Podcasts about Filmmaking

Host Jeff Goldsmith talks to Emmy® nominated actor Nick Offerman and showrunner Mike Makowsky about their limited series - Death by Lightning. Download my podcast here Copyright © Unlikely Films, Inc. 2026. All rights reserved. For more great content, read Backstory Magazine!

This month, on Laura Flanders & Friends, we turn to the state of journalism—at a moment of deep disruption, consolidation, and consequence.  But journalists aren't simply standing by—they're pushing back, reimagining their work, and, in many cases, taking matters into their own hands.   This week we'll hear from the long-running independent collective Third World Newsreel, still thriving in an era some are calling “media carnage,” showing what it looks like to endure—and to resist. This show is made possible by you! To become a sustaining member go to LauraFlanders.org/donate Description: It's almost unheard of for an independent media collective to survive as long as Third World Newsreel has. Since 1968, they have chronicled some of the most pivotal movements in human history and continue to expand on their collection of over 700 titles. There's lots to learn about how they've adapted through technological revolutions, political persecutions, philanthropic booms and busts — and how the oldest media arts collective in the U.S. is making do in today's “media carnage”, as Laura Flanders puts it. Joining us are JT Takagi, an independent filmmaker, sound recordist, and the longtime executive director of Third World Newsreel. Tami Gold is an artist and activist whose documentaries grapple with everything from imperialism to sex work. Her films include My Country Occupied, Another Brother and Land Rain Fire among many more. Puerto Rican-born Juan Carlos Dávila works in film as well as TV, where he reports on social movements around environmentalism, militarism and the struggles of the working class on the island. His films include The Stand-By Generation, Viequez: An Endless Battle and Drills of Liberation. Join us as we look at the past, present and future of Third World Newsreel and ask how film can be used as a tool for organizing. “I'd say we feel more urgent now than ever before. Every day there's something happening that makes it clear that our rights and liberties, and people's lives all over the world are at stake. Not being in touch with the history and media that shows the truth of what's going on is really decimating people's ability to, as Juan said, know what to follow and what to do.” - JT Takagi “We need to retake the theater, the physical space that is being ignored by the corporations. Perhaps now that is the opportunity that we have . . . A theater is being rented by people who are organizers, and they're using their collective spirit and know-how to organize huge, huge crowds to come.” - Tami Gold “People can shoot stuff with the phone . . . I see a lot in Puerto Rico that people are still wanting to produce with the corporate industry standards. Many young filmmakers like myself tend to think that we need so many personnel to be doing films. Right now we can actually make films with less.” - Juan Carlos Dávila Guests: •  Juan Carlos Dávila: Documentary Filmmaker, Multimedia Journalist, Puerto Rico Correspondent, Democracy Now! •  Tami Gold: Filmmaker, Artist, Activist •  JT Takagi: Executive Director, Third World Newsreel   Watch on YouTube this episode that includes video clips referenced in this episode from Third World Newsreel; PBS World Channel 11:30am ET Sundays and on over 300 public stations across the country (check your listings, or search here via zipcode). Listen: Episode airing on community radio (check here to see if your station airs the show) & available as a podcast February 25th, 2026. Full Conversation Release: While our weekly shows are edited to time for broadcast on Public TV and community radio, we offer to our members and podcast subscribers the full uncut conversation.  Music Credit:  'Thrum of Soil' by Bluedot Sessions, 'Steppin' by Podington Bear, and original sound design by Jeannie Hopper Support Laura Flanders and Friends by becoming a member at https://www.patreon.com/c/lauraflandersandfriends   RESOURCES:   Full Episode Notes are located HERE. Related Laura Flanders Show Episodes: •  Dolores Huerta & Ellen Gavin: Creative Courage in the Face of Fascism- Watch / Listen:  Full Uncut Conversation and Episode Cut  •  BIPOC Press for the People: Bursting the Corporate Media Bubble- Watch / Listen: Episode Cut •  Meet the BIPOC Press: Is Worker-Owned Media the Future of Journalism?- Watch / Listen:  Episode Cut   Related Articles and Resources: •  Documentaries Ripped From the Headlines Are Becoming Harder to See, by Marc Tracy, December 18, 2024, The New York Times •  My Country Occupied, Documentary by Tami Gold •  La Generación Del Estanbai (The Standby Generation), Documentary by Juan C. Davila and Third World Newsreel, Trailer •  Why Frederick Wiseman Was the Greatest Documentary Filmmaker Ever, by Richard Brody, February, 17, 2026, The New Yorker •. Fredrick Weissman Filmmaker, Producer and Theater Director, Zipporah Films Inc •  Drills of Liberation, Documentary by Juan C. Davila •  Third World Newsreel (TWN) Brings Historic Newsreel Retrospective To BAM, Anthology Film Archives, And DOK Leipzig, October 2025, Third World Newsreel •  Have You Seen It Yet?  The Algorithm Problem In Movie Marketing, by Charity Maxson, January 27, 2026, TR!LL Laura Flanders and Friends Crew: Laura Flanders-Executive Producer, Writer; Sabrina Artel-Supervising Producer; Jeremiah Cothren-Senior Producer; Veronica Delgado-Video Editor, Janet Hernandez-Communications Director; Jeannie Hopper-Audio Director, Podcast & Radio Producer, Audio Editor, Sound Design, Narrator; Sarah Miller-Development Director, Nat Needham-Editor, Graphic Design emeritus; David Neuman-Senior Video Editor, and Rory O'Conner-Senior Consulting Producer. FOLLOW Laura Flanders and FriendsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraflandersandfriends/Blueky: https://bsky.app/profile/lfandfriends.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LauraFlandersAndFriends/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lauraflandersandfriendsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFLRxVeYcB1H7DbuYZQG-lgLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lauraflandersandfriendsPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/lauraflandersandfriendsACCESSIBILITY - The broadcast edition of this episode is available with closed captioned by clicking here for our YouTube Channel

Stacie McClam is a filmmaker, educator, and author. Her film MR. ADVOCATE, released in the summer of 2026, is the first in THE SYSTEM Trilogy: three narrative fiction feature films about the benefits and challenges of AI in elementary, middle, and high schools. Her film production company, School Dismissed, focuses on films about K-12 education issues and solutions. Through film, Stacie exposes the realities that many students and staff face inside schools and reimagines education's future. She draws on years of teaching experience across the United States and abroad to tell stories rooted in real schools. As a law school graduate, her legal education shapes her perspective in storytelling. ______________________________________________________________________ The Edupreneur: Your Blueprint To Jumpstart And Scale Your Education BusinessYou've spent years in the classroom, leading PD, designing curriculum, and transforming how students learn. Now, it's time to leverage that experience and build something for yourself. The Edupreneur isn't just another book; it's the playbook for educators who want to take their knowledge beyond the school walls and into a thriving business.I wrote this book because I've been where you are. I know what it's like to have the skills, the passion, and the drive but not know where to start. I break it all down: the mindset shifts, the business models, the pricing strategies, and the branding moves that will help you position yourself as a leader in this space.Inside, you'll learn how to:✅ Turn your expertise into income streams, without feeling like a sellout✅ Build a personal brand that commands respect (and top dollar)✅ Market your work in a way that feels natural and impactful✅ Navigate the business side of edupreneurship, from pricing to partnershipsWhether you want to consult, create courses, write books, or launch a podcast, this book will help you get there. Stop waiting for permission. Start building your own table.Grab your copy today and take control of your future.Buy it from EduMatch Publishing https://edumatch-publishing.myshopify.com/collections/new-releases/products/the-edupreneur-by-dr-will

