Best Skid DGA Assistant Director Podcasts (2025)

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S25 - Ep 1 - Chief of War - Production Design 49:56

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3d ago49:56

49:56

How do you design a world that honors Hawaiian history while telling a story on a global stage? For Production Designer Jean-François Campeau, the answer was equal parts creativity, cultural respect, and collaboration. This week on Below the Line, Skid is joined by Jean-François “JF” Campeau, Production Designer of Chief of War, the Apple TV+ histo…

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S24 - Ep 10 - F1: The Movie - Assistant Directing 37:49

1M ago37:49

37:49

What does it take to shoot Formula 1 at Formula 1 speed? For 1st Assistant Director Toby Hefferman, it meant precision, improvisation, and a crew running at full throttle. This week on Below the Line, Toby Hefferman joins Skid to talk about his work on F1: The Movie, the high-octane feature that merges scripted drama with real-world racing. From on…

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S24 - Ep 9 - Alien: Earth - Score Composition 35:43

1M ago35:43

35:43

In Alien: Earth, the music has to merge sci-fi horror with sci-fi action — all while carrying the emotional core of Noah Hawley’s storytelling. This week on Below the Line, Score Composer Jeff Russo joins Skid and returning co-host Louis Weeks to discuss his work on Alien: Earth, the FX series now airing its first season. An Emmy-winning and multip…

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S24 - Ep 8 - Hacks - Production Design 32:29

2M ago32:29

32:29

Production Design doesn’t always get the laugh — but on Hacks, Rob Tokarz helps set up the punchline. This week on Below the Line, Production Designer Rob Tokarz joins Skid to discuss Rob’s Emmy-nominated work on Hacks, the HBO Max comedy that just wrapped its fourth season. Rob shares how the show’s design evolved with Deborah and Ava’s careers — …

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S24 - Ep 7 - Murderbot - Production Design 36:00

2M ago36:00

36:00

Designing a future where human life feels disposable — and deeply familiar — takes creative nerve, dark humor, and a fearless approach to world-building. This week on Below the Line, Skid is joined by Production Designer Sue Chan to talk about her work on Murderbot, the new Apple TV+ series based on Martha Wells’ bestselling novellas. Sue breaks do…

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S24 - Ep 6 - Ballerina - Cinematography 39:21

2M ago39:21

39:21

Cinematographer Romain Lacourbas returns to Below the Line to talk about crafting Ballerina, the latest stylish installment in the John Wick universe. This week on Below the Line, Skid is joined by Cinematographer Romain Lacourbas to discuss his visual approach to Ballerina, from the film’s sweeping Prague exteriors to its tightly choreographed fig…

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S24 - Ep 5 - Bosch: Legacy 1:10:46

2M ago1:10:46

1:10:46

Running a tight, emotionally grounded procedural is no small feat — especially when you're steering a beloved franchise into new territory. On this week’s Below the Line, Skid sits down with Director Patrick Cady, 1st Assistant Director/Producer Trey Batchelor, Cinematographer Jason Andrew, and Gaffer Derrick Kolus to go behind the scenes of Bosch:…

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S24 - Ep 4 - The Studio - Assistant Directing and Camera Ops 1:20:15

3M ago1:20:15

1:20:15

Executing a well-timed oner is hard. Building a whole show around long, continuous takes? That’s another level. This week on Below the Line, Skid is joined by First Assistant Director Donald Murphy and Camera Operator Mark Goellnicht to go behind the scenes of The Studio, the Apple TV+ comedy that blends big laughs with an ambitious visual style. D…

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S24 - Ep 3 - The Last of Us - Cinematography 53:59

3M ago53:59

53:59

How do you bring a game world to life for the screen — especially when that world already has millions of devoted fans? Cinematographer Catherine Goldschmidt knows firsthand — and her work on The Last of Us reveals just how complex that challenge can be. Catherine Goldschmidt joins Skid to discuss her work on the second season of HBO's The Last of …

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S24 - Ep 2 - Dope Thief - Film Editing 47:30

3M ago47:30

47:30

What does it mean to “edit for emotion” in a show built around crime, identity, and betrayal? Eric Litman knows — and his work on Dope Thief proves it. This week on Below the Line, Skid and co-host Christopher Angel are joined by Film Editor Eric Litman to talk about shaping Apple TV+’s eight-episode crime thriller starring Brian Tyree Henry and Wa…

