Reel Talk

In Deysha Johnson: Beyond the Legacy, host Adam R. Steigert welcomes filmmaker and creative marketing professional Deysha Johnson for a conversation about her path in entertainment. Johnson discusses her short film Lai, the challenges of creating a film in 48 hours, and her approach to working with actors. The conversation also explores music management, her work with Streets Soprano, and how her background in business and dance informs her creative pursuits. Reflecting on her uncle, Rick James, Johnson shares a personal perspective on his legacy while discussing her own interests, experiences, and ambitions.

In this bonus clip from the world premiere of The Horrific Evil Monsters, guest host Jordan Lema speaks with Gregory Blair about his portrayal of Famine. Blair discusses bringing the character to life and the distinctive elements that give the role its iconic presence. Their conversation offers a glimpse into the performance behind the monster, capturing a moment with the actor as he celebrates the film’s premiere.

In Just Talking, Dominic Luongo and Adam R. Steigert sit down for an informal exchange about their experiences in filmmaking. Luongo brings the perspective of an actor, producer, and writer, while Steigert contributes his experience as a director, producer, and editor. Their conversation draws on these different responsibilities and the independent projects they have worked to build together.

Storytelling is one of the central subjects. The pair share their thoughts on creating films, connecting their interest in telling stories with the work involved in making them. Their perspectives reflect participation in several stages of production, bringing performance, writing, directing, producing, and editing into the same conversation.

Collaboration provides another focus. Luongo and Steigert reflect on their experiences working together, discussing filmmaking through the context of their own creative relationship. Their exchange considers the shared effort behind independent projects and the challenges they have encountered along the way.

The discussion also addresses their journeys as creatives. They reflect on their experiences and enthusiasm for the craft, linking the practical demands of production with their personal investment in the work. These reflections offer a view of the people behind the projects as well as the filmmaking responsibilities they undertake.

The episode unfolds as a conversation between collaborators rather than a formal question-and-answer interview. Both participants contribute their thoughts, allowing the discussion to move among storytelling, production, and their shared experiences. Its candid format places emphasis on the exchange itself and the perspectives each person brings.

Across the conversation, Luongo and Steigert connect their passion for filmmaking with the realities of developing independent work together. Just Talking presents a personal look at their collaboration through reflections on creativity, challenges, and the continuing process of making films

In this throwback bonus episode of Reel Talk, host and filmmaker Adam R. Steigert discusses DC Studios and the debate surrounding James Gunn and Zack Snyder. The archival conversation captures his perspective at the time of recording, focusing on the filmmakers’ association with DC and the contrasting expectations audiences bring to its screen adaptations.

The discussion addresses the division among fans who support different visions for DC’s characters and stories. Adam considers the conversation surrounding Gunn and Snyder, including the perceived rivalry that has become part of that debate. The episode presents his commentary on the subject rather than an interview with either filmmaker.

Creative direction is a central focus. Adam discusses the filmmakers in relation to DC’s screen universe, bringing his own perspective as a director into a conversation about other creators’ work. His interest in filmmaking accompanies his response as a viewer, connecting questions about storytelling with the audience discussions surrounding these productions.

The episode also considers DC Studios as the larger context for the debate. Discussion of its direction connects the two filmmakers with broader expectations for the characters, films, and stories associated with DC. Adam’s commentary reflects the competing viewpoints that form the subject of this bonus installment.

Presented as a throwback, the episode preserves an earlier discussion rather than serving as a current news update. Its focus remains on Adam’s views during that period and the debate he is addressing. Across the conversation, he brings together DC Studios, Gunn, Snyder, and audience reactions in a personal reflection on superhero filmmaking and creative differences.

In this bonus clip from Nicole Shiflett: Finding Your Voice, Nicole joins host Adam R. Steigert to recall learning she would be working with him on OMBIS 2: Alien Awakening. She reflects on receiving the news and her reaction to the opportunity, revisiting a moment that connected her acting journey with Adam’s filmmaking.

The conversation brings the actress and director back to the beginning of their collaboration. With both participants sharing that connection to the production, the exchange offers a personal perspective on the experience of joining a film and discovering who she would be working alongside.

This extended moment from their Reel Talk interview focuses on Nicole’s recollection of the news, giving viewers a glimpse into the person behind the performance and the experience that preceded her work on screen.

In this bonus clip from Nicole Shiflett: Finding Your Voice, Nicole joins host Adam R. Steigert for a conversation about the paranormal and her new show. The discussion shifts from her acting journey to another area of her interests, giving viewers a glimpse of the project and its connection to the unexplained.

Nicole talks about the show as part of a more personal exchange about her creative pursuits beyond the roles she portrays on screen. The clip introduces another side of her work, bringing paranormal discussion into her Reel Talk conversation with Adam.

In this throwback episode of Reel Talk, Adam R. Steigert discusses 28 Years Later in a spoiler-filled conversation about its story, characters, and major plot developments. Sharing his reactions to the film, Adam moves beyond anticipation to reflect on the events that unfold on screen. This discussion contains spoilers and is intended for viewers who have already watched the movie.

Adam also discusses his own film productions, connecting his enthusiasm for horror with his experiences behind the camera. Moving between 28 Years Later and his own creative work, the conversation brings together his perspectives as both a horror viewer and a filmmaker.

In this throwback episode of Reel Talk, Adam R. Steigert discusses the then-upcoming release of 28 Years Later in a spoiler-free conversation about the film and the anticipation surrounding it. The episode captures his perspective ahead of its release, offering viewers a look back at his interest in the next chapter of the horror series without revealing plot developments.

Adam also discusses his own film productions, connecting his enthusiasm for the genre with his experiences behind the camera. Moving between a major horror release and his own creative work, the conversation brings together his perspectives as both a horror viewer and a filmmaker.

In this bonus clip from Nicole Shiflett: Finding Your Voice, Nicole joins host Adam R. Steigert for a conversation about tattoos. Stepping away from the discussion of auditions and acting, the exchange offers a glimpse of Nicole’s personality beyond the screen and a more casual moment from her Reel Talk interview

Nicole Shiflett: Finding Your Voice, Nicole joins host Adam R. Steigert to reflect on her first audition and the beginnings of her acting journey. Their conversation touches on Steigert’s OMBIS 2: Alien Awakening, connecting the production with her earliest experiences pursuing a role. Nicole’s recollections offer a personal look at taking that first step into auditioning and discovering her voice as a performer.

In Keith Lukowski: The Art of Filmmaking, host and director Adam R. Steigert welcomes actor Keith Lukowski for a conversation about acting and independent filmmaking. Drawing on Lukowski’s experiences on set, the interview considers the preparation behind a performance and the collaborative work involved in making a film.

Lukowski discusses his passion for acting, offering viewers a look at the person behind his screen appearances. His enthusiasm for performing provides a foundation for the conversation, connecting his personal interest in the craft with his experiences working on productions. The discussion explores acting as both an individual creative pursuit and a contribution to a larger project.

Character development and preparation are central subjects. Steigert and Lukowski discuss the work of bringing characters to life, focusing attention on the actor’s contribution before and during filming. These subjects connect the finished performance audiences see with the preparation and decisions behind it.

The conversation also addresses collaboration with cast and crew. Lukowski shares insights from his experiences on set, broadening the interview beyond his individual performances to the relationships involved in a production. This portion of the discussion places acting within the shared work of filmmaking, where a performer contributes alongside others working toward the completed film.

Independent horror provides a context for examining the challenges of lower-budget production. Steigert and Lukowski discuss the dedication and creativity involved in working within those circumstances, considering how performance and collaboration fit into films made with limited resources.

Across the episode, Lukowski’s reflections connect his passion for acting with the practical experience of working on set. The interview combines a personal introduction to the actor with a discussion of preparation, character, and teamwork, offering viewers a closer look at his perspective on independent filmmaking.

In Bishop Stevens: Forging Fear, host Adam R. Steigert welcomes actor Bishop Stevens to Reel Talk for a conversation about his career, horror roles, and current projects. The interview brings together discussion of his film work, a return to the world of FANG, and reflections involving the late actor Chadwick Boseman.

Among the featured productions is The Horrific Evil Monsters. Stevens discusses his role as part of a broader look at his performances and experiences in film. The project provides a focus for the episode’s exploration of his horror work, connecting a specific production with the wider discussion of his acting career.

The conversation also includes a FANG spinoff sequel featuring Obji. This subject connects Stevens’s work with the film world created by Steigert, bringing the host’s filmmaking into the interview. Their discussion places the project alongside The Horrific Evil Monsters while considering the roles Stevens has taken on throughout his career.

Beyond these horror projects, Steigert and Stevens discuss his professional journey. The interview expands from individual titles to the body of work surrounding them, giving viewers an opportunity to hear Stevens reflect on his career in his own words. The late Chadwick Boseman is also a subject of their conversation, adding another point of focus beyond the featured horror productions.

Stevens shares information about projects he is currently working on, extending the discussion from earlier performances to his ongoing work. These projects provide a forward-looking element to an episode that also revisits established roles and connections.

Across the interview, the discussion moves between Stevens’s career, his involvement in horror, the FANG spinoff sequel featuring Obji, and his current projects. Together, these subjects present a view of his work as an actor through both reflection and discussion of what he is doing next.

In Amber Baum: Building Characters, host Adam R. Steigert sits down with actress Amber Baum to discuss her acting journey and experiences within Buffalo’s independent film community. The conversation brings together her personal history as a performer, the creative influences behind her work, and her interest in bringing characters to life on screen.

Baum shares her perspective on pursuing acting, reflecting on the experiences that have become part of her journey. Her career provides the foundation for a discussion that focuses on the person behind the performances. Through these reflections, viewers learn about her development as an actress and the creative interests that inform her work.

The interview also explores Baum’s inspirations. This part of the conversation connects her enthusiasm for acting with the influences she draws upon as a performer. Alongside the discussion of her journey, these inspirations offer another way of understanding her relationship with the craft and the characters she portrays.

Building characters is a central subject of the episode. Steigert and Baum discuss acting as creative work, considering the performer’s role in giving a character a presence on screen. The conversation places this subject alongside her personal experiences, linking the work of creating a performance with the individual bringing that performance to life.

Buffalo’s independent film scene provides the local context for the interview. Baum discusses her experiences within that community, adding a regional perspective to the broader conversation about acting. Her account brings attention to the performers participating in the area’s productions and the personal journeys behind their screen appearances.

Across the episode, the informal exchange allows Baum to share her experiences and creative perspective in her own words. The discussion of acting, inspiration, character building, and Buffalo filmmaking gives viewers an introduction to her work and the person behind it.

In Shelby Lynn Kelly: Creating the Performance, host Adam R. Steigert welcomes actress Shelby Lynn Kelly for a conversation about her career and experiences as a performer. The interview connects her work on Together with a broader discussion of acting, independent filmmaking, and the lessons she has learned along the way.

Kelly’s role in Together provides a focus for examining her work on screen. Steigert and Kelly discuss the performance as part of a conversation about bringing unique characters to life. Her involvement in the film gives the interview a specific project through which to consider the actor’s contribution to a story and the work behind a finished performance.

The conversation also explores Kelly’s journey as an actress. She reflects on her career and shares experiences that have informed her development as a performer. These reflections extend the discussion beyond Together, placing that role within the wider context of her acting work and the lessons she has gathered over time.

Independent cinema is another central subject. Kelly discusses her experience working in that environment, offering a performer’s perspective on participating in film productions. The interview brings together the personal experience of pursuing acting and the creative work of portraying characters, connecting her career journey with the performances audiences see on screen.

For aspiring actors, Kelly’s reflections provide a candid account of learning through experience. Her discussion of career lessons accompanies the exploration of character and performance, giving viewers insight into her own path rather than presenting a single formula for becoming an actor.

Across these subjects, the episode considers both the person building an acting career and the performer creating a role. Through her discussion of Together, her experiences in independent film, and her reflections on lessons learned, Kelly shares a personal account of her continuing journey in acting.

In Pop Horror, Reel Talk host and filmmaker Adam R. Steigert shares a throwback interview with the hosts of PopHorror.com. The episode revisits an earlier conversation about his film career, placing Steigert in the role of interview subject. Questions from fans help shape the discussion, bringing audience interest in his films into an exchange about his work behind the camera.

Among the featured projects is A Grim Becoming. The film becomes a point of reference as Steigert answers questions about his career and revisits work from his filmmaking history. Presented within an archival interview, this discussion gives Reel Talk viewers an opportunity to hear an earlier conversation about a production associated with the host.

The interview also includes FANG, adding another of Steigert’s films to the retrospective. Alongside A Grim Becoming, it provides a focus for questions about his screen work. The discussion extends beyond these two titles to other films, connecting individual projects with the broader subject of his career.

Fan questions are a central part of the interview’s format. Rather than presenting a chronological biography, the conversation approaches Steigert’s work through the subjects raised by viewers and the PopHorror.com hosts. Their questions provide openings for him to discuss films from his body of work and reflect on his experiences as a filmmaker.

Sharing the conversation as a Reel Talk episode brings this earlier interview into the show’s collection of filmmaking discussions. It also offers a different perspective on its regular host, whose own career becomes the subject of the episode. Through the throwback footage, questions from fans, and discussion of A Grim Becoming, FANG, and other projects, Pop Horror presents a retrospective on Steigert’s work in film.

In Alexander S. McBryde: The Independent Vision, host Adam R. Steigert welcomes actor Alexander S. McBryde to Reel Talk for a conversation about his film career. The episode centers on McBryde’s acting work and the roles he has portrayed over the years, bringing several projects together within a retrospective discussion of his experiences as a performer.

Among the featured titles is Homicidal Vengeance. Steigert and McBryde discuss his starring role as part of their broader look at his screen work. The conversation also includes Prisoners of the Dead, providing another point of reference within his career. These projects form part of an interview focused on the actor behind the characters.

Ombis is another featured subject, with McBryde discussing his role alongside the other films covered during the episode. Bringing these titles into the same conversation allows the interview to consider multiple parts of his acting history. The focus remains on McBryde’s involvement in the productions and his perspective on the roles he has played.

Beyond Homicidal Vengeance, Prisoners of the Dead, and Ombis, the discussion includes additional work from across McBryde’s career. Steigert and his guest talk about acting more generally while looking back at the characters and projects that make up his body of work. The named films serve as starting points for a conversation that extends to his other performances over the years.

The episode presents McBryde’s career through his own reflections, combining discussion of individual starring roles with a wider look at his work as an actor. Across the interview, Steigert and McBryde revisit the films and characters that provide the foundation for his experiences on screen.

In Horror Girl (Special Guest: Miss Lyss), host Adam R. Steigert welcomes Miss Lyss to Reel Talk for a horror special. Their conversation centers on horror movies and tattoos, with film clips providing an additional focus throughout the episode. The format brings together discussion and reactions as Lyss encounters selections from Steigert’s work.

Horror movies form a central subject of the conversation. Steigert and Lyss discuss the genre as part of an episode devoted to horror, while their conversation about tattoos adds another topic to the special. These exchanges accompany the viewing segments rather than limiting the episode to a conventional interview about a single project.

During the special, Lyss watches various clips from films made by Steigert, including FANG and A Grim Becoming. Her reactions become part of the episode, allowing viewers to watch the excerpts alongside her responses. The clips connect the broader horror discussion with specific examples of the host’s filmmaking.

These segments also give Steigert a different role within the conversation: he is both the interviewer and the filmmaker whose work is being watched. Lyss participates as the guest reacting to that material, bringing her responses directly into the exchange. FANG and A Grim Becoming provide two of the featured titles within this combination of movie discussion and clip reactions.

Across the special, the episode moves between conversation about horror, discussion of tattoos, and Lyss’s responses to the selected footage. The result is a guest-focused horror episode built around shared discussion and the experience of watching clips from Steigert’s films.

Host Adam R. Steigert welcomes actress and filmmaker Jessica Cameron to Reel Talk for a conversation about her career in film. Cameron reflects on her professional experiences, bringing the perspectives of a performer and filmmaker to the discussion. Alongside her career, the interview addresses film industry politics, pornography, and her contributions featured in a book about horror filmmaking.

Their shared history becomes part of the conversation through A Grim Becoming, a film Steigert directed years earlier in which Cameron appeared. Discussing her role brings an earlier collaboration into their present-day interview. This portion of the episode connects Cameron’s career with Steigert’s own filmmaking work, giving the conversation a personal point of reference between guest and host.

Steigert and Cameron also discuss excerpts featuring her in The Filmmaker’s Book of the Dead by Danny Draven. The guide includes Cameron among its featured interviewees, identifying her as an actress and the director of Truth or Dare. Their discussion brings those published contributions into a broader reflection on her work in the industry.

The conversation extends to film industry politics and pornography. These subjects broaden the interview beyond individual film credits and the pair’s previous collaboration. They form part of an exchange that moves between Cameron’s career and wider subjects connected to their discussion of entertainment.

Across these topics, the episode combines a career interview with a reunion between former collaborators. Cameron’s role in A Grim Becoming, her inclusion in Draven’s book, and the discussion of industry politics and pornography provide distinct areas of focus within her conversation with Steigert.

In this episode of Reel Talk, host Adam R. Steigert speaks with lead actress Kristrún Kolbrúnardóttir and director Sigurður Anton about their film Skinny Love. The conversation brings together the perspectives of a performer and a director as they reflect on their work on the same production.

Their discussion includes favorite scenes from the film. These selections provide a focus for looking back on the project and considering which parts of the finished film stand out to the guests. The conversation connects their personal responses to the scenes with their experiences working on Skinny Love.

Steigert also asks about what it took to produce the film. This portion of the interview considers the work involved in bringing the project to the screen, broadening the conversation beyond individual scenes to the production as a whole. Anton contributes the director’s perspective, while Kolbrúnardóttir offers the viewpoint of the film’s lead actress.

The interview also addresses Kolbrúnardóttir’s preparation for her role. She discusses how she learned the part, giving the conversation a focus on the acting work behind the central performance. Her experience provides another way of looking at the film alongside the discussion of directing and production.

Beyond Skinny Love, Kolbrúnardóttir discusses what she hopes to do in the future. This adds a forward-looking element to a conversation otherwise centered on the film and the work already completed. Across these topics, the episode presents a shared reflection on making Skinny Love, with attention to memorable scenes, production, acting preparation, and the lead actress’s future aspirations.

A little cleaning somehow turned into a podcast! In this rare bonus episode, Indie-Adam sits down with longtime high school friend Emily Eppolito for an unexpected conversation from the early days of setting up REEL TALK.

Emily came over to clean, but we ended up recording around 35 minutes together. Only about 12 minutes could make it to the public airwaves and that’s the version you’re hearing here!

An unplanned catch-up between old friends and a glimpse into REEL TALK before the show found its rhythm.