Soldiers of Cinema Podcast

The podcast’s horizons expand! We move beyond the discussion of Herzog to discuss other filmmakers. In this episode, we take a look at Spielberg’s first feature, the made-for-tv thriller Duel, and compare and contrast that work with what we consider Spielberg’s quintessential film, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Socials Facebook Twitter Instagram

We discuss our personal experiences with cinema in general. We share stories and discuss where our love for film come from, early film inspirations, and when we were first exposed to Herzog and what his films meant to us in our formative years. Socials Facebook Twitter Instagram

We explore Herzog's 2006 film, Rescue Dawn, starring Christian Bale. This is the second part of our examination of Herzog's films about Dieter Dengler - a German-born United States Navy aviator during the Vietnam War and friend of Herzog's. Socials Facebook Twitter Instagram

In this episode we discuss Herzog’s 1997, Little Dieter Needs to Fly. , a documentary about German-American pilot Dieter Dengler’s extraordinary experiences and escape as a POW in Vietnam. Herzog would later go on to direct a narrative feature, Rescue Dawn, starring Christian Bale, about the same subject. Socials Facebook Twitter Instagram

In this episode we discuss Herzog’s 1999 documentary, My Best Fiend. Herzog explores his love/hate relationship with infamous actor Klaus Kinski and what that relationship might say about himself, filmmaking, and the human condition in general. Socials Facebook Twitter Instagram

We dive into Herzog’s masterpiece of documentary filmmaking, his 2005 film, Grizzly man. Using footage shot by Timothy Treadwell as well as newly-shot interview footage of those who knew Treadwell, Herzog presents yet another window through which to peer into the Human Condition. Treadwell lived among grizzly bears for 12 seasons in a national park in Alaska before being attacked and killed by one...

We discuss the themes, technical aspects, and the stories behind the making of Nosferatu the Vampyre, (1979). We dig into Herzog’s homage to Murnau’s 1922 Nosferatu. Socials Facebook Twitter Instagram

We discuss the themes and technical aspects of Family Romance, LLC. (2019), Herzog’s narrative film that stars the real-life owner of a Japanese company that offers family and friends for rent. Socials Facebook Twitter Instagram

We discuss Herzog’s film, Nomad: In the Footsteps of Bruce Chatwin (2019) - We discuss the themes Herzog explores as well as the technical aspects of Herzog’s fantastic film about Herzog’s friend and the importance of traveling on foot. Socials Facebook Twitter Instagram

We discuss Herzog’s Masterclass Lesson 24 & 25 - Career Strategy & Life as a Filmmaker. Short films can be your film school. Take initiative! Handling rejection (of which you will receive a lot) . Specificity in your career goals is vital. Thinking long term. Making what you want and ignoring the rest. Keeping your curiosity awake. Experiencing the essential moments. You are alone and all...

We discuss Herzog’s Masterclass Lesson 22 & 23 - Dealing with Human Beings and Truth in Nonfiction. There are no clear rules, but you must know yours and respect ethical boundaries. Being exploitive isn’t generally ethical and it doesn’t make for good film anyway when it comes to documentaries. Getting to the heart of people quickly - learning how and when to push your subject - never forget t...

We discuss Herzog’s Masterclass Lesson 20 & 21 - Documentary Filmmaking: Making the Conversation & Eliciting Difficult Stories. It’s not a interview, it’s a conversation! We aren’t journalists, so don’t act like one. We discuss conversation strategies. Knowing your subjects’ hearts, making your subjects human, managing your own emotions while remaining present and engaged, getting to the h...

We discuss Herzog’s Masterclass Lesson 18 & 19 - Invaded By Images. How to choose subjects for films? Ideas are like invaders who come to you in the middle of the night! The importance of traveling on foot - both literally and figuratively. When you are grabbed by an idea - be sure to capture it - but how? Keep opened to the unplanned. Let ideas come to you in unexpected ways. Gather your idea...

