Filmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien Swaby

• Ep 234: 30 Years at ABC — Executive Director Doug Looney Takes Us Behind the Broadcast

  Episode Summary:Join Damien Swaby as he sits down with a seasoned professional from ABC News with 30 years of experience in the media industry. In this episode, we delve into Doug Looney's fascinating career journey, from early experiments with VHS editing in high school to overseeing technical operations at a major news network. Discover how technology has transformed news production, the challenges and rewards of working in a fast-paced environment, and the key skills needed to thrive in modern media operations.Key Topics Discussed:Early Beginnings: How a high school television production class sparked a passion for media and led to early editing experiments.Entry into ABC News: His first steps into the industry through a temporary job and the importance of soaking in the environment.The Rise of Digital: Transitioning from analog to digital and the early days of abcnews.com.Modern News Acquisition: How technologies like LiveU and TVU enable rapid ingestion of live video from the field.The Power of Avid: Utilizing the Avid system for simultaneous recording and editing in news production.Adobe Premiere Pro at ABC News: Where and why Premiere Pro is used within the network, particularly for social media and promos.The Move to 7 Hudson Square: The massive project of relocating ABC News operations and the exciting technological upgrades implemented, including cloud-based editing.Scaling Operations: Balancing cost efficiency with creative output and the role of technology in achieving this.Essential Skills for Media Operations Teams: Prioritizing technical proficiencies for editors, acquisition teams, and distribution roles.Missing the Edit: Reflections on the hands-on editing process and memorable projects, including an Emmy-winning piece.The Impact of the Pandemic: How remote work and technological adaptation fostered deeper bonds within the team.Doug Looney's LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-looney-75a8854/Thank you for joining us for this insightful conversation with our guest from ABC News. We hope you gained valuable perspectives on the evolution of media operations and the exciting future of news production. Be sure to subscribe to Filmmaking Conversations with Damien Swaby for more in-depth discussions with industry professionals!

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• Ep 233: The Audience is the Strategy: Caitlin Boyle on Purpose-Driven Distribution

  Episode Summary:In this episode, Damien Swaby is joined by Caitlin Boyle, a pioneering force in strategic documentary distribution and the founder of Film Sprout. Caitlin discusses how filmmakers can move beyond traditional release models to build meaningful connections with audiences through grassroots campaigns, non-theatrical screenings, and community engagement. Drawing on over a decade of experience guiding social impact films, she shares insights into how intentional distribution strategies can amplify a film’s reach and deepen its impact. Whether you're an independent filmmaker, producer, or distributor, this conversation is essential listening.What We Cover in This Episode:Caitlin’s career journey from WNET to founding Film SproutThe limitations of conventional theatrical distributionHow community screenings can drive deeper engagement and real-world changeDesigning a distribution strategy with purpose from pre-productionReal case studies from Film Sprout’s work with impact-driven documentariesTips for filmmakers on connecting with grassroots organizations and educational institutionsWhy audience-building should be treated as a creative disciplineGuest Bio – Caitlin BoyleCaitlin Boyle is the founder of Film Sprout, a consultancy that has shaped the distribution strategies of hundreds of independent documentaries focused on social justice, education, health, and the environment. With over 15 years of experience building grassroots outreach campaigns, she’s a recognized leader in impact distribution and a frequent speaker at DOC NYC, Sundance, and Good Pitch.Resources & Mentions:W: https://caitlinboyle.coE: [email protected]

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• Ep 232: From Baywatch to Emmy Wins – Karina Michel P.G.A. The Art of Reinvention

  In this inspiring episode, Damien Swaby sits down with multi-hyphenate creative Karina Michel—an actress, model, producer, and Emmy-winning executive producer. Karina shares her fascinating journey from a childhood dream in Northamptonshire to navigating Hollywood auditions and eventually leading impactful storytelling projects as the head of Tallulah Films.🗣️ Topics Covered:Karina’s early acting dreams and her modeling break with Ford AgencyAuditioning for Baywatch and what she learned from the processLife on the set of Dexter and how method acting impacted the environmentHer transition into producing, and lessons learned from both sides of the cameraBehind the scenes of her award-winning documentary Heart of FLPD and Oscar-shortlisted Little Miss SumoThe importance of telling untold stories and spotlighting social issues through filmNavigating the evolving landscape of entertainment with streaming, AI, and Zoom-based filmmakingAdvice to young creatives: “Just start—even imperfectly. That’s how momentum builds.”🌍 Plus:Karina reflects on balancing creativity with business, her go-to spiritual and grounding practices, and the emotional strength it takes to wear many hats in the entertainment industry.🎙️ About the Guest:Karina Michel  is the host of Kofi Entertainment Unfiltered, a podcast exploring the journeys of artists and creatives. She has worked on over 100 productions and continues to champion underrepresented voices through film and media.📌 Key Quote:“Inspiration is everywhere. You don’t always have to look for it—sometimes the story finds you.”Connect with Karina Michel Instagram: karinamichelofficialPodcast: Coffee with Karina - Entertainment Unfiltered📢 Don't forget to subscribe, share, and leave us a review if you enjoyed this episode!

