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, âno film schoolâ required.
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Death of Pilot Season, Big Pivots & Max Lugavere's Deeply Personal, Long-Game Doc âLittle Empty Boxesâ
Friday, October 4, 2024 âą Duration 01:22:11
As streaming reshapes the industry, pilot season is a thing of the past, leaving creatives to navigate constant demands and year-round pitching. How do filmmakers find balance when the lines between work and rest blur? And how can unexpected pivots lead to more meaningful projects? This episode explores staying resilient in a world without structure, featuring Max Lugavere's decade-long journey with Little Empty Boxes, a deeply personal documentary about his mother's battle with dementia that evolved in ways he never expected.
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Max Lugavere is a filmmaker, health journalist, and New York Times bestselling author. After his motherâs diagnosis with Lewy body dementia, Max chronicled her experience in Little Empty Boxes. The film, which took over a decade to complete, shifted from an investigative piece to an intimate portrayal of love, loss, and resilience.
In todayâs episode, No Film Schoolâs Gigi Hawkins speaks with Jason Hellerman, Max Lugavere and Chris Newhard to discuss:
The death of pilot season and how streaming has transformed the TV landscape
The endless cycle of pitching and the impact on writersâ lives
Finding balance between personal life and an unpredictable film industry.
How unexpected creative pivots can lead to more meaningful work.
Max Lugavereâs personal journey documenting his motherâs battle with dementia in Little Empty Boxes
Chris Newhardâs role in reshaping Little Empty Boxes through fresh eyes, helping it evolve into a deeply emotional and impactful documentary
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Memorable Quotes:
âThe thing with pilot season not existing is interesting because you still have network TV, right? Network TV still generally functions the way it always has, except for it doesn't embrace the buying and research and development behind pilot season anymore.â [5:36]
âThe anxiety of pitching year-round is that you're also assuming these execs are reading year-round. They need a break too.â [9:03]
âThere were likely overlapping skills that I had learned as a short form content creator that could be applied to long form documentary filmmaking, but of course the amount of money and time and personnel required to create a feature length documentary⊠it's so different.â [26:28]
âBeing in front of the camera allowed me access to some moments that I think you probably wouldn't have been able to catch on film had I not actually had been there.â [41:04]
âI just simply found that going with the emotion instead of trying to fight the tide was more beneficial for me.â [53:24]
âHe spent a lot of time and a lot of money trying to make this movie happen. And the first thing I did is I deleted it.â [55:42]
Â
Mentioned:
Max Lugavere on Instagram
Â
Little Empty Boxes website
Â
Max Lugavereâs website
Â
The Genius Life podcast
Â
Max Lugavereâs Books
Â
Chris Newhardâs website
Â
Chris Newhard on Instagram
Â
Jason Hellerman on IMDb
Â
Jasonâs library of content on No Film School
Â
Jason on Instagram
Â
Jason on X
Â
KYNO editing tool
Â
Find No Film School everywhere:
On the Web
https://nofilmschool.com/
Â
FacebookÂ
https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschool
Â
TwitterÂ
https://twitter.com/nofilmschool
Â
YouTubeÂ
https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschool
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/nofilmschool
Send us an email with questions or feedback: podcast@nofilmschool.com!
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The State of Spec Scripts, âThe Substanceâ & Panama Filmmaking
Friday, September 27, 2024 âą Duration 01:33:29
Selling a script can feel like a distant dream, but the process is very much alive. From using platforms like The Black List to writing query letters and building personal connections, breaking into the industry is challenging but not impossible.
Plus, we explore the rise of the Panamanian film industry, how it has evolved, and what it takes to make a mark in a smaller but growing market.Â
Delfina Vidal is a Panamanian filmmaker known for her documentaries. She has contributed significantly to the growing Panamanian film industry, focusing on telling stories that resonate with local and international audiences.
Arianne Benedetti is a producer and key figure in the Panamanian film scene. She is instrumental in the development of Panamaâs cinematic landscape, working on projects that showcase the countryâs cultural and artistic diversity.
Maria Isabel Burnes is involved in promoting the Panamanian film industry, playing an essential role in nurturing emerging filmmakers and helping develop a vibrant film culture in Panama.
In todayâs episode, No Film Schoolâs GG Hawkins speaks with Jason Hellerman and filmmakers from Panama Delfina Vidal, Arianne Benedetti and Maria Isabel Burnes to discuss:
How to break into the industry by selling or optioning scripts
The importance of getting your work out into the world and building a community around it
The Substance, the film starring Demi Moore, Dennis Quaid and Margaret Qualley, written and directed by Coralie Fargeat
What emerging filmmakers in Panama are doing to grow their film industry
Strategies to create universal stories that can travel beyond local markets
Why female filmmakers are thriving in Panamaâs expanding film scene
Memorable Quotes:
"You have to get your story out into the world. You have to be willing to hear the sometimes harsh feedback that these websites deliver.â [05:25]
"Don't stop writing, because maybe the main thing here is: one script can open a couple doors, two scripts can open more, three, you know, onward and upward, but you're gonna need scripts." [16:34]
âIt's not just about how great your script is, but how marketable it is. Who sees that they can make money from it? Is this some material that I can get something in return for?â [20:15]
âItâs more common to be on an NFL roster than it is to be a working screenwriter in Hollywood.â [26:21â
âWhen you're going to work with kids, make sure you have a lot of time before set so they can relate to you and feel very comfortable with you.â [59:02]
âAlways, always prepare for the worst. Prepare your coworkers for the worst. Prepare your actors for the worst. Prepare the location that you're working in for the worst.â [1:03:07]
Mentioned:
Jason Hellerman on IMDb
Jasonâs library of content on No Film School
Jason on Instagram
Jason on X
Delfina Vidal on IMDb
Arianne Benedetti on IMDb
Maria Isabel Burnes on IMDb
The Black List
Stage 32
Roadmap Writers
Find No Film School everywhere:
On the Web
https://nofilmschool.com/
Â
FacebookÂ
https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschool
Â
TwitterÂ
https://twitter.com/nofilmschool
Â
YouTubeÂ
https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschool
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/nofilmschool
Send us an email with questions or feedback: podcast@nofilmschool.com!
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Rebuilding the Film Industry, Closure, Plus a $400 Doc Short
Tuesday, August 20, 2024 âą Duration 01:15:14
TV is oversaturated. California is too expensive to film in. Many audiences are underserved. Itâs time we indie filmmakers rebuild the film industry on our terms. Plus, we bid farewell to a beloved host of the No Film School podcast.Â
In todayâs episode, No Film Schoolâs Charles Haine, GG Hawkins, Jason Hellerman, and guest Janek Ambros discuss:
Not waiting on labs or studios to give you the green light
The influx of people looking for jobs in the market
Needing better streamer options for indie projects
The benefits of serving an underserved audience
Why the distribution process is vital
Advice for people who think they are finished with their project
The important reasons Charles insists on working in Davinci ResolveÂ
Why Charles is leaving the No Film School podcast
The origin of the short documentary film, Ukrainians in Exile
Why Janek wanted to keep the movie so simple and so short
Advice for documentary filmmakers
Memorable Quotes:
âWeâre going to have this feral resurgence of indie filmmaking because we are so sick of the industry to figure it out.â [5:54]
âBreakdowns lead to breakthroughs. We need to break through because the way itâs been working is not sustainable.â [6:35]
âIt should be a lot easier to shoot in California, it shouldnât be so expensive.â [13:32]
âBecause of the way distribution works, distribution never feels finished.â [28:00]
âPeople think I know all these celebrities, but I donât. I just annoy every single publicist in Hollywood.â [1:03:07]
âIf you want to make a short doc, you can make a short doc. Thereâs no excuse for that.â [1:07:50]
Links:
Ukrainians in Exile: A Documentary Short FilmÂ
Follow Assembly Line Entertainment on IGÂ
Follow Janek on X
BlueCheck UkraineÂ
Find No Film School everywhere:
On the Web
https://nofilmschool.com/
FacebookÂ
https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschool
TwitterÂ
https://twitter.com/nofilmschool
YouTubeÂ
https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschool
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/nofilmschool
Send us an email with questions or feedback: podcast@nofilmschool.com!
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Breaking Down the Color of Horror with LatinXorcistsâ Ricardo Martinez
Friday, October 27, 2023 âą Duration 57:34
Ricardo Martinez is a multi-hyphenate Editor, Writer, Director. He is known for his award-winning documentary, The Wall, which won the 2010 SF Latino Film Festival and screened on PBS. If we had to describe Ricardoâs work, we would say he is an expert at âfinding the horror and beauty in the realityâ of everyday life.
In todayâs episode, No Film Schoolâs GG Hawkins speaks with filmmaker Ricardo Martinez to discuss:
The LatinXorcists - a group made of latino screenwriters who love horror
Why he was inspired to create the documentary film, The Wall
Creating a horrifying video trailer for The BloodstoneÂ
What we need to know within the first 5 pages of a scriptÂ
What makes a good monster story
Exploring the horror in our everyday human fearsÂ
Why Ricardo loves using Black Magic tools
Color correction tips and tricks
Our suggestions for some of the scariest movies
Memorable Quotes
âI think thereâs beauty in horror as well.â [18:25]
âMaking sounds yourself is actually a lot of fun and a cheap way to boost up production costs.â [23:45]
âEvery good monster story is not about the monster. The monster means something, it represents something.â [31:49]
âThat dread is part of the joy of horror.â [32:48]
âHorror can be so many different things. Thatâs the joy of horror. Thereâs such a wide spectrum of types of horror.â [41:12]
Resources:
About the LatinXorcists
Citadel Scavenger
Creators of Earth
Seed to Strain
Check out Ricardo's website
The Bloodstone Comic
The Handy Foundation
The LatinXorcists website
The LatinXorcists Instagram
Ricardo's InstagramÂ
The Bloodstone Instagram
Burden of Dreams filmÂ
Find No Film School everywhere:
On the Web
https://nofilmschool.com/
FacebookÂ
https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschool
TwitterÂ
https://twitter.com/nofilmschool
YouTubeÂ
https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschool
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/nofilmschool
Send us an email with questions or feedback: podcast@nofilmschool.com!
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Practical Advice for Practical Effects With the Directors of SXSW Creature Feature âSnatchers'
Thursday, October 26, 2023 âą Duration 49:07
Can you make a feature film using practical effects in a way that feels realistic and not âcheesy?â Thatâs what the team behind the film, Snatchers did. Snatchers is a horror-comedy film about a teen girl who wakes up nine months pregnant with an alien.Â
In todayâs episode, No Film Schoolâs GG Hawkins and Jason Hellerman speak with filmmakers Stephen Cedars and Benji Kleiman to discuss:
Practical effects - what are they?
Some of our favorite practical effects in film
How practical effects can be more effective than cgi
Scaring away a famous editor with the smell of farts
Finding a balance between cgi and practical effects
How Stephen and Benji approach writing sketches
Transitioning into making feature films
Memorable Quotes
âHorror movies are trying to show you something you canât fathom or havenât seen before.â [9:34]
âItâs really hard to be creative while also tamping down on your creativity.â [27:09]
âThereâs no greater killer of creativity than feeling insecure.â [38:14]
âIf youâre passionate and prepared, you canât go wrong.â [43:48]
Resources:
Snatchers Trailer
Speruchet Pan Tournegos ShortÂ
Benji & Stephen's website
Stephen's Instagram
Find No Film School everywhere:
On the Web
https://nofilmschool.com/
FacebookÂ
https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschool
TwitterÂ
https://twitter.com/nofilmschool
YouTubeÂ
https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschool
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/nofilmschool
Send us an email with questions or feedback: podcast@nofilmschool.com!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Adventures in Indie Filmmaking and Leveraging Famous Faces
Thursday, October 19, 2023 âą Duration 56:59
How do you handle post set blues? How do you properly adapt something you donât have the rights for? What can we all learn from Taylor Swiftâs recent movie?Â
In todayâs episode, No Film Schoolâs Charles Haine, GG Hawkins, and Jason Hellerman discuss:
Shooting an indie film in panama - excitement, exhaustion, and mosquito bites
All the work involved after wrappingÂ
The importance of screen acting and whatâs involvedÂ
Being blown away by the commitment and generosity of the cast and crew
What we love about Taylor Swiftâs newest filmÂ
Why film set people are the best
Adapting without the rights - is it worth it
Benefits to writing unlicensed biopics
Memorable Quotes
âThis whole thing is greater than the sum of its parts.â [9:31]
âWe need better sound proofing between the theaters please.â [34:15]
âYou will lose to money. You will lose every time.â [50:52]
Find No Film School everywhere:
On the Web
https://nofilmschool.com/
FacebookÂ
https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschool
TwitterÂ
https://twitter.com/nofilmschool
YouTubeÂ
https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschool
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/nofilmschool
Send us an email with questions or feedback: podcast@nofilmschool.com!
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How 'The Creator' DP Challenges Big Budget Filmmaking with an Indie Mindset
Wednesday, October 18, 2023 âą Duration 56:52
Can you make a big budget, sci-fi film that isnât a franchise, or a sequel, or a reboot, and tackle it using an indie mindset? Thatâs what the team behind the film, The Creator did. The film, which tells a story about war between humanity and artificial intelligence, is currently in theaters.Â
In todayâs episode, No Film Schoolâs Charles Haine speaks with DP Oren Soffer to discuss:
Being offered a co-dp position on the film
How shooting on one lens made the VFX much easier to work with
The differences in lenses over time that affect their consistencyÂ
Leaning into natural light as much as possible
Wanting to maintain the creative energy of guerilla style filmmakingÂ
How the project originally got the green light from the studio
Working in a very trusting environment
Looking at tons of references images the director pulled from
Memorable Quotes
âThe visual effects approach was designed to fit the footage and not the opposite.â [6:53]
âWhat do we need to add or subtract from that lighting to create a more curated lighting environment?â [22:04]
âThe filmmaking process itself felt really scrappy in the best way possible.â [36:39]
Resources:
The CreatorÂ
Orenâs website
Find No Film School everywhere:
On the Web
https://nofilmschool.com/
FacebookÂ
https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschool
TwitterÂ
https://twitter.com/nofilmschool
YouTubeÂ
https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschool
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/nofilmschool
Send us an email with questions or feedback: podcast@nofilmschool.com!
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How The Weird Satanist Guy Spawned a Sundance Indie With Demon Puppets
Wednesday, October 18, 2023 âą Duration 01:09:25
Making a film is a laborious task that requires dedication, passion, discipline, and inspiration. Seeing the success of other filmmakers, who are more often than not in the same position as us, is not only motivational but can be a guiding light for those making their first film.
In todayâs episode, No Film Schoolâs Yaroslav Altunin speak with multi-hyphenate creative Andrew Bowser to discuss:Â
How Andrew came up with the Onyx character
Starting his career as a child actor before becoming a writer and director
Questioning his original script after getting some harsh notesÂ
Why having multi-hyphenate creatives work on the film was necessary
Working with VFX and puppets and the challenges that came with it
Discovering some continuity errors they didnât catch in the final editÂ
Why Andrew likes a slower editing processÂ
Not looking down on non traditional film platforms
Memorable Quotes
âIt was this revelation. I felt like I had found something to pursue creatively.â [2:23]
âI was led to writing and directing purely out of a want for more control.â [5:39]
âOn indies there's not a lot of time to explore.â [40:22]
âEditing for me is such slicing and splicing.â [48:19]
Resources:
Onyx, The Fortuitous, and The Talisman of Souls
Tickets to Onyx The Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls
https://www.fathomevents.com/events/Onyx-the-Fortuitous-and-the-Talisman-of-Souls/
Andrewâs YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@BowserVids
Find No Film School everywhere:
On the Web
https://nofilmschool.com/
FacebookÂ
https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschool
TwitterÂ
https://twitter.com/nofilmschool
YouTubeÂ
https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschool
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/nofilmschool
Send us an email with questions or feedback: podcast@nofilmschool.com!
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Why You Should Write Your Spec with 'Greenland' Screenwriter Chris Sparling
Tuesday, October 10, 2023 âą Duration 51:08
Donât be afraid to plant your flag early on. This advice comes from writer Chris Sparling, who is known for the 2010 film, Buried, starring Ryan Reynolds and the 2020 film Greenland, starring Gerard Butler.
In todayâs episode, No Film Schoolâs Jason Hellerman speaks with writer and director Chris Sparling to discuss:
The first time Jason and Chris met, 10 years earlierÂ
How Chris starts the writing process
Talking to reps to get an accurate idea of what scripts will be successful
Why Chris writes specs and encourages other writers to do the same
Breaking out of the box people put you inÂ
Recognizing itâs not necessary to go after every single assignment
How to manage your expectations when going out with a new spec
Writerâs block - Is it real and how to overcome it
Why itâs important to rehearse your pitch
Memorable Quotes
âIf thereâs a real fire in you, thatâs the story you want to tell.â [6:10]
âIâm constantly trying to pump out new material that shows another side to what I do.â [12:30]
âYou have to get out of your own way and power through it. [30:38]
âDonât be difficult, but also donât undervalue yourself.â [42:52]
Resources
Buried
GreenlandÂ
Find No Film School everywhere:
On the Web
https://nofilmschool.com/
FacebookÂ
https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschool
TwitterÂ
https://twitter.com/nofilmschool
YouTubeÂ
https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschool
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/nofilmschool
Send us an email with questions or feedback: podcast@nofilmschool.com!
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The WGA Strike is Over - What's Next?
Thursday, October 5, 2023 âą Duration 44:48
Finally, the WGA strike has come to an end and writers are going to be elated about the new agreement. So what does this new agreement entail and how will it affect the future of Hollywood?
In todayâs episode, No Film Schoolâs Charles Haine and Jason Hellerman discuss:
The terms of the WGA contract
Scheduled minimum raises for writers
How feature writers will benefitÂ
What literary material is and how it affects scripts written by A.I.
Using A.I. with open disclosures
Why writing may be one of the hardest roles in the entertainment industry
Why we like minimum room sizes
The potential for a spec boom
Why original spec screenplays are coming back in fashion
Advice for younger writers
Memorable Quotes
âWeâre not saying A.I. is the devil.â [6:49]
âYour biggest job as a screenwriter is making identifiable character motivations.â [9:24]
âCharacters stop acting like you expect them to act. And then it bothers you as an audience.â [11:08]
âThe job of the WGA is to protect its writers.â [13:31]
Resources
A Step-by-Step Guide to Mastering Your Spec Screenplay
Find No Film School everywhere:
On the Web
https://nofilmschool.com/
FacebookÂ
https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschool
TwitterÂ
https://twitter.com/nofilmschool
YouTubeÂ
https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschool
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/nofilmschool
Send us an email with questions or feedback: podcast@nofilmschool.com!
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