
Filmmakers Academy Podcast
Filmmakers Academy presents two of the film industry’s most unique and reliable podcasts for professionals who work behind the camera. We explore the latest trends, interview industry leaders, and offer leadership and lifestyle guidance tailored to fit the needs of filmmakers.
Stop what you’re doing this very moment and subscribe to Filmmakers Academy to watch LIVE episodes for free on the FA Platform! While full audio episodes are available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, you can watch past episodes on the FA platform as a member of Filmmakers Academy.
The Inner Circle Podcast is Filmmakers Academy’s flagship podcast hosted by Lydia and Shane Hurlbut, ASC. Together the duo chats with everyone from industry leaders in the film industry to health experts and beyond, spotlighting subjects useful to filmmakers pursuing successful and sustainable careers. *In addition to new episodes is a robust archive containing a wealth of knowledge.
Finding the Frame is not so much an interview series as it is a lounge-sesh with your favorite filmmakers. Hosted by Brendan Sweeney, prominent filmmakers from ASC cinematographers to Oscar winners visit the studio to dish about their careers and approach to the craft.
BAFTA Breakthrough Cinematographer Aaron Reid praises Filmmakers Academy as “a valuable learning resource for film craft” that “pushes learning film into the future.” Online Filmmaking Courses rates Filmmakers Academy 5/5 stars as the best-advanced filmmaking training platform! A trusted partner of Academy Gold Rising, British Cinematographer, RED Digital Cinema, and many other industry titans, visit FilmmakersAcademy.com to see how filmmakers like you are scaling successful careers in the film industry.
We also keep past SIC episodes in our archive dedicated to cinematography, how to navigate your career, and leadership, hosted by Filmmakers Academy CEO Lydia Hurlbut and cinematographer Shane Hurlbut, ASC
Filmmakers Academy is a subscription-based streaming platform developed to educate and inspire filmmakers to enrich their storytelling and technical skillset. Through on-demand lessons, podcasts, and courses across multiple disciplines, filmmakers at any level of experience will learn from our elite team of industry-leading professionals.
Latest episodes

May 2, 2023 • 1h 12min
Finding the Frame, Ep.05 - Cinematographer Natalie Kingston
In our fifth episode of "Finding the Frame", we welcomed Natalie Kingston to discuss her latest work "Blackbird", career, and journey from Louisiana to Hollywood. Become an all access member and watch the full episode: https://bit.ly/3x7bngeKeep up with Natalie Kingston here: https://www.nataliekingston.com/https://www.instagram.com/natalieking...Keep up with Brendan Sweeney here: https://www.brendanjsweeney.com/https://www.instagram.com/brenpancake/Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filmmakers_academy/Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@filmmakers_academyLearn filmmaking from artists at the top of their game. Try Filmmakers Academy and become a member today: https://bit.ly/302orWvCheck out our blog filled with career advice, free assets, gear talk, and on set stories: https://bit.ly/3CzwFn2Music by MusicBedhttp://share.mscbd.fm/filmmakersacademy

May 2, 2023 • 1h 24min
Finding the Frame - Cinematographer Michael Dallatorre
In episode 4 of "Finding the Frame" we welcomed Michael Dallatorre to discuss his career, working at Panavision, the New Filmmaker Program, and his latest works "Studio 666" and "Emergency."Keep up with Michael Dallatorre here: https://www.michaeldallatorre.com/Keep up with Brendan Sweeney here: https://www.instagram.com/brenpancake/https://www.brendanjsweeney.com/Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filmmakers_academy/Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@filmmakers_academyLearn filmmaking from artists at the top of their game. Try Filmmakers Academy and become a member today: https://bit.ly/302orWvCheck out our blog filled with career advice, free assets, gear talk, and on set stories: https://bit.ly/3CzwFn2Music by MusicBedhttp://share.mscbd.fm/filmmakersacademy0:00-1:15 Intro1:15-6:36 Background 6:36-12:28 Early Career12:28-18:02 New Filmmaker Program18:02-20:22 Start of Career20:22-41:58 Brightburn 41:58-56:21 Studio 66656:21-1:18:49 Emergency 1:18:49-1:24:18 Advice for Filmmakers