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S24 - Ep 1 - Thunderbolts* - Props 1:17:18

4M ago1:17:18

1:17:18

What does it take to keep Marvel’s superhero worlds grounded in reality? On Thunderbolts*, that meant practical stunts, iconic props, and a crew operating at the top of their game. This week on Below the Line, Skid and co-host Gianni Damaia welcome back Assistant Property Master Travis Bobbitt to talk about his latest MCU project, after nearly two …

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S23 - Ep 10 - A Complete Unknown 43:55

4M ago43:55

43:55

How do you turn New Jersey into 1960s Greenwich Village — while navigating strikes, rewrites, and a lead performance that hinges on live music? That was the challenge behind A Complete Unknown, the 2024 Bob Dylan biopic directed by James Mangold. This week, Skid is joined by three key crew members behind the film: Set Decorator Regina Graves, Prope…

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S23 - Ep 9 - Daredevil: Born Again - Cinematography 41:18

4M ago41:18

41:18

With shifting plans, a writer’s strike, and a new creative mandate, Daredevil: Born Again became one of Marvel’s most fluid productions — and one of its most cinematic. This week on Below the Line, Skid is joined by Cinematographer Pedro Gomez Millan and co-host Gianni Damaia to discuss Pedro’s work on the Disney+ reboot. Together, they break down …

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S23 - Ep 8 - Long Bright River - Film Editing 38:06

5M ago38:06

38:06

Editing a character-driven crime series is never just about pacing — it’s about stitching together time, tone, and memory. This week on Below the Line, Film Editor Matthew Barber joins Skid and co-host Gianni Damaia to talk about Matthew’s work on Long Bright River, the eight-episode adaptation of Liz Moore’s novel. From subtle flashback reveals to…

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S23 - Ep 7 - JAG - Assistant Directing 1:29:49

5M ago1:29:49

1:29:49

Before streaming and prestige TV, there was network television — and few shows ran tighter, longer, or more efficiently than JAG. This week on Below the Line, Skid is joined by First Assistant Director Robert Scott and Key 2nd Assistant Director Kevin Koster to look back at their time on JAG, the hit CBS procedural that ran for ten seasons and laid…

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S23 - Ep 6 - The Sticky - Score Composition 46:43

5M ago46:43

46:43

A score about maple syrup heists? FM Le Sieur makes it stick — with barrels, distortion, and a defiantly Canadian sound. This week on Below the Line, Skid is joined by Score Composer FM Le Sieur and co-host Louis Weeks to talk about FM’s genre-blending music for The Sticky, the six-part comedy series about Quebec’s infamous maple syrup heist. From …

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S23 - Ep 5 - The Bondsman - Costumes and Production Design 48:19

5M ago48:19

48:19

The compound, Kitty’s porch, and a bondsman’s fraying wardrobe — design tells the tale in Prime Video’s The Bondsman. This week on Below the Line, Production Designer Eve McCarney and Costume Designer Liz Vastola join Skid and co-host Gianni Damaia to talk about crafting the look and feel of Prime Video’s The Bondsman, starring Kevin Bacon as an un…

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S23 - Ep 4 - 2025 Awards Season, Revisited 1:04:01

6M ago1:04:01

1:04:01

Revisiting the 2025 Awards Season means looking back at the winners, the surprises, and the snubs that defined this year’s Oscars. This week on Below the Line, Skid welcomes back Bill Hardy, Roger Mendoza, and Shaun O’Banion from last season’s Oscar panel. They weigh in on what the Academy got right — and where it went off course. Joining them is K…

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S23 - Ep 3 - The Bikeriders - Assistant Directing 37:33

6M ago37:33

37:33

Staging motorcycle clubs on film is no small feat — especially when the bikes, the actors, and the period details all have to ride in sync. This week on Below the Line, 1st Assistant Director Don Sparks and Key 2nd Assistant Director Pete Dress join Skid to talk about building Jeff Nichols’ The Bikeriders, the period feature starring Austin Butler,…

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S23 - Ep 2 - Zero Day - Score Composition 43:27

6M ago43:27

43:27

Conspiracy, power, and the sound of unease — scoring Zero Day means writing tension into every frame. This week on Below the Line, Score Composer Jeff Russo joins Skid and co-host Louis Weeks to talk about building the musical world of Netflix’s Zero Day. In this episode, we dig into: Coming aboard early with showrunner Eric Newman and director Les…

