The No Film School Podcast

Oscar-nominated camera wizard Jeff Cronenweth sat down with us to talk about his origins in the film industry. As a young man, Cronenweth spent time on the set of Blade Runner as his father, Jordan Cronenweth shot it. He walks us through the next chapter of his career, starting out as an AC for legendary DP Sven Nykvist and how his long term working relationship with David Fincher began when shooting pickups for a Madonna music video. We discuss his experiences crafting the look of Fight Club, The Social Network and Gone Girl, among other great films. Now in 2020, he is up for an Emmy for his work on the Amazon series “Tales From The Loop.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Filmmakers are gearing up for submissions to festivals, including Sundance so we go over release and festival application strategy. We also discuss the pros and cons of the upcoming platform ScriptHop. For tech news, we cover the new Final Cut Pro. And finally, we tackle the million-dollar question: “Why are you the best person to tell this story?” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Logan Schneider walks us through his cinematography career, from starting out in the camera department, to shooting scrappy music videos, until bringing a film-caliber prowess to "Drunk History." We also talk about personal growth and maturity as an overlooked aspect of professional growth. *Edit*: Despite what we say in the intro, Schneider has not been nominated for an Emmy personally, but "Drunk History" is currently up for Production Design and Outstanding Variety Sketch Series. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In an informative new episode featuring guest Katherine Tolentino, we tackle the history of foreign influence in Hollywood, pay equality across departments, working overly long days, and what might be the birth of a new filmmaking manifesto á la Dogme 95. Plus, a new augmented reality software from FXhome and the pros and cons of crowdfunding. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Back to the future...of Vertical Integration. The Paramount Decrees are officially over...so what does that mean for filmmakers? Plus, a Deakins inspired chat about focus groups and decisions, we also talk about the new Sigma lens. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Unlike Hamilton, Mulan will hit Disney+ VOD... at a cost. Plus, 12-bit raw is coming for the a7S III through Atomos and we answer a question about master fees and a YouTube clip. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Two years ago, Matt Enlow and Oren Kaplan started the Just Shoot It Podcast with a key question: What does a director do? Now, we come to them with our own key question in mind: What does a director do...during a pandemic? Listen in as we learn more about how to use this time creatively, how to shoot in the time of COVID, and other secrets of the trade. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

7.31.20: Did Filmmakers Finally Get What They Wanted? by No Film School Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Charles, George, and Michelle reflect on a recent conversation around terminology. Plus, Blackmagic's big news, a case for theaters to look like the Star Wars' Galactic Senate, and we have Tenet's new release date... kind of. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're feeling hot, hot, hot as Canon cameras heat up and Palm Springs is a hit from the desert. Plus, we dive into a new app with a confusing name and the newest codec on the block. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re not throwing away our shot to talk about Hamilton. Disney+ and Hamilton change the game and the conversations around streaming platforms, Broadway musicals, and awards. Plus, this week, AMC heads to church (murch?), Zoom brings out an "Octo" monster, and...will filmmakers be "satisfied" with a recent camera announcement? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It seems improbable or impossible to the more seasoned (or jaded) among us. A man, outside of the system and outside of the major cities like New York and LA, built a thriving indie production company with a full growing slate of movies and content... but that's not even the crazy part. The crazy part is that the stories he's telling reflect his worldview, and a specific vision for humanity and the future. It sounds as bold as it sounds unlikely. Yet it is a reality. BK's story is not just one of perseverance and making your own success, but it's a story of the type of self-education we love at No Film School. It all sounds great... but how come it actually works? Listen to BK tell you in his own words. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Christopher Nolan rumor makes us consider on-set rules and philosophies and Fuji's new update makes us ponder how this will change upcoming cameras. Plus we time travel (not through a Nolan film) to see if we can answer a No Film School question that dates back more than 100 years ago. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apple changes everything (again) and forces a decision for every filmmaker...and, no, it's not whether to use the handwashing feature in the watchOS. Plus, we pay tribute to legendary (and dividing) filmmaker Joel Schumacher and we answer an Ask No Film School question that pits an episodic approach vs. tackling an indie feature. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week's theme is how Dinosaurs will adjust to the new world. It's woven into a few of our topics. In addition to talking about Chris Pratt and his open invitation to discuss pizza with us on the podcast, we cover updates from Mac, Adobe's maybe intentional leak of Canon specs, and of course the news that writers are being mistreated by Hollywood. But is that really news? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris McKenna tells us about his day job writing for Marvel, while his friend and longtime collaborator Bob Byington talks about carving his career through indie film. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today is Friday, June 12th, which is the date given by Governor Gavin Newsom for film and television productions to (possibly) restart in the state of California. But with potential spikes and the need to implement safe sets, what else needs to be in place in order to safely jump back into work? Plus, we share our recommended viewing from our re-posted list of 30+ Films You Need to Watch About Race in America, chat about new offerings from Z Cam and GNARBOX, and share how the treatment of broccoli relates to filmmaking. Head on in to get your greens! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are living in interesting times, to say the least. Prior generations have fought similar battles and faced similar challenges. Ashamedly, they faced this very battle time and again. But there is something very different about this time right now and it relates to you. You, the filmmaker. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week brings a lot of questions. Will Christopher Nolan’s 'Tenet' be movie theater's savior? Will we adopt 8K into our workflows? How does Red Komodo’s PDAF change the game? And, what can we learn from the extremely talented team that wrote 'The Sopranos'? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former NBA owner Donald Sterling made a series of racist comments; this is how the men who worked for him responded. Documentary subjects are rarely as camera savvy as these ones. The moment Blackballed covers unfolded on camera in the media. In order to get closer to the actual experience, emotions, honesty, and authenticity experienced by the men who lived this, filmmaker Michael Jacobs employed a unique tool. He takes us through the challenges of telling this important story, the team he had around him in doing so, and the technology that made it possible. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we reminisce and share more about the impact, influence, and legacy of filmmaker Lynn Shelton. We also dive into the world of possibilities created by the Unreal Engine 5 and the new support of Apple ProRes in Adobe Premiere. Plus, a Deep Cuts Speed Round featuring TV Pilots. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a world full of real artists, why not create a virtual one? We chat about CAA’s newest signing, the digital Lil Miquela, whether folks are saying Qui-bye to Quibi, and Aputure’s new 600d along with a new round of Deep Cuts. A heads up as you dive into this week's conversation: we've been adjusting some of our sound settings and piloting our podcasting software. Our voices may sound a little different but we swear we're still entertaining to listen to. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our guest this week is the unique and legendary Jonathan Frakes. He was a lead on 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' before he transitioned to the directing chair. To get his shot at directing he had to learn a ton from the craftspeople around him. But he also applied his history as an actor to his process, resulting in an ability to be an extremely economical actor's director. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we “Follow The Cheese” towards Netflix’s new on-set rules in the times of Covid-19, dig into Ken Burn’s burns of the Michael Jordan documentary "The Last Dance," share Frame.io’s new features, and we wonder: did Apple finally make a 13-inch laptop for filmmakers? Plus, deep cuts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Justin Roiland is best known as the co-creator and lead vocal talent behind the immensely popular show 'Rick and Morty'. Mike McMahan went from a 'Rick and Morty' writer's assistant to a showrunner along with Roiland. Now they've got a new show 'Solar Opposites' (May 8 on Hulu). We won't sugar coat it... this interview gets strange. But you should expect no less from these guys. After warming up a bit, we get into the conceit and intent behind 'Solar Opposites', what properties they'd both love to reboot or work with, how they got started creating things, how to keep humor fresh and edgy in an era with so many topics off-limits, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We discuss two new cameras hitting the market. Jason Hellerman tells us about the new FREE eBook 'How to Write a Screenplay (During Quarantine)' taking us through the specific tools he's used writing numerous scripts (including some that were produced), and how he finishes them. We also talk a little bit about what to write (and what NOT to write). Also: updates on coming changes to The Academy Awards, as well as our weekly streaming segment: 'deep cuts'. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We talk to Rachel Lee Goldenberg(director) and Amy Talkington (writer)about their unique take on 'Valley Girl', how they won the jobs, and how the movie's release was impacted by COVID-19. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There may not be NAB in Vegas this week, but that didn't stop Canon from releasing several new products! We take a look at the new cameras from Canon, chat about what film sets and filmmaking may look like when we return to work, breakdown the new update from Blackmagic, and tackle an age-old question through an Ask No Film School: What do I do after I finish my script? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While week 5 of COVID shutdown has us forgetting what day it is, Adobe has been busy with a new workflow tool: Productions. This week, we discuss the new Adobe product as well as the interesting features of the upcoming RED Komodo camera, our viewing suggestions, and all things exposure for an Ask No Film School question. Let’s go! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A common mistake among indie filmmakers is not properly deploying the skill set and time of a colorist. In this podcast three professional colorists all with multiple films at Sundance 2020 shed light that clears up the common misunderstandings of color and finishing. Whether you are going to take on this process yourself or work effectively with the pros who do it so well, this is a must-listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Filmmaker Zack Arnold has done the research so you don't have to. He joins us to discuss how filmmakers and freelancers can use the CARES act to claim government assistance that is (maybe) just there for the taking. We also talk streaming deep-cuts, a service with a not-so-exciting launch, and about how Tiltaing has impacted the BMPCC4K. Also, here is the link to the application discussed in the episode: https://covid19relief.sba.gov/#/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What makes something a 'midnight' film anyway? Is there a relationship between pushing boundaries in subject matter and innovation in visual style? Also, how do you set a room on fire, light for the most awkward romance ever, and get permission from the Trinity Broadcasting Network to use their audio recordings of Hell? These are a few of the great questions that are answered in this highly entertaining conversation with six filmmakers whose short films played in the Midnight program at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. Listen to this roundtable conversation to learn about the 'making-of' these incredibly different and delightful midnight movies, and get encouragement on taking your own filmmaking risks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matrix 4 shut down, how the team set to work on it in Germany was impacted by COVID-19 is an interesting case study. This week we also talk about how Apple wants to play nice with Windows, what 'deep cut' movies we recommend you watch while stuck at home, and we tackle an interesting question from the community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Charles Haine sits down with Sundance DPs to picks their brains. The conversation ranges on topics from how they got on the projects that ended up at Sundance, to what other career aspirations they have. Their projects range from short to feature, from doc to narrative. It's a wide range of skills and experience represented all opening up about how they do their jobs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

COVID-19 has hit the world, and industry, hard. This week we talk about who the Netflix funds might apply to, who else might do something similar, what other tech companies are up to that can help during this time, plus a great question from the community and of course... NFS60! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The world, and our industry, has changed dramatically in a very short period of time. We talk through what filmmakers can do with this time, how to weather this storm, and what other major events we've witnessed the industry survive. We want to hear from all of you. In the comments, in our inboxes. On our social media pages. We're in this together. Let us know how you're approaching this time. And stay healthy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Things are going to get complicated as the virus spreads. We discuss the cancellation of SXSW, how this will impact workflows, and what filmmakers can do when working from home. We also cover tech news and a question from the community. Read more: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Doc to narrative. Actor to director. Short to feature. There are many reasons to make a short, and five Sundance filmmakers tell us how to do it right. Read more about this podcast, it's guests and their films here: https://nofilmschool.com/2020/03/why-making-short-career-game-changer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

COVID-19 continues to impact the world and we catch you up on all the ways this has begun seeping into the filmmaking industry. We also chat about getting agents and managers as a writer and/or director, plus a rundown of some grants and contests open for submissions currently, and tech news regarding Sigma and the Sigma fp. Also, Charles Haine pitches us on Law and Order: Hot Dog. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We've answered the question, "what does a producer do?" What happens when we ask some producers? What's invaluable about this round table discussion is that we get a variety of answers from a group of producers that cover the entire spectrum of experience, budget, role, and expertise. This podcast will help you find the types of producers you need, identify what your project needs to attract them, and give you an edge when it comes to mounting a project in the first place. We were lucky enough to gather this group of expert producers in Park City during Sundance 2020, and we're thrilled to bring all their combined knowledge to you now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are still drooling over the possibilities when it comes to the new kind of storytelling options StageCraft creates. Also, have you used Patreon? We're super curious how Patreon can help filmmakers, so we dive into the service and break down what it does and how it works. Speaking of which... yet another crowdfunding theatrical platform is dead. Get all the details for these stories, plus tech and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the No Film School Podcast we talk about a few big stories in tech, but also answer a question from the NFS community about working with actors that brings up some great stories, learning experiences, and a variety of approaches to directing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our editor's roundtable covers many important topics... Like what to do during renders. During Sundance 2020 we gathered a group of editors to discuss a variety of topics. Among them were how they got started, details on their editing setups, plus advice for future editors. They also discussed how the idea of a film evolves and how a story comes together in a cut, explaining their role in the process alongside their directors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did these two manufacturers do a swap with their upcoming releases? In addition to the double dose on tech, we're talking about the what/where/why/who and how of a very strange kind of industry cyberbullying situation. How careful do you have to be about what you put on the web if you're an aspiring creative? There are a lot of questions to discuss. There is also the excitement over the currently open for submissions Sundance Ignite Program. Why should you be interested in this and does it apply to you? Plus Charles helps out a reader with a unique Final Cut Pro 7 problem. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This year's festival hit us right in the feels. There are a few reasons why. Some external, and others in the films we saw. We gained a lot of insight into what was working at the festival this year, why things were selected, and what tools filmmakers are using these days to change things up and put audiences in experiences they've never had before. Founder Ryan Koo joins EIC George Edelman, as well as writers Emily Buder and Oakley Anderson-Moore for this wrap up from Park City. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do you go from making movies with your local high school friends, to playing festivals 400 times — including Sundance 17 different times? The Miami-based filmmaking collective Borscht Corp did just that. We dive into how on this episode of the No Film School podcast, which centers on Borscht's first feature-length film OMNIBOAT: A Fast Boat Fantasia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus we debrief on an emotionally devastating interaction with a major entertainment power player, aka 'The Shushening'. Our NFS team has been at Sundance for a few days, and we've all had time to learn a little bit more about filmmaking and the festival itself. We talk about our favorite lessons including how and why Sundance mixes the mainstream with the innovative. Also, we're all getting tired and this podcast has the jokes to prove it. Subscribe to the podcast for tons of other roundtables with filmmakers of all varieties on the ground with us at Park City! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last year in Park City, we had the opportunity to talk to Dan Mirvish, a co-founder of the Slamdance Film Festival and accomplished filmmaker in his own right. We dive deep into the story of how Slamdance was born and how its reputation has blossomed and aided in Sundance’s credibility over the years. We touch on the byzantine confusion of downtown Park City, the myriad filmmakers committed to Slamdance (including Steven Soderbergh’s unique relationship to the festival. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The New Frontier program is taking us new places, and talking to us about how. Virtual and Augmented realities are here, they are becoming more powerful every day and the possibilities seem endless. The creators behind the most innovative uses of the tech sat down with us and discussed the future of the tech, the endless possibilities, the opportunities to get in now on the ground floor, and what it's like the be in the nascent wild-west stage of a new art form. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sundance 2020 first impressions from the NFS team on the ground at Park City. Founder Ryan Koo joins George Edelman, Charles Haine, and Oakley Anderson-Moore to discuss their first impressions on the ground at Sundance. From New Frontiers Program to opening night films, to parties... we cover it all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices