The Prelim Podcast

Send us Fan Mail Behind every legendary movie frame lies a legacy —and sometimes, that legacy is family.🎬❤️ This week on The Prelim Podcast, we proudly present a milestone moment in our show's history: our very first generational episode! Joining our host Pablo Jara (Tony is away on assignment this week) in the studio is a man whose hands helped shape 45 years of cinema history—and who also happens to be Pablo's Dad—master Panavision Camera Technician, Jorge Jara (or JJ as many refer to him). In this deeply moving Father-Son conversation, Jorge opens up about an extraordinary life journey rooted in sacrifice, passion, and pride. He recounts leaving Ecuador for New York City, starting out at Tiffany's & Co. before finding his true lifelong calling in Panavision's prep/tech rooms. For nearly half a century (1975-2020), Jorge was the steady heartbeat behind the scenes at Hollywood's premier camera house, ensuring the gear was flawless for generations of filmmakers. Beyond his mechanical genius and infectious warmth, what shines brightest in this episode is the quiet magic of passing the torch. Listening to a father reflect on 45 years of dedication and seeing his son walk in those same industry footsteps, is a powerful reminder of why we love what we do. So grab your headphones for a special episode filled with nostalgia, laughter, and a heartwarming tribute to family, tradition, and the unsung craftsmanship that keeps cinema alive. 💬Join the Conversation: What was your favorite takeaway from Jorge's story? Let us know in the comments below or email us at theprelimpodcast@gmail.com! 🎬 Subscribe so you never miss an episode 🎙️ New episodes every Tuesday 📲 Follow us @ThePrelimPodcast on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok & Twitter #filmindustry, #crewsetstories, #theprelimpodcast, #hollywoodsetstories, #behindthescenes, #moviecrews, #setlife

Send us Fan Mail History in the Making: Episode 13: For the first time ever, Panavision joins the podcast world and is our special guest this week. In this milestone episode, we are thrilled to welcome Panavision Marketing Executive Amanda Sasaki to The Prelim Podcast for an unprecedented look behind the desk of Hollywood’s most iconic camera house! We are lucky to have Amanda all to ourselves for this episode as she joins us in the studio for an exclusive, behind-the-scenes journey through the legendary hallways of Panavision. We learn all about her personal trajectory — from growing up in Tennessee to landing her high-stakes corporate job as a Panavision Marketing Executive, to navigating within the elite circles of Hollywood and maintaining key relationships with top-tier DPs and creatives around the world. Impressive and insightful, hear her never-before-told stories about the people, passion, and culture that keeps Panavision at the top of the craft. Key Highlights: • Amanda’s journey from her roots in Tennessee to behind the desk at Panavision. • What really happens on any given day to support world-class DPs. • Discover the hands-on methods designed to save the prep day. • What it takes to cultivate lasting executive relationships across the globe and more! Amanda is captivating, inspiring and entertaining as she packs a ton of valuable industry wisdom into this conversation. We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to sit down with her in-studio and share such unforgettable stories. A very special thank you to Amanda Sasaki herself and everyone at Panavision whose work behind-the-scenes helped make this historic episode happen! 🎥✨ 🎬 Subscribe to The Prelim Podcast – it’s free - to never miss an insider deep dive into the world of Hollywood film production. The podcast where real set-life experiences and crew origin stories are told by the good people in the industry! 💬Join the Conversation: What was your favorite insight from Amanda's story? Let us know in the comments below! 🎬 Subscribe so you never miss an episode 🎙️ New episodes every Tuesday 📲 Follow us @ThePrelimPodcast on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok & Twitter #filmindustry, #crewsetstories, #theprelimpodcast, #hollywoodsetstories, #behindthescenes, #moviecrews, #setlife

Send us Fan Mail Master of the Track —The incomparable Jamie Young, Dolly Grip, joins The Prelim Podcast on Episode 12. This week, we are joined by our good friend and veteran Dolly Grip, Jamie Young, for an insider’s look into the art, grit and career mechanics of IATSE Local 80. Jamie has held virtually every seat in the grip department—serving as Key Grip, Crane Operator, Technician, Best Boy, and most notably, an elite Dolly Grip responsible for executing some of the most critical camera moves in the business. In this episode, Jamie opens up about the physical precision behind seamless camera movement, how set dynamics and gear have evolved over the past four decades, and the crucial lessons every crew member needs to know to survive and thrive in Hollywood. The Art of the Dolly: The choreography, timing, and unspoken communication between camera operator and dolly grip. 45 Years of Industry Evolution: How years of non-union work shaped his four-decade-plus union career as a problem solver, quick thinker, skilled craftsman, team player and all without the use of an on set monitor. Survival and Success in the Grip Department: What does it really take to build a long-lasting career and earn respect on set? Jamie shares the knowledge, advice, mentors and mishaps that guided him his illustrious career, including the jaw-dropping story that ultimately led to his early retirement. 🎬 Subscribe so you never miss an episode 🎙️ New episodes every Tuesday 📲 Follow us @ThePrelimPodcast on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok & Twitter #filmindustry, #crewsetstories, #theprelimpodcast, #hollywoodsetstories, #behindthescenes, #moviecrews, #setlife

Send us Fan Mail This week, on The Prelim Podcast we pivot out of the camera department straight into the AD department. We are lucky to spend time in the new studio with our very good friend and colleague — the illustrious Lon Takiguchi, Assistant Director and sometimes Director extraordinaire! From growing up on a farm in Hawaii with a Beta-Max machine to getting his big break cold-calling B-movie titan Roger Corman, Lon’s path through Hollywood is anything but ordinary. After graduating from Cal Arts, he traded his first 9-to-5 production job working for Bette Middler and Bonnie Bruckheimer for $65-a-day script running gig, and he could not have been happier! He was working and absorbing Corman’s hardcore "whatever-it-takes" hustle—learning to stretch every dollar, and command a set with zero BS from the King of the Cult Cinema in the late ‘90s. The “pinch me” moments lasted a few years but he was blessed to be working on hallowed ground – where Corman helped launch careers of legendary directors like: Francis Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese, James Cameron, Jonathan Demme and Ron Howard! TV series soon followed and Lon found himself working on hit shows such as Lost, Ugly Betty, Hawaii 5-O, Black-ish, Grown-ish and more! Check out the full episode to hear all about how Lon navigated his blessed career: • The Roger Corman Boot Camp: What working for the King of B-Movies actually teaches you about guerilla filmmaking. • Set Safety & Call Sheet Disasters: The most important job of an AD is set safety and the absolute worst mistakes a 2nd AD can make – the do’s and don’ts of AD life according to Lon are priceless! • The Jump to the Chair: How years of working on the Black-ish set finally led to Lon’s directorial debut on Grown-ish. • Unfiltered Industry Advice: Pure, no-punches-pulled wisdom for crew members looking for longevity in the business. Lon tells it like it is, drops priceless industry lessons, and keeps us laughing the entire time! Whether you're trying to break into the industry or just love hearing the hilarious and educational behind-the-scenes stories, hit play now — your ears (and your career) will thank you! 🎬 Subscribe so you never miss an episode 🎙️ New episodes out every Tuesday 📲 Follow us @ThePrelimPodcast on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok & Twitter 🎬 Subscribe so you never miss an episode 🎙️ New episodes every Tuesday 📲 Follow us @ThePrelimPodcast on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok & Twitter #filmindustry, #crewsetstories, #theprelimpodcast, #hollywoodsetstories, #behindthescenes, #moviecrews, #setlife

Send us Fan Mail In Episode 4 of The Prelim Podcast , we sit down with Camera Assistant Danny Park, a man whose professional journey is an absolute masterclass in hustle and determination. Danny shares the jaw-dropping story of how he broke into Hollywood using nothing but sheer willpower and relentless letter-writing. From a game-changing partnership with one of his directorial heroes to winding up on tour with Justin Bieber, and eventually working the Superbowl Halftime show, Danny shares his incredible story. Tune in to hear from what might just be the luckiest - and hardest working - AC in the business! 👉 Hit the like and subscribe button - it's free to hear this episode and more! 🎬 Subscribe so you never miss an episode 🎙️ New episodes every Tuesday 📲 Follow us @ThePrelimPodcast on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok & Twitter #filmindustry, #crewsetstories, #theprelimpodcast, #hollywoodsetstories, #behindthescenes, #moviecrews, #setlife

Send us Fan Mail From Panavision Shipping Room to Hollywood Steadicam Operator and Gear Inventor - this week we bring you the incomperable Danny Brown! In this episode, Danny joins us in studio and shares his relentless journey climbing up the camera department crew ladder. An inspiring story for anyone looking to rise through the ranks in the industry. He breaks down what it really takes to transition into full-time Steadicam work, key set lessons from top DP mentors Patrick Cady and Bob Hall. And what it was like working alongside Jamie Lee Curtis - a career highlight and great set story that goes far beyond the set for him personally. He also shares some Steadicam Mastery Lessons: Home practice techniques, taking on student films and making the leap. Camera Dept Golden Rules: A-cam vs. B-cam heirarchy, set etiquette and major "what not to do" moments and more! This is such a valueable and informative episode that you will not hear anywhere else but here on The Prelim Podcast! Plus Danny gives a live demo of his camera gear innovations: the infamous Knucklepuck and his newest creation The Hat Trick! Bonus Material - Exclusive Listener Discount - This Episode Only: Listen to get the one time Knucklepuck Camera discount with The Prelim Podcast promo code at the end of this episode! #steadicamoperator #setlife #jamieleecurtis #inventor #entrepreneur #cameracrew Be sure to tune in each week for more episodes as we bring you inside Hollywood set life behind the lens and behind the scenes one crew member at at time! 🎬 Subscribe so you never miss an episode 🎙️ New episodes every Tuesday 📲 Follow us @ThePrelimPodcast on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok & Twitter #filmindustry, #crewsetstories, #theprelimpodcast, #hollywoodsetstories, #behindthescenes, #moviecrews, #setlife

Send us Fan Mail This week, The Prelim Podcast proudly welcomes seasoned industry veteran, friend, and colleague Art (Arthur) Martin! Art stops by to take us inside his distinguished Hollywood career in the camera department and share the scoop on a some of his most iconic projects. From his early days breaking into the industry to becoming a premier focus puller, he shares exclusive behind-the-scenes stories from some of cinema's most prolific sets. Tune in as he recalls collaborating with legendary director Woody Allen, working under master cinematographer Vittorio Storaro on multiple projects, navigating the massive transition from film to digital and surviving iconic productions like Warren Beatty’s Bulworth, Bryan Singer’s Apt Pupil, and the comedy classic Dodgeball. Art also talks candidly about his time on the hit television series Entourage and gives us a hilarious look at what it was really like working with our very own hosts, Tony and Pablo, on the set of Black-ish! As a trusted friend, true leader, and mentor to generations of crew members throughout his illustrious career, Art Martin joins us to share his never-before-heard set-life experiences. 🎬 Subscribe so you never miss an episode 🎙️ New episodes every Tuesday 📲 Follow us @ThePrelimPodcast on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok & Twitter #filmindustry, #crewsetstories, #theprelimpodcast, #hollywoodsetstories, #behindthescenes, #moviecrews, #setlife

