Shining a Light on Cinematography: A Conversation with Graham Willoughby – IP 133

If you’ve ever been struck by the beauty that fills the screen while watching a particular film or television show you have the cinematographer to thank. The cinematographer – or Director of Photography – is responsible for helping the director achieve their vision; and whether the goal is to create an eye catching effect or to simply make natural light look ‘natural’ on film, the cinematographer commands a unique combination of creative intuition and technical expertise to achieve success.

This week- Amita and Sean speak with Graham Willoughby, the cinematographer of a number of incredible documentaries including the Oscar winning 20 Feet from Stardom and the hit doc of the summer, Won’t You Be My Neighbor? Graham discusses the road that led him to be one of the most sought after non-fiction DPs working today. He also discusses television projects he has worked on (Abstract, Wyatt Cenac’s Problem Areas) and how he manages to work in a number of different genres including music, biography and comedy.

And in the latest Big Sell, Amita reviews the Frank Ocean-centric podcast Dissect and Big Sells Sean a song and video combo by the group Ibeyi.

Check out Graham Willoughby’s Official Site

Follow him on Instagram @nationalpleasure

Check out Sean’s overly precious, non-collaborative Afropunk Warm Up 2018 Playlist

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The (Immediate) Future of Television: Highlights from the TCA Press Tour – IP 132

If you love Television, our report on the 2018 TCA Summer Press Tour is a must!

This week, the TCA (Television Critics Association) gathered to hear all of the major networks break news with casting announcements, plot line revelations and promises that their new and returning shows will be the peak-iest in this era of Peak TV.

We discuss the highlights of the TCA tour and breakdown what all of this news means for the television industry, and for fans of the medium. We’ll answer all of your binge-worthy burning questions including:

  • What are the new shows creating the most buzz?
  • How much money is Netflix planning to spend on original programming next year?
  • What are the details about the new Game of Thrones spin-off?
  • Which series will end after this season?

Whether you’re geeking out over Sir Patrick Stewart’s return to the captain’s chair in Star Trek or cheering Alex Garland’s reboot of a classic miniseries, this episode is for you!

Plus in this week’s Big Sell – Sean loves Chaka Khan – but how does he feel about the new song Amita Big Sold last week? Plus find out why he is Big Selling a podcast that combines info about trills, Gregorian chants and Frank Ocean.

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Highlights from San Diego Comic Con, Aquaman, Jacob Banks – IP 131

San Diego Comic Con is the epicenter of genre fandom, the ‘make it or break it’ launching pad of potential box office blockbusters and the most intensely overwhelming adventure a fan of pop culture can experience. In this episode, we bring you a report straight from the convention with entertainment journalist and Editor-in-Chief at Den of Geek US- Mike Cecchini.

No matter what you’re interest- Mike has you covered with inside info and insight including:

  • His interview with the star of  Aquaman, Jason Momoa and the director of the film, James Wan
  • A report on which trailers created the biggest buzz and which he thinks are most likely to live up to the hype
  • A special ‘everything Amita wanted to know about SHAZAM! and was brave enough to ask’ history lesson
  • The latest on the Buffy reboot (guess what? Sean’s got some opinions on this one!)
  • The DCU streaming service app that is blowing our minds
  • And the groundbreaking comic books coming out this Fall

Follow Mike Cecchini and Den of Geek:

Mike’s Twitter

Den of Geek US’s Twitter

Den of Geek Website

Mike’s interview with James Wan and Jason Momoa from Aquaman

Plus in the latest installment of The Big Sell – Amita rates soul singer Jacob Banks and sells Sean a new song from an iconic diva.

Links:

Inside Pop’s Episode on the Divas Who Defined Us (Episode 67)

Jacob Banks Sings Unknown (To You) Live

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Behind the Scenes at DreamWorks with Tony Ducret, The Handmaid’s Tale, Barry, Love Is – IP 130

This week, we speak with Tony Ducret who works in the story department at DreamWorks Studios / Amblin Partners. Tony speaks with us about the path that brought him to DreamWorks via a an early career as a producer and showrunner in unscripted programming; a writer and director in the independent film world and a student at the prestigious Peter Stark Producing Program at USC. Tony talks to us about how he uses his diverse background to contribute to the story department at one of the most successful studios in Hollywood.

We chat about the current state of development in Hollywood and the journey a script makes from submission to greenlit film. Do smaller budget films have a better chance of getting produced than larger budget projects? How do studios choose from the thousands of submissions they receive each year? What are the hardest movies to make in 2018? Tony tackles all of these questions and we also get his take on his favorite current TV programs including The Handmaid’s Tale, Barry and Love is__.

You can follow Tony @DucretMedia on Twitter and Instagram.

Plus in this week’s Big Sell- Sean reviews Amita’s Movie Montage from our last episode and recommends a new singer who will be performing at this summer’s AfroPunk Fest in Brooklyn aka two days of musical nirvana!

