1st on Film

On this episode of the 1st on Film Podcast, we sit down with Ann Pornel and Al Mukadam, stars of the television series Harmony Gardens, for a fun and entertaining conversation about the show, their characters, and bringing this unique world to life.

Ann Pornel is a Canadian comedian, actress, writer and television personality known for her sharp comedic timing and energetic performances.

Ann is best known for her work on the award-winning CBC sketch comedy series Baroness Von Sketch Show. She has also appeared on This Hour Has 22 Minutes, Odd Squad and Run the Burbs.

A graduate of Toronto's renowned Second City Mainstage, Ann has written and performed in several acclaimed comedy productions and has become a familiar face in Canada's comedy scene. She has also performed at Just For Laughs and appeared on CBC Radio's Because News.

In Harmony Gardens, Ann plays Bernila.

and producer with more than two decades of experience in film and television.

Al first began his acting career as a child and has since built an impressive résumé across television, film and voice acting. He is known for roles in the popular Canadian series Radio Free Roscoe, Degrassi: The Next Generation, Spun Out and Pretty Hard Cases, where he portrayed Detective Taai Nazeer.

His film credits include Miss Sloane, starring Jessica Chastain, and Kodachrome, alongside Jason Sudeikis. More recently, audiences have seen him in The Way Home, Late Bloomer and CBS's Ghosts.

Al has received multiple Canadian Screen Award nominations for his performances, including recognition for his work on Pretty Hard Cases. In Harmony Gardens, he plays Arjun.

On this episode of the 1st on Film Podcast, we sit down with sound professionals Hisafumi Takeuchi and Natsuko Inoue, alongside producer Kazuaki Kishida, to explore the incredible sound design behind Godzilla Minus Zero.

We dive into the creative process of bringing Godzilla to life through sound, exploring how the team crafts the iconic roar, the devastating destruction, and the immersive audio experience that makes every moment with the King of the Monsters feel larger than life.

From the challenges of designing sound for a cinematic spectacle to the importance of sound in building tension, atmosphere, and emotional impact, we discuss the artistry and technical expertise that go into creating an unforgettable moviegoing experience.

Join us as we go behind the scenes of Godzilla Minus Zero and discover how sound helps transform Godzilla into an unstoppable force of nature.

On this episode of the 1st on Film Podcast, we sit down with VFX artists Tatsuji Nojima and Takayuki Ueki to go behind the scenes of Godzilla Minus Zero and explore the incredible visual effects that bring the King of the Monsters to life.

We dive into the artistry and technical challenges of creating realistic water simulations, exploring how the team recreates the power, movement, and destruction of water on an epic cinematic scale. We also discuss the highly anticipated New York sequence featuring the Statue of Liberty, uncovering the creative process behind bringing Godzilla into one of the world’s most iconic locations.

Join us as we explore the groundbreaking visual effects, creative problem-solving, and attention to detail that help make Godzilla Minus Zero a spectacular cinematic experience.

LADY is an absurdist comedy about a lonely, self-obsessed aristocrat who dupes a struggling, opportunistic director into filming her every move. While pursuing her artistic expression, Lady Isabella’s life takes a surreal turn as she realizes if she’s not in the spotlight, she might just disappear.

LADY will be available on VOD on Friday, November 6 on Amazon, Apple TV, Fandango at Home, and Google Play.

On this episode of the 1st on Film Podcast, we sit down with award-winning film and television editor Stephanie Filo, ACE, to explore the art of storytelling from behind the editing room.

With an impressive body of work spanning Marvel’s Daredevil: Born Again, Horsegirls, Netflix’s Dahmer: Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, HBO’s A Black Lady Sketch Show, and the critically acclaimed We Grown Now, Stephanie has helped shape some of the most compelling stories in film and television.

We discuss her work on Horsegirls and Daredevil: Born Again, exploring the creative decisions, pacing, and precision required to bring vastly different stories to life. From intimate, character-driven drama to action-packed superhero sequences filled with choreography and visual effects, Stephanie shares how the editing process transforms a director’s vision into a finished production.

Throughout our conversation, we dive into her career journey, the importance of rhythm and timing, and the often-underappreciated impact of editing on the emotional connection between a story and its audience.

Stephanie’s achievements include an Independent Spirit Award nomination for We Grown Now and an Emmy Award for Outstanding Picture Editing for Variety Programming as part of the first all-women-of-colour editing team to win for A Black Lady Sketch Show.

Beyond the editing room, Stephanie is passionate about social impact storytelling, contributing to projects focused on women’s rights, girls’ empowerment, and social justice. She is also a co-founder of End Ebola Now and serves on the board of Girls Empowerment Sierra Leone.

Join us for an insightful conversation about the artistry, collaboration, and creative instincts behind the stories that stay with us long after the credits roll.

Step behind the scenes of LAIKA’s latest stop-motion adventure, Wildwood, with Brad Schiff, Head of Animation at LAIKA Studios!

Brad joins us to discuss bringing the film’s fantastical world and unforgettable characters to life through the incredible artistry of stop-motion animation. We explore the creative process behind the film, the challenges of animating its characters and creatures, and how LAIKA continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible with this unique filmmaking technique.

From the painstaking detail of stop-motion to creating authentic, emotionally driven performances, Brad shares insight into the craftsmanship, creativity, and collaboration behind one of LAIKA’s most ambitious projects yet.

Wildwood is a testament to the magic of handmade filmmaking and the artists who bring it to life, one frame at a time!

Brad Schiff is the Head of Animation at LAIKA Studios, where he oversees the animation team responsible for bringing the studio’s acclaimed stop-motion films to life. His credits include Wildwood, ParaNorman, The Boxtrolls, Kubo and the Two Strings, and Missing Link, as well as work on Wes Anderson’s Fantastic Mr. Fox and Isle of Dogs, and Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride.

Schiff received an Academy Award nomination for Best Visual Effects for Kubo and the Two Strings and has earned recognition from the Visual Effects Society for his work in animation. With a career spanning television and feature films, he continues to push the boundaries of stop-motion filmmaking, blending meticulous craftsmanship with expressive, lifelike character performances.

We’re stepping into the magical world of Wildwood! We sit down with actor Jacob Tremblay, who voices Curtis, and stop-motion animator Tom Carey to discuss their work on LAIKA’s epic animated fantasy. From bringing characters to life through voice acting to the incredible craftsmanship behind stop-motion animation, we explore the creativity, collaboration, and artistry that make Wildwood such a unique cinematic adventure.

Directed by Travis Knight and produced by LAIKA, Wildwood follows Prue McKeel, a determined teenager whose baby brother is abducted by a murder of crows and taken into the mysterious Impassable Wilderness near Portland, Oregon. Joined by her classmate Curtis, Prue ventures into an enchanted forest filled with talking animals, dangerous adversaries and ancient magic, discovering a hidden world caught in a struggle for its future.

Based on the book by Colin Meloy and illustrated by Carson Ellis, the film features the voices of Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Jacob Tremblay, Carey Mulligan, Mahershala Ali and Angela Bassett. It showcases LAIKA’s signature handcrafted stop-motion animation, bringing an extraordinary fantasy world to life frame by frame.

Jacob Tremblay is a Canadian actor who rose to prominence for his acclaimed performance in Room. His film credits include Wonder, Good Boys, Doctor Sleep, Luca and The Life of Chuck. He has also lent his voice to animated projects, including Harley Quinn and Invincible. In Wildwood, he voices Curtis, a loyal but awkward classmate who joins Prue on a dangerous journey into an enchanted wilderness.

Tom Carey is a stop-motion animator who joined LAIKA in 2021 as an intern and progressed through the studio’s animation department to become a stop-motion animator. A graduate of Arts University Bournemouth’s Animation Production program, Carey worked on multiple sequences of Wildwood, animating a variety of characters and performances. Inspired by Coraline and Wallace & Gromit, his work combines performance, artistic detail and painstaking frame-by-frame craftsmanship.

On this episode of 1st on Film, we sit down with Ethan Popp, the Grammy Award-nominated music producer, orchestrator, arranger, and music supervisor behind Broadway’s The Lost Boys!

