The No Film School Podcast

Latest Episodes:

One Last Run in Park City: How to Ski the Treacherous Slopes of Independent Film at Sundance ‘26 Jan 26, 2026

Show notes

In this episode recorded live from the final Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, GG Hawkins is joined by No Film School’s Ryan Koo and Jo Light to commemorate the end of an era. The trio dives into personal memories, the legacy of Robert Redford, and what the future may hold for the festival as it prepares to relocate to Boulder, Colorado. They reflect on how Sundance has supported filmmakers through its labs, how festival culture shapes careers, and the emotional highs and lows of navigating the indie film landscape. GG also shares behind-the-scenes insights from her recent event at Sundance focused on women in the business of film, while offering a candid look at what it really takes to get a film into a top-tier festival.

In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins, Ryan Koo, and Jo Light discuss...

What makes Sundance in Park City so special—and why it's bittersweet to say goodbye
The importance of Sundance's labs and the legacy of Robert Redford
The emotional impact of community and connection during film festivals
GG’s first Sundance as a filmmaker with a feature and her reflections on that journey
Advice for filmmakers on submission strategy and post-production polish
What types of films stand out at Sundance today: high-concept, star-driven, or uniquely personal
Highlights from GG’s industry dinner focused on women in the business of film
Thoughts and hopes for the new Sundance location in Boulder, Colorado

Memorable Quotes:

“The old rules don’t apply and the new rules haven’t been written.”
“If it’s not ready, don’t submit yet. Unless Willem Dafoe is in your movie.”
“You’re already 99.9% past the obstacles just by making a movie.”
“Robert Redford used his power to help others.”

Guests:

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The Industry Awakens: What It Means for Your Short‑ And Long‑Term Career Jan 22, 2026

Show notes

January is often perceived as a slow month in Hollywood, but in reality it’s one of the most strategic windows of the year for filmmakers. On this episode, GG Hawkins and guests Ana Liza Muravina and John Lamm unpack how the industry “wakes up” in early 2026, what that means for creative careers, and how artists can structure their time, their projects, and their expectations to thrive amid shifting economic and ecosystem forces. From understanding industry seasonality, permission structures, and macro trends in distribution to practical strategies for developing and releasing work, this conversation offers both mindset shifts and concrete guidance for filmmakers navigating careers in the current landscape.

In this episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins and guests Ana Liza Muravina and John Lamm discuss:

Breaking down the idea of a “Hollywood shutdown” and why January becomes a key moment of restart, planning, and opportunity.
How to contextually plan your writing year and align creative output with industry cycles (inspired by ideas from Final Draft’s annual planning guide).
Why building structure as an independent artist (even without external deadlines) empowers your career and creative focus.
“Permission structures” in the industry — what they are, how they shape opportunity, and how filmmakers can navigate or build them.
The importance of community, cohorts, and trusted feedback systems for career sustainability and perspective.
How macroeconomic forces, consolidation in the streaming market, and attention economy shifts are reshaping how films get financed, distributed, and found.
Practical project strategies — from refining scripts based on audience/readers to building a tailored outreach atlas for producers and executives.
The value of aligning ambition with realistic pathways — creating work you can make now while aiming for larger goals down the line.
Inspiring perspectives on why now may be an era of opportunity for scrappy independent filmmaking.

Memorable Quotes:

“Most filmmakers think January is slow, but quietly it’s one of the most strategic months of the year.”
“It’s one of those weird things … every now and then when I zoom like 10,000 feet back … it’s not necessarily indictment on your art.”
“You see it … LA is the concentration of us. It’s artists who are so good at what they do just waiting for someone to give them permission to do what they do well… And the answer generally is unless you decide to stride and do it yourself, no one gives you permission.”
“Don’t get too bogged down in the how, the strategy … let’s make movies, y’all. Let’s just do it.”

Guests:

Resources Mentioned:

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Breaking Down a Doc Fest Run: Process, People, and Payoff Jan 15, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Charles Haine sits down with documentary co-directors Geneva Peschka and Anna Andersen to discuss their latest project The Solace of Sisterhood, which recently premiered at Tribeca. The conversation dives deep into the ethics of documentary filmmaking, how they found and built trust with their subjects—the Caramel Curves, a New Orleans-based all-female motorcycle club—and how they navigated a successful festival run. From storytelling intention to set culture, the team shares their collaborative journey in bringing vulnerability, softness, and strength to the screen.

