"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

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