Hey, Retriever!: Recent Episodes
Matt Richmond & Jon Michael Ryan
Hey, Retriever! is a quasi-regular podcast for people who don't already have enough podcasts to listen to. Join hosts Matt Richmond & Jon Michael Ryan, plus a smattering of special guests, for conversation and wild conjecture about filmmaking, commercial-making and merry-making.
In this episode, Noah and Jon interview Zack Margaret, a creative content producer with a storied career in filmmaking. Zack shares his journey from growing up in Waterbury, Connecticut, to becoming inspired by music videos, attending NYU, and navigating the freelance world. They discuss his work on various documentary projects and his passion project, First Take, a nonprofit film program for kids. Zach reflects on the joys and challenges of being a multihyphenate creative and highlights the importance of representation in the film industry. LISTEN NOW!
ABOUT ZACK
Queer. Latino. Filmmaker. Producer. Zack tells stories that matter—TikTok to TV—documentaries, brand narratives, and everything in between—always championing unheard voices.
Check out and connect with Zack below:
website - Zackmargaretmedia.com
social - @ZackMFilmsStuff
This is a Retriever Production
Produced & Edited by Princess Sims
Sound Mix and Design by Dane Dickmann
Stay connected with Hey, Retriever!
- follow us on IG: @hey.retriever
- visit our website at heyretriever.com
In today’s episode, Jon and Noah discuss navigating the film industry with cinematographer Brennan Full. The discussion ranges from Brennan's career across various cities like New York, St. Louis, Los Angeles, and Toronto, to the challenges and rewards of working in different film markets. Brennan talks about her experiences shooting feature films and tackling commercial projects. The episode also delves into the practical aspects of filmmaking, like building relationships with rental houses and finding balance in the unpredictable nature of the film industry. Tune in now!
ABOUT BRENNAN
Brennan Full is an American cinematographer currently based in Toronto, Canada. Over the past 10 years, Brennan has shot feature films, documentaries, music videos, and commercials around the world. Her commercial clients include Huggies, Purina, Pepsi and more.
Brennan loves to shoot character focused narrative projects that reflect all the deeply beautiful, absurd, and challenging aspects of humanity.
In 2018 she lensed Sati Kaur’s short film “Blood and Glory” which was accepted into festivals nationwide, including the Tribeca Film Festival. She has since gone on to shoot several feature films and countless shorts, including the Vimeo Staff Pick “Gone Viral” which explored Ken Bone’s 2016 unexpected viral internet fame.
Most recently, Brennan was brought on to shoot Chell Stephen’s stylish Feature Film Debut “Byeeee” starring Romina D’ugo, Augustus Oicle, and Djouliet Amara.
Check out more of Brennans work below on her website and insta.
website -brennanfull.com
social - @BRENNAN_FULL
This is a Retriever Production
Produced & Edited by Princess Sims
Sound Mix and Design by Dane Dickmann
Stay connected with Hey, Retriever!
- follow us on IG: @hey.retriever
- visit our website at heyretriever.com
In this episode of Hey Retriever, we chatted with Jordan Watson, aka Ace, a content producer, creator and storyteller. Jordan shares his journey of growing up in Louisiana, diving into his creative process, the impact of his dance background, and his unique approach to creating engaging short-form videos for brands like Meta, Bose and some of the celebrities you know and love. The discussion also covers the evolution of social media content, the importance of adaptability on set, and Jordan's ambitious plans for the future.
About ACE King
Jordan aka Ace is a Afro-Latino creator from New Orleans but is currently bicoastal working both in Los Angeles & New York City. More than just an internet sensation Ace has created and consulted for the industries brightest stars and the world's number one platform. As a Meta Partner represented by the entertainment division Ace has been called upon to create content for todays top actors like Keke Palmer 'NOPE' and Simu Liu 'Marvels Shang Chi' to celebrity chefs for the cast of Netflixs' "Iron Chef: Quest for an Iron Legend" and many more.
website - aceshotit.univer.se
social - aceking
This is a Retriever Production
Produced by Princess Sims
Sound Mix and Design by Dane Dickmann
Stay connected with Hey, Retriever!