Links:

First and Final Frames Part 1

First and Final Frames Part 2

First and Final Frames Part 3

Jacob Banks’ Official Site

Jacob Banks’ Frank Ocean cover

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Strong Black Lead, Sense8 Series Finale – IP 129

Please note that this episode of Inside Pop is NOT sponsored by Netflix despite the fact that we’re celebrating the network’s content throughout the half hour!

First up – we examine the Strong Black Lead promo Netflix released at the beginning of the week. We discuss its impact, what iconic photo inspired it, who created it and yes – how it caused some controversy.

Then, Sean says good-bye to one of his favorite series of all time in a completely non-objective review of the Sense8 series finale. Sean will answer the following questions:

Did the cluster’s final synchronized bow meet all of his expectations? Did the finale provide a sense of closure? When is an orgy more than an orgy?

Plus Amita reviews Sean’s Big Sell from last week and sells him on a (say it like Oprah) MOOOVIE MOOOONTAGE!!!!

Links:

Find our more about A Great Day in Hollywood HERE

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Luke Cage Season 2, Won’t You Be My Neighbor – IP 128

We’re heading straight to Harlem for this special Luke Cage edition of Inside Pop. We’ve seen the second season of Marvel’s Luke Cage and we’re bringing you an exclusive preview of the first two episodes. We’ll also provide some fascinating behind the scenes info about the show’s music and production crew and theorize why vocal fans of the first season may have inspired the more volatile Season 2 Luke Cage. Plus, we question why we’re anti-shipping Mariah and Shades.

Then, Amita reviews the new documentary, Won’t You Be My Neighbor, about legendary children’s TV host Fred Rogers.

Plus, we have a brand new Big Sell that tackles one of the ugliest, and sadly most prevalent problems in Hollywood.

Fans of Luke Cage will want to check out our interview with showrunner Cheo Hodari Coker.

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Queer Eye Season 2, LGBTQ Pop Culture – IP 127

We’re celebrating Pride Month in this episode by highlighting some of our favorite queer pop culture.

First up, we’ve had an advanced look at the second season of Queer Eye on Netflix and we’re giving you an exclusive preview of the series that consistently gives everyone the feels. We’ll tell you how the series is breaking even more new ground than ever before.

And then we bring you a special rainbow colored Big Sell in which we recommend some under the radar pop culture with an LGBTQ focus that you will definitely want to put on your must watch/must listen list.

Big Sells:

Bronski Beat – The Age of Consent

A Time to Leave – Trailer

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Queen Sugar Season 3 Premiere – IP 125

We’ve been waiting for months and it’s finally here! The Queen Sugar Season 3 Premiere aired on Tuesday night and we have an exclusive interview with the director of the hit OWN series- DeMane Davis.

We had the privilege of watching the Season Premiere in advance of our interview with DeMane so be warned, there will be spoilers in this podcast! We chatted with DeMane about the unique way she connected with Ava DuVernay to get the opportunity to work on the series, her approach to directing the premiere episode, being the newly appointed Producing Director and learned about the many hats she has to wear in that role. And of course, we talked about how she shot the paternity test reveal scene that everyone is talking about!

Plus, Amita gives her rating and review of Sean’s Big Sell from last week- Angelique Kidjo’s cover of the Talking Heads hit- “Once in a Lifetime” and sells a powerful TED Talk from Tracee Ellis Ross in the midst of the #MeToo movement.

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Deadpool 2, Janet Jackson at the Billboard Awards, Vulture Festival – IP 124

We have an embarrassment of pop culture riches this week!

First up, Amita provides a spoiler free review of the box office record breaking Deadpool 2. Sean hasn’t seen the film yet, but it doesn’t stop him from asking deep probing questions (you guessed it – Josh Brolin’s physique is a point of discussion!).

Then, Sean and Amita discuss Janet Jackson’s appearance at the Billboard Music Awards. They rate her red carpet look and give what may be considered a surprisingly objective review of her performance.

The Pop Insiders also discuss their time at the two-day pop culture celebration in New York City known as Vulture Festival. They share the inside info they heard at panels featuring the stars of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Younger, Queer Eye and Queen Sugar.

And in The Big Sell, Sean rates Madison McFerrin’s song, “Insane,” and sells a new cover song by the one and only Angelique Kidjo.

Plus – a surprise announcement about an appearance the Pop Insiders are making this summer!

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TV Cancellations, Andre 3000, Florence + The Machine, Aggretsuko – IP 123

This week, we’re talking about the recent announcement of TV cancellations and renewals– which shows were chopped (Quantico, Rise) and which ones were surprisingly revived by another network (Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Last Man Standing?!) and the one show that Sean may just start a Twitter campaign to save.

Then, we discuss the two unique songs that Andre 3000 recently released that are dedicated to his late mother and father and what we think of his new sound.

And Sean shares his experience at a recent Florence + The Machine concert.

Plus, Amita reviews and rates last week’s Big Sell, the Japanese Anime series on Netflix, Aggretsuko and sells Sean a new R&B acapella artist, Madison McFerrin.

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Links:

The Andre 3K interview Sean mentioned.