Episode Summary

In this episode, Steve and Vince talk with Australian actress and indie filmmaker, Ella Cannon.

Using Ella’s latest series pilot project as their foundation (“The Yacht Club”), they explore topics such as her experiences transitioning from acting to directing, the community impact of AI on the filmmaking industry, and her journey from a small town in Australia to becoming a working filmmaker in North America.

As a reminder, if you're enjoying this podcast, feel free to follow us on Apple Podcasts and Instagram @filmmakerandfanspodcast.

Series Overview

The Filmmaker and Fan’s Podcast is a podcast for film lovers and creatives, where film school meets fandom.

Episodes are designed around core conversations with Steven Bernstein, award-winning filmmaker (Monster, Kicking and Screaming, Waterboy, The Wood), and Vince Grimes, former executive producer and head of creative media at Google...and mega film fan.

Episodes include deep-dive conversations between Steve and Vince into the heart of cinema and creativity, special guest interviews with creatives from every level of the independent and studio filmmaking world, and live workshops with independent and aspiring filmmakers.

New episodes are published every Friday.

www.filmmakerandfans.com

IG: @filmmakerandfanspodcast

Episode Summary

In this episode, Steve and Vince welcome back the one, the only, the award-winning director and cinematographer, and friend of the podcast, Ernest Dickerson.

Ernest is an American film director and cinematographer. As a cinematographer, he's known for his frequent collaborations with Spike Lee in films such as Do The Right Thing and Malcolm X. As a director, he's known for films such as Juice, Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight, and Never Die Alone. He's also directed acclaimed television series such as The Wire, Dexter, and The Walking Dead.

Using Ernest’s latest trip to the 2025 Cannes Film Festival as their foundation, they explore topics such as the importance of maintaining relationships within the industry, the emotional complexities filmmakers face after completing a project, and the necessity of taking risks in art.

As a reminder, if you're enjoying this podcast, feel free to follow us on Instagram and YouTube @filmmakerandfanspodcast.

Series Overview

The Filmmaker and Fan’s Podcast is a podcast for film lovers and creatives, where film school meets fandom.

Episodes are designed around core conversations with Steven Bernstein, award-winning filmmaker (Monster, Kicking and Screaming, Waterboy, The Wood), and Vince Grimes, former executive producer and head of creative media at Google...and mega film fan.

Episodes include deep-dive conversations between Steve and Vince into the heart of cinema and creativity, special guest interviews with creatives from every level of the independent and studio filmmaking world, and live workshops with independent and aspiring filmmakers.

New episodes are published every Friday.

www.filmmakerandfans.com

IG: @filmmakerandfanspodcast

Episode Summary

We’ve got Mooch! In this episode, Steve and Vince talk with Lego mega-fan and indie filmmaker, Tony Mucci - aka Mooch.

Using Tony’s latest project as their foundation, “Money Talks” (which recently premiered at the 2025 Tribeca Film Festival), they explore topics such as lessons he learned with his debut short film, the importance of collaboration and community in filmmaking, and Tony’s creative transition from making Lego stop motion animations and directing massive music videos, to narrative filmmaking and debuting at Tribeca.

As a reminder, if you're enjoying this podcast, feel free to follow us on Apple Podcasts and Instagram @filmmakerandfanspodcast.

Series Overview

The Filmmaker and Fan’s Podcast is a podcast for film lovers and creatives, where film school meets fandom.

Episodes are designed around core conversations with Steven Bernstein, award-winning filmmaker (Monster, Kicking and Screaming, Waterboy, The Wood), and Vince Grimes, former executive producer and head of creative media at Google...and mega film fan.

Episodes include deep-dive conversations between Steve and Vince into the heart of cinema and creativity, special guest interviews with creatives from every level of the independent and studio filmmaking world, and live workshops with independent and aspiring filmmakers.

New episodes are published every Friday.

www.filmmakerandfans.com

IG: @filmmakerandfanspodcast

Episode Summary

We’re back from our pre-summer break with an all-new episode this week!

In this episode, Steve catches up with friend of the podcast Peter Debruge, Chief Film Critic at Variety, while Peter was at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.

Using the festival as their foundation, they explore topics such as the celebration of films and the significance of standing ovations at Cannes, the intricate relationship between American and French cinema, and Peter’s favorite (and not-so-favorite) screenings from this year’s official selections.

As a reminder, if you're enjoying this podcast, feel free to follow us on Apple Podcasts and Instagram @filmmakerandfanspodcast.

Series Overview

The Filmmaker and Fan’s Podcast is a podcast for film lovers and creatives, where film school meets fandom.

Episodes are designed around core conversations with Steven Bernstein, award-winning filmmaker (Monster, Kicking and Screaming, Waterboy, The Wood), and Vince Grimes, former executive producer and head of creative media at Google...and mega film fan.

Episodes include deep-dive conversations between Steve and Vince into the heart of cinema and creativity, special guest interviews with creatives from every level of the independent and studio filmmaking world, and live workshops with independent and aspiring filmmakers.

New episodes are published every Friday.

www.filmmakerandfans.com

IG: @filmmakerandfanspodcast

Episode Summary

[Re-release: originally published December 13th, 2024 - episode 40]

Our summer break is extending just a bit longer as we finish prepping for our new summer guests and episodes (new episodes starting June 20th!). In the meantime, we’re listening back to some of our past favorites.

In this episode, Steve and Vince welcomed their first Indie Filmmaker (IndieMaker) special guest, BREVI.

Brevi, a former recording artist (Cypress Hill, Universal Republic Records) turned screenwriter, joined the show to explore her journey from music to filmmaking. The conversation explores topics such as the challenges of navigating success and impostor syndrome, how collaboration enhances the creative process in both music and film, and the importance of personal experiences and relationships in the creative process.

As a reminder, if you're enjoying this podcast, feel free to follow us on Apple Podcasts and Instagram @filmmakerandfanspodcast.

Series Overview

The Filmmaker and Fan’s Podcast is a podcast for film lovers and creatives, where film school meets fandom.

Episodes are designed around core conversations with Steven Bernstein, award-winning filmmaker (Monster, Kicking and Screaming, Waterboy, The Wood), and Vince Grimes, former executive producer and head of creative media at Google...and mega film fan.

Episodes include deep-dive conversations between Steve and Vince into the heart of cinema and creativity, special guest interviews with creatives from every level of the independent and studio filmmaking world, and live workshops with independent and aspiring filmmakers.

New episodes are published every Friday.

www.filmmakerandfans.com

IG: @filmmakerandfanspodcast

Episode Summary

[Re-release: originally published September 20th, 2024 - episode 28]

Our May break (extended to the first part of June ☀️) is ALMOST over, and this is our last week off before coming back with new summer guests and episodes! In the meantime, we’re listening back to some of our past favorites.

In this episode, Steve and Vince explore the 1962 classic, “Lawrence of Arabia”.

Using Lawrence of Arabia as their foundation, they explore topics such as decision-making under pressure, the directing techniques of David Lean, and the importance of delegation when managing large film productions.

As a reminder, if you're enjoying this podcast, feel free to follow us on Apple Podcasts and Instagram @filmmakerandfanspodcast.

Series Overview

The Filmmaker and Fan’s Podcast is a podcast for film lovers and creatives, where film school meets fandom.

Episodes are designed around core conversations with Steven Bernstein, award-winning filmmaker (Monster, Kicking and Screaming, Waterboy, The Wood), and Vince Grimes, former executive producer and head of creative media at Google...and mega film fan.

Episodes include deep-dive conversations between Steve and Vince into the heart of cinema and creativity, special guest interviews with creatives from every level of the independent and studio filmmaking world, and live workshops with independent and aspiring filmmakers.

New episodes are published every Friday.

www.filmmakerandfans.com

IG: @filmmakerandfanspodcast

Episode Summary

[May break re-release: originally published August 9th, 2024 - episode 22]

We’re taking some time off this May to get ready for our exciting new summer guests and book launch! In the meantime, we’re listening back to some of our favorite past episodes.

In this episode, Steve and Vince discuss the 2004 film “White Chicks”, directed by Keenen Ivory Wayans, with Steve as the cinematographer.

Using White Chicks as their foundation, they explore topics such as Steve’s collaboration with the Wayans brothers, the multi-camera approach in filmmaking, and the value of leadership that fosters creativity and eliminates fear.

As a reminder, if you're enjoying this podcast, feel free to follow us on Apple Podcasts and Instagram @filmmakerandfanspodcast.

Series Overview

The Filmmaker and Fan’s Podcast is a podcast for film lovers and creatives, where film school meets fandom.

Episodes are designed around core conversations with Steven Bernstein, award-winning filmmaker (Monster, Kicking and Screaming, Waterboy, The Wood), and Vince Grimes, former executive producer and head of creative media at Google...and mega film fan.

Episodes include deep-dive conversations between Steve and Vince into the heart of cinema and creativity, special guest interviews with creatives from every level of the independent and studio filmmaking world, and live workshops with independent and aspiring filmmakers.

New episodes are published every Friday.

www.filmmakerandfans.com

IG: @filmmakerandfanspodcast

Episode Summary

[May break re-release: originally published May 24th, 2024 - episode 11]

We’re taking some time off this May to get ready for our exciting new summer guests and book launch! In the meantime, we’re listening back to some of our favorite past episodes.

In this episode, Steve and Vince discuss the 2017 film, “Get Out”. Using Get Out as their foundation, they explore topics such as the film’s nuanced performances, the challenges faced by first-time directors, and the fundamentals of writing for genre.

As a reminder, if you're enjoying this podcast, feel free to follow us on Apple Podcasts and Instagram @filmmakerandfanspodcast.

Series Overview

The Filmmaker and Fan’s Podcast is a podcast for film lovers and creatives, where film school meets fandom.

Episodes are designed around core conversations with Steven Bernstein, award-winning filmmaker (Monster, Kicking and Screaming, Waterboy, The Wood), and Vince Grimes, former executive producer and head of creative media at Google...and mega film fan.

Episodes include deep-dive conversations between Steve and Vince into the heart of cinema and creativity, special guest interviews with creatives from every level of the independent and studio filmmaking world, and live workshops with independent and aspiring filmmakers.

New episodes are published every Friday.

www.filmmakerandfans.com

IG: @filmmakerandfanspodcast