The No Film School Podcast

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Crucial Advice on Pitching Your TV Show Jan 12, 2024

Show notes

If you want to network, grow, and succeed as a filmmaker, you have to learn to get comfortable talking about your work. Luckily there are programs, like the Moonshot Initiative, which help emerging filmmakers successfully pitch their projects without feeling confused or afraid.

In today’s episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins speaks with nonprofit founders, Tracy Sayre and Katrina Medoff, to discuss:

How the Moonshot Initiative helps advance the careers of underrepresented voices
Working with people in all stages of their career
Offering a safe space for program participants to ask questions
The pilot accelerator program that helps filmmakers pitch tv show ideas
How Tracy and Katrina know when they have found an excellent script
The mentality you need going into a pitch meeting
Writing the pitch before writing the script
Why you have to be comfortable talking about your work

Memorable Quotes

“Never be afraid to ask questions. You can’t walk into every room and assume you know the answer.” [12:45]
“Our audience had ideas, but they didn’t have the connections.” [17:15]
“People hearing pitches want you to succeed.” [23:46]

Mentioned:

The Moonshot Initiative Website

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How a Script Doctor Found His Own Voice

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Industry Etiquette Tips for Social Media and Feedback Jan 11, 2024

Show notes

If you are a beginner filmmaker who is afraid to receive feedback on your work, you may find you are operating within a bubble. Feedback is such a critical part of the process of becoming a better storyteller. We invite you to get out of that bubble and practice asking for and receiving feedback like a professional.

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

Crafting and curating your public persona
The standard number of pages your script should be
Wasting time arguing on social media
The power of admitting what you don’t know
Why you should ask for feedback early in your career
How to ask for feedback and how to receive it
Why you should never feel bad about asking people for feedback
Having practice feedback sessions with your friends
The overall importance of etiquette as a filmmaker

Memorable Quotes

“The 136-pagers were always gibberish, with no exception.” [7:52]
“We all just need a slice of humble pie, especially in the beginning of our screenwriter careers.” [12:16]
“If you are a filmmaker, you are building a community of peers.” [30:53]
“Sometimes the note you think is dumb, is right.” [43:27]
“The internet is not always right. It is just a place where people are allowed to say anything.” [47:56]

Mentioned:

How to Critique a Screenplay (While Not Being a Dick)

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The Mountain Murder Tapes on TikTok

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How To Make a Movie... For TikTok? Jan 05, 2024

Show notes

Lately, we keep hearing the advice to grab an iPhone and just start shooting a movie. Well, that’s exactly what the team behind The Mountain Murder Tapes did. Not only was filming very simple, but they kept post-production really scrappy and distributed their project on TikTok!

In today’s episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins speaks with Jacob Seltzer, Benjy Steinberg, and Spencer Levin to discuss:

The inspiration behind the project - “Blair Witch meets Ski Mountain”
Why the actors were the cinematographers
The natural progression of events from different character perspectives
Having a digestible number of POVs in the project
Using improvised versions over the scripted versions
Their very low-tech process of filming and editing
Using a hook in each episode versus a cliffhanger
Why a project like this is so accessible for scrappy filmmakers

Memorable Quotes

“We were in touch with the creepy nature of nature.” [3:35]
“We wanted to get back to the roots of our indie filmmaking and get scrappy.” [4:19]
“It was an experiment in cinematography as much as storytelling.” [5:15]
“So many shots were stolen. We upped the production value of the project by going into places we probably shouldn’t be.” [14:17]
“Within the first second, you have to hook the audience.” [22:56]

Mentioned:

Follow Benjy on IG

Follow Spencer on TikTok

Follow Jacob on IG

#ChadGetsTheAxe

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Filmmaker Resolutions for 2024 Jan 04, 2024

Show notes

Are you planning on making any new year's resolutions for 2024? Maybe you want to integrate more positive practices into your life? Are there any habits that are hurting you, that you want to work on reducing?

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

Prioritizing your health by getting adequate sleep
Paying attention to the people we surround ourselves with
Being in the present moment and not over analyzing your projects
The benefits of reading for pleasure
Reading film news in paper format versus digital format
Why you should get a treadmill desk
Reasons you should always be writing or developing scripts
Giving a “thumbs down” instead of the middle finger

Memorable Quotes

“Good people are the fucking best. They are the best.” [4:10]
“The only thing you have ultimate control over is writing. You can always write.” [18:55]
“Live your life and figure out what makes you happy.” [22:30]
“I need to stop getting so angry at motherfuckers who drive in the bike lane.” [22:40]

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Why Breaking Story Is Like Breaking a Horse Dec 29, 2023

Show notes

Breaking story is not easy. When it does finally happen, you feel so good you can’t help but walk around with your chin up in the air and your chest puffed out! Sounds amazing, right! So what does it take to get there? Let’s find out!

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

The satisfying moment that unlocks the whole story
Exploring the story without being attached to structure
What to do when you are stuck with a scene that isn’t working
The question Kevin wanted to explore with his film, Last Resort
Writing 8 screenplays during the pandemic
How Kevin’s production experience helped him in his role as a feature director
Allowing the magic to unfold in the frame
Why Kevin wanted to edit his own feature
Why mapping out your story beforehand is so important

Memorable Quotes

“It’s using overly aggressive language to make up for the fact that our job is making up stories and playing with costumes.” [1:02]
“The best part about writing is breaking the story.” [16:28]
“You cannot break the horse, by looking at the horse. You have to get on the horse to break the horse.” [19:50]
“It’s building a muscle. Sitting down and being in that spot so the muse knows where to find you.” [28:39]
“If you ask for help, you’ll get advice, but if you ask for advice, you will get help.” [52:56]

Mentioned:

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The Screenwriting Life Podcast

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Micro Budget by Design With the Screenwriting Life’s Jeff Graham Dec 29, 2023

Show notes

If you are a micro budget filmmaker, you may think your lack of money is holding you back from having the tools or resources you need. Instead of approaching your project from this limited mindset, we want to challenge you to view your “limitations” as an opportunity, not an obstacle.

In today’s episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins speaks with director and podcast producer, Jeffrey Crane Graham to discuss:

The beauty of podcasting and providing helpful tools to listeners
Why Jeff advocates table reads throughout development of a project
Exploring topics like grief, fear, and shame in his film, Always Lola
How other people will feel seen through what you’re making
Tips and tricks to stay within your micro budget
How to get talented people invested in your low budget film
Simple, affordable, and effective production tools
Why directors shouldn’t cut their own material
Balance - does it exist for creatives?

Memorable Quotes

“You need to bring on a lot of different perspectives and voices, even if they aren’t necessarily your method or craft.” [4:25]
“Because filmmaking is so hard, you have to will your way through it.” [10:09]
“We were running around like highschool kids making a movie, but with really nice equipment.” [21:34]
“It’s really fun to see what people do without much money.” [31:20]
“People will be so excited to watch you chase your dream. People still want to believe in the power of independent filmmaking.” [34:34]

Mentioned:

Always, Lola

Jeff's Instagram

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A Creature was Stirring

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Indie Horror Duo the LeVecks: From Production To Press On ‘A Creature Was Stirring’ Dec 22, 2023

Show notes

Damien and Natalie LeVeck are the masterminds behind the film, A Creature Was Stirring. The film is a holiday horror that explores topics such as secrets, guilt, and mental illness. We had the honor of interviewing each filmmaker separately in the past. Now, this married duo is back to discuss all things production, including planning, shooting, and distributing.

In today’s episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins speaks with director Damien LeVeck and producer Natalie LeVeck to discuss:

Shooting a winter-themed film in the middle of a very hot summer
Using expensive, concert style lasers in the film
Surrounding yourself with a production team you trust
Saying “no” while trying to find a middle ground
Being married and working together - what is that like?
The biggest on set challenge that ended up working out for the better
How having editing experience can become a director’s super power
Why you should make your own press kit and what to include in it
Posting pictures before your film is purchased by a distributor
What makes this horror film unique

Memorable Quotes

“You really need to know what hills you will die on. And what sacrifices are you willing to make.” [6:31]
“Making any independent film is going to be harder than pretty much anything you ever do in your life.” [12:44]
“Movies don’t want to be made.” [13:07]
“You’re not directing to find it in the edit. You’re directing to get the edit you have in your mind.” [19:48]
“The horror movie fans are some of the best fans out there.” [21:07]

Mentioned:

Natalie's LinkedIn

Natalie's on Instagram

Damien’s Instagram

Top Legal Mistakes Filmmakers Make and How To Avoid Them

Piloting Real-Time Post-Collab on Damien LeVeck’s Holiday Horror

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The making of Ryan's film 'Amateur'

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A Shocking Netflix Dump, Plus Lessons From Our Fav Holiday Flicks Dec 21, 2023

Show notes

Netflix delivered your Christmas gift early this year! For the first time ever, the platform just released all of its streaming data! This “data dump” is beneficial for many in the industry, and it seems we will be getting more of these gifts in the foreseeable future.

In today’s episode, No Film School’s Charles Haine, GG Hawkins, Jason Hellerman, Ryan Koo and writer Amanda Barnes discuss:

The streaming data that was recently released by Netflix
The metric Netflix used in ranking it’s shows and movies
Observations we have been making since the data dump
Using the data as a negotiation talking point for future films
How to avoid chasing others and instead attract attention
Borrowing lines and ideas from our favorite holiday movies
How to respond when you receive shitty notes
The blessings and curses of being a writer
The concessions you make as an indie filmmaker
Handling heavy themes by wrapping them in joy and humor

Memorable Quotes

“What it was like to not know how many people were watching my movie out in the world.” [2:45]
“The one thing Netflix has never done is tell us who is watching what.” [7:26]
“I want to know who’s watching my show, so I can get paid accordingly.” [7:56]
“Oh shit, now I have to learn how to write a Christmas movie.” [51:01]
“If you have a vision and you need it executed your way and only your way, you have to make it yourself. And you have to be okay with the fact that maybe no one will see it.” [57:34]

Mentioned:

Netflix Releases All Its Streaming Data for the First Time Ever

Connect with Amanda on Instagram

Watch ‘Just Like a Christmas Movie’

Watch 'The Holiday Shift'

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Connect with Ira on Instagram

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'Share?' Director Ira Rosensweig on Full Stack Filmmaking Dec 15, 2023

Show notes

Ira Rosensweig is the director and editor of Share?, a science fiction thriller that was shot entirely from one fixed camera angle. This film will creep you out, but in a good way, as it prompts you to take an honest look at your relationship with social media.

In today’s episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins speaks with director and editor, Ira Rosensweig to discuss:

The origin of the film and what Ira hopes to evoke in the audience
How he accidentally fell in love with filmmaking during college
Becoming a “full stack” filmmaker - writing, producing, directing, and editing
Challenges in working with famous celebrities
Being confident and honest regardless of the reactions of others
Directing actors within a short frame of time
Getting excited after receiving rejection
All the challenges they faced during production and post production
Not taking “no” for an answer

Memorable Quotes

“The most expensive lesson I learned as a filmmaker was directing something without knowing how to edit.” [4:45]
“When you can figure out how to use technology to your advantage to tell a story in a different way, there’s nothing better.” [30:17]
“When you strip certain things away and limit your pallet, it makes a much more interesting product.” [37:17]
“Do what drives you and try to make what your passion is. Your passion is the thing that will get it made.” [41:14]

Mentioned:

Follow Share? on TikTok

Watch the Share? trailer

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