The No Film School Podcast
A podcast about how to build a career in filmmaking. No Film School shares the latest opportunities and trends for anyone working in film and TV. We break news on cameras, lighting, and apps. We interview leaders in screenwriting, directing, cinematography, editing, and producing. And we answer your questions! We are dedicated to sharing knowledge with filmmakers around the globe, “no film school” required.
1
How Do You Make Money While Pursuing a Filmmaki...
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.
54 min
2
Debunking and Decoding the Industry with 'Super...
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.
48 min
3
How to Shoot Sex Scenes Responsibly, Even Witho...
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.
43 min
4
What's The Cost of Doing Work You Care About? J...
Filmmakers want to present our craft to the world, and that craft is made with a particular vision. Sometimes sticking to this vision means we will lose out on other opportunities. Comedian and filmmaker, Jerrod Carmichael, explains why he is willing to take that risk.
30 min
5
Is There Still a Place in Cinema for Rule Break...
Just because something is different doesn’t mean it is wrong. Sometimes “breaking the rules” is precisely what makes films so great.
53 min
6
Face Down Your Filmmaking Challenges with this ...
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.
36 min
7
How to Become More Hireable and What We like Ab...
For those working in the entertainment industry, it is important to learn how to: hire, manage, and fire.
49 min
8
How to Find Your Way Into the Industry with Jes...
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.
33 min
9
Joe Dante Believes You Can Create Amazing Things
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.
26 min
10
When is the Right Time to Take Big Career Swings?
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.
56 min
11
Yes, You Can Still Do This... and Audiences Nee...
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.
35 min
12
China Sends Hollywood a Message
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.
49 min
13
How to Identify Your Filmmaking Voice and Expan...
Filmmaker, actor, & writer Cherien Dabis shares how navigating clashing cultures and embracing multiple perspectives expanded her voice and helped grow her career…
34 min
14
How Can You Navigate Hollywood if You Aren't Ri...
57 min
15
How to Create Your Directing Opportunities with...
Purple Hearts director Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum reflects on her journey from underexposed dailies in film school to directing a Netflix feature that reminds people from opposite sides of the aisle you can find a middle ground…
33 min
16
Find Out What the Hell Happened with HBO Max
Will bots get an unreleased cut of “Bat Girl”? Can women even pay attention to a TV show? A moment of silence for HBO Max employees…and why you need to see the movie “Nope”...
47 min
17
How 'Nope' Editor Nicholas Monsour Creates Pers...
“Nope” Editor Nicholas Monsour sheds light on cutting scenes with Jordan Peele and finding the balance between ambiguity and intention…
41 min
18
How Do You Know When Your Edit is Done?
How do you maintain perspective as an editor? Can you really do nothing to get ahead? Have you experienced the runner’s high of editing? Plus DaVinci Resolve 18 and killer new cloud tools…
57 min
19
The New Soft Skills You Need as a Modern Filmmaker
54 min
20
Here's How This DP Did Something Nobody's EVER ...
Cinematographer Bianca Cline explains how she shot the feature film Marcel The Shell With His Shoes On. Now playing in theatres, check out Marcel The Shell With His Shoes On!
33 min
21
Is it Bad That Spielberg and A.I. Generators Ar...
Filmmakers trolling in the attention economy, Steven Spielberg’s music video debut…AI art and whether a true craftsperson or artist will always beat out a machine?
56 min
22
This is Why You Can Do Better Work Even With Li...
Does Taika Waititi really believe director’s cuts are stupid? Working conditions of VFX teams for Marvel movies…a possible replacement for VFX work, viral shorts turning into features, ARRI’s latest release and more…
58 min
23
How To Create Amazing Cinematic Sequences with ...
Editors Jonathan Redmond and Matt Villa and DP Mandy Walker share what it was like cutting scenes for Elvis while following the vision of Baz Luhrman. Elvis is in theaters now!
69 min
24
How You Can Benefit from Finding Filmmaking Com...
Plus we talk about comments from Tom Cruise and James Cameron
74 min
25
Here is How a Random Crush Turned into Someone'...
Screenwriter Heidi Lux talks about how having a random crush at 30 turned into a YA movie…
33 min
26
The Personal and the Political of Filmmaking in...
We discuss the Supreme Court's decision to repeal the Roe Wade decision, recent tech news, and some new lenses.
47 min
27
Unlocking the Challenges of Directing Actors wi...
Sophie Hyde, director of the movie Good Luck to You Leo Grande, talks about her career, filmmaking in various aspects, and how good performances can impact the success and lifespan of a movie. Good Luck to You Leo Grande is an actor dominant movie, with most of its scenes focusing on two characters. It is available to stream on Hulu.
28 min
28
Let's Face Filmmaker Imposter Syndrome Together
Serving a higher purpose as a filmmaker…the struggles of imposter syndrome and the Bradley Cooper fan club…DJI’s new releases and radar stuff…films and events relevant to Juneteenth…
39 min
29
Straightforward Ways to Be a Better Director fr...
Director Jeremiah Zagar, who directed the Netflix movie Hustle, shares many valuable filmmaking lessons and how he made a phenomenal movie with people who had never acted before.
40 min
30
Find Out What's Happening to the Streaming Busi...
Why safety matters on set…cutting through the glut of streaming content constantly available…the highs and lows of crypto in Hollywood…and unique lenses featured at Cine Gear…
55 min
31
Go Inside the Editing of "Top Gun: Maverick"
Editor Eddie Hamilton tells us about cutting Top Gun: Maverick, building his career, and working with Tom Cruise.
47 min
32
Learn From The "Sketchy" Things We Did When We ...
When should you use a contract? Do you know what a deal memo is and how to use one? Tech news about Apple’s M2 processor and words of wisdom for a young filmmaker we wish we’d known 20 years ago…
36 min
33
Make Your Feature by Embracing Fear
Next Exit’s director Mali Elfman recalls the journey of bringing her directorial debut to fruition during the height of the pandemic and how sometimes you have to embrace fear and failure to experience success…
30 min
34
What's Your Responsibility as a Filmmaker AND F...
What business does the Pentagon have in films? Are filmmakers and film-watchers truly aware of the message they are sending and receiving? Plus details about ARRI’s Alexa 35 and first new sensor in 14 years and Fuji’s new digital camera…
41 min
35
Film Festival Founders Share How You Can Grow f...
Dances With Films founders Leslee Scallon and Michael Trent join us to discuss the festival's 25 year anniversary, its history and selection process, and how they keep it a festival for filmmakers by filmmakers…
40 min
36
Do Movie Stars Still Matter for Indie Filmmakers?
Is Tom Cruise the last movie star? Can you make an indie film without a celebrity? The never-ending challenge of finding your audience, casting unknowns who are the right fit, and Sirui’s affordable anamorphics…
32 min
37
Will This Be James Cameron's WATERloo?
Avatar is back after a long layoff since it changed the game. What can it offer filmmaking and audiences now?
26 min
38
How This Writing Team Got Their First Feature (...
Aviary writers Jennifer Raite and Chris Cullari explain how a prior interview from the No Film School Podcast helped them connect with their lead actress and how to create an egoless partnership that producers want to work with…
36 min
39
The Problem with TV, The Cat People's Narrative...
A journey from Georgia to Middle Earth…why you should protect and insure your gear…Have streamers broken TV? DJI’s new drone and MASV’s massive ability to share large video files…
54 min
40
Award-Winning Director John Madden Talks Crafti...
Accomplished director John Madden shares his extensive film and radio experience and breaks down the art of storytelling in ‘Operation Mincemeat’…
37 min
41
Word of Mouth and Making Good Movies Still Works!
38 min
42
Filmmaking Tools and Tech That Excite Us the Mo...
NAB 2022 is coming to a close and we're reflecting on the most amazing things we saw, the innovations we're inspired by, and the changes we believe the future of film tech holds for filmmakers everywhere.
49 min
43
These Innovations Let You Light However You Want
33 min
44
Robert Eggers Explains How the Devil is in the ...
Visionary Director Robert Eggers joins us to talk about inspiration, struggles, humility, and confidence on set.
17 min
45
The First Day of NAB 2022 Introduces Insane New...
We're kicking off NAB 2022 with the latest in camera and lens technology, a recap of some of the crazier things we saw, plus a look ahead to all the things we'll be bringing to you in the coming days.
32 min
46
There May Be No Better Way to Learn and Get Ins...
Turner Classic Movies host Eddie Muller talks about the impact of studying classic films at the TCM Film Festival.
32 min
47
The Genius Talent Behind "Everything Everywhere...
Everyone once in a while a movie comes out that blows our collective hearts and minds. This is that movie, and these are the people who made it.
124 min
48
What Happened to All The Sex in Movies?
Has sex changed in movies? Is 40 too old to launch a new career? Where do we get ideas for films? And tech news about Blackmagic Design’s latest release…
40 min
49
A Round Table On Apps Every Filmmaker Needs
Guy Goldstein, founder and CEO of WriterDuet, Gad Tisch, founder and President of Croogloo, Steve Vitolo, CEO and founder of Scriptation, Zach Lipovsky, co-founder of Shotlister, and Lawrence Sher, founder and CEO of ShotDeck discuss 5 apps that every filmmaker needs…
54 min
50
NAB is Coming And Here is Why We're Pumped
Specs about all the shiny new tech released before the annual NAB show and the unfortunate reality of bad projection experiences…
49 min
51
How This First Time Filmmaker Got Elite Talent ...
Filmmaker Hannah Bergholm discusses her groundbreaking feature debut, Hatching, which premiered at Sundance 2022, how she found financing for the project, and how it was to work with some of the industry's best artists...
25 min
52
Plagiarizing Film Students and Was 'The Godfath...
Why plagiarism is never okay…what happens when you criticize classic scenes from the Godfather, Canon’s new feature two years post release, and why $9K isn’t enough to finish your film…
44 min
53
How This First Time Filmmaker Got it Done By La...
40 min
54
What To Do With Your Hands... At a Film Festiva...
Are handshakes ever okay? Should festivals have workplace rules? Should you use your hands to slap someone who made a joke about your wife? What else happened at the Oscars and Aputure’s new releases…
47 min
55
Learn Directly From these 2021 Academy Award Fi...
The Oscar Special Edition Mashup Academy Awards Extravaganza featuring a plethora of ridiculously talented folks responsible for creating Dune, Nightmare Alley, Licorice Pizza, No Time Die, Belfast…
67 min
56
Who Will Win The Streaming War and All Your $$?
Who will win the streaming services war? Can we really protect the digital content we make today? Tech news about Imax and why film is here to stay, just like TikTok…
42 min
57
The Oscar Nominated Art Team Behind "Nightmare ...
Production designer Tamara Deverell and costume designer Luis Sequeria illuminate the process behind building the brilliant and haunting world of Nightmare Alley…
47 min
58
Dune: A Masterclass in Bringing a World to Life...
Mark Mangini and Theo Green dive into the intricate layers of building the sound for Dune and how they helped create a science-fiction universe grounded in reality…
59 min
59
The Tragedy of People Missing the Point of Movies
How do you respond to a movie that’s not about you? How did Jane Campion get it so right for Sam Elliott but so wrong with Venus and Serena? Latest Apple news and a sincere explanation of why we just aren’t sold on NFTs and crypto…
59 min
60
Find Out Why These Producers Read ‘Mass’ and Ha...
43 min
61
3 Filmmaking News Stories That Push All Kinds o...
57 min
62
The Not-So-Secret Hack That Makes 'Winning Time...
Cinematographers Todd Banhazl and Mihai Malaimare Jr. share how they seamlessly transport audiences to the 70’s and 80’s in 'Winning Time'
73 min
63
Why Does The Academy Hate Actual Filmmaking?
Calling out bullshit propaganda videos, praising Ukrainian filmmakers, Aputure LED light news, a badass editing MasterClass, and why the Academy Awards may never really be about the craft of filmmaking…
56 min
64
Want To Binge The Best Movies Ever? This Month ...
44 min
65
Investors Scamming Filmmakers and a New Camera ...
Why isn’t Francis Ford Coppola using Decentralized Pictures to fund Megalopolis? How long will Moviecoin, NFTs and cryptocurrency in filmmaking last? Exciting Panasonic release and advice for how to handle the budget of your first production…
65 min
66
How Two Very Different Paths Led To Filmmaking ...
Talia Lugacy and Chad Galster share their different experiences of how film school influenced their current careers and remind us there’s no right way to filmmaking…
84 min
67
This Eye-Tracking Tech Could Change Filmmaking ...
The return of MoviePass, tech updates, and how eyeball tracking gets us one step closer to the perfect shot…
36 min
68
Creating Subtext in The Power of The Dog
The Power of the Dog Editor Peter Sciberras breaks down the process of choosing the right cut, respecting the audience, and creating the slow burn of Bronco Henry…
39 min
69
In a World of Mostly Bad Things, Make Something...
The shocks and snubs of the Oscars, the toxic fandom surrounding The Last Jedi and whether or not you’re ready to make the leap into a creative career…
61 min
70
Station 11 DP's Teach Creating New Looks in Fam...
Station 11’s cinematographers Steve Cosens and Daniel Grant dive into the details of creating a world enduring a pandemic, while the world is enduring a pandemic…
40 min
71
Censorship, Changed Endings, and The Big Chungu...
China’s happy ending to Fight Club, nerding out about DJI’s new 4D camera and Skydio drones…
57 min
72
What Cameras Are Most Popular for Sundance Film...
Which cameras and lenses are being used at Sundance? Why stunt people deserve an Academy Award even if it doesn’t make the show and verifying SpiceDAO’s $3 million intellectual property mistake…
48 min
73
How Driving to LA With Nothing But the Dream Wo...
72 min
74
A Rights-Buying Story So Weird it Might Be a Joke
What does it really mean to get canceled, are NFTs just another con, and why sometimes it’s better to not know just how hard things can get…
49 min
75
The Secrets Behind Directing Great Television F...
Dan Attias breaks down his prolific directing experience and getting to the authenticity of storytelling…
49 min
76
How to Make the Slow Time of Year Busy
Memorializing the celebrities we’ve lost recently, circling back to work during the lull of January and calling out the state of Alabama when you’re just trying to be safe…
35 min
77
How Do You Raise Money at a Film Festival?
Is Spider-Man No Way Home Oscar worthy? How you can raise money at Sundance or other festivals and what makes the Skydio Drone worth checking out…
48 min
78
Nathalie Biancheri on Writing and Directing 'Wo...
Nathalie Biancheri shares her non-traditional path to filmmaking and her creative process behind writing and directing the feature film ‘Wolf’...
30 min
79
Nora Fingscheidt On Being 'Drafted' to Direct a...
Nora Fingscheidt shares what it’s like to be plucked from German filmmaking to direct a Netflix feature film starring Sandra Bullock…
35 min
80
Licorice Pizza's Editor and DP On Breaking Rule...
68 min
81
Nightmare Alley DP and Editor Shed Light on Cra...
Dan Laustsen and Cam McLaughlin dive into some of the nooks and crannies and hidden crevices of Nightmare Alley…
32 min
82
Why Make Movies? 2021 In Review
Wrapping up the best of 2021, consuming content Gangnam Style and Todd’s tinfoil hat corner…
43 min
83
Sir Kenneth Branagh on 'Belfast', Cinema Histor...
Sir Kenneth Branagh shares how his own family’s experiences influenced Belfast, his new film that focuses on adult-sized issues like 'the troubles' Ireland from the perspective of a child…
27 min
84
What’s Going On With the Austin Film Festival S...
29 min
85
Dolph Lundgren On Hollywood, Ambition, and Chan...
You may know Dolph Lundgren from his never-ending list of action-packed roles, but you may not truly know Dolph Lundgren at all...
30 min
86
Why Comic-Con is for Filmmakers
36 min
87
DP Robert Yeoman on Shooting With Wes Anderson
Robert Yeoman has worked with Wes Anderson since his very first film Bottle Rocket and shares the ins and outs of what it takes to get those very specific Wes Anderson shots...
29 min
88
Turn Your Holidays into a Filmmaking Laboratory
How to handle awkward questions about your job with a pitch, weird tech news, and why more production companies need to budget for crew needs...
35 min
89
How to Shoot a Feature in One Take. FOR REAL.
29 min
90
Sony Venice 2 Drops Here is What You Should Know
Will Movie Pass make a comeback? Plus tech news about Sony’s Venice 2 and Quasar Science’s new light...
40 min
91
What’s it Like to Write a Movie For Marvel?
Guests today Ryan and Kaz Firpo made a huge career jump from directing documentary films to writing a script for Marvel; they’re sharing what that experience was like.
28 min
92
Optioning Scripts for Indie Filmmakers, When to...
Today’s episode includes a deep dive into option contracts and what you need in them.
44 min
93
'The Harder They Fall' and 'The Master' DP on C...
The Western is one of the original movie genres, a key part of American culture, and a great way to talk about themes that affect us all today.
30 min
94
Dune DP Greig Fraser and Editor Joe Walker Brea...
Get ready for tons of insight on this massive film!
77 min
95
Edgar Wright and Krysty Wilson Cairns Dissect '...
22 min
96
Manfrotto Camera Movement Week and Box Office V...
It's Manfrotto week at No Film School, check out all our great camera movement content!
56 min
97
Film Set Tragedy
34 min
98
IATSE’s New Contract
Today’s episode sees the return of Good Deal, Bad Deal, along with other important industry and tech news!
49 min
99
Justin Long, Christian Long, and Justin Chon fo...
Tune in for a discussion about two great movies with three great guests - some of whom are actors who have now moved behind the camera!
43 min
100
Should You Pay For Script Coverage?
58 min