The BWNC Podcast

Black With No Cream
The BWNC Podcast

The BWNC Podcast is the #1 resource for content creators. Every Monday, we share interviews & discussions with industry-leading creatives whose stories will inspire you to follow your passion. Our goal is to provide you with the shortcuts, tips, & advice that will take your career to the next level! Hosted by filmmaker Ben Hagarty – best known for his work with major artists & brands like Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Caon, & EA Games.

  1. Parker Laramie: Film Editor for Unfriended, Allen v. Farrow, and A24’s Andre is an idiot

    FEB 20 · BONUS

    Parker Laramie: Film Editor for Unfriended, Allen v. Farrow, and A24’s Andre is an idiot

    In this episode, I sit down with Parker Laramie, an incredible film editor with two films premiering at Sundance—Andre Is an Idiot and Train Dreams. Parker’s journey from working as a PA to cutting feature films for A24 and Netflix is packed with lessons on resilience, creativity, and navigating the world of film editing. We dive into his experiences editing everything from horror films to award-winning documentaries, the challenges of working on high-profile projects like Allen v. Farrow, and how he balances narrative and documentary storytelling. If you’re an aspiring editor, filmmaker, or just a fan of behind-the-scenes filmmaking, this episode is full of insights on the craft of editing, the importance of mentorship, and what it takes to get your work onto the big screen. Don’t miss this one! Join the BWNC Private Community: www.bwnc.com/join Follow Parker: https://www.instagram.com/moorparks Timestamps: 00:00 - Welcome to Sundance & Introducing Parker Laramie   00:09 - Parker’s Two Films Premiering at Sundance   00:27 - Editing *Andre Is an Idiot* & *Train Dreams*   00:57 - Breaking into Film Editing & Early Career Struggles   02:15 - Working on *Dancing for the Devil* for Netflix   03:30 - From Short Films to Feature Editing   05:10 - Screening at Sundance for the First Time   07:05 - The Emotional Rollercoaster of Premiere Night   09:30 - The Power of Film Festivals for Distribution   11:50 - Growing Up in LA & Discovering Editing   13:20 - Film School vs. Hands-On Learning   15:05 - Learning Avid & Early Editing Projects   17:30 - Parker’s Journey from PA to Film Editor   19:45 - Editing *Argo* and Learning from the Best   21:55 - The Reality of Long Hours in Editing   24:10 - Working on *Unfriended* & Horror Editing Challenges   26:35 - Transitioning into Documentary Filmmaking   28:50 - Editing *Requiem for a Running Back* & CTE Stories   31:25 - The Importance of Finding Mentorship in Editing   33:10 - How *Ghost Fleet* Led to Editing *Train Dreams*   35:15 - Balancing Documentary and Narrative Films   37:20 - The Challenges of Editing *Allen v. Farrow*   40:00 - The Creative Process in Documentary Storytelling   42:35 - Managing a Career in Both Docs & Narrative Films   45:10 - The Art of Editing for Emotion and Impact   47:50 - Parker’s Workflow & Using Adobe Premiere for Editing   50:20 - What’s Next? Future Projects & Creative Aspirations   52:10 - Advice for Aspiring Editors & Filmmakers   54:00 - Final Thoughts & Closing Remarks

