
Festival Accolades and Storyteling Techniques: Insights from Mammoth Judges, Farah White and Hally Leadbetter
Explicit content warning
10/08/24 • 14 min
Join us for a fascinating exploration into the world of film festival judging with our esteemed guests, Farah White and Hally Leadbetter. Ever wondered how independent films gain recognition at festivals? Farah, a seasoned pro in the judging arena, reveals the significance of celebrating diverse film genres and the transformative power of festival accolades on a filmmaker's career. Meanwhile, Hally, who brings a fresh perspective from sports broadcasting, shares her unique insights into evaluating action sports films.
Learn what it takes to judge a film with precision and care, from maintaining a consistent viewing environment to the choice of devices for the best experience. As Farah and Hally discuss, elements like sound quality and music composition are critical to a film's storytelling prowess. We also delve into creative techniques that filmmakers use to captivate audiences, such as simple setups that convey complex narratives. Our chat offers a deeper understanding of the art of storytelling and the behind-the-scenes magic of film festivals.
For our listeners, CFA’s teamed up with We Make Movies to get you a discount on production management services, including access to comprehensive production insurance and workers' comp for your next shoot.
Visit wemakemovies.org/insurance and use code CFA23 on your intake form for 10% off your quote.
Calling all actors! Take 25% off your membership at WeAudition with code: CFA25
Website: www.cinematographyforactors.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cinematographyforactors
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cinematographyforactors
Cinematography for Actors is a community aimed at bridging the gap between talent & crew through our weekly podcast & community events. Our weekly show supports the filmmaking community through transparent, honest & technically focused interviews with the goal of elevating the art of effective storytelling.
Join us for a fascinating exploration into the world of film festival judging with our esteemed guests, Farah White and Hally Leadbetter. Ever wondered how independent films gain recognition at festivals? Farah, a seasoned pro in the judging arena, reveals the significance of celebrating diverse film genres and the transformative power of festival accolades on a filmmaker's career. Meanwhile, Hally, who brings a fresh perspective from sports broadcasting, shares her unique insights into evaluating action sports films.
Learn what it takes to judge a film with precision and care, from maintaining a consistent viewing environment to the choice of devices for the best experience. As Farah and Hally discuss, elements like sound quality and music composition are critical to a film's storytelling prowess. We also delve into creative techniques that filmmakers use to captivate audiences, such as simple setups that convey complex narratives. Our chat offers a deeper understanding of the art of storytelling and the behind-the-scenes magic of film festivals.
For our listeners, CFA’s teamed up with We Make Movies to get you a discount on production management services, including access to comprehensive production insurance and workers' comp for your next shoot.
Visit wemakemovies.org/insurance and use code CFA23 on your intake form for 10% off your quote.
Calling all actors! Take 25% off your membership at WeAudition with code: CFA25
Website: www.cinematographyforactors.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cinematographyforactors
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cinematographyforactors
Cinematography for Actors is a community aimed at bridging the gap between talent & crew through our weekly podcast & community events. Our weekly show supports the filmmaking community through transparent, honest & technically focused interviews with the goal of elevating the art of effective storytelling.
Previous Episode

Jordan McKittrick’s We Have Notes at Mammoth Film Festival: From TikTok Auditions to Festival Premieres
Ever wondered how social media and historical epics can come together in the world of filmmaking? We sit down with the innovative writer and director Jordan McKittrick at Mammoth International Film Festival to talk about why he likes to see TikToks that capture an actor’s true essence instead of polished self tapes. We delve deep into his latest work, “We Have Notes,” which stole the spotlight on the festival’s opening night. McKittrick offers a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges of staying true to historical accuracy while receiving external feedback, and he shares the overwhelmingly positive audience reactions.
In our discussion, we uncover the unconventional casting process for the Joan of Arc project and learn why it’s crucial for actors to create their own content. We also explore the collaborative visual planning process with cinematographers, drawing inspiration from iconic films like Macbeth, Euphoria, and Chicago. If you’re passionate about filmmaking or looking to make connections at film festivals, this episode is filled with invaluable insights from Jordan McKittrick that you won’t want to miss.
For our listeners, CFA’s teamed up with We Make Movies to get you a discount on production management services, including access to comprehensive production insurance and workers' comp for your next shoot.
Visit wemakemovies.org/insurance and use code CFA23 on your intake form for 10% off your quote.
Calling all actors! Take 25% off your membership at WeAudition with code: CFA25
Website: www.cinematographyforactors.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cinematographyforactors
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cinematographyforactors
Cinematography for Actors is a community aimed at bridging the gap between talent & crew through our weekly podcast & community events. Our weekly show supports the filmmaking community through transparent, honest & technically focused interviews with the goal of elevating the art of effective storytelling.
Next Episode

Demystifying Virtual Production: Inside "Doomscroll" with Director John Michael Riva Jr. and Cast at Mammoth Film Festival.
Join Inde as she interviews writer/director John Michael Riva Jr., as well as actors Ariana Ron Pedrique and Jack T. Gibson, as we uncover how groundbreaking virtual production technology is reshaping the industry. The conversation reveals the creative journey behind condensing a feature script into a compelling six-minute proof of concept. Ariana shares what she found remarkable about her experience acting on a virtual set, while Jack opens up about his debut on both sides of the camera.
Our conversation also navigates the vital connections between talent and crew that fuel this vibrant industry. As part of the Cinematography for Actors community, we are committed to nurturing these relationships and offering invaluable resources to keep you informed and inspired. From exclusive vendor discounts to educational content available through our YouTube courses, there's a world of opportunities awaiting you to enhance your filmmaking skills. Stay engaged with us through our podcast and newsletter, and be part of a community dedicated to the art of storytelling and the continuous evolution of filmmaking.
For our listeners, CFA’s teamed up with We Make Movies to get you a discount on production management services, including access to comprehensive production insurance and workers' comp for your next shoot.
Visit wemakemovies.org/insurance and use code CFA23 on your intake form for 10% off your quote.
Calling all actors! Take 25% off your membership at WeAudition with code: CFA25
Website: www.cinematographyforactors.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cinematographyforactors
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cinematographyforactors
Cinematography for Actors is a community aimed at bridging the gap between talent & crew through our weekly podcast & community events. Our weekly show supports the filmmaking community through transparent, honest & technically focused interviews with the goal of elevating the art of effective storytelling.
Cinematography for Actors - Festival Accolades and Storyteling Techniques: Insights from Mammoth Judges, Farah White and Hally Leadbetter
Transcript
If you don't have a huge budget , how do you know where to put your extra money ? And just as a viewer , I think it is . If you happen to go back and you know you're watching things and you're like , oh , that you know , whatever that moment maybe the lighting was off , maybe the you know , I didn't hear what that person said and it pulled you out of it then maybe that's a
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