Andy's Nurturing Legacy and the Aura of Old Hollywood

So cool to sit down with veteran entertainment advertising executive Mark Trugman to continue our tribute and honor the legacy of Andy Kuehn — a pioneer of the modern movie trailer industry and beloved founder of Kaleidoscope Films. And we're joined once again by our special co-host, Benedict Coulter. Mark shares his journey from graphic design and television promotion into the world of trailers, his first encounters with Andy, and the profound influence Andy's leadership style had on generations of creative talent. Together, they reflect on the culture Andy fostered, the careers he helped launch, and the personal memories that made him unforgettable.

• How Mark Trugman transitioned from television graphics to running one of the industry's most respected trailer companies.

• The leadership philosophy Andy Kuehn embodied — nurturing, non-proprietary, and deeply passionate.

• Inside stories about the unique culture at Kaleidoscope Films during its heyday.

• The ripple effect of Andy's mentorship on multiple generations of creative leaders in entertainment marketing.

• Anecdotes that reveal Andy's charisma, generosity, and larger-than-life presence both in and out of the office.

• [00:02:00] Mark recalls his first job with Kaleidoscope Films — and a rookie mistake involving a "two-pop" that still makes him laugh.

• [00:09:00] The first meeting with Andy Kuehn, complete with a calf tan, a parrot, and quick-witted banter.

• [00:13:00] Life inside a small but mighty Kaleidoscope team — and the rite of passage that was Andy's 5 p.m. wine gatherings.

• [00:16:00] How Andy's and Steve's management styles gave editors room to create and clients reason to trust.

• [00:22:00] A vivid description of Andy's Moroccan villa and legendary holiday parties.

• [00:27:00] The last-minute speech Mark delivered at the Key Art Awards, honoring Andy after his passing.

• [00:36:00] Reflections on what Mark misses most about Andy and why his presence might have made the industry a kinder place.

• [00:42:00] The hilarious Academy Awards "seat switch" story that put Andy in Oliver Stone's spot on live television.

• "Andy was the most passionate, supportive, enthusiastic person I've ever dealt with — there wasn't an ounce of cynicism in him." – Mark Trugman

• "It wasn't about heavy-handed management; it was about giving you the space to create and the encouragement to solve problems your way." – Mark Trugman

• "If you love doing something, why stop? It feeds your soul." – Benedict Coulter

• "The Beatles are always going to be the Beatles for a reason… Benedict, you're one of those rock stars." – Mark Trugman

• 24/96 Sound & Music Design: 2496soundandmusic.com
• The Golden Trailer Awards: goldentrailer.com/
• Soundstripe: app.soundstripe.com

Call to Action:

• Please leave us a rating and review: https://apple.co/3QYy80e
• You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.linkedin.com/in/coreysnathan.

Want to hear how the best in the business craft the world's most exciting movie trailers? Tune in every week to Trailer Geeks and Teaser Gods! 🎬🎤

🎙Crafting Legends & Honoring the GOAT

For the 3rd installment of our tribute to Andy Kuehn, we're joined by legendary trailer editor Deborah Luster as well as our special co-host Benedict Coulter. We reflect on Deborah's incredible career in the film industry—and offer her memories and all the ways she was inspired by the late, great Andy Kuehn, the pioneering force behind Kaleidoscope Films. From working on iconic trailers like Jaws, Star Wars, and Raiders of the Lost Ark, Deb shares her journey from history major to senior trailer editor, offering behind-the-scenes stories that shaped a generation of movie marketing.

📚 What We Discuss:

• How Deborah Luster transitioned from history major to trailblazing trailer editor

• Why Jaws revolutionized the trailer industry—and Deb's role in its creation

• Andy Kuehn's lasting influence on Hollywood and the editors he mentored

• The culture and camaraderie of Kaleidoscope Films in the '70s and '80s

• How the trailer industry evolved from analog to digital—and what was lost

⏱ Episode Highlights:

• [00:02:00] Deborah Luster shares how she transitioned from aspiring history teacher to trailer editing at Kaleidoscope

• [00:03:30] Working on the groundbreaking Jaws campaign and what made it such a shift in the industry

• [00:06:30] How hard it was to explain what a trailer editor did in the 1970s

• [00:08:00] First impressions of Andy Kuehn—his movie-star looks, big cigar, and magnetic presence

• [00:10:00] Andy's unique mentorship style: encouraging assistants to cut and giving them credit

• [00:11:00] Deb's work on iconic campaigns like Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Karate Kid, and War Games

• [00:15:00] The collaborative, non-competitive environment at Kaleidoscope and how it fostered growth

• [00:17:30] What production life was like before digital—three-martini lunches and slow film processes

• [00:19:00] Substance use in the 1970s–80s industry culture and how creativity evolved through it

• [00:21:30] Kaleidoscope's lasting influence through its alumni and standards of excellence

• [00:24:00] Remembering Andy's graciousness and leadership—even years after Deb left Kaleidoscope

• [00:29:00] Bill Cox's mentorship and the value of old-school editing rigor

• [00:37:00] Favorite trailers ever: Life of Brian, Alien, Taxi Driver, and more

• [00:41:00] How working with Andy opened doors to working with legends like Clint Eastwood

💬 Featured Quotes:

"He was like the GOAT of trailers. Let's face it." – Deborah Luster "Andy wanted you to shine and be acknowledged for your work." – Benedict Coulter "It's basically like you're paying a studio to cut a movie for them because you want that prestige on your website." – Deborah Luster "Everybody participated in the Kaleidoscope of it all." – Benedict Coulter

🔗 Resources Mentioned:

• Jaws Trailer (1975) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1fu_sA7XhE

• Star Wars Original Teaser (1977) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZ734NWnAHA

• Raiders of the Lost Ark Trailer (1981) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkkzKHCx154

• The Life of Brian Trailer (1979) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKPmGjVFbrY

• 24/96 Sound & Music Design: 2496soundandmusic.com
• The Golden Trailer Awards: goldentrailer.com/
• Soundstripe: app.soundstripe.com

Call to Action:

• Please leave us a rating and review: https://apple.co/3QYy80e
• You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.linkedin.com/in/coreysnathan.

Want to hear how the best in the business craft the world's most exciting movie trailers? Tune in every week to Trailer Geeks and Teaser Gods! 🎬🎤

"Kaleidoscope University" - The Trailer Industry's Wild Beginnings

Continuing our Tribute to Andy Kuehn, we're joined by Mike Camp, who got his start at Kaleidoscope Films under Andy, went on to serve as EVP at Paramount, EVP at Fox on the International side, and ulitmately was co-founder of the boutique agency ACME. And we're once again fortunate to have special co-host Benedict Coulter—often thought of as "the original rock star editor of the trailer industry" and now co-founder and owner of REBEL.

What We Discuss:

• How Andy Kuehn inspired a generation of trailer editors and producers

• What it was like working at Kaleidoscope Films during its golden era

• Mike Camp's role in shaping campaigns for classics like Top Gun, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, and Titanic

• What it takes to launch a successful creative agency in Hollywood

• The art and philosophy of trailer-making, from the analog days to now

Episode Highlights:

• • [00:02:45] – Mike Camp reflects on how a favor for a college friend landed him at Kaleidoscope Films, launching a decades-long career in trailers.

  • [00:07:10] – The unique, rowdy, and creatively explosive culture at Kaleidoscope: office wine tastings, horse racing bets, and midnight brainstorms.

  • [00:14:30] – A pivotal phone call from Dawn Steel brings Mike to Paramount, where he joins a dream team at just 27 years old.

  • [00:17:55] – The legendary 1986 Paramount slate: Top Gun, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Crocodile Dundee, and Star Trek IV.

  • [00:23:20] – Andy Kuehn's distinctive trailer sensibility and how he elevated the artform by focusing on mood, music, and emotion.

  • [00:28:40] – The creation of ACME: how Mike and his partners went all-in to build a new agency, and what set them apart.

  • [00:36:50] – Mentoring and collaborating with a new generation, including the rising talent of Skip and his revolutionary graphics work.

  • [00:49:15] – Reflections on Andy's enduring impact on trailer culture and how he empowered creatives with freedom and trust.

  • [01:02:00] – The legacy continues: why Mike and Benny remain passionate about storytelling and honoring the roots of the craft.

Featured Quotes:

• "A trailer is a song—it's meant to give you emotion. You're not selling the movie; you're selling a feeling." – Mike Camp
• "Andy championed us. He never said no to a wild idea. He always said: try it." – Benedict Coulter
• "The trailer's job is to get asses in seats. If the film does its job, they'll stay there." – Mike Camp
• "Andy was the heart of Kaleidoscope. He made you feel like you were truly in the movie business." – Mike Camp

• 24/96 Sound & Music Design: 2496soundandmusic.com
• The Golden Trailer Awards: goldentrailer.com/
• Soundstripe: app.soundstripe.com

Call to Action:

• Please leave us a rating and review: https://apple.co/3QYy80e
• You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.linkedin.com/in/coreysnathan.

Want to hear how the best in the business craft the world's most exciting movie trailers? Tune in every week to Trailer Geeks and Teaser Gods! 🎬🎤

Unearthing the Craft of Trailer Making

In this special episode, we kick off a heartfelt tribute honoring Andy Kuehn—the father of the modern trailer industry and founder of Kaleidoscope Films. Corey is joined by two legendary figures: Skip Chaisson and Benedict Coulter. Together, they reflect on Andy's creative legacy, leadership style, and lasting influence on the art of trailer-making.

🔑 What We Discuss:

• The origin story of Kaleidoscope Films and Andy Kuehn's role in building the trailer industry

• Skip and Benny's personal experiences working under Andy's leadership

• How Andy's creative instincts elevated the craft of trailer editing

• Insights on leading through uncertainty and uplifting your creative community

• The evolution of trailer companies into full-service creative content studios

⏱️ Episode Highlights: [00:01:00] Tribute Series kickoff – Why Andy Kuehn still matters [00:03:00] Skip Chaisson's incredible legacy in trailers [00:06:00] Corey shares a moving message on inclusion and supporting each other [00:13:00] Skip's journey from Columbia intern to Kaleidoscope to Skip Film to Wild Card [00:23:00] First impressions of Andy – "like a 1940s movie star" [00:30:00] Andy's 1000-foot view – how his feedback sharpened creative vision [00:37:00] A story about Andy recommending the perfect piece of trailer music [00:46:00] How Andy built a culture that empowered talent and community [00:52:00] Skip's dance scholarship and how it inspired his music choices

💬 Quotes to Remember: "Andy had this ability to look at a cut once and hone in on exactly what it needed." – Skip Chaisson "Some men need to succeed in order to belong. Some women need to belong in order to succeed." – Andy Kuehn (as remembered by Benedict Coulter) "He unearthed the talent in us... and championed it." – Benedict Coulter "We're going to need each other." – Corey Nathan

• 24/96 Sound & Music Design: 2496soundandmusic.com
• The Golden Trailer Awards: goldentrailer.com/
• Brent Allen Hagel: www.brentallenhagel.com
• Soundstripe: app.soundstripe.com

Call to Action:

• Please leave us a rating and review: https://apple.co/3QYy80e
• You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.linkedin.com/in/coreysnathan.

Want to hear how the best in the business craft the world's most exciting movie trailers? Tune in every week to Trailer Geeks and Teaser Gods! 🎬🎤

Thought folks would enjoy hearing this one from all-time great, Chad Misner. So many of the pieces Chad's been involved with still get mentioned among the best trailers ever made. Enjoy... Chad Misner, is well known and well loved as one of the most respected editors and creative directors of the entire trailer industry. Most recently Chad was the SVP of Creative Advertising at Focus Features and, prior to that was responsible for 2 of the greatest trailers of all time Little Children and The Social Network, among dozens, if not hundreds of other brilliant contributions. Some other favs:

• The Wrestler - https://vimeo.com/82565290
• Biutiful - https://vimeo.com/57498175
• Burn After Reading - https://vimeo.com/57433705

• The Golden Trailer Awards: goldentrailer.com/
• Brent Allen Hagel: www.brentallenhagel.com
• Soundstripe: app.soundstripe.com

Call to Action:

• Please leave us a rating and review: https://apple.co/3QYy80e
• You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.linkedin.com/in/coreysnathan.

