First, I am happy to announce that I have started working on the podcast's third season. Second, I launched an online gallery where I represent some of my favorite photographers and showcase and sell their work. If you want to check it out, go to www.waytoomad.com.

Let's Get To It: An Arts & Culture Podcast

A Message for You

Academy Award® Nominee, Matthew Libatique (Black Swan, Iron Man, A Star is Born) is an American cinematographer. Matthew chats with Portbox about his workflow behind Black Swan, and A Star is Born, the two movies that earned him Oscar nominations. He also expands on his on-set color-workflow for Iron Man and Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey. Madhav inquires about Matthew's frequent collaborations with Spike Lee, Jon Favreau, and Darren Aronofsky — Matthew indulges and talks about his relationship with them.  Matthew also talks about the musical influences he's had on his career and reflects when Madhav asks about what kind of characters in the films Matty finds engaging. The two bond over road-trips, music, and international cinema. Towards the end of the episode, Matthew lays out guidelines international filmmakers can follow to advance their careers. 

7: Cinematographer Matthew Libatique (A Star is Born)

72nd Emmy Awards Nominee, Erik Messerschmidt (Mindhunter), is an American cinematographer. Erik chats with Portbox about his transition into cinematography with Netflix Original Series: Mindhunter. Madhav inquires about how Erik studies human behavior, both professionally and personally. Erik highlights how working with great cinematographers and highly disciplined directors has informed his workflow and why director-cinematographer relationships work across different films. He also breaks down one of Madhav's favorite scene from the second season of Mindhunter, while giving us details on his next project with David Fincher; Mank.

6: How Erik Messerschmidt Photographed Mank

Anurag Kashyap (Dev.D, Gangs of Wasseypur, Ugly, Lust Stories) is an Indian director, writer, and producer. Anurag chats with Portbox about the importance of independent films and their rise in India during the early 2000s. Madhav asks about the appeal of psychologically disturbed characters in Anurag's films and realism behind his dialogues. Anurag recounts the lessons he learned from when his movies did not get released early in his career. Additionally, the two talk about Anurag's management style and the expectations he has from his crew. Taking accounts from his personal and professional life, Anurag takes us on a journey about his process, creating a community of artists, and creating a new-age movement in India. During this conversation, Madhav and Anurag bond over their love for Indian movies, yoga, and single-screen exhibitors (who are, to this date, a walking recitation of film history). 

5: Lessons from How Anurag Kashyap Makes Movies

Vikramaditya Motwane (Udaan, Lootera, Sacred Games) is an Indian director, writer, and producer. Vikramaditya chats with Portbox about the global influence of Indian cinema while sharing notes from the beginning of his career. Madhav inquires about the inspiration behind Vikram's characters, and Vikram comments on the events that shaped independent films in Indian cinema. The two talk about the business of Indian cinema and how it has evolved over the years. Vikram highlights the importance of theatrical film releases and examines the future of independent cinema. They bond over the Mumbai vada-pavs, old Bollywood music, and their mutual heritage. This episode is a heavy-hitting cultural lesson. 

4: Director Vikramaditya Motwane — Global Influence of Indian Cinema

Academy Award® winner Wally Pfister (The Dark Knight Trilogy, Inception, Transcendence) is an American cinematographer, director, and musician. Wally chats with Portbox to discuss the preservation of art as an individual, and the origins of his cinematic career. Madhav asks about an artist's need to have control over one's craft, and Wally expands on his decision to become a director. The two talk about how this pandemic will change filmmaking, while Wally continues to share wisdom from his accumulated experiences in the industry. They bond over the love for music and Bob Dylan. On Wally's side, some rice gets overcooked, and later, he jams on his guitar while Madhav shuffles through the questions from the audience. Madhav's partner, Bailey, also makes a brief appearance on this episode. 

3: Director Wally Pfister (Cinematographer, Inception)

Wally Pfister (The Dark Knight Trilogy, Inception, Transcendence) is an American cinematographer, director, and musician. Wally chats with Portbox to discuss the preservation of art as an individual, and the origins of his cinematic career. Madhav asks about an artist's need to have control over one's craft, and Wally expands on his decision to become a director. The two talk about how this pandemic will change filmmaking, while Wally continues to share wisdom from his accumulated experiences in the industry. They bond over the love for music and Bob Dylan. On Wally's side, some rice gets overcooked, and later, he jams on his guitar while Madhav shuffles through the questions from the audience.  Madhav's partner, Bailey, also makes a brief appearance on this episode.

3: Cinematographer/Director Wally Pfister

Ben Kutchins (Ozark, Legion, Mozart in the Jungle) is an American, Primetime Emmy Award® nominated cinematographer. Ben chats with Portbox about his creative process and his approach to developing the visual language of Netflix's Ozark with Director Jason Bateman. Madhav wonders if the darker tone of a show can affect its critical success. Madhav and Ben discuss the distinction between 'the right image' and 'a good looking image.' Ben explains how character psychology influences his work as a cinematographer and puts further emphasis on the collaborative effort of filmmaking by saying, "we are all here for the story."

2: How Ben Kutchins Created Cinematic, Dark Realism in Ozark

Academy Award® Nominee, Phedon Papamichel (Walk The Line, Nebraska, Ford v Ferrari) is a Greek cinematographer, director, and painter. Phedon chats with Portbox about his career, from his early collaborations with Jon Turteltaub, followed by frequent collaborations with directors like Alexander Payne (Sideways) and James Mangold (Ford v Ferrari). Madhav asks Phedon about Phedon's approach to interpreting a screenplay, and Phedon tells the story of how collaborating with directors who have a similar taste as he shaped his career. The two talk about how influences can elevate one's storytelling; Phedon recalls how Johnny Cash's roadie informed his decisions while shooting Walk The Line. 

1: Phedon Papamichael Breaks Down His Cinematography Career

Our second season is here, featuring some of the finest masters in cinematography. 

S2 - Lineup (Intro)

Our second season is here, featuring some of the greatest minds in film. 

Season 2 (Intro)

For our seventh episode of Let's Get To It, Cinematographer Jon Chema brings us closer to his journey of creating a career as a cinematographer. He also talks to us about how travel and access influence his process of storytelling through camera-movements. He talks about building character-driven camera movements, insights into the changes in light depending on where you are in the world and how he uses it. We touch on subjects of anxiety and stress and an artist's relationship with Instagram. Some of Jon's credits include: FAIS x Afrojack- Used to have it allDan + Shay- TequilaNoah Cyrus x ONE BIT- My WayJulia Michaels- Worst in meAll Time Low- Dirty LaundryLinkin Park- Good GoodbyeBig Sean - Light and Single AgainCommercials for Coca Cola, Nike, New York Times x Google, Vice, BMW, StateFarm, PlayStation, and eBay.Thank you for tuning into Let's Get To It: An Arts & Culture Podcast. We request you to review and subscribe to our channel on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you choose to stream.  

7: Cinematographer Jon Chema

For our sixth episode of Let's Get To It, Singer-Songwriter Hailey Knox brings us closer to how the songs on her mixtape came into being. She also talks to us about self-expression in music, the importance of it, and how certain feelings translate into songs when she starts to write about them. We touch on insecurity and how it's not a negative space. In this conversation, Hailey brings us to a closer understanding of who she is. Thank you for tuning into Let's Get To It: An Arts & Culture Podcast. We request you to review and subscribe to our channel on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you choose to stream. 

6: Singer-Songwriter Hailey Knox

 For our fifth episode of Let's Get To It, Singer-Songwriter Mogli expands on the story behind her track- Patience, which is also the name of her latest EP. She also talks about her depression and how sharing with friends and family along with her decision to get better brought her out of it. Additionally, she brings us closer to her creative process and enlightens us with her thoughts on unconditional love.Thank you for tuning into Let's Get To It: An Arts & Culture Podcast. We request you to review and subscribe to our channel on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you choose to stream.  

5: Singer-Songwriter Mogli

For the fourth episode of Let's Get To It, Cinematographer Steve Annis expands on his on-set experiences across commercials, promos, and feature films. He shares his feelings about the impacts of digital streaming on global cinema and how it has changed how we interact with cinema; with deeper insights into his creative process, the film industry and some stories from his personal life.Some of Steve's selected credits are: I Am Mother - NetflixEngland Lost - Mick JaggerCastle On The Hill - Ed SheeranWhat Kind of Man, Lover to Lover, & Saint Jude - Florence and the MachineEvery Breaking Wave, Song for Someone - U2Feels so close - Calvin HarrisThank you for tuning into Let's Get To It: An Arts & Culture Podcast. We request you to review and subscribe to our channel on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you choose to stream.  

4: Cinematographer Steve Annis (I Am Mother)

Get a cup of tea and indulge in some profoundly insightful conversations with artists from the world of art, film, and music. Got your cup of tea? Alright, let's get to it.

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Let's Get To It: An Arts & Culture Podcast

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