IndieWire's Filmmaker Toolkit

As one of the writers behind Lonely Island, and the director of hits like 'Popstar and 'Hot Rod', director Akiva Schaffer was a brilliant choice to helm a revival of one of cinema's most iconic comedy franchises. We dig into the craft behind the comedy, from casting serious actors to going for broke on a particular snowman sequence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott Z. Burns, renowned writer and director of 'Contagion', dives into the intriguing intersection of AI and screenwriting. He shares his experience using AI to explore a sequel, highlighting both the advantages and unique challenges it poses in storytelling. The conversation reveals AI's limitations in creativity while emphasizing the irreplaceable role of human intuition. Burns also discusses Lexter, an AI critique tool, and the importance of crafting effective prompts for better collaboration between human writers and AI. The future of creativity may depend on this delicate balance.

Kenneth Lonergan, one of our host's favorite filmmakers, joins Toolkit to reflect on his first film as a director, 'You Can Count On Me.' He walks us through his transition from writer to the director's chair, and shares stories of working with Mark Ruffalo and Laura Linney on the film that would be their Sundance breakthrough. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jennifer Kaytin Robinson joins IndieWire features writer Jim Hemphill to talk about rebooting the 1997 slasher classic. Robinson discusses integrating the original cast members into the story (warning: spoilers!), balancing horror and comedy, and the influence of Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws” on her summer thriller. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ari Aster returns to the toolkit for the fourth time with his fourth film, a paranoid social thriller about the summer of 2020 told in a way only this filmmaker can. Ari explores the origins of the film's politics, how he made a western so modern the guns are phones, and unpacks the incredible final act. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Toolkit is taking an ongoing look into the current state of independent filmmaking, and today we have some rare good news to report; indie collectives are on the rise! Two of the filmmakers behind Omnes, which produced this year's 'Eephus' and the new release 'No Sleep Till' join us to discuss how these artists share the burdens of indie filmmaking from financing through production and release. For more on the Omnes Collective, listen to our episode with 'Eephus' director Carson Lund Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dean Hurley, the studio manager and sound expert who's been David Lynch's right hand for years, dives into the enchanting world of sound design. He reveals how Lynch's unique creative process transforms sound into art, exploring its crucial role in works like 'Twin Peaks: The Return.' Hurley discusses the balance between analog and digital techniques, the blending of sound and emotion, and how spontaneous exploration leads to remarkable discoveries, making every auditory experience a vital part of the storytelling.

Director Rob Reiner returns to Filmmaker Toolkit to talk with IndieWire features writer Jim Hemphill about “This is Spinal Tap.” Released in 1984 to widespread acclaim, Reiner’s debut feature created a new form of comedy that inspired countless hours of “mockumentary” TV episodes and films in the decades to follow. On the occasion of the film’s theatrical re-release in a new 4K restoration, Reiner reflects on its making and the challenges he faced getting the movie out into the world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The writer, director, and star of the Sundance hit and new A24 release joins IndieWire's Chris O'Falt to break down their directorial debut. Eva was forthright about the challenges of learning how to direct (including a graduate level film class of sorts supervised by Barry Jenkins) and also explored how she balanced a gentle tonal approach to a tough subject. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices