The No Film School Podcast

We are joined by Jessica Thompson whose feature film, The Light of the Moon, won the Audience Award for Best Narrative Film at the SXSW Film Festival in 2017. Thompson explains how she got started in the film industry and shares her approach to choosing projects to work on.In this episode, we talk about… Being influenced by her favorite filmmakers - She decided to start her career as an editor Moving from Australia to New York City for better opportunities in the film industry Thompson’s approach to projects - She only does projects she is truly passionate about Managing nerves before pitching for a script and dealing with disappointment if the pitch is rejected How Thompson pitched five times before getting hired to direct the film The Invitation  Taking acting classes to help her better understand and communicate with the actors she works with What specific approach Thompson applies during rehearsal time Mentioned in the episode:Jessica M Thompson - FilmographyFilm: The InvitationFilm: The Light of the Moon The Four AgreementsFind 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

We are joined by legendary filmmaker, Joe Dante, who directed movies like Gremlins, The Howling, and Innerspace. A true cinephile, Joe shares his experiences of working with great collaborators such as Spielberg and Corman. He also explains that while filmmaking has changed since he started, newer filmmakers still have the opportunity to create great films. In this episode, we talk about… Working for Roger Corman at the beginning of Joe’s career How Joe first became a “film nut” The influence cartoons had on his films Adding his naturally fragmented personality to each of his films When working on studio films, it can be difficult to be expressive Exposing more people to great films that are underappreciated or underseen New filmmakers can accomplish a lot, even with little financial resources Mentioned in the episode:Trailers from HellJoe’s Podcast - The Movies That Made MeJoe’s Curated List of Monstrous Mayhem - September 3 on Shout Factory TV 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“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