Cinemapodgrapher

Johanna "Jojo" Coelho is redefining how modern television is shot. The cinematographer of the award winning HBO series The Pitt joins Lucas Tomoana to unpack the groundbreaking visual approach behind the show. Jojo shares how her journey from France to the American Film Institute shaped her path to becoming a director of photography in Hollywood.

The conversation dives into the immersive camera style of The Pitt, how the team designed a fully integrated lighting system built directly into the set, and the choreography required to capture complex continuous shot sequences inside a chaotic emergency room environment.

Powered by Sony technology. Produced by Deb Van Dieren. Hosted by Lucas Tomoana SOC. Edited by Raphael Segal.

Ashley Connor turns comedy into something quietly unnerving, building images that feel like they are slipping out from under you.

In this episode, the cinematographer behind HBO's The Chair Company shares how her roots in experimental film and microbudget features shaped a bold, instinct driven approach to image making. She unpacks her collaboration with the directors, shooting all eight episodes on the Alexa 35 with K35 lenses, and why taking the character's descent seriously allowed the comedy to land even harder.

We also dive into in camera experimentation, working fast without sacrificing intention, and balancing a demanding television schedule with motherhood. It is an honest conversation about craft, confidence, and protecting the image in a digital age. This podcast is proudly powered by Sony technology Produced by Deb Van Dieren Hosted and Edited by Josh Calder

Oscar nominated cinematographer Michael Bauman has lived almost every corner of the lighting department, from best boy to gaffer to director of photography, shaping some of the most iconic imagery in modern cinema. At the centre of this conversation is One Battle After Another, the film that marks a defining chapter in his journey behind the camera and a turning point in his creative evolution.

Michael reflects on decades of collaboration with filmmakers like Paul Thomas Anderson, Janusz Kaminski and Robert Elswit, unpacking how trust and visual language develop over time. He shares the path from lighting cameraman to cinematographer, and how years spent shaping light ultimately prepared him to step into the role on One Battle After Another.

The episode dives deep into craft, from the intensity of large scale productions such as Munich and Iron Man to the raw, seventies inspired aesthetic that influenced his recent work. Michael breaks down lighting philosophy, problem solving at the highest level and why storytelling always drives the technical choices behind the lens.

Hosted and edited by Josh Calder. Produced by Deb Van Dieren. Powered by Sony technology.

Academy Award–nominated production designer Tamara Deverell joins the podcast following her Oscar-nominated work on Frankenstein, a visually operatic reimagining that stands as one of the most ambitious production design achievements in recent cinema.

With a career spanning decades and long-standing collaborations with Guillermo del Toro, Tamara has helped shape richly textured worlds across film and television. In this conversation, she strips back the job title and explains what a production designer truly does, how the art department is structured, and why research, collaboration, and logistics are just as critical as imagination.

The episode dives deep into the making of Frankenstein. Tamara breaks down the design philosophy behind the film, from constructing a full-scale Arctic ship and monumental laboratory towers to grounding fantastical elements in historical reality. She discusses colour motifs, architectural influences, practical builds versus VFX, and the constant dialogue between production design, camera, lighting, and special effects that allows a world like Frankenstein to feel both mythic and real.

Powered by Sony Technology. Produced by Deb Van Dieren. Hosted and edited by Lucas Tomoana SOC.

At the age of 30, Jules O'Loughlin ASC ACS walked away from a successful career as a futures trader and made the decision to pursue cinematography full-time. After enrolling at AFTRS, he shot his first feature Kokoda, a film that helped launch his career in the Australian film industry. That decision set Jules on a path from local features to major international productions, leading to credits including Ms Marvel, The Old Man, See, The Hitman's Bodyguard, Angel Has Fallen, Black Sails and most recently Disney's Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Season 2.

Jules reflects on changing industries later in life, committing fully when the stakes are high, and why focus and timing often matter more than age. He also discusses the realities of film school, building long-term creative relationships, and how early opportunities can quietly shape an entire career.

The conversation dives deeper into craft, with Jules unpacking his visual approach on Percy Jackson and the Olympians. He breaks down complex sequences involving horses, chariots and large-scale action, as well as shooting on water and boats, drawing on experience from Black Sails. Jules discusses how these scenes are planned and executed safely, how practical filmmaking is balanced with visual effects, and how lens choice, camera movement and motivated lighting are used to keep fantasy grounded and story-driven.

This podcast is powered by Sony Technology Hosted by Lucas Tomoana SOC Produced by Deb Van Dieren

When Ben Eeley ACO SOC is not camera operating, he spends his spare time running marathons, cycling, swimming and training for the Ironman.

This episode explores how fitness and endurance play a role in camera operating, alongside Steadicam, wheels, conventional operating, using the ZeeGee and handheld work. Ben shares insight into the physical demands of the job, how he began his Steadicam career and the nuts and bolts of the equipment he uses.

The conversation also touches on being thrown into the deep end on large budget features, performing under pressure and how handling that pressure led to being asked to join the ACO. This episode is a deep dive into all things camera operating. If you are looking to build a career in the camera department, this episode is for you.

International camera operator Brett Hurd SOC joins us after a run on shows like The Handmaid's Tale, Mrs America, The Terminal List and American Primeval. We talk about the path that took him from early sports broadcasting and documentary work to operating on major dramas around the world.

Brett shares how still photography shapes his eye, why mobility and body awareness matter for handheld, and how growing up skating and playing sport feeds directly into his work today. He opens up about the pressure of big opportunities, the value of being uncomfortable, and the moments that pushed his craft to the next level.

We also explore leadership on set, communication with cast, and building an environment where everyone feels safe to do their best work. A grounded chat with a thoughtful operator who brings both skill and heart to every project. This episode is proudly brought to you by our technology partners Sony Hoseted and edited by Lucas Tomoana SOC Produced by Deb Van Dieren

This week on Cinemapodgrapher, one of our new hosts, Hannah, sits down with acclaimed production designer Sue Chan, whose work spans Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Where the Crawdads Sing, Colossal, and now the highly anticipated series Murderbot. Together they explore Sue's approach to world-building, the design of the AI-driven character at the heart of Murderbot, and how her background in architecture, theatre and art direction shaped her storytelling eye. Sue opens up about balancing practical and visual effects, creating entire alien languages, and grounding futuristic sci-fi worlds in human emotion and design history. A thoughtful, inspiring conversation about collaboration, imagination and the craft of building worlds we can believe in.

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

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.