Filmmaker and Fan's Podcast

Episode Summary We’re back from our pre-summer break with an all-new episode this week! In this episode, Steve catches up with friend of the podcast Peter Debruge, Chief Film Critic at Variety, while Peter was at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. Using the festival as their foundation, they explore topics such as the celebration of films and the significance of standing ovations at Cannes, the intric...

Episode Summary [Re-release: originally published December 13th, 2024 - episode 40] Our summer break is extending just a bit longer as we finish prepping for our new summer guests and episodes (new episodes starting June 20th!). In the meantime, we’re listening back to some of our past favorites. In this episode, Steve and Vince welcomed their first Indie Filmmaker (IndieMaker) special guest, BREV...

Episode Summary [Re-release: originally published September 20th, 2024 - episode 28] Our May break (extended to the first part of June ☀️) is ALMOST over, and this is our last week off before coming back with new summer guests and episodes! In the meantime, we’re listening back to some of our past favorites.  In this episode, Steve and Vince explore the 1962 classic, “Lawrence of Arabia”. Using La...

Episode Summary [May break re-release: originally published August 9th, 2024 - episode 22] We’re taking some time off this May to get ready for our exciting new summer guests and book launch! In the meantime, we’re listening back to some of our favorite past episodes. In this episode, Steve and Vince discuss the 2004 film “White Chicks”, directed by Keenen Ivory Wayans, with Steve as the cinematog...

Episode Summary [May break re-release: originally published May 24th, 2024 - episode 11] We’re taking some time off this May to get ready for our exciting new summer guests and book launch! In the meantime, we’re listening back to some of our favorite past episodes. In this episode, Steve and Vince discuss the 2017 film, “Get Out”. Using Get Out as their foundation, they explore topics such as the...

Episode Summary [May break re-release: originally published June 28th, 2024 - episode 16] We’re taking some time off this May to get ready for our exciting new summer guests and book launch! In the meantime, we’re listening back to some of our favorite past episodes. In this episode, Steve and Vince discuss their first TV series on the podcast, “The Bear” (season 4 premieres June 25 on Hulu!). Usi...

Episode Summary [May break re-release: originally published July 12th, 2024 - episode 18] We’re taking some time off this May to get ready for our exciting new summer guests and book launch! In the meantime, we’re listening back to some of our favorite past episodes. In this week’s episode, Steve and Vince talk with award-winning actor Greg Germann. Using Steve’s upcoming film GRQ as their foundat...

Episode Summary [May break re-release - originally published February 16th, 2024, as episode 3] In this episode, Steve and Vince discuss the 2003  film “Lost in Translation”, written and directed by Sofia Coppola. Using Lost in Translation as their foundation, they explore topics such as the writing and directing process, the use of visual symbolism in filmmaking, and the importance of actors in c...

Episode Summary [Re-release: originally published May 10th, 2024, as episode 9] In this week’s episode, Steve and Vince explore the 1999 film, “Magnolia”. Using Magnolia as their foundation, they explore topics such as the film's impact on contemporary filmmaking, the importance of creative integrity, and how dialogue can be used to convey truth. As a reminder, if you're enjoying this podcast, fee...

Episode Summary In this week’s episode, Steve talks with award-winning film editor, Nathan Orloff. Nathan is an editor known for his work on recent films such as Saturday Night (2024), Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024), John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023), Ghostbusters: Afterlife  (2021), and Plan B (2021). In their conversation, Steve and Nathan talk about Nathan’s recent work on the 2024 film, “Saturda...

Episode Summary In this week’s episode, Steve answers questions from our listener community + thoughtfully curated ones inspired by our engagement with independent filmmakers around the world. In this AMA session, Steve and Vince explore practical advice for independent filmmakers such as finding one's creative voice, thoughts and tips for filmmakers working with micro budgets in 2025, and essenti...

Episode Summary In this week’s episode, Steve and Vince explore the 1992 film, “Glengarry Glen Ross”. Using Glengarry Glen Ross as their foundation, they explore topics such as David Mamet's distinctive writing style, the moral complexities of the film’s characters, and its masterful use of language and performance. As a reminder, if you're enjoying this podcast, feel free to subscribe for free on...

