The Render Room

22 Episodes
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By: Justine Gendron

Join podcast host and filmmaker Justine Gendron as she sits down with film industry professionals to explore their careers, communities, and their favorite movies. Each episode offers a unique glimpse into creative paths.

February Recap featuring Esther Solorzano & Julian Baltazar
#22
03/08/2026

Another month another reflection session with some good folks.

How have things been going in February? Well it seems to have been slightly injury-prone for some of us. Also, some of us are prepping and writing for furture directing projects. And I may have watched Pride & Prejudice for the first time after being inspired by a card game.

It's like that meme about how listening to podcasts is like hanging out with your friends, so enjoy it!

Follow Esther Solorzano on Instagram @snazzyes

Follow Julian Baltazar on Instagram @jujupostedits

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Peter Veunnasack: Voice of the People
#21
02/22/2026

I was so happy to join an old podcasting friend back on the mic! I got to chat with Peter Veunnasack aka Podstalgic about his breakthrough fan podcast, Cobra Kai Kompanion. He is the very definition of self-taught. Just your average every day mailman? No! He's being invited to sets and high-fiving celebs on the red carpet. He's got a great attitude of always learning, and building community. He takes everything he gets and shares it. And he's always creating for the love of it.

Follow Peter, and subscribe to his podcasts:

@Podstalgic

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January Recap featuring Dan Davis & Ravi Kiran
#20
02/08/2026

Happy New Year!

I thought I'd start off the new year with a new potential series. We'll see how many I can keep up with these for this year.

I wanted to reconnect with folks who have been on the podcast before to see what they've been up to. So we're reflecting on on January together.

Listen in the group hang about career changes, James Bond marathons, dance classes, what it means to be a creative in today's world.

Follow Dan Davis on his Letterboxd

Follow Ravi Kiran on...


Phillip Jackson: Problem Solver
#19
12/28/2025

For the last Render Room of the year, I got to chat with my friend Phillip Jackson. He is a cinematographer, whose work you may have seen recently with The Try Guys and Dropout. I love his attitude of always wanting to solve puzzles. He does that on set, he does that with board games, and he does that with sports and community organizing. He's always looking to help, learn, and improve himself. Please listen and enjoy.

Follow Phillip on IG: @philjackson

Follow The Render Room on IG: @_renderroom


Caity Birmingham's Colorful World
#18
12/14/2025

Welcome back to The Render Room. Caity Birmingham quickly realized the directing path wasn't for her in grad school and shifted to the more creatively fulfilling production design route. She forged her own path where there wasn't one, and never lost her spark along the way! Her credits include Documentary Now!, Comedy Bang! Bang!, Jenny Lewis music videos, and the current awards darling; Sorry, Baby. Find out her favorite crafts, her stance on AI (and her department's future), and of course her favorite movies.

Follow Caity on IG: @playcait

Follow the podcast on IG: @_renderroom<...


Christmas Movie Bracket ft Esther Solorzano
#17
12/08/2025

Happy Ho-Ho-Holidays!

It's time to gather 'round the fireplace and do our favorite thing - rank Christmas movies in a sports-like format!

Today I am joined by editor Esther Solorzano, and she's here to bring in the holiday cheer and movie opinions. Please let us know which movie tops your Christmas tier list.

Scrooged Vs Home Alone 2: Lost in New York

Jing All the Way Vs How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

Miracle on 34th St Vs The Polar Espress

Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer Vs The Muppet...


Matthew Toronto: What it Means to Be Human
#16
11/16/2025

Today on the Render Room I have the absolute pleasure of sitting down with someone I've worked with on a few wonderful projects, Matthew Toronto. Matt is a director, writer, producer, educator, dancer, entertainer, parent, and parkour enthusiast. We dive into what makes great collaboration, how to overcome production hurdles, and stage and film creative influes. We talk about art and what itmeans to be human and I had such a great time. Please enjoy!

Follow Matthew on Instagram @torontomatthew

Follow the podcast on Instagram @_renderroom


Joseph Bouvier: Crafting Your Creative Energy
#15
11/02/2025

I love chatting with folks who have been in the game for a minute, because they always come with the best advice. Joseph Bouvier is a producer and director in New England. He's also responsible for crafting one of Boston's most infamous indie filmmaker scenes, the Boston Indie Mafia. He's currently in pre-production on a short film and he's happy to share how it's going just so folks feel inspired to take their steps towards starting their projects. We talk about how to trust your gut and save your energy to make your life your dream creative life.

<...


Michael Kammes: Demystifying Technology
#14
10/19/2025

Come on in and cozy up on the Render Room couch! Your work needs some time to itself. ;)

Today's guest is Michael Kammes. He has designed and built thousands of production and post-production systems, workflows, and facility integrations during his nearly 20 years as a technology advisor in the media and entertainment industry.

From riding the AI wave to a behind-the-scenes look at the LA post-production networking scene, we unravel the intricate ties of this 'small industry.' Whether you're a tech enthusiast or simply curious, dive in for new creative insights.

Follow Michael...


One Year Anniversary!! Featuring Julian Baltazar
#13
10/06/2025

Happy Birthday to the Render Room!

I have a special episode today where friend of the pod, Julian Baltazar, interviews me - your faithful host, Justine Gendron.

If you were ever interested to learn what goes into coming up with a podcast, where the title of our show came from, and why I'm still not really on social media - here's your episode!

Julian and I have a fun conversation in (maybe) three acts.

Thank you to all the Render Room listeneners this past year, I really appreciate you. There is...


