SBP Podcast Mobile Filmmaking
The Voice of Mobile Film™ is for everyone who ever wanted to or is curious about making movies and videos using smartphones. S. Botello Productions (SBP) is a pioneer in the mobile filmmaking industry. Hosted, produced and edited by Susy Botello without AI.
The Voice of Mobile Film™ is for everyone who ever wanted to or is curious about making movies and videos using smartphones. S. Botello Productions (SBP) is a pioneer in the mobile filmmaking industry. Hosted, produced and edited by Susy Botello without AI.
Episodes

Mar 13, 2019
Mar 13, 2019
1hr 13 min
Star Wars Steampunk Universe is a charity support group based in Southern California which takes part in charities and events in southern California. They do crossover events with other charity groups. Two of the founding members of the Star Wars Steampunk Universe are our guests in Episode 52 of the SBP Podcast Mobile Filmmaking.
Founders of the group, who are still active participants, are Dude Vader (Chris), Captain Solo Seekerman (Nathan Seekerman), Hot Nerd Girl (Tracy), Kansas City Photography (Kansas Johnson), Lando Chronos / Family Goals Cosplay (James) and DLo Cosplay (Shaylor). They’ve added many more members to their group over the years.
Chris emphasized they are not a cosplay group but a charity support group for Southern California and is specific to Star Wars. He mentions the Sci-Fi Coalition as one of the main groups they team up with and how they “do every version of cosplay you can think of.” Chris mentioned he is a part of about 100 events a year and 80 or so, of them, are charity.
The group caught the eye of Lucas Film when they teamed up for a panel at Star Wars Celebration Anaheim in 2015. They soon began to form the Star Wars Steampunk Universe and their debut as a group was at the San Diego Comic-Con International in 2016 where they received an award as the Best Costume Group from the Hollywood Costume Designer’s Guild.
Chris plays Dude Vader which is a steampunk version of Darth Vader and Tracy “Hot Nerd Girl” plays Sabe Sprocket, a steampunk version of Queen Amidala's bodyguard. The group is able to get creative with their Star Wars character outfits thanks to encouragement from Lucas Film and Disney.
We shared an insight story of how we connected with the group to include them in our film festival. Tracy has changed her outfit at least three times and Chris said that when it comes to Dude Vader, “There are over 300 versions right now.”
We asked Tracy where the name “Hot Nerd Girl” came from. Tracy shares the story including her blog and social media following on Facebook of around 70 thousand.
The story about this group is very interesting and their insights are intriguing. Chris and Tracy share many names from the history of their group and their current story. They were a part of the world premier of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” in Hollywood and they shared an emotional moment during the film screening with their group with Nathan Seekerman who plays Captain Solo Seekerman.
One thing we spoke about was how being behind a mask can help them deal with emotional situations during events as a charity. There is a similarity in documentary filmmaking behind the camera.
Of course, we spoke about the importance of the red carpet for film festivals including what happens on our red carpet. At around 42 minutes into the podcast, Chris and Tracy speak about how and why cosplayers should make films using their smartphones.
We had one of the funnest shout outs to the sponsors for #MFF2019SanDiego: Red Giant, Film Convert, Hall H Show Podcast, Star Wars Steampunk Universe, and Grip & Shoot. We also gave a special shoutout to Swords and Circuitry Studios and Uncharted Regions’ Neal and Jana Hallford.
This podcast is a little longer than usual but you’ll want to stay through to the end…if anything, for pure entertainment.
SBP Podcast: The Voice of Mobile Film™ is for everyone who ever wanted to or is curious about making movies and videos using smartphones.
Watch their video which they made in 2017 for the International Mobile Film Festival: https://youtu.be/uMdOzXTYx54
Follow Star Wars Steampunk Universe on Facebook and Instagram:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starwarssteampunkuniverse/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarWarsSteampunkUniverse/
Website for Hot Nerd Girl: http://hotnerdgirl.com
Dude Vader on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DudeVaderCanole/
Our Links:
Subscribe, support and listen to bonus episodes and more on Patreon: http://patreon.com/sbppodcast
SBP Podcast Blog: http://sbppodcast.wordpress.com
SBP Podcast Website: http://sbppodcast.studio
iTunes/Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/sbp-podcast/id1296673665
International Mobile Film Festival Website: http://internationalmobilefilmfestival.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/sbppodcast
Twitter: http://twitter.com/sbppodcast
Hashtag: MobilizeStories Mobile Film Community Website: http://mobilizestories.com
Susy Botello on Twitter: http://twitter.com/susybotello
SBP Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4ISEF0SZOLyRpw20loXzlo#upsell
Smartphone Filmmaking Publication on Medium: https://medium.com/smartphonefilmmaking
Are you starting a Podcast? Create a new podcast or network and use the code sbppodcast to apply a 25% discount and save: https://pcast.link/sbppodcast/
© Copyright 2019 S. Botello Productions™. All rights reserved.

Mar 6, 2019
Mar 6, 2019
1hr 6 min
Everywhere you go you bring your smartphone and so the incentive to capture it to share it is tough to ignore. While there are many events where recording is inappropriate or forbidden, the International Mobile Film Festival encourages everyone to bring their smartphones and interact with our event. Episode 51 of the SBP Podcast brings Francesca Jago from Get Ahead Media back to share tips and tricks on how to best capture events using your smartphone camera.
Francesca Jago is the personality behind Get Ahead Media in New Zealand. She has been presenting and teaching smartphone video techniques to people around the world using online and live workshops and tutorials. She shares great techniques for entrepreneurs and small businesses to improve their video marketing skills.
During Episode 51 of our podcast, Capture Amazing Event Videos With Smartphone Cameras we discuss a lot of topics regarding attending and filming events. We spoke a bit about recording under water and available waterproof cases for smartphones and audio techniques, and we delve a bit into the horizontal versus horizontal discussion. But the jest of the conversation revolves around recording events to create event videos, including lighting issues.
We asked our new Facebook Group members, for the SBP Podcast, to ask a question they’d like us to ask our guest within the event recording topic. Brian Hennings from Australia, asked how to best capture video without intruding and bothering people at the event. Well, that was a bit complicated to answer and a great question to delve into.
SBP Podcast: The Voice of Mobile Film™ is for everyone who ever wanted to or is curious about making movies and videos using smartphones.
Watch Francesca’s latest video: https://www.facebook.com/getaheadmedia/videos/753817401640562
Follow Francesca Jago at Get Ahead Media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/getaheadmedia/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getaheadmedia/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/getaheadmedia
Youtube (full of tutorials): www.youtube.com/c/getaheadmedia
Website:https://francescajagotraining.mykajabi.com
Other links worth checking out:
Waitlist for Francesca’s Course: https://getaheadmedia.lpages.co/smartphonevideowaitlist/
Guide - Create Pro Videos for your business using your iphone:
https://getaheadmedia.lpages.co/iphonevideo-guide/
Guide - Create Pro Videos for your business using your Android: https://getaheadmedia.lpages.co/androidvideo-guide/
*Our Links: *
Subscribe, support and listen to bonus episodes and more on Patreon: http://patreon.com/sbppodcast
SBP Podcast Blog: http://sbppodcast.wordpress.com
SBP Podcast Website: http://sbppodcast.studio
iTunes/Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/sbp-podcast/id1296673665
International Mobile Film Festival Website: http://internationalmobilefilmfestival.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/sbppodcast
Twitter: http://twitter.com/sbppodcast
Hashtag: MobilizeStories
Mobile Film Community Website: http://mobilizestories.com
Susy Botello on Twitter: http://twitter.com/susybotello
SBP Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4ISEF0SZOLyRpw20loXzlo#upsell
Smartphone Filmmaking Publication on Medium: https://medium.com/smartphonefilmmaking
Are you starting a Podcast? Create a new podcast or network and use the code sbppodcast to apply a 25% discount and save:
https://pcast.link/sbppodcast/
© Copyright 2019 S. Botello Productions™. All rights reserved.

Feb 13, 2019
Feb 13, 2019
1hr 17 min
Black Box Global is about giving creators the freedom to create and earn revenue from their videos and projects. Episode 50 of the SBP Podcast Mobile Filmmaking talks to the founder of BlackBox, Pat McGowan.
Listen to our inspiring conversation with Pat McGowan in Episode 50 of the SBP Podcast in its entirety in your favorite podcast app.
Just because you have a camera does not mean you are a photographer or a filmmaker. You work on your skills to use the camera as your tool to create your work or product. Once you begin to create high quality videos with whatever camera you have, even a smartphone, you will find others like you earning a living from their craft. How they do that takes a lot of work. BlackBox simplifies the process for you and helps you to succeed.
BlackBox believes in creators and provides a supportive system which enables creators with high quality video footage the freedom to create. How does BlackBox do that? With BlackBox, you can create a free account to upload and earn revenue from your videos. But that is just the beginning.
In about a year since Pat developed the platform, it has grown into a community of skilled and talented creators ready to collaborate on projects an earn revenue. BlackBox is a global platform where you can create and connect with people all over the world. BlackBox has grown into a community of over 35,000 members in the last 8 months and continues to grow.
Listen to Pat McGowan share the benefits of the platform for its members. Pat is a creator with many years of professional experience. He also likes to hang out with bears.
With the right mindset and tools, the quality of video and film from smartphones can be extraordinary. There is no reason why someone with exceptional video created with any camera, including your smartphone, cannot earn and be a part of projects you can take pride in. According to Pat, the platform is creating a way to help content creators earn through collaborative revenue sharing. “BlackBox is a creator empowerment community.”
“It allows everyone to share the dream and to benefit from the financial reward of that dream by accessing global markets.”
BlackBox is a second year sponsor of the International Mobile Film Festival taking place April 27 & 28 in San Diego. Pat McGowan lives in Ottawa, Canada, and is planning to attend #MFF2019SanDiego. If he can make it out to San Diego for the festival, it will be a great opportunity for all creators in the film and video industry to meet him in person during the festival.
SBP Podcast: The Voice of Mobile Film™ is for everyone who ever wanted to or is curious about making movies and videos using smartphones.
Learn More and Follow BlackBox:
Website: https://www.blackbox.global
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackboxguild/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/blackboxglobal
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackboxglobalofficial/
BlackBox Explainer Video - http://bit.ly/2wX9IKa
Jeven Dovey Overview Video - https://bit.ly/2kJzDPD
BlackBox Founder Interview - http://bit.ly/Techopia-BlackBox
Artful Camera Podcast - http://bit.ly/artfulcamerapodcastblackbox
Filmmaker Freedom Podcast: http://bit.ly/2MjLCyO
*Our Links: *
Subscribe, support and listen to bonus episodes and more on Patreon: http://patreon.com/sbppodcast
SBP Podcast Blog: http://sbppodcast.wordpress.com
SBP Podcast Website: http://sbppodcast.studio
iTunes/Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/sbp-podcast/id1296673665
International Mobile Film Festival Website: http://internationalmobilefilmfestival.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/sbppodcast
Twitter: http://twitter.com/sbppodcast
Hashtag: MobilizeStories
Mobile Film Community Website: http://mobilizestories.com
Susy Botello on Twitter: http://twitter.com/susybotello
SBP Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4ISEF0SZOLyRpw20loXzlo#upsell
Smartphone Filmmaking Publication on Medium: https://medium.com/smartphonefilmmaking
Are you starting a Podcast? Create a new podcast or network and use the code sbppodcast to apply a 25% discount and save:
https://pcast.link/sbppodcast/
© Copyright 2019 S. Botello Productions™. All rights reserved.

Feb 6, 2019
Feb 6, 2019
21 min
The general population in our planet undervalue stories just as the most powerful people in the world are aware of how to empower themselves through storytelling. Just like money, stories are a tool which can be used to cause harm or in wonderful ways. One of the best ways to share stories that have the biggest reach and effect is through film.
In Episode 49 of the SBP Podcast Mobile Filmmaking, we tell the story of stories.
Stories were a part of the universe before humanity came along. We share how we arrived to a time where the democratization of storytelling through film and video is disrupting society and why is it that we should all be aware of its power and use the opportunity to be a part of the storytelling which defines all of us.
Sometimes we need to ride a virtual rocket ship to take us away from the center of what is happening to see things for what they are. Quite simply, we are experiencing a global revolution and there is a bit of a war which no one is talking about: Who will control our stories?
The International Mobile Film Festival in San Diego celebrates it’s 10th anniversary since it launched in 2009 and the theme for the 2019 edition of the film festival is Stories! We share greetings from some of the filmmakers whose films were selected to be a part of this year’s film festival in this episode. Save the dates to join global storytellers and filmmakers April 27 & 28 in San Diego.
SBP Podcast: The Voice of Mobile Film™ is for everyone who ever wanted to or is curious about making movies and videos using smartphones.
Check out the videos that correspond to the audio greetings featured in the podcast:
Narelle Nash: https://youtu.be/7mWVExnMEvU
Joyce Axelrod: https://youtu.be/pmfEJJcRaRA
Ross Perkins: https://youtu.be/tmOZz5Va6OQ
Payson R. Stevens: https://youtu.be/OwJ1BMZv_HU
The details for IMFF 2019: https://internationalmobilefilmfestival.com/mff
Our Links:
Subscribe, support and listen to bonus episodes and more on Patreon: http://patreon.com/sbppodcast
SBP Podcast Blog: http://sbppodcast.wordpress.com
SBP Podcast Website: http://sbppodcast.studio
iTunes/Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/sbp-podcast/id1296673665
International Mobile Film Festival Website: http://internationalmobilefilmfestival.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/sbppodcast
Twitter: http://twitter.com/sbppodcast
Hashtag: MobilizeStories
Mobile Film Community Website: http://mobilizestories.com
Susy Botello on Twitter: http://twitter.com/susybotello
SBP Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4ISEF0SZOLyRpw20loXzlo#upsell
Smartphone Filmmaking Publication on Medium: https://medium.com/smartphonefilmmaking
Are you starting a Podcast? Create a new podcast or network and use the code sbppodcast to apply a 25% discount and save:
https://pcast.link/sbppodcast/
© Copyright 2019 S. Botello Productions™. All rights reserved.

Jan 16, 2019
Jan 16, 2019
1hr 5 min
All you need to do is press record! Okay, there is a bit more than that. Our guest in Episode 48 of the SBP Podcast takes us on a tour of the entire process from the idea for the film to the very end. John Woosley shot and edited Alex & The Firefly with a smartphone. The original film was 34 minutes long but he cut it down to almost half for a special screening at the International Mobile Film Festival in San Diego, where John will also inspire other filmmakers and attendees with a Q&A presentation on mobile filmmaking.
John’s film is a teen love story set in 2001, before smartphones. “First Love Changes Everything.” John shares many details of the process from the screenplay to the equipment he used, techniques to accomplish scenes which were challenging. The cool thing about our conversation with John is that he was willing to go into depth and share things with you in a way everyone with an interest in mobile film can understand and appreciate. Professionals and novices alike will appreciate John sharing real challenges during all phases of production from pre-production to post-production. But the tour of the process comes with solutions for each problem.
He names the gear he used to accomplish the look and feel of the film during production and the software he used to shoot and edit. We touched on lenses, a stabilization rig, lightsn and audio which included syncing. He talks about how to create the smooth grain in your films. But that’s not all we discussed. Along with that he took us through the back door to share how he accomplished some things which are really tough to accomplish as a mobile filmmaker. So you too, can accomplish the magic of moviemaking.
We hope that you will come out to San Diego April 27 & 28 to meet John Woosley, watch his film and take part in the Q&A presentation. Just don’t forget to bring your phone. #MFF2019SanDiego brings filmmakers from all over the world to our festival to not only watch films but to network and be inspired with presentations, our speakers and special guests, meet and network with filmmakers and industry professionals and enjoy a great event where we celebrate storytelling and filmmaking using smartphones.
A bit about John’s background: John Woosley (Writer/Director, Alex & The Firefly)- John has been making films for over ten years and holds a degree in Film & Theater from The University of Kansas. While attending, John studied with Kevin Willmott (Writer, BlacKkKlansman) and directed his debut feature Angel of Music. Additional credits include Loves Fate and the web series Fit Trip with Kimber Westphall. All titles can be streamed on Amazon Prime Video. John holds an MBA from the University of Missouri in Kansas City and works in management consulting.
SBP Podcast: The Voice of Mobile Film™ is for everyone who ever wanted to or is curious about making movies and videos using smartphones.
Follow Alex & The Firefly on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/affmovie
Read about the film in this article shared by The Utah Film Festival and Awards: http://www.theutahfilmawards.com/alex-the-firefly/
Our Links:
Subscribe, support and listen to bonus episodes and more on Patreon: http://patreon.com/sbppodcast
SBP Podcast Blog: http://sbppodcast.wordpress.com
SBP Podcast Website: http://sbppodcast.studio
iTunes/Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/sbp-podcast/id1296673665
International Mobile Film Festival Website: http://internationalmobilefilmfestival.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/sbppodcast
Twitter: http://twitter.com/sbppodcast
Hashtag: MobilizeStories
Mobile Film Community Website: http://mobilizestories.com
Susy Botello on Twitter: http://twitter.com/susybotello
SBP Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4ISEF0SZOLyRpw20loXzlo#upsell
Smartphone Filmmaking Publication on Medium: https://medium.com/smartphonefilmmaking
Are you starting a Podcast? Create a new podcast or network and use the code sbppodcast to apply a 25% discount and save:
https://pcast.link/sbppodcast/
© Copyright 2019 S. Botello Productions™. All rights reserved.










