The Film Situation

065 - "ARTFULLY UNITED" Mike Norice & Christopher Walters

In this moving and wide-ranging conversation, filmmaker Zef Cota sits down with Los Angeles muralist Mike Norice, the subject of the new documentary Artfully United, and producer Chris Walters, to explore how art, activism, and faith intertwine to heal communities.

From the streets of Watts and South L.A. to the Cannes Film Festival, Mike’s story is one of transformation and resilience. Known for his striking black and white murals bearing single words like HOPE, LOVE, and FORGIVENESS, Norice shares how each wall becomes a pulpit and each neighborhood a congregation. Together with Walters, he reflects on the decade-long journey of documenting this mural movement, the challenges of filming through a pandemic, and the creative partnership that brought Artfully United to life.

The episode also touches on Mike’s family legacy, his educator mother, his sister Dr. Carmelle Norice, a renowned medical expert and activist, and his sister Joy Norice, whose song “Tree” closes the film. Through their collective story, the conversation becomes a testament to art’s power to uplift, unify, and inspire across generations.

064 - Jamieson Shea - Producer

In this episode, Zef sits down with producer Jamieson Shea, whose recent projects range from heartfelt indie drama to star-studded comedy. Zef first met Jamieson at the YoFi Fest in New York during the premiere of MERRY GOOD ENOUGH, and since then Jamieson has gone on to produce BOLIO: Spirit of the Mustang — directed by Jim Issa, starring Eugene Cordero and Gabriel Hogan, with Tony Shalhoub, Brooke Adams, and Kevin Heffernan of Broken Lizard on board as executive producers.

Together they dive into Jamieson’s journey into producing, the challenges and triumphs of bringing MERRY GOOD ENOUGH and BOLIO to life, and the realities of balancing creativity with logistics in indie filmmaking.

In the second half of the conversation, Jamieson shares two of his all-time favorite movie scenes: the powerful funeral sequence from Backdraft and the hilariously awkward cafeteria exchange in Wet Hot American Summer.

This episode offers a candid look at the craft of producing, the stories behind the projects, and the scenes that inspire the work.

063 - Erin Áine & Kyle Valle - ZOMBIECON vol 1

Filmmaking partners Erin Áine and Kyle Valle join the podcast to discuss their brand-new indie film ZOMBIE CON VOL. 1. Kyle directed the film and Erin stars as the lead actress.

It is a wild zombie apocalypse ride that begins with four friends on their way home from a cosplay convention only to discover that the end of the world has arrived right outside the convention doors.

We talk about how they pulled off this inventive indie, the challenges of blending horror with comedy, and what it was like making a zombie film with a tight-knit creative team. The conversation also dives into their favorite film scenes of all time, with Kyle choosing the Battle of Helm’s Deep from THE LORD OF THE RINGS: The Two Towers and Erin choosing the awe-inspiring brontosaurus reveal from JURASSIC PARK.

Hosted by Zef Cota

062 - Kiira Benz - XR Storyteller & Filmmaker

Kiira Benz, a filmmaker, theatre director, and pioneer in immersive storytelling. She has been working in the XR space for the last decade, pushing boundaries at the intersection of film, theatre, and virtual reality.

Kiira is the founder of Double Eye Studios, the award-winning creative XR studio behind Finding Pandora X, which became the first VR theatre production to win a Lion at the Venice International Film Festival. She has directed acclaimed immersive projects including Territory, Runnin’, Loveseat, and Cardboard City, and she was the first VR director to film on the Intel Studios volumetric capture stage. Her work has been recognized with major honors at Venice, SXSW, and with a JustFilms Fellowship from the Ford Foundation.

She is also the host of the Portal to the Next Stage podcast, where she talks with trailblazers working at the crossroads of art, technology, and human connection.

In our conversation we dig into her creative process, where immersive media is headed, and we break down two of her favorite movie scenes: from AMELIE (2001) and the poetic mirror-filled moments from Agnès Varda’s THE BEACHES OF AGNES (2008).

 

Hosted by Zef Cota

061 - Michael Hoad - Director & Fight Choreographer, A WOMAN SCORNED

In this episode, I sit down with British filmmaker, fight choreographer, and martial artist Michael Hoad, co-director of the new indie action-thriller A WOMAN SCORNED. We talk about how Michael went from training at Carlson Gracie to working on a Guy Ritchie set, and how martial arts opened the door to his directing career. We dig into the making of A WOMAN SCORNED—from the co-directing process to weapon-heavy night shoots and choreographing complex action without stunt doubles.

