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PODCAST

Focal Point

Conversations with artists across all industries, taking a deep dive into the nuances, techniques, and philosophies of society"s talent.

arts visual arts

All Episodes

68:06

What If Songs Spoke Like People Do? #55 w/ Grammy...

Focal Point ·

2025/11/01

Grammy-nominated songwriter Sandy Knox, known for her work with artists such as Reba McEntire, Dionne Warwick, Neil Diamond, Patti LaBelle, Liza Minnelli, and Donna Summer opens up about how heartbreak, reinvention, and an unshakable love of words shaped her life’s work. From being fired as a receptionist to writing timeless hits like “Does He Love You,” she shares what it means to stay true to your craft when the world changes around you. We talk about grief, empathy, and the magic of melody...

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85:14

How to find work in the Industry 2025 #54 w/ Composer...

Focal Point ·

2025/10/25

Composer Josh Andrus joins us to share how he carved a real career path from EDM tours to scoring films and video games in today’s AI-driven industry. He reveals how a single DM opened doors, why a Juilliard certificate gave him an edge, and how he balanced income with acoustic sample packs while building real-to-picture credits. Josh breaks down the craft of scoring—spotting scenes, shaping a sonic palette like a color grade, and using silence as design—while explaining how small live elemen...

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70:01

Ethics and AI in Cinema #53 w/ Producer Marq Williams

Focal Point ·

2025/09/28

How is AI changing the future of filmmaking? Producer Marq Williams shares his perspective on the promises and risks of tools like Runway and Midjourney, exploring how artificial intelligence could empower indie creators while also threatening the human connection that makes cinema resonate. This conversation dives into ethical frameworks, the decentralization of Hollywood, and why emotionally powerful storytelling must remain at the heart of technology’s evolution in film.

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61:49

Trust Bridges Oceans #52 w/ Filmmaker John Smith Jr

Focal Point ·

2025/09/21

Nigerian filmmaker John Smith Jr. shares how he built international relationships through honesty, cultural pride, and digital collaboration. From voicing characters in American horror-comedies to championing his native language in global projects, John reveals the power of integrity and cross-continental networking.

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65:43

Every CRY is Different #51 w/ Actor Mikah Fikes

Focal Point ·

2025/09/14

When the pandemic disrupted his college plans in 2020, Mikah Fikes rediscovered a childhood passion for filmmaking. With no connections, he dove in by taking local actor classes, eventually landing roles that connected him to the Midwest film community. In our candid conversation, Mikah shares how acting has shaped both his craft of acting and long term goals of directing. He opens up about the psychological challenges of accessing genuine emotions on set, recalling an intense crying scene in...

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79:57

Get to KNOW Your Community #50 w/ Podcaster Robyn Nelson

Focal Point ·

2025/09/06

The craft of horror filmmaking reveals itself through the passionate voices behind the camera—where personal trauma transforms into powerful storytelling, and authenticity trumps high budgets every time. In this captivating conversation with Robyn, host of Horror Pop After Midnight podcast, we journey through the shadows of independent horror filmmaking and explore the unexpected parallels between podcasting and creating cinema. Robyn shares his evolution from a wrestling podcast host...

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68:09

Small Communities Matter! #49 w/ Filmmaker Jake Ryan...

Focal Point ·

2025/08/18

"Nobody makes your movies, you have to make them." His upcoming psychological thriller "The Part" follows a struggling actress who wakes up after a car crash to find strangers claiming to be her family. The film explores identity and reality through an unsettling premise Baker describes as "what's it like to need someone to love you so badly, and then what happens when someone answers that call in the most fucked up way possible?" What makes the headaches and heartbreaks of filmma...

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61:40

Challenges of Art Department #48 w/ Production...

Focal Point ·

2025/08/02

Production designer Stephonika Kaye shares how she transforms empty spaces into story-driven environments, drawing on her 15-year journey from community theater actor to filmmaking. She reveals the often-invisible work behind film sets—like painting props between takes, navigating shifting director demands, and designing full spaces even when only one angle is promised. Through on-set chaos, interdepartmental collaboration, and creative improvisation, Stephonika offers a rare look into the wo...

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56:33

Why I Came Back to Filmmaking #47 w/ Filmmaker...

Focal Point ·

2025/07/19

After three failed feature attempts, a halted production due to the pandemic, and personal battles during Covid, indie filmmaker Richard Russel found himself at a crossroads. Eventually he channeled his frustrations into his latest production Shadow of Thulis—a revenge thriller inspired by Mike Leigh’s Naked. What started as a story of brutal violence evolved into something deeper: a character-driven exploration of pain, forgiveness, and the cost of vengeance. In this episode, we dive into Ri...

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62:57

Dreams VS Reality #46 w/ Filmmaker Malakai Bisel

Focal Point ·

2025/07/05

Filmmaker Malakai Beisel takes us on an authentic journey from his childhood experiments with a borrowed VHS camera to his current work developing a feature film. Aspiring filmmakers will find particular value in Malakai's candid insights about the business realities of independent production. From navigating festival submissions with a 40-minute film to understanding SAG requirements and complex attachment agreements, he doesn't shy away from the nitty-gritty details that can make or break a...

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61:32

The Art of Freedom in Creativity #45 w/ Musician...

Focal Point ·

2025/06/28

Chase from Soft Stone Hearts takes us on a journey through the winding paths of creativity, from recovering from a serious knee injury to finding his artistic voice. The discussion also tackles practical challenges facing independent musicians, from content creation strategies to finding your place in local music scenes. Chase's insights into collaboration, particularly with his bandmate Jess, highlight how creative partnerships can provide essential external filters that help elevate the wor...

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102:39

Killin’ Jimmy Kelly #44 w/ Cinematographer Jason...

Focal Point ·

2025/06/21

From psychology student to storyteller, Jason Johnston reveals how his background in psychological analysis became the foundation for his unique approach to visual composition. His recent work on the Western film "Killing Jimmy Kelly" becomes a case study as he unpacks the delicate balance between technical constraints and creative vision, while shooting in the punishing Texas heat with limited equipment. His career philosophy echoes in his parting wisdom: "Don't be afraid to challenge your...

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71:51

Comedy Meets Cinema #43 w/ ARTIST Eric Boso

Focal Point ·

2025/06/08

Eric's path to stand-up comedy began unexpectedly following a medical crisis that left him physically injured. Rather than hide from the attention his appearance would draw, he embraced the spotlight, transforming vulnerability into art. "I'm a big guy with a cane and cast – people are going to stare anyway" His short film "Maps" exemplifies this philosophy, exploring grief through two sisters who represent different facets of Basso's own personality – the solitary artist versus the so...

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67:13

HARD Topics and Situations #42 w/ FILMMAKER Samantha...

Focal Point ·

2025/05/31

Meet Samantha, a filmmaker who after graduating from Full Sail University in 2014 with a degree in filmmaking, Samantha took a nine-year break before rediscovering her creative voice. She shares stories from the set of "Grease Monkey" where she served as first AD, Samantha reveals the behind-the-scenes problem-solving that makes productions successful—from managing angry neighbors to maintaining positive crew dynamics. Her practical wisdom about effective leadership shines through as she disc...

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66:45

ROCKY WAKE - A passion project #41 w/ FILMMAKER Dylan...

Focal Point ·

2025/05/25

Short films are the proper place to experiment with the craft. Having done so Dylan is gearing up for his second feature film Rocky Wake, a story that integrates personal tragedy in the background of horror and suspense in a disturbing way.

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59:37

What I notice from INDIE FILMMAKERS #40 w/...

Focal Point ·

2025/05/17

A local to the Cincinnati film scene, Nick is frequently brought on to film behind the scenes and document the process. Not always having a department role to fill gives room to observing the set dynamics without the stress of the work. Come listen to his thoughts on the community, set life and who would be the first filmmaker that should get one million dollars for their first feature.

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78:32

Starring in Shows VS Movies #39 w/ ACTRESS Hedley Harlan

Focal Point ·

2025/05/10

Different productions and set cultures yield a wide array of memories and experiences. From appearing on The Walking Dead: Dead City to the recent Peacock show Long Bright River, Hedley shares some helpful advice for newer actors and set memories that may well deserve a production of their own.

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62:56

My PRODUCER left mid SHOOT #38 w/ FILMMAKER Cam Marshall

Focal Point ·

2025/05/03

Having two features under his belt Cam reveals the positives and negatives of trying to carve your way in the film industry, and shares his thoughts on local Cincinnati culture and his personal craft.

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57:33

Why is SOUND Overlooked? #37 w/ Sound Artist Rachel...

Focal Point ·

2025/04/26

After starting off contributing to the role of art department on Rachel ended up switching to the much needed and in demand role of sound operators on set. Often understaffed for the problems the surface in the day Rachel recalls her experiences and tips for solving problems on the spot.

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59:28

Returning to ACTING with NO REGRETS #36 w/ ACTRESS...

Focal Point ·

2025/04/23

After putting her dreams on pause to become a mother and raise a family, Heather has returned to her childhood dreams of becoming an actor. She shares how her life experience has influenced her craft and emotional capacity and her view on the indie filmmaking scene.

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55 results

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