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Frame By Frame: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Daniel Mogg
Frame By Frame is a filmmaking podcast for commercial directors, documentary filmmakers, and creative professionals building careers in the industry. Hosted by 4x Emmy Award winner Daniel Mogg — director for Nike, Alaska Airlines, NBC Sports Sunday Night Football, and multiple Olympics. Each episode goes behind the scenes with the people actually doing it — Netflix documentary directors, Super Bowl-winning coaches, and working filmmakers at the top of their craft. Guests include Tony Dungy, Liam Hughes (Aaron Rodgers Netflix doc), and directors who've worked with LeBron James, Mahomes, and Russell Wilson.
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- 3 weeks ago38 min
How Do You Direct a Documentary About Nick Saban? | Russell Dinallo
What does it take to tell the story of one of the greatest coaches in college football history?Director Russell Dinallo joins Daniel Mogg on Frame By Frame to take us behind the scenes of ESPN’s six-part Nick Saban documentary.From pitching Saban at his lake house to spending more than 20 hours interviewing the legendary coach, Russell shares the creative process behind a documentary two years in the making.We explore how his team uncovered never-before-seen footage of the famous Jalen Hurts–Tua Tagovailoa halftime decision, captured an unexpectedly emotional interview with Julio Jones, and shaped hundreds of hours of interviews and archival footage into a compelling series.Along the way, Russell breaks down the art of documentary interviewing, earning a subject’s trust, making bold creative decisions, and finding the human stories behind larger-than-life figures.Whether you’re a filmmaker, storyteller, or fan of great documentaries, this episode is a fascinating look at what goes into making a premium sports documentary.In This EpisodePitching Nick Saban and earning his trustConducting seven interviews totaling more than 20 hoursFinding compelling characters and emotional momentsUncovering never-before-seen archival footageStructuring and editing a six-part documentary seriesDesigning cinematic documentary interviewsLessons from ESPN’s E60 and advice for aspiring filmmakersEpisode Chapters00:00 — Introduction: Directing the Nick Saban Documentary00:59 — How Russell Landed the Project02:44 — Pitching Nick Saban at His Lake House04:40 — Discovering the Characters Behind Saban06:47 — The Art of Documentary Pre-Interviews08:32 — What Filmmakers Can Learn From Nick Saban10:34 — Seven Interviews and 20+ Hours With Saban12:06 — Organizing a Massive Documentary Production13:22 — Interviewing Football’s Biggest Names14:43 — Finding Unexpected Documentary Characters16:20 — The Importance of Miss Terry19:31 — Uncovering Never-Before-Seen Alabama Footage22:21 — Crafting Dramatic Moments in the Edit24:59 — Capturing Julio Jones’ Emotional Interview27:19 — Taking Creative Risks in Documentary Filmmaking29:09 — Designing Cinematic Documentary Interviews30:55 — Lessons From ESPN’s E6033:21 — Advice for Aspiring Documentary Filmmakers34:40 — The Two-Year Production Timeline36:03 — The Future of Sports Documentaries37:11 — Finding Fresh Ideas as a DirectorAbout Frame By FrameFrame By Frame is a filmmaking podcast hosted by Emmy Award-winning director Daniel Mogg. Each episode goes behind the scenes with the directors, cinematographers, and creative minds shaping today’s most compelling films, documentaries, and commercials. When You're Ready📬: Frame By Frame Dispatch Newsletter (Creative Inspiration)🎥: Daniel's Recommended Production Gear ListCONNECT🐦 Connect on Twitter📸 Connect on Instagram💼 Connect on LinkedIn📹 Subscribe on YouTube👍 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with filmmakers, creatives, and industry insiders!SAY THANKS💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify When You're Ready📬: Frame By Frame Dispatch Newsletter (Creative Inspiration)SAY THANKS💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts🟢 Leave a rating on SpotifyCONNECT📸 Connect on Instagram💼 Connect on LinkedIn📹 Subscribe on YouTube👍 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with filmmakers, creatives, and industry insiders!
- 4 weeks ago31 min
How NFL Films Shoots Hard Knocks with DP Hannah Epstein
How does NFL Films create some of the most iconic images in sports?On this episode of Frame By Frame, Daniel sits down with NFL Films cinematographer Hannah Epstein, DP of Hard Knocks with the Seattle Seahawks, to go behind the camera of one of the biggest productions in sports.Hannah breaks down the making of the JSN “Silver Surfer” sequence, capturing Sam Darnold’s spiral at extreme slow motion, and how NFL Films approached photographing the Pacific Northwest. She also takes us inside the massive operation behind Hard Knocks — from a 35-person field crew to shooting 12–14 hour days and turning around an episode every week.They also nerd out on the tools of the trade, including the ARRI Alexa 35 Extreme, shooting at 660fps, NFL Films’ incredibly rare 33:1 lens, and how Hannah developed her signature style using negative space, abstraction and emotional moments away from the football.Plus, Hannah shares her journey from being rejected from the NFL Films internship program twice to eventually becoming a staff cinematographer and DP — and what she’s learned about breaking into sports filmmaking along the way.TIMESTAMPS00:00 — Intro00:57 — Breaking down the JSN “Silver Surfer” sequence04:09 — Capturing Sam Darnold’s spiral in extreme slow motion06:00 — Advice for learning to shoot football07:11 — Capturing the look of Seattle and the Pacific Northwest08:18 — Inside the massive Hard Knocks production machine11:23 — How Hannah assigns the Hard Knocks camera crews12:14 — Hannah’s specialty as a cinematographer12:41 — Finding fresh ways to photograph football15:05 — The six-week Hard Knocks marathon16:34 — Hannah’s favorite moments from the Seahawks season18:28 — Hannah’s journey into NFL Films21:22 — How NFL Films trains its cinematographers23:22 — Why NFL Films was always the goal24:14 — The football shot Hannah is still chasing25:14 — Developing a signature visual style26:11 — Where NFL Films cinematographers find inspiration27:16 — ARRI Alexa 35 vs. AMIRA28:39 — Shooting the Seahawks’ Super Bowl victory30:05 — Hard Knocks vs. Quarterback and Receiver31:19 — Hannah’s advice for aspiring sports filmmakersFrame By Frame is a podcast about the craft behind great filmmaking, hosted by director Daniel Mogg. When You're Ready📬: Frame By Frame Dispatch Newsletter (Creative Inspiration)SAY THANKS💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts🟢 Leave a rating on SpotifyCONNECT📸 Connect on Instagram💼 Connect on LinkedIn📹 Subscribe on YouTube👍 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with filmmakers, creatives, and industry insiders!
- Apr 15, 202641 min
Inside Rory McIlroy’s “The Master’s Wait” with Director Drea Cooper
Emmy-winning filmmaker Drea Cooper joins Frame By Frame to break down his latest documentary, The Master’s Wait, about Rory McIlroy, The Masters, and the long emotional road to winning at Augusta National Golf Club. In this conversation, Drea shares what it was like being at the Masters for Rory’s latest win, how the film came together, and how he approached telling a story that was bigger than golf. If you’re interested in sports documentaries, Rory McIlroy, The Masters, Augusta National, or the craft of documentary filmmaking, this episode is for you. Timestamps 0:00 Cold open: Augusta goes from dream to haunted house 0:52 Intro: Drea Cooper on The Master’s Wait and Rory’s back-to-back moment 2:09 What it was like being at the Masters in person 2:45 Augusta with no phones and why it feels different 4:37 How The Master’s Wait came together 6:19 Drea’s sports background and prepping to tell Rory’s story 9:00 What Rory McIlroy was like to work with in a documentary setting 10:33 Filming re-creations at Augusta and visualizing Rory’s mental game 14:44 The “pinch me” moments filming with Rory at Augusta and in Northern Ireland 19:30 Rory’s parents, the archive, and the interviews that unlocked the film 26:38 Why Drea chose a direct-to-camera interview style 28:44 The universal lesson in Rory’s story: persistence, instinct, and not giving up 32:06 How Drea has built range across documentaries and commercial directing 33:39 Advice for first-time feature documentary directors 36:11 Imposter syndrome, trusting your instincts, and staying open to curveballs When You're Ready 📬: Frame By Frame Dispatch Newsletter (Creative Inspiration) 🎥: Daniel's Recommended Production Gear List CONNECT 🐦 Connect on Twitter 📸 Connect on Instagram 💼 Connect on LinkedIn 📹 Subscribe on YouTube 👍 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with filmmakers, creatives, and industry insiders! SAY THANKS 💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts 🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify When You're Ready📬: Frame By Frame Dispatch Newsletter (Creative Inspiration)SAY THANKS💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts🟢 Leave a rating on SpotifyCONNECT📸 Connect on Instagram💼 Connect on LinkedIn📹 Subscribe on YouTube👍 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with filmmakers, creatives, and industry insiders!
- Nov 21, 20251h 18m
How Alex vs. A-Rod Was Really Made: A Deep Dive With Director Erik LeDrew & Editor Kevin Barth
How do you make one of the biggest sports documentaries of the year? In this episode of Frame By Frame, Daniel sits down with director Erik LeDrew and editor Kevin Barth, the creative minds behind HBO’s Alex vs. A-Rod.They break down the entire storytelling journey—from early brainstorming sessions and gaining Alex Rodriguez’s trust, to the emotional Colorado shoot that became the heart of the series, to spending 88 weeks in the edit shaping one of the most vulnerable portraits of A-Rod ever shown on screen.This conversation goes deep into the director–editor relationship, how to collaborate under pressure, why certain scenes almost didn’t make the cut, and what it truly takes to build a multi-year documentary from scratchIf you love filmmaking, storytelling, sports docs, or the craft behind documentaries, this episode is packed with insight, honesty, and behind-the-scenes stories you won’t hear anywhere else.00:00 – IntroDaniel sets up the episode and introduces Erik & Kevin.02:00 – How Erik & Kevin First ConnectedTheir creative partnership and early projects that shaped their process.08:30 – Origin of the Alex vs. A-Rod DocumentaryA-Rod’s blind spots, the initial pitch, and why this project mattered.14:00 – Building Trust With A-RodHow they got him comfortable enough to open up emotionally.20:00 – Developing the Structure & ToneThe “writer’s room” process and mapping out the psychological heart of the story.27:00 – Editing a Multi-Year DocumentaryFinding rhythm, musicality, pacing, and what gets left on the cutting room floor.33:00 – The Colorado ShootThe make-or-break moment of the doc—and why it almost didn’t work.45:00 – Balancing Objectivity & Collaboration With A-RodNavigating notes, integrity, and the fine line between access and honesty.52:00 – Working With HBOWhy HBO was the ideal partner and how their feedback elevated the project.58:00 – Storytelling Lessons & Advice for FilmmakersErik and Kevin share what they’ve learned across their careers.1:05:00 – The Frame They’re Most Proud OfA powerful closing reflection on their favorite moments in the film1:10:00 – Closing ThoughtsDaniel wraps the conversation and previews what’s next. When You're Ready📬: Frame By Frame Dispatch Newsletter (Creative Inspiration)SAY THANKS💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts🟢 Leave a rating on SpotifyCONNECT📸 Connect on Instagram💼 Connect on LinkedIn📹 Subscribe on YouTube👍 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with filmmakers, creatives, and industry insiders!
