Call Time

Chris Stafford
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Performing Arts
  • Updated Semimonthly

Call Time is a premium interview podcast from the Women Unscripted network, hosted by Chris Stafford, that goes behind the lens to explore the craft, careers, and creative journeys of the people shaping film and television. Each episode features intimate, unscripted conversations with cinematographers, camera operators, and visual storytellers from across the global screen industry. With her signature interview style—trusted, relaxed, and deeply perceptive—Chris draws out the personal stories behind the work: the risks taken, the challenges faced, and the defining moments that shape a life in film. From breakthrough artists to established industry voices, Call Time offers listeners rare access to the minds and methods of the creatives responsible for what we see on screen. These are not technical breakdowns—they are human stories about vision, resilience, collaboration, and the art of visual storytelling. Whether you’re a filmmaker, an aspiring creative, or simply fascinated by the magic behind the camera, Call Timedelivers thoughtful, inspiring conversations that reveal what it really takes to build a career in the film industry.Keywords: cinematography podcast, filmmaking podcast, film industry interviews, visual storytelling, camera operators, directors of photography, women in film, creative careers, behind the scenes film, Chris Stafford podcast, Women Unscripted network Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/call-time--6660037/support.

  1. 2d ago

    National Geographic Explorer Mackenzie Calle on Photography and The Gay Space Agency

    In this episode of Call Time, host Chris Stafford sits down with National Geographic Explorer photographer Mackenzie Calle to discuss the powerful intersection of art and storytelling. Through her lens, Mackenzie captures extraordinary images that not only reveal the beauty of the natural world but also help raise awareness about critical conservation challenges facing our ecosystems.  Mackenzie shares her journey into photography, the experiences that shaped her career, and how visual storytelling can influence public understanding of our world.   Throughout the conversation, Chris and Mackenzie explore the responsibility of photographers working in fragile environments, the importance of authentic storytelling, and the role artists play in connecting audiences to subjects they may never encounter firsthand. They also discuss the evolving world of photography, the challenges of fieldwork, and the moments behind some of Mackenzie's most memorable images. The discussion also explores Mackenzie's creation  and plans for The Gay Space Agency, a project that imagines a diverse, inclusive American space program to confront the historical exclusion of openly LGBTQI+ individuals from NASA. Through this groundbreaking initiative, artists, scientists, activists, and thinkers collaborate to challenge traditional narratives about exploration, identity, and who gets to envision humanity's future beyond Earth. Chris and Mackenzie discuss how creativity, art, and imagination can help shape conversations about belonging, representation, and possibility. Together they explore the surprising connections between conservation, exploration, storytelling, and the human desire to discover new worlds—whether here on Earth or among the stars. This episode is an inspiring exploration of how artists can bridge disciplines, challenge assumptions, and create work that expands both our understanding of the present and our vision of the future.  WATCH this episode on the Women Unscripted Channel on YouTube. Subscribe to Call Time and the Women Unscripted Podcast Network on YouTube or more conversations with remarkable creatives, storytellers, and innovators. Some of Mackenzie’s favorite women artists: Lee Miller Keisha Scarville Amie Siegel Sara Cwynars Kay Sage Penelope Umbrico Esmay Wagemans  Mackenzie’s dinner party guests: Sally Ride Lee Miller David Attenborough Felix Gonzalez-Torres DB Cooper Phil Lisman  Website: mackenziecalle.com instagram.com/mackenzie.calle Coffee with an Explorer Thursday, July 16, 2026 10-11am  National Geographic Museum of Exploration  1600 M Street NW Washington, D.C. 20036 https://moe.nationalgeographic.org/en/whats-on/coffee-with-an-explorer-mackenzie-calle Talks with an Explorer Friday, July 17,  2026 12:30-1:30pm National Geographic Museum of Exploration  1600 M Street NW Washington, D.C. 20036 https://moe.nationalgeographic.org/en/whats-on/pop-up-talks-with-an-explorer-mackenzie-calle Keywords: National Geographic Explorer, Mackenzie Calle, Mackenzie Calle photographer, National Geographic photography, wildlife photography, conservation photography, environmental photography, visual storytelling, documentary photography, nature photographer, conservationist, wildlife conservation, photography podcast, photography interview, Chris Stafford, Call Time podcast, Women Unscripted Podcast Network, environmental storytelling, National Geographic Explorer interview, creative storytelling, adventure photography, wildlife photographer, conservation awareness, photography career, documentary storyteller, photography and conservation, environmental advocacy, artistic storytelling, photography education  Meta Description (Google Search) National Geographic Explorer and photographer Mackenzie Calle joins Chris Stafford on Call Time to discuss wildlife photography, conservation, visual storytelling, environmental advocacy, and the power of images to inspire change. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/call-time--6660037/support. Call Time meets the women on set including filmmakers, cinematographers, DP's, camera operators, actors, makeup artists, costume designers. We share their story from childhood through career highlights, their highs and lows negotiating the film and television industry.   CALL TIME is part  of the Women Unscripted Podcast Network and Exec Prod of Hollowell Studios.   🎙️ Host: Chris Stafford Producer: Hollowell Studios Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com  Instagram: @thecalltimepodcast 🔔 Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT & SUBSCRIBE for more interviews with today’s talented and creative women. 🎙️ Produced by Hollowell Studios ✍🏻 Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com  🎧 Call Time is available on all podcast apps

