Kingdom of Dreams Podcast

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How do you edit a movie that takes place inside a whale?
Academy Award winning editor Pietro Scalia takes us inside Whalefall, from the squid fight to that final note.

On this episode of the Kingdom of Dreams Podcast, I sit down with Academy Award winning film editor Pietro Scalia to talk about his work on Whalefall, the survival thriller directed by Brian Duffield and starring Austin Abrams, Josh Brolin and Elisabeth Shue. Pietro walks us through the transitions that bridge the real and the imagined, why some shots need to simply let the audience breathe, and how he told so much of the story with almost no dialogue. We also get into his own life underwater, what he learned working with Oliver Stone and Ridley Scott, why JFK and Black Hawk Down were the hardest films he has ever cut, and the Black Hawk Down scene Jerry Bruckheimer kept asking him to trim.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
• How matching shot angles and breathing sounds bridge the real world and the imagined one
• Why the long take after the squid fight lets the audience breathe with the character
• Telling a story visually when your lead can barely say a word
• What Pietro learned from Oliver Stone, Ridley Scott and the masters around them
• Why JFK and Black Hawk Down were his toughest edits, and why he loves holding on a face

CHAPTERS
0:00 Teaser
1:43 Welcome and Why the Editing Stood Out
4:43 Balancing Survival With Father and Son
8:30 Bridging the Real and the Imagined
15:19 Fathers and Sons
18:19 Isolation in The Martian vs Whalefall
23:56 The Most Emotional Scene to Edit
26:30 Pietro's Life Underwater
31:03 Lessons From Oliver Stone and Ridley Scott
38:43 JFK and Black Hawk Down, the Hardest Films
45:30 The Black Hawk Down Water Scene
49:32 Visual Effects, Music and That Final Note

ABOUT THE GUEST
Pietro Scalia is a Sicilian born film editor who has won two Academy Awards for Best Film Editing, for Oliver Stone's JFK and Ridley Scott's Black Hawk Down, with further nominations for Good Will Hunting and Gladiator. After earning his MFA at UCLA, he started out as an assistant editor on Oliver Stone's Wall Street and Talk Radio. His long collaboration with Ridley Scott includes G.I. Jane, Gladiator, Hannibal, American Gangster and The Martian, and his other credits include Stealing Beauty, Little Buddha, Memoirs of a Geisha, Ferrari and The Gray Man. Most recently, he edited Whalefall (2026) for director Brian Duffield.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G69IfZ7oQdU

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Watch the feature films I have directed
Citizen of Moria (Amazon & other platforms): https://linktr.ee/citizenofmoriafilm
In Search of My Sister (Amazon & other platforms): https://linktr.ee/insearchofmysisterfilm
Official website: https://jawadmir.com

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Extreme close ups, long lenses and old school tungsten light. This is how Verity was shot.
Cinematographer Jim Frohna takes us behind the camera on Michael Showalter's psychological thriller.

On this episode of the Kingdom of Dreams Podcast, I sit down with cinematographer Jim Frohna to talk about his work on Verity, the psychological thriller directed by Michael Showalter and starring Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson and Josh Hartnett. Jim walks us through the film's extreme close ups, the split diopter shot, long lenses and winter blue tones, plus the old school tungsten lighting and a house that plays like a character of its own. We also get into how he landed the job, shooting the climax in a single day, and why the script is never really finished.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
• Why Verity leans on crunchy close ups, and the Hitchcock connection
• How long lenses and winter blue tones shape the film's look
• The split diopter shot and the choice of old school tungsten lighting
• Treating the house as a character in the story
• Lessons from shooting the climax in one day, and why the script is never finished

CHAPTERS
0:00 Teaser: Validation and Family
1:25 Why the Cinematography Stood Out
2:31 Crunchy Close Ups and Hitchcock
4:06 Long Lenses and Winter Blue Tones
4:48 The Split Diopter Shot
9:49 Artists and Validation
16:19 How Jim Got the Verity Job
18:46 Old School Tungsten Lighting
21:25 The House as a Character
24:41 Working With Dakota Johnson and Josh Hartnett
29:11 Anne Hathaway's Many Versions of Verity
34:38 Lessons Learned Under Pressure
38:09 Shooting the Climax in One Day
40:12 The Script Is Never Finished
41:41 Attitude and Positivity on Set
48:01 Next Up: The Altruists and Serendipity

ABOUT THE GUEST
Jim Frohna is an Emmy-nominated American cinematographer and director known for his intimate, naturalistic visual storytelling. His credits include HBO's Big Little Lies, Transparent, Shrinking, The Idea of You, The Chair and I Love Dick. Most recently, he served as Director of Photography on Verity (2026). He has collaborated with directors including Andrea Arnold, Michael Showalter, Jay Duplass and Mike Mills.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G712eA8zjwY
Get the Verity novel: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1538780496?tag=skyblueprod0f-20
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

http://twitter.com/dreamingkingdom
http://instagram.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast
http://facebook.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast

Watch the feature films I have directed
Citizen of Moria (Amazon & other platforms): https://linktr.ee/citizenofmoriafilm
In Search of My Sister (Amazon & other platforms): https://linktr.ee/insearchofmysisterfilm
Official website: https://jawadmir.com

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HBO's Youth costumes.
Costume designer Camille Benda on visual language, pilots that get canceled and what you won't notice.

On this episode of the Kingdom of Dreams Podcast, I sit down with costume designer Camille Benda to talk about HBO's Youth. Camille shares my reaction to the show, what excited her and what she related to. We also talk about the show's visual language, how often projects get canceled after the pilot, what she learned about herself, her favorite European city, what inspired her to become a costume designer, what the audience won't notice and why costumes matter.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
• The visual language of Youth
• Pilots that get canceled
• What audiences won't notice
• Why costumes matter

CHAPTERS
0:00 Preview
1:14 Reaction to HBO's Youth
3:32 What Excited Camille
5:03 What Was Relatable
7:35 The Show's Visual Language
11:06 How Often Pilots Get Canceled
14:10 What Camille Learned About Herself
18:32 Favorite City in Europe
20:33 Becoming a Costume Designer
24:05 What the Audience Won't Notice
27:12 Why Costumes Matter

ABOUT THE GUEST
Camille Benda is a costume designer working in film and television, including HBO's comedy series Youth.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVuBzv7x3lI

http://twitter.com/dreamingkingdom
http://instagram.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast
http://facebook.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast

Watch the feature films I have directed
Citizen of Moria (Amazon & other platforms): https://linktr.ee/citizenofmoriafilm
In Search of My Sister (Amazon & other platforms): https://linktr.ee/insearchofmysisterfilm
Official website: https://jawadmir.com

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Editing AMC+'s Kill Jackie.
Editor Byron Smith on finding tone, the end of episode 2 and de-aging Catherine Zeta-Jones.

On this episode of the Kingdom of Dreams Podcast, I sit down again with editor Byron Smith to talk about AMC+'s Kill Jackie with Catherine Zeta-Jones. Byron shares my reaction to the show, his next show Safe Houses and his first reaction to the footage versus the script. We also talk about finding tone, the end of episode 2, the producers, working around Catherine Zeta-Jones's availability, de-aging her, music and sound, trusting your gut and great shows coming out.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
• Finding the tone
• The end of episode 2
• De-aging in the edit
• Trusting your gut

CHAPTERS
0:00 Preview
1:24 Watching Kill Jackie
2:53 Next Up: Safe Houses
4:12 Footage vs Script
8:35 Finding Tone
14:00 The End of Episode 2
17:10 The Amazing Producers
21:48 When Zeta-Jones Was Not Available
26:33 De-aging Zeta-Jones
29:57 Importance of Music and Sound
36:33 Trusting Your Gut
41:51 Great Shows Coming Out

ABOUT THE GUEST
Byron Smith, ACE, is an Emmy and ACE Eddie nominated editor with more than 20 years of experience. His credits include House of Cards, Mindhunter, True Detective, Under the Banner of Heaven, The Mosquito Coast, 1923, Lucky and Kill Jackie. He is a graduate of the American Film Institute.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0QsOwSDl8g

Get Paul Theroux's The Mosquito Coast: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0140060898?tag=skyblueprod0f-20
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

http://twitter.com/dreamingkingdom
http://instagram.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast
http://facebook.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast

Watch the feature films I have directed
Citizen of Moria (Amazon & other platforms): https://linktr.ee/citizenofmoriafilm
In Search of My Sister (Amazon & other platforms): https://linktr.ee/insearchofmysisterfilm
Official website: https://jawadmir.com

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Composer David Robbins on life, loss and Gladiator.
David Robbins on Dead Man Walking, losing Any Given Sunday and Gladiator, and a message to his wife.

On this episode of the Kingdom of Dreams Podcast, I sit down again with composer David Robbins for a personal conversation about life, music and loss. David shares a new award, who he is and Dead Man Walking with Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. We also talk about meeting Tim Robbins, being a rebel, success compared to other composers, losing Any Given Sunday and Gladiator, advice to his younger self, what he would tell his parents, taking people for granted, self care and a message to his wife.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
• Dead Man Walking and Nusrat
• Losing Gladiator
• Advice to his younger self
• Grief and self care

CHAPTERS
0:00 Preview
1:31 A New Award
3:20 Who Is David Robbins?
11:49 Dead Man Walking
19:58 Meeting Tim Robbins
24:30 A Rebel and a Mess
29:09 Success Like Other Composers?
36:17 Dead Man Walking
41:14 Losing Any Given Sunday and Gladiator
48:06 Advice to His Younger Self
56:11 TimRobbins.com
58:20 What He Would Tell His Parents
1:01:29 Taking People for Granted
1:04:05 Taking Care of Myself
1:09:07 A Message to His Wife

ABOUT THE GUEST
David Robbins is an American composer for film, television and theater. He grew up in New York's Greenwich Village in a musical family. His film credits include Dead Man Walking, Bob Roberts, Cradle Will Rock, King of California and Buck, many for his brother Tim Robbins.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRrx66fbF7o

Get Dead Man Walking on DVD: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00000K0DQ?tag=skyblueprod0f-20
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

http://twitter.com/dreamingkingdom
http://instagram.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast
http://facebook.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast

Watch the feature films I have directed
Citizen of Moria (Amazon & other platforms): https://linktr.ee/citizenofmoriafilm
In Search of My Sister (Amazon & other platforms): https://linktr.ee/insearchofmysisterfilm
Official website: https://jawadmir.com

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The Fine Art of Rocky.
Rocky's official artist John Rivoli on the backstory, the shots that could have been and Sylvester Stallone.

On this episode of the Kingdom of Dreams Podcast, I sit down with artist John Rivoli to talk about his book The Fine Art of Rocky: An Artistic Tribute from Screen to Canvas. John shares the backstory, the shots that could have been and how his childhood crept into the writing. We also talk about working with Sylvester Stallone, the impact he wants the book to have, the young actor playing Stallone in the new film and his 30th anniversary art.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
• How the book came together
• Working with Stallone
• Rocky's impact on John
• The anniversary art

CHAPTERS
0:00 Preview
1:05 The Fine Art of Rocky
2:55 The Backstory
9:37 The Shots That Could Have Been
14:03 Childhood in the Writing
19:34 Working with Sylvester Stallone
25:53 The Impact John Wants
29:33 Playing Stallone
36:53 The 30th Anniversary Art

ABOUT THE GUEST
John Rivoli is an animator, illustrator and fine artist and the official artist for MGM's Rocky franchise. His book The Fine Art of Rocky has a foreword by Sylvester Stallone.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wndybiowss0

http://twitter.com/dreamingkingdom
http://instagram.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast
http://facebook.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast

Watch the feature films I have directed
Citizen of Moria (Amazon & other platforms): https://linktr.ee/citizenofmoriafilm
In Search of My Sister (Amazon & other platforms): https://linktr.ee/insearchofmysisterfilm
Official website: https://jawadmir.com

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Editing Heart of the Beast.
Editor Dody Dorn on the calm of the film, a puppy that showed up and the power of music.

On this episode of the Kingdom of Dreams Podcast, I sit down with editor Dody Dorn to talk about Heart of the Beast with Brad Pitt. Dody shares my reaction to the film, her editing process and the calm of the film. We also talk about a German Shepherd puppy that showed up at her door, the music, the importance of sound, challenging and fun moments in the edit and the flash forward scene.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
• The calm of the film
• The power of music
• The importance of sound
• The flash forward

CHAPTERS
0:00 Preview
1:28 My Reaction to Heart of the Beast
5:57 Editing Heart of the Beast
9:52 The Calmness of the Film
12:35 A German Shepherd Puppy Showed Up
15:25 The Powerful Music in the Film
20:09 The Importance of Sound
22:02 Challenging and Fun Moments in the Edit
25:46 The Flash Forward Scene

ABOUT THE GUEST
Dody Dorn is an American film editor whose credits include Memento, for which she earned an Academy Award nomination, Insomnia, Kingdom of Heaven, Fury, Zack Snyder's Justice League and Rebel Moon.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLsgKbkloaw

Get Memento on Blu-ray: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004FHCH96?tag=skyblueprod0f-20
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

http://twitter.com/dreamingkingdom
http://instagram.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast
http://facebook.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast

Watch the feature films I have directed
Citizen of Moria (Amazon & other platforms): https://linktr.ee/citizenofmoriafilm
In Search of My Sister (Amazon & other platforms): https://linktr.ee/insearchofmysisterfilm
Official website: https://jawadmir.com

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Back to the Future trilogy.
Bob Gale on the complete screenplay, early failures and magical moments.

On this episode of the Kingdom of Dreams Podcast, I sit down with Bob Gale, co-writer and producer of the Back to the Future trilogy. Bob shares Back to the Future: The Complete Screenplay, my watching Part III first and what makes the book great. We also talk about what still surprises him, the films before Back to the Future, the failures of early films, magical moments, listening to movie scores and Robert Zemeckis's Here.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
• The complete screenplay
• Early failures
• Magical moments
• Working with Robert Zemeckis

CHAPTERS
0:00 Teaser
2:40 The Complete Screenplay
5:41 Watching Part III First
11:49 What's Great About the Book
15:12 What Still Surprises Bob
21:27 Films Before Back to the Future
25:59 Failures of Early Films
30:35 Magical Moments
36:45 Listening to Movie Scores
41:51 Robert Zemeckis's Here

ABOUT THE GUEST
Bob Gale is an Oscar nominated screenwriter and producer, co-creator, co-writer and co-producer of the Back to the Future trilogy with Robert Zemeckis. His credits include 1941, I Wanna Hold Your Hand, Used Cars, Trespass and Interstate 60, which he wrote and directed.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2ivyoATizo

Get the Back to the Future Trilogy on 4K: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FMJ3T38R?tag=skyblueprod0f-20
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

http://twitter.com/dreamingkingdom
http://instagram.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast
http://facebook.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast

Watch the feature films I have directed
Citizen of Moria (Amazon & other platforms): https://linktr.ee/citizenofmoriafilm
In Search of My Sister (Amazon & other platforms): https://linktr.ee/insearchofmysisterfilm
Official website: https://jawadmir.com

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Back to the Future: The Complete Screenplay.
My review of the new book with the full screenplay and never before seen images.

On this episode of the Kingdom of Dreams Podcast, I review Back to the Future: The Complete Screenplay, a new book with the full screenplay, never before seen images and behind the scenes material. I go through the beginning of the screenplay, what lies between the pages and the ending.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
• The full screenplay
• Never before seen images
• Behind the scenes material
• How the ending reads

CHAPTERS
0:00 Teaser
0:39 The Beginning of the Screenplay
3:51 Between the Pages
5:59 The Ending

ABOUT THE BOOK
Back to the Future: The Complete Screenplay collects the screenplay of Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale's film with images and material from its making.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K48ErCZTLik

Get Back to the Future: The Complete Screenplay: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DY6DZSHQ?tag=skyblueprod0f-20
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

http://twitter.com/dreamingkingdom
http://instagram.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast
http://facebook.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast

Watch the feature films I have directed
Citizen of Moria (Amazon & other platforms): https://linktr.ee/citizenofmoriafilm
In Search of My Sister (Amazon & other platforms): https://linktr.ee/insearchofmysisterfilm
Official website: https://jawadmir.com

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Africa: Earth's Wild Home.
National Geographic Explorer Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka on gorillas and convincing her family.

On this episode of the Kingdom of Dreams Podcast, I sit down with National Geographic Explorer Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka to talk about the series Africa: Earth's Wild Home. Dr. Gladys shares what audiences can take away, convincing her family to accept her career and the connection between humans and wildlife. We also talk about what decades with mountain gorillas have taught her.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
• Becoming a wildlife vet
• Mountain gorillas
• People and wildlife
• What the series shows

CHAPTERS
0:00 Preview
1:28 What Audiences Take Away
4:22 Convincing Her Family
8:17 Humans and Wildlife
11:54 What Dr. Gladys Learned

ABOUT THE GUEST
Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka is a Ugandan wildlife veterinarian, conservationist and National Geographic Explorer. She founded and leads Conservation Through Public Health, linking wildlife conservation with community health.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RW_WAAi8Z2g

http://twitter.com/dreamingkingdom
http://instagram.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast
http://facebook.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast

Watch the feature films I have directed
Citizen of Moria (Amazon & other platforms): https://linktr.ee/citizenofmoriafilm
In Search of My Sister (Amazon & other platforms): https://linktr.ee/insearchofmysisterfilm
Official website: https://jawadmir.com

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Storyboarding DreamWorks' The Forgotten Island.
Simon Wells on building an original world, mixing 2D and 3D and AI.

On this episode of the Kingdom of Dreams Podcast, I sit down again with director and storyboard artist Simon Wells to talk about DreamWorks' The Forgotten Island. Simon shares my reaction to the film, creating an original world and the scenes he worked on. We also talk about the memories that shaped the film, combining 2D and 3D, shooting wide angles, Wildwood and Your Mother at TIFF, AI and filmmaking and his future projects.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
• Building an original world
• Storyboarding the climax
• Mixing 2D and 3D
• AI and filmmaking

CHAPTERS
0:00 Preview
1:07 Reaction to The Forgotten Island
8:16 Creating an Original World
14:26 The Scenes Simon Worked On
25:53 Memories That Shaped the Film
35:00 Combining 2D and 3D
39:29 Shooting Wide Angles
49:45 Wildwood and Your Mother at TIFF
55:30 AI and Filmmaking
1:09:37 Future Projects

ABOUT THE GUEST
Simon Wells is a British director, animator and storyboard artist who directed The Time Machine, Balto, An American Tail: Fievel Goes West and We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story. The great grandson of H. G. Wells, he has worked on The Prince of Egypt, Shrek, Kung Fu Panda and How to Train Your Dragon.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIxH2PFKaAM

http://twitter.com/dreamingkingdom
http://instagram.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast
http://facebook.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast

Watch the feature films I have directed
Citizen of Moria (Amazon & other platforms): https://linktr.ee/citizenofmoriafilm
In Search of My Sister (Amazon & other platforms): https://linktr.ee/insearchofmysisterfilm
Official website: https://jawadmir.com

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Shooting Fall 2: Deadpoint.
DP Andrew Strahorn on character arcs through the camera and the lead into part 3.

On this episode of the Kingdom of Dreams Podcast, I sit down with cinematographer Andrew Strahorn to talk about Fall 2: Deadpoint. Andrew shares the process of shooting Fall and Australian cinematographers. We also talk about the arc of the characters, showing that arc with the camera, keeping a scene interesting, the lead into part 3 and his path in the film industry.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
• Shooting at height
• Character arc through camera
• Keeping a scene interesting
• Setting up part 3

CHAPTERS
0:00 Teaser
1:07 Watching Fall and Fall 2 Back to Back
5:38 Process of Working on Fall
11:37 Australian Cinematographers
19:48 The Arc of Characters
25:05 Showing the Arc with the Camera
31:32 Keeping a Scene Interesting
37:26 The Lead into Part 3
45:07 The Path in Film Industry

ABOUT THE GUEST
Andrew Strahorn is an Australian cinematographer working in features, television, commercials and music videos. He shot the survival thriller Fall and Fall 2: Deadpoint.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7UoGAegAvI

Get Fall (2022) on Blu-ray: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B75NVS1R?tag=skyblueprod0f-20
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

http://twitter.com/dreamingkingdom
http://instagram.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast
http://facebook.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast

Watch the feature films I have directed
Citizen of Moria (Amazon & other platforms): https://linktr.ee/citizenofmoriafilm
In Search of My Sister (Amazon & other platforms): https://linktr.ee/insearchofmysisterfilm
Official website: https://jawadmir.com

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The Cycle of Love.
Director Orlando von Einsiedel with P.K. and Lotta on being on camera, film versus digital and the message of love.

On this episode of the Kingdom of Dreams Podcast, I sit down with director Orlando von Einsiedel and the film's subjects, P.K. and Lotta, to talk about The Cycle of Love. They share what they learned, real people on film and marriage. We also talk about the hardest part, how hard it was to be on camera, emotional moments in production, film versus digital, whether it could become a narrative film and the message of love.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
• Real people on film
• Being on camera
• Film versus digital
• The message of love

CHAPTERS
0:00 Preview
1:17 What They Learned
4:03 Real People in the Film
9:41 Marriage
11:32 The Hardest Part
13:38 Was Being on Camera Hard?
16:18 Emotional Moments During Production
18:36 Film vs Digital
20:58 Could It Be a Narrative Film?
24:20 The Message of Love

ABOUT THE GUEST
Orlando von Einsiedel is an Academy Award winning British documentary filmmaker and founder of Grain Media. He directed The White Helmets, which won the Oscar for Documentary Short, and the Oscar nominated Virunga.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWXR9bc20qk

Get Per J. Andersson's The Amazing Story of the Man Who Cycled from India to Europe for Love: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1786070332?tag=skyblueprod0f-20
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

http://twitter.com/dreamingkingdom
http://instagram.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast
http://facebook.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast

Watch the feature films I have directed
Citizen of Moria (Amazon & other platforms): https://linktr.ee/citizenofmoriafilm
In Search of My Sister (Amazon & other platforms): https://linktr.ee/insearchofmysisterfilm
Official website: https://jawadmir.com

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Shooting Hanging by a Wire.
DP Brendan McGinty on the rescue sequence, a three camera setup and filming in homes.

On this episode of the Kingdom of Dreams Podcast, I sit down with cinematographer Brendan McGinty to talk about the documentary Hanging by a Wire. Brendan shares how he got involved, cinema in Pakistan and shooting in a studio. We also talk about the rescue sequence, why it is not a political film, the women in the film, a father's acceptance, interview setups, the three camera setup, filming in homes and the UK release.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
• The rescue sequence
• A film about people, not politics
• Interview setups
• Filming in homes

CHAPTERS
0:00 Teaser
1:06 How Brendan Got Involved
4:00 Cinema in Pakistan
8:28 Shooting in a Studio
13:09 The Rescue Sequence
17:46 Not a Political Film
20:21 The Women in the Film
23:17 A Father's Acceptance
28:50 Interview Setups
31:48 The Three Camera Setup
34:06 Filming in Homes
35:54 This Film is Special
38:26 UK Release

ABOUT THE GUEST
Brendan McGinty is a cinematographer working across film, television, commercials and documentary.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bt9IBqoBEM

http://twitter.com/dreamingkingdom
http://instagram.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast
http://facebook.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast

Watch the feature films I have directed
Citizen of Moria (Amazon & other platforms): https://linktr.ee/citizenofmoriafilm
In Search of My Sister (Amazon & other platforms): https://linktr.ee/insearchofmysisterfilm
Official website: https://jawadmir.com

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The Last Breath First.
Author Nasreen Variyawa on writing through grief, regrets and growing up in apartheid South Africa.

On this episode of the Kingdom of Dreams Podcast, I sit down with author Nasreen Variyawa to talk about her novel The Last Breath First. Nasreen shares the book, people who objected to her writing and how stories help others. We also talk about her writing process, memories of her late husband, regrets, how her career started, living in apartheid South Africa and whether the book could become a film.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
• Turning grief into story
• How stories help others
• Her writing process
• Apartheid South Africa

CHAPTERS
0:00 Teaser
1:08 The Last Breath First
6:02 People Who Objected
8:50 How Stories Help Other People
11:21 Nasreen's Writing Process
17:32 Memories of Her Late Husband
20:32 Any Regrets?
25:38 How Her Career Started
30:47 Living in Apartheid South Africa
38:27 From Book to Film?

ABOUT THE GUEST
Nasreen Variyawa is a South African author, editor, educator and author coach. After more than a decade teaching in Turkiye, she returned to South Africa. Her books include Exceptional Authors Are Authentic, Tuqburni: Bury Me Softly and The Last Breath First.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdRplSRAR3Y

http://twitter.com/dreamingkingdom
http://instagram.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast
http://facebook.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast

Watch the feature films I have directed
Citizen of Moria (Amazon & other platforms): https://linktr.ee/citizenofmoriafilm
In Search of My Sister (Amazon & other platforms): https://linktr.ee/insearchofmysisterfilm
Official website: https://jawadmir.com

Tell us what you though of the episode

Hanging by a Wire.
Director Mohammed Ali Naqvi on real footage, archival material and Universal Pictures.

On this episode of the Kingdom of Dreams Podcast, I sit down with filmmaker Mohammed Ali Naqvi to talk about his documentary Hanging by a Wire, about a real rescue in Pakistan. Mohammed shares the genesis of the film, real versus recreated footage and what he learned. We also talk about the archival footage, how Universal Pictures got involved and screening the film for the community.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
• How the film began
• Real footage or not
• Universal Pictures joining
• Screening for the community

CHAPTERS
0:00 Preview
2:18 The Genesis of Hanging by a Wire
7:48 Real Footage or Not?
10:57 What Mohammed Learned
14:44 Archival Footage in the Film
17:01 How Universal Pictures Got Involved
22:22 Screening for the Community

ABOUT THE GUEST
Mohammed Ali Naqvi is a Pakistani American documentary filmmaker whose work explores politics, identity, religion and social justice in Pakistan and South Asia.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6L7XbtiaMY

http://twitter.com/dreamingkingdom
http://instagram.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast
http://facebook.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast

Watch the feature films I have directed
Citizen of Moria (Amazon & other platforms): https://linktr.ee/citizenofmoriafilm
In Search of My Sister (Amazon & other platforms): https://linktr.ee/insearchofmysisterfilm
Official website: https://jawadmir.com

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Editing The End of Oak Street.
Editor John Axelrad on the blocking, coverage and tax incentives.

On this episode of the Kingdom of Dreams Podcast, I sit down with editor John Axelrad to talk about The End of Oak Street. John shares the setup of the film, its blocking and whether an editor should be on set. We also talk about working under pressure, the performances, the finale, coverage versus no coverage and how tax incentives shape who gets hired.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
• Building tension and pacing
• Editor on set or not
• The finale
• Tax incentives

CHAPTERS
0:00 Preview
1:55 The Setup of The End of Oak Street
8:26 The Blocking
11:36 Editor on Set or Not
15:39 Working Under Pressure
18:52 The Performances
22:31 The Finale
29:07 Coverage or No Coverage
37:17 Tax Incentives

ABOUT THE GUEST
John Axelrad, ACE, is an American film editor whose credits include We Own the Night, The Immigrant, The Lost City of Z, Ad Astra, The Green Knight, The Old Man and the Gun, Krampus and Crazy Heart.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Rjm-c5hccI

http://twitter.com/dreamingkingdom
http://instagram.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast
http://facebook.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast

Watch the feature films I have directed
Citizen of Moria (Amazon & other platforms): https://linktr.ee/citizenofmoriafilm
In Search of My Sister (Amazon & other platforms): https://linktr.ee/insearchofmysisterfilm
Official website: https://jawadmir.com

Tell us what you though of the episode

Filming The Odyssey.
Author James Mottram on talking to Christopher Nolan, the Cyclops and the witch sequence.

On this episode of the Kingdom of Dreams Podcast, I sit down again with author James Mottram to talk about his book on Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey. James shares who he had access to, speaking with Christopher Nolan and a surprising story. We also talk about the Cyclops, the monster in the rock, in focus shots on the ship, the witch sequence and Anne Hathaway's performance.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
• Access to Nolan's set
• The Cyclops
• Shooting on the ship
• The witch sequence

CHAPTERS
0:00 Preview
3:04 My Thoughts on The Odyssey
6:48 Who James Had Access To
12:33 Speaking to Christopher Nolan
15:13 A Surprising Story
19:35 A Favorite Story
23:45 The Cyclops
26:05 The Monster in the Rock
30:15 In Focus Shots on the Ship
34:25 The Witch Sequence
38:25 Anne Hathaway's Performance

ABOUT THE GUEST
James Mottram is a British film journalist and author whose work has appeared in Total Film, The Independent, The Times and Sight and Sound. His books include The Secrets of Tenet and Jurassic Park: The Ultimate Visual History.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMg2rbB7b0U

http://twitter.com/dreamingkingdom
http://instagram.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast
http://facebook.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast

Watch the feature films I have directed
Citizen of Moria (Amazon & other platforms): https://linktr.ee/citizenofmoriafilm
In Search of My Sister (Amazon & other platforms): https://linktr.ee/insearchofmysisterfilm
Official website: https://jawadmir.com

Tell us what you though of the episode

Pan's Labyrinth, Predator and more.
Illustrator William Stout on Guillermo del Toro, an unmade Godzilla and sharing an office with Spielberg.

On this episode of the Kingdom of Dreams Podcast, I sit down with illustrator and concept artist William Stout. William shares working on The Mist and Predator, Guillermo del Toro saying no to Harry Potter and working on Pan's Labyrinth. We also talk about his first production design job on an unmade Godzilla, the Predator franchise, his beginnings, sharing an office with Steven Spielberg and The Return of the Living Dead.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
• Designing Pan's Labyrinth
• The unmade Godzilla
• Sharing an office with Spielberg
• The Return of the Living Dead

CHAPTERS
0:00 Preview
1:19 Working on The Mist and Predator
9:42 Guillermo Del Toro Said No to Harry Potter
14:29 Working on Pan's Labyrinth
19:46 An Unmade Godzilla
24:31 Predator Franchise
27:20 William's Beginnings
31:24 The LA Convention Center
34:05 Sharing Office with Steven Spielberg
38:17 Return of the Living Dead
41:21 Open to New Projects?

ABOUT THE GUEST
William Stout is an American illustrator, concept artist and production designer with more than five decades of work. His film credits include Conan the Barbarian, The Return of the Living Dead, Masters of the Universe, Predator, The Mist and Pan's Labyrinth.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eFHuJ6Vh7E

Get Pan's Labyrinth on Blu-ray: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IPDO27A?tag=skyblueprod0f-20
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

http://twitter.com/dreamingkingdom
http://instagram.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast
http://facebook.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast

Watch the feature films I have directed
Citizen of Moria (Amazon & other platforms): https://linktr.ee/citizenofmoriafilm
In Search of My Sister (Amazon & other platforms): https://linktr.ee/insearchofmysisterfilm
Official website: https://jawadmir.com

Tell us what you though of the episode

Project Junk and world building.
Production designer Alex McDowell on films that shaped Project Junk, AI environments and AI fatigue.

On this episode of the Kingdom of Dreams Podcast, I sit down with production designer Alex McDowell to talk about world building and his new venture, Project Junk. Alex shares what Project Junk is and how films influenced it. We also talk about using AI to create environments, AI fatigue, physical space, working on films versus now and the future of Planet Junk.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
• What Project Junk is
• World building beyond film
• AI and environments
• Physical space

CHAPTERS
0:00 Preview
1:14 What Is Project Junk?
10:23 How Films Shaped the Project
18:57 Using AI to Create Environments
27:21 AI Fatigue
30:36 Physical Space
41:36 Working on Films vs Now
45:31 The Future of Planet Junk

ABOUT THE GUEST
Alex McDowell is a production designer whose credits include Minority Report, Fight Club, Watchmen, Man of Steel, The Terminal and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. He founded the World Building Institute and has taught at the USC School of Cinematic Arts.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtI6AVWqLPI

Get Minority Report on 4K: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FQQY9NB2?tag=skyblueprod0f-20
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

http://twitter.com/dreamingkingdom
http://instagram.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast
http://facebook.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast

Watch the feature films I have directed
Citizen of Moria (Amazon & other platforms): https://linktr.ee/citizenofmoriafilm
In Search of My Sister (Amazon & other platforms): https://linktr.ee/insearchofmysisterfilm
Official website: https://jawadmir.com