The Smith Society

Andrew Hevia's producing credits include Moonlight, winner of three Academy Awards; Spencer, directed by Pablo Larraín; and The Luckiest Man in America, directed by Samir Oliveros. In television, his credits include Midnight Family for Apple TV+.

He's worked with Angelina Jolie, Kristen Stewart, Mahershala Ali, Walton Goggins, and Paul Walter Hauser. His films have found audiences well beyond the arthouse circuit, connecting with viewers around the world. He's partnered with NEON, A24, FilmNation, Netflix, Apple, and IFC. For seven years, he ran the U.S. office of Fabula, the production company founded by Pablo Larraín.

If you're trying to understand what a producer's job actually is, what makes a good film, why art matters, the best advice he has for film students, and — of course — one of the most memorable Oscar moments in history, this is the conversation.

**A heads up: this conversation got animated in a few spots, and you'll hear some table-tapping in the mics as a result. We did our best to bring it down while keeping things natural — it's just part of the energy.**

THE SMITH SOCIETY

At its core, The Smith Society is about storytelling and the people who dedicate their lives to it. Each episode brings together actors, writers, directors, producers, and creatives across film and television to talk about craft, career paths, creative struggles, breakthroughs, and the realities of working in an industry that constantly evolves. I try to keep the conversations grounded and personal. The goal isn’t promotion… it’s understanding the person behind the work. Because audiences don’t just love finished films or shows, they’re curious about how those stories came to be.

The Smith Society podcast on Spotify & Apple. Or, you can find us wherever you listen to podcasts.

The Smith Society theme song by: Steady Cadence

Steady Cadence is a brilliant father daughter duo out of North Carolina. There is an episode later this season about the theme song, their unique sound which blends together analog and digital, their inspiration, creative approach and how Cadence, who is currently in high school, has so much soul.

The Smith Society logo: Designer, Chris Scott

Edited by: Ian Rene Parent

Follow your dreams, no matter where they take you.

See Privacy Policy at art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info 

This episode is a deep dive into the enduring value of Blu-rays and DVDs—what they preserve, what they offer and why they still matter.

I explore how the simple act of owning a movie creates a more meaningful connection to the story. From the thrill of the hunt to the joy of liner notes, bonus discs, and director’s commentary, there’s something sacred in the tangible experience of film.

As studios consolidate and content vanishes with little warning, physical media isn’t just about nostalgia -- it’s about preservation, access, and control. Whether you're a longtime collector or just Blu-ray curious, this is a conversation about keeping cinema real, visible, and in your hands.

Vidiots Foundation - Become a member, donate, get involved:

A one-of-a-kind hub for film lovers, filmmakers, and everyone curious about cinema, Vidiots is dedicated to inspiring human interaction around film through communal theatrical presentations and preserving, growing, and providing access to its diverse DVD, BluRay, and rare VHS collection, showcasing the work of emerging, master, and underrepresented artists, and producing unique and affordable film events, and vital education programs.

https://vidiotsfoundation.org/

The Smith Society

Host: Duane Hansen Fernandez

The Smith Society theme song: Steady Cadence

The Smith Society logo: Designer, Chris Scott

Edited by: Ian Rene

Follow your dreams, no matter where they take you.

See Privacy Policy at art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info

Duane Hansen Fernandez is a writer and director. Born from a Danish mother and Filipino father, Fernandez's ethnic background towed him from his birthplace in Los Angeles, California to numerous corners and countries of the world throughout the years. It was these years that taught him to use his art to reflect an influence from his many cultural environments.

Once dreaming of becoming an archaeologist, that passion never really went away, although it evolved. Fernandez found himself becoming his own archetype of an anthropologist -- seeking to understand how people live and interact with one another, but also how they make their lives meaningful. Why do people do what they do? What are their untold stories? Most importantly, how can we make the world a better place by telling them?

Fernandez has had the opportunity to work with some of the greatest leaders in the industry, from Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, Disney, Marvel, Searchlight, A24, Focus Features, Universal Pictures, and Lionsgate, to Paramount, Sony Pictures, NBC, Fox, and FX.

GUEST HOST: Niklaus Lange boasts a diverse and successful 30 year career in the media industry. Lange has transitioned seamlessly from on-screen talent to a sought-after behind-the-scenes creative force garnishing 200+ million video views and documentary filmmaking awards.

