A Phil Svitek Podcast - A Series From Your 360 Creative Coach

In this special repost from the 2010s, I sit down with the talented Jerry Ferrara for an in-depth interview on the Popcorn Talk Network. Originally featured on iTalk Movies, this long-form conversation explores Jerry’s journey as an actor, from his iconic role as Turtle on HBO’s "Entourage” and beyond. Join me and co-host Roxy Striar as we delve into Jerry’s experiences in the industry. Don&#...

In this episode, I break down the common phrase, "Don't forget me when you're famous," and why it's not the compliment people think it is. This phrase often implies a lack of real support for an artist's journey and focuses on benefiting from their success later. I discuss the importance of genuine support and how it can make a difference in an artist's career long be...

In this episode, I dive into the biggest challenge every writer faces: simply sitting down to write. Whether you're a seasoned author or just starting out, the act of getting yourself to the writing table is often the hardest part. But once you overcome that hurdle, productivity follows—even if the quality or quantity of your output varies from day to day. Don't forget to like, share, and...

In this episode, I explore the importance of choosing the right perspective when filming cinema verite, a style that blends the spontaneity of documentary filmmaking with the artistic storytelling of fiction. Whether you’re filming a wedding, a documentary, or a narrative movie, the perspective you choose can make or break your footage. I share practical examples from my own experiences, from capt...

In this episode, I delve into the art of pitching a feature film, focusing on crafting a compelling 3-minute pitch designed to hook your audience. As I approach the pitching phase of my latest project, I share insights on why this short pitch is crucial for capturing interest and how it serves as a versatile tool for networking events and quick introductions. I also discuss the importance of being...

In this episode, I discuss a detrimental quality of certain leaders who, during interviews, pitch meetings, or similar situations, bring along team members who are knowledgeable but insist on controlling exactly how they speak. To me, this reveals a weakness in leadership and a lack of trust in both the team and the vision. It's important to understand that making mistakes is part of the proce...

In this episode, I dive into Lauren LoGrasso's insightful thread on how rich people approach funding their creative projects without spending their own money. Inspired by her experience with a multi-millionaire client, Lauren highlights the mindset difference that keeps wealthy individuals from depleting their resources. I explore the nuances of adopting this approach as an indie creator, disc...

Welcome to our 29th episode in the monthly book discussion series hosted by Marisa Serafini (@serafinitv) and myself, Phil Svitek. If books are your passion, you've come to the right place! In this episode, we delve into The Beach which a novel by Alex Garland. Set in Thailand, it is the story of a young backpacker's search for a legendary, idyllic and isolated beach untouched by tourism,...

In this episode, I want to clarify that any product I talk about is mentioned because it has genuinely helped me, not because I was paid to endorse it. In fact, no one pays me to talk about these products. My goal is to share valuable resources and tools that have made a positive impact on my life in hopes that they can help you too. Tune in to understand my approach to recommendations and discove...

In this episode, I share a profound question my therapist and I have been exploring: "What are my charters?" This concept examines what governs you overall, based on your core beliefs. By looking at various aspects of life, from aspiring notions like truth to challenging ones like fear, you can determine if you have a positive or negative charter for each. If it's negative, you delve...

In this episode, inspired by Danielle Robay's PrettySmart podcast ( https://beprettysmart.com/ ), I share the smartest decision I've ever made: to keep going every single day, no matter what. While it may not sound like groundbreaking advice, the power of persistence can truly make anyone a winner. Many people quit on their dreams, but sticking with it sets you apart. Tune in to hear how t...

In this vlog, I delve into the daily realities indie artists face before they can even begin their creative work. From frustrating dealings with the IRS and car insurance—bureaucratic nightmares that seem both ineffective and inefficient—to the joys of attending friends' birthdays over the weekend, life is a mix of chaos and celebration. Despite the challenges, I emphasize the importance of pe...

