Set Stories Podcast

An old guest from our first season, Jaime Torres, is back! Since moving to New York, he’s been working in the film industry on the East Coast, and we catch up to talk about the biggest differences between filming in LA and NYC. We also dive into how AI might already be shaping — and threatening — the film industry, sharing our personal takes on how it could be used  against  us rather than for our...

In this episode, it’s just the hosts! Houry and Charles catch up and dive into a lively discussion on the age-old question: Is film school worth it? We share our honest takes on whether it’s the right path for building a career in the industry. We also look back at our very first gear purchases and debate what we’d buy today if we were starting fresh—and why. If you’ve ever wondered about the valu...

This time on the podcast Houry sits down with Carlos, a DP whose journey into filmmaking began in the most unexpected place — the military. After first discovering film in Florida, he realized he didn’t want to spend his life in uniform. So, he pivoted: film school, his first camera, and slowly finding his way onto sets. We talk about the moment he truly fell in love with the craft — watching a DP...

In this episode, we talk with actor Keir Thirus; whose career spans TV, film, and the stage — including a NAACP Theatre Award nomination. From  General Hospital  to  True Detective  alongside Rachel McAdams (and a sweet on-set story with her), he’s done it all. He shares his best advice on what it truly takes to be a great actor, drawing from decades of experience both performing and teaching. It’...

This week we chat with the multi-talented Karim Dakkon. A filmmaker who wears many hats on set, but shines brightest as the Director of Photography and editor. He opens up about how his early love of music helped sharpen his sense of pacing and rhythm in his editing. We also dive into the realities of working behind the camera, from the highs of great collaboration to the frustrations that can com...

In this episode, we sit down with David Veal. His creative journey began as a graphic designer, but his true calling led him to acting - and eventually writing. He shares his insight into how important and transformative taking acting classes can be - at any stage in your career. He also shares some thoughtful advice for anyone pursuing a creative path, whether you're just starting out or looking...

This week, we sit down with actor Luis Alexander Mejia to talk about the audition process, the power of movement training, and how staying creative in the room can make you a more versatile performer. Luis also shares how being an immigrant from El Salvador shaped his perspective—and why telling stories rooted in that experience isn’t just entertaining, but essential and educational. We get into t...

We sit down with Gerald Tineo, a skilled focus puller from Venezuela, to talk about life behind the camera and the realities of working on set. Gerald shares stories about chaotic productions, the importance of staying professional under pressure, and why speaking up against mistreatment—like not getting paid on time or being denied basic needs—is so necessary. We also dive into how working with a...

This week, we sit down with the incredibly versatile Lori Livingston. You may not recognize her face right away—thanks to layers of prosthetic makeup in blockbuster films like  Captain Marvel  and  Bright —but her presence is unforgettable. Lori shares insights on the transformative power of method acting, the unique challenges of performing under heavy makeup, and what it was really like being ye...

We've been gone for two years, but we are BACK! Set Stories is back on the air with more stories to share. And we are super excited to have Amanda be our first guest! A professional makeup artist and hairstylist, a model, an actor—she can do it all. In this episode, she shares incredible advice from her journey in the industry, including her very first on-set experience working alongside some of h...

A producer and actress, but a writer at heart, Sarah joins us this week for our season finale! We are so honored to have a writer be a part of set stories podcast and share her experiences and insights in the industry. We talk about our writing processes and the weirdest and most awkward things we've seen on set. Sarah also shares some amazing and inspiring advice. Do not miss this episode! Ch...

No introduction is needed for our guest this week. He's been on our show in its first season and now Kevin B. Simmons is back with more set stories! He dishes on how it was like working on a feature as a Key Grip for the first time. We also talk about the writers strike and how good communication can make or break a good set/work experience.

Getting a scholarship to study film in LA and being inspired by movies like Jurassic Park, Federica joins us this week from across the globe talking all things casting; for her own films as well as others and the difficulties that come with that, but how fulfilling of a job it can be. Especially when it comes to breaking away from stereotypes in roles and characters. We also talk good crafty and b...

Being dragged by a horse by your feet, being set on fire, fighting and being punched in the face, and jumping off a three story building is just a normal day in the job for Josh, the amazing stunt performer extraordinaire! And boy oh boy he's got some set stories to share. Like what it was like working with an actor who basically begs you to really punch you in the face. We definitely learned a lo...

Training and studying to be an actor, Christian shares his experiences of how proper education and strong but tough mentors can make you prepared for the real world and working on sets. We talk about how his first on set experience was a rather good one and what it was like working when the weather conditions can be the worst.

Production Sound Engineer and Boom Op Stephen joins us this week! His love of playing in a band transferred over to his love of capturing audio on set. We talk a lot about food and crafty, including beer and what it was like to be on a set where the AD was desperate to get fired. He also shares some amazing and heartfelt advice on how to navigate through this industry. Check out his awesome podacs...

An actor, a producer, a writer, and a director Clayton has a very colorful and rich background when it comes to working in the film industry. He's worked on sets with little to no budget, indies, short films, and sets with millions of dollars going into the production. We talk about what it was like living in Ireland and working in theatre, commericals, and TV shows like Vikings. He also shares so...

Aimee LaJoie joins us on our season 6 opener! You all know her from her super hilarious Film Crew series and The Bumble Bums both available on YouTube. This feature length episode is filled with plenty of set talk from what its like making comedy gold by yourself during a pandemic, the struggles of working as an actor, and being background on the set of Top Gun. Be sure to check out her amazing wo...

Earning a masters degree in documentary filmmaking from Chapman, working for IMAX, and performing as a scare actor, we are so excited to have Hannah on our season 5 finale episode! We talk about what its like watching movies over and over for work, the light and dark side of scaring people at Knotts Scary Farm and her love of documentary filmmaking.  We hope you enjoy this one just as much as we d...

This week we got the pleasure of hanging out with Affernie, a stop-motion animator! We get into the nit and grit of all the technical aspects of making a film with stop-motion, but we also talk about how beautiful it can be and how your patience into making something like that can be rewarding. Whether you're into stop-motion or not this episode will make you appreciate filmmaking in all its aspec...

Adjusting from doing theatre in New York to working in TV and film in LA was tough. But for Jillian, she knows that if you put the hard work and dedicate yourself to your passion, then you can make it. In this episode we talk about how she got into stunt work, and how that made her be more confident working as an actor. She also shares some funny audition experiences and what it was like working o...

IT'S THE EPISODE YOU ALL HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR!!!! Jonathan is back and as always he's got the best stories to share. Its always a better time when the team is back together. So we hope you like this episode where we talk toxic sets where the director is yelling at you for no reason, and when half the crew drops out, and what its like to stand up for your department when you're being disrespected....

This week we got first AC and DP Nichole on the show! We sit down and talk about being chased by the cops, dealing with technical difficulties, and working with first time directors that have no idea what they're doing. And just how important collaboration can be while making movies. What is our least favorite thing to hear from directors? Tune in to find out!  Also, check out her awesome web...

Makeup artist, special FX, and hair extraordinaire Dre joins us this week! Is honesty the best policy when it comes to working with over-the-top actors? Listen to her story to find out what happens. And.....lets just say that Will Smith wasn't the only one giving out slaps on Oscar night. My oh my! The things we go through do to what we love. 

Actress, Writer, and Producer Jennifer joins us on this very special Halloween episode of set stories. She shares what its really like being an Asian and a woman in this industry and how hard you have to work just to be taken seriously. She also shares a haunting experience while producing her first feature that she also wrote in a haunted location. And trust us, her stories are wild! You do not w...