The No Film School Podcast
No Film School
A podcast about how to build a career in filmmaking. No Film School shares the latest opportunities and trends for anyone working in film and TV. We break news on cameras, lighting, and apps. We interview leaders in screenwriting, directing, cinematography, editing, and producing. And we answer your questions! We are dedicated to sharing knowledge with filmmakers around the globe, “no film school” required.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Sep 1, 2022 • 58min
When is the Right Time to Take Big Career Swings?
When thinking of making a big career swing, we have all asked ourselves the question, “What’s the right move here?” Making big swings can be tricky since there is no way to know what the outcome will be and if we are making the right decision. Charles, Todd, GG, and George give their insight into this tricky situation.In this episode, we talk about…
Changes happening at Warner Bros and how their branding approach seems like a bad idea
Should filmmakers put themselves in a box by self identifying as a certain “brand” of creator
Making project decisions based on cash flow or based on ambition
Incrementalism and how any progress toward the larger goal is good
Realizing there are large factors outside of our control
Not expecting a specific outcome when deciding to take the big career swing
Aiming back at the center of the target every time you get pushed off course
How the editing process is just like cooking
Mentioned in the episode:Warner Bros. Discovery's Agenda Is Now Clear... and It's Not PrettyHBO 1983 IntroTheodore Roosevelt's "The Man in the Arena"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/nofilmschool Get your questions answered on the podcast by emailing editor@nofilmschool.com! Vist https://nordvpn.com/nofilmschool Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 30, 2022 • 37min
Yes, You Can Still Do This... and Audiences Need You to!
Unfortunately it seems that many filmmakers are holding back from making comedy films. Comedy is a necessary genre and thankfully we still have some filmmakers who are producing hilarious films that meet audience needs. John Hamburg, from Meet the Parents and Zoolander, shares his process for creating great comedies. In this episode, we talk about…
Me Time, John’s latest film that is now available on Netflix
John’s opinion on why there are less comedies on the big screen
Finding out what needs improvement by the feedback given in test screenings
John’s experience writing for Meet the Parents and Zoolander
Plot based comedies versus joke based comedies and which strategy John implements in his films
Why John never directs actors to “be funny”
The first step to writing a comedy film - Developing a character
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/nofilmschool Get your questions answered on the podcast by emailing editor@nofilmschool.com!Vist https://nordvpn.com/nofilmschool Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 27, 2022 • 51min
China Sends Hollywood a Message
Do you think the success of a film should be measured on how many markets it reaches and how much money it generates? The average filmmaker needs to remember that they do not have to appeal to everyone in order to be successful. In this episode, we talk about…
MoviePass returning with tiered platform prices
How you can watch ads to earn movie credits by allowing the app to track your eye movement
China’s request for movies that are catered to their culture, customs, and audience
The two choices filmmakers have in response to territory-specific movie demands:
Keep the film and plot as is and risk not being distributed in certain territories and markets
Offer different versions of the film that will be acceptable to all territories
Measuring the success of a film by considering many factors, not only the box office stats
Why filmmakers should define success by their own individual values
How filmmakers like Michael Mann, are influenced by others, like Jean-Pierre Melville, to continue evolving film into wonderful works of art
Links to Resources: MoviePassLe Samouraï - film by Jean-Pierre MelvilleArmy of Shadows - film by Jean-Pierre MelvilleThief - film by Michael MannHeat - film by Michael MannFind 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/nofilmschool Get your questions answered on the podcast by emailing editor@nofilmschool.com! Vist https://nordvpn.com/nofilmschool Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 23, 2022 • 36min
How to Identify Your Filmmaking Voice and Expand Beyond It
Filmmaker, actor, & writer Cherien Dabis shares how navigating clashing cultures and embracing multiple perspectives expanded her voice and helped grow her career… In this episode, we talk about…
How dangerous stereotypes inspired Cherien to become a storyteller
Embracing the outsider perspective in both Arab and American cultures
Transitioning from festivals to working with comedy legends
Seizing opportunities to learn and a reminder to not take yourself too seriously
Advice for managing the waiting game between gigs
Staying true to yourself and knowing the people who want your voice will find you
Honoring the choice to say no and being responsible about what you create
Links to Resources: 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/nofilmschool Get your questions answered on the podcast by emailing editor@nofilmschool.com!Sign up for NordVPN here: https://nordvpn.com/nofilmschool Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 18, 2022 • 59min
How Can You Navigate Hollywood if You Aren't Rich or Connected?
Reacting to Sydney Sweeney’s hot take about income struggles…shedding light on the litany of inequalities of the film industry, and tech news about Aputure’s latest tube lighting…In this episode, we talk about…
Context of Sydney Sweeney’s life and making rich people problems relative
How residual payouts for actors has changed due to streaming
Recognizing the impact of wealth and family connections in the film industry
Acknowledging income, housing, and information inequality
The benefits of when privileged people speak out against inequalities
Aputure’s new MT Pro’s impressive pixel feature
Understanding professional vs. consumer pricing models for film gear
Links to Resources: https://nofilmschool.com/hollywood-income-gap-for-poor-or-middle-class-peopleFind 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/nofilmschool Get your questions answered on the podcast by emailing editor@nofilmschool.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 16, 2022 • 35min
How to Create Your Directing Opportunities with Liz Allen Rosenbaum
Purple Hearts director Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum reflects on her journey from underexposed dailies in film school to directing a Netflix feature that has come under heavy fire for it's political stance.In this episode, we talk about…
The necessity of being a student of film in every way possible
Creating a sense of scarcity and leveraging lunchtime screenings
Befriending TA gatekeepers and finding a new writing partner
How saying what you want can lead to work like Purple Hearts
Managing the delicate balance of trusting your audience vs. being heavy-handed
Threading the needle of fantasy while telling the story you want to tell
The challenge of ensuring all characters’ perspectives are valid and balanced
Links to Resources: Walter Murch episode: https://megaphone.link/NNLLC3056218334Find 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/nofilmschool Get your questions answered on the podcast by emailing editor@nofilmschool.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 11, 2022 • 49min
Find Out What the Hell Happened with HBO Max
Will bots get an unreleased cut of “Bat Girl”? Can women even pay attention to a TV show? A moment of silence for HBO Max employees…and why you need to see the movie “Nope”...In this episode, we talk about…
Merger-specific math and tax benefits of not releasing “Bat Girl”
A sexist breakdown of viewership for HBO Max vs. Discovery Plus
What the merger means for the future of HBO Max and the people who love it
How the right hand doesn’t know what the left hand is doing in the film industry
Jordan Peele’s nod to the history of cinema and power of the camera in “Nope”
Using a 3D camera rig to capture day for night scenes
Recognizing the incredible evolution of sound design in film
Links to Resources: Nope: https://nofilmschool.com/jordan-peele-nope-imaxNope Cameras https://nofilmschool.com/Large-Format-Cinematography-Goes-Giant-with-New-IMAX-Film-CamerasWarner Brothers:https://nofilmschool.com/warner-bros-cancelled-supehero-movieshttps://nofilmschool.com/what-exactly-going-warner-bros-discoveryFind 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/nofilmschool Get your questions answered on the podcast by emailing editor@nofilmschool.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 9, 2022 • 42min
How 'Nope' Editor Nicholas Monsour Creates Perspective and Meaning
“Nope” Editor Nicholas Monsour sheds light on cutting scenes with Jordan Peele and finding the balance between ambiguity and intention… In this episode, we talk about…
Communicating with Jordan Peele without breaking the bubble of what he’s creating
Approaching a script both intuitively and analytically as an editor
Creating intentional perspectives and a specific language for the film
Why reaching an elevated level means not forcing footage to be something it isn’t
Learning what to keep vs. what to toss and understanding the rhythm of a film
The intentionality behind Jordan’s films and drawing attention to Black cinema
Recognizing how much blockbusters have changed over the past 20 years
Links to Resources: https://nofilmschool.com/nope-movie-explainedFind 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/nofilmschool Get your questions answered on the podcast by emailing editor@nofilmschool.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 4, 2022 • 59min
How Do You Know When Your Edit is Done?
How do you maintain perspective as an editor? Can you really do nothing to get ahead? Have you experienced the runner’s high of editing? Plus DaVinci Resolve 18 and killer new cloud tools… In this episode, we talk about…
What editorial perspective entails and the emotional rollercoaster of editing
Suggestions for gut-checking yourself in the editing process
Recognizing if you’re truly listening to feedback vs. looking for a gold star
Why it’s okay to be picky about who gives you notes
The philosophy behind “Do nothing, stay ahead” and what Napoleon’s inbox would look like today
Why it’s time to make the switch to Blackmagic Design’s DaVinci Resolve 18
Links to Resources: Walter Murch Interview on Editing - https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/cinematic-legend-walter-murch-on-editing-sound-design/id1078804724?i=1000491356114Find 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/nofilmschool Get your questions answered on the podcast by emailing editor@nofilmschool.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 28, 2022 • 56min
The New Soft Skills You Need as a Modern Filmmaker
Filmmakers creating trolly news cycles and buying bots to gain online attention… Hollywood myth about keeping your project a secret to prevent it from being stolen... latest cloud storage tools by Blackmagic.In this episode, we talk about…
The phenomenon of creating a trolley news cycle by filmmakers
Filmmakers are buying bots to gain attention on social media
Soft skills you can develop to be a good filmmaker
The idea of putting your vision on the market
Debunking the myth that you shouldn't talk about your project with anyone.
Not getting worried about your idea being stolen — it's much cheaper to buy it from you than to steal it.
WGA arbitration to save your projects from plagiarism
Blackmagic's latest cloud tools —Cloud Pod, Cloud Store Mini, and Proxy Generator
Links to Resources: 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/nofilmschool Get your questions answered on the podcast by emailing editor@nofilmschool.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices


