The No Film School Podcast

Get ready for a deep dive into script coverage, whether or not you should pay for it, and which platforms are best for it. In this episode, we talk about... What script coverage is and why a writer might want to hire a coverage service. Price points for different script coverage services and what those prices might include. What script coverage can lead to (there are success stories) versus what your odds of success from the services are. A script coverage experiment trying three different services - linked below. How subjective Hollywood is and why you need to learn which notes to take and which to ignore. How Canon, surprisingly, just dropped a brand-new, dual fish-eye VR lens. How the new James Bond movie, No Time to Die, is out now and is proving to have a lot of filmmaking lessons for us all. The interesting push and pull between making a James Bond movie stay true to the originals and still be appropriate for today’s modern world. Amazon’s new involvement in the James Bond franchise. Whether or not we’ll ever see a female or BIPOC Bond. Links to Resources: Script Coverage Experiment - https://nofilmschool.com/screenplay-coverage-services Please like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschool Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/nofilmschool Subscribe to our Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschool Check us out on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/nofilmschool/ Ask us questions at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Antoine Fuqua and Jake Gyllenhaal discuss the surprising results of filming in COVID confined spaces and Theodore Melfi shares his experience of writing and going for the yes... In this episode, we talk about… The challenge of creating a film with limited space and characters How shifting the story to Los Angeles changed Fuqua’s approach to the film How the pandemic impacted production and why directors and actors must always have complete trust with each other Why you have to trust in the magic of filming How Kevin Melfi went from working at an Italian cafe to making feature films The difference between lying vs. saying yes Remembering how simple filmmaking can be—six simple shots! How Kevin learned to direct and communicate with actors by studying them in acting classes Advice for raising money to fund a film and how filmmaking is more accessible Kevin’s journey as a writer and why he believes directors and filmmakers need the skill to write Screenplay books, guidelines and how Kevin operates when writing a film Links to Resources: Turn Cheap Miniatures Into Awesome Visual Effects https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMuf2bHdGrY Subscribe to our newsletter for news, contests, deals, and a FREE ebook at https://nofilmschool.com/screenwritingbook. Check out our new video on lighting night shoots: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J66WWsCp7XE You can read about all this and more at https://nofilmschool.com/. You can also check out our Gear Guides and Entertainment News on the right hand side. Please like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and check us out on Instagram! Ask us questions at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This mini bonus episode features two awesome guests who both worked on the new James Bond film, Linus Sandgren the cinematographer, and Chris Corbould the special effects supervisor. In this episode, we talk about... How the process went shooting the movie on film and how they chose which sections to film differently for IMAX. Setting the mood for different scenes by carefully choosing the filming location. Behind the scenes thoughts about some of the really cool shots in the film. How the team approached shooting close-ups for so many different actors, from a technical standpoint. Links to Resources: No Time to Die - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2382320/ iPhone 13 Review - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXUENXWD_gw Please like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschool Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/nofilmschool Subscribe to our Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschool Check us out on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/nofilmschool/ Ask us questions at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lots of big and exciting news in the film industry this week, including the recent strike authorization vote by IATSE! In this episode, we talk about... IATSE, the union representing thousands of TV and film employees, has authorized a strike to gain equal pay for new media (such as streaming services), higher bottom rates for living wages, and adequate rest breaks. How the resounding “Yes” vote for the strike got negotiations to start moving again. The support and solidarity that’s been seen in the film community about the strike - but how much are these supporters putting their money where their mouth is? Thoughts on the roles of unions, pay scales for different positions in the industry, how this all affects producers, and more. How Russia sent a film crew to space to shoot a movie at the International Space Station! Exciting news regarding the iPhone 13’s camera’s LiDAR capabilities. An Ask No Film School question regarding how we can help support the IATSE strike, if it happens. Links to Resources: Please like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschool Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/nofilmschool Subscribe to our Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschool Check us out on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/nofilmschool/ Ask us questions at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s topic is a recent film that does a great job with one of the trickiest types of stories to tell in film-making - true stories which the audience is already familiar with. In this episode, we talk about... The timing for the film’s release, and all the ways that makes it more poignant. The process for bringing the film to Sundance, then making a deal with Netflix, and then adding high-profile backers like the Obamas. Sara’s career as a writer and director. How she got involved with this project, how 9/11 impacted her, and how she brought her experiences in post-9/11 NYC to the film. How Sara likes to change genres and experiment with her range, and how she is able to land a variety of films to work on. Ways Sara simplifies her cerebral thought process to communicate directions to actors. Choices Sara made as she was deciding how to film the movie and the types of cameras used. What Sara is currently writing and other ideas she has in the pipeline. The cultural shift that happened after 9/11 and how it even impacted the kinds of movies being made. Sara’s advice for new filmmakers - which is to only take projects you’re excited about! Links to Resources: Worth - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8009744/ Please like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschool Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/nofilmschool Subscribe to our Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschool Check us out on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/nofilmschool/ Ask us questions at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does the Big Four becoming the Big Three mean for filmmakers? Will IATSE’s potential strike really change the underpaid long hours of film production? And news about Aputure’s new bright light... In this episode, we talk about… Details about the merger between CAA and ICM What challenges indie filmmakers may face because of the merger The minor bright side of the merger for streaming services What the merger means for future WGA or union negotiations A refresher on packaging and understanding the current state of packaging The dystopian Wild West of Hollywood and what the Solidarity Slate fails to address IATSE’s impending strike and the evolution of filmmaking work days Aputure’s launch of the Light Storm 1200d Pro LED light Links to Resources: Solidarity Slate: https://www.solidarityslate.com/ IATSE: https://iatse.net/ Turn Cheap Miniatures Into Awesome Visual Effects https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMuf2bHdGrY Subscribe to our newsletter for news, contests, deals, and a FREE ebook at https://nofilmschool.com/screenwritingbook. Check out our new video on lighting night shoots: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J66WWsCp7XE You can read about all this and more at https://nofilmschool.com/. You can also check out our Gear Guides and Entertainment News on the right hand side. Please like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and check us out on Instagram! Ask us questions at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Patricia Gomez and Elza Kephat share the 15-year