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. 3d ago

    Ep 335: Editing Whalefall | Oscar Winning Editor Pietro Scalia

    Tell us what you thought of the episode How do you edit a movie that takes place inside a whale? Academy Award winning editor Pietro Scalia takes us inside Whalefall, from the squid fight to that final note. On this episode of the Kingdom of Dreams Podcast, I sit down with Academy Award winning film editor Pietro Scalia to talk about his work on Whalefall, the survival thriller directed by Brian Duffield and starring Austin Abrams, Josh Brolin and Elisabeth Shue. Pietro walks us through the transitions that bridge the real and the imagined, why some shots need to simply let the audience breathe, and how he told so much of the story with almost no dialogue. We also get into his own life underwater, what he learned working with Oliver Stone and Ridley Scott, why JFK and Black Hawk Down were the hardest films he has ever cut, and the Black Hawk Down scene Jerry Bruckheimer kept asking him to trim. KEY TAKEAWAYS • How matching shot angles and breathing sounds bridge the real world and the imagined one • Why the long take after the squid fight lets the audience breathe with the character • Telling a story visually when your lead can barely say a word • What Pietro learned from Oliver Stone, Ridley Scott and the masters around them • Why JFK and Black Hawk Down were his toughest edits, and why he loves holding on a face CHAPTERS 0:00 Teaser 1:43 Welcome and Why the Editing Stood Out 4:43 Balancing Survival With Father and Son 8:30 Bridging the Real and the Imagined 15:19 Fathers and Sons 18:19 Isolation in The Martian vs Whalefall 23:56 The Most Emotional Scene to Edit 26:30 Pietro's Life Underwater 31:03 Lessons From Oliver Stone and Ridley Scott 38:43 JFK and Black Hawk Down, the Hardest Films 45:30 The Black Hawk Down Water Scene 49:32 Visual Effects, Music and That Final Note ABOUT THE GUEST Pietro Scalia is a Sicilian born film editor who has won two Academy Awards for Best Film Editing, for Oliver Stone's JFK and Ridley Scott's Black Hawk Down, with further nominations for Good Will Hunting and Gladiator. After earning his MFA at UCLA, he started out as an assistant editor on Oliver Stone's Wall Street and Talk Radio. His long collaboration with Ridley Scott includes G.I. Jane, Gladiator, Hannibal, American Gangster and The Martian, and his other credits include Stealing Beauty, Little Buddha, Memoirs of a Geisha, Ferrari and The Gray Man. Most recently, he edited Whalefall (2026) for director Brian Duffield. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G69IfZ7oQdU   http://twitter.com/dreamingkingdom http://instagram.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast http://facebook.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast   Watch the feature films I have directed Citizen of Moria (Amazon & other platforms): https://linktr.ee/citizenofmoriafilm In Search of My Sister (Amazon & other platforms): https://linktr.ee/insearchofmysisterfilm Official website: https://jawadmir.com

