The FilmUp Podcast

While we often hear from filmmakers in the U.S., we're changing things up. Today, we're excited to bring a new perspective from a filmmaker on a different continent. Let's welcome Greg Hackett to The FilmUp Podcast! Greg is both a film director and founder of the UK production company, Spindle. Greg has directed commercials, music videos, and written branded content for clients such as philips, sony, the royal navy, timberland, national geographic and the new york times. He has been awarded at British Arrows, Cannes Lions, Clios and so many more. Greg is also a big supporter of Little Lifts, a non-profit that provides the most thoughtfully handpicked gifts to support people with breast cancer. So he is dedicating this episode to their organization. You can learn more by going to littlelifts.org.uk.

The future of media and entertainment is about to change forever, and our next guest tells us HOW. Please welcome Doug Shapiro to The FilmUp Podcast. Doug is an independent advisor, consultant, and senior advisor for Boston Consulting Group. He writes a blog at medium that is widely read and circulated in the industry. Previously, Doug was the CFO at Pugilist Capital, Chief Strategy Officer at Turner, a division of Warner Media, SVP at Time Warner and much more. Doug is also a big supporter of the Entertainment Community Fund, a non-profit that is dedicated to helping those affected by work stoppages or other pauses in industry work. So he is dedicating this episode to their organization. You can learn more by going to entertainmentcommunity.org

Please welcome Vivi Rojas and Nicole Taylor to The FilmUp Podcast! Vivi and Nicole are the co-founders of Her Productions, a female owned production company dedicated to fostering female leadership and promoting Latinx representation in the field. Since its inception in 2017, Her Productions has worked with major artists and brands including Alicia Keys, Dove Cameron, Ty Dolla $ign, Nike, Mcdonalds, Coke Studios and many more. Vivi and Nicole are also supporters of NALIP, a nonprofit that is dedicated to discovering, promoting, and inspiring Latinx content creators and diverse voices across media.. So they are dedicating this episode to that organization. You can learn more by going to nalip.org.

Please welcome the viral sensation Jake Heidecker to The FilmUp Podcast ! Jake is a Director, Producer, and Editor primarily working between Nashville and LA. He owns and operates a production company called Jelly House that specializes in music videos and short-form content. Jake has worked with 50+ artists including Jack Harlow, John K, Vwillz, Munn, Knox, Josh Golden, and many more.  He also started the "New Editing Setup" trend on social media and those original videos have now surpassed over 100 Million views combined. Jake is also a big supporter of the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, a non-profit that is dedicated to building  centers for treating US military personnel suffering the effects of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress (PTS). So he is dedicating this episode to their organization. You can learn more by going to fallenheroesfund.org/

Please welcome Anthony Mandler to The FilmUp Podcast! Anthony is an American film director and photographer. He initially made his mark in the music video scene as one of the industry’s most coveted directors by directing generational talents like Rihanna, Taylor Swift, The Killers, Jay Z, The Weeknd and Drake. As well as a trilogy of short films with Lana del Rey. In 2018, Anthony turned his attention to narrative storytelling with his critically acclaimed feature film debut, Monster. His most recent film, MGM’s Surrounded, stars Black Panther’s Letitia Wright, Jamie Bell and the late Michael K. Williams. In partnership with BRON Studios, his production company, Black Hand Cinema, has further enhanced his craft and his unique storytelling style has garnered over 10 billion views of his work worldwide. Anthony is also a big supporter of the Alliance of Moms, a non-profit that is dedicated to supporting pregnant and parenting youth in LA’s foster care system so that they can build a positive future for themselves and their children. So he is dedicating this episode to their organization. You can learn more by going to AllianceofMoms.org

WE ARE BACK! Get ready for an INCREDIBLE Season 4 premiere. We could not be more thrilled to welcome the one and only, Zachary Levi to The FilmUp Podcast. In this episode, we cover Zac's incredible journey as a filmmaker, but also as a human being. Zac is an actor, director, singer, a published author, the list goes on. You’ve seen him in the TV series Chuck, The Marvelous Mrs Maisel - films including Shazam!, Tangled and so many more. He published his first book Radical Love last year, which is about learning to accept yourself and others. We highly recommend reading it. Zac is also a supporter of Active Minds, a non-profit that is dedicated to opening up the conversation about mental health and creating lasting change in the way mental health is talked about, cared for, and valued. So he is dedicating this episode to their organization. You can learn how to get involved by going to activeminds.org.

