Bonfire Conversations

"Cinematographer Larkin Seiple (Weapons, Everything Everywhere All at Once, This Is America) joins Bonfire Conversations to discuss his creative process, building emotion through light, and crafting the haunting “woman with the scissors” scene in Weapons. Hosted by Hamidreza Nikoofar."In this episode of Bonfire Conversations, I talk with award-winning cinematographer Larkin Seiple, the creative eye behind the horror hit "Weapons", "Everything Everywhere All at Once" (Oscar Winner for Best Picture), "Swiss Army Man", and Childish Gambino’s iconic "This Is America".Larkin talks about his journey from shooting low-budget music videos to crafting some of the most inventive visuals in modern cinema. He shares the story behind his collaboration with director Zach Cregger on Weapons — one of the year’s most talked-about horror films — and breaks down the now-famous “woman with the scissors” scene that left audiences breathless.We also discuss how he builds emotion through light and movement, what makes a strong director-cinematographer partnership, and his creative philosophy when balancing beauty and tension on screen.🔔 Subscribe to Bonfire Conversations for more in-depth talks with the artists shaping film, games, and storytelling.📺 Watch on YouTube → youtube.com/@BonfireConversations🎧 Listen on all major podcast platforms.Chapters:0:00 – Intro1:05 – How Larkin Seiple got into movies2:50 – Early inspirations and film school in Boston4:30 – Choosing cinematography over directing5:25 – Starting out in L.A. and climbing from small projects7:10 – The mindset behind career growth7:20 – Transitioning from music videos to feature films9:25 – The director–cinematographer dynamic in music videos11:50 – Working with Daniels and Hiro Murai12:00 – Shooting This Is America by Childish Gambino13:45 – Location scouting and building the visual language16:45 – Why This Is America feels so unsettling and real16:46 – Talking Weapons and the “woman with the scissors” scene18:07 – Designing and executing the sequence20:00 – Lighting challenges and audience reaction22:04 – How Larkin met director Zach Cregger and joined Weapons24:30 – Shot listing, visual collaboration, and prep25:35 – The importance of location scouting in cinematography25:18 – Penny for Your Thoughts segment begins25:36 – An image from childhood26:27 – A film that changed his view on storytelling29:11 – One frame to preserve for humanity31:12 – Top 5 favorite films33:53 – The hardest emotion to capture on camera34:40 – The best phone camera and shooting on phones36:13 – Dream collaboration with a director37:06 – Favorite video games and storytelling in games38:26 – Simplest wisdom learned behind the lens39:25 – Thoughts on AI and the human element in art40:19 – Closing and farewell#Weapons #cinematography #filmmaking

Julian Winding, the Danish composer and electronic artist behind The Demon Dance from Nicolas Winding Refn’s The Neon Demon, joins me on Bonfire Conversations. In this episode, we dive deep into his upbringing in Denmark and England, his early rock beginnings, and how he found his voice in electronic and film music.Julian opens up about collaborating with his uncle, Nicolas Winding Refn, on projects like Copenhagen Cowboy, the pressures and joys of scoring atmospheric silence, and the art of balancing bold experimentation with emotional resonance. We also talk about his love for dance-oriented music, the influence of Nordic folk traditions, and the future of sound in an age of AI.In the Penny for Your Thoughts segment, Julian shares his dream collaboration, a beautiful mistake that changed his music, his top five films, and what he thinks music will sound like 500 years from now.🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe to Bonfire Conversations for more inspiring conversations with the artists, composers, and storytellers shaping our culture.#JulianWinding #TheNeonDemon #nicolaswindingrefn #CopenhagenCowboy #filmcomposer Chapters:0:00 – Intro & Nicolas Winding Refn connection2:13 – On kindness, empathy, and caring for others4:24 – Childhood in Denmark and England5:30 – Early musical influences: Britpop, trip-hop, and electronic revolution6:20 – Rock beginnings before moving into electronic music7:04 – England vs. Denmark: cultural impact on his sound8:14 – First big break: The Neon Demon and “The Demon Dance”8:58 – Transition into film scoring9:53 – Revealing his family tie: Nicolas is his uncle11:06 – Working on Copenhagen Cowboy12:42 – The challenge of scoring silence and atmosphere13:55 – Co-composing with other musicians15:12 – Future collaborations with Nicolas Winding Refn15:37 – Working with other directors and projects beyond Denmark16:52 – Story about “The Demon Dance” at a party17:38 – Creating dance-oriented music & primitive rhythms19:25 – Love for Nordic traditional/folk music21:25 – Combining orchestral and electronic elements22:22 – Penny for Your Thoughts segment22:33 – Childhood music memory (The Land Before Time)23:37 – Dream collaboration (Massive Attack)24:39 – Vocalists and unexpected pairings25:02 – Funny story from Copenhagen Cowboy soundtrack26:37 – Alternate career: cooking27:25 – A film he wishes he had scored (A Single Man)28:40 – Most beautiful mistake in music (“White Country”)29:30 – Top 5 favorite films30:43 – What music will sound like 500 years from now31:32 – On video games & Cyberpunk 2077’s music32:15 – Cycles of music, retro revival, and AI in composition34:02 – Future of live music: AR/VR, authenticity, and performance36:12 – Closing reflections & gratitude

In this episode of Bonfire Conversations, host Hamidreza Nikoofar sits down with Jonathan Jacques-Belletête, the visionary artist and game director behind Hell is Us and the art director of Deus Ex: Human Revolution and Mankind Divided.Jonathan reflects on his journey from Montreal to the global stage, the creation of the iconic Cyber-Renaissance and Cyber-Noir aesthetics that redefined cyberpunk in gaming, and the deeply personal process of directing Hell is Us, an ambitious original IP from Rogue Factor that explores war, trauma, and self-discovery.We dive into:- His childhood, inspirations, and path into games- Reinventing the look of Deus Ex and shaping cyberpunk for a new generation- The challenges and philosophies behind Mankind Divided- Directing and writing Hell is Us- Designing its haunting creatures and unique world- Collaborating with composer Stéphane Primeau- Thoughts on games as both art and social commentary- And of course, a round of fun and deep “Penny for Your Thoughts” questionsIf you’re a fan of Deus Ex, curious about Hell is Us, or passionate about game art and storytelling, this conversation is not to be missed.✨ Don’t forget to subscribe for more inspiring conversations with the creators shaping the future of games, film, and art.Chapters:0:00 Intro 1:34 Childhood & Early Dreams 8:40 Discovering Art and First Inspirations 15:10 Entering the Games Industry 21:55 Shaping the Look of Deus Ex: Human Revolution 29:45 Creating the Cyber-Renaissance Aesthetic 37:20 Transitioning to Deus Ex: Mankind Divided (Cyber-Noir) 45:05 Lessons from the Deus Ex Years 52:30 Founding Vision at Rogue Factor 59:10 Directing & Writing Hell is Us 1:07:00 Inspirations Behind Hell is Us 1:14:25 Designing the Creatures & Visual Language 1:20:40 Working with Composer Stéphane Primeau 1:26:15 Penny for Your Thoughts (Fun + Deep Questions) 1:32:00 Closing Reflections & Farewell

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