Bonfire Conversations

In this episode of Bonfire Conversations, I sit down with award-winning filmmaker Mor Loushy, director of Netflix’s powerful three-part documentary series American Manhunt: The Osama Bin Laden Mission.With the remembrance of September 11 approaching, this story carries an even deeper weight. The series takes us inside one of the most dramatic manhunts in modern history — the decade-long search for Osama Bin Laden and the Navy SEAL mission that ended it. Through gripping interviews, rare archival footage, and cinematic reenactments, American Manhunt makes history unfold like a thriller.In our conversation, Mor shares the origins of the project, the challenges of editing such a massive story, her collaboration with composer Jasha Klebe, the role of reenactments, and how she approaches truth, trust, and controversy in her films. We also talk about courage, history, and the future of documentary filmmaking.And of course, we wrap things up with our Penny for Your Thoughts segment — where Mor reveals her favorite films, thoughts on AI, and what courage means in everyday life.✨ Subscribe to Bonfire Conversations for more in-depth talks with extraordinary creators from film, games, and beyond.American Manhunt: Osama bin Laden is available on Netflix.Chapters:0:00 – Intro1:34 – Starting the Conversation2:16 – Origins of the Project5:25 – Editing a Massive Story8:29 – Remembering 9/1111:24 – Research and Accuracy13:41 – Gaining Trust of Interviewees17:26 – Working with Composer Jasha Klebe20:21 – Shooting Reenactments23:06 – Zero Dark Thirty & Fiction vs. Documentary25:53 – Penny for Your Thoughts26:12 – Objectivity in History26:22 – Favorite Food27:13 – Meaning of Courage28:30 – Favorite Films31:02 – Truth vs. Emotion31:42 – Pixar Question32:55 – AI and Documentary Filmmaking34:54 – Small but Powerful Life Moments36:06 – Season 2 of American Manhunt37:11 – Rating the Interview37:49 – Closing Thoughts#AmericanManhunt #NetflixDocumentary #MorLoushy #BonfireConversations

In this episode of Bonfire Conversations, I sit down with Emma Harvey, founder of Harvey Voices, one of the UK’s leading voice talent agencies.Emma shares her journey from drama school to building a powerhouse agency representing some of the industry’s most recognized voices. We discuss:- How Harvey Voices began and grew into one of the UK’s top agencies- What Emma looks for when signing new voice talent- The rise of video games and performance capture in voice acting- The challenges and opportunities of AI in the voiceover industry- Practical advice for aspiring voice actors who want to break into games- Tips for directors and developers when casting and working with voice talent- Emma’s hopes for the next generation of voice actors- And many moreThis conversation is an invaluable resource for anyone dreaming of a voice acting career, as well as for developers, casting directors, and fans curious about the people who help bring voices to life.🔥 Subscribe to Bonfire Conversations for more inspiring interviews with the creative minds shaping games, film, and beyond.Harvey Voices: https://harveyvoices.co.uk/Emma Harvey on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emharveyvoicesHamidreza Nikoofar on X: https://x.com/HRNikoofarChapters:0:00 Intro 0:12 Introduction to Emma Harvey & Harvey Voices 1:49 How Emma started Harvey Voices 3:09 Building the agency and first clients 3:30 Day-to-day life of a voice agent 5:20 Meeting actors & working remotely 5:20 How Harvey Voices hires new talent 7:02 The rise of games & animation in voice acting 8:40 What makes a great voice actor stand out 9:44 The impact of AI on voice acting 12:16 Why human performance matters more than AI 13:19 Advice for aspiring voice actors in games 15:05 Advice for game developers & audio directors 16:19 Preparing the next generation of voice talent 18:30 Fully immersing in the game industry (Amelia Tyler example) 18:40 Penny for Your Thoughts – Deep & Fun Questions 19:01 A voice Emma will never forget 20:11 The one UK food you must try 21:09 What makes someone unforgettable 21:29 A quote Emma lives by 22:01 Meeting Keanu Reeves (story) 23:42 What the world will always need 24:37 Emma’s favorite films & TV shows 25:48 What success means to Emma 26:56 In a noisy world, what’s worth turning the volume up for 27:16 Closing thoughts & gratitude 28:54 Resources for aspiring voice actors (Harvey Voices website, Gravy for the Brain) #VoiceActing #AI #HarveyVoices #BonfireConversations #EmmaHarvey

