The No Film School Podcast

Kevin Macdonald started out in the Documentary world and reached dizzying heights (quite literally) with his Oscar-winning film 'Touching the Void'. When the chance came to try narrative on 'The Last King of Scotland' he proved he had all kinds of chops. Now he's back with 'The Marautinian' based on a harrowing true story. He tells us how his love of studying film helped him build his voice and continues to inform his approach Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The No Film School Podcast, we are joined by Oakley Anderson-Moore who gives us the lowdown on Sundance 2021 and its virtual experience, as well as her favorite films of the fest -- and of course the record-breaking sale of 'CODA'. We discuss how PA-level crew members are now COVID compliance officers, giving this important task to folks who are unfortunately at the bottom of the film set's food chain. In Tech News, Charles discovers a file copying app called Levee which at only $4.99 is a must-have. And for Ask No Film School, we tackle the issue of plagiarism in regards to a recent short film based on an online comic. Enjoy! Please email us any questions at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nestled among Jonathan Furmanksi's advice is another particularly useful tidbit; be someone people want to work with again. Seems obvious, right? At the same time, it's often overlooked or sidestepped in the name of so many other priorities. But it's actually the reason you'll get hired and keep earning a living. Jonathan expands upon this and other ideas in our interview with him. Search Party season 4 is streaming on HBO MAX. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The No Film School Podcast, we are joined by Jo Light and Katherine Tolentino to discuss what the post-pandemic Sundance is looking like and why it may be an improvement on the old model. (By the way, Boots Riley has some great advice on how to get the most out of Sundance 2021.) Also, the CEO of AMC takes a major risk on the future of theatrical, which leads us to a vital question: why do theaters not show episodic content? In Tech News: the Sony Alpha 1 makes a big splash in the cinema camera market. For this week’s Ask No Film School... is it okay to embellish your resume to get a job? Please email us any questions at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Directing Derek DelGaudio's In & Of Itself brought Oz back to his creative anarchist roots. It's hard to put Frank Oz and Derek Delgaudio's In & Of Itself into words. That's how they wanted it. It's something that must be seen to be... not believed? We keep the interview spoiler-free, diving into what inspired this anarchy, what moved Oz and DelGaudio to build something new, and break things in the process. After I switched off my recorder and took in all Oz and DelGaudio shared, I walked into the other room to find my children watching... "The Muppets" (which Oz helped create and found). It served as a reminder that Frank Oz's drive to create things with a purpose and risk failure by being different, results in a legacy and an impact that echoes for generations. We are motivated to create things for a variety of reasons. Frank Oz and Derek DelGaudio were motivated by some of the best reasons. Oz said working with DelGaudio reminded him of the early early days with Jim Henson when they were just trying things. Breaking things. Discovering things. More than success, the highlight is always concocting something new. There is no guarantee that you can find the type of success Oz and DelGaudio have. But there is a guarantee that you can find the same joy if you pursue things the way they did. Let their anarchy guide us all to taking chances, evading definitions, and breaking molds. In & Of Itself is NOW streaming on HULU. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The No Film School Podcast: Twitter gets testy about Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World... but Russell Crowe fights back. The Amazon series The Boys takes on the superhero genre (successfully) and we discuss how trying your hand at the genre is may not be the worst idea. Also: did Chinese producers rip off IP with the recent The Fault In Our Stars knockoff that conquered the 2020 box office. In Tech News: can you make an artificial sun for a thousand bucks? And does it look any good? YouTuber DIY Perks has an answer. Additionally in Tech News: the new, upgraded WiFi 6. *Note: Please excuse any minor issues in our audio.* Please email us any questions at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Howard Barish formed the production company Kandoo Films in 1992 and he gave Ava DuVernay her start, executive producing her first narrative features. He then went on to produce the acclaimed documentary 13th with her as well. This process inspired Barish's right hand man, Michael Nell to write a feature called Blindfire. Nell's script tackles the murky intersection of race and police with the story of a hostage situation gone wrong. Barish liked the script so much, he couldn't say no. Nell and Barish join us to talk about their controversial new film and how they both navigated Hollywood to get to where they are. Blindfire is out now on VOD. *Note: we apologize for any imperfections in our audio. This podcast was recorded remotely.