In this episode, No Film School's Charles Haine and guests discuss...

How Geneva and Anna met and began their creative partnership
Their journey developing The Solace of Sisterhood and pitching it to Fujifilm
Building trust and a safe space for documentary subjects
How bringing in co-founder True’s daughter, Skye, as a camera operator deepened the film
The evolving importance of ethical statements in festival submissions
Shifting set culture to prioritize respect, connection, and vulnerability
Working with the Fujifilm GFX100 and achieving a cinematic, soft visual tone
The emotional highs and logistical challenges of their festival journey, including premiering at Tribeca

Memorable Quotes:

"It starts for us on set—how people come together and how we approach one another and hold space for each other."
"Documentary inherently asks so much out of our participants... it’s a job you have to do with integrity and with ethics."
"You’re changing who’s telling the story... you’re letting them know they are a part of their narrative, as they should be."
"Filmmaking can be very lonely... but we are each other's strengths."

Guests:

Resources:

The Solace of Sisterhood – Tribeca 2024

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Why Film Culture Still Needs Physical Spaces: A Case Study of Vidiots Jan 09, 2026

Show notes

This episode of the No Film School Podcast dives deep into the power and necessity of physical spaces in modern film culture. Host GG Hawkins sits down with Maggie Mackay, Executive Director and board member of Vidiots—a beloved LA video store-turned-nonprofit cultural institution. They explore the origins and revival of Vidiots, what it takes to build a sustainable, audience-centered film space in a digital world, and why community, curation, and accessibility matter more than ever. It’s a moving, behind-the-scenes look at how passion, resilience, and radical thinking can reshape the future of cinema spaces.

In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins and guest Maggie Mackay discuss...

The emotional and communal value of physical film spaces
How Maggie revived Vidiots through radical reimagining and persistence
The challenges of creating a nonprofit, sustainable film hub
Why the video store experience is still relevant to new generations
How partnerships and collaboration helped save and relaunch Vidiots
Building an audience-first, equitable business model
Creating spaces where younger and older generations can discover film together

Memorable Quotes:

"Holy shit, what are we letting disappear on us?"
"You can deep dive in ways in a video store that you can't in any other way."
"Seeing kids grow up in the video store… it's the highlight of my career."
"Think about doing the risky, crazy thing… and call us if you want to figure out how to make it happen."

Guests:

Maggie Mackay (IMDb)

Resources:

Indie Empire
Use code GG25 for 25% off the Micro Budget Mindset course with GG Hawkins

Find No Film School everywhere:

On the Web: No Film School
Facebook: No Film School on Facebook
Twitter: No Film School on Twitter
YouTube: No Film School on YouTube
Instagram: No Film School on Instagram
📩 Send us an email with questions or feedback: podcast@nofilmschool.com

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How a Film Score Actually Gets Made (Step by Step) & Pete Ohs’ Distribution Experiment of 2026 Jan 01, 2026

Show notes

This episode of the No Film School Podcast features two conversations. First, host GG Hawkins reunites with filmmaker Pete Ohs, who returns to share the unique distribution experiment he’s launching with four films releasing throughout 2026. He reflects on his “table of bubbles” filmmaking philosophy and his desire to find joy instead of stress in the release process. Later, GG is joined by composer Hollie Buhagiar, whose original score for GG’s debut feature I Really Love My Husband is now out. They break down their collaborative process in detail, from early cue drafts to the film’s final emotional moments, revealing how bird calls, pitch-shifted vocals, and “surf rock” found their way into the film’s DNA.

In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins and guests discuss...

Pete Ohs’ philosophy of “table of bubbles” and how it’s guiding his 2026 film distribution approach
Why Pete is using a different distribution strategy for each of his four new films
What feels broken about indie film distribution today — and how to approach it differently
Hollie Buhagiar’s journey into composing and her intuitive, emotion-driven scoring method
The evolution of the score for I Really Love My Husband, including early drafts and final cues
How creative freedom, happy accidents, and imperfect instruments brought the film to life
The importance of developing a shared language between director and composer

Memorable Quotes:

"The films are a table made of bubbles. They cannot support anything."
"The biggest result is just — is this fun?"
"What's a convincing note?”
"With great power comes great responsibility — even for the piano."

Guests:

Resources:

Find No Film School everywhere:

On the Web: No Film School
Facebook: No Film School on Facebook
Twitter: No Film School on Twitter
YouTube: No Film School on YouTube
Instagram: No Film School on Instagram
📩 Send us an email with questions or feedback: podcast@nofilmschool.com

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Your Movie Is Out In The World. Now What? Dec 27, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, the tables are turned as No Film School host GG Hawkins becomes the interviewee, speaking with No Film School founder Ryan Koo about the journey of releasing her micro-budget feature I Really Love My Husband. The episode dives into the emotional, logistical, and marketing challenges of putting an independent film into the world after festival premieres and securing distribution. GG shares the lessons she’s learned, the unexpected hurdles she’s faced, and the importance of personal PR, audience-building, and staying true to your creative voice—especially when your movie doesn’t follow traditional paths or genres.

In this episode, No Film School’s Ryan Koo and GG Hawkins discuss...

The overwhelming and technical process of delivering a film to distributors and platforms
How to strategically approach festival and release PR, including budgeting and outreach
The importance of having a “community producer” to build your audience from day one
Lessons learned from critical feedback, press rejections, and audience reactions
How to navigate marketing when your film doesn’t fit neatly into genre boxes
The value of making work that represents your voice—even if it’s not a commercial hit
What filmmakers should always be working on while waiting for the "yes" from the industry

Memorable Quotes:

"I would rather make something that makes people feel things one way or the other versus sort of like a lukewarm back."
"The only way to know how to make a movie is to make a movie... and then make another."
"Greenlight yourself. That is the most important thing any of us can be doing."
"It is not the time to pinch pennies... this is the time to spend it.”

Resources:

How to Write a Movie that Shoots in Three Months
You’re Picture Locked. Now What? (Plus Dir. Ruben Fleischer!)
Filmmaker’s Guide to SXSW: Tips, Takeaways, Tough Lessons
Watch I Really Love My Husband:

Find No Film School everywhere:

On the Web: No Film School
Facebook: No Film School on Facebook
Twitter: No Film School on Twitter
YouTube: No Film School on YouTube
Instagram: No Film School on Instagram
📩 Send us an email with questions or feedback: podcast@nofilmschool.com

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How 'The Plague' Perfected the Horror of Growing Up Dec 24, 2025

Show notes

Host GG Hawkins sits down with filmmaker Charlie Polinger to unpack the making of his debut feature, The Plague. Polinger discusses his transition from theater to film, the personal childhood memories that shaped the story, and how embracing chaos—rather than controlling it—became central to his directing process. From casting an electrifying ensemble of young actors to shaping dread through sound design and editing, the conversation explores how specificity, vulnerability, and trust can turn a coming-of-age story into psychological horror.

In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins and guest discuss…

Transitioning from theater directing to feature filmmaking
Drawing from childhood memory to create visceral, psychological horror
Why a boys’ water polo camp became the perfect contained setting
Casting and directing a large ensemble of young actors
Letting location do the storytelling heavy lifting
Embracing chaos on set instead of fighting it
Building anxiety through sound design and post-production rhythm
Hands-on collaboration in the edit and score development
Advice for emerging filmmakers on making work consistently

Memorable Quotes:

“I just wanted to create a really kind of visceral, subjective, psychological experience of being a 12-year-old boy.”
“There’s strategy built into the cruelty and the violence and getting away with it—and that felt really ripe cinematically.
“The space is sort of like a character in this film.”
“The more I put out into the world, the more that the world gave back.”

Guest:

Charlie Polinger

Resources:

The Plague EP by Lexi Tannenholtz on Cannes first-timers: A First-Timer’s Guide to the Cannes Film Festival

Find No Film School everywhere:

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Instagram: No Film School on Instagram
📩 Send us an email with questions or feedback: podcast@nofilmschool.com

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One Lens, One Vision: The Cinematography of 'The Creator' Dec 21, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, host Charles Haine sits down with cinematographer Oren Soffer to dive deep into the groundbreaking and much-discussed visual style of The Creator. As the co-DP alongside Greig Fraser, Soffer shares how they achieved the film’s unique aesthetic using a prosumer Sony FX3 camera, a single vintage lens, and a minimalist, indie-inspired production model. This discussion covers everything from lighting choices and VFX collaboration to gear workflows and lens testing, offering an in-depth look at how one of the year's most visually striking sci-fi films was crafted.

In this episode, No Film School's Charles Haine and guest Oren Soffer discuss...

How Oren Soffer became co-DP on The Creator alongside Greig Fraser
The decision to shoot 95% of the film on one vintage 75mm Kowa anamorphic lens
Using the Sony FX3 with an Atomos Ninja for ProRes RAW capture
The benefits of designing visual effects around photography rather than the reverse
Lighting choices inspired by naturalism and a small-footprint, indie ethos
The influence of films like Baraka and Rogue One on the visual approach
Operating with a nimble crew and custom-built gimbal rigs
Remote collaboration between Soffer, Fraser, and director Gareth Edwards
The impact of location shooting across Southeast Asia

Memorable Quotes:

"We shot 95 percent of the movie on a single focal length, which is the Kowa Cine Prominar... you're baking the look into the image."
"The way to make visual effects feel more real is to let the photography lead."
"We wanted to shoot this big movie as if it’s this tiny road movie."
"It was an indie film with a 90-day shoot schedule and a full stunt team... but the filmmaking process itself felt really scrappy in the best way possible."

Guest:

Oren Soffer

Find No Film School everywhere:

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Instagram: No Film School on Instagram
📩 Send us an email with questions or feedback: podcast@nofilmschool.com

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How Earning an Actor’s Trust as a Director Can Drive Your Career Dec 18, 2025

Show notes

Allan Ungar started directing features at just 23 and has since evolved into a filmmaker known for his action-comedy chops and ability to elicit career-best performances from his actors. In this episode, he sits down with No Film School host, GG Hawkins, to discuss how his approach has matured from rigid control to meaningful collaboration, why psychological insight is essential for directors, and how to create an environment where actors can thrive. From early experiments with camcorders to directing viral hits and the critically acclaimed Bandit and London Calling, Ungar shares a masterclass in the art and strategy of long-term career building in film.

In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins and guest Allan Ungar discuss...

Why understanding actor psychology is key to strong performances
How Ungar transitioned from controlling sets to creating collaborative environments
Techniques to push actors without breaking trust
The evolution of Ungar’s directing style across films like Bandit and London Calling
Building a career in chapters and managing “hurry up and wait” downtime
Why creating your own opportunities is essential in today’s film landscape
The importance of casting actors who can improvise and bring ideas
How to know when a joke or moment fits the tone of a scene
Advice for emerging filmmakers navigating their first projects

Memorable Quotes:

"Directing is more than just a creative outlet. You have to be good with people."
"To be a filmmaker that's in control, you have to let go of control."
"I leave no stone unturned. If I don't feel like I have it, I will push until we have it."
"You have to figure out how to greenlight yourself."

Guest:

Allan Ungar

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From Book to Big Screen: Rebecca Sonnenshine’s Adaptation Playbook (The Housemaid, The Boys) Dec 12, 2025

Show notes

Screenwriter and showrunner Rebecca Sonnenshine joins the No Film School Podcast to unpack her career and creative process behind hit adaptations including The Boys and The Housemaid. She shares how she got her start, how she discovered her voice in genre, and the intense pitch process behind landing The Housemaid. Rebecca also offers practical advice for writing contained stories, building a compelling script from source material, and creating work that audiences actually want to watch. She shares how she got her start, how she discovered her voice in genre, and the intense pitch process behind landing The Housemaid. Rebecca also offers practical advice for writing contained stories, building a compelling script from source material, and creating work that audiences actually want to watch.

In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins and guest Rebecca Sonnenshine discuss...

How Rebecca’s early jobs and script coverage experience helped her become a screenwriter
Why she embraced genre writing and how her perspective as a woman informs her work
The pitch process for adapting The Housemaid, and how she knew it was the right fit
How she avoids voiceover and instead finds cinematic ways to externalize internal character thoughts
The importance of blocking and movement when writing contained, single-location stories
Her writing habits: page goals, scene sketching, talking out dialogue, and more
What filmmakers can learn from writing bottle episodes or adapting material
Why thinking about your audience is key to writing something people actually want to watch

Memorable Quotes:

"I read something and it either clicks or it doesn’t."
"Pitching… takes a long time. You need all the twists and turns… but not more than 28 minutes."
"I don’t love voiceover. So I had to find a device in which we could get some of their thoughts out."
"Blocking is everything. If you’re not thinking about blocking while you’re writing, then you’re doing your project a disservice."

Guests: