In Love with the Process Podcast

On this supersized episode of In Love with the Process, Mike sits down with cinematographer Brandon Cox (Werewolves, One Spoon of Chocolate) for a deep dive into the art, craft, and chaos of filmmaking.Brandon has built an incredible career shooting films around the world, including RZA’s new revenge thriller One Spoon of Chocolate, presented by Quentin Tarantino. The two friends talk openly about what a cinematographer actually does, the tools used to prep a film, how visual language evolves from project to project, and what it’s like leading crews across different countries and productions.Brandon also shares stories from working with RZA, building the visual identity for One Spoon of Chocolate, and balancing creativity with the brutal realities of production.The conversation moves from lenses and lighting to filmmaking philosophy, crew dynamics, surviving the business, and the emotional side of chasing a life in cinema.This is a massive episode for filmmakers, cinematographers, film students, and anyone obsessed with the process behind great movies.► Brandon's IG► Mike's IG ► ILWP's IG Music: Betamaxx——SPONSORS——► FujiFilm 10% off Accessories (https://shopusa.fujifilm-x.com/accessories/) and Merch (https://shopusa.fujifilm-x.com/brand-merch/) Promo code PROCESS10► Puget Systems► Blackmagic Design Inlovewiththeprocess.com

It’s happening. The thing Mike has been teasing for years is finally real.On this very special episode of In Love with the Process, Mike officially announces his first feature film:THEY LIKE THE DARKWritten by Will Simmons, produced by Ridley Scott and starring Liam Hemsworth.This episode is more than a film announcement.It’s the story behind the story.For over 25 years Mike has chased this dream, through failures, setbacks, near misses, self doubt, sleepless nights, side jobs, passion projects, music videos, commercials, podcasts, and countless moments where quitting would have been easier.But he kept going.Mike jumps behind the mic to talk openly about how the film came together, the long road to getting here, the people who believed in him, and what it really takes to survive long enough for your moment to arrive.This is a conversation about perseverance, obsession, creative survival, and putting one foot in front of the other when the world keeps knocking you down.Mike also talks about how the In Love with the Process community helped make this moment possible, and how the podcast will continue to be part of the filmmaking journey moving forward.This is the beginning of something much bigger.Come celebrate with us.Welcome to the world of THEY LIKE THE DARK.► Deadline Article► Mike's IG ► ILWP's IG Music: Betamaxx——SPONSORS——► FujiFilm 10% off Accessories (https://shopusa.fujifilm-x.com/accessories/) and Merch (https://shopusa.fujifilm-x.com/brand-merch/) Promo code PROCESS10► Puget Systems► Blackmagic Design Inlovewiththeprocess.com

On this episode of In Love with the Process, Mike breaks it all down.No guest. Just over 20 years of experience behind the camera, distilled into a practical guide for anyone who wants to step into the world of documentary filmmaking.From shooting scientists, CEOs, gang members, actors, and everyday people, Mike has built a career capturing real stories in real environments, and in this episode, he walks you through exactly how he does it.This is a step-by-step look at the process.From choosing the right gear, to building a lighting setup that feels natural and motivated, to making your subject feel comfortable enough to actually open up on camera.Mike dives into how to think about a job before you even show up, how to communicate with your crew, and how to stay flexible when reality doesn’t go according to plan.Because documentary filmmaking isn’t about perfect images.It’s about trust, awareness, and being ready when the moment happens.If you’ve ever thought about becoming a PA, assisting on a doc team, or stepping behind the camera yourself, this episode is your starting point.This is the stuff people don’t teach you.► Mike's IG ► ILWP's IG Music: Betamaxx——SPONSORS——► FujiFilm 10% off Accessories (https://shopusa.fujifilm-x.com/accessories/) and Merch (https://shopusa.fujifilm-x.com/brand-merch/) Promo code PROCESS10► Puget Systems► Blackmagic Design Inlovewiththeprocess.com

