The No Film School Podcast

Facebook

Twitter

YouTube

Instagram

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

Visit https://nordvpn.com/nofilmschool

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

Face Down Your Filmmaking Challenges with this Approach From Medieval Director Petr Jakl Sep 13, 2022

Show notes

Most filmmakers don’t have the resources to make a film turn out exactly the way we plan, but if we can apply the “Judo-style of Filmmaking,” we can still create wonderful projects. Filmmaker Petr Jakl explains how he applied this approach to the new film, Medieval, starring Ben Foster and Michael Caine.

In this episode, we talk about…

What made Petr decide to make the film about famous Czech military leader - Jan Žižka
Re-writing the script and getting the script to big actors such as Ben Foster and Michael Caine
Working with Caine and developing friendship with the actor
Trying to have no big expectations for the film’s release
How shooting the film was “the most brutal experience” of Petr’s life
The various challenges that arose during specific battle scenes
How Petr’s Judo training helped him overcome the challenges of filming

Mentioned in the episode:

Medieval

Jan Žižka

Find No Film School everywhere:

On the Web

Facebook

Twitter

YouTube

Instagram

Atlas Mercury 1.5X Anamorphic Lenses

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

Visit https://nordvpn.com/nofilmschool

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

How to Become More Hireable and What We like About the Fuji X-H2 Sep 09, 2022

Show notes

For those working in the entertainment industry, it is important to learn how to: hire, manage, and fire.

In this episode, we talk about…

Looking to collaborate with people who can properly deliver on projects
When evaluating potential hires, ask yourself these questions:
Is their type of work the right work for THIS project?
Is their work style the right work style for ME ?
Hiring slowly and firing quickly
Giving feedback and asking for feedback
Having the right attitude - Be willing to learn and improve
Comparing the new Fuji X-H2 and the Fuji X-H2S that released earlier this year
The affordable anamorphic lens set by Atlas Lens Co

Mentioned in the episode:

Fujifilm X-H2 camera

Find No Film School everywhere:

On the Web

Facebook

Twitter

YouTube

Instagram

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

Visit https://nordvpn.com/nofilmschool

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

How to Find Your Way Into the Industry with Jessica M. Thompson Sep 06, 2022

Show notes

We are joined by Jessica Thompson whose feature film, The Light of the Moon, won the Audience Award for Best Narrative Film at the SXSW Film Festival in 2017. Thompson explains how she got started in the film industry and shares her approach to choosing projects to work on.

In this episode, we talk about…

Being influenced by her favorite filmmakers - She decided to start her career as an editor
Moving from Australia to New York City for better opportunities in the film industry
Thompson’s approach to projects - She only does projects she is truly passionate about
Managing nerves before pitching for a script and dealing with disappointment if the pitch is rejected
How Thompson pitched five times before getting hired to direct the film The Invitation
Taking acting classes to help her better understand and communicate with the actors she works with
What specific approach Thompson applies during rehearsal time

Mentioned in the episode:

Jessica M Thompson - Filmography

Film: The Invitation

Film: The Light of the Moon

The Four Agreements

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

Joe Dante Believes You Can Create Amazing Things Sep 02, 2022

Show notes

We are joined by legendary filmmaker, Joe Dante, who directed movies like Gremlins, The Howling, and Innerspace. A true cinephile, Joe shares his experiences of working with great collaborators such as Spielberg and Corman. He also explains that while filmmaking has changed since he started, newer filmmakers still have the opportunity to create great films.

In this episode, we talk about…

Working for Roger Corman at the beginning of Joe’s career
How Joe first became a “film nut”
The influence cartoons had on his films
Adding his naturally fragmented personality to each of his films
When working on studio films, it can be difficult to be expressive
Exposing more people to great films that are underappreciated or underseen
New filmmakers can accomplish a lot, even with little financial resources

Mentioned in the episode:

Trailers from Hell

Joe’s Podcast - The Movies That Made Me

Joe’s Curated List of Monstrous Mayhem - September 3 on Shout Factory TV

Find No Film School everywhere:

On the Web

Facebook

Twitter

YouTube

Instagram

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

Theodore Roosevelt's "The Man in the Arena"

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

When is the Right Time to Take Big Career Swings? Sep 01, 2022

Show notes

When thinking of making a big career swing, we have all asked ourselves the question, “What’s the right move here?” Making big swings can be tricky since there is no way to know what the outcome will be and if we are making the right decision. Charles, Todd, GG, and George give their insight into this tricky situation.

In this episode, we talk about…

Changes happening at Warner Bros and how their branding approach seems like a bad idea
Should filmmakers put themselves in a box by self identifying as a certain “brand” of creator
Making project decisions based on cash flow or based on ambition
Incrementalism and how any progress toward the larger goal is good
Realizing there are large factors outside of our control
Not expecting a specific outcome when deciding to take the big career swing
Aiming back at the center of the target every time you get pushed off course
How the editing process is just like cooking

Mentioned in the episode:

Warner Bros. Discovery's Agenda Is Now Clear... and It's Not Pretty

HBO 1983 Intro

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

Yes, You Can Still Do This... and Audiences Need You to! Aug 30, 2022

Show notes

Unfortunately it seems that many filmmakers are holding back from making comedy films. Comedy is a necessary genre and thankfully we still have some filmmakers who are producing hilarious films that meet audience needs. John Hamburg, from Meet the Parents and Zoolander, shares his process for creating great comedies.

In this episode, we talk about…

Me Time, John’s latest film that is now available on Netflix
John’s opinion on why there are less comedies on the big screen
Finding out what needs improvement by the feedback given in test screenings
John’s experience writing for Meet the Parents and Zoolander
Plot based comedies versus joke based comedies and which strategy John implements in his films
Why John never directs actors to “be funny”
The first step to writing a comedy film - Developing a character

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

China Sends Hollywood a Message Aug 27, 2022

Show notes

Do you think the success of a film should be measured on how many markets it reaches and how much money it generates? The average filmmaker needs to remember that they do not have to appeal to everyone in order to be successful.

In this episode, we talk about…

MoviePass returning with tiered platform prices
How you can watch ads to earn movie credits by allowing the app to track your eye movement
China’s request for movies that are catered to their culture, customs, and audience
The two choices filmmakers have in response to territory-specific movie demands:
Keep the film and plot as is and risk not being distributed in certain territories and markets
Offer different versions of the film that will be acceptable to all territories
Measuring the success of a film by considering many factors, not only the box office stats
Why filmmakers should define success by their own individual values
How filmmakers like Michael Mann, are influenced by others, like Jean-Pierre Melville, to continue evolving film into wonderful works of art

Links to Resources:

MoviePass

Le Samouraï - film by Jean-Pierre Melville

Army of Shadows - film by Jean-Pierre Melville

Thief - film by Michael Mann

Heat - film by Michael Mann

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

How to Identify Your Filmmaking Voice and Expand Beyond It Aug 23, 2022

Show notes

Filmmaker, actor, & writer Cherien Dabis shares how navigating clashing cultures and embracing multiple perspectives expanded her voice and helped grow her career…

In this episode, we talk about…

How dangerous stereotypes inspired Cherien to become a storyteller
Embracing the outsider perspective in both Arab and American cultures
Transitioning from festivals to working with comedy legends
Seizing opportunities to learn and a reminder to not take yourself too seriously
Advice for managing the waiting game between gigs
Staying true to yourself and knowing the people who want your voice will find you
Honoring the choice to say no and being responsible about what you create

Links to Resources:

Find No Film School everywhere:

On the Web

Facebook

Twitter

YouTube

Instagram