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!

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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!

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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.

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🎙️ New episodes weekly
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🎬 Subscribe so you never miss an episode
🎙️ New episodes weekly
📲 Follow us @ThePrelimPodcast on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok & Twitter

#filmindustry, #crewsetstories, #theprelimpodcast, #hollywoodsetstories, #behindthescenes, #moviecrews, #setlife

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!

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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.

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🎙️ New episodes weekly
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#filmindustry, #crewsetstories, #theprelimpodcast, #hollywoodsetstories, #behindthescenes, #moviecrews, #setlife