The Working Director

Latest Episodes:

033: How Do You Prep As A Director? (With Filmmaker Soma Helmi) Nov 24, 2022

Show notes

How do you shot list? How do you breakdown character arcs? How do you prep with your DP and department heads? Those questions and more will be answered on this episode with filmmaker Soma Helmi as we talk all things director prep!

(Episode 33)

Hosted by Director/Producer Jenn Page.

To join our private FB group for directors, or to learn about The Working Director accelerator that helps emerging filmmakers become working directors faster, visit TheWorkingDirector.Pro.

More on Soma:
Born to an Indonesian father and a Polish mother, Soma Helmi hails from Bali and directed all 20 episodes of Season 3 of Snapchat‘s original series The Dead Girls Detective Agency. The series is produced by Keshet Media and Insurrection Media.

She worked frequently with Catherine Hardwicke as a creative consultant. Soma most recently consulted for Ms. Hardwicke on her feature Mafia Mamma (2022) for Bleecker Street and as a creative consultant on her Quibi Series Don’t Look Deeper. Soma’s work has screened at Sundance, Hollyshorts, Outfest and Amazon’s New Voices Film Festival among many others.

Soma began her career working as an Art Director for J. Walter Thompson in Jakarta, where her clients were Unilever and Pfizer. She would go on to direct commercial spots for Google, Klondike, Nike, Chevrolet, and Campbell’s.

She is a 2021 Paramount Viewfinder Directors Program fellow and was named one of the “8 directors to watch” by Alliance of Women Directors. Soma is on the 2021 CAPE List x Blacklist and created Blackmagic Collective’s Breakthrough Initiative for BIPOC TV writers and directors.

Instagram: @SomaHelmi

Website: somahelmi.com

032: How Do You Get Your First Feature Film (with Filmmaker Kristin Fairweather) Oct 17, 2022

Show notes

How do you get your first feature film? How do you nurture relationships to get the first (and the second...and third...and fourth...)? How does social media come in to play for all of it? And so much more! Filmmaker Kristin Fairweather is fresh off her 5th feature and we are going to share how she got her films so you can start getting yours!

(Episode 32)

Hosted by Director/Producer Jenn Page.

To join our private FB group for directors, or to learn about The Working Director accelerator that helps emerging filmmakers become working directors faster, visit TheWorkingDirector.Pro.

More on Kristin:

Kristin Fairweather is an award-winning, independent filmmaker whose experience in politics, advocacy, and women’s empowerment creates a unique lens for her critically-acclaimed work.

Kristin holds a Master’s degree in Politics from University of Pennsylvania and served as a senior campaign strategist and Gubernatorial appointee. She is an avid supporter of the nationally recognized Girls on the Run program and other initiatives promoting equity and inclusivity. This background informs Kristin’s cinematic perspective as an accomplished director, writer, and producer of successful film, television, and commercial work.

Kristin is currently in development on a documentary feature “Breathing Underwater: America’s Invisible Women”, which was a finalist for the ScreenCraft Film Fellowship. She has directed five features, most recently “Infamously in Love”, now playing on UPtv. In addition to her directing work, Kristin produced three critically-acclaimed independent films.

Kristin was selected by Sony Pictures as one of the first filmmakers in their Sony Alpha Female Creative Residency. She was also a shadowing director on Fox’s “911” during her fellowship in Ryan Murphy’s HALF directing program. Additionally, Kristin has directed several short films and high-profile commercials. Kristin's award-winning short film “Grace” premiered at HollyShorts and went on to play at film festivals across the country. Her work has been supported by Tribeca, Film Independent, IFP, Sony and Netflix Find Your Voice.
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031: How do you overcome overwhelm and burnout? Oct 07, 2022

Show notes

Overwhelm and burnout can make you quit things you love, have full mental breakdowns on those you love, and even make you literally sick. How can you avoid it and be more productive?
In this first solo episode with your host Jenn Page, she'll give you some tips and tricks to overcome it all.

Hosted by Director/Producer Jenn Page.

To join our private FB group for directors, or to learn about The Working Director accelerator that helps emerging filmmakers become working directors faster, visit TheWorkingDirector.Pro.

030: How Can Working With a Music Supervisor Level Up Your Film? (with Music Supervisor Jennifer Smith) Sep 26, 2022

Show notes

What is a music supervisor and how would working with one level up your film? How do you know a music supervisor would be helpful for your project? How do you know WHICH supervisor is right for your project?

We learn that and SO much more in this episode of The Working Director with music supervisor Jennifer Smith.

Hosted by Director/Producer Jenn Page.

