Film Directing with Matt Macedo

In this episode of Film Directing with Matt Macedo, we dive into the fascinating intersection of psychology and vertical microdramas — the fast-paced, emotionally charged storytelling format that has taken platforms like ReelShort, DramaBox, and ShortMax by storm. As a director who has helmed multiple top-performing vertical dramas, Matt breaks down how these bite-sized stories are intentionally c...

In this episode of  Film Directing with Matt Macedo , I sit down with legendary stunt coordinator  Gregg Sargeant  — a veteran of Hollywood action, known for his work on  War of the Worlds  with  Steven Spielberg ,  Pirates of the Caribbean ,  Westworld , and countless others. Gregg shares stories from his decades in the industry, including what it’s like designing stunts on massive sets, coordina...

In this episode of Film Directing with Matt Macedo , I sit down with friend of the podcast Dédalo Purificação to discuss how mindset shapes a director’s journey . We dive into the differences between a fixed and open mindset , the role of ego in filmmaking , and how to cultivate a positive mentality when facing challenges, fear, and setbacks on set and beyond. Whether you're an aspiring director o...

Vertical dramas are on the rise. If you've seen platforms like Reelshort, ShortMax, Dramabox, and PocketFM dominating the entertainment charts on the Apple and Android App Stores, or caught a glimpse of their spicy, drama-packed clips on Instagram or TikTok, you're witnessing a shift in storytelling. For the past year, I’ve been immersed in directing vertical dramas, and after completing my 7th (a...

Hello friends! Thanks for tuning in to another episode of the podcast. This episode is sponsored by the Film Analysis Journal, my new book that I released on Amazon for film students and aspiring filmmakers. It's an educational journal aimed at helping you break down your favorite movies as you watch them, learning more about character arcs, story beats, visual language, and more. Available in...

Hello Friends! Today's special guest is writer/director Cody Ashford. Cody is a central valley filmmaker who recently completed his first feature film. We dive into the writer/director's experience from pre-production to post-production, covering various topics such as how to handle rejection, failure, as well as the balance of collaboration. Follow Cody on Instagram: @codash27 and TikTok....

Hello Friends! Today's special guest is Adrian Sierkowski, a cinematographer and gaffer. In this episode, we discuss the relationship between the director and cinematographer, how lighting can portray a character's psychology, the role of lighting in storytelling, and the future of film production involving AI and virtual stages. To get in contact with Adrian, visit his website at www. Adr...

Are you needing feedback on a script or film you've completed? I've started offering services on Fiverr! If you are a Writer/Director about to embark on directing a script you have written, PLEASE get the optional directing notes with your screenplay order. In addition to feedback on the story, characters, etc, you will receive feedback included in the other Directing service, but BEFORE you've co...

Did you know your handwriting reveals virtually everything about you? Today's special guest is Author and Expert Handwriting Analyst Sheila Lowe. We dive deep into how our characteristics (and even past injuries) show themselves through our handwriting.  To learn more about Sheila, her books, and the services that she offers, please visit SheilaLowe.com & SheilaLoweBooks.com 

Hello Friends! On today's episode, I welcome Jordan Brady to the podcast. He is an ultra-successful commercial director who has directed well over 1,000 commercials and has multiple online courses. If you follow his Instagram, you're definitely aware of how funny he is and the free knowledge he gives away. In this episode, we talk about the similarities and differences between directing films and...

Hello friends! Today, I welcome back writer, director, and cinematographer Steven Bernstein ( https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0077149/ ) to chat about intuition and its impact on a director and the filmmaking process. Make sure to follow Steven on social media and Patreon! ( https://www.instagram.com/stevenbernsteindirectorwriter/?hl=en ) Please RATE, REVIEW, and SUBSCRIBE! Follow me on Instagram @Mat...

Hello friends! Today, I welcome back writer, director, and cinematographer Steven Bernstein ( https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0077149/ ) to chat about psychology and its impact on directing and filmmaking.  Make sure to follow Steven on social media! ( https://www.instagram.com/stevenbernsteindirectorwriter/?hl=en ) Make sure you RATE, REVIEW, and SUBSCRIBE! Follow me on Instagram @MattMacedo ( h...

Hello friends! Today, I speak with my good friend and composer Jamie Murgatroyd (https://www.murgatroydmusic.com/) about our collaborative relationship and the relationship between composers and directors. If you're needing a composer, make sure to visit https://www.murgatroydmusic.com/ to contact Jamie!  Drug of Choice Soundtrack: https://soundcloud.com/macedoproductions  Jamie's Soundc...

Steven Bernstein is a successful Cinematographer, Director, Screenwriter, and Author.  Some of his credits include Monster (2003), The Waterboy (1998), Scary Movie 2 (2001), Half Baked (1998), Last Call (2016), and Decoding Annie Parker (2013).  Please follow Steven on Instagram, and keep an eye out for one of his classes! @StevenBernsteinDirectorWriter (https://instagram.com/stevenbernsteindirect...

Hello Friends! Today I chat with Actor, Writer, Photographer, Aspiring Director, and Avatar: The Last Airbender fan, Joshua Slack. Together, we analyze the shows' themes and character arcs, as well as the shows' impact on us after growing up. Follow Joshua on Instagram: @jdotslack (and @jslackimages) and on Twitter: @jdotslack as well as his website www.jslackimages.com Make sure you RATE, REVIEW,...

Today I speak with Central Valley Filmmaker and Serrano Studios creator Ernest Serrano about the specific changes and challenges to how a film set now operates under the new post-COVID-19 guidelines.  Click here to see Serrano Studios films on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2ZxiYob Serrano Studios Website: www.serranostudios.net Make sure you RATE, REVIEW, and SUBSCRIBE! Follow me on Instagram @MattMaced...

The industry might not ever be the same again. In this episode, I scan through multiple articles on Variety, Hollywood Reporter, and Deadline to share what's going on with the movie industry during the time of COVID-19. In the second half of the episode, I'm joined by director Daniel Duddy of The Duddy Trip Podcast.  Make sure to RATE and SUBSCRIBE! Thank you! Instagram: @MattMacedo www. Matt...

Today, I'm joined by my good friend Dédalo of the HeyDédalo Podcast ( http://anchor.fm/heydedalo ) to discuss our personal Top 5 favorite shows of all time! Check out his podcast to listen to the episode of our top 5 personal favorite movies! Also, check out his Instagram @HeyDedalo, and follow him on Twitter and Youtube! Follow me on Instagram: @MattMacedo www. MattMacedo.com

"Top 5 Directors of All Time" - List Curated by Peter Markham (FilmDirectingClass.com) Alfred Hitchcock Stanley Kubrick Martin Scorsese  Akira Kurosawa  Michael Powell  I HIGHLY encourage you all to do your research and watch as many films by these directors as possible. Watch them scene by scene, shot by shot, and study it as a filmmaker!

"Top 5 Directors Alive Today" - List Curated by Peter Markham (FilmDirectingClass.com) Lynne Ramsay Lucrecia Martel  Barry Jenkins  Sofia Coppola  Michael Haneke Like many of you, I'm sure, I have only seen a handful of films created by those mentioned above. If they're on Peter's list, I highly encourage you all to do some research and watch their films, just as I'm doing.