journey that led to their new horror film SLAXX. In this episode, we talk about… Collaboration and splitting the writing and production processes Hospital booze and graveyard zombies The arts and sciences of the film industry Patricia and Elza’s experience with perfecting and performing their pitch Letting intuition vs. intellect guide you in filmmaking The intention behind focusing on fast fashion in Slaxx What’s next for Patricia and Elza Links to Resources: Turn Cheap Miniatures Into Awesome Visual Effects https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMuf2bHdGrY Subscribe to our newsletter for news, contests, deals, and a FREE ebook at https://nofilmschool.com/screenwritingbook. Check out our new video on lighting night shoots: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J66WWsCp7XE You can read about all this and more at https://nofilmschool.com/. You can also check out our Gear Guides and Entertainment News on the right-hand side. Please like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and check us out on Instagram! Ask us questions at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Guest Ed Burns is one of a very small number of filmmakers who have been in the thick of the Indie film scene since the 90s and he has invaluable knowledge to share. In this episode, we talk about... Ed’s film Summer Days, Summer Nights and how his childhood helped inspire it. How Ed selected the eclectic music for the film’s soundtrack. Compromises that need to be made to keep the budget low for Indie films, what cannot be compromised on, and how Ed decides between the two. Why Indie filmmakers need the skillset of being able to make last minute changes to accommodate schedule and budget. Ed’s creative process as a writer and how he identifies the good ideas. How Ed is able to make sure his work is up to par when he’s wearing multiple hats - like writer, director, and actor - all on the same project. Links to Resources: Summer Days, Summer Nights - https://www.amazon.com/Summer-Days-Nights-Pico-Alexander/dp/B09CZCS82R Please like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschool Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/nofilmschool Subscribe to our Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschool Check us out on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/nofilmschool/ Ask us questions at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Take a deep dive into the advanced film-making features on the new iPhone, plus learn about some important union news for two different unions in the film industry. In this episode, we talk about... How the iPhone 13 just came out and it has two features that are relevant to filmmakers. How amazing it is that you can just about film a legit film on a phone with today’s iPhone camera quality and features. Aperture has announced a new light: the Nove P600c. How the WJA just had an election. How IATSE, an umbrella union that covers many film workers (and theatrical stagehands), might have a historic strike soon. The issues in the entertainment industry that are causing the pending strike, such as long work hours and unlivable wages. Links to Resources: IA Stories Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ia_stories/ Please like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschool Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/nofilmschool Subscribe to our Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschool Check us out on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/nofilmschool/ Ask us questions at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There’s lots of important news in the film world this week that the gang is going to tackle and break down for you, many of which have implications for the future of the art of filmmaking. In this episode, we talk about... How Paramount is restructuring - the Chairman and CEO is being replaced. The new CEO has an interesting story, having ascended from being a child actor in the 90s to a director, to this current position. How Paramount has joined “The Streaming Wars” and is trying to create more content for their digital platform to get more viewers subscribed. Why we might see a lot of reboots of older Paramount movies. Whether the Streaming Wars are the death of art or a great way to get more movies and shows produced. Disney has announced they’re going back to theaters! This is following them releasing full-length movies on Disney+ for an upcharge during the pandemic. How long you used to have to wait for a new movie to come out on VHS/DVD versus the new model, where Disney can release a movie in the theater and then on their streaming service about 45 days later. Canon has rolled out a new camera called the R3 which is mostly a stills camera and, while it may not be the highest resolution camera on the market, it’s great for filmmakers. This camera’s amazing technology of scanning your retina in the viewfinder to try to keep in focus whatever you’re looking at and how this feature has upsides and downsides. Links to Resources: Please like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschool Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/nofilmschool Subscribe to our Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschool Check us out on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/nofilmschool/ Ask us questions at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Yoka, director, producer and editor of Whirlybird discusses why he made a film centered on high-speed chases and the family behind this medium of reporting and filmmaking, and how he mastered zen and the art of movie marketing during lockdown. In this episode, we talk about… How Los Angeles Plays Itself sparked the creation of Whirlybird Focusing on high-speed pursuits and providing an emotional character-focused experience vs. intellectual experience 45 minutes of beautiful VHS glitches Matt’s experience at the Sundance Film Festival and Covid’s impact on marketing the film How excessive film-watching during quarantine inspired Matt as a filmmaker Why it’s almost impossible to end a documentary Advice to approach filmmaking focused on the story you want to share with a “less is more” mindset Links to Resources: Turn Cheap Miniatures Into Awesome Visual Effects https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMuf2bHdGrY Subscribe to our newsletter for news, contests, deals, and a FREE ebook at https://nofilmschool.com/screenwritingbook. Check out our new video on lighting night shoots: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J66WWsCp7XE You can read about all this and more at https://nofilmschool.com/. You can also check out our Gear Guides and Entertainment News on the right hand side. Please like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and check us out on Instagram! Ask us questions at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What made Shang-Chi’s opening so successful and when’s the last time you played Dance Dance Revolution? In this episode, we talk about… “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings”: 2nd biggest box office opening of the pandemic Preserving theatrical releases and “Petty” headlines Evolution of subtitles and reality of product placements in film budgets Good Deal/Bad Deal: Working on holidays Tech news about Red’s new V-Raptor camera and Fuji’s upcoming sensors and lenses Links to Resources: Turn Cheap Miniatures Into Awesome Visual Effects https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMuf2bHdGrY Subscribe to our newsletter for news, contests, deals, and a FREE ebook at https://nofilmschool.com/screenwritingbook. Check out our new video on lighting night shoots: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J66WWsCp7XE You can read about all this and more at https://nofilmschool.com/. You can also check out our Gear Guides and Entertainment News on the right hand side. Please like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and check us out on Instagram! Ask us questions at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every once and awhile, a movie comes along that resonates and connects with people, becoming an instant classic. A screenwriter who makes multiple of these movies is even rarer, but Paul Schrader is one of those gems. In this episode, we talk about... The literary inspirations Paul drew from when creating the characters in his film Taxi Driver. Other iconic characters Paul has written over his career. The things Paul looks for he gets notes and who he seeks to take notes from. Whether or not Paul thinks about the actor when he’s writing a character. What drives Paul’s confidence as a writer/director. Paul’s story about Taxi Driver 2. Links to Resources: Turn Cheap Miniatures into Awesome Visual Effects - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMuf2bHdGrY The Card Counter (in theaters