Based on the iconic 1987 vampire film, The Lost Boys brings the dark, rock-filled world of Santa Carla to the stage with a cinematic sound and an original musical score. We chat with Ethan about his role in shaping the production’s musical identity, the creative process behind adapting a cult classic for Broadway, and the work that goes into bringing a show’s music to life.

With an impressive career spanning Broadway, film, and television, Ethan has also worked on productions including Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, Motown the Musical, and Back to the Future: The Musical, as well as the hit film The Greatest Showman.

Join us for a behind-the-scenes conversation about music, storytelling, and the creative work that helps make The Lost Boys a thrilling theatrical experience!

Ethan Popp is a Grammy-nominated music producer, orchestrator, arranger, and music supervisor whose work spans Broadway, film, and television. His credits include The Lost Boys, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, Motown the Musical, Back to the Future: The Musical, and The Greatest Showman.

Beyond entertainment, Ethan founded Ethan Runs for Good, a charitable running initiative that turns his passion for running into fundraising for meaningful causes, including Make-A-Wish and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Through races and fundraising campaigns, he uses every mile to support organizations making a difference in people’s lives.

More information at https://www.ethanpopp.com/runsforgood

FIGHT! Stefano and James are stepping into the arena to break down the new Street Fighter movie! Does this live-action adaptation deliver the action, humour, and video game nostalgia fans have been waiting for, or does it miss the mark?

In this spoiler-filled review, we discuss the biggest pros and cons of the film, from its action sequences and iconic characters to its story, performances, and overall execution. We get into what worked, what didn’t, our favourite moments, and whether this latest adaptation does justice to one of gaming’s most legendary franchises.

Directed by Kitao Sakurai, Street Fighter brings Capcom’s legendary fighting game franchise back to the big screen in a high-energy live-action adventure.

Set in 1993, the film follows estranged fighters Ryu (Andrew Koji) and Ken Masters (Noah Centineo), who are reunited when the mysterious Chun-Li (Callina Liang) recruits them for the next World Warrior Tournament. What begins as a battle between the world’s greatest fighters soon becomes something much more dangerous, as a deadly conspiracy forces Ryu and Ken to confront their pasts, their rivalry, and the darkness surrounding them.

Featuring a star-studded cast that includes Jason Momoa as Blanka, David Dastmalchian as M. Bison, Cody Rhodes as Guile, and Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson as Balrog, Street Fighter brings familiar faces, legendary rivalries, and iconic video game characters into a new cinematic showdown.

Welcome back to the 1st on Film Podcast! Today, we’re joined by actor and comedian Jermaine Fowler to discuss his latest film, Terrestrial.

Directed by Steve Pink, this sci-fi thriller follows Allen, a struggling writer whose newfound success brings his college friends together for a reunion that quickly takes an unsettling turn. As suspicions grow and Allen’s behaviour becomes increasingly unpredictable, the film explores paranoia, ambition and the question of what is really happening.

Jermaine joins us to talk about stepping into the role of Allen, balancing dark comedy with psychological suspense, working alongside the talented ensemble cast, and bringing this unpredictable story to life.

Jermaine Fowler is an American actor, comedian, writer and producer known for his work across television, film and stand-up comedy. Born in Washington, D.C., and raised in Hyattsville, Maryland, Fowler began performing stand-up while still in high school before moving to New York City to pursue a career in entertainment.

He gained early recognition through MTV2’s Guy Code and co-created and starred in the sketch-comedy series Friends of the People. He later starred as Franco Wicks in the CBS sitcom Superior Donuts.

Fowler’s film credits include Boots Riley’s acclaimed satirical film Sorry to Bother You, the Oscar-nominated drama Judas and the Black Messiah, and the comedy sequel Coming 2 America, in which he played Prince Lavelle Junson alongside Eddie Murphy. His other credits include The Blackening and The Drop. He also voiced James Jr. in Marvel’s animated series Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur.

Alongside his screen work, Fowler continues to draw on his stand-up background and experience as a writer and producer. In Terrestrial, he takes on the role of Allen in a story that blends science fiction, dark comedy and psychological tension.