The Sights and Sounds Podcast

Halloween . Hereditary . Hellraiser . Not everyone loves scary movies, but many, like us, absolutely love them. Some filmmakers devote their entire career to the genre, and it's a staple genre for indie and up and coming filmmakers to capitalize on when starting their journey into feature films. But why? That's exactly the question we sat down with writer/director and friend of the show,...

We all know the saying "writing is re-writing," but what does that actually mean? And when do you stop re-writing your script? When you start pre-production? The shooting draft? And even when your script is locked - does that mean your story is, too? That's exactly the question Courtney and Jonathan work to answer in this episode of the Sights + Sounds podcast. And while every write...

Biopics aren't generally known for being an edge-of-your-seat, box-office hit that gets the general public talking and raving. Don't get me wrong, there are some great ones out there, but we've all seen biopics that follow a predictable formula – you know, the rise, the fall, the redemption arc. But Oppenheimer? It's a different beast entirely. Christopher Nolan took the concep...

Welcome to The Sights + Sounds Podcast, where we unravel the art of filmmaking and explore the boundless possibilities of independent cinema. In this episode, we embark on an illuminating journey to unveil the secrets behind strategically placing your film for ultimate success. Join  Courtney and Jonathan as they engage in an insightful discussion on the importance of understanding your audience&a...

In this episode hosts Jonathan and Courtney delve into the crucial topic of budgeting and the art of navigating the challenging waters when the funds don't align with your ambitious vision. Whether you're a budding filmmaker taking your first steps or a seasoned pro seeking a fresh perspective, this episode offers invaluable insights and practical advice. Drawing from their extensive exp...

Spoiler Alert! In this episode, Jonathan and Courtney discuss the movie adaptation of "Dungeons and Dragons." They also touch upon potential spoilers for other shows and movies, ensuring that listeners stay informed and prepared. Listen at your own risk! ______________ In this week's installment, hosts Jonathan and Courtney delve into the captivating world of adaptations and explore...

What's the number one reason people give up on an independent film they're watching? It's not the acting. It's not the director or the story falling short. It's the sound . Not only does good (or bad) audio make or break a film, but great sound design, mixing, foley, and ADR are often the elements to truly elevate a film. If a film's visuals are the meat and potatoes...

Join Courtney and Jonathan in this insightful episode of The Sights + Sounds Podcast, where they delve deep into the realm of independent filmmaking and explore the crucial art of managing expectations. In the unpredictable world of filmmaking, it's common for aspiring creators to encounter obstacles and face disappointment when their grand visions don't align with reality. In this episo...

The WGA is on strike. Hollywood is all but shut down. No, it's not 2008 again, but it IS another, arguably more pressing, pivotal moment in film history. While writers (and soon, possibly SAG-AFTRA actors, too) are fighting for fairer wages, their fight against the man is simultaneously a fight against the machine, as AI threatens to upend the very existence and perceived value of writers, ac...

We're BAAAACK!!  In this episode, Jonathan and Courtney delve into two crucial aspects of the creative world: the "Fake It Til You Make It" mindset and the essentials of assembling a dynamic "Skeleton Crew" for independent short films. Join us as we uncover the secrets behind these strategies and explore their impact on the filmmaking industry. We begin by exploring the co...

The Sights and Sounds is BACK with a special BONUS episode! We sat down with 5 talented filmmakers who all participated in the 54 Film Fest's 2023 competition. If you've listened to our show at all, you've likely heard Jonathan say, "constraints bolster creativity," and this mantra has it's roots in the 54, a timed competition that asks filmmakers to conceive, write,...

Creating takes time. And it takes energy. So, it shouldn't surprise us that creating consistently and constantly over time time can be exhausting. Just like anything else, you can start to feel burned out. (Trust us - this is, after all, the FINALE of an ENTIRE season of a podcast - even we're tired!)  So, given this is the finale episode of our first season, as we enter into the wintry...

Once known primarily as a comedic writer, Jordan Peele rapidly made a name for himself as a serious horror writer and director with his debut film, Get Out and then his follow-up, Us. This year saw his most recent outing, Nope, and we can safely say: The first two films weren't flukes. Once again starring Daniel Kaluuya, Nope brings a new spin to the UFO sci-fi and horror tropes, delivering l...

Writing is HARD. Or, at least, it can be. And that's especially true if you're just learning the principles of writing a good story for the first time, or transitioning your writing from screenwriting to another medium (or vice versa!). So, in today's episode of the Sights and Sounds, we sit down for a chat with Faith McQuinn to do both of those things - and more - with your writing...

Star Wars. Star Trek. Marvel. DC. Overwatch. God of War. They're all different universes and stories, but they all share at least one major focal point: Fans. And some of those fans like to make films. Enter: Fan films! They've become increasingly popular and prolific over the years. Star Wars' fan films like "Darth Maul: Apprentice" and Overwatch fan films like "Hero...

We all know it. That creeping intrusive thought: “I’m not good enough.” It’s all part of a little thing we like to call “imposter syndrome” and more people experience it than they talk about. Join us as we discuss Imposter Syndrome and pushing through it! Like what you hear? Consider Buying us a Coffee! Looking to sponsor our show? Contact Us!

How many times have you caught yourself wondering "how can I get on set more?" Probably quite a few times, yeah? We all ask it! But how does one get on more film sets?  Mayhaps rather than asking "how can I get on set more?" we should be asking "what more can I do to get myself on set?"  That's where multiple skills come in handy friends! Join us as we discuss wh...

Artificial Intelligence has been growing by leaps and bounds, and now, with the rise of Midjourney, DALL-E, Stable Diffusion, and other popular AI art generators, it's been rapidly invading the worlds of art and creativity. We're even witnessing the forefront of AI music through projects like Google's Magenta, and in the beginnings of AI voiceover and video (and hosts/actors) with s...

Decisions are hard. And as creatives we’re constantly having to make tough choices. Whether it’s deciding between two projects, or figuring out if a gig is the right fit for you… sometimes the fear of missing out and “what if” can be stressful! In this episode Courtney walks through a simple decision making system that has helped her make some of her tough choices!

"Does this make sense" is probably one of the most common questions we ask ourselves as filmmakers.  Whether you're an actor, writer, director, or cinematographer we are always questioning ourselves. In this episode, Jonathan and Courtney delve into why and WHEN it's okay for things to not "make sense" and why the heart of your film matters more!

Steven Spielberg. Stanley Kubrick. Quentin Tarantino. David Sandberg. James Wan. Sam Raimi. Each one is a great film director. Different styles. Different genre preferences. Different visions. And you know what else? They all got started directing films in different ways. So, how does one become a film director? Most moviegoers don't even really know what a director does - heck, some early fi...

Why do we love film so much? Why can we watch the same movie over and over again and still feel something different, or revisit the same emotions it gave us the first time around!? What makes film, and filmmaking, unique and different from other creative mediums, like music, fine art, and photography? (And in what ways is it similar?) Film is an incredible medium, and in this episode, Courtney and...

Picture it… it’s 5 years in the future: you’re sitting at your computer, finishing revisions on the 40th cut of your latest short film. “It’s gotta be perfect” you say. Then you hear the ghostly whispers of your friendly neighborhood filmmakers Jonathan and Courtney say: “Done isssss betterrr thaaann perfect!”  A chill runs down your spine.  “They’re right!” You say.  Your film is released on time...

WARNING SPOILERS FOR THOR LOVE AND THUNDER! [Insert Goat Screams Here!] In this episode Jonathan and Courtney discuss their thoughts on Thor: Love and Thunder  immediately after seeing the film! How did Jane Foster Thor pan out? How does Thor grow as a character from his last outings in Avengers: Endgame, Infinity War, and Ragnarok?  How does Gorr the God Butcher play as a villain? (And does Chris...

*** WARNING *** SPOILERS FOR STRANGER THINGS SEASON 4 EPISODE 9! Demodogs, Carrie references, and Vecna, oh my! The Stranger Things Season 4 finale was filled with Upside Down madness, gave us some heavy, emotional scenes, answered some questions, and gave us even more. After a couple weeks to let it (Sadie) sink in, Jonathan and Courtney went live on Instagram to discuss Episode 9, "The Pigg...