There's no perfect timeline for figuring out your life. But when everyone around you seems to be moving forward, it can be difficult to believe you're not falling behind.In this episode I sit down with film producer Jeremy Walton to explore why there is no normal path through life, and why starting a new chapter later than expected doesn't mean you've taken the wrong one.Jeremy came to filmmaking after a career in law, finance and venture capital. Rather than regretting the years he spent elsewhere, he believes those experiences helped prepare him for the work he eventually found himself doing.We talk about why there is no formula for building a career, how overwhelm can stop you from ever beginning, why making something imperfect can be more valuable than waiting until you're ready, and why success doesn't have to mean the same thing for everyone.But underneath the filmmaking, this conversation is about something much more universal: the pressure to know where your life is going, the fear that you should be further ahead, and what can happen when you stop measuring yourself against an imaginary timeline.Jeremy Walton is a film producer at Moo Studios, where he works across film and television development, finance and production. He describes filmmaking as his “second chapter” - one he says he wouldn't go back and start any earlier.Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction: No Normal Timeline(00:52) Jeremy's Career Pivot(02:59) Creativity and Film Community(05:01) EQ Matters on Set(06:42) Getting Your First Script Made(09:29) Know Your Audience(13:42) Originality vs Commercial Reality(16:23) Compromise in Filmmaking(21:18) Write for Budget and Practice(25:57) Overwhelm and Finding Producers(28:17) YouTube and Content Explosion(31:15) Buyers Market Reality(32:03) Budgets Race Down(32:29) Obsession Lessons(35:31) Defining Film Success(38:00) Career Paths in Film(40:30) No Normal Budget(42:07) Microbudget Proof(44:39) Actors Survival Tips(49:13) Ego Free Collaboration(51:45) Industry Future and AI(54:18) Advice to Younger Self(56:22) Where to Find MoreJoin the Move Your Mind Community:go.nickbracks.com/mymcommunityConnect with Nick:Instagram: https://instagram.com/nickbracksWebsite: http://nickbracks.comEmail: contact@nickbracks.comConnect with Jeremy:https://www.moostudios.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“We're all salespeople at the end of the day.”Whether you're pitching a movie, an idea, or yourself, persuasion is about more than the story you're telling—it's also about the story your audience sees for themselves. For Deadpool and Zombieland screenwriter Rhett Reese, that means keeping communication concise, compelling, and centered on what your audience needs. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Reese joins Matt Abrahams to share lessons from screenwriting that apply far beyond Hollywood. From cutting unnecessary words to crafting pitches that make your audience the protagonist, he explores how storytelling, collaboration, and clarity can make any message more persuasive.Takeaways:Every pitch tells two stories. You're selling the idea itself, but you're also showing your audience how saying yes can solve their problem, reduce their risk, and lead to their success.Brevity makes your message stronger. Cutting unnecessary words and choosing them carefully helps your ideas land with greater clarity, impact, and memorability.Activity:Tell the second story. Take a pitch you're currently working on and write one sentence describing the idea you're selling. Then write a second sentence from your audience's perspective: “If I say yes, what becomes possible for me?” Use that second story to reshape your pitch around their success, not just your idea.Printable Expanded Takeaways & ActivitiesEpisode Reference Links:Rhett ReeseEp.167 Hollywood Lessons For Successful Communication Connect:Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn Chapters:(00:00) - Introduction (01:18) - Make Every Word Count (03:09) - How to Pitch an Idea (07:38) - Creatively Collaborating (10:35) - Creating Space for Feedback (12:49) - AI & the Future of Hollywood (16:44) - The Final Three Questions (23:15) - Conclusion ********Thank you to our sponsors.  These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost.Strawberry.me. Get 50% off your first coaching session today at Strawberry.me/smartJoin our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be. 

This month, on Laura Flanders & Friends, we turn to the state of journalism—at a moment of deep disruption, consolidation, and consequence.  But journalists aren't simply standing by—they're pushing back, reimagining their work, and, in many cases, taking matters into their own hands.   This week we'll hear from the long-running independent collective Third World Newsreel, still thriving in an era some are calling “media carnage,” showing what it looks like to endure—and to resist. This show is made possible by you! To become a sustaining member go to LauraFlanders.org/donate Description: It's almost unheard of for an independent media collective to survive as long as Third World Newsreel has. Since 1968, they have chronicled some of the most pivotal movements in human history and continue to expand on their collection of over 700 titles. There's lots to learn about how they've adapted through technological revolutions, political persecutions, philanthropic booms and busts — and how the oldest media arts collective in the U.S. is making do in today's “media carnage”, as Laura Flanders puts it. Joining us are JT Takagi, an independent filmmaker, sound recordist, and the longtime executive director of Third World Newsreel. Tami Gold is an artist and activist whose documentaries grapple with everything from imperialism to sex work. Her films include My Country Occupied, Another Brother and Land Rain Fire among many more. Puerto Rican-born Juan Carlos Dávila works in film as well as TV, where he reports on social movements around environmentalism, militarism and the struggles of the working class on the island. His films include The Stand-By Generation, Viequez: An Endless Battle and Drills of Liberation. Join us as we look at the past, present and future of Third World Newsreel and ask how film can be used as a tool for organizing. “I'd say we feel more urgent now than ever before. Every day there's something happening that makes it clear that our rights and liberties, and people's lives all over the world are at stake. Not being in touch with the history and media that shows the truth of what's going on is really decimating people's ability to, as Juan said, know what to follow and what to do.” - JT Takagi “We need to retake the theater, the physical space that is being ignored by the corporations. Perhaps now that is the opportunity that we have . . . A theater is being rented by people who are organizers, and they're using their collective spirit and know-how to organize huge, huge crowds to come.” - Tami Gold “People can shoot stuff with the phone . . . I see a lot in Puerto Rico that people are still wanting to produce with the corporate industry standards. Many young filmmakers like myself tend to think that we need so many personnel to be doing films. Right now we can actually make films with less.” - Juan Carlos Dávila Guests: •  Juan Carlos Dávila: Documentary Filmmaker, Multimedia Journalist, Puerto Rico Correspondent, Democracy Now! •  Tami Gold: Filmmaker, Artist, Activist •  JT Takagi: Executive Director, Third World Newsreel   Watch on YouTube this episode that includes video clips referenced in this episode from Third World Newsreel; PBS World Channel 11:30am ET Sundays and on over 300 public stations across the country (check your listings, or search here via zipcode). Listen: Episode airing on community radio (check here to see if your station airs the show) & available as a podcast. Full Conversation Release: While our weekly shows are edited to time for broadcast on Public TV and community radio, we offer to our members and podcast subscribers the full uncut conversation.  Music Credit:  'Thrum of Soil' by Bluedot Sessions, 'Steppin' by Podington Bear, and original sound design by Jeannie Hopper Support Laura Flanders and Friends by becoming a member at https://www.patreon.com/c/lauraflandersandfriends   RESOURCES:   Full Episode Notes are located HERE. Related Laura Flanders Show Episodes: •  Dolores Huerta & Ellen Gavin: Creative Courage in the Face of Fascism- Watch / Listen:  Full Uncut Conversation and Episode Cut  •  BIPOC Press for the People: Bursting the Corporate Media Bubble- Watch / Listen: Episode Cut •  Meet the BIPOC Press: Is Worker-Owned Media the Future of Journalism?- Watch / Listen:  Episode Cut   Related Articles and Resources: •  Documentaries Ripped From the Headlines Are Becoming Harder to See, by Marc Tracy, December 18, 2024, The New York Times •  My Country Occupied, Documentary by Tami Gold •  La Generación Del Estanbai (The Standby Generation), Documentary by Juan C. Davila and Third World Newsreel, Trailer •  Why Frederick Wiseman Was the Greatest Documentary Filmmaker Ever, by Richard Brody, February, 17, 2026, The New Yorker •. Fredrick Weissman Filmmaker, Producer and Theater Director, Zipporah Films Inc •  Drills of Liberation, Documentary by Juan C. Davila •  Third World Newsreel (TWN) Brings Historic Newsreel Retrospective To BAM, Anthology Film Archives, And DOK Leipzig, October 2025, Third World Newsreel •  Have You Seen It Yet?  The Algorithm Problem In Movie Marketing, by Charity Maxson, January 27, 2026, TR!LL Laura Flanders and Friends Crew: Laura Flanders-Executive Producer, Writer; Sabrina Artel-Supervising Producer; Jeremiah Cothren-Senior Producer; Veronica Delgado-Video Editor, Janet Hernandez-Communications Director; Jeannie Hopper-Audio Director, Podcast & Radio Producer, Audio Editor, Sound Design, Narrator; Sarah Miller-Development Director, Nat Needham-Editor, Graphic Design emeritus; David Neuman-Senior Video Editor, and Rory O'Conner-Senior Consulting Producer. FOLLOW Laura Flanders and FriendsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraflandersandfriends/Blueky: https://bsky.app/profile/lfandfriends.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LauraFlandersAndFriends/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lauraflandersandfriendsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFLRxVeYcB1H7DbuYZQG-lgLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lauraflandersandfriendsPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/lauraflandersandfriendsACCESSIBILITY - The broadcast edition of this episode is available with closed captioned by clicking here for our YouTube Channel

Howl may be the worst type of early 2000s emo hunk. But listeners…We! Can! Fix! Him!!! This week is a real doozy. Dom and Adam are not particularly effusive about Miyazaki's moody, dark magic sequel to SPIRITED AWAY. It's bewildering, it's bizarre, and some moments seem completely incomprehensible. But as an animated film, it's a spectacle to behold, and we have a lot to celebrate, too. For instance…Calcifer! Next week, it's Miyazaki's child-friendly disaster film, PONYO (2008). Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPod References: Special Features: Behind the Microphone The Birth Story of the Film Soundtrack Interview with Diana Wynne Jones Explanation of CG: How to Move Howl's Castle  The Art of Howl's Moving Castle Turning Point by Hayao Miyazaki The Works of Hayao Miyazaki: The Japanese Animation Master by Gael Berton Miyazakiworld by Susan Napier Hayao Miyazaki Takes Over Howl Variety Akihiko Yamashita Interview   Credits: Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich. This episode was researched by Parth Marathe. Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shop The "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling. Assistant programming and digital production by Nik Long. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord. Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Host Jeff Goldsmith talks to co-writers Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers about their hit film - Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Download my podcast here Copyright © Unlikely Films, Inc. 2026. All rights reserved. For more great content check out Backstory Magazine @ Backstory.net

Scott Thompson and Jesy Herron are both storytellers, they just come at it a little differently. Scott is the Founder and Team Champion of RESLV, a filmmaker and big-idea guy who's always looking for the story beneath the surface. Jesy leads client partnerships, hosts Rediscover Your Story, and brings the energy, curiosity, and instinct for what will actually connect with people. Together, they've helped build RESLV into an Emmy Award-winning creative agency.  Now they're telling one of their biggest stories yet. Their upcoming documentary, Cradle of Coaches, explores the incredible coaching legacy of Miami University and the people who helped shape the game far beyond Oxford. In this unique episode of Building Ideas, we're going behind the scenes of how that story came together, and why it's about a lot more than football.

