Essential filmmaking advice from industry pros: writer/director Justin Tipping breaks down the Tagalog needle drop in the Jordan Peele-produced sports horror film HIM and how Busta Rhymes' "Gimmie Some More" and Alfred Hitchcock's PSYCHO inspired the score (featuring "AIGHT?" by Carl Angelo and music by composer Bobby Krlic); EYES OF WAKANDA creator/director Todd Harris explains why directors should touch multiple departments; and SUPERGIRL actor, writer, and producer Azie Tesfai reveals how a bad audition made her better.

Learn more and read the transcript at ProximityMedia.com
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IN PROXIMITY IS A PRODUCTION OF PROXIMITY MEDIA
Host, Director, Producer: Paola Mardo
Executive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian
Theme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig Göransson
Co-Director and Director of Photography: Patrick Epino
Sound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken Nana
Editors: Patrick Epino, Brittani Brown, Ken Nana, A.J. Calomay, Andrea Walter
Motion Graphics Designer: Apollo Baldoz
Production Assistants: Isabella Miller, Devin Saddler
Sound Production Assistant: Isabella Miller
Post-Production Coordinator: Celine Mendiola
Social Media Coordinator: Alexandria Santana
Production Intern: Jun Sawada, Ben Caloza

Mike Carson is a multidisciplinary creative director and designer. Last year, he co-creative directed and production designed Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show, which drew over 133 million live viewers, making it the most-watched halftime performance ever and one of 2025’s biggest cultural moments.

On this episode, Mike talks to IN PROXIMITY host Paola Mardo about his journey from filming music videos at 19 with Big Sean (including the iconic millennial bop “Dance (A$$)” Remix featuring Nicki Minaj) and working alongside mentor Virgil Abloh, to becoming one of the most sought-after creative directors today. He also shares his creative process behind the Super Bowl Halftime Show, filming a documentary on Kanye West and Jay-Z on their 2011 Watch the Throne tour, his approach to production design for live experiences, why his laptop is essential to every project, and the art and business of the music video.

Learn more and read the transcript at ProximityMedia.com
Shop our Prox Recs at Bookshop.org
Watch/Listen to IN PROXIMITY on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify
Follow Proximity Media on Instagram, TikTok, ProximityMedia.com

(00:00) The 12-minute music video
(02:00) Director first, designer second
(03:00) Creative directing and production designing Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Halftime Show
(08:30) The process of creative directing
(10:13) How the LA fires impacted rehearsal; shout out choreographer Charm La'Donna
(13:05) How being multidisciplinary helps his work
(13:37) Working with Virgil Abloh
(17:30) What he learned from Virgil
(18:30) Filming Kanye West and Jay-Z on the Watch the Throne
(19:54) Voice Memo from the “muse” Big Sean
(25:19) Directing music videos
(27:12) First big budget video, Big Sean’s “Dance (A$$)” Remix ft. Nicki Minaj
(29:40) Bringing back the delusion, childlike curiosity – just create!
(31:15) Mike’s design process
(36:28) Prox Recs

IN PROXIMITY IS A PRODUCTION OF PROXIMITY MEDIA
Host, Director, Producer: Paola Mardo
Executive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian
Theme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig Göransson
Co-Director and Director of Photography: Patrick Epino
Sound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken Nana
Editors: Patrick Epino, Brittani Brown, Ken Nana, Ben Caloza
Sound Recordist: Isabella Miller
Motion Graphics Designer: Apollo Baldoz
Production Assistant: Isabella Miller
Post-Production Coordinator: Celine Mendiola
Social Media Coordinator: Alexandria Santana
Production Intern: Ben Caloza

Kick off the new year with advice from industry pros: manager James Swoope on why you need “something to manage” before getting representation, actor/writer/producer Azie Tesfai on asking for what you want and crowning yourself, and designer Jeff Staple on balancing art with business. Part of our "Prox Gems" holiday series. Part of our special "Prox Gems" holiday mini episodes.

Learn more and read the transcript at ProximityMedia.com
Shop our Prox Recs at Bookshop.org
Watch/Listen to IN PROXIMITY on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify
Follow Proximity Media on Instagram, TikTok, ProximityMedia.com

IN PROXIMITY IS A PRODUCTION OF PROXIMITY MEDIA
Host, Director, Producer: Paola Mardo
Executive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian
Theme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig Göransson
Co-Director and Director of Photography: Patrick Epino
Sound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken Nana
Editors: Patrick Epino, Brittani Brown, Ken Nana, A.J. Calomay, Andrea Walter
Motion Graphics Designer: Apollo Baldoz
Production Assistants: Isabella Miller, Devin Saddler
Sound Production Assistant: Isabella Miller
Post-Production Coordinator: Celine Mendiola
Social Media Coordinator: Alexandria Santana
Production Intern: Jun Sawada, Ben Caloza

Highlights from this season’s SINNERS episodes including: cultural consultant Dolly Li on Remmick’s infamous “licking” line, script supervisor Steve Gehrke on tracking continuity with Michael B. Jordan’s Smokestack Twins, and storyboard artist and EYES OF WAKANDA creator/director Todd Harris on storyboarding the surreal juke joint musical montage scene. Part of our special "Prox Gems" holiday mini episodes.

Learn more and read the transcript at ProximityMedia.com
Shop our Prox Recs at Bookshop.org
Watch/Listen to IN PROXIMITY on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify
Follow Proximity Media on Instagram, TikTok, ProximityMedia.com

IN PROXIMITY IS A PRODUCTION OF PROXIMITY MEDIA
Host, Director, Producer: Paola Mardo
Executive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian
Theme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig Göransson
Co-Director and Director of Photography: Patrick Epino
Sound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken Nana
Editors: Patrick Epino, Brittani Brown, Ken Nana, A.J. Calomay, Ben Caloza
Motion Graphics Designer: Apollo Baldoz
Production Assistants: Isabella Miller, Devin Saddler
Sound Production Assistant: Isabella Miller
Post-Production Coordinator: Celine Mendiola
Social Media Coordinator: Alexandria Santana
Production Intern: Jun Sawada, Ben Caloza

Ammar Mohamed, filmmaker and assistant to Ryan Coogler, on how he broke into the industry, his infamous ID story, and a never-before-released story about a special day with Spike Lee. Part of our special "Prox Gems" holiday mini episodes.

Learn more and read the transcript at ProximityMedia.com
Shop our Prox Recs at Bookshop.org
Watch/Listen to IN PROXIMITY on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify
Follow Proximity Media on Instagram, TikTok, ProximityMedia.com

IN PROXIMITY IS A PRODUCTION OF PROXIMITY MEDIA
Host, Director, Producer: Paola Mardo
Executive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian
Theme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig Göransson
Co-Director and Director of Photography: Patrick Epino
Sound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken Nana
Editors: Patrick Epino, Brittani Brown, Ken Nana, Ben Caloza
Motion Graphics Designer: Apollo Baldoz
Production Assistant: Isabella Miller
Sound Production Assistant: Isabella Miller
Post-Production Coordinator: Celine Mendiola
Social Media Coordinator: Alexandria Santana
Production Interns: Jun Sawada, Ben Caloza

From bookstore events to hosting the SINNERS Los Angeles premiere, what’s it like to start a film community from scratch? Armen and Mary Karaoghlanian, founders of Armenian Film Society, share how they turned their passion for cinema and community into a cultural hub that hosts major film festivals, galas, and premieres.

They discuss their recent 10-year anniversary gala featuring a conversation with Proximity founders Ryan Coogler and Sev Ohanian, where Sev was inducted into the Armenian Film Hall of Fame. They also reveal what it’s like to build your dream passion project while working full-time jobs and becoming new parents, the importance of consistency and authenticity in community building, and how they’ve spotlighted everyone from indie filmmakers to major Hollywood productions like SINNERS and ANORA.

Learn more and read the transcript at ProximityMedia.com
Shop our Prox Recs at Bookshop.org
Watch/Listen to IN PROXIMITY on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify
Follow Proximity Media on Instagram, TikTok, ProximityMedia.com

(00:00) Ryan Coogler and Sev Ohanian in proximity at AFS
(00:55) From a small bookshop event to a widely-attended gala
(02:25) Voice Memo from Sona Movsesian (Conan O’ Brien Needs a Friend)
(04:02) Why Cher and Charles Aznavour are iconic
(04:42) What is the Armenian Film Society?
(05:00) First community event at Abril Books in in Glendale
(07:41) Screening Sean Baker’s TANGERINE and Alexander Payne’s SIDEWAYS
(09:23) Ryan Coogler and Sev Ohanian at the AFS 10th Anniversary Gala
(10:27) Videos from the night of the AFS gala
(12:35) Honoring ELIO director Madeline Sharafian & ANORA actor Karren Karagulian
(14:58) Steven Zaillian, Rouben Mamoulian, and the importance of Armenians in film
(16:17) How Armen and Mary built Armenian Film Society
(17:45) Building community takes consistency
(19:39) From university film professor to film society founder
(21:46) Armen and Mary’s meet cute story… and their AOL Messenger screen name
(23:16) Family inspiration: Armenian International Magazine and a vintage film camera
(28:17) Prox Recs

IN PROXIMITY IS A PRODUCTION OF PROXIMITY MEDIA
Host, Director, Producer: Paola Mardo
Executive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian
Theme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig Göransson
Co-Director and Director of Photography: Patrick Epino
Sound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken Nana
Editors: Patrick Epino, Brittani Brown, Ken Nana
Sound Recordist: Isabella Miller
Motion Graphics Designer: Apollo Baldoz
Production Assistant: Isabella Miller
Post-Production Coordinator: Celine Mendiola
Social Media Coordinator: Alexandria Santana
Production Intern: Ben Caloza

Step into the kitchen set with Courtney Storer, culinary producer and co-executive producer of FX's Emmy-winning series THE BEAR. In this special holiday episode of IN PROXIMITY, host Paola Mardo learns how to make Italian red sauce pasta while digging into what it takes to bring THE BEAR’S iconic food moments to life. Courtney shares exclusive behind-the-scenes stories from filming the intense holiday “Fishes” episode with Jamie Lee Curtis, training actors like Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri, and Lionel Boyce on professional cooking techniques, and working alongside her brother, series creator Christopher Storer. From 4:30 a.m. call times to creating detailed culinary reference guides for Michelin-level plating, discover how food becomes a character in one of television’s most acclaimed shows.

Learn more and read the transcript at ProximityMedia.com
Shop our Prox Recs at Bookshop.org
Watch/Listen to IN PROXIMITY on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify
Follow Proximity Media on Instagram, TikTok, ProximityMedia.com

(00:00) What does a culinary producer do? (clips)
(00:55) Storytime!
(03:13) Welcome to Courtney’s kitchen studio
(04:13) Ingredients for THE BEAR red sauce
(05:22) Start cooking
(07:16) Cooking on a TV set
(09:00) Culinary reference guide
(10:30) All the details, Carmy’s chef journey (Jeremy Allen White), TOMORROW episode, peas, chef mentors, Chicago, Ever, Chef Terry, is this the vibe?
(13:02) Is the sauce sticking??
(14:00) Training actors
(14:38) The FISHES episode and the Feast of the Seven Fishes
(16:29) Inspiration binder, pre-production, photos, visuals, Donna (Jamie Lee Curtis)
(20:20) It was like “art therapy” with the cast, crew, and her brother Christopher Storer
(22:00) What does a culinary producer do? (full segment)
(23:50) Having real chefs on the set of TOMORROW
(24:52) Voice Memo from Matty Matheson… and pasta beauty shot!
(28:50) Prox Recs… and plating the pasta!
(30:13) Cheers!

IN PROXIMITY IS A PRODUCTION OF PROXIMITY MEDIA
Host, Director, Producer: Paola Mardo
Executive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian
Theme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig Göransson
Co-Director and Director of Photography: Patrick Epino
Sound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken Nana
Editors: Patrick Epino, Brittani Brown, Ken Nana
Production Sound Mixer: Mark Patino
Motion Graphics Designer: Apollo Baldoz
Production Assistant: Isabella Miller, Joshua Flores
Post-Production Coordinator: Celine Mendiola
Social Media Coordinator: Alexandria Santana
Production Intern: Jun Sawada