Cinemapodgrapher

Academy Award–nominated production designer Tamara Deverell joins the podcast following her Oscar-nominated work on Frankenstein, a visually operatic reimagining that stands as one of the most ambitious production design achievements in recent cinema.
With a career spanning decades and long-standing collaborations with Guillermo del Toro, Tamara has helped shape richly textured worlds across film and television. In this conversation, she strips back the job title and explains what a production designer truly does, how the art department is structured, and why research, collaboration, and logistics are just as critical as imagination.
The episode dives deep into the making of Frankenstein. Tamara breaks down the design philosophy behind the film, from constructing a full-scale Arctic ship and monumental laboratory towers to grounding fantastical elements in historical reality. She discusses colour motifs, architectural influences, practical builds versus VFX, and the constant dialogue between production design, camera, lighting, and special effects that allows a world like Frankenstein to feel both mythic and real.
Powered by Sony Technology. Produced by Deb Van Dieren. Hosted and edited by Lucas Tomoana SOC.

At the age of 30, Jules O'Loughlin ASC ACS walked away from a successful career as a futures trader and made the decision to pursue cinematography full-time. After enrolling at AFTRS, he shot his first feature Kokoda, a film that helped launch his career in the Australian film industry. That decision set Jules on a path from local features to major international productions, leading to credits including Ms Marvel, The Old Man, See, The Hitman's Bodyguard, Angel Has Fallen, Black Sails and most recently Disney's Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Season 2.
Jules reflects on changing industries later in life, committing fully when the stakes are high, and why focus and timing often matter more than age. He also discusses the realities of film school, building long-term creative relationships, and how early opportunities can quietly shape an entire career.
The conversation dives deeper into craft, with Jules unpacking his visual approach on Percy Jackson and the Olympians. He breaks down complex sequences involving horses, chariots and large-scale action, as well as shooting on water and boats, drawing on experience from Black Sails. Jules discusses how these scenes are planned and executed safely, how practical filmmaking is balanced with visual effects, and how lens choice, camera movement and motivated lighting are used to keep fantasy grounded and story-driven.
This podcast is powered by Sony Technology
Hosted by Lucas Tomoana SOC
Produced by Deb Van Dieren

When Ben Eeley ACO SOC is not camera operating, he spends his spare time running marathons, cycling, swimming and training for the Ironman.
This episode explores how fitness and endurance play a role in camera operating, alongside Steadicam, wheels, conventional operating, using the ZeeGee and handheld work. Ben shares insight into the physical demands of the job, how he began his Steadicam career and the nuts and bolts of the equipment he uses.
The conversation also touches on being thrown into the deep end on large budget features, performing under pressure and how handling that pressure led to being asked to join the ACO. This episode is a deep dive into all things camera operating. If you are looking to build a career in the camera department, this episode is for you.

International camera operator Brett Hurd SOC joins us after a run on shows like The Handmaid's Tale, Mrs America, The Terminal List and American Primeval. We talk about the path that took him from early sports broadcasting and documentary work to operating on major dramas around the world.
Brett shares how still photography shapes his eye, why mobility and body awareness matter for handheld, and how growing up skating and playing sport feeds directly into his work today. He opens up about the pressure of big opportunities, the value of being uncomfortable, and the moments that pushed his craft to the next level.
We also explore leadership on set, communication with cast, and building an environment where everyone feels safe to do their best work. A grounded chat with a thoughtful operator who brings both skill and heart to every project.

This episode is proudly brought to you by our technology partners Sony
Hoseted and edited by Lucas Tomoana SOC
Produced by Deb Van Dieren

This week on Cinemapodgrapher, one of our new hosts, Hannah, sits down with acclaimed production designer Sue Chan, whose work spans Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Where the Crawdads Sing, Colossal, and now the highly anticipated series Murderbot. Together they explore Sue's approach to world-building, the design of the AI-driven character at the heart of Murderbot, and how her background in architecture, theatre and art direction shaped her storytelling eye. Sue opens up about balancing practical and visual effects, creating entire alien languages, and grounding futuristic sci-fi worlds in human emotion and design history. A thoughtful, inspiring conversation about collaboration, imagination and the craft of building worlds we can believe in.
This podcast is proudly brought to you by our technology partners Sony
Produced by Deb Van Dieren
Hosted and edited by Hannah Ariotti