In this episode, I sit down with British filmmaker, fight choreographer, and martial artist Michael Hoad, co-director of the new indie action-thriller A WOMAN SCORNED. We talk about how Michael went from training at Carlson Gracie to working on a Guy Ritchie set, and how martial arts opened the door to his directing career. We dig into the making of A WOMAN SCORNED—from the co-directing process to weapon-heavy night shoots and choreographing complex action without stunt doubles. Michael shares w...
Jul 08, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 61
In this episode, we sit down in-person with producer and film finance expert Scott DuPont out in Los Angeles. I first discovered Scott through the documentary MOVIE MONEY CONFIDENTIAL (directed by Rick Pamplin) , and he also runs a great podcast called Finance Your Movie. He’s raised millions of dollars for indie films and has been in the game for a long time...but what really stands out is how practical and down-to-earth his approach is. We talk about how he raised a million bucks for his first...
Jun 19, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 60
Louise Levison is the undisputed queen of indie film business plans—and in this episode, she breaks down how to actually raise money for your movie. Best known for crafting the business plan that launched The Blair Witch Project, Louise has helped independent filmmakers secure financing for decades. We talk about what investors really care about, how to position your project for success, and the biggest mistakes first-time filmmakers make when chasing funds. Whether you're planning your first fe...
May 21, 2025•57 min•Ep. 59
Throwback episode -- originally recorded for GlobeScreen in 2023: Legendary cinematographer Dante Spinotti (HEAT, L.A. CONFIDENTIAL, THE INSIDER) joins us for a rare and intimate conversation. We dive into his collaborations with directors like Michael Mann and Curtis Hanson, explore the making of iconic films, and hear behind-the-scenes stories—from lighting the climactic airport scene in HEAT to shooting ALTO KNIGHTS with Robert De Niro in dual roles. Spinotti also shares insights on digital v...
Apr 08, 2025•51 min•Ep. 58
On this episode of The Film Situation, host Zef Cota sits down with Julian Biba—a filmmaker, producer, novelist, and director of the NY True Venture Film Festival—to discuss his unconventional journey into filmmaking. From his early days as a bodyguard to finding himself at the Cannes Film Festival with his first short film, Julian shares how his real-life experiences have shaped his storytelling across film, literature, and festival programming. Plus, Julian and Zef break down two of his favori...
Feb 28, 2025•55 min•Ep. 57
In this episode of The Film Situation, we sit down with acclaimed Stanley Kubrick biographers Nathan Abrams and Robert P. Kolker, co-authors of KUBRICK: AN ODYSSEY, to explore the genius of one of cinema’s most enigmatic directors. From the Bronx to London, Stanley Kubrick’s legacy continues to fascinate and influence filmmakers and cinephiles alike. We dive deep into his obsessive attention to detail, behind-the-scenes stories from his most iconic films, and what made him such a singular force ...
Feb 11, 2025•50 min•Ep. 56
On this episode of The Film Situation, I sit down with documentary filmmakers JoeBill Muñoz and Lucas Guilkey to discuss their powerful PBS documentary THE STRIKE. The film tells the gripping story of a historic 30,000-person hunger strike inside California’s prison system—an act of mass resistance that exposed the brutal reality of long-term solitary confinement. We dive into how JoeBill and Lucas first met, the years-long process of making the film, and the incredible resilience of the men who...
Feb 03, 2025•54 min•Ep. 55
On this episode of The Film Situation, we sit down with gaffer-turned-DP Tom Chaves to discuss his 15-year journey in the industry, the challenges of transitioning from lighting to camera, and the harsh realities of being pigeonholed in the film business. Tom shares insights on AI’s growing impact on cinematography, the evolving landscape of indie filmmaking, and his own experiences working on everything from music videos to micro-budget features to high-end commercial gigs. We also dive into hi...
Jan 30, 2025•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 54
Discussion between Jon Difilippo & Zef Cota about the 2025 Academy Award nominated films. Warning there may be spoilers!
Jan 26, 2025•48 min•Ep. 53
In this special emergency episode of THE FILM SITUATION, we pay tribute to the life and work of legendary filmmaker David Lynch, who has profoundly influenced the world of cinema. David Lynch’s films, from BLUE VELVET to TWIN PEAKS, have captivated audiences with their unique blend of surrealism, haunting visuals, and complex storytelling. In this episode, we reflect on his unmatched contributions to film and explore the lasting impact of his art and philosophy. Zef Cota co-hosts with Alex Gray,...
Jan 17, 2025•54 min•Ep. 52
In this episode we sit down with acclaimed costume designer Catherine Marie Thomas to explore her storied career. Known for her work on iconic films like KILL BILL, GREY GARDENS, THE PROPOSAL, and the Netflix hit LEAVE THE WORLD BEHIND, Catherine shares fascinating insights into the art of costume design. From her unconventional start at Juilliard to collaborating with legendary directors like Quentin Tarantino and Robert Altman, Catherine discusses her creative process, memorable projects, and ...
Jan 08, 2025•57 min•Ep. 51
In this episode, Zef Cota welcomes acclaimed filmmaker Bill Fishman, director of the cult classic TAPE HEADS and numerous iconic music videos for bands like the Ramones and Counting Crows. Bill dives into the making of his latest project, WALTZING WITH BRANDO, a fascinating biopic starring Billy Zane as the legendary Marlon Brando. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Tahiti, the film explores Brando's ambitious dream to build an eco-friendly resort on a remote island, based on the memoir of...
Dec 30, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 50
In this episode we sit down with the multifaceted Claire McKey Berkman to discuss her dynamic career spanning TV, theater, film, and web content. From her beginnings in creative writing and theater at Pitzer College to working in tv and film production in Los Angeles, Claire has embraced every aspect of storytelling. After moving to London to earn her MFA in Advanced Theatre Practice at the prestigious Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, she pushed the boundaries of her craft by writing an...
Dec 23, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 49
In this episode of The Film Situation, we sit down with NYC based cinematographer Matthew Canada to explore his unique journey from studying jazz theory at a music conservatory to crafting breathtaking visuals for narrative films and cinematic commercials. Matthew shares how his diverse life experiences, including earning a degree in marketing, have shaped his artistic approach to cinematography, where art and science seamlessly merge. We dive into his early days filming music videos in New York...
Dec 21, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 48
In this episode of The Film Situation, Zef Cota chats with Emmet Loverde, a multi-talented writer, director, and producer whose work spans stage, screen, radio, and beyond. With over 200 productions of his stage plays mounted worldwide, Emmet shares his insights into crafting stories that captivate audiences across mediums. From his feature films like SHE'S OUT OF HIS MIND and BEAUTY, BRAINS, AND PERSONALITY to his acclaimed radio adaptations of THE MOON MAID and THE KILLIST, Emmet’s creative ou...
Dec 19, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 47
Joshua Holz is a filmmaker based in New York. He has directed and edited films featured in MovieMaker Magazine's Top 50 Festivals, W.W. Norton & Company, Interview Magazine, and has worked on films and productions worldwide. His graduate film thesis, Another Night (2023) was awarded the Made in NY Grant. He developed his feature script Vera about his great-grandmother for script labs and pre-production in Texas.
Dec 08, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 46
In this episode, we’re joined by George Beno, a New York-based film producer whose impressive credits include co-producing Josh Mond’s IT DOESN’T MATTER, starring Christopher Abbott and Jay Will, which premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, and Rachel Wolther’s THE FRENCH ITALIAN, featured at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival. Beyond producing, George brings a wealth of experience in location management, having worked on major productions like JOKER: FOLIE À DEUX (2024) and INSIDIOUS: THE RED ...
Nov 26, 2024•57 min•Ep. 45
Kent Sanderson is the President of Bleecker Street Media. Recently, they've released films such as RUMOURS (2024) with Cate Blanchett, SASQUATCH SUNSET (2024) with Jesse Eisenberg and Riley Keough, and TREASURE (2024) with Lena Dunham and Stephen Fry. Kent also served as Executive Producer on other Bleecker releases, including THE ART OF SELF-DEFENSE (2019), starring Jesse Eisenberg and Alessandro Nivola, as well as the upcoming Mike Leigh film HARD TRUTHS, which premiered at the 2024 Toronto In...
Oct 28, 2024•54 min•Ep. 44
In this episode, Zef sits down with Bobby Perretti, founder of Wheelhouse Films and an emerging filmmaker who began his journey studying screenwriting at Johns Hopkins University where he made his debut short film, The Cyclist. With experience as a director’s assistant, script doctor, writer, and coordinator for NYC's Directors' Collective workshop, Bobby shares insights into his work in film. Together, Zef and Bobby dive into the artistry of two cinematic classics: Carol Reed's 1949 British noi...
