The No Film School Podcast

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How to Get Your Kinds of Movies Made with Dean Craig Writer/Director of 'The Estate' Nov 22, 2022

Show notes

There are those who write films and those who direct films. Today’s guest, Dean Craig was responsible for both roles in the recent film, The Estate. Craig, also known for writing Death at a Funeral, explains his process for both writing and directing.

In this episode, we talk about…

HBO denying his original script
How having an appealing actor is a big piece of the puzzle
Finding joy in the creative writing process
Going back to first principles when facing obstacles
Working on Death at a Funeral with director Frank Oz
Being drawn to the challenges of being a director
Appreciating the collaborative art of filmmaking
Being a filter as well as the decision maker

Memorable Quotes

“Trying to create an eclectic range of eccentric characters and then bring them together and see what happens” [8:56]

“I remember being four days in and thinking ‘This is not a job for one person.’” [15:59]

“I really feel like the script is there and it’s there for everybody else to bring their expertise, talent, and brilliance to it.” [19:20]

Mentioned in the episode:

The Estate

Death at a Funeral

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Is This the Tool Filmmakers Need to Find Their Audience? Nov 19, 2022

Show notes

If you have a short film that you want to get out to the world, you need to consider Shortverse. This platform offers filmmaker specific features that you won’t find anywhere else. In this episode, we speak to Andrew Allen and Jason Sondhi, founders of this incredible platform for emerging filmmakers.

In this episode, we talk about…

Supporting short films for over 15 years with Short of the Week
The reason they created Shortverse
Facilitating relationships between creators and industry professionals
Numerous features such as: search filters, review system, and more.
Interesting trends in the short film market
The number one thing the industry is looking for in films

Memorable Quotes

“We’ve always thought of short film as this really powerful experimental media where filmmakers can really find their voice.” [4:44]

“Imagine a platform that was built for emerging filmmakers to get their work out there, to connect with people.” [14:07]

Reach for the thing that is fresh, that is new, that is risky and great. Rather than trying to cover your basis by creating something that is good and broadly accomplished.” [47:56]

Mentioned in the episode:

Short of the Week

Shortverse

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Tony Kushner Breaks Down 'The Fabelmans' and Collaborating with Steven Spielberg Nov 15, 2022

Show notes

Two of the biggest names in the industry, Tony Kushner and Steven Spielberg, collaborate on a film about Spielberg’s early life. Tony shares what it has been like to work with Spielberg over the years. The film, "The Fabelmans" is in limited release Nov 11 and everywhere Nov 23.

In this episode, we talk about…

Being fascinated by Steven Spielberg’s life story
How filmmaking helped to protect Spielberg as a youth by giving him control
Working together on films such as Munich and West Side Story
Battling one another during filmmaking
Recognizing when he can’t convince Spielberg and trusting his judgment
Keeping everyone focused on the outcome
A particular scene of The Fabelman’s - Spielberg’s genius idea

Memorable Quotes

“Because I think that’s the extraordinary thing about art, both for audiences and for artists. It’s a dream. But it has real life meaning and sometimes real life consequences.” [3:55]

“There’s a flash of insight that he has and it feels somewhat, kinda superhuman to me.” [5:50]

“Filming things is like a second nature to him…I think he makes things difficult for himself, to keep himself excited.” [9:55]

"Steven is very open to the experiences of other human beings.” [11:39]

Mentioned in the episode:

The Fabelman’s

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You Finished Your Screenplay. Now What? Nov 11, 2022

Show notes

Writing screenplays in our present time is challenging for a variety of reasons. There is more competition, lack of mentors, and less avid readers out there. In this episode, we cover what you should do as a screenplay writer when facing these challenges.

In this episode, we talk about…

Websites for screenwriting advice - The Black List and Wordplayer
The cardinal sin of sending an unsolicited screenplay
Making an effort to be better, more avid readers
Advocating for your own material and overcoming the network effects
Why you need to be a person that people like
The many reasons to love Fuji Film
Choosing a camera based on workflow integration and body ergonomics
Switching from Twitter to Mastodon

Memorable Quotes

“If the screenplay is good enough, lock it in a drawer, and someone will come find it.” [2:09]

“With every script, you have to decide…am I passionately trying to get this made? Or is this a spec to take me somewhere else?” [7:55]

“With clarity of goal and purpose, steps after, start to become clearer.” [11:17]

“Get in the arena and make the connections.” [24:23]

Mentioned in the episode:

The Black List

Wordplayer

Fujifilm X-T5

Mastodon

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“Smile” Director and DP Share the Secret Rules to Their On-Set Success Nov 08, 2022

Show notes

In today’s episode, we talk to director Parker Finn and cinematographer Charlie Sarroff about working together on the set of horror film, Smile. They share their special process of creating the film. Smile is in theaters now!

