The No Film School Podcast

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Lyle Lyle Crocodile is in theaters

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How Can You Option Valuable IP and Get it Made with Josh Gordon and Will Speck Oct 18, 2022

Show notes

Josh Gordon and Will Speck are the directing duo behind the film, Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile. This duo explains the complex process of adapting a well-loved, children’s book to the big screen.

In this episode, we talk about…

How Josh and Will first met and what inspired them to direct projects together
Dividing the directing responsibilities between them
Their unique approach to producing such a complex film
Why they chose to adapt this particular story into a performance-based musical
How they convinced the IP owners to give them permission for the project
Honoring the artwork from the book in the making of the film

Memorable Quotes

“Something about otherness and about acceptance of things that don’t appear the way that you want them to.” [15:30]
“There’s something about what you have to impose on these characters, or creatures, in the absence of them speaking...and it also makes them more soulful.” [23:42]
“There’s nothing more complicated than a human-being. A human being is unpredictable.” [27:59]

Mentioned in the episode:

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Box Office Smarts for Filmmakers or How To Make Your Movie When Something Like it Bombed Oct 13, 2022

Show notes

Why is there such a weird fixation on the box office numbers from the first three days of film’s release? We don’t think a film’s success should be determined this way.

In this episode, we talk about…

How some films that did poorly the first few days at the box office, became popular afterward
Putting too much pressure on the box office release
How to pitch a film that is similar to another movie that previously flopped
When pitching, remember the phrase “similar but different”
Challenges that actors have to endure
The top four pieces of editing software for film
Why DaVinci Resolve is the best overall editing software

Memorable Quotes

“It’s insane what can be produced from something that had a crummy first three days.” [6:02]

“They really really really seem to put all their eggs in the box office basket.” [8:52]

“The thing that broke my heart…is that most of the videos don’t even get a view.” [29:57]

“Auditions are the worst. The Worst. Everything about it sucks…The experience is miserable.” [31:33]

Mentioned in the episode:

DaVinci Resolve

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"Bodies Bodies Bodies" Director Halina Reijn Shares Her Directing Process Oct 11, 2022

Show notes

Preparation, preparation, preparation. Director Halina Reijn shares why it is important to prepare before filming and how that process (and No Film School!) helped her on Bodies Bodies Bodies.

In this episode, we talk about…

How Halina started as an actress before becoming a director
Implementing ideas from theater into the filmmaking process
Leading with a vision and accepting collaborative ideas
Having a flexible storyboard in order to make changes intuitively
Rehearsing camera work before rehearsing with actors
An economic and efficient way to do table readings
Focusing on the wellbeing of actors on the set of Bodies Bodies Bodies

Memorable Quotes

“When I direct I love everybody to learn their lines like little machines, like little robots.” [09:32]

“We’re all equal and we’re going to build this building together and you are as much responsible for getting it up in the air as I am.” [13:08]

“Time is so expensive…Every fucking second counts. Your preparation is everything.” [14:35]

“Acting is the most embarrassing profession of all time.” [23:04]

Mentioned in the episode:

Bodies Bodies Bodies

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How to Stay Healthy During #SetLife Oct 07, 2022

Show notes

Your brain is part of your body. The way you eat on set will affect how you think on set.

In this episode, we talk about…

How audiences will draw connections from vague story explanations
Charles’ theory on a recent tech mishap on Episode 7 of House of The Dragon
Changing the factory settings on your television
Ideas on how to improve the superhero genre
Why characters don’t always have to be going through an intense internal conflict
Easy and healthy alternatives to the unhealthy food on set
Being aware of how food will affect your brain and body while you are working
Preventing decision fatigue

Memorable Quotes

“There’s such an invaluable lesson about the power of an audience’s imagination and brain that gets disrespected left and right by people thinking they have to spell out the entire equation. You can just put ‘two plus two’ on the board; you don’t have to put ‘equals four.’ ” [08:19]

“These characters are the human experience on a test drive…as a crash test dummy. We’re putting them through extremes of what can be endured, of what can be solved, of what can be experienced.” [32:19]

“If I am at the Craft service table, I am getting a bag of skittles. So I just don’t go to the Craft Service Table. I avoid it.” [47:14]

Mentioned in the episode:

House of The Dragon

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'The Redeem Team' Director Jon Weinbach Teaches Us How to Sell The Stories We Love Oct 04, 2022

Show notes

Have you ever wondered how you can make your niche documentary appealing to a wider audience? Jon Weinbach, a sports documentary filmmaker, shares his techniques on how to do that very thing.

In this episode, we talk about…

What influenced Jon to pursue documentary filmmaking
His background as a journalist for the Wall Street Journal
Jon’s journey with sports docs such as 30 for 30 and The Last Dance
The Redeem Team, a film about the 2008 U.S. Olympic Men's Basketball team
Developing a deeper narrative to the basketball film
Interview techniques - be authentic and ask new questions
Pitching the documentary to the Netflix executives

Mentioned in the episode:

The Redeem Team on Netflix

30 for 30

The Last Dance

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Hanks announced the release of his upcoming novel

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How Do You Make Money While Pursuing a Filmmaking Career? Sep 30, 2022

Show notes

Your confidence is low and so is your bank account. You are lacking work opportunities and need consistent work. In this episode, we discuss the steps you need to take to overcome this common struggle.

In this episode, we talk about…

Using A.I. voice generators for iconic characters instead of going for a fresh take
Weird casting traditions on TV shows of the past
Tom Hanks’ debut novel, The Making of Another Motion Picture Masterpiece
What we think Hanks’ best films are
Being a movie slut - loving movies so much you can’t choose the “best” one
Maintaining the wide-eyed excitement for movies
Eliminating shame and self-judgment

Memorable Quotes

“It is interesting to think about the negotiation process of turning yourself over to a specific corporate entity.” [10:58]

“Movies are like pizza, you can find something delicious in almost every one of them.” [40:15]

“All of us forever, forever, at all levels, are just taking whatever work we can get and hoping to do cool shit next.” [41:28]

Mentioned in the episode:

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Debunking and Decoding the Industry with 'Superbad' and 'Confess, Fletch' Director Greg Mottola Sep 27, 2022

Show notes

Today’s guest is Greg Mottola, director of Superbad, Adventureland, and new film Confess,Fletch. Greg discusses how to navigate gatekeepers, his experiences working with great comedic talent, and today’s challenges within the film industry.

In this episode, we talk about…

Greg’s experience working on various television series, such as Arrested Development
Staying confident when projects do not catch up in the mainstream
How artists can survive financially and mentally in this tough industry
The streaming industry and how it has changed the financial model
Directing the films Superbad and Adventureland
The differences between the original Fletch and Confess, Fletch
Sneaking social commentary into comedy movies

Mentioned in the episode:

Confess, Fletch - Available streaming and in theaters

Fletch - Original 1985 film

Superbad

Adventureland

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How to Shoot Sex Scenes Responsibly, Even Without A Big Budget Sep 23, 2022

Show notes

Are sex scenes a necessary part of the plot in your projects? If so, then there are ways to be intentional when filming these parts. Everyone will feel comfortable and you will get a great scene in the process.

In this episode, we talk about…

The premiere of The People’s Joker at the Toronto International Film Festival
Classic indie films versus the “out there” indie films
Intimacy Coordinators and the benefits to having one on set
Being intentional and mindful in shooting sex scenes
Feeling overwhelmed by infinite possibilities when starting a new project
Not following the trend when developing your next project
Being committed to the hard parts of a project means you will see it through to completion

Mentioned in the episode:

The People’s Joker

Los Angeles Plays Itself

House of the Dragon

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