May 2, 2023 • 1h 22min
Finding the Frame - Cinematographer Matthew Chuang, ACS
In episode 3 of "Finding the Frame", we welcomed Matthew Chuang, ACS to discuss his career, latest works "Blue Bayou" and "You Won't Be Alone", and the approach he has towards cinematography. Keep up with Matthew Chuang, ACS here: https://www.instagram.com/mattscope/www.matthewchuang.comKeep up with Brendan Sweeney here: https://www.instagram.com/brenpancake/https://www.brendanjsweeney.com/Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filmmakers_academy/Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@filmmakers_academyLearn filmmaking from artists at the top of their game. Try Filmmakers Academy and become a member today: https://bit.ly/302orWvCheck out our blog filled with career advice, free assets, gear talk, and on set stories: https://bit.ly/3CzwFn2Music by MusicBedhttp://share.mscbd.fm/filmmakersacademy0:00-2:02 Intro2:02-7:35 Background7:35-17:52 Early Career17:52-19:40 Moving to LA 19:40-36:08 The Process36:08-53:52 Blue Bayou 53:52-58:35 You Won’t Be Alone58:35-1:06:11 Inspiration 1:06:11-1:11:19 Challenges 1:11:19- 1:21:03 Advice

May 2, 2023 • 1h 4min
Finding the Frame - Cinematographer Alice Brooks, ASC
In episode 2 of our "Finding the Frame" series, we welcome Alice Brooks, ASC into our studio to discuss her latest film "tick, tick...BOOM!", her journey to becoming a cinematographer, and the process of shooting musicals. Read the full blog post here: https://bit.ly/3NaiKsDKeep with Alice Brooks, ASC here: https://www.instagram.com/_alicebrooks_/https://www.alicebrooks.com/Keep up with Brendan Sweeney here: https://www.instagram.com/brenpancake/https://www.brendanjsweeney.com/Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filmmakers_academy/Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@filmmakers_academyLearn filmmaking from artists at the top of their game. Try Filmmakers Academy and become a member today: https://bit.ly/302orWvCheck out our blog filled with career advice, free assets, gear talk, and on set stories: https://bit.ly/3CzwFn2Music by MusicBedhttp://share.mscbd.fm/filmmakersacademy0:00-0:45 Introduction 0:45-5:02 Background5:02-5:58 Inspiration 5:58-10:53 Starting Her Career10:53-14:27 Working with Jon Chu14:27-16:55 Student Programs16:55-22:59 After USC 22:59- 25:50 Developing Style 25:50-49:32 tick..tick..BOOM!49:32-51:54 Prepping a Musical51:54-54:50 Animatics54:50-58:11 The Rooftop58:11-1:01 Rules of Engagement 1:01-1:03 Advice for Filmmakers

Apr 26, 2023 • 33min
Finding the Frame - Cinematographer Brendan Uegama, CSC
FINDING THE FRAMEEpisode 01 - Cinematographer Brendan Uegama, CSCApril 8th, 2023Hosted by Brendan SweeneyIntroducing our new series “Finding the Frame” where we interview industry professionals about their career and latest projects. This episode we sat down with cinematographer Brendan Uegama, CSC about his latest HBO Max project “Moonshot” starring Cole Sprouse and Lana Condor. Watch the trailer here: • Moonshot | Offici... Keep up with Brendan Uegama here: https://www.instagram.com/brendanuega...https://www.brendanuegama.com/Keep up with Brendan Sweeney here: https://www.instagram.com/brenpancake/https://www.brendanjsweeney.com/Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filmmakers_academy/Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@filmmakers_academyLearn filmmaking from artists at the top of their game. Try Filmmakers Academy and become a member today: https://bit.ly/302orWvCheck out our blog filled with career advice, free assets, gear talk, and on set stories: https://bit.ly/3CzwFn2Music by MusicBedhttp://share.mscbd.fm/filmmakersacademy0:00-0:45 Intro 0:46-5:35 Background 5:35-7:25 Riverdale 7:25-8:32 Moonshot8:32-11:29 Director/DP Relationship 11:29-21:36 The Look 21:36-25:48 CGI25:48-27:40 Space Walk27:40-28:27 Challenges 28:27-30:50 Working with Talent 30:50-32:27 Advice

