The Rough Cut Club

Everyone wants the glory of running a production company… but few are willing to grind through the unglamorous jobs it takes to get there. In this episode, filmmaker and founder of Brundige Creative, Matt Brundige, gets real about what it actually takes to succeed in the creative industry. From jumping into any role on set to learning the business by doing the jobs no one else wanted, Matt breaks...

From studio cameras to film sets, today’s guest is Willie—a camera assistant whose journey started as a kid behind the lens at his dad’s TV station. After studying radio, then pivoting into cinematography, he found his place behind the scenes, supporting DPs and bringing productions to life. Slide into this episode where Willie shares how passion projects shaped his career, what he looks for when...

From live sports to cinematic shots, today’s guest is Jack Mayo—a man who’s been in the game almost as long as he’s been in school. Starting with high school sports, Jack made his way into the world of broadcasting. In this episode, we take a trip down memory lane as he shares stories from his journey, his family’s production legacy, and his “run-and-gun” approach to video production today. WATCH...

Everyone has that one actor they can’t stand for no reason—and the one they’ll defend to the end. In this episode, we’re diving into our spiciest takes about your favorite movies and actors. With years in the filmmaking games, obviously we're very qualified for this. Follow for more content from the world of two filmmakers. WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE https://youtu.be/GAouvFYXlGo FOLLOW ON INSTA...

Join Joey and Shane as they revisit their alma mater, the University of North Texas, and share the lessons they wish they'd learned during their college years. Listen and learn about everything form making connections at the right place and time to volunteering your time on big sets. Let us know in the comments what advice you would give to your younger self! WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE https://...

In this episode, we chat with Nick Caldwell, a talented gaffer and vital member of the CinemaStory crew. Originally starting as an actor, Nick's passion for the craft led him behind the scenes to that he can master skills both on and off screen. From short films in friends' apartments, to critically acclaimed shows like The Chosen, Nick has proven that he is the go to guy to light your dream scene...

The Rough Cut Club is finally back after a short break hiatus! We’re kicking things off with Matthew Rojas, another creative local to the Dallas area whose journey into the film industry is similar to our own. Starting his career in short films, Matthew has since made waves in the commercial world as a director and editor. Known for his ability to transform ads into cinematic mini-films, he brings...

In this episode of the Rough Cut Club, hosts Joey and Shane welcome legendary skateboarding filmmaker Chris Ray to discuss his journey from filming friends to working on iconic projects like "Fully Flared" and founding Motion Clubhouse. Chris shares insights on the unpredictable nature of skateboarding, the DIY approach to filmmaking, and maintaining long-term happiness and creativity in the indus...

In this interview, Landon BTW shares his journey and insights into becoming a successful filmmaker and educator with Full-Time Filmmaker and Happy Creative. He emphasizes the importance of being assertive and proactive in career development, highlighting how his direct approach led to creating courses for Full-Time Filmmaker. Inspired by filmmakers like Sam Kolder and Peter McKinnon, Landon now ai...

Join us as we dive into the world of cinematographer Akis Konstantakopoulos and his journey from Harvard to "The Chosen." Akis shares how his Greek background and meticulous preparation shape his visual storytelling. Discover his unique approach to lighting and naturalism, along with valuable advice for aspiring DPs. GET CONNECTED WITH AKIS! https://www.instagram.com/akisdp/ WATCH THIS EPISODE ON...

In this episode, we explore the intersection of faith and politics as we dive into Micah's role in her upcoming film "Disciples in the Moonlight." The film is a gritty story set in a future where the Bible is banned and religion is restricted. Tune in to hear Micah's thoughts on the project, her journey from theater to film and the challenges transitions between the two, and her advice for aspirin...

Join us as we dive into the world of documentary filmmaking with Eriksen Dickens, co-founder of Platinum Peek Productions. Stay tuned as he discusses his transition from athletics to filmmaking and how his background in philosophy and psychology shapes his storytelling. He recounts his journey into documentary filmmaking, starting with a personal project about his father and carving out a niche in...

Welcome to part TWO of our studio celebration with Shane and Joey! In this episode, they delve deeper into the journey of opening their new studio. Join us as we talk about how they plan to turn this space into a community hub for DFW creatives. Hear Shane's candid thoughts on the excitement and nerves driving his success, and stick around as Joey shares his vision for a collaborative space that p...

