The Indy Mogul Podcast

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Ep. 47 : A DP's Journey into Hollywood with Jeremy Benning, CSC Apr 27, 2020

Show notes

For you up and coming camera operators and DP's out there, this one's for you. Jeremy Benning, CSC, hangs out with us to talk about his journey as a cinematographer. Based in Toronto, Canada, Jeremy started out as a steadi-cam operator for music video's and commercials and transitioned into narrative short film work later in his career. He talks about his transition and how that actually helped him land his giant gig as the cinematographer for the Amazon show "The Expanse," "The Boys" and many others. How did he do it? How did he make the big leap from small time commercials and music videos to giant high budget shows?

In this episode, we cover how Jeremy Benning, CSC, started as a cinematographer and made a name for himself in the industry.

Ep. 46 : From Indie to Hollywood with Stefan Duscio, ACS Apr 17, 2020

Show notes

It may be hard to believe, but there was a time that the same filmmakers who produced the movies we watch in the theaters were also working for free on films that nobody knows the names of. For some, a little luck is required. For Stefan Duscio, the cinematographer of The Invisible Man, it was a lot of hard work and an undying passion for imagery. How does that love for cinematography translate into a career?

In this episode, we cover Stefan's cinematography career, his love for photography, and working on indie film sets.

Ep. 45 : The Journey of Freelancing with Casey McBeath Mar 31, 2020

Show notes

For those of you who consider yourself as a filmmaker, there's a good chance that you didn't start off that way. For our guest Casey, he started out in the army before finding his calling as a cinematographer. To start off on the bottom floor can be daunting, but you make sure that the experiences that you gather along the way, whether it's investing in film gear or working with others on set, are all contributing to the next big thing. But how do you gather the most out of every job? How do you know what is going to be worth it, and what are the red flags?

In this episode, we cover Casey's start as a cinematographer and how to make the most out of every opportunity.

Ep. 44 : Today's Modern Filmmaker with Mike Pecci Mar 27, 2020

Show notes

Filmmaking can be such a bizarre career to pursue; schedules are crazy, your income fluctuates constantly, friends can change, and sometimes you fall on your head and make a feature. That's Mike Pecci's story, a feature filmmaker in the indie world. From Boston to New York, then back to Boston and now LA, Mike Pecci talks us through his journey as a filmmaker and gives his advice to young artists today. The film industry always changes, so the best way to find success is to stay up to date with what's happening, so you can become the best artist you strive to be. Whether you're in LA, Boston, or some random town, you can make your story happen.

In this episode, we talk about the best tips young filmmakers can do around the world to get their careers going, and we go through Mike's journey into the bizz.

Ep. 43 : Trials of a Music Video Director with DAPS Mar 14, 2020

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Here's a story you haven't heard before. You're playing NCAA basketball, only to have your leg injured which will cost you your livelihood and force you down a different path. You sell water coolers for a couple of years after school because all your money went into starting a rap blog you thought was going to blow up. But after some long, tumultuous years, you find yourself in LA writing music video treatments and directing low budget videos until a big act gives you your first Hollywood gig. That is the story of DAPS, acclaimed music video director who has worked with the Migos, Iggy Azalea, and Kendrick Lamar.

In this episode, we cover DAPS' career and how he was able to make a name for himself in LA.

Ep. 42 : The Art of Production Design with Guy Hendrix Dyas Feb 21, 2020

Show notes

Cinematographers will often say that the key to their success is their collaboration with production designers. After all, it's hard to make a good-looking image without good-looking set pieces of fill the frame. As filmmakers, it's can be hard to communicate the visual world of your story in terms of design. Guy Hendrix Dyas, the acclaimed production designer for Inception, Steve Jobs, and X2, breaks down the very fundamentals of production design while uncovering the journey he took to get to Hollywood.

In this episode, we talk about production design, film school, Guy's career, and what it was like to work under Hollywood's top directors.

Ep. 41 : The Golden Age of Cinematography with Richard Crudo, ASC Feb 11, 2020

Show notes

The American Society of Cinematographers. To many, it's just a fancy title at the end of many prominent names. To some, it's a brotherhood. Richard Crudo, ASC, cinematographer of many well-known films and commercials, remembers the clubhouse fondly as he recounts his interactions with some master cinematographers of his time and how he eventually became president of the prestigious organization.

In this episode, we talk about the American Society of Cinematographers, Richard's career, and the duties as president.

Ep. 39 : On the Subject of Camera Gear with Illya Friedman Jan 22, 2020

Show notes

One of the first questions that you may get asked about your movie is, "What camera did you shoot on?" Is that meant to take away from your artistry and everything else that you did on a movie? To some, maybe. To others, it can be a sign of respect. Learning about the technology and applying it to storytelling is the very basis of filmmaking. With new gear having so much of an impact today on the medium, how can you tell if you're focusing on the right thing?

In this episode, Illya Friedman, founder of Hot Rod Cameras, sits down with us to talk about cameras and when it is and isn't important to a film.

Ep. 38 : The Humanistic Approach to Horror with Michael Fimognari Jan 10, 2020

Show notes

Sometimes, we mischaracterize horror as a genre with its entirely own set of rules to follow. The truth is, horror can come from anywhere, in any form. Michael Fimognari, the cinematographer to many successful horror films such as Doctor Sleep and Oculus, tells us that the horror in his latest project The Haunting of Hill House comes from our innate wishes and desires, and that he dives deep into the human psyche before adding the spirits and visions.

In this episode, we talk about Michael's journey as as filmmaker, how to collaborate effectively, and the behind-the-scenes stories of his most recent films.

Ep. 37 : Life of a Music Video Director with Joseph Kahn Jan 02, 2020

Show notes

Joseph Kahn, legendary music video director for artists such as Britney Spears and Taylor Swift, has led an incredible life. From dropping out of film school to working on gangster rap videos, he scrapped together everything he could to be where he is now, and the journey has been nothing if not unforgettable. CAUTION: Wild stories ahead.

In this episode, we talk about Joseph's filmmaking process and his views on the music video scene.

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