Upcoming episodes will feature movies all about school, with guests sharing their own memories, and talking about why they themselves became teachers. But while preparing those episodes, on Wednesday August 27th, yet another shooting stopped me in my tracks, and it's been hard to focus, hard to even articulate all the emotions coursing through my veins. It's overwhelming, scary, unsettling. Below are links to advocacy groups and non-profits, learn about them, and contribute wherever you can.

-

If you're facing a personal crisis, or are having unsafe thoughts, speak with somebody by calling 988, available 24 hours a day.

-

8 Documentaries, Gun Violence Prevention

https://www.sundance.org/blogs/watch-these-8-documentaries-to-fuel-your-fight-for-gun-violence-prevention/

-

Bowling for Columbine (2002)

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0310793/

-

Run, Hide, Fight: growing up under the gun

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfnY14Rwhvs

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/run-hide-fight-growing-up-under-the-gun-a-look-at-how-gun-violence-changed-a-generation

-

Organizations and Individuals Taking a Stand Against Gun Violence

https://www.everytown.org/

https://minneapolismaddads.org/

https://momsdemandaction.org/press/everytown-for-gun-safety-and-delaware-chapter-of-moms-demand-action-celebrate-governor-matt-meyers-100th-day-in-office-with-signing-of-executive-order-to-create-delaware-office-of-gun-violenc/

https://www.npr.org/2022/06/13/1104594849/hollywood-pledge-onscreen-guns

https://thephiladelphiacitizen.org/guest-commentary-lets-stop-the-gun-violence-that-took-my-dad-and-nana/

https://www.sandyhookpromise.org/about-us/who-we-are/

-

Have something to share? Resources in addition to the ones shared above? Use the DESIGNERS ON FILM hotline, call 704-681-6880 and leave a voicemail, or send a text message.

Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical is a brand new Peanuts story, released on Apple TV+ in 2025. Characters created by Charles M. Schulz that we know and love, Charlie, Snoopy, Woodstock, Sally, Lucy, Peppermint Patty, Marcie, and so many more, sing and dance their way through summer camp with music by Ben Folds. Whether you're a fan of the Peanuts from way back when, or a first-time viewer, it's an incredibly moving story, directed by Erik Wiese. He joins the show to discuss how design plays a role in his work, and how Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical honors Charles Schulz and Schulz's development as an artist.

-

Erik Wiese is a director of animated features and television with over 25 years of experience in the industry. In addition to directing Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical, he was also its story editor. Additional credits include: SpongeBob (writer, board artist, character designer), Samurai Jack (writer, board artist), Sonic Prime (exec producer, writer, director).

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1147326/

https://www.instagram.com/erik.wiese.creative/

-

Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical (2025)

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt36988583/

https://www.apple.com/tv-pr/news/2025/07/apple-tv-debuts-trailer-for-peanuts-special-snoopy-presents-a-summer-musical/

https://music.apple.com/au/album/snoopy-presents-a-summer-musical-apple-tv-original/1828743727

-

Other movies and shows discussed, alphabetical list

Samurai Jack (2002–2004)

Snoopy Presents: It's the Small Things, Charlie Brown (2022)

Sonic Prime (2022-2024)

The Sound of Music (1965)

Sam Beddoes of FreakZone Games talks about The Rocky Horror Show (1974), the original stage musical that became the movie The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975). Going in depth, explaining the differences between each production, he also talks about how he made The Rocky Horror Show Video Game. We also discuss Brian De Palma, The Office, Dead Poets Society, Labyrinth, Sweeney Todd, Jennifer's Body, Robin Hood, Dracula, and The Naked Gun, although not in that exact order!

-

Sam Beddoes, FreakZone Games

https://www.instagram.com/freakzonegames/

https://open.spotify.com/artist/38YIihgxT5IOeOmQlLFHuX

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manos:_The_Hands_of_Fate_%28video_game%29

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7252239/

-

The Rocky Horror Show (1974)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rocky_Horror_Show

-

The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073629/

-

The Rocky Horror Show Video Game

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4ORgvYXHxM

-

Other movies and shows discussed, alphabetical list

Carrie (1976, 2002, 2013, 2026)

Dead Poets Society (1989)

Dracula: Dead and Loving It (1995)

Jennifer's Body (2009)

Labyrinth (1986)

The Naked Gun (1988, 2025)

The Office (UK 2001-2003, USA 2005-2013)

Phantom of the Paradise (1974)

Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993)

Sweeney Todd (1928, 1997, 2006, 2007)

We're back! Season 2! More great guests, more great movies, more great discussions. Have a question or guest recommendation? You want to be a guest? Have a movie review? Call our hotline 704-681-6880 and leave a voicemail. Remember! Subscribe AND provide a review wherever you listen to podcasts!

-

contact us, share your thoughts:

https://www.designersonfilm.com/hollaback

-

more about the podcast:

https://www.designersonfilm.com/frequently-asked-questions

-

movies we feature: 

https://letterboxd.com/jasontselentis/lists/

Recapping some Season 1 highlights, summer movies, and looking ahead to Season 2.

-

Episodes Mentioned

https://www.designersonfilm.com/podcast/seven-days-in-may-1964-with-steven-heller

https://www.designersonfilm.com/podcast/all-the-presidents-men-1976-bierut

https://www.designersonfilm.com/podcast/civil-war-2024-with-diane-faye-zerr

https://www.designersonfilm.com/podcast/my-octopus-teacher-2020-with-anna-jordan

https://www.designersonfilm.com/podcast/one-crazy-summer-1986

https://www.designersonfilm.com/podcast/one-crazy-summer-bonus-memories-with-mike-wirth

https://www.designersonfilm.com/podcast/jaws-1975-with-lisa-lake

-

Contact Us

https://www.designersonfilm.com/hollaback

-

Coming Soon in Season 2

https://letterboxd.com/jasontselentis/list/designers-on-film-season-2/

About two weeks away from the release of Gunn's Superman, we hear from Tom Muller, Giovanna Chung, and Jen Hood who are all super excited for the new movie.

-

Superman Official Teaser Trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhUht6vAsMY

-

Tom Muller

https://www.hellomuller.com/

-

Giovanna Chung

https://kindredspiritsdesign.co/

-

Jen Hood

https://hoodzpahdesign.com/

In a prior episode, designer and illustrator Matt Stevens talked about why 2022's The Batman is such a great movie and how it has some elements from David Fincher's Se7en plus inspirations from various Batman sources, creating a unique vision. Matt does something similar in his own work. His latest project, Good Movies as Old Books from Chronicle Books reimagines films as vintage book covers. In that prior episode, Matt also talked about taking risks, going out on his own, leaving the agency world behind, and various side projects. Here, Matt discusses how maybe, sometimes a side project that looks and feels fun may not be a success but the momentum and direction it gives you could still have value. He also shares his opinions about two summer movies, Superman and The Fantastic Four.

-

Matt Stevens found himself frustrated with his current job as creative director at a brand agency, so he (literally) went back to the drawing board with an illustration project that turned out to be the perfect fit, designing a Nike Air Max shoe every day. After doing 50 drawings, he had initially chosen to end the project, but aimed for 100 AirMax1-a-day drawings that he'd showcase in an art book, accompanying website, and exhibition, also proved rewarding. To date, he's created multiple, self-initiated projects, including the Good Movies as Old Books project, now a book and postcard set available from Chronicle.

https://www.goodmoviesasoldbooks.com/

https://www.hellomattstevens.com/

https://www.hellomattstevens.com/book-covers-various

https://www.hellomattstevens.com/store/batman-xwms5

https://www.hellomattstevens.com/store/batman-xwms5-gnyze

https://www.hellomattstevens.com/new-project-2

https://www.hellomattstevens.com/blog/process-the-rookie-handbook

-

Taking Side Projects to the Next Level, HOW magazine

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tXNGjxQv4jwbf77DJOffXpENtbJwcPPH/view?usp=sharing

Matt Stevens on The Great Discontent

https://thegreatdiscontent.com/interview/matt-stevens/

-

Other movies and shows discussed, alphabetical list

The Batman (2022)

Breaking Bad (2008-2013)

The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025)

Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985)

Se7en (1995)

Superman (2025)

Matt Stevens, designer and illustrator, talks about The Batman, a unique take on the Bruce Wayne and Batman mythology brought to life by Matt Reeves and starring Robert Pattinson, Zoë Kravitz, Jeffrey Wright, Colin Farrell, Paul Dano, and Andy Serkis. This 2022 version has less of the comic-y qualities that Joel Schumacher instilled in the 90s versions, but has a gritty, frightening ambiance closer to David Fincher's Se7en. In addition to The Batman, Stevens also talks about Good Movies as Old Books which reimagines movies as book covers.