Want to hear how the best in the business craft the world's most exciting movie trailers? Tune in every week to Trailer Geeks and Teaser Gods! 🎬🎤

In this episode, host Corey Nathan sits down with Andrea Weeks, Executive Creative Director at AV Squad. A lifelong creative, Andrea brings a unique perspective shaped by her upbringing in Maine, a background in theater and film, and an impressive trajectory in the world of trailers and creative marketing. From her early days at Sony Pictures Classics to pioneering campaigns at AV Squad, Andrea shares her journey through the indie and mainstream worlds of film marketing.

What We Discuss:

• How AV Squad became 100% employee-owned and what that means culturally

• Andrea's transition from theater to film and trailers

• The importance of mentorship and collaborative creativity

• Behind-the-scenes insights into trailers for major campaigns like Longlegs

• How Andrea's artistic upbringing informs her creative leadership

Episode Highlights:

• [00:02:00] AV Squad becomes employee-owned: the announcement and cultural impact

• [00:04:00] Growing up in a Maine artist colony with a creative family

• [00:12:00] Andrea's first exposure to film and passion for political theater

• [00:18:00] Interning at Sony Pictures Classics and finding a way into film

• [00:27:00] Spotting the rise of Netflix and seizing new opportunities

• [00:34:00] Transitioning from New York to LA and joining AV Squad

• [00:49:00] Crafting the Longlegs campaign and fostering company-wide collaboration

• [00:54:00] Mentorship and developing young talent in the creative industry

Featured Quotes: "The arts are a way to help shift the world." – Andrea Weeks "Being invited into the creative space of a film is a privilege—and building trust is everything." – Andrea Weeks "Everyone knows I'm a huge admirer of AV Squad… it's the spirit of the company that really stands out." – Corey Nathan

Resources Mentioned: AV Squad – https://www.avsquad.com/ Ghetto Film School – https://www.ghettofilm.org/

• The Golden Trailer Awards: goldentrailer.com/
• Brent Allen Hagel: www.brentallenhagel.com
• Soundstripe: app.soundstripe.com

Call to Action:

• Please leave us a rating and review: https://apple.co/3QYy80e
• You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.linkedin.com/in/coreysnathan.

Want to hear how the best in the business craft the world's most exciting movie trailers? Tune in every week to Trailer Geeks and Teaser Gods! 🎬🎤

This episode is definitely for "trailer geeks" because host Corey Nathan and this week's guest Jonny Elwyn totally geek out over some great trailers.

So on this edition, we sit down with Jonny Elwyn—a freelance editor and writer based in London—to explore the creative freelance lifestyle, the trailer industry, and Jonny's popular newsletter This Week in Movie Trailers (TWIMT). Jonny shares his journey through film editing and writing, his strategies for staying productive, and how he built a data-driven trailer newsletter that's catching the attention of the industry.

What We Discuss:

• How Jonny Elwyn built a successful freelance career

• Insights into balancing parenting, editing, and side hustles

• Why collaboration beats competition in creative industries

• The origin and purpose of This Week in Movie Trailers

• Trends Jonny has uncovered from trailer viewership data

Episode Highlights:

