In this episode of In Love with the Process, filmmaker Mike Pecci sits down with Academy Award–nominated VFX supervisor Michael Ralla to discuss his work on Sinners, collaborating with director Ryan Coogler, and what a VFX supervisor actually does on a major film. The conversation explores how music and rhythm influence visual storytelling, including Michael’s background as a drummer and a surprising connection to Metallica through the film’s score. The episode also dives into a provocative theory about why movies projected on film may hold audience attention longer than digital projection, and how that idea could impact the future of cinema.

Joining Mike is Academy Award winning production designer James Price, whose breathtaking work on Poor Things earned him an Oscar for creating one of the most imaginative and emotionally immersive film worlds in recent memory.

Together they break down what a production designer actually does on a movie, how James collaborates closely with directors and cinematographers, and why production design quietly shapes every emotion you feel on screen. This is the department that turns a script into a living, breathing universe.

James walks through his creative process from building miniatures and custom sets, to why he often insists on constructing ceilings for realism and lighting control, to how he creates detailed mood books the moment he reads a script. These collections of images, sketches, textures, and thematic references guide the entire visual language of a film.

How often do you sit through the closing credits of a movie, waiting for that extra cutscene teasing the next superhero franchise, and wonder why it takes so many people to make a film? At In Love with the Process, we love introducing you to those crew credits you may have never noticed.

Today’s guest is one of the best in Los Angeles, Travis Beck, a Location Manager, filmmaker, and actor. Travis breaks down what it really takes to secure and manage film locations, from hunting down the perfect spot to navigating permits, traffic cops, parking trucks, movie chairs, and calming nervous location owners.

It is a wild ride full of crazy set stories, behind the scenes insights, and the definitive answer to one of Hollywood’s biggest questions: How much does it actually cost to film in LA?

On this week’s episode of In Love With the Process, host Mike Pecci is joined by creature designer and artist Dane Hallett to bond over their shared love of horror, monsters, and the visceral artistry that drives their filmmaking. Together, they peel back the layers of what makes these chilling creations so powerful, diving into how the smallest adjustments can lead to unexpected, happy accidents that bring these terrifying visions to life; it’s a thrilling glimpse into the raw, creative chaos that fuels the horror genre.

Get ready to celebrate our 300th episode with a bang as we sit down with Academy Award-winning sound designer Mark Mangini! With a jaw-dropping resume including iconic films like Raiders of the Lost Ark, Gremlins, Dune, Blade Runner 2049 and Mad Max: Fury Road, Mark joins host Mike Pecci for an electrifying discussion on all things sound. From the subtle art of storytelling through sound to the legendary techniques of filmmakers like George Miller and Denis Villeneuve, this episode is a must-listen for any cinephile. Join us as we mark this milestone and dive into the world of cinematic sound!