    Ep 335: Editing Whalefall | Oscar Winning Editor Pietro Scalia

  2. Oct 14

    Ep 334: Shooting Verity's Extreme Close-Ups | DP Jim Frohna

    Tell us what you thought of the episode Extreme close ups, long lenses and old school tungsten light. This is how Verity was shot. Cinematographer Jim Frohna takes us behind the camera on Michael Showalter's psychological thriller. On this episode of the Kingdom of Dreams Podcast, I sit down with cinematographer Jim Frohna to talk about his work on Verity, the psychological thriller directed by Michael Showalter and starring Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson and Josh Hartnett. Jim walks us through the film's extreme close ups, the split diopter shot, long lenses and winter blue tones, plus the old school tungsten lighting and a house that plays like a character of its own. We also get into how he landed the job, shooting the climax in a single day, and why the script is never really finished. KEY TAKEAWAYS • Why Verity leans on crunchy close ups, and the Hitchcock connection • How long lenses and winter blue tones shape the film's look • The split diopter shot and the choice of old school tungsten lighting • Treating the house as a character in the story • Lessons from shooting the climax in one day, and why the script is never finished CHAPTERS 0:00 Teaser: Validation and Family 1:25 Why the Cinematography Stood Out 2:31 Crunchy Close Ups and Hitchcock 4:06 Long Lenses and Winter Blue Tones 4:48 The Split Diopter Shot 9:49 Artists and Validation 16:19 How Jim Got the Verity Job 18:46 Old School Tungsten Lighting 21:25 The House as a Character 24:41 Working With Dakota Johnson and Josh Hartnett 29:11 Anne Hathaway's Many Versions of Verity 34:38 Lessons Learned Under Pressure 38:09 Shooting the Climax in One Day 40:12 The Script Is Never Finished 41:41 Attitude and Positivity on Set 48:01 Next Up: The Altruists and Serendipity ABOUT THE GUEST Jim Frohna is an Emmy-nominated American cinematographer and director known for his intimate, naturalistic visual storytelling. His credits include HBO's Big Little Lies, Transparent, Shrinking, The Idea of You, The Chair and I Love Dick. Most recently, he served as Director of Photography on Verity (2026). He has collaborated with directors including Andrea Arnold, Michael Showalter, Jay Duplass and Mike Mills. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G712eA8zjwY Get the Verity novel: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1538780496?tag=skyblueprod0f-20 As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.   http://twitter.com/dreamingkingdom http://instagram.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast http://facebook.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast   Watch the feature films I have directed Citizen of Moria (Amazon & other platforms): https://linktr.ee/citizenofmoriafilm In Search of My Sister (Amazon & other platforms): https://linktr.ee/insearchofmysisterfilm Official website: https://jawadmir.com

    Ep 334: Shooting Verity's Extreme Close-Ups | DP Jim Frohna

  3. Oct 12

    Ep 333: What You Won't Notice in HBO's Youth Costumes | Camille Benda

    Tell us what you thought of the episode HBO's Youth costumes. Costume designer Camille Benda on visual language, pilots that get canceled and what you won't notice. On this episode of the Kingdom of Dreams Podcast, I sit down with costume designer Camille Benda to talk about HBO's Youth. Camille shares my reaction to the show, what excited her and what she related to. We also talk about the show's visual language, how often projects get canceled after the pilot, what she learned about herself, her favorite European city, what inspired her to become a costume designer, what the audience won't notice and why costumes matter. KEY TAKEAWAYS • The visual language of Youth • Pilots that get canceled • What audiences won't notice • Why costumes matter CHAPTERS 0:00 Preview 1:14 Reaction to HBO's Youth 3:32 What Excited Camille 5:03 What Was Relatable 7:35 The Show's Visual Language 11:06 How Often Pilots Get Canceled 14:10 What Camille Learned About Herself 18:32 Favorite City in Europe 20:33 Becoming a Costume Designer 24:05 What the Audience Won't Notice 27:12 Why Costumes Matter ABOUT THE GUEST Camille Benda is a costume designer working in film and television, including HBO's comedy series Youth. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVuBzv7x3lI   http://twitter.com/dreamingkingdom http://instagram.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast http://facebook.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast   Watch the feature films I have directed Citizen of Moria (Amazon & other platforms): https://linktr.ee/citizenofmoriafilm In Search of My Sister (Amazon & other platforms): https://linktr.ee/insearchofmysisterfilm Official website: https://jawadmir.com

    Ep 333: What You Won't Notice in HBO's Youth Costumes | Camille Benda

  4. Oct 9

    Ep 332: Editing AMC+'s Kill Jackie | Editor Byron Smith

    Tell us what you thought of the episode Editing AMC+'s Kill Jackie. Editor Byron Smith on finding tone, the end of episode 2 and de-aging Catherine Zeta-Jones. On this episode of the Kingdom of Dreams Podcast, I sit down again with editor Byron Smith to talk about AMC+'s Kill Jackie with Catherine Zeta-Jones. Byron shares my reaction to the show, his next show Safe Houses and his first reaction to the footage versus the script. We also talk about finding tone, the end of episode 2, the producers, working around Catherine Zeta-Jones's availability, de-aging her, music and sound, trusting your gut and great shows coming out. KEY TAKEAWAYS • Finding the tone • The end of episode 2 • De-aging in the edit • Trusting your gut CHAPTERS 0:00 Preview 1:24 Watching Kill Jackie 2:53 Next Up: Safe Houses 4:12 Footage vs Script 8:35 Finding Tone 14:00 The End of Episode 2 17:10 The Amazing Producers 21:48 When Zeta-Jones Was Not Available 26:33 De-aging Zeta-Jones 29:57 Importance of Music and Sound 36:33 Trusting Your Gut 41:51 Great Shows Coming Out ABOUT THE GUEST Byron Smith, ACE, is an Emmy and ACE Eddie nominated editor with more than 20 years of experience. His credits include House of Cards, Mindhunter, True Detective, Under the Banner of Heaven, The Mosquito Coast, 1923, Lucky and Kill Jackie. He is a graduate of the American Film Institute. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0QsOwSDl8g Get Paul Theroux's The Mosquito Coast: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0140060898?tag=skyblueprod0f-20 As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.   http://twitter.com/dreamingkingdom http://instagram.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast http://facebook.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast   Watch the feature films I have directed Citizen of Moria (Amazon & other platforms): https://linktr.ee/citizenofmoriafilm In Search of My Sister (Amazon & other platforms): https://linktr.ee/insearchofmysisterfilm Official website: https://jawadmir.com

    Ep 332: Editing AMC+'s Kill Jackie | Editor Byron Smith

  5. Oct 7

    Ep 331: Composer David Robbins on Life, Loss & Gladiator

    Tell us what you thought of the episode Composer David Robbins on life, loss and Gladiator. David Robbins on Dead Man Walking, losing Any Given Sunday and Gladiator, and a message to his wife. On this episode of the Kingdom of Dreams Podcast, I sit down again with composer David Robbins for a personal conversation about life, music and loss. David shares a new award, who he is and Dead Man Walking with Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. We also talk about meeting Tim Robbins, being a rebel, success compared to other composers, losing Any Given Sunday and Gladiator, advice to his younger self, what he would tell his parents, taking people for granted, self care and a message to his wife. KEY TAKEAWAYS • Dead Man Walking and Nusrat • Losing Gladiator • Advice to his younger self • Grief and self care CHAPTERS 0:00 Preview 1:31 A New Award 3:20 Who Is David Robbins? 11:49 Dead Man Walking 19:58 Meeting Tim Robbins 24:30 A Rebel and a Mess 29:09 Success Like Other Composers? 36:17 Dead Man Walking 41:14 Losing Any Given Sunday and Gladiator 48:06 Advice to His Younger Self 56:11 TimRobbins.com 58:20 What He Would Tell His Parents 1:01:29 Taking People for Granted 1:04:05 Taking Care of Myself 1:09:07 A Message to His Wife ABOUT THE GUEST David Robbins is an American composer for film, television and theater. He grew up in New York's Greenwich Village in a musical family. His film credits include Dead Man Walking, Bob Roberts, Cradle Will Rock, King of California and Buck, many for his brother Tim Robbins. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRrx66fbF7o Get Dead Man Walking on DVD: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00000K0DQ?tag=skyblueprod0f-20 As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.   http://twitter.com/dreamingkingdom http://instagram.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast http://facebook.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast   Watch the feature films I have directed Citizen of Moria (Amazon & other platforms): https://linktr.ee/citizenofmoriafilm In Search of My Sister (Amazon & other platforms): https://linktr.ee/insearchofmysisterfilm Official website: https://jawadmir.com

    Ep 331: Composer David Robbins on Life, Loss & Gladiator

  6. Oct 5

    Ep 330: The Fine Art of Rocky | Illustrator & Author John Rivoli

    Tell us what you thought of the episode The Fine Art of Rocky. Rocky's official artist John Rivoli on the backstory, the shots that could have been and Sylvester Stallone. On this episode of the Kingdom of Dreams Podcast, I sit down with artist John Rivoli to talk about his book The Fine Art of Rocky: An Artistic Tribute from Screen to Canvas. John shares the backstory, the shots that could have been and how his childhood crept into the writing. We also talk about working with Sylvester Stallone, the impact he wants the book to have, the young actor playing Stallone in the new film and his 30th anniversary art. KEY TAKEAWAYS • How the book came together • Working with Stallone • Rocky's impact on John • The anniversary art CHAPTERS 0:00 Preview 1:05 The Fine Art of Rocky 2:55 The Backstory 9:37 The Shots That Could Have Been 14:03 Childhood in the Writing 19:34 Working with Sylvester Stallone 25:53 The Impact John Wants 29:33 Playing Stallone 36:53 The 30th Anniversary Art ABOUT THE GUEST John Rivoli is an animator, illustrator and fine artist and the official artist for MGM's Rocky franchise. His book The Fine Art of Rocky has a foreword by Sylvester Stallone. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wndybiowss0   http://twitter.com/dreamingkingdom http://instagram.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast http://facebook.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast   Watch the feature films I have directed Citizen of Moria (Amazon & other platforms): https://linktr.ee/citizenofmoriafilm In Search of My Sister (Amazon & other platforms): https://linktr.ee/insearchofmysisterfilm Official website: https://jawadmir.com

