Call Sheet Confidential

Michael Samstag and Dave McCauley
  • 5.0 (1)
  • TV & Film

Support the Show via Patreon Call Sheet Confidential (formerly Old Guy Tech) is the definitive podcast for the modern video professional. Hosted by industry veterans Michael Samstag and Dave McCauley, this show explores the intersection of classic filmmaking experience and the rapid evolution of production technology. We go beyond the spec sheets to deliver Battle-Tested Industry Insights. Each episode features candid interviews with world-class Directors of Photography, seasoned Owner-Operators, Creators, Crew, and industry leaders sharing hard-won lessons from the set. We dive deep into the business side of video production, discussing how to navigate shifting markets, manage sustainable careers, and make smart investments in the era of AI and automation. Whether discussing the soul of vintage glass, the reliability of an FX9, or the frontier of generative video, our focus is always practical. Old Guy Tech is for creators who know that while tools change, the business of storytelling remains your most important asset.

Episodes

  1. 2d ago

    Tom Rowland, Creative Satisfaction and The Evolution of Media

    What happens when you ask your ad agency boss if his brand-new BMW was paid for in "creative satisfaction"? On this episode of Call Sheet Confidential, Dave sits down with veteran commercial director and filmmaker Tom Rowland for an inside look at the history of film and video production. Tom shares his incredible journey through the entire modern evolution of physical media—from shooting wind-up 8mm film as a kid and studying film theory under Martin Scorsese at NYU, to standing on set with Hollywood icon Tony Perkins and navigating the wild, "smoke and mirrors" days of early commercial television. We dive deep into: Set Etiquette & Crew Culture: The unwritten rules of working on a professional production set. The Tech Evolution: Navigating the chaotic industry transition from traditional film transfers to early Avid non-linear editing suites. Local Production History: A legendary roll call honoring the classic crew members, DPs, and editors who built the regional commercial scene. Career Longevity: Vital advice for modern creators, cinematographers, and video editors on how to survive and adapt across a 50-year career behind the lens. Whether you are a seasoned DP, an editor in the trenches, a camera assistant, or a freelance creator trying to build a sustainable production company, Tom’s trade wisdom is an absolute masterclass in industry survival. #Filmmaking #VideoProduction #Cinematography #SetLife #FilmCrew #PostProduction #Avid #VideoEditing #DirectorLife #FreelanceFilmmaker #CallSheetConfidential

    Tom Rowland, Creative Satisfaction and The Evolution of Media

  2. Jun 20

    A Show For the Whole Crew: Introducing Call Sheet Confidential

    After nine episodes of technical deep dives, we are moving the needle. Welcome to Call Sheet Confidential! The name was a vestigial constraint that failed to reflect the reality of today's sets. We’re doubling down on our commitment to inclusivity, moving past the "Old Guy" optics to foster a production community that mirrors the actual diversity of talent currently executing high-end work. What to expect in this episode: The Rebrand Strategy: Why we’re shifting focus to be more inclusive and how that expands our technical network. New Technical Segment: "Three Things Creators Can Steal." We analyze how to deconstruct high-retention storytelling devices and apply those techniques to your own project's narrative structure. The Popcorn Files: A deep dive into the logistics of massive franchise sets and the technical realities of managing large-scale film productions. Community Standards: How we’re positioning the show to serve creators of all backgrounds who prioritize craft over clout. We aren't changing the mission—we're scaling the delivery. If you’re here to sharpen your technical edge and refine your production workflow, you’re in the right place.

