The No Film School Podcast

Unfortunately it seems that many filmmakers are holding back from making comedy films. Comedy is a necessary genre and thankfully we still have some filmmakers who are producing hilarious films that meet audience needs. John Hamburg, from Meet the Parents and Zoolander, shares his process for creating great comedies.  In this episode, we talk about… Me Time, John’s latest film that is now availabl...

Do you think the success of a film should be measured on how many markets it reaches and how much money it generates? The average filmmaker needs to remember that they do not have to appeal to everyone in order to be successful.  In this episode, we talk about… MoviePass returning with tiered platform prices  How you can watch ads to earn movie credits by allowing the app to track your eye movemen...

Filmmaker, actor, & writer Cherien Dabis shares how navigating clashing cultures and embracing multiple perspectives expanded her voice and helped grow her career…    In this episode, we talk about… How dangerous stereotypes inspired Cherien to become a storyteller  Embracing the outsider perspective in both Arab and American cultures  Transitioning from festivals to working with comedy legends  ...

Reacting to Sydney Sweeney’s hot take about income struggles…shedding light on the litany of inequalities of the film industry, and tech news about Aputure’s latest tube lighting… In this episode, we talk about… Context of Sydney Sweeney’s life and making rich people problems relative   How residual payouts for actors has changed due to streaming    Recognizing the impact of wealth and family conn...

Purple Hearts director Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum reflects on her journey from underexposed dailies in film school to directing a Netflix feature that has come under heavy fire for it's political stance. In this episode, we talk about… The necessity of being a student of film in every way possible Creating a sense of scarcity and leveraging lunchtime screenings  Befriending TA gatekeepers and findi...

Will bots get an unreleased cut of “Bat Girl”? Can women even pay attention to a TV show? A moment of silence for HBO Max employees…and why you need to see the movie “Nope”... In this episode, we talk about… Merger-specific math and tax benefits of not releasing “Bat Girl” A sexist breakdown of viewership for HBO Max vs. Discovery Plus What the merger means for the future of HBO Max and the people...

“Nope” Editor Nicholas Monsour sheds light on cutting scenes with Jordan Peele and finding the balance between ambiguity and intention…        In this episode, we talk about… Communicating with Jordan Peele without breaking the bubble of what he’s creating  Approaching a script both intuitively and analytically as an editor  Creating intentional perspectives and a specific language for the film  W...

How do you maintain perspective as an editor? Can you really do nothing to get ahead? Have you experienced the runner’s high of editing? Plus DaVinci Resolve 18 and killer new cloud tools…     In this episode, we talk about… What editorial perspective entails and the emotional rollercoaster of editing Suggestions for gut-checking yourself in the editing process Recognizing if you’re truly listenin...

Filmmakers creating trolly news cycles and buying bots to gain online attention… Hollywood myth about keeping your project a secret to prevent it from being stolen... latest cloud storage tools by Blackmagic. In this episode, we talk about… The phenomenon of creating a trolley news cycle by filmmakers Filmmakers are buying bots to gain attention on social media Soft skills you can develop to be a...

Cinematographer Bianca Cline explains how she shot the feature film Marcel The Shell With His Shoes On which is now playing in theaters. In this episode, we talk about… The necessities that stop motion needs Using a rotating camera around the subject Incorporating stop motion into a live-action movie Creating a visual language for the movie The idea behind making the documentary more cinematic An...

Filmmakers trolling in the attention economy, Steven Spielberg’s music video debut…AI art and whether a true craftsperson or artist will always beat out a machine?  In this episode, we talk about… Russo brother’s trolly comments and the benefits of trolling   Importance of marketing, calling cards, and making a name for yourself   Challenge of launching new IP or a new multiverse  How losing a pro...

Does Taika Waititi really believe director’s cuts are stupid? Working conditions of VFX teams for Marvel movies…a possible replacement for VFX work, viral shorts turning into features, ARRI’s latest release and more…    In this episode, we talk about… Whether director cuts are worthless or worth releasing   The impact of CGI on digital post-production How VFX removes limitations while creating inf...

Editors Jonathan Redmond and Matt Villa and DP Mandy Walker share how they helped create the dizzying and epic Elvis through the vision of Baz Luhrman. Elvis is in theaters now! In this episode, we talk about… Determining what to include and scratching Baz Luhrman’s itch Why Baz Luhrman considers biopic a dirty word  Visually contextualizing what influenced Elvis’ music without dialogue Using orig...

Plus we talk about comments from Tom Cruise and James Cameron In this episode, we talk about… How much Tom Cruise and the film industry has changed from the first Top Gun movie to Maverick The problem with long climaxes thanks to Michael Bay and Christopher Nolan  Creating a story worth telling vs. destroying every last fiber of a franchise Scientology is still bad but at least Maverick has age-ap...

Screenwriter Heidi Lux talks about how having a random crush at 30 turned into a YA movie…  In this episode, we talk about… Heidi’s journey from Polish immigrant family trauma to writing jokes for a living Why it’s better to write for a herpes commercial vs. star in a herpes commercial Listening to yourself and understanding the power of failure  Heidi’s writing experience and strong base in satir...

This week we discuss the Supreme Court's decision to repeal the Roe Wade decision, recent tech news, and we answer a question about finding your first on-set experiences. In this episode, we talk about… Impact of the Supreme Court's decision on Roe v. Wade on the entertainment community  A look at how abortion affects men Making abortion a topic that is open and accessible so that it isn't stigmat...

Sophie Hyde, director of the movie Good Luck to You Leo Grande, talks about her career, filmmaking in various aspects, and how good performances can impact the success and lifespan of a movie. Good Luck to You Leo Grande is an actor dominant movie, with most of its scenes focusing on two characters. It is available to stream on Hulu. In this episode, we talk about… What inspired Sophie to start a...

Serving a higher purpose as a filmmaker…the struggles of imposter syndrome and the Bradley Cooper fan club…DJI’s new releases and radar stuff…films and events relevant to Juneteenth…  In this episode, we talk about… Whether we are “living in a tiresome, lame commercial culture of filmmaking”  Making art for something bigger than yourself, your voice, your ego Recognizing imposter syndrome and how...

Director Jeremiah Zagar, who directed the Netflix movie Hustle, shares many valuable filmmaking lessons and how he made a phenomenal movie with people who had never acted before. In this episode, we talk about… Making an independent art film with a sports story The freedom and possibilities he got while shooting with real basketball players The idea of evolving the narrative direction through each...

Why safety matters on set…cutting through the glut of streaming content constantly available…the highs and lows of crypto in Hollywood…and unique lenses featured at Cine Gear…   In this episode, we talk about… Sarah Polley’s traumatic experience with director Terry Gilliam  The importance of safety on set and holding people accountable for safety  Culture shift around humane leadership and psychol...

Editor Eddie Hamilton tells us about cutting Top Gun: Maverick, building his career, and working with Tom Cruise. In this episode, we talk about… Making the jump from editing shorts to major blockbuster films  Advice for setting your bar high and doing the best work you can possibly do    Ultimate escapism and which movie made Eddie fall in love with the film industry  Whether shooting IMAX footag...

When should you use a contract? Do you know what a deal memo is and how to use one? Tech news about Apple’s M2 processor and words of wisdom for a young filmmaker we wish we’d known 20 years ago…    In this episode, we talk about… Elon Musk’s latest news stunt and who really benefits from contracts  Where ownership by default lies vs. “work for hire”   Differences between contracts vs. deal memos...

Next Exit’s director Mali Elfman recalls the journey of bringing her directorial debut to fruition during the height of the pandemic and how sometimes you have to embrace fear and failure to experience success…  In this episode, we talk about… Taking a film to production after 10 years in development The beauty of creating a film crew pod during the pandemic   Juggling the triple threat of being a...

What business does the Pentagon have in films? Are filmmakers and film-watchers truly aware of the message they are sending and receiving? Plus details about ARRI’s Alexa 35 and first new sensor in 14 years and Fuji’s new digital camera…  In this episode, we talk about… Recognizing the glorification of violence in America vs. the rest of the world  Acknowledging the need for hierarchy in filmmakin...

Dances With Films founders Leslee Scallon and Michael Trent join us to discuss the festival's 25 year anniversary, its history and selection process, and how they keep it a festival for filmmakers by filmmakers… In this episode, we talk about… What led Michael and Leslee to found the Dances With Films Festival  Orion’s cease and desist letter and “Festival of the Unknowns”  Creating a sustainable...