotta Have It, Miles Joris-Peyrafitte's feature film Dreamland, and is currently assisting on Gossip Girl for HBOMax. Having finished editing her first feature, Friday Afternoon— filmmaker Paige Campbell's debut film, as well as productions such as Katie Benvenuto's Inconvenienced and Meghan Ross' An Uncomfortable Woman, Jacqueline (or Jackie for short!) hopes to continue working on projects that amplify and demonstrate the need for diverse voices in all corners of the industry.

Barrie Wise is a motion picture editor, working more than 20 years in the entertainment industry, collaborating with a multitude of talented individuals. After graduating from the University of Southern California School of Cinema Television, he spent the first 15 years of his career on the global hit television series, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. Under the mentorship of editor turned director, Alec Smight, he quickly worked his way up the ladder to senior editor on the show. Since then, he has cut for several acclaimed series including Gotham and Pennyworth as well as many short films. His credits also include music videos for Black Sabbath and John Mayer as well as some commercial and nonprofit work.Barrie is a wonderful editor and an all around cool guy, with a terrific story to share.

Angelita Esperanza is my guest, she is an Actor, Director and Producer who divides her time between Los Angeles and New York City. She has worked on major network shows including Tommy and Instinct on CBS, Quantico on ABC and Crossbones on NBC. Recent acting credits include Criminal Minds on CBS and The Blacklist on NBC. She's currently an associate producer on the HBOMAX series Gossip GirlShe earned her BA in Television Production from Loyola Marymount University and trained at Circle in the Square's Theatre School in New York City.

Beth Reiter joins me to discuss her career as an agent for The Mirisch Agency, and the road she has traveled to get there. Her career path has covered lots of ground and it's a fascinating story, enjoy!

My son Danny joins me. Danny Smight is an NY-based producer / editor who studiedFilm and TV Production at UCLA. He has spent the past eight years creating a wide variety of video content and wearing a multitude of hats along the way. Danny is also an avid cinephile with far too many Blu-rays to prove it.Check him out @ dannysmight.com

My guest is editor, and ACE award winner for Ted Lasso, Melissa McCoy, here to discuss her pathway to the editor's chair. A Chapman University film school and Michigan native, Melissa has a wonderful journey to share with us.

My guest is David Loughery, an American screenwriter and producer. Born in Chicago, he attended Ball State University and the University of Iowa where he was a member of the Iowa Playwrights Workshop. His first produced screenplay was Dreamscape in 1984. It marked his first collaboration with director Joseph Ruben for whom Loughery has written or rewritten several films including The Stepfather, The Good Son and Money Train. Additional screenplays include Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, Flashback, Passenger 57, The Three Musketeers, Lakeview Terrace, Obsessed, The Intruder and most recently, Fatale.

Unit production manager, and former first assistant director Stacy Gold joins me to discuss her career, and how she got started.

A description of The Crew List!