Essential filmmaking advice from industry pros: writer/director Justin Tipping breaks down the Tagalog needle drop in the Jordan Peele-produced sports horror film HIM and how Busta Rhymes' "Gimmie Some More" and Alfred Hitchcock's PSYCHO inspired the score (featuring "AIGHT?" by Carl Angelo and music by composer Bobby Krlic); EYES OF WAKANDA creator/director Todd Harris explains why directors should touch multiple departments; and SUPERGIRL actor, writer, and producer Azie Tesfai reveals how a bad audition made her better.

Learn more and read the transcript at ProximityMedia.com
Shop our Prox Recs at Bookshop.org
Watch/Listen to IN PROXIMITY on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify
Follow Proximity Media on Instagram, TikTok, ProximityMedia.com

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, A.J. Calomay, Andrea Walter
Motion Graphics Designer: Apollo Baldoz
Production Assistants: Isabella Miller, Devin Saddler
Sound Production Assistant: Isabella Miller
Post-Production Coordinator: Celine Mendiola
Social Media Coordinator: Alexandria Santana
Production Intern: Jun Sawada, Ben Caloza

Mike Carson is a multidisciplinary creative director and designer. Last year, he co-creative directed and production designed Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show, which drew over 133 million live viewers, making it the most-watched halftime performance ever and one of 2025’s biggest cultural moments.

On this episode, Mike talks to IN PROXIMITY host Paola Mardo about his journey from filming music videos at 19 with Big Sean (including the iconic millennial bop “Dance (A$$)” Remix featuring Nicki Minaj) and working alongside mentor Virgil Abloh, to becoming one of the most sought-after creative directors today. He also shares his creative process behind the Super Bowl Halftime Show, filming a documentary on Kanye West and Jay-Z on their 2011 Watch the Throne tour, his approach to production design for live experiences, why his laptop is essential to every project, and the art and business of the music video.

WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE

(00:00) The 12-minute music video
(02:00) Director first, designer second
(03:00) Creative directing and production designing Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Halftime Show
(08:30) The process of creative directing
(10:13) How the LA fires impacted rehearsal; shout out choreographer Charm La'Donna
(13:05) How being multidisciplinary helps his work
(13:37) Working with Virgil Abloh
(17:30) What he learned from Virgil
(18:30) Filming Kanye West and Jay-Z on the Watch the Throne
(19:54) Voice Memo from the “muse” Big Sean
(25:19) Directing music videos
(27:12) First big budget video, Big Sean’s “Dance (A$$)” Remix ft. Nicki Minaj
(29:40) Bringing back the delusion, childlike curiosity – just create!
(31:15) Mike’s design process
(36:28) Prox Recs

SHOP OUR PROX BOOKS RECS ON BOOKSHOP.ORG

LEARN MORE AND READ THE TRANSCRIPT AT PROXIMITYMEDIA.COM

WATCH/LISTEN TO IN PROXIMITY
YOUTUBE
APPLE PODCASTS
SPOTIFY

FOLLOW PROXIMITY MEDIA
INSTAGRAM
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, Ben Caloza
Sound Recordist: Isabella Miller
Motion Graphics Designer: Apollo Baldoz
Production Assistant: Isabella Miller
Post-Production Coordinator: Celine Mendiola
Social Media Coordinator: Alexandria Santana
Production Intern: Ben Caloza

Kick off the new year with advice from industry pros: manager James Swoope on why you need “something to manage” before getting representation, actor/writer/producer Azie Tesfai on asking for what you want and crowning yourself, and designer Jeff Staple on balancing art with business. Part of our special "Prox Gems" holiday mini episodes.

Learn more and read the transcript at ProximityMedia.com
Shop our Prox Recs at Bookshop.org
Watch/Listen to IN PROXIMITY on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify
Follow Proximity Media on Instagram, TikTok, ProximityMedia.com

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, A.J. Calomay, Andrea Walter
Motion Graphics Designer: Apollo Baldoz
Production Assistants: Isabella Miller, Devin Saddler
Sound Production Assistant: Isabella Miller
Post-Production Coordinator: Celine Mendiola
Social Media Coordinator: Alexandria Santana
Production Intern: Jun Sawada, Ben Caloza

Highlights from this season’s SINNERS episodes including: cultural consultant Dolly Li on Remmick’s infamous “licking” line, script supervisor Steve Gehrke on tracking continuity with Michael B. Jordan’s Smokestack Twins, and storyboard artist and EYES OF WAKANDA creator/director Todd Harris on storyboarding the surreal juke joint musical montage scene. Part of our special "Prox Gems" holiday mini episodes.

Learn more and read the transcript at ProximityMedia.com
Shop our Prox Recs at Bookshop.org
Watch/Listen to IN PROXIMITY on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify
Follow Proximity Media on Instagram, TikTok, ProximityMedia.com

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, A.J. Calomay, Ben Caloza
Motion Graphics Designer: Apollo Baldoz
Production Assistants: Isabella Miller, Devin Saddler
Sound Production Assistant: Isabella Miller
Post-Production Coordinator: Celine Mendiola
Social Media Coordinator: Alexandria Santana
Production Intern: Jun Sawada, Ben Caloza

Ammar Mohamed, filmmaker and assistant to Ryan Coogler, on how he broke into the industry, his infamous ID story, and a never-before-released story about a special day with Spike Lee. Part of our special "Prox Gems" holiday mini episodes.

Learn more and read the transcript at ProximityMedia.com
Shop our Prox Recs at Bookshop.org
Watch/Listen to IN PROXIMITY on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify
Follow Proximity Media on Instagram, TikTok, ProximityMedia.com

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, Ben Caloza
Motion Graphics Designer: Apollo Baldoz
Production Assistant: Isabella Miller
Sound Production Assistant: Isabella Miller
Post-Production Coordinator: Celine Mendiola
Social Media Coordinator: Alexandria Santana
Production Interns: Jun Sawada, Ben Caloza

Celebrate the holidays with IN PROXIMITY! Kicking off our series of holiday mini episodes, host Paola Mardo shares the best Prox Recs of 2025. Whether you’re looking for new books to read, films to watch, or advice to fuel your creative journey, this episode gathers this year’s pro recommendations on our podcast from Ryan Coogler, Ludwig Göransson, Autumn Durald Arkapaw, Sev Ohanian, Steve Gehrke, Dolly Li, Ammar Mohamed, and more.

Learn more and read the transcript at ProximityMedia.com
Shop our Prox Recs at Bookshop.org
Watch/Listen to IN PROXIMITY on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify
Follow Proximity Media on Instagram, TikTok, ProximityMedia.com

We earn a small commission when you shop through our links at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!

(00:00) Happy holidays!
(03:04) Autumn Durald Arkapaw: Photographs by Eudora Welty
(04:28) Ryan Coogler: Our Share of Night by Mariana Enriquez
(05:35) Sev Ohanian: Save the Cat by Blake Snyder and other screenwriting books
(06:28) Chinaka Hodge: The Elements of Style by E.B. White and William Strunk Jr.
(07:42) Justin Tipping: La Haine by Mathieu Kassovitz
(09:21) James Swoope: “Always remember what got us to these places.”
(12:02) Dolly Li: The Wager by David Grann
(14:07) Warner Bailey: “Don’t wait for permission.”
(15:42) Ammar Mohamed: Fahrenheit 9/11 by Michael Moore
(16:52) Steve Gehrke: “Learn your craft before getting too deep into it.”
(17:35) Angelica Nwandu: Leadership Pain by Samuel Chand
(19:01) Azie Tesfai: UCLA Extension classes
(20:33) Jeff Staple: Obsessing over something outside your field (sourdough bread!)
(22:56) Todd Harris: Constructive Anatomy by George Bridgman, Tuesday Tips by GRIZandNORM, Kill the Dog by Paul Guyot
(23:59) Courtney Storer: Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking by Marcella Hazan
(25:41) Mary Karaoghlanian: The Mel Robbins Podcast
(26:15) Armen Karaoghlanian: The Color of Pomegranates by Sergei Parajanov
(27:52) Ludwig Göransson: Working with incredible musicians, getting new instruments
(28:55) Ryan Coogler: Deep Blues by Robert Palmer

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, Ben Caloza, A.J. Calomay, Andrea Walter
Production Sound Mixer: Mark Patino
Motion Graphics Designer: Apollo Baldoz
Sound Recordist: Isabella Miller
Production Assistant: Isabella Miller, Devin Saddler, Joshua Flores, Collin Gaja
Post-Production Coordinator: Celine Mendiola
Social Media Coordinator: Alexandria Santana
Production Intern: Ben Caloza, Jun Sawada

From bookstore events to hosting the SINNERS Los Angeles premiere, what’s it like to start a film community from scratch? Armen and Mary Karaoghlanian, founders of Armenian Film Society, share how they turned their passion for cinema and community into a cultural hub that hosts major film festivals, galas, and premieres.

They discuss their recent 10-year anniversary gala featuring a conversation with Proximity founders Ryan Coogler and Sev Ohanian, where Sev was inducted into the Armenian Film Hall of Fame. They also reveal what it’s like to build your dream passion project while working full-time jobs and becoming new parents, the importance of consistency and authenticity in community building, and how they’ve spotlighted everyone from indie filmmakers to major Hollywood productions like SINNERS and ANORA.

Learn more and read the transcript at ProximityMedia.com
Shop our Prox Recs at Bookshop.org
Watch/Listen to IN PROXIMITY on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify
Follow Proximity Media on Instagram, TikTok, ProximityMedia.com

(00:00) Ryan Coogler and Sev Ohanian in proximity at AFS
(00:55) From a small bookshop event to a widely-attended gala
(02:25) Voice Memo from Sona Movsesian (Conan O’ Brien Needs a Friend)
(04:02) Why Cher and Charles Aznavour are iconic
(04:42) What is the Armenian Film Society?
(05:00) First community event at Abril Books in in Glendale
(07:41) Screening Sean Baker’s TANGERINE and Alexander Payne’s SIDEWAYS
(09:23) Ryan Coogler and Sev Ohanian at the AFS 10th Anniversary Gala
(10:27) Videos from the night of the AFS gala
(12:35) Honoring ELIO director Madeline Sharafian & ANORA actor Karren Karagulian
(14:58) Steven Zaillian, Rouben Mamoulian, and the importance of Armenians in film
(16:17) How Armen and Mary built Armenian Film Society
(17:45) Building community takes consistency
(19:39) From university film professor to film society founder
(21:46) Armen and Mary’s meet cute story… and their AOL Messenger screen name
(23:16) Family inspiration: Armenian International Magazine and a vintage film camera
(28:17) Prox Recs

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
Sound Recordist: Isabella Miller
Motion Graphics Designer: Apollo Baldoz
Production Assistant: Isabella Miller
Post-Production Coordinator: Celine Mendiola
Social Media Coordinator: Alexandria Santana
Production Intern: Ben Caloza

Step into the kitchen set with Courtney Storer, culinary producer and co-executive producer of FX's Emmy-winning series THE BEAR. In this special holiday episode of IN PROXIMITY, host Paola Mardo learns how to make Italian red sauce pasta while digging into what it takes to bring THE BEAR’S iconic food moments to life. Courtney shares exclusive behind-the-scenes stories from filming the intense holiday “Fishes” episode with Jamie Lee Curtis, training actors like Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri, and Lionel Boyce on professional cooking techniques, and working alongside her brother, series creator Christopher Storer. From 4:30 a.m. call times to creating detailed culinary reference guides for Michelin-level plating, discover how food becomes a character in one of television’s most acclaimed shows.

Learn more and read the transcript at ProximityMedia.com
Shop our Prox Recs at Bookshop.org
Watch/Listen to IN PROXIMITY on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify
Follow Proximity Media on Instagram, TikTok, ProximityMedia.com

(00:00) What does a culinary producer do? (clips)
(00:55) Storytime!
(03:13) Welcome to Courtney’s kitchen studio
(04:13) Ingredients for THE BEAR red sauce
(05:22) Start cooking
(07:16) Cooking on a TV set
(09:00) Culinary reference guide
(10:30) All the details, Carmy’s chef journey (Jeremy Allen White), TOMORROW episode, peas, chef mentors, Chicago, Ever, Chef Terry, is this the vibe?
(13:02) Is the sauce sticking??
(14:00) Training actors
(14:38) The FISHES episode and the Feast of the Seven Fishes
(16:29) Inspiration binder, pre-production, photos, visuals, Donna (Jamie Lee Curtis)
(20:20) It was like “art therapy” with the cast, crew, and her brother Christopher Storer
(22:00) What does a culinary producer do? (full segment)
(23:50) Having real chefs on the set of TOMORROW
(24:52) Voice Memo from Matty Matheson… and pasta beauty shot!
(28:50) Prox Recs… and plating the pasta!
(30:13) Cheers!

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 Sound Mixer: Mark Patino
Motion Graphics Designer: Apollo Baldoz
Production Assistant: Isabella Miller, Joshua Flores
Post-Production Coordinator: Celine Mendiola
Social Media Coordinator: Alexandria Santana
Production Intern: Jun Sawada

You know that iconic SINNERS juke joint music montage? Todd Harris is the artist who helped bring that sequence to life. A veteran storyboard artist, Todd went from designing action sequences for blockbusters like BLACK PANTHER, AVENGERS, and JOHN WICK to creating, directing, and showrunning his own Marvel series and directorial debut, EYES OF WAKANDA.