In this episode, I explore the difference between waking up and growing up. Waking up involves gaining awareness and understanding of ourselves and the world around us. Growing up, on the other hand, is about doing the work to heal, mature, and take meaningful action. Join me as I discuss the importance of both awakening to our true selves and committing to personal growth and responsibility. Lear...

In this episode, I showcase a fantastic new feature on Gmail that lets you set your availability and share it with others, making it easy for them to book time with you. This feature, previously available only on outside paid platforms, is now integrated directly into Gmail for free. I walk you through how to use this tool to streamline scheduling and improve your productivity. Don't miss out...

Welcome to our 28th episode in the monthly book discussion series hosted by Marisa Serafini (@serafinitv) and myself, Phil Svitek. If books are your passion, you've come to the right place! In this episode, we delve into Treasure which is the Dirk Pitt adventure novel by Clive Cussler. In the book, Dirk Pitt, discovers a trail leading straight to priceless treasures. But it also thrusts him in...

In this vlog episode, I recap our recent writer's retreat, which ended up more like a writer's room session but still productive. The intense experience involved scrutinizing every idea on its merits and defending them to gain buy-in. I share insights on this challenging but rewarding process. I also discuss our preparations for the American Film Market and Comic-Con LA, as registrations a...

In this episode, I discuss my approach to handling complex or emotionally charged texts and emails. Whenever a message requires a nuanced or detailed response, I prefer to move the conversation to a phone call or in-person meeting. This method helps ensure clear communication, reduces misunderstandings, and fosters more meaningful connections. Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe! Yours...

In this episode, I introduce filmmakers to an incredible free resource from Seed & Spark: The Distribution Playbook. This comprehensive guide offers valuable insights into the distribution and marketing process for your film. It's designed like a course, allowing you to pick and choose the lessons most relevant to your needs if you don't want to watch everything. Even better, the playb...

In this vlog episode, I provide an update on our animation process, focusing on the crucial shot layout phase. This step involves planning and blocking out shots based on storyboards and animatics, determining composition, camera angles, and staging before animation and assets are finalized. Next, I talk about our upcoming writing retreat, where we'll spend at least two days revising the scrip...

In this episode, I provide a mini tutorial on the macro concept of working with audio stems in film production. Learn how to use audio stems effectively to avoid having to do two mixes from scratch, allowing you to continue editing picture even after reaching "picture lock." This technique saves time, maintains consistency, and ensures a smoother post-production workflow. Don't forge...

In this episode, I unveil a barebones checklist designed to streamline collaborative projects with numerous action steps and tasks. This essential tool helps you keep track of every detail, ensuring smooth coordination and efficient progress. Whether you're working on a film, a startup, or any team-based project, this checklist will be your go-to guide for staying organized and on track. Don&#...

In this episode, I reflect on the overall drop in quality across various sectors, focusing on the entertainment and restaurant industries. Drawing from my own experiences, I delve into the reasons behind this decline—overworked staff, limited resources, terrible pay, and inadequate training. I explore how these factors contribute to a noticeable dip in the standards of movies, shows, and dining ex...

In this vlog episode, I dive into my writing and the various challenges and milestones along the way. From missing deadlines to contemplating a writing retreat, I share my experiences and insights into balancing creative projects with the demands of everyday life. I discuss the progress made with storyboards and animatics and recording new VOs. I also reflect on my long-term goal of continually cr...

As a writer, most of my time work time is spent in front of a computer screen typing out words. That’s why whenever I’m finished with a draft, I’m excited to take it off the screen and read it physically. It helps give me, literally, a new perspective on what I’m working on. I show you a glimpse into the revisions I make so you too can benefit and do the same with your writing. Don't forget to...

Here’s a mini episode on some basics of editing to help get you started with narrative or documentary projects. If you’d like more in depth tutorials, comment of hit me up on social media @PhilSvitek with topics you’d like covered. Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe! Yours truly, Phil Svitek Filmmaker, author, podcaster & 360 Creative Coach ⁠http://philsvitek.com⁠