    Ep 330: The Fine Art of Rocky | Illustrator & Author John Rivoli

  7. Oct 2

    Ep 329: Editing Heart of the Beast | Editor Dody Dorn

    Tell us what you thought of the episode Editing Heart of the Beast. Editor Dody Dorn on the calm of the film, a puppy that showed up and the power of music. On this episode of the Kingdom of Dreams Podcast, I sit down with editor Dody Dorn to talk about Heart of the Beast with Brad Pitt. Dody shares my reaction to the film, her editing process and the calm of the film. We also talk about a German Shepherd puppy that showed up at her door, the music, the importance of sound, challenging and fun moments in the edit and the flash forward scene. KEY TAKEAWAYS • The calm of the film • The power of music • The importance of sound • The flash forward CHAPTERS 0:00 Preview 1:28 My Reaction to Heart of the Beast 5:57 Editing Heart of the Beast 9:52 The Calmness of the Film 12:35 A German Shepherd Puppy Showed Up 15:25 The Powerful Music in the Film 20:09 The Importance of Sound 22:02 Challenging and Fun Moments in the Edit 25:46 The Flash Forward Scene ABOUT THE GUEST Dody Dorn is an American film editor whose credits include Memento, for which she earned an Academy Award nomination, Insomnia, Kingdom of Heaven, Fury, Zack Snyder's Justice League and Rebel Moon. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLsgKbkloaw Get Memento on Blu-ray: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004FHCH96?tag=skyblueprod0f-20 As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.   http://twitter.com/dreamingkingdom http://instagram.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast http://facebook.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast   Watch the feature films I have directed Citizen of Moria (Amazon & other platforms): https://linktr.ee/citizenofmoriafilm In Search of My Sister (Amazon & other platforms): https://linktr.ee/insearchofmysisterfilm Official website: https://jawadmir.com

    Ep 329: Editing Heart of the Beast | Editor Dody Dorn

  8. Sep 30

    Ep 328: Back to the Future Trilogy | Writer & Producer Bob Gale

    Tell us what you thought of the episode Back to the Future trilogy. Bob Gale on the complete screenplay, early failures and magical moments. On this episode of the Kingdom of Dreams Podcast, I sit down with Bob Gale, co-writer and producer of the Back to the Future trilogy. Bob shares Back to the Future: The Complete Screenplay, my watching Part III first and what makes the book great. We also talk about what still surprises him, the films before Back to the Future, the failures of early films, magical moments, listening to movie scores and Robert Zemeckis's Here. KEY TAKEAWAYS • The complete screenplay • Early failures • Magical moments • Working with Robert Zemeckis CHAPTERS 0:00 Teaser 2:40 The Complete Screenplay 5:41 Watching Part III First 11:49 What's Great About the Book 15:12 What Still Surprises Bob 21:27 Films Before Back to the Future 25:59 Failures of Early Films 30:35 Magical Moments 36:45 Listening to Movie Scores 41:51 Robert Zemeckis's Here ABOUT THE GUEST Bob Gale is an Oscar nominated screenwriter and producer, co-creator, co-writer and co-producer of the Back to the Future trilogy with Robert Zemeckis. His credits include 1941, I Wanna Hold Your Hand, Used Cars, Trespass and Interstate 60, which he wrote and directed. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2ivyoATizo Get the Back to the Future Trilogy on 4K: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FMJ3T38R?tag=skyblueprod0f-20 As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.   http://twitter.com/dreamingkingdom http://instagram.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast http://facebook.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast   Watch the feature films I have directed Citizen of Moria (Amazon & other platforms): https://linktr.ee/citizenofmoriafilm In Search of My Sister (Amazon & other platforms): https://linktr.ee/insearchofmysisterfilm Official website: https://jawadmir.com

    Ep 328: Back to the Future Trilogy | Writer & Producer Bob Gale
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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
    335
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Kingdom of Dreams Podcast
  • Show Website
    Kingdom of Dreams Podcast

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