
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 31, 2019 • 1h 5min
Shane's Inner Circle Podcast, Ep.30 - Lighting Your Path to Success
A camera can only take you so far as you make your way along your cinematic story. There’s a whole other element that is both native and dependent to a professional-looking image — lighting. Applying lights is the key to creating multiple dimensions. Good lighting will give your work that specific tone you’re looking for on the screen. You see, understanding the significance of cinematic lighting is the other half of the battle. A lot of times you will see aspiring filmmakers pick up a camera and think they can just shoot their scene devoid of decent lighting and consider the rest of the image as an afterthought, or there’s the detrimental line, “We’ll fix it in post!” No, how about let’s fix it now by lighting the scene correctly?When you have the know-how and appreciate the balance between camera and lighting, there is no limit to your creativity! So join Lydia and me as we sit down on the mic and share insight on lighting setups, figuring out what lights work best in certain scenarios, and manipulating light to get the most out of your image in this podcast.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

May 18, 2019 • 1h 11min
Shane's Inner Circle Podcast, Ep.29 - Carving Your Path
It’s tough breaking into the industry and knowing whether you are making the right decisions, or not. Should you dive-in straight as a DP or go up the ladder from the bottom? Are you scared to make the leap into a freelance lifestyle? It’s a lot to wrap your mind around when first starting out in the business.Lydia and I discuss my path to becoming a DP and how having someone to lean on in tough times is key!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

May 4, 2019 • 1h 3min
Shane's Inner Circle Podcast, Ep.28 - Getting to Know Your Camera
This month’s podcast covers how to put your camera through the ringer and get the most out of it.Shane discusses how it’s one thing to own a camera, but it’s another to understand its full potential. Camera tests are key when it comes to knowing when and where to apply your camera, as well as when and where not to. Shane takes you step by step on how to understand the soul of your sensor.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

Apr 20, 2019 • 1h 10min
Shane's Inner Circle Podcast, Ep.27 - Composure On Set
This month’s podcast covers how to stay on the ball and figure out what works best for you to successfully manage your career and personal life.Lydia discusses what has worked for her and shares her tips to help you figure out your schedule, how to manage the storm, all while keeping calm and staying strong.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

Apr 6, 2019 • 1h 7min
Shane's Inner Circle Podcast, Ep.26 – Setting Up Your Lighting
This month’s podcast covers your questions on setting up your lighting.Shane discusses lighting backgrounds first, set ups and ratios as they pertain to moods, white balancing the night, lighting tips to create a darker mood, lighting for different skin tones, and smoke and hazers.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

Mar 23, 2019 • 1h 11min
Shane's Inner Circle Podcast, Ep.25 - Planning Your Coverage
This month’s podcast covers your questions on planning coverage and when to roll.Shane discusses rolling during rehearsals, coverage and storyboarding, color grading, aspect ratios, and 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

Mar 9, 2019 • 56min
Shane's Inner Circle Podcast, Ep.24 - Work Ethic & Leadership
This month’s podcast covers your questions on good work ethics shaping you as a leader. Lydia discusses challenges faced by Lydia and Shane, advice for those with families who want to pursue this line of work, the importance of energy and self care, and inspiration for the Inner Circle.

Feb 23, 2019 • 58min
Shane's Inner Circle Podcast, Ep.23 - Starting Out in the Business
This month’s podcast covers your questions on getting into the business. Shane discusses building relationships with vendors, putting together a reel, the pros and cons of getting into the union, and eye correction.

Feb 9, 2019 • 1h
Shane's Inner Circle Podcast, Ep.22 - Understanding Your Tools
This month’s podcast covers your questions on topics related to lenses, filters and cameras.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

Jan 26, 2019 • 48min
Shane's Inner Circle Podcast, Ep.21 - Business, Networking & Crew Attitude
This month in her podcast, Lydia answers your questions on film crew attitudes, growing in the business, and breaking into the business, as well as adding her point of view to some questions asked of Shane.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