    1h 5m

  2. May 20

    Cameras for Girls: How Amina Mohamed is Transforming Storytelling in Uganda

    In this episode of the Call Time Podcast, Chris sits down with Amina Mohamed, filmmaker and co-founder of Cameras for Girls, a groundbreaking nonprofit transforming the film industry by empowering young women in Uganda through education, mentorship, and hands-on filmmaking experience. Amina Mohamed shares her journey from discovering storytelling to building a globally recognized initiative that is redefining who gets to hold the camera—and whose stories are told. Through Cameras for Girls, she is creating access, opportunity, and representation for women in a traditionally male-dominated field, equipping the next generation of filmmakers with the tools and confidence to tell their own narratives. In this intimate and unscripted conversation, Chris draws out the personal and professional layers of Amina’s work—exploring the challenges of launching a nonprofit, navigating the global film industry, and advocating for gender equity in storytelling. The discussion also dives into the transformative power of visual storytelling, the importance of mentorship, and how grassroots initiatives can create lasting cultural impact. This episode of Call Time offers a rare and inspiring look at how one woman’s vision is reshaping the future of film—not just in Uganda, but around the world. Whether you’re a filmmaker, artist, storyteller, or simply passionate about women’s voices being heard, this conversation will leave you inspired by the power of creativity, resilience, and purpose-driven storytelling. LINKS: Cameras for Girls https://www.camerasforgirls.org/ https://www.instagram.com/camerasforgirls https://www.linkedin.com/company/camerasforgirls https://www.youtube.com/@CamerasForGirls 🔑 Keywords Amina Mohamed interview, Cameras for Girls Uganda, women in film, female filmmakers Africa, filmmaking education nonprofit, film industry diversity, women behind the camera, Chris Stafford podcast interview, Call Time podcast, cinematography and storytelling, empowering women through film, Uganda filmmakers, women in media leadership, documentary storytelling, global film initiatives, podcast interviews with filmmakers, women in cinematography, creative mentorship programs, film education programs Africa, storytelling and social impact Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/call-time--6660037/support. Call Time meets the women on set including filmmakers, cinematographers, DP's, camera operators, actors, makeup artists, costume designers. We share their story from childhood through career highlights, their highs and lows negotiating the film and television industry.   CALL TIME is part  of the Women Unscripted Podcast Network and Exec Prod of Hollowell Studios.   🎙️ Host: Chris Stafford Producer: Hollowell Studios Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com  Instagram: @thecalltimepodcast 🔔 Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT & SUBSCRIBE for more interviews with today’s talented and creative women. 🎙️ Produced by Hollowell Studios ✍🏻 Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com  🎧 Call Time is available on all podcast apps

    45 min

  3. Apr 27

    Inside the Lens with Bebe Dierken | Cinematography, Storytelling & Creative Vision

    In this compelling episode, host Chris Stafford welcomes German cinematographer Bebe Dierken for an intimate and revealing conversation about the art and emotional power of visual storytelling.  Known for Dangerous Truth, Sexy Beast, Midas Man, Bridgerton with her distinctive visual language and ability to translate narrative into striking imagery, Bebe Dierken has built a career behind the camera shaping stories through light, composition, and movement. In this episode, she shares her journey into cinematography, the creative influences that shaped her eye, and the challenges and rewards of working in a field where technical precision meets artistic instinct. Through Chris Stafford’s signature unscripted and deeply personal interview style, Bebe opens up about the realities of working on set, collaborating with directors, and finding her voice as a cinematographer in a competitive global industry. The conversation explores how she approaches why cinematography is as much about emotion as it is about technique. Bebe reflects on the evolving role of cinematographers today and the importance of authenticity, perspective, and creative courage in her work. As part of the Women Unscripted podcast network, this episode continues the tradition of elevating the voices of women in the arts through honest, insightful, and deeply human conversations. Chris Stafford’s ability to create a trusted space allows guests like Bebe Dierken to share not just their professional journey, but the personal experiences that inform their artistry. Whether you are a filmmaker, artist, or simply fascinated by the power of cinema, this episode offers inspiration, insight, and a deeper appreciation for the visual storytelling that shapes the way we see the world. Bebe’s links: https://www.bebedierken.com/ https://www.instagram.com/bebedierken/ https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1029068/ Favorite female artists: Nancy Schreiber, Amy Vincent. Dinner party guests: Tom Ford,  Kevin de lay Noy, Madonna, John Kevin Gibb, Neill deGrass Tyson,  🔑 Keywords  Bebe Dierken, German cinematographer interview, women cinematographers, cinematography podcast, filmmaking podcast, visual storytelling, director of photography interview, women in film industry, cinematography techniques, lighting in film, camera composition, filmmaking process, behind the scenes film production, creative storytelling, women in the arts podcast, Chris Stafford podcast, Call Time podcast, Women Unscripted network, cinematography career, film industry insights, cinematographer workflow, storytelling through film, visual language in cinema, independent film cinematography, filmmaking inspiration Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/call-time--6660037/support. Call Time meets the women on set including filmmakers, cinematographers, DP's, camera operators, actors, makeup artists, costume designers. We share their story from childhood through career highlights, their highs and lows negotiating the film and television industry.   CALL TIME is part  of the Women Unscripted Podcast Network and Exec Prod of Hollowell Studios.   🎙️ Host: Chris Stafford Producer: Hollowell Studios Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com  Instagram: @thecalltimepodcast 🔔 Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT & SUBSCRIBE for more interviews with today’s talented and creative women. 🎙️ Produced by Hollowell Studios ✍🏻 Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com  🎧 Call Time is available on all podcast apps

    1h 7m

  4. Feb 17

    Lighting the Way: Nica Fazio’s Journey Through Film, Television, and Persistence

    In this episode of the The Call Time Podcast, host Chris Stafford sits down with American film and television professional Nica Fazio for an honest, wide-ranging biographical conversation about her life, career, and personal journey working behind the scenes in the entertainment industry. Rather than focusing on technical details, this episode explores the human story behind a career spent on set—how Nica found her way into film and television, what drew her to the work, and how years in the industry shaped her identity, resilience, and outlook on life.Nica shares reflections on growing up, discovering creative communities, and navigating the realities of working in a demanding, often unpredictable industry. She talks about the challenges and rewards of life behind the camera, the importance of collaboration, and the relationships formed on set that leave a lasting mark long after the lights go down. Through personal stories and candid insights, Nica opens up about perseverance, adaptability, and the quieter moments that define a career not always seen by audiences. This episode of Call Time is about more than film and television—it’s about finding purpose, learning to trust your instincts, and building a meaningful life through creative work. Whether you’re an artist, filmmaker, or simply curious about the people who bring stories to life behind the scenes, this conversation offers a thoughtful and inspiring look at what it means to commit to a path and grow along the way.   Nica’s links: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9717608/  https://www.instagram.com/nica.fazio/ https://www.instagram.com/nicafaziophoto/   Nica's dinner party guests: My grandpa Ellen Kuras Ava Duvernay Lisa Kudrow Amy Winehouse Alejandro González Iñárritu  Some of Nica’s favorite women artists: Elisa Capdevila (muralist from Barcelona she is amazing)  Pixy Liao (photographer)  Helen Levitt (photographer) Rina Yang (DP) Marjan Teeuwen (large scale architecture installations)  Miska Mohmmed (abstract painting)  Host: Chris Stafford Produced by Hollowell Studios Follow @thecalltimepodcast on Instagram Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com  Keywords Nica Fazio, AART Podcast, Chris Stafford podcast, film and television careers, women in film, behind the scenes film industry, film crew stories, creative career journeys, life in film and TV, entertainment industry biography, film podcast interview, personal stories from set life, American film professionals, storytelling behind the camera Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/call-time--6660037/support. Call Time meets the women on set including filmmakers, cinematographers, DP's, camera operators, actors, makeup artists, costume designers. We share their story from childhood through career highlights, their highs and lows negotiating the film and television industry.   CALL TIME is part  of the Women Unscripted Podcast Network and Exec Prod of Hollowell Studios.   🎙️ Host: Chris Stafford Producer: Hollowell Studios Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com  Instagram: @thecalltimepodcast 🔔 Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT & SUBSCRIBE for more interviews with today’s talented and creative women. 🎙️ Produced by Hollowell Studios ✍🏻 Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com  🎧 Call Time is available on all podcast apps

