The No Film School Podcast

This year No Film School hosted an alumni party at Sundance, and it was amazing to see the community come together in person. The connections made at the party truly embody the ethos behind No Film School - accessibility, humility, and vulnerability.  In today’s episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins, Ryan Koo, and Jo Light discuss:  The amazing energy in the room at the No Film School Alumni Party...

Amrou Al-Kadhi is the Writer-Director of Layla, a story that explores the conflict between desire and identity. The film stars actor Bilal Hasna who plays Layla, a London drag queen, and actor Louis Greatorex, who plays Max, the love interest. The film premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. In today’s episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins, speaks with Amrou Al-Kadhi, Bilal Hasna, and Louis G...

It’s that time of year again! The time of year we get to meet emerging filmmakers and watch their creative, original, risk-taking films at the Sundance Film Festival. Not only are we networking and enjoying amazing films, but we are bringing some fun surprises to the festival this year.  In today’s episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins, Ryan Koo, and Jo Light discuss:  Why the Sundance volunteers a...

Not all award-winning filmmakers planned for a career in film when they were younger. Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite found her love of film in her thirties, and has since directed films such as Blackfish, Our Friend, and many others. She recently directed I.S.S., a high-stakes thriller set in the International Space Station, which will be released in theaters on Jan 19.  In today’s episode, No Fi...

It’s a given that there will be a series of both highs and lows when you work in film. While the lows can feel brutal, it’s important to remember that they don’t last forever. More often than not, these low moments end up becoming powerful lessons that make us stronger filmmakers in the long run.  In today’s episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins and Jason Hellerman discuss: Some of our lowest momen...

If you want to network, grow, and succeed as a filmmaker, you have to learn to get comfortable talking about your work. Luckily there are programs, like the Moonshot Initiative, which help emerging filmmakers successfully pitch their projects without feeling confused or afraid. In today’s episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins speaks with nonprofit founders, Tracy Sayre and Katrina Medoff, to discus...

If you are a beginner filmmaker who is afraid to receive feedback on your work, you may find you are operating within a bubble. Feedback is such a critical part of the process of becoming a better storyteller. We invite you to get out of that bubble and practice asking for and receiving feedback like a professional. In today’s episode, No Film School’s Charles Haine, GG Hawkins, and Jason Hellerma...

Lately, we keep hearing the advice to grab an iPhone and just start shooting a movie. Well, that’s exactly what the team behind The Mountain Murder Tapes did. Not only was filming very simple, but they kept post-production really scrappy and distributed their project on TikTok! In today’s episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins speaks with Jacob Seltzer, Benjy Steinberg, and Spencer Levin to discuss:...

Are you planning on making any new year's resolutions for 2024? Maybe you want to integrate more positive practices into your life? Are there any habits that are hurting you, that you want to work on reducing? In today’s episode, No Film School’s Charles Haine, GG Hawkins, and Jason Hellerman discuss: Prioritizing your health by getting adequate sleep  Paying attention to the people we surround ou...

If you are a micro budget filmmaker, you may think your lack of money is holding you back from having the tools or resources you need. Instead of approaching your project from this limited mindset, we want to challenge you to view your “limitations” as an opportunity, not an obstacle. In today’s episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins speaks with director and podcast producer, Jeffrey Crane Graham to...

Breaking story is not easy. When it does finally happen, you feel so good you can’t help but walk around with your chin up in the air and your chest puffed out! Sounds amazing, right! So what does it take to get there? Let’s find out! In today’s episode, No Film School’s Charles Haine, GG Hawkins, Jason Hellerman, and director Kevin Taylor discuss: The satisfying moment that unlocks the whole stor...

Damien and Natalie LeVeck are the masterminds behind the film, A Creature Was Stirring. The film is a holiday horror that explores topics such as secrets, guilt, and mental illness. We had the honor of interviewing each filmmaker separately in the past. Now, this married duo is back to discuss all things production, including planning, shooting, and distributing. In today’s episode, No Film School...

Netflix delivered your Christmas gift early this year! For the first time ever, the platform just released all of its streaming data! This “data dump” is beneficial for many in the industry, and it seems we will be getting more of these gifts in the foreseeable future.  In today’s episode, No Film School’s Charles Haine, GG Hawkins, Jason Hellerman, Ryan Koo and writer Amanda Barnes discuss: The s...

Ira Rosensweig is the director and editor of Share?, a science fiction thriller that was shot entirely from one fixed camera angle. This film will creep you out, but in a good way, as it prompts you to take an honest look at your relationship with social media. In today’s episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins speaks with director and editor, Ira Rosensweig to discuss: The origin of the film and wha...

Wow! It’s wild to think that we have reached 700 episodes of the No Film School Podcast! We feel so honored to share filmmaking knowledge with passionate filmmakers, through these weekly conversations.  In today’s episode, No Film School’s Charles Haine, GG Hawkins, and Jason Hellerman discuss: What we have learned over the last 7 years of this podcast Asking the questions we wish we had the answe...

When we watch documentaries, we often don’t think about how these films can leave a lasting impact on the lives of the participants. Not only do the films affect their reputation, but they can affect their businesses, relationships, and mental health. In this unprecedented era of documentary filmmaking, it’s time we take a serious look at the effects these films have on the lives of the subjects....

Networking…do you have to do it? Yes. Is it awful? No. It doesn’t have to be. It’s actually much easier than you realize! In today’s episode, No Film School’s Charles Haine, GG Hawkins, and Jason Hellerman discuss: Networking - it doesn’t happen at networking events Pacing the amount of alcohol you drink while networking Some great go-to questions you can ask others Connecting with others outside...

Samy Burch is the writer of May December, a story about a married couple who buckles under pressure when an actress arrives to do research for a film about their past. This complicated and sensitive story truly captivates the power of what is not being said. In today’s episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins speaks with screenwriter Samy Burch to discuss: Spending time in audition rooms as the daught...

As an actor, will knowing the ins and outs of cinematography enhance your performance? What’s the best way to go about hiring your post-production team? How do you give honest feedback without ruining your reputation? In today’s episode, No Film School’s Charles Haine, GG Hawkins, and Jason Hellerman discuss: Warmup actors versus burnout actors - what’s the difference The red camera setting named...

What does it feel like to finally finish your first feature? It’s difficult to explain the mix of emotions running through you. To quote the director of Hungry Dog Blues, it kind of feels like “finishing a marathon or coming out of a psychedelic drug trip.” In today’s episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins speaks with filmmakers Jason Abrams and Irina Gorovaia to discuss: The very unique experience...

It’s that time of year again. The time of year when we show the filmmakers in our lives how much we appreciate them, with practical gifts that will improve their filmmaking journey.  In today’s episode, No Film School’s Charles Haine, GG Hawkins, and Jason Hellerman discuss: Pulling out a new set of pens for your new project - it’s so satisfying Using a notebook versus using your phone Reading “A...

To improve your filmmaking, you have to just go out there and shoot with whatever you have, even if all you have is an iPhone. This advice comes from prolific cinematographer Robert Yeoman, who is joining us on the podcast for a second time.  In today’s episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins speaks with DP Robert Yeoman and DP Ryan Thomas to discuss: When Robert first met Director Wes Anderson and w...

“As Hollywood changes post-strike, the only surefire way in the door is to have something great people are excited to make.” If you are a writer looking to break into the industry, you need to know how to write a great script that producers actually want to read. In today’s episode, No Film School’s Jason Hellerman speaks with acquisition executive and script consultant, Evan Littman, to discuss:...

Have you considered submitting an application for a development program or a writer’s lab, but you don’t know where to start? You’re unsure what you should include in your application, and you don’t know what to expect if you do get accepted.  In today’s episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins speaks with the Director of Artist Programs at Tribeca Studios, Bryce Norbitz, to discuss: Artist developmen...

What’s the most effective way filmmakers can explain what they do, to people who don’t understand the industry? How do you argue against the notion that “film is not a real industry?” What’s the best way to approach a film course, so you can get the most out of it? In today’s episode, No Film School’s Charles Haine, GG Hawkins, and Jason Hellerman discuss: Educating your family on what it takes to...