On this episode of Bonfire Conversations, I sit down with GmanLives — the Australian critic and YouTuber known for his sharp takes, dry humor, and love for first-person shooters.We talk about his journey from childhood gaming memories to becoming one of the most recognizable voices in video game criticism. Along the way, we dive into:The origins and history of the GmanLives channelHis unique approach to creating honest, entertaining reviewsWhat makes Australian humor so distinct (and why some people don’t get it)Balancing fatherhood, gaming, and content creationHis favorite games and films of all timeWhat modern shooters are missing todayThoughts on creativity, burnout, and leaving a legacyIt’s a fun, honest, and thoughtful conversation that goes beyond gaming — into life, comedy, and the stories behind the screen.If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing to Bonfire Conversations for more inspiring talks with creators, artists, and storytellers.GmanLives on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GggmanlivesChapters:0:00 - Intro0:13 - Welcome to Bonfire Conversations1:15 - A Huge Fan1:49 - The Curse of the Podcast2:25 - Return to Castle Wolfenstein2:56 - Childhood & Gaming Origin Story5:21 - The History of the Gman Lives Channel9:03 - The Creative Process12:27 - Australian Humor15:02 - Parenthood & Work-Life Balance18:37 - Penny For Your Thoughts19:13 - Going to Bed Early20:18 - The "Chad" Persona vs. Real Life21:11 - Best Australian Food?22:04 - What Does Success Mean?23:02 - Avoiding Burnout & Daily Routine25:13 - Top 5 Favorite Games28:23 - The Future of Doom30:57 - Thoughts on Max Payne32:50 - Is the Future of Thief Dead?34:11 - On Multiplayer Games35:36 - Which Video Would Be Your Legacy?52:12 - Secretly Loved Games55:36 - The Game That Makes Him Rage58:59 - What Are Modern Shooters Missing?1:01:49 - Outro#GmanLives #fps #podcast

In this heartfelt and revealing episode of Bonfire Conversations, I sit down with Jennifer Svedberg-Yen, the lead writer of the critically acclaimed Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. We dive deep into her creative process, her unique path from finance to storytelling, and the emotional, philosophical, and human layers that make Expedition 33 such a profound experience.Jennifer opens up about her multicultural background, the power of empathy in storytelling, and how curiosity, hardship, and connection shape the way she writes. We also explore how she handles exposition, builds authentic characters, and creates narratives that truly resonate with players — all without ever underestimating their intelligence.Whether you're a writer, game developer, or a fan of thoughtful storytelling, this conversation is packed with insights, vulnerability, and inspiration.📍 Topics we discuss:Her journey from Wall Street to game writingWriting characters with emotional depthBuilding story through empathy and subtextWhat success feels like after a major releaseHer creative inspirations across games, books, and lifeAnd of course, our signature segment: Penny for Your Thoughts🎮 Games mentioned: Expedition 33, Disco Elysium, Hollow Knight, God of War, Stray, Baldur’s Gate 3, Inscryption, Elden Ring, Subnautica, and more.📣 Don’t forget to subscribe for more inspiring conversations with the brilliant minds behind your favorite stories in film, games, and beyond.Chapters:00:00 – Introduction & life before the interview02:30 – Processing the success of Expedition 3305:20 – Fan reactions and emotional impact07:50 – Jennifer’s childhood and early love for storytelling13:00 – Career journey: from finance to games18:10 – Meeting Sandfall Interactive & joining the team22:50 – Empathy, character depth, and writing philosophy30:10 – Legacy and the message behind “For those who come after”32:10 – Writing exposition without handholding37:00 – 💭 Penny for Your Thoughts segment begins41:20 – Fun hobbies and unexpected inspirations45:00 – Favorite games & storytelling influences48:20 – Fears as a writer & character-driven storytelling52:40 – What she hopes people remember about her writing54:10 – Favorite games in terms of narrative59:40 – Final thoughts & closing remarks#expedition33 #GameWriting #podcast

In this very special episode of Bonfire Conversations, I finally sit down with Ludvig Forssell—composer and audio director behind Metal Gear Solid V, Death Stranding, and Death Stranding 2: On the Beach.We talk about his journey from Sweden to Japan, how he landed his first gig at Konami, and what it’s really like collaborating with Hideo Kojima. Ludvig shares stories from behind the scenes, the emotional philosophy behind Death Stranding 2, and why AAA games may be forgetting the beauty of music.We also explore love, fear, and absurdity in our Penny for Your Thoughts segment—including what it’s like to work with Norman Reedus and the moment a fishbone beach became the sound of another world.This conversation took place while I was in Iran—just weeks after the country was bombarded and cut off from the world. But against all odds, through chaos and broken signals, we made this connection happen. And maybe that’s the spirit of Death Stranding too.🎧 Subscribe to Bonfire Conversations on YouTube and all major podcast platforms.📌 Hosted by Hamidreza Nikoofar :https://x.com/HRNikoofar📍 Guest: Ludvig Forssell: https://x.com/ludvig_forssellChapters:00:00 - Intro 01:27 - Interview almost didn’t happen 02:24 - Connection & Death Stranding’s message 03:11 - Growing up in Sweden 04:53 - Moving to Japan 06:01 - Becoming a composer 07:06 - First job at Konami 11:45 - Joining Kojima Productions 13:05 - Was Ludvig a gamer? 14:54 - Meeting Hideo Kojima 16:12 - How Kojima directs music & sound 17:45 - Recording real fish bones for Death Stranding 19:02 - Collaborating with other composers 20:17 - Creating Death Stranding 2’s music 21:49 - Lollipop Chainsaw story 23:20 - Leaving Kojima Productions & going freelance 25:21 - Penny for Your Thoughts begins 27:28 - Beauty vs. truth in music 30:10 - A belief about art 32:59 - What he’s unlearned 34:12 - Hardest emotion to score 34:59 - Funniest Kojima moment 36:05 - Working with Norman & Mads 37:21 - Final thoughts & outro #LudvigForssell #DeathStranding2 #HideoKojima

Join me by the fire for a soulful and deep conversation with Grammy-nominated composer Austin Wintory, whose work on Journey, Flow, The Banner Saga, Assassin’s Creed Syndicate, and the new Towerborne has redefined what music can do in games.In this episode of Bonfire Conversations, we talk about childhood, creativity, meeting your heroes, memoirs, curiosity, and the emotional layers of composing for games. Austin shares his personal stories, creative philosophies, and a deep love for his craft.⚠️ A quick note: we had a few internet hiccups during the recording, so the video is a bit stuttery in places, but the audio is clear and the heart of the conversation shines through.Bonfire Conversations is available on YouTube and all the major podcast streaming services:https://li.sten.to/bdrq39ecTowerborne is out on Steam, and Xbox Series X|S.0:00 - Introduction2:46 - Meeting your heroes & learning from them14:58 - Childhood, environment, and creative influences26:29 - Drawing emotions from memories for music30:08 - The hardest part of the creative process35:58 - Questions for story creators44:51 - Penny for Your Thoughts: Quickfire Q&A45:02 - What DAW he uses45:15 - Soundtrack of his life49:45 - Non-musical inspiration54:24 - Changing his mind on important topics1:00:18 - Conclusion#Austinwintory #gamemusic #journeygame #towerborne #gamecomposer #creativity #podcast #interview

Dive deep into the sonic landscape of Andor Season 2 (Available on Disney Plus) with composer Brandon Roberts! In this exclusive Bonfire Conversations interview, Brandon shares the incredible journey of stepping into the Star Wars universe, following in the footsteps of John Williams and Nicholas Britell, to score one of the most critically acclaimed chapters in the saga.Discover the behind-the-scenes secrets of his collaboration with the visionary Tony Gilroy, the process of creating new iconic themes for worlds like Yavin and Mina, and the delicate balance of honoring the musical legacy while forging a unique identity for Andor.Brandon also reflects on his long-standing partnership with the legendary Marco Beltrami, his thrilling work on Eli Roth's Thanksgiving, and his passion for the horror genre (including a dream Star Wars horror project!).Don't forget to subscribe to Bonfire Conversations for more in-depth interviews with the creative minds behind your favorite films and shows! Bonfire Conversations is available on YouTube and all the major podcast streaming services:https://li.sten.to/bdrq39ecBrandon Roberts Website:https://brandonrobertsmusic.com/Hamidreza Nikoofar on X:https://x.com/HRNikoofarChapters:0:00 Intro & Meeting Brandon Roberts1:18 Scoring Andor Season 22:53 The Star Wars Music Legacy4:31 Creating New Sounds for Andor7:13 Working with Tony Gilroy9:13 The Scale of Andor's Music11:02 Collaboration with Marco Beltrami12:34 Brandon's Love for Horror & Thanksgiving16:03 Penny for Your Thoughts18:15 Scoring Other Star Wars Projects20:46 Life's Theme Song & Music He Listens To23:38 Outro & Thank You#Andor #StarWars #BrandonRoberts #NicholasBritell #JohnWilliams #TonyGilroy #FilmScore #MovieMusic #ComposerInterview #BonfireConversations #MarcoBeltrami #EliRoth #ThanksgivingMovie #HorrorScore #Yavin #Mina #BehindTheScenes #StarWarsMusic

🚀 Dive deep into the transformative power of voice with Loire Cotler, the extraordinary vocalist behind the iconic vocals of Dune (Hans Zimmer) 🎶. In this captivating interview 🎙️, Loire shares her insights on music therapy 🧘‍♀️, the spiritual connection between sound and human consciousness 🌌, and the unique vocal language she developed for Dune 🏜️. Discover how her work transcends traditional music, blending Middle Eastern influences 🕌 with otherworldly sounds ✨ to create a truly interdimensional experience 👽. Loire also discusses her collaboration with Hans Zimmer 🎬, the physicality of her performances 💃, and how rhythm and sound can unlock hidden parts of our consciousness 🧠. Whether you're a fan of Dune 📖, interested in music therapy 🎵, or simply curious about the power of the human voice 🗣️, this interview will leave you inspired 🔥. Don't forget to like 👍, subscribe 🔔, and share your thoughts in the comments! 👇Bonfire Conversation is available on YouTube and Podcast apps:https://li.sten.to/bdrq39ecLoire Cotler:https://loirecotler.com/Hamidreza Nikoofar on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/hamidrezanikoofarPhoto credit Suzanne Teresa Instagram: @suzanneteresaphoto00:00 - Introduction: The Power of Loire Cotler's Voice02:16 - Loire's Impact on Dune's Soundtrack04:17 - Music Therapy and Vocal Expression11:12 - Emotional Connection Through Music18:15 - Physicality and Live Performance28:08 - Loire's Musical Journey and Personal Experiences37:20 - The Stories Behind the Vocals: Dune and Beyond48:40 - Middle Eastern Influences and Global Sounds58:24 - "Penny For Your Thoughts" - Personal Insights1:09:17 - Music Therapy and Healing Practices1:13:32 - Closing Thoughts and Appreciation#musictherapy #loirecotler #dune

Welcome back to Bonfire Conversations! In this episode, I sit down with Christopher Lennertz, the mastermind behind the gritty, high-energy score of The Boys, the thrilling music of Back in Action, and legendary video game soundtracks like Medal of Honor, Mass Effect, and The Godfather.We dive deep into:🎬 The Boys – Crafting the dirty, chaotic sound of the hit Amazon series🎥 Back in Action – Scoring Netflix’s new spy thriller starring Jamie Foxx & Cameron Diaz🎮 Game Music – Composing for Medal of Honor, Mass Effect, and the heartbreaking cancellation of Scalebound🎻 Michael Kamen’s Influence – How the legendary composer shaped Christopher’s career🔥 Fun Rapid-Fire Questions – Christopher answers some wild and unexpected questions in my Penny for Your Thoughts segment!👉 If you love film scores, game music, or behind-the-scenes industry stories, this episode is for you!🎧 Listen to Bonfire Conversations on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more:https://li.sten.to/bdrq39ec📢 Don't forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE to support the podcast!#ChristopherLennertz #TheBoys #BackInAction #GameMusic #ComposerInterview #VideoGameMusic #FilmScore #MedalOfHonor #MassEffect #BonfireConversations #Podcast #MovieMusic #gamingsoundtracks 00:00 - Introduction01:05 - Early Career and Medal of Honor04:15 - Game Scores05:37 - The Cancellation of Scalebound07:54 - Working with Michael Kamen11:37 - Scoring The Boys14:50 - Homelander and Butcher's Themes16:39 - Back in Action: Spy Movie Vibes20:07 - Penny For Your Thoughts: Biopic Composer22:12 -Super Group25:17 - Music for Aliens26:20 - Impressing Aliens with Own Score27:07 - Ridiculous Sounds31:00 - Conclusion

UI design is one of the most overlooked yet crucial aspects of game development. In this episode of Bonfire Conversations, I sit down with Fernando Forero, the legendary UI designer behind The Witcher 3, Cyberpunk 2077, and Diablo 4. We break down what makes great UI/UX, how it shapes our gaming experience, and the biggest challenges in designing immersive interfaces.🔹 Topics We Cover:✅ What makes a great game UI?✅ The biggest UI mistakes and how to avoid them✅ How game UI influences players without them realizing✅ The evolution of UI design in modern gaming✅ Advice for aspiring UI/UX designers💬 What’s a game UI that you love but most people don’t talk about? Drop it in the comments!📢 Subscribe for more deep dives into game development, design, and storytelling!🔗 Listen to Bonfire Conversations on all major podcast platforms!https://li.sten.to/bdrq39ecFernando Forero:https://fernandoforeroart.com/Hamidreza Nikoofar on X:https://x.com/HRNikoofar00:00 Intro: Game UI Art01:21 Intuitive UI Secrets03:10 UI Design Process05:11 Diablo UI Design08:34 UI Trends & Evolution12:19 Diablo's Unique UI14:53 Symbol & Font Inspiration22:20 Breaking Into UI Design28:25 Penny for your Thoughts28:39 UI Usability vs. Beauty31:39 If Your Life Had a HUD34:15 Design Influences36:30 Favorite UI Designs40:01 Airport UI Inspiration41:35 What's Next?44:11 Advice for Students49:28 Closing & Gratitude#uidesign #gamedev #interview