The No Film School Podcast

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

Concrete Cowboy is a true story, a labor of love, and a star-studded debut. Writer/Director Ricky Staub cared about this story enough to invest a lot of time in bringing it to life. That care paid off when he got the chance to have his feature film debut with Concrete Cowboy for Netflix, starring Idris Elba and Caleb McLaughlin. I spoke to Ricky about the unique process of getting this story to the screen, and how he crafted the look with DP Minka Farthing-Kohl and veteran DI Mike Sowa. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode of the No Film School Podcast, we tackle the prickly subject of the upcoming Will Smith project 'Emancipation' choosing not to shoot in Georgia because of its recent election law. Also, Bong Joon-Ho offers some wisdom at a Chapman University Forum about how to deal with current events in movies. In Tech News: DJI drops a *ridiculous* new drone. And for Ask No Film School, we address the urgent question of how to break in at the entry level (which is harder than you might think) with some actionable advice. Please email us any questions at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Darius Wolski has a resume as eye-popping as many of the tentpole movies he's lensed. He's been a longtime collaborator of Ridley Scott's as well as Paul Greengrass, demonstrating that Wolski can get an amazing job done in a wide-ranging variety of styles. He breaks down shooting Hanks starrer News of the World, how he and Tim Burton survived experimental phases of shooting in 3D, how he works with one legendary director after another, and makes sure he helps them achieve their varied visions. Note: please excuse the audio on this episode - which had to be recorded entirely over Zoom. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joined once again by Katherine Tolentino, this week on the No Film School Podcast: Ryan Coogler reveals an admirable distaste for the Oscars and Netflix gives an astonishingly phat new paycheck to Rian Johnson for two 'Knives Out' sequels. In Tech Talk, Charles explains exactly how autofocus works. For Ask No Film School, a question about the default shutter speed on your camera. Please email us any questions at [email protected]! *Note: this podcast was recorded remotely, please forgive the minor background noise in some of the audio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it mean to never have a plan B? For veteran award winning DP Nancy Schreiber it meant continuing the grind, but also adjusting to the opportunities and realities she was presented with. How can you do the same? When getting DP jobs was less likely because of her gender, she took more gaffing jobs. When she got the chance to shoot video (VHS or otherwise) she grabbed it, and she wrote her own playbook on how to make it look good. She expanded on that as the video medium expanded. Continuing to shoot on her beloved celluloid, but also winning AWARDS for shooting on... wait for it... MiniDV. Nancy is a true veteran of the industry, one of the first few female members of the ASC, and a trailblazer to this day. Best of all she's humble, positive, and excited about all the new projects on her slate of all variety. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Justice League, Zack Snyder, and Joss Whedon continue to hit headlines as we ask if Ray Fisher’s recent demands for the Justice League investigations should be released. We also talk about personality types of directors; debunking the myth that all directors should be extroverts. But what even IS an extrovert? In Tech News, Charles marvels at the advancements of the Sigma fp L. We also talk about what to do when you don't have wifi on set! Please email us any questions at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's no surprise that David Fincher's Mank was nominated for the Best Production Design. Production designer Donald Graham Burt is a veteran Fincher collaborator and he has a perfectionist streak equal to the director. Along with set decorator Jan Pascale, Burt tells us how he helped craft a period-specific look for the celebrated film. From the daunting task of recreating Hearst Castle interiors to the iPhone filter they used to audition every possible prop; you'll get a sense of designing the look of a film on this scale, as well as applicable tips to any production at any size. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the No Film School Podcast, we are joined by Michelle DeLateur to pick apart Zack Snyder's new 'Justice League' cut on HBOMax and discuss the current culture of emerging voices directing franchise films. Also, we celebrate the diversity of the 2021 Oscar nominees! In Tech News, Charles plugs an amazing new audio plug-in by Accusonus. For Ask No Film School: the do's and don'ts of experimenting with your Steadicam. Enjoy! Please email us any questions at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Toia has been a commercial director based in Australia for decades and he's finally breaking out with his first feature. Wearing many hats as director-producer-cinematographer (and even the on-set VFX supervisor), he's able to bring his expertise to a passion project and make a film the way he wants to. Charles Haine sits down with Mark to speak about everything from competing for commercial gigs with Tarsem Singh to navigating the world of distribution. We hope you enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the No Film School Podcast, we take a deep dive on deep fakes in light of some impressive Tom Cruise impersonations on TikTok. We also discuss how WandaVision's DP pulled off a crazy array of looks from different eras with a single sensor. Wow. In Tech News, Nikon releases its first full-frame mirrorless camera. For Ask No Film School, we give some essential advice on the pros and cons of self-funding your debut feature. Please email us any questions at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's rare to be cast as the lead of a feature film when you're eleven years old. What's even more rare is to be cast in one of the most notorious and celebrated bad movies ever made. Michael Stephenson's foray into the film industry was his starring role in Troll 2. This may have destroyed his career, or his life, but Michael's strange career path and his love for underdog filmmaking stories got him on a track of directing documentary and narrative films. His films include Best Worst Movie, Girlfriend's Day and his most recent project Attack of the Murder Hornets (now available on Discovery+). Listen for an inspiring and unique story about someone truly making the best out of the hand they were dealt. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the No Film School Podcast, TCM resists cancel culture and instead encourages discussion of problematic classic movies. As theaters begin to open up around the US, IMAX announces hopeful predictions for a blockbuster Summer 2021. Jean-Luc Godard, at age 90, announces retirement after two more films. Pretty ambitious, no? In Tech News, a remote workflow solution from Arriflex and what happens when the Mavo 8k stops supporting internal ProRes RAW? Please email us any questions at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Ruffalo served as the Executive Producer on this film which charts the battle to defend nature's rights. It's a novel concept that has major legal implications, not to mention factors heavily into our own survival. What does it mean? How does it manifest? How did co-directors Josh Pribanic and Melissa Troutman film it? How the hell did they get Mark Ruffalo involved? All that and more in the interview. You can check out The Invisible Hand here, read about the film, the fight, and watch it! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we take a deep dive into the man, the myth, and the undeniable influence of George Lucas who may be returning to the Star Wars universe to draft a couple of episodes of Andor. In Tech News, DJI unveils an astonishing first-person drone. And for Ask No Film School, we tackle the issue of soundproofing your own house to be a better shooting location. Please email us any questions at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The many answers are the keys to the content kingdom. Producer Shivani Rawat has racked up some great credits in a very short period of time. She tells us how she did that, what she's looking for in scripts, and how she gets stuff made. Check out our interview with Writer/Director of Wander Darkly Tara Miele, which Shivani produced, and our talk with DP Phedon Papamichael who shot another film Shivani exec. produced, Trial of the Chicago 7. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the No Film School Podcast: a recent report reveals that the HPFA has zero black members. Meanwhile, Amazon announces they are no longer accepting short films or documentaries for their Prime Video Direct service. We discuss! In Tech News, two new cinema cameras compete with each other: the Blackmagic Pocket 6k and the Sony FX3. And for Ask No Film School, we tackle the complexities of place a where it's very, very risky to voice your opinions: Hollywood. Please email us any questions at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We don't get to see or talk about features shot on good old 35mm as much as we'd like to so this was a treat. Andrew Dunn expands on why film was the only medium choice for awards contender The United States vs. Billie Holiday, he reveals what he learned working with legend Robert Altman. He also divulges a lesser-known story about shooting the unforgettable Whitney Houston performance for The Bodyguard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joined this week on the No Film School Podcast by Katherine Tolentino and Michelle DeLateur: Gina Carano finds herself out of a very high-profile job after sharing some controversial views on social media. We take a look at the Oscar shortlists and attempt to answer the age-old question: does winning an Oscar for Best Live Action Short Film actually affect your career? In Tech News, we marvel at Frame.io's C2C, an upcoming feature for viewing dailies. And for Deep Cuts, our very favorite movies about falling in love. Oh, and here's the Match.com ad that Michelle is obsessed with. Enjoy! Please email us any questions at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Schliessler has lensed many major blockbusters, collaborating with directors Peter Berg, Bill Condon, and Ava Duvernay on a variety of scales and genres. What's the throughline? An ability to take it slow, develop his abilities, and constantly learn from his collaborators. But for all the fun details you have to hear it from him. Want to watch the amazing scene Schliessler discussed shooting in detail? You can stream Ma Rainey's Black Bottom now on Netflix. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the No Film School Podcast with guest-co-host Katherine Tolentino, we discuss Sweden's Göteborg Film Festival which has some delightfully unconventional ways of doing a COVID-era festival. In Tech News: Nanlite takes its cues from internet complains and delivers with their new bi-color LED light, the Forza 300B. And last but not least, we chat with Matt Ritter, a Black List screenwriter who came very, very close to obtaining a life rights option with the founder of the now-infamous Wall Street Bets subreddit. Enjoy! Please email us any questions at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices