In Love with the Process Podcast

The They Like the Dark journey continues!
On today's In Love with the Process, director Mike Pecci checks in from the middle of pre production on his first feature film and catches us up on where the movie stands, what he's working on, and what he's learning as the team comes together.

This week Mike goes deep into one of the most important jobs a director has: building and inspiring your crew.

How do you find incredible artists and technicians? How do you convince talented people to take a chance on your movie? And once they're on board, how do you communicate a strong vision without telling everyone exactly what to do?

Mike talks about establishing a creative compass for the film, giving every department a clear understanding of the world, tone, characters, and visual language, then encouraging those artists to explore, discover, and bring ideas back that Mike never could have imagined on his own.
Because directing isn't about having every answer.

It's about knowing what movie you're making, communicating that vision clearly, and surrounding yourself with people who can make it better.
If you're a filmmaker who wants to understand how feature films are actually built, this is the stuff you rarely get to hear about.
Welcome back to the making of They Like the Dark.

► Mike's IG
► ILWP's IG

Music: Code Elektro, Mitch Murder, Ron Cannon

——SPONSORS——
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The journey to make They Like the Dark continues, and this week Mike Pecci is searching for one of the most important creative collaborators a director can have: the editor.

Joining Mike is acclaimed film editor Josh Ethier, ACE, whose credits include Companion, Don’t Move, Orphan: First Kill, Gretel & Hansel, The Standoff at Sparrow Creek, VFW, Bliss, Mayhem, and Christmas Bloody Christmas.

As Mike prepares his first feature film, he’s bringing ILWP listeners along for the ride as he meets potential collaborators and builds the team that will help bring They Like the Dark to life.

Today, Mike and Josh go deep into what a feature film editor actually does, and some of the answers might surprise you.
What should a director look for in an editor? What makes an editor want to take on a project? How much of the movie is discovered after production? What makes a great director and editor relationship? And what happens when you finish your first cut and realize the real work is only beginning?

Mike and Josh nerd out about horror cinema, rhythm, performance, test screenings, getting past that first pass, and learning how to find the movie hiding inside all that footage.

They also talk about the hunt for great collaborators. How do you know when someone understands your taste? How do you find people willing to challenge you? And how do you build a creative relationship where everyone is pushing toward the same movie?

And because this is In Love with the Process, things naturally go off the rails.

Mike also gets into something everyone apparently needs a refresher course on: how to interact with celebrities when you see them in public, how to treat famous people like normal human beings, and how NOT to act when you recognize someone.

Filmmaking, horror movies, editing, collaboration, celebrity encounters, and plenty of classic ILWP tangents.
If you're a filmmaker, this conversation will give you a completely new insight into how movies are cut together and how to find the people you want beside you while making one.

If you're a movie nerd who wants to know what really happens after someone yells "cut," welcome to the editing room.

► Josh's IG
► Mike's IG
► ILWP's IG

Music: Code Elektro, Mitch Murder, Ron Cannon

——SPONSORS——
► Freenote Cloth
► 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
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For over nine years, In Love with the Process host and director Mike Pecci has promised listeners that when he finally got the opportunity to direct his first feature film, he would bring them along for the entire ride.
Well, here we go.

Welcome to the They Like the Dark journey.

As Mike moves deeper into pre production on his first feature, he takes you inside the actual process of building a movie from the ground up. No polished behind the scenes package after the movie is finished. You're hearing it while it's happening.

This week, Mike talks about traveling to New Jersey to hunt for the perfect location for his horror film, walking through old industrial spaces and imagining how the world of They Like the Dark can come alive inside them.

But finding a location is only part of the job.

Mike also dives into one of the most important parts of pre production, finding your heads of department. He talks about meeting potential collaborators, figuring out who understands the movie, and why a director's job isn't simply to hire talented people. You have to communicate the vision, get them excited, and inspire them to join you on the insane journey of highs, lows, compromises, discoveries, and problem solving that comes with making an independent film.

How do you know when someone is right for your movie?
How do you communicate what's inside your head?
How do you inspire great artists while still giving them room to bring something unexpected to the film?

This is where filmmaking actually happens.
If you're trying to become a better director, this series gives you real lessons you can use. And if you're simply a movie nerd who wants to understand how Hollywood actually works, you're getting a front row seat.

The movie is getting real.
Come along for the ride.

► Mike's IG
► ILWP's IG

Music: Code Elektro, Mitch Murder, Ron Cannon

——SPONSORS——
► Freenote Cloth
► 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
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This week on In Love with the Process, Mike Pecci sits down with cinematographer James Kniest (The Haunting of Bly Manor, American Horror Stories) and Annabelle)

James joins Mike to celebrate the release of his latest film, The Devil's Mouth, arriving on Amazon this week. But this conversation goes far beyond the new movie.
Mike and James dive deep into the preparation that happens long before a camera ever rolls. They discuss how years of experience teach you to anticipate problems before they happen, why confidence comes from preparation, and how cinematographers learn to fight for the tools, time, and support they need to execute a vision.

James also shares incredible stories from shooting The Devil's Mouth, explaining the unique challenges of filming in and under water, how lighting behaves beneath the surface, and the technical and creative problem-solving required to capture performances in one of the most demanding environments imaginable. Drawing on his background in underwater cinematography, he offers practical insights that every filmmaker can learn from.

Whether you're a director, cinematographer, or creative trying to level up your craft, this episode is packed with hard-earned wisdom about preparation, leadership, confidence, and learning to execute your vision on bigger and bigger stages.

This is what In Love with the Process is all about.

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► Mike's IG
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Music: Code Elektro, 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
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On this special solo episode of In Love with the Process, Mike Pecci celebrates his 48th birthday with an honest reflection on getting older, friendship, creativity, and what it really means to live a meaningful life.

Fresh off an incredible birthday weekend spent surrounded by close friends, Mike shares why this birthday felt different than any before. From seeing The Odyssey and Backrooms, to conversations that stretched late into the night, he reflects on the moments that remind us why we create, why we tell stories, and why human connection is still the greatest gift we have.

Mike also talks about embracing life as an older filmmaker, finding gratitude instead of fear, and learning to celebrate experiences instead of chasing milestones. It's a conversation about slowing down, appreciating the people around you, and recognizing that the best parts of life often happen between the big moments.
This is one of those classic In Love with the Process solo episodes...honest, heartfelt, funny, and deeply personal.

If you've ever wondered whether you're behind, questioned where your life is headed, or simply needed a reminder to appreciate the people around you, this episode is for you.

► Mike's IG
► ILWP's IG

Music: Code Elektro, 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

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