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The Creative Gap

The Creative Gap

Gian Carlo Stigliano 94 Episodes Jun 29, 2026

The Creative Gap Podcast is for Filmmakers, Entrepreneurs & Creatives. It provides conversations around rarely-discussed topics including Personal Finance, Mental Health, Business, Investments, Relationships, Freelance Life and more. Hear from weekly guests on all podcasting platforms.

Episodes

Open Session #2 - Being Open To Change Jun 29, 2026 00:24:59 connect with me → ⁠https://www.carlostigliano.com/⁠follow me → ⁠https://www.instagram.com/carlostigs/⁠where i get my music → ⁠https://fm.pxf.io/carlostigsfreetrial⁠where i get my reference images → ⁠https://frameset.app/stills?via=giancarlo
#87 - Nikita Khatsarevich - Pushing The Limits as a DP Jun 22, 2026 00:44:36 In this episode, Gian Carlo sits down with Nikita Khatsarevich, a Ukrainian-born cinematographer now based in Warsaw, for an honest and wide-ranging conversation about building a creative career from the ground up. Nikita traces his path from a small industrial city in Zaporizhia — where he almost became a jazz trumpet player — to climbing every rung of the camera department starting at 16, driven
Open Session #1 - The Positive Impact of Change Jun 15, 2026 00:11:41 connect with me → ⁠https://www.carlostigliano.com/⁠follow me → ⁠https://www.instagram.com/carlostigs/⁠where i get my music → ⁠https://fm.pxf.io/carlostigsfreetrial⁠where i get my reference images → ⁠https://frameset.app/stills?via=giancarlo
#86 - Alex Lopez - From Creative to Creative Director Mar 31, 2026 01:06:29 This conversation explores Alex Lopez’s journey into becoming a Creative Director through a mix of risk-taking, relentless work ethic, and deep-rooted perspective shaped by his upbringing as a first-generation American. He reflects on moving to New York, stepping into leadership at Cadence, and learning to “own” a title he never initially felt qualified for—highlighting how confidence is built thr
#85 - Sam Snowden - Building a Creative Agency Mar 24, 2026 01:19:24 This conversation with Sam Snowden dives into the evolving mindset of a creative navigating purpose, pressure, and identity in a saturated digital landscape. He reflects on how growing responsibilities and external expectations can distort your original “why,” emphasizing the importance of returning to your roots and creating for the younger version of yourself. The discussion explores the unpredi
#84 - LIFE OF RIZA - The Pursuit of Creative Balance Mar 17, 2026 01:09:20 In this conversation, Kariza Santos reflects on her journey as a filmmaker and YouTube creator, discussing the realities of building a creative career while trying to maintain balance in life. She shares how freelancing, experimentation, and years of learning eventually led her to develop a cinematic storytelling style on YouTube, while also navigating the constant pressure to produce content in a
#83 - Ryan Booth - Choosing Conviction Over Comfort Mar 10, 2026 01:31:26 Ryan Booth shares an honest and deeply thoughtful look at what it actually means to grow as a filmmaker. From breaking out of the commercial “box” that once defined him to directing his first feature "Stages" after an eight-year journey, Ryan unpacks the tension between comfort and conviction — and what each stage of his career demanded of him. He reflects on moving from DP to commercial
#82 - Blaine Westropp - Your STYLE is the KEY Mar 3, 2026 01:29:17 In this episode, Blaine Westrup reflects on the slow, earned process of finding your style as a filmmaker and the confidence that only comes through time, failure, and self-critique. He shares pivotal on-set struggles that shaped his growth, the tension between ownership and collaboration as a DP, and the importance of culture, energy, and “vibe time” on set. Blaine dives into risk—both financial
#81 - Matt Aitia - What It Really Takes to Make Your First Short Film Jan 27, 2026 01:01:49 In this episode of The Creative Gap Podcast, filmmaker and YouTuber Matt Aitia opens up about risk, identity, and the long road toward creative ownership. The conversation begins with a reflection on resilience, patience, and betting on yourself when there are no guarantees. Matt breaks down his approach to goal-setting, consistency on YouTube, and why process matters more than surface-level metri
#80 - Nica Fazio - A Film Career Built on Persistence & Kindness Jan 20, 2026 00:58:39 In this episode, Nica Fazio shares a grounded and honest look at what it truly takes to grow in the film industry. After moving from another country to New York, she reflects on the non-linear reality of building a career on set—navigating visas, cultural shifts, and the challenge of starting from zero in an unfamiliar industry. Rather than relying on shortcuts or titles, Nica’s path has been shap
#79 – Adolpho Veloso, ABC, AIP – Cinematography Rooted in Trust Jan 13, 2026 01:03:20 In this episode of The Creative Gap, cinematographer Adolpho Veloso reflects on the long arc of a creative career—moving from instinct and innocence to experience, restraint, and trust. Through stories from Train Dreams, he shares how embracing limitations, trusting instinct, and reconnecting with early creative innocence helped him find freedom again—both on set and in life. This episode explores
#78 - Todd Banhazl, ASC. - Why Set Culture Creates Better Work Jan 6, 2026 01:07:38 In this episode, Todd Banhazl reflects on cinematography as both a craft and a place of meaning, emphasizing that a DP’s real responsibility goes far beyond the image—it’s about creating a safe, trusting, and energized environment where people can do their best work. He and Carlo talk through leadership learned by failing and repairing, why attitude and emotional awareness matter as much as talent

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