Call Time

About Call Time

Call Time is a premium interview podcast from the Women Unscripted network, hosted by Chris Stafford, that goes behind the lens to explore the craft, careers, and creative journeys of the people shaping film and television. Each episode features intimate, unscripted conversations with cinematographers, camera operators, and visual storytellers from across the global screen industry. With her signature interview style—trusted, relaxed, and deeply perceptive—Chris draws out the personal stories behind the work: the risks taken, the challenges faced, and the defining moments that shape a life in film. From breakthrough artists to established industry voices, Call Time offers listeners rare access to the minds and methods of the creatives responsible for what we see on screen. These are not technical breakdowns—they are human stories about vision, resilience, collaboration, and the art of visual storytelling. Whether you’re a filmmaker, an aspiring creative, or simply fascinated by the magic behind the camera, Call Timedelivers thoughtful, inspiring conversations that reveal what it really takes to build a career in the film industry.Keywords: cinematography podcast, filmmaking podcast, film industry interviews, visual storytelling, camera operators, directors of photography, women in film, creative careers, behind the scenes film, Chris Stafford podcast, Women Unscripted network Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/call-time--6660037/support (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/call-time--6660037/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss).

Publisher

Chris Stafford

Category

arts

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

20 Jun 2025

Latest episode

14 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

38 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   14 Sept 2026

   The Artist Behind the Edit: Nancy Novack, ACE

   In this episode of Call Time, Chris welcomes multi-award-winning American film editor, producer and writer Nancy Novack, ACE, for a personal conversation about the life experiences, relationships and defining moments behind her remarkable career. For more than 25 years, Nancy has helped shape documentary and feature films for HBO, PBS, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu and Starz. Her work has been seen at prestigious international film festivals, including Sundance, Venice, Tribeca, Hot Docs and Telluride, and has contributed to productions recognized with Emmy, Peabody, duPont and George Polk awards. Nancy shares the story of how her interest in film began and how she found her way into an industry in which lasting careers are built through persistence, curiosity and hard-earned experience. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, she began working in the film business as an apprentice picture editor on Penny Marshall’s Awakenings, starring Robert De Niro and Robin Williams. From those early days, she steadily built a career that would place her at the heart of some of America’s most memorable and socially significant documentaries. Her credits include Spike Lee’s When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts, for which Nancy won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Picture Editing for Nonfiction Programming. Her distinguished body of work also includes All In: The Fight for Democracy, Battleground, All Static & Noise, Grass Is Greener, My Lai, The Vote, Broadway: The American Musical, Cancer: The Emperor of All Maladies, Soundbreaking: Stories from the Cutting Edge of Recorded Music and N. Scott Momaday: Words from a Bear. In this biographical conversation, Nancy reflects on the people and opportunities that influenced her, the choices that shaped her professional path and the realities of building a life in film. She talks about the evolution of her career from apprentice to editor, producer and writer, as well as the personal commitment required to remain creative and relevant across decades of change in the industry. Nancy and Chris also explore the stories and subjects that have drawn her attention throughout her career—from American history, democracy and racial justice to music, culture and human rights. Nancy considers what she has learned from spending her working life with other people’s stories and why documentary film continues to offer such a powerful way to understand lives and experiences beyond our own. This is an intimate portrait of a woman whose work has often taken place behind the screen but whose creative contribution has helped bring important stories to audiences around the world. Nancy’s journey is one of talent, perseverance, thoughtful collaboration and an enduring belief in the power of film. Listen to Nancy Novack’s story on Call Time with Chris Stafford, the podcast featuring candid conversations about the lives and careers of women working across film and television. Call Time is on any podcast app. WATCH the full episode on our Women Unscripted YouTube Channel Nancy’s links: IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0636794/ Website: https://www.odessafilms.com/nancy-novack.html Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bklyn_novack/ Instagram: @bkln_novack Nancy’s dinner party guests: John Lennon Paul McCartney Taylor Swift Lucille Ball Rosie O’Donnell Ilham Tohti Nancy’s favorite female artists: Yoko Ono Martha Graham Greta Gerwig Beth Kamenstein Thelma Shoonmaker Keiko Degichi Swoon Dear Anushka Joni Mitchell Taylor Swift Call Time is part of the Women Unscripted Podcast Network and is produced by Hollowell Studios. Keywords: Nancy Novack, Nancy Novack ACE, Nancy Novack interview, Nancy Novack biography, Nancy Novack life and career, American...

2. 

   11 Aug 2026

   From EastEnders to The Crown: The Life & Career of Alison Harvey

   Multi-award-winning British Production Designer and Set Decorator Alison Harvey joins Chris to share the story of her life and an extraordinary career spent creating some of the most memorable worlds in British film and television. Over more than two decades, Alison has built a remarkable career across the art departments of television series and major motion pictures, progressing through a profession in which experience, instinct, imagination and an extraordinary eye for detail all play their part. Her credits span everything from British television to some of the biggest international film productions, but her journey is also the story of how a creative career develops — one job, one opportunity and one relationship at a time. In this wide-ranging conversation, Alison takes Chris back to the beginning, reflecting on her early life, the influences that shaped her creative instincts and how she first found her way into film and television. From those formative experiences came a career that would see her work her way through the art department, learning the craft from the inside and collaborating with some of the industry's leading designers and filmmakers. Her early credits included work as a design assistant on EastEnders, followed by roles as an art director, production buyer, set decorator and eventually production designer. Along the way came an extraordinary collection of films and television productions including Atonement, Sherlock Holmes, Hanna, Anna Karenina, Gravity, Edge of Tomorrow, Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, Hellboy, Benediction and Tetris. But it is Alison's work on the acclaimed Netflix series The Crown that has brought some of the greatest recognition of her career. As Set Decorator across all six seasons, Alison helped create the extraordinarily detailed visual world surrounding the British Royal Family, spanning decades of changing history, personalities, homes, fashions and political landscapes. The work brought Alison international recognition and multiple major industry honors. She won Primetime Emmy Awards for The Crown in 2020 for the episode Aberfan and again in 2024 for the series finale Sleep, Dearie Sleep, alongside further Emmy nominations in 2018 and 2021. Her work has also received recognition from BAFTA, the Art Directors Guild, the Royal Television Society and the British Film Designers Guild. Alison talks about recreating a world that audiences already feel they know. Her career has also brought opportunities to work alongside some of the most respected names in production design and set decoration, including Martin Childs, Celia Bobak, Sarah Greenwood, Katie Spencer, Dante Ferretti, Francesca Lo Schiavo, Paul Kirby and Valentina Mladenova. Now Alison has reached another significant chapter in that journey, stepping into the role of Production Designer on Goodbye June, the feature film directed by Kate Winslet. The project marks an important point in a career that has evolved continuously — from assisting and buying to art direction, set decoration and production design. Throughout this episode of AART, Chris and Alison explore much more than a list of film credits. They talk about the experiences behind them: the choices and opportunities that shaped Alison's path, the people she learned from, the pressures and pleasures of working in film and television, collaboration, leadership, creativity and what she has discovered about herself during a career spent largely behind the camera. It's the story of a woman who has spent much of her professional life creating the worlds in which other people's stories unfold — and the life and career behind those worlds. Alison Harvey: A Life Designing for Film & Television is a conversation about creativity, perseverance, collaboration and the unpredictable...

3. 

   28 Jul 2026

   Sharra Romany: Finding Her Path Behind the Camera

   Every career has a beginning, and every creative journey is shaped by moments of curiosity, courage, and unexpected opportunity. In this episode of Call Time, host Chris Stafford sits down with American cinematographer Sharra Romany for a thoughtful conversation about the experiences that led her behind the camera and the people, places, and moments that have influenced her career. Rather than focusing on the technical side of filmmaking, Chris explores the personal story behind the artist. Sharra reflects on her early interests, the decisions that shaped her professional path, the challenges she has faced, and the experiences that have strengthened her confidence and creative voice. It's an honest conversation about perseverance, finding your place in a competitive industry, and continuing to grow as both an artist and a person. Together, Chris and Sharra discuss the importance of relationships and collaboration, the lessons learned from working with others, and how every project contributes to a larger journey. Along the way, Sharra shares stories from her career, reflects on what inspires her today, and offers encouragement for anyone pursuing a creative life. One of the hallmarks of Chris' interviews is creating space for guests to tell the stories that rarely make it into traditional industry conversations. This episode is no exception. Instead of simply celebrating accomplishments, it explores the experiences, setbacks, and defining moments that have shaped Sharra Romany into the cinematographer and storyteller she is today. Whether you're passionate about film, inspired by creative careers, or simply enjoy hearing authentic conversations with remarkable women, this episode offers an engaging and personal look at one artist's path through the world of cinema. In this episode, you'll hear about: • Sharra Romany's early life and creative influences • The journey that led her into cinematography • Building a career in the film industry • The people and experiences that shaped her along the way • Finding confidence through challenges and change • Why storytelling continues to inspire her work Sharra’s links: http://www.sharraromany.com/ (http://www.sharraromany.com/) https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1638834/?ref_=fn_t_1 (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1638834/?ref_=fn_t_1) https://www.instagram.com/sharraromany/ (https://www.instagram.com/sharraromany/) Sharra’s dinner party guests are her family. About Call Time Hosted by journalist and broadcaster Chris Stafford, Call Time features in-depth conversations with the women who help bring stories to life across film and television. From cinematographers and directors to editors, designers, producers, and other creative professionals, each episode explores the life experiences, career journeys, and personal stories behind their success. Produced by Hollowell Studios as part of the Women Unscripted Podcast Network, Call Time celebrates the voices, experiences, and achievements of women working throughout the creative industries. If you enjoy this conversation, be sure to follow Call Time, leave a review, and share this episode with friends who appreciate inspiring stories of creativity, resilience, and the people behind the world's most memorable films. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/call-time--6660037/support (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/call-time--6660037/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss). Call Time meets the women on set including filmmakers, cinematographers, DP's, camera...

Who has been a guest on Call Time

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Leanne Johnson
• Theresa Vitale
• Sarah Thomas Moffatt
• Christina Dobre
• Nathalie Lasselin

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 47 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

80

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

32

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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