We sit down with our friend Kiran Shah to hear the stories behind his incredible career.

A true testament to dedication and courage, Kiran’s career has been shaped by his willingness to take on challenges, push boundaries, and give everything to his craft. His bravery, determination, and love of filmmaking have made him one of the most respected figures in the industry.

The Lucky Kiwi Podcast is a Tolkien podcast exploring The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, Middle-earth, and the enduring legacy of J.R.R. Tolkien. Watch conversations with filmmakers and audiences.

CREDITS:

Producers / Hosts: Amanda & Jed Brophy

Editing: Amanda Brophy

Guest: Kiran Shah

Original Theme Music: Stephen Gallagher

© 2026 All Rights Reserved.

Thank you for watching! If you enjoyed this episode, please consider liking, commenting, and subscribing for future conversations.

Thank you for watching! If you enjoyed this episode, please consider liking, commenting, and subscribing for future conversations.

CREDITS:

Producers / Hosts: Amanda & Jed Brophy

Editing: Amanda Brophy

Original Theme Music: Stephen Gallagher

© 2026 All Rights Reserved.

FOLLOW LUCKY KIWI PODCAST

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/luckykiwipodcast/

Facebook:

facebook.com/luckykiwipodcast

X:

https://x.com/luckykiwipod

Website:

https://luckykiwipodcast.com

Luke Hawker is one of the most versatile and consistently in-demand performers working in New Zealand film. Over a 25+ year career, he has amassed more than 80 credits across feature films, television, theatre, short films, and performance work.

In recent years alone, his credits include:

* The Rings of Power — Orc General Magrot and additional Orc performances

* The Last of Us — motion capture stunt performer

* Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 — motion capture

* Thor: Love and Thunder — motion capture

* Transformers: Rise of the Beasts — motion capture stunt performer

* Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire — Suko performance capture

* Alien: Romulus — motion capture stunt performer

* Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes — movement coach

* M3GAN and M3GAN 2.0 — movement coach / stunt team

* Captain America: Brave New World — motion capture

* The Fantastic Four: First Steps — motion capture

* The Minecraft Movie — motion capture

* Avengers: Doomsday — motion capture

* The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum — stunt performer

What makes him unique is that he has worked on all sides of the creature-making process:

* Wētā Workshop as senior Effects Artist/Creature and Movement specialist

* Wētā FX creating digital characters through performance capture

* Training and coaching other performers in movement.

He’s been part of the evolution of modern creature filmmaking… from prosthetics and practical effects to motion capture and digital worlds, and he understands that process from every angle.

Luke Hawker is a rare bridge between the physical and digital worlds of filmmaking: a creature creator, performer, stunt artist, and movement specialist who has helped bring some of cinema’s most memorable beings to life.

If you enjoyed the episode, please like, subscribe, and share it with fellow Tolkien and film fans!

Thank you for watching! If you enjoyed this episode, please consider liking, commenting, and subscribing for future conversations.

CREDITS:

Producers / Hosts: Amanda & Jed Brophy

Editing: Amanda Brophy

Original Theme Music: Stephen Gallagher

© 2026 All Rights Reserved.

FOLLOW LUCKY KIWI PODCAST

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/luckykiwipodcast/

Facebook:

facebook.com/luckykiwipodcast

X:

https://x.com/luckykiwipod

Website:

https://luckykiwipodcast.com

Stephen Gallagher is a two-time Emmy Award-winning composer and music editor from New Zealand whose work spans film, television, and Middle-earth.

A dear friend of the podcast, Stephen also composed the original theme music for Lucky Kiwi Podcast. He served as music editor on The Hobbit trilogy, composed the music for “Blunt the Knives” and “The Torture Song” in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, won an Emmy Award for his work as music editor on The Beatles: Get Back, and earned a second Emmy for Outstanding Music Direction and Composition, shared with David Long, for Secrets at Red Rocks.

In this episode, Stephen takes us behind the scenes of filmmaking to explore the role of music in storytelling, the craft of composing for film, collaborating with directors and fellow musicians, and the often unseen work of a music editor. Along the way, he reflects on the experiences that shaped his career, his creative process, and what it means to tell stories through music.

If you enjoy the conversation, please like, comment, and subscribe. Your support helps us continue sharing conversations with the people who helped bring Middle-earth to life.

🍀 Follow Lucky Kiwi Podcast:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/luckykiwipodcast
Facebook: https://facebook.com/luckykiwipodcast
X: https://x.com/luckykiwipod

Thank you for watching! If you enjoyed this episode, please consider liking, commenting, and subscribing for future conversations.

CREDITS:

Producers / Hosts: Amanda & Jed Brophy

Editing: Amanda Brophy

Original Theme Music: Stephen Gallagher

© 2026 All Rights Reserved.

FOLLOW LUCKY KIWI PODCAST

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/luckykiwipodcast/

Facebook:

facebook.com/luckykiwipodcast

X:

https://x.com/luckykiwipod

Website:

https://luckykiwipodcast.com