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The 2024 Academy Awards Nominations

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Oscars Snobbery or Misogyny? Plus, Doug Liman's 'Road House' Boycott Feb 01, 2024

Show notes

Are the Oscars the leading edge of culture, or are they trailing behind? While some of this year's nominations happily surprised us, other nominations have left us wondering if the academy is just voting for what’s familiar. Also, what’s up with big films skipping a theatrical release and going straight to streaming?

In today’s episode, No Film School’s Charles Haine, GG Hawkins, and Jason Hellerman discuss:

Favorite films and biggest takeaways from Sundance 2024
Upcoming No Film School episodes highlighting Sundance filmmakers
Jason breaking up a fight in the AMC lobby
Our opinions on the 2024 Academy Award nominations
How the Oscars are staying internationally relevant
Comedy versus drama
An actor who sold his Oscar to pay for healthcare
The dark history behind the Oscars - why they were created
Why Doug Liman is boycotting the premiere of his film Road House
Why filmmakers have to be conscious of audience activation

Memorable Quotes

“One of my favorite things about the Oscars is when they bring attention to a movie that wouldn’t get it otherwise.” [13:23]
“Drama trumps comedy in awards, always. Which I think is bullshit.” [19:00]
“It’s not misogyny, but snobbery.” [27:44]
“All of the craft awards are never the best, it’s the most. It’s never the best edited movie, it’s the most edited movie.” [34:02]
“If we all stay silent and continue to let these big corporate overlords make these decisions…we are going to lose that communal experience.” [42:50]

Mentioned:

How Does Oscar Voting Work?

'Road House' Director Doug Liman Boycotts SXSW Over Amazon Exiling His Movie to Streaming

Brooklyn 35mm

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God Save Texas - The Price of Oil Episode

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Lollapalooza, Oil, & Life-Or-Death Stakes: These Sundance Doc Directors Wear All the Hats Jan 31, 2024

Show notes

Not all documentary filmmakers planned to be in the documentary space. Some didn’t even know they would be in the film industry to begin with. This is what we talked about in our round table discussion at Sundance, with a group of documentary film directors. Each of these award-winning directors have decades of experience in filmmaking.

In today’s episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins, speaks with documentary directors Alex Stapleton, Jeff Zimbalist, Michael John Warren, and Tony Gerber to discuss:

Their current projects
What it’s like to finally turn the camera on yourself as a director
How to find yourself and who you really want to be
Their unique paths to becoming documentary filmmakers
Earning more money and having more creative autonomy
Holding onto your projects even if it doesn’t sell right away
Why you should avoid industry chatter
Finding the overlap between your hobby and filmmaking
Figuring out where to start - production or post
A good story is more important than high-tech tools

Memorable Quotes

“Documentaries were a way to insert myself into the heart of certain communities around the world.” [17:30]
“I did not go to film school. I didn’t even finish college.” [19:18]
“It’s okay to not know where you’re going. Sometimes following your gut and not having a master plan is fruitful, and builds wisdom.” [25:44]
“My mother always told me, don’t work in the film business. It’s full of criminals.” [26:08]
“I don’t think about what the audience wants. I think about what the audience doesn’t yet know that they need.” [47:47]
The only thing that matters is story and learning how to tell a good story. The tools are just tools.” [51:16]
“Think about the story. Pick a side of the industry you want to be in. And be so good they can’t say no.” [51:39]

Mentioned:

Alex Stapleton

Jeff Zimbalist

Skywalkers: A Love Story

Michael John Warren

Lolla: The Story of Lollapalooza

Tony Gerber

War Game

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Unpacking the Ethical Minefield of Docs with the Team Behind ‘Subject’

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E-Girl Investigators of Sundance Premiere Neon Doc ‘Seeking Mavis Beacon’ on Ethics, DIY, and How To Ask For What You Need Jan 28, 2024

Show notes

Jazmin Jones and Olivia McKayla Ross are the creative minds behind the documentary, Seeking Mavis Beacon. The feature, which premiered at Sundance 2024, investigates the disappearance and reexamines the legacy of one of the most influential Black women in technology. The documentary also explores topics like ethics, consent, and having a healthy relationship with technology.

In today’s episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins speaks with Director Jazmin Jones and Associate Producer Olivia McKayla Ross, to discuss:

How Jazmin and Olivia met and started working together
The benefit of not having a film career before making the project
Why the investigation itself was the priority over the film
How they built the digital world of the film
Consent - how it became part of the narrative
Community organizing versus filmmaking
How street photography taught Jazmin about the importance of consent
The power of using search engines
How they created a safe, beautiful space in their headquarters
Asking for what you need and what you want
Why you should follow your instincts
The magical experience of seeing other people react to the film

Memorable Quotes

“More than using the language of the film industry, we were using the language of collective organizing.” [7:15]
“In community organizing, you’re thinking of the long-term impacts of the things you are doing.” [13:20]
“The longer it takes you to ask for the thing you suspect you might need, the more it costs you.” [27:25]
“Having a room of people laugh at my dad’s dad jokes is like the best thing in the world.” [30:16]

Mentioned:

Seeking Mavis Beacon

Follow Jazmin on IG

Follow Olivia on IG

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Connect with Alejandro on IG

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From Landing the Job to Boosting Morale: Sundance DP Roundtable Dives into Filters & More Jan 27, 2024

Show notes

At No Film School, we enjoy diving into both the hard skills and soft skills required to be successful in this industry. For example, we enjoy the technical talk of cinematography. We also like diving into things like leadership skills, collaboration decisions, and how to hire or fire. These are some of the things we discuss with a roundtable of cinematographers whose films premiered at Sundance and Slamdance this year.

In today’s episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins, speaks with cinematographers Bruce Francis Cole, Alejandro Mejia, and Sean Mattison to discuss:

How all three DP’s got connected to their respective projects
Thinking of the setting as a “character” in the story
Working with light and figuring out tone
The benefits of using multiple cameras
Allowing your team the freedom to express themselves
The importance of picking your team
Cutting off stressful energy before it spreads to the rest of the crew
How they decide what projects to work on
Choosing personality over technical ability

Memorable Quotes

“We chose the lenses that had the character built into them.” [24:51]
“What elements can we bring into it visually that will bring the audience into this world?” [26:53]
“If you can pick your team you truly trust in, you can easily allow everyone to do their job.” [33:32]
“We’re sensitive people. We work in a creative field.” [48:17]
“It’s a very New York thing that I learned when I moved there. People either like you or not.” [48:39]

Mentioned

Suncoast

Connect with Bruce on IG

In the Summers

Petro

Connect with Sean on IG

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When Sundance Is the End of Your Festival Run: ‘How To Have Sex’ Director Molly Manning Walker Jan 24, 2024

Show notes

Molly Manning Walker is the Writer-Director of How to Have Sex. The story follows three British teen girls who find themselves navigating the complexities of sex, consent, and self-discovery while on holiday in Greece. The film has won awards across various film festivals, including British Independent Film Awards, Cannes Film Festival, Athens International Film Festival, and others. It premiered at Sundance 2024 in the Spotlight film section.

In today’s episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins, speaks with Molly Manning Walker to discuss:

The inspiration behind the film
Realizing her own friendships as a teen were quite harsh
Unexpected reactions from the audience
Exploring the glorification of party culture
The process of choosing a cinematographer
Director vs DP - The POV of the set changes
Why some scenes were heavily scripted and others improvised
Navigating a group of high energy teen actors
The benefit of doing experimental takes
Bringing in an intimacy coordinator so the cast felt protected
How Molly created a safe environment for both cast and crew

Memorable Quotes

“How I see a film set has always been through a lens. Through holding a camera.” [7:16]
“It was definitely difficult navigating six really high energy young people.” [11:47]
“Watch your film on mute and see if it still makes sense.” [24:13]
“The more time you put into something, you eventually break through.” [25:34]

Mentioned

How to Have Sex

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NFS @ Sundance: Community and Creativity at the No Film School Alumni Party Jan 23, 2024

Show notes

This year No Film School hosted an alumni party at Sundance, and it was amazing to see the community come together in person. The connections made at the party truly embody the ethos behind No Film School - accessibility, humility, and vulnerability.

In today’s episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins, Ryan Koo, and Jo Light discuss:

The amazing energy in the room at the No Film School Alumni Party
Seeing the community expand into more film groups across the country
Why we love the commitment of filmmakers who continue to create stories
Resources for filmmakers outside of Los Angeles and New York
More films we enjoyed at the festival
Not having specific festival goals and letting opportunities happen naturally
Some of our magical festival moments
Advice we would give to our younger selves

Memorable Quotes

“Let’s try to be vulnerable and human, and recognize we are here because we want to make things.” [5:39]
“Stop Hedging. Grab some friends. Just do it. Plant your flag.” [9:14]
“Going into a dark theater. Turning your damn phone off. And totally giving yourself over to something that no one else in the world has seen before.” [13:12]
“It felt great to come here without a specific expectation, and then be pleasantly surprised.” [20:46]
“Sundance. I’m never not coming to this. I want to be here every year.” [22:43]

Mentioned:

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‘Layla’ Director Amrou Al-Kadhi and Cast on Opening Sundance, Casting Chemistry, and the Power of Subtext Jan 23, 2024

Show notes

Amrou Al-Kadhi is the Writer-Director of Layla, a story that explores the conflict between desire and identity. The film stars actor Bilal Hasna who plays Layla, a London drag queen, and actor Louis Greatorex, who plays Max, the love interest. The film premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival.

In today’s episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins, speaks with Amrou Al-Kadhi, Bilal Hasna, and Louis Greatorex to discuss:

The six year process of making the film
What it’s like to watch the film multiple times at Sundance
Unexpected reactions of the audience
How making shorts helped Amrou learn to work on a set
The benefits of working with a director who has acting experience
Why the best actors hold back in some scenes
The reason Amrou encourages actors to play against the lines
Why directors should budget for extra rehearsal time
The casting process and chemistry read

Memorable Quotes

“Feeling the audience be shocked was quite fun.” [7:58]
“Shorts are more like poems, whereas films are more like novels.” [9:05]
“It’s really hard to get actors to lie on screen.” [14:37]
“It’s a family you are building. You are not doing it on your own. It can be really hard, so you need to have people around you, you really trust.” [28:30]

Mentioned

Layla

Amrou Al-Kadhi on IG

Bilal Hasna on IG

Louis Greatorex on IG

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Online Giveaway: Enter to Win

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NFS @ Sundance: Risks, Giveaways and What the Fest Tells Us About the Industry Jan 22, 2024

Show notes

It’s that time of year again! The time of year we get to meet emerging filmmakers and watch their creative, original, risk-taking films at the Sundance Film Festival. Not only are we networking and enjoying amazing films, but we are bringing some fun surprises to the festival this year.

In today’s episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins, Ryan Koo, and Jo Light discuss:

Why the Sundance volunteers are so important to the spirit of the festival
Running into people we haven’t seen in over a decade
Hosting a No Film School party at Sundance this year
An online giveaway for No Film School listeners
Films we love and films we have mixed feelings about
Being unexpectedly moved by a beautiful zombie film
An unconventional pairing that gives a fresh perspective on love
Stories that encourage us to bring more originality to our work
Being independent from what’s considered “commercially viable”
Why you need to watch the documentary lineup at Sundance

Memorable Quotes

“This is what I come to Sundance for…This is an original idea that is audacious and creative. It’s something I have never seen before.” [20:00]
“We are not here to be critics. We are not here to give films grades. We are here to be inspired as filmmakers.” [21:00]
“What we come here to see is risk taking.” [32:12]
“We’re all in this community together. We are all trying to get movies made. It’s harder than ever.” [35:21]

Mentioned

Freaky Tales - Directed by: Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck

How to Have Sex - Directed by: Molly Manning Walker

Layla - Directed by: Amrou Al-Kadhi

Handling the Undead - Directed by: Thea Hvistendahl

Love Me - Directed by: Sam & Andy Zuchero

Your Monster - Directed by: Caroline Lindy

Seeking Mavis Beacon - Directed by: Jazmin Jones

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Unpacking the Ethical Minefield of Docs with the Team Behind ‘Subject’

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‘Blackfish’ Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite Turns Blacklist Script ‘I.S.S.’ Into Sci-Fi Thriller Theatrical Release Jan 19, 2024

Show notes

Not all award-winning filmmakers planned for a career in film when they were younger. Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite found her love of film in her thirties, and has since directed films such as Blackfish, Our Friend, and many others. She recently directed I.S.S., a high-stakes thriller set in the International Space Station, which will be released in theaters on Jan 19.

In today’s episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins speaks with Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite to discuss:

Unexpectedly starting a career in filmmaking
Wanting to effect change through films
Working for free and doing whatever job she could
A very humbling experience early on in Gabriela’s career
The differences between documentary filmmaking and narrative filmmaking
Surviving the lows during production
The importance of having interests outside of filmmaking
Establishing the world and dynamic between the characters in the film I.S.S
Bringing characters to life who do not fit into a stereotype
Filmmaking - it’s not more glamorous than other jobs

Memorable Quotes

“You really have to put in the work. You really have to collaborate.” [12:14]
“There’s this cool adventurous feeling you have when you’re doing it, because every single day could be a question mark.” [15:55]
“The highs are very high, and the lows are very low.” [16:42]
“It seems like it’s greater than the sum of its parts, but it’s not. It’s just the parts.” [36:36]
“Just remember, it’s one foot in front of the other.” [37:51]

Mentioned

I.S.S. trailer

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