Episodes
Caddo Lake (2024) with Debbie De Villa
Debbie De Villa has decades of experience as a production designer on dozens of films, including but not limited to Caddo Lake (2024) and Trap (2024). Caddo Lake tells a twisty story with a sprawling narrative that intertwines family members in ways they never imagined. In M. Night Shyamalan’s Trap, a father and daughter attend a pop concert but as the evening goes on, the anxiety builds and things quickly unravel for everyone including the pop star. Debbie joins the show to talk about bringing words in the script to life, why being resourceful matters in filmmaking, and taking the audience for a ride.
Coming in October (2026)
Sharing October updates, so you can learn about each guest and their movie, and watch or re-watch their movie of choice before you hear upcoming episodes. NOTE: there may be a Spooky Movie Theme here, we are near Halloween after all.
Starstruck (2026) with Dr. George Ellis
Dr. George Ellis, who in addition to being a urologist is a producer making movies, has won plenty of awards in the film festival circuit. For his second time visiting the show, Dr. George talks about filmmaking as equal parts design thinking and social experimentation, and why as a producer it’s important to have a methodical approach. Plus, learn about his film Starstruck, and we talk about movies that have impacted him, such as A Clockwork Orange with its modern take on violence fused with classical music.
RE-RELEASE: The Fly (1986) with Daisy Koenig
David Cronenberg’s The Fly (1986) stars Jeff Goldblum as Seth Brundle, a brilliant scientist who creates a teleportation process. Geena Davis, who was Goldblum’s real-life partner during the filming, plays the ambitious journalist Veronica who falls in love with Brundle. Cronenberg’s remake of the 1958 movie (which was based on a 1957 short story) packs a lot in, getting right to the mad scientist’s lab then plenty of body horror. Brundle, who teleports himself during a drunken pity party, did so with a fly on board. Since the computer doesn’t know what to do with these two separate entities, it fuses them, resulting in Brundlefly, and utter tragedy. Daisy Koenig, a graduate of Winthrop University’s design program, talks about what makes Cronenberg’s The Fly so memorable and why unhappy endings are the best kind. When she’s not rewatching The Fly or any of Cronenberg’s other movies, Daisy works as a graphic designer for The Ben Silver Corporation in Charleston. Having debuted in 1986, The Fly turned 40 this year and it’s the perfect way to kick off scary movie season. This episode originally appeared on an earlier season of the podcast.
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) with Dan Stroupe
Raiders of the Lost Ark captivated audiences on the big screen 45 years ago, today the movie feels just as fresh, exciting, and mesmerizing. Teacher, treasure hunter, preserver of rare antiquities Indiana Jones goes on a quest for the Ark of the Covenant, battling Nazis and his nemesis Belloq. But Indy can’t do it alone, and has support from Karen Allen as Marion and John Ryhs-Davies as Sallah and George Harris as Katanga. For fashion designer Dan Stroupe, the movie has special meaning. Indy Influences are present in his brand and collections, notably the elements of travel since every collection of Dan’s is based on a place he has been. With each collection he designs, and each garment and accessory created, Dan strives to inspire wonder and adventure through fashion.
RE-RELEASE: One Crazy Summer (1986) with Mike Wirth [more thoughts]
You want more? YOU GOT IT! Plenty of tangents, arts and crafts talk, and more swear words than usual make this bonus episode go to eleven (apologies to Nigel Tufnel). In addition to more One Crazy Summer thoughts, hear Jason’s pugs barking, learn about synthesizers and MIDI and PageMaker, how to organize your movies, packing and moving, murals, paint and emotion, beer can designs, sketchbooks versus laptops, NYC’s Strand Book Store, and Bill Murray’s brother Joel. This re-released episode with Mike Wirth originally appeared on Season 1 of the show.
RE-RELEASE: One Crazy Summer (1986) with Mike Wirth
Although our guest Mike Wirth didn’t work on 1986’s One Crazy Summer, he loves the movie for all the right reasons. Guilty pleasure? Not quite, according to Wirth who wonders, “Why couldn’t John Cusack’s Hoops McCann have been Hoops Leibowitz?” In addition to One Crazy Summer, we discuss whammy animations, world-in-world experiences, Better Off Dead, Grosse Pointe Blank, Singles, Chainsaw Date and Hemorrhoids from Hell, Bobcat Goldthwait, comic book icons Archie and Betty and Veronica, and The Goonies, plus silly sequel and prequel ideas for One Crazy Summer. This re-released episode originally appeared on Season 1 of the show.
RE-RELEASE: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986) with Noah Smith
It’s summer 2026, and most moviegoers are talking about Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey or imagining what to expect when the new Spider-Man movie and Avengers movie debut, or they’re debating whether or not to see Olivia Wilde’s The Invite. But this summer, 40 years ago, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off arrived and although it wasn’t an immediate hit, it’s become a classic, must-watch comedy thanks to its catchy dialogue, iconic characters, poppy tunes, awesome Ferrari, and wretched villain Dean of Students Ed Rooney. This conversation with Noah Smith about Ferris Bueller’s Day Off originally appeared on Season 1 of the show.
What’s in store for our 3rd Season!
Season 3 will have more great guests and more great discussions about movies, including Spielberg’s Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, and Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life, among others.
That’s a Wrap: Season 2
We’ve done it again, made it through another season of DESIGNERS ON FILM. Here are highlights and episodes of note from Season 2.
Marie Antoinette (2006) with Sofia Cababa Wood [more thoughts]
In this bonus episode, you’ll hear more from Sofia Cababa Wood who discusses Marie Antoinette, its themes, and movies that would pair well with it. Antoinette was ruled by her circumstances, but the 2006 movie shows us a more personal side, all while avoiding graphic imagery of her ultimate demise. We also talk about the funny, entertaining MTV Cribs parody that Jason Schwartzman did which appears on the DVD’s special features.
Marie Antoinette (2006) with Sofia Cababa Wood
Based on Lady Antonia Fraser’s 2001 biography and directed by Sofia Coppola, the 2006 Oscar-winning movie Marie Antoinette portrays the queen in a way you might not expect, making her a relatable person, a teenager who becomes a leader, coping with life’s ups and downs all while trying to have some fun too. The stylistic flair and visual embellishments (watch for a pair of Converse sneakers) make plenty of scenes feel like a dessert tray thanks to the friendly, sweet color choices and Milena Canonero’s work which won a 2007 Oscar for Best Achievement in Costume Design. Designer Sofia Cababa Wood has always loved the movie and as a teenager reenacted moments while visiting France, it’s a movie the Seattle-based product designer at eBay definitely watches once a year.
Clockwatchers (1997) with Christie Wu [more thoughts]
Designer Christie Wu shares more thoughts about Clockwatchers (1997), talking about iconic, memorable, and funny scenes. Starring Toni Collette, Parker Posey, Lisa Kudrow, and Alanna Ubach, Clockwatchers tells the story of four female temp workers struggling to get through each day of their 9 to 5 job.
Clockwatchers (1997) with Christie Wu
Starring Toni Collette, Parker Posey, Lisa Kudrow, and Alanna Ubach, Clockwatchers tells the story of four female temp workers struggling through the challenges of their 9 to 5 job. But when a new, full-time permanent hire comes on board suspicion and competition set in, made worse by a patronizing boss and thievery that brings about a witch hunt. Designer Christie Wu talks about how Clockwatchers impacted her, and explains why its well-composed cinematography is so rewarding to watch.
Working Girl (1988) with Karen Cheng [more thoughts]
In this bonus episode, Professor Karen Cheng shares more thoughts about Working Girl (1988), a movie she loves. We discuss the cinematography, Harrison Ford’s character, and other movies that would pair well with Working Girl for a potential double feature.
Working Girl (1988) with Karen Cheng
Working Girl, directed by Mike Nichols, stars Harrison Ford, Melanie Griffith, Sigourney Weaver, with Alec Baldwin and Joan Cusack. Tess, played by Melanie Griffith, ascends the corporate ladder using her book smarts and street smarts, and by pretending to be somebody she’s not. Tess strives to do big things, and has plenty of good ideas to get her foot in the door until she’s caught, accused of being an imposter. With Sigourney Weaver as her boss Katharine, and Harrison Ford as Jack Trainer the love interest, the movie has plenty of laughs, and lessons too. Professor Karen Cheng joins the show to talk about what makes Working Girls such a fun, rewatchable movie.
The Social Network (2010) with Scott Amyx and Cameron Tau
Based on the book The Accidental Billionaires with a screenplay by Aaron Sorkin and directed by David Fincher, The Social Network (2010) is a dramatization of Facebook’s founding. The fictional story shows the grit, tenacity, and ruthlessness of its creators. Guests Scott Amyx and Cameron Tau talk about the movie, and how Facebook has caused disruptions impacting people at a very human level, resulting in isolationism and addiction, damaging mental health. But Uplifty aims to do something very different, helping people build relationships.
The Young Girls of Rochefort (1967) with Radha Sachdev
The Young Girls of Rochefort (1967) was written and directed by Jacques Demy, starring Catherine Deneuve, Françoise Dorléac, and George Chakiris, with Gene Kelly making an appearance too. Whether you call it off-beat, dreamy, or off-beat and dreamy, this whimsical musical is just the right movie to kick off spring thanks to its bright costumes, memorable set design, great dancing, and upbeat tunes. Plus, the situation with the sadistic killer will keep you guessing. Designer Radha Sachdev talks about what makes The Young Girls of Rochefort so memorable, and why it’s worth watching not just once, but again and again.
RE-RELEASE: All the President’s Men (1976) with Michael Bierut
Fifty years ago, All the President’s Men was released, starring Robert Redford as Bob Woodward and Dustin Hoffman as Carl Bernstein. The movie, written for the screen by William Goldman, dramatizes the research, legwork, and reporting done by The Washington Post’s Woodward and Bernstein who exposed the Watergate scandal, shedding light on the corruption that stemmed from President Richard M. Nixon’s Committee to Re-Elect the President, known as CREEP. In the movie, released in April 1976, Woodward and Bernstein come across as dedicated, scrappy, and fearless, at times they’re even chummy. Designer, author, and teacher Michael Bierut praises William Goldman’s screenwriting craft, not only in All the President’s Men but also in another Goldman buddy movie, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid which starred Robert Redford alongside Paul Newman. We also discuss Zodiac, The Post, The Social Network, and movies by Charles and Ray Eames. This episode appeared on Season 1 of the show in 2024.
RE-RELEASE: Highlander (1986) with Tom Muller
Tom Muller talks about Highlander, its poster design and home video release, and shares tips for organizing old school cassette libraries. This episode appeared on Season 1 of the show in 2024.