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S23 - Ep 1 - Last Breath: From Documentary to Feature Film 37:57

7M ago37:57

37:57

What happens when the director of a documentary returns years later to retell the same story as a feature film? This week on Below the Line, Skid talks with Director Alex Parkinson about Last Breath, first made as a 2019 documentary and now released as a feature film starring Woody Harrelson, Simu Liu, and Finn Cole. We talk through: How Alex first…

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S22 - Ep 12 - 97th Oscars - Makeup and Hairstyling 36:02

7M ago36:02

36:02

Our sixth annual Academy Awards series — with panels of film professionals discussing the Oscar nominees in their category of expertise — concludes with Makeup and Hairstyling. Podcast veterans Angela Nogaro (Makeup) and Yvonne Depatis-Kupka (Hair) return to offer their assessment of this year’s slate of nominees. It’s a lively set of reviews to wr…

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S22 - Ep 11 - 97th Oscars - Cinematography 56:15

7M ago56:15

56:15

Film professionals discussing the nominees in their area of expertise: that’s Below the Line at the Academy Awards. We’re in the home stretch (episode 11 of 12!), and today we’re talking about the Oscar nominees for Cinematography. My returning guests — Patrick Cady and David Tuttman — are directors of photography (and directors in their own right!…

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S22 - Ep 10 - 97th Oscars - Film Editing 48:53

7M ago48:53

48:53

It’s a wild and woolly episode of the podcast as editors Christopher Angel and Amy Duddleston return to discuss this year’s Oscar nominees for Film Editing. In all the years I’ve hosted these conversations, this pair has always complained about films being too long. Given that the shortest film on this list clocks in at two hours, I was anticipatin…

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S22 - Ep 9 - 97th Oscars - Costume Design 1:17:18

7M ago1:17:18

1:17:18

Costume Designers Helen Huang And Liz Vastola offer their insights on this year’s Academy Award nominees for Costume Design. This one runs a little longer than usual, but we take some time to discuss how costume design is different from fashion design, the role actors play in the shaping of their costumes, and other challenges of the craft. With th…

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S22 - Ep 8 - 97th Oscars - Animated Feature Film 59:26

7M ago59:26

59:26

Oscar season continues here at Below the Line, where film professionals discuss the nominees in the category of their expertise. Today’s animated conversation about the nominees for Animated Feature Film benefits from returning guests, Kent Seki and Camille Leganza. We also take a brief side quest to discuss the challenges currently faced by the An…

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S22 - Ep 7 - 97th Oscars - Original Song 1:10:25

7M ago1:10:25

1:10:25

Today we’re discussing the Oscar nominees for Original Song. My guests — Chris Molanphy (chart analyst and podcast host), Louis Weeks (score composer), and Tom Peyton (song writer) — offer both analysis and critique of this year’s nominees. Is there a lot of enthusiasm for the musical innovations these songs offer the listening audience? Well, no. …

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S22 - Ep 6 - 97th Oscars - Original Score 1:13:03

8M ago1:13:03

1:13:03

Our tour through the technical categories continues with a discussion of the Oscar nominees for Original Score. My guests — Louis Weeks (score composer), Chris Molanphy (chart analyst/pop critic), and Jennie Callender (founder and music supervisor of Soundbloom) — offer a multi-layered set of insights. The 2024 Nominees for Original Score: • “The B…

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S22 - Ep 5 - 97th Oscars - Visual Effects 1:04:41

8M ago1:04:41

1:04:41

It’s non-stop conversations about the Oscar nominees in the technical categories from now until the Academy Awards, and I hope you'll follow us for the full season. Today, Kent Seki and Chris Batty return to discuss the nominees for Achievement in Visual Effects. The 2024 Nominees for Visual Effects: • “Alien: Romulus” • “Better Man” • “Dune: Part …

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S22 - Ep 4 - 97th Oscars - Directing 55:53

8M ago55:53

55:53

Below the Line continues our Sixth Annual Oscar Series with a discussion of the nominees for achievement in Directing, and I’m joined by a panel of fellow below-the-liners: Bill Hardy, Roger Mendoza and Shaun O’Banion. (This is the second year we’ve discussed the directors nominated for the Academy Award in lieu of the Directors Guild of America no…

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S22 - Ep 3 - 97th Oscars - Production Design 44:20

8M ago44:20

44:20

We’re continuing our deep dive discussions about the Oscar nominees in the technical categories, and today, Production Designer Bob Shaw and Set Decorator Regina Graves - Oscar nominees themselves - offer their insights about the five nominees for Production Design. The 2024 Nominees for Production Design: • “The Brutalist” • “Conclave” • “Dune: Pa…

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S22 - Ep 2 - 97th Oscars - Sound 52:26

8M ago52:26

52:26

Our Academy Awards coverage continues, and now we’re into the categories proper. Today, Oscar nominees Steve Morrow (production sound mixer) and Erik Aadahl (sound editor) discuss this year's nominees for Achievement in Sound. The 2024 Nominees for Sound: • “A Complete Unknown” • “Dune: Part Two” • “Emilia Pèrez” • “Wicked” • “The Wild Robot”…

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S22 - Ep 1 - 97th Oscars - Property Mastering 46:54

8M ago46:54

46:54

Our Sixth Annual Academy Awards Series begins here! Each episode this season features a panel of Film Industry professionals discussing the nominees in their category of expertise. To kick us off: Achievement in Property Mastering. While the work of the property master is still not recognized with an Oscar, we’re carrying a torch. Gregg Bilson, Jr.…

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S21 - Ep 12 - Henry Danger: The Movie 1:45:23

8M ago1:45:23

1:45:23

“Henry Danger: The Movie”, now streaming on Paramount+, is the latest chapter in a storyline that started with the Nickelodeon television series in 2014. Director Joe Menendez joins me alongside an all-star panel of crew, including Costume Designer Farnaz Khaki-Sadigh, Director of Photography Chris Kempinski, Production Designer Bridget McGuire and…

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S21 - Ep 11 - St. Denis Medical - Camera Operation 1:00:39

9M ago1:00:39

1:00:39

“St. Denis Medical”, the workplace comedy currently airing on NBC and streaming on Peacock, is the latest show to take a crack at the mockumentary genre. Camera Operators Jacob Pinger, Mande Whitaker and Danny Whiteneck discuss how their extensive experience with unscripted television helps elevate this mockumentary to the next level. Why is it tha…

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S21 - Ep 10 - Cross - Production Design 37:59

9M ago37:59

37:59

“Cross”, the eight-episode crime thriller currently available on Amazon Prime, was filmed in Toronto but is set in Washington, DC. The assignment for Production Designer Elisa Sauvé was to venture outside the stereotypical Capitol Hill locations and really give the city it’s due. From the Georgetown neighborhood to Ben’s Chili Bowl, Elisa and her t…

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S21 - Ep 9 - Dune: Prophecy - Film Editing 1:05:51

9M ago1:05:51

1:05:51

“Dune: Prophecy”, which airs its sixth episode and season finale tonight (!), is the latest example of HBO Max’s commitment to prestige television. This short but ambitious series required an all-hands-on-deck approach, and Film Editors Sarah Reeves and Mark Martzell are here to share the collaborative details. We talk about doing a prequel to the …

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S21 - Ep 8 - Rumours - Cinematography 41:27

9M ago41:27

41:27

Can “Rumours”, the 2024 comedy horror film written and directed by Guy Maddin, Evan Johnson and Galen Johnson, be both an absurdist take on international politics AND the most accurate depiction of a G7 meeting ever? Cinematographer Stefan Ciupek collaborated with this team of three (!) directors to navigate a tightrope production between farce and…

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S21 - Ep 7 - Wicked - Choreography and Film Editing 1:28:11

10M ago1:28:11

1:28:11

“Wicked”, the Jon Chu theatrical adaptation of the stage musical, is currently in theaters and continues to dominate at the box office. Choreographer Christopher Scott and Film Editor Myron Kerstein share the challenges of bringing the extensive dance numbers from script to screen, with deep dives into “What Is This Feeling?” (bo staffs!), “Dancing…

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S21 - Ep 6 - The Penguin - Hair Styling 30:19

10M ago30:19

30:19

Wait, what? You haven’t finished watching “The Penguin”, even though all episodes are now available on HBO Max? Please catch up, because today we’re hosting Hair Department Head Brian Badie, and we’re going heavy on the spoilers. Plus: fellow Batman fan Gianni Damaia returns as co-host!By Skid - DGA Assistant Director

