Creative Principles

Latest Episodes:

Ep563 - Elliott Lester, Director 'Blitz', 'Nightingale' & 'The Thicket' Sep 05, 2024

Show notes

"It's like being a boxer when you get in with the actor. You have to have respect," says Lester. "Now, if you get in the ring with Arnold Schwarzenegger and you're like, oh, you're Arnold Schwarzenegger. Well, that's never going to work, is it? If you get in the ring and you're like, you're Arnold Schwarzenegger, I'm going to make you the best possible actor you can be and do the best possible performance. Then you have respect, you know, which is the most important thing between the actor and the director." Elliott Lester is a director and producer with a career spanning over two decades. He is best known for directing the thriller BLITZ, the critically acclaimed HBO film NIGHTINGALE, starring David Oyelowo, and the film Aftermath, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. His next project, THE THICKET starring Peter Dinklage, follows "a boy who, after his sister is kidnapped by a violent killer known only as Cut Throat Bill, enlists a fierce bounty hunter named Reginald Jones who becomes the leader of the group of outcasts searching for the stolen girl." In this interview, we talk about his early career and transition from music videos to feature films, his experiences working with various actors including A-list stars, how to build relationships with actors, and more. Want more? Steal my first book, Ink by the Barrel - Secrets From Prolific Writers right now for free. Simply head over to www.brockswinson.com to get your free digital download and audiobook. If you find value in the book, please share it with a friend as we’re giving away 100,000 copies this year. It’s based on over 400 interviews here at Creative Principles. Enjoy! If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60 seconds and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom of your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

Ep562 - Soo Hugh, Writer 'Pachinko,' ‘See’ & 'The Killing' Aug 31, 2024

Show notes

Soo Hugh is known for The Killing, The River, Under the Dome, The Terror, and See. Most recently, however, she serves as showrunner, executive producer, writer, and visionary behind the drama series PACHINKO which debuted on Apple TV+ in March 2022. Based on the international best-selling novel of the same name, the series follows the hopes and dreams of four generations of a Korean immigrant family. Epic in scope, intimate in tone, the story begins with a forbidden love and crescendos into a sweeping saga that journeys between Korea, Japan, and America to tell the unforgettable story of war and peace, love and loss, triumph and reckoning. In this interview, we talk about the importance of working with experienced showrunners and building relationships in the industry, her show Pachinko, the evolving television landscape, the upcoming film adaptation of Tender is the Night, plus some advice for aspiring writers. Want more? Steal my first book, Ink by the Barrel - Secrets From Prolific Writers right now for free. Simply head over to www.brockswinson.com to get your free digital download and audiobook. If you find value in the book, please share it with a friend as we’re giving away 100,000 copies this year. It’s based on over 400 interviews here at Creative Principles. Enjoy! If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60 seconds and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom of your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

Ep561 - Chris Brancato, Writer 'Narcos', 'Godfather of Harlem' & 'Hotel Cocaine' Aug 29, 2024

Show notes

Chris Brancato, is the co-creator of the critically acclaimed series NARCOS, which ran for three seasons on Netflix. He is a writer and producer with hundreds of hours of television credits, including The X-Files, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Hannibal, and Beverly Hills, 90210 (the original). Hotel Cocaine “tells the story of Roman Compte, Cuban exile, CIA operative, and general manager of the Hotel Mutiny, the glamorous epicenter of the late '70s and early '80s Miami cocaine scene.” Listen to our first conversation back in Episode 280 of the podcast. In this interview, we talk about the changing landscape of television and the increased opportunities for creative storytelling, the balance between historical accuracy and fictional drama in creating shows, the realities of the television industry including rejection rates, and the importance of perseverance. Want more? Steal my first book, Ink by the Barrel - Secrets From Prolific Writers right now for free. Simply head over to www.brockswinson.com to get your free digital download and audiobook. If you find value in the book, please share it with a friend as we’re giving away 100,000 copies this year. It’s based on over 400 interviews here at Creative Principles. Enjoy! If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60 seconds and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom of your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

Ep560 - Mark Monroe, Documentary Writer ‘Jim Henson - Idea Man’ & ‘The Beach Boys’ Aug 24, 2024

Show notes

Mark Monroe is one of Hollywood’s leading documentary filmmakers. He’s known for films like Lucy and Desi, Icarus, The Beach Boys, Shot in the Arm, Love Lizzo, Harry & Megan, Stutz, and Charlie Hustle & the Matter of Pete Rose. Today we’re talking about his latest project, Jim Henson: Idea Man, a film that chronicles the story of extraordinary artist and visionary Jim Henson. In his 36-year career, Henson created some of the world’s most cherished characters, including classic Muppets like Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy and all of Sesame Street’s iconic residents, including Big Bird, Grover, Cookie Monster, and Bert and Ernie. Henson also directed beloved fantasy films like The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth. In this interview, we talk about his career path and transition to documentaries; his filmmaking process; the role of intrigue, mystery, and emotional arcs in engaging the audience; the importance of having a clear vision for the documentary; and much more. Want more? Steal my first book, Ink by the Barrel - Secrets From Prolific Writers right now for free. Simply head over to www.brockswinson.com to get your free digital download and audiobook. If you find value in the book, please share it with a friend as we’re giving away 100,000 copies this year. It’s based on hundreds of interviews here at Creative Principles. If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60 seconds and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom of your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

Ep559 - Melissa Ponzio, Actress 'Teen Wolf,' 'Chicago Fire' & 'Reasonable Doubt' Aug 21, 2024

Show notes

Melissa Ponzio is an actress best known for her iconic role as Melissa McCall, the dedicated single mother of Scott in the MTV's hit series Teen Wolf. Coming up, she’ll be returning to the screen in the second season of Apple TV+'s comedy The Big Door Prize, created by Emmy Award winner David West Read. Her recent work includes starring alongside Kevin Hart in the action-comedy series Die Hart and appearing in the Netflix original film Thunder Force with Octavia Spencer and Melissa McCarthy. In this interview, we talk about her influences and career path, the growth of the film industry in Atlanta, industry insights, and more! Want more? Steal my first book, Ink by the Barrel - Secrets From Prolific Writers right now for free. Simply head over to www.brockswinson.com to get your free digital download and audiobook. If you find value in the book, please share it with a friend as we’re giving away 100,000 copies this year. It’s based on over 400 interviews here at Creative Principles. Enjoy! If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60 seconds and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom of your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

Ep558 - Tom Hamling, Founder and CCO at THE MAYOR Aug 20, 2024

Show notes

Tom Hamling recently went out on his own, departing from Austin-based ad agency, GSD&M, to found Nashville-based ad agency, THE MAYOR. He's got quite the resume, having produced award-winning work in four straight Super Bowls for Avocados From Mexico and RadioShack. He's also a contributing factor in the famous Farmers Insurance jingle "We Are Farmers" and starting the infamous Popeye's Chicken Wars. Tom's work has been featured in The New York Times, Fast Company, Forbes, and the Guinness Book of World Records. Four pieces of his work are in the permanent collection at The Museum of Modern Art in New York City. We also mention actress Alice Wetterlund, who was on the show back in Episode 333. Want more? Steal my first book, Ink by the Barrel - Secrets From Prolific Writers right now for free. Simply head over to www.brockswinson.com to get your free digital download and audiobook. If you find value in the book, please share it with a friend as we’re giving away 100,000 copies this year. It’s based on hundreds of interviews here at Creative Principles.

Ep557 - Andrew Fleming, Executive Producer & Director 'The Craft' & 'Emily in Paris' Aug 16, 2024

Show notes

Andrew Fleming is the executive producer and director of the hit Emmy-nominated series, Emily in Paris, returning to Netflix with part one of Season 4 on August 15. Fleming has been with the show since the beginning, executive producing and directing the pilot episode and directing at least half of each season’s episodes. Fleming is a screenwriter and director with a long track record of hits, including The Craft, the feature film Dick, starring Kirsten Dunst; and Darren Starr’s previous series Younger. In this interview, we talk about his transition from film school to a professional career, the development of his personal style and artistic vision, the new season of Emily in Paris, The Craft, plus some advice for aspiring filmmakers. Want more? Steal my first book, Ink by the Barrel - Secrets From Prolific Writers right now for free. Simply head over to www.brockswinson.com to get your free digital download and audiobook. If you find value in the book, please share it with a friend as we’re giving away 100,000 copies this year. It’s based on over 400 interviews here at Creative Principles. Enjoy! If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60 seconds and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom of your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

