Eyes On: Conversations with Hollywood Filmmakers

From creating sets for a room full of production designers at the Art Directors Guild Awards to designing numerous indie films, Megan Elizabeth Bell brings infectious enthusiasm (and animal print) to every project.
Discover how watching HARRY POTTER as a kid sparked the question "who gets to decide what Hogwarts looks like?"—and how that curiosity led her to pack a U-Haul, drive cross-country with zero Hollywood connections, and hustle her way into the business. 
Meg shares the truth about breaking into production design, why she'd rather hire someone with a great attitude than a giant resume, the philosophy that keeps her driving that 2004 Honda Civic to studio lots, and how staying supportive of others' successes beats sitting home sending cold emails.

CORRECTION: At 20:10, Mark is referring to Crypt TV, not Havoc TV.
Mark Camperell is an award-winning sound designer and mixer whose work spans everything from blockbuster video games to television dramas. With nearly two decades in the industry and three Golden Reel Awards under his belt, Mark breaks down the intricate world of post-production audio.
From his early days making $8 an hour at Soundelux to founding his own company Empty Sea Audio in 2007, Mark shares the gritty reality of how he went from working on EverQuest II voice-overs to mixing Call of Duty: Black Ops.
He dives deep into his craft—explaining the difference between sound design and sound effects editing, why you hear the same door squeak in every TV show, and how sound design can make an underwhelming styrofoam wall crash feel like a concussive concrete explosion. Mark also opens up about surviving industry downturns, finding work-life balance in the mountains of Northern California, and why the pandemic actually made some aspects of his remote-first business model work better.

Lisa Schwartz is a multi-talented actress, comedian, and content creator  known for her recent appearance on ABBOTT ELEMENTARY and her YouTube channel LisBug, which has over 2 million subscribers.
From her early days as a theater student at UC Irvine to becoming one of YouTube's pioneering content creators, Lisa shares her journey through the digital revolution. Discover how a chance audition for a Comedy Central pilot led by the Fine Brothers launched her into the YouTube stratosphere, where she built a massive following through comedy sketches, parodies, and lifestyle vlogs.
Lisa opens up about the highs and lows of digital stardom, including landing brand partnerships, pitching shows to major networks like ABC and Freeform, and the unique challenges of sharing your personal life with millions of viewers. She also discusses the evolution of social media platforms, from YouTube's early days to the rise of TikTok, and offers valuable insights for the next generation of content creators.

Garrett O’Brien is an accomplished director of photography. Most recently, he DP’d the features WALTZING WITH BRANDO and BAD MAN, both of which will be released this year. He was also the cinematographer on CRUSH, as well as Retrofit Films’ own limited series GOLDEN REVENGE, produced for Conaco.
In this conversation, Garrett reveals the meticulous preparation behind his cinematography, including his detailed script breakdown process that helps him understand every scene's purpose and technical requirements. He discusses the evolving relationship between film and digital technology, his experience shooting in remote locations like Tahiti for BRANDO, and the challenges of recreating iconic scenes from THE GODFATHER .
Whether you're an aspiring filmmaker or simply curious about the craft behind the camera, this episode provides valuable insights into the technical artistry and professional relationships that bring stories to life on screen.

From TEEN WOLF’s werewolves to HBO's most anatomically detailed prosthetics, special effects makeup artist Carleigh Herbert takes us behind the scenes of Hollywood's jaw-dropping transformations. 
Discover how a dancing career pivot led her down an unexpected career path, why blood continuity is an art form, and what it's really like spending three hours applying... well, let's just say HBO's MINX required some very specialized prosthetics skills. Carleigh shares war stories from other major productions (AMERICAN HORROR STORIES, V/H/S, and THE SEX LIVES OF COLLEGE GIRLS), the delicate dance of working with actors who resist period-accurate makeup, and why the hair and makeup trailer is the pulse of any film set.
Whether you're fascinated by the technical wizardry of special effects or curious about the human side of Hollywood production, this episode offers an unfiltered look at the story behind the spectacle. 
Warning: This episode contains explicit language and mature content discussions.

Ever wonder who builds movie sets, applies an actor’s prosthetic nose or has their hand up that insult throwing puppet?
EYES ON: Conversations with Hollywood Filmmakers is your backstage pass to the film industry. Hosted by producing partners Chris Hanada and Tanner Kling, this podcast celebrates the unsung heroes of moviemaking:  special effects makeup artists, production designers, cinematographers, character actors, and everyone else who rarely gets a spotlight moment. 
Through laid-back conversations and swapping of war stories, Chris and Tanner uncover how these craftspeople got their start and built lasting careers in entertainment. Whether you're a film student, an industry vet or just curious how television, movies and more really get made, EYES ON serves up  honest stories, practical wisdom, and laughs from Hollywood's hardest workers.
 
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