Writer and director Richard Schenkman joins THE FILM SITUATION for a wide-ranging conversation that moves from the earliest days of MTV to the making of his cult classic THE MAN FROM EARTH.

Richard shares how he became one of the first people hired at MTV before it even launched, what it was like building something from scratch, and how a James Bond fan club unexpectedly helped him land the job. From there, we get into his path as a filmmaker and the long journey behind bringing THE MAN FROM EARTH to life from a screenplay written by Jerome Bixby on his deathbed.

We go deep on micro-budget filmmaking, including how Richard raised just over $100K, assembled a strong cast led by Tony Todd, and shot the film in eight days under extreme limitations with no water, no power, and a dust storm hitting on the final night. He also breaks down working with actors, the importance of rehearsal, and why 12 ANGRY MEN was a key influence on the film’s structure.

This is a great conversation about persistence, creative problem solving, and finding a way to make the film you believe in, even when nothing goes according to plan.

Hosted by Zef Cota 

Produced by Cole Howard

(c) 2026 - The Film Situation 

Zef & Cole discuss the 2026 Academy Awards.

Director Nick Gomez joins us for a deep dive into his path from punk and underground art into filmmaking, and how that raw energy shaped his early features. We talk about making LAWS OF GRAVITY on a shoestring, the rise of The Shooting Gallery in pre-gentrified Williamsburg, and what it took to build momentum as an indie director before stepping into high-pressure episodic television such as The Sopranos, Dexter, Ray Donovan, Daredevil.

Nick also breaks down his directing process, including rehearsal, improvisation, overlapping dialogue, and why he prefers to keep things simple on set and get it in a few takes. We get into the shift from indie freedom to the realities of bigger productions, plus stories from his work across film and TV.

Hosted by Zef Cota

In this episode of THE FILM SITUATION, Zef Cota is joined by Cole Howard for a tribute to the legendary Robert Duvall. They dig into what made Duvall such a singular screen presence, from quiet restraint to explosive intensity, and why he remains one of the great American character actors. The conversation highlights key performances including TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, THE GODFATHER, FALLING DOWN, APOCALYPSE NOW, and TENDER MERCIES, plus a filmmaker-to-filmmaker discussion about directing styles, take counts, and what it takes to get truthful performances on camera. A heartfelt film-nerd salute to a true heavyweight.

Hosted by Zef Cota & Cole Howard

Actress and acting coach Bethany Lauren James stops by The Film Situation Podcast for a wide-ranging talk that lives at the intersection of craft, career, and the daily discipline of staying in motion. We revisit how we first met through my early scene-work sessions, then zoom out into Bethany’s philosophy of presence in performance, where listening is the whole game.

From there we get concrete: building accountability systems, learning how to generate your own opportunities, and how one student-film booking helped lead to a feature in New Orleans opposite Erika Christensen in THE FOLLOWER. We also talk momentum swings in the industry, including booking FBI and BLUE BLOODS, and how to keep going when the ground shifts under you.

Finally, we dig into the “noise vs signal” idea: focusing each day on the few actions that actually move your larger goals forward. If you want to follow Bethany and her coaching work, she’s on Instagram and at Actors Forum, NYC.

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On this episode of THE FILM SITUATION, Zef sits down with intern Cole Howard to react to the 2026 Academy Award nominations (announced January 22, 2026) and talk through what the Best Picture lineup says about where cinema is right now. They get into the love hate relationship filmmakers have with awards season, how the “race” can feel like sports, and why it still matters even when it drives you crazy.

Zef and Cole run through the big titles in the conversation, including SINNERS, MARTY SUPREME, TRAIN DREAMS, HAMNET, SENTIMENTAL VALUE, FRANKENSTEIN, BEGONIA, THE SECRET AGENT, ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER, and the eyebrow raising Best Picture nominee F1. Expect a mix of real film geek insight, a few laughs, and plenty of honest takes about what feels deserved, what feels surprising, and what they are most excited to watch next. If you are following the Oscar season too, hit follow and send this episode to a film friend who loves debating Best Picture.

Hosted by Zef Cota & Cole Howard of The Film Situation

Actor, writer, translator, and founder of Bronx World Film Walter Krochmal joins me to talk about his incredible journey, from studying theater on a scholarship in New England, to performing, translating, and building one of New York’s most quietly essential film organizations.

We discuss how Bronx World Film was born in the basement of Cannes’ Short Film Corner, the post World War II European idea of cinema as a tool for social reconstruction, and why Walter believes true festivals must serve both filmmakers and neighborhood audiences, not the cash grab mentality that’s overtaken so many indie fests.

In the final segment we dive into two unforgettable film moments: Fellini’s LA STRADA, which he calls a paragon of empathy and craft, and the timeless comedy of THE NAKED GUN, where Leslie Nielsen’s deadpan genius turns “Nice beaver” into a masterclass in visual timing.

Films discussed: LA STRADA (1954) and THE NAKED GUN: FROM THE FILES OF POLICE SQUAD! (1988)

Guest links: bronxworldfilm.org and Instagram @bronxworldfilm

Real talk with indie film producer producer Richie Doyle on the making of A24’s IF I HAD LEGS, I’D KICK YOU (dir. Mary Bronstein), starring Rose Byrne, Conan O’Brien, and A$AP Rocky. We talk about what a producer actually does, living at the intersection of art and commerce and protecting the artists while getting the film into the world. Richie also shares his road in, from a New Line Cinema internship and early industry jobs to standup, launching Sunday Morning Digital (including Webby wins), and building momentum into feature producing. We close on the awards season ride, including Rose Byrne’s Berlin Silver Bear win and what that spotlight means for the work.

Hosted by Zef Cota

Zef is joined by producer Heather Buckley and intern Cole Howard for a heartfelt tribute to cinema of Rob Reiner. They revisit his legendary range; STAND BY ME, MISERY, THE PRINCESS BRIDE, THIS IS SPINAL TAP, WHEN HARRY MET SALLY…, and A FEW GOOD MEN and reflect on why his movies feel like childhood, why they’re endlessly quotable, and what his work taught us about story, character, and craft.

Hosted by Zef Cota

Vance Howard is a producer and CEO of Lucky Number 8 Productions. He produced the documentary LUV YA, BUM!, which won the Audience Award for Documentary Spotlight at SXSW 2025. In this conversation, we talk about his move from business into filmmaking, what drew him to the story of Bum Phillips, and how leadership, mentorship, and conviction translate from the football field to the world of film producing.

Hosted by Zef Cota