• [00:01:00] Meet Jonny Elwyn – editor, writer, and creator of TWIMT

• [00:04:00] Choosing editing over directing in film school

• [00:06:00] Why fellow freelancers can be your best asset

• [00:10:00] Monetizing blogs and building a writing income

• [00:30:00] How Jonny built the TWIMT trailer tracking system

• [00:38:00] Surprising data insights about trailer performance

• [00:44:00] Why trailer editors deserve more credit

• [00:50:00] What's next for TWIMT—and how the industry can help shape it

Featured Quotes: "Your competition is actually your best community." – Jonny Elwyn "It doesn't matter how slow you go, as long as you don't give up." – Jonny Elwyn "People just want to see the trailers. No filler—just the good stuff." – Jonny Elwyn

Resources Mentioned:

• This Week in Movie Trailers (TWIMT): movietrailers.pro/
• Jonny's Newletter on Post: www.cut-daily.com
• Jonny's Blog: jonnyelwyn.co.uk

• The Golden Trailer Awards: goldentrailer.com/
• Brent Allen Hagel: www.brentallenhagel.com
• Soundstripe: app.soundstripe.com

Call to Action:

• Please leave us a rating and review: https://apple.co/3QYy80e
• You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.linkedin.com/in/coreysnathan.

Want to hear how the best in the business craft the world's most exciting movie trailers? Tune in every week to Trailer Geeks and Teaser Gods! 🎬🎤

In this nostalgic episode of Trailer Geeks and Teaser Gods, host Corey Nathan sits down with the legendary Robert Hyams, a pivotal figure in the evolution of movie marketing. From his start in the mailroom at Kaleidoscope to his influential role in both trailers and studio post-production, Rob shares fascinating stories of the people, technologies, and transitions that shaped the industry. With over four decades in the business and a reputation for never missing a deadline or going over budget, Rob offers unmatched insight into the trailer world's past and future.

What We Discuss:

• How the trailer industry evolved from physical film to digital workflows

• What it was like working at Kaleidoscope, Picture Mill, and on the studio side

• The creative and technical challenges behind finishing trailers

• Why certain people in post became icons in the field

• Advice for the next generation entering the film and entertainment industry

Episode Highlights:

• [00:01:00] Rob and Corey reflect on how they met — a chance call that launched a career

• [00:07:00] Rob's early days at Kaleidoscope and the family legacy that brought him to Hollywood

• [00:15:00] The revolutionary shift from film to video editing and Rob's role in the transition

• [00:24:00] Working with Hollywood legends like Ralph E. Winters and lessons learned in the cutting room

• [00:31:00] The introduction of Avid and how trailer editors embraced new tech faster than studios

• [00:39:00] Founding Picture Mill and the birth of a new kind of graphics/post company

• [00:44:00] Insights into the decline of film labs and the rise of digital intermediate

• [00:50:00] Rob's thoughts on the future of post-production and storytelling in the age of AI and streaming

• [00:56:00] The stories behind iconic trailer copy lines and Rob's gratitude for the community

Featured Quotes: "You could take a 10-pound bag of crap and cut it down to a five-pound bag of crap. Still a bag of crap." — Robert Hyams, quoting Ralph E. Winters "We weren't just adapting to change—we were the change." — Robert Hyams "Working union? Live better. You get health benefits and a pension. It's huge." — Robert Hyams

Resources Mentioned:

• Coming Attractions - A History of the Movie Trailer: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FA3lgVcwFc

• Night on the Town (Rick Goldstein's film): www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzOsRBjtrLQ

• The Golden Trailer Awards: goldentrailer.com/
• Brent Allen Hagel: www.brentallenhagel.com
• Soundstripe: app.soundstripe.com

Call to Action:

• Please leave us a rating and review: https://apple.co/3QYy80e
• You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.linkedin.com/in/coreysnathan.

Want to hear how the best in the business craft the world's most exciting movie trailers? Tune in every week to Trailer Geeks and Teaser Gods! 🎬🎤

In this episode, host Corey Nathan sits down with Pete Campbell, Creative Director at Wild Card Creative Group and one of the most respected editors and mentors in the trailer industry. From his humble beginnings as a student and babysitter to cutting award-winning trailers and mentoring the next generation of creatives, Pete shares his journey and the craft behind some of the most iconic trailers in Hollywood.

What We Discuss:

• How Pete transitioned from screenwriter to editor to creative director

• Why WDA was a launching pad for so many successful creatives

• What it takes to make a trailer that resonates emotionally and commercially

• Behind-the-scenes insights into campaigns like The Martian, The Post, and Severance

• How Pete balances creative intuition with collaboration and leadership

Episode Highlights:

• 1:00 – Pete talks about his Mad Men namesake and early days in advertising

• 4:00 – From Loyola Marymount to babysitting Kevin Williamson's twins

• 11:00 – Cutting a spec trailer for Kung Fu Hustle and launching a career

• 16:00 – Why Pete joined AV Squad and how it shaped his creative evolution

• 26:00 – Creative directing as mentorship, not micromanagement

• 34:00 – The story behind The Martian trailer and how quiet moments amplify impact

• 45:00 – Editing The Post and Nick Temple's critical advice

• 51:00 – The joy of working on The Studio and blending highbrow and madcap comedy

• 60:00 – Pete's favorite trailers by other editors and what he learned from them

Featured Quotes: "Your job as a creative director is to see that 85% and not put your thumbprints all over it." – Pete Campbell "I've had so many moments where I think I'm terrible, and then I pray, and somehow an idea comes that saves the day." – Pete Campbell "Think different. It sounds so easy, but it's one of the hardest things to do in this industry." – Pete Campbell

Resources Mentioned:

• Dead Island Game Trailer: https://youtu.be/2mi5bH0fIxE?si=RMH12502ZTzhMEZV

• Pete Campbell on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/pete-campbell-19629a21

• Wild Card Creative Group: www.wildcardcreativegroup.com

• The Golden Trailer Awards: goldentrailer.com/
• Brent Allen Hagel: www.brentallenhagel.com
• Soundstripe: app.soundstripe.com

Call to Action:

• Please leave us a rating and review: https://apple.co/3QYy80e
• You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.linkedin.com/in/coreysnathan.

Want to hear how the best in the business craft the world's most exciting movie trailers? Tune in every week to Trailer Geeks and Teaser Gods! 🎬🎤

On this episode, we sit down with the brilliant and dynamic Dana Precious. From her humble start as a receptionist to holding top marketing positions at Sony, Marvel, and Relativity, Dana shares a story filled with humor, grit, and wisdom. Alongside her accomplishments in entertainment marketing, Dana is also a successful author of several novels, and in this episode, she reflects on creativity, leadership, industry changes, and personal evolution.

What We Discuss:

• How Dana Precious transitioned from receptionist to CMO

• Lessons in navigating creative careers and studio politics

• Dana's insights on writing, brand strategy, and staying creatively inspired

• Her take on recent brilliant campaigns that others have done like Barbie and Oppenheimer

Episode Highlights:

• [00:03:00] Dana's quirky entry into the industry and discovering copywriting

• [00:08:00] The power move (accidentally) that got her hired at Sony

• [00:28:00] Adjusting from agency life to studio marketing

• [00:46:00] Dana's writing career and genre-hopping storytelling

• [00:56:00] Why Barbie and Oppenheimer were marketing masterclasses

• [01:00:00] Her honest advice to young creatives trying to break in

Featured Quotes:

• "Some of the best careers in this industry were started by people who were just terrible as receptionists." – Corey Nathan
• "I discovered I was good at copywriting, and when people are good at something, they often discount it." – Dana Precious
• "I always thought working hard and doing a good job was enough. But I didn't spend enough time making friends." – Dana Precious

Resources Mentioned:

• www.danapreciouswrites.com

• The Golden Trailer Awards: goldentrailer.com/
• Brent Allen Hagel: www.brentallenhagel.com
• Soundstripe: app.soundstripe.com

Call to Action:

• Please leave us a rating and review: https://apple.co/3QYy80e
• You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.linkedin.com/in/coreysnathan.

Want to hear how the best in the business craft the world's most exciting movie trailers? Tune in every week to Trailer Geeks and Teaser Gods! 🎬🎤