On this episode of In Love with the Process, Mike checks in.No guests. No fluff. Just a real conversation about what it feels like to exist right now.Times are tough. People are getting laid off. The cost of housing keeps climbing. Food prices are up. And it’s getting harder and harder not to feel like we’re all being squeezed.This week, on a random Tuesday afternoon, a simple software issue spiraled into something much bigger. What should have been a quick fix turned into Mike having to dip into his savings just to keep the podcast alive, literally the day before release.That moment sparked a bigger question.How did we get here?In a subscription-based world, where companies can change pricing overnight, it starts to feel like survival itself comes with a monthly fee. Like the system is designed to tighten its grip every quarter.Mike opens up about the pressure of keeping a creative project alive, the unpredictability of expenses, and the growing feeling that control over our own lives is slipping away.Is the American Dream still real?Or are we just trying to keep up?This is an honest, unfiltered check-in for anyone feeling the weight right now.► Mike's IG ► ILWP's IG Music: Betamaxx ——SPONSORS——► FujiFilm 10% off Accessories (https://shopusa.fujifilm-x.com/accessories/) and Merch (https://shopusa.fujifilm-x.com/brand-merch/) Promo code PROCESS10► Puget Systems► Blackmagic Design Inlovewiththeprocess.com

On this episode of In Love with the Process, Mike dives into one of his biggest obsessions outside of filmmaking, cooking.We all hear it, “get a good chef’s knife.” But what does that actually mean? What goes into making one? And why does it completely change the way you cook?Mike sits down with Justin Miller, a self-taught bladesmith and the owner of Running Man Forge, to break down the art and craft of knife making from the ground up.They get into the process of forging steel, what separates a great knife from a bad one, and why your tools in the kitchen are just as important as your ingredients. Justin also shares how he built his business from scratch, how he found the money to start, and how social media helped him connect with customers… until the algorithm changed everything.And because it’s In Love with the Process, the conversation takes some unexpected turns, mythology, UFO sightings, and the strange overlap between craft, obsession, and belief.This episode is a perfect mix of practical knowledge and wild storytelling.If you care about cooking, filmmaking, or the process behind anything made with intention, this one’s for you.► Running Man IG► Mike's IG ► ILWP's IG Music: Betamaxx & Code Elektro——SPONSORS——► FujiFilm 10% off Accessories (https://shopusa.fujifilm-x.com/accessories/) and Merch (https://shopusa.fujifilm-x.com/brand-merch/) Promo code PROCESS10► Puget Systems► Blackmagic Design Inlovewiththeprocess.com

On this special catch-up episode of In Love with the Process, Mike pulls back the curtain on something deeply personal, the making of his upcoming film.For the first time, Mike breaks down the real process he and his writing partner Will Simmons used to bring this story to life. From early conversations to building treatments, to the detailed director’s prep that turns ideas into something you can actually see and feel.This isn’t theory. This is the work.Mike dives into how he approaches storyboarding, how he visualizes a film before a camera ever rolls, and the skills he’s developed over decades to translate emotion into images.But this episode goes deeper than process.Mike takes a moment to reflect on the fact that he’s never been this close to making a film at this level. He looks back on the last 25 years, the people, the risks, the failures, and the lessons that all led to this moment.It’s honest. It’s raw. It’s the kind of episode that reminds you why you started.If you’re a filmmaker, or just someone chasing something big, this one hits.► Mu Pan IG► Mike's IG ► ILWP's IG Music: Mitch Murder & Code Elektro——SPONSORS——► FujiFilm 10% off Accessories (https://shopusa.fujifilm-x.com/accessories/) and Merch (https://shopusa.fujifilm-x.com/brand-merch/) Promo code PROCESS10► Puget Systems► Blackmagic Design Inlovewiththeprocess.com

On today’s episode of In Love with the Process, Mike dives into the surreal, violent, and wildly imaginative world of artist and illustrator Mu Pan.Known for his massive, Boschian battle scenes filled with hybrid human and bestial figures, Mu Pan creates work that feels like a lost myth, somewhere between ancient history and a fever dream. His art pulls from Japanese manga, traditional Chinese scroll painting, American history, and Hong Kong cinema, blending them into something completely unique and deeply personal.His work has been exhibited internationally, including a major retrospective at Espacio Solo in Madrid, and even appeared in the award-winning horror film Midsommar.Mike first discovered Mu Pan through his book American Fried Rice, a collection that feels like a twisted children’s storybook, equal parts playful and disturbing, and it completely blew his mind.In this episode, the two go deep into:Why art school can sometimes kill creativityHow your true artistic voice is often formed in childhoodThe long journey of losing that voice and fighting to get it backThe importance of constantly challenging yourself as an artistThe influence of manga, monster movies, and cultural storytelling on Mu Pan’s workWhy embracing the strange and uncomfortable leads to more honest artMu Pan also discusses his sculptural work, “OrigaMu,” and how building physical versions of his characters expands his creative world beyond the page.This is a conversation about art in its purest form, messy, violent, playful, and deeply human.If you’re a filmmaker, illustrator, or creative struggling to reconnect with your voice, this episode is for you.► Mu Pan IG► Mike's IG ► ILWP's IG Music: Betamaxx & Code Elektro——SPONSORS——► FujiFilm 10% off Accessories (https://shopusa.fujifilm-x.com/accessories/) and Merch (https://shopusa.fujifilm-x.com/brand-merch/) Promo code PROCESS10► Puget Systems► Blackmagic Design Inlovewiththeprocess.com

On today’s episode of In Love with the Process, Mike sits down with Canadian brother duo ROMES, a band that’s been quietly building something explosive… and now it’s breaking through.Their debut album SONIC TRASH is out now, already surpassing 1.5 million streams completely independently. No label, no machine, just strategy, consistency, and a deep understanding of how to move in today’s music landscape.But this didn’t happen overnight.ROMES have stacked an impressive resume behind the scenes, landing sync placements across TV, gaming, and major sports campaigns, touring with bands like The Strokes, and even collaborating with Mark Foster (Foster the People), all while staying independent.In this episode, Mike and the guys go deep into:What it actually takes to build momentum as an independent artistThe real strategy behind successful social media campaignsWhy generative AI music is flooding platforms and devaluing streamsThe difference between touring in the US vs EuropeHow to create work that cuts through the noise in an oversaturated marketThis is an episode for musicians, filmmakers, and anyone trying to build something real in a world chasing numbers.If you care about craft, independence, and the long game, this one hits.► ROMES► Mike's IG ► ILWP's IG Music: Romes & Code Elektro——SPONSORS——► FujiFilm 10% off Accessories (https://shopusa.fujifilm-x.com/accessories/) and Merch (https://shopusa.fujifilm-x.com/brand-merch/) Promo code PROCESS10► Puget Systems► Blackmagic Design Inlovewiththeprocess.com

In this episode of In Love with the Process, Mike sits down with Chuck Costas, VP of Business Development at Propstore, to dive deep into the wild world of film memorabilia, comic art collecting, and the emotional power of owning a piece of cinematic history.Chuck has been collecting since the mid-1980s, curating major exhibits and hosting collector events across the country. Now he’s helping bring some of the most iconic pieces of art and film history to auction, including one of the biggest headliners:A Frank Frazetta original painting, the “Captive Princess” cover art from The People That Time Forgot, estimated between $500,000 and $1,000,000.Mike and Chuck break down what makes a piece like this so valuable, not just in dollars, but in legacy.They also get into:Why seeing real film props changes how you experience moviesThe psychology behind collecting and biddingWhat separates a casual fan from a serious collectorHow collections are curated, preserved, and elevated into exhibitsWhy physical artifacts still matter in a digital worldThis is an episode for filmmakers, collectors, and anyone who’s ever wanted to hold a piece of movie history in their hands.► Propstore► Mike's IG ► ILWP's IG Music: Mitch Murder——SPONSORS——► FujiFilm 10% off Accessories (https://shopusa.fujifilm-x.com/accessories/) and Merch (https://shopusa.fujifilm-x.com/brand-merch/) Promo code PROCESS10► Puget Systems► Blackmagic Design Inlovewiththeprocess.com