- follow us on IG: @hey.retriever
- visit our website at heyretriever.com
On this week’s episode, multifaceted creator Becca Scott - actor, host, gamer, and co-founder of Good Time Society - joins us on the Hey, Retriever! Podcast. The conversation delves into Becca's experiences with the tabletop gaming community, hosting on Geek and Sundry, working with Dropout TV, and her involvement in Magic: The Gathering. Becca also discusses the importance of embracing play, board game nuances, and the joy she finds in creating inclusive spaces for diverse gamers. Listen Now!
About
Becca Scott is an actor, internet nerd, and performer. She is best known for her gajillions of board game tutorials, as Sophie Gray on South Park S23, Penny Luckstone on Dimension20’s “The Seven”, Dropout’s “Game Changer” & “Um, Actually”, The Glass Cannon Podcast Network, Stream of Blood, Vampire the Masquerade: LA by Night, Geek & Sundry, Nerdist, as a spokesperson for Magic: The Gathering, Dungeons & Dragons, Games Workshop, and many more places on the internet. Connect and follow along for Becca's journey here:
website - thebeccascott.com
social - https://linktr.ee/thebeccascott
This is a Retriever Production
Produced by Princess Sims
Sound Mix and Design by Dane Dickmann
Stay connected with Hey, Retriever!
- follow us on IG: @hey.retriever
- visit our website at heyretriever.com
What happens when 3 DP's get together? On this episode of the Hey, Retriever! podcast, Jon and Noah nerd out with Nkosi Roma, Film cinematographer. They discuss the nuances of shooting on film vs. digital, the importance of intentionality and preparation in filmmaking, and the unique learning curve that comes along with this medium. Listen Now!
About
NKOSI ROMA is a narrative cinematographer and a current ASC Vision Mentee ('24–'25). One of the few next gen filmmakers specializing in motion picture film, his work includes Method, featured at Venezia Shorts, By The Dawn, premiering at Oklahoma's only Oscar Qualifying film festival, DeadCenter, and Honorable, a retelling of Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali, and Maya Angelou's encounter in Ghana, screened at the St. Louis International Film Festival and the International Black Film Festival in Nashville.
Connect and follow along for Nkosi's journey here:
website - https://www.nkosiroma.com/
social - https://www.instagram.com/nkosiroma/
This is a Retriever Production
Produced by Princess Sims
Sound Mix and Design by Dane Dickmann
Stay connected with Hey, Retriever!
- follow us on IG: @hey.retriever
- visit our website at heyretriever.com
In this episode, Jon hosts an insightful conversation with acclaimed filmmaker Matt Ogens. Ogens, renowned for works like 'Audible' on Netflix and 'Madu' on Disney+, discusses his passion for storytelling across various formats, including commercials and documentaries. The conversation covers his filmmaking philosophy, balancing commercial and documentary projects, and the emotional depths required to tell compelling stories. Listen in now!
About Matt Ogens
Matt Ogens is an Academy Award-nominated director known for capturing authentic human stories through an evocative visual and narrative aesthetic. Matt’s Netflix Original “Audible” was nominated for an Oscar®, an immersive coming-of-age documentary told from the perspective of Deaf high school students and communicated through sign language. His latest film “Madu”, a Disney Original Documentary, premiered on Disney+, is the epic journey of Anthony Madu, a 12-year-old who leaves his home in Nigeria to study at the prestigious Elmhurst Ballet School in England. Learn more about Matt and his latest work.
This is a Retriever Production
Produced by Princess Sims
Sound Mix and Design by Dane Dickmann
Stay connected with Hey, Retriever!
- follow us on IG: @hey.retriever
- visit our website at heyretriever.com
We're back for Season 3! In this episode, Jon and Noah welcome commercial director Keith Kennedy, who dives into his journey to becoming a Director. Keith shares insights into his creative process, the challenges and triumphs of his career, and discusses the importance of intentionality in his work. From Saint Louis to LA, Keith also reflects on the influence of his Midwestern roots, the impact of professional collaboration, and his perspective on AI in the ad industry.
About Keith Kennedy
Keith is a Saint Louis-born, LA-based director working in commercial production. With extensive agency experience and a background in post-production, he looks for unique and compelling methods to help brands showcase themselves in a way that feels authentic, but relevant. Read More here
Follow Keith Kennedy
- website - keithkennedy.me
- Instagram -@_k_kennedy_
This is a Retriever Production
Produced by Princess Sims
Sound Mix and Design by Dane Dickmann
Stay connected with Hey, Retriever!
- follow us on IG: @hey.retriever
- visit our website at heyretriever.com
Matt and John discuss the ins and outs of the production world with Lauren Andrade and Olivia Crist of Chick Entertainment. They dive into the importance of relationships in the industry, the journey of starting Chick Entertainment, and their commitment to creating a positive, human-focused work environment. Lauren and Olivia share their experiences, challenges, and the development process in various production spaces, including commercials, documentaries, and narrative features. They also touch on their philosophies of producing and the impact of COVID on their careers.
About Chick Entertainment
Founded by award-winning filmmakers Olivia Crist and Lauren Andrade, Chick Entertainment produces bold and disruptive content.
The company’s recent documentary series release, "Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets," was a smash hit for Amazon Studios and a Critics Choice Awards Nominee. The series was produced by Andrade, directed and executive produced by Crist and was the largest documentary series debut that Amazon has ever had. Crist and Andrade have built an impressive portfolio across scripted, unscripted, and branded content. Notably, they produced Vanity Fair's series, "What is Cinema," featuring legends like Halle Berry, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Rian Johnson, The Daniels, Sarah Polley, and Ruben Östlund. Andrade also earned a co-producer credit for the 2021 romantic comedy "The Long Weekend," which was acquired by Sony's Stage 6 Films. Both Crist and Andrade hold co-producer credits for the Gotham Award-nominated film "Swallow." They have an exciting slate of projects ahead including an upcoming documentary series that is currently in production.
Follow Chick Entertainment
- website - https://www.chickent.com/
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chickentertainment/
This is a Retriever Production
Produced by Princess Sims
Sound Mix and Design by Dane Dickmann
Stay connected with Hey, Retriever!
- follow us on IG: @hey.retriever
- visit our website at heyretriever.com
In this episode, Jon and Matt introduce their friend and guest, Nick Adams, a seasoned brand strategist. The discussion begins with a serendipitous story of how they met Nick and segues into an in-depth conversation about Nick's background in marketing, starting from his early interest at age 15.
Nick shares his journey through various roles, culminating in his own consultancy, Adamsand Strategy, where he focuses on brand strategy. The conversation delves into the essence of brand strategy, the importance of authenticity and individuality, and the key elements of successful brand fundamentals. Nick also recounts memorable experiences, including his work on the first X-Men movie campaign and a special project for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Listen Now!
This is a Retriever Production featuring Nick Adams.
Produced by Princess Sims
Sound Mix and Design by Dane Dickmann
Stay connected with Hey, Retriever!
- follow us on IG: @hey.retriever
- visit our website at heyretriever.com
It all started with Jon. Our founding partner, Director, Executive Producer and former/sometimes Director of Photography - Jon Michael Ryan. This one-on-one conversation between Matt and Jon, is just a very raw friend conversation. When you become a better producer, you’ll be a better director? What does empathetic leadership mean to you? How many hats are enough hats before passing the torch? Listen now and maybe you’ll understand JMR just a little bit more.
About Jon Michael Ryan
Specialties: Pets on film, complex production, asset mastery
Jon Michael Ryan is a cinematographer and director who finds joy in tackling all manner of creative challenges. His career has taken him around the globe, creating content for brands like Nestlé Purina, Verizon and Elanco. He’s also DP’d shows and features for the likes of Netflix and ESPN. Read More Here.
Follow Jon on Instagram - @Jon Michael Ryan
Connect with Jon on LinkedIn - Jon Michael Ryan
This is a Retriever Production featuring Noah Readhead.
Produced by Princess Sims
Sound Mix and Design by Dane Dickmann
Stay connected with Hey, Retriever!
- follow us on IG: @hey.retriever
- visit our website at heyretriever.com
Matt and Noah chat with Micah Daniel Lewis, a multi-hyphenate film director, producer, and occasional editor. They delve into Micah's journey to becoming a director, his experience wearing multiple creative hats, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and his passion project "The Courts," an episodic series that's a must-watch. Listen now!
About Micah
Micah Daniel Lewis directs high-energy motion and stills shoots and specializes in the narrative and sports worlds. Over his career, he’s produced work for The Mill, Rokkan, Votiv, Kode Media and Optimist.
Micah currently directs an ongoing series of short films centered around the game of basketball called “The Courts.” What started as a personal project in 2019 quickly blossomed into a full series after interest developed on social media. The most recent episode was shot on location during the fall of 2022 in St. Louis, MO, and featured local standout guard Bryce Spiller. Read More Here.
This is a Retriever Production featuring Micah Daniel Lewis
Produced by Princess Sims
Sound Mix and Design by Dane Dickmann
Stay connected with Hey, Retriever!
- follow us on IG: @hey.retriever
- visit our website at heyretriever.com
In this throwback episode, we revisit our conversation with Drone Pilot and Aerial Director of Photography, Jake Howard of Drone Dudes. We dive deep into the evolution of aerial cinematography, drone operation best practices, the future of drone technology, and AI integration. Listen Now!
- check out Drone Dudes website www.dronedudes.com
- follow Drone Dudes on IG : @dronedudes
This is a Retriever Production featuring Jake Howard
Produced by Princess Sims
Sound Mix and Design by Dane Dickmann
Stay connected with Hey, Retriever!
- follow us on IG: @hey.retriever
- visit our website at heyretriever.com
Jon and Matt chat with storyboard and concept artist, Alex Amezcua. In this conversation, they explore the boundaries of art as a commercial artist, former graffiti artist, the classic "S" we all drew as kids, oh and living on a boat.
Check out Alex's work on his website at aleamezcua.com
Connect with Alex on IG : @ameskoa
This is a Retriever Production featuring Alex Amezcua.
Produced by Princess Sims
Sound Mix and Design by Dane Dickmann
Stay connected with Hey, Retriever!
- follow us on IG: @hey.retriever
- visit our website at heyretriever.com
In this episode, we sit down with our long-time collaborator and friend, Noah Readhead, who’s a Cinematographer turned Director, and now Partner and Executive Producer at Retriever.
We discuss documentary filmmaking and his creative endeavors beyond the camera, including country wine-making and cyanotype printing.
About Noah
As a director, Noah focuses primarily on commercial and branded content. He’s directed pieces for Fancy Feast, Krug Champagne, HypeBeast, MLB, and PlayStation. He seamlessly merges technical expertise with artistic finesse. He thrives on transforming ordinary messages into memorable works of art. Noah’s dedication to visual storytelling and his unique blend of technical prowess and artistic vision distinguish his work, turning client briefs into unforgettable visual stories.
Check out Noah’s work: https://heyretriever.com/roster/noah-readhead/
Follow Noah on IG: @noahreadhead
This is a Retriever Production featuring Noah Readhead.
Produced by Princess Sims
Sound Mix and Design by Dane Dickmann
Stay connected with Hey, Retriever!
- follow us on IG: @hey.retriever
- visit our website at heyretriever.com