How do you get a manager? What’s the difference between a manager and an agent? James Swoope, talent manager at M88, breaks it all down with IN PROXIMITY podcast host Paola Mardo. From Cleveland to Hollywood, Swoope has built a career managing talent like Dominique Thorne (IRONHEART), actor and singer Coco Jones, designer and entrepreneur Jeff Staple, and athlete and podcaster Matt Barnes. In this conversation, he shares his journey from casting intern to working on JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH with Charles D. King and Ryan Coogler, his approach to talent management, what artists should really be working on, why it’s important to “have something to manage,” and why Swoope calls himself a unicorn. Learn more and read the transcript of this conversation at ProximityMedia.com.

(00:00) How does one get a manager?

(01:34) Voice Memo from Charles D. King (Founder & CEO, MACRO)

(05:25) Swoope’s unique sense of style and why he’s a unicorn

(08:06) From casting intern to working on JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH

(12:55) How to get a manager

(14:35) What artists should be working on

(16:25) “I’m the 10%. You’re the 90%.”

(19:18) What does a manager do?

(21:31) What’s the difference between a manager and an agent?

(23:45) Rapid-Fire Questions and Advice

(25:20) Show & Tell: 3 NINJAS and FORREST GUMP

(30:07) Prox Recs

IN PROXIMITY

Now playing in video on YouTube and in audio on all podcast platforms.

For transcripts and more information: ProximityMedia.com

PROXIMITY MEDIA

Follow us @ProximityMedia on Instagram and TikTok

IN PROXIMITY IS A PRODUCTION OF PROXIMITY MEDIA

Host, Director, Producer: Paola Mardo

Executive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian

Theme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig Göransson

Co-Director and Director of Photography: Patrick Epino

Sound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken Nana

Editors: Patrick Epino, Brittani Brown, Ken Nana, Andrea Walter

Production Assistants: Isabella Miller, Devin Saddler

Social Media Coordinator: Alexandria Santana

Writer/Director Justin Tipping (KICKS, THE CHI) joins IN PROXIMITY podcast host Paola Mardo to break down the making of his new film HIM, produced by Jordan Peele and Monkeypaw Productions. He reveals how grief and greatness shaped his bold mix of sports and horror, how Hitchcock and Busta Rhymes inspired the film’s genre-bending score, and how growing up Filipino (Ilocano, Visayan) and Scandinavian (Danish, Swedish) in the Bay Area informed his perspective as a filmmaker. Learn more and read the transcript of this conversation at ProximityMedia.com.

(02:14) Being the G.O.A.T.

(04:00) Working with Jordan Peele on HIM

(08:38) How grief and greatness inspired HIM

(14:48) Filming the training scene, football, and body horror

(19:04) The invisible killer

(22:17) HIM Score: Sampling CAT scans and MRIs with Bobby Krlic, Guapdad4000, Busta Rhymes, and Hitchcock

(26:51) HIM Soundtrack: AIGHT? with Carl Angelo

(28:27) Voice Memo from Tyriq Withers: How does being from the Bay set you apart?

(31:12) Editing and setting the tone with a lookbook

(34:17) Prox Recs

IN PROXIMITY

Now playing in video on YouTube and in audio on all podcast platforms. For transcripts and more information: ProximityMedia.com

PROXIMITY MEDIA 

Follow us @ProximityMedia on Instagram and TikTok.

IN PROXIMITY IS A PRODUCTION OF PROXIMITY MEDIA

Host, Director, Producer: Paola Mardo

Executive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian

Theme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig Göransson

Co-Director and Director of Photography: Patrick Epino

Sound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken Nana

Editors: Patrick Epino, Brittani Brown, Ken Nana

Production Assistants: Isabella Miller, Devin Saddler

Social Media Coordinator: Alexandria Santana

A voice memo from Ryan Coogler to Paola Mardo – writer, producer, Proximity Media’s head of audio, and the new host of IN PROXIMITY podcast!

Starting Monday, September 22nd, catch weekly episodes with exciting guests pushing the boundaries of film, TV, music, art, and culture. Plus updates on Proximity’s latest projects like SINNERS, IRONHEART, EYES OF WAKANDA, and more. Available in video and audio on YouTube, all podcast platforms, and ProximityMedia.com.
 

IN PROXIMITY
Now playing in video on YouTube and in audio on all podcast platforms.
For transcripts and more information: ProximityMedia.com
PROXIMITY MEDIA
Follow us @ProximityMedia on Instagram and TikTok.

