The No Film School Podcast

Facebook

Twitter

YouTube

Instagram

Bardo: False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths

Get your questions answered on the podcast by emailing editor@nofilmschool.com!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Darius Khondji on Scale, Scope, and Cinematic Storytelling Dec 29, 2022

Show notes

On our final episode of 2022, we are honored to speak to innovative cinematographer, Darius Khondji. Darius is known for his work on films such as Se7en and Amour. Today he shares what inspires him, and he also explains what it was like working on the film, Bardo: False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths. Bardo is now available on Netflix.

In this episode, we talk about…

Why he first fell in love with large format
Loving the idea of the actor being very big on screen
Deciding on what camera and lenses to use for the film
The strong connection he had with the director and the lead
Being influenced by other films or works of art
What seduced him the most about the story from the beginning
Deciding to work on a film based on who the director is
The type of genre he would love to work on

Memorable Quotes

“I love large format…I love working in large format. I love the actors being larger than life.” [4:42
“I love the way the camera tells the story. The presence of the characters and the presence of the landscape of this camera.” [8:43]
“You have to be very careful with inspiration. Inspiration is just a fragrance.” [14:23]

Mentioned

Find No Film School everywhere:

On the Web

Facebook

Twitter

YouTube

Instagram

Get your questions answered on the podcast by emailing editor@nofilmschool.com!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Filmmaker First Steps: Anne Sophie Bine on Short Film Success Dec 27, 2022

Show notes

Hearing stories from very experienced filmmakers is helpful, but we may miss out on relevant lessons that can only be gained from those just breaking into the industry. Today’s guest is Anne Sophie Bine, a young filmmaker who is getting attention for the first time, for her recent short.

In this episode, we talk about…

Being interested in stories and the visual arts since childhood
Developing a close working relationship with production designer, Rick Heinrichs
Feeling like you are creating things into a vacuum
Why Anne attended film school, even though she was always against it
The process of creating and funding her short film, Dog Lover
Not getting distracted by networking and socializing
Remaining open and not expecting anything in return

Memorable Quotes

“I kinda realized all of those things came together in film…It’s a place where it is not a disadvantage to be a jack of all trades.” [4:08]
“It was necessary to have a visual imagination, a sense of story, a way with words, an understanding of performance, and an ear for music.” [4:22]
“As exciting and big as those jobs were, they were in a way, taking me away from directing.” [11:34]
“There’s definitely a momentum that builds there and it makes me feel like I can do it again” [20:25]
“It’s kind of like dating…if you’re viewing it too much based on the end goal and objective, I think things can backfire.” [24:25]
“Funding things sucks. Raising money is terrible.” [27:04]

Mentioned

Dog Lover

Find No Film School everywhere:

On the Web

Facebook

Twitter

YouTube

Instagram

Get your questions answered on the podcast by emailing editor@nofilmschool.com!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There is a Whole New Way Movies Are Marketed... Will it Work? Dec 22, 2022

Show notes

Today’s episode is our “End of the Year, Holiday Podcast.” We discuss an interesting, new method of marketing movies. Also, we chat about the first official protest against A.I. Finally, we explain the best way to promote your indie film at a festival.

In this episode, we talk about…

Entering the theater with low expectations but then being blown away
Our thoughts on the film, Avatar: The Way of Water
Going bonkers for behind the scenes content
How A.I. has already directed a movie
Why ArtStation’s protest on A.I. is important
Feeling worried about the future of careers in the film industry
How you should go about promoting your indie film

Memorable Quotes

“It’s about the filmmaking now. The filmmaking is being advertised.” [5:14]
“There’s nothing better than coming out of the theater with that adrenaline rush, with a group of people.” [23:41]
“Don’t bring a baby. Don’t bring a burrito.” [27:19]
“I’m 43. This is legit the first time I’m like ‘Oh fuck, this is like 80s Scifi.’” [40:49]
“We’re on the downslope of the roller coaster at this point.” [42:55]
“This is a mimicry of what’s happening in the country, on a wider scale.” [58:25]

Mentioned

Avatar: The Way of Water

ChatGPT

AI MOVIE TWITTER THREAD

Defector article

ArtStation

Find No Film School everywhere:

On the Web

Facebook

Twitter

YouTube

Instagram

Get your questions answered on the podcast by emailing editor@nofilmschool.com!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Going Right From Film School Shorts to a First Feature Dec 20, 2022

Show notes

Today we speak to Matthew Gentile and Matt Allen about the process of filming and editing the film, American Murderer. Matthew met Matt in film school, and invited him to collaborate on his first feature film. American Murderer is now available on Amazon Prime.

In this episode, we talk about…

How screenwriting and directing are different
Matthew’s experience in film school
Realizing he wanted to write his own screenplay
Becoming obsessed with the story of the main character
The things that keep you going when making your first film
Filming during the heart of the pandemic
The danger in trying to stick so closely to your storyboard
Realizing you have so many elements to work with as a director

Memorable Quotes

“I couldn’t really find my way towards the right first feature vehicle.” [3:13]
“I think it comes down to what story you want to tell first and then you figure out how to do it.” [7:34]
“Before I wanted to be a filmmaker, I wanted to be a fed.” [10:31]
“I started writing the script and as I wrote it, I realized, ‘this has to be the first feature.’” [12:12]
“I write the first draft of the script. I think it’s amazing. I learn very quickly, it’s not.” [13:56]
“That faith you have to have when you’re making your first movie, that this is going to happen.” [21:09]

Mentioned

American Murderer

Find No Film School everywhere:

On the Web

Facebook

Twitter

YouTube

Instagram

Get your questions answered on the podcast by emailing editor@nofilmschool.com!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Making Your Creative Intentions Count Dec 15, 2022

Show notes

In today’s episode, we discuss whether or not we care about the intent of the creator when we evaluate a film. Also, we chat about the importance of receiving advice, and we discuss why we are annoyed by streaming platforms.

In this episode, we talk about…

Getting in your own way as a filmmaker when trying to get the audience to change their minds about a subject
How the original intent of a project can change over time
Why the narrative needs to be ‘character first’ not ‘message first’
Responding to Todd Field’s remark that “advice is cheap”
Why even small pieces of advice can affect your whole career
Giving specific advice versus giving broad advice
Why the constant changes of streaming platforms are annoying for consumers
Missing the special features that came with physical movies

Memorable Quotes

“I’d rather somebody not intend a single thing and just be like, ‘Hey I made Speed. It doesn’t mean shit.’” [4:06]
“The best movies, the best shows, the best anything, leave you talking about it or thinking about it days later.” [6:19]
“Every good movie or every good tv show is about something. And it might not come to a final conclusion about that thing, but it’s about things that are bigger than just the story and that’s what makes it so rewarding.” [11:34]
“I think the best creatives are able to be like ‘fuck that noise, im making a good story.’” [14:50]
“When you love something, you start to see patterns that maybe aren’t there.” [15:03]
“It’s gotta be earned. If you’re gonna make them change, you gotta earn it.” [22:07]
“The A.I. can’t attack our Blu-rays” [48:33]

Find No Film School everywhere:

On the Web

Facebook

Twitter

YouTube

Instagram

Get your questions answered on the podcast by emailing editor@nofilmschool.com!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Todd Field Tells us How to Study Character in Tar Dec 13, 2022

Show notes

It is great when you have the opportunity to interpret a film for yourself and decide what it means for you. Filmmaker Todd Field offers this opportunity in the film, Tár. The film takes us through an epic character study that mirrors the way we humans experience the world. Tár is in theaters and available on streaming platforms.

In this episode, we talk about…

Todd’s inspiration to write and direct the film
Putting the character in a position of great power
How the character lives in a way that is contrary to the advice she gives others
Letting the movie and music speak for itself
The intent in writing the character as a real human being
The very simple rules for this film
What the editing and testing process was like
Why Todd believes it is healthy to have differing opinions
The pleasure of being the originator of the story

Memorable Quotes

“My writing life has been, for the most part, in adapting material.” [2:29]
“Human beings…sometimes they operate with their better angels and sometimes they’re monsters.” [12:35]
“This film is about this character. It’s about having an opportunity to meet this character in different facets of their life during this period of time. A public one, a sort of professional one, and a private one.” [16:32]
“The secret dream of many filmmakers is you never have to go through production. You would just go straight to the edit.” [20:03]
“That’s why we make films. We want the greatest possible engagement.” [24:07]
“I think being a filmmaker now is probably the most exciting thing you can possibly do.” [27:16]

Mentioned in the episode:

Tár

Find No Film School everywhere:

On the Web

Facebook

Twitter

YouTube

Instagram

New York Times, History of Sight and Sound

Get your questions answered on the podcast by emailing editor@nofilmschool.com!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A.I. Leaps Forward Again...Do Filmmakers Need to Worry? Dec 08, 2022

Show notes

In today’s episode, we discuss the 2022 Sight and Sound list of the best movies.

