The No Film School Podcast

In this episode of the No Film School Podcast, GG Hawkins sits down with filmmaker Macon Blair to discuss his journey from scrappy DIY filmmaking in Virginia to directing the 2025 reimagining of the cult classic The Toxic Avenger. The film hits theaters today, and Blair shares how he balanced homage and originality, kept the humor grounded in absurdity, and tackled the long production process. He also reflects on his start in the industry, the value of creative community, and what it really means to stick it out in an unpredictable industry. In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins and guest Macon Blair discuss... Macon's early days making VHS films with friends and how that creative community shaped his career The years-long journey from writing spec scripts to directing Sundance winner I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore How Macon was approached to write The Toxic Avenger and how it evolved into his directorial role Reimagining a cult classic while staying true to its outrageous tone and aesthetic How comedy and absurdity play into horror and action, and the challenge of balancing tone The production process in Bulgaria and collaborating with an international crew Designing the film’s gritty, stylized world—from production design to costumes and camera movement Lessons from the editing room and how to let audience feedback shape the final cut Macon’s advice for emerging filmmakers about perseverance, collaboration, and flexibility Memorable Quotes: “I just wanted to do something with movies... if it's writing, great. If it's acting, great. If it's driving a truck, great.” “We would just pitch things back and forth, and if a line or a reaction would get a laugh from enough people, then it would be like, alright, put it in the movie.” “You have to be flexible enough or open enough to kind of be like, oh, I didn’t construct things the correct way. And I kind of owe it to you for you to not be confused.” “Preparation versus flexibility—having everything prepared to the nth degree, and being prepared to totally drop it if you need to.” Guests: Macon Blair Resources: Macon Blair on I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore (No Film School interview) Get tickets to The Toxic Avenger (Look Cinemas) Follow GG Hawkins’s feature I Really Love My Husband on Instagram Find No Film School everywhere: On the Web: No Film School Facebook: No Film School on Facebook Twitter: No Film School on Twitter YouTube: No Film School on YouTube Instagram: No Film School on Instagram  📩 Send us an email with questions or feedback: podcast@nofilmschool.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

No Film School delves into the high-pressure, fast-paced world of sketch comedy editing on Saturday Night Live's historic 50th Anniversary special. The episode features returning guest Ryan Spears—four-time Emmy nominee and Film Unit editor at SNL—joined by longtime collaborators Daniel Garcia and Paul Del Gesso. Together, they share insider stories on crafting memorable montages, rediscovering archival gems, navigating the evolution from analog to digital workflows, and ultimately earning their first-ever team nomination for the anniversary special. In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins, and guests discuss… How the SNL editorial team collaborated on the 50th Anniversary special, blending archival material and creative reels into a unified piece. The rediscovery of forgotten gems—like Tom Hanks’s softball clip—and deciding what made the final cut. Technical and generational shifts in editing: from film and DIY workflows to 4K raw editing, searchable transcripts, advanced VFX, and speedy turnaround. Adapting to new creative tools, such as APM’s sound‑alike search and 3D animation techniques like the Cheeto character. Balancing fast cuts with breathing room—tailoring pacing to fit the tone, whether it’s surreal whimsy or a more paced parody like White Lotus. Managing chaos: keeping cool under pressure during live edits, system failures, and last-minute creative changes. Advice for aspiring SNL editors: start as assistant editors, build a strong reel (even outside comedy), check your ego at the door, and learn the collaborative workflow. Memorable Quotes “It really was just this kind of like hot, like this sort of like melting pot of ideas…” “Tom Hanks is playing softball with these kids… he’s playing the real version of Tom Hanks… super competitive.” “We’ve jumped to 4K and we’re editing raw… now you’re transcribing your sequences too… What a game changer.” “Every joke to the frame pretty much.” “It’s a learned craft… some people could do it and some people can.” Guests Ryan Spears is a Film Unit editor at SNL and four time Emmy nominee for work including “I’m Just Pete”, “Mario Kart”, and “Murder Show”. He’s also cut for the shows “The Amber Ruffin Show”, “Teenage Euthanasia”, the film “Citizen Weiner” and the Hulu standup “Matteo Lane: The Al Dente Special”. He’s currently a commercial editor based in New York at The Den Editorial. Daniel Garcia – Daniel Garcia has been a video editor at SNL for 10 years.  His work on the show includes editing weekly promos, pretapes such as PDD’s “Hard Seltzer”, and the Emmy winning digital series Creating SNL. Paul Del Gesso is a Film Unit Editor at SNL, where he was previously Emmy nominated for "Bowen's Straight." Additionally, Paul is a writer and producer, and is Head of Production at Warrior Queen Inc. Resources I Really Love My Husband on Instagram: @iReallyLovemyhusbandmovie Find No Film School everywhere: On the Web: No Film School Facebook: No Film School on Facebook Twitter: No Film School on Twitter YouTube: No Film School on YouTube Instagram: No Film School on Instagram Send us an email with questions or feedback: podcast@nofilmschool.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the No Film School Podcast, GG Hawkins sits down with Oscar-winning editor Paul Rogers, best known for his work on Everything Everywhere All at Once. Paul opens up about his journey from Alabama to Hollywood, founding the post-production company Parallax, and how personal experiences—like fatherhood and burnout—reshaped his approach to creativity and work. The conversation dives deep into balancing artistic passion with sustainable working habits, challenging the toxic grind culture in filmmaking, and embracing a more holistic view of success in the industry. In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins, Jason Hellerman, and guest Paul Rogers discuss... The origins of Paul's career and his path to editing How Parallax was founded and its evolving mission The “one for me, one for them” model—redefining it for sustainability How COVID redefined Paul’s understanding of work-life balance Setting boundaries in the film industry and learning to say no The creative benefits of rest and “collecting experiences” How fame after winning an Oscar impacted his workflow Memorable Quotes: "Surviving wasn't thriving... and I really wanted to thrive." "You can get to flow state through burnout, or through joy. Joy is just harder." "You're going to start regurgitating the same ideas creatively over and over again." "Have life outside of filmmaking… be collectors, not recyclers.” Guests: Paul Rogers Resources: Parallax Everything Everywhere All at Once BLKNWS: Terms and Conditions (upcoming) Find No Film School everywhere: On the Web: No Film School Facebook: No Film School on Facebook Twitter: No Film School on Twitter YouTube: No Film School on YouTube Instagram: No Film School on Instagram 📩 Send us an email with questions or feedback: podcast@nofilmschool.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of the No Film School Podcast welcomes back Charles Haine, who hosts a compelling conversation with filmmaker Aditya Kripalani and lead actors Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Chitrangada Satarupa. The group discusses their latest film I'm Not an Actor, a cross-continental drama that was shot simultaneously in Mumbai and Frankfurt, using FaceTime as a primary storytelling and production tool. The film follows a virtual connection between a struggling actor and a melancholic retired banker, played by two of India's most compelling talents. They unpack the technological challenges, emotional resonance, and deeply collaborative process behind the movie, from remote acting and directing to editing via FaceTime itself. In this episode, No Film School's Charles Haine and guests discuss... The challenges of filming across two continents using FaceTime How real-life technological constraints enhanced the storytelling Rewriting and reshooting the ending based on audience feedback Using location to reflect character psychology The importance of creating seamless digital intimacy on screen How Apple products unintentionally became integral to the production Remote post-production workflows and their growing normalcy The influence of Richard Linklater and conversational cinema Memorable Quotes: "Technology disappeared. That was the best thing." "I thought, okay, this is my life. This is how you connect. This is the world actually, where I have to survive." "I edited this film on FaceTime... the post-production also happened remotely, just like the film." "It had to feel like a vlog... that's how we were very specific. It has to look like someone's doing a vlog." Guests: Aditya Kripalani Nawazuddin Siddiqui Chitrangada Satarupa Find No Film School everywhere: On the Web: No Film School Facebook: No Film School on Facebook Twitter: No Film School on Twitter YouTube: No Film School on YouTube Instagram: No Film School on Instagram  📩 Send us an email with questions or feedback: podcast@nofilmschool.