Behind The Lens

  Welcome back to another week of BEHIND THE LENS!  And it’s the final show of 2025!!   And this week, we shine a light on a man who’s a producer, director, writer, and actor in his latest film, SPEED TRAIN - RYAN FRANCIS.   I have had the pleasure of knowing Ryan for over two decades.  I reviewed his first short film and multiple feature films thereafter, and interviewed him.  And over the years,...

  Welcome to another week of BEHIND THE LENS. This week, it’s all about Christmas as I welcome director/co-cinematographer/co-editor ADAM VOLERICH, talking about his feature directorial debut, DRINK AND BE MERRY, and director CELIA ANISKOVICH, who is filled with the Christmas spirit as she talks about her documentary, THE MERCHANTS OF JOY.   So, let’s get that cinematic sleigh going with Adam Vole...

While today’s films and filmmakers may not be about holiday movies, they do fit with the love and laughter of the holidays as MICHELLE DANNER joins me talking about her new film, the beautiful and romantic UNDER THE STARS, while writer/director MICHAEL J. WEITHORN is on hand discussing his fantastic film, THE BEST YOU CAN.   First, let’s turn our attention to Puglia, Italy, and UNDER THE STARS wit...

With it already Thanksgiving this week, it’s time for BEHIND THE LENS (and all of you) to haul out the holly, put up the tree, fill up the stockings, and grab those dreidels because the holiday season is here! And what better way to kick off the Yuletide than to get in the spirit of the season with #BTLRadioShow, talking about two wonderful films and four fabulous filmmakers. So get ready as MARIS...

This week on  BEHIND THE LENS, we’ve got a theme of mystery going on, and I love the films that we’re examining and the directors we’re hearing from.  And who doesn’t love a good mystery? First up, you’ll hear from director STEPHEN SHIMEK talking about MURDER AT THE EMBASSY, the second film in the Miranda Green murder mystery franchise.  Set in 1930s Cairo, with its pyramids and antiquities at the...

This week on BEHIND THE LENS it’s all about action thanks to director SHANE DAX TAYLOR and his new film, EXIT PROTOCOL, and director MICHAEL DOWSE and his latest film, TRAP HOUSE.   First up, let’s take a look at TRAP HOUSE and my exclusive interview with director MICHAEL DOWSE. It's been years since I spoke with Michael about “Goon” so it's nice to reconnect with him now for TRAP HOUSE; a fun mul...

Extending Halloween a bit longer this week on BEHIND THE LENS as we chat with documentarians BRADFORD THOMASON & BRETT WHITCOMB about THE SPIRIT OF HALLOWEENTOWN. Plus, writer/director MATT WHITAKER discusses the powerful and important narrative film TRUTH & TREASON.   But first, let’s keep that Halloween feeling going with THE SPIRIT OF HALLOWEENTOWN. Who hasn’t seen or doesn’t know about...

It’s my favorite week of the year for BEHIND THE LENS - Halloween Week!  And to celebrate my favorite holiday of the year, I’ve got some chilling, spooky, terrifying tales for you as PEDRO KOS breaks down his new film, the horrifying IN OUR BLOOD, while JON BERARDO talks about the blood-drenched noirish THE MANNEQUIN.   First up, let’s take a look at IN OUR BLOOD.  Directed by Oscar-nominated docu...

A terrific show for you this week on BEHIND THE LENS as you’re about to hear from two directors of whose work I am a huge admirer and have been for years, both whom I love chatting with, and each with a new film out - NEIL MARSHALL joins me to discuss his new psychological erotic thriller COMPULSON, while BRANDON SLAGLE is back with me for the 5th or 6th time talking about his latest, the powerhou...

BEHIND THE LENS is kicking off the Halloween season today with a terrific making-a-movie-within-a-movie full of blood and hacking, madness, mayhem, and ridiculum - THE WEEDHACKER MASSACRE.  And joining me to talk about this bloody (and funny) gem are writer/editor RAY SPIVEY and actor/executive producer ALLEN DANZIGER. Recognize those names?  Ray has been on the live show with me before.  And as f...

We've got some multi-tasking, multiple-hat-wearing filmmakers on this week's BEHIND THE LENS as we're looking at two indie gems with two wonderful filmmakers.  First up, I’m chatting with veteran actor turned producer and now screenwriter, LISA BRENNER, who is on hand discussing her feature narrative screenwriting debut, ONE BIG HAPPY FAMILY, which she also produces and in which she stars alongsid...

I’m excited for this week's #BTLRadioShow thanks to director RENNY HARLIN and THE STRANGERS: CHAPTER 2, and writer/director MATTHEW BISSONNETTE, who brings us DEATH OF A LADIES' MAN. THE STRANGERS began back in 2008 with the tale of a couple who visit an isolated vacation home to enjoy some time together. However, three masked assailants make their stay a nightmare. In 2018, director Johannes Robe...

