Cinematography for Actors

Join us for an exclusive conversation with the multifaceted Andreas Deja, the creative powerhouse behind the film Mushka. Over a decade in the making, Mushka's journey is a testament to Andreas's dedication to storytelling and animation mastery. With a career spanning 30 years at Disney, Andreas has breathed life into some of the studio's most notorious villains, and in this episode, he shares the intricacies of craf...

Phil Volken, of "Flycatcher," joins us in a captivating conversation about his work featured at the Mammoth Film Festival. Throughout our discussion, he emphasizes the necessity of grounding suspense and horror in reality to forge genuine connections with the audience. Phil's creative process is as fascinating as the film itself, balancing the tension between suspense and terror while ensuring that the heart of the s...

Our latest episode features the creative minds behind the world premiere of "The Fall" at the Mammoth Film Festival. Join director and writer Sean Hart, producer Michael Schilf, and talented actors Jeremy Sumpter, Cassandra Scerbo, Matthew Fahey, and Thomas Cocquerel as they share the profound journey of bringing this emotionally charged film to life. Uncover how Sean's personal experiences with loss shaped the narra...

Discover the electrifying world of Ice Cross as we sit down with dynamic duo Brittan Morris and DJ Kilpatrick, who bring their multifaceted talents as athletes, writers, directors, and producers to life in this exhilarating episode. Known for their daring exploits on the icy tracks, Brittan and DJ share how Ice Cross transcends the boundaries of sport to become a story of courage and inspiration. Join us as we explore the heart-sto...

Renowned actor Jaleel White joins us for an intimate chat on the Cinematography for Actors podcast, offering fresh insight into the world of film festivals. With his debut as a judge at the Mammoth Film Festival, Jaleel brings an engaging perspective on how actors can mesmerize audiences without the crutch of celebrity fame. He humorously reflects on his UCLA film school days, weighing the value of traditional education in a digita...

Shelley Hennig takes on an incredible challenge as she steps into four distinct roles in the psychological thriller "Fluxx," a film conceived during the COVID pandemic. Join us as we chat with Shelley, Director, Brendan Gabriel Murphy, and members of the creative team behind this genre-blending marvel, including Kieran Murphy, Lance Paul, and Shiloh Fernandez. Discover how Shelley's seamless performances became the b...

Ever wondered how the worlds of nursing and acting might overlap? Join Hae for a fascinating conversation from the Mammoth Film Festival with three nurses who are living this unique intersection. Toby shares his inspiring journey from New York to Los Angeles, using travel nursing as a bridge to pursue his acting dreams, and celebrates a recent booking. We dive into experiences in the ER, contrasting the challenges of patient care b...

What makes a film truly captivating from the very first scene? Join us as we welcome Max Adler, a judge at the Mammoth Film Festival, to uncover the secret behind grabbing audience attention right off the bat. Max shares his journey as a first-time judge, offering insights into the importance of evaluating films independently to maintain a fresh perspective, and the possibility of forming genuine connections with fellow filmmakers—...

Join Inde as she interviews writer/director John Michael Riva Jr., as well as actors Ariana Ron Pedrique and Jack T. Gibson, as we uncover how groundbreaking virtual production technology is reshaping the industry. The conversation reveals the creative journey behind condensing a feature script into a compelling six-minute proof of concept. Ariana shares what she found remarkable about her experience acting on a virtual set, while ...

Join us for a fascinating exploration into the world of film festival judging with our esteemed guests, Farah White and Hally Leadbetter. Ever wondered how independent films gain recognition at festivals? Farah, a seasoned pro in the judging arena, reveals the significance of celebrating diverse film genres and the transformative power of festival accolades on a filmmaker's career. Meanwhile, Hally, who brings a fresh perspect...

Ever wondered how social media and historical epics can come together in the world of filmmaking? We sit down with the innovative writer and director Jordan McKittrick at Mammoth International Film Festival to talk about why he likes to see TikToks that capture an actor’s true essence instead of polished self tapes. We delve deep into his latest work, “We Have Notes,” which stole the spotlight on the festival’s opening night. McKit...

What if you could tap into funding typically reserved for non-profits—without having to start one yourself? Join CFA co-founders Indeana Underhill and Haeleigh Royall on the latest episode of the Cinematography for Actors podcast as they break down the ins and outs of fiscal sponsorship and what it means for filmmakers.

We’ll chat about how fiscal sponsorship can open doors to tax-deductible donations and grants, the chall...

What drives a filmmaker to transform deeply personal pain into a powerful message for mental health awareness? Writer, director, producer, and lead actor Nadine Crocker opens up about her survival after a suicide attempt and how this harrowing experience led her to create the film Continue. Recorded live at the Mammoth Film Festival, this episode uncovers the heart and soul behind the project, showcasing the supportive environment ...

Damian Pelliccione, Co-Founder and CEO of Revry, shares his incredible transformation from Toronto actor to entrepreneur in Los Angeles. He reveals the pivotal moments that shaped his journey, highlighting the importance of community and the mission to uplift new voices in the entertainment industry.

Damian discusses content development and founding Revry, a free streaming platform supported by advertisers. He provides str...

What happens when a professional ballet dancer, sidelined by a significant knee injury, reinvents himself as a filmmaker? Listen to our latest episode of the Cinematography for Actors podcast as we sit down with Cameron Auble-Branigan and Danny Mooney.

Cameron shares his compelling journey from the rigid discipline of ballet to the creative freedom of filmmaking. He discusses how he overcame setbacks to not only find new a...

Join us for a chat with Theo Dumont, the co-founder of the HollyShorts Film Festival and manager at Alta Global Media. Theo shares how he and his team turned a small event into one of the world's biggest short film festivals, with over 6,100 submissions each year. We’ll talk about the festival's selection process, commitment to diversity, and exciting new categories like sports and Oscar-qualifying slots, all while giving...

Join us for a deep dive with veteran actor Scott Cohen as he reflects on his 40-year career, offering insights into the evolving landscape of auditions. Scott discusses the shift from traditional in-person auditions to modern self-taping, sharing how this change has influenced his approach. 

Scott shares fascinating stories about working with directors, from seasoned veterans to innovative newcomers. He highlights collaborations, su...

Join us for a chat with Lee Pugsley, actor in the award-winning film "Audio Description," director Luke Salewski, and documentary filmmaker Virtic Brown as they discuss the art of audio description in filmmaking.

Discover how audio descriptions enhance viewing experiences, even in comedic scenes like the plastic sand in "Barbie." We explore the nuances and timing needed for effective audio descriptions ...

In this podcast episode, we talked about working with the legendary Morgan Freeman, our non-profit announcement, and the power of collaboration.

Our recent journey led us to an AFI tribute honoring Nicole Kidman, featuring Morgan Freeman.

This incredible journey at CFA just got better—we're now an official non-profit! This opens the door to more grants, donations, and educational opportunities.  As a newly mi...