Eyes On: How Hollywood Works

Retrofit Films
  • 5.0 (9)
  • FILM INTERVIEWS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Ever wonder how a movie actually gets made? Eyes On: How Hollywood Works is the filmmaking podcast that pulls back the curtain on the people who bring films and TV to life, the artists, technicians, and storytellers working up and down the call sheet. Hosts Chris Hanada and Tanner Kling sit down with the cinematographers, production designers, casting directors, script supervisors, special effects makeup artists, sound designers, puppeteers, VFX artists, and crew whose work you've seen in your favorite movies, even if you've never heard their names. Each episode is an honest, jargon-free conversation about craft, collaboration, career paths, and the wild reality of working in the entertainment industry. Whether you're a film student trying to break in, a working professional curious about other departments, or just a movie lover who wants to know how the magic really happens, Eyes On gives you a front-row seat to the business and the art of moviemaking. Past guests include script supervisor Hannah Driscoll, casting director Jeff Gafner, production designer Meg Bell, cinematographer Garrett O'Brien, sound designer Mark Camperell, and special effects makeup artist Carleigh Herbert. New season drops June 17, 2026. Subscribe now and see Hollywood the way the people who build it do. A Retrofit Films production.

Episodes

  1. 12/17/2025

    Season Finale Q&A with Chris & Tanner

    In this season finale bonus episode, hosts Chris and Tanner are joined by Eyes On producer Simran Porwal to answer listener questions about everything from on-set attitudes to joining your first union. Eyes On: Conversations with Hollywood Filmmakers will be back next year for season two! In the meantime, if you have a burning question you'd like to hear answered next year, hit us up on any of our social platforms.

    17 min

  2. 12/10/2025

    Eyes On Script Supervisor Hannah Driscoll

    Hannah Driscoll is a script supervisor whose unique brain makes her perfectly suited for tracking continuity across Hollywood productions, including Hulu's PEN15, HBO's THE CURSE, and A24’s FRIENDSHIP (starring Paul Rudd and Tim Robinson).  From live-typing actors' ad-libs while simultaneously monitoring multiple cameras to using her color-coded memory system to track missed dialogue lines, Hannah relates the intricate mental gymnastics required to ensure that scenes shot out of order will cut together seamlessly in post-production.  Hannah also shares how childhood experiences trained her way of approaching her continuity work, the difference between working on feature films and TV shows, and the realities of working in today's challenging industry climate while maintaining the joy and positivity that makes her, as the hosts describe, "a bright light on set."

    39 min

  3. 12/03/2025

    Eyes On VFX Artist Chris Wells

    Chris Wells’ work in the VFX department spans from blockbusters like THE AVENGERS and AVATAR to acclaimed indie films like TAKE SHELTER and LOOPER. Chris shares his journey from wanting to be a forest ranger in rural Georgia to becoming a sought-after VFX producer in Hollywood, and offers his insights into an industry in transition. Chris discusses the dramatic shift in the VFX industry from brick-and-mortar studios to remote freelance work and why he enjoys the creative process on indie films more than massive studio tentpoles. We’ll hear his viewpoint on the future of AI in filmmaking and where the hype separates from reality.   Chris doesn’t hold back either as he shares stories about standing up for his crew, what it takes to leave a toxic workplace, and why Southern honesty doesn't always play well in Hollywood.

    47 min

  4. 11/12/2025

    Eyes On Actor Rob Belushi

    Rob Belushi is an actor, writer, producer, and game show host who, as the son of Jim Belushi and nephew of John Belushi, comes from one of entertainment's most legendary families. Rob opens up about navigating Hollywood with a famous last name – what he calls both a privilege and  "a grown-up curse" – and how he's carved his own path in the industry by embracing versatility and saying yes to opportunities, from small TV roles to producing game shows.    In this candid conversation, Rob reflects on his journey through recovery, the value of collaboration over competition, and how having a business partner keeps him grounded. With refreshing honesty about privilege, pressure, and the realities of working in entertainment during industry contractions, Rob shares how he's built a sustainable career by focusing on relationships, staying present for his family, and remembering that everyone in Hollywood – from actors to bankers – is just trying to figure it out.

