B Smith's Second Sticks

Brett Smith
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Welcome to B Smith's Second Sticks! It's a podcast! We talk to the creative and essential people that are responsible for the non-scripted and reality shows you work on and watch. The industry is in a period of tumult, and we dig into what these workers are feeling, how they are coping, and what is happening next for the industry.

  1. 4d ago

    B Smith's Second Sticks- Ryan Broussard/Wrapbook

    The possibility of a federal tax incentive that actually includes the Non-Scripted genre is as uplifting a notion as we've had in our particular universe for some time. Naturally, we live in turbulent times in many different ways. So B Smith's Second Sticks sought out a voice of reason to try and make sense of it all. Ryan Broussard is VP of Sales and Production Incentives at Wrapbook, and has advised productions nationally for many years in regards to production incentives on both a state and a national level. He and I discuss the federal tax incentive and, in such a time of political and industry unrest, whether or not it has a chance of passing into law, and what form that would ultimately take. We also touch base on the Unscripted Summit, an annual meeting of unscripted production companies and producers which he spoke at, and get a sense of the general pulse of producers within our genre. We also spend quite a while on the state of California and their incentives package, and consider the the concept of whether larger shows that have left might have enough financial reason to come back to the state, and to Los Angeles. A lot of information and useful stuff, people! Give this one a listen! Show notes: https://www.wrapbook.com/blog/unscripted-production-incentives Ad notes: F22 Studios for all your equipment and studio needs, support local industry! https://f22studiosla.com/ Take 30% off now on fresh and delicious Indian food delivered to your door from The Cumin Club The Cumin Club - 5-Minute Indian Meals Get 30% OFF | Promo Code: STICKS https://promocode.to/the-cumin-club/sticks-mp0 Take 25% off now on amazing caffeine and protein energy bars from Quantum Energy Squares Quantum Energy Square - Caffeine + Protein Energy Bar Get 25% OFF | Promo Code: STICKS https://promocode.to/quantum-energy-square/sticks-klx

  2. Sep 30

    B Smith's Second Sticks- Jason Hafer

    The world of television production is at the mercy of constant winds of change, some good and some for ill, which carry its participants in every which direction. Sometimes we may go years without seeing people whith whom we have established relationships. If or (hopefully) when we get a chance to make those long-lost connections, there is a pure joy that is released into the world. Thus it is with this weeks' guest, Director of Photography Jason Hafer, who joins B Smith's Second Sticks. Hafer and I haven't seen each other in about 9 years (we're confirming this) so there's a lot of catching up. It means unearthing his origins in unscripted with a "dreams-can-come-true" show called "The Moment" starring hall-of-fame quarterback Kurt Warner, his journey within different genres, and his brief moment in front of the camera in "Prom Queens." Hafer's collaboration with director Ramy Romany has been a fortuitous one, and we take a long look at "The Contender", a boxing reality show that only lasted one season, but made a lasting impact with it's technical and aesthetic choices. We also get up to date with his current projects, both old shows (The Bachelor franchise) and new, with the yet-to-be-released Netflx show "Schooled". Co-produced by Jimmy Kimmel's company, it is the first and currently the only non-scripted show to be shot in Los Angeles and California under the state 4.0 tax incentive program. Finally, Hafer gives us a preview of his upcoming podcast "The Reinvented Dad," which will examine the idea of the modern father through his own unique experiences. Please give the pod a listen, lots of great stuff this week! A final note: if you haven't seen or heard from your production acquaintances and friends for a long time, maybe reach out to them... they probably need to hear from you. Ad links: F22 Studios for all your equipment and studio needs, support local industry! https://f22studiosla.com/ Take 30% off now on fresh and delicious Indian food delivered to your door from The Cumin Club ???? The Cumin Club - 5-Minute Indian Meals ???? Get 30% OFF | Promo Code: STICKS https://promocode.to/the-cumin-club/sticks-mp0 Take 25% off now on amazing caffeine and protein energy bars from Quantum Energy Squares ???? Quantum Energy Square - Caffeine + Protein Energy Bar ???? Get 25% OFF | Promo Code: STICKS https://promocode.to/quantum-energy-square/sticks-klx

  3. Sep 23

    B Smith's Second Sticks- Sharra Romany

    It has been said that being a Mom is one of the hardest jobs there is. Throw in working in a chaotic, male-dominant industry carrying 30 pound cameras around, and you are upping the ante, to say the least. This has been one of many challenges for Sharra Romany, Director of Photography and Cameraperson, and she has undoubtedly rose to the occasion. B Smith's Second Sticks sits down with Sharra for an in-depth, all-encompassing conversation about her journey through the reality TV universe. We spend a lengthy amount of time discussing her career origins, which ultimately led her to Egypt and meeting her husband Ramy, himself a successful director in the Non-scripted genre. Their meeting and subsequent marriage and ultimate escape to the United States with a baby in tow plays out like a made-for-tv thriller. We spend time dissecting the process of working moms on set and whether we've advanced to the point where, among the many other hurdles they face, moms can more easily find a place to pump without judgment (!). We grasp at the present and future of our industry, and working relationships. Sharra talks about her connection with Director (and friend of the pod) Anna Moulison, which has grown into a true symbiotic partnership. Partnerships like Sharra's with her husband and family, and with Anna are at the center of her success, and gives all of us something to learn from and strive for in this difficult times. Show notes: Ramy Romany's CamPlot Creator - Plot Tool for multi-cam directors https://apps.apple.com/us/app/camplot-creator-plot-tool/id6794152157 Ad links: F22 Studios for all your equipment and studio needs, support local industry! https://f22studiosla.com/ Take 30% off now on fresh and delicious Indian food delivered to your door from The Cumin Club https://www.thecuminclub.com/discount/STICKS Take 15% off all items at Old Glory, iconic music and sports merch, and much more! https://oldglory.com/discount/STICKS

  4. Sep 16

    B Smith's Second Sticks- Ruben Avendano

    Having your camera stolen is indeed an unorthodox method to find your way into a budding second career as a photographer, but that's essentially what happened to Ruben Avendano, this week's guest on B Smith's Second Sticks. Ruben has been a cameraman in non-scripted for years; indeed we talk about meeting on the show Switched, an short-lived but memorable ABC Family show which depicted teenagers switching lives with one another. We also got into the specifics regarding the first season of Lego Masters, where Ruben captured the rarest of reality tv animals, the Double Bird. Like many people during the period of Covid, Ruben searched for alternate modes of expression, and found photography. It was at a protest in 2020 that he had his camera stolen from him, which first demoralized him, but ultimately helped him find the motivation to pursue the art of photography even more passionately than he originally intended. Since then, he has created an amazing display of images that has lead to him being featured in a number of exhibitions and winning prizes in various photo competitions. Additionally, Ruben and I got to revisit one of our favorite things we did together while on set, delving into political conversations. As you can imagine, there was a veritable shit-ton to unpack. We also talked about the upcoming fantasy football season (we are in the same league), and at the time of publishing this, B Smith had defeating Ruben's team in the season opener (sorry pal)! It was an amazing conversation, both wide-ranging and inspiring. If you haven't yet, please check out Ruben's work at the links in the show notes. Show notes: Ruben's website: https://www.rubenavendano.art Ruben's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cameraruben/ Additional Note: Friend of the pod Ryan Rude's film "Wilma, Wu and Lorraine" is a double nominee at the Simi Film Fest! Unfortunately the last screening may have been September 15, but if you are interested, go to https://www.simiff.com/ for ticket info and support independent film! Ad links: F22 Studios for all your equipment and studio needs, support local industry! https://f22studiosla.com/ Take 30% off now on fresh and delicious Indian food delivered to your door from The Cumin Club https://www.thecuminclub.com/discount/STICKS Take 15% off all items at Old Glory, iconic music and sports merch, and much more! https://oldglory.com/discount/STICKS

  5. Sep 9

    B Smith's Second Sticks- Charlie Ruffner

    In the midst of the collective uncertainty and re-invention of what is currently the non-scripted Industry, you could be forgiven if you are contemplating a future different from what you had envisioned. Some of you might even be thinking about whether you are closer to retirement than you imagined. I'll be honest, I've thought about retirement more the past year than I have collectively throughout my entire career. Do we even understand what it means to retire, and how to go about it? B Smith's Second Sticks has a great conversation with Charlie Ruffner, longtime Local 80 grip who decided to retire this year. Although he could have kept working, Charlie decided that it was time to invest himself in his life with his wife. We talk about that decision and the involved process of filing for retirement with MPIPH, as well as Charlie's career, which started at the CBS grip rental house at CBS Television City and evolved into many years as an on-set grip on such shows as Seinfeld and Will and Grace. Charlie understands how fortunate he is to have worked so long in an industry that is now evolving into something drastically different, and has the requisite appreciation and gravitas one can develop over time (if things break right, and they did for Charlie). We recount his never having to leave town to work for 26 years, sleeping in his own bed every night, until his late foray into the non-scripted world. We also chat about our dogs, and about the magnanimous nature of Ru Paul Charles. A lot is covered, and we hope it's a fitting send-off for an amazing career (and a new chapter)! Ad links: F22 Studios for all your equipment and studio needs, support local industry! https://f22studiosla.com/ Take 30% off now on fresh and delicious Indian food delivered to your door from The Cumin Club https://www.thecuminclub.com/discount/STICKS Take 15% off all items at Old Glory, iconic music and sports merch, and much more! https://oldglory.com/discount/STICKS

  6. Sep 2

    B Smith's Second Sticks- Case Norton

    There's a lot to overcome in our current moment in time, both as non-scripted workers, and as citizens of the United States. Many of us have issue with the daily challenges we face, and there's plenty to complain about. But what if we go beyond our complaints, and take action, and attempt to do something about it? Case Norton, a Georgia-based camera tech, did just that, when he tossed his proverbial hat in the ring for a US House seat this spring. Case ran for election to represent Georgia's 7th district in the US House. He took some time to speak to B Smith's Second Sticks about his unlikely but absolutely inspired political run. We talked about how the process started through Case's desire to offer an alternative to the run-of-the-mill self-serving career politician, or as he put it in his Ballotpedia candidate statement, "I've lived the realities most families here face: rising costs, unaffordable healthcare, stagnant wages, and elected officials who talk at us instead of fighting for us. I'm running because I believe Congress needs fewer career politicians and more people who actually understand the struggles of working-class families." Despite starting his campaign relatively late, and with little start-up money, hIs mercurial run lead him to winning a spot in a run-off in the 2026 Democratic primary on May 19. Although he ultimately lost in the run-off, Case's story is inspirational in the best and most idealistic American way possible. We recount all that, talk about his beginnings in the film and television business in California, and end with his words of hope. Please give this one a listen from start to finish! Show notes: https://ballotpedia.org/Case_Norton#Campaign_themes https://www.case4congress.com/ Ad links: F22 Studios for all your equipment and studio needs, support local industry! https://f22studiosla.com/ Take 30% off now on fresh and delicious Indian food delivered to your door from The Cumin Club https://www.thecuminclub.com/discount/STICKS Take 15% off all items at Old Glory, iconic music and sports merch, and much more! https://oldglory.com/discount/STICKS

  7. Aug 25

    B Smith's Second Sticks- Dave Kanehann

    Before there was a group affiliated with the International Cinematographers Guild known as the Unscripted Work Group, there were individuals who were having involved conversations with the union prior to its creation. One of those people was Dave Kanehann. On this episode, B Smith's Second Sticks dug into the origins of that group with Dave, as well as the now-infamous meeting in 2018 (check me on that date) with the some of the National and Regional officers at the guild that sparked awareness of what was happening in the non-scripted genre, as well as increasing involvement of its non-scripted members. Dave was among those (John Armstrong was another, and I'm sure there were others) having talks with the union, which helped lead to that meeting, and ultimately the work group. That we as unscripted workers and union members now have representation within both the Executive Officers and the National Board years later is no small feat, but of course there is always more work to be done. Dave shares his thoughts on how safety concerns are actually the best and most immediate way to create conversations within IATSE and the guild. We also talk about his time as a teenager involved with James Cameron's production company AND the movie "Titantic", as well as our shared experiences with numerous reality shows. We finish up by looking ahead to next year's negotiations involving the both the Video Tape Agreement and the Hollywood Basic Agreement, and what our negotiating position might be. Where we've been has an influence on where we are going, so arm yourself with information and give this one a listen! Ad links: F22 Studios for all your equipment and studio needs, support local industry! https://f22studiosla.com/ Take 30% off now on fresh and delicious Indian food delivered to your door from The Cumin Club! https://www.thecuminclub.com/discount/STICKS Take 15% off all items at Old Glory, iconic music and sports merch, and much more! https://oldglory.com/discount/STICKS

  8. Aug 18

    B Smith's Second Sticks - Jason Farrell

    Chances are that if you served as a Director of Photography or Production Manager on a non-scripted show in the past 23 or so years, you have come into contact with Jason Farrell, either through ordering or negotiating gear, or, at the very least, seeing his name on your equipment rental list. Jason, currently the VP of TV/Cinema and Production Resource Group (PRG), has been at it since the 90's with Band Pro, then for many years at VER. Regardless of what your feelings might be about VER, the story of the reality TV boom couldn't be told without VER. They were one of the most prolific, if not the preeminent, vendors of production gear up until the late 20-tens, when they may have over-leveraged themselves following the departure of co-founder Vince Dundee III and ultimately filed for bankruptcy (they were acquired by PRG in 2018). We touch base about all of that, as well as Jason's long successful career, which he attributes to the personal relationships he forged with the many production people who have come through the doors at all his stops. We sometimes forget that vendors are a part of this story of the recent disappearance of non-scripted production both locally and nationally. Jason and B Smith's Second Sticks attempt to identify a solution and a possible way back for non-scripted in Hollywood. This man has literally seen it all; give it a listen! Ad links: F22 Studios for all your equipment and studio needs, support local industry! https://f22studiosla.com/ Take 30% off now on fresh and delicious Indian food delivered to your door from The Cumin Club https://www.thecuminclub.com/discount/STICKS Take 15% off all items at Old Glory, iconic music and sports merch, and much more! https://oldglory.com/discount/STICKS

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

Welcome to B Smith's Second Sticks! It's a podcast! We talk to the creative and essential people that are responsible for the non-scripted and reality shows you work on and watch. The industry is in a period of tumult, and we dig into what these workers are feeling, how they are coping, and what is happening next for the industry.

Information

  • Creator
    Brett Smith
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    43
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 B Smith's Second Sticks
  • Show Website
    B Smith's Second Sticks

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