Mental health in the entertainment industry with Ben Steel
Release Date: 06/18/2024
The Studio with DP Adam Newport-Berra and Camera Operator Mark Goellnicht SOC ACO
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DP Adam Newport-Berra and Camera Operator Mark Goellnicht SOC ACO are the powerhouse duo behind the lens of The Studio. In this episode, we dive into what it’s really like working with comedy legends and co-directors Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg. Adam and Mark take us through the camera rigs they tested and how they meticulously choreographed scenes that feel like total chaos but are actually tightly crafted. We also break down some of the most jaw dropping shots in the series, the kind that had us hitting rewind just to figure out how they pulled them off. If you're into behind the scenes...
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The Last of Us Season 2 with Cinematographer Ksenia Sereda
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Cinematographer Ksenia Sereda takes us behind the scenes for The Last Of Us Season 2. It’s clear from the start how deeply she loves what she does. She lives and breathes her work and her passion is infectious. In this episode, we break down everything from the custom-built Cooke lenses she helped design, shooting cast on horseback and the responsibility of being setup DP for the show. We dig into several key episodes including the beautiful flashback scenes of episode 6 and unpack the technical hurdles of shooting inside a spaceship. A true fan of the game and a master of her...
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The Acolyte with Cinematographer Chris Teague
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Chris Teague, an Emmy Award winning Director of Photography, has worked on a diverse slate of projects, from Russian Doll and Only Murders in the Building to entering the Star Wars universe with The Acolyte. In our conversation, we talk about his path into drama, the value of building strong creative relationships, and what it means to be a setup DP. We also get into preproduction, LUTs, fight choreography, and how Chris approached the unique lighting challenges of working within the Star Wars universe. This podcast is proudly brought to you by our technology partner Sony Produced by Deb...
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AJK Grips: Mad Max Fury Road, Furiosa & The Fall Guy
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Key Grip Adam "Skull" Kuiper and Best Boy Josh Calder lead one of Australia’s top grip teams at AJK Grips. In this episode, we dive into how Skull earned his nickname, his journey into key gripping, and the art of building grip trucks from the ground up. Josh shares insights into the role of a Best Boy Grip and their shared vision for training the next generation of technicians. We also chat about their work in Namibia on Mad Max: Fury Road, the evolution of grip tech for Furiosa, and the sheer scale of stunts and logistics involved in filming The Fall Guy in the heart of Sydney. Tune in for...
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Remote Pilot Aidan Kelly: Mission Impossible, James Bond, The Fall Guy & Building XM2
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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...
info_outlineMental health issues are significantly higher in the entertainment industry than in the general population. Symptoms of anxiety are ten times higher, depression five times higher, and sleep disorders seven times higher, with five suicide attempts every week. Early in his career, Ben Steel battled his own mental health issues, which led him to create the 2016 documentary "The Show Must Go On." Upon completion, Ben realized there was not enough support for filmmakers, so he founded Screen Well, an organization dedicated to improving the mental health and well-being of the Australian screen industry.