Lamp Dock

About Lamp Dock

Interviews with some of the Film & TV Industry‘s top Gaffers, Lighting Designers, and lighting manufacturers. They discuss everything from lighting philosophies & technology, to set politics, and the business of owning lighting gear.

Publisher

MACCAM

Category

tv & film

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

7 Jan 2025

Latest episode

15 Jun 2026

Latest episodes

16 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   15 Jun 2026

   Interview with Gaffer Dessie Coale

   Lamp Dock by MACCAM welcomes gaffer Dessie Coale for a thoughtful, funny, and deeply human conversation with Michael Kelly about building a career in film and television lighting. In this episode, Dessie shares her path from a small town in Southern Illinois to working as a gaffer in Los Angeles, including the early risks, career pivots, mentors, and set experiences that shaped her work. She talks about moving to LA, getting her union days, working on shows like Grey’s Anatomy, Matlock, Tiny Beautiful Things, I Love LA, and other film and television projects that helped define her career. Dessie and Michael also dig into the real work behind gaffing: prep, lighting choices, LED vs. tungsten, working with DPs, managing budgets, negotiating with production, building crews, imposter syndrome, and the emotional realities of leadership on set. More than a technical conversation, this episode explores what it means to create a healthy crew culture, mentor the next generation, stay visible in the industry, and lead with both skill and humanity. Topics include: • Dessie Coale’s journey into film and television lighting • Moving from Atlanta to Los Angeles • Getting union days and building a career from the ground up • Transitioning from electrician and best boy to gaffer • Working with DPs, crews, and production teams • LED lighting, tungsten, color quality, and fixture choices • Prep, budgets, gear, and problem-solving on set • Leadership, mentoring, visibility, and crew culture • Imposter syndrome in the film industry • The importance of relationships in production If you work in film, television, lighting, grip and electric, cinematography, production, or just love hearing real stories from working professionals behind the camera, this episode offers an honest look at craft, career, and community. #TheLampDock #MACCAM #DessieCoale #MichaelKelly #Gaffer #FilmLighting #Cinematography #SetLighting #GripAndElectric #WomenInFilm #FilmProduction #TelevisionProduction #BehindTheScenes #FilmIndustry #LEDLighting #TungstenLighting #CrewCulture #Mentorship #Filmmaking #Gaffers

2. 

   20 Aug 2025

   Mission Impossible: Gaffers, Martin Smith and Lee Eldred

   On this episode of Lamp Dock, we sit down with two legends of the lighting world—Martin Smith and Lee Eldred—whose partnership has taken them from the early days at Harry Potter all the way to the wild extremes of Mission Impossible. With over 25 years working together, they share how a rental house apprenticeship turned into a global career—rigging cliffside lights in Norway, defrosting generators in the Arctic, and diving 30 meters deep for underwater scenes. But at the heart of it all? Loyalty, laughter, and a relentless passion for the craft.

3. 

   1 Jun 2025

   Top NYC Gaffer: John Alcantara

   Gaffer John Alcantara recounts his inspiring journey into film lighting, detailing his early struggles, creative problem-solving on major projects, and the evolving craft in the age of LED in this interview.

4. 

   25 Mar 2025

   Lighting Hollywood's Biggest Movies - Gaffer Jeff Murrell

   Jeff Murrell is a distinguished Hollywood gaffer with a career spanning several decades, contributing his expertise in lighting to numerous high-profile films. His notable works include "Men in Black" (1997), "Gone in Sixty Seconds" (2000), "Lords of Dogtown" (2005), "Live Free or Die Hard" (2007), "Ted" (2012), "Captain America: Civil War" (2016), "Avengers: Infinity War" (2018), "Avengers: Endgame" (2019), "Black Widow" (2021), and "The Tomorrow War" (2021).

5. 

   15 Mar 2025

   Lighting the Biggest Films: Hollywood Gaffer Jim Plannette Tells All

   We’re honored to have legendary gaffer Jim Plannette join us on The Lamp Dock Podcast! With a career spanning decades and credits on iconic films like E.T., Traffic, Ocean's Eleven, and many more, Jim has shaped the way Hollywood lights its biggest productions. From working alongside legendary filmmakers to witnessing the evolution of set lighting firsthand, Jim shares unforgettable stories, industry insights, and a masterclass in cinematic lighting. Listen now and learn from one of the best in the business!

6. 

   5 Mar 2025

   John Gresch: On Relationships & the Advancement of ARRI's Lighting Solutions

   This week on The Lamp Dock, we’re sitting down with industry legend John Gresch, former VP of Sales & Marketing at ARRI, for an exclusive deep dive into the evolution of cinematic lighting. From the game-changing ARRIMAX to the revolutionary SkyPanel, hear behind-the-scenes stories, insider insights, and the innovations that shaped how we light the big screen

7. 

   4 Feb 2025

   Matt Ardine, Gaffer (Part 2)

   Matt Ardine is known for Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022), Ghost in the Shell (2017) and Spider-Man: Far from Home (2019)

8. 

   9 Jan 2025

   Matt Ardine, Gaffer (Part 1)

   Matt Ardine, Gaffer on Everything Everywhere All at Once, Ghost in the Shell, and Spider-Man: Far from Home, shares insights on crafting immersive cinematic experiences.

9. 

   7 Jan 2025

   Dayton Nietert, Gaffer

   Dayton Nietert, a seasoned gaffer with 35 years of experience on iconic shows, shares set politics, lighting gear, and expert tips for achieving exceptional results in film and television production.

10. 

    7 Jan 2025

    Bill Silic, Gaffer

    Bill Silic, gaffer and owner of Sun Lighting Services, shares behind-the-scenes stories of working with legendary DPs on iconic films like Beetlejuice, Beaches, and National Lampoons Christmas Vacation.

11. 

    7 Jan 2025

    Ron Dahlquist, Legend

    Ron Dahlquist shares his 60-year journey through the Hollywood lighting industry, from gaffing to manufacturing, offering insights into the evolution of the business and its family legacy.

12. 

    7 Jan 2025

    Michael Ambrose, Gaffer

    Michael Ambrose, a renowned Gaffer with 25 years of experience, shares his expertise on Action Unit set ups and large night shots, revealing the secrets behind his work on iconic films like Ford vs Ferrari and Black Panther.

13. 

    7 Jan 2025

    Tim & Sarah Hudson of Hudson Spider

    Tim and Sarah Hudson of Hudson Spider share their remarkable journey of transitioning from Australia to America, leveraging their expertise to build a thriving lighting manufacturing business.

14. 

    7 Jan 2025

    Jonathan Cushing, LED Lighting Designer, Technician & Manufacturer

    Jonathan Cushing, LED Lighting Designer, Technician & Manufacturer, shares insights on navigating the film and television industry with LED tape & sheet lighting, highlighting the nuances of working on game shows and scripted television sets.

15. 

    7 Jan 2025

    Chris Ernst, Gaffer

    Chris Ernst, a seasoned gaffer with experience lighting for FOX Sports, shares his insights on the evolution of lighting technology and its impact on set dynamics and his business.

16. 

    7 Jan 2025

    'Gentleman' Jim Plannette, Gaffer

    Legendary Gaffer 'Gentleman' Jim Plannette shares 50 years of film lighting expertise, illuminating the art and craft of cinematic storytelling.

Who has been a guest on Lamp Dock

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

• John Alcantara
• Matt Ardine
• Dayton Nietert
• Bill Silic
• Ron Dahlquist

Reach and audience

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

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

4 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 9 / 100

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

Quality

6

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

32