Send us Fan Mail The Prelim Podcast is super excited to welcome legendary AC Derek Edwards to the studio for Episode 7! This week, we dive deep into the unbelievable stories that shape Derek’s massive career in the camera department. Talk about a Renaissance man—Derek has done it all, transitioning from actor, model, PA, and Panavision employee to a powerhouse force behind the lens. We take a nostalgic trip back to the '90s to look at his early days learning under legendary DPs and mentors like Malik Sayeed and Shane Hurlbut, ASC. Then, we dive into the late '90s and early 2000s music video boom, where Derek became the ultimate go-to AC—pulling focus on a mind-blowing 2,000+ music videos and sharing sets with icons like Pharrell, Kanye West, and Big Sean! Derek also opens up about the "teacher mentality" passed down to him by mentor DP Shane Hurlbut, who heavily invested in him early on, and how that transitioned to his work with The Filmmakers Academy. Derek shares so many great stories in this episode but one of our favs is when he shares an after work mentorship moment with his crew and "the distance game" he regularly played at bars so the team would learn instinctually the correct focal lengths w/o relying on dials and tech - a one of a kind guy with a one of a kind mind! Whether you're a gearhead, an aspiring filmmaker, or just love really great crew stories, Derek’s unparalleled industry wisdom spanning decades makes this an incredibly insightful and hughly educational episode you should not miss out on! 🎬 Subscribe so you never miss an episode 🎙️ New episodes every Tuesday 📲 Follow us @ThePrelimPodcast on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok & Twitter #filmindustry, #crewsetstories, #theprelimpodcast, #hollywoodsetstories, #behindthescenes, #moviecrews, #setlife

Send us Fan Mail If you've watched a massive blockbuster over the last two decades, odds are Joey Cicio was the one framing the shot. From breaking into the industry and learning the craft under his mentor, the iconic master cinematographer Alan Daviau, ASC, to his groundbreaking work with Canon that triggered an industry-wide revolution in digital filmmaking with the 5D, Joey has seen it all. He's operated on high profile major box-office hit films like Black Swan, Spider-Man 2 & 3, Iron Man 1 & 2, Die Hard, Live Free or Die Hard and many more. And his more recent camera operating work includes shows such as Dungeons and Dragons, Lioness and Fallout. With an uparalleled, "Google-like" knowledge of cinematography equipment and film history, Joey joins us in the studio for this candid, insightful, and deeply endearing conversation that you won't want to miss. Welcome a legend to the studio —Joey Cicio joins us for Episode 5 of The Prelim Podcast! 🎬 Subscribe so you never miss an episode 🎙️ New episodes every Tuesday 📲 Follow us @ThePrelimPodcast on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok & Twitter #filmindustry, #crewsetstories, #theprelimpodcast, #hollywoodsetstories, #behindthescenes, #moviecrews, #setlife

Send us Fan Mail This week on The Prelim Podcast, we bring the laughs with our good friend, 1st AC Andy Macat, who quite literally grew up inside a Hollywood camera department dynasty! With legendary Director of Photography Julio Macat, ASC as a dad, an operator for an older brother, and his twin brother pulling focus as a 2nd AC, the film industry doesn't just run in Andy's blood—it IS the family business. Andy takes us on a hilarious, high-energy trip behind the scenes, sharing what it was like meeting Jennifer Aniston as a kid on the set of Ace Ventura: Pet Dectective, and what happened when they unexpectedly reconnected decades later on the hit series The Morning Show. From the unique chaos of working major professional sets alongside his dad to striking out on his own high-profile projects, Andy drops endless hilarious, heartwarming and classic crew stories with our hosts that you won't hear anywhere else! Tune in for this wildly entertaining episode that will leave you wanting more! 🎬 Subscribe so you never miss an episode 🎙️ New episodes every Tuesday 📲 Follow us @ThePrelimPodcast on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok & Twitter #filmindustry, #crewsetstories, #theprelimpodcast, #hollywoodsetstories, #behindthescenes, #moviecrews, #setlife

