
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

Oct 19, 2019 • 57min
Shane's Inner Circle Podcast, Ep.40 - Trusting Your Instinct
What’s beautiful about this industry is that everyone has their own unique approach to handling creative situations and business choices. Over the course of my career, I’ve enjoyed the opportunity of learning from the greats that have paved the path for us today. Whether it be a cinematographer, director, producer, grip, etc… Everyone carries something you can learn and it’s important to soak in that knowledge.With this podcast, Lydia and I want to share some pearls of wisdom for on and off set, how I’ve handle certain lighting situations on set and ways Lydia and I have handle our family life outside of the set.We hope you enjoy our methods and can apply them to your own craft!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

Oct 5, 2019 • 1h 8min
Shane's Inner Circle Podcast, Ep.39 - The Hollywood Change
Women in the film industry make up a big part of our most creative voices and storytellers. We have filmmakers like Jane Campion, Reed Morano, Patty Jenkins, Lynne Ramsay, Kathryn Bigelow, Sofia Coppola, Kelly Reichart, Agnes Varda, Andres Arnold, and so many more. Right now, we are seeing the male-run industry flip on its head and more female filmmakers are getting the chance to create and express themselves.Lydia and I are here to talk about what this means to us and how we are seeing a new style of filmmaking enter the forefronts; characters with a different perspectives, writing with a different heart, and cinema that takes on new meanings.Enjoy this podcast as we discuss this topical situation, plus much more!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

Sep 21, 2019 • 1h 1min
Shane's Inner Circle Podcast, Ep.38 - Ushering in a New Era
Women in the film industry make up a big part of our most creative voices and storytellers. We have filmmakers like Jane Campion, Reed Morano, Patty Jenkins, Lynne Ramsay, Kathryn Bigelow, Sofia Coppola, Kelly Reichart, Agnes Varda, Andres Arnold, and so many more. Right now, we are seeing the male-run industry flip on it’s head and more female filmmakers are getting the chance to create and express themselves.Lydia and I are here to talk about what this means to us and how we are seeing a new style of filmmaking enter the forefronts; characters with a different perspective, writing with a different heart, and cinema that takes on new meanings.Enjoy this podcast as we discuss this topical situation, plus much more!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

Sep 7, 2019 • 1h 2min
Shane's Inner Circle Podcast, Ep.37 – Understanding Your Cinematic Goals
Your reel in the film industry is the one constant you are always going to have to face. This is your identity, your style, your passion, and those that don’t know you need to be able to tell that by the end of it.Throughout you career your are going to make a lot of decisions that, for better or for worse, will sculpt the outcome on how your shoots go, and your career, and how your life goes. What I want to help with is guiding you not only on your career, but how to stay healthy when it feels like most of your time is taken up by work, how to balance appointments while still being creative, how to keep your mind clear to make the right choices, and to not compromise your ultimate vision of what you want your career to be.For this podcast, I hope to help you keep that confidence in your work but being aware that you will falter at times, and when you do, we will be here to help you get back up and to make sure that you don’t make the same mistake again.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

Aug 24, 2019 • 1h 3min
Shane's Inner Circle Podcast, Ep.36 – The Art in Business
When you begin your career as a filmmaker, you tend to only consider shots, the art behind the craft, and all of the creatives choices you are ready to make. Time and time again, it can be a rude awakening for those that enter into the industry and that don’t consider the business aspect of the process. YES – being creative is a big part of our game but that is maybe 40% of the job at the most.Everyday as filmmakers we deal with budgets, lists, meetings, treatments, pitches, producers, and countless logistical issues that most wouldn’t imagine outside of the film industry. We are a business and a lot of people can forget about everything else outside of the art. While it can be tumultuous, you have to remember that there is an artform in business. As a filmmakers, we have to deliver out on the job and when we are trying to pitch/land our next project. We are freelance workers and are consistently on the prowl for what’s next. To get those big and good jobs, you need to know the art of how to maneuver the industry.This month, Lydia and I discuss the trials and tribulations on what you will face in the industry. Not only that, we also discuss the complex labyrinth that you will have to weave in the real world. No matter if you are just starting out or already at the top — you need to be prepared for the roads in which you will embark.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

Aug 10, 2019 • 1h 4min
Shane's Inner Circle Podcast, Ep.35 - Light Placement, On Set Efficiency
As a cinematographer, I have always been influenced and inspired by light. To me, light makes my job fresh, new, and exciting. Not everything about lighting has to deal with the quality it emits and which fixture you are going to pick. To really be a wizard at lighting, you need to understand the light itself, how it runs, and ultimately its limitations when out in the field.Time and time again, I see filmmakers boning themself when they ask for big sources and have no clue what is necessary to power one of those lights. This is where power distribution, generator etiquette, and set execution comes in! In this podcast, I go full circle in answering your questions on lighting, best applications, and how to avoid rookie mistakes on set.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

Jul 27, 2019 • 1h 1min
Shane's Inner Circle Podcast, Ep.34 – Light Quality & Spectrum
As a cinematographer, I’ve always been fascinated by light! It’s extremely easy these days to get caught up by the ever-evolving tech out there and what’s hot. But at the end of the day, your bread and butter is always going to be the lights you choose to tell that story. Whether you go for strictly practicals or the big guns like 18K’s, you are making a choice for why you go down that route. Just like choosing a lens or a type of film stock, you need to choose why this light works for you.Today I’m going to discuss what some of the best lights in the market are, how to use different techniques to get the most out of your image, and how our roles as filmmakers could change with the VR boom.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

Jul 12, 2019 • 1h 9min
Shane's Inner Circle Podcast, Ep.33 – Understanding Your Filmmaking Tools
When prepping for your next production there are a lot of things to consider. What gear you want to use to tell your story, how you want to collaborate with your director and/or cinematographer, and what shots your want to get the best coverage for the script. With technology and shooting styles changing constantly, it can be hard to keep up with what’s new, what’s in, and how to apply it to your craft. For this month’s podcast, Lydia and I take you through the process of breaking down your script with the team to get the best coverage, understanding what gear will enhance your vision, and how important color is in the digital world of an image. Come along as I take you through my process as a DP and to be a leader to those you collaborate with.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

Jun 29, 2019 • 1h 1min
Shane's Inner Circle Podcast, Ep.32 - Your First Steps in Pre-Production
A lot of young cinematographers start out fixated on equipment and the creativity of the filmmaking process. While that is a big portion of what we do, it isn’t the only thing we do. To make your sets run effectively and efficiently, you want to have pre-production in the bag. While pre-production might not be your favorite part of the process, it is undoubtedly the most important part to unleashing your ideas. This month Lydia and I discuss how we cope with the rigors of leading into a shoot and how to manage whatever is thrown at you!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

Jun 15, 2019 • 1h 11min
Shane's Inner Circle Podcast, Ep.31 - Communication is Key
Great filmmaking is more than just the newest and coolest gear, it’s also about teamwork, working with all types of personalities, and leadership. This month Lydia and I sit down to answer your questions about how to deal with difficult people on set while maintaining professionalism, how to ensure your crew hold their work to a high standard, as well as what to learn first when you’re starting out, gear for solo/indie work, and when to rely on “go to” looks.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