We are thrilled to present the Season 3 Finale of The FilmUp Podcast! Thank you for tuning in and joining us on this exciting journey. Today, we have the absolute pleasure of introducing our incredible guests, Tye Sheridan and Nikola Todorovic, the brilliant minds behind Wonder Dynamics. Wonder Dynamics has completely transformed the industry with their groundbreaking AI tool, which seamlessly animates, illuminates, and composes CG characters into live-action scenes. With over $11 Million raised, they are pioneering the next generation of VFX animation with their revolutionary new software. Before embarking on this remarkable startup venture, Tye Sheridan made his mark as an accomplished actor and producer, renowned for his roles as the young Scott Summers and Cyclops in the rebooted X-Men film series, as well as Wade Watts in the captivating Ready Player One. Meanwhile, Nikola Todorovic excelled as a visual effects supervisor and enterprising entrepreneur, specializing in VFX projects that required software and tech alteration to existing solutions on the market. Now they have come together to pursue Wonder Dynamics and are determined to democratize VFX animation, making it accessible to all! In this captivating episode, we delve into the origin story of these two exceptional individuals and explore the fascinating journey that led them to this point. Tye and Nikola are also supporters of the International Rescue Committee, a nonprofit that helps people affected by humanitarian crises—including the climate crisis—to survive, recover and rebuild their lives. So they are dedicating this episode to that organization. You can learn more by going to rescue.org/

Get ready for a fun filled episode with two incredibly talented self made filmmakers, Martha McGuirk & Katie Lambert. Martha and Katie are the founders of MrMr Films based in London. MrMr includes a spread of brilliant freelance producers; and is committed to supporting innovative new directors, producers and writers.  They became established in music videos and commercials, winning awards such as MVAs, Creative Circle and Cannes lions and have worked with clients including Harry Styles, Dua Lipa, and Pink, to name a few.  Recently they’ve turned their attention to long form with their first feature, ROAR in development with the musician Pink attached and are busy on the second.  Martha and Katie are also supporters of Survive, a nonprofit that provides specialist counseling and support work to all adults across North Yorkshire who have experienced sexual trauma. So they are dedicating this episode to that organization. You can learn more by going to survive-northyorks.org.uk.

Our next guest creates some of the most iconic stop motion fiber animation you’ll ever see. The level of detail, patience, and persistence involved in her work is simply indescribable. Please welcome Andrea Love to The FilmUp Podcast! Andrea is an award winning stop motion director, animator and fiber artist. Her passion for all things wool has made her a force in the growing field of felt animation. With an audience of over 4.5 million across Instagram and TikTok, Andrea uses her platform to spread joy, and bring fiber to life in satisfying and innovative ways.  Her Cooking with Wool series went viral in 2019, which facilitated a move into branded content on social media. Her recent clients include Disney, Netflix, Hulu, the United Nations and more.  In addition to commercial work, Andrea has made several short films that have screened at festivals around the world, including Tribeca Film Festival and the New York International Children's Festival.   Andrea is also a big supporter of the Jefferson Land Trust , a non-profit that is dedicated to preserving open space, working lands and habitat forever. So she is dedicating this episode to their organization. You can learn more by going to saveland.org.

When it comes to filmmaking, it truly takes a village. There are countless departments and roles, each playing a vital part in the creation of a production. Often times, the true measure of their success is not defined by what immediately catches your attention, but rather in the subtle nuances that blend into the overall experience. Today, we are privileged to have a guest whose exceptional work often goes unnoticed, yet has undoubtedly left a mark on the series and films you’ve seen. Please welcome Rebecca Wachtel to The FilmUp Podcast. Rebecca is a makeup artist that has been creating looks for over 20 years. Her passion lies in the diversity of the field from putting prosthetics on war victims in Letters From Iwo Jima to beautifying the Pretty Little Liars and designing the variety of realistic looks in Truth Be Told. Most recently she created the 1960's, 70's, 80's & 90's world of Daisy Jones & The Six. Taking the characters through many stages of stardom and age makeups. Rebecca is also a big supporter of ACLU, a non-profit that is dedicated to defending and preserving the individual rights guaranteed to every person in the US.. So she is dedicating this episode to their organization. You can learn more by going to aclu.org