    40 min

  5. 11/05/2025

    Eyes On Puppeteers Sean & Patrick Johnson

    Eyes On: How Hollywood Works

    38 min

  6. 10/29/2025

    Eyes On Casting Director Jeff Gafner

    From casting TEEN WOLF to convincing producers that no, John Boyega probably won't do your short film for free, Jeff Gafner has spent his career bridging the gap between Hollywood dreams and on-set reality—all while actually watching every single one of those 800 audition tapes. Discover how a kid from New Jersey who loved reading movie credits turned a college conversation into a New York casting internship, then built a career navigating everything from CSI MIAMI to IT’S ALWAYS SUNNY to the V/H/S horror franchise.  Learn why casting directors might be the most underrated development executives in Hollywood, and why Jeff's advice to actors boils down to: control your audition, because everything else is wildly out of your hands.

    39 min

  7. 10/22/2025

    Eyes On Production Designer Megan Elizabeth Bell

    From creating sets for a room full of production designers at the Art Directors Guild Awards to designing numerous indie films, Megan Elizabeth Bell brings infectious enthusiasm (and animal print) to every project. Discover how watching HARRY POTTER as a kid sparked the question "who gets to decide what Hogwarts looks like?"—and how that curiosity led her to pack a U-Haul, drive cross-country with zero Hollywood connections, and hustle her way into the business.  Meg shares the truth about breaking into production design, why she'd rather hire someone with a great attitude than a giant resume, the philosophy that keeps her driving that 2004 Honda Civic to studio lots, and how staying supportive of others' successes beats sitting home sending cold emails.

    41 min

  8. 10/15/2025

    Eyes On Sound Designer Mark Camperell

    CORRECTION: At 20:10, Mark is referring to Crypt TV, not Havoc TV. Mark Camperell is an award-winning sound designer and mixer whose work spans everything from blockbuster video games to television dramas. With nearly two decades in the industry and three Golden Reel Awards under his belt, Mark breaks down the intricate world of post-production audio. From his early days making $8 an hour at Soundelux to founding his own company Empty Sea Audio in 2007, Mark shares the gritty reality of how he went from working on EverQuest II voice-overs to mixing Call of Duty: Black Ops. He dives deep into his craft—explaining the difference between sound design and sound effects editing, why you hear the same door squeak in every TV show, and how sound design can make an underwhelming styrofoam wall crash feel like a concussive concrete explosion. Mark also opens up about surviving industry downturns, finding work-life balance in the mountains of Northern California, and why the pandemic actually made some aspects of his remote-first business model work better.

    40 min

  9. 10/08/2025

    Eyes On Influencer and Actor Lisa Schwartz

    Lisa Schwartz is a multi-talented actress, comedian, and content creator  known for her recent appearance on ABBOTT ELEMENTARY and her YouTube channel LisBug, which has over 2 million subscribers. From her early days as a theater student at UC Irvine to becoming one of YouTube's pioneering content creators, Lisa shares her journey through the digital revolution. Discover how a chance audition for a Comedy Central pilot led by the Fine Brothers launched her into the YouTube stratosphere, where she built a massive following through comedy sketches, parodies, and lifestyle vlogs. Lisa opens up about the highs and lows of digital stardom, including landing brand partnerships, pitching shows to major networks like ABC and Freeform, and the unique challenges of sharing your personal life with millions of viewers. She also discusses the evolution of social media platforms, from YouTube's early days to the rise of TikTok, and offers valuable insights for the next generation of content creators.

    42 min

  10. 10/01/2025

    How a Hollywood DP Prepares for Every Film | Garrett O’Brien | Eyes On Podcast

    Ever wonder what a director of photography actually does? Most people know the director calls the shots. But the DP is the one figuring out how those shots look, feel, and tell the story. Garrett O'Brien has been doing this at the highest level for years. He's got two feature films out last year: WALTZING WITH BRANDO, starring Billy Zane as Marlon Brando, and BAD MAN, starring Seann William Scott, a dark comedy based on a true story about a man who convinced an entire sheriff's department he was a state narcotics agent.  In this conversation, Garrett gets into the real work behind the job: how he reads a script as a cinematographer, the detailed scene-by-scene breakdown he does before every film, and why communication is the skill that separates good crews from great ones. He also talks about shooting on location in Tahiti, recreating scenes from THE GODFATHER, going digital while making it look like 16mm film, and what happened when he had to step into a production mid-shoot with almost no prep. It's a candid, practical look at a craft that most audiences never see, from someone who lives it every day.

    43 min

  11. 09/22/2025

    Carleigh Herbert: Blood, Prosthetics, and Everything They Don’t Teach You in Makeup School

    Real blood looks fake on camera. That’s just the beginning of what Hollywood makeup artist Carleigh Herbert has figured out. In this episode, you’ll hear from a department head who has worked across Teen Wolf, American Horror Story, Minx, Sex Lives of College Girls, and beyond. Carleigh does both beauty and prosthetic makeup, which is rarer than you’d think, and she breaks down exactly what that means on a real production. You’ll learn why real gore has to be enhanced just to look believable on screen, how a makeup artist figures out the “blood formula” for every type of wound and every type of shot, and what it actually takes to cover a fresh tattoo on a working actor. You’ll also hear about the continuity system Carleigh built to track character looks across scenes that shoot completely out of order, and why the makeup trailer is the first place a producer goes when they need to know how the cast is really doing. Plus: the full-body prosthetics work on Minx, what it’s like to be the first person on set and the last one out, and how Carleigh went from aspiring choreographer to one of the most in-demand makeup department heads in Hollywood.   Follow Eyes On on Instagram @eyesonpodcast. Hosted by Chris Hanada and Tanner Kling.

    41 min
  12. Episode 0 - Eyes On with Chris & Tanner

    TRAILER

    Episode 0 - Eyes On with Chris & Tanner

    Ever wonder who builds movie sets, applies an actor’s prosthetic nose or has their hand up that insult throwing puppet? EYES ON: Conversations with Hollywood Filmmakers is your backstage pass to the film industry. Hosted by producing partners Chris Hanada and Tanner Kling, this podcast celebrates the unsung heroes of moviemaking:  special effects makeup artists, production designers, cinematographers, character actors, and everyone else who rarely gets a spotlight moment.  Through laid-back conversations and swapping of war stories, Chris and Tanner uncover how these craftspeople got their start and built lasting careers in entertainment. Whether you're a film student, an industry vet or just curious how television, movies and more really get made, EYES ON serves up  honest stories, practical wisdom, and laughs from Hollywood's hardest workers.   eyesonpod.com

    3 min

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

Ever wonder how a movie actually gets made? Eyes On: How Hollywood Works is the filmmaking podcast that pulls back the curtain on the people who bring films and TV to life, the artists, technicians, and storytellers working up and down the call sheet. Hosts Chris Hanada and Tanner Kling sit down with the cinematographers, production designers, casting directors, script supervisors, special effects makeup artists, sound designers, puppeteers, VFX artists, and crew whose work you've seen in your favorite movies, even if you've never heard their names. Each episode is an honest, jargon-free conversation about craft, collaboration, career paths, and the wild reality of working in the entertainment industry. Whether you're a film student trying to break in, a working professional curious about other departments, or just a movie lover who wants to know how the magic really happens, Eyes On gives you a front-row seat to the business and the art of moviemaking. Past guests include script supervisor Hannah Driscoll, casting director Jeff Gafner, production designer Meg Bell, cinematographer Garrett O'Brien, sound designer Mark Camperell, and special effects makeup artist Carleigh Herbert. New season drops June 17, 2026. Subscribe now and see Hollywood the way the people who build it do. A Retrofit Films production.

Information

  • Creator
    Retrofit Films
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Eyes On: How Hollywood Works