Maddy Kirchofer: Do What Scares You!
#12
09/07/2025

Today on the Render Room I have another lovely person giving me their precious time. Maddy Kirchofer aka MaddyH00ps is a Creative Producer, host of Barrier Breakers on Team Whistle, and a social media content creator.

We talk about how her journey started at a crossroads where she followed her gut into the big city to follow her even bigger dreams. Maddy shares advice about creating projects you believe in and getting folks on board to believe in you.

Maddy also has an amazing love of women's basketball, which drives her to share women's...


Ravi Kiran: Create the Opportunity
08/25/2025

Today on the Render Room I'm interviewing filmmaker Ravi Kiran. He is a writer, director, editor... amongst other things.

This Jack of all Trades can "one man band it" or you need an editor? He can do that! You need someone to join your sketch team? He can do that too!

We talk about the pros and cons of being a generalist, ADHD boredom, and building your network of friends.

You can watch his pilot "Failure to Launch" on Youtube.

Follow Ravi to learn about his upcoming screenings @suddenlyravi

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Len Ciccotello: Fan About Town
#10
07/06/2025

Len Ciccotello has had plenty of humbling experiences, and they've all led to his growth and success in this industry as an editor and then career assistant editor. Starting out working behind the scenes with Ben Stiller to recently adding the out of this world sound effects on Rebel Moon - Len's got some great credits. His hard work, humble nature, and hustle got him there. Len also shares with me a moment when he was at the top of his game, but feeling his lowest - and how he changed his life for the better.

At...


Cara Rouse: How to Work in All Genres
#9
06/22/2025

Cara Rouse likes to work - is it just a midwest mentality, or is there more to it?

Cara also likes to not be bored. Over our 20 year history together, I love seeing her try any new thing she can get her hands on. A great attitude will get you far in this industry. And a cold email.

Follow Cara - @poppunktravelr

And let me know you're listening to the podcast here - @_renderroom


Casey Rieger: The Content Creation Path
#8
06/08/2025

Today I interview another fellow employee - Casey Rieger. She is a Creative Producer and content creator. It is her content creation that landed her with multiple opportunities, brand deals, and on red carpets. She also attributes her success to building industry connections along the way. A natural networker and host, Casey is at the beginning of her career with miles to go.

Follow Casey on IG @CaseyRieger15

Please connect with me on IG @_renderroom


Nicole Kemper Wants to Educate and Elevate
#7
05/25/2025

Today on the Render Room I connect with an old friend (no surprise there).

Nicole Kemper is a proud Georgia native. She's an amazing indie filmmaker, podcaster, educator, mother... list goes on and on. On this podcast we catch up about her time as an MFA student at Columbia College Chicago where I admired her from afar. We also chat about her production company Critical Crop Top (which I am a HUGE fan of). We also talk about (kids these days) mentoring the next generation and what film education looks like today.

Please check out...


Mother's Day Special
#6
05/11/2025

Hellooooo and welcome back to the Render Room.

Today, I have a companion piece to episode one - this is an interview with my mom! Presenting Marianne Gendron, someone who is not in the industry BUT we all have to take a moment like I did to thank the folks who got us there.

Thank you to everyone listening to and supporting the podcast, I will have new episodes coming out soon!


Stacey Richman Leans into Opportunities
#5
01/28/2025

We're back in the new year and surviving fires!

I'm so happy to welcome to the podcast someone I'm currently working with. Stacey Richman is Head of Communications for DAZN North America and Team Whistle. She shares her interesting story of going from child actress, to assistant, to carving her own path in the PR world.

In a throwback to episode one of the podcast where we said there are many different ways to be a storyteller - Stacey is agreat example of that.

Please hit up Stacey on LinkedIn if you would...


Amanda Niqole: Transformation, Advocacy, and Arts & Crafts
#4
12/01/2024

In today's episode of The Render Room I am joined by an old college friend, Amanda Niqole. Amanda always surpised me these past (almost) 20 years because she was always doing something new and adventerous. From editing and sound design, to DJing, to producing a play Off-Broadway, how does she jump from idea to idea?

Turns out, maybe she doesn't even know? Perhaps, like I learned from my Dad, she's just saying yes to what feels good and right at the moment. Something we should all ponder.

Follow @_renderroom

Follow Amanda:

@amandaniqole<...


Dan Davis Wants You to Buy Movies
#3
11/24/2024

My friend Dan loves horror movies and libraries. One of these is how we became friends. The other is just cool.

Another cool thing about Dan is that he has an amazing passion for viewing and renting films. He supports local LA cinema multiple times a week, always has a stack of DVDs from rental houses, and is forever reorganizing his home video library.

You can follow Dan Davis on Letterbox.

Follow @_renderroom


Gretchen Warthen Shines Her Light on Other Women
#2
10/27/2024

In this episode of The Render Room, I talk to Camera Operator, Cinematographer, and old friend, Gretchen Warthen.

Gretchen's credits include Project Runway, America's Next Top Model, America's Sweethearts, and many more. We talk about her journey to wielding the camera on these and other reality TV shows you are DEFINITELY obsessed with.

We also talk about her passion for advocating for women in the camera department with her platform, Lady Camera Guy.

Follow @_renderroom

Follow Gretchen:

@ladycameraguy

ladycameraguy.com

 

 


Peter and Justine Gendron are Storytellers
#1
10/10/2024

Welcome to the first episode of The Render Room.

How did Walt Disney and the Beatles make it so I was destined to become a filmmaker? Time to sit down with my dad and share our story with the world. Pull up a chair, you need time to render, anyway.

Follow @_renderroom

Peter's links:

https://www.youtube.com/@petergendron5816

https://petergendron.bandcamp.com/