Cinemapodgrapher

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