The Film Situation

The Film Situation
  • 4.8 (16)
  • TV & Film
  • Updated Weekly

A Podcast About Cinema & Filmmaking Hosted by Zef Cota

  1. 1d ago

    093 | Hana Holloway & Camille Zapata - Filmmakers | MOTHERWOUND (2026)

    Today, Cole sits down with Hana Holloway and Camille Zapata. They are the creative minds behind a short horror film that’s absolutely killing it on the festival circuit right now, called MotherWound. As of this interview, it has 7 official festival selections, 3 awards, and multiple nominations. Cole and guests discuss their many roles on the set of MotherWound, the importance of having a majority female cast and crew for the film, and their aspiration to lift Sacramento-based creatives through their filmmaking collective, Unpretty Pictures. Featuring discussions about NOPE, THE BABADOOK, and BARBARIAN.

  2. Sep 22

    092 | Evan Marcewicz - Director / Producer | ECHO POINT (2026)

    Today, interim host Cole Howard speaks with Evan Marcewicz. Evan is a New Jersey-based filmmaker whose feature debut, ECHO POINT, is now available to buy or rent on Amazon. After inheriting a remote cabin, a man discovers an old radio that begins transmitting voices connected to a series of murders and to a horrifying secret buried within his own family. Evan and Cole talk about financing a $25,000 feature at 25 years old; they debate the efficacy of the Paramount merger with Warner, and they cap it all off with the show's first-ever movie battle. Rent or buy ECHO POINT now on Amazon.

  3. Sep 15

    091 | Ryan and Hays Holladay - Composers | WEAPONS, and RESIDENT EVIL (2026)

    Ryan and Hays Holladay are music producers and film composers who worked on last year's horror sensation, WEAPONS, and already have two major films this year, including the latest Happy Madison production, ROOMMATES, as well as the newest RESIDENT EVIL film, hitting theaters September 18. The Holladay Brothers, along with guest host Cole Howard, talk film scoring vs. music production, the difference between working on smaller documentaries vs. large-budget films, and both Ryan and Hays address the growing controversy about RESIDENT EVIL not featuring existing characters from the video games. Watch RESIDENT EVIL, hitting theaters everywhere, September 18th. Hosted & Produced by Cole Howard

  4. Sep 7

    090 - Brandon Jay McLaren, Actor - POWER RANGERS S.P.D., THE ROOKIE, SHE'S THE MAN

    Today's guest is Brandon Jay McLaren. He's an actor whose 20-year career spans both film and television. You may recognize him as Jack Landors, the Red Ranger in POWER RANGERS S.P.D., or as cartel kingpin Elijah Stone in THE ROOKIE. He's also appeared in the cult classic films SHE'S THE MAN and TUCKER AND DALE VS. EVIL. Brandon and guest host Cole Howard discuss his humble beginnings in the industry as an 11-year-old doing Honeycomb commercials, to now starring as one of the premier villains in the hit ABC series THE ROOKIE.   We talk about his run as a Red Ranger on POWER RANGERS S.P.D., his time as Beau Buckley on SNOWFALL, his supporting role in SHE'S THE MAN, and everything in between. Hosted by Cole Howard Presented by The Alphaville Foundation

  5. Aug 31

    089 - Jeff Ryan, Writer, Director, and Actor - MOOCH

    Episode #89: Jeff Ryan joins THE FILM SITUATION to talk about writing, directing and starring in MOOCH, his New Jersey crime comedy “based on a pathetic true story.” We get into the movie’s 1990s and early 2000s influences, Raymond Chandler, pop punk, directing yourself, imposter syndrome, festival rejection, making movies without waiting for permission, and how getting rejected ultimately inspired Jeff to create his own fake film festival, “Rejecta.” Plus: MICHAEL CLAYTON, THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS, David Fincher, independent filmmaking and why sometimes the most important thing is simply making a movie you genuinely believe in.

  6. Aug 13

    088- Chris Camaj, Actor

    Actor Chris Camaj joins Zef Cota for a wide-ranging conversation about growing up Albanian-American in Queens, old-school New York, and the unconventional path that eventually led him into acting. Chris talks about his early years around the independent hip-hop scene, appearing in Spike Lee’s 25TH HOUR, and later deciding to seriously pursue acting, including his role in THE WANNABE and working alongside actors including Patricia Arquette, Cuba Gooding Jr. and Robert Miano. The conversation goes beyond career stories into what makes a good director, the importance of communication and authenticity on set, the reality behind the “smoke and mirrors” of the entertainment business, and why persistence matters in an industry where nothing is guaranteed. Chris and Zef also get into Albanian and New York culture, GOMORRAH, SINNERS, THE GODFATHER, loyalty, social media, and why some of the best filmmaking makes you feel like you’ve been dropped directly into another world. A funny, candid and very New York conversation about acting, movies, culture and staying true to who you are.

  7. Jul 15

    087 - Paul & Ellen Wagner - Documentary Filmmakers

    Today's guests are Paul Wagner, an Academy Award and Emmy Award-winning independent filmmaker who has produced and directed more than fifty films across a remarkable fifty-year career, and his wife and creative partner, Ellen Casey Wagner. Together, they directed the outstanding documentary GEORGIA O'KEEFFE: THE BRIGHTNESS OF LIGHT, a fascinating portrait of one of America's most influential artists. We discuss the years of research behind the film, working with Claire Danes and Hugh Dancy, Georgia O'Keeffe's extraordinary integrity and artistic vision, and what it takes to tell the story of such an iconic figure. And if you're a fan of classic cinema, be sure to stay until the end of the episode, where we dive into two of Paul and Ellen's favorite films, EAST OF EDEN and DAYS OF HEAVEN, and talk about the scenes from those movies that have stayed with them throughout their lives.   Hosted by Zef Cota Produced by Cole Howard Brought to you by The Alphaville Foundation

  8. Jul 3

    086 - Jonathan Yunger - President of Millennium Media

    Jonathan Yunger returns to THE FILM SITUATION for an in-person conversation following the Washington, D.C. premiere of his latest film, LUCKY STRIKE. Jonathan discusses producing the World War II survival thriller starring Scott Eastwood, collaborating once again with director Rod Lurie, and the importance of authenticity in historical filmmaking. He shares behind-the-scenes stories from the production, explains the fascinating real-life origin behind the film's title, and reflects on meeting one of the last surviving veterans of the Battle of the Bulge. The conversation also explores Jonathan's philosophy on producing, why every filmmaker is ultimately a storyteller and a salesperson, the future of artificial intelligence in cinema through his company Arcana AI, and why he believes AI should empower, not replace...human creativity. We also dive into the upcoming RAMBO prequel, independent filmmaking, David Lynch, Martin Scorsese's views on AI, and what it truly takes to shepherd a film from script to screen. A thoughtful conversation with one of the industry's most passionate producers. Hosted by Zef Cota Produced by Cole Howard Recorded in person Washington D.C.

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4.8
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About

A Podcast About Cinema & Filmmaking Hosted by Zef Cota

Information

  • Creator
    The Film Situation
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    93
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Film Situation