Behind the Lens: Talking “Philly Homicide” and True Crime with The UNscripted Files

Discussing True Crime on the Unscripted Files with Madelyn Cunningham

I recently had the chance to sit down with Madelyn Cunningham on The UNscripted Files podcast to talk about one of the most intense and creatively challenging projects I’ve worked on—Philly Homicide.

As a DP, I’m often the invisible eye behind the story. But in this conversation, we brought the camera into focus—discussing how we shaped the visual language of a series that treats the city of Philadelphia not just as a backdrop, but as a living, breathing character. We explored how Philly Homicide bridges documentary and cinematic storytelling to honor real victims, real detectives, and real stakes.

On set of Philly Homicide

Madelyn asked thoughtful, pointed questions that opened the door to topics I rarely get to explore publicly—like the emotional toll of filming true crime, how to visually respect the gravity of a crime scene, and why I’m “not afraid of the dark” when it comes to lighting choices.

We also talked about the evolution of the genre, the challenges of keeping visuals fresh in a crowded space, and how new tools like LiveU and remote workflows are changing the production process.

Whether you're a fellow filmmaker, a true crime fan, or just curious about what goes into crafting a gripping visual narrative, I think you’ll enjoy this one.

🎙️ Watch the full episode here:

Big thanks again to Madelyn and The UNscripted Files team for having me on.