Episodes

  • Truth Through Film: Kevin Kunze on AI, Documentary Impact & The Future of Storytelling | Episode 6
    Nov 14 2025

    In Episode 6 of Balancing Acts, host Roy Wanguhu sits down with filmmaker, documentarian, and AI innovator Kevin Kunze to explore how truth, technology, and storytelling collide. From filming on his dad’s S-VHS camera at age 6 to creating global-impact documentaries like Mobilize, Kevin shares how filmmaking can challenge industries, spark legislation, and shift public awareness. His work spans cell-phone radiation research, VR innovation, AI-driven filmmaking, and the evolving creator landscape.

    This episode uncovers:

    • Why truth-driven storytelling matters more now than ever

    • How AI can enhance creativity without replacing the artist

    • The global battle over phone radiation safety and public policy

    • The rise, fall, and return of VR filmmaking

    • How creators can stay human in an AI-powered world

    • Balancing massive ideas, filmmaking, and personal well-being

    🔗 All platforms & links: https://taplink.cc/balancingactsofficial

    #BalancingActs #TruthThroughFilm #KevinKunze #BayAreaFilmmakers #OaklandCalifornia

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    1 hr and 24 mins
  • Evan Lee: The Tech-Driven Filmmaker Bridging Creativity and Innovation
    Oct 24 2025

    In this episode, filmmaker Evan Lee shares his journey from darkroom photography to leading high-tech productions in the Bay Area. With a background in cinematography, audio, directing, and drone operation, Evan discusses how his passion for technology shapes his filmmaking approach.

    He opens up about his work on corporate interviews, short-form projects, and the documentary series Meet the Producers, featuring Bay Area legends like E-40 and Too Short. Evan also dives into his camera preferences (PIXIS vs. Z Camera), his evolving gear setup, and his deep interest in AI and data management for modern film workflows.

    From building a mobile production van to recovering 24TB of lost footage, Evan’s story blends technical mastery with creative vision. Tune in for insights on lighting, audio, and the future of filmmaking in an AI-driven era.

    🎧 Listen now to learn how passion, tech, and storytelling come together in Evan Lee’s cinematic world.

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    45 mins
  • Filmmaker Ben Dennis on The Realities of Independent Film & Finding Balance Behind the Lens
    Oct 10 2025

    What do West Side Story, combat cameras, and Tubi films have in common? 🎥

    In this episode of Balancing Acts Podcast, host Roy Wanguhu sits down with Ben Dennis, a Bay Area cinematographer and artist, to explore his remarkable journey, from serving in the military’s combat camera unit to building a career in independent filmmaking.

    Ben opens up about:

    ⚡ The realities of indie filmmaking and Tubi distribution

    ⚡ Lessons from film school and the 9/11 GI Bill

    ⚡ Balancing creativity with burnout in corporate and union gigs

    ⚡ How fatigue impacts safety and storytelling on set

    ⚡ AI’s growing role in filmmaking — and why emotion still wins

    Ben also shares his philosophy on filmmaking as a daily craft, not a race — and why finishing projects, not chasing perfection, builds longevity in the industry.

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    1 hr and 24 mins
  • Plan A to Z: Filmmaking - DK Curry’s Journey in Cinematography & Storytelling
    Oct 8 2025

    🎬 Balancing Acts: Passion. Pixels. Resilience. In this episode, cinematographer DeKeydrick Curry (DK) shares his journey from Memphis to the big screen. From childhood storytelling with toys and quoting movie lines with his dad, to navigating film school struggles, first feature experiences, and building resilience through community, DK’s story is one of persistence, creativity, and vision.

    Hear how he turned setbacks into stepping stones, found his voice through cinematography, and why his passion for filmmaking is his Plan A through Z.

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    59 mins
  • Brittani Burgess on Passion Projects, Perseverance, and Finding Her Voice
    Oct 6 2025

    What happens when a Division I athlete trades the basketball court for the film set?

    🎬 In this episode, Roy Wanguhu sits down with Brittany, a documentary filmmaker who turned her sports background into a powerful foundation for storytelling.

    Brittany opens up about the lessons she carried from athletics, teamwork, adaptability, leadership, and how they shaped her craft as a cinematographer in the unpredictable world of documentaries. She shares the highs and hurdles of self-funded passion projects, including her recent trip to Guyana, and her long-term vision of giving back to her home community in Maryland.

    The conversation also dives into self-criticism, navigating social media, and the role of AI in today’s filmmaking, both its potential and its limits. Brittany leaves aspiring filmmakers with practical advice: reach out, get on set, learn by doing, and embrace “failures” as stepping stones.

    This is a story about resilience, chasing stories that matter, and finding balance between passion, craft, and survival in the creative industry.

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    1 hr and 20 mins