From Strings to Screens: Aaron Gershman's Journey Across AV, Digital, and Design

How does a former rock guitarist with zero design training become a creative force behind some of the most visually stunning and emotionally resonant film campaigns of our time?

This week on Trailer Geeks and Teaser Gods, Corey Nathan sits down with Aaron Gershman, SVP of Creative Advertising at Lionsgate, whose journey from teenage rocker to "Pope of Posters" is anything but ordinary. From working on cult classics like Scott Pilgrim to crafting mind-blowing illustrated campaigns for John Wick 4, Aaron shares a deep-dive into the intersections of music, design, AV, and storytelling.

🎨 Whether he's collaborating with international artists or building visceral trailers that mix gunshots with throat singing, Aaron reveals how emotional intelligence, personal roots, and artistic instincts create unforgettable marketing.

• Support Skip's Heart Recovery Journey - gofund.me/9ef1ccfef
• A Very Vibrant Celebration 2 - www.wearevibrant.org/events

• Music Meets Marketing: Aaron's background as a musician and producer continues to shape how he sees rhythm, timing, and emotional arc—especially in AV.

• Poster Power: Learn how an artist-led, globally-sourced poster series for John Wick 4 redefined collaboration and style.

• From Minivan DVDs to Collectible Art: Aaron traces the evolution of home entertainment from functional formats to curated collectibles.

• Mentorship Matters: Behind every pivot in Aaron's career is a creative leader who inspired him—from Tom Gundry to Damon Wolf to Adam Fogelson.

• Embracing Change: From studio shakeups to creative setbacks, Aaron's mantra is to stay focused on the joy of building.

"My dad was a producer through and through. Even when I was a kid in a garage band, he'd come down and tell us, 'This song needs dynamics—quiet moments, loud moments.' Then he'd play The Doors to show us what he meant."
— Aaron Gershman

"I used to track artists on Instagram the same way I used to find bands. Now I follow over 5,000 illustrators for inspiration."
— Aaron Gershman

"The work didn't scare me—learning the language of trailers did. Corey, your podcast was like my AV crash course."
— Aaron Gershman

• John Wick 4 – Artist series posters

• The Strangers: Chapter 1 – Friggin' Bill Neil!

• Silent Night – Ode to Joy meets tactical violence

• Clerks III – Collaborating with Kevin Smith

• Sisu – Tribal, percussive, primal, and punchy

• Lionsgate - @lionsgate on Instagram and TikTok

• Corey - @coreysnathan on all the socials

• Meza Wealth Management: www.mezawealth.com
• 24/96 Sound & Music Design: 2496soundandmusic.com
• The Golden Trailer Awards: goldentrailer.com/
• Soundstripe: app.soundstripe.com

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Between the Beats: From Texas Roots to Trailer Rhythms

What does it take to edit trailers that breathe emotion, humor, tension, and awe—all in a few short minutes?

This week, we sit down with Shea Jones, a self-proclaimed "rhythm cutter" whose musical instincts have defined some of the most memorable trailer moments of the last decade. Shea shares his origin story—from math-loving student in San Antonio to trailer editor at X/AV—along with insights into how he approaches genre, music, and storytelling.

🎵 Whether he's remixing action sequences with beat drops or building visual poetry around Taylor Swift lyrics, Shea reveals how the best trailers aren't just made—they're felt.

This episode is a must-listen for creatives, editors, and trailer geeks alike.

• Editing is Rhythmic: Shea describes himself as a "rhythm-based cutter," likening his editing flow to musical composition and even mathematics.

• Versatility is a Superpower: From horror and blockbuster action to emotional dramas, Shea's ability to pivot across genres comes from intuition and experimentation.

• Let the Music Speak: For projects like Daisy Jones & The Six and The Summer I Turned Pretty, lyrics drive narrative as much as visuals or dialogue.

• Compete with Yourself: In an industry full of talent, Shea's biggest rival is yesterday's version of himself.

• Culture Matters: A decade at XAV isn't just about work—it's about a team-first environment that nurtures people, not just projects.

"There's a mathematics to trailers. It's not just beats—it's breathing, silence, and flow."
— Shea Jones

"The best finish is my next finish."
— Shea Jones

"Competing with others used to drive me. Now, I just want to keep getting better."
— Shea Jones

• Website: xav.la

• 24/96 Sound & Music Design: 2496soundandmusic.com
• The Golden Trailer Awards: goldentrailer.com/
• Soundstripe: app.soundstripe.com

Calls to Action:

• Please leave us a rating and review: https://apple.co/3QYy80e
• You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.linkedin.com/in/coreysnathan.

Want to hear how the best in the business craft the world's most exciting movie trailers? Tune in every week to Trailer Geeks and Teaser Gods! 🎬🎤

📌 Episode Summary

In this edition of our tribute series to Andy Kuehn—widely regarded as the father of the modern trailer industry—we're joined by special co-host Benedict Coulter and iconic guests Dawn Baillie and Clive Baillie, two of the co-founders of BLT Communications. Together, they retrace the creative and entrepreneurial journey that shaped BLT, and honor the enormous influence Andy had in nurturing creative independence and cultivating Hollywood glamor.

This conversation is a deep dive into the culture and mentorship Andy built at Kaleidoscope Films, and how that environment catalyzed the formation of one of the most successful creative shops in entertainment advertising.

🕰️ Timestamps & Highlights

[00:00:00] Welcome & intro 🎙️

[00:01:00] Meet Dawn & Clive Baillie of BLT Communications

[00:02:00] Why BLT was formed: reclaiming artistry with the advent of Macs 💻🎨

[00:04:00] Clive's journey: set carpenter on Masters of the Universe to key art designer

[00:06:00] Working at Cannon Films, Seiniger and Dazu

[00:08:00] Dawn's unconventional entry from movie extra to design star

[00:10:00] Building BLT with Rick Lynch, and a pivotal meeting with Andy Kuehn 🤝

[00:14:00] The bold idea: artists using their own computers—pre-Photoshop!

[00:16:00] First impressions of Andy: bronzed, elegant, and unforgettable

[00:19:00] Portfolio meets passion: BLT's pitch wins over Andy & Kaleidoscope

[00:21:00] Benedict's POV: how BLT raised the creative bar at Kaleidoscope

[00:24:00] Cross-medium collaborations: from Natural Born Killers to AV-Print synergy

[00:28:00] Culture as a cornerstone: open creativity at Kaleidoscope

[00:30:00] Andy's Hollywood home and unforgettable holiday parties 🎄🏡

[00:32:00] The essence of Andy: glamor, grace, and supportiveness

[00:36:00] BLT reflects on the culture Andy helped build and their growth since

[00:40:00] Warm memories from Kaleidoscope's Seward Street days

[00:43:00] Benny shares how Andy shaped his leadership style at Trailer Park

[00:47:00] Departures, transitions, and keeping Andy's legacy alive

[00:49:00] Final reflections, laughs, and why we need to bring back Ascots

"Andy embodied that old Hollywood mystique—you wanted to be around him. You felt elevated just being in the room." — Dawn Baillie

"We learned that the most important thing in a company is culture—and Andy created that." — Clive Baillie

"If you support me creatively, I'll fly. Andy gave me wings." — Benedict Coulter

📚 Related Links

• 🌐 AJK Foundation: ajkfoundation.org – Support film preservation & LGBTQ+ cinema history.

• 24/96 Sound & Music Design: 2496soundandmusic.com
• The Golden Trailer Awards: goldentrailer.com/
• Soundstripe: app.soundstripe.com

Calls to Action:

• Please leave us a rating and review: https://apple.co/3QYy80e
• You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.linkedin.com/in/coreysnathan.

Want to hear how the best in the business craft the world's most exciting movie trailers? Tune in every week to Trailer Geeks and Teaser Gods! 🎬🎤

From Madison Ave to Hollywood: The Birth of a Trailer Empire

This week, we continue our heartfelt tribute to Andy Kuehn, a visionary often considered the father of the modern trailer industry. This week, Corey and special co-host Benedict Coulter of REBEL welcome longtime industry luminary Jim Gibbons (EVP of Paramount, founder of Flamingo Films) who takes us on a journey through the formative years of trailer creation—from New York's Madison Avenue to Hollywood's 7️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣ Santa Monica Blvd.

In this edition, we explore the early days of Kaleidoscope, Andy's legendary influence, and how the art of trailers evolved into what it is today. From pioneering trailer edits to running parallel campaigns against studio execs, Andy's legacy looms large.

• [00:00:00] Welcome & intro by Corey Nathan

• [00:01:00] Greg McClatchy on Andy Kuehn's AJK Foundation and film preservation 🌈🎞️

• [00:03:00] Enter Jim Gibbons: From liquor stores to Kaleidoscope in 1969

• [00:06:00] The story of Andy defying studio orders with A/B testing campaigns 📊🔥

• [00:08:00] Jim's memories of Andy's legendary NYC loft salons 🥂🎭

• [00:10:00] Launching Kaleidoscope in LA, reunions at 7026 Santa Monica Blvd

• [00:14:00] From Kaleidoscope to Utopia, and starting Flamingo Films

• [00:20:00] The evolution of trailer shops—from National Screen Service to creative boutiques

• [00:25:00] Behind-the-scenes on Star Wars, lasers, and early VFX 💥🛸

• [00:30:00] From competitor to client: Jim working with Andy at Paramount

• [00:34:00] Collaboration with Benedict at Trailer Park

• [00:40:00] Reflections on transitioning from indie shops to studio system

• [00:44:00] Modern-day trailer creation: Streamers, social, digital 🎥📱

• [00:45:00] What Jim misses most about Andy Kuehn

• [00:47:00] History of Kanew-Manger-Deutsch, Geronimo, and the rise of trailer giants

• [00:48:00] Signature sounds, trailer style debates, and fun industry lore 🎧😂

• [00:50:00] Final reflections & gratitude

"Andy created a standard... the tone was: be innovative. Don't settle for the norm." — Jim Gibbons

"He was always Andy. That smile, that mustache. You couldn't miss him. You felt him in the room." — Jim Gibbons

"We all owe a lot to Jim... he was part of the original group that really started it all with Andy." — Benedict Coulter

• 🌐 AJK Foundation: ajkfoundation.org – Support film preservation & LGBTQ+ cinema history.

• 24/96 Sound & Music Design: 2496soundandmusic.com
• The Golden Trailer Awards: goldentrailer.com/
• Soundstripe: app.soundstripe.com

Call to Action:

• Please leave us a rating and review: https://apple.co/3QYy80e
• You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.linkedin.com/in/coreysnathan.

Want to hear how the best in the business craft the world's most exciting movie trailers? Tune in every week to Trailer Geeks and Teaser Gods! 🎬🎤

🎬 Spielberg, Scott, Streisand & the Trailers Behind the Legends

This week, we continue our heartfelt tribute to Andy Kuehn, the visionary known as the father of the modern trailer industry. In this episode, we're joined by Greg McClatchy, President of Motor Entertainment and longtime Kaleidoscope editor, along with returning guest Benedict Coulter, co-founder of REBEL and the original rock-star trailer editor.

Together, they revisit their years at Kaleidoscope, the groundbreaking agency Andy Kuehn co-founded. From crafting trailers for The Omen and Top Gun to working with Spielberg, Barbra Streisand, and Tony Scott, this conversation offers a rare glimpse into the formative years of modern trailer-making.

🎧 In this episode:

• The AJK Foundation and Andy's legacy work in film preservation

• How Kaleidoscope dominated the trailer industry in the 70s–90s

• Andy's unique style: part Clark Gable, part Don Draper

• What it was like working directly with legends like Spielberg and De Palma

• How Andy gave countless creatives their big break

• Reflections on Andy's mentorship, leadership, and generosity

💬 "Andy Kuehn wasn't just a boss. He was a mentor, a friend, and a creative force unlike any other."

🔗 Speecial Mention:

• AJK Foundation: ajkfoundation.org

• 24/96 Sound & Music Design: 2496soundandmusic.com
• The Golden Trailer Awards: goldentrailer.com/
• Soundstripe: app.soundstripe.com
  

Call to Action:

• Please leave us a rating and review: https://apple.co/3QYy80e
• You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.linkedin.com/in/coreysnathan.

Want to hear how the best in the business craft the world's most exciting movie trailers? Tune in every week to Trailer Geeks and Teaser Gods! 🎬🎤

The Words Behind the Magic – with special guest Margery Doppelt

🎙️ In this sixth installment of our special tribute to the legendary Andy Kuehn—founder of Kaleidoscope Films and godfather of the modern trailer—we're joined by a true industry icon: Margery Doppelt, one of the most influential and celebrated writers in motion picture advertising. 🎞️

Margery's iconic taglines and copy helped define decades of cinematic promotion—from Jurassic Park to Fatal Attraction and beyond. Her creative fingerprint is embedded in the DNA of trailer history. Joining us for this conversation is none other than Benedict Coulter, a legendary editor and co-founder of REBEL, who brings firsthand insight into Kaleidoscope's heyday and Andy's enduring legacy.

Together, we share behind-the-scenes stories, reflect on a golden era of creativity, and celebrate the unique bond that made Kaleidoscope more than just a company—it was a creative home. 💫

• [00:00:00] Welcome & remembering Andy Kuehn's impact through the AJK Foundation 🌈

• [00:05:00] Introducing Margery Doppelt: writer behind the most iconic taglines

• [00:08:00] Her hilarious first taco at Lucy's El Adobe and surviving on $81/week 💵🌮

• [00:10:00] How a missing script led to her first interaction with Andy

• [00:14:00] Margery's first big hits and her transition to writing 🎬

• [00:18:00] Ryan O'Neal, outtakes, and the power of improvisation 😂

• [00:25:00] Jurassic Park: the story behind "An adventure 65 million years in the making" 🦖

• [00:29:00] Collaboration with editors and the lost art of copy in trailers

• [00:33:00] Why Andy's leadership created a golden age for creatives ✨

• [00:37:00] The ripple effect: How Kaleidoscope alumni shaped the industry

• [00:45:00] Favorite campaigns, unforgettable lines, and why copy still matters

• [00:47:00] Parting reflections on Andy's legacy and what made him so special

• Margery's approach to copy was fearless, playful, and deeply intuitive.

• Andy's genius lay not just in his creative vision but in his ability to champion others.

• Kaleidoscope was more than a trailer house—it was a training ground for some of the industry's best.

• The collaboration between writer and editor was once a sacred space in trailer-making.

• The power of copy can still define a campaign—sometimes in just one unforgettable line.

"Andy had this amazing gift—he was so talented and confident that he enjoyed other people's success." — Margery Doppelt

"I know you f** her—anything else?"* — Margery, in a legendary moment with Ryan O'Neal 🤯

"A comedy and a drama—just like life." — Tagline from Nothing in Common

"If adventure has a name, it must be Indiana Jones." — One of Margery's enduring classics 🏆

• 24/96 Sound & Music Design: 2496soundandmusic.com
• The Golden Trailer Awards: goldentrailer.com/
• Soundstripe: app.soundstripe.com
  

Call to Action:

• Please leave us a rating and review: https://apple.co/3QYy80e
• You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.linkedin.com/in/coreysnathan.

Want to hear how the best in the business craft the world's most exciting movie trailers? Tune in every week to Trailer Geeks and Teaser Gods! 🎬🎤

K-scope's Blueprint: Andy K. & The Architects of Modern Movie Advertising

🎙 Introduction:
Joined by special guest Vincent Arcaro, President of Dark Light Pictures and a Kaleidoscope alum, and co-host Benedict Coulter. Together, they honor the legacy of Andy Kuehn, a creative force behind some of the most iconic trailers and a beloved mentor in the industry. Vince shares stories of his early days at Kaleidoscope, how Andy shaped the modern trailer business, and how deep personal bonds were formed through a shared love of movie magic.

📚 What We Discuss:

• How Andy Kuehn cultivated a culture of creative freedom and excellence at Kaleidoscope

• Vince Arcaro's journey from messenger to head of production and beyond

• The evolution of featurettes and their impact before EPKs

• Behind-the-scenes stories of major productions like Taxi Driver, Annie, and Smokey and the Bandit

• Why relationship-building and a producer's "black book" are still essential tools in the business

🎬 Episode Highlights:
[00:01:00] Vince Arcaro's start at Kaleidoscope in 1976
[00:03:00] Becoming a production manager "by fire"
[00:06:00] Andy's management of creative "renegades"
[00:12:00] Andy immerses himself as an extra on Eyes of Laura Mars
[00:20:00] Vince's serendipitous hiring story
[00:26:00] Kaleidoscope expands into titles and second unit work
[00:35:00] Vince on hiring: "It's not about the degree—it's about the drive"
[00:45:00] Favorite campaigns: Taxi Driver, Jaws, Annie PBS special
[00:50:00] Final reflections on Andy's legacy

💬 Featured Quotes:
"Andy had the perfect storm for creating movie advertising. He knew how to manage his creative staff... they were renegades." – Vincent Arcaro
"Andy wasn't afraid to make a good mistake. He encouraged his editors to go for it." – Vincent Arcaro
"Your most important asset as a producer is your black book." – Andy Kuehn (as shared by Vince)
"He was like a big brother / father figure. I miss the stories, the dinners, the genuine interest in what we were doing." – Vincent Arcaro

• 24/96 Sound & Music Design: 2496soundandmusic.com
• The Golden Trailer Awards: goldentrailer.com/
• Soundstripe: app.soundstripe.com
  

Call to Action:

• Please leave us a rating and review: https://apple.co/3QYy80e
• You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.linkedin.com/in/coreysnathan.

Want to hear how the best in the business craft the world's most exciting movie trailers? Tune in every week to Trailer Geeks and Teaser Gods! 🎬🎤