WRAP DRINKS

#054 - Vinny Raffa & Mario Pignard Jr. // Balloon Techs

WRAP DRINKS

Show Notes

You've definitely seen the stickers, Vinny Raffa has a posse. But for his day time job he's a balloon tech. Both he and Mario Pignard Jr. have been illuminating scenes from above with balloons for over 25 years. Tune in as we chat with these lighting techs about how light balloons work on set, the expectations from production, and how they collaborate with other departments to set up scenes. ----- ⁠⁠⁠Buy us a drink!⁠⁠⁠

More from WRAP DRINKS

Oct 15, 2026

Patrick Lawler has had anything but a traditional career in filmmaking. What started with making skate videos and teaching himself After Effects eventually led to directing music videos, buying one of the earliest RED cameras, teaching himself motion graphics, making NFTs, and eventually finding his way back to music videos. Tune in as we talk to Patrick about following whatever creative opportunity comes next, reinventing himself when one path stops working, and how an obsession with learning new tools has allowed him to build a career in some very unexpected places. ----- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy us a drink!⁠⁠⁠

Oct 1, 2026

Natasha Braier's passion for cinematography began with a roll of 110 film that she got while on a family vacation. Her humble beginnings in Argentina informed her resourcefulness with the medium. With Deep Light, Natasha is tapping into years of experience to provide the tools to the next generation of DPs so that they can navigate on set politics and other responsibilities you don't learn about in film school. Tune in as we chat with Natasha about shooting The Neon Demon chronologically and the camera setups required to work on I Love Boosters. ----- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy us a drink!⁠⁠⁠

Sep 15, 2026

Skydiving cinematographer Joe Jennings has been jumping out of planes for fun since the early 90s. For some people that might be enough adrenaline, but Joe needed another task while plummeting to the ground. Throughout his career, Joe has captured some incredible shots with his former X Games skydiving partner Rob Harris, an iconic Superbowl Pepsi commercial, and for feature films like Point Break. Tune in as we get nerdy with Joe and ask about his skydiving helmet rig and all the pressures that come with rolling on a camera during freefall. ----- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy us a drink!⁠⁠⁠

Sep 1, 2026

WARNING: This episode includes SPOILERS from Macon's new film "IDIOTS", in theaters now.

Aug 15, 2026

Long before he was building wacky props for Boots Riley's "I Love Boosters", Christopher was storyboarding for commercials and feature films. His work has given him the opportunity to work with directors such as Sam Raimi, Ang Lee, Ron Howard, Spike Jonze, and more! Today, Christopher's love for film is expressed in the ability to create the suspension of disbelief through practical set builds and VFX elements. Tune in as we chat with Christopher about his career blending physical with virtual and why he keeps turning down the opportunity to work with Jon Favreau. ----- ⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy us a drink!⁠⁠⁠

See all episodes →