This week, we are joined by 2D animation wizard James Lopez. James is a veteran Disney animator who has been working as a professional in the animation industry for 30 years.

His credits at Disney include being a Lead Animator on films such as 'The Emperor's New Groove' and 'Hercules' and as an animator on the character "Dr. Facilier" in 'The Princess and the Frog' and "Timon" in 'The Lion King'.

He has also worked for studios such as Warner Bros., Dreamworks and Nickelodeon in both television and features and has performed a variety of positions that range from Directing, Storyboarding, Layout, Art Direction, Production Design and Character Design.

For more information about James, visit https://www.jameslopezanimatio...

Join the Dallas Film Commission as we discuss the importance of Casting Directors. Ally Beans and Evan Majors discuss how they bring films to life by selecting the right performers and how they can help you.

Evan Majors can be found at: https://www.major-casting.com/

Ally Beans can be found at: https://allybeanscreative.com/

Join us at a workshop in the Texas Theater as we discuss what a talent agent really does and tips on breaking into the industry! Our wonderful panelists are Mary Collins, Linda McAlister and Teresa Natera.

Mary Collins can be found at https://marycollins.com/

Linda McAlister can be found at https://lmtalent.com/

Teresa Natera can be found at http://www.coretalent.biz/

Join our conversation with FX artist and local professor Nelson Lim as he talks through his journey from computer science into the exciting world of animation & games, and how AI is changing it as we speak. Lim has worked on an impressive record of projects including but not limited to Fortnite, Pacific Rim, Marvel's The Avengers and Transformers: Age of Extinction; and now dedicates his skills to help other emerging technical artists through The Visual Effects Society.

Find out more on https://www.nelsonlim.com/

Hear from Sylvester Stallone's stunt double Freddie Poole and learn all about the world of stunt coordination, epic fight scenes, and maybe even a little bit about the filming of Tulsa King.

Lighting makes or breaks a film, and no one knows this better than gaffer Frans Wettering. Surrogates, Knight and Day, Moonrise Kingdom, Little Women, Okja, Lost City of Z, Don’t Look Up and Spirited are among his extensive feature filmography. We dive into how he got started in the industry, his approach to lighting, and making movies outside of major production hubs. Frans is also the owner of Red Herring and Red Sky Studios, which has clients like Apple TV, Netflix, NBC, CBS, ABC and HBO; Amazon, Sony Pictures, Universal Studios, Warner Brothers, Paramount and Disney Pictures. Find out more on https://redsky-studios.com

The Dallas Producers Association has been a Northeast Texas staple since the 1970s. And although its name holds its weight in its local history, it is now more of a misnomer, as the org's mission extends far past just producers-- but rather a networking organization for all filmmakers across the DFW area. Community, and its importance is a focus in this episode, with digressions into AI, as well as digital content creation.

If you're interested in some of the things talked about in the episode check out the links below: https://www.dallasproducers.or... https://fireflies.ai/ https://groups.google.com/g/dp...

About Ian: Ian Loomer is a workflow innovator and creative ops consultant focused on solving bespoke creative challenges for creative teams. His focused on studio builds, XR experiences, and virtual production through his company, Modern Creative Ops (moderncreativeops.com) In his spare time he serves as the volunteer President of the Dallas Producers Association, (dallasproducers.org) the largest non-profit professional networking organization for production professionals in Texas. He serves at Tech lead for the Texas Media Professionals Alliance (TXMPA.org) to help better film and gaming incentives in Texas and runs hospitality for the Oak Cliff Film Festival (https://2024.oakclifffilmfesti...) your favorite neighborhood film festival hosted at the Historic Texas Theatre in Oak Cliff.

For some people, the Oscars is their Superbowl. That's the case for Dallas film critics Preston Barta and Todd Jorgenson. Today, we dive into who we think will win, any snubs, and our favorite films from the past year...the perfect film pre-game before the 2024 Oscars!

Explore drone filming with Alex Vanover in an exclusive Q&A for filmmakers and professionals.

Join our conversation with Sarah Kambe Holland, the writer-director behind coming-of-age comedy Egghead and Twinkie. In this episode, we talk making small budget indie-films, utilizing social media to crowdfund, and the importance of making light-hearted content. Sarah Kambe Holland is a film director based in Austin, TX, best known for her debut feature, Egghead & Twinkie, for which she was also the screenwriter, co-producer, and co-editor. The film has received a number of accolades, including the Jury Award for Best Comedy Feature at the 2023 Austin Film Festival. Holland also directs commercial work for the advertising agency, 21GRAMS. You can learn more about her work at sarahkambeholland.com and eggheadandtwinkie.com

Join us for a conversation with Niloo Jalilvand and Ryan Blitzer from Pegasus Media Project. In this episode, we talk about everything from apprenticeship programs, growth of the Dallas film market, film festivals, and the importance of who you are as an artist and as a human. If you're just starting in your career, this is an episode you don't want to miss! Pegasus is doing some amazing things here in Dallas, use these links to find out more: https://filmfreeway.com/Pegasu... https://www.pegasusfilmfestiva... https://www.pegasusmediaprojec... https://www.pegasusmediaprojec...

Join our conversation with post-production artists Wes Meyer, from Burning Tractor, and Joey Waldrip, from Charlie Uniform Tango, as they discuss diving into VFX intricacies and the journey to crafting visually stunning projects.

Join us as we speak with Scott Peck, the cinematographer behind popular shows like HBO's Doom Patrol and AMC's Turn: Washington's Spies. Join Scott and Tony as they discuss the impact of streaming platforms, what we crave in stories, and the evolving landscape of television production. From shooting on location to all the camera talk you want, this conversation offers a captivating glimpse into the world of film and television production. Tune in for an insightful discussion on the present, and future, of storytelling in the entertainment industry.

Interested in Scott's work? Check out his website: https://scottpeckdop.com/

Daniel Driensky, Sarah Reyes, the duo behind Exploredinary in conversation with producer and artist Sean Starr share insights into the artistic journey behind the documentary Art is Love: Nepal. The trio discuss the evolution of their collaboration into a full-time career, starting with a documentary project inspired by a trip to Nepal. They touch upon challenges encountered during the Covid-19 pandemic and emphasized the significance of preserving cultural practices. The conversation expands to cover narrative film creation, personal journeys, artistic authenticity, vulnerability, and-- of course-- a near death motorcycle ride through the Himalayas. Join this engaging dialogue on filmmaking, inspiration, and the evolving landscape of their artistic endeavors.

Cooper Carr is a location manager based in Dallas-Fort Worth. From indie projects to commercials, feature films, and television, he has been involved in and around the industry to facilitate production on the location management side in DFW. In this episode, Cooper breaks down the role of a location manager and the high value this position holds in getting a production off the ground and completed on time. He also discusses some aspects that most location scouts/managers might overlook when considering joining a production on this side of things. We're lucky to have Cooper join us on this episode!

Joining us on this exciting episode to break down the ins and outs of film festival programming is Mike McNamara! He is a film festival programmer for festivals all over the country, including the Sundance Film Festival. Mike discusses what makes a film festival select your film, how it's viewed, and what film festival programmers consider. We're excited to have Mike on!

Chris "Doc" Wyatt, a renowned producer and writer recognized for his work on films like Napoleon Dynamite (2004), Super Dinosaur (2018), and Stretch Armstrong & the Flex Fighters (2017), joins us in this episode. We delve into his journey, exploring how Napoleon Dynamite marked his debut as a producer. Despite initial skepticism about its potential success, the film achieved everything he envisioned – from gaining entry into Sundance to securing a distribution deal and eventually attaining cult classic status.Following the triumph of Napoleon Dynamite, Chris has continued to make significant contributions to the industry, particularly in the realm of animated shows for Marvel and beyond. Throughout the episode, we trace his career from the inception of Napoleon Dynamite to his ventures in animation, offering valuable insights for those interested in this aspect of the industry.

This is part two of our producer conversation with Liz Cardenas ("Never Goin' Back," "A Ghost Story," and "7 Days"), Elayne Schmidt ("The Florida Project" and "Moonlight"), and Melissa West (known for her work on the Hallmark Channel)!

Joining us on this podcast are three special producers: Liz Cardenas ("Never Goin' Back," "A Ghost Story," and "7 Days"), Elayne Schmidt ("The Florida Project" and "Moonlight"), and Melissa West (known for her work on the Hallmark Channel). During this enlightening discussion, our guests share their insights on finding the right producer and navigating the differences between starting out in filmmaking and working on larger, more complex movie productions. This is part one of our conversation. Listen to part two next week!

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Oren Soffer, the brilliant co-DP behind one of the most talked-about films of 2023, "The Creator." Oren takes us on a mesmerizing journey through the art of cinematography, sharing his insights from the film and discussing how his unique role as a co-DP came about. From his early inspirations to his work on this groundbreaking project, Oren delves into the creative process that shaped what eventually became "The Creator." Oren also discusses the unique and effective collaboration he had on this project with Greig Fraser and Gareth Edwards. We also address some burning fan questions with Oren!

On episode 18 of the Dallas Film Podcast, we sit with Barak Epstein, one of three partners behind Dallas' movie haven, the Texas Theatre. We breakdown the history of the theatre, how the programming has evolved over the years, and what to look forward to for the rest of the year. Plus, we dive into how that Criterion Channel short documentary about the theater came about. And yes, we discuss all things JFK and how that story transformed the theatre over the years.

We're excited to welcome Alex Vanover to the show. Alex is a champion drone pilot celebrated for his exceptional skills in drone racing, and he's also made a name for himself in the world of feature films and music videos. You might recognize Alex from his previous work on films like Michael Bay's 'Ambulance,' Antoine Fuqua's 'Emancipation,' and various music videos, including those for Justin Bieber. In this episode, we delve into his early beginnings, the vital role his family played in nurturing his craft, and his remarkable journey from world champion in the drone racing league to collaborating on projects with Michael Bay.

Join us for an exciting episode of the Dallas Film Podcast as we welcome two incredible talents to the show. Laura Shaunette, the brilliant Program Director of the Earthx Film and Music Festival and the extraordinarily talented performing artist, Ben Sollee, grace our microphones to discuss the exciting developments at this year's festival. Get ready for an exciting conversation about the creative intersection of film and music that's not to be missed at EarthX Film & Music Festival!

Join us on this exciting episode of the Dallas Film Podcast as we dive deep into the world of hair and makeup with none other than Oscar-nominated makeup artist, Donald Mowat. His work includes Dune 1, Sicario, Nightcrawler, Prisoners, and many more. We'll discuss his journey in the industry, the secrets behind creating unforgettable characters, and the behind-the-scenes stories that will leave you in awe.

Tony Armer and Andrew Vela discuss some of their favorite movies from their childhoods and the films that have had a significant impact on their lives and cinematic experiences.

Dive into the world of screenwriting and film production with Tony Armer, an industry veteran and the Film Commissioner for Dallas, Texas. Join us for a captivating workshop that took place at the iconic Texas Theatre in Dallas, where Armer shared invaluable insights on how to bring your screenplay or idea to life. Tony discusses distribution, financing, and navigating the film industry. Whether you're an aspiring screenwriter or a seasoned filmmaker, this workshop promises invaluable insights to turn your screenplay or idea into cinematic reality.

In this episode, we chat with Director Ryan Polly, EP Grant Wakefield, and Writer/Director Matt Black about their short films, "I Bet You're Wondering How I Got Here" and "STALLED." Their films boast impressive acting, top-notch sound design, and rich character development. One showcases a quirky heist with an ensemble cast, while the other delves into a man's time-loop predicament inside a bathroom. Join us as we explore how these filmmakers achieved grandeur in their works.

We sat down with the Slamdance winners from the Dallas-based short film 'The Sidewalk Artist'! The film took home the Grand Jury Prize for Narrative Short at the Slamdance Film Festival, and we talked with the filmmakers who go by Watchale. We discussed the film, how they all met, and their aspirations for North Texas filmmakers.

During one of our filmmaker workshops, we sat down with representatives from our Dallas film festivals, a local filmmaker, and more, to discuss the strategies behind getting your film into film festivals.

During one of our filmmaker workshop events, we sat down with The Creatives Factory, a Dallas-based music production facility and artist management company to discuss what it takes to work with music producers for your film and how to find the right producer to work with. Also joining us was Amin Emam, a Dallas-based music producer.

Eva Longoria visited Dallas along with the cast of her latest film, Flamin' Hot, the story of how the son of a Mexican immigrant came up with the idea for Flamin' Hot Cheetos.

For this episode, we're thrilled to sit down with DC's newest superhero to hit the big screen - Supergirl! Sasha Calle visited Dallas on the press tour for Andy Muschietti's The Flash, and we discussed what it's like taking on the mantle, joining a big budget franchise, and the responsibility of becoming a superhero.

The Dallas Film Commission (DFCIO) brought in Roger Deakins and his longtime collaborator and wife, James Deakins to Dallas for a series of events from June 8-11, 2023. For this episode, we screened Blade Runner 2049 and hosted a 2-hour Q&A session with the audience of 900 poeple. This discussion is also on our YouTube channel.

The Dallas Film Commission (DFCIO) brought in Roger Deakins and his longtime collaborator and wife, James Deakins to Dallas for a series of events from June 8-11, 2023. We are pleased to sit down with them to discuss their journey through filmmaking, and what it's like to really work as a team - Team Deakins. This discussion is also on our YouTube channel.

The Dallas Film Commission (DFCIO) brought in Roger Deakins and his longtime collaborator and wife, James Deakins to Dallas for a series of events from June 8-11, 2023. We sat down with them at Southern Methodist University Film School in Dallas to talk to young filmmakers about their journey and allow them to ask questions directly to the Deakins. This discussion is also on our YouTube channel.

We're pleased to welcome Steve Demmler onto the show. Steve is a film financier with an extensive background in production. We discuss how film production is changing and how virtual production will impact film sets going forward.

For this episode, we have zoomed in Michael E. Brown - Line Producer, Production Manager, Director, and more - to talk about how he got into the business and what it means to be a line producer. He talks the ins and outs of managing a production from the financial side and how budgets can really impact a production.

Tony Armer, Commissioner of the Dallas Film & Creative Industries Office (DFCIO), and Andrew Vela, Project Specialist of DFCIO, sit down and discuss why a film commission is a filmmakers best friend, how to utilizie a film commissions resources, and more.