IN PROXIMITY IS A PRODUCTION OF PROXIMITY MEDIA
Host, Director, Producer: Paola Mardo
Executive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian
Theme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig Göransson
Co-Director and Director of Photography: Patrick Epino
Sound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken Nana
Editors: Patrick Epino, Brittani Brown, Ken Nana
Production Assistant: Isabella Miller
Social Media Coordinator: Alexandria Santana
Production Intern: Ben Caloza

From the Def Jam Poetry scene to the set of a major Marvel TV show, Oakland-raised writer, poet, rapper, actor, playwright, and screenwriter Chinaka Hodge knows how to tell an epic story. Her most recent project, the Marvel TV series IRONHEART, released to Disney+ in June. Starring Dominique Thorne, IRONHEART tells the story of “bad girl genius” Riri Williams on a mission to be the greatest inventor of her generation, which she says doesn't mean much without the resources to bring her ideas to life. Riri resorts to alternative means to get said resources, meeting a host of friends and foes, including an A.I. based on her best friend, N.A.T.A.L.I.E. (played by Lyric Ross), and Parker Robins, also known as “The Hood” (played by Anthony Ramos). To give us insights into pitching, writing, and running IRONHEART, Chinaka sits down with IN PROXIMITY host Paola Mardo and her longtime friend, Proximity Media founder and IRONHEART executive producer, Sev Ohanian.

Learn more and read the transcript of this conversation at ProximityMedia.com.

((3:25) Get Reel
(5:31) Chinaka and Ironheart’s Origin Story
(21:14) Writing Ironheart Was Personal
(33:58) SUITS
(40:17) Unmatched Energy On Set and Beyond
(45:54) Into Chinaka’s Office
(48:09) Sev and Chinaka in Film School
(57:05) Chinaka as a Playwright
(1:00:10) The Ironheart Writer’s Room
(1:08:14) Prox Recs

CONNECT WITH PROXIMITY MEDIA:
Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. We’re also on YouTube.

Learn more at ProximityMedia.com.

Text PROX to 510-998-3176 or head to subtext.to/prox for updates on new episodes and latest projects from Proximity Media.

CREDITS:
In Proximity is a production of Proximity Media
Ironheart is a production of Proximity Media and Marvel Studios
Executive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, Paola Mardo
Host, Director, and Producer: Paola Mardo
Editor, Sound Mixer, Sound Designer, and Mix Engineer: Ken Nana
Director of Photography: Jonathan Chung
Theme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig Göransson
Production Assistant: Isabella Miller
Design and Social Media: Alexandria Santana
Production Intern: Jun Sawada
Special Thanks: Patrick Epino, the Proximity Media team, and our listeners.

SINNERS is only in theaters April 18 and we made a special two-part miniseries about the making of the film! Composer and executive producer Ludwig Göransson spoke with director, writer, and producer Ryan Coogler at his studio to talk about how the Delta blues and their family history inspired the film’s story and sound. They also break down the song “I Lied To You,” written by Ludwig and Raphael Saadiq, and performed by Miles Caton as Sammie in the film. Stay until the end for a special musical demonstration by Ludwig himself.

SINNERS marks Ludwig’s fifth feature collaboration with Ryan Coogler, following BLACK PANTHER, CREED, and FRUITVALE STATION. A globally recognized composer and producer, Ludwig has earned multiple awards, including two Academy Awards for BLACK PANTHER and OPPENHEIMER. His film and TV credits include VENOM, THE MANDALORIAN, and TURNING RED. As a record producer and songwriter, he has collaborated with artists like Chance the Rapper, Adele, HAIM, and Childish Gambino. He is also a co-founder of Proximity Media.

SINNERS is produced by Proximity Media and Warner Brothers.

To hear the songs that inspired the SINNERS score and soundtrack, including artists discussed in this episode, listen here.

Listen to the first episode of this special SINNERS series with Ryan Coogler and cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw here.

Learn more and read the transcript of this conversation at ProximityMedia.com.

(02:19) Get Reel
(07:44) Blues Music
(22:22) Writing & Composing “I Lied To You”
(32:17) The Hero Guitar
(35:42) Prox Recs

CONNECT WITH PROXIMITY MEDIA:

Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. We’re also on YouTube.

Learn more at ProximityMedia.com.

Text PROX to 510-998-3176 or head to subtext.to/prox for updates on new episodes and latest projects from Proximity Media.

CREDITS:

In Proximity is a production of Proximity Media

Director: Paola Mardo

Executive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, Paola Mardo

Film Score, Theme Song, and Additional Music: Ludwig Göransson

Video Producer: Bianca Catbagan

Director of Photography: Andrea Walter

Associate Producer: Celine Mendiola

Video Editors: Bianca Catbagan and Andrea Walter

Audio Editors: Cedric Wilson, Judybelle Camangyan

Sound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken Nana

Sound Recordist: Marcelo de Oliveira

Gaffer: Chris Boulos

Key Grip: Kevin “Chui” Chiu

Production Assistant: Isabella Miller

Design and Social Media: Alexandria Santana

Production Intern: Faith Wang

SINNERS is only in theaters April 18 and we made a special two-part miniseries about the making of the film! Cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw sat down with director, writer, and producer Ryan Coogler at IMAX headquarters to discuss their collaboration as director and DP, how they called Christopher Nolan and Hoyte van Hoytema for advice, and how they brought this movie to life on the biggest screen possible.

With SINNERS, Autumn made history as the first woman to shoot a theatrical feature film in 65mm and IMAX. She is a visionary cinematographer known for her work on THE LAST SHOWGIRL, PALO ALTO, and BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER. She was nominated for an Emmy for her work on the first season of Marvel’s television series LOKI. She has also shot music videos for artists like Janelle Monáe and Solange Knowles, as well as Rihanna for the Oscar-nominated song "Lift Me Up" from the WAKANDA FOREVER soundtrack.

This episode is presented by IMAX.

SINNERS is produced by Proximity Media and Warner Brothers.

Learn more and read the transcript of this conversation at ProximityMedia.com.

(2:34) Get Reel
(12:57) Advice for filming in IMAX
(17:07) Testing IMAX shots in Palmdale
(24:22) Scene breakdown: Opening scene
(31:16) Scene breakdown: Farmhouse scene
(44:27) Prox Recs

CONNECT WITH PROXIMITY MEDIA:

Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. We’re also on YouTube.

Learn more at ProximityMedia.com.

Text PROX to 510-998-3176 or head to subtext.to/prox for updates on new episodes and latest projects from Proximity Media.

CREDITS:

In Proximity is a production of Proximity Media

Director: Paola Mardo

Executive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, Paola Mardo

Film Score, Theme Song, and Additional Music: Ludwig Göransson

Associate Producer: Celine Mendiola

Sound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken Nana

Audio Editors: Cedric Wilson, Judybelle Camangyan

Production Assistant: Isabella Miller

Social Media Coordinator: Alexandria Santana

Sound Recordist: Marcelo de Oliveira

Video Producer: Bianca Catbagan

Director of Photography: Andrea Walter

Video Editors: Bianca Catbagan and Andrea Walter

Gaffer: Chris Boulos

Key Grip: Kevin “Chui” Chiu

Production Intern: Faith Wang

From FRUITVALE STATION to BLACK PANTHER, Rachel Morrison and Ryan Coogler are longtime friends and collaborators. Rachel is a groundbreaking director and cinematographer who made history as the first woman nominated for an Academy Award for Best Cinematography for MUDBOUND and the first to lens a Marvel film with BLACK PANTHER_._ Her feature directorial debut, THE FIRE INSIDE, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and hits theaters this Christmas. Written by Barry Jenkins, THE FIRE INSIDE tells the inspiring true story of Claressa “T-Rex” Shields, the first American woman to win Olympic gold in boxing. Rachel spoke with Ryan about her trailblazing journey from photography to cinematography and directing. Learn more and read the transcript of this conversation at ProximityMedia.com.

(2:31) Get Reel
(12:29) Choosing the right film stock for Fruitvale Station
(15:36) Memories from the Fruitvale Station set
(21:31) From photography to cinematography
(34:13) Stepping into directing with The Fire Inside
(44:25) Prox Recs

CONNECT WITH PROXIMITY MEDIA:

Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. We’re also on YouTube.

Learn more at ProximityMedia.com.

Text PROX to 510-998-3176 or head to subtext.to/prox for updates on new episodes and latest projects from Proximity Media.

CREDITS:

In Proximity is a production of Proximity Media

Executive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, Paola Mardo

Theme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig Göransson

Producer: Caitlin Plummer

Associate Producer: Celine Mendiola

Sound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken Nana

Editors: Cedric Wilson, Judybelle Camangyan

Production Assistant: Isabella Miller

Design and Social Media: Alexandria Santana

Veteran studio executive Courtenay Valenti began her career as an assistant at Warner Bros. in the 1980s, eventually rising to President of Production and Development. During her tenure, she championed major hits including BARBIE, THE COLOR PURPLE, and Proximity’s JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH. Today, Courtenay is Head of Theatrical and Streaming Films at Amazon MGM Studios where she oversees the company’s film slate and strategic direction. Courtenay sat down with her former colleague, Proximity’s head of film Rebecca Cho, for an empowering conversation about the role of a studio executive, lessons in leadership and mentorship, and the secret to making a sustainable and impactful Hollywood career. Learn more and read the transcript of this conversation at ProximityMedia.com.

