This time around, we talk with Cooper Raiff, the creator, director and star of the limited series ‘Hal & Harper,’ about navigating the indie scene on the TV side.

Cooper breaks down one of the show’s central conceits: he and Lili Reinhart playing their characters as kids in certain scenes. We explore what it took to get into that childhood headspace and how those scenes shape the series.

We also dig into what it’s like juggling multiple roles on a project, from directing and acting to editing, and how that creative control shapes his storytelling approach.

(Photo credit: MUBI)

Filmmaker M.G. Evangelista joins us to discuss their horror short 'Anino,’ premiering at this year's NewFest. Our conversation explores the integral role of language in shaping their film's narrative and the ongoing search for identity that drives their work. M.G. opens up about their venture into genre filmmaking with this monster story, revealing how horror became a vehicle for exploring deeper personal themes.

We also delve into the extensive development journey of their debut feature 'Burning Well,' which has been in progress for over five years. M.G. shares insights into the challenges and evolution of bringing this project to life, demonstrating the patience and persistence required in independent filmmaking.

Cinematographer Mattias Nyberg joins us to discuss his work on episodes 1-3 of 'The Girlfriend,' directed by Robin Wright. Mattias reveals what drew him to the project - the opportunity to collaborate with Wright, whose directorial vision he'd long admired - and how they developed a visual language that serves the story's emotional core.

Our conversation explores Mattias's tailored approach to capturing the dual perspectives of Laura and Cherry, deliberately avoiding neutral shots to position viewers within each character's distinct emotional landscape. He discusses the technical challenges of shooting in constrictive yet stunning locations, from London's Sanderson house to a Spanish villa, where spatial limitations sparked creative innovation in camera movement and staging.

Mattias delves into specific visual choices, particularly the hospital sequences where he introduced warm colors into typically sterile environments to enhance emotional complexity. His reflections on using extended shot lengths to build tension and deepen feeling demonstrate the delicate balance between technical precision and emotional storytelling.

Director Mercedes Bryce Morgan and cinematographer Nick Matthews join us to discuss 'Bone Lake,' a film that shifts the typical thriller focus from "whodunit" to exploring why chaos unfolds in the first place.

Our conversation explores how Mercedes and Nick crafted a visual experience that subverts audience expectations, blending genres and pushing boundaries. Mercedes discusses the creative evolution that brought this twisted world to life, while Nick reveals his approach to creating imagery that serves the film's unpredictable narrative.

(Photo: Courtesy of FLASCH)

Cinematographer Alexander Dynan joins us to discuss his work on 'The History of Sound,' tracing his collaboration with director Oliver Hermanus from their previous project 'Mary & George.' Alexander reveals how lessons from episodic filmmaking informed his feature approach, while acknowledging the distinct storytelling demands of each medium.

Our conversation explores the film's ambitious temporal scope, spanning decades. From visual strategies for communicating the passage of time - from color grading choices to production design collaborations - showing how every element from costume to camera movement contributes to the film's emotional weight, alongside the unique challenge of visually representing musical performances.

This week, we sit down with director Ondi Timoner to talk about her documentary ‘All God’s Children,’ which follows the partnership between Congregation Beth Elohim and Antioch Baptist Church in Brooklyn.

Ondi walks us through how the project began with her sister’s activism and the challenges of filming within sacred spaces while balancing her roles as both filmmaker and family member. We explore the messy realities of the partnership - including moments that threatened to fracture the alliance - and how both communities learned to thrive together.

We also talk about her evolution as a documentary filmmaker and how she’s handling distribution through her production company Interloper Films.

This week, writer-director Carmen Emmi takes us through his creative process for ‘Plainclothes,’ where he threw technical perfection out the window to focus on raw, heartfelt storytelling.

Carmen shares his journey from cinematographer to director, and how he navigated the transition from worrying about flawless shots to weaving a personal story that resonates with queer audiences. We talk about the film’s festival run, including stops at Sundance and Frameline, and the meaningful connections he’s made with peers and audiences along the way.

(Photo: Courtesy of Magnolia Pictures)

Writer-director Bryn Chainey joins us to discuss 'Rabbit Trap,' his haunting exploration of how supernatural folklore mirrors our deepest human experiences. Bryn reveals his unique approach to using nature and the otherworldly as tools for confronting inner truths, tracing his thematic evolution from early work like 'Moritz and the Woodwose' to this latest feature.

Our conversation centers on Bryn's innovative integration of sound and visuals, where he treats audio not as an afterthought but as the film's heartbeat. He explains how blurring the lines between music, sound design, and visual storytelling creates an immersive experience that resonates on deeply personal levels, emphasizing the crucial synergy between all filmmaking departments.

(Photo: Courtesy of Magnet Releasing)