In this episode of the Fable House Podcast, we sit down with visual effects supervisor Ray McIntyre Jr. of Pixel Magic to break down the behind-the-scenes VFX work on Green Book. From transforming stock footage into a fully believable bridge sequence to executing seamless face replacements, Ray shares how practical, “old-school” techniques still play a powerful role in modern filmmaking.

We also dive into how Mahershala Ali’s piano performance was crafted on screen, the collaboration between actors and VFX teams, and why sometimes the simplest solutions create the most convincing results.

If you're into filmmaking, visual effects, or behind-the-scenes movie magic, this is a must-watch.

🔔 Subscribe for more in-depth conversations with filmmakers, musicians, and creatives.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

00:16 Green Book VFX breakdown begins

00:40 Old-school face replacement techniques

02:00 Why practical VFX still works today

05:50 How the piano scenes were faked

07:36 Outro

Hashtags:

#filmmaking #visualeffects #vfxbreakdowns #greenbook #filmpodcast #behindthescenes #videoediting #filmindustry #cinematography #postproduction #fablehousepodcast #indiefilmmaking #editorlife #vfxartistry #moviemagic

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefablehousepod?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

In this episode of the Fable House Podcast, we sit down with Louisiana-based creative Harvey Dixon Jr. to talk about his incredible journey from production assistant (PA) to standing in and running lines with Michael B. Jordan on a Ryan Coogler film.

Harvey shares behind-the-scenes stories from working on the film “Sinners”, including how he unexpectedly went from doing PA tasks to being treated like on-screen talent. We also dive into filmmaking, breaking into the industry, creative ambition, and what it takes to turn opportunity into a career-changing moment.

If you're an aspiring filmmaker, actor, or creative, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and real industry experience you won’t hear anywhere else.

🎧Fable House Podcast brings you in-depth conversations with filmmakers, musicians, and creatives—uncovering stories you won’t find anywhere else.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro & Harvey Dixon Jr’s story

00:27 – What is the Fable House Podcast?

00:45 – Working on Sinners as a production assistant

01:04 – Getting hired early in production

01:24 – Discovering it was a Ryan Coogler film

02:19 – The guitar scene & becoming a stand-in

03:17 – Running lines with Michael B. Jordan

04:39 – How the experience sparked acting again

05:46 – Surreal moments on set & background roles

06:52 – Behind-the-scenes of the “montage” scene

08:17 – Ryan Coogler’s vision & filmmaking approach

10:35 – Performing at your highest level always

11:38 – Why Sinners brought people back to theaters

12:22 – The soundtrack & studio experience

13:09 – Working with blues legend Buddy Guy

14:47 – Filmmakers on set & creative collaboration

16:15 – From small town to film industry insights

17:22 – Ryan Coogler’s background & career path

#fablehousepodcast #filmmakingpodcast #ryancoogler #michaelbjordan #filmindustry #behindthescenes #productionassistant #actorjourney #indiefilm #aspiringfilmmakers #creativeentrepreneur #podcastinterview #LouisianaFilm #hollywoodstories #filmsetlife #storytelling #sinnersmovie

What Winning a Grammy Is Really Like | Trevor Young (SOJA) by The Fable House Podcast

Indie filmmakers Nate Dushku & Amnon Lourie break down how they made their psychosexual thriller Birder on a $350K budget — from shooting in the wilderness to real film festival experiences and career-changing advice.

They share behind-the-scenes stories, including the infamous “mountain toilet” production challenge, wild nights at international festivals, and what they learned from indie legend Christine Vachon.

