The Podcast.

The podcast is on hiatus. Production has contracted, sponsor budgets have tightened, and many of the people we'd be talking to are between jobs. We didn't want to keep recording for the sake of a release calendar. It'll come back someday — the archive stays open until then. These conversations don't expire.


Aug 14, 2025

Nicholas Lam: How Losing Everything Teaches Us What Really Matters

Against the backdrop of industry upheaval and the rise of AI, Nicholas Lam joins hosts Ava Benjamin Shorr and David Kruta to explore what it means to future-proof creativity. Lam critiques performative diversity initiatives, warns against chasing trends, and makes a case for human, low-fi storytelling as the antidote to algorithmic content. Taking a personal turn, Lam recounts losing his home in the Los Angeles fires of January 2025, and shares how the filmmaking community rallied to support him, reshaping his priorities and reinforcing the importance of showing up for others. That experience reframes his view of work, stripping away the false urgency of the industry and grounding him in relationships over accolades.

11 episodes

2025

10 episodes

2024

24 episodes

2023

Christopher Blauvelt: Finding Your Path with Relentless Curiosity

Dec 21, 2023

Christopher Blauvelt: Finding Your Path with Relentless Curiosity

Natalie Kingston: The Art of Lighting from Within

Dec 07, 2023

Natalie Kingston: The Art of Lighting from Within

Griffin Stoddard: Reimagining Reality and the Art of World-Building

Nov 23, 2023

Griffin Stoddard: Reimagining Reality and the Art of World-Building

Ashley Connor: Defying the Male Gaze and Achieving Balanced Representation

Nov 09, 2023

Ashley Connor: Defying the Male Gaze and Achieving Balanced Representation

Oren Soffer: Behind the Scenes of "The Creator" and the Beauty of Spontaneity

Oct 26, 2023

Oren Soffer: Behind the Scenes of "The Creator" and the Beauty of Spontaneity

Mandy Walker, ASC, ACS: Creative Collaboration and Translating the Director’s Vision

Sep 14, 2023

Mandy Walker, ASC, ACS: Creative Collaboration and Translating the Director’s Vision

Andrew Roberts of ILM: The Art and Science Behind Seamless Visual Effects

Sep 07, 2023

Andrew Roberts of ILM: The Art and Science Behind Seamless Visual Effects

Todd Banhazl, ASC: The Power of Trust & Collaborative Work

Aug 31, 2023

Todd Banhazl, ASC: The Power of Trust & Collaborative Work

Oren Soffer & Peter Pascucci: Navigating Challenges and Cultivating Growth

Aug 24, 2023

Oren Soffer & Peter Pascucci: Navigating Challenges and Cultivating Growth

Marysia Makowska: The Power of Empathy and Preparation

Aug 17, 2023

Marysia Makowska: The Power of Empathy and Preparation

Jeremy Truong: Fighting for Equality and Impactful Storytelling

Aug 10, 2023

Jeremy Truong: Fighting for Equality and Impactful Storytelling

Andrii Kotliar: Hope and Resilience Amidst Conflict in Ukraine

Aug 03, 2023

Andrii Kotliar: Hope and Resilience Amidst Conflict in Ukraine

Mackenzie Lansing: Action and Solidarity in Hollywood

Jul 27, 2023

Mackenzie Lansing: Action and Solidarity in Hollywood

Mark Lafleur Of Old Fast Glass Pt. 2: Pursuing the Perfect Lens

Jul 20, 2023

Mark Lafleur Of Old Fast Glass Pt. 2: Pursuing the Perfect Lens

Mark Lafleur Of Old Fast Glass Pt. 1: The Beauty of Vintage Glass

Jul 13, 2023

Mark Lafleur Of Old Fast Glass Pt. 1: The Beauty of Vintage Glass

Olan Collardy: Decoding the Craft of Cinematography

Jul 06, 2023

Olan Collardy: Decoding the Craft of Cinematography

Kath Raisch: From Darkroom to Digital with Company3 Senior Colorist

Jun 29, 2023

Kath Raisch: From Darkroom to Digital with Company3 Senior Colorist

Ava Benjamin Shorr: Mentorship, Career Evolution & Personal Work

Jun 22, 2023

Ava Benjamin Shorr: Mentorship, Career Evolution & Personal Work

Jon Bregel: Pursuit of Wellness in the Film Industry

Jun 15, 2023

Jon Bregel: Pursuit of Wellness in the Film Industry

Maria Rusche: Exploring the Visuals of Shiva Baby

Jun 08, 2023

Maria Rusche: Exploring the Visuals of Shiva Baby

Zen Pace: Unpacking Spirituality, Identity, & Creativity

Jun 01, 2023

Zen Pace: Unpacking Spirituality, Identity, & Creativity

David Kruta: Cinematography Salon Founder's Vision for the Future

May 25, 2023

David Kruta: Cinematography Salon Founder's Vision for the Future

The Importance of Community with Peter Pascucci & Oren Soffer

May 18, 2023

The Importance of Community with Peter Pascucci & Oren Soffer

Welcome to the Cinematography Salon Podcast

May 14, 2023

Welcome to the Cinematography Salon Podcast