A PLACE TO FALL DOWN

The directorial debut of Duane Hansen Fernandez, A PLACE TO FALL DOWN is a moving short film that delves into the life of Jose, an elite mechanic struggling to cope with overwhelming grief after losing his beloved wife. The film unfolds in the span of a single day, capturing Jose’s emotional journey as he navigates balancing his daily life and with his profound sense of loss. Just when he thinks he might drown, he’s reminded the world works in mysterious ways.

Featuring an extraordinary performance from Clifton Collins Jr. (Jockey), A PLACE TO FALL DOWN explores the question: can a person work to make themselves whole again after experiencing trauma? Collins Jr. portrays the grief-stricken Jose with subtlety and elegance, proving it’s in the darkest moments that the resilience of the human spirit shines the brightest. 

Teaser Trailer: A Place to Fall Down - Teaser Trailer

Instagram: A Place to Fall Down IG

The Smith Society logo: Designer, Chris Scott

Edited by: Ian Rene

Recorded at: Westlake Studios

A PLACE TO FALL DOWN - FILM CREDITS

Director: Duane Hansen Fernandez

Writer: Duane Hansen Fernandez

Producer/s: Duane Hansen Fernandez & Rebecca Parks Fernandez

Director of Photography: Tobin Oldach

Editor: Danielle L. Statuto

Executive Producer/s:Kristy Sowin, Devin Stinson

First Assistant Director: Devin Stinson

Jose: Clifton Collins Jr.

Charlotte: Erika Christensen

Scott: Niklaus Lange

Margo: Larissa Dias

Meditation App: David George

Grandpa & Lita: Toon$ & Boops Machado

Camera First Assistant: Jordan Martin

Digital Image Technician: Conrad Radzik

Gaffer: Robert Oliva

Key Grip: Adam Shambour

Sound-Mixer: Amanda Beggs, C.A.S.

Texture Photographer: Devin Stinson

Still Photographer: Paul Clear

Hair & Makeup Artist: Laurie Hallak

Key Production Assistant: Nash Oldach

Composer: Wink Winkelmann

Consulting Music Supervisor: Thomas Page

Automotive Consultant: Jasen Remington

Assistant Editor: Lucia Wang

Colorist: Miles Kula

Audio Post-Production: Eleven

Sound Mixer/Sound Designer: Jordan Meltzer

Sound Mixer, Producer: Andrew Smith

Graphic Design - Garage Logo: Chris Scott

End titles by: Endcrawl

SCORE

Track: A Beautiful Disaster 1

Written by: Wink Winkelmann

Produced by: Duane Hansen Fernandez

Bass & Guitar: Wink Winkelmann

Keys: Rashon Murph

Guitar: Yunus Iyriboz

Drums & Percussion: Garrit Tillman

Multitrack Engineer: Ian Rene

Multitrack Asst. Engineer: Patrick Gardner

Mix Session Engineer: Ian Rene

Mix Session Asst. Engineer: Hayden Duncan

Courtesy of: VOKSEE

Recording/Mixing Studio: Westlake

Special thanks: Chelsea Devantez, Nena Erb, Genesis Automotive, Valerie Lertyaovarit, John 'Pliny' Eremic, Fatima Albuquerque

Follow your dreams, no matter where they take you.

See Privacy Policy at art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info

Today, we’ll be chatting with the writer, director, skater Sean Wang about his beautiful film DÌDI (弟弟), we will discuss the challenges and triumphs he encountered while bringing this story to life. So, whether you’re a film buff, an aspiring filmmaker, or just someone who loves a good story, you won’t want to miss this conversation.

DÌDI (弟弟) IN THEATERS NOW!

DÌDI (弟弟) - Official Trailer

SEAN WANG

Sean Wang is a filmmaker from Fremont, CA. His latest short film, NǍI NAI & WÀI PÓ, premiered at SXSW 2023 where it won the Grand Jury Prize & Audience Award. Since then, it received Grand Jury Awards at AFI Fest and SIFF 2023 and was nominated for Best Documentary Short Film for the 96th Academy Awards. His debut feature film, DÌDI (弟弟), had its world premiere at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival where it won the U.S. Dramatic Audience Award and Special Jury Prize for Best Ensemble Cast.

THE SMITH SOCIETY

Host: Duane Hansen Fernandez

instagram.com/duane.h.fernandez

The Smith Society theme song by: Steady Cadence

Steady Cadence is a brilliant father daughter duo out of North Carolina. There is an episode later this season about the theme song, their unique sound which blends together analog and digital, their inspiration, creative approach and how Cadence, who is currently in high school, has so much soul.

The Smith Society logo: Designer, Chris Scott

Edited by: Marshall Baker

Follow your dreams, no matter where they take you.

See Privacy Policy at art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info 

Today we sit down with Gabriela Cowperthwaite and discuss her latest documentary film, The Grab.

Quietly and seemingly out of sight, governments, private investors and mercenaries are working to seize food and water resources at the expense of entire populations. These groups are establishing themselves as the new OPEC, where the future world powers will be those who control not oil, but food.

And it's all beginning to bubble to the surface in real time. Global food prices have hit an all-time high, threatening chaos and violence. Meanwhile, Russia is using food as a weapon against the Ukrainians, and as a geopolitical tool to wield global power.

THE GRAB is a global thriller combining hard-hitting journalism from The Center for Investigative Reporting with the compelling character-driven storytelling of director Gabriela Cowperthwaite, taking you around the globe from Arizona to Zambia, to reveal one of the world’s biggest and least known threats.

THE GRAB Trailer

THE GRAB Site

IN THEATERS NOW!

The Smith Society theme song by: Steady Cadence

Steady Cadence is a brilliant father daughter duo out of North Carolina. There is an episode later this season about the theme song, their unique sound which blends together analog and digital, their inspiration, creative approach and how Cadence, who is currently in high school, has so much soul.

The Smith Society logo: Designer, Chris Scott

Edited by: Marshall Baker

Follow your dreams, no matter where they take you.

See Privacy Policy at art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info 

After a brief hiatus...we’re back with a brand new season of The Smith Society podcast! In our premiere episode, we chat with brilliant cinematographer Matthew Chuang. We discuss his early life and trajectory in this business, and we reflect on his stunning work in past films like Blue Bayou, You Won't Be Alone, and Of an Age. We cover all my favorite talking points: pre-production (IYKYK), comfort food, and of course, his latest project — helping create the epic visual world of Chief of War, a new Apple series (coming soon).

More on Matthew Chuang

www.matthewchuang.com

instagram.com/mattscope

Host: Duane Hansen Fernandez

instagram.com/duane.h.fernandez

The Smith Society theme song by: Steady Cadence

Steady Cadence is a brilliant father daughter duo out of North Carolina. There is an episode later this season about the theme song, their unique sound which blends together analog and digital, their inspiration, creative approach and how Cadence, who is currently in high school, has so much soul.

Edited by: Marshall Baker

The Smith Society logo: Designer, Chris Scott

Follow your dreams, no matter where they take you.

See Privacy Policy at art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info

On today’s episode we chat with our pals, the very smart and very funny Amy Choi and Rebecca Lehrer. Amy and Rebecca are the dynamic duo behind Mash-Up Americans, a creative studio that helps their clients understand and connect to the dynamic, diverse, modern American audience. 

They reveal and re-center stories on the voices of the future — the voices you don’t hear enough today. Important note here, when I started working on the initial idea of this podcast four years ago, they were the first people I called. They have successfully launched a variety of successful shows and were so kind to share their knowledge with me.

They recently launched Grief, Collected and Love & Noraebang - two of my favorite podcasts right now.

>> Grief, Collected 

www.griefcollected.com

Grief is both a deeply individual and collective experience. In the arc of this show they pursue an expansion of our understanding of the many dimensions of grief, as an experience of our bodies, to our communities, to our governments, to our cultures. They are pursuing the answer to a fundamental question: Can we change the shape of our future, by processing our past?

>> Love & Noraebang

loveandnoraebang.com

A fun romantic comedy podcast set in contemporary Los Angeles - It’s kinda an homage to K Drama and Telenovela – familiar tropes like business enemies thwarting love, secondary love interests, long distance drama, companies worried they’re being taken advantage of for their money. But in the end it’s all about two people falling in love in LA in 2022. 