    1h 9m
  2. Kinigra Deon: How She Built a 4.7M Subscriber YouTube Empire

    FEB 20 · BONUS

    Kinigra Deon: How She Built a 4.7M Subscriber YouTube Empire

    In this episode, I sit down with Kinigra Deon, a powerhouse content creator with over 4.7 million subscribers on YouTube. What makes her story incredible is that she started with zero experience in film or content creation—working as a clinical scientist before pivoting into digital storytelling. Now, she runs a full-scale production company, producing scripted episodes three times a week while incorporating her family into the creative process. We dive into how she built her channel from the ground up, the challenges of balancing business and creativity, and the strategies behind her massive success. Whether you're an aspiring content creator, filmmaker, or entrepreneur, Kinigra’s journey is full of valuable lessons on consistency, risk-taking, and trusting your intuition. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to turn a passion project into a thriving career, this episode is a must-listen! Join the BWNC Private Community: ⁠www.bwnc.com/join Follow Kinigra: https://www.instagram.com/kinigra Timestamps: 00:00 - Welcome to Sundance & Introducing Kinigra Deon   00:29 - How Kinigra Built a 4.7M Subscriber YouTube Channel   00:52 - The Power of Consistency: Posting 3 Times a Week   01:50 - From Clinical Scientist to Content Creator   02:45 - The Role of Intuition in Kinigra’s Success   03:34 - From Solo Creator to Family Production Team   04:55 - Building a Team & Training Family Members   06:14 - Learning Filmmaking from Scratch   07:05 - The Struggles & Rewards of Involving Family   08:22 - Growing Up in Birmingham & Early Influences   09:30 - Creating Stories for Black Representation   10:50 - The Pivot from Adult to Family-Oriented Content   12:28 - The TikTok Effect on Kinigra’s Growth   14:10 - Learning to Monetize & Making YouTube a Full-Time Job   15:48 - Setting a Posting Schedule & Committing to Growth   17:35 - Balancing Business & Creative Work with Her Husband   19:24 - Handling Burnout & Long-Term Sustainability   21:12 - The Importance of Testing Thumbnails & Titles   23:07 - Developing Episodic Content & Expanding into Series   25:16 - The Creative Process & Writing Family-Friendly Stories   27:04 - Building a Sustainable Business Model for Content Creation   29:10 - Future Plans: Expanding Beyond YouTube   31:45 - The Pressure of Leading a Family Business   34:12 - Managing a Growing Production Team   36:00 - Learning to Adapt Content Based on Audience Feedback   38:22 - The Challenges of Running a YouTube Channel as a Business   41:05 - Balancing Creative Passion with Algorithm Strategies   43:10 - The Power of Serial Content on YouTube   45:00 - Testing New Content Ideas & Storytelling Techniques   47:18 - The Future of Kinigra’s Content & Scaling Her Brand   49:55 - Final Advice for Aspiring Content Creators   52:10 - Closing Thoughts & Where to Follow Kinigra

    1h 17m
  3. FEB 20 · BONUS

    Ernie Gilbert: Breaking Into Hollywood Through Editing & Directing

    In this episode, I sit down with Ernie Gilbert, a Grammy-winning editor and director known for his work on Childish Gambino’s This Is America, Beyoncé’s Renaissance, and A24’s latest film Opus. Ernie shares his journey from touring with bands and directing music videos to breaking into Hollywood as an editor and filmmaker. We dive into his experience working on major projects, the creative challenges of editing, and what it’s like premiering a film at Sundance. Whether you're an aspiring filmmaker, a music video fanatic, or just love behind-the-scenes stories from the industry, this episode is packed with insights on building a career in film, taking creative risks, and navigating the highs and lows of success. Don't miss this deep dive into Ernie’s journey and the lessons he’s learned along the way! Join the BWNC Private Community: ⁠www.bwnc.com/join Follow Ernie: https://www.instagram.com/erniebyernie Timestamps: 00:00 - Welcome to Sundance Film Festival   00:11 - Introducing Ernie Gilbert   00:27 - Ernie’s Grammy Win and Filmmaking Journey   00:46 - Working on Beyoncé’s *Renaissance* Film   01:24 - Ernie’s Background in Editing & Directing   02:23 - The Struggle with Taking Compliments   03:10 - The Surreal Nature of Success   04:29 - Finding the Best Shots in Post-Production   06:25 - Editing A24’s *Opus* and Premiere at Sundance   07:45 - How Ernie Got Started in Filmmaking   09:11 - From Political Aspirations to Filmmaking Passion   10:58 - Early Music Video Work & Touring with Bands   13:15 - Working with Bayside & Touring Insights   15:12 - Moving to L.A. & Breaking into the Industry   16:26 - Balancing Night Jobs with Creative Work   18:43 - Breaking into Union Editing   20:18 - Transitioning from Reality TV to Narrative Work   22:13 - The Importance of Building a Network   24:31 - Learning from Showrunners and Editors   27:43 - Emotional Intelligence in Filmmaking   30:26 - Balancing Multiple Creative Paths   32:57 - The Rise of Multi-Skilled Filmmakers   35:36 - The Leap to Lead Editor & *This Is America*   37:51 - Behind the Editing of *This Is America*   40:36 - The Importance of Taking Career Risks   42:17 - Reflecting on Career Milestones   44:06 - Working with Bo Burnham & Jerrod Carmichael   46:24 - First Feature Film *On the Count of Three*   48:45 - Self-Funded Short Films and Creative Risks   50:30 - Ernie’s Experience with Sundance & Indie Filmmaking   52:10 - The Evolution of Filmmaking in the Digital Age   54:20 - Advice for Aspiring Filmmakers & Editors   56:05 - How to Find Your Unique Voice as a Creator   58:12 - Final Reflections & Closing Thoughts

    1h 9m
5
out of 5
305 Ratings

About

The BWNC Podcast is the #1 resource for content creators. Every Monday, we share interviews & discussions with industry-leading creatives whose stories will inspire you to follow your passion. Our goal is to provide you with the shortcuts, tips, & advice that will take your career to the next level! Hosted by filmmaker Ben Hagarty – best known for his work with major artists & brands like Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Caon, & EA Games.

You Might Also Like

Content Restricted

This episode can’t be played on the web in your country or region.

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.

Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada