

The FilmUp Podcast
Aryeh Hoppenstein and Nick Mahar
Welcome to The FilmUp Podcast, Your Home For All Things Filmmaking. I'm Aryeh, founder of FilmUp and with Co-host Nick Mahar, we we explore the journey of accomplished filmmakers and their road to success.
Each podcast episode is dedicated to a non-profit of our guest’s choosing to both highlight our interviewee’s passion outside of filmmaking and bring awareness to a good cause. Our goal is to use Film to move the world Up - FilmUp.
Come join us for this week's episode and let's explore the world of filmmaking together.
Each podcast episode is dedicated to a non-profit of our guest’s choosing to both highlight our interviewee’s passion outside of filmmaking and bring awareness to a good cause. Our goal is to use Film to move the world Up - FilmUp.
Come join us for this week's episode and let's explore the world of filmmaking together.
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 23, 2023 • 1h 25min
#057 - Aldridge Joseph, Mechanical Engineer, AI Media Analyst, Podcaster on All Things Tech
The process behind making a film is changing forever right before our eyes. The emergence of the first still photograph ignited a digital revolution, paving the way for the cutting-edge media technology we enjoy today, whether it's films on the big screen, television content, or the media we consume on our devices. Now we have a new player in the mix, Artificial Intelligence. We wanted learn more about the profound impact AI will have on the film industry so we found the perfect person with the answers. Please welcome Aldridge Joseph to The FilmUp Podcast.
Aldridge is an engineer and financial analyst turned content creator and consultant focused on exploring emerging tech to revolutionize the way we make content, build products, and earn money.
He’s working with some of the most exciting and upcoming AI companies in the industry to showcase these applications and share how people can get the most out of this technological disruption.
Aldridge is also a big supporter of Mater Little Miracles. a non-profit that is dedicated to supporting Queensland families and seeks to improve outcomes for ill and premature babies. So she is dedicating this episode to their organization. You can learn more by going to www.materfoundation.org.au

May 16, 2023 • 57min
#056 - Emil Nava, Director for Rihanna, Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa, Kid Cudi, Post Malone, and more
This was such a fun episode, with great energy and even greater insights. We are so excited to share it with you. Please welcome our next guest, Emil Nava, to The FilmUp Podcast ⚡️ Emil is a director with over 23 billion views across projects and has proven himself to be one of the most globally impactful creatives in the industry.
He has worked in the music video and commercial spaces for over a decade, collaborating with artists including Rihanna, Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa, Kid Cudi, Post Malone, Selena Gomez as well as notable brands such as McDonald’s, Mercedes, Gap, and many more. His diverse and influential work has gained worldwide acclaim, earning multiple awards and nominations from the MTV VMAs, Brit Awards, and Clio Awards.
Emil is also a big supporter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, a non-profit that is dedicated to providing education, support and public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives. So he is dedicating this episode to their organization. You can learn more by going to nami.org.

May 9, 2023 • 56min
#055 - Roman Coppola, Oscar Nominated Screenwriter, Director, Producer and Entrepreneur
The man, the myth, the legend! Please welcome the great Roman Coppola to The FilmUp Podcast. As the son of the legendary Francis Ford Coppola, Roman shares his unique journey through the film industry, carving his own path and paving the way for his own success.
Roman is a director, screenwriter, producer and entrepreneur. He serves as president of the film company American Zoetrope which has produced some of the most important films in American cinema and has received fifteen Academy Awards and sixty-eight nominations. He’s collaborated on notable films with Wes Anderson, including Moonrise Kingdom, Isle of Dogs, and more.
Roman is also a big supporter of Decentralized Pictures, a non-profit that is dedicated to providing access to Hollywood financing that aspiring filmmakers need. So he is dedicating this episode to their organization. You can learn more by going to decentralized.pictures.

May 2, 2023 • 1h 11min
#054 - Marco Beltrami, Oscar Nominated Music Composer on films including Scream, A Quiet Place, I Robot, and more
Join us on a journey as we take an exclusive look behind the scenes of the captivating world of film scoring, led by our next guest, Marco Beltrami. In this episode, we will explore how Marco got his start in the industry and his signature style which has earned him credits on some of the world’s biggest box office hits.
Marco is a two-time Oscar nominated music composer with over 120 TV and film credits over a 25-year career in the industry. He’s composed music for iconic projects including Scream, A Quiet Place, The Hurt Locker, I, Robot, Venom, Fear Street, Ford vs Ferrari and so many more.
Marco is also a supporter of Education Through Music, an organization that is dedicated to providing music as a core subject for all children, and utilizing music education as a catalyst to improve overall achievement. So he is dedicating this episode to their organization. You can learn more by going to etmonline.org.

Apr 25, 2023 • 1h 6min
#053 - Keisha Senter, Senior Vice President of Culture and Impact at Monkeypaw Productions
A film is not simply limited to what you see on the screen. In fact, a film has a life that extends far beyond its on-screen presence - from its inception to its reception, and beyond. Our next guest has made it her mission to explore the full cycle of a film's life and its potential impact on its audience and the world. Please welcome Keisha Senter to The FilmUp Podcast.
Keisha is the Senior Vice President of Culture and Impact at Monkeypaw Productions where she produces mission-driven campaigns, content, and brand partnerships that unpack the themes addressed in the company’s storytelling.
Previously, Keisha was the Vice President of the Will and Jada Smith Family Foundation where she led the Careers in Entertainment Initiative designed to introduce the next generation of diverse entertainment professionals to career opportunities.
Keisha also founded the firm, The Solution Senter, whose clients included global fashion brands such as Gucci, Social Capital Markets, and more.
Keisha is a supporter of HBCU in LA, NY and ATL, an organization that is dedicated to providing diverse student leaders with experience essential for launching and leveraging a career inside Hollywood’s inner circle. So she is dedicating this episode to their organization. You can learn more by going to eicop.org.