We discuss Herzog’s Masterclass Lesson 17 - Editing. Be careful not to force your intentions on your footage, consider it as if you hadn't shot it - what is it trying to tell you? Watch less and remember more - use a log book to make notes as you watch your footage the first time, don't ignore takes (you never know) and don't make yourself numb to the footage by watching it over and over. Be ruthl...

We discuss Herzog’s Masterclass Lesson 16 - Music. In this episode, we discuss Herzog's always fascinating usage of music in film and what we can learn from him for our own films. We discuss how emusic informs our entire filmmaking process and offer suggestions on working with composers. Socials Facebook Twitter Instagram

We discuss Herzog’s Masterclass Lesson 15 - Sound. Learn from Herzog's mistakes (her couldn't show his first few films to an audience the sound was so bad). Take the time to learn the basics. Be sure to have sound in mind when location scouting. ADR vs. Location sound. Foley. Thinking of sound like a special effect. Diegetic vs. extradiegetic. Going above just the competent recording of sound and...

We discuss Herzog’s Masterclass Lesson 14 - Working with Actors on Set. There are no stars on set, but whoever is front of the camera is royalty - even extras. To rehearse or not? And what do we mean by rehearsal. Be careful of too many takes. Do acting classes hurt an actor? Herzog claims yes, we argue only in the beginning. Socials Facebook Twitter Instagram

We discuss Herzog’s Masterclass Lesson 13 - Working with Actors, Creating the Character. We discuss the importance of selecting the right actor, understanding chemistry, and knowing the hearts of others. We have a lively debate on Herzog's philosophy that all that matters is what ends up on screen. "Everybody has the same chance in front o the camera!" Socials Facebook Twitter Instagram

We discuss Herzog’s Masterclass Lesson 12 - Camera Techniques and spatial orientation. Your audience must be able to orient the action and characters We on screen! What's the 180 rule? Ever hear of the Kinski Spiral or the Nazarian Walk? When is it okay to disorient your audience? Iguanas!!! Socials Facebook Twitter Instagram

We discuss Herzog’s Masterclass Lesson 11 - Cinematography. It's not the gear - it's you! We discuss getting caught up in thinking you need the latest and greatest gear, using (or not using) zoom lenses, favoring momentum over style, and the idea that maybe you shouldn't worry too much conceptually about your aesthetic and trust that it's there inside you and will come out in full if you just let...

We discuss Herzog’s Masterclass Lesson 10 - Shooting Strategies. Are storyboard the ”instruments of cowards?” How does Herzog keeps his cast and crew on edge (in a good way)? Coverage - how much to shoot? Is is smart insurance or a procrastination of artistic decision? Above all - we discuss Herzog’s strategies for collecting the remarkable, not garbage. Socials Facebook Twitter Instagram

We discuss Herzog’s Masterclass Lesson nine - Set Rules. Cullen and Clark discuss Herzog's on-set philosophies including set organization, one camera vs. multi-camera shoots, using a video-village, crew size, cell phones on set, working with a sense of urgency, and being the buffer between your actors and the hustle and bustle of the crew. Socials Facebook Twitter Instagram

We discuss Herzog’s Masterclass Lesson eight - Leading the Platoon. Cullen and Clark discuss Herzog's views on being an effective leader and director. We compare and contrast to our own experiences. We mull over the importance of developing a working knowledge of every areas of filmmaking - including acting, how to use catastrophes to your advantage dealing with the unexpected, and how your charac...

We discuss Herzog’s Masterclass Lesson seven - Locations. Don’t underestimate the importance of locations for a film. We discuss the impact of locations in Herzog’s films, shooting permits and stealing shots. Clark discusses his experience completing the 100 mile walk exercise from the class and Cullen shares some stories about his shoot in Iceland. Socials Facebook Twitter Instagram

We discuss Herzog’s Masterclass Lesson 6 - Negotiation Skills. We discuss Herzog's views on attorneys, contracts and negotiations from the perspectives of hiring on to a project or hiring others on to yours. Socials Facebook Twitter Instagram