Episode Summary In this week’s episode, Steve and Vince explore the new 2025 series, “The Studio”, starring Seth Rogen, Catherine O'Hara, Ike Barinholtz, and Kathryn Hahn. Using The Studio as their foundation they explore topics such as the intersection of art and commerce in Hollywood, how cinematic techniques, such as lens choices, can significantly impact storytelling, and the challenges of mai...

Episode Summary In this week’s episode, we bring you a lecture Steve delivered in Winnipeg this month during an acting workshop in collaboration with the Onalee Ames Film Studio. In this excerpt from his workshop, Steve explores topics such as the intricate relationship between performance and authenticity in acting, how actors often carry internal conflicts and emotions that can influence their p...

Episode Notes It’s scene study time! In this week’s episode, Steve and Vince break down the opening scenes of the 2024 Oscar-winning film, “Anora”, and explore topics such as Sean Baker's unique approach to character development, visual storytelling techniques, and the importance of maintaining an integrity of vision in filmmaking. As a reminder, if you're enjoying this podcast, feel free to follo...

Episode Notes It’s our first Ask Me Anything (AMA) episode! In this week’s episode, Steve answers questions from our listener community, along with thoughtfully curated ones inspired by our engagement with independent filmmakers around the world. In this AMA session, Steve explores practical advice for independent filmmakers such as how to achieve a cinematic look on a budget, the necessity of bui...

In this week’s episode, Steve and Vince discuss the current state of filmmaking in Hollywood. In this conversation, Steven and Vince explore topics such as the economic challenges faced by the local community, the evolving financing models in the film industry, and the potential for growth in the global industry driven by new technologies and changing audience expectations. As a reminder, if you'r...

Episode Summary It’s our 50th episode! To celebrate, we thought we’d drop a teaser (through exploratory conversation, of course) for our very first book, which we’re developing for filmmakers at all levels. It’s the Filmmaker’s Book of Ten! In this week’s episode, Steve and Vince discuss their upcoming new book, The Filmmaker’s Book of Ten, which distills essential principles across various roles...

Episode Summary In this BONUS episode, Steve and Vince caught up with Peter Debruge, Chief Film Critic at Variety, while he was at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival. Peter talks about the intricacies of the Berlin Film Festival, exploring its scale, the networking opportunities it presents, and the evolving landscape of film festivals post-pandemic. Their discussion also explored the bal...

Episode Summary In this week’s special episode, we’re featuring a lecture that Steve gave in Winnipeg recently on filmmaking and the creative process, in partnership with the Onalee Ames Film Studio. In his lecture, Steve explores topics such as the importance of creativity and originality in artistic expression, the dangers of consensus and mediocrity in creative environments, and the importance...

Episode Summary In this week’s episode, Steve and Vince explore the 2024 film, “Nickel Boys”. Using Nickel Boys as their foundation, they explore topics such as the challenges of adaptations versus original screenplays, the artistic choices that filmmakers make to convey deeper truths, and the courage required to break conventional filmmaking norms. As a reminder, if you're enjoying this podcast,...

Episode Summary In this week’s episode, Steve and Vince discuss the current state of film festivals in their inaugural “Industry Insights” episode. In this conversation, Steven and Vince explore the intricacies and evolution of global film festivals, operational aspects such as selection processes and the politics involved, and the positive impacts of festivals on filmmaking careers. As a reminder...

Episode Summary In this week’s episode, Steve and Vince explore the ins and outs of the 2025 awards season. In this conversation, Steven Bernstein and Vince explore the cultural nuances of award season in the film industry, the dynamics of celebrity culture within the context of awards, and the impact of international cinema on Hollywood. As a reminder, if you're enjoying this podcast, feel free t...

Episode Summary In this week’s episode, Steve and Vince explore the 2024 film, “The Brutalist”. Using The Brutalist as their foundation they explore topics such as the broader implications of art and cinema, the dynamics between investors and artists, and the intricate details of cinematic techniques from the film like the use of VistaVision and its impact on film quality. As a reminder, if you're...

Episode Summary This week, due to logistics from the tragic, ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles, we won’t be publishing a new episode. Instead, we hope you enjoy a re-release of one of our favorite special guests from 2024, Peter Debruge, Chief Film Critic at Variety. Peter has worked at Variety since 2005 and oversees a team of more than a dozen freelancers worldwide, assigning and editing film rev...