Kingdom of Dreams Podcast

Jawad Mir
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Film Interviews
  • Updated Weekly

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.

  1. Jul 16

    EP 306 - 'Night Nurse' - Director and Actresses - Press Day

    Tell us what you though of the episode 🎙️ On this episode of the Kingdom of Dreams Podcast, I sit down with director Georgia Bernstein and actresses Mimi Rogers and Cemre Paksoy to discuss their new psychological drama, Night Nurse. Georgia shares the creative influences behind the film, including the work of David Cronenberg and Atom Egoyan, and how those inspirations helped shape its unsettling tone, visual style, and emotional atmosphere. We also explore the process of balancing suspense with intimate character storytelling, and how the film’s unique mood evolved from script to screen. Mimi Rogers and Cemre Paksoy offer insight into their performances, discussing how they approached their characters, collaborated with Georgia to find the emotional truth of each scene, and built the tension that drives the film. It’s a fascinating conversation about filmmaking, performance, creative influences, and bringing a haunting psychological story to life. Georgia Bernstein (Director) Georgia Bernstein is an American writer and director known for character-driven independent films that explore complex emotional and psychological themes. Her work blends intimate storytelling with strong visual style, focusing on nuanced performances and human relationships. Her latest feature, Night Nurse, continues that approach, examining trust, vulnerability, and moral ambiguity. Cemre Paksoy (Actress) Cemre Paksoy is a Turkish-born actress based in Los Angeles, recognized for her work across film, television, and theater. She has built a reputation for emotionally layered performances and brings a natural authenticity to both dramatic and character-driven roles. In Night Nurse, she delivers a compelling performance that anchors the film’s emotional core. Mimi Rogers (Actress) Mimi Rogers is an acclaimed American actress and producer whose career spans more than four decades. She has appeared in numerous acclaimed films and television series, including The Rapture, Lost in Space, Bosch, Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, and The X-Files. In Night Nurse, Rogers brings her trademark depth and screen presence to a pivotal role, continuing her long tradition of memorable performances.   http://twitter.com/dreamingkingdom http://instagram.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast http://facebook.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast   Watch the feature films that I have directed Citizen of Moria - https://rb.gy/azpsu In Search of My Sister -  https://rb.gy/1ke21 Official Website - www.jawadmir.com

    EP 306 - 'Night Nurse' - Director and Actresses - Press Day

  2. Jul 10

    EP 305 - 'I Love Boosters' - Cinematographer Natasha Braier

    Tell us what you though of the episode 🎙️ On this episode of the Kingdom of Dreams Podcast, I sit down with acclaimed cinematographer Natasha Braier, ASC, whose remarkable body of work includes The Neon Demon, Honey Boy, Gloria Bell, and the upcoming feature I Love Boosters. Natasha takes us behind the visual language of I Love Boosters, discussing how she worked with the director to translate the film’s unique vision into striking imagery. We explore the creative conversations that shaped the look of the film, the decision to build scenes around a slanted floor, the visual references that inspired the cinematography, and how camera movement, lighting, and composition came together to create its distinctive world. We also dive into Natasha’s journey as a cinematographer, her collaborative process with directors, the importance of visual storytelling, and the craft of creating images that serve both character and emotion. It’s a fascinating conversation about cinematography, creativity, and the artistry behind bringing bold cinematic visions to life. Natasha Braier, ASC, ADF is an acclaimed cinematographer known for her bold visual style and emotionally driven storytelling across feature films, television, and commercials. Born in Argentina, she has built an international career collaborating with acclaimed directors on projects including The Neon Demon, Honey Boy, Gloria Bell, and I Love Boosters. Her work is recognized for its expressive use of light, color, and camera movement, earning her a reputation as one of the industry’s most distinctive contemporary cinematographers. #iloveboosters #demimoore #comedy #cinematography #inspiration #art   http://twitter.com/dreamingkingdom http://instagram.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast http://facebook.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast   Watch the feature films that I have directed Citizen of Moria - https://rb.gy/azpsu In Search of My Sister -  https://rb.gy/1ke21 Official Website - www.jawadmir.com

    EP 305 - 'I Love Boosters' - Cinematographer Natasha Braier

  3. Jul 8

    EP 304 - Set Decorator - 'Napoleon', 'Gladiator 2' & AI

    Tell us what you though of the episode 🎙️ On this episode of the Kingdom of Dreams Podcast, I sit down with acclaimed set decorator Elli Griff, whose extraordinary career has helped bring some of cinema’s most iconic worlds to life, including Napoleon, Gladiator II, Gladiator, Edge of Tomorrow, Glass Onion, and A.I. Artificial Intelligence. Elli takes us behind the scenes of creating the richly detailed environments that make these films feel authentic and immersive. We discuss working with legendary directors like Ridley Scott and Steven Spielberg, the research and craftsmanship behind period epics such as Napoleon and Gladiator II, and how every object on screen helps shape character, story, and emotion. We also talk about the current state of the film industry, why production has slowed dramatically in recent years, the growing impact of artificial intelligence on filmmaking, and Ben Affleck’s recently announced AI-powered studio venture with Netflix. It’s a fascinating conversation about world-building, collaboration, and how one of Hollywood’s top set decorators is navigating an industry undergoing rapid change. Elli Griff is an Academy Award–nominated British set decorator whose career spans more than three decades creating richly detailed worlds for film. A graduate of London’s Central School of Art and Design, she has collaborated with some of cinema’s most celebrated directors, including Ridley Scott, Tim Burton, Guy Ritchie, and Rian Johnson. Her credits include Gladiator, Black Hawk Down, Edge of Tomorrow, Ghost in the Shell, Glass Onion, Napoleon, and Gladiator II, earning a reputation for bringing authenticity and character to every environment she helps create. #gladiator2 #Napoleon #ridleyscott #benaffleck #ai    http://twitter.com/dreamingkingdom http://instagram.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast http://facebook.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast   Watch the feature films that I have directed Citizen of Moria - https://rb.gy/azpsu In Search of My Sister -  https://rb.gy/1ke21 Official Website - www.jawadmir.com

    EP 304 - Set Decorator - 'Napoleon', 'Gladiator 2' & AI

  4. Jul 3

    EP 303 - Cinematographer - Celiana Cárdenas - 'Cape Fear' - Apple TV +

    Tell us what you though of the episode 🎙️ On this episode of the Kingdom of Dreams Podcast, I sit down with acclaimed cinematographer Celiana Cárdenas, whose impressive career spans feature films, television, and documentaries, including the highly anticipated Apple TV+ series Cape Fear. Celiana takes me behind the lens of the new 10-episode reimagining of Cape Fear, inspired by the classic film directed by Martin Scorsese. She discusses developing the visual language of the series, the lighting techniques that shaped its atmosphere, and the creative approach to building tension across a long-form psychological thriller. She also shares what it was like collaborating with multiple directors while maintaining a consistent cinematic vision throughout the season. I also dive into Celiana’s journey as a cinematographer, her evolution behind the camera, the importance of visual storytelling, and the craft of creating images that serve both character and emotion. It’s a fascinating conversation about cinematography, collaboration, and the artistry behind bringing compelling stories to the screen. Celiana Cárdenas is a Mexican-Canadian cinematographer based in Toronto whose work spans feature films, television, and documentaries across North America and Latin America. A graduate of Mexico City’s prestigious Centro de Capacitación Cinematográfica (CCC), she further honed her craft through UCLA’s “Painting with Light” program before building an international career behind the camera.   She has photographed acclaimed productions including Diggstown, The Cuban, The Order, and Apple TV+’s Cape Fear, earning recognition for her rich visual style and character-driven cinematography. Her work on The Cuban won the Borsos Award for Best Cinematography at the 2019 Whistler Film Festival, while Diggstown earned her a Canadian Screen Award nomination for Best Photography in a Drama Series   #capefear #appletvplus #stevenspielberg #martinscorcese #amblin #javierbardem #amyadams     http://twitter.com/dreamingkingdom http://instagram.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast http://facebook.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast   Watch the feature films that I have directed Citizen of Moria - https://rb.gy/azpsu In Search of My Sister -  https://rb.gy/1ke21 Official Website - www.jawadmir.com

    EP 303 - Cinematographer - Celiana Cárdenas - 'Cape Fear' - Apple TV +

  5. Jul 1

    EP 302 - Editor Christopher Nelson - 'Lost', 'West Wing' & 'Sx Feet Under'

    Tell us what you though of the episode 🎙️ On this episode of the Kingdom of Dreams Podcast, I sit down with acclaimed editor Christopher Nelson, whose remarkable television career includes iconic series such as The West Wing, Lost, and Six Feet Under. Christopher shares stories from behind the edit suite on some of television’s most celebrated dramas, discussing how editing shapes performances, builds suspense, and defines the emotional rhythm of a series. We explore his work on these groundbreaking shows, the creative decisions that happen in post-production, and the evolution of television storytelling over the course of his career. We also dive into what it takes to become a successful TV editor, the collaboration between editors, directors, and producers, and why editing is often the invisible craft that brings every episode to life. It’s an insightful conversation about storytelling, creativity, and the art of editing for television. Chris Nelsons’ career is long and varied. Starting in the MailRoom at Universal, and working his way up to Apprentice Film Editor in the Stock Film Library, Film Librarian, then Asst. Editor and finally Film Editor.  Since then, he’s edited over 50 television and cable pilots, TV movies, and a variety of TV series’.  Working as a Film Editor has also created many opportunities to Produce and Direct as well. Nelson has received Best Editing Emmy for series finale of “Lost” and Best Editing Emmy Nominations for: “Six Feet Under”, “Lost”, Mad Men”, “China Beach”, and “The Greatest American Hero”.  Also, he’s received “American Cinema Editors” nomination for editing the “West Wing” pilot, “Mad Men” and “Lost”   #losttvshow #westwing #tv #editing   http://twitter.com/dreamingkingdom http://instagram.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast http://facebook.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast   Watch the feature films that I have directed Citizen of Moria - https://rb.gy/azpsu In Search of My Sister -  https://rb.gy/1ke21 Official Website - www.jawadmir.com

    EP 302 - Editor Christopher Nelson - 'Lost', 'West Wing' & 'Sx Feet Under'

  6. Jun 29

    EP 301 - Production Designer - James Bissell - 'E.T.', 'Jumanji', '300', 'Rocketeer'

    Tell us what you though of the episode 🎙️ On this episode of the Kingdom of Dreams Podcast, I sit down with acclaimed production designer James D. Bissell, whose extraordinary career has helped shape beloved films including E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, The Rocketeer, Jumanji, and 300. James takes us behind the scenes of designing some of cinema’s most iconic worlds, sharing how he landed these landmark projects and the creative challenges that came with bringing each one to life. From the suburban wonder of E.T. to the art deco adventure of The Rocketeer, the fantastical environments of Jumanji, and the stylized visual spectacle of 300, he reveals the process of transforming scripts into unforgettable cinematic worlds. We also discuss the role of a production designer, collaborating with legendary directors, balancing creativity with practical filmmaking, and the craftsmanship behind creating environments that audiences remember for decades. It’s a fascinating conversation about visual storytelling, world-building, and the art of production design. Jim Bissell is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a BFA in Theater. After working in New York and L.A. on commercials and low budget features, he won an Emmy Award in 1980 for his work on Palmerstown, U.S.A. followed by a BAFTA nomination for production design on Steven Spielberg's E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.  He was the original chair for the Art Directors Guild Awards as well as a former Vice President of the Guild. He has taught at AFI, USC, UCLA extension and the NC School of the Arts and is a member of the DGA, ADG, and Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.   #ettheextraterrestrial #stevenspielberg #300movie #zacksnyder #jumanji #rocketeer #joejohnston      http://twitter.com/dreamingkingdom http://instagram.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast http://facebook.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast   Watch the feature films that I have directed Citizen of Moria - https://rb.gy/azpsu In Search of My Sister -  https://rb.gy/1ke21 Official Website - www.jawadmir.com