Apr 25, 2023 • 48min
Inner Circle Podcast - Beauty in the Chaos
INNER CIRCLE PODCASTEpisode 01 - Beauty in the ChaosApril 25th, 2023Hosted by Shane Hurlbut, ASC & Lydia HurlbutIn their debut episode since their hiatus, Shane and Lydia address one of the biggest challenges filmmakers face – a healthy work/life balance. The duo dives into such demands as time and travel that keep filmmakers away from their families, sharing personal anecdotes and ways to overcome such issues and how to plot a course for success both in your career and personal life!Make sure to subscribe for more episodes! Please leave a review and check out our website at www.filmmakersacademy.comFollow our hosts at: @shanehurlbutasc @lydiahurlbutFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filmmakers_academy/Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@filmmakers_academyLearn filmmaking from artists at the top of their game. Try Filmmakers Academy and become a member today: https://bit.ly/302orWvCheck out our blog filled with career advice, free assets, gear talk, and on set stories: https://bit.ly/3CzwFn2

Dec 28, 2019 • 31min
Shane's Inner Circle Podcast, Ep.45 – Executing the Shot
What I’ve learned over the last 25+ years is to be “flexible” because each shoot is going to be different. I’ve had shoots that are easy and shoots that could not have been more complex. It’s taught me the importance of always being ready and to at least be prepared with the essentials on each shoot. Today, Lydia and I are going to talk about some of the things you’ll need to consider as you get further into your career.We hope you enjoy!Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filmmakers_academy/Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@filmmakers_academyLearn filmmaking from artists at the top of their game. Try Filmmakers Academy and become a member today: https://bit.ly/302orWvCheck out our blog filled with career advice, free assets, gear talk, and on set stories: https://bit.ly/3CzwFn2

Nov 30, 2019 • 39min
Shane's Inner Circle Podcast, Ep.43 – Working For It
Throughout my career, I’ve been blessed with some of the best crews, mentors, and leaders in my day-to-day. Working in the film industry is no easy task, but when you surround yourself by people that want to elevate you, that’s when creation enters the unique stage of growth and evolution. Today, Lydia and I are here to talk about some of the rigors that we’ve faced over the last 30 years. Whether it’s from financial decisions like buying equipment or the next step in my career…. We want to pave the road and shine a light on the other end of the tunnel.Enjoy!Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filmmakers_academy/Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@filmmakers_academyLearn filmmaking from artists at the top of their game. Try Filmmakers Academy and become a member today: https://bit.ly/302orWvCheck out our blog filled with career advice, free assets, gear talk, and on set stories: https://bit.ly/3CzwFn2

Nov 16, 2019 • 1h 2min
Shane's Inner Circle Podcast, Ep.42 – Developing Your Creative Voice
Being a filmmaker can be demanding creatively, logistically, and personally. Throughout the years, Lydia and I have always tried to stay true to ourselves and our needs. It’s never easy staying on top of projects, our home life, staying in touch with friends and family, keeping up with movies, etc… What keeps us grounded, creative, and passionate is prioritizing the essentials (i.e. family, friends, and our relationship) and acknowledging everything else is supplementary. By doing this, we’ve taken control of our lives, moved onwards and upwards in our careers and somehow managed to stay grounded!In this podcast, Lydia and I share ways you can push yourself forward with positivity and creativity in the demanding world of filmmaking while maintaining the personal life that you need to fuel your passion.Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filmmakers_academy/Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@filmmakers_academyLearn filmmaking from artists at the top of their game. Try Filmmakers Academy and become a member today: https://bit.ly/302orWvCheck out our blog filled with career advice, free assets, gear talk, and on set stories: https://bit.ly/3CzwFn2

Nov 2, 2019 • 54min
Shane's Inner Circle Podcast, Ep.41 - Following Your Intuition
The end of each year is always a time to reflect on what you have accomplished, what has changed, and where you are hopefully going. For Lydia and myself, it’s been a crazy year with another feature in the books, an ever-changing schedule, and the unknown of what lies ahead. While it is never easy, it’s fun and worth the ride to be doing what I love.In this podcast, Lydia and I want to wrap up the year and spread as much knowledge to help give you a jumpstart in the new year. We wish you a Happy Holiday Season and a Happy New Year!Warm wishes,Shane and LydiaFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filmmakers_academy/Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@filmmakers_academyLearn filmmaking from artists at the top of their game. Try Filmmakers Academy and become a member today: https://bit.ly/302orWvCheck out our blog filled with career advice, free assets, gear talk, and on set stories: https://bit.ly/3CzwFn2