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• Ep 231: The Art of Video Editing with Emmy Winner Cybele Policastro

  The Art of Video Editing with Emmy Winner Cybele PolicastroGuest: Cybele Policastro, a highly accomplished and multi-Emmy Award-winning video editor based in New York City.Expertise: Extensive experience in video editing for a wide range of high-profile media, including news and entertainment.Career Highlights:Over 20 years of experience as a dedicated editor, notably at ABC News.Recipient of multiple Emmy Awards and a Murrow Award, recognizing excellence in her field.Nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Morning Program for Good Morning America in 2015.Worked on prominent shows and segments, including contributions to GMA, 20/20's Robin's Journey, NAT GEO productionsChalamet, Taylor Swift, Willy Chavarria, RuPaul, John Oates, and India Oxenberg.Experience editing for Shonda Rhimes' productions.Contributed to environmental reporting that received a duPont-Columbia Award.Worked on Between the Lions early in her career.Mentorship: Cybele is also involved in mentoring aspiring journalists and video editors, offering insights into professional editing techniques, news production workflows, and career navigation in the media industry. She emphasizes adapting to the evolving digital landscape and thriving under pressure.Filmmaking Background: Co-directed and edited the documentary shorts The Firings and Evasion, which explored issues of academic freedom and institutional change at Bennington College in the 1990s. This project demonstrates her early engagement with filmmaking and storytelling.W: https://cybelepolicastro.com

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• Ep 230: Beyond the Turmoil: Isabelle Mecattaf's Lens on Lebanon

  Welcome to the podcast! Today we have filmmaker Isabelle on the show to discuss her journey from Lebanon to NYU and her experiences crafting compelling films. We'll delve into her creative process, her passion for telling human stories amidst political turmoil, and her advice for emerging filmmakers. Get ready for an inspiring conversation about resilience, filmmaking, and finding your voice.https://www.isabellemecattaf.com/filmographyBEITYShownotes:Isabelle's Origin Story: Born and raised in Lebanon, Isabelle moved to the United States at 18 for college, where she studied English literature and philosophy. She pursued a master's in film at NYU.  NYU Tisch Experience: Isabelle describes her time at NYU Tisch as transformative, where she learned all aspects of filmmaking from industry professionals and built a strong network of collaborators.  Influence of Literature and Philosophy: Isabelle discusses how her background in English literature and philosophy has shaped her storytelling, particularly in character development and narrative structure.  Short Film "Beiti": Isabelle's second-year film at NYU, "Beiti" (meaning "My House" in Arabic), was shot on 16mm film in Lebanon. The film explores themes of waiting, limbo, and the experiences of those left behind in Lebanon due to immigration.  Shooting on Film: Isabelle shares her love for shooting on film, emphasizing how it fosters intentionality, precision, and focus on set.  Feature Film "May You Outlive Us": Isabelle is currently working on her first feature film, "May You Outlive Us," which continues to explore themes of resilience and everyday life in Lebanon amidst political and economic turmoil.  Lebanese Resilience: The discussion delves into the resilience of the Lebanese people and how it influences their daily lives and Isabelle's filmmaking.  Transition to Feature Film: Isabelle shares the challenges of transitioning from short films to a feature, particularly in navigating co-productions, government funding, and pitching to secure financing.  Focus on Humanity: Isabelle emphasizes her commitment to telling human stories and her desire to move beyond narratives solely focused on war and poverty in Lebanon.  Lebanese Filmmakers: Isabelle highlights the work of other talented Lebanese filmmakers, including Wisam Sheddaf and Muniael, and the collaborative spirit within the community.  Casting Process: Isabelle discusses her approach to casting, emphasizing her preference for working with professional actors and focusing on connection and communication.  Recognition and Support: Isabelle acknowledges the impact of being shortlisted for the Breakthrough Lens Action Grant and selected for the NYU Purple List, highlighting the importance of community and support in filmmaking.  Advice for Emerging Filmmakers: Isabelle's advice for emerging filmmakers, particularly those telling personal and politically relevant stories, centers on trusting their support system, working hard, surrounding themselves with good people, and seeking out opportunities and initiatives designed to support new voices.  

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