An interesting show this week on BEHIND THE LENS as we take a look at two very different films and filmmakers, thanks to producer/actor Johnny Danks talking about his new film, SHAKEY GROUNDS, the first one produced under the banner of his company Dank Productions, and director/editor VINCENT GRASHAW discussing the emotionally powerful character study BANG BANG. First up, Johnny Danks and SHAKEY G...

We’re chatting about some wonderful films with some terrific filmmakers this week on BEHIND THE LENS, starting with director/co-writer ALLAN UNGAR talking about his new film LONDON CALLING.  Then in the second half of the show, director/co-writer CHRISTOPHER LEONE and writer/former paramedic PATRICK PIANEZZA are on hand for their new comedy/dramedy, CODE 3. Directed by Allan Ungar with script by O...

Two fabulous films and three fabulous filmmakers for you this week on BEHIND THE LENS as writer/director MIKI MAGASIVA and actor ANAPELA POLATAIVAO talk about the emotional, joyous, heart-filled, uplifting and inspirational, box-of-tissues-necessary film TINA, a beautiful film set and shot in New Zealand and infused with the Samoan and Maori culture; and then director CHAD HARTIGAN moves out of hi...

A fun show this week on BEHIND THE LENS as I get to take a look at two new films that just opened in theatres on Friday and speak with three filmmakers whom I’ve spoken with in the past, all of whose work I admire, respect, and in the case of one director, can’t get enough of. I’m talking about the wonderful filmmaking team of MICHAEL ANGELO COVINO and KYLE MARVIN and their hilarious new non-rom c...

We’re going a bit dark this week on BEHIND THE LENS thanks to writer/director JEREMY RUDD and his directorial feature debut with DIE’CED: RELOADED, and the fabulous veteran director CHUCK RUSSELL and his latest dive back into the darkness with WITCHBOARD. Let’s kick things off with JEREMY RUDD and his feature debut, DIE’CED: RELOADED, which follows the story of Benny, an infamous serial killer who...

I’m very excited about today’s show and for you to hear from these two fabulous directors - KRISTIN SCOTT THOMAS talking about the delightful, charming, and funny MY MOTHER’S WEDDING and HOWARD J. FORD talking up RIVER OF BLOOD and a leisurely kayak ride through the jungles of Thailand, complete with indigenous tribes who don’t like outsiders.  What could possibly go wrong! Now, I know what a lot...

This week on BEHIND THE LENS, we’re looking at two films that, at their hearts, are about fathers and daughters and a father and son - the wonderful family film SKETCH and the fugitive thriller SHE RIDES SHOT GUN.  And joining me are two amazing filmmakers, NICK ROWLAND, director and co-writer of SHE RIDES SHOTGUN, and SETH WORLEY, the writer, director, and editor of SKETCH. First, we take a look...

It's madness, mayhem, and a whole lotta fun on BEHIND THE LENS this week!! And let me just kick off the show by saying - HEEEEEEE’S BAAAACK!!!  SIMON PHILLIPS is back with us today for his fifth appearance on Behind the Lens, which makes him the record holder with the most appearances by a single guest in the 11 years of the show.  And it looks like he’ll be back one or two more times before the e...

This is a fun episode of BTL RADIO SHOW as we’re going back to nature and into the forest.  That’s right.  It’s back to nature this week as we take a look at a fantastically informative and entertaining short documentary that you can watch right now FOR FREE, and you all know how much I love FREE stuff.  And that documentary is CHARMIN WIPES OUT A FOREST.  In my exclusive chat with writer/director...

Took a little 4th of July break last Monday, but we’re back this week with two interesting interviews talking about some impactful and entertaining films: the character-driven post-apocalyptic thriller 40 ACRES with director R.T. THORNE, and the action thriller OFF THE GRID with director JOHNNY MARTIN. First up, let’s take a look at R.T. Thorne’s narrative feature directorial debut, 40 ACRES. A bo...

This week, we’re taking a look at a new indie film that just released in select theatres and on Eventive VOD on Friday, SWEET RELIEF, with writer/director/editor NICK VERDI.  And we’ll take one more look at Dances With Films 2025 with the oh-so-funny mockumentary AMERICAN COMIC with director/cinematographer/editor DANIEL J. CLARK and writer/actor JOE KWACZALA.  AMERICAN COMIC helped close out the...

This week it’s all about DANCES WITH FILMS on BEHIND THE LENS, which is taking place right now at the TCL Chinese 6 Theatres in Hollywood. You all know my love of indie films and filmmakers, and DWF is showcasing some of the very best this year.   And while I would love to talk about every film and interview every filmmaker for this show, that’s a bit impossible to do, so I’ll have to make do with...

  This week on BEHIND THE LENS, we’ve got a lotta laughs thanks to director/writer/producer GREG PORPER and co-director/co-writer/ and editor JOHN SCHIMKE, who talk about their new, and often side-splitting comedy that opens this Friday, DON’T TELL LARRY.  And who doesn’t love musical theater, especially fresh off last week’s exhilarating Tony Awards?  Also on hand talking about their new film and...