Helping emerging filmmakers become working directors faster. This weekly podcast will ask filmmakers the tough questions and offer guidance every step of the way with one goal in mind: help you make a living doing what you love, directing.
For even more help expanding your directing career, visit TheWorkingDirector.Pro. There you can apply to be in our accelerator that helps you go from where you currently are to where you want to be; as well as, join our free private FB group.
Hosted by director Jenn Page.
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You can also go there to join our private FB group for directors so you can attend these live conversations and get your questions answered; as well as, to learn about The Working Director course that helps emerging filmmakers become working directors faster.
MORE ON JAMES:
James has 15+ years’ experience as a Production and Finance executive.Recently Executive Produced Showdown at the Odessa, starring Terrance Howard and release by Shout Releasing in 2023, and Executive Produced Dangerous, starring Mel Gibson and Scott Eastwood, released by Lionsgate Pictures in 2022.Produced and structured the financing with Vertebra Films. The pictures included Arthur Newman starring Colin Firth and Emily Blunt. The comedy was shot in North Carolina and directed by award winning commercial director, Dante Ariola. Two Eli Roth thrillers, Aftershock, shot in Santiago, Chile, and Clown, shot in Ottawa, Canada. Clown was di-rected by Jon Watts, who recently completed Spiderman “Homecoming”, “Far from Home” and “No Way Home”. The pictures were released by The Weinstein Company and sold internationally by Filmnation.Executive V.P. of production and finance at Winchester Capital Management. Produced and managed the financing for The Men Who Stare at Goats, directed by Grant Heslov. It starred George Clooney, Kevin Spacey, Ewan McGregor and Jeff Bridges. The picture premiered at the Venice and Toronto Film Festivals.Executive V.P. of production and finance at Samuels Media. Produced and coordinated the financing structure for Michael Clayton. It was directed by Tony Gilroy and starred George Clooney, Tilda Swinton and Tom Wilkerson. The Warner Brothers release earned six Academy Awards nominations, including Best Picture, Best Actor, and Tilda Swinton won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Produced In the Valley of Elah directed by Academy Award winner Paul Haggis starring Tommy Lee Jones. Mr. Jones was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor in the Warner Independent release. The pictures premiered at the Venice and Toronto Film Festivals.
061: The Director-AD Relationship (with filmmaker America Young)
Episode 61
Friday, May 31, 2024 • Duration 23:42
How can you have the best communication with your AD? We dive deep into the AD - Director - Crew relationship in this episode of The Working Director with film & TV director American Young.
You can also go there to join our private FB group for directors so you can attend these live conversations and get your questions answered; as well as, to learn about The Working Director course that helps emerging filmmakers become working directors faster.
ABOUT AMERICA YOUNG
America Young was awarded the 2020 Humanitarian award by UCSD for her work promoting women in the film industry.
America Young is currently working in Film, TV, Animation and Video Games, as a Director, stunt coordinator and stunt woman. To date, she has directed for Network TV, two features, a season of an animated show, a video game and four digital series.
She has stunt coordinated on projects for Warner Bros, Netflix, Lifetime and Cannal Plus. And worked on 65 video games.
Having stunt coordinated for years, America transitioned to directing seven years ago. While having a solid foundation in action, she is also known for her ability to bring out the best performances in actors, both drama and comedy, while translating subtle and rich story points visually on screen. The projects she has helmed have a wide range from a drag queen comedy to sci-fi action to fantasy action to coming of age drama to exploring domestic violence in a superhero universe.
Her first feature, “The Concessionaires Must Die!!” executive produced by Stan Lee, (www.cmdthemovie.com) is now available on Itunes, Amazon and other VOD platforms. Her most recent digital series, “Whatta Lark”, that pairs a quiet, introverted woman with the fiercest and loveliest of Drag Queens can be watched on Amazon. “Protectress”, a Xena-inspired fantasy, winner of several awards including Best Action, Best Director and Best Fantasy on the festival circuit, is being developed into a feature. She has several features she is attached to in deveoplment. She also directed the cinematics for Resident Evil: Shadows of Rose which was name #8 video game of the year by Time Magazine.
052: Pitching Yourself / Pitching Your Film
Episode 52
Tuesday, October 31, 2023 • Duration 19:35
How do you answer the dreaded "So, tell me about yourself"? What should you have prepared for your project pitch? How many projects should you have in your back pocket? What materials should you bring in? How do you engage the room, and why are you pitching the room not the project? That and more on this episode with producer Stu Pollard.
If you want to be notified when we open our doors to our green screen virtual production studio dedicated to indie filmmakers (and indie film budgets) fill out the form on our website at TheWorkingDirector.Pro.
You can also go there to join our private FB group for directors so you can attend these live conversations and get your questions answered; as well as, to learn about The Working Director course that helps emerging filmmakers become working directors faster.
More on Stu:
Filmmaker Stu Pollard has produced 9 films in his home state of Kentucky, including survival thriller RUST CREEK, powerful high school drama AND THEN I GO, and bowling comedy SPLIT. He has produced more movies outside the Bluegrass as well. These include the uproarious Jack Quaid & Maya Erskine wedding rom-com PLUS ONE, Syrian refugee documentary THIS IS HOME, and docu-drama FREELAND, starring Krisha Fairchild. Stu has also directed two features: romantic comedy NICE GUYS SLEEP ALONE and suspense drama KEEP YOUR DISTANCE, both set against a vibrant Kentucky backdrop.
Pollard founded Lunacy Productions in 2015 to expand his storytelling horizons and break free of the “one-at-a-time” indie filmmaking model. This has sparked numerous new collaborations with both emerging talent and established creators. Lunacy’s current development slate includes WE’RE HAUNTED, a horror comedy about dysfunctional roommates confronting an evil spirit; THE MAN WHO KNEW BELLE STARR, a riveting Western-infused revenge drama; THE TRESTLE, a supernatural thriller revolving around an infamous Kentucky legend; and ALAS, BABYLON, a post-apocalyptic survival parable based on the classic novel.
051: Ask An Entertainment Lawyer: Life Rights, Music Releases, & More!
Episode 51
Sunday, October 15, 2023 • Duration 19:48
Ask An Entertainment Lawyer
In this new semi-monthly series we let our audience ask any production related legal questions their hearts desire to Entertainment Lawyer & Filmmaker Chris Edgar.
This week, some topics covered:
-What will make a distributor reject a chain of title?
-When do you need a release when filming in a public place?
-Do you need life rights to make a true life story?
-How long do you need to keep production documents?
-Is using news based content in your work fair use?
-What contracts do you need to use music in your film?
To follow along with Chris' YouTube channel on all things entertainment law subscribe here.
If you want to be notified when we open our doors to our green screen virtual production studio dedicated to indie filmmakers (and indie film budgets) fill out the form on our website at TheWorkingDirector.Pro.
You can also go there to join our private FB group for directors so you can attend these live conversations and get your questions answered; as well as, to learn about The Working Director course that helps emerging filmmakers become working directors faster.
050: Film Finance - The Who's & How's
Episode 50
Sunday, October 8, 2023 • Duration 48:35
How Do You Finance Your Film?
How do you find investors? What are the ways to bring money into your film? How do you get a bank loan? How do you get a bond to get a bank loan? What companies do you need to know and how do those relationships make or break your film financing? And more!
To get in touch with Jim about his next class where you can learn even more about film finance email: jimholt41@gmail.com
If you want to be notified when we open our doors to our green screen virtual production studio dedicated to indie filmmakers (and indie film budgets) fill out the form on our website at TheWorkingDirector.Pro.
You can also go there to join our private FB group for directors so you can attend these live conversations and get your questions answered; as well as, to learn about The Working Director course that helps emerging filmmakers become working directors faster.
More on Jim:
James has 20+ years’ experience as a motion picture Finance and Production executive.
James was the Executive VP of Finance and Production at Benaroya Picture, which recently completed Dangerous,
starring Mel Gibson and Scott Eastwood. The picture was released by Lionsgate in 2022.
Produced and structured the financing on three pictures with Vertebra Films, a private equity investor in New York. The pictures included starring Colin Firth and Emily Blunt. The comedy was shot in North Carolina and directed by award winning commercial director, Dante Ariola, and two Eli Roth thrillers, shot in Santiago, Chile, and shot in Ottawa, Canada. Clown was directed by Jon Watts, who recently completed Spiderman “Homecoming”, “Far from Home” and “No Way Home”. The pictures were released by The Weinstein Company and sold internationally by Filmnation.
049: Ask An Entertainmen Lawyer: LLCs, Releases, and more!
Episode 49
Saturday, September 30, 2023 • Duration 24:52
Ask An Entertainment Lawyer: FLLCs, Releases, and more!
In this new semi-monthly series we let our audience ask any production related legal questions their hearts desire to Entertainment Lawyer & Filmmaker Chris Edgar.
This week, some topics covered:
-When do you need to form an LLC for your film and how long do you need to keep it?
-AI – where are we currently at with legal clearances?
-What do you need to do to protect yourself for your documentary?
-If you have multiple producers on a film should you have multiple lawyers to protect each? Or is one enough?
To follow along with Chris' YouTube channel on all things entertainment law subscribe here.
If you want to be notified when we open our doors to our green screen virtual production studio dedicated to indie filmmakers (and indie film budgets) fill out the form on our website at TheWorkingDirector.Pro.
You can also go there to join our private FB group for directors so you can attend these live conversations and get your questions answered; as well as, to learn about The Working Director course that helps emerging filmmakers become working directors faster.
048: How & Why Work With An Intimacy Coordinator?
Episode 48
Sunday, September 17, 2023 • Duration 25:26
What is an intimacy coordinator and how can they help you have a safer, more productive set? Whether it's an intimate scene between two actors, a torture or trauma scene, or a scene involving minors, an intimacy coordinator can help you have a safer set and make a better film. Today we highlight this important and lesser-known crew position with intimacy coordinator and actor Chantal Cousineau.
If you want to be notified when we open our doors to our Los Angeles green screen virtual production studio dedicated to indie
filmmakers (and indie film budgets) fill out the form on our website at TheWorkingDirector.Pro.
You can also go there to join our private FB group for directors so you can attend these live conversations and get your questions answered; as well as, to learn about The Working Director course that helps emerging filmmakers become working directors faster.
More on Chantal:
Chantal Cousineau (she/her) is a certified Intimacy Coordinator. Born in Canada, raised in Ottawa, she spent her childhood training in ITF Tae Kwon-Do. She achieved her first-degree black belt at the age of 15. Subsequently won 2 gold medals at the Canadian Championships in Vancouver and 2 gold medals at the North American Championships. She began to model at the age of 17 and landed before the lens of famed photographers, shooting for Abercrombie & Fitch, Aveda, Italian Vogue, Elle, Cosmopolitan, Roots and more. Moving to Los Angeles in 2001, she carved out a successful career as an actor in 100+ television commercials. Since 2017, she has become a grounded voice within the MeToo advocacy community, helping 1,400+ survivors of sexual harassment, assault, and abuse. A longtime member of SAG-AFTRA, Chantal served on several national safety committees to consult on ways the industry could expand its best practices to move closer towards equal treatment, pay parity, representation, and improving safety standards on sets.She combined her many years of experience as a performer, with her advocacy work, to pivot to her career as a certified film/television Intimacy Coordinator.An Intimacy Coordinator Professionals(IPA)-certified intimacy coordinator, Chantal Cousineau has been a pioneer in the area of developing (teaching) protocols to work with minors of all ages, in a safer way.Chantal is a dual citizen of Canada and the US and she speaks both French and English fluently.
047: How Do You Direct A.I.?
Episode 47
Sunday, September 10, 2023 • Duration 23:47
How Do You Direct A.I.? What considerations are there when prepping an A.I. drama? How do you keep it all ethical? We talk with James Walker, Nancy Lanham, and Forest Robin of Velocity Studios about how they created TWO A.I. podcasts (an interview show where an A.I. host interviews an A.I. guest and a narrative feature length show where actors play the humans and A.I. play the robots).
If you want to be notified when we open our doors to our Los Angeles green screen virtual production studio dedicated to indie
filmmakers (and indie film budgets) fill out the form on our website at TheWorkingDirector.Pro.
You can also go there to join our private FB group for directors so you can attend these live conversations and get your questions answered; as well as, to learn about The Working Director course that helps emerging filmmakers become working directors faster.
More on the shows we discuss and how to watch them:
The Metal Detective(scripted audio drama, top performer on Apple Podcasts Charts)
— A.I. performers were auditioned and played the role of A.I. characters opposite human actors in this cyberpunk noir mystery thriller. A.I. audio systems were also used in various post sound design and sound effects.
Raise of the Machines: Conversations with A.I.(weekly interview style audio new magazine) — A.I. systems were used to write initial drafts of interview scripts where an A.I. host would then interview an A.I. guest on A.I. issues important to humanity.
046: Ask An Entertainmen Lawyer: Fair Use, A.I. Rights, and more!
Episode 46
Sunday, September 3, 2023 • Duration 21:28
Ask An Entertainment Lawyer: Fair Use, A.I. Rights and more!
In this new semi-monthly series we let our audience ask any production related legal questions their hearts desire to Entertainment Lawyer & Filmmaker Chris Edgar.
This week, some topics covered:
-who owns the rights to A.I. materials used and should you avoid using them in your film?
-what exactly is fair use when it comes to filmmaking?
-what is e&o insurance and how does it protect you?
To follow along with Chris' YouTube channel on all things entertainment law subscribe here.
(Episode 46)
If you want to be notified when we open our doors to our green screen virtual production studio dedicated to indie filmmakers (and indie film budgets) fill out the form on our website at TheWorkingDirector.Pro.
You can also go there to join our private FB group for directors so you can attend these live conversations and get your questions answered; as well as, to learn about The Working Director course that helps emerging filmmakers become working directors faster.
More on Chris:
Composer, songwriter, and lawyer Chris Edgar has written music for film, theater, TV, and digital series. Edgar has scored award-winning films, including (Best Screenplay - Vancouver Filmdance Festival, Best Musical Film - Cinema Los Angeles, Best Feature Film - Michigan Comic Con Film Festival), (Best Animated Series - International Academy of Web Television, Best Music Score - Hollyweb Festival), and (Best Music Score - Crown Wood International Film Festival & Los Angeles Cinema Festival of Hollywood). “Possessed,” a pop song he wrote, won the Best Single award at Shockfest Film Festival. His most recent feature project is “Playing WithBeethoven,” in which the actors performed the film’s score live on set, and which recently made its nationwide theatrical debut.
045: ICFX For Indie Filmmakers: Using LED Walls & Green Screen for In-Camera FX
Episode 45
Sunday, August 27, 2023 • Duration 32:34
ICFX For Indie Filmmakers:
Using LED Walls & Green Screen for In-Camera FX
What do you need to know when prepping and shooting on LED walls? How about using in-camera fx with green screen? Where is the technology heading and how can you get in on using this now to level up your filmmaking? Let's get in to it!
(Episode 45)
If you want to be notified when we open our doors to our ICFX studio dedicated to indie filmmakers (and indie film budgets) fill out the form on our website at TheWorkingDirector.Pro.
You can also go there to join our private FB group for directors so you can attend these live conversations and get your questions answered; as well as, to learn about The Working Director course that helps emerging filmmakers become working directors faster.
More on our panelists:
Kyle Frazer has been active in the film and TV industry
since 2004. He has worked on numerous projects from feature films to TV shows, and commercials to projects for the Department of Defense. Some shows include Stalked Someone is watching and Americas Funniest videos. He has demoed cameras for Panasonic, collaborated on their prosumer cameras, and early 3D models. Kyle has experience in setting up robotic cameras as well as live streaming events. As a Camera Operator and Director of Photography, Kyle has shot reality TV all over the world, and shoots digital content for Walt Disney World. After coming to Full Sail University, Kyle's skills were put to use establishing the streaming and technical aspects required to launch DCBS TV as well as extensive work with ESPN. During his time as an educator he was the course director for a few different classes including Digital cinematography 1, Portfolio III, Composition and Visual design and Electronic Field Production.
Using all these skills he is currently running Studio V1 which is Full Sail
University’s virtual production stage. While working in Studio V1 he has worked on many projects using the technology. Including features, TV shows, commercials and student projects.
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America was pivotal in the rebranding of Barbie with the Barbie Vlog in 2015 and directed the critically acclaimed season of the Barbie motion capture animated series for Mattel which was featured on VICE, Vogue, Glamour and Newsweek among other publications. It has been viewed on youtube over 150 million times and went from 500k subscribers to nearly 11.6 million in the time she has been working on the Brand.
Her second feature, “Back to Lyla” which is Alice in Wonderland meets Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind inspired, was acquired by 1091 and released June 2022. Upon completion of the Warner Bros directing program, she successfully entered the TV world, directing an episode of Blindspot (aired May, 2020) and Legacies (aired 1/23/20) with glowing feedback from both teams. She has now directed 17 episodes of TV since for Netflix, Amazon, Blumhouse, Warner Bros, CBS, BET+ and at the end of 2021 she directed the pilot of Surfside Girls for Apple TV which got a full season order and released in 2022.
She is a proud founder of The Chimaera Project, a nonprofit that gives opportunities to women in the film & media arts (www.chimaeraproject.org).
When America’s not kicking the crap out of Super-Heroes that support the Superhuman Registration Act, jumping off buildings, teaching actors how to fight or setting herself on fire, she enjoys telling stories, sipping herbal tea and sharpening her pair of Sai.
https://americayoung.com/
Also an entrepreneur, Stu has spearheaded a number of other creative endeavors including the event planning app REUNACY, nostalgic web series THE EIGHTIES EMPORIUM, whiskey lifestyle brand BOURBONALITY, content creation collective SMALL BATCH CONTENT, and philanthropic nonprofit organization TRUNACY.
In addition to teaching at Film Independent and USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, Stu recently founded LunacyU, an online educational platform dedicated to teaching the next generation of independent filmmakers. At LunacyU, he currently teaches classes on Film Financing and Cinematic Music. He holds a BS in business from Georgetown and an MFA in film from USC, is a member of the DGA and PGA, and serves on the boards of the Louisville Film Society, the Horse Farm Workers’ Educational Assistance Fund and GU’s Alumni Board of Regents.
Our essential Indie Film Financing course for independent filmmakers is designed to help you think like an entrepreneur, find the right financial partners, and finish what you start. Through video lessons and supplemental documents, this course will guide you on a transformative journey that will infuse you with confidence, empower you with resources, and put you in the best possible position to raise money for your project.
Our Film Music Master Class covers the world of film music from licensing to composers and music supervisors. Music is one of the most confusing, challenging, and expensive parts of filmmaking. This course helps you navigate all of it with 9 sections of on-demand videos to go through at your own pace.
More on Chris:
Composer, songwriter, and lawyer Chris Edgar has written music for film, theater, TV, and digital series. Edgar has scored award-winning films, including The Breakout: A Rock Opera (Best Screenplay - Vancouver Filmdance Festival, Best Musical Film - Cinema Los Angeles, Best Feature Film - Michigan Comic Con Film Festival), Steve’s Quest: The Musical (Best Animated Series - International Academy of Web Television, Best Music Score - Hollyweb Festival), and Ghost in the Gun (Best Music Score - Crown Wood International Film Festival & Los Angeles Cinema Festival of Hollywood). “Possessed,” a pop song he wrote, won the Best Single award at Shockfest Film Festival. His most recent feature project is “Playing WithBeethoven,” in which the actors performed the film’s score live on set, and which recently made its nationwide theatrical debut. @filmtracts
Arthur Newman
Aftershock,
Clown,
Executive V.P. of Finance and Production at Winchester Capital Management. Produced and completed the financing for The Men Who Stare at Goats, directed by Grant Heslov. It starred George Clooney, Kevin
Spacey, Ewan McGregor and Jeff Bridges. The picture was released by Overture Films and premiered at the Venice
and Toronto Film Festivals.
Executive V.P. of Finance and Production at Samuels Media. Produced and completed the financing for Michael
Clayton. It was directed by Tony Gilroy and starred George Clooney, Tilda Swinton and Tom Wilkerson. The Warner Brothers release earned six Academy Awards nominations, including Best Picture, Best Actor, and Tilda Swinton won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Produced and completed the financing for In the Valley of Elah directed by Academy Award winner Paul Haggis starring Tommy Lee Jones and Charlize Theron. Mr. Jones was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor in the Warner Independent release. The pictures premiered at the Venice and Toronto Film Festivals.
Executive V.P. of world-wide Finance and Production at Franchise Pictures. Managed the Finance and Production on multiple pictures released by Warner Brothers.
Some of those pictures include The Whole 9 Yards and The
Whole 10 Yards starring Bruce Willis; The Pledge directed by Sean Penn and starred Jack Nicholson; Art of War starring
Wesley Snipes; The Heist starring Gene Hackman and Danny DeVito; 3000 Miles to Graceland starring Kevin Costner, Kurt Russell and Courtney Cox; Angel Eyes starring Jennifer Lopez; and The In Laws starring Michael Douglas.
More on Chris:
Composer, songwriter, and lawyer Chris Edgar has written music for film, theater, TV, and digital series. Edgar has scored award-winning films, including The Breakout: A Rock Opera (Best Screenplay - Vancouver Filmdance Festival, Best Musical Film - Cinema Los Angeles, Best Feature Film - Michigan Comic Con Film Festival), Steve’s Quest: The Musical (Best Animated Series - International Academy of Web Television, Best Music Score - Hollyweb Festival), and Ghost in the Gun (Best Music Score - Crown Wood International Film Festival & Los Angeles Cinema Festival of Hollywood). “Possessed,” a pop song he wrote, won the Best Single award at Shockfest Film Festival. His most recent feature project is “Playing WithBeethoven,” in which the actors performed the film’s score live on set, and which recently made its nationwide theatrical debut. @filmtracts
Kristofer Cross, a multi-talented performer and entertainment industry professional, originally from Chicago, Illinois. His journey in the world of entertainment began at a young age when he stepped onto the theater stage. Later, Kristofer and his family moved to Los Angeles, California, where he would embark on his career as an actor, dancer, and model.
From "The Hunger Games" to "Star Wars: The Force Awakens,"
"Joker," and sequels to "Avatar," Kristofer has left his mark on some of the most iconic films of our time. Beyond his contributions as a visual effects professional, he also delves into creative roles, writing, directing, producing, and developing his independent projects.
***
Jess Loren is a highly accomplished entertainment
professional with a broad range of expertise. As a tech entrepreneur, executive producer, and showrunner, she has founded and led two successful companies to profitable exits before the age of 30. Today, she serves as the Chief Executive Officer and founding partner of To Whom It May Concern, a production services company operating virtual production facilities in Burbank and North Hollywood. In addition to this, Jess is also the Founder and CEO of Global Objects, a pioneering tech startup focused on democratizing access to digital replicas of the real world.
A voting member of the Television Academy and a member of
the Visual Effects Society, Jess has over 15 years of experience at the
forefront of the digital and visual transformation of businesses. She has
successfully managed complex projects as an executive producer and showrunner for leading global brands such as Netflix, Hulu, Apple+, Lifetime, A&E, Crackle, and Chicken Soup For The Soul in the realm of production.