Minnesota's tourism arm is trying to jumpstart the state's film industry — and a brand-new fund is helping local filmmakers get to the silver screen. The “10,000 Stories Fund” by Explore Minnesota Film and FilmNorth has picked 10 filmmaking teams to receive $10,000 to help create their work. Nell Lawrenz-Wareham, deputy director of Explore Minnesota Film, and filmmaker Alex Nystrom, who is a member of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and one of the recipients of the fund, joined Minnesota Now to share more about the effort.

Listeners, it's time to remember your name. We're getting Spirited Away this week to a Studio Ghibli production that is often called the most influential animated film of all time. Joining us to help purify the stink spirits and return the river gods to their kingdom is our old friend Stephen Hilger. Topics discussed this week: the enduring mystery of No-Face, why the Radish Spirit rules, whether or not SPIRITED AWAY is the TENET of Miyazaki's filmography, Ghibli's art style in the digital era, and of course, MARIO ODYSSEY. Next week, it's the most Hot Topic of Miyazaki's oeuvre, the very moody HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE (2004). Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPod References:  The Art of Miyazaki's Spirited Away Sharing a House with the Never-Ending Man by Steve Alpert Turning Point by Hayao Miyazaki The Works of Hayao Miyazaki: The Japanese Animation Master by Gael Berton Miyazakiworld by Susan Napier Spirited Away Making of Documentary Time Magazine Production History Credits: Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich. This episode was researched by Parth Marathe. Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shop The "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling. Assistant programming and digital production by Nik Long. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord. Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Josh Murphy is a filmmaker whose path from fisheries biology and action-sports films to environmental documentaries has been anything but conventional. His work includes Artifishal, Purple Mountains, The Scale of Hope, and a recent Netflix film exploring plastics and human health, with stories that tackle everything from wild salmon and climate change to mental health and community-led conservation.  In this episode of Anchored, Josh and I talk about his early fascination with water and Jacques Cousteau, his transition into filmmaking, his work with Patagonia, the emotional weight of documentary storytelling, and why he believes powerful films should do more than entertain... they should give people a reason to care and a way to act. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we take a fascinating detour into the world of Star Wars fan filmmaking by looking at a project that recreates a deleted lightsaber duel between Anakin Skywalker and Count Dooku from Revenge of the Sith, reimagined entirely in the visual style of The Clone Wars. Although the completed animation lasts barely thirty seconds, we quickly discover that the real achievement lies in the filmmaker's six-minute breakdown of the creative process. Rather than producing a straightforward "how-to", the creator reveals the artistic thinking behind every major decision, turning what could have been a simple fan recreation into a thoughtful exploration of adaptation, animation and cinematic language.Our discussion begins with the creator's production workflow, examining the challenges of rebuilding facial models, refining lighting, solving animation problems and developing convincing lightsaber effects. We discuss how the film succeeds because it focuses less on software techniques than on creative problem-solving, showing how artistic decisions emerge through experimentation rather than following a fixed recipe. The making-of becomes every bit as engaging as the finished animation itself.From there, the conversation moves beyond technical craft to consider the film as an act of interpretation rather than imitation. Instead of copying Nick Gillard's original choreography shot-for-shot, the animator recognises that live-action movement must be translated into the visual grammar of The Clone Wars. We explore how anticipation, exaggerated silhouettes, camera language and carefully staged movement preserve the emotional intent of the original while allowing it to function naturally within animation. This leads into a broader discussion about adaptation, visual storytelling and what distinguishes thoughtful fan filmmaking from straightforward recreation.We also examine how the animation reflects George Lucas's long-established idea of "visual rhyming", drawing subtle connections between Anakin's duel with Dooku and Luke Skywalker's confrontation with Darth Vader in Return of the Jedi. The conversation considers how character movement, camera placement and composition reinforce Palpatine's manipulation of events while deepening the narrative through recurring visual motifs that span the Star Wars saga.Perhaps the most unexpected part of the discussion comes when we compare the film with practice-based research. We suggest that the completed animation functions as the creative artefact, while the accompanying making-of operates much like an academic exegesis, revealing the questions, methods and countless creative decisions that remain invisible within the finished work itself. This becomes one of the episode's central themes, prompting a wider conversation about how creative knowledge is communicated and why understanding process often changes our appreciation of the final outcome.The episode concludes by returning to broader questions about animation and performance. We discuss why motion captured from live actors cannot simply be transferred directly into stylised animation, how movement must be reshaped to feel believable, and why the creative journey documented throughout the film ultimately proves more rewarding than the destination. In the end, we agree that this is not simply a Star Wars fan project, but an insightful study of adaptation, visual storytelling and the craft of animation itself.Episode timestamps00:00 Introduction.01:00 Damien introduces this month's film and explains why the creator's production process interested him more than the finished animation.03:00 Phil explores the making-of, discussing workflow, lighting, modelling and creative problem-solving, before reflecting on why process-driven filmmaking can be so compelling.08:30 Tracy examines the project as an exercise in adaptation, exploring how live-action choreography is translated into the visual language of The Clone Wars rather than simply copied.16:50 A discussion of George Lucas's visual storytelling, cinematic "rhyming", character performance and the craftsmanship behind the animation.22:25 The conversation turns to practice-based research, comparing the making-of to an exegesis that reveals the creative thinking hidden beneath the finished film.28:00 Phil argues that the making-of is the real finished work, prompting a discussion about creative intention and the value of explaining artistic decisions.31:10 We broaden the conversation to animation, motion capture, theatrical performance and why animated movement must differ from live action.37:30 Final reflections on creativity, adaptation and why the journey behind the artwork ultimately becomes the most memorable part of the film.Credits -Co-hosts: Phil Rice, Damien Valentine, Tracy HarwoodProducer: Damien ValentineEditor: Phil RiceMusic: Phil Rice & Suno AI

Host Jeff Goldsmith talks to co-writers Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers about their new film - Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Download my podcast here Copyright © Unlikely Films, Inc. 2026. All rights reserved. For more great content check out Backstory Magazine @ Backstory.net

Did Studio Ghibli really make a family sitcom? Kind of! It's Isao Takahata's second-to-last film, and we simply couldn't resist adding it to our series. Joining us to revel in the brilliance (and surprisingly vindictive behavior) of the man they call Paku-San (aka Mr. Munch) is our dear friend and digital producer, Nik Long! Topics covered this week: whether or not YAMADAS is more like EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND or MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE, the long-standing rivalry of Miyazaki and Takahata and its similarities to the film CHALLENGERS, our nostalgia for discovering movies on television, Takahata's love of bananas, and so much more! Next week, at long last, we get SPIRITED AWAY (2001). Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPod References: Special Features The Secrets of My Neighbors the Yamadas Studio Ghibli: An Industrial History by Rayna Denison Credits: Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich. This episode was researched by Parth Marathe. Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shop The "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling. Assistant programming and digital production by Nik Long. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord. Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Send us Fan MailThe Horrific Podcast #395 welcomes Josh Logan for a deep dive into his newest project, The Relic: Dragon, as well as the incredible career that has taken him across decades of film and genre entertainment.The Relic: Dragon is a supernatural adventure blending Viking mythology, treasure hunting and a mysterious ancient relic into a dark, cinematic horror story.Josh talks about the making of the film, what audiences can expect from The Relic: Dragon, and the experiences, projects and stories that have shaped his career along the way.This is a conversation that goes well beyond one movie — it's a look at a lifetime of working in the world of film and entertainment.Make your rooms, cars and life smell like your favorite Theme Park and save 15% by using code THNETWORK and  clicking here:https://magiccandlecompany.com?sca_ref=8499280.CVzaCEZ7KoGhost Executioners Merchandise!https://www.teepublic.com/user/thehorrificnetwork?utm_source=designer&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=horrificnetworkFollow All Things Horrific Network Herehttps://linktr.ee/thehorrificnetworkGet Your Sinister Creature Con Tickets Herehttps://www.sinistercreaturecon.com/thecon

Original Release Date: Monday 10 August 2026      Description:   In some ways, Dean Haglund and Phil Leirness pick up where last week's show (the one thousandth episode of YOUR Chillpak Hollywood Hour) left off, by reminiscing about a couple of their early years spent “changing the way people listen to the internet” and by examining more in the shifting release strategies for television and the viewing habits of television viewers. They also go deeper still into the issues surround the soon-to-be-litigated proposed Paramount merger with Warners. They continue their ongoing analysis of the potential benefits, and current costs, of our evolving relation to Artificial Intelligence. They also discuss one video game movie, one sci-fi comedy from the 1980s, and one current samurai era “whodunit”. They share their love of a raft of different contemporary television series and reveal which streamers they enjoy the most and which shows keep them excited between seasons. Also, they preview this week's release of an R-rate “director's cut” of the second “The X-Files” feature film!

Doc & Jacques talk with Ray Simon, who highlights the Cascadia Strong Radio program and its focus on Pacific Northwest disaster preparedness. Then they welcome to the show filmmaker Michael Gorse and Wild Rivers Film Festival Executive Director Dan Springen, where they discuss filmmaking, Michael's documentary short film Wowzer, and the upcoming 2026 Film Festival. Hosts: GiGi “Doc” Reed MD, Jacques Kepner; Producers: GiGi “Doc” Reed MD, Jacques Kepner Beginning and end music from freepd.com, in the public domain. The opinions expressed here are those of the individual participants. Curry Coast Community Radio takes no position on issues discussed in this program. If you enjoy this program and want to hear more like it, consider supporting Curry Coast Community Radio. Here’s How.

Director Jane Schoenbrun's third feature film, “Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma,” follows a young filmmaker, played by Hannah Einbeinder, tasked with reviving a dated -- and problematic -- slasher series, Camp Miasma. Schoenbrun's and Einbeinder discuss the film, the history of homophobic and transphobic messaging in horror, and what it's like to make a queer slasher movie. Film still courtesy of MUBI Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week, the discussion centres on several significant developments across the machinima community, from community news and preservation of machinima history to new creative tools and the future of filmmaking platforms. The strongest recurring theme is how classic machinima practices are re-emerging through contemporary game engines and software, suggesting a renewed interest in machinima as a creative medium.The episode opens with a tribute to Mike Joyce, longtime collaborator of Kate Fosk and member of the Moviestorm-era machinima community. The hosts reflect on his generosity, his contribution to Machinima Expo productions, and the supportive nature of earlier online machinima communities.The panel discusses a PC Gamer feature covering a GTA V filmmaker who is livestreaming their production process.Halo Campaign Evolved and the Return of "Machinima Mode" - we examine Microsoft's remake of the original Halo, noting the inclusion of an officially branded Machinima Mode. The conversation broadens into a discussion of machinima history. Tracy observes that the remake is more than nostalgia—it is introducing machinima to third- and fourth-generation creators, demonstrating how enduring the medium has become.Ricky argues that Red vs. Blue legitimised machinima as entertainment, while Damien explains how watching the series inspired his own filmmaking career. The discussion concludes with an invitation for creators to use Halo creatively rather than simply reproducing Red vs. Blue.Tiny Bookshop - a lighter discussion follows around the success of Tiny Bookshop.State of Unreal 2026 - Phil highlights a technical demonstration from Unreal Engine featuring highly detailed urban environments. The conversation highlights how production values in virtual filmmaking continue to approach traditional film set design.Reallusion AI Studio and Free iClone Personal Edition - we discusses Reallusion's biggest software announcement. Tracy suggests that Reallusion may be moving toward an Unreal-style ecosystem, where the software becomes a gateway to a scalable marketplace rather than the primary revenue source. We agree that making professional animation software freely available could significantly expand the machinima community.Phil introduces the free personal version of Massive, the crowd simulation software used in The Lord of the Rings. The segment ends humorously with Ricky imagining an absurd "massive household" comedy requiring crowd simulation simply to go shopping.The major themes across the Episode are summarized as -Remembering and celebrating machinima pioneers.Evidence that machinima continues to influence commercial game development.Lowering technical barriers for new creators.Free creative software and accessible production pipelines.Preservation of machinima history while encouraging new generations.The continuing importance of storytelling over technology.Key Timestamps -01:00 Tribute to Mike Joyce03:57 GTA V filmmaking livestreams05:40 Halo Campaign Evolved announced06:20 Machinima Mode, Red vs. Blue, Halo's legacy and new creators14:06 Tiny Bookshop discussion18:51 State of Unreal 2026 technology showcase20:40 Reallusion AI Studio and iClone Personal Edition29:17 Massive crowd simulation software becomes free33:15 Closing remarksCredits -Co-hosts: Phil Rice, Ricky Grove, Damien Valentine, Tracy HarwoodProducer: Damien ValentineEditor: Phil RiceMusic: Phil Rice & Suno AI

What if the stories you've lived through hold the key to your purpose, healing, and greatest impact? In this episode of What Are You Made Of?, Mike "C-Roc" welcomes actress, filmmaker, wellness entrepreneur, and storyteller Shona Kay for a heartfelt conversation about the power of vulnerability, resilience, and authentic storytelling. Shona opens up about overcoming a difficult childhood marked by abuse, finding her passion for filmmaking, and building a creative career while raising a family. She also shares her deeply personal healing journey after being diagnosed with a life-threatening autoimmune disease, explaining how practices like breathwork, Reiki, and nervous system regulation helped her reclaim her health and inspired her to create a wellness space where she now helps others heal. Throughout the conversation, Mike and Shona explore why sharing our stories creates meaningful connection, how our experiences shape who we are, and why vulnerability is one of our greatest strengths. Shona's vision of creating an "empathetic campfire" reminds us that when we come together through honest conversation and compassion, we can inspire hope, healing, and lasting change. Whether you're navigating personal challenges, seeking greater purpose, or simply looking for an inspiring story of resilience, this episode will leave you encouraged to embrace your own journey and recognize the power of your story.Website-https://www.yesandelevate.com/ https://www.instagram.com/shonauk/?hl=en

The rumors are true - Maddy went to Montauk!!! In this episode of Mad House, Maddy recaps her time at 'THE END', talks movie-making, news, heart health tips, and more! Get Tickets to Maddy's Special Taping!https://philadelphia.heliumcomedy.com/events/132245Follow Maddy:https://www.youtube.com/@MaddySmithcomedyhttps://www.instagram.com/somaddysmith/?hl=enhttps://www.tiktok.com/@somaddysmith?lang=enhttps://maddysmithcomedy.com/Subscribe/follow the Mad House Podcast:https://www.youtube.com/@madhouse_podcasthttps://www.instagram.com/mad_house_podcast/All tour dates: https://punchup.live/maddysmith/ticketsWant more ad-free and uncensored Mad House?!Go to https://gasdigital.com/ to subscribe!Use promo code MAD to save big on your membership :)Get early access to our weekly episodes on Tuesdays, along with EXCLUSIVE episodes on Thursdays.UPCOMING STAND UP DATES:8/13-8/14 WESTPORT, NY8/15 ST. PETERSBURG, FL - JOKE WRLD COMEDY FESTIVAL8/27 PHILADELPHIA, PA - *SPECIAL TAPING*9/11-9/12 JACKSONVILLE, FLSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This podcast is an excerpt of a longer episode featuring an interview with poet Vida Cross. Vida Cross is a Visiting Fulbright Research Chair who has come to the University of Windsor at the invitation of Leddy Library and the Black Scholars Institute. She has been conducting intensive research towards a creative writing project, focusing on Underground Railroad journeys to the Detroit River Borderlands and especially to Canadian communities in the region. Vida is a blues poet, a two-time Pushcart nominee, a Carl Sandburg Literary Award honoree and a Cave Canem Fellow. Vida's work references her ancestry as a third generation Chigagoan as well as the work of Archibald J. Motley Jr. and Langston Hughes. Vida's work has appeared in multiple journals and anthologies such as The Creativity and Constraint Anthology for Wising Up Press, A Civil Rights Retrospective with the Black Earth Institute, Tabula Poetica with Chapman University, Transitions Magazine at the Hutchinson Institute, the Cave Canem Anthology XII, The Literary Review with Fairleigh Dickinson University, Reed Magazine at Reed College, and The Journal of Film and Video from The University of Illinois at Chicago. Her poetry collection Bronzeville at Night: 1949 was published by Avst Press in 2017. Vida Cross holds an MFA in Writing and an MFA in Filmmaking from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, an MA in English from Iowa State University and a BA from Knox College. She is a faculty member at Milwaukee Area Technical College and Chairperson of the Wisconsin Poet Laureate Commission.  https://vidacross.com/bio The Virtual Black History Presentation Vida recorded for the museum can be found here: https://youtu.be/BlMchbCSPYA?si=0_ca3rOOnfPt-6uy

