Filmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien Swaby

In this episode, Damien sits down with entertainment attorney Lauren Hansson to explore her journey into the legal side of film and television.

Lauren shares:
How she discovered her passion for law
Why internships were key to finding her niche
Her experience at Warner Bros. Animation
What it’s like working with independent film producers and financiers
The realities of entertainment law beyond the glamor
Advice for aspiring lawyers interested in media and entertainment
Lauren also breaks down the importance of relationship-building in the entertainment industry, how negotiation strategy differs in creative spaces, and why adaptability is essential in a field that’s constantly evolving. She offers practical insight into protecting intellectual property while still supporting the creative vision — a balance every entertainment lawyer must master.

This episode offers an inside look at the intersection of creativity and contracts—and what it truly takes to protect stories behind the scenes.

🎧 Whether you’re a law student, creative professional, or film enthusiast, this conversation provides valuable insight into the legal engine that powers the entertainment industry.

Website: https://www.sheppard.com/people/lauren-hansson

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JEWFACE is a bold, dark comedy about a Jewish-American bisexual woman who believes re-breaking her teenage rhinoplasty might restore her lost identity—now crowdfunding to bring this provocative, funny, and urgently human story to life.

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🎙 Episode Show Notes

In this episode, we explore Ashlie’s unconventional path into acting — one that didn’t begin in theatre classrooms or on school stages.She didn’t grow up as a “theatre kid.” Instead, Ashlie spent much of her childhood and teenage years behind the scenes as a visual artist and writer, engaging in storytelling from the creative side rather than as a performer.

Though she was generally shy growing up, she did step onto the stage occasionally, performing in bands throughout middle and high school.While pursuing a Fine Arts degree, an unexpected opportunity shifted her trajectory. She began modeling for friends who were photography students, which gradually led to more modeling work.

Over time, the line between modeling and acting began to blur, and she realized she felt drawn toward acting more seriously. Ashlie started acting part-time, taking classes whenever she could and steadily building experience. What began as a gradual exploration eventually became a full-time pursuit. 

Today, she actively seeks commercial and film opportunities while also creating her own original content whenever possible. In addition to acting, Ashlie writes and performs music for her own projects and collaborates with other artists.

She is currently involved in multiple ongoing web series and indie films — some of which incorporate musical elements — allowing her to merge her artistic disciplines.She thrives on unique and challenging projects, especially those that allow her to use multiple creative skill sets and push beyond traditional boundaries.In this episode, we discuss:
Taking a non-traditional route into acting
Transitioning from visual art to modeling to performance
Overcoming shyness and stepping into visibility
Moving from part-time to full-time creative work
Balancing acting, music, and independent content creation
Embracing a multidisciplinary artistic identity
This conversation is for anyone building a creative career outside the traditional blueprint — and making it fully their own.

Call to Action. 

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and share the podcast. Follow Damien Swaby for more filmmaker interviews and insights into the craft and business of storytelling.
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X (Twitter): @DamienSwaby https://x.com/DamienSwaby/status/1864468655582437405
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In this episode of Filmmaking Conversations with Damien Swaby, Damien is joined by Emmy-nominated filmmaker and showrunner Xan Aranda for a wide-ranging discussion on taste, creative authority, and decision-making in filmmaking. Drawing on her experience across film and television — including work with Netflix, HBO, and Amazon — Xan talks about why strong opinions are not optional in creative work, particularly in editing and directing. 

She reflects on collaboration, trust, and the dangers of consensus-driven filmmaking, where too many voices dilute responsibility.The conversation touches on her work on Blue Jay, produced with Mark Duplass, her role as Co-Executive Producer on Netflix’s My Love, and her experience navigating creative leadership across independent film and global television productions.

This episode is a grounded, unsentimental look at how films and series are actually made — through taste, confidence, and the willingness to choose.

https://www.xanaranda.com
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🎙️ Show Notes

In this episode, host Damien Swaby speaks with Richard Bradshaw, Director of Rebel Safety, about the often-misunderstood role of safety in film, television, and live events. Far from being a barrier to creativity, Richard explains how safety, when approached differently, can actually fuel imagination, innovation, and bold storytelling.

As the head of Rebel Safety, he has seen firsthand how productions can thrive when safety isn’t treated as a box-ticking exercise, but as a culture of care, collaboration, and trust.

Throughout the conversation, Damien and Richard explore:
The role of Rebel Safety: what the company does, who it supports, and why its mission matters to creatives.
Changing perceptions of safety: breaking free from the stereotype of “bubble wrap and hard hats” and embracing safety as a foundation for innovation.
Culture over compliance: how mindset, leadership, and trust often make a bigger difference than regulations alone.
Practical insights for creatives: from film directors to event producers, Richard offers guidance on how to manage risk while keeping creative energy alive.
The future of safety in creative industries: how embracing new approaches can help productions stay ambitious, resilient, and safe.
Richard’s perspective is both refreshing and empowering. He argues that safety doesn’t kill creativity—it protects it, supports it, and allows it to shine brighter. By the end of this episode, you’ll see how risk management and artistry are not opposites, but allies.

Whether you’re a filmmaker, producer, crew member, or creative professional in any industry, this conversation is packed with insights to help you push your projects further—without compromising the well-being of your team.

https://rebelsafety.co.uk
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Episode Summary

In this episode of Filmmaking Conversations with Damien Swaby, Damien is joined by the talented and driven, a promo producer, editor, and filmmaker whose determination, discipline, and creative resilience have shaped a truly distinctive career in post-production. From her early beginnings as a theatre actor in Ireland to becoming a multi-skilled editor and producer across some of the UK’s most recognisable broadcasters — including Channel 5, MTV, Discovery, Warner Bros., and CNBC — Itunu shares a journey built on hard choices, constant upskilling, and an unwavering commitment to craft. 

She opens up about the reality behind her pivot away from acting, explaining why stability mattered, how she rebuilt her creative identity from the ground up, and how storytelling eventually led her to fall in love with the edit suite. Her career path includes assisting on A Place in the Sun, creating fast-turnaround promos for global networks, and navigating high-pressure workflows with precision and clarity. She also discusses what it takes to produce compelling short-form content in a world where audiences may never turn the sound on — and how music, rhythm, editorial choices, and graphic design all work together to deliver powerful messaging in under 30 seconds. 

A highlight of the conversation is her work on CNBC’s digital-first franchise Built for Billions, and how collaboration, trust, and editorial instinct helped elevate the promos beyond expectation. She also shares her experiences with software like Avid, Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, Baselight, and her philosophy on clean, organised projects that support entire teams.

Outside her broadcast work, she speaks candidly about her award-supported short film Give Me Your Phone — a story born from a deeply personal and frightening moment. She reveals how she turned that experience into a thoughtful exploration of privilege, vulnerability, and perspective, bringing the film from concept to completion through grit, community, and creative conviction. 

This episode offers inspiring insight for filmmakers, editors, post-production professionals, and anyone building a creative career based on skill, dedication, and self-belief.

Key Topics Covered
How Itunu transitioned from acting to a sustainable career in post-production
Working across Channel 5, Discovery, MTV, Warner Bros., and CNBC
Navigating high-speed editorial environments and promo production
Creating impactful short-form content for news, business, and digital audiences
Detailed insights into editing workflows, graphics integration, QC, AAF/EDL handling, and version control
Premiere Pro vs Avid vs DaVinci Resolve vs Baselight — honest comparisons
Crafting the promos for CNBC’s Built for Billions
The story behind her first short film Give Me Your Phone and turning trauma into art
How organisation, humility, and collaboration strengthen post-production work
Staying adaptable and relevant in a fast-changing creative industry

Call to Action. 

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and share the podcast. Follow Damien Swaby for more filmmaker interviews and insights into the craft and business of storytelling.
Use Promo Code "FILMMAKINGSWABY" for all my deals or just click the link:
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X (Twitter): @DamienSwaby https://x.com/DamienSwaby/status/1864468655582437405
Instagram: @filmmaker__damien_swaby. https://www.instagram.com/filmmaker__damien_swaby/?hl=en