Frame By Frame

Daniel Mogg

Frame By Frame is a filmmaking podcast for commercial directors, documentary filmmakers, and creative professionals building careers in the industry. Hosted by 4x Emmy Award winner Daniel Mogg — director for Nike, Alaska Airlines, NBC Sports Sunday Night Football, and multiple Olympics. Each episode goes behind the scenes with the people actually doing it — Netflix documentary directors, Super Bowl-winning coaches, and working filmmakers at the top of their craft. Guests include Tony Dungy, Liam Hughes (Aaron Rodgers Netflix doc), and directors who've worked with LeBron James, Mahomes, and Russell Wilson. If you're a filmmaker who wants to build a career that lasts — this is the show.

  1. 15 APR

    Inside Rory McIlroy’s “The Master’s Wait” with Director Drea Cooper

    Emmy-winning filmmaker Drea Cooper joins Frame By Frame to break down his latest documentary, The Master’s Wait, about Rory McIlroy, The Masters, and the long emotional road to winning at Augusta National Golf Club. In this conversation, Drea shares what it was like being at the Masters for Rory’s latest win, how the film came together, and how he approached telling a story that was bigger than golf. If you’re interested in sports documentaries, Rory McIlroy, The Masters, Augusta National, or the craft of documentary filmmaking, this episode is for you.   Timestamps 0:00 Cold open: Augusta goes from dream to haunted house 0:52 Intro: Drea Cooper on The Master’s Wait and Rory’s back-to-back moment 2:09 What it was like being at the Masters in person 2:45 Augusta with no phones and why it feels different 4:37 How The Master’s Wait came together 6:19 Drea’s sports background and prepping to tell Rory’s story 9:00 What Rory McIlroy was like to work with in a documentary setting 10:33 Filming re-creations at Augusta and visualizing Rory’s mental game 14:44 The “pinch me” moments filming with Rory at Augusta and in Northern Ireland 19:30 Rory’s parents, the archive, and the interviews that unlocked the film 26:38 Why Drea chose a direct-to-camera interview style 28:44 The universal lesson in Rory’s story: persistence, instinct, and not giving up 32:06 How Drea has built range across documentaries and commercial directing 33:39 Advice for first-time feature documentary directors 36:11 Imposter syndrome, trusting your instincts, and staying open to curveballs When You're Ready 📬: Frame By Frame Dispatch Newsletter (Creative Inspiration) 🎥: Daniel's Recommended Production Gear List CONNECT 🐦 Connect on Twitter 📸 Connect on Instagram 💼 Connect on LinkedIn 📹 Subscribe on YouTube 👍 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with filmmakers, creatives, and industry insiders! SAY THANKS 💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts 🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify

    41 min
  2. 21/11/2025

    How Alex vs. A-Rod Was Really Made: A Deep Dive With Director Erik LeDrew & Editor Kevin Barth

    How do you make one of the biggest sports documentaries of the year? In this episode of Frame By Frame, Daniel sits down with director Erik LeDrew and editor Kevin Barth, the creative minds behind HBO’s Alex vs. A-Rod. They break down the entire storytelling journey—from early brainstorming sessions and gaining Alex Rodriguez’s trust, to the emotional Colorado shoot that became the heart of the series, to spending 88 weeks in the edit shaping one of the most vulnerable portraits of A-Rod ever shown on screen. This conversation goes deep into the director–editor relationship, how to collaborate under pressure, why certain scenes almost didn’t make the cut, and what it truly takes to build a multi-year documentary from scratch If you love filmmaking, storytelling, sports docs, or the craft behind documentaries, this episode is packed with insight, honesty, and behind-the-scenes stories you won’t hear anywhere else. 00:00 – Intro Daniel sets up the episode and introduces Erik & Kevin. 02:00 – How Erik & Kevin First Connected Their creative partnership and early projects that shaped their process. 08:30 – Origin of the Alex vs. A-Rod Documentary A-Rod’s blind spots, the initial pitch, and why this project mattered. 14:00 – Building Trust With A-Rod How they got him comfortable enough to open up emotionally. 20:00 – Developing the Structure & Tone The “writer’s room” process and mapping out the psychological heart of the story. 27:00 – Editing a Multi-Year Documentary Finding rhythm, musicality, pacing, and what gets left on the cutting room floor. 33:00 – The Colorado Shoot The make-or-break moment of the doc—and why it almost didn’t work. 45:00 – Balancing Objectivity & Collaboration With A-Rod Navigating notes, integrity, and the fine line between access and honesty. 52:00 – Working With HBO Why HBO was the ideal partner and how their feedback elevated the project. 58:00 – Storytelling Lessons & Advice for Filmmakers Erik and Kevin share what they’ve learned across their careers. 1:05:00 – The Frame They’re Most Proud Of A powerful closing reflection on their favorite moments in the film 1:10:00 – Closing Thoughts Daniel wraps the conversation and previews what’s next.

    1hr 18min
  3. 29/09/2025

    Filming Mahomes, Kelce & the Chiefs: Inside The Kingdom w/ Kristin Lappas

    What does it take to film Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Andy Reid, and the Kansas City Chiefs from the inside? Emmy-winning director Kristen Lappas takes us behind the scenes of The Kingdom, the new Disney+ and ESPN documentary series on the Chiefs dynasty. In this episode of Frame By Frame, Kristen shares how she earned the trust of Mahomes, Kelce, and Coach Andy Reid, what it was like to direct the Chiefs through a historic season, and how she built one of the biggest NFL docuseries of all time. From underground bunkers of Chiefs history to emotional family moments, this is the story behind The Kingdom. If you’re a Kansas City Chiefs fan, a filmmaker, or just curious about how sports documentaries are made, this is a must-watch. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – Intro: Kristen Lappas on The Kingdom 01:18 – How the Chiefs project came together 03:13 – Building trust with Andy Reid & the players 06:06 – Filming Mahomes up close (and a Super Bowl haircut) 08:13 – Structuring a dynasty story: themes & arcs 11:10 – The art of pitching: how Kristen sold The Kingdom 14:38 – Balancing honesty vs. PR when partnering with teams 18:56 – Surprising storylines that shaped the series 21:26 – Discovering the Chiefs’ underground archive bunker 25:36 – Making The Kingdom appeal beyond football fans 27:07 – Handling Taylor Swift’s presence in the story 29:00 – Premiering The Kingdom in Kansas City 31:21 – Creative swings: directing the Giannis documentary 36:49 – Lessons from working with superstars (Mahomes, Giannis, Caitlin Clark) 39:07 – Kristen’s career break: the story of Arthur 43:49 – Advice for young filmmakers & pitching stories 45:09 – Balancing filmmaking with motherhood 47:49 – Kristen’s advice for first-time feature directors 50:24 – What’s next for Kristen Lappas 51:25 – Mentors, influences, and finding your voice 54:51 – Lessons from The Kingdom & Andy Reid’s “Don’t Judge” card   When You're Ready 📬: Frame By Frame Dispatch Newsletter (Creative Inspiration) 🎥: Daniel's Recommended Production Gear List CONNECT 🐦 Connect on Twitter 📸 Connect on Instagram 💼 Connect on LinkedIn 📹 Subscribe on YouTube 👍 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with filmmakers, creatives, and industry insiders! SAY THANKS 💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts 🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify

    57 min
  4. 18/09/2025

    I’ve Waited My Whole Career to Tell This Story (My Director Debut)

    After a short break, I’m back — and with big news. In this episode of Frame by Frame, I’m announcing my first feature documentary: 12 — the untold story of how the city of Seattle came together in the 1990s to stop the Seahawks from relocating to Los Angeles. Backed by Marshawn Lynch, Beast Mode Productions, and Victory Sports Media, this project is the biggest opportunity of my directing career so far. I break down the inspiration behind the film, how it came together behind the scenes, and what I’ve learned so far stepping into the role of feature documentary director. We talk: Why this story matters — and why it almost got lost The origin of 12 and the team behind it What it takes to make a doc at this scale Finding the heart of a story that changed a city Balancing creative work, parenting, and small business life   If you’re a filmmaker, storyteller, or just someone who loves underdog sports stories, this episode is for you. 🎧 Subscribe to Frame by Frame for more behind-the-scenes episodes as I bring this documentary to life — one frame at a time.   When You're Ready 📬: Frame By Frame Dispatch Newsletter (Creative Inspiration) 🎥: Daniel's Recommended Production Gear List CONNECT 🐦 Connect on Twitter 📸 Connect on Instagram 💼 Connect on LinkedIn 📹 Subscribe on YouTube 👍 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with filmmakers, creatives, and industry insiders! SAY THANKS 💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts 🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify

    10 min
  5. 30/04/2025

    Directing LeBron James for Netflix: The Untold Story w/ Susan Ansman

    Susan Ansman spent a year embedded with LeBron James, directing Netflix’s Starting 5 and capturing the most personal moments of his career. In this episode, Susan shares how she made the leap from ESPN to freelance, what it’s really like to direct a global superstar, and how she’s paving the way for women in sports filmmaking. ⏱ Timestamps 00:00 – Intro: How Susan became LeBron’s director 01:09 – Why she quit ESPN for this opportunity 02:15 – First day: Inside LeBron’s house on Halloween 03:40 – Building trust with high-profile athletes 05:31 – Capturing LeBron rapping in the car 07:00 – Verité filmmaking and shooting solo 08:06 – The story structure behind Starting 5 10:00 – The toast, Bronny’s health scare & vulnerability 13:30 – Being a one-woman crew with LeBron 16:00 – What it takes to shoot elite athletes 19:00 – The power of listening as a director 21:45 – From EVS operator to Emmy-winning filmmaker 24:30 – How editing shaped her directing style 27:00 – Juggling directing, producing, and editing 30:00 – Shooting the Olympic basketball documentary 34:00 – Navigating confidence in a male-dominated industry 37:30 – Advice to women entering sports filmmaking 41:00 – Why representation behind the camera matters 44:00 – Final reflections + what’s next for Susan When You're Ready 📬: Frame By Frame Dispatch Newsletter (Creative Inspiration) 🎥: Daniel's Recommended Production Gear List CONNECT 🐦 Connect on Twitter 📸 Connect on Instagram 💼 Connect on LinkedIn 📹 Subscribe on YouTube 👍 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with filmmakers, creatives, and industry insiders! SAY THANKS 💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts 🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify

    55 min
  6. 23/04/2025

    What a Creative Director Actually Does (That No One Talks About) w/ Will Shanahan Ep. 013

    Creative Director. It’s a title everyone wants—but few truly understand. In this episode of Frame By Frame, I sit down with Will Shanahan, VP of Creative at The Unlisted Company, to break down what this role really means in the world of branded content, advertising, and filmmaking. Whether you’re an aspiring CD, a freelance director, or just curious about how creative projects actually get made—this episode pulls back the curtain. 📍 Timestamps 00:00 – Intro: Why speaking your mind matters 01:06 – What does a Creative Director actually do? 03:38 – The difference between title and responsibility 07:41 – Defining the role in one sentence 08:00 – Creative Director vs. Head Coach vs. GM 09:21 – Director vs. Creative Director collaboration 11:10 – How to build relationships between directors and CDs 12:32 – The one skill no one talks about—but every CD needs 14:35 – Business lessons learned as a Creative Director 17:06 – Navigating budget conversations with clients 19:59 – Why the word “partnership” changes everything 20:16 – The rare project that went exactly as planned 22:47 – Will’s origin story: How he became a CD 24:07 – Staying creative while managing meetings and chaos 26:26 – The creative power of not trying too hard 27:16 – Advice for new Creative Directors 29:43 – Why pitching is more than just presenting ideas 33:14 – How to make clients feel something during a pitch 34:16 – Real pitch example: The New York Giants 35:40 – Will’s favorite deck-building tools and resources 36:33 – Making the leap: Why Will joined The Unlisted Co. 39:34 – Trusting your gut in a creative career 40:24 – Closing thoughts + why relationships create opportunity   When You're Ready 📬: Frame By Frame Dispatch Newsletter (Creative Inspiration) 🎥: Daniel's Recommended Production Gear List CONNECT 🐦 Connect on Twitter 📸 Connect on Instagram 💼 Connect on LinkedIn 📹 Subscribe on YouTube 👍 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with filmmakers, creatives, and industry insiders! SAY THANKS 💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts 🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify

    41 min
  7. 10/04/2025

    How to Build a Personal Brand as a Creative (Even If You Hate It) | ft. Praise Santos

    If personal branding feels cringy, confusing, or just exhausting — this episode is for you. Brand coach and creative powerhouse Praise Santos, founder of ComePlum, breaks down what personal branding really is, why it matters, and how creatives like filmmakers, designers, and freelancers can brand themselves with authenticity and confidence. We unpack how to stand out in a saturated market, attract your dream clients, and stop letting imposter syndrome hold you back. ⏱ Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro: Why Personal Branding Feels Hard 00:33 - What Is Personal Branding, Really? 01:08 - Branding = The Soul of Your Business 01:58 - Why People Hire People 02:57 - Finding the “Why” That Powers Your Brand 04:06 - The Biggest Pain Points Creatives Face 06:00 - “I’m Not Special Enough” and Other Lies We Tell Ourselves 07:35 - How to Show Up Authentically Online 08:36 - The Hype Sheet: A Game-Changing Branding Tool 10:34 - What to Put in Your Creative Brand Toolkit 12:00 - Serving vs. Selling: The Heart of Great Branding 14:16 - Praise’s Journey to Becoming a Brand Coach 17:15 - How a Mission Statement Won a Filmmaker a Client 19:00 - How to Position Yourself as a Premium Creative 21:16 - Want to Be the Four Seasons of Your Industry? Here’s How 23:09 - Why Podcasting Is a Branding Superpower 25:31 - Podcast Tips: Niche, Ideas, and Delegation 28:03 - Mistakes to Avoid When Building Your Brand 29:31 - Where to Find Praise & ComePlum When You're Ready 📬: Frame By Frame Dispatch Newsletter (Creative Inspiration) 🎥: Daniel's Recommended Production Gear List CONNECT 🐦 Connect on Twitter 📸 Connect on Instagram 💼 Connect on LinkedIn 📹 Subscribe on YouTube 👍 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with filmmakers, creatives, and industry insiders! SAY THANKS 💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts 🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify

    34 min

About

Frame By Frame is a filmmaking podcast for commercial directors, documentary filmmakers, and creative professionals building careers in the industry. Hosted by 4x Emmy Award winner Daniel Mogg — director for Nike, Alaska Airlines, NBC Sports Sunday Night Football, and multiple Olympics. Each episode goes behind the scenes with the people actually doing it — Netflix documentary directors, Super Bowl-winning coaches, and working filmmakers at the top of their craft. Guests include Tony Dungy, Liam Hughes (Aaron Rodgers Netflix doc), and directors who've worked with LeBron James, Mahomes, and Russell Wilson. If you're a filmmaker who wants to build a career that lasts — this is the show.