Episodios

  • Ep 233: The Audience is the Strategy: Caitlin Boyle on Purpose-Driven Distribution

    Ep 233: The Audience is the Strategy: Caitlin Boyle on Purpose-Driven Distribution
    Apr 30 2025
    Episode Summary:

    In this episode, Damien Swaby is joined by Caitlin Boyle, a pioneering force in strategic documentary distribution and the founder of Film Sprout. Caitlin discusses how filmmakers can move beyond traditional release models to build meaningful connections with audiences through grassroots campaigns, non-theatrical screenings, and community engagement. Drawing on over a decade of experience guiding social impact films, she shares insights into how intentional distribution strategies can amplify a film’s reach and deepen its impact. Whether you're an independent filmmaker, producer, or distributor, this conversation is essential listening.

    What We Cover in This Episode:
    • Caitlin’s career journey from WNET to founding Film Sprout
    • The limitations of conventional theatrical distribution
    • How community screenings can drive deeper engagement and real-world change
    • Designing a distribution strategy with purpose from pre-production
    • Real case studies from Film Sprout’s work with impact-driven documentaries
    • Tips for filmmakers on connecting with grassroots organizations and educational institutions
    • Why audience-building should be treated as a creative discipline
    Guest Bio – Caitlin BoyleCaitlin Boyle is the founder of Film Sprout, a consultancy that has shaped the distribution strategies of hundreds of independent documentaries focused on social justice, education, health, and the environment. With over 15 years of experience building grassroots outreach campaigns, she’s a recognized leader in impact distribution and a frequent speaker at DOC NYC, Sundance, and Good Pitch.

    Resources & Mentions:
    W: https://caitlinboyle.co
    E: hi@caitlinboyle.co
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    45 m
  • Ep 232: From Baywatch to Emmy Wins – Karina Michel P.G.A. The Art of Reinvention

    Ep 232: From Baywatch to Emmy Wins – Karina Michel P.G.A. The Art of Reinvention
    Apr 18 2025
    In this inspiring episode, Damien Swaby sits down with multi-hyphenate creative Karina Michel—an actress, model, producer, and Emmy-winning executive producer. Karina shares her fascinating journey from a childhood dream in Northamptonshire to navigating Hollywood auditions and eventually leading impactful storytelling projects as the head of Tallulah Films.

    🗣️ Topics Covered:
    • Karina’s early acting dreams and her modeling break with Ford Agency
    • Auditioning for Baywatch and what she learned from the process
    • Life on the set of Dexter and how method acting impacted the environment
    • Her transition into producing, and lessons learned from both sides of the camera
    • Behind the scenes of her award-winning documentary Heart of FLPD and Oscar-shortlisted Little Miss Sumo
    • The importance of telling untold stories and spotlighting social issues through film
    • Navigating the evolving landscape of entertainment with streaming, AI, and Zoom-based filmmaking
    • Advice to young creatives: “Just start—even imperfectly. That’s how momentum builds.”
    🌍 Plus:
    Karina reflects on balancing creativity with business, her go-to spiritual and grounding practices, and the emotional strength it takes to wear many hats in the entertainment industry.

    🎙️ About the Guest:
    Karina Michel is the host of Kofi Entertainment Unfiltered, a podcast exploring the journeys of artists and creatives. She has worked on over 100 productions and continues to champion underrepresented voices through film and media.

    📌 Key Quote:
    “Inspiration is everywhere. You don’t always have to look for it—sometimes the story finds you.”

    Connect with Karina Michel
    Instagram: karinamichelofficial
    Podcast: Coffee with Karina - Entertainment Unfiltered

    📢 Don't forget to subscribe, share, and leave us a review if you enjoyed this episode!
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    35 m
  • Ep 231: The Art of Video Editing with Emmy Winner Cybele Policastro

    Ep 231: The Art of Video Editing with Emmy Winner Cybele Policastro
    Apr 9 2025
    The Art of Video Editing with Emmy Winner Cybele Policastro
    • Guest: Cybele Policastro, a highly accomplished and multi-Emmy Award-winning video editor based in New York City.
    • Expertise: Extensive experience in video editing for a wide range of high-profile media, including news and entertainment.
    • Career Highlights:
      • Over 20 years of experience as a dedicated editor, notably at ABC News.
      • Recipient of multiple Emmy Awards and a Murrow Award, recognizing excellence in her field.
      • Nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Morning Program for Good Morning America in 2015.
      • Worked on prominent shows and segments, including contributions to GMA, 20/20's Robin's Journey, NAT GEO productions
      • Chalamet, Taylor Swift, Willy Chavarria, RuPaul, John Oates, and India Oxenberg.
      • Experience editing for Shonda Rhimes' productions.
      • Contributed to environmental reporting that received a duPont-Columbia Award.
      • Worked on Between the Lions early in her career.
    • Mentorship: Cybele is also involved in mentoring aspiring journalists and video editors, offering insights into professional editing techniques, news production workflows, and career navigation in the media industry. She emphasizes adapting to the evolving digital landscape and thriving under pressure.
    • Filmmaking Background: Co-directed and edited the documentary shorts The Firings and Evasion, which explored issues of academic freedom and institutional change at Bennington College in the 1990s. This project demonstrates her early engagement with filmmaking and storytelling.
    W: https://cybelepolicastro.com
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    34 m
  • Ep 230: Beyond the Turmoil: Isabelle Mecattaf's Lens on Lebanon

    Ep 230: Beyond the Turmoil: Isabelle Mecattaf's Lens on Lebanon
    Apr 6 2025
    Welcome to the podcast! Today we have filmmaker Isabelle on the show to discuss her journey from Lebanon to NYU and her experiences crafting compelling films. We'll delve into her creative process, her passion for telling human stories amidst political turmoil, and her advice for emerging filmmakers. Get ready for an inspiring conversation about resilience, filmmaking, and finding your voice.

    https://www.isabellemecattaf.com/filmography

    BEITY

    Shownotes:
    • Isabelle's Origin Story: Born and raised in Lebanon, Isabelle moved to the United States at 18 for college, where she studied English literature and philosophy. She pursued a master's in film at NYU.




    • NYU Tisch Experience: Isabelle describes her time at NYU Tisch as transformative, where she learned all aspects of filmmaking from industry professionals and built a strong network of collaborators.



    • Influence of Literature and Philosophy: Isabelle discusses how her background in English literature and philosophy has shaped her storytelling, particularly in character development and narrative structure.



    • Short Film "Beiti": Isabelle's second-year film at NYU, "Beiti" (meaning "My House" in Arabic), was shot on 16mm film in Lebanon. The film explores themes of waiting, limbo, and the experiences of those left behind in Lebanon due to immigration.




    • Shooting on Film: Isabelle shares her love for shooting on film, emphasizing how it fosters intentionality, precision, and focus on set.




    • Feature Film "May You Outlive Us": Isabelle is currently working on her first feature film, "May You Outlive Us," which continues to explore themes of resilience and everyday life in Lebanon amidst political and economic turmoil.




    • Lebanese Resilience: The discussion delves into the resilience of the Lebanese people and how it influences their daily lives and Isabelle's filmmaking.



    • Transition to Feature Film: Isabelle shares the challenges of transitioning from short films to a feature, particularly in navigating co-productions, government funding, and pitching to secure financing.



    • Focus on Humanity: Isabelle emphasizes her commitment to telling human stories and her desire to move beyond narratives solely focused on war and poverty in Lebanon.



    • Lebanese Filmmakers: Isabelle highlights the work of other talented Lebanese filmmakers, including Wisam Sheddaf and Muniael, and the collaborative spirit within the community.



    • Casting Process: Isabelle discusses her approach to casting, emphasizing her preference for working with professional actors and focusing on connection and communication.



    • Recognition and Support: Isabelle acknowledges the impact of being shortlisted for the Breakthrough Lens Action Grant and selected for the NYU Purple List, highlighting the importance of community and support in filmmaking.



    • Advice for Emerging Filmmakers: Isabelle's advice for emerging filmmakers, particularly those telling personal and politically relevant stories, centers on trusting their support system, working hard, surrounding themselves with good people, and seeking out opportunities and initiatives designed to support new voices.



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    36 m
  • Ep 229: Protecting Creativity: Navigating IP & Entertainment Law with Kennington Groff, Esq.

    Ep 229: Protecting Creativity: Navigating IP & Entertainment Law with Kennington Groff, Esq.
    Mar 28 2025
    In this episode, we sit down with Kennington Groff, Esq., an experienced attorney specializing in intellectual property, entertainment, and corporate law. With a career spanning major companies like HBO, NBCUniversal, and Lionsgate, Kennington shares insights into protecting creative work, legal pitfalls businesses should avoid, and how the entertainment industry is evolving in the digital age.

    What You’ll Learn:
    • Kennington’s journey into law and entertainment
    • Common misconceptions about trademarks and copyrights
    • The biggest IP challenges facing content creators today
    • Legal mistakes businesses make when protecting their brand
    • How streaming platforms have changed entertainment law
    • Essential legal advice for entrepreneurs and startups
    • Kennington’s volunteer work and advice for aspiring lawyers
    Whether you're a content creator, entrepreneur, or business owner, this episode is packed with valuable legal insightsto help you navigate intellectual property and entertainment law.

    Kennington is a highly organized and motivated individual with a strong work ethic, who brings a unique blend of legal and industry experience to her clients. She is dedicated to registering, protecting, enforcing, and defending the rights of individuals and companies throughout the United States and abroad. Kennington is a J.D. graduate from Pepperdine Law, and holds Bachelors of Arts degrees in Journalism and Public Relations and Spanish from The University of Georgia.

    Kennington is also a dedicated volunteer and has a history of supporting great causes. She advocates for the welfare of animals and supports local businesses volunteering with Buckhead Business Association and Taste of Buckhead. Formerly, she mentored high school students preparing for moot court and drafted declarations to help clients obtain court-approved temporary restraining orders as a Legal Volunteer with LACBA Domestic Violence Legal Services Project.

    W: Kennington Groff, ESQ
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    32 m
  • Ep 228: From I Love Lucy to Ally McBeal: Amy Castle's Path to Stardom and Music

    Ep 228: From I Love Lucy to Ally McBeal: Amy Castle's Path to Stardom and Music
    Mar 13 2025
    Join us for an exciting conversation with the multi-talented Amy as she shares her journey from a young performer influenced by iconic shows like I Love Lucy and Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood to landing major roles in TV hits like Ally McBeal. In this episode, we dive deep into Amy’s creative evolution, from memorizing Lucille Ball's famous Vitameatavegamin monologue to winning a Young Artist Award on Lizzie McGuire during a challenging time for the industry.Amy opens up about her early love for performance, her powerful role in shaping her own health-conscious lifestyle, and how she combined her on-camera skills with a passion for nutrition to create the hit show What’s Amy Eating? With over 200 episodes, Amy has inspired countless viewers with her healthy living journey.Plus, we discuss her latest venture into music with the release of her original single "Moving On" and the story behind directing her own music video. This episode is filled with reflections on childhood influences, the ups and downs of a career in entertainment, and the ways in which passion can shape multiple creative endeavors.Highlights Include:
    • Growing up in Los Angeles and the early TV shows that shaped Amy's love for performance
    • Memorizing Lucille Ball's Vitameatavegamin monologue as a kid
    • How early theater roles and Ally McBeal shaped Amy's career in television
    • The journey to becoming an advocate for healthy eating with What’s Amy Eating?
    • Winning a Young Artist Award for Lizzie McGuire during the aftermath of 9/11
    • A look at Amy’s musical journey, from Moving On to directing her own music video
    W: https://www.amycastle.com
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    55 m
  • Ep 227: From Dentistry to Emmy Gold: The Cinematic Journey of Michael Fitzer

    Ep 227: From Dentistry to Emmy Gold: The Cinematic Journey of Michael Fitzer
    Mar 7 2025
    In this episode, we had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with the remarkable Mike, an Emmy Award-winning cinematographer with over 25 years of experience in the film industry. We traversed the fascinating landscape of his career, uncovering the pivotal moments that shaped his unique approach to visual storytelling. Mike's journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and the courage to pursue one's true calling.

    Initially setting his sights on a career in dentistry, his path took an unexpected turn when he discovered his innate talent for capturing the world through the lens of a camera. This led him to the world of documentary filmmaking, where he honed his skills in weaving compelling narratives and addressing pressing social issues. Throughout the interview, Mike's passion for his craft was palpable. He emphasized the importance of staying true to one's artistic vision, even when faced with the pressures of the industry.

    His dedication to capturing the essence of his subjects and his commitment to using film as a tool for change were truly inspiring. We delved into some of the key aspects of Mike's filmmaking process, from his meticulous pre-production planning to his hands-on approach to cinematography. He shared his insights on the ever-evolving technology of filmmaking, emphasizing the importance of mastering the fundamentals while remaining adaptable to new tools and techniques. Mike's advice to aspiring cinematographers was both practical and heartfelt: "Have fun, be passionate, and never stop learning." He stressed the significance of building strong relationships within the industry and the value of continuous self-improvement.

    This episode was an insightful exploration of the art and craft of cinematography, guided by the wisdom and experience of a true master. Mike's journey is a reminder that the path to success is rarely linear, but with passion, dedication, and a willingness to embrace the unexpected, anything is possible.


    Relevant links:
    https://www.film180.com/about
    Spalding University's MFA in Writing Program
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    42 m
  • Ep 226: The Art of Music Law: Navigating the Industry with Sarah Falzon

    Ep 226: The Art of Music Law: Navigating the Industry with Sarah Falzon
    Mar 3 2025
    In this episode of The Art of Music Law, we dive into the world of entertainment law with Sarah Falzon, an accomplished associate at Taylor Oballa Murray Leyland LLP. With her expertise in music and entertainment law, Sarah shares her insights on the unique legal challenges artists and music companies face today.Episode Highlights:1. Background & Career Path
    • Sarah shares her journey into entertainment law and the experiences that sparked her interest in the field.
    • How her background in mathematics and statistics shapes her approach to legal work and problem-solving.
    • The transition from law school to practicing entertainment law and the lessons she learned along the way.
    2. Music & Entertainment Law
    • The biggest legal challenges artists and music companies face today, and how they can protect their interests.
    • A breakdown of a common legal issue Sarah helps artists navigate, from contract negotiations to copyright concerns.
    • The significant impact streaming platforms and digital media have had on music law.
    • Legal protections that emerging artists should prioritize early in their careers to safeguard their work.
    3. Personal Connection to Music
    • Sarah reflects on her personal connection to music, having played the violin for over 20 years, and how this influences her work as a lawyer.
    • How being a musician herself helps Sarah relate to her clients and advocate for their needs in a more empathetic and effective manner.
    4. Advice & Future Trends
    • Sarah offers valuable advice for young lawyers interested in pursuing a career in entertainment law.
    • The trends and legal issues shaping the future of the music industry, including the evolving relationship between artists and digital platforms.
    W: SARAH FALZON
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    24 m
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