now) - https://www.focusfeatures.com/the-card-counter Please like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschool Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/nofilmschool Subscribe to our Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschool Check us out on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/nofilmschool/ Ask us questions at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Should you be a writer’s room PA? What’s up with blockchain technology and what does it mean for Hollywood? Also, is it really okay to skip out on watching work you helped create but had no control over? In this episode, we talk about… Good deal or bad deal: Kath’s experience as a writer’s PA Lessons from the bad deals and the need for boundaries Questions around the Coppola’s blockchain and the need for “Film Beans” Why it’s okay Tarantino never watched True Romance or Natural Born Killers New photo tech with Polycam Links to Resources: Turn Cheap Miniatures Into Awesome Visual Effects https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMuf2bHdGrY Subscribe to our newsletter for news, contests, deals, and a FREE ebook at https://nofilmschool.com/screenwritingbook. Check out our new video on lighting night shoots: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J66WWsCp7XE You can read about all this and more at https://nofilmschool.com/. You can also check out our Gear Guides and Entertainment News on the right hand side. Please like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and check us out on Instagram! Ask us questions at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shawn Levy, director, co-writer, and producer of “Free Guy”, joins the show to discuss how to approach failure, humility and why you’ve got to really know yourself and see yourself to find the path that’s right for you. In this episode, we talk about… What led to Levy’s “Hollywood System Career” The power of seeing yourself with harsh clarity to truly know thyself Understanding on the other side of the hard path is a chance at greatness Reconciling the idea of your identity with who you really are and what you can be Knowing how to use your words, persona and vision to inspire movie stars (and money) to bet on you Spielberg’s advice on knowing when you’ve got it right Why Shawn believes directing requires decisive leadership and being clear about what you want Learning the language of actors so you can put them in the mood and the moment so they can be great What Shawn and Ryan Reynolds added to the Free Guy script and why it worked How Shawn picks his projects based on comedic and heart-felt content Links to Resources: Turn Cheap Miniatures Into Awesome Visual Effects https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMuf2bHdGrY Subscribe to our newsletter for news, contests, deals, and a FREE ebook at https://nofilmschool.com/screenwritingbook. Check out our new video on lighting night shoots: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J66WWsCp7XE You can read about all this and more at https://nofilmschool.com/. You can also check out our Gear Guides and Entertainment News on the right hand side. Please like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and check us out on Instagram! Ask us questions at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Details about Adobe’s multibillion-dollar deal to acquire Frame.io and why film industry workers deserve the same care as free range chickens... In this episode, we talk about… Frame.io’s capabilities The growing reality of video being made by collaborative teams 3 reasons Frame.io is worth what Adobe paid for the acquisition A common love-hate relationship with Adobe Letter from top cinematographers addressing long working hours Why the entire film industry needs 8 hour workdays and why it may never happen How our culture always romanticizes filmmakers putting in extra effort Links to Resources: Frame.io https://www.frame.io/ Turn Cheap Miniatures Into Awesome Visual Effects https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMuf2bHdGrY Subscribe to our newsletter for news, contests, deals, and a FREE ebook at https://nofilmschool.com/screenwritingbook. Check out our new video on lighting night shoots: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J66WWsCp7XE You can read about all this and more at https://nofilmschool.com/. You can also check out our Gear Guides and Entertainment News on the right hand side. Please like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and check us out on Instagram! Ask us questions at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cinematographer Andrew Droz Palermo takes us through his collaboration with David Lowery on 'The Green Knight’ in today’s interview. In this episode, we talk about... Palermo’s previous work as both a director and director of production. How ‘The Green Knight’ came to be - it’s been a long process! Some of the really cool production elements in the movie and the equipment used to capture them. The rich soundscape for ‘The Green Knight’ and the process for creating it. Inspirations for the lighting used in the film. How the team created the story from myths and legends, and why they made the choices they did. Links to Resources: Learn all about The Green Knight and what it means in our in-depth mega-post: https://nofilmschool.com/Sir-gawain-the-green-knight-explained The Green Knight - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9243804/ Please like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschool Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/nofilmschool Subscribe to our Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschool Check us out on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/nofilmschool/ Ask us questions at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Make sure you listen to the whole episode for a new segment that we’re debuting at the end. In this episode, we talk about... How toxic fandom has become incredibly common on the internet. Director Alan Taylor losing the will to direct due to the toxic fandom he has to deal with. Why it's good that more big name people call out online harassment and cyber-bullying. The ways that what people say online can be taken very personally and affect creators’ mental health. How Quentin Tarantino is still carrying anger towards his mother about a comment she made early in his career. Whether or not Tarantino’s viral comments should be surprising. The role of cults of personality in the film industry. Advances in 3D modeling, including phone apps you can use to scan 3D objects using LiDAR sensors. Introducing a new segment designed just for the gig economy - Good Deal, Bad Deal. Ideas for how to make a bad deal better (it’s not what you think) and examples of times you might want to take a bad deal. Links to Resources: Check out: https://www.saluteyourshortsfest.com/ https://www.amazon.com/Salty-Pirate/dp/B08B8Z96JQ Please like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschool Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/nofilmschool Subscribe to our Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschool Check us out on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/nofilmschool/ Ask us questions or submit to Good Deal, Bad Deal at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Two of the film industry’s most prolific producers - John Davis and John Fox of Disney's Jungle Cruise - are giving us behind the scenes info and stories on many of the huge blockbusters they’ve been a part of. In this episode, we talk about... How these producers who work on movies with huge budgets and top stars still have to pitch their films and go through the same process as other filmmakers. How the two of them decided to become producers and what their early inspirations were. Each of their earliest jobs in the industry and how they worked their way up. Fun stories about filming Predator. How Jungle Cruise came about, got pitched, and got a team together. The ways that even for big name producers like Davis and Fox, the process of pitching to a studio is still competitive and difficult. Why you should see limitations as opportunities. Thoughts about how to respond to and learn from test audiences. Links to Resources: Jungle Cruise - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0870154/ Please like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschool Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/nofilmschool Subscribe to our Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschool Check us out on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/nofilmschool/ Ask us questions at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s episode covers a range of film current event topics and some important food for thought for your film career. In this episode, we talk about... James Gunn’s use of a hot take about his new The Suicide