How do two film crews come together to make one seamless blockbuster? In Part 2 of our Mortal Kombat series, 2nd Unit DP Pete McCaffrey takes us inside the relationship between Main Unit and Second Unit, explaining how every shot, every fight sequence and every lighting decision has to feel like it came from the same camera, even when it is being filmed by different crews. We explore the incredible collaboration between Pete, Director Simon McQuoid, DP Stephen Windon ACS ASC, 2nd Unit Director Kyle Gardiner and the hundreds of crew members who make a production of this scale possible. We also dive into the evolution from Mortal Kombat to Mortal Kombat 2, the lessons learned from the first film, how action sequences are planned and captured, why preparation is everything, and the responsibility of matching another cinematographer's visual language shot for shot. Pete also shares stories from The Lord of the Rings, his transition from camera operator to cinematographer, and why building great teams is one of the most important skills in filmmaking. If you've ever wanted to know how Hollywood action films are really made, this episode is your backstage pass to the planning, teamwork and precision that bring them to life. This episode is proudly powered by Sony Technology and sponsored by Panavision Hosted and edited by Lucas Tomoana SOC ACO Produced by Deb Van Dieren

How do you turn a love of movies into a career? This week, Josh Calder sits down with comedian, filmmaker, podcaster and one of Australia's most trusted voices on cinema, Alexei Toliopoulos. From hosting trivia at the iconic Golden Age Cinema to building a career across stand up, documentaries, ABC film reviews and podcasting, Alexei has spent more than a decade helping audiences discover films that truly mean something to them. They chat about building a creative career across multiple passions, why collaboration matters when motivation disappears, and the challenge of balancing creativity with burnout. Alexei shares his thoughts on Australian cinema, why genre films often break through, and how specificity in storytelling can actually become universal. Plus, film school lessons, physical media rabbit holes, why Hook deserves way more love, and the movie recommendations every filmmaker should see. Whether you're a filmmaker, a film lover, or someone trying to turn passion into purpose, this episode is packed with insight, honesty and a genuine love for cinema. Produced, Hosted and Edited by Josh Calder

Stephen Windon ACS ASC has spent more than 50 years behind the camera, building a career that has taken him from the ABC in Sydney to some of Hollywood's biggest productions. A third-generation filmmaker and ACS Hall of Fame inductee, Stephen's credits include seven Fast & Furious films, Star Trek Beyond, The Gray Man, The Electric State and, most recently, Mortal Kombat 2. In Part 1 of our Mortal Kombat 2 series, Stephen joins Lucas Tomoana to discuss his remarkable career journey, the evolution of action filmmaking, and the challenges of leading large-scale productions. The conversation dives into the making of Mortal Kombat 2, including the film's fantasy-inspired visual approach, Unreal Engine previsualisation, massive practical sets, IMAX photography, anamorphic lenses, and the creative decisions behind bringing one of gaming's most iconic worlds to the screen. Powered by Sony technology. Produced by Deb Van Dieren. Hosted & edited by Lucas Tomoana SOC ACO.

She helps hold together some of the biggest films in Hollywood, solving impossible problems with gravity, camera rigs and pure instinct. This week on Cinemapodgrapher, we are joined by legendary Key Grip Tana Dubbe. Starting out taking stills in New York before moving into film, Tanner has spent more than 25 years building a career across some of the industry's biggest productions including Iron Man, The Bling Ring and One Battle After Another. In this conversation, Tanner breaks down the differences between American and Australian grip departments, building high performance grip teams, shaping light with cinematographers, and why gripping is all about problem solving. We also dive deep into the making of One Battle After Another, including the VistaVision camera builds, long lens remote head testing, handheld car work, the Texas dip sequence, and working inside the controlled chaos of Paul Thomas Anderson's process. Powered by Sony technology. Produced by Deb Van Dieren. Hosted by Josh Calder.

Johanna "Jojo" Coelho is redefining how modern television is shot. The cinematographer of the award winning HBO series The Pitt joins Lucas Tomoana to unpack the groundbreaking visual approach behind the show. Jojo shares how her journey from France to the American Film Institute shaped her path to becoming a director of photography in Hollywood. The conversation dives into the immersive camera style of The Pitt, how the team designed a fully integrated lighting system built directly into the set, and the choreography required to capture complex continuous shot sequences inside a chaotic emergency room environment. Powered by Sony technology. Produced by Deb Van Dieren. Hosted by Lucas Tomoana SOC. Edited by Raphael Segal.

Ashley Connor turns comedy into something quietly unnerving, building images that feel like they are slipping out from under you. In this episode, the cinematographer behind HBO's The Chair Company shares how her roots in experimental film and microbudget features shaped a bold, instinct driven approach to image making. She unpacks her collaboration with the directors, shooting all eight episodes on the Alexa 35 with K35 lenses, and why taking the character's descent seriously allowed the comedy to land even harder. We also dive into in camera experimentation, working fast without sacrificing intention, and balancing a demanding television schedule with motherhood. It is an honest conversation about craft, confidence, and protecting the image in a digital age. This podcast is proudly powered by Sony technology Produced by Deb Van Dieren Hosted and Edited by Josh Calder

Oscar nominated cinematographer Michael Bauman has lived almost every corner of the lighting department, from best boy to gaffer to director of photography, shaping some of the most iconic imagery in modern cinema. At the centre of this conversation is One Battle After Another, the film that marks a defining chapter in his journey behind the camera and a turning point in his creative evolution. Michael reflects on decades of collaboration with filmmakers like Paul Thomas Anderson, Janusz Kaminski and Robert Elswit, unpacking how trust and visual language develop over time. He shares the path from lighting cameraman to cinematographer, and how years spent shaping light ultimately prepared him to step into the role on One Battle After Another.  The episode dives deep into craft, from the intensity of large scale productions such as Munich and Iron Man to the raw, seventies inspired aesthetic that influenced his recent work. Michael breaks down lighting philosophy, problem solving at the highest level and why storytelling always drives the technical choices behind the lens. Hosted and edited by Josh Calder. Produced by Deb Van Dieren. Powered by Sony technology.

Academy Award–nominated production designer Tamara Deverell joins the podcast following her Oscar-nominated work on Frankenstein, a visually operatic reimagining that stands as one of the most ambitious production design achievements in recent cinema. With a career spanning decades and long-standing collaborations with Guillermo del Toro, Tamara has helped shape richly textured worlds across film and television. In this conversation, she strips back the job title and explains what a production designer truly does, how the art department is structured, and why research, collaboration, and logistics are just as critical as imagination. The episode dives deep into the making of Frankenstein. Tamara breaks down the design philosophy behind the film, from constructing a full-scale Arctic ship and monumental laboratory towers to grounding fantastical elements in historical reality. She discusses colour motifs, architectural influences, practical builds versus VFX, and the constant dialogue between production design, camera, lighting, and special effects that allows a world like Frankenstein to feel both mythic and real. Powered by Sony Technology. Produced by Deb Van Dieren. Hosted and edited by Lucas Tomoana SOC.

At the age of 30, Jules O'Loughlin ASC ACS walked away from a successful career as a futures trader and made the decision to pursue cinematography full-time. After enrolling at AFTRS, he shot his first feature Kokoda, a film that helped launch his career in the Australian film industry. That decision set Jules on a path from local features to major international productions, leading to credits including Ms Marvel, The Old Man, See, The Hitman's Bodyguard, Angel Has Fallen, Black Sails and most recently Disney's Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Season 2. Jules reflects on changing industries later in life, committing fully when the stakes are high, and why focus and timing often matter more than age. He also discusses the realities of film school, building long-term creative relationships, and how early opportunities can quietly shape an entire career. The conversation dives deeper into craft, with Jules unpacking his visual approach on Percy Jackson and the Olympians. He breaks down complex sequences involving horses, chariots and large-scale action, as well as shooting on water and boats, drawing on experience from Black Sails. Jules discusses how these scenes are planned and executed safely, how practical filmmaking is balanced with visual effects, and how lens choice, camera movement and motivated lighting are used to keep fantasy grounded and story-driven. This podcast is powered by Sony Technology Hosted by Lucas Tomoana SOC Produced by Deb Van Dieren

When Ben Eeley ACO SOC is not camera operating, he spends his spare time running marathons, cycling, swimming and training for the Ironman. This episode explores how fitness and endurance play a role in camera operating, alongside Steadicam, wheels, conventional operating, using the ZeeGee and handheld work. Ben shares insight into the physical demands of the job, how he began his Steadicam career and the nuts and bolts of the equipment he uses. The conversation also touches on being thrown into the deep end on large budget features, performing under pressure and how handling that pressure led to being asked to join the ACO. This episode is a deep dive into all things camera operating. If you are looking to build a career in the camera department, this episode is for you.