B Smith's Second Sticks

Brett Smith
  • 5.0 (15)
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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. 5d ago

    B Smith's Second Sticks- Donald Meyerson

    FIRST UP: The Bipartisan Motion Picture, Television, and Entertainment Revitalization Act bill might be the most important piece of legislature not only for non-scripted workers but for people who work in all levels of entertainment. It's time for all of us to step up and make our intetnions known. Please click the link below and you'll find a pre-written letter that asks Congress to support this initiative. Ask those in your life (entertainment workers or not) to support your efforts by clicking the link, and also send a letter. Feel free to personalize the letter, too. The more letters we send, the better the chance this bill will pass. We need to get this done before election day! Use your voice and let Congress know where you stand! The Pod: B Smith's Second Sticks' guest today is Donald Meyerson, former long-time challenge producer and currently a senior producer with The Blaze, a conservative media group based in Texas. Donald and I actually have a number of shows in common in our past, including Hell's Kitchen, Escape Club and Redneck Island. On Redneck, we recounted the conditions in Mexico, the digging of many holes, and the lifeguard who couldn't swim (a metaphor for Redneck if ever there was one). We also recall the brilliant and creative Fred Birkhead, one of the best challenge producers in the business. Donald also talks about his work post-Covid and the changing attitudes that had begun, in his mind, to pervade the industry. Conversations with a like-minded actor on a feature film he worked on lead him to the fast-growing YouTube universe and ultimately to Blaze Media, a right-leaning media company founded by conservative tv and radio talk host Glenn Beck. It goes without saying that the political leanings of Donald and myself are far apart. However, conversations across the aisle are going to be necessary if we are ever going to overcome the massive polarization that plagues our country. We end with discourse about the bipartisan tax incentive bill and the upcoming election. One thing we agree on: people need to get out and vote by or before November 3. The choice is yours to participate in our democracy while we still have one. Show notes: Click the link and tell Congress to pass the Bipartisan Motion Picture, Television, and Entertainment Revitalization Act bill: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/tell-congress-pass-the-bipartisan-motion-picture-television-and-entertainment-revitalization-act-mptera 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. Oct 23

    B Smith's Second Sticks- Nick Borges (part 2)

    In part 2 of B Smith's Second Sticks conversation with Tech Supervisor and all-around talented good guy Nick Borges, we get a little dystopian. We first touch base on the concept of A.I. and how that will affect the creative landscape, then discuss the reality for most people having to constantly travel in order to work in our industry. The halcyon days of getting to pick and choose shows is long gone, and we find ourselves on the side of more supply than demand, with certain disciplines within our genre not even allowing for that option. We address the "road warrior" idea, which is where we are at now, but is severely unattractive for workers who are parents and spouses and partners. But we shift to the fact that most of us are creative people, with a need to create. Nick's YouTube show, "Songwriting Covered," focuses on the mutual admiration of musicians as they talk about song writing and perform each others songs. You can be sure that, as a musician himself, Nick will present this material with all the care and attention it deserves, although I have no doubt that he would do the same with a conversation about plastic deck chairs-- you'll just have to listen to the pod! Click in the show notes below to access the show. Show notes: https://www.songwritingcovered.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@SongwritingCovered 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

  3. Oct 20

    B Smith's Second Sticks- Nick Borges (part 1)

    Everyone likes Nick Borges. B Smith's Second Sticks considers this is a universal truth, similar to the sun rises in the east, and a hot dog tastes better with a ball game in front of it. In part one of a two-part long-conceived podcast, Nick and I kick off our reunion with a chat about some of his little-known talents outside of his career as a well-regarded tech supervisor. We also talk about his origins as a Gator (Gainesville, Florida, home of Tom Petty), and the creative tendencies that brought him to Los Angeles. The strike of 2008 led him into the reality television arena and ultimately his still-fortuitous partnership with director Brian Smith. We spend a lot of time recounting the unfortunate departure of the show Master Chef to Australia, and later, Canada. It seems backwards and cruel that so many talented people can contribute for so long in a collaborative effort to the success of a production like MC, and then it can be spirited away in the time it takes a bean-counting executive to sign the marching orders. Alas, this is the world we live in as far as non-scripted production goes, and we all know the risks. At least Nick has kept the spirit of The Shanty alive since its final season; like the immortal venue CBGB's, the legend lives on! Enjoy the first part of this two-parter! 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

  4. Oct 13

    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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

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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
    46
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 B Smith's Second Sticks
  • Show Website
    B Smith's Second Sticks

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