EP 275 - Guillermo's 'Frankenstein' - Cinematographer - Dan Laustsen
Tell us what you though of the episode🎙️ On this episode of the Kingdom of Dreams Podcast, we sit down with legendary cinematographer Dan Laustsen, who takes us inside the artistry behind shooting Frankenstein. He shares how he crafted the film’s haunting visual language—from the specific lenses he chose to the distinctive lighting setups that shaped its mood and atmosphere. Dan also talks about his long-standing creative partnership with Guillermo del Toro, exploring how their shared visual instincts and trust have allowed them to build some of modern cinema’s most unforgettable worlds. A masterclass in cinematography and collaboration.Dan Laustsen is an acclaimed Danish cinematographer known for his striking visual style, blending rich, expressive lighting with bold, immersive compositions. Over a career spanning four decades, he has worked across genres in both European and Hollywood cinema, becoming especially celebrated for his collaborations with director Guillermo del Toro on films such as Crimson Peak, The Shape of Water, and Nightmare Alley, where his atmospheric imagery became central to the storytelling. Laustsen is also widely recognized for redefining modern action aesthetics through his work on the John Wick series, bringing operatic lighting, deep shadows, and vibrant color palettes to the franchise. A master of craft with a painter’s eye, he continues to be one of the most influential cinematographers working today, known for elevating every frame into something artful, textured, and unforgettable.#frankenstein #guillermodeltoro #movies #oscars #cinematography #maryshelley #netflix #vfx #classicbooks http://twitter.com/dreamingkingdomhttp://instagram.com/kingdomofdreamspodcasthttp://facebook.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast Watch the feature films that I have directedCitizen of Moria - https://rb.gy/azpsuIn Search of My Sister - https://rb.gy/1ke21Official Website - www.jawadmir.com
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EP 274 - 'MEGADOC' - Editor - Joe Beshenkovsky
Tell us what you though of the episode🎙️ On this episode of the Kingdom of Dreams Podcast, we sit down with editor Joe Beshenkovsky, who takes us inside the making of MegaDoc, sharing his collaboration with Mike Figgis, the remarkable access they had on the set of Megalopolis, and what it was like editing the documentary while the film itself was still being shaped. Joe also shares amazing stories, including his unforgettable meetings with Francis Ford Coppola and George Lucas. An incredible and insightful conversation. Joe Beshenkovsky is a skilled documentary editor known for crafting emotionally resonant, cinematic nonfiction stories. He has shaped award-winning films and series with his strong sense of pacing, character, and narrative clarity, earning a reputation as a trusted collaborator who brings depth and humanity to every project he works on.#megadoc #megalopolis #francisfordcoppola #documentary #behindthescenes #makingof #jonvoight #dustinhoffman #shialebouf #adamdriver http://twitter.com/dreamingkingdomhttp://instagram.com/kingdomofdreamspodcasthttp://facebook.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast Watch the feature films that I have directedCitizen of Moria - https://rb.gy/azpsuIn Search of My Sister - https://rb.gy/1ke21Official Website - www.jawadmir.com
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EP 273 - Dining with the Kapoors - Editor - Geeta Singh
Tell us what you though of the episode🎙️ On this episode of the Kingdom of Dreams Podcast, we sit down with acclaimed editor Geeta Singh, who takes us behind the scenes of Dining With The Kapoors for Netflix, sharing how she first came onto the project, the meaningful and genuine moments that unfolded along the way, and the emotional full-circle return to the Deonar cottage that shaped the heart of the series.Geeta Singh is a renowned film editor with over three decades of experience in the Indian film industry. Her work spans feature films, TV commercials, acclaimed docu-reality series, and fiction for top OTT platforms.A finalist at the prestigious Panda Awards in Bristol, UK, she earned recognition for her film on climate change in the Sunderbans. Beyond editing, Geeta writes for fiction and non-fiction, blending creativity across formats.Her work includes Amazon's series 'Angry Young Men', 'The Big Day' and many others#saifalikhan #kareenakapoorkhan #karismakapoor #ranbirkapoor #rajkapoor #neetukapoor #rishikapoor #sashikapoor #netflix #diningwiththekapoors http://twitter.com/dreamingkingdomhttp://instagram.com/kingdomofdreamspodcasthttp://facebook.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast Watch the feature films that I have directedCitizen of Moria - https://rb.gy/azpsuIn Search of My Sister - https://rb.gy/1ke21Official Website - www.jawadmir.com