* Please email us any questions at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the No Film School Podcast: HBO Max's strange new way of handling residuals, Tarantino's rallying cry to screenwriters to stop worrying about getting staffed on TV shows and write more specs, and the NFL's new adoption of "indie" camera setups. In Tech News, we discuss Sony's innovative entrée into the drone market. For Ask No Film School, what advice do we have on crowdfunding? (Plenty.) Enjoy! *Note: Please excuse the issues in our audio, it sounds bad at the very beginning but goes away shortly thereafter.* Please email us any questions at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kirsten Johnson is a filmmaker who is pushing the limits of the form. Her latest feature, Dick Johnson Is Dead, is a documentary/experimental film about her father's struggle with dementia and his imminent demise. Our talk with Kirsten is wide-ranging and she is quick to turn the tables on the interview and talk about George. But we promise you this is no self-indulgent therapy session, it's a thorough examination of why we tell stories and how we grieve those closest to us. We also discuss the necessity of "humanizing" the crew members on a set and how whatever camera you shoot on is a beautiful and historic artifact. Make sure you're sitting down for this one -- it gets real. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the No Film School Podcast, we talk about Patty Jenkin's comments on the first Wonder Woman film, and we have thoughts about it. Joined this week by Katherine Tolentino, we also discuss the Golden Globes' regulations that are preventing Minari from getting the recognition and press it deserves. Plus, a few Tech News bits and we talk about a new film showcase of Bay Area filmmakers co-founded by Katherine! Hope you enjoy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meet Julie Christeas and Jonny Blitstein, leaders of the independent film studio Tandem Pictures whose most recent success story is the genre-bending Black Bear, starring Aubrey Plaza and Christopher Abbot. The film premiered at Sundance Film Festival 2020 and it is out now on streaming platforms everywhere. We talk about their "Sundance or bust" strategy and why it's important to not only have a plan B, but plans "A through J." Also, how to brave the mind-boggling puzzles of day-to-day line producing, and how it feels to have CAA embrace your film in its finished form. Enjoy this deep dive into the process of producing unique and impactful movies! *Note: we apologize for the issues in some of the audio of the episode; it was recorded remotely.* Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tara Miele had a student film project premiere at Slamdance twenty years ago... and she's had a long and fascinating road to get to Sundance in 2020 with her feature Wander Darkly, starring Sienna Miller and Diego Luna. We talk about how Time's Up and Me Too saved her life, allowing her to be accepted in the industry as a professional filmmaker. She's juggled her family life with her career and made great sacrifices in order to carve out time to write her films. After doing micro-budget films and directing for television, she managed to bring this very personal and inspiring story to life. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever thought 'Gee, I have this great script but it's impossible to get agents, managers and producers to read the damn thing'? Well, so have the brains behind the new online service ScriptHop. On this podcast episode, we welcome Script Hop co-founders Brian Austin and Scott Foster as well as casting director Jory Weitz who serves as Director of Industry Relations. The team details their innovative 'packet' which presents your story and script to the reader in an engaging, interactive way. It allows your work to stand out; tailored to people like agents and assistants who simply don't have time to read your script front to back. Don't dismiss this valuable tool that could get your screenplay actually read by someone that could get the movie made -- and believe us, that is one of the hardest things to accomplish in this industry. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For this week on the No Film School Podcast: the uncanny, performative nature of Tom Cruise as evidenced by his controversial on-set rant about breaking COVID regulations. Also, how the acclaimed second season finale of 'The Mandalorian' circumvented the perils of fan service. In Tech News, RED offers new firmware that enables autofocus for the Komodo. And for Ask No Film School, how to light dark spaces well and understand the concept of “contrast” writ large. Enjoy and happy holidays! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the No Film School Podcast: Disney unveils its new slate of upcoming shows and we discuss the importance of sound in honor of Sound Week here at NoFilmSchool.com. In Tech News, Xelmus announces new, notably eye-catching anamorphic primes. And for Ask No Film School, we answer a question about when and when not to curb your ambitious screenplay idea for consideration of production. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever wondered what a supervising sound editor is? What their job is and how they pull it off? Let one of the masters of the profession explain. Mark Mangini is the maestro behind films like Mad Max: Fury Road, Blade Runner 2049, Aladdin, Gremlins, several Star Trek films and many, many others. He's a veteran in the field, starting with cartoons and working his way to winning an Oscar, and beyond. Mangini goes in depth on his craft and his experience, with great insights to share, such George Miller’s pyramid of importance for each given shot and moment. When discussing Blade Runner 2049, Mangini describes his and Denis Villeneuve’s strategy of melding the sound design and the music until they are indistinguishable from one another. If you want to take your knowledge of filmmaking to the next level, you will want to be familiar with the concepts discussed here. Don't miss out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever played a video game or watched a movie and wondered where did all these sounds come from? Well, it's not all sound libraries and foley stages. Sometimes, projects will hire a person whose sole responsibility is to go out into the world and get fresh sounds. Gunshots, cannons, engines, you name it, their job is to go out and find it and bring it back to be mixed in. Watson Wu is one of those guys, and he has hunted down sounds for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, Assassin's Creed and films like Baby Driver. He tells us stories from the front lines, like gathering firearm effects from antique weapon collectors in Florida. We also discuss Watson's role in creating Rode’s new ambisonic sound library. We talk about the insane challenges of obtaining roller coaster sounds and how the job of being a sound recordist, oddly enough, comes down to networking. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week: Christopher Nolan and Steven Soderbergh both weigh in on Warner Bros’ decision to send their entire slate to HBO Max, while Mank harkens back to the yesteryear of studio filmmaking. In Tech News, Apple offers expensive monitors and stands; Charles offers his opinions. And for Ask No Film School we tackle a simple question that is never easy to answer: how does a screenwriter get an agent? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the No Film School Podcast: a COVID testing site gets shut down to make way for a Hollywood film shoot, while The Crown takes liberties fictionalizing historical events and the public must be warned accordingly. We also discuss why the New York Times’ “Greatest Actors of the 21st Century" list is somewhat problematic by nature... and let’s be honest, a bit too early to call? In Tech News: the awesome benefits of the iPhone software Filmic Pro and its new updates. For Ask No Film School: how do you convert the frame rate of your footage? Enjoy--and as always, thank you for listening! Please email us any questions at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If anyone on this planet is a natural born cinematographer, it might just be Chris Menges. His earthiness and pragmatism combined with his uncanny, innate sensibility for the moving image are what makes his films special: Kes, The Killing Fields and The Mission, to name just a few. If you haven’t seen them, then trust us that they are among the most beautiful movies ever made. Chris Menges has seen a lot of adventure; he's been all over the world, and he has stories. In this wide-ranging discussion we talk about the photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson's influence on Menges' work and the importance of "walking the streets." From his early days in documentary to his later work with directors like Neil Jordan, Stephen Frears, Stephen Daldry and Sean Penn, Menges is a true master of observation... and he's picked up a couple Oscars along the way. Pay your respects and listen to the man speak! For another conversation with a great DP, check out our recent chat with Phedon Papamichael. Please email us any questions at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Luke Greenfield was a young boy with big dreams who wanted to make movies just like his hero Steven Spielberg. His concerned mother writes an impassioned letter to the big man himself, and Mr. Spielberg responded with an encouraging letter. Two decades later, Greenfield grows up to direct The Girl Next Door and guess who's a major fan? Greenfield's story is a heartwarming one, but it's not without its tragedy and realism. He goes in depth on his grueling experience (sort of) directing The Animal with Rob Schneider and his struggles to be taken seriously in the industry as a young voice. Greenfield's goal as a filmmaker is to make you not only laugh hysterically, but to feel. His latest achievement, Half Brothers, hits theaters this Friday, December 4th. Don't miss this lively and honest conversation! If you want to hear more success stories about makers of unconventional comedy movies, check out our interview with the creators of Palm Springs. Please email us any questions at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Climb is one of the biggest indie breakouts of 2020. The debut feature from filmmaking-and-acting duo Michael Angelo Covino and Kyle Marvin played every major film festival you can think of before finally hitting theaters this holiday season. Michael and Kyle sit down with NFS founder Ryan Koo to talk about how they pulled off a buddy comedy made up entirely of long oners; the underutilized power of sound editing; and of course, the benefits of having a death metal ballerino as your dolly grip. They also go in depth on a very, very ballsy stunt done by Kyle, and the thrill of not only taking the film to Cannes, but winning a Jury Prize. The Climb is out now in theaters. Enjoy! Please email us any questions at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does the new deal struck between Cinemark and Universal mean for the industry? How can movie-goers support theaters while they are closed?Also, this just in: Quentin Tarantino writes books (including a novelization of Once Upon A Time in Hollywood)?? In Tech News, we share our hands-on experience with the new Apple Silicon. For Ask No Film School: what is the best entry-level cinema camera to invest in for music videos and corporate work? And lastly, our theme for Deep Cuts is thanksgiving and gratitude. We hope you enjoy... and Happy Thanksgiving! Please email us any questions at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Phedon Papamichael's career as a cinematographer goes back to the 80's, but he's still a go-to DP for the best filmmakers in the business. You might call him an “actor’s cinematographer” or a stylistic chameleon. Phedon talks about his approach to the craft: rather than trying to put his visual stamp on a movie, his goal is to serve the story and overall vision. He compares his experiences working with Alexander Payne, George Clooney, Aaron Sorkin and James Mangold -- and what it was like juggling the massive personalities on the set of Sorkin's The Trial of the Chicago 7. Phedon and recalls his early days shooting stripper-centered B-movies under Roger Corman’s tutelage — with Wally Pfister and Janusz Kaminski as his camera crew. This is a masterclass in what it means to be an A-list cinematographer. Don't miss this one: Phedon is the man. Please email us any questions or comments at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Though her most recent triumph is the highly-praised Netflix miniseries The Queen's Gambit, Michelle Tesoro has built a career working with A-list showrunners and directors, within both film and television. From mastering the art of the dialog scene with the HBO series In Treatment, to her collaborations with luminaries like Michael Mann, David Fincher, Ava DuVernay, Mimi Leder and David Milch, she has plenty of stories to tell. Tesero managed to navigate the exact career she wanted and has plenty of wisdom to impart, like why sometimes saying no to projects is even more important than saying yes. We hope you enjoy! More post-production and Queen’s Gambit related goodies here: Cinematic Legend Walter Murch on Editing and Sound Design Here’s What’s New in DaVinci Resolve 17 How Does ‘The Queen’s Gambit’ Create Conflict Without Words? Please email us any questions or comments at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eric Roth spent much of this year doing significant rewrites to the script of the upcoming Martin Scorsese film, Killers of the Flower Moon. The biggest notes came from co-star Leonardo DiCaprio. On this week's NoFilmSchool, we talk about why the actor chose to play a different role in the movie and is taking the story in a slightly different direction. For Tech News, we give you the lowdown on a new, exciting 4k camera: the Sony FX6. For Ask No Film School, we talk about the do's and don'ts of "greeking." And in honor's of Scorsese's recent birthday: our favorite of the director's movies for this week's Deep Cuts! More about the Sony FX6 here: Sony's FX6 is a 4K Shooter's Wet Dream Early Sony FX6 Reviews Are In--Watch 'Em Now How Does the New Sony FX6 Stack Up Against the Popular FX9? Please email us any questions or comments at [email protected]! *Editorial note: 'Up in the Air' does not star Denzel Washington. Charles meant 'Flight'. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After serving as a second unit director of photography on movies like The Matrix Trilogy and Dark City, Ross Emery was tapped to be one of the key cinematographers on the new series Raised By Wolves, where he got to work with one of his all-time film heroes: Ridley Scott. In fact, it was Scott's 1982 classic Blade Runner that made Emery fall in love with movies as visual art. Emery regales us with stories that you don't want to miss, everything from working with the Wachowskis and the incredible team they assembled, to the madness of The Island of Dr. Moreau. (Yes, he was on that set, too.) Emery's style and approach are distinct and he's been around the block, so pull up a chair and listen. Check out more interviews with great DP's: David Fincher's Longtime DP Jeff Cronenweth Has Advice, Insight, and Stories 'Lovecraft Country' DP Michael Watson On Shooting During COVID-19 Darren Aronofsky's Rockstar DP Matthew Libatique Talks Career and 'Requiem For a Dream' Anniversary Please email us any questions or comments at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Producer/star Malin Akerman has had a wide-ranging career, having worked with everyone from the Farrelly Brothers to Zack Snyder on the largest scale projects as well as smaller indies. Recently she made the leap into producing her own films. Malin talks about what she looks for in a screenplay, and how finding that “third door” helps you break into the industry. She also explains the trials, challenges, and survival mode of making in Hollywood. Her new Chick Fight is out now. Check out more podcast interviews with filmmakers here: You Need to Know the Miracle of 'The Peanut Butter Falcon' No One Gives a Sh*t About Max Barbakow and Andy Siara, Creators of 'Palm Springs' 'Over The Moon' Director Glen Keane Uncovers The Secret Sauce of Story Please email us any questions or comments at [email protected]! *Editorial note: we apologize for occasional background noise in Malin's audio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's No Film School Podcast, Charles Haine and George Edelman gaze into their crystal ball once again and speculate how the new wave of coronavirus might affect set life. We also offer a trifecta of Tech News updates: a Sony drone, Teradek's autofocus system for cinema lenses and DaVinci Resolve 17's many perks and innovations. In honor of Veteran’s Day, we give you our favorite Deep Cuts about war veterans. Read more here: Jason Blum Says COVID-19 Has Changed Making Movies Forever Speed Up Your Edit with the New DaVinci Resolve Speed Editor Blackmagic's New Fairlight Desktop Console Makes Mixing Sound Easier *Editorial note: The Best Years of Our Lives is not 3.5 hours, it is under three hours! Let nothing stop you from watching this masterpiece. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kami Asgar and Jessica Parks are post-production heavyweights who work with major studios, namely Sony. As a sound designer (Asgar) and as a post executive (Parks), their collective resume touches on everything from Apocalypto to Grandma's Boy to Venom. Parks has recently shifted her focus from supervisor to hands-on sound design, and we talk about how it’s never too late to pivot on your career path and find thing you love doing wherever you are in life. We also talk about the new revolutionary technology that will democratize the ability to mix sound on a professional level... and why the literal size of your ear matters. If you're in the mood for more sound talk, learn from the master: our exclusive interview with Walter Murch. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the 20th anniversary of Requiem for a Dream and Matthew Libatique is here to tell us the whole story. Starting in early days at AFI doing student projects with Darren Aronofsky, on to the $30,000 "stunt" known as Pi, this great DP/director collaboration was born. Libatique talks at length about the impact of music and music videos on his filmmaking approach, influencing key creative choices in Requiem. We discuss how he has managed to stay cool and relevant for over 20 years and how this journey is a constant struggle to find new techniques that match the substance of each story. Also pretty fun: Libatique managed to sneak a peek at Roger Deakins’ LUT. More on Aronofsky, Libatique and great cinematographers: This Is What a Shot List for a Darren Aronofsky Film Would Look Like What's It Like Being Darren Aronofsky's DP? Matthew Libatique Tells You Darren Aronofsky Delivers His Ten Commandments of Indie Filmmaking 8 Signature Trademarks of Darren Aronofsky's Work 'Lovecraft Country' DP Michael Watson On Shooting During COVID-19 [Podcast] David Fincher's Longtime DP Jeff Cronenweth Has Advice, Insight, and Stories [Podcast] How Darren Aronofsky Takes Us Down His Rabbit Hole (NFSW) *Editorial note: we apologize for occasional background noise in Matthew's audio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, joined once again by Oakley Anderson-Moore, we unpack the powerful, complicated legacy of the late Sean Connery. We also pick apart America’s political landscape in light of the obscure, inconsequential election taking place. We discuss what responsibilities we have as content creators who shape the national conversation. In Tech News, a deep dive into Blackmagic and their newly-released URSA Mini Pro 12K camera! Read more here: Here's How to Set Up a 12K Workflow for Independent Projects in Post How 'Residue' Filmmakers Greenlit Themselves (and Then Ava DuVernay and Netflix Followed) Is There A Way to Make a Film About Politics Without a Political Point of View? 