Shows
Filmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 199: From Novels to Screenwriting: A Journey with Ben H. WintersToday, we are thrilled to host the incredibly versatile Ben H. Winters. Known for his best-selling novels and genre-bending mash-ups like "Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters", Ben ventured into the world of television, crafting gripping storylines for acclaimed series such as "Legion" and "Manhunt."In This Episode:Transition from Novelist to Screenwriter:Ben discusses what inspired his leap from the literary world to screenwriting and how his background in novel-writing influences his screenwriting approach.Creative Process:Explore Ben's creative process across different genres and formats. Learn how he develops stories for...
2024-05-2031 minFilmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 195: Pamela Uzzell: 'Welcome To The Neighborhood' – A Bay Area BattleWelcome to another compelling episode of Filmmaking Conversations with Damien Swaby, where today we have the honor of hosting Pamela Uzzell, an esteemed documentary producer, director, and editor. Her feature-length documentary, "Unearthing the Dream," not only graced Arkansas Public Television as a highlight of their independent producer series but also clinched Best Documentary at the Arkansas Black Independent Film Festival and garnered an Indie Award of Merit.Pamela's academic journey is as illustrious as her career—she's a proud alumna of Brown University, holding an MFA in Cinema from San Francisco State University. Her incredible depth of experience sp...
2024-03-2752 minFilmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 192: Crafting Auditory Narratives with Emmy Award winner James David Redding IIIWelcome to this episode of "Filmmaking Conversations with Damien Swaby," where we delve into the art of sound design with the renowned James David Redding III. Get ready for an auditory adventure that will heighten your appreciation for the sounds that bring stories to life.IMBD: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1250289/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesdavidreddingiii/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jdr3productions521/videosIntroduction to our esteemed guest, James David Redding III, known for his immersive sound work on hits like "The Patient," "Carol," and "The...
2024-03-051h 04Filmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 191: Indie Film Trails: From Colorado Peaks to ISA HonorsJoin us on the latest episode of "Filmmaking Conversations with Damien Swaby," where we sit down with the multifaceted screenwriter and director Dan, who has etched his mark in the film industry through sheer perseverance and a touch of the extraordinary.W: https://www.danhealeyfilms.com/Show Notes:Meet Dan: Our guest shares his origins from the rugged terrains of Colorado to the swarming shores of Long Island. We uncover how his passion for storytelling was honed at Hofstra University.Diverse Screenwriting Portfolio: Dan discusses his experience writing over 13 feature...
2024-02-2839 minFilmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 188: Indie Visions with Richard BakewellJoin us in this thought-provoking episode of the "Filmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien Swaby," where we chat with Richard Bakewell, an influential director and screenwriter renowned for his distinctive cinematic style.In this session, Bakewell dives into the complexities behind his emotionally charged film, "Roswell Delirium." This piece has captured the attention of movie buffs with its intricate storytelling and rich narrative.Unveiling the Process: Richard Bakewell takes us behind the scenes of "Roswell Delirium," a film that stands out for its portrayal of post-nuclear America during the 1980s. He provides insight into the challenges he faced and...
2024-02-1245 minFilmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 187: Breaking New Ground with Terra Mackintosh: Arts, Inclusion, and InnovationWelcome back, dear listeners! Buckle up for an incredible episode of our podcast where we dive into the endlessly fascinating world of art, media, and representation with the awe-inspiring Terra Mackintosh.Episode Highlights:Meet Terra Mackintosh: Award-winning actress, profound producer, and creative writer with works spanning TV platforms like Apple TV+, Netflix, HBO, and more.Discover Terra's commitment to forging paths in diversity and accessibility within the arts.Get an insider's look at 'Best Summer Ever' – a film that defines inclusive cinema.Hear about Terra's co-founded The Artist’s Space in LA, creating a nurturing environment for arti...
2024-01-291h 13Filmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 175: ArtHouse Visionary: Independent Cinema, Fair Wages, and Community EngagementIn this episode, we engage in a fascinating conversation with the visionary behind the ArtHouse, a unique establishment that seamlessly blends the roles of a cinema and a community hub. Our guest shares his experiences and insights on how he managed to strike a balance between these two roles, and the profound impact it has had on the local community.He also delves into the intricate process of curating a diverse program that includes cinema, live National Theatre screenings, and comedy, revealing the considerations that go into creating an engaging lineup. We explore his personal journey...
2023-10-0931 minFilmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 174: Cutting Edge, a Journey with Canadian Video Editor Christopher DonaldsonWelcome to another episode of our podcast, where we delve into the fascinating world of filmmaking.Today, we have the pleasure of hosting Christopher Donaldson, a seasoned video editor whose work spans an extensive variety of dramatic and documentary features and television.Christopher's impressive credits include Sarah Polley’s “Women Talking” and “Take This Waltz”, David Cronenberg’s “Crimes of the Future”, "Reacher" for Amazon Prime, "The Handmaid's Tale" for Hulu, Atom Egoyan's "Remember", and "Penny Dreadful" for Showtime/SkyAtlantic. His work for television includes "Vikings" for History/Shaw, “Flashpoint” for CBS/CTV, "The Kids in the Hall: Death Come...
2023-09-231h 03Filmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 173: Strings, Magic, and Frames: The Artistic Journey of Woody ChapmanWood Chapman is a multi-talented artist whose work spans the realms of puppetry, Disney productions, and video editing. His journey began with a fascination for puppetry, where he breathed life into inanimate objects, creating characters that have captivated audiences worldwide. His storytelling prowess led him to the magical world of Disney. Beyond puppetry and Disney, Wood has also made significant strides as a video editor, crafting narratives that are visually stunning and emotionally resonant. Join us as we delve into the artistic journey of Wood Chapman, exploring the strings of puppetry, the magic of Disney, and the frames...
2023-09-1247 minFilmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 172: Fulfilling Her Late Husband's Filmmaking Dream - Sarah PotterToday on Filmmaking Conversations, I speak to film producer Sarah Potter. When the Lotus Blooms: a story of acute survival is a powerful documentary project that has been left to Naperville resident Sarah Potter after her filmmaker husband, Scott, passed away unexpectedly in July 2020. A routine endoscopy had triggered severe pancreatitis for Scott, and after months of treatments and stays in the hospital, he died from complications associated with his condition.This project has become Sarah's salvation in a time that could have been very difficult. She had been initially hesitant to become a part...
2023-08-0533 minFilmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 171: Demystifying the business of filmmaking! Featuring Jason GodbeyHave you ever felt like the world of independent filmmaking is a mysterious and inaccessible realm? 🤔 Well, you're not alone! Many aspiring filmmakers and industry outsiders struggle to understand the ins and outs of this creative field. But fear not, my friends, because today we're going to shed some light on this topic and provide valuable insights! 💡✨Who better to guide us through this journey than Jason Godbey himself? 🎬🙌In the latest episode of Filmmaking Conversations, I had the pleasure of speaking with Jason Godbey, the Director/Founder of Behind the Rabbit Productions. 🎥🐇 Jason is not only an incredibly talent...
2023-07-051h 06Filmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 165: From the UK to the US - Filmmaker Gareth KellyOriginally from the UK award-winning filmmaker, Gareth Kelly has had an unusual journey in becoming an above-the-line creative. After spending 10 years as a concrete truck driver, Kelly decided to pursue his lifelong passion for film and television. Along the way, he found himself covering the US 2016 Presidential election in Florida for various local, national, and international news organizations - BBC, Tampa Bay Biz Journal, Creative Loafing, as well as authoring his first book, 100 Things to do in San Luis Obispo Before you Die.Returning to California, Kelly settled into an associate producer role with Director, [Andrew Davis] (The...
2023-04-0936 minFilmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 164: Johnny Catalano and The Midwest New WaveJohnny Catalano is an American filmmaker and actor passionate about capturing the minutia and specifics of the Midwestern United States. Obsessed with Americana imagery and "slice-of-life" narratives within a specific genre's framework. He explores themes and characters objectively. Portraying the nuances and comedy in human behavior.F: https://www.facebook.com/catalanofilmco/FilmFreeway: https://filmfreeway.com/JohnnyCatalanoDamien Swaby Social Media Links:Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/filmmaker_damien_swaby/Twitterhttps://twitter.com/DamienSwaby?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5EauthorWebsitehttp://filmmakingconversations.com/...
2023-04-0437 minFilmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 163: From The Office to the Screen - Eryn ReaToday I speak to the super-talented Eryn Rea! Eryn Rea grew up in Kentucky and then moved to Los Angeles at a young age. Now she is a multi-hyphenate working in Atlanta and Los Angeles. Informed by her background across genres ranging from Primetime TV Drama to Indie Horror, her most recent credits include THE FIRST LADY series on Showtime, and the audio-drama BROKEN ROAD. A fan of all that is weird and unexpected, Eryn encourages everyone to bring their uniqueness to the page and screen. She has directed, written, and co-written five short...
2023-03-2534 minFilmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 162: Icelandic Hollywood Editor Elísabet RonaldsdóttirElísabet Ronaldsdóttir is one of the industries most talented editors.After working in Europe for years, her first American film was the 2012 crime thriller Contraband, a remake of a film she edited in Iceland. Her close collaborator is stunt-man-turned-action-director David Leitch; they worked together on John Wick, Atomic Blonde, Deadpool 2, and most recently, Bullet Train: a neon-infused, violent, and hilarious Agatha Christie-style romp starring Brad Pitt and an ensemble of who’s who, including Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Sandra Bullock. It all takes place on a bullet train speeding from Tokyo to Kyoto.I love...
2023-02-0439 minFilmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 161: Working Class British FilmmakersNobody Loves You and You Don't Deserve to Exist' is a multi-award-winning independent British feature film written and directed by Manchester filmmaker, Brett Gregory.SynopsisLoosely based on Hieronymus Bosch's heaven and hell 15th century painting, 'The Garden of Earthly Delights', we follow a grieving ex-English teacher, rotting away on welfare benefits, along the canals and crevices of gothic Manchester as he reflects upon the tragic-comic fragments of his shattered past during the 1980s, 1990s and 2020s of Broken Britain.Links to the film: Leigh Film Factory Free Screening...
2023-01-1836 minFilmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 160: The Catalano Film Festival with Johnny CatalanoCATALANO FILM FESTIVAL: DATE: February 18, 2025LOCATION: 33 S Main St, Miamisburg, OH 45342TIME: 4pm-10pm ESTFACEBOOK PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/catalanofilmcoEVENTBRITE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/catalano-film-festival-tickets-466846639867?aff=esfb&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-source=fb&utm-term=listing&fbclid=IwAR1WR48e-siourKT1VMITAiDfqP9uNtOqQcnpNgcMwuLhP9PXHbvkcM3lo0TEASER TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xK_vc_zpLcU&t=4sJOHNNY CATALANO (filmmaker) info:INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/catalanofilmco/FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/catalanofilmcoIMDb: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm13100827...
2022-12-2834 minFilmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 159: Sarah Moshman Losing Sight of ShoreSarah Moshman is an Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker and TEDx speaker whose work has been featured on Upworthy, Marie Claire, CNN, and Good Morning America. After directing two short documentaries about female empowerment in young women, (Girls Rock! Chicago (2010) and Growing up Strong: Girls on the Run (2012)) she set out to direct her first feature doc The Empowerment Project: Ordinary Women Doing Extraordinary Things (2014) which has been screened over 700 times around the US and around the world in schools, groups, organizations and corporations starting conversations about gender equality. With Indieflix as the distributor, the film has been sponsored by major...
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Filmmaking Conversations with Damien SwabyEp 139: What the IATSE Agreement Means For Indie FilmmakersFollowing the ratification of IATSE’s new film and TV contracts, podcaster and entertainment industry veteran Damien Swaby talks to principal Reena Sehgal (Sehgal Law PC) about their legal implications for Indie Filmmakers. Swaby and Sehgal will discuss the Basic Agreement and the Area Standards Agreement, which were set up to achieve fair conditions (including quality-of-life issues and general job conditions such as meal breaks) for union film crew in television and film.Reena Sehgal, EsqAttorney-at-Law TransactionsReena Sehgal is from Bend, Oregon, and attended Portland State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Sc...
2022-04-2628 minFilmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 145: Breaking the Ice: The Cinematic Journey of Rebecca EskreisRebecca Eskreis is a director, writer and producer whose work has screened at numerous international festivals, including SXSW, TIFF, SIFF, deadCenter, Savannah, Munich, Stockholm and Thessaloniki. Her directorial debut project, WHAT BREAKS THE ICE (Goldcrest Films), received the Sandra Adair/Empowering a Billion Women Grant for promising female filmmakers from the Austin Film Society, and was selected for the Austin Film Society’s Artist Intensive, hosted annually by Richard Linklater. The project was also a finalist for the 2016 Mayor’s Office of New York/Women in Film/Producers Guild Financing Lab. WHAT BREAKS THE ICE stars Sofia Hublitz and...
2022-01-021h 01Filmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 144: Lisa Molomot, Documentary Filmmaker - MISSING IN BROOKSBioA graduate of the American Film Institute, I am a documentary director, producer and editor whose work has aired on PBS series such as Independent Lens and has been seen at film festivals around the world, including Sundance, SXSW, New Directors, New Films and DOC NYC.My 2013 directing debut THE HILL, about the demolition of an African-American neighborhood in New Haven, CT, premiered on the PBS series America Reframed and won best documentary at Greenpoint Film Festival.My 2014 film SCHOOL’S OUT, about a forest kindergarten in Switzerland, premiered on the PBS series Na...
2021-12-2337 minFilmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 143: Making films by any means necessary - PRECARIATFounded in 2016, we are a film and theater production company based in New York.We aim to disrupt storytelling as usual and make our stuff by any means necessary.We’re makers, not salespeople.We’re outsiders, and we’re inclusive, we’re rigorous, we’re generous, we make our own space and help others make theirs,We’re straight-forward, all-in,We take risks, give no fucks, and never quit.Who we areCo-Founders Isabel Ellison & Ryan GuitermanManaging Members Isabel Ellison, Sam Encarnación, Franco González, Rya...
2021-12-1836 minFilmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 142: Scott Leger - Are Filmmakers Living in Pain?Scott Leger is a Director and Screenwriter whose work has been screened at Cannes Film Festival, Austin Film Festival, SeriesFest, and Palm Springs International Film Festival. Drawn to filmmaking after a horrific mountain biking accident in high school derailed his illustrious Junior Varsity sports career, Scott transferred his manic passion from the field to the frame and hasn't exhaled since. And his collarbone healed up quite nicely, thanks for asking.He would later drop out of Hampshire College to live at home and wait tables while immersing himself in visual storytelling and screenwriting. Eventually, he got around to...
2021-12-1348 minFilmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 141: Acting with Energy: Creating Brilliance Take After Take - Murisa HarbaAn award-winning actor and director, Murisa Harba lives to push boundaries. She is a leading acting coach, author, thought leader, and speaker in Los Angeles, passionate about empowering actors to elevate their truth in storytelling and ultimately unlocking their creative genius. Her fascination with the infinite ways in which our bodies communicate led her to create two custom signature techniques: THE CHAKRA APPROACH® and THE MACRO METHOD. THE CHAKRA APPROACH® taps into the body's natural energy centers as a way to build compelling performances, while THE MACRO METHOD is an efficient, empowering way to break down a script co...
2021-12-0446 minFilmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 140: An Inspiring Story From Sally Harvey AndersonSally grew up all over the Southeastern US and moved to Los Angeles, CA as an adult. While in LA, Sally became an alumni of UCB, one of the best professional improv schools in the country. She returned to “The South” to pursue a Master’s Degree and become an English Professor so that she could support herself while pursuing acting and writing. After graduating with her MA, Sally spent 4 years teaching as an adjunct (part-time) professor at Belmont University.In those same 4 years, Sally got involved in the acting community in Nashville. She became a workin...
2021-11-2134 minFilmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 139: What the IATSE Agreement Means For Indie FilmmakersFollowing the ratification of IATSE’s new film and TV contracts, podcaster and entertainment industry veteran Damien Swaby talks to principal Reena Sehgal (Sehgal Law PC) about their legal implications for Indie Filmmakers. Swaby and Sehgal will discuss the Basic Agreement and the Area Standards Agreement, which were set up to achieve fair conditions (including quality-of-life issues and general job conditions such as meal breaks) for union film crew in television and film. Reena Sehgal, EsqAttorney-at-Law TransactionsReena Sehgal is from Bend, Oregon, and attended Portland State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Sc...
2021-11-1628 minFilmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 138: From Acting to Producing - Stephanie O'NeillStephanie is an artist and producer originally from the Bay Area, CA. She received her BFA in Theatre from UC Santa Barbara before moving to Los Angeles. As a producer, Stephanie has worked on a variety of short films, music videos, features and live theatrical productions. The short films BOYS, (le) REBOUND, HAPA and MONOGAMISH have had successful runs in the festival circuit appearing in AspenShorts, Palm Springs International ShortsFest, LA Film Festival, Viennale, Outfest, and Hollyshorts to name a few. The feature THE LIVING WORST premiered at the Downtown LA Film Festival and was awarded Best Ensemble.
2021-11-1550 minFilmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 137: A Rising Star In Entertainment Law - Reena SehgalReena Sehgal, EsqAttorney-at-Law TransactionsReena Sehgal is from Bend, Oregon, and attended Portland State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in General Science.After graduating, Reena moved to San Diego, California to pursue a legal career. She graduated Cum Laude from Thomas Jefferson School of Law with a focus in Intellectual Property and Entertainment Law.Reena has always loved business, creativity, and the arts, and in law school she discovered how to use her skills, education, and passion in a rewarding field. After working for some extremely reputable companies, where...
2021-11-0346 minFilmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 136: Sheila Houlahan - Innovative hybrid feature film on Twitch!Sheila Houlahan is an Indian-American actor, singer, producer and writer. Houlahan can be seen in supporting role Paige Callahan in Warner Bros. feature film “The Little Things”, written and directed by John Lee Hancock and starring Denzel Washington, Rami Malek and Jared Leto. The film premiered on HBO Max January 29th, 2021. She is available for interview regarding the project. Sheila Houlahan is the executive producer and showrunner for a new hybrid feature film adaptation of Marsha Norman’s Pulitzer prize-winning play Night, Mother, a show that details concentric circles of grief, isolation and suicide. The film screened exclusively on Twi...
2021-10-2542 minFilmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 135: Greg Poole - Working with Idris Elba, UK Grime and James Cohan!FILMMAKER:Director | Producer Editor | Camera | SoundWorking in television at MTV Networks by day while DJing in downtown New York clubs by night, it was music that sparked Greg's interest in filmmaking when he began to follow London’s burgeoning Grime scene, a musical movement created by kids in the city’s public housing complexes. Inspired to capture Grime’s DIY, working-class stories on camera he relocated to London in 2006. There he documented Grime artists and created content for MTV UK.Since returning to New York in 2010, Greg has directed, produced, shot and edited a wide...
2021-10-2144 minFilmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 134: Dan Attias Author of Directing Great Television: Inside TV’s New Golden AgeBiography for Dan AttiasAuthor of Directing Great Television: Inside TV’s New Golden AgeDan Attias has worked as a director in the film and television industry since 1984. As a director of series television, he has received the Directors Guild of America award for outstanding direction of dramatic television for The Wire and has been nominated for episodes of The Sopranos, Six Feet Under, Homeland, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. He has received Emmy Award nominations for his comedy direction on Entourage and continues to work on some of the most celebrated American television shows. Hi...
2021-10-181h 28Filmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 132: A Filmmaking Community - CenterFrameLinks to CenterFrame W: https://centerframe.com/Y: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyPIpHt7lcQbmHW9kNMCg2g/videosF: https://www.facebook.com/CenterFrameClubLike to have a ASC cinematographer as a mentor?Have you thought of upgrading your cinematography game? Would you like to have an ASC Cinematographer mentor you for free? Join veteran cinematographer Suki Medencevic, A.S.C. (Disney, Pixar, FX Networks, Netflix, American Horror Story). He teaches you how to create beautiful images using three lighting techniques he has mastered on film sets over his 30+...
2021-10-0151 minFilmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 131: Madison Hatfield - Abortion, Filmmaking and Acting!Madison Hatfield is a writer, performer, and filmmaker born, raised, and based in Atlanta, GA. With her creative partner Jono Mitchell, she works to celebrate underrepresented perspectives with a focus on unexpected joy, as in Pageant Material (an official selection of the 2019 Atlanta Film Festival), the award-winning short Jenna Gets An Abortion, upcoming features Miles from Nowhere and Courtney Gets Possessed, and the short films Making a Scene, Thirty Candles, and Post-Citrus (all out in 2022). In particular, Madison uses her films as an opportunity to both draw attention to and close The Fat Gap, the gap between the proportion of...
2021-09-1844 minFilmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 130: African American Cinema with The Micheaux MissionTogether, the Men of Micheaux hope to find the perfect wine to compliment Pam Grier's 'Coffy', the five movies since 1985 in which Samuel L. Jackson does not appear and someone who agrees with Len that The Last Dragon is a bad movie. “Media magic happened when the two men connected to create one podcast that reviews every Black film ever made.”— The Philadelphia Tribune“They’re funny and friendly and inclusive, and if you haven’t seen a lot of these films before, well all the better!”— Radio New ZealandThe Episodes https://www...
2021-09-051h 11Filmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 129: The importance of a good lookbook! With David Volino and Adam LowderWayward Kin Lookbook https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NPShtA9m_LvXz_ZoImfVT3iGFeEQn5f3/viewDavid Volinohttps://www.davidjosephvolino.comAdam Lowder https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4897241/Like to have a ASC cinematographer as a mentor?Have you thought of upgrading your cinematography game? Would you like to have an ASC Cinematographer mentor you for free? Join veteran cinematographer Suki Medencevic, A.S.C. (Disney, Pixar, FX Networks, Netflix, American Horror Story). He teaches you how to create beautiful images using three lighting techniques...
2021-08-2835 minFilmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 127: Lucy King! Senior Video Journalist at The New York TimesLucy King "I’m a film and video producer, with a focus on documentary and current affairs but with experience in commercial and narrative. I have produced films for the BBC, Vice, Discovery, Channel 4, ITV and A&E, ranging in length from 5 minutes to feature length. I’ve produced shoots with large crews internationally, including Malawi, Jamaica, Germany, Holland, Canada and many states of the US, building a good trusted global network of local producers and crew. I’ve often worked on sensitive productions requiring a delicate touch, managing personalities, priorities or a constantly changing story. As Hea...
2021-07-2935 minFilmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 126: Why Networking Matters! Mark & Anna CasadeiMark & Anna Casadei are filmmakers from Nashville, Tennessee. Together, they have written numerous award-winning screenplays and short films. They are currently contracted on two romantic comedies with MPCA and recently developed a thriller/horror project that is starring Malcolm McDowell.They are diverse in their writing styles, from sci-fi and comedies to women-in-peril thrillers to horror and family-friendly films. They draw from their diverse life backgrounds from the military, space program, culinary arts, theater and world travels living abroad in over a dozen countries. They write diverse characters and strong female leads in both features and...
2021-07-2139 minFilmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp125: Hungarian Film and Theatre Artist Dora EndreDora is a New York based Hungarian film and theatre artist with an extensive educational background (media, international communications, filmmaking, acting, editing). For the past four years she was lucky enough to collaborate with other creatives on a number of short movies, commercials, music videos, musicals, dance and off-Broadway shows. She loves to wear many hats but primarily works as a director. She also loves guacamole.W: https://www.doraendre.comLike to have a ASC cinematographer as a mentor?Have you thought of upgrading your cinematography game? Would you like to have an...
2021-07-0936 minFilmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 124: Talking Cinematography with STEPHEN SZMEDIn his own words"I’m a cinematographer based in Brooklyn, New York.Growing up in Kansas, I picked up my family video camera at 13, started making films with his friends, then never really stopped.I aim to tell evocative stories and bring talented people from all walks of life to create thoughtful projects My cinematography reel featuring narrative, corporate, documentary, and commercial projects.Thank you to all the crew, producers, and clients that made these projects possible, let's make some more."STEPHEN SZMEDhttps://www.stephenszmed.com
2021-06-2641 minFilmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 123: "What I create is not who I am" Rease Cassity, ACTRESS, CREATOR, and EMPOWERERRease Cassity is a New York-based actor, filmmaker and writer who loves 90s R & B, hates that glitter isn’t a recognized color, and dreams of a day when being over a size four in Hollywood isn’t a capital offense. She grew up in Southeast Texas, studied the music industry in college, and was recruited by a major label marketing department to create grassroots campaigns for millennials. While working what for many was a dream job, she realized it wasn’t hers and committed to her dreams of acting. Since then, she played a Midwest mother opposite Russel...
2021-06-121h 10Filmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 122: Writer /Director Tyrone Breaux Jr.Tyrone Breaux, Jr. was born and raised in Bakersfield, CA. He joined the U.S Air Force after graduating high school and served for six years. After an honorable discharge in 2010, Tyrone attended the New York Film Academy. He graduated in 2015 with a BFA in Filmmaking.T: https://twitter.com/bigtfbro?lang=enIG: https://www.instagram.com/brotateaux/Like to have a ASC cinematographer as a mentor?Have you thought of upgrading your cinematography game? Would you like to have an ASC Cinematographer mentor you for free? Join veteran cinematographer...
2021-06-041h 00Filmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 120: Scoring television since 1992 - RON WASSERMANRON WASSERMANToday on Filmmaking Conversations, I'll be speaking to Ron Wasserman. He has been scoring television since 1992. His first hit shows were X-Men, Power Rangers, and Dragon Ball Z. That was the beginning of a career now totaling over 2900 episodes of television ranging from preschool to adult series, animation to live-action, classical to contemporary. He has done memorable commercials and current video games. As a kid growing up in London, Saturday mornings meant Power Rangers and later on X-Men. It was a pleasure to speak to such a talented musician and all-around nice guy.
2021-05-2253 minFilmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 119: Beverly Hills, 90210 and the Warner Brothers TV Directors Workshop - BETHANY ROONEYBETHANY ROONEY has directed over 220 episodes of prime time network television over the past thirty years and is still amazingly enthusiastic about the creative process and the craft! She has expanded her visibility in the business, moving from freelance director (NCIS, Criminal Minds, The Blacklist) to producer/director (The Originals, Bull.) She is sharing her hard-earned knowledge and giving back, especially to incoming directors, by teaching the Warner Brothers TV Directors Workshop and co-chairing the DGA Diversity Committee. Along with her co-chair, Todd Holland, Rooney has created, developed and now oversees the Directors Development Initiative, the training and networking program...
2021-05-141h 01Filmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 118: Dutch/Macedonian contemporary artist - Nathalie BasoskiNathalie Basoski is a Dutch/Macedonian contemporary artist focusing in still and motion picture. Currently based in Brooklyn New York Nathalie explores the thin line between fashion and fine arts and thrives in street photography as an anthropological study of the places she visits.She also works as a director and cinematographer on documentaries, experimental films and music videos. Her first solo exhibition of street photographs COMPRESSED DIVERSITY was shown in Ohrid, Skopje and Struga in Macedonia during the summer of 2015. Her most recent show TWO a series of collages was opened for the UN...
2021-05-1034 minFilmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 114: Editing, Crowdfunding, and Film School with Megan ArnoldMegan Arnold, director, editor, and writer.BA (May '21) in Digital Media/Video Production + Public Relationships/Strategic CommunicationsPassions include video editing, graphic + print media design, social media management, product advertisements, and website design. Strongest assets include full capability of the Adobe Suite (Premiere, Photoshop, AfterEffects, InDesign, etc.), prominent knowledge in Wix, Wordpress, + Squarespace, and background with social media consulting specifically on Instagram.As The Winter Turns To Fall is Megan Arnold’s debut short-film depicting the pain and passion of a modern relationship. For updates on the film, it’s release date, and fest...
2021-04-2730 minFilmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 113: Toni Jannotta: Jazz, Justice, and the Voice of the Homeless🎧 Episode Summary:In this soulful and inspiring episode, Damien Swaby sits down with jazz vocalist, composer, and storyteller Toni Jannotta, whose artistry has spanned decades across dance, acting, music, and multimedia storytelling. From her early years on stage as a dancer and actress to becoming a jazz musician with international acclaim, Toni shares the rich tapestry of her creative life—and how jazz became her truest voice.Critically praised for crafting original jazz works that "keep things moving forward and interesting" (Chris Spector) and for offering "an interesting perspective" in her compositions (Sarah Ellen Hughes), Toni dives into the projects that...
2021-04-2353 minFilmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 111: The Reykjavik Talent Lab - Filmmaker Mylissa FitzsimmonsMylissa spent her early years in Moab, Utah then as a teenager in Oregon. In high school she took to skateboarding and photography, photographing bands and making super 8 skate videos. It was during her last year of school she was introduced to documentary filmmaking. After 15 years making doc films she made the transition into narrative films and writing.Her films include, Long Way Home, Mercy, the award winning That Party That One Night and Who Decides. As well as writing and directing she was a producer on the award winning film Cul-de-Sac and the feature film A Black...
2021-04-1648 minFilmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 109: Edd Benda, CEO at BTP Media | Filmmaker & Video ProducerIn his own words"I am the Co-founder and CEO of Beyond the Porch (BTP), a full-service video production company that we launched six years ago, shortly after graduating from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts. Through our subsidiary, BTP Media, we produce high-quality, cinematic films for brands, marketing agencies, and communication firms. Our clients (and associated brands) include: Omaze, Fraser Communications (LA County Department of Public Health, Lexus), Lineage Digital (ThisIsMelo, AdidasLA, AT&T, Oracle), University of Southern California, The Home Depot, Yellow Shoes (Disney Parks), among many others. Our commercial productions for the LA County Department of...
2021-04-0954 minFilmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 108: Little Boxes award-winning writer and director - Rob MeyerRob Meyer is an award-winning writer and director who works in features, documentaries, television, and commercials. His films, including A Birder’s Guide to Everything (Ben Kingsley, Kodi Smit-McPhee), Little Boxes (Melanie Lynskey, Nelsan Ellis, Christine Taylor), and Aquarium (Jeremy Allen White) have won awards around the world including at the Sundance and Tribeca Film Festivals. He is the creator and director of the beloved original Web series Raw Craft with Anthony Bourdain and Topic's new digital show Birds of North America, which is currently being developed for television and was recently featured in the New York Times, th...
2021-04-0447 minFilmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 107: AFC Podcast with Chuck "The Savior of Atlanta Film" ThomasFormerly Atlanta Film Chat, now with a brand new name and logo, but with the same great indie film coverage!From the current center of the filmmaking universe, Atlanta, Georgia, producer and screenwriter Chuck Thomas interviews film industry professionals, screenwriters, directors, actors, producers and more. Learn how to make your own projects, navigate set protocols, gain distribution,and much more in this series that's been running weekly since 2014.Proud member of the Indie Film Hustle Podcast Network!Find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you pod.Grab some of our...
2021-03-2644 minFilmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 103: Independent Filmmaker - John Painz!John Painz started his filmmaking experience with "8 for Vegas", a 9-episode web series that he wrote, directed, produced, shot, and edited. What started as a fun project soon turned into a career. He was hired to shoot and edit three other web series, produced a TV pilot (Untitled Zombie Project), and, in 2013, produced, shot, and edited his first feature film, Enchantments, for director Kelsey O'Brien.In February of 2014, John and Julie Sisson embarked on their first feature film, Stuck, with producer Lynn Mancinelli. The film premiered at the Julien Dubuque International Film Festival and was accepted into the...
2021-02-2354 minFilmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 101: International Cinematographers Guild DOP, Robby BaumgartnerRobby Baumgartner began his film career 28 years ago in New York City. His interest in lighting inspired him to choose the unconventional route to DP via Gaffing.This career path allowed him to light films and learn from some of the most talented DP’s in the business: Rodrigo Prieto, Chris Menges, Robert Elswit, Dante Spinotti, Darius Khondji, Janusz Kaminski, and Emmanuel Lubezki. Some of the films include: “8 Mile”, “25th Hour”, “21 Grams”, “Babel”, “Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada”, and “There Will be Blood”.In between Gaffing gigs he took every opportunity to DP or camera-operate on feature films, 2nd-unit ph...
2021-02-0148 minFilmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 98: Vimeo Staff Picks, TIME, and Huffington Post! Award-winner Julie SokolowJulie Sokolow is an award-winning film director, musician, and writer. She directed the feature documentaries Woman on Fire (2017) and Aspie Seeks Love (2015). Woman on Fire follows Brooke Guinan, the first openly transgender firefighter in NY. The film received praise in IndieWire and the Village Voice and first aired on Starz in November 2017. Her film Aspie Seeks Love chronicles David V. Matthews, an offbeat writer on a quest to find love after a late-in-life Aspergers diagnosis. The award-winning film has played festivals worldwide and gained acclaim in Vice, Salon, and the Huffington Post.Sokolow’s short films have been fe...
2021-01-1643 minFilmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 97: Actor and Stand-Up Comedian, Benjamin MadridBenjamin Madrid is an Actor/Comic/Writer/Producer from the Midwestern portion of the United States. 'Connected' and multi-talented in the business of show.' In addition to acting, he has a Masters of Science in Communication and a French wife. He is the star of Indican Pictures' new true-crime drama, No Place. SynopsisNo Place stars Benjamin Madrid (The Lumber Baron) as Mac, a grifter on the hunt for his next hustle. After tying up loose ends in the midwest with his fixer, Les (Forba Shepherd, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile), she turns...
2021-01-1339 minFilmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 95: Telling Our Story Right: Why We Have to Speak for Ourselves | Sunni ValentineLike to have a ASC cinematographer as a mentor?Have you thought of upgrading your cinematography game? Would you like to have an ASC Cinematographer mentor you for free? Join veteran cinematographer Suki Medencevic, A.S.C. (Disney, Pixar, FX Networks, Netflix, American Horror Story). He teaches you how to create beautiful images using three lighting techniques he has mastered on film sets over his 30+ years in the film industry. Each technique uses basic, low-cost lighting equipment so that anyone can achieve beautiful visuals no matter your projects's budget.Learn film lighting from an ASC...
2020-12-3038 minFilmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 93: "Voice 4 Change" Award Winner, Writer & Director Melissa CenterHey there, I’m Melissa Center. I’m an actor, filmmaker & “social entrepreneur” working and living in Hollywood.Ever since my parents took me to see ET & The Nutcracker, I knew my destiny was to work in Showbiz. As a child with an active imagination & a penchant for song and dance, I LOVED to perform! Those passions coupled with my bright mind led me to seek excellence in life as an actor, creator, and entrepreneur. My journey has taken me from touring A Chorus Line to originating a one-woman show to pioneering a digital series to recurring on Grey’s A...
2020-12-0446 minFilmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 91: The Successful Screenwriter Podcast - Geoffrey D. CalhounGeoffrey D. Calhoun is the author of The Guide For Every Screenwriter. His screenwriting career began over ten years ago and was almost completely by accident. He initially studied photography but it wasn't until he was approached by a close friend that he dived into screenwriting. There he truly found his passion. As an autodidact, Geoffrey threw himself into the craft which has resulted in several nominations and awards including the coveted Louis Mitchell award for Excellence in Screenwriting. He has also been listed as a Top 100 Indie Writer in the World.Geoffrey has optioned several screenplays and...
2020-11-2446 minFilmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 90: Self-funded movie! From Chattanooga Tennessee, Emily SteeleCOUNTERPOLE SYNOPSIS: A girl's perspective on life changes drastically in 24 hours. Director: Emily Steele DP: Christian Eaves1st AC: David PiersalGrip: Thomas MarshallSound: Keith NolanMakeup: Draven MarieCAST: Cate Perschke, Brian Epperson, Tamara Scott, Ava Grace, Dave Deutschle, Katie Campassi, Andrew Cavett, Alex Powers, Tony CampbellTrailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=wZCPhcOO04wLike to have a ASC cinematographer as a mentor?Have you thought of upgrading your cinematography game? Would you like to have...
2020-11-1729 minFilmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 89: Indie Film distribution and social media with OPPRIME.tvOPPRIME.tv"We Honor the Independent FilmmakerWe believe that there are stories that must be told. We believe that people with creativity, passion, and the ability to overcome adversity must use their gift of storytelling to change the world. We honor the Independent Filmmaker.We are the home of award-winning film festival movies that you can’t find on Netflix or Hulu. Every film, series, and episode we stream is original.Enjoy OPPRIME.tv commercial free and with no interruptions."https://opprime.tv/Like to have a ASC ci...
2020-11-1759 minFilmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 88: Storyteller in Motion: The Multi-Hyphenate Journey of Victoria VertugaIn this inspiring episode of Filmmaking Conversations, Damien Swaby sits down with a true modern-day Renaissance woman — an actress, writer, director, producer, and pitbull rescuer whose love of storytelling knows no bounds. From graduating Magna Cum Laude at USC to landing roles on Dexter and Days of Our Lives, she’s carved a unique path in the entertainment industry, all while championing animal advocacy and embracing the beauty of collaborative creativity.We explore her early roots in California, the family talent shows that sparked her passion, and the leap into professional acting. She shares insights on co-writing award-winning screenplays, launching web...
2020-11-1140 minFilmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 87: Voiceover Artist, Award-Winning Actress, Writer, and TV Host Julie Slack!Julie is the recent winner of 2 Best Actress Awards - Independent Shorts Awards and Mindfield Film Festival - and has received a Nomination for Best Actress from the Fort Myers Beach Film Festival- for her performance in "Tree Game," the film she wrote, directed, and starred in. "Tree Game" won Honorable Mention from the One-Reeler Short Film Competition and is also an official selection of the Sunscreen Film Festival, the Fort Myers Beach Film Festival, the Milledgeville-Eatonton Film Festival, and Indie Short Fest.julieslack.comLike to have a ASC cinematographer as a mentor?Have...
2020-11-0659 min
Filmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 66: KEVIN HART: DON'T F**K THIS UP, and "Last Chance U" Producer Adam RidleyAdam Ridley is a documentary Producer, Director and Editor originally from Detroit, Michigan. His first documentary short was about the private-press musician Dane Sturgeon called The Wild 'n' Tender Dane Sturgeon (2012). He has since produced/directed the Netflix documentary Series Last Chance U (2016) and the short documentary about the first male stripper The Story of Sweet Pie (2014). He also edited the documentary episode for the Netflix show W/Bob and David: W/Bob and David: Behind the Making of the Scenes (2015) and the documentary Mitt (2014) which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. His brother is Ryan Ridley, the Writer/Executive...
2020-07-0456 minFilmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 64: Hallmark, NBC, TNT, Screenwriter and Producer JAMIE PACHINOJAMIE PACHINO is an award winning playwright, screenwriter and television writer. Her work has been produced in four countries, commissioned, published and honored.Jamie currently writes for the series Charlotte Walsh Like to Win for Amazon. Previously she wrote on Sneaky Pete (Amazon), The Brave (NBC), Chicago PD (NBC), Halt and Catch Fire (AMC), Franklin & Bash (TNT) and Fairly Legal (USA). She has written teleplays for Amazon, Hallmark Hall of Fame, Hallmark Channel, Lifetime Television and UP, including one that gathered Emmy and SAG nominations for Gena Rowlands.As a SCREENWRITER, Jamie has written features for...
2020-06-1643 minFilmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyEp 63: Dear White People, LA based Cinematographer Topher OsbornTopher Osborn is an LA based [local 600] cinematographer working domestically and abroad. While a large part of his work is in commercials, his most recent feature work includes Bad Hair (sundance 2020) directed by Justin Simien. Recent series work includes Flipped - season 1(Quibi), Dear White People - season 3 (Netflix) and A Black Lady Sketch Show - season 1 (HBO). Previous feature films include Dear White People (Lionsgate) which won the breakthrough talent award at Sundance 2014 and Netflix’s Candy Jar which stars Hellen Hunt and Christina Hendricks. One of the most challenging projects he has worked on to date was the do...
2020-06-0645 min
Filmmaking Conversations with Damien SwabyDear White People, LA based Cinematographer Topher OsbornTopher Osborn is an LA based [local 600] cinematographer working domestically and abroad. While a large part of his work is in commercials, his most recent feature work includes Bad Hair (sundance 2020) directed by Justin Simien. Recent series work includes Flipped - season 1(Quibi), Dear White People - season 3 (Netflix) and A Black Lady Sketch Show - season 1 (HBO). Previous feature films include Dear White People (Lionsgate) which won the breakthrough talent award at Sundance 2014 and Netflix’s Candy Jar which stars Hellen Hunt and Christina Hendricks. One of the most challenging projects he has worked on to date was the do...
2020-06-0645 min
Filmmaking Conversations with Damien SwabyBrendan Uegama is a cinematographer and producer, known for Child's Play (2019)Brendan Uegama is a cinematographer, shooting feature films and series work. He resides in Los Angeles but is originally from Vancouver Canada. He is best known for his work on Child's Play (2019), Riverdale (2017 TV series) and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. Brendan is also the cofounder of "Black Tree Pictures", a production company he runs with his partner Nicole G. Leier."Henry's Glasses", the short film Brendan directed and wrote in 2010 was screened during the "Films of Remembrance" event in San Francisco in February 2017. Henry's Glasses was nominated for numerous awards and entered several festivals and won Best Canadian...
2020-06-0141 min