    EP 301 - Production Designer - James Bissell - 'E.T.', 'Jumanji', '300', 'Rocketeer'

  7. May 14

    EP 300 - 'The Rocketeer' - Screenwriter - Danny Bilson

    Tell us what you though of the episode 🎙️ On this episode of the Kingdom of Dreams Podcast, I sit down with screenwriter Danny Bilson for a fascinating conversation about the making of the cult classic adventure film The Rocketeer. Danny shares the incredible story behind how the film came to life, the journey of bringing the beloved comic book to the screen, and how director Joe Johnston eventually came on board to shape its timeless visual style and spirit of old Hollywood adventure. We also dive into the challenges the film faced during its original release, why it struggled at the box office despite its ambition, and how over the years it found a passionate audience and evolved into a true cult classic loved by generations of movie fans. From behind the scenes stories to reflections on storytelling, studio expectations, and the lasting legacy of The Rocketeer, this is a conversation film lovers and aspiring storytellers will not want to miss. Danny Bilson is an American screenwriter, producer, director, and novelist best known for co-writing the cult classic adventure film The Rocketeer. Over the course of his career, he has worked across film, television, comic books, and video games, building a reputation for blending action, science fiction, and character-driven storytelling. Alongside longtime creative partner Paul De Meo, Bilson also wrote films such as Trancers and worked on television projects including The Flash and Viper. Beyond Hollywood, he has taught screenwriting at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, mentoring the next generation of storytellers while continuing to explore genre filmmaking and world-building. #ilm #joejohnston #industriallightandmagic #therocketeer #jenniferconnellyedits #disney #comics    http://twitter.com/dreamingkingdom http://instagram.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast http://facebook.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast   Watch the feature films that I have directed Citizen of Moria - https://rb.gy/azpsu In Search of My Sister -  https://rb.gy/1ke21 Official Website - www.jawadmir.com

    EP 300 - 'The Rocketeer' - Screenwriter - Danny Bilson

  8. May 11

    EP 299 - 'Body of Lies' - Set Decorator - Sonja Klaus

    Tell us what you though of the episode 🎙️ On this episode of the Kingdom of Dreams Podcast, I sit down once again with set decorator Sonja Klaus for another fascinating conversation about her adventures working alongside legendary director Ridley Scott. This time, we dive into the making of Body of Lies starring Russell Crowe and Leonardo DiCaprio. Sonja shares fun behind the scenes stories from the production, the challenges of building believable worlds across multiple locations, and what it’s like collaborating with Ridley Scott on large scale cinematic storytelling. As always, Sonja is an absolute delight to have on the show, and this marks probably the fifth time she has joined Kingdom of Dreams Podcast. Be sure to also check out our previous conversations covering her incredible work on Kingdom of Heaven, Gladiator, American Gangster, and Prometheus here on the channel. Sonja Klaus is an acclaimed set decorator known for her detailed and immersive work in film and television. Over her career, she has collaborated with major directors including Ridley Scott and helped shape the visual worlds of films such as Body of Lies, Kingdom of Heaven, and The Martian. Her work focuses on creating believable environments through carefully chosen props, textures, furniture, and visual details that support the story and characters. Sonja is respected in the industry for blending realism with cinematic scale, helping bring some of modern cinema’s most visually rich productions to life. #ridleyscott #bodyofllies #russellcrowe #leonardodicaprio        http://twitter.com/dreamingkingdom http://instagram.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast http://facebook.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast   Watch the feature films that I have directed Citizen of Moria - https://rb.gy/azpsu In Search of My Sister -  https://rb.gy/1ke21 Official Website - www.jawadmir.com

    EP 299 - 'Body of Lies' - Set Decorator - Sonja Klaus
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Jawad Mir
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    306
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Kingdom of Dreams Podcast
  • Show Website
    Kingdom of Dreams Podcast

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