(2:09) Get Reel
(9:31) Difference between a studio exec vs. producer
(18:07) What makes a great leader
(23:42) Navigating industry changes
(33:42) Working with creatives
(37:17) Prox Recs

CONNECT WITH PROXIMITY MEDIA:

Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. We’re also on YouTube.

Learn more at ProximityMedia.com.

Text PROX to 510-998-3176 or head to subtext.to/prox for updates on new episodes and latest projects from Proximity Media.

CREDITS:

In Proximity is a production of Proximity Media

Executive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, Paola Mardo

Theme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig Göransson

Producer: Caitlin Plummer

Associate Producer: Celine Mendiola

Sound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken Nana

Editors: Cedric Wilson, Judybelle Camangyan

Production Assistant: Isabella Miller

Design and Social Media: Alexandria Santana

We took a trip to Gardena Cinema, one of the last family-owned, independent movie theaters in Los Angeles, to try and answer a simple question: What’s it like to own and operate an indie movie theater today? Proximity’s Head of Audio Paola Mardo talks with owner Judy Kim about how her immigrant parents built their business after they bought the single-screen theater in 1976, why she had to pivot after the 2023 strikes, and the vital role her community plays in keeping the doors open. We also have a fun segment featuring our visit to a marathon of horror exploitation movies screened in 16mm film. Learn more and read the transcript of this conversation at ProximityMedia.com.

(03:57) Inside the Horror-Exploitation-Thon at Gardena Cinema
(10:49) All in the family: Gardena Cinema’s origin story 
(15:41) How the 2023 strikes changed Gardena Cinema’s business model
(23:56) What it’s like to operate an indie theater today

CONNECT WITH PROXIMITY MEDIA:

Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. We’re also on YouTube.

Learn more at ProximityMedia.com.

Text PROX to 510-998-3176 or head to subtext.to/prox for updates on new episodes and latest projects from Proximity Media.

CREDITS:

In Proximity is a production of Proximity Media

Executive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, Paola Mardo

Theme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig Göransson

Episode Producer: Celine Mendiola

Episode Editors: Celine Mendiola, Judybelle Camangyan, Paola Mardo

Producer: Caitlin Plummer

Associate Producer: Celine Mendiola

Sound Designer, Mix Engineer, Additional Music: Ken Nana

Additional Music: Blue Dot Sessions

Editors: Cedric Wilson, Judybelle Camangyan

Production Assistant: Isabella Miller

Design and Social Media: Alexandria Santana

GMORNING, GNITE! everyone's a aliebn when ur a aliebn too. BOJACK HORSEMAN. GOODBYE, AGAIN. Jonny Sun is a film and TV writer, producer, author, and illustrator who has worked with Lin-Manuel Miranda and Damon Lindelof. His background is in architecture and engineering as a doctoral candidate at MIT and a creative researcher at the Harvard metaLAB. His writing career took off after he created the beloved alien Twitter persona Jomny Sun which earned him over half a million followers and a place on TIME Magazine’s 25 Most Influential People on the Internet in 2017. On this episode, Jonny sits with Proximity’s head of film Rebecca Cho to share what they’ve learned about collaborating as writer and producer while developing a feature screenplay together. Learn more and read the transcript of this conversation at ProximityMedia.com.

(02:21) Get Reel
(10:24) Jomny Sun the Twitter alien
(14:31) The “Asian six-pack” and finding creativity in math and science
(21:20) What makes a great collaborator
(30:16) Developing their project from idea to screenplay
(34:23) Prox Recs

CONNECT WITH PROXIMITY MEDIA:

Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. We’re also on YouTube.

Learn more at ProximityMedia.com.

Text PROX to 510-998-3176 or head to subtext.to/prox for updates on new episodes and latest projects from Proximity Media.

CREDITS:

In Proximity is a production of Proximity Media

Executive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, Paola Mardo

Theme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig Göransson

Producer: Caitlin Plummer

Associate Producer: Celine Mendiola

Sound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken Nana

Editors: Cedric Wilson, Judybelle Camangyan

Production Assistant: Isabella Miller

Design and Social Media: Alexandria Santana