Next Gen Cinema

After a short break, Ian and Hunter return with Blake High School’s Joe Papadopoulos—a media educator with a background in live news and commercial production. Joe reflects on how real-world experience doesn’t always translate in the classroom, and how students thrive when they’re trusted, encouraged, and guided with structure. He shares the power of pre-production, how to run creative in-class pr...

Filmmaker Hadji (DJ) Bonoan joins Ian and Hunter to discuss his unexpected journey from engineering to filmmaking. DJ shares how he transitioned into the creative world, the challenges of selling your vision, and the realities of working in the industry. He also talks about his experiences at Diamond View Studios and what it takes to make a career in film. Plus, Ian and Hunter discuss strategies f...

In this episode of Next Gen Cinema , Ian and Hunter talk with Dustin Topham, the film teacher at Lone Peak High School, about his approach to pushing students beyond the classroom. Dustin shares how he fosters a culture of accountability, encourages students to finish what they start, and gives them real-world filmmaking experiences that prepare them for careers in the industry. He discusses the i...

What does it really take to be a filmmaker? In this episode, Ian and Hunter sit down with Vyky Saiz, a filmmaker and production manager at FSU Film, to talk about the mental and creative challenges of filmmaking. Vyky shares her experience transitioning from teaching high school to working at one of the top film schools in the country, the importance of self-soothing during high-pressure productio...

What happens when a hurricane disrupts your biggest production of the year? In this episode, Kevin from Two Stories Media shares how he navigates unexpected challenges in the film industry, from natural disasters to managing large-scale productions. We discuss the importance of lighting, the transition from wedding videography to commercial filmmaking, and what it takes to build a thriving product...

In this episode of Next Gen Cinema , we sit down with filmmaker and freelance creative Lief Thomason, founder of Odd Lief Studios. Lief shares his journey from being an educator to building a career in video production, all while balancing family life and creative freedom. He dives into the importance of improvisation on set, the realities of freelancing, and how aspiring filmmakers can navigate t...

In this episode, we sit down with Tai Cummings, the instructor behind Cypress Bay High School’s powerhouse TV production program, CBTV. Tai shares his journey from working in advertising and sports media—earning championship rings with the Miami Heat—to shaping the next generation of filmmakers. He opens up about the challenges of stepping into teaching without a traditional film background and ho...

In this episode of Next Gen Cinema , Ian and Hunter sit down with Tom Oliva, co-founder of the All-American High School Film Festival, to unpack the inspiring story behind its creation. Tom reflects on his journey from being an English teacher with a passion for storytelling to founding a festival that now showcases the talents of thousands of young filmmakers worldwide. He shares the pivotal mome...

In this episode of Next Gen Cinema, we’re joined by filmmaker Sean Gloria, who shares his incredible journey of creating a feature film in just 30 days. From writing the script in four days to shooting on iPhones with a three-person crew, Sean discusses how limitations can spark creativity and how pressure can lead to extraordinary results. We explore the importance of storytelling, the art of wor...

In this episode of Next Gen Cinema, hosts Ian Wald and Hunter Schwefringhaus sit down with Sean Phillips, a filmmaker and educator with a diverse career in production, and teaching. Sean reflects on his journey from sports broadcasting to his time as a TV production teacher at schools like Wesley Chapel High School and Blake High School. He shares valuable insights on how to build a sustainable ca...

In this episode of Next Gen Cinema, Ian Wald and Hunter Schwefringhaus are joined by filmmaker Ryan Watson to discuss the balance between creativity and the business side of filmmaking. Ryan shares his insights on staying true to your passion and the importance of focusing on quality. Towards the end, Ian and Hunter dive into the power of a great opening scene, discussing how it can set the tone f...

In this inaugural episode of the Next Gen Cinema Podcast, hosts Hunter Schwefringhaus and Ian Wald, both high school film educators, discuss their backgrounds, the challenges and joys of teaching filmmaking, and the importance of student filmmaking. They outline the structure of their podcast, share quick tips for aspiring filmmakers, and provide updates on their classroom projects. The episode em...