In Proximity

Proximity Media
  • 4.9 (212)
  • Visual Arts
  • Updated Weekly

IN PROXIMITY is a podcast about craft, career, and creativity from Proximity Media, the production company that helped bring you SINNERS, CREED III, JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH, SPACE JAM: A NEW LEGACY, BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER PODCAST & SOUNDTRACK, and more. Hosted by Paola Mardo. New episodes every Monday.

  1. INSIDE PROXIMITY: Film Festival How-To with Sev Ohanian, Terra Potts & Paola Mardo

    2d ago

    INSIDE PROXIMITY: Film Festival How-To with Sev Ohanian, Terra Potts & Paola Mardo

    If you’re an emerging filmmaker, this episode is for you! IN PROXIMITY host and first-time filmmaker Paola Mardo sits down with Proximity Media founder Sev Ohanian and Chief Marketing & Operations Officer Terra Potts to answer your questions about navigating film festivals. Before he was a producer on SINNERS, Sev co-wrote and produced the award-winning film SEARCHING, which premiered at Sundance and was the subject of a bidding war. Other films he has produced and sold at festivals include Ryan Coogler’s FRUITVALE STATION, RESULTS, and THE INTERVENTION. Terra is a veteran film marketing executive with indie and studio film experience, leading campaigns for movies like JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH and CRAZY RICH ASIANS before coming to Proximity Media. Paola shares her learnings from her film “tour” with her debut short film VETERANO, a proof-of-concept for a crime thriller feature which she co-produced along with director/writer Patrick Epino. Together, Sev, Terra, and Paola give their take on film festival submission, strategy, networking, and selling, plus how to handle both acceptance and rejection while keeping your moviemaking dreams alive. SHOP OUR PROX BOOKS RECS ON BOOKSHOP.ORG LEARN MORE AND READ THE TRANSCRIPT AT PROXIMITYMEDIA.COM WATCH/LISTEN TO IN PROXIMITYYOUTUBEAPPLE PODCASTSSPOTIFY FOLLOW PROXIMITY MEDIAINSTAGRAMTIKTOK (05:45) Pro tip: Don’t wait ‘til you have a film — just go! (10:39) The importance of film festivals today (15:38) Planning out your festival strategy (18:57) The secret to a great distribution pitch (20:25) Choosing which festivals to attend (25:19) The do’s and don’ts of submitting to film festivals (26:44) That time Sev made a FRUITVALE STATION poster (37:37) How to network at film festivals (41:41) The best next steps after your film premiere (47:24) How to handle the anxiety of festival rejection (53:55) Prox Recs  IN PROXIMITY IS A PRODUCTION OF PROXIMITY MEDIA Host, Director, Producer: Paola Mardo Executive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian Theme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig Göransson Co-Director and Director of Photography: Patrick Epino Sound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken Nana Editors: Patrick Epino, Ken Nana, Ben Caloza Motion Graphics Designer: Apollo Baldoz Associate Producer and Sound Recordist: Celine Mendiola Production Coordinator: Joy Woo Production Assistants: Ben Caloza, Joshua Flores Social Media Coordinator: Alexandria Santana Production Intern: Briana Tolentino

    58 min
  2. Pixar Storytelling Secrets with Directors and Writers of TOY STORY 5

    Jun 15

    Pixar Storytelling Secrets with Directors and Writers of TOY STORY 5

    More than 30 years after the release of TOY STORY, the Pixar franchise’s latest chapter, TOY STORY 5, premieres in theaters this week. Award-winning writer/director Andrew Stanton and co-director/writer Kenna Harris joined host Paola Mardo for a virtual conversation about why the film pits Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), Jessie (Joan Cusack) and their gang of toys against tech, in the form of the tablet Lilypad (Greta Lee). Andrew and Kenna also discuss how they collaborated on the film as filmmakers from different backgrounds and generations, the secrets to Pixar’s emotionally-compelling storytelling, and how they plan to continue the TOY STORY legacy to infinity and beyond. SHOP OUR PROX BOOKS RECS ON BOOKSHOP.ORG LEARN MORE AND READ THE TRANSCRIPT AT PROXIMITYMEDIA.COM WATCH/LISTEN TO IN PROXIMITYYOUTUBEAPPLE PODCASTSSPOTIFY FOLLOW PROXIMITY MEDIAINSTAGRAMTIKTOK (00:00) Take a shot when Andrew says “Faustian bargain” (03:27) If Labubu was in the TOY STORY universe… (09:02) The start of the TOY STORY 5 project (16:02) Behind the Pixar “brain trust” days (18:57) Andrew and Kenna’s collaborative process  (26:57) Why the toys are tackling technology (34:30) How we emotionally connect with TOY STORY and Pixar (45:53) Prox Recs  IN PROXIMITY IS A PRODUCTION OF PROXIMITY MEDIA Host, Director, Producer: Paola Mardo Executive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian Theme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig Göransson Co-Director and Director of Photography: Patrick Epino Sound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken Nana Editors: Patrick Epino, Ken Nana, Ben Caloza Motion Graphics Designer: Apollo Baldoz Associate Producer and Sound Recordist: Celine Mendiola Production Coordinator: Joy Woo Production Assistant: Ben Caloza Social Media Coordinator: Alexandria Santana Production Intern: Briana Tolentino

    49 min
  3. FROM THE ARCHIVES: Using Your Fear in Filmmaking with Jordan Peele and Ryan Coogler

    Jun 8

    FROM THE ARCHIVES: Using Your Fear in Filmmaking with Jordan Peele and Ryan Coogler

    We’re going back into the archives to rerun this insightful and hilarious conversation with Ryan Coogler and Jordan Peele. From GET OUT to US to NOPE, Jordan has delighted – and frightened – audiences with his mastery of horror and social satire. On this episode, he breaks down his journey from clown school to KEY AND PEELE to horror, how he made the decision to direct GET OUT, and that one time a famous Batman actor advised him to use his fear.  CHECK OUT THE ORIGINAL EPISODEJordan Peele and Ryan Coogler on Genre, Fear, and Filmmaking SHOP OUR PROX BOOKS RECS ON BOOKSHOP.ORG LEARN MORE AND READ THE TRANSCRIPT AT PROXIMITYMEDIA.COM WATCH/LISTEN TO IN PROXIMITYYOUTUBEAPPLE PODCASTSSPOTIFY FOLLOW PROXIMITY MEDIAINSTAGRAMTIKTOK (00:22) From the archives… Jordan Peele and Ryan Coogler! (02:44) Get Reel (14:28) From puppetry to sketch comedy (22:34) How Jordan started writing GET OUT  (35:26) Making genre films  (42:49) “Your fear will guide you”  (43:43) Prox Recs IN PROXIMITY IS A PRODUCTION OF PROXIMITY MEDIA Host, Director, Producer: Paola Mardo Executive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian Theme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig Göransson Co-Director and Director of Photography: Patrick Epino Sound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken Nana Editors: Patrick Epino, Ken Nana, Ben Caloza, Cedric Wilson, Judybelle Camangyan  Motion Graphics Designer: Apollo Baldoz Producer: Caitlin Plummer Associate Producer: Celine Mendiola Production Coordinator: Joy Woo Production Assistants: Isabella Miller, Ben Caloza Social Media Coordinator: Alexandria Santana

    47 min
  4. From Stage to Screen: Playwright & Filmmaker Aleshea Harris

    Jun 1

    From Stage to Screen: Playwright & Filmmaker Aleshea Harris

    Playwright Aleshea Harris made her feature film directorial debut with IS GOD IS, adapted from her Obie Award-winning play of the same name. On the day her film opened in theaters, Aleshea sat down with host Paola Mardo to talk about her jump from playwriting to writing and directing a film with an all-star cast including Kara Young, Mallori Johnson, Vivica A. Fox, Sterling K. Brown, Janelle Monáe, and Erika Alexander. She also talks about how she worked with producers Tessa Thompson and Janicza Bravo to bring her play to the big screen, how the story subverts genre expectations, and how her roots in spoken word poetry and theater sharpened her writing style.  SHOP OUR PROX BOOKS RECS ON BOOKSHOP.ORG LEARN MORE AND READ THE TRANSCRIPT AT PROXIMITYMEDIA.COM WATCH/LISTEN TO IN PROXIMITYYOUTUBEAPPLE PODCASTSSPOTIFY FOLLOW PROXIMITY MEDIAINSTAGRAMTIKTOK (00:00) A revenge thriller with humor (02:21) From theater play to feature film debut  (11:24) Making the film with Tessa Thompson and Janicza Bravo  (16:12) Casting and directing the twins in IS GOD IS  (19:03) Vivica A. Fox as God and Sterling K. Brown as The Monster (22:14) Working with the music composers (32:37) Her origins in theater and spoken word poetry (36:24) Aleshea’s writing process (40:14) How Rihanna inspired IS GOD IS (41:56) Her playwriting vs. filmmaking process (44:48) Prox Recs IN PROXIMITY IS A PRODUCTION OF PROXIMITY MEDIA Host, Director, Producer: Paola Mardo Executive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian Theme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig Göransson Co-Director and Director of Photography: Patrick Epino Sound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken Nana Editors: Patrick Epino, Ken Nana, Ben Caloza Associate Producer and Sound Recordist: Celine Mendiola Production Coordinator: Joy Woo Production Assistant: Ben Caloza Social Media Coordinator: Alexandria Santana Motion Graphics Designer: Apollo Baldoz

    48 min
  5. How Shirley Kurata Designed the Maximalist Costumes for I LOVE BOOSTERS

    May 25

    How Shirley Kurata Designed the Maximalist Costumes for I LOVE BOOSTERS

    From her Oscar-nominated work in The Daniels’ EVERYTHING, EVERYWHERE, ALL AT ONCE, to her latest project I LOVE BOOSTERS, written and directed by Boots Riley, costume designer and stylist Shirley Kurata has built her reputation on creative, colorful storytelling through fashion and clothing. Ahead of the premiere of her latest film, Shirley joined host Paola Mardo to talk about collaborating with Boots Riley and designing the maximalist costumes for the film’s ensemble cast, including Keke Palmer, Naomi Ackie, Taylour Paige, Demi Moore, Poppy Liu, LaKeith Stanfield, Eiza González, and Will Poulter. She also talks about her early days working on music videos and commercial sets, the difference between Los Angeles and Bay Area style, and how growing up in Monterey Park, California shaped her perspective on fashion and storytelling.  SHOP OUR PROX BOOKS RECS ON BOOKSHOP.ORG LEARN MORE AND READ THE TRANSCRIPT AT PROXIMITYMEDIA.COM WATCH/LISTEN TO IN PROXIMITYYOUTUBEAPPLE PODCASTSSPOTIFY FOLLOW PROXIMITY MEDIAINSTAGRAMTIKTOK (00:00) There’s charm in the scrappiness (03:18) How Shirley joined Boots Riley’s latest project (08:44) Styling the I LOVE BOOSTERS cast (15:13) Collaborating with the production designer (18:41) Maximalism and EVERYTHING, EVERYWHERE, ALL AT ONCE (20:42) Developing her style in Monterey Park (25:18) Shirley’s early days as a costumer and stylist  (32:09) Tips on finding your personal style (33:17) Los Angeles vs. Bay Area style (36:14) The costume design process  (39:45) Advice for aspiring designers (44:07) Prox Recs  IN PROXIMITY IS A PRODUCTION OF PROXIMITY MEDIA Host, Director, Producer: Paola Mardo Executive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian Theme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig Göransson Co-Director and Director of Photography: Patrick Epino Sound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken Nana Editors: Patrick Epino, Ken Nana, Ben Caloza Motion Graphics Designer: Apollo Baldoz Associate Producer and Sound Recordist: Celine Mendiola Production Coordinator: Joy Woo Production Assistant: Ben Caloza Social Media Coordinator: Alexandria Santana

    47 min
  6. SINNERS Symposium: Behind the Scenes of Movie Marketing

    May 18

    SINNERS Symposium: Behind the Scenes of Movie Marketing

    In this 2-part series, we’re sharing gems about fandoms, creators, and marketing movies from the TikTok SINNERS Symposium. Last week, Paola Mardo sat down with Ryan Coogler, Sev Ohanian, and Jocelyn Yates (@jocwatchlist) about making SINNERS, thinking about the audience, and creating content around movies. This week, we’re diving into the SINNERS marketing campaign from the perspectives of the production company, social media platform, and studio. On this episode, Proximity Media’s Chief Marketing & Operations Officer Terra Potts sits down with Gold House CEO Bing Chen, TikTok’s Global Head of Entertainment Partnerships Dawn Yang, and Cameron Curtis, Warner Bros. Global Digital Marketing Chief. They break down how to recognize a film’s potential in becoming a cultural moment, the important role creators played, and lessons learned from the viral marketing campaign for SINNERS. CHECK OUT THE PREVIOUS EPISODESINNERS Symposium: How TikTok Creators are Fueling Viral Movies SHOP OUR PROX BOOKS RECS ON BOOKSHOP.ORG LEARN MORE AND READ THE TRANSCRIPT AT PROXIMITYMEDIA.COM WATCH/LISTEN TO IN PROXIMITYYOUTUBEAPPLE PODCASTSSPOTIFY FOLLOW PROXIMITY MEDIAINSTAGRAMTIKTOK (00:00) Creators, you bring hope! (02:54) Recognizing SINNERS can move culture (04:30) Engagement with the film, by the numbers (05:34) Trusting the community to create and interpret (08:37) Bringing creators into the process early (11:04) How fandoms are sustained (12:44) Lessons learned form the marketing campaign (16:18) Hope for the future of creatives IN PROXIMITY IS A PRODUCTION OF PROXIMITY MEDIA Host, Director, Producer: Paola Mardo Executive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian Theme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig Göransson Co-Director and Director of Photography: Patrick Epino Sound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken Nana Editors: Patrick Epino, Ken Nana, Ben Caloza Motion Graphics Designer: Apollo Baldoz Associate Producer: Celine Mendiola Production Coordinator: Joy Woo Social Media Coordinator: Alexandria Santana Production Intern: Ben Caloza Footage: Mirrored Media for TikTok

    19 min
  7. SINNERS Symposium: How TikTok Creators are Fueling Viral Movies

    May 11

    SINNERS Symposium: How TikTok Creators are Fueling Viral Movies

    In this 2-part series, we’re sharing gems about fandoms, creators, and marketing movies from the TikTok SINNERS Symposium. The day before the Oscars, the Proximity Media team attended a symposium hosted by TikTok, Gold House, and Warner Bros., where panelists explored how fans and creators can help fuel the marketing of a film. In this first episode, IN PROXIMITY host Paola Mardo sits down with SINNERS writer/director/producer Ryan Coogler, producer Sev Ohanian, and TikTok creator Jocelyn Yates (@jocwatchlist) to talk about viral SINNERS moments, their unique experiences as creators and filmmakers, and how each of them think about their audience. SHOP OUR PROX BOOKS RECS ON BOOKSHOP.ORG LEARN MORE AND READ THE TRANSCRIPT AT PROXIMITYMEDIA.COM WATCH/LISTEN TO IN PROXIMITYYOUTUBEAPPLE PODCASTSSPOTIFY FOLLOW PROXIMITY MEDIAINSTAGRAMTIKTOK (00:00) Who’s never been inside a Blockbuster? (02:26) How Ryan, Sev, and Jocelyn think about the audience (08:12) Viral SINNERS moments on TikTok (14:05) Behind Ryan’s viral aspect ratio breakdown video (17:41) Jocelyn’s decision to make SINNERS content (19:14) Sev’s jump from YouTube to filmmaking (23:27) Building lasting filmmaking collaborations (27:15) The production process for @jocwatchlist TikToks (28:51) Prox Recs (34:04) Question #1: Surprising online takes about SINNERS (35:58) Question #2: The importance of content creators for marketing films (39:21) Question #3: How THE LUCK OF THE IRISH and other films influenced Ryan  (42:43) Question #4: When they knew they made something groundbreaking IN PROXIMITY IS A PRODUCTION OF PROXIMITY MEDIA Host, Director, Producer: Paola Mardo Executive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian Theme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig Göransson Co-Director and Director of Photography: Patrick Epino Sound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken Nana Editors: Patrick Epino, Ken Nana, Ben Caloza Motion Graphics Designer: Apollo Baldoz Associate Producer: Celine Mendiola Production Coordinator: Joy Woo Social Media Coordinator: Alexandria Santana Production Intern: Ben Caloza Footage: Mirrored Media for TikTok

    49 min
  8. How to Build a YouTube Empire with Michelle Khare

    May 4

    How to Build a YouTube Empire with Michelle Khare

    YouTube’s daredevil Michelle Khare has tackled the world’s toughest professions and stunts in her award-winning series CHALLENGE ACCEPTED — from mastering Harry Houdini’s water torture cell escape to tackling Tom Cruise’s deadliest stunt. With over 6 million followers, Michelle made history when she successfully petitioned for her independently-produced YouTube series to join the Primetime Emmy ballot for Outstanding Hosted Nonfiction Series. On this episode of IN PROXIMITY, host Paola Mardo sits down with Michelle to talk about her origins as a Buzzfeed producer, the production process for CHALLENGE ACCEPTED, creating viral YouTube content, and her biggest takeaways from running 7 marathons on all 7 continents in 7 days.  CHECK OUT MICHELLE’S “THE GREAT WORLD RACE” SERIESI Ran 7 Marathons in 7 Days on 7 Continents SHOP OUR PROX BOOKS RECS ON BOOKSHOP.ORG LEARN MORE AND READ THE TRANSCRIPT AT PROXIMITYMEDIA.COM WATCH/LISTEN TO IN PROXIMITYYOUTUBEAPPLE PODCASTSSPOTIFY FOLLOW PROXIMITY MEDIAINSTAGRAMTIKTOK (00:00) Can I borrow your military plane? (06:16) From Louisiana girl to interdisciplinary athlete (11:20) BuzzFeed: a crash course on Internet videos (18:03) The creative and production process for CHALLENGE ACCEPTED (20:02) Behind the Houdini water torture trick (22:08) How she pulled off the MISSION IMPOSSIBLE plane stunt (27:52) Pro tip: THIS is how you hook your viewers (30:08) Petitioning to be on the Emmy ballot (36:13) Michelle’s business model as a YouTube creator (43:05) After running 7 marathons in 7 days on 7 continents… (45:58) Prox Recs IN PROXIMITY IS A PRODUCTION OF PROXIMITY MEDIA Host, Director, Producer: Paola Mardo Executive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian Theme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig Göransson Co-Director and Director of Photography: Patrick Epino Sound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken Nana Editors: Patrick Epino, Ken Nana, Ben Caloza, Michael Fallavollita  Assistant Editor: Ian Schrank  Associate Producer and Sound Recordist: Celine Mendiola Production Coordinator: Joy Woo Production Intern: Ben Caloza Social Media Coordinator: Alexandria Santana Motion Graphics Designer: Apollo Baldoz

    49 min
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4.9
out of 5
212 Ratings

About

IN PROXIMITY is a podcast about craft, career, and creativity from Proximity Media, the production company that helped bring you SINNERS, CREED III, JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH, SPACE JAM: A NEW LEGACY, BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER PODCAST & SOUNDTRACK, and more. Hosted by Paola Mardo. New episodes every Monday.

Information

  • Creator
    Proximity Media
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    71
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Proximity Media
  • Show Website
    In Proximity

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