Oct 27, 2024•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 43
In this episode of The Film Situation, Zef Cota sits down with the multi-talented Tracy James Terry, an award-winning playwright, actor, and musician turned screenwriter and producer. Tracy shares her journey from theater to film, recounting how her successful stage play led her to the world of screenwriting and eventually to founding her own film company. With wit and insight, she discusses the challenges of adapting her play for the screen, the cinematic and literary influences that shaped her...
Oct 25, 2024•55 min•Ep. 42
Director and legendary stuntman Art Camacho. Known for his work on action-packed films, Art shares insights into his latest release, RUTHLESS (2023), a gripping revenge thriller starring Dermot Mulroney. Zef and Art also dive into his upcoming project, featuring iconic actors Harvey Keitel and Danny Trejo. With decades of experience in the industry, Art discusses the art of blending high-octane action with compelling storytelling, while reflecting on his journey from stunt coordination to direct...
Oct 08, 2024•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 41
Jonathan Yunger's has produced iconic action franchises and has worked on more than sixty films at Millennium, including THE EXPENDABLES franchise, OLYMPUS HAS FALLEN, LONDON HAS FALLEN, JOLT, THE HITMAN'S BODYGUARD, and MECHANIC: RESURRECTION. He's also produced films such as TESLA, starring Ethan Hawke, which premiered at Sundance in 2020, and THE OUTPOST, featuring Scott Eastwood and Orlando Bloom, in which Yunger also had a supporting role and was nominated as a part of the 2021 Top Ten Inde...
Sep 16, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 40
Original FilmSeen Throwback from 2021.
Sep 08, 2024•59 min•Ep. 39
Originally recorded in NYC - March 2020 Harri "Indio" Ramkishun is a Bronx born and raised filmmaker, director of photography, and producer. He is the owner/operator of GuyaRican Productions LLC (GRP). Indio also freelances as a live sports camera operator. Indio wrote, produced, and directed "BlackOUT City" (2011), a short film about a couple evaluating their relationship during the northeast blackout of 2003. He has also worked on multiple short/feature projects in various roles. In 2015, Indi...
Sep 05, 2024•58 min•Ep. 38
In this episode of The Film Situation Podcast, we sit down with the incredibly talented Byron Werner, a seasoned cinematographer known for his work on the 2023 feature film SPINNING GOLD, as well as music videos for top artists such as Weezer, Coldplay, and Lil Wayne. Byron shares his journey from making short films in grade school to becoming a sought-after Director of Photography in Hollywood. Byron discusses the creative process behind SPINNING GOLD, a biopic about Neil Bogart, the founder of...
Jul 31, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 37
Zachary Treitz is a NYC based filmmaker he produced "The Pleasure of Being Robbed" and co-produced DADDY LONGLEGS. Both films premiered at the Directors’ Fortnight section of Cannes. He directed the short film "We’re Leaving," which premiered at Sundance and is available on the Criterion Channel. His feature film MEN GO TO BATTLE won the Best New Director prize at the Tribeca Film Festival and was distributed by Film Movement. Inspired by years of hearing his childhood friend Christian Hansen's ...
Jun 28, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 36
Alex & Trevor used to host one of my favorite podcasts which was called 'No-Budget Filmmaking'. We discussed everything from the emergence of A.I. in moviemaking, to their past work with the late Larry King on his series 'Larry King Now'. Then of course we talked about some of their favorite movie scenes from AMERICAN PSYCHO, CHILDREN OF MEN, JURRASIC PARK, & REQUIEM FOR A DREAM. Trevor L. Nelson: @TrevorLNelson Alex Darke: https://filmmakingcentral.com/ Hosted by Zef Cota...
May 16, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 35
Hilary Duncanson is an actor known for MR HARRIGAN's PHONE (2022), TALES OF A SCORPIO SINGER, and HOMICIDE FOR THE HOLIDAYS. We talk about filmmaking, working as a background actor, and some of his favorite movies including THE WIZARD OF OZ & 5 EASY PIECES.
Apr 26, 2024•54 min•Ep. 34
Recorded the week following the Academy Awards with Jon Difilippo from Almigos Podcast. Hosted by Zef Cota
Apr 01, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 33
Dan Kennedy & Caroline Keene directed a nice heartfelt indie film called MERRY GOOD ENOUGH. It's a comedy about a dysfunctional family whose mom disappears on Christmas Eve, and the lengths one daughter must go to bring her family back together again. At once funny, intense and hopeful, MGE is led by the indelible Raye Levine and Joel Murray, and features a stand-out ensemble cast that includes Susan Gallagher, Comfort Clinton, Sawyer Spielberg, Daniel Desmarais, Neil Casey, Sophie von Hasel...
Mar 13, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 32