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the No Film School Podcast, GG Hawkins sits down with powerhouse writing and showrunning duo Nick Stoller and Francesca Delbanco. The married couple behind hit shows like Friends from College and Platonic discuss the nuances of building a creative career, collaborating with your spouse, and navigating the demands of leading a TV series. They reflect on how their individual writing journeys led them to a shared path, how they approach leadership and tone in a writer's room, and what makes Platonic so personal and relatable. Plus, GG and Jason dive into practical festival PR tips and how to plan for distribution after your film is finished. In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins and guests Nick Stoller & Francesca Delbanco discuss... How Nick and Francesca transitioned from individual careers to a collaborative creative partnership The inspiration and evolution behind Platonic, now in its second season on Apple TV+ Balancing marriage, parenthood, and co-showrunning duties What makes a second season creatively different—and sometimes harder—than a first The dynamics of a writer’s room and the importance of hiring the right voices How to sustain a long-term creative career by following your passions Tactical PR strategies for filmmakers hitting the festival circuit Budgeting for buyer vs. non-buyer film festivals and why it matters Memorable Quotes: "I always say TV and movies are hard to make. There's no reason that you shouldn't try to make it fun." "We both worry about 100 percent of the process together at all times." "Your voice is really all you have as a writer. So make it as specific to you as you possibly can." "When you run out of ideas, that's when the best ideas come.” Guests: Nicholas Stoller Francesca Delbanco Resources: I Really Love My Husband – Instagram I Really Love My Husband Screening w/ In-Person Q&A Find No Film School everywhere: On the Web: No Film School Facebook: No Film School on Facebook Twitter: No Film School on Twitter YouTube: No Film School on YouTube Instagram: No Film School on Instagram  📩 Send us an email with questions or feedback: podcast@nofilmschool.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special episode of the No Film School Podcast, GG Hawkins sits down with filmmaker duo Talia Shea Levin and Kara Grace Miller to discuss the journey behind their short film Make Me a Pizza—a provocative, hilarious, and genre-blurring short that’s become a viral sensation. Fresh off a big win at the Fantasia Festival’s Frontières 'Short to Feature' competition, Levin and Miller open up about their pitch experience, the creation of their film, the strategic path to building an audience, and what it really takes to turn a short into a feature in today’s film industry. In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins and guests discuss... How Make Me a Pizza evolved from a bit into a film that resonated with audiences and trolls alike The strategy behind their pitch at Fantasia’s Frontières market—and how they clinched the win How building a dedicated fanbase (even with age restrictions on YouTube) became key to their success The value of showing up in person to festivals and pitching events Why going viral with a controversial short can be a career launchpad, not a setback Using limitations (like budget and film stock) as creative tools The importance of community over water bottle tours and industry gatekeeping What’s next after winning the pitch competition—and how they’re navigating the post-Festival whirlwind Memorable Quotes: “We have gotten so much love from the weirdos and the perverts, who we are lucky to call our fans.” “We are starting a cult, and we might get to make a feature film.” “If you got the Uber money, spend the Uber money.” “I didn’t dream of posting on Instagram... but you have to get your art to its audience.” Guests: Talia Shea Levin Kara Grace Miller Resources: Make Me a Pizza Instagram: @ThePizzaMovie Talia's Instagram: @taliashea23 Kara's Instagram: @karagmiller Frontières Market: https://frontieresmarket.com/ Find No Film School everywhere: On the Web: No Film School Facebook: No Film School on Facebook Twitter: No Film School on Twitter YouTube: No Film School on YouTube Instagram: No Film School on Instagram  📩 Send us an email with questions or feedback: podcast@nofilmschool.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, GG Hawkins and Jason Hellerman sit down with filmmaker and producer Matthew Scheffler, whose unique path through the industry includes five seasons field producing for Last Week Tonight with John Oliver and producing shows like Random Acts of Flyness and Black Twitter: A People's History. Matthew shares his journey from faking his way into the industry to directing his own Victorian horror short The Traveler, while raising three kids and navigating the shifting landscape of indie filmmaking. The episode also revisits the growing frustration Vimeo users in the UK and EU face due to regulatory changes, sparking a larger conversation on platform responsibility and the future of video hosting for filmmakers. In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins, Jason Hellerman, and guest Matthew Scheffler discuss... How Matthew went from commercials in Boston to producing Emmy-winning segments for Last Week Tonight The real challenges of transitioning from production roles into directing How working in production sharpened his creative instincts The long road to making The Traveler, a Victorian horror short shot on Staten Island Why Vimeo has become inaccessible in the UK/EU and what it means for indie filmmakers A listener’s UK-based perspective on the loss of Staff Picks and public search Vimeo’s official response to the criticism and the broader implications of global tech regulation Memorable Quotes: "You kind of lie within the parameters...lying about a location where you live. I agree with you—chances are if I had said I was moving, they would have just given it to my friend who already lives there." "I've never been on a production where the budget matched the creative. Ever." "You just have to decide what you need to cut out—because when you have kids especially, you can't really cut them out." "Filmmakers built Vimeo. They shouldn't forget that." Guests: Matthew Scheffler Resources: The Traveler Instagram: @thetraveler_film Matthew’s Instagram: @ironschef2021 Find No Film School everywhere: On the Web: No Film School Facebook: No Film School on Facebook Twitter: No Film School on Twitter YouTube: No Film School on YouTube Instagram: No Film School on Instagram  📩 Send us an email with questions or feedback: podcast@nofilmschool.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of the No Film School Podcast features GG Hawkins in conversation with writer-director Sophie Brooks, whose new film Oh, Hi! hits theaters nationwide on July 25, 2025. The film, starring Molly Gordon and Logan Lerman, explores the chaotic, vulnerable, and often hilariously painful world of romantic relationships. Sophie shares her journey of getting from her debut feature The Boy Downstairs to Oh, Hi!, a second feature that took nearly a decade to realize. They discuss the struggles of indie filmmaking, casting chemistry, writing complex characters, and what it truly means to create art that reflects personal truths. In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins and guest Sophie Brooks discuss... Why it took nine years to make a second feature How writing with an actor in mind (Molly Gordon) shaped the character of Iris The challenges and unexpected benefits of filming during/post-COVID How Sophie and her DP crafted a romantic, evolving visual style Writing unlikable yet deeply relatable characters Securing financing when nothing seems to go right The mental toll and unexpected joys of the post-production process Memorable Quotes: "I try really hard as a filmmaker. I try really hard with my friends...but I just want something. Is that so bad?" "You can feel so confident...but it's scary when you haven't done a part of the job in a long time." "There's a big difference between compromising and settling." "I didn’t believe the movie was happening until I was on set." Guest: Sophie Brooks Resources: Sophie Brooks on her first film ‘I Really Love My Husband’ Previews and Director Q&As ‘I Really Love My Husband’ Screenings Find No Film School everywhere: On the Web: No Film School Facebook: No Film School on Facebook Twitter: No Film School on Twitter YouTube: No Film School on YouTube Instagram: No Film School on Instagram  📩 Send us an email with questions or feedback: podcast@nofilmschool.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, GG Hawkins and Jason Hellerman dig into the behind-the-scenes business of micro-budget filmmaking. They tackle a fan-submitted Ask No Film School question about run-and-gun filmmaking risks, E&O insurance, and securing distribution when shooting without proper permits. Then, GG interviews writer/director Anna Baumgarten and producer Danny Mooney, the creative duo behind the indie feature Disfluency, a powerful micro-budget drama executive produced by Jim Cummings. The episode offers a treasure trove of insights into how to bring a short film to life as a feature, fundraise strategically, and navigate distribution on your own terms. In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins, Jason Hellerman, and guests discuss... The real risks of guerrilla filmmaking and when E&O insurance matters How micro-budget filmmakers should approach risk management and legal protections Why shooting permits—even if they're free—can save you massive headaches later How Anna and Danny turned the short Disfluency into a feature with no initial investors Why having a “moving train” production plan helps raise money faster The importance of audience-building and crowdfunding in early development How Jim Cummings and the Short to Feature Lab helped launch Disfluency Navigating distribution and negotiating for your film's future Memorable Quotes: "You need to kind of think about: How much did your movie cost? What kind of lawsuits can come in? Does it work for you?" – 08:09 "Motivation does not create action. Action creates motivation." – 41:44 "You have to be building the plane and flying it at the same time." – 46:50 "Make something you love, because you're going to be working on this all the way through the end." – 01:01:03 Guests: Anna Baumgarten Danny Mooney Resources: More Jim Cummings on No Film School Showtimes For I Really Love My Husband w/ In-Person Q&A ‘I Really Love My Husband’ on Instagram Where to Watch Disfluency Find No Film School everywhere: On the Web: No Film School Facebook: No Film School on Facebook Twitter: No Film School on Twitter YouTube: No Film School on YouTube Instagram: No Film School on Instagram  📩 Send us an email with questions or feedback: podcast@nofilmschool.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John Hamburg joins GG Hawkins to discuss crafting iconic, rewatchable comedies—from cult hits like Safe Men to mainstream favorites such as Meet the Parents, Zoolander, I Love You, Man, and the upcoming new Meet the Parents installment. Hamburg shares his creative journey, balancing absurd premises with emotional truth, breaking into the industry, and directing the finale of Apple TV’s Stick. He also dives into working with comedic legends, developing enduring characters, and orchestrating large-scale scenes with precision and heart. In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins and guest John Hamburg discuss... How John’s breakthrough began with an NYU short at Sundance, leading to his first film Safe Men His process for deciding to leave NYU early and navigate a career in features vs. film school What drew him to direct the final episodes of Stick on Apple TV Plus and working with Owen Wilson The particular direction and strategy involved in managing huge crowds and authentic golf interactions on a TV-scale production The building blocks of quotable comedy: committing to emotionally real characters, clear scene goals, and grounded set pieces Collaborating with actors like Ben Stiller, Robert De Niro, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Rudd, and Alec Baldwin—balancing scripted freshness and improvisation Behind‑the‑scenes look at tough moments like reworking the poker table speech in Along Came Polly Hamburg’s ringmaster philosophy: creating a safe, creative set for spontaneity while keeping an eye on structure and story Memorable Quotes: “I think if the characters are grounded in an emotional reality… that’s maybe what makes them stand the test of time.” (27:05) “Directing is such an incredible job, but it can be very lonely at times because you’re the only one that knows really.” (43:57) “Sometimes directing is also sort of like being okay with letting something formulate and happen on its own organically.” (44:42) Guests: John Hamburg (IMDb) Resources: Square Peg Social on FilmFreeway I Really Love My Husband w/ In-Person Q&A I Really Love My Husband on Instagram Find No Film School everywhere: On the Web: No Film School (https://nofilmschool.com/) Facebook: No Film School on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschool) Twitter: No Film School on Twitter (https://twitter.com/nofilmschool) YouTube: No Film School on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschool) Instagram: No Film School on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/nofilmschool) 📩 Send us an email with questions or feedback: podcast@nofilmschool.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices