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

A few months ago, I released a short proof of concept film called Playtest ( https://youtu.be/qGbw1So77yg ). It was shot in a similar fashion as Sin City, where actors act against a green screen and everything else gets added in later. Editing something like that can be tricky, so in this episode I talk with host Alina Vission (@AlinaVission) and share my experience and the things I learned along...

A few months ago, I released a short proof of concept film called Playtest ( https://youtu.be/qGbw1So77yg ). It uses a style similar to A Scanner Darkly and Amazon's Undone, except it didn't require a team of animators to pull off. In this episode, I talked with Alina Vission (@AlinaVission) and share how we pulled it off. After listening, kindly feel free to ask questions or offer opinions of you...

Last week I focused on coordinating various team members of our upcoming film so that way we were working in unison, as opposed to on parallel tracks (for more context on the project, visit https://igg.me/at/philsvitekfilm ). Part of ensuring that was getting an updated script to everyone. We also had our second round of rehearsals and I intercut the new footage with scenes from last time. Slowly...

One of my main guiding principles is to study as many artists across various disciplines as I can. This is because I love to discover the process that allowed them to create the work that they did. And what you learn by doing this is there's no one single way to accomplish something. There may be best practices, but at the end of the day, the focus for every artist should be the final product. And...

Hosts Stef Zeh (@IAmStefZ) and Amy Maestri (@AmyMaestri) join me for an in depth analysis of HBO Max & CNN's new documentary LFG. It's directed and produced by Andrea Nix Fine and Sean Fine, with Nix Fine also serving as a writer. It follows Megan Rapinoe, Jessica McDonald, Becky Sauerbrunn, Kelley O'Hara, Christen Press, Sam Mewis and Julie Foudy, as they sue the United States Soccer Federati...

I think it's safe to assume the vast major of content creators would love to make their living from their art. And many artists I observe or talk to obsess over this, sometimes to the point in stifles them. With this episode, I want to have an honest conversation about making money from your art, what it takes, how you have to approach it, the expectations you should set and so on. While it might...

Last week the primary focus was the logistical side of my upcoming feature film (for more context on the project, visit https://igg.me/at/philsvitekfilm ). There was deal memos, planning sequences visual, prop lists, costuming, etc. As I was working on these, something unexpected yet magical happened. I share what that was and how it came to be—more importantly, I highlight how you too can benefit...

No one will ever see what you're not working on. And there's a perspective on this that's motiving. It pushes us to create things. That's good. But like all things there's a flip side to this. And that's what I want to examine further in this episode. After listening, kindly feel free to ask questions or offer opinions of your own, whether down in the comment section or by hitting me up on social...

In a past episode ( https://youtu.be/cOuQTByDfPM ) I discussed how to turn old gear into cash. I wanted to do a quick follow up to that and say sometimes the value they deem that gear to be isn't correct. So always ask them to do a re-evaluation and get quotes from other places as well. Get the value you deserve so you can use that money to help fund your future creative endeavors. Speaking of fun...

In this vlog episode, I talk about last week's action items related to my upcoming feature film (For more context on the project, visit https://igg.me/at/philsvitekfilm ). I go over revisions on the script and how many tiny changes add up to sweeping improvements. Then I discuss in person rehearsals with the main cast and how my approach is different than most. I jokingly say I'm more of a Europea...

Ever edited footage and you find that you like one person's delivery in one take but the other person's delivery from another one? What do you do? Split take editing! This episode overviews what the technic is, how it works and when to use it. For a more comprehensive breakdown of executing the technique, check out this YouTube tutorial: https://youtu.be/CNdmSI1iTRo . And listen to master editor L...

I've been fortunate that people have asked me to be their reference on job applications. Having done it quite a number of times, here's basic, yet very important tips of how you can help the person helping you. After listening, kindly feel free to ask questions or offer opinions of your own, whether down in the comment section or by hitting me up on social media @PhilSvitek. Also, it'd mean the wo...

In this vlog episode, I talk about the creative project that consumes me (in a good way). I overview how I launched a crowdfund for and how that's going along with strategies I'm employing to make it successful. BTW, here's a link to the crowdfund if you'd like to contribute ( https://igg.me/at/philsvitekfilm ) and here's a link to tips from Tim Ferriss on how to make a crowdfund succeed ( https:/...

Have you been sending your resume to places without much response? It might be time to upgrade it so it stands out among the rest. In this episode, I share various tips and best practices to polish up your resume and land you that job you're looking for. After listening, kindly feel free to ask questions or offer opinions of your own, whether down in the comment section or by hitting me up on soci...

We all have so much stuff in our houses we don't even realize. It's time for a clean up so not only can you declutter your place, but you can also earn some cash! If you have old video or audio gear, you can trade it in through sites such as http://mpb.com , http://keh.com and http://adorama.com . Or you can go through the OfferUp app or Facebook Marketplace. If you're not using it, sell it so you...

Hello, I’m filmmaker Phil Svitek and my upcoming project is Autumn Into Fall (crowdfund link— https://igg.me/at/philsvitekfilm ). It’s about Neel who’s turning 35 and still hasn’t found purpose. Even if he did, he doesn’t have anyone to share life’s beautiful moments with. He hopes that a trip to Bogota provides the spark he needs. Meanwhile, Violet studied abroad there and brought her two best fr...

Hiatus is over! On this edition of my vlog I catch you up on the project I've been working on, which is another film! And it's into pre-production. (If you'd like to help the team and me finance this movie, check out our Indiegogo page at https://igg.me/at/philsvitekfilm ). I discuss the writing process, meeting with the cast, getting notes from people to make sure the script is as authentic as it...

With this vlog, I catch you up on what's been going on and why I'm taking a hiatus until June 14. But fear not, the time between now and then is a wonderful opportunity to catch up on past episodes. There's so many. Thanks for tuning in. Also, feel free to ask questions or offer opinions of your own, whether down in the comment section or by hitting me up on social media @PhilSvitek. Lastly, for m...

If you want to be an artist of any kind, it's imperative that you immerse yourself in cultures and art from everywhere. That's how you prevent your art from being derivative. And who knows what may inspire you! There's so many wonderful things in the world if we just open our eyes. That's what I explore in this episode.  After listening, kindly feel free to ask questions or offer opinions of...

Director Wong Kar-Wai is known for many wonderful films including AFI's top 100 film Chungking Express, Happy Together, In the Mood for Love and so on. I recently came across a quote of his that highlights his filmmaking ideology that I couldn't resist sharing. It puts to words something I've felt but wasn't able to express. His words underscore an important aspect, not just in filmmaking, but wit...

Ever watch a movie or read a book and think to yourself, "Wow, this narrative thread was introduced and it never paid off." Well, as a writer of any kind, I'd think you'd like to avoid that as much as possible. That's what this episode explores. In it I give you a technique that works for me to avoid plot holes and stray plot points. After listening, kindly feel free to ask questions or offer opin...

As an indie filmmaker, YouTuber or content creator in general, it can be difficult to film in low light situations. But there's ways to capture a good image using 6 techniques. 1) Add more light. 2) Utilize the darkness. 3) Open the aperture. 4) Reduce the frame rate. 5) Reduce the shutter speed/make the shutter angle wider. 6) Increase the ISO. After listening, kindly feel free to ask questions o...

Another week, another vlog. In this episode I discuss some new methods and ways of thinking that's allowed me to have breakthroughs with my writing. Then I bring up the notion that one one ever knows what we aren't doing, they only see what we are doing and how this should allow us more grace with ourselves. Thanks for tuning in. Also, feel free to ask questions or offer opinions of your own, whet...

Many of us, without knowing it, are not choosing a future we want. We simply react to one we don't want. That makes us passengers of life. Let's stop. Instead, decide on what future you want and work towards it. That's what I go over in this episode. After listening, kindly feel free to ask questions or offer opinions of your own, whether down in the comment section or by hitting me up on social m...

Podcast subscriptions are coming—Apple and Spotify are two giants set to make this change to the podcasting industry ( https://www.wsj.com/articles/apple-spotify-and-the-new-battle-over-who-wins-podcasting-11619170206 ). But what does this mean for the future of podcasting and how should you approach publishing your shows? That's what I reflect upon in this episode. After listening, kindly feel fr...