    1h 3m

  5. Jan 20

    Jazzy Kettenacker: Cutting a Life in Film — A Personal Journey of Art and Identity

    In this deeply personal episode of the AART Podcast, host Chris Stafford sits down with acclaimed American film editor Jazzy Kettenacker for an intimate conversation about life, identity, and a career shaped by storytelling. Rather than focusing on technical process, this episode explores the human journey behind the edit — the experiences, values, and turning points that have defined Jazzy’s path in film and beyond. Jazzy Kettenacker reflects on growing up with a creative instinct, discovering film as a way to make sense of the world, and how editing became not just a profession but a way of thinking and living. She speaks candidly about navigating the film industry, finding her voice as an artist, and the emotional intelligence required to shape stories that resonate. This is a conversation about resilience, intuition, and the unseen labor that gives films their emotional rhythm. Throughout the episode, Jazzy opens up about the realities of sustaining a creative life — the doubts, the breakthroughs, and the personal evolution that comes with long-term artistic work. Her story highlights the importance of trust, collaboration, and empathy, revealing how an editor’s sensibility is deeply intertwined with who they are as a person. The AART Podcast is known for thoughtful, biographical conversations with artists across disciplines, and this episode is no exception. Chris guides the discussion with warmth and curiosity, creating space for reflection on creativity, identity, and what it truly means to build a life in the arts. Whether you’re a filmmaker, artist, or simply someone interested in honest creative journeys, this episode offers rare insight into the inner life of a film editor whose work — and perspective — is shaped by lived experience. BIO Jazzy Kettenacker, a St. Louis native and full-time Editor at BSS Outpost, is known for her dynamic editing style and relentless work ethic. A Hollins University graduate and Premiere Pro wiz, she's collaborated with top brands like The North Face, Disney+, MLS, Rolling Stone, Under Armour, Pepsi, and FX. Jazzy's dedication to creative excellence drives her to push boundaries and redefine cinematic storytelling.  Born in 199 in Columbia, MI, Jazzy is the only child of Donna Garrett, a lieutenant for the St. Louis Police Department, and Lynn Hard, a retired Home School Communicator.  She attended Compton-Drew Middle School, Webster Groves High School and Hollins University—an all women’s University in Roanoke, VA. Her love for film and the process of filmmaking that she learned in college guided her to a career that began behind the camera before she realized the magic for her was to be found in the edit suite. With experience across the genres, Jazzy has now found her metier in documentary film. Keywords: Jazzy Kettenacker, Jazzy Kettenacker film editor, American film editor, film editing career, women in film, film industry stories, creative life podcast, artist biography podcast, AART Podcast, Chris Stafford podcast, film editor interview, life in film, creative identity, storytelling in cinema, behind the scenes film, artist conversations, biographical podcast, independent film voices Host: Chris Stafford Produced by Hollowell Studios Follow @thecalltimepodcast on Instagram Email:hollowellstudios@gmail.com Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/call-time--6660037/support. Call Time meets the women on set including filmmakers, cinematographers, DP's, camera operators, actors, makeup artists, costume designers. We share their story from childhood through career highlights, their highs and lows negotiating the film and television industry.   CALL TIME is part  of the Women Unscripted Podcast Network and Exec Prod of Hollowell Studios.   🎙️ Host: Chris Stafford Producer: Hollowell Studios Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com  Instagram: @thecalltimepodcast 🔔 Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT & SUBSCRIBE for more interviews with today’s talented and creative women. 🎙️ Produced by Hollowell Studios ✍🏻 Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com  🎧 Call Time is available on all podcast apps

    1h 1m

  6. Jan 6

    From South Africa to the Screen: Sabrina Linder on Story, Identity, and a Career in Film

    In this deeply personal and wide-ranging episode of The Call Time Podcast, host Chris Stafford sits down with acclaimed South African production designer Sabrina Linder for an intimate biographical conversation about life, creativity, and the winding path that leads to a career in film. Rather than focusing on technical process, this episode explores the human story behind the work. Sabrina Linder reflects on growing up in South Africa, the formative experiences that shaped her artistic sensibility, and how curiosity, resilience, and observation guided her toward a life in visual storytelling. From early influences and cultural identity to the emotional intelligence required to collaborate at the highest levels of film and television, Sabrina shares the moments that quietly — and sometimes unexpectedly — defined her career. Throughout the conversation, Sabrina opens up about navigating creative industries, finding confidence as an artist, and learning how to trust instinct over expectation. She discusses what it means to build worlds for the screen while simultaneously building a life, and how storytelling — whether through design or lived experience — remains at the center of her work. Chris guides the discussion with warmth and curiosity, allowing space for reflection on ambition, self-doubt, mentorship, and the invisible labor behind creative success. The result is a thoughtful portrait of an artist whose career is rooted not only in visual craft, but in empathy, memory, and lived experience. This episode will resonate with artists, filmmakers, designers, and anyone interested in the personal journeys behind creative careers, offering insight, honesty, and inspiration well beyond the screen. Sabrina’s links: https://www.sabrinalindercreative.com/ https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9513117/ https://www.instagram.com/sabrina_linder_creative/ Fertile by Design on Substack - https://substack.com/@fertilebydesign Ssbrina's favorite female artists: Florencia Martin - Production Designer for Blonde, Babylon & One battle after another  I ris Van Herpen - Fashion Designer  Agnieszka Cereda - Polish artist - Oil on Canvas - Folk Dress  Artemisia Gentileschi - Baroque Artist  Chloé Zhao - Director - Hamnet  Ellen Kuras - Director - Lee / Cinematographer Mandy Walker - Cinematographer - Elvis, Red Riding Hood, Australia   Sabrina's dinner guests: Jack Fisk Iris van Herpen Marilyn Munroe Elsa Schiaparelli Patrice Vermetti Bloomer (her dog)   Keywords / SEO Tags Sabrina Linder, South African production designer, AART podcast, Chris Stafford podcast, production designer interview, film industry careers, women in film, creative biography, artist life story, behind the scenes film, visual storytelling, art and cinema, creative journeys, film design careers, African artists in film, personal stories in art, creative identity, storytelling podcast, film and art podcast  BIO South African born Production Designer Sabrina Linder is well known for her trademark work in I Swear 2025, Salvable 2025, The Last Victims (2019).  Her portfolio includes commercials, films, TV and music videos. Sabrina was born in Pretoria, South Africa in 1992. to parents Helene Linder, an Artist and interior design enthusiast and father Desmond Lawrence Linder, a quantity surveyor and business owner.  She has one brother Brendan. Sabrina grew up in post Apartheid South Africa where artistic expression among women was not encouraged but subtle influences from her artistic mother subconsciously steered Sabrina towards fashion design. She attended Cornwall Hill College for Grades 0-12 after which she moved to Cape Town to study for her BA Degree in Fashion Design at FEDISA Cape Town. Upon graduating she deferred a BA Honours at the London College of Fashion instead breaking into her first job in film which opened the door to opportunities she had not imagined. Her path was now set in production design and she worked in Props, Costume and Design before focusing in the Production Design where she has found her creative home. She is a multi award winning designer with BFDG Design Award Nominations, the Berlin Music Video Award both in 2023 as well as Lourie Awards and Ciclope Awards in 2022. Sabrina moved to London in 2021 and is currently working on commercials before preparing for her next film production this spring. Sabrina lives in Beaconsfield, England with her partner, and the couple are expecting their first child in March. Host: Chris Stafford Produced by Hollowell Studios Follow @thecalltimepodcast on Instagram AART on Facebook Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/call-time--6660037/support. Call Time meets the women on set including filmmakers, cinematographers, DP's, camera operators, actors, makeup artists, costume designers. We share their story from childhood through career highlights, their highs and lows negotiating the film and television industry.   CALL TIME is part  of the Women Unscripted Podcast Network and Exec Prod of Hollowell Studios.   🎙️ Host: Chris Stafford Producer: Hollowell Studios Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com  Instagram: @thecalltimepodcast 🔔 Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT & SUBSCRIBE for more interviews with today’s talented and creative women. 🎙️ Produced by Hollowell Studios ✍🏻 Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com  🎧 Call Time is available on all podcast apps

    1h 4m

  7. 12/09/2025

    Behind the Lens: Mia Cioffi Henry on Storytelling Through Cinematography

    Step behind the camera with Mia Cioffi Henry, a visionary cinematographer and filmmaker whose work explores the art of visual storytelling with depth, emotion, and purpose. In this episode, Mia shares her journey through the world of independent cinema, her creative process on set, and how she uses light, movement, and perspective to bring powerful stories to life. Discover insights on cinematography, directing, collaboration, visual language, and the future of filmmaking — straight from one of today’s most thoughtful visual artists. Whether you’re a filmmaker, creative professional, film student, or movie lover, this conversation will inspire you to see storytelling in a new light. 👉 Keywords  cinematography, filmmaker, Mia Cioffi Henry, visual storytelling, film industry, behind the scenes, creative process, directing, cinematographer interview, filmmaking tips, women in film, artistic vision, camera work, movie production. American cinematographer Mia Cioffi Henry whose most recent narrative feature film, Sorry Baby, won the 2025 Waldo Salt Award for Screenwriting and Documentary Feature Film, and Cover-up, also a documentary feature, which premiered at the 2025 Venice Film Festival. She is also known for lensing Endless Sleepover (2021), Superior (2021) and The Surrogate (2020).  Mia was born in Washington, DC in 1986. She has an older brother and step-brother. Her mother Gay Cioffi is an early childhood educator and fine artist, and her father Mel Henry, a documentary cinematographer, and step-father, Mark Obenhaus, a documentary filmmaker. So Mia grew up in an artistic family, following her parents love of musical theater, while learning dance, a variety of musical instruments and acting. She attended Pitzer College, Clairemont, CA where she attained a BA double major in Production Design and Media Studies (film production. ) Mia subsequently graduated with an MFA in Cinematography at NYU Tisch as a Dean’s Fellow and Graduate Assistant. In 2025 she was named one of American Cinematographer Magazine's Rising Stars of Cinematography, while her work has won Jury Awards at Sundance, SXSW and Locarno film festivals. Mia is an Associate Arts Professor and Head of Cinematography at NYU Tisch's Graduate Film program. She balances her teaching career with filmmaking and being a wife and mother. Mia is a member and mentor of 600 Black Women, a group of Black female identifying members of the Local 600 Camera Guild. She divides her time between New York City and Pescara, Italy with her husband, musician Julian Fernandez, their nine-year old daughter, and her step-son.    Mia’s links:  https://www.miacioffihenry.com/ https://www.instagram.com/miacioffihenry https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3994018/ https://tisch.nyu.edu/about/directory/grad-film/885588223.html   Some favorite female artists in visual arts: Carrie Mae Weems Alma Thomas Amy Sherald  Host: Chris Stafford Produced by Hollowell Studios Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram AART on Facebook Email: theaartpodcast@gmail.com Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/call-time--6660037/support. Call Time meets the women on set including filmmakers, cinematographers, DP's, camera operators, actors, makeup artists, costume designers. We share their story from childhood through career highlights, their highs and lows negotiating the film and television industry.   CALL TIME is part  of the Women Unscripted Podcast Network and Exec Prod of Hollowell Studios.   🎙️ Host: Chris Stafford Producer: Hollowell Studios Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com  Instagram: @thecalltimepodcast 🔔 Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT & SUBSCRIBE for more interviews with today’s talented and creative women. 🎙️ Produced by Hollowell Studios ✍🏻 Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com  🎧 Call Time is available on all podcast apps

    1h 5m

  8. 11/11/2025

    Ellen Kuras: The Vision Behind the Lens — Mastering Storytelling in Film & Cinematography

    Step behind the camera with Ellen Kuras, the award-winning director and cinematographer whose visual storytelling has defined a generation of modern cinema. From her groundbreaking cinematography in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)to her powerful directorial work in Lee (2024), Ellen has redefined what it means to tell stories through light, emotion, and movement. In this in-depth conversation, Ellen shares her creative process, challenges as one of the first women in major cinematography, and her approach to capturing the soul of a story on screen. Whether you’re a filmmaker, cinephile, or curious creative, this episode delivers rare insights into the craft, collaboration, and courage that fuel visual storytelling. 🎬 Topics include: Ellen’s early journey into filmmaking and cinematographyCrafting visual language and emotional depthCollaborations with visionary directors like Martin Scorsese, Michel Gondry and Spike LeeBreaking industry barriers and inspiring the next generation of filmmakersThe future of storytelling through the lensPerfect for fans of cinematography, directing, visual storytelling, filmmaking, women in film, and creative leadership, this episode celebrates one of cinema’s most influential voices. Keywords: Ellen Kuras, filmmaker, cinematographer, director, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, women in film, cinematography podcast, filmmaking, creative storytelling, visual storytelling, directing, behind the camera, film industry, indie film, movie production, creative careers. BIO American Director and Cinematographer Ellen Kuras who has won two Primetime Emmy Awards for Jane (2018, and The Betrayal - Nerakhoon (2010) for which she was also nominated for Best Documentary Feature in 2009 for her directorial debut. Ellen is an unprecedented three-time winner of the Cinematography Award for a Dramatic Film for Swoon (1992), Angela (1995) and Personal Velocity (2002). In 2022, She was the first woman to win the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) Lifetime Achievement Award winner. Ellen’s credits include Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (cinematographer) (2004), The Betrayal - Nerakhoon (director, producer, screenwriter) (2008) and most recently Lee (director) (2024). Ellen was born in New Jersey in 1959 where her father was an avionics engineer and her mother, a homemaker. Ellen graduated from Brown University with a double BA degree in Anthropology and Semiotics before attending Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). Whilst she was at Brown she studied for her master’s degree at night at New York University in Photography & 8mm Filmmaking. The Betrayal - Nerakhoon, which follows a family from Laos who were forced to emigrate and adapt to life in America, was conceived as her master’s thesis.  She then started her career in the film industry in 1987 in New York as a camera assistant and electrician. Ellen represents the Cinematographers Branch on the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Board of Governors and is the ASC/ICG representative on the National Film Preservation Board. Ellen has most recently completed a new heist TV series 12 12 12 for Apple TV, and the TV series, Scarpetta, with Nicole Kidman, Arianna deBose and Jamie Lee Curtis for Amazon Prime Video. Ellen lives in New York.   Ellen’s links: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellen_Kuras https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0475578/   Favorite female artists: Jane Savelyeva  Host: Chris Stafford Produced by Hollowell Studios Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram AART on Facebook Email: theaartpodcast@gmail.com Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/call-time--6660037/support. Call Time meets the women on set including filmmakers, cinematographers, DP's, camera operators, actors, makeup artists, costume designers. We share their story from childhood through career highlights, their highs and lows negotiating the film and television industry.   CALL TIME is part  of the Women Unscripted Podcast Network and Exec Prod of Hollowell Studios.   🎙️ Host: Chris Stafford Producer: Hollowell Studios Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com  Instagram: @thecalltimepodcast 🔔 Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT & SUBSCRIBE for more interviews with today’s talented and creative women. 🎙️ Produced by Hollowell Studios ✍🏻 Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com  🎧 Call Time is available on all podcast apps

    1h 18m
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About

Call Time is a premium interview podcast from the Women Unscripted network, hosted by Chris Stafford, that goes behind the lens to explore the craft, careers, and creative journeys of the people shaping film and television. Each episode features intimate, unscripted conversations with cinematographers, camera operators, and visual storytellers from across the global screen industry. With her signature interview style—trusted, relaxed, and deeply perceptive—Chris draws out the personal stories behind the work: the risks taken, the challenges faced, and the defining moments that shape a life in film. From breakthrough artists to established industry voices, Call Time offers listeners rare access to the minds and methods of the creatives responsible for what we see on screen. These are not technical breakdowns—they are human stories about vision, resilience, collaboration, and the art of visual storytelling. Whether you’re a filmmaker, an aspiring creative, or simply fascinated by the magic behind the camera, Call Timedelivers thoughtful, inspiring conversations that reveal what it really takes to build a career in the film industry.Keywords: cinematography podcast, filmmaking podcast, film industry interviews, visual storytelling, camera operators, directors of photography, women in film, creative careers, behind the scenes film, Chris Stafford podcast, Women Unscripted network Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/call-time--6660037/support.

Information

  • Creator
    Chris Stafford
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    35
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Women Unscripted Podcast Netwo
  • Show Website
    Call Time