Crew Call Podcast

Join MPI to talk movies, the industry, careers and education with our podcast!

Episode 13 – March 15, 2021

2019 MPI Graduate Keith Arnold joins us just off the set of Netflix’s Cobra Kai in the Grip & Electric Dept. He shares:

– Following the work, moving from Michigan to Atlanta.

– How to network and get your foot in the door–and on the set.

– Experiences at MPI and beyond that have helped him.

– Lessons for new film students.

(25:14) Kathryn McDermott, former Columbia Pictures VP (Spiderman, Charlie’s Angels) shares her role as Career Placement advisor at MPI and her memories on major film sets and key advice for success in the industry.

Episode 12 – February 17, 2021

Byron Rutley shares his story as an entrepreneur in the world of music videos, corporate productions, voice-over work and many more markets in the Detroit area and across the nation.
MPI’s cinematographers Rob Skates and Patrick Elliott share their professional highlights and appeal of teaching.

Episode 11 – November 18, 2020

MPI Alum producers featuring:

Episode 10 – October 5, 2020

(0:00) MPI Acting Alum Julie Kline, starring in “Mimesis Nosferatu” and “Blood Immortal”.
(37:00) Douglas Schulze (director, “Mimesis Nosferatu”) MPI co-founder and directing instructor.

Episode 9 – May 8, 2020

(0:02) Film Lighting Technician and MPI veteran instructor Jeremy Schroeder shares his career including over 10 years in NY working in films and Law & Order and advice for new filmmakers and how to hustle and stay employed.
(30:00) DeFacto Film Reviews by Robert Butler and Noah Damron include new-release streaming options: Never Rarely Sometimes Always; Extraction; Beanpole; Spaceship Earth and The Wild Goose Lake.

Episode 8 – April 10, 2020

(2:45) MPI Alum Senior Ad Agency Producer Drew Titran shares his journey from a sketchpad to a guitar to Motion Picture Institute and to his career in directing and acting
(34:55) To help those during dry-spells of binge-watching, DeFacto Film Reviews’ Robert Butler and Noah Damron suggest great films from 2000, including: Traffic; Almost Famous; Requiem for a Dream; Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon; American Psycho and You Can Count on Me.

Episode 7 – March 22, 2020

(:00) MPI’s adjustment to temporary online instruction with international recommendations for social-distancing in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis.
(:06) Filmmaker/Actress Heidi Phillipsen (MPI ’07) visits our set from Berlin to share her journey through many film schools and film sets to MPI and her career on both sides of the camera, including her upcoming film “Darcy”.
(:43) DeFacto Film Reviews with Robert Butler and Noah Damron share reviews of new films in theatres (and streaming due to COVID-19 concerns) including The Invisible Man, Onward, Emma, Jesus Rolls and The Way Back.

Episode 6 – March 5, 2020

(2:30) Editor Lisa Roberts (MPI ’12) discusses working gigs in Detroit (cars, of course, and beyond) along with staying employed as a freelancer.
(17:10) MPI founders Doug Schulze and Kurt Mayry share their film school’s 25 year journey and the importance of its latest honor official accreditation from the ACCSC.
(29:25) Five DeFacto Film Reviews’ Robert Butler and Noah Damron review new movies including The Assistant, Birds of Prey, Young Ahmed, Swallow and The Lodge.

Episode 5 – February 20, 2020

(1:45) Filmmaker Ema Edosio (MPI ’12) shares her journey from PA work in Nigeria to MPI to multi-national festivals; her thoughts on the Oscars.
(27:30) Fellpeller Studios founders Matt Szakal, Jordan Currie and Nathan Moser and their February 26th showcase screening at the Main Art Theatre in Royal Oak, Michigan.
(46:45) Oscar Recap with Robert Joseph Butler and Sara Mahmood with top-predictor from MPI’s first Oscar Party Matthew Jarjosa.

Episode 4 – February 7, 2020

(1:35) Script supervisor Amber Harley (Baby Driver, Thor: Ragnarok, Godzilla King of the Monsters), MPI ’08 grad who shares her path from Lapeer, Michigan to Atlanta, Georgia as well as the story of her upcoming film Good Grief, her directorial debut.
(29:20) DeFacto Film Reviews’ Robert Joseph Butler (writer/director, Love Immortal) and Noah Damron return with their Oscar picks.

Episode 3 – January 21, 2020

MPI graduates, writer/director Robert Joseph Butler (“Love Immortal”), and Noah Damron, share their insight from DeFacto Film Reviews with host Sara Mahmood of the top films of 2019.
They also discuss their own paths, careers in the film industry and what it takes to survive as a filmmaker–especially on the festival circuit.

Episode 2 – December 27, 2019

(1:22) MPI ’14, Matt Lytle, of the Travel Channel’s new paranormal series “Ghost Loop” premiering at 10 pm, December 27th.
(27:00) MPI ’19, Pascal Rehm, an actor and director who offers a sneak peek of MPI’s unique Open Acting Auditions on January 11th and shares his experience auditioning for roles and auditioning others for his own characters.

Episode 1 – November 16, 2019

MPI’s Crew Call launches its podcast with Episode 1, including interviews with:

(0:18) MPI ’17, Cole Seger and his festival favorite thriller The 404 Diner.
(19:20) Kathryn McDermott, MPI faculty and former Columbia Pictures Vice-President, on careers and job placement.
(24:20) New MPI Graduates Curtis Clark and Will Dowen.

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