In this episode, we sit down with Tony Lazarowich, a Mechanical / Practical Special Effects Supervisor, to talk about the real-world craft behind on-set magic: rain, snow, smoke, fire, blood, hydraulics, pneumatics, explosions, and the safety-first mindset that holds it all together.

Tony shares how he went from pulling cable as a teenager to “finding” his way onto sets in Vancouver, learning the trade hands-on, and eventually building a career spanning decades of film and television. We also dig into how practical effects collaborate with stunts and VFX, how technology has evolved, and how AI is changing the landscape.

Tony also discusses working alongside his wife, filmmaker Gina Hole Lazarowich, whose latest film Robert was recently accepted to the prestigious Beverly Hills Film Festival.

Watch the trailer for Robert here:

https://vimeo.com/1165519482?fl=pl&fe=sh

In this episode

• What practical and mechanical special effects actually include (and why it’s more than “blowing stuff up”)

• How Tony broke into the industry (including a legendary shop story)

• Safety culture on set and why it’s non-negotiable

• Breaking down the planning process: script, questions, testing, execution

• Practical vs VFX: where the handoff happens and how departments coordinate

• Favorite career stories (Friday the 13th chaos, Elf snow problem-solving)

• Advice for newcomers: skills that actually get you hired

Check out the video interview here!

https://youtu.be/ymLX95Oo-jk

IMDb:

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0493794/

Pacific West Special Effects:

https://www.pacwestspfx.com/

Pacific West Special Effects – About:

https://www.pacwestspfx.com/about

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/pacwestspfx/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/pacificwestSPFX/

#CrewTales, #LifeInTheCircus, #PracticalEffects, #SpecialEffects, #FilmCrew, #IATSE891, #BehindTheScenes

In this episode of Crew Tales, Life in the Circus, Brad sits down with filmmaker, producer, and entrepreneur Gina Hole Lazarowich, whose career has taken an unconventional path through fashion, film, and business.

Gina’s journey spans four decades in fashion and more than thirty years in the film industry. She began as a self-taught makeup artist in the late 1970s, worked her way through fashion, celebrity, and Hollywood, and eventually built one of Western Canada’s leading artist agencies from the basement of her home. Years later, a story she couldn’t ignore pulled her back into filmmaking.

That story became the award-winning documentary Krow’s TRANSformation, a three-year project following a young trans male model. The film premiered internationally, opened the Raindance Film Festival in London, screened around the world, and won Best Documentary in Mallorca. Gina shot much of it herself using whatever tools were available, including iPhones, iPads, and donated gear, proving that powerful storytelling doesn’t depend on expensive equipment.

Since this interview was recorded, Gina’s latest film Robert has been officially selected for the prestigious Beverly Hills Film Festival.

In the conversation, we talk about impostor syndrome, learning on the job, the realities of producing today, how film funding actually works, the shift from film to digital, and why Gina believes fear has no place in creativity. From running a special effects company to mentoring young filmmakers and advocating for the industry, Gina embodies what it means to wear many hats and keep moving forward.

Check out the video interview here!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3-o7xIaNQw

Links

Gina Hole Lazarowich

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/ginaholelaz

Pacific West Special Effects

https://pacificwestsfx.com

Film – Krow’s TRANSformation

https://filmfreeway.com/KrowsTRANSformation

Film – Robert Trailer

https://vimeo.com/1165519482?fl=pl&fe=sh

#CrewTales, #LifeInTheCircus, #FilmIndustry, #BehindTheScenes, #Producer, #FilmProducer, #Director, #DocumentaryFilm, #IndieFilm, #VancouverFilm, #BCFilm, #CanadianFilm, #WomenInFilm, #SpecialEffects, #PracticalEffects, #Storytelling, #Filmmaking, #FilmPodcast, #PodcastInterview, #OutTV

Discover the fascinating world of still photography in the film industry through the eyes of a passionate professional.

Hear from Kailey Schwerman as she shares her journey as a unit photographer in Vancouver. Explore her insights on what it means to capture the essence of a production through still images, the importance of creativity in film, and how she balances her work and personal life. Learn about the vital roles photographers play in marketing shows, the drive needed to succeed, and how personality is key on set. Get a glimpse into the heartwarming and challenging experiences that come with preserving moments in time.

Life in the Circus Podcast

Website: https://circuspodcast.com/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LifeInTheCircusPodcast

Podcast Hosting: https://hubhopper.com/podcast/life-in-the-circus/449372

Email: Lifeinthecircuspodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifeinthecircuspodcast

Relevant Hashtags

#Photography #FilmIndustry #CreativeJourney #WomenInFilm #Production