We talked to first-generation Cuban American, New York-based filmmaker and actor, Laura Ornella! Jason talks with Laura about discovering comedy through improv before expanding into sketch, character work, and satire. Laura shares how her competitive streak pushed her into new classes at UCB, The PIT, and BCC, and how satire writing helped her see the connection between humor and advertising, eventually leading to copywriting work that supported her creative pursuits. They discuss balancing a day job with nighttime shows, the grind, and how the pandemic fueled a satire boom and inspired her online platform Humor Darling, which she co-ran for six years. Laura also dives into her short films (including Diane De Niro, Fucktown, USA, and After the Drop), her growing focus on directing, auditioning for JFL, and why strong character work (onstage or onscreen), always comes back to story. https://lauraornella.com Instagram: @_LauraOrnella, @ThereItIsPod, @JasonFarrPics  Threads: @ThereItIsPod, @JasonFarrPics Facebook: @ThereItIsPod  Subscribe to our comedy newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/e22defd4dee2/thereitis

Fellowship App Hell, Strategic TV Directing Pitches, and Why Verticals Are the New Wild West On the Get Reelisms podcast, filmmakers Adam Chase Rani and Christine Chen catch up on recent festival news and Christine's birthday, then dive into “fellowship app hell season,” comparing repeated lab applications and essay-writing to endlessly applying to colleges with no clear feedback. Christine shares she's applying to programs including Film Independent, Sundance Producing Lab, and WriteBack Rise, and discusses the demoralizing competition, lack of guarantees, and the need to budget time by stepping back from AD work to focus on directing and stronger applications. Adam explains reframing a Disney directing program pitch from choosing a favorite show to choosing a show that logically matches evidence in his portfolio and experience. They also recap a Scene Lab focused on verticals and discuss vertical video's growth, rising production value, democratized audience-driven discovery, and reduced gatekeeping compared to traditional Hollywood.    Hosts: Adam Rani (@adamthechase)  & Christine Chen (@cchenmtf)  About Christine W Chen: Christine W. Chen is a Taiwanese American filmmaker, Academy member (Short Films Branch), and versatile producer, director, and writer known for bold, character-driven storytelling. Through her production company, Moth to Flame, she has created award-winning short films, features, and branded content—including Erzulie, a feminist swamp thriller that had a limited theatrical run and now streams on major platforms. In addition to her directorial work, Christine is a seasoned DGA 1st Assistant Director and co-author of Get Reelisms and ABCs of Filmmaking, as well as the co-host of the Get Reelisms Podcast. For more information about Christine Chen: christinewchen.com About Adam Rani: Adam Chase Rani is a production designer and set dresser working in the Austin film market, bringing a sharp eye for visual storytelling and practical creativity to every project. During the pandemic, he co-founded the Get Reelisms Podcast with Christine Chen to foster community within the film industry. Together, they've built a platform that blends education, candid conversations, and industry insights to help filmmakers connect, learn, and grow.   WEBISODE version of the Podcast 00:00 Logic Over Emotion  00:41 Podcast Intro Chaos  02:20 Birthdays and Benjamin Button  02:59 Daisy the Warrior Terrier  05:10 Fellowship Application Hell  07:54 Which Labs to Apply For  10:50 Too Many Programs  12:00 Strategic Show Selection  17:15 Feeling Behind Outside LA  17:59 Application Grind Mindset  18:39 Scene Lab Workshop Recap  20:27 AD Work Versus Directing  21:52 Fellowship Focus Strategy  25:07 Friends in Film Reset  29:30 Verticals Future Trends  35:31 Why Vertical Storytelling Wins  38:02 Viral Post And Creator Rush  39:56 Guest Handoff And Merch Plug Official Get Reelisms PageGet Reelisms Amazon StoreInstagram

Welcome to another episode of Beats, Vines & Life! Today, host MJ Towler sits down with award-winning filmmaker, storyteller, and founder of Nomadic Bear Productions, Christopher McGilvray. Based out of Santa Cruz, Chris's journey takes us from his upbringing at the base of the Santa Cruz Mountains through the heyday of Silicon Valley's rise, to his creative evolution at USC, global travels, and ultimately to a decade crafting cinematic narratives for iconic wine brands like Ridge Vineyards.In this episode, we explore how Gen X culture, family, and the pursuit of passion intersect on screen and in the vineyard. From childhood trips across Blossom Hill Road and the changing face of Los Gatos, to discovering a love of film with classics like Back to the Future and The Breakfast Club, Chris's story is a trip through the cultural touchstones that defined a generation. Chris shares how his immersion in linguistics and storytelling shaped his approach to documentary filmmaking, shedding light on the deep connections between land, legacy, and the people who make wine.We'll dig into the making of Eden, his acclaimed film about Mount Eden Vineyards, family succession, and what it really means to chase your creative vision—even when it challenges the fabric of family. Along the way, expect reflections on music, philosophy, the art of conversation, why the Santa Cruz Mountains remain one of California's best-kept secrets, and why sometimes the most powerful stories start, simply, with a glass of wine.Pull up a chair, pour yourself a glass of something good, and join us for a conversation about music, movies, wine, and life—Gen X style.For more information about Eden the movie click the link!Follow Chris on IG!____________________________________________________________Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers, and wine drinkers! Grenache Fest is BACK!!! Grenache Fest is coming to Waitsburg, Washington, bringing with it a focused, celebratory spotlight on one of the world's most important and expressive grapes. This year, we will start with a blind tasting seminar hosted by MJ Towler, Chauncey Arkfeld, and Michael Alberty, followed by smaller breakout sessions across town.Subscribe and give Beats Vines and Life a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show, sign up at blackwineguy.comFollow MJ @blackwineguyFollow Beats Vines and Life @beatsvinesandlifeFollow Totally Biased Wine Reviews on IGSign up for Totally Biased Wine Reviews Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Before you listen to this episode, please join us in reciting the Ghibli prayer: Oh nameless god of rage and hate, we bow before you! This week we contend with what is unquestionably one of the greatest films ever made, animation or otherwise. It's a period epic that encapsulates everything we know and love about Studio Ghibli while also somehow raising the bar even higher. And hey, there's even a kaiju! Next week, it's a last-minute addition to the series: Isao Takahata's penultimate film, MY NEIGHBORS THE YAMADAS (1999). Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPod References: Princess Mononoke: The Art and Making of Japan's Most Popular Film of All Time Hayao Miyazaki: Master of Japanese Animation by Helen McCarthy Studio Ghibli: An Industrial History by Rayna Denison Sharing a House with the Never-Ending Man by Steve Alpert The Works of Hayao Miyazaki: The Japanese Animation Master by Gael Berton Miyazakiworld by Susan Napier The Guardian Hayao Miyazaki Interview Neil Gaiman on Scripting Princess Mononoke Cinefantastique Vol 31 No 4 Production History Credits: Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich. This episode was researched by Parth Marathe. Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shop The "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling. Assistant programming and digital production by Nik Long. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord. Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

After fame, addiction, and reinvention, William McNamara reveals why your greatest work may come later in life. ________________________________________ Watch Now: • Why reinvention after 60 can be more exciting than early success.• The untold realities behind Hollywood fame, creativity, and staying authentic.• How sobriety and Kundalini Yoga transformed William's life beyond the camera.• Why The Trouble With Billy is both a hilarious Hollywood satire and a surprisingly heartfelt story• Stick around for Billy's REAL ET and UFO storiesWhat if everything Hollywood taught you about success... is the least interesting part of the story? Today, actor, producer, and animal advocate William McNamara joins us to reveal what really happens after fame, why reinvention at 60 can be your greatest creative breakthrough, and how turning your own life into art may be the boldest role you'll ever play. From starring in iconic films of the '90s, to creating his hilarious new series The Trouble with Billy, William joins us to talk about reinvention, sobriety, creativity, Kundalini Yoga, and why your 2nd act can become your greatest masterpiece. Welcome to Dare to Dream, where we explore the extraordinary intersections of creativity, consciousness, purpose, and the lives that inspire us to see ourselves differently. thetroublewithbilly.com/ ** More with Debbi

Original Release Date: Monday 3 August 2026      Description:   Dean Haglund and Phil Leirness commemorate this, the one thousandth episode of YOUR Chillpak Hollywood Hour (originally called “From the Heart of Hollywood”), by reminiscing about their first few years of “changing the way people listen to the internet” by examining how the media landscape has changed since they started podcasting, and how that landscape might evolve moving forward. The in-depth topics that get discussed include the podcasting field itself, the ways episodic television programming has changed, the dire need to change facing Netflix, and why binge watching quickly brought an end to the 21st century “golden age” of television. After a shameless (and hilarious) music plug for another podcast in the ever-expanding “Chillpak Hollywood Presents …” universe of shows, the topic turns to AI, the coming revolution revolving around artificial general intelligence, whether humanity can adapt, and whether an economy altering AI “bubble” may be on the horizon. Finally, the latest news in the now-frozen Parmount merger with Warner Bros. gets analyzed. Trust us, even if you only want to listen to one of our one thousand episodes, you can't do wrong with this one!