Squad as a marketing tactic and (differing) opinions about whether or not it was ok to do. General thoughts about filmmakers criticizing each other over social media. Varying opinions about the new The Suicide Squad. The update to the 2019 MacbookPros that Apple just announced and tips on how to finance a Macbook if you’re buying it for school or work. How to handle vendors that don’t deliver what you need. The importance of learning which tool to use for which job as a filmmaker. Knowing when to be willing to pay more for gear, and the risks you take when you buy something cheap. How to best handle rejection, which you will face quite a bit as a filmmaker. Why what you do with criticism can define you and your career. When rejection can actually be a gift. The sometimes fine line between responding to rejection with polite tenacity versus plain rudeness. Links to Resources: The Suicide Squad (2021) - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6334354/ https://www.amazon.com/Salty-Pirate/dp/B08B8Z96JQ Please like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschool Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/nofilmschool Subscribe to our Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschool Check us out on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/nofilmschool/ Ask us questions at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The DP of In the Heights, Alice Brooks, is chatting today about all the things that make this new movie musical so special. In this episode, we talk about... How Alice got the job on In the Heights and her longtime love for musicals. How Alice prepared and gathered inspiration or In the Heights, having not seen it on stage. Some of the amazing filming locations throughout Washington Heights that were used for the film. Cinematography decisions that were made and types of equipment that were used for filming. How the creators approached capturing a place and a culture that were not their own. Some of Alice’s favorite movies and how they’ve inspired her. Links to Resources: In the Heights - https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/in-the-heights/umc.cmc.1zme0ypyl9tz3qggwwi3e5aoi?action=play Please like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschool Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/nofilmschool Subscribe to our Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschool Check us out on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/nofilmschool/ Ask us questions at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

George, Todd, Kath and Charles discuss the drama surrounding Scarlett Johansson’s lawsuit against Disney, Amanda Knox and the burden filmmakers have for research and talking to sources, how deep fakes have led to legit jobs and some exciting tech news! In this episode, we talk about… Details about Scarlett Johansson’s contract for Black Widow and why she’s suing Disney Impact of changes to film releases: theatrical vs. streaming Disparities in pay within the film industry Ongoing issues with nonpayments and residual pay and why litigation is often necessary Choosing to side with the stars vs. the studios Why we should fight against wage theft at every level Brief recap of the Amanda Knox story and how it relates to Tom McCarthy’s Stillwater film What obligation filmmakers have regarding research and how real events inspire fiction How marketing sometimes becomes a stumbling block for films What deepfakes are and how they’re getting people jobs Deepfaking skills and different examples of deepfakes Exciting Adobe and Blackmagic releases Links to Resources: Subscribe to our newsletter for news, contests, deals, and a FREE ebook at https://nofilmschool.com/screenwritingbook. Please like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and check us out on Instagram! Ask us questions at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many Americans grew up with the idea that there is a set career ladder that they can climb if they work hard enough - but unfortunately, it doesn’t quite work this way in the film industry. In this episode, we talk about... Whether or not Hollywood has a career ladder, whether the way the system currently works makes it impossible to move up in the industry, and who is trying to change the system. How frustrating it is that when you want to make a slight career change, it’s hard to make lateral transitions without starting at the very bottom. How opportunities in the industry are still limited to mostly serve people of a certain class, a certain race, and a certain gender. The fact that there is an expectation for people to spend their twenties working overtime at the poverty level just to move up in their career. Why there should be more mentorship opportunities in the film industry. Blender, a free tool for model-building from Adobe! Whether or not to form an LLC. Links to Resources: Blender Listen to recent episodes for great interviews with M. Night Shyamalan and Tom McCarthy (Stillwater). Please like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, subscribe to our Youtube, and check us out on Instagram! Ask us questions at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The new movie 'Stillwater' is a tour-de-force and we are joined by writer/director Tom McCarthy as well as his co-writers. Later on, we also talk to the writer/director of 'Let Us In', Craig Moss. In this episode, we talk about... How the team for Stillwater decided which elements of the plot to reveal to the audience and when to create an aura of mystery and sustain interest. The profound and timely themes that Stillwater’s plot explores, and whether the themes or the plot came first when developing the script. How the team developed characters for the script, and how those conversations informed casting. How Craig Moss found a bit of a loophole in intellectual property when he created Let Us In by tapping into urban legends. Moss’s early influences and how he got started in film. What it was like for Moss to make the jump from producing his own short films to directing a feature. Moss’s experience creating various parody films. How Moss and his partner developed Let Us In from the legend of the black-eyed children and other influences for the film, like The Goonies, ET, and Stranger Things. What it was like for Moss to work with his daughter as the lead actor on the film. Links to Resources: Stillwater Official Trailer Stillwater Official Website More about Let Us In Please like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, subscribe to our Youtube, and check us out on Instagram! Ask us questions at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Writer/director Edson Oda's first feature NINE DAYS premiered at Sundance 2020, where it won the Screenwriting Award and was acquired by Sony Pictures Classics. A dream come true for a first-time filmmaker, right? The film, which is about social isolation and deep reflection on the meaning of life, was all set to debut theatrically later that year… until COVID-19 had other plans. And socially isolated all of us, and made all of us reflect on the meaning of life. This week it finally hits theaters (NY and LA on July 30, everywhere else in the US on August 6), and if you like ambitious films that ask existential questions, NINE DAYS will have been worth the wait. NFS Founder Ryan Koo talked with Oda and producer Jason Michael Berman (who also produced Koo's own first feature, AMATEUR) about the Herculean task of getting a first feature made — especially one as ambitious as NINE DAYS. In this episode, we talk about… Director Edson Oda’s background and early career, including screenwriting. How film-writing contests can be useful for the purposes of getting a deadline and some external pressure, and less for the results. The process of going through the Sundance Writers’ Lab, and actually getting a film made out of it. How the casting process for NINE DAYS went, especially given that the film was unfinanced at the time. How the team eventually got financing for their movie and the hurdles they faced. Oda’s preparation process for filming his first feature film and why prep is one of the most important parts of the process. Why Oda didn’t do a ton of rewriting during filming. What surprised Oda the most about the experience filming NINE DAYS. Why you really need to believe in yourself, be resourceful, and not give up when you’re trying to get a feature film made. Fun stories from the (often stressful) filmmaking process. Links to Resources: The trailer for Nine Days Nine Days on IMDB Check out this short film: A Sensorial Ride on Vimeo - Edson Oda Please like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, subscribe to our Youtube, and check us out on Instagram! Ask us questions at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are multiple filmmakers on the podcast today who have lots of mic drop moments about these two new releases In this episode, we talk about… How M. Night Shyamalan’s movie Old is one of those rare films that can completely change your perspective on life and make you appreciate every moment. How Shyamalan worked with his cast to hone in on what was a difficult piece to capture for actors. How Shyamalan decides what information to give the audience (and when) for his thrillers. The ways humans have a dysfunctional relationship with time, how the movie plays with it, and how the timing with the pandemic made the movie’s message even more powerful. Why Shyamalan always wants to shoot 35, the challenges it presents, and why he insisted on it for Old. The career journey for PIG’s filmmakers, who are making their feature film debut! Nicholas Cage, how he ended up on the project, and what he was like to work with on set. The importance of tenacity for new filmmakers trying to get a film produced - sometimes you have to force it through. More advice for new filmmakers from this team fresh off their first feature! How they chose their gear for filming PIG. Links to Resources: Old by M. Night Shyamalan PIG starring Nicholas Cage Please like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, subscribe to our Youtube, and check us out on Instagram! Ask us questions at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we talk about… How Chris Nolan and Zack Snyder have a heart-warming tradition of watching each other’s movies before release and not giving each other any notes. The difference between notes from people who just feel like they have to say something versus getting tactful and well-thought out notes at the right time in the process. How to give useful notes to a filmmaker. The power of writers’ groups, even for writers who are already successful. Portrayals of sex in film and who gets to tell which stories. An ode to Richard Donner, who recently passed away. Celluloid film and how it still has a place for making movies today. Why the digital revolution is great, but digital vs. film doesn’t have to be a one-or-the-other argument. An Ask No Film School about working with clients and balancing their desires with what’s possible. How to handle struggles and miscommunications with your clients. Links to Resources: Please like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and check us out on Instagram! Ask us questions at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New film Gunpowder Milkshake is a love letter to violence on screen, and the film’s director is here today to chat about the making of the movie! In this episode, we talk about… How Papushado got started and the combination of bravery and stupidity (his own words) that helped him get his first movie. Papushado’s influences and how they drive him creatively. Instances throughout film history where humor and action/violence go hand-in-hand, from Looney Tunes to Tarantino. Various factors that set Gunpowder Milkshake apart, including that it has a female-led cast! Papushado’s process for planning out fight sequences. Some of the gear that Papushado used to create Gunpowder Milkshake. How Papushado tries to watch a movie per day and write as much as he can to keep his skills sharp. Links to Resources: Gunpowder Milkshake’s trailer Watch Gunpowder Milkshake on Netflix Please like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and check us out on Instagram! Ask us questions at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host George Edelman welcomes Ed Solomon to share how lessons from both success and failure—along with one wild night at an Alaskan Strip Club—have had a hand in shaping the writer he is today. In this episode, we talk about… How Ed’s high school experience inspired him to be a writer and why he tells himself he’s an imposter daily How shifting from big budget films to smaller specs expanded Ed’s creative path How a trip to an Alaskan strip club led Ed to write the play “Strip Club” and how it got him hired for Laverne & Shirley The fallacy about gateways that lead to your career—you make your own path Why Ed considers Men in Black as a series of failures that culminated in success Developing a skill set to learn how to write while you write and learning from every script How Ed approaches storytelling: Remember you’re always dealing with point of view even if you don’t realize it Know what it means to have a healthy relationship with the audience and always keep in mind what they know Examples of objective vs. subjective points of view Consider your audience as a friendly ally Advice for new writers: Get other people to say your words out loud and listen to it Take your words and mount it, direct it, film it, edit it Take acting, editing, and cinematography classes Watch your very favorite movies and transcribe them—internalize what those writers did What you can learn from transcribing films: How little dialogue you actually need How little stage direction you need How short scenes are and how they do not have a beginning, middle and end but just a middle (usually) The importance of sequences and how things are a juxtaposition of little pieces to form a sequence You really only learn about writing screenplays by writing a bunch of screenplays Why Ed is choosing to keep a beginner’s mind until the end Links to Resources: No Sudden Move on HBO max Subscribe to our newsletter for news, contests, deals, and a FREE ebook at https://nofilmschool.com/screenwritingbook. Check out our new video on lighting night shoots: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J66WWsCp7XE You can read about all this and more at https://nofilmschool.com/. You can also check out our Gear Guides and Entertainment News on the right hand side. Please like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and check us out on Instagram! Ask us questions at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

George chats with Ben Mankiewicz and Julie Salamon about their podcast The Plot Thickens, Julie’s book The Devil’s Candy is the best book on movie making.... ever? In this episode, we talk about… Details about the Plot Thickens Why they chose The Devil’s Candy for the podcast What everyone thought was going to happen during filming Bonfire of the Vanities vs. what actually happened Why The Devil’s Candy is the definitive adaptation of Bonfire and why it puts a stamp on Tom Wolf’s novel Defining what’s good and bad and why it’s unrealistic and boring to label films this way What makes the podcast the same but different from The Devil’s Candy Addressing how actors feel about their portrayal in The Devil’s Candy Encouraging people to allow more gray into their lives Reframing failure and why doing difficult things is worth it Links to Resources: The Plot Thickens Podcast The Devil’s Candy Subscribe to our newsletter for news, contests, deals, and a FREE ebook at https://nofilmschool.com/screenwritingbook. Check out our new video on lighting night shoots: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J66WWsCp7XE You can read about all this and more at https://nofilmschool.com/. You can also check out our Gear Guides and Entertainment News on the right hand side. Please like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and check us out on Instagram! Ask us questions at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Charles, George, Jo, and Kath break down all things Blackmagic such as using the 6K Pro for a night walk and talk, clarifying misinformation about 12K, and also whether you should bother learning Fusion and Fairlight. In this episode, we talk about… Night walk and talks and why they’re more complicated than you think. Why shooting raw is important when different color temperatures exist Production budgets and when it makes the most sense to shoot raw. Different cameras that can and can’t shoot raw. The pros and cons of Instagram casting. Resolutions and what everyone should understand about 12K and delivery formats and capture formats. How filming has changed since the introduction of digital images. Why 4K might be the last broadcast delivery format. Fusion and Fairlight and what tools freelancers should know. Links to Resources: Blackmagic Week - learn more here! Please like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and check us out on Instagram! Ask us questions at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Guest David Stump has worked on some of the biggest visual effects movies as well as being at the forefront of the shift to the digital medium, helping to develop the tech being used by filmmakers today. In this episode, we talk about… How David Stump got his career started, what made him want to get into visual effects, and how he made his break into that arena. What the world of visual effects was like in Stump’s earlier career, which was completely different than how it’s done today. Examples of the completely analog methods of creating visual effects before CGI. How visual effects changed when digital imaging technology came onto the scene, when Stump first started working with them, and how Stump began incorporating the new technology. Why David first started using Blackmagic and what tools he likes to use now. What David sees as the next visual effects technological needs that he’d like to see on the market soon. Links to Resources: Blackmagic Week - learn more here! You can read about all this and more at https://nofilmschool.com/. You can also check out our Gear Guides and Entertainment News on the right hand side. Please like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and check us out on Instagram! Ask us questions at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