Ep556 - Attica Locke, Screenwriter & Novelist 'Highway 59' series & 'The Cutting Season' Aug 09, 2024

Show notes

Attica Locke is an award-winning screenwriter, TV producer, and NY Times best-selling novelist. Her novels include: Heaven, My Home; Bluebird, Bluebird; Pleasantville; The Cutting Season; and Black Water Rising. Her latest book, Guide Me Home, marks the third and final in the critically acclaimed Highway 59 series. Her screenwriting/producer credits also include When They See Us, Empire, and the Emmy-nominated Little Fires Everywhere, for which she won an NAACP Image award for television writing. In this interview, we talk about the current state of the industry, including the dominance of IP and the challenges of pitching original ideas, the process of creating complex characters, her creative process, and more! Want more? Steal my first book, Ink by the Barrel - Secrets From Prolific Writers right now for free. Simply head over to www.brockswinson.com to get your free digital download and audiobook. If you find value in the book, please share it with a friend as we’re giving away 100,000 copies this year. It’s based on over 400 interviews here at Creative Principles. Enjoy! If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60 seconds and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom of your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

Ep555 - Alex Saks, Producer ‘It Ends with Us,’ ‘No Hard Feelings,’ & ‘The Florida Project’ Aug 07, 2024

Show notes

“I’ve had a single-minded focus on it,” says Alex Saks, about her love for movies. She attended Wake Forest to study history but then quickly moved to Los Angeles and found an unpaid internship. “Then I just went from there.” She’s known for projects like Thoroughbreds, The Florida Project, Book Club, Poms, No Hard Feelings, Summer Camp, and most recently, the Blake Likely film, It Ends With Us. In this interview, she talks about the point of being a producer is to “not be noticed,” working with Mark Gordon (Saving Private Ryan), how amazing voices can come from anywhere, the secret of “easily sellable elements,” living with characters, making it impossible for studios to say “no,” and making great emotional movies in 2024. We also reference the Twitter account Shit My Dad Says, from Justin Halpern, Episode 409. Want more? Steal my first book, Ink by the Barrel - Secrets From Prolific Writers right now for free. Simply head over to www.brockswinson.com to get your free digital download and audiobook. If you find value in the book, please share it with a friend as we’re giving away 100,000 copies this year. It’s based on hundreds of interviews here at Creative Principles.

Ep554 - Alma Har'el, Creator Apple’s ‘Lady in the Lake’ Aug 02, 2024

Show notes

“I didn’t see it as a business,” says creator Alma Har'el. “It was a calling that was on my mind. I didn’t start as a filmmaker. I was many things on the way there — theater, video arts, music videos, documentaries — it just sort of unfolded over years until I got to make my first film.” Alma’s first writing credit is Lady in the Lake, but as a Director, she’s known for Bombay Beach, LoveTrue, Jellywolf, and the Shia LaBeouf inspired story, Honey Boy. “At first, it was just an attraction. I can’t really explain it — it controlled my dreams.” While hosting a television show, she knew she wanted to direct. “I started with photography, then music videos, and VJ. With VJing, you play live visuals in clubs and music concerts while everyone is high on Molly and acid. No one is looking at the screen,” she jokes, “but you’re connected with them in your mind.” “I think that was my first dream, to play visuals as if they were music or an instrument on stage. It was a need to have an extension of my dreams.” This led her to working with musicians like Beirut, Paul Smith, Jack Peñate, Sigur Rós, and even Bob Dylan. Want more? Steal my first book, Ink by the Barrel - Secrets From Prolific Writers right now for free. Simply head over to www.brockswinson.com to get your free digital download and audiobook. If you find value in the book, please share it with a friend as we’re giving away 100,000 copies this year. It’s based on hundreds of interviews here at Creative Principles.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected