Visual Storytelling w/‘Alien: Earth’ DP Bella Gonzales - Just Shoot It 507

Visual Storytelling w/‘Alien: Earth’ DP Bella Gonzales - Just Shoot It 507

Author: Filmmakers Matt Enlow & Oren Kaplan December 25, 2025 Duration: 1:16:56

Bella Gonzales https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7543234/ brings a ton of insight about being a cinematographer on series like Pen 15, Fargo, Alien: Earth, and The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox.


It’s a really inspiring episode that made Oren want to pick up a camera and operate again. On the other hand, Bella is a self-described lighting-focused DP (Director of Photography). And her conversation with Matt and Oren details how her approach to cinematography enhances, and perhaps even creates, the world of the show more so than an operator-focused DP.


Bella also gets into the playbook for Fargo and the rules of the road that create its uniquely offbeat look. And Bella lays out how this makes audiences feel more like they are inside the story.


You won’t want to miss this unique episode with a cinematographer who passionately explains the techniques she uses in the art of her craft.


Find Bella on Instagram @bellagonzalesdp


---

Help our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/JustShootItPod


Matt's Endorsement: Ethan Hawke on social media


Oren's Endorsement: a400 round base monopod https://www.ifootagegear.com/products/monopod-a400-roundbase


Bella's Endorsement: "The Duellists", movie by Ridley Scott https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075968


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


Behind every film you've ever loved is a collection of hard-won lessons, creative struggles, and moments of pure luck. Just Shoot It: A Podcast about Filmmaking, Screenwriting and Directing pulls back the curtain on that process. Hosted by working directors Matt Enlow and Oren Kaplan, this podcast operates like a long-form conversation between peers, delving into the granular details of building a life behind the camera. Each episode features an interview with a filmmaker, but the focus is less on promoting projects and more on dissecting the craft. You'll hear directors, writers, cinematographers, and other artists break down their approach to story development, the visual language of a scene, working with actors, and the practical realities of navigating a career. The discussion is grounded in the hosts' own experiences, making the advice tangible and the pitfalls relatable. This isn't abstract theory; it's a field guide compiled from the trenches. Whether you're an aspiring director, a seasoned screenwriter, or simply fascinated by how movies are truly made, this podcast offers an honest, unvarnished look at the art, business, and relentless problem-solving that defines filmmaking. Tune in for a masterclass that feels like a coffee shop chat, where the goal is to demystify the journey from script to screen.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Just Shoot It: A Podcast about Filmmaking, Screenwriting and Directing
Podcast Episodes
Preparing for a First Meeting w/Matt & Oren - Just Shoot It 541 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:57
Matt and Oren layout their template for vibe checks. You won’t want to miss this episode if you’re dying to know how to make yourself standout. And you’ll learn ways you can be seen as the best director to pull things of…
A Just Shoot It Party on Wednesday [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:36
We're slipping into your podcast feed to make sure you all know about our in-person summer meetup party we are hosting on Wednesday, August 5th. No panels or interviews, just filmmakers meeting each other, chit-chatting…
Becoming a Breadwinner w/Director Eric Appel- Just Shoot It 536 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:31:56
Eric Appel talks about the benefits of improv experience and how it shaped his career, from his latest film “The Breadwinner”, which stars Nate Bargatze, Mandy Moore, and Colin Jost, to working with Weird Al and Aron Pau…
How to Break Out w/Matt & Oren - Just Shoot It 535 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:50
Matt and Oren engage in a lively chat about how to create passion projects that advance your career and add to your reel. Do you know the 4 types of projects? What about the how to make them stand out?And the guys dive i…