DP John Brawley drops wisdom from years in the trenches, plus insights into the development of Blackmagic Design. In this episode, we talk about… John Brawley’s career journey and how he was able to keep moving forward toward his goal of being a cinematographer, even while going through rough patches. The various jobs Brawley did in the film industry in his early days and how they served as a sort of film school for him. How film work is a lifestyle and often doesn’t leave much time for a personal life. Why having to edit your own shots is vital to becoming a good cinematographer. The formal education programs Brawley went through. Brawley’s experience with Blackmagic cameras and how he’s known the founder for a long time. What went into Blackmagic cameras’ designs. The factors that come into play for Brawley when choosing a camera for a shoot and other decisions a cinematographer must make that may be even more important than camera type. Unique challenges that come up when working on a TV series. Links to Resources: Blackmagic Week - learn more here! You can read about all this and more at https://nofilmschool.com/. You can also check out our Gear Guides and Entertainment News on the right hand side. Please like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and check us out on Instagram! Ask us questions at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we talk about… How the British government has begun demanding data from streaming services about how many people are watching their shows. How the movie industry’s data - like box office numbers - has always been public, but streaming services have been very secretive about their data. How Netflix wants control over which of their numbers come out and when. How Youtube has very public data which has resulted in lawsuits when the metrics changed. How this data could be used to help artists and creators - but also how data isn’t always useful, especially if not interpreted with sophistication. Whether actors should be allowed to lie about their height. How this all stemmed from a tweet about male actors exaggerating their heights, which caused some controversy on Twitter. When height can matter and when it shouldn’t. Tech news this week is pretty quiet - but tune back next week for a deep dive into Black Magic! A follow-up question from when Charles recently mentioned his job reading scripts, and specific reasons he found certain scripts subpar. How many times, the script reader won’t read the entire script, but rather some of the beginning and some of the end. Why you really need to write about what interests you. Links to Resources: You can read about all this and more at https://nofilmschool.com/. You can also check out our Gear Guides and Entertainment News on the right hand side. Please like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and check us out on Instagram! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While many topics seem off-limits for jokes these days, there is always value to poking fun at all the awful sides of human nature. Guest on the show John Lee created 'Wonder Showzen' to push boundaries and make people uncomfortable in an intelligent and meaningful way. He believes being political is a necessary part of being a creator. In this episode, we talk about… John’s background and how he got into film as a career. John’s early career in New York City and what the industry was like at that time. How John and his creative partner Vernon got interested in topics like racism and misogyny and the importance of talking about those truths. As well as how kids understand injustice and don’t need things sugarcoated for them. Why all work should be political in some way. John’s new movie 'False Positive' and his inspirations for it - including a discussion of Peter Pan. Issues in our society with our health system, lack of support systems for people going through difficult times, and how it’s taboo to talk about health issues like miscarriages. The importance of approaching any new job or partnership by making sure you’ll see eye-to-eye and get along with who you are working for. That’s what the interview process is for! Why you should have a good understanding of other sides of film production, like sound and lighting. How collaboration is essential in any artistry and the surprising skills you need to be a good director. Why you need to know who you are as a creator and who your work is for, so you’re not wasting your time trying to sell your work to places that will never buy it. The art of pitching, which ideally should be short and mysterious enough to engage the producers and get them to ask you questions. How John pitches, which includes creative little hooks that make the producers want to call him up to find out more. Making the pitch process into an absurd art project keeps the spirit lighthearted. Links to Resources: Check out our Gear Guides John Lee Projects: False Positive (2021) Wonder Showzen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the most dynamic filmmakers working in the industry, Edgar Wright, is making a documentary about the band Sparks. All three are joining today to discuss this film, The Sparks Brothers! In this episode, we talk about… How Edgar Wright and Ron and Russell Mael (of Sparks) met over Twitter and ultimately decided to make a documentary about the band. How the group approached making the documentary so that it would have Wright’s stamp on it, rather than being dry like many other documentaries. How Wright thought about using a Sparks song in Hot Fuzz, but didn’t because their songs demand so much attention. How Wright’s and Sparks’ artistic sensibilities align. How music operates as a part of Wright’s process. Artistic influences for Sparks on their music and creative process. Influences on Wright both for general filmmaking and on his approach in creating a music documentary. Links to Resources: Go see The Sparks Bros film in a theater near you, releasing this week on June 18th! You can read about all this and more at https://nofilmschool.com/. You can also check out our Gear Guides and Entertainment News on the right hand side. Please like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and check us out on Instagram! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Renny Harlin is one of the great action film directors who has had a huge influence on the genre and continues to have a lot of love and passion for his craft. He’s bringing that enthusiasm and lots of helpful insights to the conversation today. In this episode, we talk about… What made Renny Harlin decide he wanted to be a film director and his early influences growing up in Finland, which has a very small movie industry. How much Harlin loves what he does and how grateful he is to do what he does. Harlin’s early days making commercials and then getting noticed and transitioning to TV, and finally to feature films. How Harlin survived and stayed motivated when he first moved to the US and was living in complete poverty, trying to break into the industry. Making the jump from living paycheck to paycheck to being on the cusp of the action movie genre (with films like Die Hard 2) to being able to turn down work. Why you need to keep luck happen by working hard and being persistent. Lessons Harlin learned the hard way throughout his career. Why he’s walked away from certain opportunities that have come his way. How technology has changed throughout Harlin’s career and how that impacts his approach. The importance of ground rules and maintaining trust with the audience, no matter how much technology and CGI is available. How he learns to get better on set and how he has learned from audiences with test screenings. Links to Resources: Go see Harlin’s new film The Misfits (2021) in theaters now! You can read about all this and more at https://nofilmschool.com/. You can also check out our Gear Guides and Entertainment News on the right hand side. Please like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and check us out on Instagram! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tune in for some of the most exciting drone news in a while, plus discussions about a recent article exposing MoviePass and deep cuts by black filmmakers to honor Juneteenth. In this episode, we talk about… How MoviePass, for a while, was an amazing deal where you could see unlimited movies for one monthly fee. Venture Capital and how it factored into Movie Pass’s business model. What made Movie Pass a scam and how it fell apart. The drone market for the film industry as it currently stands. Sony getting into the drone game with their new Airpeak S1, how great it is for mirrorless cameras, and how amazing the autofocus is. Deep Cuts: discussions about underappreciated works by black filmmakers including De Rees’s Pariah, Channing Godfrey Peoples’ Miss Juneteenth, and Charles Burnett’s The Glass Shield. Links to Resources: Turns out MoviePass was even shadier than we thought Sony's Drone Was Built for Your Mirrorless Camera Pariah (2011) (which is on Netflix) Miss Juneteenth (2020) The Glass Shield (1994) Killer of Sheep (1978) Charles Haine: http://www.charleshaine.com/ Kath Tolentino: https://www.borderwoman.pictures/ You can read about all this and more at https://nofilmschool.com/. You can also check out our Gear Guides and Entertainment News on the right hand side. Please like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and check us out on Instagram! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The group is chatting about hot topics in the industry (and world), like safety and consent for sex scenes. In this episode, we talk about… How Nathalie Emmanuel from Game of Thrones recently stated that just because she was nude in the show doesn’t mean she would do it for other shows, and how this is opening up conversations about nudity in film. Why nudity should always be a fresh negotiation for each new contract. The interesting fact that our culture allows more violence than nudity to appear in mainstream films. The double standard of male nudity versus female nudity on tv. When nudity and violence are necessary for a film and when they are excessive. How Intimacy Coordinators can keep workplaces that deal with sex scenes safe for actors. How Adobe Creative Cloud is quite expensive - but arguably priced right for business. How Resolve by Black Magic is a free, alternative option for editing that works well. Pixelmater Pro, which is fairly cheap and an awesome alternative to Photoshop for light edits. Tricks for working in white spaces which can be very tricky to light. The importance of lighting control - to shape where the light is going - when you must shoot against white walls. Links to Resources: Movies & TV HBO's Intimacy Coordinator Reveals Her 'Sex' Kit For Movies and TV More about BlackMagic’s DaVinci Resolve More about Pixelmater You can read about all this and more at https://nofilmschool.com/. You can also check out our Gear Guides and Entertainment News on the right hand side. Please like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and check us out on Instagram! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is AMC taking over other chains good? Bad? And what does it mean for filmmakers and film lovers? In this episode, we talk about… AMC Entertainment recently sold $230 million in stock in order to go on a buying spree. How the stock market encourages huge corporations and doesn’t support smaller businesses, like independent movie theaters. Whether or not movie theaters are a dying model and why tech companies might not be willing to buy them. Best practices for maintaining a client base - including finding new clients. The art of sending cold emails and when to send them. How to use social media to keep in touch with contacts. Tips for asking for a raise and why it can feel very personal and emotional. Why sometimes, there just isn’t money in a budget for a raise. How, unfortunately, some entry-level jobs don’t and won’t pay a living wage. Why you need to be willing and able to walk away if you want to “win” the negotiating process. Knowing the value of your skills and remembering that companies make money off of you. The frustration of jobs that don’t post salary in the job listing. Deity has just launched the BP-TRX, which is both a transmitter and a receiver, with built-in local recording a time code, which allows you to do more with fewer devices. How Kyno isn’t dead! Links to Resources: Get the 5 Day Deal! It’s running June 3rd - June 8th on our website, our newsletter, and on our social media (linked below)! You don’t want to miss out. No Film School Social Media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Kyno For more about BP-TRX Charles Haine: Twitter | Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are countless books, guides, and templates on writing screenplays - but how important are they? In this episode, we talk about… Guest Robert McKee, his background in both theatre and novels, and the role his books have played in the world of screenwriting. What makes writing exciting. Whether or not there are “rules” to good screenwriting. The principles and forms of writing. The influence of Aristotle on writing today. What truly is a scene, an act, a movement, a season, etc. Discussions of good character development and important principles for the relationship between character and story. The difference between revelation and change, and how the audience’s perception of a character changes as a storyline goes on, rather than the character themselves changing. McKee’s new book that will be coming out soon about the art of writing Action. Why needing advice on a good starting point when building characterization is, frankly, amateur. Links to Resources: Robert McKee Character: The Art of Role and Cast Design for Page, Stage, and Screen For a free Ebook on How to Write a Screenplay, sign up for our mailing list at https://nofilmschool.com/. You can also check out our Gear Guides and Entertainment News on the right hand side. Please like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and check us out on Instagram! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Charles and Kath are back to chat about big news in mergers and acquisitions, HD in television, and their thoughts on the smartest first film industry job you could take. In this episode, we talk about… HBO Max is getting merged with Discovery - which is exciting for filmmakers because whatever name it ends up with, it will have a much bigger documentary platform. The nature of mergers and acquisitions and how some film studios and platforms “marry” and “divorce” partners quite frequently. Lessons for filmmakers in the story of how the HBO Max merger happened and why friendships are complicated in this industry. How Amazon is in talks to buy MGM. The lessons filmmakers can take about their relationships to intellectual property from Amazon potentially buying MGM. No one starts out in their dream job, but you can be strategic about your early career jobs. Both Kath and Charles’s early-career jobs and how they got where they are today, plus things they wish they had done differently in retrospect. How networking has evolved from the days when Charles cold-faxed hundreds of companies to today, where social media lets you gently remind people that you exist. Pros and cons of being a script reader as an early career job. Resources for finding jobs so you know where to apply. How broadcast television moves much slower than other technologies, because moving to film in HD is a huge infrastructural change. Why TV companies have little incentive to make that big of an investment unless there's a huge push from consumers. Various factors that can affect the appearance of resolution of 4k and 8k streaming. Links to Resources: Women of Color Unite Production Weekly Charles Haine: http://www.charleshaine.com/ Charles’ Webseries: Salty Pirate Kath Tolentino: https://katherinetolentino.com/ Kath’s production company: https://www.borderwoman.pictures/ You can find everything we spoke about today and more here: https://nofilmschool.com/. Please like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and check us out on Instagram! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Charles and George are joined by filmmaker and writer Kath Tolentino today to chat about lots of topics like AAPI movies, seeking representation, and tech news. Today’s big topic is one that’s sure to benefit filmmakers starting out: budgeting for independent features. Give this episode a listen for guidance on your next Indie film’s budget! In this episode, we talk about… How many streaming services are currently offering carousels of films that supposedly celebrate AAPI Heritage Month (Asian American & Pacific Islander), but the nature of the content they’ve chosen has been disappointing to say the least. Questions about how they chose the content - should the films be about AAPI issues or have a prominent AAPI actor or director? How the carousels of AAPI content could have been expanded if more Indie and short films were included. How to know when to hunt for agents or managers once you’ve created a great short film. Why shorts can generate interest from representation but have a lower ceiling for next steps - representation will always want to immediately know what you can do that will make them money. The roles of agents vs managers, how they differ, and what they do for you. How people perceive that this industry will make them a ton of money, but it’s hard to make a lot of income, especially with the amount of money agents and managers take as their cut. Atlas Orion Anamorphic lenses which are great for widescreen and a specific quality. Atlas’s new Limited run of Silver Edition lenses which will allow the flare to match the color of the light. These are super niche lenses and they're going to make 100 sets. What to look for in buying your first set of lenses if you feel overwhelmed by all the review blogs and videos out there. Why creating a budget where you pay people at proper industry scale can be difficult to determine. What ends up happening with most Indie films is that the budget is created backwards from what producers feel like they can realistically raise for the movie. How the schedule is closely intertwined with the budget - the number of days you shoot will alter the costs drastically. Why if you’re hiring a line producer, you want to find someone who is used to working on films with a similar schedule to yours. How usually you will have a few factors locked in and will build the rest of the budget around that. Why you need to always build a contingency into your budget and allow more for cast than you think. Using Kickstarter and WeFunder and why there’s something to be said for finding a way to make your movie within the confines of a smaller budget. Links to Resources: Atlas anamorphic lenses For more information about lenses, check out our Gear Guides. Our last episode with Kath where she chatted about her indie feature: I'm Producing a Feature...What First Steps Do I Take? Charles Haine: http://www.charleshaine.com/ Kath Tolentino: https://www.borderwoman.pictures/ You can find everything we spoke about today and more here: https://nofilmschool.com/. Please like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and check us out on Instagram! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2021, it can be hard to figure out new ways to innovate on film, since it often feels like “it’s all been done before”. But today, we’re chatting with director Timur Bekmambetov, who found a new way to tell stories and is now deep in “screen life”, a new way of filmmaking that’s a great way to connect with younger audiences and push the boundaries of the medium. In this episode, we talk about… Timur’s early career and how he got into filmmaking in Russia, which included doing just about every job except acting! What happened when Timur first started getting into more artsy, avant garde movies, and his realization that the only way to tell stories is to be real about fears, dreams, and other vulnerable emotions. How screen life can work with every genre, and examples of types of films Timur has shot in that format. The nuts and bolts of creating screen life films, from how acting is very different (it’s about the movement of the cursor or what is typed rather than facial expressions), to how it’s filmed, to how it’s edited in post. Timur’s advice for young filmmakers who want to get involved in this new type of film making. Links to Resources: Director: Timur Bekmambetov Timur Bekmambetov’s screen life film, Profile (2018) For more information about the medium, visit www.Screenlifer.com Wondering what gear to buy or rent for your next project? Check out our Gear Guides! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Charles Haine, a writer at No Film School, is joined by Editor-in-Chief George Edelman to chat about a fun assortment of topics like the Pacino-ing phenomenon, new products by tech company Atamos, and what’s going on with IMDB ratings! If you have concerns about how the dreaded algorithm is affecting your career, you’ll definitely want to check out this episode. In this episode, we talk about… Steven Follow’s email list which has really fun and useful data dives. “Pacino-ing” - Al Pacino likes the challenge of being in bad movies to try to improve them and for this reason his career has seemed to follow a downward trajectory. How some actors like Pacino and DeNiro started really strong, and have now been in worse and worse movies. But other actors, like Chris Pine and Chris Evans have had the reverse Pacino effect. Looking at where data for good movies vs bad movies comes from, who is making the ratings (critics vs audience), and what that means - especially in the context of modern day vs the 70s. Atamos, the Australian tech company which has some amazing products. Atamos just announced the new release of a Ninja Stream, which has some interesting features, especially for social-distancing on set. IMDB and internet rating systems - including a case study where weighted users can bring down a review average with just a few low ratings. How much of the internet is driven by algorithms, which are very imperfect. Different theories about how ratings and algorithms might work. Links to Resources: Stephen Follows’ article about "Pacino-ing" Subscribe to Steven Follows’ email list for weekly data dives! For more about the Atomos Ninja Stream Fake ratings and reviews on IMDb Help us algorithm it up by rating: Amigo Undead (2015) Salty Pirate (TV Movie 2020) Let us know your theories about what is going on with IMDB ratings over on Twitter! Ask us a question about the weirdest thing you can find on IMDB at [email protected] and we’ll eventually talk about it on the show! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the No Film School Podcast, after mourning the loss of the Arclight and Pacific Theaters, we now speculate on hopes for its survival. Also, we offer the secrets of keeping a franchise fresh and exciting after many sequels or reboots. In Tech News: FilmConvert releases new software to get your iPhone to match the look of high-end cinema cameras. And for Ask No Film School, we discuss scholarships for (...yes) film school. Please email us any questions at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Channing Godfrey Peoples and Neil Creque Williams put everything on the line for a personal story, and it worked. How do you make the degree of difficulty even higher for a feature film debut? Channing and Neil found a way, but the commitment they had to the material, their faith in one another as sounding boards and creative visionaries helped them pull off something that you should definitely not try at home. But to hear it from them is best, so what are you waiting for? Miss Juneteenth is available to stream on amazon prime as well as other services. Be sure to check it out and let us know what you think of the film and Channing and Neil's story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the No Film School Podcast, we the low ratings of the Oscars -- and why it ain't just because of COVID. Also: Apple gets a class-action lawsuit filed against them for the misleading use of the word "BUY." For Ask No Film School, Katherine asks what the first steps should take are for producing an indie feature -- and some very useful tips are dropped. And for this week's Deep Cuts: movies that made us leave the theater stunned. Please email us any questions at [email protected]! *Editorial note: Burning was released in 2018, the year prior to Parasite. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Borat Subsequent Moviefilm took over the culture for a minute or two back in the fall of 2020, not just because Sasha Baron-Cohen as a knack for this with his comedic stylings, but because timing is... everything. In the heat of an election cycle, Borat went for the jugular and put American culture on its heels once again. Hear how the editors saw it and pieced it together. All three of these guys have had amazing careers both with Cohen and on their own. They haven't just been cutting Cohen's work, but much of the BEST comedy to come from the last decade-plus. They talk about working with Cohen, working with comedic genius of all variety, and finding the keys to keeping a story that shifts between scripted and non working in all the most important ways. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the No Film School Podcast: can an AI do a decent job writing additional scenes for Lady Bird? In our final segment, the creators of the new app Dynascore join us to explain how AI can help create music that fits your video. Also: some hot takes on why adding product placement to classic films may not be the craziest or worst idea ever. Please email us any questions at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices