The Film Situation

080 - Ross Brodar: Locations Manager of ANORA & MARTY SUPREME | Director of THE LINCHPIN OF BENSONHURST

Ross Brodar joins The Film Situation for a wide-ranging conversation about filmmaking, New York stories, and the strange overlap between cinema and real life.

Ross has worked as a locations manager on acclaimed films including ANORA, MARTY SUPREME, and projects with directors such as Sean Baker, James Gray, and Josh Safdie. In this episode, Ross breaks down the art and logistics of location scouting, transforming real-world environments into cinematic spaces, and collaborating with visionary directors and production designers.

The conversation also dives deep into Ross’s gripping documentary The Linchpin of Bensonhurst, which chronicles the unbelievable life of Dominic Montiglio, a Vietnam veteran, artist, singer, and former associate of the infamous DeMeo crew tied to the Gambino crime family. Ross shares how he met Dominic by chance, ended up living with him for years, and spent over a decade documenting his life story.

Along the way, Zef and Ross discuss New York in the ‘80s and ‘90s, CBGB’s, Roseland Ballroom, collecting money for Sicilian fish markets, and why some true stories are ultimately stranger than fiction.

Ross also shares one of his favorite movie scenes of all time: the iconic “Tears in Rain” sequence from BLADE RUNNER.

 

Hosted by Zef Cota

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Website for Ross' documentary:

THE LYNCHPIN OF BENSONHURT: The Dominick Montiglio Story

https://www.dominickmontiglio.org

079 - Sean A Reid - The Real Business of Indie Films

In Episode 79 of THE FILM SITUATION, Zef Cota sits down with producer, writer, and director Sean A. Reid for a grounded conversation about what it actually takes to get an independent film made.

Sean breaks down his experience raising money, structuring deals, and navigating today’s distribution landscape. From MGs and tax incentives to the surprising revenue potential of niche films on platforms like Tubi and YouTube, this episode offers a real look at the business side of filmmaking.

He also shares insights on building a strong package, understanding your audience, and why investors are often betting on the filmmaker as much as the film itself.

078 - Jeff Deverett on Film Financing, Distribution, and Directing Films

Jeff Deverett joins The Film Situation for a deep dive into the business side of filmmaking, from his decades in distribution to ultimately stepping behind the camera to direct his own films.

We get into how movies are actually financed, why most indie films struggle to make money, and the realities of selling a film in today’s market. Jeff breaks down the myth of pre-sales, explains how high net worth individuals fund independent films, and shares practical insight on what investors actually care about when you’re pitching a project.

We also talk about his transition from a long career in distribution into directing, what he learned from working with companies tied to Roger Corman, and how understanding the business side gave him a major advantage as a filmmaker.

This is a candid, no-BS conversation about the intersection of art and commerce, and what it really takes to get a film made and seen.

Hosted by Zef Cota

Produced by Cole Howard

 

077 - Richard Schenkman - Director - THE MAN FROM EARTH

Writer and director Richard Schenkman joins THE FILM SITUATION for a wide-ranging conversation that moves from the earliest days of MTV to the making of his cult classic THE MAN FROM EARTH.

Richard shares how he became one of the first people hired at MTV before it even launched, what it was like building something from scratch, and how a James Bond fan club unexpectedly helped him land the job. From there, we get into his path as a filmmaker and the long journey behind bringing THE MAN FROM EARTH to life from a screenplay written by Jerome Bixby on his deathbed.

We go deep on micro-budget filmmaking, including how Richard raised just over $100K, assembled a strong cast led by Tony Todd, and shot the film in eight days under extreme limitations with no water, no power, and a dust storm hitting on the final night. He also breaks down working with actors, the importance of rehearsal, and why 12 ANGRY MEN was a key influence on the film’s structure.

This is a great conversation about persistence, creative problem solving, and finding a way to make the film you believe in, even when nothing goes according to plan.

 

Hosted by Zef Cota 

Produced by Cole Howard

(c) 2026 - The Film Situation 

 

076 - Oscars Recap w/ Cole Howard

Zef & Cole discuss the 2026 Academy Awards.

075 - Nick Gomez - Director, THE LAWS OF GRAVITY, NEW JERSEY DRIVE, Sopranos

Director Nick Gomez joins us for a deep dive into his path from punk and underground art into filmmaking, and how that raw energy shaped his early features. We talk about making LAWS OF GRAVITY on a shoestring, the rise of The Shooting Gallery in pre-gentrified Williamsburg, and what it took to build momentum as an indie director before stepping into high-pressure episodic television such as The Sopranos, Dexter, Ray Donovan, Daredevil.

Nick also breaks down his directing process, including rehearsal, improvisation, overlapping dialogue, and why he prefers to keep things simple on set and get it in a few takes. We get into the shift from indie freedom to the realities of bigger productions, plus stories from his work across film and TV.

Hosted by Zef Cota

074 - A Tribute to Robert Duvall

In this episode of THE FILM SITUATION, Zef Cota is joined by Cole Howard for a tribute to the legendary Robert Duvall. They dig into what made Duvall such a singular screen presence, from quiet restraint to explosive intensity, and why he remains one of the great American character actors. The conversation highlights key performances including TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, THE GODFATHER, FALLING DOWN, APOCALYPSE NOW, and TENDER MERCIES, plus a filmmaker-to-filmmaker discussion about directing styles, take counts, and what it takes to get truthful performances on camera. A heartfelt film-nerd salute to a true heavyweight.

 

Hosted by Zef Cota & Cole Howard

073 - Bethany Lauren James - Acting: Craft, Accountability, Momentum

Actress and acting coach Bethany Lauren James stops by The Film Situation Podcast for a wide-ranging talk that lives at the intersection of craft, career, and the daily discipline of staying in motion. We revisit how we first met through my early scene-work sessions, then zoom out into Bethany’s philosophy of presence in performance, where listening is the whole game.

 

From there we get concrete: building accountability systems, learning how to generate your own opportunities, and how one student-film booking helped lead to a feature in New Orleans opposite Erika Christensen in THE FOLLOWER. We also talk momentum swings in the industry, including booking FBI and BLUE BLOODS, and how to keep going when the ground shifts under you.

 

Finally, we dig into the “noise vs signal” idea: focusing each day on the few actions that actually move your larger goals forward. If you want to follow Bethany and her coaching work, she’s on Instagram and at Actors Forum, NYC.

 

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072 : 2026 OSCAR NOMINATIONS

On this episode of THE FILM SITUATION, Zef sits down with intern Cole Howard to react to the 2026 Academy Award nominations (announced January 22, 2026) and talk through what the Best Picture lineup says about where cinema is right now. They get into the love hate relationship filmmakers have with awards season, how the “race” can feel like sports, and why it still matters even when it drives you crazy.

Zef and Cole run through the big titles in the conversation, including SINNERS, MARTY SUPREME, TRAIN DREAMS, HAMNET, SENTIMENTAL VALUE, FRANKENSTEIN, BEGONIA, THE SECRET AGENT, ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER, and the eyebrow raising Best Picture nominee F1. Expect a mix of real film geek insight, a few laughs, and plenty of honest takes about what feels deserved, what feels surprising, and what they are most excited to watch next. If you are following the Oscar season too, hit follow and send this episode to a film friend who loves debating Best Picture.

 

Hosted by Zef Cota & Cole Howard of The Film Situation

071: Walter Krochmal: Executive Director, Bronx World Film

Actor, writer, translator, and founder of Bronx World Film Walter Krochmal joins me to talk about his incredible journey, from studying theater on a scholarship in New England, to performing, translating, and building one of New York’s most quietly essential film organizations.

We discuss how Bronx World Film was born in the basement of Cannes’ Short Film Corner, the post World War II European idea of cinema as a tool for social reconstruction, and why Walter believes true festivals must serve both filmmakers and neighborhood audiences, not the cash grab mentality that’s overtaken so many indie fests.

In the final segment we dive into two unforgettable film moments: Fellini’s LA STRADA, which he calls a paragon of empathy and craft, and the timeless comedy of THE NAKED GUN, where Leslie Nielsen’s deadpan genius turns “Nice beaver” into a masterclass in visual timing.

Films discussed: LA STRADA (1954) and THE NAKED GUN: FROM THE FILES OF POLICE SQUAD! (1988)

Guest links: bronxworldfilm.org and Instagram @bronxworldfilm