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S21 - Ep 5 - Landman - Film Editing and Score Composition 59:09

10M ago59:09

59:09

“Landman”, the new Taylor Sheridan drama starring Billy Bob Thornton, debuted just last week on Paramount+. Film Editor Chad Galster and Score Composer Andrew Lockington are both veterans of multiple Taylor projects and veterans of the podcast: with a warm welcome, I’m excited to have them make a joint appearance on the show. (Chad was also visitin…

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S21 - Ep 4 - Rescue: HI-Surf - Cinematography 50:42

10M ago50:42

50:42

It’s easy to assume that working on “Rescue: HI-Surf”, the Hawaii-based action drama currently airing on Fox, would be akin to a vacation for the crew. Filming on the North Shore of O’ahu, however, is a difficult undertaking even before you mix in the challenge of the ocean itself. Cinematographer Anka Malatynska and Water Unit Director of Photogra…

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S21 - Ep 3 - 84 Charlie MoPic and Combat Camera 1:19:01

11M ago1:19:01

1:19:01

This episode - in honor of Veterans Day - is about “84 Charlie MoPic”, the 1989 feature film about small unit operations during the Vietnam War, and our star-studded panel includes Director Patrick Duncan, Cinematographer Alan Caso and Producer Michael Nolin. Joining me as co-hosts are Jim Stayton and Al Gerloff, current friends and former colleagu…

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S21 - Ep 2 - Bottle Rocket - Assistant Directing 1:00:42

11M ago1:00:42

1:00:42

Wes Anderson’s 1996 feature film debut, “Bottle Rocket,” introduced a larger audience to both Wes’s unique filmmaking style and the acting chops of brothers Owen and Luke Wilson. It’s fair to say that the careers of all three received a big assist from this film’s veteran assistant director team — Jim Goldthwait (1st AD), Heather Kritzer (Key 2nd A…

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S21 - Ep 1 - The Penguin - Costume Design 38:01

11M ago38:01

38:01

Costume Designer Helen Huang and Assistant Costume Designer Austin Wittick return to the podcast to discuss their work on “The Penguin”, the eight-episode series currently streaming on HBO/Max. The series is a spin-off and sequel to 2022’s “The Batman”, Director Matt Reeve’s take on the iconic superhero. While the Penguin was a supporting role in t…

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S20 - Ep 10 - The Old Man - Props 44:07

12M ago44:07

44:07

Propmaster and friend of the show Scott Buckwald returns to the podcast with stories about his work on “The Old Man”, the Jeff Bridges-led spy drama currently airing its second season on FX. Two years ago, Scott and I talked about the first season with a focus on the challenges faced by production; this time, adversity is an ongoing theme but we’re…

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S20 - Ep 9 - Freelance Camera: MLB, Access Hollywood and Beyond 53:15

12M ago53:15

53:15

And without further delay, the Major League Baseball playoffs are upon us! My guest today, Rick Nyburg, has been a freelance camera operator for more than 30 years. He’s here to share stories not only about his time covering MLB games (Go Dodgers!), but also his multiple backstage interactions with Hollywood talent, the surprising reaction of the N…

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S20 - Ep 8 - Sugar Studios and Indie Post-Production 34:48

1y ago34:48

34:48

Shepherding an independent film from script to screen is hard: financial constraints don’t change the amount of work to be done. But when it comes to post-production, Jijo Reed, Founder and CEO of Sugar Studios, thinks his company can be part of the solution. Sugar Studios offers everything from Dailies and Editorial to Color, Mix, VFX and Delivera…

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S20 - Ep 7 - Casting and the Academy Awards 31:23

1y ago31:23

31:23

Last March, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the addition of a new Oscar category: Best Achievement in Casting. Allison Estrin, an NYC-based casting director whose credits include “Billions”, “The Other Two”, “Bupkis”, and a slew of movies, joins me today and graciously answers my questions about the craft. We also talk abo…

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S20 - Ep 6 - Food Styling: From Julia to Boba Fett 51:07

1y ago51:07

51:07

Today we’re talking about the craft of Food Styling, and I’m joined by two guests with expertise to share. Christine Tobin (“Little Women”, “Julia” and “The Holdovers”) and Melissa McSorley (“Chef”, “Mad Men”, and various Star Wars projects) discuss where Food Styling fits into the larger film set environment, and we compare how period, contemporar…