Past Episodes
In this episode of Directors and Donuts, Gear Seven Head of Production Shea Jones spoke with director Matt Underwood to explore some of his portfolio and the Matt’s dedicated approach to training like an athlete in the world of film.
Sean Kirby
In this episode of Directors and Donuts, Gear Seven Executive Producer Ryan Atenhan sat down with director and DP Sean Kirby to discuss his experience in the film industry. Together, the pair went through Kirby’s portfolio, dissecting his work in automotive content, traditional commercials, spec pieces, and narrative.
Callie Blount
In this episode of Directors and Donuts, Gear Seven Supervising Producer Shea Jones chatted with acclaimed food stylist Callie Blount, who delved into the unique skills that make food stylists essential to any production involving food. Callie broke down the artistry and precision required to make food camera-ready, explaining the meticulous techniques that help dishes look fresh and appetizing on set. She also discussed the crucial balance between client management and food styling, as well as offered real-world examples that highlight the impact a skilled food stylist can have on a shoot’s success.
Kali Bailey
In this episode of Directors and Donuts, Gear Seven Technical Director Justin Wylie welcomed director Kali Bailey to discuss her groundbreaking approach to integrating AI into the filmmaking process. Kali revealed how, in preproduction, she uses AI to brainstorm ideas and generate storyboards, enabling a faster and more flexible visualization of her concepts. Kali also shared her techniques for conceptualizing projects designed for virtual production, offering listeners a glimpse into how she leverages digital tools to bring immersive environments to life.
Nashville DP Chris Adams joined us to give us an inside look into the brain of a cinematographer… with lots of great questions from our audience.
Don’t miss this conversation with Chris and Gear Seven Technical Director Justin Wylie!
NYC director Bram VanderMark joined us in Nashville to talk through the phases of project communication when it comes to crew, client, and talent. He also spoke on how to built and grow client relationships as you grow in your career. Be sure to catch up on this chat between Bram and Gear Seven EP Ryan Atenhan!
Art director Amanda Alberto, DP Nathan Thompson, and director JT McCreery joined us to break down a recent virtual production shoot with Caraway. Catch up on their conversation to hear all that goes into shoots on an LED volume — this one involving a custom-designed Unreal Engine world and robotics.
Fort Worth director Erica joined us in Nashville for a chat on all things women in film and work-life balance. Catch up on her conversation with Gear Seven producer Shea Jones as they break down some of her work, lessons learned in the industry, and more!
A talented DP based out of Nashville, Diego Cacho joined us to talk through his experience of transitioning through roles in the production industry. From PA to 2nd AC to 1st AC and now a cinematographer, Diego led a conversation based around always growing and how to be great no matter the role you’re in.
Our first Directors + Donuts event of 2023 was kicked off with not directors, but a dynamic duo of producers! Christen and Wesley spoke into how to become a producer, tips for interns and PAs, industry advice… and much more. No matter what role you hold or where you want to be in production, their conversation is one you can’t miss!
TK McKamy joined us at our last Directors + Donuts event to talk through how creatives and aspiring directors can “Get Out of the Box.” With experience on many sets and having won many awards, TK’s expertise is second to none and his conversation was inspiring.
Teck joined us at Directors + Donuts to deliver some encouragement and inspiration on what it looks like to “Own the Present” as a director. With an extremely ambitious spirit, Teck shared how she walks forward in confidence when seeking out gigs, exploring various roles, and dreaming big with her crews.
At our last Directors + Donuts event, Steven Lester joined us to discuss the power combination of editing and director. As the founder of The Edit House and a director himself, Steven provided an inside look into how he combines his skillsets to create inspiring work.
Nashville director Jeff Venable joined us to share insights from his career as a director with focus on comedic commercials and experience working with high-level talent. Jeff’s unique approach has helped him build relationships with brands like Moon Pie as well as music artists like Thomas Rhett.