'JFK': How Oliver Stone and Robert Richardson Shot the Scariest Political Movie Ever Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Glen Keane animated lead characters in Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Pocahontas and many other classic Disney characters as he became a master of his craft. With his signature enthusiasm and optimism, Keane tells us the story of how this background led him to eventually directing his first feature film for Netflix: the heartwarming Over the Moon. Of course Keane had already become a director in his own right, winning an Oscar in 2018 for his short Dear Basketball, a collaboration with the late, great legend Kobe Bryant. Keane discusses his unique, inspired collaboration with Bryant in the intimate setting of his home animation studio. Don't miss this rare chance to hear insights from one of the masters of the craft. Also, Over The Moon is currently streaming on Netflix, go check it out. More about animation below! How Disney's Iconic Multiplane Camera Changed Animation How 'The Land Before Time' Made It Okay for Kids to Cry Again Watch: Preview the 10 Enchanting Animations Shortlisted for the 2018 Oscars How to Shoot Stop Motion at Home 'Spider-Verse' Director Reveals How You Can Survive Studio Politics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we take a very, very biased look at Shushgate perpetrator Jeffrey Katzenberg's fallen streaming platform Quibi and why this failure was perhaps an inevitability. Also, as the new Borat Subsequent Moviefilm is released, we examine how much our culture has changed since the first Borat and Netflix drops streaming and viewership data. For Tech News, Hollyland unveils its new wireless video transmission system, the Mars 400 Pro. And for Ask No Film School, Charles helps you navigate the terrifyingly vast landscape of lights when it's time to go bigger and brighter. Enjoy! *Editorial note: We apologize for the uneven sound quality on Charles' mic. Additionally, on several instances, the hosts accidentally say “David Geffen” when they mean "Jeffrey Katzenberg." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this informative, fascinating episode, we sit down with cinematographer Michael Watson to discuss his work on HBO’s genre-bending horror series Lovecraft Country. Watson details his process: finding the tone of a show that is both pulpy and thematically driven and getting on the same page with the entire HBO team. We also get into the nitty-gritty of on-set challenges as a television DP during COVID-19. Don't miss the one! And so long as you're soaking up wisdom of great DP's, you might as well check out our exclusive interview with David Fincher's legendary lensman Jeff Cronenweth. More on Lovecraft Country: How Genre-Bending Reveals the True Monsters of 'Lovecraft Country' *Editorial note: in the podcast, there are some audio interruptions that occurred which we could not remove from the mix. We apologize for the distraction. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Facing failure isn't scary. In fact, it might be exactly what you need. The ever-inspiring Jim Cummings joins us once again to discuss his new horror/comedy The Wolf of Snow Hollow, just in time for Halloween. As with his (proper) debut feature Thunder Road, Cummings writes, directs and stars. He tells us about the beauty of having a democratized film set, even on a production as large as Snow Hollow and why filmmakers should think of themselves as competition to the industry, rather than “subordinates.” Also, why the most important thing to learn about directing is how to set up a C-stand. The Wolf of Snow Hollow is out on iTunes today. Enjoy! Also check out: How to Make the Jump From Short to Feature with Award-Winning Director Jim Cummings FREE: Jim Cummings's 'Short to Feature' Lab Curriculum Is This the Future of Indie Film Finance? Don't Wait for Somebody to Make Your Move, Do it Yourself: The Award-Winning Mantra Behind 'Thunder Road' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the No Film School Podcast, AMC follows Alamo Drafthouse's lead, letting consumers rent out their theaters for a low price -- and why this may be a sign of what the post-pandemic world will look like. For Tech News, a double whammy: Apple releases it's innovative, filmmaker-friendly iPhone 12 and DJI steps up it's gimbal game. And for this week's Ask No Film School, we discuss how a great character arc can sometimes be found in a not-so-great movie... Enjoy! DJI's RS 2 and RSC 2 Gimbals Have Arrived... and They're Awesome Here's What the iPhone 12 Means for Creators You Can Now Rent an Entire AMC Theater for Only $99 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here to celebrate the 35th Anniversary 4K Blu-Ray release of the beloved Back to the Future trilogy is its writer and producer Bob Gale. He gives us his own origin story including his years of collaborating with Robert Zemeckis which led up to their big hit. He highlights the integrity of executive producer Steven Spielberg, who made Back to the Future the first Amblin production. Bob Gale has been a protective gatekeeper of the franchise and he explains why. Make sure to stay until the end because he drops some of the purest and most valuable storytelling wisdom you're likely to find anywhere. Learn more about Back to the Future here! No, Back to the Future Doesn't Have a Giant Plot Hole John Mulaney Analyzes Back to the Future...and it Gets Weird Great Scott! Learn How to Re-Create the Back to the Future Time Slice Using Practical FX Watch: In Honor of Back to the Future Day, Here's an Awesome Hoverboard VFX Tutorial Watch: What Are the Greatest Movie Gadgets of All Time? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's podcast, joined once again by Oakley Anderson-Moore, we discuss how the rise of streaming not only impacts how films are distributed, but how they're made as well. We also take on the egregious pay disparity between men and women in the industry, including the example of the writers for the Crazy Rich Asians sequel. For Tech News, Charles praises the innovative new Sachtler Activ tripod. And finally for Deep Cuts, we reminisce on our favorite theatrical experiences. Enjoy! The Beginning of the End? Disney Shifts Focus to Streaming Content How Much Progress Has Hollywood Made in Pay Equity So Far? *Editorial note: contrary to what was said in the podcast, Adele Lim and Pete Chiarelli are not writing partners. They are both credited writers on Crazy Rich Asians who worked separately. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Director Max Barbakow and writer Andy Siara tell us how their therapeutic writing process and friendship made Palm Springs what it is, and was ultimately the most rewarding part of the process. And why the fact that no one gave a sh*t about them was, in a way, their greatest strength. In case you've been living in a time-loop cave, Palm Springs, starring Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti, came out earlier this year after netting the biggest sale in Sundance history with a Hulu + Neon deal for $17,500,000.69 to acquire the film. The movie was released during the pandemic in July, which was a blessing in disguise: breaking out with a record-setting opening weekend on Hulu. Learn more about Palm Springs here: How Editing Made ‘Palm Springs’ the Most Popular Movie on Hulu The Creators of the Record-Breaking 'Palm Springs' Dissect Their Process 7 Editors Take Us Behind the Curtain on Cutting a Sundance Feature Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Oakley Anderson-Moore joins the podcast as we discuss who edited that strange video from Walter Reed and why they don't know how to use a morph cut. Since it's election season, we also cover a "get out the vote" contest from M Night Shayamalan. We also dive into a certain tactic used in development to take advantage of screenwriters. Plus the closing of UK's Cineworld theaters, the miraculous Hocus Pocus re-release that's competing with brand new releases, and for this week’s Tech News, we talk about a new kind of pipe... for film production. Find out more: Did the White House Use Morph Cut to Alter Videos of the President? Want to Hang Out with M. Night Shyamalan? Enter the Future Filmmakers Challenge A Release of 'Hocus Pocus' Has Almost Out-Earned 'Tenet' This Weekend Cineworld to Close 543 Regal Theaters in U.S. 'Until Further Notice' Something Smells Funky! Why Bake-Offs May Not Be Great for Screenwriters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dawn Porter made the transition from a successful lawyer to a successful documentary filmmaker. But there were no guarantees. She took a big risk but she took it for very specific reasons, in a way that eventually led her to more success. Her new film The Way I See It, chronicles the story of Pete D’Souza, the official White House photographer for Ronald Reagan and Barrack Obama. Earlier this year, another Dawn Porter documentary, John Lewis: Good Trouble was released on Hulu. Her insights into the process are invaluable. The Way I See It is currently out in limited release and will be broadcast on MSNBC on October 9th, 2020. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Alamo Drafthouse allows folks the opportunity to rent out screens for a low, low price and the Avatar franchise gets put under scrutiny (by us). We are joined by our very own Oakley Anderson-Moore, who gives us the lowdown on the grants and contests of Fall 2020 that you need to be aware of. In Tech News, Charles Haine discusses the competing lens mounts favored by different brands. For this week’s 'Deep Cuts', we talk about our favorite political films in light of the upcoming election. Stories covered: A Massive List of Fall 2020 Grants All Filmmakers Should Know About 'Avatar 2' Has Finished Filming, Rejoice! Alamo Drafthouse Lets You Rent an Entire Theater for $150 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Richard Jenkins was nominated for an Oscar in The Shape of Water. He's acted in a hundred movies (literally). How did writer-director Andrew Cohn get an experienced actor like Jenkins in his first narrative feature? How did the first-time director approach working with Jenkins? And how the heck did he go from making docs with his friends (and putting them on credit cards) to Sony Pictures releasing his first feature, The Last Shift, in theaters nationwide? Our podcast has all of these answers and more. Cohn discusses how he made the transition from documentary to narrative, being mentored by executive producer Alexander Payne (Election, Sideways), and what it means to “shoot for the edit.” The film hit theaters September 25th. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week: unions and studios come together on a new COVID-19 production agreement, Hulu tries their hand at deep fakes (with rather successful results), and Canon announces the ultimate small cinema camera (Charles Haine is beside himself). Also, in light of RBG's supreme court seat vacancy... we get political. Read more: Canon's C70 is a Fresh Take on a 4K Cinema Camera Unions and Studios Reach Safety Deal, Production Starts Soon Let's Compare the Canon C70 to the Competition This is Why Canon's C70 is Heading in the Right Direction Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the No Film School Podcast, Creative Artists Agency tries to dupe the WGA by signing a made-up contract, Netflix passes on movie theater-buying, Disney+ demands major coin from its subscribers for Mulan, and the new diversity rules for the Best Picture Oscar are unveiled. Also, Sony drops its new extra-small, full-frame camera, the a7C. Topics covered: CAA (Sort Of) Signing of the WGA Code of Conduct All a Ploy The Early Numbers Show 'Mulan' Streaming Success Might Change Hollywood These Are the New Parameters For Best Picture α7C Compact full-frame camera | ILCE-7C / ILCE-7CL | Sony US Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From his early days at USC making a little student film called THX 1138, to winning his third Oscar for The English Patient, Walter Murch has innovated the fields of sound design and film editing becoming one of the most respected and knowledgable figures in his profession. Murch details to us how he first got interested in filmmaking and discusses projects like The Godfather, The Conversation, American Graffiti and Apocalypse Now. He gets into the specific techniques and approaches he pioneered along the way, up to his more recent ventures in documentary. We are so lucky he gave us an hour of his time -- absorb all you can from this master! Read more: Editor Walter Murch Pieces Together a Key Moment in History Not Sure of Where to Cut? Editor Walter Murch Says the Answer May Be in the Eyes Intriguing Editing Tips from Oscar-Winning Editor Walter Murch 6 'Rules' for Good Cutting According to Oscar-Winning Editor Walter Murch Walter Murch & Jon Favreau Discuss the Science Behind the Way We Perceive Movies As always please like, subscribe, and leave a comment. Thanks for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we discuss a new entertainment industry jobs report on Planet Money, how Sony and Canon are competing with parallel release dates for upcoming products, and an AI software called Colourlab which will revolutionize post-production workflows. Check out Charles Haine's article about Colourlab here. To wrap it up, we cover some of our favorite 'deep cut' movies about filmmaking itself. Links: AI Finally Comes to Grading With Colourlab New Canon EOS Cinema Camera to be Announced This Month Sony to Unveil 'A New Concept' for Alpha Mirrorless Cameras Email us with any questions at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The making of the film is an amazing journey and a must-listen. Writer/director team Michael Schwartz and Tyler Nilson have an unbelievable story to tell: the arduous and joyful seven-year journey to make The Peanut Butter Falcon a reality. From the humblest of beginnings to creating a legitimate sleeper hit, these gentlemen lived out of cars and tents, gamed the vast network of industry emails and Twitter accounts, and executed an insane live-promotion strategy once the movie was finally released in theaters last year. These guys are No Film School readers JUST LIKE YOU who just decided to work really, really hard and not quit. Michael and Tyler embody the NoFilmSchool ethic and we are honored that they gave us their epic story first. This is a must-listen. Check out our other coverage of the film: 'Peanut Butter Falcon' DP Explains Why a 2-Camera Setup Is Your Best Friend What Can 'The Peanut Butter Falcon' Script Teach You About Storytelling? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is this new media collaboration tool ideal for making your remote work interactive? This week, we remember the great Chadwick Boseman and the impact of his work. We also discuss how to manage desperation as an emerging filmmaker. Writer Jason Hellerman joins us to continue to weigh the value of the new screenwriting app ScriptHop. Plus we answer a great question from the No Film School community regarding festival screening fees and if the fest you’re waiting to hear back from could be taking advantage of you. Wakanda forever! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices