WRAP DRINKS

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.Let us know if we're doing a shitty job.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.Let us know if we're doing a shitty job.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 MUBI Experience 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/shittyrigsLet us know if we're doing a shitty job.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 MUBI Experience 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/shittyrigsLet us know if we're doing a shitty job.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 sponsored by MUBI Experience 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.Let us know if we're doing a shitty job.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. Let us know if we're doing a shitty job.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 and 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.Let us know if we're doing a shitty job.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.Let us know if we're doing a shitty job.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. Let us know if we're doing a shitty job.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 i sight 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.Let us know if we're doing a shitty job.Support the Show.

Demian Neufeld is a Drone Pilot and the co-owner / founder of Ryders Alley. Before DJI was breaking ground with their cinematic drones, Demian was attempting to fly drones using RC helicopters. His journey into becoming a drone pilot wasn't exactly a direct route. At the age of 12, he started his passion for photography before changing his focus to something more financial secure - Pre-Med. However, it wasn't long after he graduated that he decided to leave this career and go back into photography. Eventually, his path took him onto discovering drone work. Today his work can be found on TV Series, Commercials, and Films. Tune and listen to how Demian handles operating on set and how he got started in this niche role. 

Before the era of the DCP, film projectionists were essential to the movie theater experience. Adrianne Jorge first started her career as a projectionist when she moved to New York in the 90s. Once she was able to join the union through the help of another establishes projectionist, Adrianne would go on to work at film festivals and landed a regular gig projecting films for Woody Allen in his private screening room. After the era of digitization shattered the movie screening industry, Adrianne was fortunate enough to transition and eventually return to her craft working at the Sommerville theater in Boston. While being a film projectionists today is considered a niche job, it's a calling to a time where the human element was still very much connected to the film viewing experience. Tune in and listen to Adrianne share her experiences and years of wisdom in this craft.

Send us a Text Message.Before landing her dream job as the Writer and Showrunner of Kevin Can F**k Himself, Valerie was taking on different assistant jobs to pay the rent. From being an assistant to the owner of a Pistachio farm, an NBC Page, and eventually a writing assistant on "Masters of Sex", Valerie was slowly catapulted into the opportunity that would elevate her onto Producing her own original series. We talked with her about the highs and lows of making it as a writer, the process of working within a writing department, as well as what working in the writer's room is like. 

Send us a Text Message.Jeff Brink might currently be known as the CEO of Blackout Lighting Console but his exploits as a disruptor in the film industry to go way back to his days in NYU. In the first stages of his career, Jeff was focused on becoming a cinematographer before transitioning into drone piloting. These were the days before flying a cinema camera on a drone was possible but his team was determined to innovate and find a way, paving the way for drone photography as we know it today. Ultimately, this pursuit reached its end and Jeff found himself back in the film industry revisiting lighting. Seeing all the LED technology inspired him to make a 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. Listen in as we talk to Jeff about this journey from DP to CEO of an innovative app that's slowly changing the way lighting board operators work on set. 

Mayvis Payne got her start in makeup artistry in retail before transitioning into the film industry. While working at MAC cosmetics, helping who she thought was a regular customer turned out to be a sale to a producer for BET who later recommended her for work on network shows. Today Mayvis is a self published author with her book "Lipgloss Chronicles". In this book she shares her experiences as a makeup artist and "spills the tea without breaking the mug". She's also got her own lip collection "Lip Locks" and "Lash Locks" a false eye lash collection. You can find these items on her website www.MayvisPayne.com

Steve Giralt is a Director, DP, Stills 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. On today's episode we talk with him about his famous "burger drop" video and how that led to him founding The Garage where he continues to make ground breaking motion control technology.

Cinematographer Fletcher Wolfe made her break in the film industry working on the camera side before making the jump to electric. She spent years working as a juicer, then a gaffer, and finally made the jump to working as a DP.  Since then, Fletcher has DP's on documentary films and short films such Thirsty Girl, which is currently making the rounds through film festivals and was an official selection for Sundance 2024.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 the 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. These skills positioned him to be the perfect choice to DP "Reincarnated" the documentary film that captured Snoop Dogg's journey to Jamaica. Tune in and listen to Slick Nick's journey as the one man band and how these experiences shaped his career as a DP.Nick on IG: https://www.instagram.com/nikostv_llcSupport the show

You ever walk by a film set and wonder who drives those cars with camera cranes attached to the tops of them? Well, wonder no more. On this episode of Wrap Drinks we talk with Joe Bearese, the co-owner and stunt driver for Metro Camera Cars. We talk about his journey to starting his company and the different rigs he had started out with while trying to make a name for himself.Joe on IG: https://www.instagram.com/joeybwhoelseMetro Camera Cars on IG: https://www.instagram.com/metrocameracarsSupport the show

Ever wondered how prosthetics work in the movie industry? Join us on Wrap Drinks as we sit down with Brian Spears, a highly skilled Prosthetic Makeup (SFX) Artist. Brian 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 possess a unique blend of artistic vision and technical prowess. Come along on this captivating journey into the universe of Special Effects Makeup Artistry – it's a wizardry you won't want to miss!Support the show

Dive into the creative brilliance of Christelle de Castro, a renowned commercial Director, Photographer, and Fine Artist whose work has made an indelible mark on the industry. As a visual storyteller, she has captured iconic images of musicians and founded Stoneman, while co-founding Ground Work. Christelle's visionary touch extends to campaigns for global brands including Nike, Samsung, Supreme, Olay, Revlon, Coach, Acne, and Calvin Klein, solidifying her as a creative powerhouse in the field. Join us on the couch. Support the show

Costume Designer Rebecca Hofherr takes us behind the scenes of Good Burger 2, unraveling the creative process and challenges of recreating iconic costumes. Embark on celebrity encounters, including dazzling moments with stars like Meryl Streep!

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. His films were distributed domestically and internationally, shaking up the Hollywood distribution system and opening the doors for independent filmmakers.Ingvordsen's unique approach to filmmaking, influenced by his mentor Larry Cohen, involved daring and resourcefulness, often filming without permits and making the most of low budgets. He was all about taking risks and creating unique, exciting content.Now, as we enter a new digital revolution, Ingvordsen's message to aspiring filmmakers is clear: seize the opportunity. 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

Meet Yessica Curiel-Montoya, the brilliant Gaffer shaping NYC's visual stories with her lighting wizardry. From iconic skylines to intimate studios, Yessica's passion for crafting mesmerizing atmospheres has earned her a well-deserved reputation.Join us as we delve into Yessica's remarkable journey, from her early days tinkering with lights to becoming a trailblazing Gaffer in an industry traditionally dominated by men. Discover the unique challenges and triumphs she's experienced, and gain insights into her pioneering role as a woman on set.If you're a lighting enthusiast, filmmaker, or simply curious about the remarkable achievements of women in traditionally male-dominated fields, Yessica's story is a must-watch. Don't miss out—subscribe, like, and hit the notification bell for more interviews with inspiring creative professionals.Support the show

Brandon Taylor is a key grip in New York City, and he knows a thing or two about making mistakes on set. In this podcast, he shares some of his war stories, including how he once "shit the bed" on a shoot and how he learned to bounce back from it. He also talks about some of the best gear to use on set, and he gives some advice on how to make a condor do a wheelie (if you're feeling risky).Whether you're a seasoned key grip or you're just starting out, this podcast is full of valuable insights. So listen in and learn from Brandon's mistakes. You might just save yourself a headache or two.Also feel free to listen wherever you get your podcasts.   Support the show

Josiah Van Dien, Tour Photographer for celebrities like Shawn Mendes, talks with us about his experience shooting concerts, being on tour 305 Days out of the year, and his tips for getting the perfect shot. 10 years in the industry, Josiah shares his insights on how to capture the energy of a live performance and some of the challenges and rewards of being a tour photographer.Support the show

Jordy is a YouTube creator with over 2.5 million subscribers and over 300 million views. He's also the founder of Cinecom, focusing on tutorial videos about VFX, Editing & Filmmaking using Adobe Premiere Pro / Adobe After Effects. In this episode of Wrap Drinks, Jordy shares his processes for the videos he creates, his thoughts on the future of the creator industry and the future of Cinecom.netSupport the show

Alan Kudan is a Sound Mixer and is known as the Voice of God on our show. Listen in as we discuss how to book more jobs, union versus non-union jobs and some really interesting WAR STORIES from the perspective of sound. Support the show

Adam Lukens is a Gaffer, Business Owner of Brooklyn Lighting and Grip and Fernet Maker. Listen in as he speaks about his experiences working in some of the most random locations in the US and building the most EPIC SECRET LOUNGE in the back of productionSupport the show

Corey Tatarczuk is a Director/Producer/Production Designer sharing some of her  insane experiences in NYC. She has done it all from running a Big Budget NYC Youth Film Program to creating some of the most EPIC sets for some of the biggest names, including the build of a LAKE inside of a warehouse.  Support the show

Bryan Kelley is a Grip who has traveled around the world and speaks to some of the experiences he has had on set in Africa, not to mention being recognized as an ICON among the people. Support the show

Smokey Nelson aka the MAD SCIENTIST, is a Director of Photography who shares some of his risky choices that have gotten him this far in his career. Support the show

Martin Flores is a Key Grip sharing his stories from decades of working in the film industry.Support the show

Mike Farino + Bert Mayer, the Co-Founders  of @shittyrigs speak about their journey into the creation of the company. Support the show