Shane Borza, MCC

How to collaborate with a film composer—without getting stuck in "temp love" or speaking confusing music jargon?

In Episode 51 of FILM NOTES, I sit down with Los Angeles-based cinematic composer, music producer, and 35+ year set/production veteran Greg Schwab (G S). With decades of hands-on experience in set equipment, lighting houses, and physical production, Greg brings a rare, deep-seated understanding of visual storytelling directly into his scoring process.

Together, we dive into the vital relationship between directors and composers: why you should talk in emotion rather than technical music terms, the benefits of bringing a composer on board well before picture lock, and how to avoid falling into the trap of temp tracks. We also explore the micro-dynamics that make bespoke, human-crafted music essential for elevating indie film.

It’s a practical, sharp conversation on bridging the gap between physical set production and post-production audio to get the exact score your project needs.

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For those who caught the YouTube premiere earlier this month of my FILM NOTES show, the full audio interview with Nicole Grace (starring in Love Mace) is now available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere you listen to podcasts.

We break down performance, the hustle of indie film, and what it takes to bring compelling characters to life.

🎧 Catch the full audio episode TODAY on your favorite streaming platform!

After a traumatic injury, one climber attempts a comeback... alone. 🧗‍♂️💥

Honored to share that my new documentary feature, FIFI, has officially won Best Documentary Feature Film at the 2026 Kodaikanal International Film Festival! 🏆🌿

This film was a deeply personal trial by fire on and off the wall, and seeing it recognized on the festival circuit while being out in the world means everything.

Huge thank you to the incredible team who helped bring this project to life—my co-producer and wife Joyce Yoo, featured cast Michelle Przybylo and Jeff Auricchio, composer Bobby Horne, and our associate producers John McClain, Michael Fitzgerald, and John Hammel.

Thank you to everyone who has supported the journey so far. You can stream the film right now on Vimeo on Demand by searching FIFI.

After a traumatic injury, one climber attempts a comeback... alone. 🧗‍♂️💥

Excited to share that my new documentary feature, FIFI, is officially out in the world!

We recently took home Best Documentary at the Kodaikanal International Film Festival 2026, and I’m thrilled to announce that the film has officially been picked up for distribution!

Huge thank you to the incredible team who helped bring this project to life—my co-producer and wife Joyce Yoo, featured cast Michelle Przybylo and Jeff Auricchio, composer Bobby Horne, and our associate producers John McClain, Michael Fitzgerald, and John Hammel.

This film was a deeply personal trial by fire on and off the wall. Thank you to everyone who has supported the journey so far.

Watch now on Vimeo on Demand by searching FIFI.

What does it really take to forge a career in action cinema from the ground up?

In Episode 50 of FILM NOTES, I sit down with Nicole Grace—a Kiwi powerhouse based in Sydney, Australia—who just landed the lead role in LOVE MACE, the explosive new project from legendary stunt coordinator and director Igor Breakenback, support it on Kickstarter NOW!

Even though Nicole and I had never met prior to this recording, our shared network made this conversation feel like catching up with an old friend. Together, we dive deep into the grit behind the glamour: her athletic background as a gymnast, her time as a personal trainer, her transition into the high-stakes world of stunt work and action acting, and how her strategic background in marketing helped her navigate the hard road to breaking through in the industry.

It’s a spirited, transparent talk on resilience, physical skills, and the hustle required to own your lane in modern independent film.

See more of my work: shaneborza.com/media
Support the Show: links.shaneborza.com/support

Explore the newly updated 2026 worldwide print and digital editions of FILM NOTES and THE FILM NOTES WORKBOOK at shaneborza.com/media.

AFTER A TRAUMATIC INJURY, ONE CLIMBER ATTEMPTS A COMEBACK ALONE.

I’m incredibly proud to announce that my feature documentary, FIFI, has officially been released—and the journey is already off to an unforgettable start.

🏆 Best Documentary Winner – Kodaikanal International Film Festival (2026)

📦 Picked Up for Distribution!

FIFI captures the raw, unfiltered reality of fighting your way back onto the rock after physical trauma when it's just you, the wall, and the gear keeping you anchored.

Making this film took everything—written, shot, directed, and edited from the ground up. But it couldn't have happened without an amazing team surrounding the project:

Produced by: Joyce Yoo & Shane Borza

Featuring: Shane Borza, Joyce Yoo, Michelle Przybylo, Jeff Auricchio

Associate Producers: John McClain, Michael Fitzgerald, John Hammel

Composer: Bobby Horne

To everyone who supported this project from raw footage to the final mix: thank you. Details on streaming platforms and viewing options are live now!

👉 Watch now at

Watch FIFI Online | Vimeo On Demand Driven by the threat of a near career-ending injury, an elite big-wall climber wages a brutal, decade-long psychological battle against his own broken body, returning to Yosemite to attempt a high-stakes, solo aid ascent of Fifi Buttress.

Exciting news! Four of my short films—Chance, Le***an Western, Taped, and Videndum—were just featured in BloodStream TV’s latest indie roundup! 🩸🍿

Huge shoutout to everyone who helped bring these projects together—our amazing actors, crew, and collaborators. Indie filmmaking is always a team effort, and it’s great seeing the work out there hitting screens.

Head over to Bloodstream TV to stream them alongside a solid lineup of shorts. Let me know which one you watch first! 👇

The waiting is over. Le***an Western - The Feature is streaming NOW on BloodStream TV! 🎬🤠🔥

A lone wanderer, the Hero in the Black Hat, gets drawn into a violent situation when she finds a ju**ie Villain abusing a helpless girl. Torn between her code and compassion, she must confront the escalating brutality.

This isn't just a movie—it’s an entire physical-media-Double DVD-style experience packed into a single streaming feature:
* 🎞️ Two Full Versions: Features both ‘Le***an Western—Director’s Cut’ (a recut of the original 2012 release) AND ‘The Broken’ (the 10th-anniversary version based on the original thriller script—in B&W, different format ratio, no music—it’s an entirely different film).
* 🎙️ Deep-Dive Extras: Cast & crew interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and rare production slideshows.
* 🎧 Bonus Content: Original Pitch Video, Rehearsals, Stunt Reel, and additional unreleased material.

Over two hours of raw, gritty, independent cinema—crafted for lovers of cult film, grindhouse style, and physical media nostalgia.

👉 Stream it now on BloodStream TV: links.shaneborza.com/Le***anWesternTheFeature

Le***an Western - The Feature A lone wanderer, the Hero in the Black Hat, gets drawn into a violent situation when she finds a ju**ie Villain abusing a young girl. Torn between her code and compassion, she must confront the escalating brutality. This extended cut includes 'The Broken,' the original version of the film shot in 20...

From Official Selection ➡️ Nominee ➡️ WINNER! 🏆

Thrilled to share that my documentary FIFI just won Best Documentary at the 2026 Kodaikanal International Film Festival! 🌿🎥

Watching the journey of this film unfold—from getting selected, to being nominated alongside some incredible work, to bringing home the win—has been immensely rewarding. Huge thank you to the festival judges, the organizers, and everyone who supported this project along the way.

More news and screenings coming soon! Want to watch the film? You can now at https://vimeo.com/ondemand/fifi

Life