The Celluloid Ashram

Live from our weekly cigar and film get togethers, colorist and great friend Keyhan Bayegan chats with me about how he came to be a colorist. A natural born instructor, I recall having him explain to me why color reacts the way it does and being impressed with his bottomless knowledge of craft and his ability to explain it clearly. My first podcast of the year! And cinematographers will not want to miss the advice he gives about what to look for in a colorist. https://keyhanbayegan.com/

Haaaaappppy New Year!

Seasoned actor/director Jack Meggers has just shot his first short film on celluloid. He stops by and speaks to me about the efforts it took to produce it and also reflects on the deeper meaning and nuance of the craft. A great conversation on the transition from a digital medium to a film one. And also having fortitude to adversity when it comes to creativity with what is available. https://www.jack.film/

One of my dearest and longest collaborators cinematographer Natalie Perez has shot the most episodes of "The Valley" micro-series on film. Her infectious positivity makes it no surprise that she has excelled at whatever she has set her mind to. This would include SheTv (https://www.shetv.me/), a female founded media production that focuses on unique underrepresented voices and perspectives. We chat about all things media related, being fellow Loyola Marymount University alumni, and philosophize about the little rewards we need to give ourselves on the road to the bigger picture along with great advice on tackling the more daunting business side of the industry.

Friend of celluloid Natasha "Swizz" Abdul has just shot 16mm for the first time and she chats with me about her experiences as well as discusses the philosophical choices of film and a do-it-yourself approach. Another bright talent on the rise!

The incredibly chill cameraman and friend of film, Jon Warfield Harrison crafts incredible images of the San Francisco Bay area which culminated into an incredible moving love of identity project called "Blackness Is Everything" (https://youtu.be/Hh79RZpPwuw) an absolutely beautiful mosaic of life told through poetry. I'm so grateful to speak about the way film conveys space and time and emotion with someone so grounded to a community. And love listening to the mature approach he has to executing his vision. His simple yet humble approach to his craft inspires to go out and shoot with whatever you got. https://jonwharrison.com/

Fresh off an impressive nomination for The Neighborhood's "Pretty Boy" from the prestigious Cameraimage, director Ramez Silyan chats with me about his start, his love of cinema and celluloid being a choice for his art. An absolute joy to talk to a filmmaker who shares a common philosophy about the approach of making films. https://instagram.com/getmezzy?utm_medium=copy_link

Direct from Melbourne Australia filmmaker AJ Madsen raps with me about his progression into shooting on film, his love of film cameras and the ingenuity of Australians. He is an encyclopedia of information on what cameras were on what productions which can be seen at his Instagram page https://instagram.com/sprocket.king?utm_medium=copy_link. A fascinating discussion with a young cinema enthusiast and deeply profound insight on what it means to use celluloid.

Celluloid pal, filmmaker Kevin Clark and I, chat about shooting on film, the hit-the-ground learning style he recommends and love of the filmed image. We discuss his upcoming film "A Face In The Sky" shot on super 16mm on an Aaton XTR Prod and also all things cinema! https://instagram.com/kevinclark?utm_medium=copy_link

Filmmaker Ferguson Sauve-Rogan created his recent film "A Lost Space In The Return" on an Arriflex BL1. Yes, folks! The OG sync sound camera, (as you will learn) historically THE FIRST handheld 35mm sync camera. We epically chat about gear and searching out the tools needed to tell stories on film. Lots of great insight and trivia on celluloid and what it means to give your film a more professional polish.