In this episode, we talk about…

Parker looking for the right “partner in crime” to make the film with
How Parker’s short spread like wildfire
Selling the pitch to Paramount Pictures
Using cinematic language to work toward themes of the story
Why Parker prefers a shot list over a storyboard
What influenced the camera choice
Thinking about the audience and what the film is doing to them

Mentioned in the episode:

Smile

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James Gunn - CEO of DC Studios

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How to Get Commercial Directing Gigs and Brand New Camera Tech We Love Nov 03, 2022

Show notes

It’s smart to figure out the box you want to be in, since the industry is going to put you in a box anyway. Then you need to learn to appreciate your time in that box.

In this episode, we talk about…

James Gunn, director of Guardians of the Galaxy, running the superhero division of DC
Showing up for others and celebrating their successes with them
The SONY A7R V and its unique AI feature
How Artificial Intelligence is getting nuts
The number one thing that makes a spec fail
Why making a simple spec is hard

Memorable Quotes

“One person’s success is not your failure.” [13:19]

“Your goal with a spec, is that it should feel like a real commercial. It should trick people in an agency into thinking it’s a real spot.” [28:58]

“Product work is a very specific universe.” [33:43]

“Arrested development is phenomenal, but there's a gift in being able to do Seinfeld.” [39:48]

Mentioned in the episode:

Sony A7R V

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How This 15 Year Old Shot a Horror Short and Got it To Cannes Oct 28, 2022

Show notes

Horror is best when it's balanced. It’s like baking, if one ingredient is off, it doesn't work. Teenage filmmaker, Jessica Nipperess, shares how she created the film, Devil Bean.

In this episode, we talk about…

Why Jessica is drawn to film festivals
The Black Magic Pocket Cinema Camera and the difference it made for shooting
The main challenges in directing Devil Bean
Feeling emotionally disconnected from a script written by someone else
Using original music to help tell the story of a film
Post production and the many changes made to the film
Tapping into serious horrors that are helpful to the world

Memorable Quotes

“Films have always been like a chance to learn more about filmmaking through the experience of learning it.” [5:02]

“This is what the film will be like, but less pigs and more coffee.” [18:56 ]

“Horror is like a playground where we put out all of our fears and anxieties, and explore them in a way that feels safe and makes sense to us.” [25:42]

Mentioned in the episode:

Jessica Nipperess

Devil Bean

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Will AI Make Movies Without Us

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How to Give Notes That Help and What AI Will Do to Filmmaking Oct 27, 2022

Show notes

You win some and you lose some. This is what happens when there are shifts in the industry, and AI is bringing with it a major shift.

In this episode, we talk about…

Shortverse - The place filmmakers, industry pros, and fans of short film can connect
The complexity and inevitability of AI being used in filmmaking
Feeling frustrated yet fascinated for the future of AI
Why giving and receiving feedback is one of the biggest skills you need to practice
Different strategies behind giving notes
Being extreme - We throw out gold stars yet we rip things to shreds
The best accessories for shooting film on an iPhone

Memorable Quotes

“I am not gonna say it feels industry focused, but right now it feels a little industry-focused and I am A-OK with that.” [8:55]

“The rate at which it’s developing and changing what we can do and who does what, is pretty insane and exciting and intimidating. And it’s just going to completely alter workflows.” [15:57]

“This is going to cost people their jobs eventually. It’s not right now. But give it 5 years…and some people are gonna be screwed.” [22:37]

Mentioned in the episode:

Shortverse

Word Player

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Paul Feig Teaches Us the Nuances of Comedy and Collaboration Oct 25, 2022

Show notes

Want to be a filmmaker? Then you have to be confident enough to have no confidence in yourself. This is the advice from Paul Feig, This is the advice from Paul Feig, director of The School For Good and Evil, Bridesmaids, and television shows like Freaks and Geeks, The Office, Arrested Development and Nurse Jackie.

In this episode, we talk about…

Applying lessons learned from his standup career and acting career
Having more than enough film to choose from in case certain jokes bomb
Setting the rules at the beginning of a film
Remaining consistent with your style throughout the film
How Paul handles making film for streaming services
Hooking the audience so they will make a complete journey with the characters
Why there is no excuse for beginner filmmakers wanting to start their career

Memorable Quotes

“The reason comedy never wins awards is because if you do it right, It looks easy.” [9:09]
“You can make a movie as crazy as you want, as long as you set the rules in the first five minutes.” [21:12]
“The hardest thing in the world is to tell a complete story, in two hours.” [24:49]

Mentioned in the episode:

Watch The School For Good and Evil now!

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