Eyes On: Conversations with Hollywood Filmmakers

Hannah Driscoll is a script supervisor whose unique brain makes her perfectly suited for tracking continuity across Hollywood productions, including Hulu's PEN15, HBO's THE CURSE, and A24’s FRIENDSHIP (starring Paul Rudd and Tim Robinson). 
From live-typing actors' ad-libs while simultaneously monitoring multiple cameras to using her color-coded memory system to track missed dialogue lines, Hannah relates the intricate mental gymnastics required to ensure that scenes shot out of order will cut together seamlessly in post-production. 
Hannah also shares how childhood experiences trained her way of approaching her continuity work, the difference between working on feature films and TV shows, and the realities of working in today's challenging industry climate while maintaining the joy and positivity that makes her, as the hosts describe, "a bright light on set."

Chris Wells’ work in the VFX department spans from blockbusters like THE AVENGERS and AVATAR to acclaimed indie films like TAKE SHELTER and LOOPER. Chris shares his journey from wanting to be a forest ranger in rural Georgia to becoming a sought-after VFX producer in Hollywood, and offers his insights into an industry in transition.
Chris discusses the dramatic shift in the VFX industry from brick-and-mortar studios to remote freelance work and why he enjoys the creative process on indie films more than massive studio tentpoles. We’ll hear his viewpoint on the future of AI in filmmaking and where the hype separates from reality.  
Chris doesn’t hold back either as he shares stories about standing up for his crew, what it takes to leave a toxic workplace, and why Southern honesty doesn't always play well in Hollywood.

Rob Belushi is an actor, writer, producer, and game show host who, as the son of Jim Belushi and nephew of John Belushi, comes from one of entertainment's most legendary families. Rob opens up about navigating Hollywood with a famous last name – what he calls both a privilege and  "a grown-up curse" – and how he's carved his own path in the industry by embracing versatility and saying yes to opportunities, from small TV roles to producing game shows. 
 
In this candid conversation, Rob reflects on his journey through recovery, the value of collaboration over competition, and how having a business partner keeps him grounded. With refreshing honesty about privilege, pressure, and the realities of working in entertainment during industry contractions, Rob shares how he's built a sustainable career by focusing on relationships, staying present for his family, and remembering that everyone in Hollywood – from actors to bankers – is just trying to figure it out.

From casting TEEN WOLF to convincing producers that no, John Boyega probably won't do your short film for free, Jeff Gafner has spent his career bridging the gap between Hollywood dreams and on-set reality—all while actually watching every single one of those 800 audition tapes.
Discover how a kid from New Jersey who loved reading movie credits turned a college conversation into a New York casting internship, then built a career navigating everything from CSI MIAMI to IT’S ALWAYS SUNNY to the V/H/S horror franchise. 
Learn why casting directors might be the most underrated development executives in Hollywood, and why Jeff's advice to actors boils down to: control your audition, because everything else is wildly out of your hands.

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.