Last to Leave

This week on Last to Leave, Zoey Danielson and Heather Elaine Abbott are at the bottom of the lake where the movies come from for a very special episode all about Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma . They're joined by the film's Intimacy Coordinator, Aryn Mott, for a rich discussion all about the making of this LTL certified favorite film.  In this episode, Heather, Zoey, and Aryn, pee...

This week on Last to Leave, Zoey Danielson & Heather Elaine Abbott step into the richly imagined world of 100 Nights of Hero with the film’s production designer, Sofia Sacomani. From the tiniest details tucked into the corner of a room to the boldest color choices lining a hallway, Sofia reveals how every design decision helps shape the way we experience a story. In this episode, Heather &...

This week on Last to Leave, Zoey Danielson & Heather Elaine Abbott, investigate the demonic sound files that create the sonic texture of the indie horror film, Undertone, with the help of the film's composer, Shanika Lewis-Waddell. That's right, they're kicking off spooky season a few days early! In this episode, Heather & Zoey explore the power of film score to subtly influ...

This week on Last to Leave, Zoey Danielson & Heather Elaine Abbott peek behind the curtain of All Her Fault with Sophie Norfolk, the Boom Operator on this gripping series. From the quiet moments you never see to the carefully choreographed dance happening just outside the frame, Sophie played a crucial role in capturing the intimate and emotionally charged performances that bring the world of...

This week on Last to Leave, Zoey Danielson & Heather Elaine Abbott, dive into the world of documentary filmmaking to discuss Matter of Time  (2025) with the help of the film's director, Matt Finlin. Matter of Time features a string of Eddie Vedder solo concerts in Seattle in 2023 as the backdrop for the film, which chronicles efforts to find a cure for epidermolysis bullosa (EB), a rare g...

This week on Last to Leave, Zoey Danielson & Heather Elaine Abbott are stepping into the color suite with Oisin O’Driscoll, the Irish colorist who helped bring HBO Max’s Chris Fleming: Live at the Palace to life. In this episode, Zoey & Heather get into the wonderfully weird world of color grading, hear Oisin’s journey from Ireland to Chicago, and dig into what a colorist actually does to...

This week on Last to Leave, Zoey Danielson & Heather Elaine Abbott, are storming the film set of the hilarious mockumentary, Micro Budget, with the help of the film's producing duo, Rob Hatch-Miller & Puloma Basu. In this episode, Heather & Zoey giggle their way through Rob & Puloma's stories from the making of the film, bond over the woes & wahoos of indie producing,...

Join your hosts, Heather Elaine Abbott and Zoey Danielson, for a very special birthday double feature of Last to Leave! In this extra celebratory episode, we’re diving behind the scenes of two of Zoey’s favorite Sabrina Carpenter music videos: “Tears” and “Taste.” First up, we’re joined by Art Director Mary Florence Brown (@maryflorencebrown), who helps us unpack all things visual behind “Tears,”...

This week on Last to Leave, Zoey Danielson & Heather Elaine Abbott peek behind the curtain of Shakespeare's Globe with Victoria Donovan, the Child Acting Coach on the set of Chloè Zhao's viscerally emotional & spiritual film, Hamnet . With a reverence for & commitment to truthful moments, Victoria Donovan helped shape the breathtaking performances of the powerhouse cast of ch...

This week on Last to Leave, Heather Elaine Abbott and Zoey Danielson journey to the far reaches of the galaxy with Rory Cheyne, the Production Designer behind Apple TV+'s epic science fiction series, Foundation. From towering imperial palaces and futuristic cities to the intricate details that make an imagined future feel real, Rory has helped shape one of television's most ambitious vis...

Your hosts, Heather Elaine Abbott & Zoey Danielson, are back with another behind-the-scenes deep dive, this time with Shonta Hylton, the Set Costumer who helped bring the rich, lived-in world of Ryan Coogler’s Oscar-winning film, Sinners , to life. From timeless hats and sleek silk dresses to the countless details audiences never notice but always feel, Shonta helped keep the world of Sinners...

Welcome to Season FIVE, film nerds!  That’s right! Your hosts, Heather Elaine Abbott & Zoey Danielson, are back with a very special season premiere episode that is all about the 2026 indie film, Forbidden Fruits. They’re joined by the film’s inspiring & hilarious Director & Co-Writer, Meredith Alloway, for an in-depth discussion on the making of her debut feature film.  In this episode...

Join your hosts, Heather Elaine Abbott and Zoey Danielson, as they descend into the quiet, aching atmosphere of the German film Sound of Falling . They’re joined by the film’s editor, Evelyn Rack, whose delicate, emotionally attuned approach to shaping the rhythm of the movie was essential in bringing the story’s inner world to the screen. Sound of Falling traces the fragile lives of its female le...

Join your hosts, Heather Elaine Abbott & Zoey Danielson, as they gush about the incredible year that 2025 was... for movies, at least! From honorable mentions to top ten lists (that somehow manage to be closer to top 14), Zoey and Heather's epic yap session is chock full of recommendations, reflections on 'the good shit', and just a few hot takes.  Film (& TV) Discussed: Bug...

Join your hosts, Heather Elaine Abbott and Zoey Danielson, as they are whisked away to a small New England town to explore the backdrops of one of the best indie films of 2025, Sorry, Baby. They're joined by the film's intrepid Production Designer, Caity Birmingham, whose process over product approach to creative problem solving on set was integral to creating the world of the film. Sorr...

Join your hosts, Heather Elaine Abbott and Zoey Danielson, as they dive into the visual storytelling of makeup—or the intentional absence of it. Today, they’re joined by Sharon Tabb, the Makeup Department Head behind The Lowdown . Together, they explore the power of collaboration and how Sharon works closely with directors, actors, and fellow artists to create distinct, lived-in looks for each cha...

Join your hosts, Heather and Zoey, as they dive into the world of documentaries with filmmaker and creator Elly Schmidt-Hopper. We first connected with Elly on TikTok after seeing her video about the current state of documentary filmmaking—and just how difficult it is to secure distribution, let alone funding. From there, we dig into some of our favorite docs, ranging from No Other Land (2024) and...

Join your hosts, Heather Elaine Abbott & Zoey Danielson, as they take an exclusive look at the queer indie film, Clocked , with the help of the Writer & Director, Noah Salzman. Clocked tells the story of Adolpho, a boxer in Miami who embarks on a journey of self-discovery that leads them to reckoning with their trans identity and finding acceptance in the drag community. Noah describes thi...

Join your hosts, Heather Elaine Abbott & Zoey Danielson, as they dive into the visual poetry of A24’s Opus . Cinematographer Tommy Maddox-Upshaw takes us behind the lens — from capturing shots in the freezing cold to crafting color stories that speak louder than dialogue. He opens up about the artistry behind Opus and how his journey from growing up in Boston to shaping cinematic worlds contin...

Join your hosts, Heather Elaine Abbott & Zoey Danielson, as they get the inside scoop on the making of the sci-fi thriller Companion (2025) and the intricacies of the work of the film's First Assistant Director, Siena Brown. In this episode, Zoey & Heather try not to fangirl too hard while Siena recounts her philosophy on running a successful set, collaborating with the director &...

Join your hosts, Heather Elaine Abbott & Zoey Danielson, as they step into the world of production management with Joanna Osborn as their guide. With years of experience balancing the demands of high-level productions and the realities of motherhood, Joanna has become both a steady hand on set and a passionate advocate for working moms in the UK film industry. In this episode, Zoey & Heath...

Join your hosts, Heather Elaine Abbott & Zoey Danielson, as they embark on a sonic journey through the land of Music Supervision with Jillian Ennis as their guide. With an early love for pairing stories & meaningful music, Jillian was destined for a career in the music side of filmmaking and brings a reverence & thoughtfulness to each project. In this episode, Zoey & Heather learn...

Join hosts Heather Elaine Abbott and Zoey Danielson as they explore the art of still photography on set with their guest, Elise Lockwood. From her early days as a ballerina to capturing cinematic moments behind the lens, Elise brings a unique eye, boundless enthusiasm, and genuine care to every project she touches. You can follow Elise on Instagram here: @ eliselockwoodphoto A big thank you to Lee...

Join your hosts, Heather Elaine Abbott and Zoey Danielson, as they dive into the world of location management with Julian Bivol as their guide! From his early days as a Location Marshall on Wonderwoman to his more recent work as an Assistant Location Manager on the third season of Heartstopper, Julian approaches each set with kindness, curiosity, and gratitude. With 10+ years in the locations depa...

Join your hosts, Heather Elaine Abbott and Zoey Danielson, as they step inside the heart of Sing Sing,  a quietly radical, deeply human film starring Colman Domingo and a cast of formerly incarcerated men telling their own story. In Part One of our two-part Sing Sing special, we’re joined by costume designer Desira Pesta ( @desirapesta ), who helps us unpack the film’s layered beauty, one look at...