Filmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien Swaby
Film, TV & Pop Culture
About
Step into the world of independent film with Filmmaking Conversations with Damien SwabyFrom established industry voices to the filmmakers of tomorrow, Damien Swaby opens up conversations that spark ideas, share experiences, and celebrate creativity in all its forms. Each episode offers listeners both inspiration and practical takeaways, leaving them better equipped to bring their own stories to life.With a loyal and growing audience of passionate filmmakers and film lovers, Filmmaking Conversations has become a trusted space for authentic dialogue and fresh perspectives on the art of storytelling. Join us—and discover why this podcast is resonating with the community shaping the future of film. Proud Member of the IFH Podcast Network
Episodes
- Ep 288: Stuart Dryburgh, ASC-The Poetry of Cinematography
Podcast Show Notes In this expansive and intimate conversation, Damien Swaby welcomes legendary cinematographer Stuart Dryburgh for a masterclass in visual storytelling, collaboration, and creative longevity.Born in the UK in 1952 and rais…
- Ep 287: From Snowboarding Injury to Global Brand Storytelling with Darren Rayner
🧾 Episode Show Notes In this episode, Damien sits down with filmmaker and creative studio founder Darren Rayner to explore how action-sports filmmaking shaped modern social media storytelling — and how brands can scale content without los…
- Ep 286: Translating Human Performance for the Camera: Fitness and the Future of Storytelling
Episode Show Notes: In this episode of Filmmaking Conversations with Damien Swaby, Damien speaks with Domenic Angelino, an exercise science specialist, public health expert, and digital fitness innovator working at the intersection of rese…
- 285: Inside White With Fear: Emmy-Winning Producer Andrew Goldberg on Media and Politics
What role does fear play in shaping political narratives—and who benefits from it? In this episode, Emmy Award–winning investigative producer Andrew Goldberg joins the podcast to discuss his documentary White With Fear, a powerful examinat…
- Ep 284: From Imagination to Screen: Michael Kellman’s Path to Say Less
Episode Guest: Michael Kellman Host: Damien Swaby Born in Los Angeles, Michael Kellman has been passionate about storytelling and performance from an early age. With interests spanning film, television, theatre, comedy, and live performanc…
- Ep 283: Shirley Billigmeier on Food, Creativity, and the Body’s Natural Signals
Show Notes Creative careers often demand everything from us—long hours, emotional investment, and intense focus. But how often do we consider how our relationship with food affects our creativity, energy, and wellbeing? In this episode, we…
- Ep 282: The Emotional Language of Film: Rachel Deutsch in Conversation
Show Notes Rachel Deutsch is a filmmaker whose work explores relationships, identity and memory through emotionally grounded storytelling. After studying acting at New York University, she transitioned into directing and went on to train a…
- Ep 281: Lauren Hansson of Sheppard on Navigating Entertainment Law
In this episode, Damien sits down with entertainment attorney Lauren Hansson to explore her journey into the legal side of film and television. Lauren shares: How she discovered her passion for law Why internships were key to finding her n…
- Ep 280: Stepping Into the Frame: Ashlie Burgun's Journey to Acting
🎙 Episode Show Notes In this episode, we explore Ashlie’s unconventional path into acting — one that didn’t begin in theatre classrooms or on school stages.She didn’t grow up as a “theatre kid.” Instead, Ashlie spent much of her childhood…
- Ep 279: Xan Aranda on Taste, Opinion, and Creative Decision-Making
In this episode of Filmmaking Conversations with Damien Swaby, Damien is joined by Emmy-nominated filmmaker and showrunner Xan Aranda for a wide-ranging discussion on taste, creative authority, and decision-making in filmmaking. Drawing on…
- Ep 278: Inside Rebel Safety with Richard Bradshaw: Creativity Without Compromise
🎙️ Show Notes In this episode, host Damien Swaby speaks with Richard Bradshaw, Director of Rebel Safety, about the often-misunderstood role of safety in film, television, and live events. Far from being a barrier to creativity, Richard ex…
- Ep 277: Itunu Olowo: The Editor Who Rebuilt Her Creative Life from the Ground Up
Episode Summary In this episode of Filmmaking Conversations with Damien Swaby, Damien is joined by the talented and driven, a promo producer, editor, and filmmaker whose determination, discipline, and creative resilience have shaped a trul…
- Ep 276: Rob Reiner and the Lost Art of Making Films Like Sleepless in Seattle
Last night, I watched Sleepless in Seattle. This morning, I woke up to the news that Rob Reiner and his wife, producer Michele Singer Reiner, had been found dead at their Los Angeles home, as police investigate what they’ve described as an…
- Ep 275: How One Filmmaker Made a Studio-Level Fantasy on a $100K Budget
In this episode, Damien speaks with filmmaker Christopher, the creator of Princess Hally and the Jester, a groundbreaking ultra-low-budget fantasy feature made with a hybrid workflow of green screen, virtual production, traditional VFX, an…
- Ep 274: Caprice on Fame, Films, and Creating Feel-Good Christmas Stories
In this episode of Filmmaking Conversations, Damien Swaby sits down with Caprice Bourret — award-winning model, actress, entrepreneur, and now film producer — to discuss her powerful career reinvention and the making of her new Christmas m…
- Ep 273: Cutting the Story: Juli Berg on Documentary Editing, TV Post, and a Life in Film
In this episode of Filmmaking Conversations, host Damien Swaby speaks with Juli Berg, an accomplished film and television editor and post-producer whose creative path began in junior high school and evolved into a decades-long career in do…
- Ep 272: Barbara Niven: A Masterclass in Craft, Courage & Career Longevity
Episode Summary In this episode, Damien Swaby is joined by the remarkable Barbara Niven, an actress whose dedication, versatility, and heart have made her one of Hollywood’s most enduring and admired talents. With a career spanning more th…
- Ep 271: Inside the Neighborhood: Seth Zvi Rosenfeld’s Guerrilla Filmmaking & NYC Stories
Episode Snapshot Playwright-turned-filmmaker Seth Zvi Rosenfeld joins Damien Swaby to talk about his journey from the New York theatre scene to Hollywood, Sundance, and independent filmmaking. He shares how his latest film—shot guerrilla-s…
- Ep 270: The Paper Bear: Arix Zalace Blends Animation and Nature for Conservation
In this episode, host Damien sits down with filmmaker and conservationist Arix Zalace, the creative mind behind The Paper Bear — a visually stunning blend of animation and live action that tells the story of Florida’s disappearing wilderne…
- Ep 269: Zayn Alexandre: Reclaiming the Arab Narrative — From Beirut to New York
Episode Summary Lebanese-American filmmaker Zayn Alexandre joins us to discuss his journey from a small town outside Beirut to the heart of New York’s independent film scene. Known for his award-winning films Abroad and Manara, Alexandre s…
- Ep 268: North Carolina to Bloomberg: How Victoria Duncan Balances Art and Analytics
In this episode of Filmmaking Conversations, host Damien Swaby talks with Victoria Duncan, a filmmaker and Senior Creative Video Producer at Bloomberg Media Studios, about building a career that bridges art, analytics, and authenticity. Vi…
- Ep 267: Between the Notes: Mark Watters & Eastman’s Soundtrax Vision
Show Notes In this episode, I sit down with Mark Watters to talk about a life lived in music: from Disney, Pixar, and Olympic scores, to his role today at Eastman School of Music, where he oversees the Beal Institute for Film Music and Con…
- Ep 266: The Food Matrix: Exploring Flavor, Film, and Creativity with Dr. Bryan Quoc Le
📒 SHOW NOTES In this episode of Filmmaking Conversations with Damien Swaby, Damien sits down with Dr. Bryan Quoc Le, Ph.D., a food scientist, consultant, and author of 150 Food Science Questions Answered. Bryan’s career is a masterclass i…
- Ep 265: Finding the Funny in Life’s Hardest Stories with Nicole Magerko
🎙️ Episode Intro What happens when comedy collides with life’s most challenging topics? In this episode, host Damien Swaby sits down with Nicole Magerko — a Chicago-based comedy screenwriter, producer, and founder of Pine Grove Production…
- Ep 264: Filmmaking, Resilience & Ethical Storytelling with Rene Estes
📝 Show NotesIn this episode of Filmmaking Conversations, we sit down with filmmaker, media strategist, and founder of The Video Mentor, Rene Estes. With a career that spans STEM research, entrepreneurship, and film, Rene brings a bold, em…
- Ep 263: Remembering Robert Redford: How a Career Rewired Indie Filmmaking
Episode Summary Recording from the spare room, Damien reflects on Robert Redford’s passing and maps how Redford’s career choices—as star, director, producer, and institution-builder—reshaped the conditions for independent filmmaking. From…
- Ep 262: Alexandra Paul: From Baywatch to Activism — A Journey of Storytelling and Purpose
Episode Summary Most of the world knows Alexandra Paul as one of the stars of Baywatch, where she became a household name on one of the most-watched TV shows in history. But Alexandra’s story runs far deeper than the beaches of Malibu. In…
- Ep 261: From Tehran to Sundance: Naghmeh Farzaneh on Storytelling Through Animation
✨ Episode Summary In this conversation, Damien Swaby speaks with Naghmeh Farzaneh , an Iranian-born painter turned animation director, whose work has screened at Sundance and platforms like The New Yorker and Sesame Workshop . Naghmeh shar…
- Ep 260: Redefining Representation: Josiane Faubert on Building PICHA
Episode Summary In this episode, Damien Swaby sits down with Josiane Faubert, a photographer and creative entrepreneur who has built a platform to showcase authentic, diverse imagery of Africa and the diaspora. From her early life in Gabon…
- Ep 259: Challenging Stereotypes: Dr. Ali on Building a Muslim-Led Streaming Platform
In this episode of Filmmaking Conversations, I sit down with Dr. Ali , the visionary founder of Fam Cinema . His platform is more than just a streaming service—it’s a movement designed to empower marginalized voices, provide family-friendl…
- Ep 258: Finding Stories in Unexpected Places with Mick Lexington
In this episode, Damien Swaby sits down with filmmaker and multi-disciplinary creative Mick Lexington to talk about his journey through art, music, and writing — and how it all led him back to filmmaking. From restless college days in the…
- Ep 257: The Intersection of Anthropology and Cinema: Natalie Zimmerman’s Approach
In this episode of Filmmaking Conversations, Damien Swaby speaks with filmmaker Natalie, whose journey bridges anthropology, culture, and cinema. From her early studies in cultural and social anthropology to her work at the Smithsonian’s I…
- Ep 256: Jason Walsh: Training Bradley Cooper & Transformation Truths
Guest: Jason Walsh — Strength & Performance Coach Mentors & background (as stated in the episode): Worked under Greg Gatz at the University of North Carolina (Olympic athlete S&C environment). Mentored by Luke Richardson (respected strengt…
- Ep 255: From Music to Film: Brian Weaver + The Arkansas Love Story Giveaway
In this episode, host Damien Swaby sits down with Brian Weaver, founder of Weaver Films — a Central Arkansas–based company known for its cinematic wedding storytelling and powerful social documentaries.Before stepping behind the camera, Br…
- Ep 254: The Science Behind the Screen: A NASA Consultant's Hollywood Adventures
Hello and welcome back to the show. Today, I'm joined by Les Johnson, a NASA technologist, science fiction author, and consultant on films like Europa Report and Lost in Space . We'll be diving into what it takes to bring science to the sc…
- Ep 253: From Sixteen Candles to Social Films: A Talk with Blanche Baker
This podcast episode features a conversation with actress and director Blanche Baker, who discusses her career, her notable roles, and her passion for making films that address social issues.Show Notes: Early Career and the Impact of Holoc…
- Ep 252: A Legal Architect’s Journey Through Hollywood, Integrity, and Innovation
Episode Summary: Marc's career is anything but ordinary. Before becoming a powerhouse entertainment attorney at Fox Rothschild LLP, he studied film at the University of Pennsylvania and UCL, made three documentaries—including the Sundance…
