
Welcome to Below the Line, a film industry podcast where we talk about making movies from the crew perspective. My name is Skid: I'm a former Assistant Director and your host. For the show, I invite my production friends - both old and new - to tell stories from their time on set. Each episode is organized around a specific film, television series or some other theme relevant to working in Hollywood. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, or peruse the list below: you might learn something new about one of your favorites.
Thoughts about a specific episode or comments about the podcast? I welcome your feedback: skid@belowtheline.biz
Episodes

7 days ago
7 days ago
Costume Designer Liz Vastola talks about her work on “Twisted Metal”, the comedy/action video game adaptation currently streaming on Peacock. I’ve never played the video game, but co-host (and fellow podcaster) Gianni Damaia brings some hard-won expertise to our laugh-out-loud discussion of the series.

Friday Sep 01, 2023
S17 - Ep 5 - Special Ops: Lioness - Score Composition
Friday Sep 01, 2023
Friday Sep 01, 2023
Score Composer Andrew Lockington talks about his work on Taylor Sheridan’s “Special Ops: Lioness” (currently airing on Paramount+), and co-host Louis Weeks (composer, recording artist, and friend of the podcast) provides another layer of insight to our conversation. We discuss Andrew’s work on multiple levels, from the intention behind specifics pieces of score to the larger themes that inform the overall arc of the story.

Sunday Aug 27, 2023
S17 - Ep 4 - KINO: Financial Inequities and the Future of Film
Sunday Aug 27, 2023
Sunday Aug 27, 2023
My guest is Daril Fannin, CEO of Kino Studios. We talk about how Daril’s experiences as an army veteran, writer and executive producer led to the founding of Kino, with the goal of making Hollywood more open, equitable, efficient and diverse. Kino also runs a robust behind-the-scenes program which emphasizes - you guessed it - the contributions of Below the Line talent (www.kino.studio).

Sunday Aug 20, 2023
S17 - Ep 3 - The Menu - Assistant Directing
Sunday Aug 20, 2023
Sunday Aug 20, 2023
2022’s “The Menu” was an intriguing film that defied genre expectations. WIth 14 principle cast members and a tight shooting schedule, it was also a logistical challenge of epic proportions. First Assistant Director Gary Goldman takes us behind the scenes with stories about the cast, the supporting background, and the food. I mean, the FOOD: it was another character, both on and off the set.

Friday Aug 04, 2023
S17 - Ep 2 - Star Trek: Strange New Worlds - Cinematography
Friday Aug 04, 2023
Friday Aug 04, 2023
“Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” - now in its second season on Paramount+ - continues to make the familiar franchise new again. Director of Photography Benji Bakshi talks about how cinematography contributes to the genre-uniqueness of each episode, and we talk in detail about the recently-aired, first-ever Star Trek musical episode.

Friday Aug 04, 2023
S17 - Ep 1 - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem
Friday Aug 04, 2023
Friday Aug 04, 2023
“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” - in theaters now - is both a cutting-edge computer-animated feature and a really enjoyable film. Head of Cinematography Kent Seki and Art Director Arthur Fong share how an emphasis on the “teenage” element of the title characters informed every aspect of the filmmaking over a course of production spanning more than three years.

Sunday Jul 30, 2023
S16 - Ep 10 - Hellraiser (2022) - Production Design
Sunday Jul 30, 2023
Sunday Jul 30, 2023
The “Hellraiser” film released late last year on Hulu was a creative reimagining of Clive Barker’s 1987 original. Production Designer Kathrin Eder discusses the challenge of rebooting a 35-year-old horror classic, Director David Bruckner’s reliance on practical effects wherever possible, and bringing all of these elements together while filming in Serbia.

Sunday Jul 23, 2023
S16 - Ep 9 - The Flash - Sound Editing
Sunday Jul 23, 2023
Sunday Jul 23, 2023
“The Flash”, the latest DC superhero to earn a solo outing on the big screen, may be a spectacle of visual effects, but Sound Editors John Marquis and Nancy Nugent Title are here to explain why the movie experience is affected as much by what you hear as what you see. The integration is key, but recognizing the contributions of sound can unlock a completely new understanding of the film.

Sunday Jul 16, 2023
S16 - Ep 8 - The DGA Agreement: How They Got to Yes
Sunday Jul 16, 2023
Sunday Jul 16, 2023
On June 23rd, the Directors Guild of America ratified a new three-year agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP); the vote was 87% in favor. Today I’m discussing the agreement with Kevin Koster, who works as a 1st Assistant Director, served as a member of the negotiating committee, and is a returning guest to the podcast.

Sunday Jul 09, 2023
S16 - Ep 7 - Beef - Costume Design
Sunday Jul 09, 2023
Sunday Jul 09, 2023
Costume Designer Helen Huang and Assistant Costume Designer Austin Wittick return to discuss their work on “Beef”, the 2023 Netflix limited series starring Stephen Yeun and Ali Wong. We take the opportunity to discuss not only how costume design contributes to this story behind the scenes but how diversity is important for all the stories that Hollywood wants to tell.

Sunday Jul 02, 2023
S16 - Ep 6 - A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors
Sunday Jul 02, 2023
Sunday Jul 02, 2023
Today we’re talking about 1987’s “A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors”, and I’m joined by an all-star panel of guests. 1st Assistant Director Dennis Maguire, Production Designer Mick Strawn, and Director of Photography Roy Wagner tell the tale of a difficult shoot that was nonetheless the basis for friendships that have endured for more than 35 years.

Sunday Jun 11, 2023
S16 - Ep 5 - The WGA Strike: Unions in Solidarity
Sunday Jun 11, 2023
Sunday Jun 11, 2023
As the Writers Guild of America strike enters its second month, I’m joined by Kerri Wood Einertson (National Director for Government Affairs & Public Policy, SAG-AFTRA), Tyler McIntosh (Political/Legislative Director, IATSE), and Michael Wasser (Assistant to the President and Legislative Director, DPE) to discuss how the WGA contract issues resonate with the other entertainment industry unions.

Sunday Jun 04, 2023
S16 - Ep 4 - Babylon - Production Sound
Sunday Jun 04, 2023
Sunday Jun 04, 2023
Today we’re talking about "Babylon", Damien Chazelle’s 2022 epic feature set during the early years of Hollywood, and my returning guest is Production Sound Mixer Steve Morrow.

Sunday May 28, 2023
S16 - Ep 3 - Quasi - Hair and Makeup
Sunday May 28, 2023
Sunday May 28, 2023
"Quasi" is a lighthearted comedy from the Broken Lizard comedy troupe currently streaming on Hulu, and my guests today are the Hair and Makeup Department Heads, Lorna Reid and Amy Sparks.

Sunday May 21, 2023
S16 - Ep 2 - The WGA Strike: Why It’s Happening
Sunday May 21, 2023
Sunday May 21, 2023
The Writers Guild of America has been on the picket line for three weeks, and Lowell Peterson, WGA-East Executive Director, joins me to talk about the negotiations, the issues at stake for the union, and what to expect now that the strike is underway.

Sunday May 14, 2023
S16 - Ep 1 - SNAG - First-Time Directing
Sunday May 14, 2023
Sunday May 14, 2023
THE PODCAST IS BACK. To kick off the new season, I’m joined by writer/director/producer/actor Ben Milliken to discuss his directorial debut, “SNAG”, which is currently available to stream on demand.

Sunday Mar 19, 2023
S15 - Ep 12 - Below the Line at the 95th Oscars
Sunday Mar 19, 2023
Sunday Mar 19, 2023
We’re wrapping up our coverage of awards season with a look at the Oscars ceremony itself, and my guests are three quarters of the sound team nominated for their work on "Elvis". Wayne Pashley, David Lee and Michael Keller bring a below-the-line perspective to the honor of “just being nominated”, the challenge of bringing guests to the Academy Awards, and the differences between what they experienced live versus what the rest of us observed on the broadcast. And if you want to hear about the after-parties? Listen to the end if you’re curious about Baz Lurhmann’s AFTER after-party at Chateau Marmont.

Wednesday Mar 08, 2023
S15 - Ep 11 - 95th Oscars - Cinematography
Wednesday Mar 08, 2023
Wednesday Mar 08, 2023
It’s been 10 episodes of film industry professionals sharing the benefits of their expertise, and we’re concluding our Oscar series with an in-depth look at the nominees for Cinematography. My returning guests — Patrick Cady and David Tuttman — are directors of photography with stories to share. Enjoy the Academy Awards this weekend! I hope our insights have prepared you for the ceremony. (10 of 10)

Sunday Mar 05, 2023
S15 - Ep 10 - 95th Oscars - Original Song
Sunday Mar 05, 2023
Sunday Mar 05, 2023
The Academy Awards are only a week away, and today we’re discussing the Oscar nominees for Original Song. My guests — Chris Molanphy (chart analyst and podcast host), Louis Weeks (score composer), and Tom Peyton (song writer) — offer an assessment of these nominees that encompasses both the technical and the meta. (9 of 10)

Wednesday Mar 01, 2023
S15 - Ep 9 - 95th Oscars - Costume Design
Wednesday Mar 01, 2023
Wednesday Mar 01, 2023
The art of Costume Design can be subtle in ways that are often under-appreciated, and I’m very grateful to have Helen Huang (Costume Designer) and Austin Wittick (Assistant Costume Designer) offer their expertise to discuss this year’s Oscar nominees in the category of Costume Design. (8 of 10)

Sunday Feb 26, 2023
S15 - Ep 8 - 95th Oscars - Production Design
Sunday Feb 26, 2023
Sunday Feb 26, 2023
Our deep dive exploration of the Oscars’ technical categories is in the home stretch, and today we’re focused on Production Design. I’m happy to welcome Eve McCarney (Production Designer), Julie Drach (Set Decorator), and Kerry Weeks (Lead Man) to discuss this year’s nominees. (7 of 10)

Thursday Feb 23, 2023
S15 - Ep 7 - 95th Oscars - Original Score
Thursday Feb 23, 2023
Thursday Feb 23, 2023
Our tour through the technical categories continues with a discussion of the Oscar nominees for Original Score. My guests — Louis Weeks (score composer), Chris Molanphy (chart analyst/pop critic), and Jennie Armon (executive producer/music supervisor) — offer a multi-layered set of insights. (6 of 10)

Sunday Feb 19, 2023
S15 - Ep 6 - 95th Oscars - Sound
Sunday Feb 19, 2023
Sunday Feb 19, 2023
Our 4th annual series of subject-matter experts discussing the Oscar nominees in the technical category of their expertise reaches the halfway point, and I'm joined again this year by Steve Morrow (production sound mixer) and Don Sylvester (sound editor) to discuss this year's nominees for Sound. (5 of 10)

Wednesday Feb 15, 2023
S15 - Ep 5 - 95th Oscars - Animated Feature
Wednesday Feb 15, 2023
Wednesday Feb 15, 2023
Our Oscars series continues with a lively discussion about this year’s nominees for Animated Feature with returning guests, Kent Seki and Camille Leganza. My takeaway from the conversation: they know everyone that works in this space! Mix in a thoughtful analysis of the five films, and it makes for a session that should prove both enjoyable and enlightening. (4 of 10)

Sunday Feb 12, 2023
S15 - Ep 4 - 95th Oscars - Film Editing
Sunday Feb 12, 2023
Sunday Feb 12, 2023
We’re kicking off a new week of Oscars coverage with a discussion of the nominees for Film Editing. My guests - editors Christopher Angel and Amy Duddleston - return to the podcast with hot takes, informed insights, and more than a hint as to their favorites among this year’s Academy Awards Film Editing nominees. (3 of 10)