- Sep 29, 202556 min
Filming Mahomes, Kelce & the Chiefs: Inside The Kingdom w/ Kristin Lappas
What does it take to film Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Andy Reid, and the Kansas City Chiefs from the inside? Emmy-winning director Kristen Lappas takes us behind the scenes of The Kingdom, the new Disney+ and ESPN documentary series on the Chiefs dynasty.In this episode of Frame By Frame, Kristen shares how she earned the trust of Mahomes, Kelce, and Coach Andy Reid, what it was like to direct the Chiefs through a historic season, and how she built one of the biggest NFL docuseries of all time. From underground bunkers of Chiefs history to emotional family moments, this is the story behind The Kingdom.If you’re a Kansas City Chiefs fan, a filmmaker, or just curious about how sports documentaries are made, this is a must-watch.⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – Intro: Kristen Lappas on The Kingdom01:18 – How the Chiefs project came together03:13 – Building trust with Andy Reid & the players06:06 – Filming Mahomes up close (and a Super Bowl haircut)08:13 – Structuring a dynasty story: themes & arcs11:10 – The art of pitching: how Kristen sold The Kingdom14:38 – Balancing honesty vs. PR when partnering with teams18:56 – Surprising storylines that shaped the series21:26 – Discovering the Chiefs’ underground archive bunker25:36 – Making The Kingdom appeal beyond football fans27:07 – Handling Taylor Swift’s presence in the story29:00 – Premiering The Kingdom in Kansas City31:21 – Creative swings: directing the Giannis documentary36:49 – Lessons from working with superstars (Mahomes, Giannis, Caitlin Clark)39:07 – Kristen’s career break: the story of Arthur43:49 – Advice for young filmmakers & pitching stories45:09 – Balancing filmmaking with motherhood47:49 – Kristen’s advice for first-time feature directors50:24 – What’s next for Kristen Lappas51:25 – Mentors, influences, and finding your voice54:51 – Lessons from The Kingdom & Andy Reid’s “Don’t Judge” card When You're Ready📬: Frame By Frame Dispatch Newsletter (Creative Inspiration)🎥: Daniel's Recommended Production Gear ListCONNECT🐦 Connect on Twitter📸 Connect on Instagram💼 Connect on LinkedIn📹 Subscribe on YouTube👍 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with filmmakers, creatives, and industry insiders!SAY THANKS💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify When You're Ready📬: Frame By Frame Dispatch Newsletter (Creative Inspiration)SAY THANKS💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts🟢 Leave a rating on SpotifyCONNECT📸 Connect on Instagram💼 Connect on LinkedIn📹 Subscribe on YouTube👍 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with filmmakers, creatives, and industry insiders!
- Sep 18, 202510 min
I’ve Waited My Whole Career to Tell This Story (My Director Debut)
After a short break, I’m back — and with big news.In this episode of Frame by Frame, I’m announcing my first feature documentary: 12 — the untold story of how the city of Seattle came together in the 1990s to stop the Seahawks from relocating to Los Angeles.Backed by Marshawn Lynch, Beast Mode Productions, and Victory Sports Media, this project is the biggest opportunity of my directing career so far. I break down the inspiration behind the film, how it came together behind the scenes, and what I’ve learned so far stepping into the role of feature documentary director.We talk:Why this story matters — and why it almost got lostThe origin of 12 and the team behind itWhat it takes to make a doc at this scaleFinding the heart of a story that changed a cityBalancing creative work, parenting, and small business life If you’re a filmmaker, storyteller, or just someone who loves underdog sports stories, this episode is for you.🎧 Subscribe to Frame by Frame for more behind-the-scenes episodes as I bring this documentary to life — one frame at a time. When You're Ready📬: Frame By Frame Dispatch Newsletter (Creative Inspiration)🎥: Daniel's Recommended Production Gear ListCONNECT🐦 Connect on Twitter📸 Connect on Instagram💼 Connect on LinkedIn📹 Subscribe on YouTube👍 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with filmmakers, creatives, and industry insiders!SAY THANKS💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify When You're Ready📬: Frame By Frame Dispatch Newsletter (Creative Inspiration)SAY THANKS💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts🟢 Leave a rating on SpotifyCONNECT📸 Connect on Instagram💼 Connect on LinkedIn📹 Subscribe on YouTube👍 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with filmmakers, creatives, and industry insiders!
- Apr 30, 202555 min
Directing LeBron James for Netflix: The Untold Story w/ Susan Ansman
Susan Ansman spent a year embedded with LeBron James, directing Netflix’s Starting 5 and capturing the most personal moments of his career. In this episode, Susan shares how she made the leap from ESPN to freelance, what it’s really like to direct a global superstar, and how she’s paving the way for women in sports filmmaking.⏱ Timestamps00:00 – Intro: How Susan became LeBron’s director01:09 – Why she quit ESPN for this opportunity02:15 – First day: Inside LeBron’s house on Halloween03:40 – Building trust with high-profile athletes05:31 – Capturing LeBron rapping in the car07:00 – Verité filmmaking and shooting solo08:06 – The story structure behind Starting 510:00 – The toast, Bronny’s health scare & vulnerability13:30 – Being a one-woman crew with LeBron16:00 – What it takes to shoot elite athletes19:00 – The power of listening as a director21:45 – From EVS operator to Emmy-winning filmmaker24:30 – How editing shaped her directing style27:00 – Juggling directing, producing, and editing30:00 – Shooting the Olympic basketball documentary34:00 – Navigating confidence in a male-dominated industry37:30 – Advice to women entering sports filmmaking41:00 – Why representation behind the camera matters44:00 – Final reflections + what’s next for SusanWhen You're Ready📬: Frame By Frame Dispatch Newsletter (Creative Inspiration)🎥: Daniel's Recommended Production Gear ListCONNECT🐦 Connect on Twitter📸 Connect on Instagram💼 Connect on LinkedIn📹 Subscribe on YouTube👍 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with filmmakers, creatives, and industry insiders!SAY THANKS💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify When You're Ready📬: Frame By Frame Dispatch Newsletter (Creative Inspiration)SAY THANKS💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts🟢 Leave a rating on SpotifyCONNECT📸 Connect on Instagram💼 Connect on LinkedIn📹 Subscribe on YouTube👍 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with filmmakers, creatives, and industry insiders!
- Apr 23, 202541 min
What a Creative Director Actually Does (That No One Talks About) w/ Will Shanahan Ep. 013
Creative Director. It’s a title everyone wants—but few truly understand. In this episode of Frame By Frame, I sit down with Will Shanahan, VP of Creative at The Unlisted Company, to break down what this role really means in the world of branded content, advertising, and filmmaking.Whether you’re an aspiring CD, a freelance director, or just curious about how creative projects actually get made—this episode pulls back the curtain.📍 Timestamps00:00 – Intro: Why speaking your mind matters01:06 – What does a Creative Director actually do?03:38 – The difference between title and responsibility07:41 – Defining the role in one sentence08:00 – Creative Director vs. Head Coach vs. GM09:21 – Director vs. Creative Director collaboration11:10 – How to build relationships between directors and CDs12:32 – The one skill no one talks about—but every CD needs14:35 – Business lessons learned as a Creative Director17:06 – Navigating budget conversations with clients19:59 – Why the word “partnership” changes everything20:16 – The rare project that went exactly as planned22:47 – Will’s origin story: How he became a CD24:07 – Staying creative while managing meetings and chaos26:26 – The creative power of not trying too hard27:16 – Advice for new Creative Directors29:43 – Why pitching is more than just presenting ideas33:14 – How to make clients feel something during a pitch34:16 – Real pitch example: The New York Giants35:40 – Will’s favorite deck-building tools and resources36:33 – Making the leap: Why Will joined The Unlisted Co.39:34 – Trusting your gut in a creative career40:24 – Closing thoughts + why relationships create opportunity When You're Ready📬: Frame By Frame Dispatch Newsletter (Creative Inspiration)🎥: Daniel's Recommended Production Gear ListCONNECT🐦 Connect on Twitter📸 Connect on Instagram💼 Connect on LinkedIn📹 Subscribe on YouTube👍 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with filmmakers, creatives, and industry insiders!SAY THANKS💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify When You're Ready📬: Frame By Frame Dispatch Newsletter (Creative Inspiration)SAY THANKS💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts🟢 Leave a rating on SpotifyCONNECT📸 Connect on Instagram💼 Connect on LinkedIn📹 Subscribe on YouTube👍 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with filmmakers, creatives, and industry insiders!
About Frame By Frame
Frame By Frame is a filmmaking podcast for commercial directors, documentary filmmakers, and creative professionals building careers in the industry. Hosted by 4x Emmy Award winner Daniel Mogg — director for Nike, Alaska Airlines, NBC Sports Sunday Night Football, and multiple Olympics. Each episode goes behind the scenes with the people actually doing it — Netflix documentary directors, Super Bowl-winning coaches, and working filmmakers at the top of their craft. Guests include Tony Dungy, Liam Hughes (Aaron Rodgers Netflix doc), and directors who've worked with LeBron James, Mahomes, and Russell Wilson.
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