In this special episode of In Love with the Process, filmmaker Mike Pecci is joined by Academy Award–nominated VFX Supervisor Michael Ralla, whose work on Sinners helped shape one of the most visually and emotionally striking films in recent memory.

The two go deep into how Sinners was actually made, breaking down the collaboration between the VFX department and director Ryan Coogler, and how Coogler’s clarity, trust, and creative leadership inspired the entire team. Michael demystifies what a VFX supervisor really does, how visual effects serve story rather than spectacle, and how restraint can often be more powerful than excess.

As always on this show, music finds its way into the conversation. Michael’s background as a drummer plays a surprising role in how he approaches rhythm, pacing, and visual flow in his work. And yes, there’s an incredible moment you won’t believe, involving who played drums on the film’s score and their unexpected connection to Metallica.

But the most fascinating part of the episode is a bold new theory that could change how we think about cinema entirely. Mike and Michael explore the idea that films projected on actual film may hold an audience’s attention longer and more deeply than digital projection, digging into the psychology, texture, and subconscious impact of the medium itself.

Is it true? And if it is, could it reshape how movies are shown in theaters going forward?

This episode is a must-listen for filmmakers, cinematographers, VFX artists, musicians, and anyone obsessed with how movies really work.

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Music: Big Black Delta, Code Elektro

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On today’s catch up episode of In Love with the Process, Mike checks in to talk about two things that have absolutely hijacked his brain this month.

Olympic curling and Batman.

Mike breaks down how he somehow fell headfirst into Olympic curling and why it might be the most quietly intense, brutally strategic sport on the planet. Precision, patience, teamwork, and zero margin for error. Basically a nightmare for anyone who likes chaos, which makes the obsession even more confusing.

From there, things spiral into comics, specifically how hard Mike has fallen for the Absolute Batman series. He talks about why it hits, how the visuals punch you in the chest, and why comics still teach better storytelling than half the movies being made right now.

This episode is less about sports or capes and more about obsession, curiosity, and letting yourself like what you like without apologizing for it. No trends, no productivity hacks, just falling in love with things again and letting that fuel the work.

It’s loose, nerdy, slightly unhinged, and exactly the kind of check in this show was built for.

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Music: Mitch Murder

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In this episode of In Love with the Process, filmmaker and cinematographer Mike Pecci sits down with BAFTA Breakthrough cinematographer Nathalie Pitters, known for her work on Netflix’s How to Get to Heaven From Belfast, to explore how personal life experience shapes visual storytelling.

Mike opens with a deep dive into the real challenge of cinematography: translating vision into image. Not copying references. Not chasing trends. But blending naturalism with subtle surrealism in a way that feels lived in and emotionally honest.

Nathalie shares how her background in art history and journalistic photography sharpened her instincts behind the lens. She talks openly about confronting insecurity and imposter syndrome, and how learning to trust and lean on the talented artists around her ultimately made her a stronger cinematographer.

The conversation takes an unexpected turn as they discover a shared love of metal music. Nathalie explains how the intensity, rhythm, and emotional catharsis of metal has influenced her visual style, teaching her to embrace contrast, atmosphere, and bold emotional swings in her work.

If you’ve ever wondered how to make your images feel personal instead of polished, or how to inject your life experience into your craft, this episode is essential listening.

Cinema isn’t just what you see. It’s who you are.

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Music: Code Elektro , Mitch Murder, Ron Cannon

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