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EP 272 - 'Predator Badlands' - Production Designer - Ra Vincent
Tell us what you though of the episode🎙️ On this episode of the Kingdom of Dreams Podcast, we sit down with acclaimed production designer Ra Vincent, who takes us inside the creative world behind Predator: Badlands—from shaping a gritty alien-versus-human frontier to crafting intimate family drama within it. Ra shares how he builds environments that feel alive, emotional, and mythic all at once, offering a rare look at the art of world-building and the storytelling power of production design.Ra Vincent is an Academy Award–nominated production designer and set decorator best known for shaping the look of Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit trilogy. Blending meticulous craftsmanship with influences from his New Zealand Māori heritage, he has built some of the most memorable cinematic worlds of the last decade. Coming from a family of artists, Vincent found his calling in the art department and has since become known for creating environments that feel alive, textured, and deeply connected to story.#predatorbadlands #predator #aliens #aliensvspredator #prey #alienearth #sciencefiction http://twitter.com/dreamingkingdomhttp://instagram.com/kingdomofdreamspodcasthttp://facebook.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast Watch the feature films that I have directedCitizen of Moria - https://rb.gy/azpsuIn Search of My Sister - https://rb.gy/1ke21Official Website - www.jawadmir.com
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EP 271 - Prop Master - Kevin Hughes - Coppola & Paul Thomas Anderson
Tell us what you though of the episode🎙️ On this episode of the Kingdom of Dreams Podcast, we sit down with acclaimed casting director Magdalena Szwarcbart, whose remarkable career includes working on Steven Spielberg’s Oscar-winning film Schindler’s List. Magdalena shares her fascinating stories from behind the scenes, from the emotional weight of casting such a powerful story to the unforgettable moment of the little girl in the red coat that became one of cinema’s most haunting symbols.Kevin Hughes is a veteran Hollywood prop master whose career spans decades across both film and television. Born in 1952 in California, he grew up around old movie theatres, where his grandfather worked backstage, sparking his early fascination with show business. He began his career in television on shows like The Price Is Right, All in the Family, and The Sonny & Cher Show, before landing a small courier job on Apocalypse Now that unexpectedly launched him into the world of feature films. Hughes went on to become a respected prop master known for his meticulous, “method-prop-man” approach — breaking down scripts line by line, tracking every object a character touches, and building detailed timelines for each prop. Over the years, he has worked on films such as Boogie Nights, Borat, Bobby, and many others, earning a reputation for bringing authenticity, texture, and emotional grounding to the worlds filmmakers create.#boogienights #francisfordcoppola #paulthomasanderson #apocalypsenow #piranha http://twitter.com/dreamingkingdomhttp://instagram.com/kingdomofdreamspodcasthttp://facebook.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast Watch the feature films that I have directedCitizen of Moria - https://rb.gy/azpsuIn Search of My Sister - https://rb.gy/1ke21Official Website - www.jawadmir.com
Kingdom of Dreams Podcast is a must-listen for film enthusiasts. As a director, producer, and passionate movie lover, I’ve always been captivated by the behind-the-scenes stories, especially those from my own filmmaking journey. This podcast is dedicated to uncovering untold stories from Directors, Editors, Screenwriters, Cinematographers, Production Designers, Producers, Composers, VFX artists, and more. It also explores the highs and lows of building a career in filmmaking and the profound ways it shapes our personal lives.
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