The Celluloid Ashram

A remarkable discussion with a determined filmmaker from China, Fido Wu. Her infectious energy for all things celluloid related will have you searching online for your film camera. Armed with a DIY spirit and a zen like approach, it's hard to believe someone so young has such a grasp on the core value of the actual process to shoot film.

A jaw dropping interview with 17 year old filmmaker whose short "Distortion" screened at Grauman's Chinese Theater during the Dances With Kidz festival. His film speaks volumes about our media and society. Beyond impressed by this force of energy, intelligence, wit and baffling maturity. Shot on Super 8mm and hand processed. I got to speak with him and his mother about the making of this on cellul...

Film mensch Scott Williams dropped off a roll of film and some straight talk about celluloid! A wonderful conversation about his philosophies of keeping and getting film in the hands of filmmakers. Reach him at motionpicturefilmstock@gmail.com to order your film today! Follow on Instagram at https://instagram.com/motionpicturefilmstock?utm_medium=copy_link

The brilliant visionary director Sam Kristofski (https://www.kristofski.com/) chats with me about everything celluloid and why it's the medium he prefers to bring his unique aesthetic to screen. Stick around to the end of this epic conversation to get some incredible advice and insight on filmmaking that will inspire you to just pick up your film camera and roll!

The absolutely inspiring DIY filmmaker Catherine Mosier-Mills (https://www.catherinemosier-mills.com/) speaks with me about her commitment to celluloid and what it means to have her films be on this medium. What's most impressive is her determination to shoot with a fairly obscure yet mythically famous camera: the Eclair Cameflex. Enjoy this conversation specifically for supportive words to all yo...

The wonderfully ebullient and newly minted American citizen, director of photography Ksusha Genenfeld (https://www.ksushagenenfeld.com/) raps with me about her commitment to celluloid and what it means to her. Having recently come off a film shoot we talk about the more philosophical points of film.

In true ambush form my mate super accomplished cinematographer Charlie and I stand at the darkest pit in Hollywood to discuss shooting on expired film, when your film camera malfunctions in the middle of nowhere and how to store older film. Fresh from his trip back from Death Valley, it was great rapping about film cameras and...celluloid! Great war stories from the trenches!

The Ashram welcomes friend, Pittsburgh writer/director Thom Holmes, a filmmaker who shares not only our first names but a familiarity with Cincinnati style chili and, of course, our appreciation of celluloid. Thom is the writer/director of "Benny Boy" a raw look at a young man dealing with grief after a tragedy. Shot on super 16mm. Apologies as this talk was abruptly cut short by a call.

The insanely prolific filmmaker and celluloid mensch who is spreading the gospel of celluloid through a new YouTube show called The Cinema Repository (https://youtube.com/c/CinemaRepository) and a man who owns more film cameras than me. Listen as we talk about camera hording and where we find these deals.

Filmmaker friend and owner of celluloid mecca East: Quiet We're Dreaming (https://quietweredreaming.com/) chats with me about all things film related and also the future of film! A truly unpretentious kind soul wanting to give back to the community.

My friend director/filmmaker Mike Olafson joins me today to talk about his beginnings in making archaeology travel videos to spending 3 years making an epic super8mm feature film called "Hot Lead, Hard Fury" (https://watch.amazon.com/detail?gti=amzn1.dv.gti.16b4847a-06ca-6b32-fa36-3f14723d74f1&ref_=atv_dp_share_mv&r=web). Believe me when I tell you, his tenacity to make a cinematic ode to 70's gan...

Live from the THE Emerald Isle pre-St. Patrick's Day where he is presently on a film shoot (yes, on film!) is my friend Iain Trimble. We talk about how he got his start, location shooting during a pandemic, and most importantly the love of celluloid!

Clinical psychologist and filmmaker Dr. Betsy Usher joins me in the ashram today to discuss the impact of filmed art to a community that has been isolated due to a pandemic. And the continual effect her viral short film "I Am Borderline" has done for the unspoken population that is stigmatized due to borderline personality disorder. Her contact: https://www.drbetsyusher.com/ and the short film can...

My friend, Utah filmmaker Erik McFarland, talks about his progression through celluloid, starting with super8mm and ending with the (yet to be seen dailies) of the first 35mm short film he just wrapped shooting titled "Inheritance". Listen to his experience onset with a larger format film camera and also how he pieced together his own film school. Watch the s16mm film "Huff" here: https://vimeo.co...

The effervescent and ridiculously accomplished Kansas Bowling started making films at an age where most of us were still in high school. Along with numerous music videos, she directed the caveman slasher flick "B.C. Butcher" and the upcoming "Cuddly Toys"...all on celluloid. Here we discuss the volume of work done away from civilization, our love of film, details of mining and "Children Of The Cor...

My friend Caleb Knueven (you pronounce the "K") joins me on a completely ambushed discussion on why chooses film in all aspects of his image capture career. And to talk about his new film "Cassette Tape" ( https://youtu.be/BAbF7HSn0ok). Follow his YouTube page as well to learn some wild ways to process, review and test film (https://youtube.com/c/BadFlashes)

My friend Justin Cary runs the Midwest Film Co. (www.midwestfilmco.com) out of Wichita, Kansas. Not only does he shoot film, he purchased his own motion picture scanner to open up convenient access to filmmakers in the heartland who support celluloid. Also watch his fantastic YouTube tutorials: https://youtube.com/c/MidwestFilmCo

My friend director Evan Sweet ("Nightmare Tales" "The Pale House" "Mommy") joins me to talk about why he shoots on celluloid, his beginnings and how someone can start shooting on film.