Filmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien Swaby

🎧 Guest: Olivia Deitch 🎤 Host: Damien SwabyIn this episode, Damien sits down with the talented Olivia Deitch to explore her inspiring journey through the entertainment industry — from wide-eyed film student to head online editor by the age of 23. 🗂️ Topics Covered: * Olivia’s origin story: From Boston University to breaking into Hollywood * Discovering her passion for editing during high school * The move to Los Angeles and navigating early career uncertainty * Getting a foot in the door as a PA at a boutique post-production house * Working on major TV shows like The Walking Dead * How early technical training with Avid gave her a crucial edge * Understanding the landscape of post-production: online vs. offline editing * The value of mentorship and learning-by-doing in smaller companies 🌟 Highlights: * Olivia shares how starting out in a small post house gave her a crash course in the industry and opened doors quickly. * Her non-traditional career path shows there's more than one route to success in entertainment. * She explains how understanding the back-end technical workflow helped her stand out as a creative editor later on. 📚 Educational Takeaway: 🎬 What’s the Difference Between Online and Offline Editing?Offline Editing This is the creative process where editors shape the story, select takes, and build the episode or film. It's typically done with lower-resolution files and without final effects.Online Editing This phase finalizes everything: high-resolution footage is conformed, effects and color are locked in, and the final delivery is polished and technically perfect.🔑 Why it matters: Many aspiring editors overlook the online side of things. Olivia’s experience proves that understanding both can accelerate your career and make you an invaluable asset on any post-production team. 📲 Follow Olivia Deitch on https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-deitch-bba9184b/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-deitch-bba9184b/] to stay updated on her latest projects and insights from the editing room. 🎧 Like what you heard? Subscribe, rate, and share this episode to support the podcast and help more creatives break into the film and TV industry

Episode Description In this episode, Damien Swaby opens up about the script for his upcoming film small talk, Big Thoughts — a powerful, poetic anthology of real conversations exploring identity, faith, legacy, migration, masculinity, feminism, and more. Damien shares how he's preparing to shoot the entire project on an iPhone, why he's using the Rode NTG2 and Tascam DR-05X for audio, and how DIY filmmaking is not a limitation — it’s a creative philosophy. Whether you're a filmmaker, screenwriter, podcaster, or storyteller, this episode is a masterclass in grounding powerful stories in real-world tools and intention. 📚 Educational Benefit / Learning OutcomesListeners will: * Learn how to prep a feature film with minimal gear and maximum intention. * Understand the strengths of using an iPhone + Filmic Pro for cinematic storytelling. * Gain insight into capturing high-quality audio with budget-friendly equipment. * Explore how to write and structure an anthology-style script with social and cultural weight. * Reflect on the value of starting with what you have — and why storytelling doesn’t need to wait for permission. Perfect for indie filmmakers, students, podcast producers, and anyone building creative projects with limited resources. Tools Mentioned: * iPhone 13 Pro * FiLMiC Pro app * BeastGrip rig * Rode NTG2 shotgun mic * Tascam DR-05X recorder

Episode Summary: In this compelling episode, Damien Swaby sits down with filmmaker Moses Ssebandeke, a bold voice in the UK indie film scene and a member of the Lionstooth Collective. Known for his experimental yet grounded storytelling, Moses shares the journey from his early days as a BBC Academy apprentice to producing content for Radio 1Xtra, ITVX, and beyond. Listeners will get an inside look at: * 🌱 How Moses got started in media through the BBC apprenticeship scheme * 🎧 His behind-the-scenes experience working at BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra, helping grow their YouTube following past 140,000 subscribers — more than any other BBC radio station * 🛠️ The technical and emotional rollercoaster of being a freelance filmmaker * 🪐 A peek into Panspermia, a cosmic visual project exploring the interconnectedness of existence and storytelling * 🎥 The purpose and passion behind the Lionstooth film collective and their commitment to bold, culturally-rich narratives Moses also talks candidly about the creative droughts and bursts that define the life of an independent artist, what fuels him to keep pushing boundaries, and why telling stories that haven’t been told — or haven’t been told this way — is a lifelong mission. Whether you’re a filmmaker, creative professional, or someone fascinated by how stories are made, this is a must-listen. Links & Mentions: * Moses Ssebandeke on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/moses-ssebandeke-02230746/] * Moses work https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEDuRPQm85a9gGxExYL5U_ucTf234ILJE [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEDuRPQm85a9gGxExYL5U_ucTf234ILJE] * https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQs327Kra6U [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQs327Kra6U] * https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEDuRPQm85a8bSFbW6rDUvmzM1XMkstg7 [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEDuRPQm85a8bSFbW6rDUvmzM1XMkstg7]

Episode Summary: What makes a scene feel cold, nostalgic, or magical—before a single word is spoken? In this illuminating episode, we’re joined by Alice Abrams, a freelance colorist whose work has helped define the visual identity of campaigns for Netflix, Meta, Google, Volvo, and more. Based in Austin, TX, Alice brings a decade of experience in film to her color suite, where she transforms raw footage into emotionally resonant, cinematic experiences. Alice shares her unique journey from working as a director of photography and editor to discovering that color grading was her true calling. You'll hear how her background behind the camera influences her work in post-production, and why she views color not just as a technical tool—but as a storytelling language in its own right. Whether you're a filmmaker, editor, aspiring colorist, or just a visual storytelling enthusiast, this deep dive into the world of professional color grading offers both inspiration and practical insights. Alice Abrams is a seasoned freelance colorist with a background in cinematography, editing, and color grading. After spending years working across California and New York, Alice now resides in Austin, TX, where she operates her own grading suite and works with clients worldwide. Her work spans narrative film, commercials, branded content, and music videos—bringing a distinct visual signature that blends cinematic precision with emotional depth.📬 Contact: hey@alicefilmcolor.com 🌐 Website & Reel: alicefilmcolor.com [http://alicefilmcolor.com/] 📸 Instagram: @alice.filmcolor [https://www.instagram.com/alice.filmcolor]🎨 What You'll Learn in This Episode: * The evolving role of a colorist in today's film and commercial landscape * How color influences mood, tone, and storytelling * The technical and artistic sides of color grading * Tips for building trust with directors and cinematographers * How to start offering remote grading services * Why building your aesthetic voice matters * How Alice balances professional growth and personal creativity 📢 Call to Action:🎧 If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it really helps others find the show!

📘 Episode Summary: In this masterclass episode, Damien Swaby is joined by award-winning journalist and documentary producer Nicole Noren, whose two-decade career at ESPN is a case study in investigative storytelling done right. Nicole breaks down how she balances the demands of narrative structure with journalistic integrity — from sourcing vulnerable subjects, to shaping character arcs, to working within the legal and ethical frameworks of a major broadcasting institution. Together, they explore the future of longform investigative media, the creative tension between access and objectivity, and how the democratization of platforms like YouTube is reshaping the business model of high-quality nonfiction. 🧵 Topics Covered: * Nicole’s process for fusing investigative research with narrative filmmaking * Ethics and liability in true-story storytelling * Why subject trust is non-negotiable in stories involving trauma * Building stories that survive legal review without losing emotional weight * Internal dynamics of working inside a network like ESPN * Challenges of time compression, edit lock deadlines, and character consent * How platforming on YouTube increases reach without compromising quality 🎧 Who This Episode Is For: * Investigative journalists and editors * Documentary filmmakers and producers * Media lawyers and compliance editors * Communications strategists in public interest or nonprofit media * Journalism educators and students focused on longform formats W: https://nicolenoren.com/about [https://nicolenoren.com/about] Listen full documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYGkIL70TD4&t=3s [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYGkIL70TD4&t=3s]