Remote Pilot Aidan Kelly: Mission Impossible, James Bond, The Fall Guy & Building XM2
Cinemapodgrapher
Aiden Kelly is one of the world’s leading remote pilots and the co-founder of XM2. He shares how he started out flying remote helicopters and running a hobby shop, which led to building XM2 into a global remote head company with offices in Australia, the US, the UK, and Korea. We talk about the early days of drone cinematography and how XM2 expanded into arm cars, e-bikes, cable cams, and RC tracking vehicles. Aiden breaks down the challenges of flying on major films, including Tom Cruise’s motorcycle cliff jump in Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning, high-speed car chases in James Bond,...
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Snow White with Cinematographer Mandy Walker AM ASC ACS
Cinemapodgrapher
Mandy Walker AM ASC ACS’s stunning cinematography has captivated audiences around the world. From Australia to Elvis, Snow White, and commercials for global brands like Chanel, Nike, Louis Vuitton, and Audi — her work is bold, emotional, and always cinematic. In this episode, Mandy shares how she carved her own path without film school, became a trailblazer for women in film, and developed her approach to storytelling on big-budget productions. She also talks through her work on Snow White — from camera tests to musical sequences, and how she lit the sets of Disney’s latest feature....
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Adolescence with DP Matt Lewis and Camera Operator Lee Brown
Cinemapodgrapher
Netflix hit series Adolescence has taken the world by storm — a gripping 4-part mini series exploring parenting, misogyny, and bullying — each episode shot in one continuous take. This week on the podcast, we chat with Director of Photography Matt Lewis and Camera Operator Lee Brown, the duo behind the lens of this viral sensation. They break down exactly how they pulled off the oners- from the technical challenges to the physical intensity of each episode. We dive into Matt’s history with the One Take technique, why he chose the Ronin 4D for this project, and how Lee got the job as his...
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September 5 with Markus Förderer ASC BVK
Cinemapodgrapher
Markus Förderer ASC BVK takes us behind the scenes of September 5, an independent feature where he crafted an authentic 1970s broadcast aesthetic while pushing the boundaries of digital cinematography. He shares how he transformed the RED V-Raptor to look like film, lit the set for 360-degree shooting, and operated in a raw, documentary style without rehearsals. Markus also discusses the challenges of building a set that felt true to the era, working with vintage-inspired lighting, and his unconventional decision to pull apart and detune his own zoom lenses to create a messier, more organic...
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Sean Flannery: Mastering Live Broadcast – Oscars, Grammys, Super Bowl Halftime Shows, Steadicam & Trinity
Cinemapodgrapher
Sean Flannery has operated on some of the biggest live broadcasts in the world—, Grammys, , you name it. In this episode, we sit down with Sean to unpack what it takes to operate under intense pressure while millions watch live. We dive deep into the technical side of and , break down what it was like bringing the Kenergy with at the Oscars, and get an insider’s look at filming some of the most iconic Super Bowl Halftime Shows—including performances by and . If you’re into camera operating, live event production, or just love behind-the-scenes stories from the industry’s...
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Matt Poynter ACO, SOC Assoc BSC: Becoming President of the ACO, the Importance of Assisting, A vs. B Cam, Building Relationships, Crane Work & Steadicam.
Cinemapodgrapher
In this episode, we sit down with Matt Poynter ACO, SOC Assoc, BSC to talk about his journey from a young assistant to becoming the President of the ACO (Association of Camera Operators). Matt shares insights into the ACO’s role in the industry, as well as his own career path—moving to London, starting out in a rental house, and the pivotal moment when he met cinematographer Sean Bobbitt BSC. We also dive into his experience assisting on documentaries and drama, his step up to A-camera operator in Malaysia, and the nuances of A vs. B camera operating. Matt breaks down how to work...
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Beast Games with Series DP Jason Elliott
Cinemapodgrapher
What does it take to be the series DP for Beast Games, the most ambitious reality series ever, helmed by none other than ? In this episode, we sit down with cinematographer Jason Elliott to break down the high-stakes spectacle—shattering camera world records, orchestrating shots with 1,000 contestants and a massive crew, and bringing extravagant sets to life. Jason shares how he landed a role at Beast Headquarters, managing over 100 camera crew and an astonishing 1,000+ cameras while shooting inside a $15 million Beast City. Want an exclusive look at the future of large-scale digital...
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Invisible Boys with Director Nicholas Verso and Cinematographer Jason Hargreaves ACS
Cinemapodgrapher
In this episode, we dive into Invisible Boys, the Stan original series adapted from Holden Sheppard’s award-winning novel. The story follows four young men navigating identity and sexuality in a coastal country town—a perspective rarely seen on Australian screens. Joining the podcast is Director Nicholas Verso and Cinematographer Jason Hargreaves ACS. We discuss how Nick optioned the book and his journey breaking into directing, the collaborative writing process, and the challenge of helming all ten episodes as the sole director. Nick and Jason break down their approach to coverage and...
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The Wild Robot with Head of Story Heidi Jo Gilbert
Cinemapodgrapher
Heidi Jo Gilbert’s journey in animation is as inspiring as the stories she brings to life. After losing her dream job at Disney and facing one of the darkest times in her life, Heidi found unexpected inspiration in the story of Tom Brady—a quarterback who overcame doubt to become one of the greatest. That spark ignited her comeback. She channeled her creativity into an Instagram reel about Wicked that went viral, catapulting her career to new heights. In this episode, Heidi shares how she turned career setbacks into success, including her role as Head of Story on the critically acclaimed...
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Dolly Grip Jamie Starr: Starting in Video Assist, James Bond, the art of dolly gripping, telescopic cranes, 1917 & Star Wars
Cinemapodgrapher
On this episode of Cinemapodgrapher, we sit down with international dolly grip Jamie Starr to discuss his incredible career. From starting out as a video assistant to working on James Bond, to dolly gripping on 1917, and Star Wars: Episode VIII. He also gives us an insider's perspective on the art of dolly gripping and working with telescopic cranes. And, of course, we couldn’t miss chatting about his legendary Starr Grips merch, including the now-iconic Starr Grips “Budgie Smugglers.” Whether you’re in the industry or simply love hearing how the magic is made, this episode is packed...
info_outlineMeg White spent her younger years watching horror movies with her older brother, it is there she developed her interest in photography and filmmaking. Her love of photography led her to participate in several exhibitions. One project took her on a journey across Australia, where she captured images of roadkill. We discuss her ability to juggle multiple commitments, from shooting short films while camera assisting to studying at AFI at night while working as a DP on TV dramas during the day. We also delve into her anxiety, exploring how it has become her secret weapon, as well as her recent move from Sydney to LA.