Join Shane and Joey as they celebrate their new studio, a blank canvas with endless possibilities. They discuss the journey to securing this space, the shift from remote work to a collaborative in-studio environment, and how the new studio solves CinemaStory’s challenges due to distance. Finally in their own space, the duo reflects on their vision for making the studio a community hub for the Cine...

Dive into Shane’s incredible journey from a hustling kid selling newspapers for 5 cents to becoming an Emmy-nominated director and CEO of CinemaStory. Discover how his passion for filmmaking ignited in high school, filming wild stunts with friends, and evolved into a thriving career. At one point, he balanced life as a filmmaker by day and a bartender by night, but now he leads CinemaStory with vi...

Tune in as we explore Lara Woodhull's journey from anime fan to accomplished voice actress. Inspired by legendary voice actor Chris Sabat, Lara pursued her passion and has been with Funimation ever since landing a role right after graduation. Join us as Lara shares insights on industry trends, the impact of AI on voice acting, and the importance of personal experiences in her roles. Stick around a...

Join as we sit down with another CinemaStory family member, Cecilia Stevenson, and break down what its like to produce a feature film abroad. Having just returned from months of filming in Poland, Ceci shares her journey in producing "Triumph of the Heart," a story about a Catholic Saint and Polish priest who died in Auschwitz. She discusses crowdfunding $360,000, the challenges of international p...

Join us in this episode as we talk to Willie Mellina, the star of Joey's directorial debut film, "Washington's Armor." From his classical training to the unique challenges of portraying George Washington, Willie provides valuable insights into the actor-director relationship. Discover the art of remaining teachable, finding purpose, and prioritizing character over technicalities. Don't miss out on...

This week, join us and dive into the illuminating world of Julian White. Julian is a seasoned chief lighting technician with over 80 IMDb credits, boasting work on blockbusters like "The Martian," "Cinderella," and "Game of Thrones." From his beginnings as a painter to his unexpected foray into the film industry, Julian shares insights on his career trajectory, collaborative approach with DPs, and...

Join Joey and Shane as they dive into the world of short-form content in this episode. From the pros and cons to its impact on storytelling and audience engagement, they explore the evolving landscape of short-form videos. With insights into client demands, audience preferences, and the rise of user-generated content, they dissect the challenges and opportunities in this fast-paced realm. Discover...

Join Joey and Shane as they share their NAB experience, the ultimate event for filmmakers. With over 75,000 attendees, NAB showcases the latest filmmaking gear and tech. From Shane's first visit to Joey's seasoned insights, they explore new gadgets like steady cams and high-speed cameras. Along the way, they meet industry legends like Shawn Evans and Casey Neistat and learn valuable lessons from p...

Join us for a chat with Drew Ferguson, a 7x Lone Star Emmy award-winning filmmaker and the creative video director for the Dallas Cowboys. From film festival internships to shooting weddings, Drew shares how he got started in the industry, how that journey inspires his current work, and advice he would give to new filmmakers starting out on their own path. Drew also dives into the value of collabo...

Join us for another round of our CinemaStory Q&A, where Joey and Shane answer any and all questions presented by the crew. In this episode, Joey delves into his creative roots with a special rap performance, while Shane takes a trip down memory lane and talks about his start in documentary filmmaking. Don't miss out on this candid episode as we address the last of the crew's curiosities and ha...

Get ready for an inside look as Shane and Joey open up in this Q&A session with the CinemaStory family. From Shane's homeschooling journey to Joey's side hustles outside of his DP role, no topic is off-limits. Tune in for insights into Joey's essential DP kit items, Shane's filmmaking inspiration, and the on-set 'icks' that secretly bother both hosts. Join us for laughs, stories, and a glimpse...

Join hosts Shane and Joey as they sit down with Kelon, COO of CinemaStory, to uncover the secrets of freelance success. From Kelon's journey from client to integral team member to Shane and Joey's own experiences, dive into valuable lessons on portfolio growth, rate adjustment, and client relationships. Get practical advice on networking, reputation management, and thriving in the freelance world....