Send us Fan Mail Ever wonder how the massive action pieces in the Marvel Cinematic Universe or the high-stakes battles of Star Wars come together? It all hinges on the 2nd Unit—and we are sitting down with one of the absolute best in the business. In Episode 4, we are excited to welcome our friend and veteran cinematographer Paul Hughen, ASC, whose incredible career as a 2nd Unit Director of Photography has shaped some of the biggest blockbusters and premium television series of the last decade. From The Mandalorian, Ahsoka, and Obi-Wan Kenobi, WandaVison, and Stranger Things to The Avengers: Endgame movie and more, Paul pulls back the curtain on what it takes to visually match a main unit while bringing his own signature technical mastery to the screen. In this episode, we dive deep into: • The Art of the 2nd Unit: How to seamlessly integrate massive action, stunts, and visual effects with the primary director's vision. • The Tech of a Galaxy Far, Far Away: Working on the cutting edge virtual production worlds of the modern Star Wars episodes and films. • The Camera Department Journey: Paul’s advice for moving up the ranks in Hollywood, building collaborative relationships on set, and getting invited into the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC). Whether you’re an aspiring camera assistant, a seasoned filmmaker, or just a massive fan of cinematic storytelling, this masterclass in visual composition and set survival is one you can't afford to miss! 🎬 Subscribe so you never miss an episode 🎙️ New episodes every Tuesday 📲 Follow us @ThePrelimPodcast on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok & Twitter #filmindustry, #crewsetstories, #theprelimpodcast, #hollywoodsetstories, #behindthescenes, #moviecrews, #setlife

Send us Fan Mail Fight Club. Mad Men. The world of David Lynch. Lisa Guerriero has seen it all and she's dropping some gems in Episode 3! This week, Pablo and Tony talk with Lisa Guerriero, who as a female AC, is part of the first generation of women to break into the film industry in the late 1980s — long before that was a conversation anyone was having in Hollywood. She shares her journey of breaking into the male-dominated movie and television industries, and she describes her successes in navigating Hollywood sets as a camera assistant for her many decades to follow. We also talk about her passion for photography and the powerful work she captured on the streets of New Orleans. This inspiring conversation is packed with incredible insights! Tune in to this week to catch the pioneering set-life chronicles of Lisa Guerriero. 👉 Hit play to listen now! 🎬 Subscribe so you never miss an episode 🎙️ New episodes weekly 📲 Follow us @ThePrelimPodcast on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok & Twitter 🎬 Subscribe so you never miss an episode 🎙️ New episodes every Tuesday 📲 Follow us @ThePrelimPodcast on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok & Twitter #filmindustry, #crewsetstories, #theprelimpodcast, #hollywoodsetstories, #behindthescenes, #moviecrews, #setlife

Send us Fan Mail What happens when old friends reminisce about working on some of the biggest productions in entertainment history? Things get incredibly animated! Hosts Tony and Pablo catch up with fellow AC Conrad Castor. From the high-profile sets of Iron Man and Iron Man 2 to pinnacle live events like Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour and the 2025 Oscars, Conrad shares exclusive, hilarious stories from his set experiences in Hollywood and around the world! You do not want to miss this one! 👉 Hit play to listen now! 🎬 Subscribe so you never miss an episode 🎙️ New episodes every Tuesday 📲 Follow us @ThePrelimPodcast on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok & Twitter #filmindustry, #crewsetstories, #theprelimpodcast, #hollywoodsetstories, #behindthescenes, #moviecrews, #setlife

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to The Prelim — Coming to you each week from Los Angeles, California. In this premiere episode, it’s just the hosts— no guests, no filters. Just raw, honest conversations about what it takes to survive and thrive behind the lens. Long time friends and camera assistants, Tony Muller and Pablo Jara reminisce about their early days on sets, moving up the ranks in the camera department, and how they eventually crossed paths on one of their favorite sets of all time: Black-ish. Together they reveal the inspiration behind The Prelim, what they want this podcast to become, and why they believe the crew — the people you never see — deserve their moment in the spotlight. This is set-life. Unfiltered. Built by the crew, for the crew, those who wish to become future crew and everyone interested in the untold Hollywood behind-the-scenes stories -- we are The Prelim. 🎬 Subscribe so you never miss an episode 🎙️ New episodes every Tuesday 📲 Follow us @ThePrelimPodcast on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok & Twitter #filmindustry, #crewsetstories, #theprelimpodcast, #hollywoodsetstories, #behindthescenes, #moviecrews, #setlife