How We Got Hooked on Film
(Our Secret Origins)

What do astronaut ice cream, Star Wars, and costume parties in a dank alley have in common?

Apparently… us.

In this week’s episode of Cinematic Perspective, we go way back and share the true origin stories of how each of us—Wyatt, Gil, and Gayle—got pulled into the world of filmmaking.

For Wyatt, it all started with monster movies at the drive-in, building Godzillas out of clay, and watching 2001: A Space Odyssey at the age of five. His childhood was a mix of Tang-fueled space dreams and Famous Monsters magazine, leading to homemade spaceships, super 8 cameras, and eventually, a leap of faith that took him from St. Louis to Los Angeles.

Gil’s journey begins in Australia, when he saw Star Wars at age 3 and his brain exploded (his words, kind of). He grew up chasing behind-the-scenes footage, tinkering with visual effects, and eventually talked his way into UCLA when nobody thought he’d get in. He went on to work with studios like Paramount and taught himself the art of solving impossible problems with creativity and a few action figures.

Gayle’s path was a little more… unconventional. While the guys were going to the movies, her dad was making them—with his kids in starring roles. She didn’t realize those homemade films were planting seeds until much later. Her early passion was music and radio, which led to corporate video, a very short stint in high heels and nylons, and ultimately producing films with the same skills she honed throwing elaborate themed parties in a six-foot-wide alley.

Different stories. Different timelines. But the same deep love of storytelling and creativity.

🎧 **Listen to Episode 2: Origins – How We Got Hooked on Film
Available on Spotify, Amazon Music, IHeart Podcasts, and YouTube.

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss the next one—we’ve got plenty more stories (and a few rants) coming your way.

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