Designing Hollywood Podcast Show

Alice Brooks, ASC, is a cinematographer who has photographed award-winning feature films, television shows, and commercials. Her latest feature project is Universal’s WICKED (November 2024) and WICKED: FOR GOOD (November 2025), directed by Jon M. Chu and produced by Marc Platt. Currently, Brooks is working on the highly anticipated conclusion to the Spider-Verse saga, SPIDER-MAN: BEYOND THE SPIDER-VERSE, directed by Bob Persichetti and Justin K. Thompson and produced by Sony Pictures Animation and Columbia Studios, scheduled for release in June 2027. Brooks previously shot tick, tick…BOOM! for Netflix and Imagine Entertainment, directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda and produced by Ron Howard. Other work includes Miranda’s IN THE HEIGHTS for Warner Bros., which was directed by her frequent collaborator, Jon M. Chu. Both films’ cinematography received widespread critical acclaim.Brooks is known for her powerfully designed camera movement, dynamic lighting, and her ability to capture emotionally resonant moments with a keen eye for detail.   Her journey into filmmaking began at a young age, inspired by her childhood experiences as an actor on commercial film sets in New York City. Her fascination with camera work led her to the USC School of Cinematic Arts in Los Angeles, where she honed her craft. Drawing inspiration from art, music, dance, and the cinematography of the greats, Brooks has developed a distinctive style that sets her apart in the industry. As a filmmaker, Brooks continues to push the boundaries of visual storytelling, bringing her unique perspective and expertise to every project she undertakes.Brooks is a member of the prestigious American Society of Cinematographers and serves on the ASC Board of Governors. She is also a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, where she sits on the Academy Branch Executive Committee. Brooks is also on the USC School of Cinematic Arts Dean’s Alumni Leadership Council. In 2022, she received the Hollywood Critics Association’s Artisan on the Rise award. In 2025, Brooks received numerous award nominations for WICKED, including Best Cinematography in the Theatrical Feature Film category at the ASC Awards.

Dan Laustsen, ASC, DFF (born 15 June 1954) is a Danish cinematographer.His career spans four decades, and is known for collaborations with directors like Søren Kragh-Jacobsen, Ole Bornedal, Guillermo del Toro and Chad Stahelski.Laustsen is also known for his work on the films like Silent Hill and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.He is a member of the Danish Society of Cinematographers and theAmerican Society of Cinematographers.

Kate Hawley's creative force and her multidisciplinary practice, brought to life with a team of world-class collaborators and artisans, uses storytelling through design. While Kate continues to design for major films, her studio now extends its practice beyond the screen, bringing the same level of storytelling, scale, and craft to a broader creative landscape. Kate Hawley Studios has been launched to invite new collaborators beyond the film world.www.katehawleystudios.com

Donald James Mowat is a makeup artist known for his work on motion picture and television projects. Born in Montreal, Canada to British parents. He has earned international acclaim and numerous honors, including a Primetime Emmy Award, three Saturn Awards, Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, and the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers for his educational outreach work for BAFTA Los Angeles. He’s an Oscar and three-time BAFTA nominee for his hair, make up and prosthetics designs. He is a two-time Make-up Artists & Hairstylists Guild Award winner and has received ten nominations. His notable film credits include Dune, Blade Runner 2049, Nightcrawler, 8 Mile, Nocturnal Animals, The Fighter, Skyfall, Sicario, Prisoners, and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. TV credits include, Marvel’s Moon Knight, Apple TV’s Presumed Innocent. Upcoming releases include Disney’s feature motion picture Tron: Ares. Mowat is a senior member of IATSE Local 798 NY, 706 LA, and Canadian locals, serving on the boards of the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television and the Actors’ Fund of Canada. He played a key role in establishing makeup award categories for the Canadian Screen Awards. A member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (invited 1999), he served on its Executive Makeup Branch Committee for 12 years, the maximum term limit. In 2022, he was appointed as a member of the Order of Canada. He was the first Make-up designer invited to speak at Pixar Studios, and has been a panelist at Middleburg Film Festival, Denver Film Festival, Savannah Film Festival, and guest speaker at Falmouth University, College of Makeup Art and Design, North Hampton University and continues to serve on student film award panels for AMPAS and BAFTA. Recently he joined the Board for Art Craft NYC.

Designing Hollywood is proud to welcome Aaron Dennis, FX Animator at Disney Animation, in an exciting conversation with our host & producer - Concept Artist Phillip Boutté Jr. 🎬⚡️Aaron’s incredible body of work includes:🌀 Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse⚡ X-Men: Days of Future Past🤖 Ghost in the Shell🛡️ Zack Snyder’s Justice LeagueFrom creating jaw-dropping superpowers to pushing the boundaries of stylized FX, Aaron brings unmatched artistry to the screen. Phillip will be diving deep into Aaron’s creative process, career journey, and the future of visual effects in animation.🎧 Subscribe & stay tuned!📺 Watch on YouTube | 🎙 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts👥 Guest: Aaron Dennis (@ad_zerker )🎤 Host/Producer/Concept Artist: Phillip Boutté Jr. (@phil_boutte )Editor Credits: Melissa Pastrana and Oliver RickettsBrought to you by @designinghollywoodproductions @producermartikaibarra @phil_boutte @johncampea