To join our private FB group for directors, or to learn about The Working Director accelerator that helps emerging filmmakers become working directors faster, visit TheWorkingDirector.Pro.

Petition to help Music Supervisors go union: https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/tell-the-amptp-to-recognize-music-supervisors-union/

Jennifer Smith is a Los Angeles-based music supervisor who has worked in the film / tv / media industry for over a decade. She started her career as part of the music teams for major network shows such as Dancing With The Stars (ABC), The Ellen Degeneres Show (WB), and America’s Best Dance Crew (MTV). Her love of music and the exploding media landscape guided her to join the Kobalt Music synchronization team to creatively pitch and clear music with networks, studios, music supervisors, production companies, and new media companies. Her time at Kobalt gave her extensive and broad experience in the synchronization world, dealing with all stakeholders in the creative and business process including record labels, songwriters, producers, musicians, managers, and marketing teams. After seven years at Kobalt, Jennifer went back to her first love of content and storytelling and joined the music team on ABC’s reboot of American Idol. After that show’s first season, she was inspired in 2018 to launch her own music supervision company, “Rat Dance Party.” Rat Dance Party specializes in Film, TV (scripted and non-scripted), and new media (especially podcasts). With Rat Dance Party Jennifer has worked on projects produced by Showtime, Netflix, Viacom, Shorts TV, Amazon, Pluto TV, NBC, Voltage Pictures, Indican Productions, and many more. She recently worked on Season 2 of “Why Women Kill” (CBS), MTV Cribs (Paramount+), Netflix’s “Deadly Illusions” and is currently working on the documentary “Proud In A Pandemic,” “Behind The Music”, “Hollow’s Bend: The Radio Play” and many other upcoming projects. Recently elected to the Board of the Guild of Music Supervisors (GMS), Jennifer is also a member of the Television Academy, Women In Film, Women In Media, Women In Music, and the Recording Academy. She is also one of the organizing members of the union efforts.
Website: https://linktr.ee/Ratdanceparty
IG: @rat_dance_party

029: How can understanding your birth chart help you succeed as a director? (with Author/Coach Bonnie Gillespie) Sep 19, 2022

Show notes

This is not our typical deep dive into the craft or biz of directing, but it just might help you be more successful in both!

How can knowing about your birth chart and all that goes with it help your film career? How can you take a little more control in circumstances that you usually have little control? Open your mind and you might get something really cool from this episode.

Author and Coach Bonnie Gillespie tells us about her new company Chart Harmony and how it's been helping creatives like you thrive in Hollywood. We'll also dig into my chart a bit so I'm keeping on my promises about getting more personal in the podcast.

Hosted by Director/Producer Jenn Page.

To join our private FB group for directors, or to learn about The Working Director accelerator that helps emerging filmmakers become working directors faster, visit TheWorkingDirector.Pro.

Bonnie Gillespie is living her dreams by helping others figure out how to live theirs. As a weekly columnist, she began demystifying the casting process for actors in 1999. Her most popular book is Self-Management for Actors, the curriculum upon which much of her teaching is based. As a producer and Emmy-honored casting director, Bonnie specializes in indie darlings. Whether casting, coaching, or exploring the woo as The Astrologer's Daughter, she is passionate about leaving this world better than she found it. Bonnie lives by the beach on unceded ancestral Tongva land with her partner, Keith Johnson, the luckiest man in the world.

Check out everything Bonnie has to offer to help you succeed in this biz by visiting: bonniegillespie.com
Their flagship program that will help you have a kick ass next year: Get in Gear for the Next Tier will kick off early next year.
To learn more about and/or get your chart done check out: chartharmony.com
IG: @Bonnie.Gillespie / @ChartHarmony
#CreatingTheHollywoodWeWant

028: VFX Tech - What Do You Need To Know to Direct? Sep 12, 2022

Show notes

Is it your dream to direct on an LED stage (like The Mandalorian)?

How do you choose between LED wall and green screen?

How do you know what to prep before you go to set?

How do you decide the shots you can lose to save money on VFX later?

What about using the tech for your driving scenes so you don’t have to take it to the streets?

Can all of this help you shoot your low budget sci-fi or make it harder?

Let’s talk VFX tech and what you need to know before you get to set. Filmmaker Marco Ragozzino shares his experience working in VFX and how you can make your film happen, even if you don’t have a big budget. More importantly, he’ll share what you need to know to be hired to direct these VFX shows.
Those questions and more will be answered on this episode of The Working Director. Hosted by Director/Producer Jenn Page.

To join our private FB group for directors, or to learn about The Working Director accelerator that helps emerging filmmakers become working directors faster, visit TheWorkingDirector.Pro.

Marco Ragozzino
Bitten by the filmmaking bug at an early age, Marco Ragozzino grew up making all kinds of weird and imaginative short films using whatever tools were available at the time - VHS cameras, scale models, and classmates willing to lend a hand. From there, Marco went on to study film & animation at the School of Visual Arts in New York City, eventually relocating to Los Angeles upon graduation.

His interest in creating wild and whimsical worlds, in addition to needing a regular paycheck, led him down the path of Visual Effects production. He has produced visual effects for sequences in films and TV shows such as Ready Player One, Men in Black: International, IT: Chapter 2, the Mandalorian and the upcoming "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom" (Warner / DC) and Slumberland (Netflix). His filmmaking heroes include DIY mavericks such as Roger Corman, Lloyd Kaufman, and George Lucas.

Links:

Website: marcovisionstudios.com

IG: @marcovisionstudios

027: How Do You Create A #1 Hit Narrative Fiction Podcast Series? (with Filmmaker Jenny Curtis) Sep 05, 2022

Show notes

How do you make a compelling series without any moving images?
How do you direct name talent like Helen Hunt and Alan Cumming?
How do you direct a series like this at all?
How do you use marketing to become number 1 in fiction podcasts?
Those questions and more will be answered on this episode of The Working Director.
Hosted by Director/Producer Jenn Page.

To join our private FB group for directors, or to learn about The Working Director accelerator that helps emerging filmmakers become working directors faster, visit TheWorkingDirector.Pro.

Jenny Curtis is a podcast director, producer, host & creator with CurtCo Media. She directed, produced and acted in the hit audio drama SOLAR, which hit #1 in science fiction on the apple charts and amassed over 1 million downloads within three months of release. As host of Hollywood Unscripted, she interviewed such filmmakers and talent as Lee Daniels, Alfred Molina, Julie Taymor, D’Arcy Carden, Chris Columbus, and more. A Moment of Your Time, created by Jenny, provided a platform for contributors around the globe to share daily pieces of creative expression in a celebration of individualism, artistry, and hope.

She is a company member/Media director with the immersive theater company, The Speakeasy Society. With the company has performed in “The Johnny Cycle”, “The Johnny Cycle: The Living”, “Wild Party”, “Ebenezer: An Immersive Internet Spectacular 2021”.

Trained with a BFA in Acting from California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), Jenny is a SAG/AFTRA actress who has appeared in TV and film such as: Modern Family, Any Bullet Will Do opposite Bruce Davison, and Postpartum opposite Danielle Harris (taking home “Best Actress” from The International Horror Hotel Festival). Additionally, Jenny has worked behind the scenes in film, digital, music videos, commercials, animation, theater, and casting.

Website: Solarthepodcast.com/listen

Solar Twitter/Instagram/Facebook: @solarthepodcast

Jenny Twitter/Instagram: @thejennycurtis

026: How Do You Get Clients As a Director (with Filmmaker Stacy Singh) Aug 29, 2022

Show notes

How do you ditch the horrible feeling of waiting for the phone to ring to be told you've been hired? The best way is to go get your own clients, create your own work, and start getting paid now. Director/Actor Stacy Singh shares how she's been getting clients for herself since she's been Los Angeles.
To join our next live conversation and get all your questions answered, join our free private FB group by visiting TheWorkingDirector.Pro. You can also apply to join our accelerator that helps directors go from where they currently are to where they want to be.

025: How Do You Get A Director's Agent (with Agent Sara Alexander) Aug 29, 2022

Show notes

How do you get repped as a director? What kind of credits are agents looking for? How do you best reach out and keep in touch? How do you know an agent is right for you? How do you know if you are even ready for an agent? Those questions and more will be answered in this live Q&A discussion with director Jenn Page and Agent & Owner of Alexander Creatives Sara Alexander.

Sara Alexander is the owner of Alexander Creatives, representing artists for film, television, commercials, branded entertainment and new media. Alexander Creatives represents Directors, Producers, and Writers, as well as DPs, Production Designers, Costume Designers, Editors and 1st ADs.

To join our next live conversation and get all your questions answered, join our free private FB group by visiting TheWorkingDirector.Pro. You can also apply to join our accelerator that helps directors go from where they currently are to where they want to be.

The Working Director: Helping Emerging Filmmakers Become Working Directors Faster. Aug 26, 2022

Show notes

The Working Director Podcast is back! Every episode will be dedicated to helping you grow your craft, break through mindset blocks, or give tips to get paid to be a working director faster. Hosted by director Jenn Page. For more help with your directing career apply to be in our accelerator that takes you from where you currently are to where you want to be or join our free facebook community by visiting TheWorkingDirector.Pro.

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