If you've worked on a New York Production, the chance that you've bumped into Smitty on your set is pretty high. If you haven't - it's likely the Key Grip on your set probably trained under him. 

Born and raised in the Bronx, Rob Smith says he was saved by the film industry after years of getting into trouble on the streets. After a friend brought him to set of a music video in 1990s, he was immediately pulled into the industry where he tackled multiple crafts from PA, Director, AD, and more before eventually becoming most known as a Key Grip. 

Smitty is probably one of the most seasoned non-union Key Grips you'll ever meet with an unforgettable personality. He's no BS, always keeps his cool, but loves a good challenge when it comes to rigging on his shoots. We talk with Smitty about his experiences working in music video world in its heyday, some of the challenges he encountered during his 30 year career in the industry, and where he thinks the industry is headed.

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Perhaps best known for working with the Polish Brothers on Northfork and Twin Falls Idaho, David Mullen has shot over 40 other independent feature films; Jennifer’s Body and the Love Witch to name a few. David's resume also includes television series such as United States of Tara, West World, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

David is not only renowned for his work, but he also has a reputation for being an avid film nerd. In many ways, David’s cinematographer education came from a hybrid of real world experience and film school. Before he was enrolled in CalArts, David had already mastered lighting and filming on Super 8mm cameras. He digested journals, magazines, almost any piece of literature that could give him the knowledge he needed to pursue this passion for photography.

Join us as we talk to this 3-time Emmy Winner and a 2-time ASC Award Winner about how he got started in this chaotic world of cinema and pick his brain about the wealth of knowledge he's collected during his career.

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Meet Kathleen Kim, you might have seen her on SNL, Awkwafina is Nora from Queens, Helpsters, or even Sesame Street, but you probably didn't know it was her. Kathleen is a puppeteer who's been the talent behind some incredible characters.

Puppeteering wasn't always a part of Kathleen's original career trajectory but this changed when she took a "puppetry for comedy" improv class. Kathleen's witty sense of humor and voice acting skills landed her a spot in the Sesame Street Puppetry Workshop where she would eventually be selected to perform as Ji-Young, the first Asian American character on Sesame Street.

Join us as we talk to Kathleen about putting her own life experiences into her characters, the pressure of living up to her predecessors, and hear some incredible stories of how her small size made it possible to squeeze herself into this industry.

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This episode is brought to you in part by MUBI 

Experience groundbreaking cinema on MUBI with the stunning 4K restoration of Tarsem Singh’s THE FALL. Filmed over four years in 28 breathtaking locations and starring Lee Pace, it's a monumental production that transcends genres. 

For a limited time, you can try MUBI free for 30 days at mubi.com/shittyrigs

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Larry Fessenden is a producer, director, and the founder of Glass Eye Pix. Above all, he is a lover of cinema and not afraid to get involved in the technical process and do the work. In fact, he prefers it. A performer in his own right, when Larry isn't making films, he's starring in them.

In many ways, Larry is a local legend and icon of the horror genre. His career spans over 40+ years and 20+ films throughout which he has earned a spirit award and acknowledgment from the Criterion Collection. His production company Glass Eye Pix, has not only been a film school of sorts for successful directors like Ti West, he's even invested in their earlier work.

Larry is a fascinating case study of what it takes to make your film when you're up against all the odds. His process is his and he doesn't claim to have the right one either but he'll fight you tooth and nail for it. Literally.

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This episode is brought to you in part by MUBI 

Experience groundbreaking cinema on MUBI with the stunning 4K restoration of Tarsem Singh’s THE FALL. Filmed over four years in 28 breathtaking locations and starring Lee Pace, it's a monumental production that transcends genres. 

For a limited time, you can try MUBI free for 30 days at mubi.com/shittyrigs

Let us know if we're doing a shitty job.

Support the show

Tony Pettine has worked as a Script Supervisor on 50+ films. Tony is also the co-creator of ScriptE, which is the market leader in Script Supervision software with over 5000 users worldwide. On today's episode, we get to dive down the rabbit hole of what it's like to work as a script supervisor on films and television. We get to hear the ins and outs of being a department of one and learn about how his software ScriptE has improved the workflow for script supervisors around the world. 

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This episode is brought to you in part by MUBI 

Experience groundbreaking cinema on MUBI with the stunning 4K restoration of Tarsem Singh’s THE FALL. Filmed over four years in 28 breathtaking locations and starring Lee Pace, it's a monumental production that transcends genres. 

For a limited time, you can try MUBI free for 30 days at mubi.com/shittyrigs

Let us know if we're doing a shitty job.

Support the show

On this episode, we have a 2 guest segment lined up. First up, Smokey Nelson is back in the studio to co-host. Smokey was the Gaffer on "Half Nelson" and "Blue Valentine". He's also the DP on "Neon Joe Werewolf Hunter". 

Our featured guest is a good friend of Smokey's, Luke Geissbühler. Luke Geissbühler is a Director of Photography best known for his work on Helvetica, The Borat Films, and Robots. 

With the power of these nerds combined, we touch on the differences between working on documentary films VS narrative films and how it can inform their style of cinematopgraphy. We also pick their brains on how they build their teams and hear some of their memorable troubleshooting stories from being on set. 

We can't wait for you to hear these two ramble about their years of experience, conveniently consolidated into a 2 hour window. 

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Visiting all the way from the UK, Director of Photography Spike Morris stopped by the Wrap Drinks set to chat with us about all things cinematography related. Spike's love for photography and working with analogy technology morphed into a passion for filmmaking. Spike's desire for experimentation has led him to work on some exciting projects like Moses Boyd's "Stranger than Fiction" music to video and Lewis Capaldi's "Forget Me" music video - a shot for shot recreation of Wham's "Club Tropicana" music video. He's also had the honor of working as the 2nd unit DP for "Don't Hug Me I'm Scared," a show he describes as Sesame Street on acid. Tune in as we chat with Spike and Christelle de Castro who is back on the show as a lovely co-host.

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Ad agencies, lighting design, non-profit work, special effects, protests, and psychedelic art shows; these two have seemingly done it all. Natalie Cleveland currently finds herself as a Producer & Industry Advocate, while Simon Cleveland is working under the title of Lighting & Effects Wizard.

In this episode of Wrap Drinks we sit down with the industry power couple to talk about understanding the obstacles of a working relationship and how sometimes a change of departments can better suit your lifestyle.

In May of 2024, FREE THE WORK, closed this chapter of the nonprofit. Natalie has since started "Working Insights" with a few of the FTW visionaries, they're working on the same values and crossing over some of the programs.

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Blake's eventual role as a cinematographer didn't happen through the most traditional route. In fact, Blake's stint in the film industry began as a Production Assistant - infamously on the huge sets like "The Dark Knight Rises". Blake's ambitions however took him beyond this when he transitioned to AC work. In recent years, his accomplishments include being the Tech Producer for the NFL featurettes during the pandemic. Today, he is a Trinity Steadicam operator but he hasn't forgotten his roots or the experiences that made him the DP he is today. Join us as we chat with Blake about these experiences and more. 

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Heidi Koleto is a Prop Master with experience working on TV Shows such as Barry, Julia, and Kevin Can Fuck Himself. On today's episode, she gives us insight on what it's like to work on these large productions and how she handles the day to day tasks and responsibilities to keep a show running. Throughout this conversation we also learn about some of her amazing quirks that contribute to her success as a Prop Master as well as some helpful organizations that can contribute to your success.

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