Michael shares why BJJ isn’t always camera-friendly, what it was like editing his own fight scenes, and the logistical beast of directing a twin-assassin film with only one actress. We also get into the evolution of British cuisine, punchy stories about Lenny McLean, and the magic of "happy accidents" on set.

Toward the end, Michael picks two of his all-time favorite movie scenes: the legendary motorcycle chase in TERMINATOR 2: JUDGMENT DAY and the haunting finale of Takeshi Kitano’s VIOLENT COP.

 

Hosted by Zef Cota

060 - Scott DuPont - Producer - "How to Actually Raise Money for Your Indie Film"

In this episode, we sit down in-person with producer and film finance expert Scott DuPont out in Los Angeles. I first discovered Scott through the documentary MOVIE MONEY CONFIDENTIAL (directed by Rick Pamplin) , and he also runs a great podcast called Finance Your Movie. He’s raised millions of dollars for indie films and has been in the game for a long time...but what really stands out is how practical and down-to-earth his approach is.

We talk about how he raised a million bucks for his first feature back in the '90s, what it was like meeting a major investor while doing background work on THE WATERBOY, and why trying to attach actors before you have money in the bank is almost always a waste of time. Scott breaks down the psychology of raising money, how to build trust with investors, what really goes into a legit business plan, and how to tap into your network without being awkward about it.

He also shares insights about his work with Quentin Tarantino and Burt Reynolds, talks about why most filmmakers fail to pick up the phone, and explains what he calls “asymmetrical risk/reward” basically, how to offer big upside while protecting your downside. It’s all super real and super helpful.

If you’re serious about getting your movie made, this episode’s gonna give you a ton to think about — and a real strategy to actually move forward.

Hosted by Zef Cota

059 - Louise Levison - The Finance Architect Behind THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT

Louise Levison is the undisputed queen of indie film business plans—and in this episode, she breaks down how to actually raise money for your movie. Best known for crafting the business plan that launched The Blair Witch Project, Louise has helped independent filmmakers secure financing for decades. We talk about what investors really care about, how to position your project for success, and the biggest mistakes first-time filmmakers make when chasing funds. Whether you're planning your first feature or looking to level up your producing game, this episode is packed with gold.

 

Hosted by Zef Cota

058 - Dante Spinotti - Cinematographer (HEAT, L.A. CONFIDENTIAL, THE ALTO KNIGHTS)

Throwback episode -- originally recorded for GlobeScreen in 2023:

Legendary cinematographer Dante Spinotti (HEAT, L.A. CONFIDENTIAL, THE INSIDER) joins us for a rare and intimate conversation. We dive into his collaborations with directors like Michael Mann and Curtis Hanson, explore the making of iconic films, and hear behind-the-scenes stories—from lighting the climactic airport scene in HEAT to shooting ALTO KNIGHTS with Robert De Niro in dual roles.

Spinotti also shares insights on digital vs. film, working with actors, and advice for young DPs trying to break in. A must-listen for anyone who loves the art and craft of cinematic storytelling.

Hosted by Zef Cota

057 - Julian Biba : Festival Director, Producer, Storyteller

On this episode of The Film Situation, host Zef Cota sits down with Julian Biba—a filmmaker, producer, novelist, and director of the NY True Venture Film Festival—to discuss his unconventional journey into filmmaking. From his early days as a bodyguard to finding himself at the Cannes Film Festival with his first short film, Julian shares how his real-life experiences have shaped his storytelling across film, literature, and festival programming.

Plus, Julian and Zef break down two of his favorite movie scenes:
THE BOURNE IDENTITY (2002) & Tony Scott's MAN ON FIRE (2004).

@julianbiba

Hosted by Zef Cota

056- Kubrick: An Odyssey with Nathan Abrams & Robert P. Kolker

In this episode of The Film Situation, we sit down with acclaimed Stanley Kubrick biographers Nathan Abrams and Robert P. Kolker, co-authors of KUBRICK: AN ODYSSEY, to explore the genius of one of cinema’s most enigmatic directors.

From the Bronx to London, Stanley Kubrick’s legacy continues to fascinate and influence filmmakers and cinephiles alike. We dive deep into his obsessive attention to detail, behind-the-scenes stories from his most iconic films, and what made him such a singular force in cinema history.

Hosted by Zef Cota