Filmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien Swaby
Step into the world of independent film with Filmmaking Conversations with Damien SwabyFrom established industry voices to the filmmakers of tomorrow, Damien Swaby opens up conversations that spark ideas, share experiences, and celebrate creativity in all its forms. Each episode offers listeners both inspiration and practical takeaways, leaving them better equipped to bring their own stories to life.With a loyal and growing audience of passionate filmmakers and film lovers, Filmmaking Conversations has become a trusted space for authentic dialogue and fresh perspectives on the art of storytelling. Join us—and discover why this podcast is resonating with the community shaping the future of film. Proud Member of the IFH Podcast Network
Episodes
In this episode, Damien Swaby is joined by the remarkable Barbara Niven, an actress whose dedication, versatility, and heart have made her one of Hollywood’s most enduring and admired talents.
With a career spanning more than three decades, Barbara has starred in over 100 film and TV roles, been featured in thousands of commercials, and contributed her experience and leadership to the Screen Actors Guild.Barbara discu...
Playwright-turned-filmmaker Seth Zvi Rosenfeld joins Damien Swaby to talk about his journey from the New York theatre scene to Hollywood, Sundance, and independent filmmaking. He shares how his latest film—shot guerrilla-style in a real restaurant over six days—became a heartfelt portrait of community and resilience in post-lockdown New York. The conversation dives deep into working with non-actors, directing for tr...
Arix shares how his journey from producing corporate films evolved into a years-long mission of documenting Florida’s black bears and protecting one of North America’s most biodiverse regions. ...
Lebanese-American filmmaker Zayn Alexandre joins us to discuss his journey from a small town outside Beirut to the heart of New York’s independent film scene. Known for his award-winning films Abroad and Manara, Alexandre shares how psychology, identity, and diaspora shape his storytelling. From the Venice Film Festival to the TIFF Filmmaker Lab, Zayn has carved a space for authentic Middle Eastern voices in global ...
Victoria shares how she transitioned from post-production and film school at NYU Tisch to producing global branded campaigns at Bloomberg. She opens up about her creative process, directing style, an...
In this episode, I sit down with Mark Watters to talk about a life lived in music: from Disney, Pixar, and Olympic scores, to his role today at Eastman School of Music, where he oversees the Beal Institute for Film Music and Contemporary Media. We get deep into the Eastman Film & Media Festival—how it started, what it’s become, and why Rochester, NY is fast becoming a home for composer communities and cinematic sound...
In this episode of Filmmaking Conversations with Damien Swaby, Damien sits down with Dr. Bryan Quoc Le, Ph.D., a food scientist, consultant, and author of 150 Food Science Questions Answered.
Bryan’s career is a masterclass in curiosity-driven storytelling — one that filmmakers, storytellers, and creatives will find both inspiring and familiar.🎬 What’s inside this episode:
What happens when comedy collides with life’s most challenging topics? In this episode, host Damien Swaby sits down with Nicole Magerko — a Chicago-based comedy screenwriter, producer, and founder of Pine Grove Productions. Nicole’s work thrives at the intersection of humor and humanity, shining a light on aging, caregiving, and the often-overlooked everyday struggles that bind us together.
From the personal turning...
- The emotional impact of digital narratives and ethical storytelling.
- How media shapes cultural beliefs around aging, beauty,...
Recording from the spare room, Damien reflects on Robert Redford’s passing and maps how Redford’s career choices—as star, director, producer, and institution-builder—reshaped the conditions for independent filmmaking. From championing adult, character-driven stories to proving quiet films can win big, this episode translates Redford’s moves into practical takeaways you can use on your next shoot.
Key Takeaways:
- A ...
Most of the world knows Alexandra Paul as one of the stars of Baywatch, where she became a household name on one of the most-watched TV shows in history. But Alexandra’s story runs far deeper than the beaches of Malibu.
In this inspiring conversation with host Damien Swaby, Alexandra opens up about how she fell into acting at just 18, the role of storytelling in her life, and what it really took to thrive in the compe...
In this conversation, Damien Swaby speaks with Naghmeh Farzaneh, an Iranian-born painter turned animation director, whose work has screened at Sundance and platforms like The New Yorker and Sesame Workshop. Naghmeh shares how she animates memory, navigates identity, and teaches the next generation of artists to embrace animation as more than cartoons — as a powerful storytelling medium. ⏱ Episode Highlights
In this episode, Damien Swaby sits down with Josiane Faubert, a photographer and creative entrepreneur who has built a platform to showcase authentic, diverse imagery of Africa and the diaspora. From her early life in Gabon to studying in Paris and building a career in London, Josiane shares her journey of redefining representation in visual storytelling.The conversation explores how cultural heritage, lived experie...
- The childhood experience that inspired Dr. Ali to challenge stereotypes in film.
- Why representation matters—...
They dive into:
- Anthropology to Filmmaking: How cultural a...
Mentors & background (as stated in the episode):
- Worked under Greg Gatz at the University of North Carolina (Olympic athlete S&C environment).
- Mentored by Luke Richardson (respected strength coach).
- Bradley Cooper — American Sniper: Discussed as a standout “all-in” transformation Jason was involved in (“th...
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