Respect The Process

Biff Butler is an editor and the founder of Papercut , an editorial company built around craft, collaboration, and a strong creative culture. Before post-production, Biff played in a touring rock band, an experience that helped him learn how to bring different creative voices together. He began his editing career at Rock, Paper, Scissors, where working alongside leading talent helped shape his app...

Commercial Director Robert Boocheck joins me for a candid conversation about the realities of freelance commercial directing—the uncertainty between jobs, the pressure of unpaid pitches, and the work it takes to stay in the mix. Robert shares how he tracks bids across production companies, approaches treatments, decides when to trust his instincts over AI, and makes the case for staying involved i...

James Beshara is an angel investor, podcaster, philosopher, musician (see OPENSTATE_), founder of Magic Mind and friend. We explore how to choose the right opportunities, find the work that feels like your true calling, and stay committed to it without becoming overly attached to the outcome. James shares the idea of Swadharma —the work you're naturally wired to do—and offers a thoughtful perspect...

Director/Cinematographer Ben Brady shares the experiences and lessons that shaped his career—from working on productions with Sacha Baron Cohen and shooting a Radiohead music video connected to Paul Thomas Anderson, to learning from leading cinematographers like Darius Khondji and preparing for new, demanding LED-wall commercial. Ben, who moved from camera PA to DP quickly, explains why curiosity...

Ben Levy is a creative coach, author, and expert in helping people present ideas with clarity, confidence, and humanity. In our conversation, we explored his powerful pitching principle: "wow before how." Whether you're a filmmaker, agency creative, or entrepreneur, Ben's advice will help you earn attention, build trust, and turn your next pitch into a genuine conversation. FILMMAKER RETREAT JOSHU...

I sat down with Tony Finley , founder of We Film Sh*t , for a candid conversation about the changing business of commercial production. We talked about why directors deserve more ownership and profit, how bloated production-company models can hold creatives back, and why creative risk is essential to making better work. Tony also shared his vision for using AI to connect directors with the right p...

Michael Martin and I discuss how commercial directors can stand out by developing a distinct point of view, taking creative risks, and making work that reflects their voice. Michael shares the story behind his handmade Starbucks director's cut, while both directors explore pitching, career setbacks, ego, humility, and the value of enjoying the creative process. Together, they offer practical persp...

Legendary puppeter Jamie Shannon' s approach to puppetry shows that the most memorable characters come from simplicity, intention, and a process that leaves room for both the performer and the audience to bring them to life. Check out his Puppet Island site. Jamie Shannon is the creator behind beloved puppet projects including Nanalan', the beloved Mr. Meaty, The Groggs on YTV, and the viral comme...

Loved hanging out with Nathan Miller and Mark Danciger of the Nott Brothers - talking about what it really takes to make it as a director. We get into how they approach the business side of directing, how they work with clients and agencies, and why being clear and collaborative makes the whole process better. We also talk about how their style has evolved, what they've learned along the way, and...

EP PJ Koll has spent years in production and founded Where the Buffalo Roam before building Timmy.io , a platform shaped by his experience with the chaos of managing creative work. PJ shares a little of that history and how it led him to create a better way for production teams to stay organized. Enjoy! My  Filmmaker Retreat has 3 spots left so save your spot now! FILMMAKER RETREAT JOSHUA TREE '26...

Jon Sneider , Founder of Wild Gravity, teaches us how his small, experienced teams can create better work faster than big, layered agencies. Jon shares lessons from advertising, filmmaking, and AI, showing why speed, collaboration, and craft still beat bureaucracy—and why creators who learn to work lean can make stronger ads, save money, and move ideas into the world much more quickly. Buy his boo...

In this conversation with beauty director Jasmin Kuhn , we dig into the path that helped shape her voice as a filmmaker—from her early exposure to visual storytelling to the commercial work that defines her today. Jasmin shares honest insight on craft, collaboration, paid treatments, and what it really takes to build a strong reputation in the industry. It's a thoughtful look at how experience, cl...

Just 15 minutes of me rambling about my caldron of feelings over fun, new work. Enjoy. My Filmmaker Retreat has 7 spots left so save your spot now! NEW COURSE - VIRTUAL PRODUCTION FOR COMMERCIAL DIRECTORS Filmmkaer and friend Kevin O'Brien has shot close to 100 spots on the LED wall. His new course is a tremendous head start to us that will shoot or considering to film on the volumn. Use cose " vi...

Explore the dynamic world of Shiouwen Hong and Nathan Freise , married filmmakers thriving on separate creative paths. Shiouwen focuses on impactful documentary projects, while Nathan directs alongside his brother Adam. Discover how these two lovebirds balance personal and professional lives, maintain unique voices, and support each other's artistic journeys. A key takeaway: embracing individualit...

After the last episode's babble, I dig into what it really means to "find your voice" as a filmmaker—especially in the commercial world. It isn't just a visual style, but the combination of your reel and your reputation : the work you put out plus what it's like to work with you. I talk about the balance of ego and humility on set, and explain why repeat business is the magic fourth "R" that grows...

Just me talking about staying tool agnostic as a commercial director—moving between live-action, CG, and AI without losing my point of view. I share recent job stories, how I'm using my Filmmaker Retreat Joshua Tree and Posh Duo promos as testing grounds for new tools, and why I still put actors, crew, agency team - you know - collaboration above whatever camera, crane or software is hot this week...

Jonathan Del Gatto is a visionary filmmaker and creative coach , known for his transformative work in brand films and direct-to-consumer content. In this episode, Jonathan shares his journey from editing TV commercials to founding Brighter Company, where he crafts compelling narratives that connect with audiences. We explore the evolution of content creation—balancing artistry with strategy, the s...

Jonathan Del Gatto is a visionary filmmaker and creative coach , known for his transformative work in brand films and direct-to-consumer content. In this episode, Jonathan shares his journey from editing TV commercials to founding Brighter Company, where he crafts compelling narratives that connect with audiences. We explore the evolution of content creation—balancing artistry with strategy, the s...

Gary Knight is a legendary commercial editor and partner at Cut+Run whose work spans iconic spots for brands like Adidas, American Express, and Chase. In this episode, Gary traces his journey from rubber-numbering film cans as a teenage runner in Soho to becoming a sought-after storyteller in the edit bay. We dig into the craft of editing—taste vs. tools, why watching  all the footage still matter...

Happy birthday to Jake Brady, our show's editor. I asked him to choose his Top 10 recent episodes and here it is, in no particular order: director Courtney Marsh, director Quinn Katherman, editor Chris Salters (Part 2), Chris Salters (Part 1), writer/director/producer Michael Patrick Jann, dynamic directing duo Morgan & Nick, director Elana Barkowski, director JJ Adler, actor and improv legend Pat...

Creative Director/Director Scotty Bergstein has been revolutionizing the commercial production process by embracing integrated teams, trust-based collaboration, and cutting-edge technology. Streamlining workflows, enhancing creativity, and delivering high-quality results faster and more cost-effectively are needed to stay relevant. Whether you're a director, agency, or client, his insights provide...

Filmmaker Adam Witten , a seasoned expert in the filmmaking industry and partner in Smokin' Oakham , chats with me about the transformative impact of AI on creative processes. Adam shares his journey and experiences, highlighting how AI tools are reshaping podcast editing and visual storytelling. We delve into the balance between human creativity and technological innovation, discussing the legal...

Chris Francis' s journey in filmmaking and advertising is a testament to the power of passion and perseverance. From his early days as a spelling bee champion and skateboarding videographer to becoming a church storyteller and a key creative force at Raindrop Agency, Chris has continuously evolved by embracing diverse experiences. His work reflects a unique blend of humor, authenticity, and techni...

Oscar-nominated filmmaker Courtney Marsh shares her inspiring journey behind the camera directing acclaimed commercials and short films. Courtney emphasized the importance of building strong industry relationships and trusting the creative process, even when faced with constraints like iPhone filmmaking. Her insights into personal branding and the evolving landscape of filmmaking offer valuable le...

Composer, filmmaker, and Supernatural Sounds founder  Randy Shattuck  joins us to talk about crafting "music for the heart of the story" and why he wants access as early as the script stage. We dive into  "temp love" —that dangerous attachment to placeholder tracks that directors can never quite shake—and how it can sabotage your final score if you're not careful. Randy also shares how his ukulele...