Apr 18, 2023 • 53min
#052 - Rob Witt, Director of Photography for Billie Eilish, Ariana Grande, Rosalia, Kendrick Lamar, and more
A remarkable journey from humble beginnings to collaborating with some of the most renowned artists on the planet, this episode delves into a transformative story of perseverance – from nights spent in the car to being honored at the VMAs for exceptional cinematography. Please welcome Rob Witt to The FilmUp Podcast.
Rob is a Director of Photography known for his striking style, and feel for alluring imagery. He began his career in the San Francisco Bay Area shooting local bands and hip-hop artists. Over the last 15 years, Rob has been trusted by the most recognizable faces in music, and entertainment including Ariana Grande, Rosalia, Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears, Kendrick Lamar and more.
He’s shot well over 100 music videos. His collaboration with director Billie Eilish on her song “Therefore I Am” garnered an MTV VMA nomination for Best Cinematography, which came 10 years after his first nomination for the same award, for his work with director Jared Leto and 30 Seconds to Mars.His range of commercial clients continue to grow daily, from the likes of Apple, Google, Loreal, Rolls Royce, and Dolby.
Rob is also a supporter of Freedom and Fashion, a non-profit that is dedicated to using fashion, beauty, and other healing modalities to empower survivors of trafficking and other injustices. So he is dedicating this episode to their organization. You can learn more by going to freedomandfashion.org.

Apr 11, 2023 • 46min
#051 - Clair Popkin, Emmy Award Winning Cinematographer for "Free Solo", the Netflix series “Inside Bills Brain”, and many more
Have you ever heard the phrase, how far would you go to get the shot? Well our next guest took that to an entirely new level shooting a production that involved hanging from a cliff. Please welcome Clair Popkin to The FilmUp Podcast.
Clair is an Emmy Award Winning Cinematographer working mainly in the commercial, documentary and film fields. His recent credits include National Geographic’s Oscar and Emmy winning feature length documentary: “Free Solo”, the Netflix series “Inside Bills Brain”, and many more.
Clair has shot numerous other feature documentaries and TV shows as well as commercial projects for clients including Apple, BMW, Toyota, and Yeti in over 30 countries around the globe.
Clair is also a supporter of Patagonia Action Works, a non-profit that is dedicated to connecting individuals to organizations working on environmental issues in the same community. So he is dedicating this episode to their organization. You can learn more by going to patagonia.com/actionworks.

Apr 4, 2023 • 46min
#050 - Johannes Lovund, Producer & Director for Kygo and Co-founder of Palm Tree Productions
Our next guest Johannes Lovund lives a very simple life in Norway unless he is jet setting around the world making content for the masses!
Johannes is a director, producer, and photographer for the award winning Music Producer, Kygo. He is also the Co-founder and CEO of Palm Tree Productions, a joint venture between himself and the Norwegian DJ and Music Producer Kygo. His latest projects include productions featuring Joe Jonas, Shawn Mendes, Rita Ora, Dean Lewis, Harry Hudson, Frank Walker, Jamie Foxx, 50 cent and of course Kygo.
Get ready to learn of how this talented filmmaker found his way from a college campus in Norway, to becoming a globally recognized filmmaker.
Johannes is also a supporter of Alzheimer's Association, a non-profit that is dedicated to accelerating the global effort to eliminate the disease and other dementias. So he is dedicating this episode to their organization. You can learn more by going to alz.org.

Mar 28, 2023 • 55min
#049 - David Strib, Content Creator for Jason Derulo, Nicki Minaj, Will Smith, Zach King, and more
Get ready for an unforgettable story about how our next guest hustled from Australia to LA to become Jason Derulo’s videographer (and roommate) and created content streamed by hundreds of millions of people around the world. Please welcome David Strib to The FilmUp Podcast.
Australian born, David made his way over to the states when he got his first big break at 19 to become the Creative Director for the one and only Jason Derulo. He steadily grew his career leading up Jason’s TikTok and supporting its growth to over 40M followers. From there, his portfolio blossomed and he began working with independent artists like Nicki Minaj, Will Smith, and influencers including Zach King and The Ace Family. He also works with top brands like Mercedes, Samsung, and streaming platform Prime Video.
With all of that, he launched his production company Official Strib, dedicated to helping clients build their brands and create unique, engaging content through compelling storytelling and meticulous workflow.
David is also a supporter of the Center for Humane Technology, a non-profit that is dedicated to shifting technology towards a more humane future that supports our well-being. So he is dedicating this episode to their organization. You can learn more by going to humanetech.com.

Mar 21, 2023 • 48min
#048 - Michelle Chung, Makeup Artist for the Oscar Winning Film Everything Everywhere All At Once & More
What’s a better way to spend the day after the Oscars than with us on The FilmUp Podcast! Join us for a chat with the wonderful Michelle Chung, known for her amazing work on the Oscar-sweeping Everything Everywhere All at Once.
Michelle is a Los Angeles based makeup artist known for her work on the Oscar Winning film Everything Everywhere All at Once, The Terminal List, Boo Bitch and more.
She has been working in film and television for over 15 years and is a proud member of the IATSE Local 706 as well as a member of the Television Academy.
Michelle is also a supporter of the Asian Mental Health Project, an organization that is dedicated to educating and empowering asian communities in seeking mental healthcare. So she is dedicating this episode to their organization. You can learn more by going to asianmentalhealthproject.com.