-

Matt Stevens found himself frustrated with his current job as creative director at a brand agency, so he (literally) went back to the drawing board with an illustration project that turned out to be the perfect fit, designing a Nike Air Max shoe every day. After doing 50 drawings, he had initially chose to end the project, but aimed for 100 AirMax1-a-day drawings that he'd showcase in an art book, accompanying website, and exhibition, also proved rewarding. To date, he's created multiple, self-initiated projects, including the Good Movies as Old Books project, now a book and postcard set available from Chronicle.

https://www.goodmoviesasoldbooks.com/

https://www.hellomattstevens.com/

https://www.hellomattstevens.com/store/batman-xwms5

https://www.hellomattstevens.com/store/batman-xwms5-gnyze

https://www.hellomattstevens.com/book-covers-various

https://www.hellomattstevens.com/blog/process-the-rookie-handbook

-

Taking Side Projects to the Next Level, HOW magazine

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tXNGjxQv4jwbf77DJOffXpENtbJwcPPH/view?usp=sharing

Matt Stevens on The Great Discontent

https://thegreatdiscontent.com/interview/matt-stevens/

-

The Batman (2022)

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1877830/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_Fawkes

https://deadline.com/2024/10/dynamic-duo-movie-robins-dc-1236105077/

-

Batman and Se7en, the connections

https://x.com/JasonTselentis/status/176347788844597248

https://www.vulture.com/2012/07/46-things-you-didnt-know-about-the-batman-films.html

https://whatculture.com/film/superman-and-batman-team-up-movie-set-for-2015

-

Designers, artists, and media discussed

Saul Bass

https://eyeondesign.aiga.org/design-history-101/

Kurt Cobain

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurt_Cobain

Prismacolor

https://www.prismacolor.com/

-

Other movies and shows discussed, alphabetical list

Batman (1989)

Batman Begins (2005)

Batman Returns (1992)

Batman v Superman (2016)

Breaking Bad (2008-2013)

Citizen Kane (1941)

The Crow (1994)

The Dark Knight (2008)

The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

Network (1976)

Peacemaker (2022-)

The Penguin (2024-)

Se7en (1995)

Thunderbolts* (2025)

Jaws, directed by Steven Spielberg, turns 50 this month. Chief Brody, played by Roy Scheider, is pulled in multiple directions after a fatal shark attack, and subsequent murders, none of which the town's local leaders take seriously. When Hooper, played by Richard Dreyfuss, comes into the picture, the two of them unite with the hope of getting to the bottom of the situation, with factual, scientific accuracy in mind. Hooper and Brody as outsiders, not locals, eventually team up with Robert Shaw's Quint to hunt down the shark, and end the beast's terror. Lisa Lake, a killer designer, awesome photographer, and drone pilot, vividly remembers seeing Jaws in the theatre and hadn't seen it since then, but she re-watched it for this episode.

-

With over twenty years of creative experience, Lisa Lake is a photographer, graphic designer, and drone pilot who delivers marketing and advertising, logos and dynamic websites, ad campaigns, pro-level photography, and video. Not only is she passionate about the work itself, but she's also eager to take on new technology and master skills, branching into new directions so she can help clients in every and any way possible.

https://www.lisalake.com

https://lisalake.smugmug.com/

-

Jaws (1975)

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073195/

https://www.ctpublic.org/news/2025-06-05/jaws-movie-50th-anniversary-events-ct

https://www.lego.com/en-ca/product/jaws-21350

-

The Shark Is Broken

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Shark_Is_Broken

https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2023/10/jaws-play-the-shark-is-broken-broke-richard-dreyfusss-heart

-

U.S.S. Indianapolis

https://www.defense.gov/News/Feature-Stories/story/Article/1649838/uss-indianapolis-heroism-and-survival/

https://prologue.blogs.archives.gov/2020/07/30/the-sinking-of-the-uss-indianapolis/

-

Other movies discussed, alphabetical list

Alien (1979)

All the President's Men (1976)

Duel (1971)

The Exorcist (1973)

The Lighthouse (2019)

Star Wars (1977)

Erin Prus, a design leader living in the heart of the Midwest, focuses on the ways words, and their systems and styles, shape design, along with UI design elements, accessibility, and more. Erin shares more thoughts about Challengers, starring Zendaya, Mike Faist, and Josh O'Connor, analyzing its romance, conflicts, parenting scenes, memorable action on the tennis court, compression of time and flashbacks, sponsorships, and also, how Applebee's factors into the story.

-

A teacher-journalist turned content designer and UX writer, Erin Prus is no stranger to career pivots. She's been consulting for two seemingly disparate clients in the health tech and horticulture spaces, two things she cares deeply about. Also, she's scheduled to wrap up a forthcoming memoir later this year. When she's not working, Erin loves being outside, spending time with her French Bulldog Rumi, doing Pilates, and watching movies with her son.

-

Challengers (2024)

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt16426418/

https://www.vulture.com/article/oscars-2025-why-luca-guadagninos-challengers-got-snubbed.html

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/entertainment/movies/2024/04/29/yes-applebees-in-challengers-is-accurate-zendaya-cincinnati-open/73499584007/

https://www.vulture.com/article/why-challengers-had-that-applebees-scene.html

https://variety.com/2025/film/news/sgt-rock-luca-guadagnino-dc-studios-not-in-development-1236382859/

https://www.avclub.com/luca-guadagnino-sgt-rock-killed-dc-studios