📄 Show Notes:In this episode, Damien Swaby sits down with filmmaker Suha Araj, who shares her deeply personal and inspiring journey from a career in advertising to becoming a powerful voice in film. Suha opens up about navigating major life transitions and how creative expression has always been a crucial part of her identity—even when it was sidelined by other life responsibilities.Growing up as a Palestinian in Ohio, Suha talks candidly about the lack of representation and the damaging stereo...
Jun 27, 2025•41 min
Summary From Courtroom to Camera: Don Worley’s Journey into Independent Film In this episode of Filmmaking Conversations , Damien Swaby sits down with the multitalented Don Worley — a nationally recognized personal injury attorney, former stand-up comedian, and now a dynamic force in independent cinema. Don shares his unconventional journey from high-stakes legal battles to red carpets at the Chinese Theatre. As the producer and star of Time for Sunset , a gripping crime thriller, and co-creator...
Jun 26, 2025•47 min
🎧 Guest: Olivia Deitch 🎤 Host: Damien SwabyIn this episode, Damien sits down with the talented Olivia Deitch to explore her inspiring journey through the entertainment industry — from wide-eyed film student to head online editor by the age of 23. 🗂️ Topics Covered: Olivia’s origin story: From Boston University to breaking into Hollywood Discovering her passion for editing during high school The move to Los Angeles and navigating early career uncertainty Getting a foot in the door as a PA at a...
Jun 19, 2025•44 min
Episode Description In this episode, Damien Swaby opens up about the script for his upcoming film small talk, Big Thoughts — a powerful, poetic anthology of real conversations exploring identity, faith, legacy, migration, masculinity, feminism, and more. Damien shares how he's preparing to shoot the entire project on an iPhone, why he's using the Rode NTG2 and Tascam DR-05X for audio, and how DIY filmmaking is not a limitation — it’s a creative philosophy. Whether you're a filmmaker, screenwrite...
Jun 17, 2025•6 min
Episode Summary: In this compelling episode, Damien Swaby sits down with filmmaker Moses Ssebandeke, a bold voice in the UK indie film scene and a member of the Lionstooth Collective. Known for his experimental yet grounded storytelling, Moses shares the journey from his early days as a BBC Academy apprentice to producing content for Radio 1Xtra, ITVX, and beyond. Listeners will get an inside look at: 🌱 How Moses got started in media through the BBC apprenticeship scheme 🎧 His behind-the-scene...
Jun 11, 2025•43 min
Episode Summary: What makes a scene feel cold, nostalgic, or magical—before a single word is spoken? In this illuminating episode, we’re joined by Alice Abrams, a freelance colorist whose work has helped define the visual identity of campaigns for Netflix, Meta, Google, Volvo, and more. Based in Austin, TX, Alice brings a decade of experience in film to her color suite, where she transforms raw footage into emotionally resonant, cinematic experiences. Alice shares her unique journey from working...
Jun 03, 2025•44 min
📘 Episode Summary: In this masterclass episode, Damien Swaby is joined by award-winning journalist and documentary producer Nicole Noren , whose two-decade career at ESPN is a case study in investigative storytelling done right. Nicole breaks down how she balances the demands of narrative structure with journalistic integrity — from sourcing vulnerable subjects, to shaping character arcs, to working within the legal and ethical frameworks of a major broadcasting institution. Together, they expl...
May 22, 2025•48 min
Episode Summary: Discover the fascinating intersection of visual art and filmmaking in this insightful conversation with artist Isabel Riley. Host Damien Swaby delves into Isabel's unique role in bringing art to the screen through her work with Art for Film. Explore how her paintings and artistic vision contribute to the atmosphere and storytelling of film and television productions. Beyond her cinematic collaborations, Isabel also shares details about her current exhibitions at the Michele Merc...
May 12, 2025•36 min
Episode Summary: Join Damien Swaby as he sits down with a seasoned professional from ABC News with 30 years of experience in the media industry. In this episode, we delve into Doug Looney's fascinating career journey, from early experiments with VHS editing in high school to overseeing technical operations at a major news network. Discover how technology has transformed news production, the challenges and rewards of working in a fast-paced environment, and the key skills needed to thrive in mode...
May 07, 2025•1 hr 1 min
Episode Summary: In this episode, Damien Swaby is joined by Caitlin Boyle, a pioneering force in strategic documentary distribution and the founder of Film Sprout. Caitlin discusses how filmmakers can move beyond traditional release models to build meaningful connections with audiences through grassroots campaigns, non-theatrical screenings, and community engagement. Drawing on over a decade of experience guiding social impact films, she shares insights into how intentional distribution strategi...
Apr 30, 2025•45 min
In this inspiring episode, Damien Swaby sits down with multi-hyphenate creative Karina Michel—an actress, model, producer, and Emmy-winning executive producer. Karina shares her fascinating journey from a childhood dream in Northamptonshire to navigating Hollywood auditions and eventually leading impactful storytelling projects as the head of Tallulah Films. 🗣️ Topics Covered: Karina’s early acting dreams and her modeling break with Ford Agency Auditioning for Baywatch and what she learned from...
Apr 18, 2025•35 min
The Art of Video Editing with Emmy Winner Cybele Policastro Guest: Cybele Policastro, a highly accomplished and multi-Emmy Award-winning video editor based in New York City. Expertise: Extensive experience in video editing for a wide range of high-profile media, including news and entertainment. Career Highlights: Over 20 years of experience as a dedicated editor, notably at ABC News. Recipient of multiple Emmy Awards and a Murrow Award, recognizing excellence in her field. Nominated for a Dayti...
Apr 09, 2025•34 min
Welcome to the podcast! Today we have filmmaker Isabelle on the show to discuss her journey from Lebanon to NYU and her experiences crafting compelling films. We'll delve into her creative process, her passion for telling human stories amidst political turmoil, and her advice for emerging filmmakers. Get ready for an inspiring conversation about resilience, filmmaking, and finding your voice. https://www.isabellemecattaf.com/filmography BEITY Shownotes: Isabelle's Origin Story: Born and raised i...
Apr 06, 2025•36 min
In this episode, we sit down with Kennington Groff, Esq., an experienced attorney specializing in intellectual property, entertainment, and corporate law. With a career spanning major companies like HBO, NBCUniversal, and Lionsgate, Kennington shares insights into protecting creative work, legal pitfalls businesses should avoid, and how the entertainment industry is evolving in the digital age. What You’ll Learn: Kennington’s journey into law and entertainment Common misconceptions about tradema...
Mar 28, 2025•32 min
Join us for an exciting conversation with the multi-talented Amy as she shares her journey from a young performer influenced by iconic shows like I Love Lucy and Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood to landing major roles in TV hits like Ally McBeal. In this episode, we dive deep into Amy’s creative evolution, from memorizing Lucille Ball's famous Vitameatavegamin monologue to winning a Young Artist Award on Lizzie McGuire during a challenging time for the industry.Amy opens up about her early love for perf...
Mar 13, 2025•55 min
In this episode, we had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with the remarkable Mike, an Emmy Award-winning cinematographer with over 25 years of experience in the film industry. We traversed the fascinating landscape of his career, uncovering the pivotal moments that shaped his unique approach to visual storytelling. Mike's journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and the courage to pursue one's true calling. Initially setting his sights on a career in dentistry, his path took an u...
Mar 07, 2025•42 min
In this episode of The Art of Music Law, we dive into the world of entertainment law with Sarah Falzon, an accomplished associate at Taylor Oballa Murray Leyland LLP. With her expertise in music and entertainment law, Sarah shares her insights on the unique legal challenges artists and music companies face today.Episode Highlights:1. Background & Career Path Sarah shares her journey into entertainment law and the experiences that sparked her interest in the field. How her background in mathe...
Mar 03, 2025•24 min
Guest : Quenell Jones, SOC (Society of Camera Operators)Episode Overview: In this episode, Damien Swaby sits down with Quenell Jones, an accomplished cinematographer and camera operator, to discuss his journey in the film industry, his passion for cinematography, and the collaborative nature of filmmaking. Quenell shares insights from his experiences working with various networks, his education in film, and the technical aspects of creating impactful visual stories.Key Topics Discussed: Early Be...
Feb 25, 2025•1 hr 5 min
Episode Summary: Welcome to another episode of Filmmaking Conversations with Damien Swaby! In this inspiring episode, we sit down with powerhouse producer, entrepreneur, and mentor Diane Strand. From working on legendary TV shows like Friends and General Hospital to founding the JDS Creative Academy, Diane has dedicated her career to both storytelling and uplifting the next generation of media professionals.We dive into Diane’s journey—her early love for theatre, the challenges of making it in H...
Feb 23, 2025•19 min
Ann Rogers A 2021 Impact Partners Documentary Producers Fellow, Ann Rogers is a jack-of-all-trades Documentary Producer who has spent the last decade in the entertainment trenches learning the creative and business nuts and bolts of bringing a nonfiction story to screen. Dedicated to bringing true stories to life with integrity and heart, she thrives in the world of premium feature documentary and docuseries. With experience of ushering nonfiction work through the different phases of production ...