If you're an aspiring filmmaker, this episode is packed with real, unfiltered advice on indie film production, festivals, and finding your audience.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Filmmaker mindset & intro

00:23 – What Birder is about (queer thriller concept)

01:00 – Real inspiration: nude campground setting

02:40 – Story idea: trust, intimacy & danger

04:30 – Filming challenges in the wilderness

05:20 – The “mountain toilet” story (low-budget reality)

09:10 – Shooting cinematic scenes on a tiny budget

12:00 – Making a feature film for $350K

13:00 – Casting & working with actors (SAG low budget)

17:00 – Early acting career & industry entry

18:00 – Film festival stories (Warsaw experience)

22:00 – Advice from Christine Vachon

25:00 – Best festivals for queer filmmakers

27:00 – Why you shouldn’t rush film festivals

30:00 – Film festival strategy & scams to avoid

32:00 – The truth about festivals vs distribution

33:00 – Favorite film festivals worldwide

37:00 – Final advice for filmmakers

In this episode of the Fable House Podcast, we sit down with Donnie from Spectrum FX, a special effects professional from Slidell, Louisiana, to talk about the incredible practical effects behind the film Sinners.

Donnie shares behind-the-scenes stories about creating massive practical effects for the movie, including a 60-foot fire tornado, burning a full-scale roof over IMAX cameras, and the extensive testing required to make these sequences both safe and cinematic.

We also discuss working with director Ryan Coogler, the collaboration between practical effects and digital VFX teams, and how the Spectrum FX team approached building believable large-scale effects grounded in reality.

The conversation also explores the Oscar campaign and nomination journey surrounding the film and what it was like for the team to suddenly find themselves competing for an Academy Award after years of work behind the scenes.

If you're interested in filmmaking, visual effects, practical effects, or behind-the-scenes movie production, this episode offers a rare look into the craft that makes movie magic possible.

The Fable House Podcast features in-depth conversations with filmmakers, musicians, and entertainment professionals to uncover stories you won’t find anywhere else online.

Timestamps:

0:00 – Intro

2:02 – Working with Ryan Coogler

4:00 – Script secrecy & test screenings on Sinners

6:00 – Burning a real roof over IMAX cameras

8:00 – Why testing special effects matters

11:02 – Creating the 60-ft fire tornado

12:12 – Practical effects vs VFX

13:08 – Shooting Sinners on IMAX film

15:20 – Explaining the VFX during the Oscar campaign

#sinnersmovie #oscars #visualeffects

#specialeffects #ryancoogler #filmmaking

#behindthescenes #podcast #imax

#fablehousepodcast

From Baton Rouge to Austin stages, this indie rock band blends cabaret theatrics, haunting harmonies, and piano-driven rock inspired by artists like Ben Folds, Fiona Apple, Elton John, Billy Joel, and Queen. In this episode, they talk about meeting in theater school, producing their own singles, Jazz Fest, touring stories, and how they “stalked” Jukebox the Ghost until they opened for them.

🎹 If you love theatrical indie rock, piano rock bands, and behind-the-scenes music production talk, this one’s for you.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Start

00:46 – Introducing Karma and the Killjoys

01:01 – Band Origin Story & Theater School Roots

03:38 – “Saint Pete’s” Music Video Explained

06:06 – What Is Piano Rock? (Ben Folds, Fiona Apple, Elton John Influences)

07:16 – Songwriting Process & Harmonies

11:05 – How the Band Officially Formed

14:23 – First Show & Early Band Days

16:15 – Opening for Jukebox the Ghost in Austin

20:21 – Jukebox the Ghost Reacts to Karma and the Killjoys

23:58 – DIY Recording & Mixing Their Own Singles

26:46 – Pro Tips for Recording & Producing Music

29:00 – Jazz Fest & 2025 Plans

30:58 – “This Song Was Stolen by Pirates” (Sea Chanty Inspired by AI)

33:00 – One-Take Performance

🔥 Topics Covered

Indie Rock & Piano Rock evolution

DIY music production & mixing advice

Recording without a major studio

Touring & opening for Jukebox the Ghost

Theatrical influences in modern rock

Artificial Intelligence inspiration behind “Pirates”

Jazz Fest performance prep

Go listen to "This Song Was Stole by Pirates" streaming everywhere.

Twelve years ago, David Wilkins (YougotDaved) starred in a homemade Doritos “Crash the Super Bowl” commercial that changed his life forever.

What started as a $300 passion project filmed at a friend’s mom’s house turned into a national Super Bowl ad, a shot at $1 million, and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to shadow a major Hollywood director.

But behind the viral Doritos time machine commercial is a story about networking, persistence, Hollywood auditions, career highs, devastating losses, and what it really means to “make it” in the film industry.

In this episode, David breaks down:

How he left corporate America to pursue acting

The grind of commercial auditions in LA

The Doritos Crash the Super Bowl competition

What happened the night his ad aired

The tragic story that followed

The power of relationships in Hollywood

Why comedy + selling food matters in Super Bowl advertising

This is more than a Super Bowl commercial story — it’s a masterclass in resilience, creativity, and the unpredictable timeline of a career in film.

If you’re an actor, filmmaker, creative entrepreneur, or anyone chasing something big — this one’s for you.

What happens when a short film calls for an actor to jump into a Louisiana pond… during alligator season?

In this episode, New Orleans-based filmmaker and grip John Mudge breaks down the unbelievable true story behind his short film Hardhead—from flooded locations and last-minute government approvals to hiring wildlife wranglers and filming a dangerous transformation scene in real alligator territory.

Set deep in the Louisiana wetlands, Hardhead is an absurd, supernatural father-son story that pushed a small indie crew to their absolute limits. John walks us through the logistical nightmares, safety protocols, insurance hurdles, and emotional tension of pulling off one of the riskiest shots of the entire film—with real alligators still in the water.

If you’re a filmmaker, film student, or just love behind-the-scenes stories from indie productions, this is one you won’t forget.

Mike Malone joins the FableHouse Podcast to share behind-the-scenes stories from his time working on iconic film and television projects alongside directors like David Lynch and Steven Soderbergh.

In this conversation, Mike reflects on his work on Twin Peaks and Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me, including the now-legendary moment when he helped create the hammer that became Laura Palmer’s murder weapon. He also discusses his experiences working with Soderbergh on projects like Schizopolis and Ocean’s Eleven, offering insight into how great directors think, rehearse, and build creative trust on set.

This episode explores:

What it’s really like working on Twin Peaks

David Lynch’s unique directing style and on-set rituals

Steven Soderbergh’s efficiency and creative instincts

Why relationships matter more than titles in filmmaking

Finding joy, humor, and purpose during long production days

Whether you’re a filmmaker, film student, or fan of behind-the-scenes movie stories, this episode offers a rare look at how iconic films are made — and why the process matters as much as the final cut.

🎙️ Subscribe for more conversations on filmmaking, creativity, and storytelling.

#mikemalone #davidlynch #stevensoderbergh #twinpeaks #filmpodcast #filmmakingpodcast #behindthescenes #moviestories #filmsetlife #creativeprocess #fablehousepodcast

@PeightonTubre joins the podcast to talk about her journey from making short films as a kid to becoming a full-time creator, sports media personality, and actress in the indie film The Cereal Aisle Effect

In this wide-ranging conversation, Peighton breaks down how she started posting online, how LSU and fantasy football content helped her go viral, and what it’s really like balancing short-form social media with long-form filmmaking. She also shares behind-the-scenes stories from The Cereal Aisle Effect, including how the role was written specifically for her, shooting overnight in a real grocery store, and preparing for one of the film’s most talked-about scenes.

We also dive into:

Dropping out of college to work in sports content

Growing on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram

Brand deals vs platform payouts

Why authenticity matters more than algorithms

Favorite movies, comedy influences, and creative process

Advice for aspiring creators and filmmakers

Whether you’re a filmmaker, content creator, or just trying to understand how modern creative careers actually happen, this episode offers an honest look at building momentum, staying passionate, and finding your lane.

🎬 The Cereal Aisle Effect premieres January 17 in New York City.