The No Film School Podcast

In today’s episode, we talk to director Parker Finn and cinematographer Charlie Sarroff about working together on the set of horror film, Smile. They share their special process of creating the film. Smile is in theaters now!In this episode, we talk about… Parker looking for the right “partner in crime” to make the film with How Parker’s short spread like wildfire Selling the pitch to Paramount Pictures Using cinematic language to work toward themes of the story Why Parker prefers a shot list over a storyboard What influenced the camera choice Thinking about the audience and what the film is doing to them Mentioned in the episode:Smile Find No Film School everywhere:On the Webhttps://nofilmschool.com/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschool Twitter https://twitter.com/nofilmschool YouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschool Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/nofilmschoolGet your questions answered on the podcast by emailing editor@nofilmschool.com!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s smart to figure out the box you want to be in, since the industry is going to put you in a box anyway. Then you need to learn to appreciate your time in that box. In this episode, we talk about… James Gunn, director of Guardians of the Galaxy, running the superhero division of DC Showing up for others and celebrating their successes with them The SONY A7R V and its unique AI feature How Artificial Intelligence is getting nuts The number one thing that makes a spec fail Why making a simple spec is hard Memorable Quotes“One person’s success is not your failure.” [13:19]“Your goal with a spec, is that it should feel like a real commercial. It should trick people in an agency into thinking it’s a real spot.” [28:58]“Product work is a very specific universe.” [33:43]“Arrested development is phenomenal, but there's a gift in being able to do Seinfeld.” [39:48]Mentioned in the episode:Sony A7R VJames Gunn - CEO of DC StudiosFind No Film School everywhere:On the Webhttps://nofilmschool.com/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschool Twitter https://twitter.com/nofilmschool YouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschoolInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/nofilmschoolGet your questions answered on the podcast by emailing editor@nofilmschool.com!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Horror is best when it's balanced. It’s like baking, if one ingredient is off, it doesn't work. Teenage filmmaker, Jessica Nipperess, shares how she created the film, Devil Bean.In this episode, we talk about… Why Jessica is drawn to film festivals The Black Magic Pocket Cinema Camera and the difference it made for shooting The main challenges in directing Devil Bean  Feeling emotionally disconnected from a script written by someone else Using original music to help tell the story of a film Post production and the many changes made to the film  Tapping into serious horrors that are helpful to the world Memorable Quotes“Films have always been like a chance to learn more about filmmaking through the experience of learning it.” [5:02]“This is what the film will be like, but less pigs and more coffee.” [18:56 ]“Horror is like a playground where we put out all of our fears and anxieties, and explore them in a way that feels safe and makes sense to us.” [25:42]Mentioned in the episode:Jessica NipperessDevil BeanFind No Film School everywhere:On the Webhttps://nofilmschool.com/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschool Twitter https://twitter.com/nofilmschool YouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschoolInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/nofilmschoolGet your questions answered on the podcast by emailing editor@nofilmschool.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You win some and you lose some. This is what happens when there are shifts in the industry, and AI is bringing with it a major shift.In this episode, we talk about… Shortverse - The place filmmakers, industry pros, and fans of short film can connect The complexity and inevitability of AI being used in filmmaking Feeling frustrated yet fascinated for the future of AI Why giving and receiving feedback is one of the biggest skills you need to practice Different strategies behind giving notes  Being extreme - We throw out gold stars yet we rip things to shreds The best accessories for shooting film on an iPhone Memorable Quotes“I am not gonna say it feels industry focused, but right now it feels a little industry-focused and I am A-OK with that.” [8:55]“The rate at which it’s developing and changing what we can do and who does what, is pretty insane and exciting and intimidating. And it’s just going to completely alter workflows.” [15:57]“This is going to cost people their jobs eventually. It’s not right now. But give it 5 years…and some people are gonna be screwed.” [22:37]  Mentioned in the episode:ShortverseWord PlayerWill AI Make Movies Without UsFind No Film School everywhere:On the Webhttps://nofilmschool.com/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschool Twitter https://twitter.com/nofilmschool YouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschoolInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/nofilmschoolGet your questions answered on the podcast by emailing editor@nofilmschool.com!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Want to be a filmmaker? Then you have to be confident enough to have no confidence in yourself. This is the advice from Paul Feig, This is the advice from Paul Feig, director of The School For Good and Evil, Bridesmaids, and television shows like Freaks and Geeks, The Office, Arrested Development and Nurse Jackie.In this episode, we talk about… Applying lessons learned from his standup career and acting career Having more than enough film to choose from in case certain jokes bomb Setting the rules at the beginning of a film Remaining consistent with your style throughout the film How Paul handles making film for streaming services Hooking the audience so they will make a complete journey with the characters Why there is no excuse for beginner filmmakers wanting to start their career Memorable Quotes “The reason comedy never wins awards is because if you do it right, It looks easy.” [9:09] “You can make a movie as crazy as you want, as long as you set the rules in the first five minutes.” [21:12] “The hardest thing in the world is to tell a complete story, in two hours.” [24:49] Mentioned in the episode:Watch The School For Good and Evil now!Find No Film School everywhere:On the Webhttps://nofilmschool.com/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschool Twitter https://twitter.com/nofilmschool YouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschoolInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/nofilmschoolGet your questions answered on the podcast by emailing editor@nofilmschool.