The No Film School Podcast

Editing is more than just assembling footage. According to editor Sandra Granovsky, the whole editing process requires an interest and understanding of human nature. In today’s episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins speaks with Sandra Torres Granovsky to discuss:  How studying anthropology affected her approach to editing Following your inner voice while editing Surrendering to the rhythm of the actor and the perspective of the director  Creating the first editor’s cut Making something out of nothing Sandra’s workstation setup What it was like to work with director Leah McKendrick Her new project with journalist-director Andrew Callaghan How text-based editing has improved the editing process Memorable Quotes “The way I approach all of it is with an understanding and curiosity of human nature.” [6:43] “Every decision I make in editing is based on instinct.” [8:56] “You have to become very creative, and you have to start creating something that’s not there.” [15:34] “There’s a lot of diplomacy involved in editing.” [16:22] “I do fifty percent of my editing not in front of the computer. It happens in my head.” [21:05] “You are writing in the edit. You’re just writing with images and sound.” [21:55] Mentioned:ALPHAScrambledThe Opening Act This Place Rules Channel 5 with Andrew CallaghanFind No Film School everywhere:On the Webhttps://nofilmschool.com/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschoolTwitter https://twitter.com/nofilmschoolYouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschoolInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/nofilmschoolSend us an email with questions or feedback: podcast@nofilmschool.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is it ethical to encourage people to pursue a career in film when there are such high levels of unemployment in the industry? The Art Directors Guild certainly doesn’t think so which has led the union to pause their annual training program this year.In today’s episode, No Film School’s Charles Haine, GG Hawkins, and Jason Hellerman discuss: The ADG announcement to suspend the Production Design Initiative program Being cautious when admitting students to film school Why we think the ADG made a reasonable decision  Why you should file for unemployment between jobs How LA and New York feel like smaller markets right now Seeing where you can fit into the system Accepting the opportunities that already exist The benefits of having multiple revenue streams as a filmmaker Memorable Quotes “Big production is back to work…but the volume isn’t there.” [13:08] “You need to be open to letting the industry tell you where it wants you to be for a while.” [15:25] “Knowing how to do a new thing is always beneficial.” [15:59] “If you can develop multiple revenue streams, it gives you power in negotiation.” [19:05] Find No Film School everywhere:On the Webhttps://nofilmschool.com/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschoolTwitter https://twitter.com/nofilmschoolYouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschoolInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/nofilmschoolSend us an email with questions or feedback: podcast@nofilmschool.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Prom Dates, written by D.J. Mausner and directed by Kim Nguyen, is a comedy that follows two best friends who are hell-bent on having the perfect senior prom, despite the fact they broke up with their dates only 24 hours before the big night. This raunchy comedy reminds us that while romantic love may be fleeting, true friendship can survive any adversity that comes its way.In today’s episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins speaks with Kim Nguyen and D.J. Mausner to discuss:  Writing the script in just 8 days  How D.J. and Kim immediately clicked Celebrating the importance of friends in our lives Developing the dynamic between the two lead characters Harnessing the amazing energy from the cast Filming in an old high school in Syracuse How having a comedy background can improve your writing The joy of working with gifted talent A dramatic scene that required considerable emotional gear-shifting How D.J.’s writing experiment turned into a film Memorable Quotes “Directors are like tuning forks. You get so much energy all the time from everyone, whether or not you want it or welcome it. You distill all that energy and harness it.” [15:46] “Sketch teaches you to get in late and get out early. Stand-up teaches you to have an ear for the audience. Improv allows you to fill in the blanks.” [20:35] “Stay true to yourself. Your point of view is your superpower.” [30:29] “The thing you’re excited about, write it. You never know what’s going to happen.” [30:44] Mentioned:Prom DatesFind No Film School everywhere:On the Webhttps://nofilmschool.com/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschoolTwitter https://twitter.com/nofilmschoolYouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschoolInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/nofilmschoolSend us an email with questions or feedback: podcast@nofilmschool.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What film festivals are worth submitting your projects to? Which festivals are legitimate and which ones are scams out for your money? Is it possible to find like-minded creatives to collaborate with, outside of places like L.A. and New York? In today’s episode, No Film School’s Charles Haine, GG Hawkins, Jason Hellerman, and guest Amy Dotson discuss: Figuring out what you want to get out of a festival Reasons why small festivals are awesome Things to consider when vetting festivals  What Amy learned interning at Pee-wee’s Playhouse Telling your unique story in only one paragraph Why you need to constantly update your bio Moving from New York City to Portland Thinking about cinematic storytelling in new ways Collaborations between local artists and big household names How the Portland Art Museum honors multi-faceted creatives Memorable Quotes “What are you going to the festival for? Is it about Hollywood connections or about sharing your film with an audience?” [3:54] “Being in the mix and connecting with people at a human level is incredibly valuable. You will find those relationships pay off in the long run.” [12:42] “Everybody is different and that’s okay. It’s not a one-size-fits-all model anymore.” [23:34] “The goal is to meet other like-minded humans that can help push your career and push you as a human forward.” [29:37] “There are stories to be told that are less project-centered and more people-centered.” [46:24] MentionedHow To Spend $10,000 on Film Festival Submissions…Portland Art MuseumPAM CUT Sustainability LabsPAM CUT Tomorrow Theater  Find No Film School everywhere:On the Webhttps://nofilmschool.com/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschoolTwitter https://twitter.com/nofilmschoolYouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschoolInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/nofilmschoolSend us an email with questions or feedback: podcast@nofilmschool.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joining the conversation is Mike Plante, the Senior Short Film Programmer at Sundance, boasting over 20 years of experience in the industry. He discusses the surge in short film popularity and shares key insights into what Sundance looks for during the selection process. Mike emphasizes the value of shorts for experimentation and creative storytelling. He also delves into the transition from short films to features, recounting notable successes and offering advice on avoiding common pitfalls for aspiring filmmakers.

Long-time friends and colleagues, Christopher Ross and Sam McCurdy, are two of the cinematographers of FX’s mini-series, Shōgun. Filming this series was an incredible experience full of lessons in Japanese culture, lenses, and shooting with cranes.In today’s episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins and special guest, cinematographer Ryan Thomas, speak with DPs Christopher Ross and Sam McCurdy to discuss:  How Chris and Sam met The type of friendships you hold onto in the industry  What it was like working with an international cast and crew on Shōgun The singular perspectives that ran throughout the larger storyline What it was like working with other DPs  The lenses they chose to use in this project  Letting the camera find special moments without much interference What an ASC masterclass is What gave the show its atmospheric texture Bringing truth and honesty to every episode Why making mistakes is so valuable Memorable Quotes “From the start of your career to the end of your career, you’re still on some form of learning curve.” [8:47] “Being true to what you’re shooting and being true to the script and the story is the still most important tool we bring to any job.” [50:33] “Be brave and stupid in equal measure. Get smarter every time you shoot.” [54:00] “Don’t necessarily listen to everyone else. Go and figure it out yourself.” [55:01] Mentioned:ShōgunOriginal 1980 Shogun seriesASC MasterclassConnect with Ryan on IGFind No Film School everywhere:On the Webhttps://nofilmschool.com/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschoolTwitter https://twitter.com/nofilmschoolYouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschoolInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/nofilmschoolSend us an email with questions or feedback: podcast@nofilmschool.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Writing a screenplay is like following a cookie recipe, it’s closer to magic than science. You don’t have to follow screenwriting “rules” to create an amazing story. There’s something else you don’t have to do in your career. When serious problems arise in your personal life, you don’t have to keep working at your typical pace. It’s okay to ask for help and decrease your output.In today’s episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins and Jason Hellerman discuss: The number of “unfilmables” on the first page of the Challengers script Not getting hung up on the idiosyncrasies of screenwriting Hooking the reader in the first 10 pages with your confidence Asking for specific support when things are rough in your personal life Accidentally lighting a trash can on fire Taking time to process life’s challenges Using writing as a way to process loss and sadness Cancelling meetings and relying on email The benefits of a meditative practice  Memorable Quotes “I know what the audience wants to know right now. I know what they need to know, but don’t even know they want to know.” [11:28] “If your page one sucks, you’ve already lost them.” [12:26] “If you’re trying to make Hollywood hits with multi-million dollar budgets, page one has to be great!” [15:50] “You can still be creating, even when you’re in a depressed dark hole.” [28:45] Mentioned:Why Did the First Page of the 'Challengers' Screenplay Go Viral?Find No Film School everywhere:On the Webhttps://nofilmschool.com/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschoolTwitter https://twitter.com/nofilmschoolYouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschoolInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/nofilmschoolSend us an email with questions or feedback: podcast@nofilmschool.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Justin Kuritzkes, the talented screenwriter behind 'Challengers', dives into the intricate dynamics of love and tension in storytelling. He discusses how screenplays uniquely differ from other writing forms and the challenges of capturing real-world stakes in a fictional setting. Kuritzkes reveals his obsessive journey into the world of tennis while developing the script and how collaborating with actors enriched character depth. He emphasizes the need for tension and emotional stakes, offering pearls of wisdom for aspiring screenwriters.

Discover the shift from naked specs to packaging in filmmaking. Explore the benefits and drawbacks of packaging, Hollywood's risk aversion, and writing specs that can come to life. Uncover the future role of AI in creativity and the challenges of measuring stardom. Dive into the intricate world of pitching projects and collaborating with others for success.

We had the chance to speak to Grant Petty of Blackmagic Design at this year’s NAB conference. It was as much of a conversation about technology and innovation as it was a conversation about human nature. In today’s episode, No Film School’s Jourdan Aldredge speaks with Blackmagic CEO Grant Petty to discuss:  Developing the URSA Cine with a post-production mindset Zero-cost options from Blackmagic for beginners Why Grant doesn’t like to compete with others PYXIS camera and its features Creating products that lend to an efficient post-production workflow Exciting new changes and updates to DaVinci Resolve 19 Grant’s opinion on AI and the future of editing  The moment he fell in love with color correction Feeling lonely and misunderstood Why you have to be a ruthless, yet empathetic product engineer Memorable Quotes “Business people are some of the stupidest people in the world.” [22:25] “A lot of this technology is just shit. It’s not very reliable.” [29:11] “If it gets too smart, it’s just another species to kill. Humans are fantastic at killing everything. We just gotta go hunting computers.” [30:45] “With creativity comes great loneliness.” [47:58] “You got to be simultaneously ruthless and simultaneously full of empathy.” [50:00] Mentioned:A First-Hand Look at the New Blackmagic URSA Cine 12K at NAB 2024 Check out Jourdan's article Blackmagic URSA CineBlackmagic PYXISDaVinci Resolve 19   Find No Film School everywhere:On the Webhttps://nofilmschool.com/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschoolTwitter https://twitter.com/nofilmschoolYouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschoolInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/nofilmschoolSend us an email with questions or feedback: podcast@nofilmschool.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices