Veteran award-winning podcaster Chris Stafford talks to women artists from across mediums and around the world to get to know the person behind their art. Conversations are intimate and free flowing as we learn about the journey these talented women have taken to become successful artists.
Testimonials:
"It’s rare that I let everything hang out there about my past and what has formed me into an artist. I had a wonderful conversation with Chris Stafford recently and found myself doing just that—filling in the background. Chris was so easy to talk to and has a wonderful way of organically mining the truth of self within us that forms a sensitive picture of whomever she is conversing with—as we used to say, the gift of the gab. You should check out her podcast archive and listen to lots of incredible interviews that promote women in the arts." Anna Carll
"Chris is a natural host and I thoroughly enjoyed talking with her. She’s authentic, personable, and has a clear passion for supporting women. Her conversations with female artists about their artistic journeys are in depth and thoughtful. She’s getting into territory others often ignore and uncovering some gems in the process.” Julie Davis
“Thank you to host Chris Stafford for making me feel relaxed and bringing out all of my thoughts and feelings about life/art! After our interview I felt euphoric and accomplished and so appreciative for that. She is a wonderful interviewer.” Michele Byrne
“Chris is a highly skilled interviewer who puts her guests at ease. She draws out the juicy bits of lived experience and contextualizes this against the grander arc of history.” Kathryn Andrews
“I was honored to be interviewed by Chris. She has a unique perspective in the art world, and it's refreshing to see a podcast with such a wide variety of artists from all different backgrounds and disciplines.” Erin Spencer
“Art making can be a solitary pursuit, the AART podcast gives a window into the life and vocation of the artist that informs and inspires while it entertains.” Suzie Baker
“ The interview was a very enjoyable experience. Chris is a generous interviewer who draws out her subjects and is completely engaged in the conversation. She's a good listener and asks thoughtful questions.” Ingrid Christensen
“AART is an important and unique platform for the stories of women artists and their work. From the art making processes to the personal materials that makes the creative process. The podcast’s greatest asset is Chris’ ability to getting the artists to “open up’, by her preparation process, and the questions she asks.” Maria Martinez-Cañas
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Veteran award-winning podcaster Chris Stafford talks to women artists from across mediums and around the world to get to know the person behind their art. Conversations are intimate and free flowing as we learn about the journey these talented women have taken to become successful artists.
Testimonials:
"It’s rare that I let everything hang out there about my past and what has formed me into an artist. I had a wonderful conversation with Chris Stafford recently and found myself doing just that—filling in the background. Chris was so easy to talk to and has a wonderful way of organically mining the truth of self within us that forms a sensitive picture of whomever she is conversing with—as we used to say, the gift of the gab. You should check out her podcast archive and listen to lots of incredible interviews that promote women in the arts." Anna Carll
"Chris is a natural host and I thoroughly enjoyed talking with her. She’s authentic, personable, and has a clear passion for supporting women. Her conversations with female artists about their artistic journeys are in depth and thoughtful. She’s getting into territory others often ignore and uncovering some gems in the process.” Julie Davis
“Thank you to host Chris Stafford for making me feel relaxed and bringing out all of my thoughts and feelings about life/art! After our interview I felt euphoric and accomplished and so appreciative for that. She is a wonderful interviewer.” Michele Byrne
“Chris is a highly skilled interviewer who puts her guests at ease. She draws out the juicy bits of lived experience and contextualizes this against the grander arc of history.” Kathryn Andrews
“I was honored to be interviewed by Chris. She has a unique perspective in the art world, and it's refreshing to see a podcast with such a wide variety of artists from all different backgrounds and disciplines.” Erin Spencer
“Art making can be a solitary pursuit, the AART podcast gives a window into the life and vocation of the artist that informs and inspires while it entertains.” Suzie Baker
“ The interview was a very enjoyable experience. Chris is a generous interviewer who draws out her subjects and is completely engaged in the conversation. She's a good listener and asks thoughtful questions.” Ingrid Christensen
“AART is an important and unique platform for the stories of women artists and their work. From the art making processes to the personal materials that makes the creative process. The podcast’s greatest asset is Chris’ ability to getting the artists to “open up’, by her preparation process, and the questions she asks.” Maria Martinez-Cañas
Ellen Kuras: The Vision Behind the Lens — Mastering Storytelling in Film & Cinematography
AART
1 hour 17 minutes
1 week ago
Ellen Kuras: The Vision Behind the Lens — Mastering Storytelling in Film & Cinematography
Step behind the camera with Ellen Kuras, the award-winning director and cinematographer whose visual storytelling has defined a generation of modern cinema. From her groundbreaking cinematography in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) to her powerful directorial work in Lee (2024), Ellen has redefined what it means to tell stories through light, emotion, and movement. In this in-depth conversation, Ellen shares her creative process, challenges as one of the first women in major cinematography, and her approach to capturing the soul of a story on screen. Whether you’re a filmmaker, cinephile, or curious creative, this episode delivers rare insights into the craft, collaboration, and courage that fuel visual storytelling.
🎬 Topics include:
Ellen’s early journey into filmmaking and cinematography
Crafting visual language and emotional depth
Collaborations with visionary directors like Martin Scorsese, Michel Gondry and Spike Lee
Breaking industry barriers and inspiring the next generation of filmmakers
The future of storytelling through the lens
Perfect for fans of cinematography, directing, visual storytelling, filmmaking, women in film, and creative leadership, this episode celebrates one of cinema’s most influential voices.
Keywords: Ellen Kuras, filmmaker, cinematographer, director, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, women in film, cinematography podcast, filmmaking, creative storytelling, visual storytelling, directing, behind the camera, film industry, indie film, movie production, creative careers.
BIO American Director and Cinematographer Ellen Kuras who has won two Primetime Emmy Awards for Jane (2018, and The Betrayal - Nerakhoon (2010) for which she was also nominated for Best Documentary Feature in 2009 for her directorial debut. Ellen is an unprecedented three-time winner of the Cinematography Award for a Dramatic Film for Swoon (1992), Angela (1995) and Personal Velocity (2002). In 2022, She was the first woman to win the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) Lifetime Achievement Award winner. Ellen’s credits include Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (cinematographer) (2004), The Betrayal - Nerakhoon (director, producer, screenwriter) (2008) and most recently Lee (director) (2024). Ellen was born in New Jersey in 1959 where her father was an avionics engineer and her mother, a homemaker. Ellen graduated from Brown University with a double BA degree in Anthropology and Semiotics before attending Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). Whilst she was at Brown she studied for her master’s degree at night at New York University in Photography & 8mm Filmmaking. The Betrayal - Nerakhoon, which follows a family from Laos who were forced to emigrate and adapt to life in America, was conceived as her master’s thesis. She then started her career in the film industry in 1987 in New York as a camera assistant and electrician. Ellen represents the Cinematographers Branch on the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Board of Governors and is the ASC/ICG representative on the National Film Preservation Board. Ellen has most recently completed a new heist TV series 12 12 12 for Apple TV, and the TV series, Scarpetta, with Nicole Kidman, Arianna deBose and Jamie Lee Curtis for Amazon Prime Video. Ellen lives in New York.
Host: Chris Stafford Produced by Hollowell Studios Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram AART on Facebook Email: theaartpodcast@gmail.com
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AART
Veteran award-winning podcaster Chris Stafford talks to women artists from across mediums and around the world to get to know the person behind their art. Conversations are intimate and free flowing as we learn about the journey these talented women have taken to become successful artists.
Testimonials:
"It’s rare that I let everything hang out there about my past and what has formed me into an artist. I had a wonderful conversation with Chris Stafford recently and found myself doing just that—filling in the background. Chris was so easy to talk to and has a wonderful way of organically mining the truth of self within us that forms a sensitive picture of whomever she is conversing with—as we used to say, the gift of the gab. You should check out her podcast archive and listen to lots of incredible interviews that promote women in the arts." Anna Carll
"Chris is a natural host and I thoroughly enjoyed talking with her. She’s authentic, personable, and has a clear passion for supporting women. Her conversations with female artists about their artistic journeys are in depth and thoughtful. She’s getting into territory others often ignore and uncovering some gems in the process.” Julie Davis
“Thank you to host Chris Stafford for making me feel relaxed and bringing out all of my thoughts and feelings about life/art! After our interview I felt euphoric and accomplished and so appreciative for that. She is a wonderful interviewer.” Michele Byrne
“Chris is a highly skilled interviewer who puts her guests at ease. She draws out the juicy bits of lived experience and contextualizes this against the grander arc of history.” Kathryn Andrews
“I was honored to be interviewed by Chris. She has a unique perspective in the art world, and it's refreshing to see a podcast with such a wide variety of artists from all different backgrounds and disciplines.” Erin Spencer
“Art making can be a solitary pursuit, the AART podcast gives a window into the life and vocation of the artist that informs and inspires while it entertains.” Suzie Baker
“ The interview was a very enjoyable experience. Chris is a generous interviewer who draws out her subjects and is completely engaged in the conversation. She's a good listener and asks thoughtful questions.” Ingrid Christensen
“AART is an important and unique platform for the stories of women artists and their work. From the art making processes to the personal materials that makes the creative process. The podcast’s greatest asset is Chris’ ability to getting the artists to “open up’, by her preparation process, and the questions she asks.” Maria Martinez-Cañas