    A Show For the Whole Crew: Introducing Call Sheet Confidential

  3. Jun 2

    From Community Cable Access to Network Showrunner: Keith Thomas

    Episode Intro: Michael and Dave kick off the episode with a technical breakdown of secondary camera logistics. Dave evaluates the utility of the Sony Alpha 7R6 as a hybrid companion format to his primary FX9 payload, weighing its uncropped 4K/120fps output against a high price point and the absence of open-gate support. Michael introduces the parameters of the Canon EOS R6V—noting its 7K open-gate capture and integrated cooling fan—before explaining why a used Canon C70 running dedicated look-profiles remains the mathematically sound choice for seamless matching on our timeline. Featured Interview: Following the hardware breakdown, we transition straight into an elite technical post-mortem with veteran producer and former Magnolia Network executive Keith Thomas. Keith traces his operational footprint from community cable access in 1990 to managing premium, long-form narrative infrastructure. Key Technical & Workflow Architecture: The Location Audio Masterclass: Keith details why tracking location sound offers the industry’s most comprehensive education in performance assessment, multi-mic wireless placement, and scene geometry. This specific footprint forces an operator to monitor phase variance, RF interference, and environmental acoustics while tracking narrative pacing simultaneously.The Missy Elliott Beta SP Drum Failure: A retrospective on field engineering under immediate distress. Keith reviews an E! True Hollywood Stories field shoot halted by a critical tape drum malfunction on a legacy Beta SP deck, outlining the specific redundancy planning required to protect delivery windows when hot tungsten packages limit shooting time.The Structural Cost of Unlatched Flight Cases: A zero-tolerance reminder for camera utilities and assistants. Keith logs the physical impact data and financial loss of lifting an unlatched flight case, causing six premium Zeiss prime lenses to drop directly onto bare concrete.Deploying Legacy Iron on Modern Digital Timelines: Keith maps out his current technical approach for his upcoming June wellness documentary. The architecture relies on two first-generation Canon C300 bodies paired with Canon CN-E primes. This combination optimizes highlight roll-off and skin tone rendering, purposely bypassing the overly sharp, clinical aesthetic of modern, high-megapixel digital sensors.The Sub-$1,000 Training Tool: Why a second-hand Sony FS7 body represents a highly precise, cost-effective asset for incoming crew to master industry-standard menu navigation, physical payload management, and assignable button configurations.Production Hardware Baseline Reference: Primary Digital Formats: Sony FX9, Canon C70Secondary / Hybrid Formats: Sony Alpha 7R6, Canon EOS R6V, Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4KLegacy Engineering Iron: Canon C300 Mark I, Sony FS7, Sony Beta SPOptics Arrays: Canon CN-E Primes, Zeiss Prime Lenses, Canon L-Series GlassIf you’ve ever lifted a flight case only to watch your prime glass hit the concrete, outline your engineering backup plan in the comments. Like, subscribe, and verify your latches to keep your signal clean.

    From Community Cable Access to Network Showrunner: Keith Thomas

  4. May 19

    The Anatomy of the Grid & Battle-Tested Rock 'n' Roll Lighting with Randy Read

    If you think modern LED programming on a cinema set is stressful, try operating an analog console while calling six carbon-arc Super Trooper spotlights over the roaring crowd of a 1970s Marshall Tucker Band stadium show. This week on Old Guy Tech, Dave McCauley and I are breaking down the massive industry news of the day—the end of an era as ARRI changes family ownership after more than a century. How is this move into the live broadcast and sports market going to affect the cinema glass and camera bodies we know and love? Then, Dave sits down with a true legend of the lighting grid, Randy Read. Randy brings over 40 years of battle-tested, high-end production expertise to the table—from touring with rock 'n' roll icons to his tenure at Cinetel Productions, Scripps Networks, and designing broadcast studios globally for ARRI. #Inside the Episode: The ARRI Acquisition:*We analyze the acquisition of the world's leading camera and lighting ecosystem by Thomas Riedel and what it means for the future of cinema post-production pipelines. Psychedelic Pre-Show Origins: How Randy got his start at 19 using food dye, oil, water, and overhead projectors to create live, music-reactive visuals behind touring bands. The "Super Trooper" Era: A look back at pure analog lighting rigs—manually syncing 180 Par cans, Leekos, and carbon-arc spotlights before software automation took over the industry. The Bill-Payer's Eye: The brutal truth every young filmmaker needs to learn early: "Beauty is not in the eye of the beholder; beauty is in the eye of the person who writes the check." The Multiple-Camera Art: Why true multi-cam set lighting is a dying breed, the raw horsepower and foot-candles required to pull exposure on older tube cameras, and why knowing the math behind amperage and power distribution separates the real lighting directors from the CAD drafters. Check your feeds, lock down your power distribution, and listen to an elite professional who has truly lit it all. What's the oldest piece of lighting iron or analog gear you've ever had to handle on a professional location? Drop your crew stories in the comments.

    The Anatomy of the Grid & Battle-Tested Rock 'n' Roll Lighting with Randy Read

  5. May 10

    Scoring True Crime, Dolly Parton Studio Sessions & AI in Music with Paul Jones

    This week on Old Guy Tech, Michael is flying solo in the booth while Dave is out in the field shooting B-roll. But we have an incredibly special episode as we welcome Michael's friend of over 20 years, Paul Jones! Paul is a music entrepreneur with over 30 years of global industry experience and the founder of the production music library, Auralation. If you’ve ever watched true crime hits like Snapped or City Confidential, or tuned into cable giants like HGTV, DIY, and Food Network, you have absolutely heard his work. In Episode 6, Paul shares his incredible journey from recording TV theme songs on a portable cassette player to running the studio where Dolly Parton recorded her Halos & Horns album (including a bluegrass cover of "Stairway to Heaven"!). 🎙️ In this episode, Michael and Paul also dive deep into: Paul’s hilarious first TV scoring gig, which consisted of just playing his lowest synthesizer note every time the scene changed.The reality of AI in the music industry—discussing tools like Suno and 11 Labs—and why AI is currently a fantastic iteration tool for songwriters, but isn't quite ready to take over the emotional heavy-lifting of scoring a film.Behind-the-scenes of scoring the documentary The Hidden Tiger and capturing the multicultural sounds of rural India.The booming true crime television industry that turned Knoxville into a massive production hub.UT's new music business program and the exciting future of dedicated scoring stages in East Tennessee.👇 We want to hear from YOU! What is your favorite piece of gear or your craziest story from the set? Drop a comment below, and let us know who we should interview next! 👍 The "Cheesy" Ask: As Michael always says, it feels cheesy to ask, but it really does help the channel—please hit that LIKE button and SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss our upcoming "Cautionary Tale" mini-series on Michael's robotic total knee replacement. #OldGuyTech #VideoProduction #FilmScoring #PaulJones #TrueCrime #DollyParton #Filmmaking #BehindTheScenes #AudioEngineering

    Scoring True Crime, Dolly Parton Studio Sessions & AI in Music with Paul Jones

  6. May 8

    GoPro’s $700 Scam? NAB 2024 Wrap & Gerald Undone Retires

    NAB 2026 is in the bag, and the consensus from the "Old Guys" is... meh. Michael Samstag and Dave McCauley break down why the endless spec-sheet wars have hit a plateau. The most significant news from Vegas wasn't a camera launch, but the fallout from ‪@geraldundone‬ Gerald changing his content strategy and "retiring" from the exhaustive technical reviews that established his brand. We’re diving deep into the GoPro Scandal following the announcement of the Mission 1 Pro ILS. We break down why ‪@TonyAndChelsea‬ is calling this interchangeable lens system a "punt" and a "scam" designed to distract from the company laying off 23% of its staff. From the technical absurdity of a manual-focus-only action camera to the "vaporware" nature of the 8K and 50MP claims, we discuss why this "sinking ship" is relying on marketing over real engineering. Finally, we have a "Knee Time" update. Michael discusses his upcoming Knee Time Mini Series detailing his total knee replacement—a cautionary tale for younger operators about the physical toll of decades on your feet in production. If your tech doesn't last 10 years, it wasn't a smart purchase. Make sure you follow: Gerald Undone: / geraldundone Tony & Chelsea Northrup: / @tonyandchelsea Mike McGovern: / @mike_mcgovern Gear mentioned: ‪@PanasonicLumixVideo‬ S1 Mark 2: GoPro Mission 1 Pro ILS ‪@BlackmagicDesignOfficial‬ PYXIS 6K Blackmagic URSA Cine 17K ‪@DJI‬ Osmo Pocket 3 ‪@insta360‬ Luma DJI Osmo Pocket 4 HOKA Sneakers BMPCC 4K

    GoPro’s $700 Scam? NAB 2024 Wrap & Gerald Undone Retires

  7. Apr 25

    🎬 From Bowie’s "Powder" to the FBI: Tommy Gibbons

    Get ready for one of our wildest rides yet on Old Guy Tech. This week, Michael and David McCauley sit down with production veteran Tommy Gibbons for a deep dive into the "sordid land" of film history. Tommy’s career started with a Kodak XL Super 8 and a front-row seat to rock-and-roll history—specifically watching David Bowie in 1973. In this episode, we’re breaking down: The Legend of Hell's Highway: The true story behind the 1950s drivers' ed "blood and guts" films. The FBI Investigation: How a tractor-trailer crashing into a film lab led to the discovery of pirated prints of The Godfather and Superman. Set Survival: Tommy recounts surviving a timber rattlesnake bite and a near-miss with a 4-foot-tall timber wolf. Legacy Tech: We talk Eclair 16mm cameras, 3/4 inch decks, and the meticulous restoration process for the upcoming world re-premiere of Hell's Highway in Italy. Whether you’re here for the technical gear talk or the "cinematic immunity" stories that only long-time crew members can tell, you don't want to miss this one. Watch on YouTube! https://youtu.be/7m4NLwUGMNM?si=nF3Oxz6u5rWNMWeG Join the crew: https://theproductionfront.com/

    🎬 From Bowie’s "Powder" to the FBI: Tommy Gibbons

  8. Apr 17

    Why My Boss Told Me to Throw a Chair at Him: Pat Clark

    Have you ever worked a set so chaotic your boss instructed you to throw a metal folding chair at him to avoid being electrocuted? If not, you haven’t worked Smoky Mountain Wrestling. In this week’s episode of Old Guy Tech, Michael Samstag and Dave McCauley sit down with DP, Owner-Operator, and 40-year industry veteran Pat Clark. We dive deep into the technical "war stories" of the freelance grind, exploring why a headset is your most valuable tool and what happens when legacy tech fights back. Pat shares how he moved from the "mummy gear" of the 1980s to capturing historic moments like the Michelle Snow Lady Vols slam dunk and F1 at the Brickyard. We talk shop on: The "Mummy Gear": Dodge a Flying Chair (SMW Wrestling), Survive the 95° Humidity Warning (West Tennessee Beta SP), and Capture the 16mm Miracle (India Windmills).Legacy Tools: A look back at the modular Ikegami 45 newsroom workhorse and why the Panasonic VariCam 720p remains a legendary low-res camera.Modern Gear: Dave and Michael break down the DJI Osmo Pocket 4 launch, NAB rumors regarding the Sony FX3 Mark II, and the value of vintage Contax Zeiss glass on new camera bodies.Career Survival: Pat shares crucial advice on the necessity of a "side hustle" or "checkmark" degree in today’s industry.Analog Heart. Digital Soul. Find the Visual Version on YouTube (Gritty Armory Haze Included): https://www.youtube.com/@OldGuyTech

    Why My Boss Told Me to Throw a Chair at Him: Pat Clark

  9. Apr 11

    From Home Alone 2 to 40 Years Behind the Lens: Joe Piscitelli

    Analog Soul. Digital Heart. Real War Stories. In this episode of Old Guy Tech, Michael Samstag sits down with Chicago industry legend Joe Piscitelli, SOC, to break down a career that spans exactly 40 years behind the viewfinder. We start at the very beginning: Joe’s first official credit on the 1992 holiday classic Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. Joe shares the emotional story of taking his family to the theater to see his name on the big screen and how that experience shaped his "pro-first" mentality. In this episode, we discuss: The Artemis 2 Connection: Why NASA is currently orbiting the moon with "Old Guy Tech," including 10-year-old Nikon DSLRs and legacy GoPros.Physical Longevity: The secret to staying in "game shape" for 40 years and why your gym routine is just as important as your gear list.Relationships Over Reels: Why building a brand based on trust and pre-pro beats a flashy demo reel every single time.AI vs. The Human Story: Why the rise of digital avatars will never replace the weight of a human expert telling a human story.FEATURING: Special guest co-host Dave McCauley, joining us by phone from a location shoot in Florida to talk NASA ballistics and space-hardened tech. CORRECTION: In our last segment, we revisit the story of the "Knoxville Bullet." Michael clarifies the urban legend involving a local woman and the 1981 assassination attempt on the Pope—correcting the record on whether she was hit or simply found a "miraculous" shard. WATCH NEXT: [Link to Previous Episode] JOIN THE CONVERSATION: What’s the "mummy camera" in your kit that you'll never sell? Who should we interview next? Drop a comment below! #OldGuyTech #Filmmaking #HomeAlone2 #SonyFX9 #NASA #Artemis #Cinematography #SetLife #OwnerOperator

    From Home Alone 2 to 40 Years Behind the Lens: Joe Piscitelli

  10. Apr 2

    The Old Guy Tech Manifesto (Analog Soul, Digital Heart)

    Welcome to the premiere episode of Old Guy Tech, the podcast where battle-tested industry insights meet modern production gear. Your hosts, industry veterans Michael Samstag and Dave McCauley, skip the unboxing videos and spec-sheet hype to talk about what actually matters: building a sustainable career, making profitable gear choices, and keeping your creative soul in a tech-obsessed world. In this first episode, Michael and Dave lay out their manifesto for the show. They share high-stakes "war stories" from thousands of hours on set, discuss their most profitable and regretful gear purchases (FX9 vs. C70?), and offer candid advice for newcomers trying to navigate the business. We also confront the AI elephant in the room and discuss how seasoned pros can adapt to the shifting landscape of production and digital strategy. Whether you’re a Direct of Photography with 20 years of credits or an owner-operator just getting started, Old Guy Tech is for creators who understand that the business of storytelling is your most valuable piece of gear.

    The Old Guy Tech Manifesto (Analog Soul, Digital Heart)
  • 10 Episodes

About

Support the Show via Patreon Call Sheet Confidential (formerly Old Guy Tech) is the definitive podcast for the modern video professional. Hosted by industry veterans Michael Samstag and Dave McCauley, this show explores the intersection of classic filmmaking experience and the rapid evolution of production technology. We go beyond the spec sheets to deliver Battle-Tested Industry Insights. Each episode features candid interviews with world-class Directors of Photography, seasoned Owner-Operators, Creators, Crew, and industry leaders sharing hard-won lessons from the set. We dive deep into the business side of video production, discussing how to navigate shifting markets, manage sustainable careers, and make smart investments in the era of AI and automation. Whether discussing the soul of vintage glass, the reliability of an FX9, or the frontier of generative video, our focus is always practical. Old Guy Tech is for creators who know that while tools change, the business of storytelling remains your most important asset.

Information

  • Creator
    Michael Samstag and Dave McCauley
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    Call Sheet Confidential