Show Notes
Joining Film Fights with Friends is Dr. Paul Heinzelmann, a physician, former clinical instructor at Harvard Medical School and Producer/Director of Safe Sets: Dying to Work in the Film Industry - a feature length exploration of systemic issues impacting the health and wellbeing of film workers. This critically important documentary weaves together candid interviews with technicians, union representatives, public health experts, and notable performers (Jon Hamm and John Malkovich) with the story of Dr. Paul's effort to conduct research into health and safety in the film industry. The cumulative impacts of sleep deprivation, toxic exposure, stress, long hours, accidents and other issues explored in Safe Sets are not only detrimental and unhealthy, but potentially deadly for film workers. Stunts-gone-wrong and other accidents happen all the time on film sets. Not just the ones that make the news – workers die with such regularity that the life expectancy of film workers is estimated by some to be many years shorter than the national average. Film workers frequently succumb to untreated injuries, illnesses, substance use dependencies and mental health issues because they lack the time and resources to schedule medical appointments or to simply rest and heal. Safe Sets IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt28515733/reference/ Safe Sets Website: https://www.safesetsmovie.org MENTIONS: TAMMFF Film Freeway: https://filmfreeway.com/TAMMFF FILM FIGHTS WITH FRIENDS Do you listen to our show as an audio podcast? Give video a try. Subscribe to our Youtube for the video version with awesome behind the scenes pics and video! https://www.youtube.com/@FilmFightsFriendsPod?sub_confirmation=1 Dig the show? Consider supporting our Patreon. There are some cool perks! http://patreon.com/FilmFightsFriendsPodcast Join our e-mail list! Hit us up here: [email protected] Instagram: http://instagram.com/FilmFightsFriendsPod Facebook: http://facebook.com/FilmFightsFriendsPod
Steve’s Instagram: Instagram.com/sambosteve Steve’s IMDB: http://imdb.me/stephenkoepfer
Paul’s on Instagram: http://Instagram.com/KravMagaChef Paul’s IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8062990/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
Breakfall Studios’ Instagram: http://Instagram.com/breakfallstunts
OUR SPONSORS PRODUCERS Executive Producers: Stephen Koepfer Paul Varacchi
Produced by: Press Record Studios - Matthew Kaplowitz - Richard Butler - Andrea Levine http://www.pressrecordstudios.com
Video Editor Matthew Kaplowitz
Original music by: Ahrue Luster
Brought to you by Breakfall Studios ®Film Fights With Friends LLC
More from Film Fights With Friends
Tejas Hullur and Colt Kirwan are filmmakers who have written, directed, and produced a new three-episode pilot series for Adobe called Rough Cut! Colt and Tejas offer up an unfiltered and revealing journey of exploration into the craft of filmmaking. Steve and Paul first met Tejas when he trained at Breakfall Studios for Paramount Pictures’ Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning digital campaign. This time they have reunited to stunt coordinate the finale’ episode of Rough Cut! This interview lives up to our moniker as we dive into the process of filming fights with our friends.
T. Ryan Mooney, an accomplished stunt double and performer, has made a name for himself through his exceptional skills and versatility. With a passion for thrilling action, dedication to his craft, and meticulous planning and execution of stunts, Mooney has become an integral part of numerous film and television projects, delivering outstanding performances that captivate audiences. He has received multiple nominations for Outstanding Action Performances by a Stunt Ensemble, including Loki (2022), Ford vs. Ferrari (2020), The Walking Dead (2014 & 2015), and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2009). His focus on safety has earned him respect among his peers and ensured the well-being of the cast and crew during demanding productions. That passion for safety has translated into a series of social media and YouTube videos for non-stunt performers on the importance of safe falling. Our interview starts with one of T’s favorite fight scenes, from Zombieland: Double Tap (2019), where he stunt-doubled Jesse Eisenberg.
Peter Lawrence is a writer known for Thundercats, Sabrina: Secrets of a Teenage Witch, Silverhawks, The Burning, and more! He is also a co-host of the Beyond Thundera Podcast. In this interview, we explore Peter’s winding career path, the differences of writing for animation and live action, and how his childhood may have set the stage for his creative life. In the latter half of our discussion, we take a more serious tone than usual on the show with a frank talk about the politics of race in the industry, human nature, the dangers of social media, and the polarized state of the country.
Steve and Paul announce the launch of the Film Fights with Friends action short film festival. After years of breaking down the action for our audience over the internet, hosting live film screenings and networking sessions, it is time to raise the bar and honor practical action filmmaking in a way only Film Fights with Friends can!
Kayla Windsor is a producer, cinematographer, camera operator and FAA Part 107-licensed drone operator with experience across film, media, and production management. Alongside her creative and technical production work, Kayla also works as a project manager and serves as the Executive Educational Partner at Arizona Filmmakers. She is additionally a board member of the Arizona Production Association, supporting industry growth, collaboration, and opportunities within the filmmaking community. Her work combines visual storytelling, technical production expertise, and a passion for supporting the next generation of filmmakers and media professionals.