On this episode of IN PROXIMITY, host Paola Mardo sits down with Todd to discuss his journey from storyboard artist to director. He reveals how he designed the music montage sequence in Ryan Coogler’s SINNERS, shares advice for aspiring filmmakers, and explains the art behind storyboarding action sequences. He also opens up about pitching EYES OF WAKANDA to Kevin Feige and Ryan Coogler, building new characters like Noni and The Lion, and weaving real history into Wakandan lore.

Learn more and read the transcript at ProximityMedia.com
Shop our Prox Recs at Bookshop.org
Watch/Listen to IN PROXIMITY on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify
Follow Proximity Media on Instagram, TikTok, ProximityMedia.com

(00:00) SINNERS juke joint montage oner
(02:13) Voice Memo from Brad Winderbaum, Head of Marvel TV and Marvel Animation
(03:40) Advice for emerging directors, working with Taika Waititi on THOR: RAGNAROK
(06:00) Tips for presenting ideas to directors
(07:14) Storyboard artistry
(08:45) How Todd became a storyboard artist
(10:59) Process for breaking down script in storyboarding
(13:55) Pitching ideas, John Wick
(15:48) Storyboarding that iconic SINNERS juke joint montage oner
(18:00) The illusion of language, knowing your director’s taste
(20:30) Working with Ryan Coogler on BLACK PANTHER and BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER (with a pitstop at AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR)
(22:45) Creating EYES OF WAKANDA and pitching Kevin Feige
(24:40) Real history meets Wakandans
(25:05) Memnon, fan reactions, Sea Peoples, Conan the Barbarian, James Earl Jones as inspiration for The Lion
(26:50) Working with Marvel, transitioning from storyboarding to directing
(29:15) EYES OF WAKANDA behind-the-scenes, creating original characters, Noni
(33:22) Iron Fist
(34:42) Todd’s Storyboarding Process
(40:30) Prox Recs

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, Ben Caloza
Sound Recordist: Isabella Miller
Motion Graphics Designer: Apollo Baldoz
Production Assistant: Isabella Miller
Post-Production Coordinator: Celine Mendiola
Social Media Coordinator: Alexandria Santana
Production Intern: Ben Caloza

What can a $100K riot-inducing sneaker teach us about storytelling, design, and creativity?

Jeff Staple’s 2005 Nike Pigeon Dunk didn’t just drop. It ignited a riot in the streets of New York City and helped rewrite the rules of streetwear, brand marketing, and storytelling through design. On IN PROXIMITY, Jeff joins host Paola Mardo to unpack how he built Staple into a global brand one shoe and collab at a time, what filmmakers and creatives can learn from design and brand building, “the power of the t-shirt” and marketing before social media and the internet, the wild story of his elevator pitch to Yasiin Bey (then Mos Def), and how to navigate hustle culture and find creative inspiration anywhere.

Learn more and read the transcript at ProximityMedia.com
Shop our Prox Recs at Bookshop.org
Watch/Listen to IN PROXIMITY on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify
Follow Proximity Media on Instagram, TikTok, ProximityMedia.com

(00:00) The sneaker riot story
(02:40) Jeff Staple did for the pigeon what Walt Disney did for the “rat”
(03:15) Not Just Sneakers book and Jeff’s interest in brand design and sneakers at a young age
(06:30) Growing up in an immigrant Chinese family in New Jersey in the 1970s and 1980s
(09:20) The Staple Origin Story and Connie Chung
(13:14) Turning his art into a business
(14:50) “The power of the t-shirt” and marketing before social media and internet
(18:00) Seeing your art in the wild, streetwear as IYKYK
(19:02) Is streetwear still cool?
(21:15) Staple and hip-hop
(23:36) The Pigeon and trademarking pigeon poop
(26:40) Elevator pitching the collaborating with Yasiin Bey (Mos Def)
(31:20) Collaborations today
(34:00) How to stay connected to the creative, why he started a podcast
(35:50) Hacking hustle culture
(39:00) The Goods a.k.a. the shoes and the full sneaker riot story
(44:50) Jeff’s checklist for designing sneakers
(48:04) Jay-Z vs. Andre 3000 creative careers
(51:20) Prox Recs

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, A.J. Calomay
Sound Recordist: Isabella Miller
Production Assistant: Isabella Miller
Post-Production Coordinator: Celine Mendiola
Social Media Coordinator: Alexandria Santana
Production Intern: Ben Caloza