Also, we chat about why cinema is not the all-healing tool of the universe, and we discuss the things that freak us out about A.I. technology.

In this episode, we talk about…

Our responses to the outrage of other filmmakers
Not caring what others think about your taste in movies
Three films that promote the healing power of cinema: Empire of Light, Babylon, and The Fabelman’s
Written content produced by A.I. and the misinformation that comes with it
Why we need to stop lowering the bar intellectually
Developing that human touch that A.I. cannot grasp

Memorable Quotes

“We’re in a bubble. We’re all in bubbles.” [11:15]
“We love it. We already love it. You need to do more than just tell us that it’s lovable. You need to do a little more.” [32:50]
“If you aren’t watching what's happening, it’s happening so fast. We’re coming close to judgment day.” [38:16]
“There’s a reason why the money people are salivating over it. There’s a very good reason why.” [51:26]
“It’s a big leap forward into anti-intellectualism. It’s taking the human beauty out of what we consume and giving us this big giant hive mind.” [52:30]

Mentioned in the episode:

Did “Woke Culture” Sabotage This Best Movies Ever Poll?

You Will Be Impacted by A.I. Writing…Here is How

Find No Film School everywhere:

On the Web

Facebook

Twitter

YouTube

Instagram

The Banshees of Inisherin

Get your questions answered on the podcast by emailing editor@nofilmschool.com!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How to Craft Natural Light into Stunning Visuals in Banshees of Inisherin Dec 06, 2022

Show notes

Today’s guest is cinematographer Ben Davis, who has worked on films like Doctor Strange, Cry Macho, and Guardians of the Galaxy. Ben shares what his process was like as the DP of the film, The Banshees of Inisherin, which is currently in theaters.

In this episode, we talk about…

Comparing the flexibility of a small film versus a larger film
Being open to change even with a structured plan in place
Capturing the idea of loneliness and isolation with cinematography
Why Ben doesn’t work against the light source
How they got the digital format to look like film
Choosing the color palette with director, Martin McDonagh
What is was like working with Clint Eastwood in the film, Cry Macho
A powerful lesson about ego

Memorable Quotes

“The ambition on this film was to keep it small…so that we had some sort of flexibility and we could maneuver.” [3:49]
“You’re always open to change. Because that’s the delight of filmmaking, what you chance upon.” [4:40]
“The great thing about this film…everyone was making the same movie and everyone was on board with it.” [6:17]
“I’m never going to do it as beautifully as nature can give you.” [16:50]

Mentioned in the episode:

Cry Macho

Find No Film School everywhere:

On the Web

Facebook

Twitter

YouTube

Instagram

Get your questions answered on the podcast by emailing editor@nofilmschool.com!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NEW AI Tech That Blows Our Minds and How to Use Improv on Set Dec 01, 2022

Show notes

EP590 No Film School: NEW AI Tech That Blows Our Minds and How to Use Improv on Set

In today’s episode, we share our theories behind the low Thanksgiving box office numbers, our successful and unsuccessful experiences with improv, and we discuss an incredible new form of AI tech that’s got us scratching our heads in awe.

In this episode, we talk about…

Comparing Thanksgiving box office numbers
The big gray area of marketing
Our past experiences with improv
How improv is a tricky skill set but still possible to achieve
Failing a ton - It makes you better and stronger
Why NeRF technology will change the world of VFX
The amazing uses of NeRF technology

Memorable Quotes

“There’s still something that happens when we watch it all finished. We don’t take into account part of the reason there are flaws.” [3:57]
“I feel like something weird is going on with film marketing…on top of all the box office stuff.” [15:58]
“Money is spent in such crazy, foolish ways that it’s just mind boggling.” [20:42]
“Understanding the principles of ‘yes and’ will make you a better collaborator and creator, than anything else.” [25:34]

Mentioned in the episode:

NeRF technology

Luma AI

Find No Film School everywhere:

On the Web

Facebook

Twitter

YouTube