In this episode, I sit down with Ami Vitale, an award-winning photojournalist, filmmaker, and conservationist whose work has appeared in National Geographic, TIME, and beyond. Ami shares her journey from covering global conflicts to telling powerful wildlife stories—like the viral image of Sudan, the last male northern white rhino.

We dive deep into the ethics of storytelling, how to protect your work in a digital age, and why Adobe’s Content Authenticity app is a game-changer for creatives, allowing them to digitally “sign their work” by applying Content Credentials. Ami also breaks down what it takes to earn trust with your subjects, the importance of archiving, and the emotional weight of documenting extinction.

If you’re a photographer, filmmaker, or creative navigating the tension between truth and tech, this episode is a masterclass in purpose-driven storytelling.

Follow Ami: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amivitale/?hl=en 

Try the Adobe Content Authenticity App: https://contentauthenticity.adobe.com/

Chapters:

00:00 - Intro to Ami Vitale & the Art of Honest Storytelling

05:00 - Ami’s Journey into Photojournalism & Curiosity as a Superpower

08:10 - Archiving, NAS Systems, and Lost History

11:06 - Trust, Orphaned Images & Why Metadata Matters

15:36 - Connecting the Local to the Global Through Photography

22:57 - The Danger of Sensationalism & Why She Embeds for Years

30:44 - Ethics, Model Releases & Protecting Your Subjects

32:00 - Ami’s Work Misused in the #BringBackOurGirls Campaign

38:08 - Adobe’s Content Authenticity App: Why It Matters

42:01 - Combatting Misuse in the Age of AI

45:49 - Building Content Credentials Into Your Workflow

48:57 - Seeing the Real vs. Edited: The Before/After Tool

53:16 - The 9-Year Story Behind Her Most Impactful Image

58:52 - Capturing Sudan’s Final Moments With Care & Consent

1:05:03 - Knowing When to Put the Camera Down

1:10:00 - Journalism vs. Advocacy: Where Ami Stands

1:12:57 - The Business of Storytelling & Protecting Your Work

1:17:25 - Why Empathy Is the Root of All Creativity

In this episode, I sit down with Parker Laramie, an incredible film editor with two films premiering at Sundance—Andre Is an Idiot and Train Dreams. Parker’s journey from working as a PA to cutting feature films for A24 and Netflix is packed with lessons on resilience, creativity, and navigating the world of film editing. We dive into his experiences editing everything from horror films to award-winning documentaries, the challenges of working on high-profile projects like Allen v. Farrow, and how he balances narrative and documentary storytelling.

If you’re an aspiring editor, filmmaker, or just a fan of behind-the-scenes filmmaking, this episode is full of insights on the craft of editing, the importance of mentorship, and what it takes to get your work onto the big screen. Don’t miss this one!

Join the BWNC Private Community:

www.bwnc.com/join

Follow Parker:

https://www.instagram.com/moorparks

Timestamps:

00:00 - Welcome to Sundance & Introducing Parker Laramie  

00:09 - Parker’s Two Films Premiering at Sundance  

00:27 - Editing *Andre Is an Idiot* & *Train Dreams*  

00:57 - Breaking into Film Editing & Early Career Struggles  

02:15 - Working on *Dancing for the Devil* for Netflix  

03:30 - From Short Films to Feature Editing  

05:10 - Screening at Sundance for the First Time  

07:05 - The Emotional Rollercoaster of Premiere Night  

09:30 - The Power of Film Festivals for Distribution  

11:50 - Growing Up in LA & Discovering Editing  

13:20 - Film School vs. Hands-On Learning  

15:05 - Learning Avid & Early Editing Projects  

17:30 - Parker’s Journey from PA to Film Editor  

19:45 - Editing *Argo* and Learning from the Best  

21:55 - The Reality of Long Hours in Editing  

24:10 - Working on *Unfriended* & Horror Editing Challenges  

26:35 - Transitioning into Documentary Filmmaking  

28:50 - Editing *Requiem for a Running Back* & CTE Stories  

31:25 - The Importance of Finding Mentorship in Editing  

33:10 - How *Ghost Fleet* Led to Editing *Train Dreams*  

35:15 - Balancing Documentary and Narrative Films  

37:20 - The Challenges of Editing *Allen v. Farrow*  

40:00 - The Creative Process in Documentary Storytelling  

42:35 - Managing a Career in Both Docs & Narrative Films  

45:10 - The Art of Editing for Emotion and Impact  

47:50 - Parker’s Workflow & Using Adobe Premiere for Editing  

50:20 - What’s Next? Future Projects & Creative Aspirations  

52:10 - Advice for Aspiring Editors & Filmmakers  

54:00 - Final Thoughts & Closing Remarks  

In this episode, I sit down with Kinigra Deon, a powerhouse content creator with over 4.7 million subscribers on YouTube. What makes her story incredible is that she started with zero experience in film or content creation—working as a clinical scientist before pivoting into digital storytelling. Now, she runs a full-scale production company, producing scripted episodes three times a week while incorporating her family into the creative process. We dive into how she built her channel from the ground up, the challenges of balancing business and creativity, and the strategies behind her massive success.

Whether you're an aspiring content creator, filmmaker, or entrepreneur, Kinigra’s journey is full of valuable lessons on consistency, risk-taking, and trusting your intuition. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to turn a passion project into a thriving career, this episode is a must-listen!

Join the BWNC Private Community:

⁠www.bwnc.com/join

Follow Kinigra:

https://www.instagram.com/kinigra

Timestamps:

00:00 - Welcome to Sundance & Introducing Kinigra Deon  

00:29 - How Kinigra Built a 4.7M Subscriber YouTube Channel  

00:52 - The Power of Consistency: Posting 3 Times a Week  

01:50 - From Clinical Scientist to Content Creator  

02:45 - The Role of Intuition in Kinigra’s Success  

03:34 - From Solo Creator to Family Production Team  

04:55 - Building a Team & Training Family Members  

06:14 - Learning Filmmaking from Scratch  

07:05 - The Struggles & Rewards of Involving Family  

08:22 - Growing Up in Birmingham & Early Influences  

09:30 - Creating Stories for Black Representation  

10:50 - The Pivot from Adult to Family-Oriented Content  

12:28 - The TikTok Effect on Kinigra’s Growth  

14:10 - Learning to Monetize & Making YouTube a Full-Time Job  

15:48 - Setting a Posting Schedule & Committing to Growth  

17:35 - Balancing Business & Creative Work with Her Husband  

19:24 - Handling Burnout & Long-Term Sustainability  

21:12 - The Importance of Testing Thumbnails & Titles  

23:07 - Developing Episodic Content & Expanding into Series  

25:16 - The Creative Process & Writing Family-Friendly Stories  

27:04 - Building a Sustainable Business Model for Content Creation  

29:10 - Future Plans: Expanding Beyond YouTube  

31:45 - The Pressure of Leading a Family Business  

34:12 - Managing a Growing Production Team  

36:00 - Learning to Adapt Content Based on Audience Feedback  

38:22 - The Challenges of Running a YouTube Channel as a Business  

41:05 - Balancing Creative Passion with Algorithm Strategies  

43:10 - The Power of Serial Content on YouTube  

45:00 - Testing New Content Ideas & Storytelling Techniques  

47:18 - The Future of Kinigra’s Content & Scaling Her Brand  

49:55 - Final Advice for Aspiring Content Creators  

52:10 - Closing Thoughts & Where to Follow Kinigra  

In this episode, I sit down with Ernie Gilbert, a Grammy-winning editor and director known for his work on Childish Gambino’s This Is America, Beyoncé’s Renaissance, and A24’s latest film Opus. Ernie shares his journey from touring with bands and directing music videos to breaking into Hollywood as an editor and filmmaker. We dive into his experience working on major projects, the creative challenges of editing, and what it’s like premiering a film at Sundance.

Whether you're an aspiring filmmaker, a music video fanatic, or just love behind-the-scenes stories from the industry, this episode is packed with insights on building a career in film, taking creative risks, and navigating the highs and lows of success. Don't miss this deep dive into Ernie’s journey and the lessons he’s learned along the way!

Join the BWNC Private Community:

⁠www.bwnc.com/join

Follow Ernie:

https://www.instagram.com/erniebyernie

Timestamps:

00:00 - Welcome to Sundance Film Festival  

00:11 - Introducing Ernie Gilbert  

00:27 - Ernie’s Grammy Win and Filmmaking Journey  

00:46 - Working on Beyoncé’s *Renaissance* Film  

01:24 - Ernie’s Background in Editing & Directing  

02:23 - The Struggle with Taking Compliments  

03:10 - The Surreal Nature of Success  

04:29 - Finding the Best Shots in Post-Production  

06:25 - Editing A24’s *Opus* and Premiere at Sundance  

07:45 - How Ernie Got Started in Filmmaking  

09:11 - From Political Aspirations to Filmmaking Passion  

10:58 - Early Music Video Work & Touring with Bands  

13:15 - Working with Bayside & Touring Insights  

15:12 - Moving to L.A. & Breaking into the Industry  

16:26 - Balancing Night Jobs with Creative Work  

18:43 - Breaking into Union Editing  

20:18 - Transitioning from Reality TV to Narrative Work  

22:13 - The Importance of Building a Network  

24:31 - Learning from Showrunners and Editors  

27:43 - Emotional Intelligence in Filmmaking  

30:26 - Balancing Multiple Creative Paths  

32:57 - The Rise of Multi-Skilled Filmmakers  

35:36 - The Leap to Lead Editor & *This Is America*  

37:51 - Behind the Editing of *This Is America*  

40:36 - The Importance of Taking Career Risks  

42:17 - Reflecting on Career Milestones  

44:06 - Working with Bo Burnham & Jerrod Carmichael  

46:24 - First Feature Film *On the Count of Three*  

48:45 - Self-Funded Short Films and Creative Risks  

50:30 - Ernie’s Experience with Sundance & Indie Filmmaking  

52:10 - The Evolution of Filmmaking in the Digital Age  

54:20 - Advice for Aspiring Filmmakers & Editors  

56:05 - How to Find Your Unique Voice as a Creator  

58:12 - Final Reflections & Closing Thoughts  

Season Finale - Today's guest is Coodie & Chike! You won't want to miss this.

Today's guest is Sam Newton. Sam is a travel filmmaker who has grown an audience on his YouTube channel sharing inspiring stories and visuals. 

Thank you Sam for joining us!

Follow Sam:

Instagram: ⁠http://www.instagram.com/samnewton

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Join the BWNC Community!

This is a private space where you can learn from industry-leading creatives, gain insights to advance your skills, receive answers to tough questions, find collaborators, and land job opportunities.

‍

By becoming a member, you will build a valuable network of peers that you can lean on to support you, motivate you, hold you accountable, give you constructive feedback, and so much more!

It’s completely FREE to join!

http://www.bwnc.com/join

Also want to give a HUGE shout out to Canon for supporting this podcast. We love ya’ll!

Want to show more love? Do these things:

Follow us on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/blackwithnocream

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Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://bit.ly/theBWNCnewsletter

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Today we have Director and Photographer, Kaito on the Podcast! Kaito has directed massive campaigns with the top brands and has shot some of the biggest celebrities and artist.

Today we have a goat who’s been at it for years, Daniel Rojas. Daniel is a photographer, best known for his work with Travis Barker and Blink 182. A photographer out of LA who climbed the ladder in photography through skateboarding and into pop culture - Daniel has an inspiring story.

Today we have the legendary Atiba Jefferson - Photographer who’s best known for his work shooting for the Lakers, Professional Skateboarding, and his lifestyle photography. Atiba has been in the game for YEARS and drops nothing but knowledge in this weeks episode. 

Thank you Atiba for joining us on the show! Appreciate you!

Follow Atiba:

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/atibaphoto

----------

Join the BWNC Community!

This is a private space where you can learn from industry-leading creatives, gain insights to advance your skills, receive answers to tough questions, find collaborators, and land job opportunities.

‍

By becoming a member, you will build a valuable network of peers that you can lean on to support you, motivate you, hold you accountable, give you constructive feedback, and so much more!

Use code 'ONEBUCK' to get in for just $1 for the first month!

Join at: http://www.bwnc.com/join

Also want to give a HUGE shout out to Canon for supporting this podcast. We love ya’ll!

Want to show more love? Do these things:

Follow us on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/blackwithnocream

Follow Ben on instagram: http://www.instagram.com/benrealvsworld

Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://bit.ly/theBWNCnewsletter

Download our ‘How To Charge A Client’ guide: http://www.bwnc.com/shop