Respect The Process

If you're wondering just what the heck the Set Decorator does specifically, my guest Chris Coles has the answers. The Set Decorator brings the set to life, interpreting the vision of the Production Designer, who has been in cahoots with the Director. Chris shares similar beliefs as I do about really putting in one's 10,000 hours to master one's craft, and we discuss the new generation of entitleme...

Commercial Filmmaker Brad Hasse has seen his art become a reality. His short film, "Texting Hat" is so popular that people started asking him if they could order their own chapéu. And now it you can. He's also the only helmer I know that's done spots for two different types of mouthwash. Odd. We chat about the importance of personal passion projects, finding your voice as a director and much more....

Fresh off a huge 16 day shoot, I chat with filmmaker Tony Franklin . He started as an art director, working for Target's in-house creative department. He has quickly and successfully transitioned into a full-time commercial filmmaker, and luckily for us, Tony shares his journey with us. We chat about when to sign and why not to sign with a commercial production company, as well as how to measure i...

Editor Rob Watzke has cut many of your favorite tv spots over the years, but on nights and weekends, he teaches improvisation. We saw his show the night Helen Hunt played along with Rob and his troupe. The 100% riffed show was amazing. Back in the editing bay, Rob deftly cuts on any tool invented, and works with his agency clients to bring out the best in the footage. We chat improvisation, editin...

You recognize the name  Andrew Furtado  as the deft editor my documentary "I Am Road Comic". He started out as a lowly production assistant, but now directs his own projects, films and edits films like Clive Baker's "Nightbreed:The Director's Cut" . He also produced, directed & edited comedian Kyle Kinane's hilarious special. We chat self-discipline, how to avoid being sent to stop traffic when yo...

Continuing the "acting for commercials" theme, I talk with my pal Jimm Giannini  for his take on the commercial biz. Jimm's new web series, "Tyler and Borelli", is the result of him adapting to new opportunities. Here's a link to an episode called "Janet" that's charming, funny and endearing. You can tell these two actors are having fun and connecting. 3 minutes, watch it. Enjoy. We chat about how...

Comedian/Actor/Writer Wayne Federman is my favorite comic, and he's just put out his debut comedy album, The Chronicles of Federman . A box set of three CDs (also available digitally) that spans his 30 plus years of unique, killer stand-up.  Judd Apatow, who writes the liner notes, says "Epic, hilarious, inspired and whimsical." And Mr. Apatow goes on and on. Oh, and I must reveal, Wayne is also m...

Commercial helmer Mike Bigelow started out as a motion animator and VFX technical director working on prestigious films like "The Abyss" and "Total Recall" before directing hundreds of commercials. We chat about our mutual love of doing as much in camera as possible, how comedy plays best in a wider shot, and we engage in a little tech talk. Mike is a gentleman and his sly humor makes for a great...

Josh Forbes is a funny commercial director, whimsical music video director and helmer of the horror hit "Contracted: Phase II". We chat about the differences among his many disciplines of filmmaking. He also tells the tale of being nominated for Best Rock Video Of The Year for "Shut Up And Dance" by Walk The Moon at this year's MTV Video Music Awards. Yet oddly, the filmmaker was not invited to th...

I'm shooting in Toronto and Montreal, so it's just me talking about the process of getting work up here, in my experience. Helen is vacationing in Barbados and will return soon. Great guests lined up for Fall. And my Bootcamp was a huge hit!! Bravo to the filmmakers that attended. Thank you, Jordan

I discovered Scott McMahon's Film Trooper Podcast  through his tweets, and found the information he provides to be such a valuable part of my toolkit. He also retweets the best film related articles. We chat about his beginnings in the video game industry, and how that lead to him making a $500 feature film called,  "The Cube". He also produces Film Trooper presents "Film Marketing Fridays", which...

What a treat to sit down and chat with Director Andrew Laurich . The man makes inventive music videos, killer commercials and his latest short film, "A Reasonable Request" has been ripping up the festival circuit. Discover how Andrew started in the vault making reels, then shot second unit with Stacy Peralta in Alaska, which then lead to a gig at the helm. Click here  to see the short, but do not...

For the last 10 years or so, Cinematographer Mateo Londono and I have made dozens of great spots together. Sometimes, we barely talk on set, and instead smile in agreement. After all, we've worked everything out ahead of time, so the shoot day is about executing that plan, and I am free to focus on performances while Mateo captures it. We talk about how style is informed by the creative, of course...

Jack Plotnick 's philosophy towards creativity is so spiritually aligned with my own, that I think we might have been separated at birth. I've directed Jack in a few commercials, marveled at his acting chops in films like "Meet The Fockers", "Rubber" and "Gods And Monsters". Then I discovered his directorial debut, the feature film "Space Station 76". Jack and I chat about creating one's own conte...

Steve Chavez, Chief Creative Officer Leo Burnett Detroit, believes that when you focus on the work, the awards and accolades will follow. Talk about respecting the process. We chat about tighter deadlines, fully developing the idea and what he looks for in hiring a director. And so much more. I've shot with Steve before and got the work with him and his team this year for the United Way. I've post...

Writer/Director/Comedian Bobcat Goldthwait returns to the podcast with legendary Boston comedian Barry Crimmins to talk about their beautiful, haunting and healing documentary "Call Me Lucky" .  The film opens August 7th and you need to see it.  We talk about their decades-long friendship and the responsibility Barry felt to speak out against child sexual abuse, after dealing with his being raped...

Today was extraordinarily heartfelt. I woke up in a funk. It happens. After 8 straight weeks of prep, shooting and working with editors, I caught that Post Shoot Depression. Then we took the train downtown to USC, home of this year's Special Olympics. The happiness I witnessed lifted my spirits. And seeing my wife's documentary play as a part of the events reminded me that as filmmakers, we have a...

I overheard Don Starnes  talking on the cellphone outside a Starbucks. Afterwards, I asked if he was in filmmaking, because he gave off that filmmaker's stench. We struck up a conversation, which made it a must to have Don on the show. This episode is heavy on cinema theory, the process, tech talk and gets as specific as what motivates a shot. My favorite rule is "all questions will be answered by...

One of my favorite Line Producers and people is Rick Cowan.  He's produced many spots that I've directed and he's always provided everything needed and more. He's one of the most knowledgable filmmakers out there, having made three feature films as well. Two of the them have made it to the Sundance Film Festival. Rick was there on set when I started using the term "Respect The Process" repeatedly,...

Filmmaker Steve Stockman  is a successful director, producer and now author. His show "Brew Dogs" is a hit on Esquire TV, he's shot a few hundred commercials, and wrote and directed the feature film "Two Weeks" starring Oscar winner Sally Fields. Steve stresses that we're working in a portfolio business, so he encourages filmmakers at all levels to get out and shoot. He breaks down a "How to" form...

Senior Producer James Introcaso and I sat down immediately after a successful shoot of our Nat Geo WILD promo for SharkFest. Not SharkWeek, that is totally different. Nat Geo's Sr. VP/Group Creative Director Andy Baker offers the companion piece to this episode over at Andy's The Client Blog , so be sure to check that out. James and I discuss collaboration, ad-libbing and the process of developing...

Adam Goldberg' s new film "No Way Jose"  is available July 7th on DVD and Digital HD from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Just pre-order now, darn it! It's a very funny "coming of middle-age" film starring Adam Goldberg, who is one of my favorite actors and filmmakers. Adam co-wrote, directed and stars in this wonderful comedy. He also performs original songs and edited the movie. We chat about...

Filmmaker Dan Mirvish  makes great movies, and you've got just a few days left to support his latest film, "Bernard and Huey" . Click now here  to support Dan's Kickstarter, then come back and enjoy our talk. We chat about how they came to create Slamdance and the talented alumni of the festival (see: Tres Parker & Matt Stone, Jordan Brady, Christopher Nolan), how he resurrected an Oscar categ...

I've shot a few campaigns birthed by Aaron Cathey over the years. He's funny, prolific and a smart writer of adverting. He most recently won a Dannes Gold Lion  for his work on Hotels.com  while at Crispin Porter+Bogusky. Aaron is now back at one of my favorite agencies, Barkley.  Aaron and I indulge in enjoyable recollections of past gigs, and you'll love learning from the agency perspective how...

As a longtime Colin Quinn fan, an algorithm brought me to "Cop Show" , a funny behind the scenes spoof of a fake cop drama. Being hilarious and right up my comedy alley, I sought out the show's producer/director, Mr. J.D. Amato . J.D. and I kick off with some pre-interview tech talk, discuss comedic character traits and he explains his "passion over logic" theory. Great stuff.  I've posted a few "...