What does it take to build a great film? Is it vision, craft—or choosing the right collaborators?In Episode 165 of The Artists Podcast, Suchita sits down with Siva Ananth—filmmaker, writer, director, and producer of Thug Life, and a long-time creative collaborator of Mani Ratnam.Together, they explore:• The making of Thug Life• Collaborating with Mani Ratnam and Kamal Haasan• Why choosing the right collaborators can make or break a film• Filmmaking as a team sport• South Indian cinema vs. Hindi cinema• The relationship between literature, cinema, and audiences• The rise of Marathi and Kannada cinema• The qualities that define a great directorA thoughtful conversation on collaboration, creativity, and the craft of filmmaking.

After enjoying The Dreamers for the last episode, we really did think that we needed something more…GAY. And we found it. And it's great. Rotting in the Sun (2023), directed by Sebastián Silva, is funny, thrilling, and has a LOT of full-frontal male nudity. So much so that I don't think we even cover it all during this episode.

This summer's already seen a number of big blockbuster movies – The Odyssey, the new Spiderman, Toy Story 5. You can reliably catch all these movies at theaters across our region. But there are also many opportunities this summer to see movies produced, directed, or curated by your neighbors.This hour we'll preview a number of the upcoming film festivals that highlight new and up-and-coming filmmakers in Vermont, and the ways in which Vermonters can get started on their filmmaking journeys. We're joined by Jay Craven, filmmaker and curator of the Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival which begins on August 26th. Also joining us is Emma Schlenoff, producer of the film The Obelisk, a board member of the Vermont Production Collective and founder of Witness Oak Productions, and Dillon Tanner, founder of the Mothership Monthly Film Fest which features the films of many first time filmmakers. Broadcast live on Thursday, July 30, 2026, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.

Mia Thompson is a Swedish-American author best known for her internationally bestselling series, featuring heiress and vigilante, Sapphire Dubois. Prior to her life as a novelist, Mia studied Filmmaking in Europe, and Screenwriting in Los Angeles. website: authormiathompson.com IG: @miathompsonbooks --- Alie Dumas-Heidt is the author of The Myth Maker, a detective thriller introducing Det. Cassidy Cantwell, set in Tacoma Washington. She lives in the PNW with her husband, adult kids, and two spoiled dogs.

Featured Film: Severance Opening Titles Recreated in Portal by Brian KissigThis episode explores an exceptional reinterpretation of the title sequence from Severance, recreated using Portal assets in Unreal Engine and Cinema 4D. Rather than simply assessing the technical achievement, the discussion develops into a broader conversation about adaptation, symbolism, machinima as an artistic practice, and the relationship between filmmaking and game-making.Phil introduces the film as a painstaking recreation of the Severance opening titles, explaining that although it uses Portal assets, it extends well beyond simple gameplay capture. He highlights the remarkable fluid simulations, sophisticated editing, and careful adaptation of the original sequence's symbolism into the Portal universe, arguing that the work becomes an interpretation rather than a straightforward imitation.Ricky praises the craftsmanship and recognises it as an example of machinima at its highest technical level, while also reflecting on his personal preference for films that retain more visible traces of the game's constraints. He suggests that technical perfection can sometimes lose the handcrafted qualities that give traditional machinima its distinctive charm.Tracy provides an extended analysis by first examining the original Severance title sequence. She argues that it functions as a psychological and symbolic introduction to the series rather than a conventional credit sequence, exploring themes of fractured identity, loss of agency, corporate control and the uncanny through recurring visual metaphors including looping architecture, duplicated identities and the mysterious black fluid.Building from this analysis, Tracy argues that Brian Kissig's recreation does considerably more than reproduce the original. By replacing the psychological architecture of Severance with the systemic logic of Portal, the film transforms the central metaphor. Portal's mechanics become a new visual language through which bureaucracy, institutional power, identity and labour are explored. She argues that the Companion Cube, portals themselves and Aperture Science all deepen the thematic reading rather than simply referencing the game. She concludes that the filmmaker demonstrates how games can function as conceptual systems capable of generating entirely new meanings.Damien echoes this reading, explaining that after watching the original sequence he appreciated just how carefully the recreation preserved the structure while allowing Portal to reinterpret its ideas. The discussion also convinces him to move Severance higher on his viewing list.The conversation concludes by broadening into a reflection on machinima itself. The panel discusses the distinction between filmmaker-led machinima and game-native machinima, debating how creative limitations influence artistic practice. Ricky, Phil and Damien argue that technical constraints often stimulate creativity rather than restrict it, and that the problem-solving mindset developed through machinima translates into wider creative practice and filmmaking.Key Timestamps01:20 Phil introduces the featured film and explains its relationship to Severance and Portal.05:00 Ricky reflects on the film's technical perfection versus the appeal of traditional handcrafted machinima.07:10 Tracy begins an in-depth analysis of the original Severance title sequence and its symbolism.13:40 Analysis shifts to Brian Kissig's Portal recreation and how it transforms the original's meaning.16:55 Discussion of Portal as a metaphor for institutional systems, identity and bureaucracy.20:00 Brian Kissig's filmmaking background and why the recreation succeeds artistically.22:30 Damien compares the recreation with the original and discusses its effectiveness.24:10 Phil discusses looping as a structural and musical metaphor in Severance.24:45 Broader discussion on filmmaker machinima versus game-based machinima.27:15 Conversation turns to creativity, artistic limitations and the role of technical constraints.30:00 Final reflections on how machinima develops creative problem-solving beyond filmmaking.Credits Co-hosts: Phil Rice, Ricky Grove, Tracy Harwood, Damien ValentineEditor/Producer: Phil RiceMusic: Phil Rice & Suno AI

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Filmmaker and historian Jon Scott Bennett is the guest on this episode of Energy Stoners © Cafe. Joining host Toni Quest, Bennett shares fascinating stories from his role as narrator aboard the NY Boat Company's History Cruise to West Point, bringing to life the history of Benedict Arnold and other influential figures while exploring their impact on the Hudson River Valley. He also discusses his acclaimed five-part documentary series, The Peekskill Riots, as well as the life and legacy of Paul Robeson. This episode was recorded at the Studio Theater in Exile at Hudson Valley MOCA. Thanks to mara mills and jeremy gratt host: toniquesttv@gmail.com www.jonscottbennett.com  www.nyboatco.com  

Send us Fan MailMany actors dream of landing a leading role, but increasingly, they're creating those opportunities for themselves.In this episode of Acting with Asha, we explore how actors can develop their own projects and ultimately cast themselves as the lead. From finding the right story and building a creative team to financing, producing and balancing performance with the demands of filmmaking, this episode looks at the practical steps involved in bringing a self-created project to life.Whether you're an actor considering writing your first screenplay, producing an independent film or simply looking for more control over your career, this episode offers insights into one of the most rewarding paths available to creatives today.Subscribe to Acting with Asha for weekly conversations with actors, writers, producers and industry professionals, sharing practical advice and honest experiences from across the film and television industry.Instagram: @jadeashapinkerton Production Company: @londonindependentpicturesSupport the showActing with Asha – Episode FooterEnjoyed this episode?Discover more insights on acting, entrepreneurship, and building a sustainable creative career with Jade Asha's book, Actorpreneur.

Award-winning filmmakers Tchaiko Omawale and c. Craig Patterson join Floyd Marshall Jr. and Okema T. Moore for a candid discussion about filmmaking, screenwriting, world-building, animation and artificial intelligence.Tchaiko explains how her global childhood shaped her curiosity and storytelling, while sharing insights from Solace, BEAST, Fist of Mothers and her television directing career. Craig discusses directing Roy Wood Jr., experimenting with new production technologies and creating the animated short ChikaBOOM!.Together, they explore BlackStar Film Festival, ethical AI use, creative collaboration, motherhood, Black feminine storytelling and the importance of protecting human artistry as filmmaking technology evolves.=================Submit Your Film to Our Film Collective:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ifapfilmcollective.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect With Floyd Marshall Jr:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/floydmarshalljr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tiktok.com/@floydmarshalljr0⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Country roads, take us home! Of the many, many movies that use the famous John Denver song, who would've expected the DEFINITIVE one to be about about a couple kids in Western Tokyo who fall in love with a really cool cat statue?  This week our old friend Stephen Hilger of the very great Into the Aether podcast is filling in as guest host! Topics explored by Dom and Steve: Zelda games (of course), Les Mis (obviously), doing improv comedy for no one (what?), learning to love yourself as an artist, and for some reason, pro wrestling! What an episode! Next week we worship at the altar of PRINCESS MONONOKE (1997). Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPod References: Special Features Behind the Microphone Starting Point by Hayao Miyazaki Studio Ghibli: An Industrial History by Rayna Denison Hayao Miyazaki: Master of Japanese Animation by Helen McCarthy Studio Ghibli: The Complete Works 2nd Edition Cartoon Brew Atsushi Okui Interview John Lasseter Whisper of the Heart Introduction Credits: Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich. This episode was researched by Parth Marathe. Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shop The "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling. Assistant programming and digital production by Nik Long. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord. Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Community Film Challenge will pair filmmakers with Wellington-based charities, with the task to create something over a September weekend that really helps highlight the work of the not-for-profit. 

On this week's episode: Full review of Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, Anthony Bourdain biopic "Tony" first early look, Avengers: Doomsday trailer underwhelming performance, RoboCop reboot, Coyote vs Acme final trailer, Jessica Chastain is the "Other Mommy," and more! The Hub on Hollywood, hosted by Jamie and James, delves into the thriving film industry in New England. The podcast explores the production of various projects, including commercials, television shows, and full-length feature films. The podcast offers insight into New England’s growing film industry, as well as entertainment news and reviews. Subscribers can access the podcast on the iHeartRadio app and follow the hosts on Instagram and TikTok for updates.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Director Nicolas Winding Refn joins us this week for a wide ranging conversation covering his career from Pusher through Bronson, Drive, and Neon Demon, up to his latest film, Her Private Hell, starring Sophie Thatcher.  Refn returns after a ten year break from feature filmmaking, following a near death health scare he's been open about. He breaks down his creative process in detail, including his use of a triangle structure to connect disparate ideas into a single story, and how images, rather than plot, are always his true starting point. Its a great conversation about the creative process, sooo... COME HANG OUT!!! Follow Us on Social Media:Instagram & Threads: @mostlyhorrorpodTikTok & Twitter/X: @mostlyhorrorSteve: @stevenisaverage (all socials)Sean: @hypocrite.ink (IG/TikTok), @hypocriteink (Twitter/X)Enjoyed this episode? Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform to help us reach more horror fans like you! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What does it really take to make a documentary that finds an audience and earns its money back?“You have to have the passion for the story and the passion to do the work, because it will not be easy.”— Joe AmodeiIf you want to make a documentary, the hardest questions are not the ones about cameras. They are about access, money, and whether anyone will ever watch it. In Documentary First Episode 283, a distributor who has spent more than forty-five years releasing films, and has now directed his first one, gives 7 filmmaking tips that cut straight to those questions, from getting access to a famous subject to setting a budget that can actually earn its money back.In Episode 283, Christian Taylor sits down with Joe Amodei, the founder of Virgil Films and a film distributor of more than forty-five years, who has released hundreds of documentaries including Super Size Me, the Oscar-nominated Restrepo, and Forks Over Knives. After decades of releasing other people's films and learning from the mistakes he watched filmmakers make, Joe finally made his own: Cold War in Philly, the story of the night in 1976 when the Philadelphia Flyers beat the Soviet Red Army. He came to find out whether his own advice would hold up.The throughline is simple and a little daring: a career distributor became a first-time director, determined not to repeat the mistakes he had watched other filmmakers make. Along the way he explains how he got access to a legendary NHL team through its alumni association, why he kept the budget under $250,000, why a built-in audience mattered so much, and a first documentary that sold out theaters across Philadelphia. Running underneath it is the Cold War itself: the KGB minders, the players who hated the government but not each other, and the heroes Joe got on camera before they were gone.IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN:How to get access to famous people and organizations, through the alumni associationWhat Joe did once he was in the room: prove yourself, be yourself, and be honestThe deals he had to clear before filming, the team, the owner, and the league, and that they took nearly a yearWhy a built-in audience is what decides whether an indie film succeedsWhat to budget for a documentary, and why Joe will not spend more than $250,000 on an indie docHow Joe made sure to get the players on camera, including two who passed away after their interviewsWhy his first film took two and a half years, and what he would do differently next timeThe qualities that make a film distributor worth trusting: answering calls, paying on time, being honestThe two things Joe says it takes to finish a filmWhy Joe believes the work is worth it, from the players' gratitude to a film that outlives everyoneCHAPTERS0:00 Becoming a First-Time Director2:42 How Do You Get Access?9:33 Capturing Heroes in Time13:04 Structuring the Documentary21:20 The Grind of Production28:11 Selling Out Theaters38:32 What Makes a Film Succeed?41:37 What Should a Doc Budget Be?44:48 How Do You Keep Going?47:38 Is Filmmaking Worth It?FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONSHow do you get access to famous people or organizations for a documentary?Go through the alumni association. Joe Amodei got the Philadelphia Flyers by working with the team's alumni group, which controls appearances for former players. Nearly every major sports team and league has one, usually run by one or two people. Find that person, earn their trust, and they can open the door to the whole roster. Then be ready to handle the separate contracts with the team, the owner, and the league.How much does it cost to make a documentary?For an independent documentary, Joe Amodei's rule is not to spend more than $250,000. The reasoning is about return: know what the film can realistically earn back before you set the documentary budget, and understand the market you are spending against. A built-in audience and disciplined spending give a documentary a real chance to make its money back.What makes an independent film succeed in today's market?A built-in audience. Joe Amodei says a film does best when people already care about the subject before it exists. Cold War in Philly had Flyers fans waiting for it, and the sold-out theatrical run followed. If you cannot name the audience for your idea, Joe's view is you might not want to make it. When you can, the film has a base to launch from and can cross over to viewers beyond the core, people who told Joe they were not even hockey fans.What does it take to succeed as a documentary filmmaker?Two things, according to Joe Amodei: passion and willpower. Passion for the story carries you through a process that will not be easy, and willpower keeps you going when the edit stalls and the work is not moving as fast as you wanted. You owe it to your investors, your subjects, and the people who gave up their time to sit for you. His advice is simple: you cannot give up.What should you look for in a film distributor?Christian describes what makes Joe a distributor worth trusting: he answers calls and emails, pays on time, sends the reports that are due, and is honest. She notes that this basic reliability is rarer than it should be in the business, and it is exactly what separates a distributor you can trust from one you cannot.DOCUVIEW DÉJÀ VU PICKSIn the DocuView Déjà Vu segment, Joe Amodei highlighted two documentaries from the Virgil Films slate: She Was Here, about the young actress from Poltergeist, and Broken Brothers, directed by Jeff Levine, a future Documentary First guest. Both are available on Amazon and Apple TV.SPONSORED BYVirgil Films Entertainment. With more than twenty-five years of distribution experience, Virgil releases documentaries and indie features and works directly with every major platform. Learn more at https://virgilfilms.com.ABOUT JOE AMODEIJoe Amodei is the founder of Virgil Films and a film distributor with more than forty-five years in the industry. He started in retail, worked in live entertainment for Ted Turner and Barry Diller, and went on to release hundreds of documentaries, including Super Size Me, the Oscar-nominated Restrepo, and Forks Over Knives. Cold War in Philly is his directorial debut, the story of the 1976 game in which the Philadelphia Flyers beat the Soviet Red Army. Learn more at https://coldwarinphilly.com.ABOUT VIRGIL FILMSVirgil Films and Entertainment is an independent distributor known for documentaries and indie features, with a catalog that includes Super Size Me, Restrepo, Forks Over Knives, To Die For, Seven Yards, and Speed is Expensive. The company works directly with every major transactional platform and offers filmmakers a range of deals, from standard distribution to service arrangements. Recent and upcoming releases include She Was Here and Broken Brothers. Learn more at https://virgilfilms.com.ABOUT DOCUMENTARY FIRSTDocumentary First is the show where we dig into the craft of filmmaking, the business, and the truth of it. Host Christian Taylor is a documentary filmmaker, actor, and voice actor, and the director of The Girl Who Wore Freedom and Heroes of Carentan. Each week she sits down with the people who make documentaries and pulls out what actually works.RESOURCES MENTIONEDCold War in Philly (film site): https://coldwarinphilly.com/Cold War in Philly is available to rent or buy on Amazon, Apple TV, Vudu, and YouTubeThe Girl Who Wore Freedom (Christian Taylor, distributed by Virgil Films)Films referenced: Super Size Me, Restrepo, Forks Over KnivesLISTEN AND FOLLOWListen to this episode and follow Documentary First on your favorite app:...

If you win "Best Feature" at a film festival, but the festival doesn't give you a trophy, can you make your own trophy? Or is that too cringe? Spouses and filmmakers Kaye and Mariel disagree! Their film THE REBRAND (trailer here) won several film festival awards! But most of the festival organizations did not provide trophies, or any physical representation of the win for that matter. Kaye wants to design and 3-D print her own trophies to commemorate the occasion, and to serve as a reminder that "they like her They really like her!" But, while Mariel is proud of the work they have done and the awards they received, she's also trying to rely less on external validation. Who's right? Who's wrong?  If you want to check out the Obscure Cultural Reference, tap here! Thanks to reddit user u/dihydrogenmonoxidesoup for naming this week's case! To suggest a title for a future episode, keep an eye on the Maximum Fun subreddit at reddit.com/r/maximumfun! Thanks to Christian Duguay for letting us close the show with "Frisbee Golf (The Legend Of Tom Clutch)" by Cephalopods Are People! Make sure to check out the Valley Heat podcast if you haven't already. Start at episode 1 and enjoy the ride that is this hilarious show! SUBSCRIBE TO THIS PODCAST in APPLE PODCASTS or the RSS FEED ---Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Become a member to unlock special bonus episodes and more. Memberships start at just $5 a month. Just tap here!

Demetri Pallis, a Bloody Mary expert joins Maria in talking about Bloody Marys, and Michelle Danner a producer, acting coach, and producer of the film The Italians and others is here!Enter, "The Maria Liberati Show," based on her travels, as well as her Gourmand World Award-winning book series, "The Basic Art of Italian Cooking," and "The Basic Art of..." Find out more on https://www.marialiberati.com-----music: "First Day of Spring" by David Hilowitz - available via Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://creativecommns.org/licenses/by-sa/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

What if the greatest privilege you could give a child isn't opportunity — it's being allowed to stay creative?This week I sit down with actress, filmmaker, and creator Andrea Lewis — Degrassi's Hazel, the mind behind Netflix's The Black Beauty Effect, and now the creator of Glam Culture, her regional beauty docuseries. Andrea moves through the world with a rare kind of peace about her own timeline, and this conversation is a masterclass in what that actually looks like in practice.We get into how Essence Fest became her manifestation machine, the two women who shaped her sense of style (her Kingstonian grandmother and her cowgirl-Jamaican mother), the Maya Angelou advice she got at 15 that changed how she ages, the honest reality of crowdfunding your own art — what she calls "Game of Thrones shame" — the PCOS diagnosis that reshaped how she moves through the world, why you need champions (not connections) to actually move a career forward, and why the most valuable thing she inherited was being allowed to stay creative without anyone trying to pull it back.

We're back! Joining us after our one week hiatus is returning champion, the one, the only... Griffin Newman! We have so much to talk about this week, including: raccoon dogs, Isao Takahata's hatred of modernity, the history of “serious” animation, Operation Goblin, Star Wars(?), Mr. Belvedere(??), Dave Matthews Band(????), and also How To “Ball Up” a Pipeline! Next week it's our first non-Miyazaki/Takahata Ghibli entry, WHISPER OF THE HEART (1995) directed by Yoshifumi Kondō. Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPod References: Special Features Blu-Ray Booklet Studio Ghibli: The Complete Works 2nd Edition Studio Ghibli: An Industrial History by Rayna Denison Sharing a House with the Never-Ending Man by Steve Alpert TCM Pom Poko Production History Pom Poko Influences Hoppers Band Inspiration Toshio Suzuki Incorrectly Anticipates Credits: Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich. This episode was edited by Michael Gaspari. This episode was researched by Parth Marathe. Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shop The "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling. Assistant programming and digital production by Nik Long. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord. Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Elizabeth Stone is the Chief Product and Technology Officer (CPTO) at Netflix, where she oversees Engineering, Product, and Design. Since her first appearance on the podcast two years ago—which remained my second-most-popular episode for more than a year—she has expanded her role to lead product, in addition to engineering. Before Netflix, Elizabeth was VP of Science at Lyft, Chief Operating Officer at Nuna, an economist at Analysis Group, and a trader at Merrill Lynch.In our in-depth conversation, we discuss:1. Why “systems thinking” is now the most important skill she looks for2. How to manage the flood of AI-generated output without losing quality or signal3. How Netflix thinks about AI fluency as a universal expectation rather than a level-specific skill4. What “excellence as an operating system” means—Brought to you by:WorkOS—Make your app enterprise-ready, with SSO, SCIM, RBAC, and more: https://workos.com/lennyMercury—Radically different banking, now with Command: https://mercury.com/command?utm_source=lennys&utm_medium=sponsored_newsletter&utm_campaign=26q3_brand_campaign—Episode transcript: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/netflix-cpto-on-ai-and-the-future—Archive of all Lenny's Podcast transcripts: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/yxi4s2w998p1gvtpu4193/AMdNPR8AOw0lMklwtnC0TrQ?rlkey=j06x0nipoti519e0xgm23zsn9&st=ahz0fj11&dl=0—Where to find Elizabeth Stone:• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-stone-608a754—Where to find Lenny:• Newsletter: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com• X: https://twitter.com/lennysan• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lennyrachitsky/—In this episode, we cover:(00:00) Introduction(02:25) AI and role confusion: the storming phase before the forming phase(07:36) How roles have changed in the past two and a half years(11:55) Will functions survive? The case for craft specialism(13:26) What Netflix is hiring more of—and less of(17:22) Why systems thinking is the rising skill across every function(20:20) Is the design process dead?(22:08) Skills trending down(28:33) AI fluency and Netflix's career ladder overlay(31:00) AI use cases beyond coding(35:12) Netflix's AI history(38:36) Excellence as an operating system(41:11) The pillars of the excellence OS(46:41) The keeper's test—and why it's mostly a positive conversation(50:21) Attracting top talent in the age of frontier AI labs(52:54) Junior talent, craft mastery, and the mentorship question(56:25) Where engineering goes in 5 to 10 years(59:45) The future of entertainment: beyond film and TV(1:02:18) AI in Hollywood: Netflix's creator-enablement position(1:06:15) Lightning round and final thoughts—Referenced:• How Netflix builds a culture of excellence | Elizabeth Stone (CTO): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/how-netflix-builds-a-culture-of-excellence• Brian Chesky's new playbook: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/brian-cheskys-contrarian-approach• The design process is dead. Here's what's replacing it. | Jenny Wen (head of design at Claude): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/the-design-process-is-dead• Claude Code: https://www.anthropic.com/product/claude-code• Claude Cowork: https://www.anthropic.com/product/claude-cowork• Netflix's “Keeper Test” and Why You Need It | Lorne Rubis: https://www.highlights.lornerubis.com/2015/08/the-netflix-keeper-test-and-the-courage-to-take-it• Innovation for Filmmaking, By Filmmakers: Why InterPositive Is Joining Netflix: https://about.netflix.com/en/news/why-interpositive-is-joining-netflix• InterPositive: https://weareinterpositive.com• Netflix Prize: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netflix_Prize• Quarterback on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81482895• The Bill Simmons Podcast on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/82186214• Spencer Pratt on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spencerpratt• Salman Rushdie's Substack: https://salmanrushdie.substack.com• Remarkably Bright Creatures on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81911351• Eight Sleep: https://www.eightsleep.com• Tour de France: https://www.letour.fr/en—Recommended books:• Thinking in Systems: https://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Systems-Donella-H-Meadows/dp/1603580557• Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster: https://www.amazon.com/Into-Thin-Air-Personal-Disaster/dp/0385494785• Liar's Poker: https://www.amazon.com/Liars-Poker-Norton-Paperback-Michael/dp/039333869X—Production and marketing by https://penname.co/. For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email podcast@lennyrachitsky.com.—Lenny may be an investor in the companies discussed. To hear more, visit www.lennysnewsletter.com

Filmmaking for Freedom w/Jones Plantation Director Drew Treglia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Art Ulene is an American physician, surgeon, and public health educator who became nationally known as the longtime medical correspondent for NBC News, helping explain complex health and medical issues to millions of viewers. Over a career spanning medicine, broadcasting, writing, and public speaking, he has been a prominent advocate for preventive health and patient education through television appearances, books, and health journalism. IN THE NEWS: FBI arrests 5 people in connection with drone attack plot against White House UFC Freedom 250 event, Steven Spielberg Reveals Where 'I Draw the Line' When It Comes to Using AI in Filmmaking, Bill to Shield Altadena From Developers Takes Center Stage at Town Council, ‘Skeleton Bridge' where bungee jumper was thrown 130 feet to her death set to be blown up to prevent more tragediesGET IT ON!FOR MORE WITH DR. ART ULENE: Climbing Mt. KilimanjaroStarting July 1-Summiting July 13th(His 90th Birthday)Partnered With ‘CareScout' Promoting a Proactive Approach to Aging (carescout.com)FOR MORE WITH ANDREW HOBSON:INSTAGRAM: @andrewfhobsonLIVE SHOWS: June 27 - Carson City, NV (2 Shows)July 9 - Las Vegas, NV (2 Shows)July 10 - Las Vegas, NV (2 Shows)July 11 - Las Vegas, NV (2 Shows)Thank you for supporting our sponsors:BetOnlineHomeChef.com/ADAMoreillyauto.com/ADAMrosettastone.com/ADAMpluto.tvPodcastOneSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.