BTW, Love & Noraebang was nominated for an iheart Radio - Podcast of the Year!!

Be sure to follow Mash-Up Americans on Instagram and check out their newsletter - it's the best!

THE SMITH SOCIETY is a podcast featuring storytellers. From actors, writers, and directors to producers, editors, we discuss a variety of topics related to the film and television industry, everything from writing a screenplay to selling your idea and preparing for your next big project.

thesmithsocietypod.com

The Host: Duane Fernandez

instagram.com/duane.h.fernandez/

The Smith Society theme song by: Steady Cadence

Steady Cadence is a brilliant father daughter duo out of North Carolina. There is an episode later this season about the theme song, their unique sound which blends together analog and digital, their inspiration, creative approach and how Cadence, who is currently in high school, has so much soul.

The Smith Society logo: Designer, Chris Scott

Edited by: Marshall Baker

Follow your dreams, no matter where they take you.

See Privacy Policy at art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info

Today we are talking with the very talented Margaret Brown about her latest documentary, Descendant.

On July 9, 1860, more than 100 captive Africans were brought to the shores of Mobile, Alabama, on a ship named the Clotilda, under cover of darkness. The international slave trade had been made illegal in the US in 1808, but human trafficker Timothy Meaher made a bet that he could get around the law with his ship. Today, the residents of Africatown, just north of Mobile, count the Clotilda survivors among their ancestors.

The documentary Descendant, brings their stories to light as they grapple with a growing spotlight on their community following the discovery of the sunken Clotilda. The film shows how events that unfolded more than a century ago continue to have lasting repercussions several generations later.

Brown produced the film alongside Kyle Martin and Essie Chambers for Participant and Take One Five Entertainment. The film premiered at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival, where it was picked up by Higher Ground Productions and Netflix for theatrical and streaming distribution. The film was shortlisted for the 2023 Academy Awards, and you can watch it now on NETFLIX. The film currently has a perfect 100% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes. 

Descendant was released to select theaters and on Netflix on October 21, 2022.

Descendant Trailer: YouTube

Descendant Website

You can also keep up with Africatown via the Clotilda Descendants Association.

A number of the subjects featured in Descendant are quoted in this Smithsonian article, which details the search for the wreckage of the Clotilda.

You can help Africatown’s community organizations preserve the legacy of their ancestors, combat environmental injustice and spur economic transformation. Learn more about the organizations and ways to get involved here.

Note: The instrument we were discussing throughout the episode was the Akonting. Lepoleon Williams, who plays the instrument in the film, makes them himself. You can check them out in the link below, because they’re such a beautiful instrument!

www.instagram.com/lepoleonwilliams

Descendant:

Directed by: Margaret Brown

Cinematography by: 

Zac Manuel, director of photography

Justin Zweifach, director of photography

Music by: 

Ray Angry

Rhiannon Giddens

Dirk Powell

Edit by: 

Michael Bloch

Geoffrey Richman

Producers:

Margaret Brown, producer

Essie Chambers, producer

Shawn Gee, executive producer

Kate Hurwitz, executive producer

Kern Jackson, co-producer

Kristin Mann, line producer

Kyle Martin, producer

Christine Mattsson, co-executive producer

Questlove, executive producer

Jeff Skoll, executive producer

Tariq Trotter, executive producer

Diane Weyermann, executive producer

Zarah Zohlman, executive producer

THE SMITH SOCIETY is a podcast featuring storytellers. From actors, writers, and directors to producers, editors, we discuss a variety of topics related to the film and television industry, everything from writing a screenplay to selling your idea and preparing for your next big project.

thesmithsocietypod.com

Host: Duane Fernandez

instagram.com/duane.h.fernandez/

Email and ask a question or share a thought: [email protected]

The Smith Society theme song by: Steady Cadence

Steady Cadence is a brilliant father daughter duo out of North Carolina. There is an episode later this season about the theme song, their unique sound which blends together analog and digital, their inspiration, creative approach and how Cadence, who is currently in high school, has so much soul.

The Smith Society logo: Designer, Chris Scott

Edited by: Marshall Baker

Follow your dreams, no matter where they take you.

See Privacy Policy at art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info

Goran Stolevski is our latest guest, and the award-winning Macedonian-born and Australian-raised writer/director’s latest masterpiece, Of an Age, is all I’ve been talking about since I watched it.

Of an Age is a beautiful and moving film about an unexpected and intense twenty-four-hour romance between an eighteen-year-old Serbian ballroom dancer and his best friend’s older brother. A decade later the pair meet for a bittersweet reunion.

Directed with an abundance of love and care by Stolevski, this film was incredibly tender and honest, and the cinematography was as stunning as its performances. What a beautiful story!

Stolevski came to prominence with short films including Would You Look at Her, winner of the Best International Short at Sundance 2018. Collectively his shorts played over 200 festivals worldwide including Clermont-Ferrand, Palm Springs, Melbourne and Raindance. He also directed three episodes of the fourth season of International-Emmy-winning series Nowhere Boys.

Goran's feature debut You Won't Be Alone is steeped in Macedonian folklore with a genre twist. Produced by Kristina Ceyton and Samantha Jennings at Causeway Films, with Focus Features handling worldwide distribution, You Won't be Alone premiered in competition for the Grand Jury prize at 2022 Sundance Film Festival, receiving rave reviews from critics. The film stars Noomi Rapace, Carloto Cotta, Anamaria Marinca and Alice Englert.

Of an Age:

Written and Directed and Edited by: Goran Stolevski

Produced by: Kristina Ceyton and Sam Jennings

Starring: Elia Anton, Thom Green, Hattie Hook

Of an Age Trailer: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtfkhimcnLY

Official Website for Of an Age: 

https://www.focusfeatures.com/of-an-age/

THE SMITH SOCIETY is a podcast featuring storytellers. From actors, writers, and directors to producers, editors, we discuss a variety of topics related to the film and television industry, everything from writing a screenplay to selling your idea and preparing for your next big project.

thesmithsocietypod.com

Host: Duane Fernandez

instagram.com/duane.h.fernandez/

Email and ask a question or share a thought: [email protected]

The Smith Society theme song by: Steady Cadence

Steady Cadence is a brilliant father daughter duo out of North Carolina. There is an episode later this season about the theme song, their unique sound which blends together analog and digital, their inspiration, creative approach and how Cadence, who is currently in high school, has so much soul.

The Smith Society logo: Designer, Chris Scott

Edited by: Marshall Baker

Follow your dreams, no matter where they take you.

See Privacy Policy at art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info

The incomparable Deniese Davis sat down with me for one of my favorite Smith Society conversations to date. Davis is not just one of the smartest people I know, she has the rare gift of insightful and meaningful conversation. 

Davis is also a baller – she played competitive sports growing up – a lover of musicals AND enjoys the occasional Take Five, which is of course one of the best candy bars of all time. We’re practically twins!

Three-time Emmy nominee Davis began her career producing short films, music videos and digital content, which included Issa Rae’s acclaimed web series, The Mis-Adventures of Awkward Black Girl. Davis went on to serve as co-executive producer of Insecure, the award-winning HBO comedy series. Davis produced A Black Lady Sketch Show and served as an executive producer for Rap Sh!t.

Davis is also the co-founder of ColorCreative, a management company dedicated to supporting diverse creators, and she launched Reform Media Group in 2020 as a means to produce socially and culturally relevant television and film content. The company focuses on amplifying marginalized voices across the entertainment industry.

Recently, Deniese Davis and her Reform Media Group entered into a development deal with Tyler Perry Studios with the goal of bringing more diverse storytelling across both television and film.

Deniese Davis: @msdeniese 

Reform Media Group: @reform.media

THE SMITH SOCIETY is a podcast featuring storytellers. From actors, writers, and directors to producers, editors, we discuss a variety of topics related to the film and television industry, everything from writing a screenplay to selling your idea and preparing for your next big project.

Host: Duane Fernandez

instagram.com/duane.h.fernandez/

Email and ask a question or share a thought: [email protected]

The Smith Society theme song by: Steady Cadence

Steady Cadence is a brilliant father daughter duo out of North Carolina. There is an episode later this season about the theme song, their unique sound which blends together analog and digital, their inspiration, creative approach and how Cadence, who is currently in high school, has so much soul.

The Smith Society logo: Designer, Chris Scott

Edited by: Marshall Baker

Follow your dreams, no matter where they take you.

See Privacy Policy at art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info