- Ep 251: Lights, Camera, Climate: Building a Festival for a Warming World
In this episode, we sit down with Alec, co-founder of the New York Climate Film Festival, to explore how cinema is being used to spark conversations around climate change. From building a community of diverse storytellers to rethinking wha…
- Ep 250: Paul Robinson: Blending Story and Image, Empowering New Voices
Welcome to the show. Today, we're joined by Paul Robinson, a self-taught photographer who began his career in Paris shooting fashion and celebrities. Paul's work, which has been described as blending story and image, has evolved from class…
- Ep 249: Lee Romaire: Building Worlds for Disney and Spielberg’s War of the Worlds
🔍 Episode Summary In this episode, Damien Swaby sits down with the brilliant Lee Romaire, an Emmy-winning creative force behind some of the most iconic animatronic creations in entertainment. From his early fascination with Disney World a…
- Ep 248: From Ohio to Netflix: Maria Timonina’s Breakout in “Gringo Hunters”
Episode Overview: In this masterclass episode of Filmmaking Conversations, host Damien Swaby sits down with Maria Timonina, the magnetic actress behind Alice Wells in Netflix’s international crime thriller, Gringo Hunters. This is not just…
- Ep 247: Sunday Nights, Theo Huxtable, and the Legacy of Malcolm-Jamal Warner
Episode Summary: In this deeply personal solo episode, host Damien Swaby reflects on the life and legacy of Malcolm-Jamal Warner — actor, director, musician, and activist — who passed away tragically at the age of 54.As a Black Londoner fr…
- Ep 246: From Tom Cruise’s Inner Circle to Indie Film Powerhouse: Kerry David’s Story
In this powerful episode, Damian sits down with acclaimed filmmaker Kerry David, whose journey spans from temping at Paramount Pictures to working with Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, and ultimately founding her own company, KDC Films.🎬 A m…
- Ep 245: Vision, Leadership, and Legacy: Ramon Velez on Shaping Stories That Last
Episode Summary: In this episode of Filmmaking Conversations, Damien sits down with Ramon Velez—a media powerhouse whose career spans from AV tech and live broadcast to executive leadership, screenwriting, and mentoring Emmy-winning talent…
- Ep 244: Craft, Clarity & Creativity: A Conversation with Director Rob Spera
Description: In this episode, Damien Swaby sits down with acclaimed director and author Rob Spera to talk about filmmaking as a craft. They unpack lessons from Rob’s book, practical set strategies, and the deeper philosophy behind being a…
- Ep 243: The Mahne Narrative: From Doctor Who to Corporate Storytelling
In this episode of Filmmaking Conversations, Damien Swaby sits down with Christian Mahne—a seasoned creative director, Oxford graduate, and veteran storyteller whose work has graced the screens of BBC, CNN, Sky, and 7 Network Australia. Th…
- Ep 242: Suha Araj on Storytelling, Identity & Representation
📄 Show Notes:In this episode, Damien Swaby sits down with filmmaker Suha Araj, who shares her deeply personal and inspiring journey from a career in advertising to becoming a powerful voice in film. Suha opens up about navigating major li…
- Ep 241: From Courtroom to Camera: Don Worley’s Journey into Independent Film
Summary From Courtroom to Camera: Don Worley’s Journey into Independent Film In this episode of Filmmaking Conversations , Damien Swaby sits down with the multitalented Don Worley — a nationally recognized personal injury attorney, former…
- Ep 240: Reel Ambition: How Olivia Deitch Cut Her Way Into the Industry
🎧 Guest: Olivia Deitch 🎤 Host: Damien SwabyIn this episode, Damien sits down with the talented Olivia Deitch to explore her inspiring journey through the entertainment industry — from wide-eyed film student to head online editor by the a…
- Ep 239: Big Vision, Small Gear: Making a Feature on an iPhone
Episode Description In this episode, Damien Swaby opens up about the script for his upcoming film small talk, Big Thoughts — a powerful, poetic anthology of real conversations exploring identity, faith, legacy, migration, masculinity, femi…