August 21, 2026

Bringing indie instincts to Voicemails for Isabelle

DP Julia Swain on faking the Golden Gate Bridge, rigging a real tour bus, and bringing indie instincts to Netflix’s Voicemails for Isabelle

Podcast highlights include:

-How Julia shot the film’s pivotal Golden Gate Bridge overlook scenes without using a stage. The team scouted the real Marin Headlands, built a 3D map of the exact sightline, then recreated the spot in a Vancouver park at night, using blue screen only where the bridge needed to be.
-How Julia pulled off shooting the most difficult scenes of the film: a real tour bus driving through San Francisco instead of faking it on a soundstage.
-Why stepping up in budget didn’t change how she and McKendrick actually work. The instincts built on tiny indie sets, and knowing what to prioritize and when to pivot, became the exact skillset that Julia needed to let them move fast on a much bigger show.

Find Julia Swain: https://www.juliaswain.net/
Instagram: @juliaswain

Voicemails for Isabelle is currently streaming on Netflix.

Hear our previous interview with Julia Swain on The Dreadful. https://www.camnoir.com/ep347/

SHOW RUNDOWN:

03:21 Close Focus
10:35-51:52 Julia Swain Interview
52:13 Short Ends
02:00:07 Credits

The Cinematography Podcast website: www.camnoir.com
YouTube: @TheCinematographyPodcast
Facebook: @cinepod
Instagram: @thecinepod
Blue Sky: @thecinepod.bsky.social

February 20, 2026

Into the Dark Ages: the gothic vision of The Dreadful

The Cinematography Podcast Episode 347: director Natasha Kermani and DP Julia Swain

In the medieval horror film The Dreadful, director Natasha Kermani and cinematographer Julia Swain transport audiences to the brutal landscapes of the Dark Ages. The independent film shot in Cornwall, England over 17 winter days.

Key Podcast Highlights:
-Development: Kermani spent years crafting the folkloric tale, prioritizing a “gothic storybook” aesthetic that blends historical iconography with psychological dread.
-The Power of Partnership: Kermani and Swain have collaborated on several projects. Early on, they worked together to map out the film’s framing, lens choices and color story.
-Practical Immersion: The crew built a practical cottage set on location, allowing for seamless camera movement between the interior hearth and dark forest.
-Embracing the Elements: Filmed in the dead of winter, the production utilized the low December sun and natural ambiance to create an authentic, oppressive atmosphere without the use of hard, artificial lighting.

Find Natasha Kermani: Instagram @natakerm

Find Julia Swain: Instagram @juliaswain

See The Dreadful in theaters and on VOD now.

SHOW RUNDOWN:
01:59 Close Focus
14:23-01:03:57 Natasha Kermani and Julia Swain Interview
01:04:43 Short ends
01:09:24 Wrap up/Credits

The Cinematography Podcast website: www.camnoir.com
YouTube: @TheCinematographyPodcast
Facebook: @cinepod
Instagram: @thecinepod
Blue Sky: @thecinepod.bsky.social