In The Seats with...

It's so important to start off on the right foot....On this episode we're doing another dive into some of the Emmy nominated artisans who work behind the scenes on some of our favourite shows.  On this episode it's time for 'Hello, Tomorrow".Particularly about how a show like 'Hello, Tomorrow' says hello to us every time we watch an episode.We had the great pleasure of sitting down with Emmy Nominated Main Title Designer Ronnie Koff who serves as a creative director on the show.We talked about how he got the job, how the classics from the likes of Saul Bass can still inform title sequences today and why they add so much to any given show or film.

Sometimes a job just hits a little differently....On this very special episode we dive behind the scenes on the one of the most popular variety TV shows of the modern era; 'The Daily Show With Trevor Noah'.Nominated for multiple Emmy's this year, we had the unique pleasure of discovering what it takes to edit a show like this as we sat down with editor Storm Choi who (along with his team) are nominated for Outstanding Picture Editing for a Variety Program.We got some insight about how he got the job, a day in production, navigating COVID, how close have they cut it when going to air and the creative payoffs of not only working with his team but some one like Trevor Noah.

This is one of those stories that they've told us....and I'm still not sure if I believe it...On this episode we dive head first into the incredible world of cybercrime with a brand new documentary that shows how terrifying, insane and to be honest, ridiculous it can all get.  It's time for 'Billion Dollar Heist'.Global, dynamic, and eye-opening, 'Billion Dollar Heist' tells the story of the most daring cyber heist of all time, the Bangladeshi Central Bank theft. This feature documentary traces the origins of cyber-crime from basic credit card fraud to the wildly complex criminal organizations in existence today. A tale of epic proportions, Billion Dollar Heist shows how the key players on both sides of the law are embroiled in a global game of cat-and-mouse – with our money and security on the line.This might be the first film that really clearly lays out many of the realities of cyber crime and why we need to be aware of them, it's truly a thrilling watch.We had the unique pleasure of sitting down with one of the subjects of the film, journalist and noted cybersecurity expert Misha Glenny as we talked about his involvement in the project, the craziness of it all, how it all works and how an unsung 80's classic got it all right before we even knew what Cyberspace was.

Marriage is never easy....On this episode, we dive head first into what just might be one of the best action rides of the year that you probably haven't heard of.  It's to recite some vows because it's time for 'Til Death Do Us Part'.After bailing on her wedding, a former bride-to-be must fight off her ex-groom and seven angry killer groomsmen in order to survive the night.Embracing it's set piece gonzo premise, 'Til Death Do Us Part' isn't afraid to go for the gusto as it's great action on a budget with some scenery chewing performance that you can't help but have fun with.We had the great pleasure of sitting down with director Timothy Woodward Jr to talk about the origins of the project, making something stylish and effective on a budget and really managing to bring us audiences some flashy gonzo action....

He had what so many of us needed....On this very special episode we are celebrating one of the unsung heroes of rap music who was more influential on the art form that any of us every truly understood.  In the wake of the 50th anniversary celebrations of Hip-Hop culture and rap music it's time to get 'All Up In The Biz'.All Up In The Biz is the definitive story of late, great rapper Biz Markie, who is best known for his mega hit “Just a Friend.” Crowned “The Clown Prince of Hip Hop”, Markie was a beatbox wiz who was known for his comical rhymes and generally whimsical ways. A native of Long Island, Biz’s gift swiftly propelled him through Hip Hop history; he would inspire rap icons like Rakim and Big Daddy Kane in the process. The ride had a few bumps (like the groundbreaking sampling lawsuit he was wrapped up in) but in the end, Biz Markie was recognized as the actual personification of Hip Hop. A deity if you will.   The legacy of Biz Markie is so much more in-depth that even I as a fan was unaware of and after watching the film which is on Showtime and Paramount+ in the US, I had the unique pleasure of sitting down with director Sacha Jenkins to talk about the making of the film, the importance of Biz in the legacy of Rap music, the importance of Long Island on the NY Rap scene and so very much more.

Relationships are complicated....On this special episode we dive into the compelling and humanistic drama that is playing now in Toronto and Vancouver but rolling out to additional theatres in the coming weeks.  It's time for Passages.After completing his latest project, filmmaker Tomas (Franz Rogowski) impulsively begins a heated love affair with a young schoolteacher, Agathe (Adèle Exarchopoulos). For Tomas, the novelty of being with a woman is an exciting experience that he is eager to explore despite his marriage to Martin (Ben Whishaw). But when Martin begins his own affair, the mercurial Tomas refocuses his attentions on his husband.Passages is admittedly a little bit of a throwback as it is a gorgeous and lush drama about the complexities of relationships and the emotional torment that we can put ourselves through. It's easily one of the best films of the year and we had the unique pleasure of sitting down with co-writer and director Ira Sachs to talk about the origins of the film, casting and wanting to tell a story on his terms....

There's something about a singular focus that you just can't help but appreciate...On this very special episode we dive head first into a brand new indie thriller on VOD (and select theatres?) today in the US.  It's time for 'Trader'.A manipulative sociopath (Murray) armed with a dangerously ambitious spirit, her wits, and an affinity for snorting wasabi voyages into the high-intensity game of stock market trading and wages war against the financial world. When she stumbles upon news of a monumental pharmaceutical trade, she risks everything to complete her ultimate success story no matter the cost. We do historically hate using hyperbole but this is a movie that is just truly hard to look away from as 'Trader' has a knack for gluing you to the edge of your seat and never letting go.  Considering how unabashedly ballsy and brash this is it feels appropriate for this to be a female led thriller by its star Kimberly Sue-Murray.We had the chance to sit down with her and talk about working with writer/director Corey Stanton, the need for her to branch out and take a risk and how she crafted this incredibly unique character.Trader is on US VOD platforms now.

There's always more then meets the eye when it comes to movie making....On this very special episode of "In The Seats With" we are diving into the headspace of one of the most prolific and successful Hollywood producers of recent memory.  In celebration of the release of 'Transformers: Rise of the Beats" on all PVOD platforms, we're sitting down with producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura.Returning to the action and spectacle that have captured moviegoers around the world, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts will take audiences on a ‘90s globetrotting adventure with the Autobots and introduce a whole new faction of Transformers – the Maximals – to join them as allies in the existing battle for earth.Doing gangbusters business all across the world; Transformers: Rise of the Beasts brings fresh life to the franchise to keep it going for years to come.  We had the chance to sit down with producer Lorenzo di Bonavetura to talk about the tone of the franchise, making action movies on budgets of varying sizes, not losing track of story and the emotional arc of characters and so very much more....Transformers: Rise of the Beasts is now available on PVOD platforms and still in select theatres across the globe.

It's time to embrace something new....and learn about the nuts and bolts of making cinema....On this episode we are diving into a unique film event taking place tomorrow in our fair city.  It's time for the "Art of Documentary" film festival.The inaugural Art of Documentary Film Festival which takes place Saturday July 15, from 11am - 9pm, at Innis Town Hall Theatre.Featuring finalists’ films from the One Day Doc Contest (a 24-hour challenge to make a film by current students) alongside AOD Funded films, and films from past and present students, instructors, and the wider documentary community.One of the seven selected films will be chosen as the winner, and will receive an AOD Film Distribution Deal including a film premiere on AOD Films YouTube Channel, festival submission and funding advice, promotional funding, and more. The One Day Doc Contest winner will be announced during the festival on July 15.AOD Films, a new initiative launched this year, is funded by the Academy’s AOD Film Fund which helps members bring films to life through funding, producing, and licensing original films from AOD’s current and past students. AOD will also be hosting Q&A sessions with award-winning filmmakers, Shasha Nakhai and Rich Williamson from Compy Films, (Scarborough, Take Light, Frame 394, Love Letters from Everest) discussing the changing landscape of documentary film, as well as with Oscar-winning short filmmaker Rayka Zehtabchi and her film, Period. End of Sentence, who will talk about the creative process behind their films. This is a vital and educational event for all levels of film lovers, and we had the unique pleasure of sitting down with co-founder of AOD Films and a filmmaker in his own right Michael del Monte.  We talked about the origins of the school which evolved into a festival and the state of the business as successful filmmakers actually make an effort to pay it forward and keep the art of documentary filmmaking going.

True art transcends all cultural boundaries....On this very special episode we are baring witness to a piece of vital pop culture history in a brand new documentary that shines a unique light on one of the more influential areas of pop culture in modern history.  It's time for 'Squaring The Circle'.In 1964 two young men meet for the first time during a drugs bust at a house in Cambridge and after everyone else runs for the hills to avoid the police they are the only two people left to face the music. As a result of fate bringing them together, Aubrey ('Po') Powell and Storm Thorgerson become life-long friends and creative partners. Syd Barrett was one of those who escaped the police that day and it was he who went on to form Pink Floyd - a piece of serendipity that was to have a profound affect on all of them for the rest of their lives. Syd, Po and Storm went on to share a flat in London during the hippie Summer of Love in 1967, and by '68 Po and Storm had formed the fledgling art house Hipgnosis (named incidentally by Barrett) - a photo-design company for album sleeves. By chance one of the first covers they create is Pink Floyd's 'A Saucerful of Secrets' and the rest - as they say - is history. Hipgnosis went on to design every Pink Floyd album sleeve (except The Wall and Final Cut) including arguably the most iconic album cover of all time 'Dark Side of The Moon'. Other rock n' roll bands who graced their studio during the next 15 years - the halcyon days of Vinyl - included Led Zeppelin, Genesis, Peter Gabriel, AC/DC, Paul McCartney, T.Rex, ELO, 10cc, Black Sabbath, Peter Frampton, The Rolling Stones, The Who, and many more, becoming London's most fashionable album design studio ever. From director Anton Corbijn, Squaring The Circle is a vital piece of pop culture history and we had the unique pleasure of sitting down with one of the men who was at the center of it all.  Subject of the film; the one and only Aubrey Powell.We talked about being approached for the film, being aware of the legacy of Hipgnosis, appreciating it all now years alter and so very much more....