Feb 12, 2025•33 min
Episode Summary: In this episode we sit down with screenwriter, script editor, and playwright Helen Tompson to talk about the often-overlooked struggles of working-class creatives in the film and TV industry. From imposter syndrome to industry gatekeeping, Helen shares her personal journey—from leaving school early and working as a young carer to later pursuing a master's in screenwriting and securing funding for her first short film. We discuss: 🎬 The hidden barriers working-class writers and ...
Feb 07, 2025•28 min
Episode Description: In this episode, we sit down with accomplished editor Amelia, whose journey from a childhood passion for storytelling to editing high-profile projects like Dune, Westworld, and Pen15 is nothing short of extraordinary. Amelia takes us behind the scenes of the editing room, sharing her deep knowledge of tools like Avid Media Composer and Adobe Premiere Pro, and how they shaped her creative and technical evolution. We explore: The tools of the trade: Why Avid is her go-to for l...
Jan 25, 2025•31 min
Episode Overview: In this engaging episode, Damien Swaby speaks with Joe Lusby, a seasoned creative video producer whose journey has taken him from small-town Arkansas to the vibrant streets of New York City. Joe shares his insights into the challenges and triumphs of balancing corporate work, nonprofit projects, and creative storytelling. From early days in Arkansas’ budding film scene to working with prestigious organizations like Never Whisper Justice, Joe reflects on the importance of impact...
Jan 19, 2025•45 min
In this episode of Filmmaking Conversations with Damien Swaby, we dive deep into the world of storytelling with Diane Lansing, a screenwriter, playwright, and filmmaker whose passion for reinvention and collaboration shines through her craft. Diane shares her inspiring journey from studying acting under Larry Moss to writing multidimensional characters for stage and screen. We discuss the challenges of transitioning from theatre to film, the lessons learned while directing her short film Out of ...
Dec 30, 2024•42 min
In today’s episode, we’re joined by Anna Toomey, an Emmy Award-winning producer with over 20 years of experience in the industry. Anna has worked with major outlets like ABC News, Good Morning America, and Peter Jennings Reporting, creating powerful, character-driven stories with passion and integrity. Her notable credits include The Gun Fight, an Emmy Award-winning deep dive into the National Rifle Association, and the critically acclaimed The Beatles Anthology. As the director of the powerful ...
Dec 08, 2024•33 min
Helen De Michiel – A Pioneer in Participatory Media and Community StorytellingIn this episode of Filmmaking Conversations with Damien Swaby, we dive into the fascinating world of participatory media and innovative storytelling with Helen De Michiel—a trailblazing producer, director, writer, and community engagement specialist. Helen shares insights from her decades-long career, starting with her pioneering work in public television on The Independents and Alive TV in the 1980s. As a visionary fi...
Nov 21, 2024•39 min
In this episode, we dive into the world of independent filmmaking with Alexsiya Flora, an acclaimed filmmaker, producer, and social media mentor for rising female creatives. Alexsiya’s passion for storytelling and creative independence has propelled her to produce award-winning work and lead a thriving mentorship program, where she empowers the next generation of female filmmakers to fund their dreams through social media mastery. Who is Alexsiya Flora?Alexsiya Flora is best known for her intern...
Nov 07, 2024•31 min
Show Notes In this episode, we explore: Linda Booker’s transition from a career in art direction to documentary filmmaking at the age of 40. The journey of creating her upcoming documentary, "Minnie Evans: Draw or Die," which sheds light on the life and art of the remarkable self-taught artist, Minnie Evans. The deep connection between Minnie Evans' art, nature, and spirituality, and how these elements shaped her creative legacy. The significance of Linda’s previous works, including her environm...
Sep 04, 2024•40 min
Episode Summary: In this episode, we sit down with Curtis, a Filmmaker, Cultural advocate, and Executive Director of the nomadic cinema and The Luminal Theater (founded in 2015 ) to discuss his journey in the film industry. Influenced by his West Indian heritage and passion for storytelling. Curtis shares his experiences co-founding the New Voices in Black Cinema, his approach to creating spaces for Black filmmakers, and the importance of community-driven art. We also explore the significance of...
Sep 01, 2024•51 min
Episode Overview:In this episode, Damien is joined by Jessica, a talented video producer and editor working at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. They delve into the intricate world of digital media production, dance film, and live streaming, shedding light on the dynamic creative processes behind the scenes at one of New York City's most iconic cultural institutions.Key Discussion Points: Life at Lincoln Center: Production Insights Jessica shares her experiences working at Lincoln Center, ...
Aug 28, 2024•48 min
