This week on Cinemapodgrapher, new host Josh Calder sits down with one of Australia’s most respected dolly grips, Dave Shaw. With over 30 years in the industry and credits on War Machine, Thor: Ragnarok, The Hobbit, Avatar, Eat Pray Love, San Andreas, Furiosa, Nim’s Island, and Pete’s Dragon, Dave has seen it all from behind the camera.

They unpack what it truly means to be a dolly grip, the craft, the instinct, and the trust required to move the camera in harmony with story and emotion. Dave shares how he got his start, the lessons that shaped his career, and the subtle art of reading an actor’s performance to match the rhythm of a scene.

From collaborating with operators and DPs to working alongside filmmakers like James Cameron and Peter Jackson, this episode dives deep into the communication and collaboration that define great gripping. Dave talks about staying engaged on set, embracing new technology, and why the right attitude, waking up excited to make movies, is everything.

And of course, we revisit some of the golden lessons he has passed on to Josh over the years. A masterclass in precision, intuition, and passion for storytelling, this one is a must-listen for anyone serious about the craft of filmmaking.

For many years Jacques Jouffret ASC was one of the world’s top camera operators, winning the SOC Camera Operator of the Year award for his work on Into the Wild and contributing to multiple Transformers films, Swordfish, Seabiscuit, Deepwater Horizon, Man on Fire, Patriots Day and Lone Survivor. Today he is an acclaimed cinematographer whose credits include The Purge, Jack Ryan, Mile 22, Gran Turismo and his Emmy nominated work on American Primeval.

This week on Cinemapodgrapher we sit down with Jacques to hear his journey from growing up in France to moving to the United States, discovering Steadicam after NYU and building a career that has spanned some of Hollywood’s biggest productions.

We explore the differences between shooting on film and digital, the importance of crew relationships, and how Jacques approaches managing people and leading teams. He also shares stories from his frequent collaborations with directors Michael Bay and Peter Berg.

It is an episode full of insights, experiences and lessons for anyone chasing excellence in the camera department.

The legendary team from Skywalker Sound, Supervising Sound Editor Al Nelson, Lead Sound Effects Editor Luke Dunn-Gielmuda, and Sound Design Assistant Andree Lin join us for Part 2 of F1, the movie. From working with Joseph Kosinski, collaborating with Sir Lewis Hamilton, to drawing lessons from Top Gun: Maverick, the team breaks down how they reconstructed the visceral sounds of Formula 1 racing. We explore the artistry and technical precision behind building engines from silence, capturing the rush of speed, and crafting a sonic experience that feels authentic not only to everyday listeners, but to the most die-hard Formula 1 fans.

This is sound design at full throttle.

This episode is proudly brought to you by our technology partner Sony Produced by Deb Van Dieren Hosted and edited by Hannah Ariotti

Andor Season 2 has earned 14 Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Cinematography. DP Christophe Nuyens SBC joins us to discuss his nominated work on Episodes 1–6.

We talk about his journey through the Belgian, French, and English film industries, and his extended preproduction with director Ariel Kleiman, where they used ILM’s live-vis system to plan shots. Christophe also shares why he prefers shooting in full frame, his search for full frame anamorphic lenses, and the creative benefits of the Venice 2 and the Sony ecosystem of cameras. 

He reflects on his approach to staging oners, his philosophy of lighting, and breaks down how he shot and lit several of Luke Hull’s production-designed sets across the series. Join us for an in-depth look at the cinematography of one of Star Wars’ most acclaimed stories.

Cinemapodgrapher is proudly brought to you by our technology partners Sony Produced by Deborah Van Dieren Hosted and edited by Lucas Tomoana SOC

Born in Taiwan and raised in Australia, cinematographer Matthew Chuang ACS has always been drawn to telling stories rooted in culture and identity. After reaching a creative ceiling in Australia, he made the leap to Los Angeles where he connected with director Justin Chon. The two have since collaborated on multiple projects, most recently reuniting for Apple TV's epic series Chief of War.

In this conversation, Matt reflects on his upbringing in Australia, his journey into the world of independent filmmaking in the United States, and his first experience working on a large scale television production. He shares how he and Justin brought an indie film sensibility to Chief of War, emphasizing the importance of trusting your instincts when approaching coverage and storytelling. We also dive into the technical side, discussing cameras, lenses, lighting setups, and the unique challenges of shooting in remote locations across the Hawaiian Islands.

Tune in to hear Matthew’s story, his creative approach behind the camera, and insights from the set of one of Apple TV’s most ambitious series. This episode of Cinemapodgrapher is proudly brought to you by our technology partners Sony Produced by Deb Van Dieren Hosted by Lucas Tomoana SOC Edited by Raphael Segal

The first digital imaging technician to join the podcast, Jason Bauer began his career using still photography for previs on productions shooting film.

As cinematography shifted to digital, Jason trained other digital imaging technicians before eventually stepping into the role himself. Now one of the most sought-after DITs in the industry, he has worked on major productions around the world.

In this episode, we explore the role of the DIT and the value they bring to a director of photography. Jason breaks down the hardware and software he uses, how he works on set, and why DITs are essential to modern filmmaking. We also talk about his experience working on Taylor Swift music videos, shooting Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes in Australia, going remote in Thailand for Thai Cave Rescue, and filming Cherry in Morocco.

From fighter jets to race cars, Dan Ming is a world-class 1st AC who loves tech.

Dan Ming and his team are known for their work on Top Gun: Maverick, and now they’ve taken those lessons, pushing the boundaries even further, to bring you F1.

We talk about the collaboration with some of the biggest brands in the game: Sony, Apple, and Panavision, and the camera builds that came out of it: Sony’s Carmen (a custom-built car mount camera), Apple’s Wing Camera, and Panavision’s custom Pan Head. Plus, how they built a full Mercedes F2 car, from scratch, just for the film.

Dan answers all your questions and more. From micro managing race track schedules, global logistics of shipping gear across multiple countries, wiring up race cars with metres of cabling, right down to the design of custom screws, and somehow, keeping it all working at 300km/h during a real F1 season! 

This is an episode you don’t want to miss! Proudly brought to you by our technology partners Sony Produced by Deb Van Dieren Hosted and edited by Lucas Tomoana SOC

DP Adam Newport-Berra and Camera Operator Mark Goellnicht SOC ACO are the powerhouse duo behind the lens of The Studio.

In this episode, we dive into what it’s really like working with comedy legends and co-directors Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg. Adam and Mark take us through the camera rigs they tested and how they meticulously choreographed scenes that feel like total chaos but are actually tightly crafted.

We also break down some of the most jaw dropping shots in the series, the kind that had us hitting rewind just to figure out how they pulled them off.

If you're into behind the scenes tech talk, creative teamwork, or just love hearing how high pressure shots come together, this one’s for you. From camera movement to controlled madness, it’s a must listen for both the tech heads and fans of the show.

This podcast is proudly brought to you by our technology partner, Sony. Produced by Deb Van Dieren Hosted and edited by Lucas Tomoana SOC

Cinematographer Ksenia Sereda takes us behind the scenes for The Last Of Us Season 2. It’s clear from the start how deeply she loves what she does. She lives and breathes her work and her passion is infectious. In this episode, we break down everything from the custom-built Cooke lenses she helped design, shooting cast on horseback and the responsibility of being setup DP for the show.

We dig into several key episodes including the beautiful flashback scenes of episode 6 and unpack the technical hurdles of shooting inside a spaceship. 

A true fan of the game and a master of her craft, Ksenia brings a mix of vision, precision, and genuine heart to bring the game to life. This one’s a deep dive for anyone who aspires to work on the world’s biggest tv series.

This episode of Cinemapodgrapher is proudly brought to you by our technology partners Sony Produced by Deb Van Dieren Hosted and edited by Lucas Tomoana SOC

Chris Teague, an Emmy Award winning Director of Photography, has worked on a diverse slate of projects, from Russian Doll and Only Murders in the Building to entering the Star Wars universe with The Acolyte.

In our conversation, we talk about his path into drama, the value of building strong creative relationships, and what it means to be a setup DP. We also get into preproduction, LUTs, fight choreography, and how Chris approached the unique lighting challenges of working within the Star Wars universe. 

This podcast is proudly brought to you by our technology partner Sony Produced by Deb Van Dieren Hosted by Lucas Tomoana Edited by Raphael Segal