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What do large studios, “run and gun” filmmakers, and project stakeholders all have in common? They lack humility. In this episode, we talk about… Talent Development Programs being mandated by the DGA TikTok creators becoming show runners for NBC Universal Studios being desperate for larger audiences Getting arrested for “running and gunning” How to prepare for a “run and gun” and what to do if you are caught Fuji’s new box lens with crazy zoom ranges and vibration reduction Fuji’s X-H2s camera joins the Cloud Using Davinci Resolve on the new iPad Pro Memorable Quotes “It feels like a true disconnect and a flashy name grab.” [7:59] “Don’t force someone doing something interesting, to do something stale because you’re the powerful powerbroker.” [15:52] I feel very strangely about the future of film. I feel very strangely about the future of traditional storytelling with a camera. I think it’s gonna change and I think we gotta be ready for it.” [23: 52] Mentioned in the episode:Fuji Box Lens for FilmmakersFuji X-H2s shoots files to the CloudNew iPad Pro Find No Film School everywhere:On the Webhttps://nofilmschool.com/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschool Twitter https://twitter.com/nofilmschool YouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschoolInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/nofilmschoolGet your questions answered on the podcast by emailing editor@nofilmschool.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Josh Gordon and Will Speck are the directing duo behind the film, Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile. This duo explains the complex process of adapting a well-loved, children’s book to the big screen.In this episode, we talk about… How Josh and Will first met and what inspired them to direct projects together Dividing the directing responsibilities between them Their unique approach to producing such a complex film Why they chose to adapt this particular story into a performance-based musical How they convinced the IP owners to give them permission for the project Honoring the artwork from the book in the making of the film Memorable Quotes “Something about otherness and about acceptance of things that don’t appear the way that you want them to.” [15:30] “There’s something about what you have to impose on these characters, or creatures, in the absence of them speaking...and it also makes them more soulful.” [23:42] “There’s nothing more complicated than a human-being. A human being is unpredictable.” [27:59] Mentioned in the episode:Lyle Lyle Crocodile is in theatersFind No Film School everywhere:On the Webhttps://nofilmschool.com/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschool Twitter https://twitter.com/nofilmschool YouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschoolInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/nofilmschoolGet your questions answered on the podcast by emailing editor@nofilmschool.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why is there such a weird fixation on the box office numbers from the first three days of film’s release? We don’t think a film’s success should be determined this way.In this episode, we talk about… How some films that did poorly the first few days at the box office, became popular afterward Putting too much pressure on the box office release How to pitch a film that is similar to another movie that previously flopped When pitching, remember the phrase “similar but different” Challenges that actors have to endure The top four pieces of editing software for film Why DaVinci Resolve is the best overall editing software Memorable Quotes“It’s insane what can be produced from something that had a crummy first three days.” [6:02]“They really really really seem to put all their eggs in the box office basket.” [8:52]“The thing that broke my heart…is that most of the videos don’t even get a view.” [29:57]“Auditions are the worst. The Worst. Everything about it sucks…The experience is miserable.” [31:33]Mentioned in the episode:DaVinci ResolveFind No Film School everywhere:On the Webhttps://nofilmschool.com/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschool Twitter https://twitter.com/nofilmschool YouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschoolInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/nofilmschoolGet your questions answered on the podcast by emailing editor@nofilmschool.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Preparation, preparation, preparation. Director Halina Reijn shares why it is important to prepare before filming and how that process (and No Film School!) helped her on Bodies Bodies Bodies. In this episode, we talk about… How Halina started as an actress before becoming a director Implementing ideas from theater into the filmmaking process Leading with a vision and accepting collaborative ideas Having a flexible storyboard in order to make changes intuitively  Rehearsing camera work before rehearsing with actors An economic and efficient way to do table readings Focusing on the wellbeing of actors on the set of Bodies Bodies Bodies Memorable Quotes“When I direct I love everybody to learn their lines like little machines, like little robots.” [09:32]“We’re all equal and we’re going to build this building together and you are as much responsible for getting it up in the air as I am.” [13:08]“Time is so expensive…Every fucking second counts. Your preparation is everything.” [14:35]“Acting is the most embarrassing profession of all time.” [23:04]Mentioned in the episode:Bodies Bodies BodiesFind No Film School everywhere:On the Webhttps://nofilmschool.com/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschool Twitter https://twitter.com/nofilmschool YouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschoolInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/nofilmschoolGet your questions answered on the podcast by emailing editor@nofilmschool.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your brain is part of your body. The way you eat on set will affect how you think on set.In this episode, we talk about… How audiences will draw connections from vague story explanations Charles’ theory on a recent tech mishap on Episode 7 of House of The Dragon Changing the factory settings on your television Ideas on how to improve the superhero genre Why characters don’t always have to be going through an intense internal conflict Easy and healthy alternatives to the unhealthy food on set Being aware of how food will affect your brain and body while you are working Preventing decision fatigue Memorable Quotes“There’s such an invaluable lesson about the power of an audience’s imagination and brain that gets disrespected left and right by people thinking they have to spell out the entire equation. You can just put ‘two plus two’ on the board; you don’t have to put ‘equals four.’ ” [08:19]“These characters are the human experience on a test drive…as a crash test dummy. We’re putting them through extremes of what can be endured, of what can be solved, of what can be experienced.” [32:19]“If I am at the Craft service table, I am getting a bag of skittles. So I just don’t go to the Craft Service Table. I avoid it.” [47:14]Mentioned in the episode:House of The DragonFind No Film School everywhere:On the Webhttps://nofilmschool.com/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschool Twitter https://twitter.com/nofilmschool YouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschoolInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/nofilmschoolGet your questions answered on the podcast by emailing editor@nofilmschool.com!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices