In this deeply moving episode of Beyond the Scenes, we sit down with filmmakers and creatives Naomi B. Smith and Tyler Duc Cao to go beyond the technical world of filmmaking and explore the human stories that shape their art.From the power of the art department to elevate visual storytelling, to the emotional weight of honoring one’s heritage and family legacy, this conversation dives into identity, resilience, and radical representation in cinema. Naomi shares the journey behind her award-winning short I Love You, and Tyler opens up about The Ocean’s Debt—a new short film honoring his grandmother and the untold immigrant experience.Together, we talk about why authentic storytelling matters, the barriers creatives of color often face, and how community, culture, and food bind us in unexpected ways. Plus: how you can support their new film through Seed&Spark and help amplify diverse stories in media.Follow Tyler Duc Cao: https://www.instagram.com/tylerdcaoFollow Naomi B Smith: https://www.instagram.com/naomibowiesmithFollow Their Project: https://www.instagram.com/theoceansdebtfilmSupport the short film The Ocean's Debt: https://www.naturl.link/oceanConnect with Carlos Andrés Cuervo: http://carloscuervo.comFollow Carlos Andres Cuervo: https://www.instagram.com/andrescuervo#BeyondTheScenes #FilmmakingPodcast #AsianAmericanStories #RepresentationMatters #ShortFilm #SupportIndieFilm #CulturalIdentity #ImmigrantVoices #FilmCommunity #StorytellingMatters #WomenInFilm #AAPIHeritage #BIPOCFilmmakers #NaomiPSmith #TaylorDelca #TheOceansDebt #ArtDepartment #SetDesignMatters #CreativeCommunity #DiversityInFilm #FilmMentorship #IntergenerationalStories #LatinoFilmmakers #VietnameseAmerican #SeedAndSpark #FilmCampaign #FestivalCircuit #FamilyHeritage #GriefAndHealing #IndieFilmmakersUnite