Log in

goodpods headphones icon

To access all our features

Open the Goodpods app
Close icon
headphones
The No Film School Podcast

The No Film School Podcast

No Film School

Star filled black icon

5.0

(1)

A podcast about how to build a career in filmmaking. No Film School shares the latest opportunities and trends for anyone working in film and TV. We break news on cameras, lighting, and apps. We interview leaders in screenwriting, directing, cinematography, editing, and producing. And we answer your questions! We are dedicated to sharing knowledge with filmmakers around the globe, “no film school” required.
profile image
profile image
profile image

3 Listeners

Star filled black icon

5.0

(1)

bookmark
Share icon

All episodes

Best episodes

Top 10 The No Film School Podcast Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best The No Film School Podcast episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to The No Film School Podcast for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite The No Film School Podcast episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

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 of making your first film
  • The magical sense of community on an indie set
  • How the film was inspired by a true story
  • Why people prefer to work on a project that already has momentum
  • Launching a crowdfunding campaign right before the pandemic started
  • How the proof of concept made a huge impact on their fundraising efforts
  • Why frequently following up with investors is so important
  • The practice of not taking things personally
  • Why it’s a win if people hate your movie
  • Understanding you have to wear a lot of hats on your first film
  • Learning to enjoy every little part of the filmmaking process

Memorable Quotes

  • “It’s a very unique process to take something through, from nothing to something.” [4:52]
  • “Everybody wants to be on a moving train. Nobody wants to shovel coal.” [12:16]
  • “It’s not your job to say ‘no’ for other people.” [30:39]
  • “Slow down. Take your time. Enjoy every little piece of it. Learn to enjoy every little piece of the filmmaking process.” [58:04]
  • “You can create just for the sake of creating. Just because you have a story to tell. That’s allowed, too.” [61:57]

Mentioned:

Hungry Dog Blues

Irina's Instagram

Hungry Dog Blues Instagram

Jason's Instagram

Variations on a Theme (YouTube channel)

Resources they used:

Producing

Film Budget Template

Line Producer Tips

Successful Crowdfunding Campaigns

Entertainment Lawyer Help Filmmakers

Creative

Breaking the Fourth Wall

The Art of Suspense

Jumping from Short to Feature

Find No Film School everywhere:

On the Web

https://nofilmschool.com/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschool

Twitter

https://twitter.com/nofilmschool

YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschool

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/nofilmschool

Send us an email with questions or feedback: [email protected]!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

profile image
profile image
profile image

3 Listeners

bookmark
plus icon
share episode
The No Film School Podcast - Yes, You Can Still Do This... and Audiences Need You to!
play

08/30/22 • 37 min

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 available on Netflix
  • John’s opinion on why there are less comedies on the big screen
  • Finding out what needs improvement by the feedback given in test screenings
  • John’s experience writing for Meet the Parents and Zoolander
  • Plot based comedies versus joke based comedies and which strategy John implements in his films
  • Why John never directs actors to “be funny”
  • The first step to writing a comedy film - Developing a character

Find No Film School everywhere:

On the Web

https://nofilmschool.com/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschool

Twitter

https://twitter.com/nofilmschool

YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschool

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/nofilmschool

Get your questions answered on the podcast by emailing [email protected]!

Vist https://nordvpn.com/nofilmschool

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

profile image
profile image

2 Listeners

bookmark
plus icon
share episode

Every year at Sundance, we aim to speak with indie filmmaking teams who have collaborated on some of our favorite movies. Learning from these successful collaborations can help us in our own future projects. Let’s take a look at the collaboration between filmmakers Francesca Silvestri and Laura Chinn, and how their undeniable chemistry helped them in the production of the film, Suncoast.

In today’s episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins, speaks with Francesca Silvestri and Laura Chinn to discuss:

  • Feeling both nervous and excited for the wide release of the film
  • Not having to sell the film at Sundance
  • Never taking no for an answer
  • What Laura and Francesca love about working together
  • Challenges with shooting in certain locations
  • Tapping into the 2000s nostalgia without overdoing it
  • Seeing younger casts at Sundance this year
  • Being at shocked at how many writers don’t write
  • Trusting that feedback is constructive and helpful
  • Why self-development is so helpful for filmmakers

Memorable Quotes

  • “There are so many that have come into my life, that I will never work with again after this experience.” [6:36]
  • “The 2000s in my opinion were not inherently cool.” [10:54]
  • “When they tell you it’s bad and they give you a bunch of notes, cry hard and then move on.” [17:28]
  • “When you do write, you do get better at it. When you do listen to other people’s feedback, you get better at it.” [17:40]
  • “Work on you man, because everything will get better. Everything will get easier. Writing, directing, producing, whatever it is.” [20:53]

Mentioned:

Suncoast - Streaming on Hulu, Feb 9, 2024

Find No Film School everywhere:

On the Web

https://nofilmschool.com/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschool

Twitter

https://twitter.com/nofilmschool

YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschool

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/nofilmschool

Send us an email with questions or feedback: [email protected]!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

profile image

1 Listener

bookmark
plus icon
share episode
The No Film School Podcast - Golden Elevator to Indie Film? Plus, Rolling Calls
play

04/27/23 • 44 min

How can a truly independent film find success at the large film festivals? How does one manage to get well-known actors to star in your film? The answer is simple, yet takes effort. You need to get in the mix!

In today’s episode, No Film School’s Charles Haine and GG Hawkins discuss:

  • The truth about getting an indie feature made
  • Golden elevator films versus free-range films
  • Big actors starring in small, independent films
  • Hustling your network and constantly building connections
  • Thinking strategically about certain relationships you have in the industry
  • Learning how to accept “no” and still maintain a professional relationship
  • Steps an emerging producer should follow to grow their career
  • Rolling Calls - what are they?

Memorable Quotes

  • “Everybody that gets into Sundance knows each other.” [4:27]
  • “There are a lot of people who want to appear to be a filmmaker.” [26:06]
  • “I hate to say it, but it depends upon how big your bank account is.”[27:20]
  • “Rolling calls is an art and a science.” [35:33]

Mentioned Resources:

Mynette Louie on Mastodon

Filmmaker Magazine article

Episode with Matt Smuckler

How to Get a World-Famous Actor in your Short Film

SKYWATCH (a Sci-Fi Short Film)

Find No Film School everywhere:

On the Web

https://nofilmschool.com/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschool

Twitter

https://twitter.com/nofilmschool

YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschool

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/nofilmschool

Send us an email with questions or feedback: [email protected]!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

profile image

1 Listener

bookmark
plus icon
share episode

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’s GG Hawkins speaks with director Damien LeVeck and producer Natalie LeVeck to discuss:

  • Shooting a winter-themed film in the middle of a very hot summer
  • Using expensive, concert style lasers in the film
  • Surrounding yourself with a production team you trust
  • Saying “no” while trying to find a middle ground
  • Being married and working together - what is that like?
  • The biggest on set challenge that ended up working out for the better
  • How having editing experience can become a director’s super power
  • Why you should make your own press kit and what to include in it
  • Posting pictures before your film is purchased by a distributor
  • What makes this horror film unique

Memorable Quotes

  • “You really need to know what hills you will die on. And what sacrifices are you willing to make.” [6:31]
  • “Making any independent film is going to be harder than pretty much anything you ever do in your life.” [12:44]
  • “Movies don’t want to be made.” [13:07]
  • “You’re not directing to find it in the edit. You’re directing to get the edit you have in your mind.” [19:48]
  • “The horror movie fans are some of the best fans out there.” [21:07]

Mentioned:

A Creature was Stirring

Natalie's LinkedIn

Natalie's on Instagram

Damien’s Instagram

Top Legal Mistakes Filmmakers Make and How To Avoid Them

Piloting Real-Time Post-Collab on Damien LeVeck’s Holiday Horror

Find No Film School everywhere:

On the Web

https://nofilmschool.com/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschool

Twitter

https://twitter.com/nofilmschool

YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschool

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/nofilmschool

Send us an email with questions or feedback: [email protected]!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

profile image

1 Listener

bookmark
plus icon
share episode
The No Film School Podcast - Adventures in Indie Filmmaking and Leveraging Famous Faces
play

10/19/23 • 56 min

How do you handle post set blues? How do you properly adapt something you don’t have the rights for? What can we all learn from Taylor Swift’s recent movie?

In today’s episode, No Film School’s Charles Haine, GG Hawkins, and Jason Hellerman discuss:

  • Shooting an indie film in panama - excitement, exhaustion, and mosquito bites
  • All the work involved after wrapping
  • The importance of screen acting and what’s involved
  • Being blown away by the commitment and generosity of the cast and crew
  • What we love about Taylor Swift’s newest film
  • Why film set people are the best
  • Adapting without the rights - is it worth it
  • Benefits to writing unlicensed biopics

Memorable Quotes

  • “This whole thing is greater than the sum of its parts.” [9:31]
  • “We need better sound proofing between the theaters please.” [34:15]
  • “You will lose to money. You will lose every time.” [50:52]

Find No Film School everywhere:

On the Web

https://nofilmschool.com/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschool

Twitter

https://twitter.com/nofilmschool

YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschool

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/nofilmschool

Send us an email with questions or feedback: [email protected]!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

profile image

1 Listener

bookmark
plus icon
share episode
The No Film School Podcast - An Indie Film Exec Unpacks The Post-Strike World
play

11/16/23 • 45 min

“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:

  • The difference between large studios and indie markets
  • How indie films are made
  • Why you should not submit a short
  • Castability - why you need to write roles for specific actors
  • The reasons you need representation as a writer
  • Why it’s a seller’s market right now if your script is ready and it’s a banger
  • Having a basic understanding of production costs
  • Log lines we don’t like
  • Carving out your own little corner of Hollywood

Memorable Quotes

  • “Horror is a great, communal, theatrical experience.” [9:12]
  • “I hope I’m not crushing anyone’s soul when I say, ‘nobody really cares about shorts.’” [13:09]
  • “The strikes are over, but that doesn’t mean it got easier. It means it got harder.” [15:56]
  • “Know how much your movie costs.” [27:16]
  • “Do not wait for everyone else to tell you ‘yes.’” [40:04]

Resources:

Get Made Consulting

How to Write a Logline

Read Evan’s No Film School articles

Find No Film School everywhere:

On the Web

https://nofilmschool.com/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschool

Twitter

https://twitter.com/nofilmschool

YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschool

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/nofilmschool

Send us an email with questions or feedback: [email protected]!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

profile image

1 Listener

bookmark
plus icon
share episode
The No Film School Podcast - What Indie Filmmakers Can Learn From ‘Indiana Jones’
play

07/13/23 • 48 min

What can we, as independent filmmakers, learn from movie franchises with big legacies? How is AI affecting the careers of writers and actors? What is the best way to properly insure film equipment in the event it gets stolen?

In today’s episode, No Film School’s Charles Haine and GG Hawkins discuss:

  • Box Office numbers for Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
  • The Blumhouse model versus the studio model
  • The lack of spark and zest in legacy films
  • Weird pacing in big studio movies that confuse us
  • Lessons indie filmmakers can take from the Indiana Jones franchise
  • The crazy TikTok “teenage filter”
  • Using AI to alter acting performances in post production
  • Why insuring your film gear is extremely important
  • Whether or not your homeowners policy will cover your film gear
  • Voluntary parting - is it considered theft or fraud

Memorable Quotes

  • “That 300 million dollar movie that you think is a safe bet, often isn’t.” [3:34]
  • “Writers and actors are facing huge, catastrophic changes based on A.I.” [29:42]
  • “Unity is everything here. Unity is the only thing we have to try and exert any power.” [31:39]

Resources:

Her Arts Lab in Italy

Asteroid City

Find No Film School everywhere:

On the Web

https://nofilmschool.com/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschool

Twitter

https://twitter.com/nofilmschool

YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschool

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/nofilmschool

Send us an email with questions or feedback: [email protected]!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

profile image

1 Listener

bookmark
plus icon
share episode
The No Film School Podcast - How To Sell Your TV Show Plus a Sundance Episodic Darling
play

06/29/23 • 90 min

So you have written a tv show that you want to sell, but how do you do it? How do you get people to become intrigued and vested in your idea? How much should you practice your pitch, and can you use gimmicks in the pitch meeting to grab attention?

In today’s episode, No Film School’s Charles Haine, GG Hawkins, Jason Hellerman and the team behind the show, Chanshi discuss:

  • Defining what an “If Come” is
  • Realizing that the showrunner must have past experience on other other tv shows
  • Answering the ‘why now’ and ‘why you’ in a pitch meeting
  • How to not feel icky when selling an idea
  • Evaluating agents and managers just like they evaluate you
  • Using unique gimmicks and stunts when pitching
  • Chanshi - a hilarious, heartfelt, yet dark tv show filmed in Israel
  • Why they didn’t write the main character as ‘more likable’
  • Difficulty casting American actors in Israel
  • What it was like having two directors on set for the show

Memorable Quotes

  • “Your excitement for the idea will be contagious.” [13:10]
  • “When you’re selling anything, you’re not just looking to sell it. You’re looking to find the right partner.” [14:02]
  • “You cannot practice your pitch enough.” [27:09]
  • “We both hated writing. That’s what brought us together.” [51:25]
  • “Finish on time or we’re going to shut your cameras off.” [60:00]

Resources:

Chanshi

Find No Film School everywhere:

On the Web

https://nofilmschool.com/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschool

Twitter

https://twitter.com/nofilmschool

YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschool

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/nofilmschool

Send us an email with questions or feedback: [email protected]!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

profile image

1 Listener

bookmark
plus icon
share episode

Making a film is a laborious task that requires dedication, passion, discipline, and inspiration. Seeing the success of other filmmakers, who are more often than not in the same position as us, is not only motivational but can be a guiding light for those making their first film.

In today’s episode, No Film School’s Yaroslav Altunin speak with multi-hyphenate creative Andrew Bowser to discuss:

  • How Andrew came up with the Onyx character
  • Starting his career as a child actor before becoming a writer and director
  • Questioning his original script after getting some harsh notes
  • Why having multi-hyphenate creatives work on the film was necessary
  • Working with VFX and puppets and the challenges that came with it
  • Discovering some continuity errors they didn’t catch in the final edit
  • Why Andrew likes a slower editing process
  • Not looking down on non traditional film platforms

Memorable Quotes

  • “It was this revelation. I felt like I had found something to pursue creatively.” [2:23]
  • “I was led to writing and directing purely out of a want for more control.” [5:39]
  • “On indies there's not a lot of time to explore.” [40:22]
  • “Editing for me is such slicing and splicing.” [48:19]

Resources:

Onyx, The Fortuitous, and The Talisman of Souls

Tickets to Onyx The Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls

https://www.fathomevents.com/events/Onyx-the-Fortuitous-and-the-Talisman-of-Souls/

Andrew’s YouTube Channel

https://www.youtube.com/@BowserVids

Find No Film School everywhere:

On the Web

https://nofilmschool.com/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschool

Twitter

https://twitter.com/nofilmschool

YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschool

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/nofilmschool

Send us an email with questions or feedback: [email protected]!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

profile image

1 Listener

bookmark
plus icon
share episode

Show more best episodes

Toggle view more icon

FAQ

How many episodes does The No Film School Podcast have?

The No Film School Podcast currently has 792 episodes available.

What topics does The No Film School Podcast cover?

The podcast is about Podcasts and Tv & Film.

What is the most popular episode on The No Film School Podcast?

The episode title '‘Hungry Dog Blues’ Filmmakers Share Secret to Indie Film (Good Follow Up)' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on The No Film School Podcast?

The average episode length on The No Film School Podcast is 47 minutes.

How often are episodes of The No Film School Podcast released?

Episodes of The No Film School Podcast are typically released every 3 days, 22 hours.

When was the first episode of The No Film School Podcast?

The first episode of The No Film School Podcast was released on Jun 16, 2016.

Show more FAQ

Toggle view more icon

Comments