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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The 2025 year-end Director's Panel is here! Each year, Matt and Oren have a little cocktail party with some of the past year's guests. It's a chance to reconnect and chat about what went well, what didn't, and what they're hopeful for in the coming year.
Carlyn Hudson, Jamaal Parham, and Mercedes Bryce Morgan participate in this first-ever, on-camera, live-to-tape panel. And if you've got questions about the impact of AI on Hollywood and the impact of how movies are getting funded on A-list talent, then this is an episode you won't want to miss!
Bringing together directors who have attended TIFF, worked with Jake Gyllenhaal, have films on Hulu, travel the globe, and know how to utilize the JOBS Act to fund films yields a diverse range of topics. And this crew talks about the need to do more with less, finding time to be creative, and further pushing the boundary of what's possible in an 8-hour shoot day. And yeah, AI is a big subject on everyone's minds. But is it really a threat? Or are we all whale hunters nearing extinction?
There's a lot of hope and ideas in this episode. Happy New Year, everyone!
Find Mercedes on IG @mercedesbrycemorgan or https://www.mercedesmorganfilm.com/
Find Carlyn on IG @carlynhudson
Find Jamaal on IG @jamaalparham and @jamsandbash
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Help our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/JustShootItPod
Matt's Endorsement: Fire extinguishers. AND, the fire department.
Oren's Endorsement: Download everything from your phone related to your work projects, weekly () or on some fixed schedule) so you can find it later. Also, James Cameron's interview on "The Town" podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/part-1-james-cameron-on-avatar-misconceptions-ais-skynet/id1612131897?i=1000738091636
Mercedes's Endorsement: Photoshop's Remove Tool (currently in Photoshop Beta version)
Kind of like Harmonize.ai (which adds shadows and reflections when you add objects to photos)
Carlyn's Endorsement; Send words of affirmation to people you appreciate.
Jamaal's Endorsement: Akari Sauna with 2 locations in Brooklyn, NY, Greenpoint and Williamsburg https://www.akarisauna.com/. And use saunas as your time to develop creative ideas. Also the book "The Genius of the System: Hollywood Filmmaking in the Studio Era" by Thomas Schatz https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780805046663/thegeniusofthesystem/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Bella Gonzales https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7543234/ brings a ton of insight about being a cinematographer on series like Pen 15, Fargo, Alien: Earth, and The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox.
It’s a really inspiring episode that made Oren want to pick up a camera and operate again. On the other hand, Bella is a self-described lighting-focused DP (Director of Photography). And her conversation with Matt and Oren details how her approach to cinematography enhances, and perhaps even creates, the world of the show more so than an operator-focused DP.
Bella also gets into the playbook for Fargo and the rules of the road that create its uniquely offbeat look. And Bella lays out how this makes audiences feel more like they are inside the story.
You won’t want to miss this unique episode with a cinematographer who passionately explains the techniques she uses in the art of her craft.
Find Bella on Instagram @bellagonzalesdp
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Help our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/JustShootItPod
Matt's Endorsement: Ethan Hawke on social media
Oren's Endorsement: a400 round base monopod https://www.ifootagegear.com/products/monopod-a400-roundbase
Bella's Endorsement: "The Duellists", movie by Ridley Scott https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075968
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Tony Yacenda https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2829241/ , the director from "Chad Powers", "Dave", "American Vandal", and a ton of commercials, joins Oren and Matt. And in this episode, Tony gives us a look into how he jumped like four levels to get his first big break on American Vandal.
Then Matt and Oren get Tony to share what it means to rebalance how you think about your role and what makes you an effective team player. Why? Because what you think is right can be a lot different on a show with higher network exposure and increased performance pressure. Wanna sneak-peak? Have the confidence to do your role really well, and care less about how it impacts other people's jobs. Without being an a**hole.
Finally, the three share strategies for being an artist who takes every note, without robotically being a yes-man and without sacrificing the cohesiveness of your creative vision. It's a great episode that may flip how you think about directing. And it just may help you skip levels in your career as a director.
Find Tony on Instagram @tyacenda
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Help our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/JustShootItPod
Matt's Endorsement: "Paddington 2", the movie https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4468740/ , Flavacol, flavoring for popcorn, and Wonder Boom bluetooth speaker https://www.ultimateears.com/en-us/shop/p/wonderboom-4
Oren's Endorsement: Genius Scan pdf scanning app https://help.geniusscan.com/ Also Premiere Pro has a one-click tool to object mask, in the Beta app.
Tony's Endorsment: "Going Dutch", the TV show on FOX. And watch it TV-TV, cable or antenna.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Commercial director NEDA joins Matt and Oren in their first-ever interview from Eastern Europe! NEDA talks about how she gets unique shots, even when working with kids. She shares how she balances freestyle with agency needs and discovers techniques to capture real moments where the kids are being real, and not pretending or acting.
Then Matt and Oren get her to explore what type of director can pull off a one-name brand, like NEDA. And the three explore what happens when your career reaches a point where it seems you get asked too often to do what you’re known for. It sounds like a good problem to have, but it can reach an extreme that limits your ability to expand your reel and grow as a creator.
You won’t want to miss this episode about getting unique shots, building your unique style, and having the freedom to keep updating your style as you grow your tastes and stay relevant to today’s trends and audiences.
You can find NEDA on IG @minka_jones
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Help our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/JustShootItPod
Matt's Endorsement: "Noir-vember", the film-noir watch-commitment for November
Oren's Endorsement: GifSki https://gif.ski/ gif maker
NEDA's Endorsement: "Twin Peaks", the original David Lynch TV series
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Simon Cellan Jones https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0148116 shares the story of his rise from the mailroom at BBC to become a director on "The Diplomat", "See", "Ballers", and "The Expanse".
Then Matt and Oren get Simon to share some tips for working with star talent, like Mark Wahlberg, on his latest film "Family Plan 2". What's the difference between how Mark comes to set compared to Jason Momoa? And what are the factors that go into deciding whether to use a Podcar or a process trailer? The guys get into a lot more, and you can't miss this episode.
The three wrap up with a chat about the gritty, cutting-edge films that came out of the 1970s. And they ask the question on everyone's mind: Will we soon see a new renaissance in cutting-edge filmmaking in the next year or two? Find out in this week's episode!
Find Simon on Instagram @simon.cellanjones
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Help our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/JustShootItPod
Come to our event! RSVP at https://events.justshootitpod.com/
Dec 10, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Lawless Brewing Co.
5275 Craner Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 91601
Matt's Endorsement: Use a warming tray / chafing dish and make hosting parties easier.
Oren's Endorsement: "Task" on HBO. "I Love LA" on HBO. And the Robinhood Gold Credit Card
Simon's Endorsement: Plant crocuses; yellow is great!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ben Semanoff https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1032608/ shares how he made the break from camera operator to director. Lots of people want to do the same and you might be one of them. So you'll want to hear Ben tell you the one simple question too many people forget to ask.
Matt and Oren also get Ben to open up about what makes a camera operator stand out. And the three talk about how Ben found himself in the unique position of being an irreplaceable crew member. And why that was a critical step to directing on Ozark, Stanger Things, and his newest show, Black Rabbit as well as long working relationship with Jason Bateman.
You won't want to miss Ben's thoughts on why you need to always bring ideas to set, what it means to shoot the show in prep, and how to decide where to put the lens.
Find Ben on Instagram @bsemanoff
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Help our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/JustShootItPod
Matt's Endorsement: The streaming service Peacock, because they feature Universal's old monster movies.
Oren's Endorsement: Actors, in your auditions, be sure to perform an action that brings to life the location and fits the character you're auditioning for. Maybe even add yourself a line before the scene starts.
Ben's Endorsement: Logitech G-Series Fits self-shaping, custom fit earbuds https://www.logitechg.com/en-sg/products/gaming-audio/fits-true-wireless-gaming-earbuds.985-001188.html And the book, "An Actor's Companion: Tools for the Working Actor" by Seth Barrish https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/169498881-an-actor-s-companion
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jonah Feingold https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3783212/ talks about connecting with your parasocial audience to create the films you want to make. And he shares why he got in front of the camera in his latest film, "31 Candles."
Matt and Oren get Jonah to talk about filming in New York and how a living city creates one-off opportunities that plus your scene. And the three chat about product placement and the real benefit filmmakers can get from YouTube.
You can connect with Jonah at jonahfeingold.nyc and on IG: @jonahfeingold
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Help our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/JustShootItPod
Matt's Endorsement: "They Came Together" w/ Amy Kohler and Paul Rudd https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2398249/
Oren's Endorsement: whisper.ai voice to text https://whisperai.com/
Jonah's Endorsement: "Broadcast News" https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092699/ . And do a silent take when on set.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Will Bridges https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2782297/ shares his method for making every meeting an opportunity. And he explains what he did that let him come from 10 years of working random jobs and trying to make shorts here and there, to becoming the newly discovered talent, suddenly writing for hit series like “Black Mirror” and “Stranger Things” as well as being a co-creator with Charlie Brooker.
Matt and Oren get Will to open up about what he learned from "Shaun of the Dead" and how those filmmakers pitched. And they break down the process of showing decision-makers a concept and the steps needed to get them to truly understand what it will look like, feel like, and clearly see the audiences it will resonate with.
If you're looking for ideas to improve how you direct actors, you too will get a lot from this episode. And Will goes into the secret of freeing up established actors to do their best work. And he's got some warnings about key mistakes many directors often make
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Help our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/JustShootItPod
Matt's Endorsement: "Paprika" https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0851578
Oren's Endorsement: Mike Birbiglia's "Working It Out" podcast https://www.podpage.com/mike-birbiglias-working-it-out/ and Za'atar spice https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Za'atar
Will's Endorsement: "Tumor", the graphic novel https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tumor_%28comics%29
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Matt and Oren celebrate 500 episodes! That's basically one episode per week without dropping a beat, not even on Thanksgivings, since 2015.
And while it's true "Just Shoot It" has changed a lot over the years. So too has the film & TV industry. It all started with a focus on auteur filmmaking. But the podcast took a definite shift towards commercial directing over the years.
And while both Matt and Oren have successful careers and get paid to actually do what they love doing, neither broke out in a way that made them lose touch with what it really means to make it in the film and TV industry. Through the ups and the downs, both for the industry as a whole and for their individual careers, they've ridden the same rollercoaster as you.
Matt talks about some dark times and how he made it through. And Oren and Matt both exchange techniques and ways of thinking that they picked up over the years to help them succeed faster. In the end, they wrote their own rules instead of waiting to "suddenly be discovered".
Sure, luck was involved, but in a lot of ways, they learned to help luck take root.
It's a real up-close look at where Matt and Oren are today in their careers, a look back at how they got there, and some introspection about what they might have done different.
You can't miss this episode if you're looking to find tips and tricks to make it in film or TV in 2025 and beyond.
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Help our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/JustShootItPod
Matt's Endorsement: Molegirl aka "Tunnel Girl" on TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@engineer.everything?lang=en
Oren's Endorsement: Adobe's Firefly Boards https://www.adobe.com/products/firefly/features/moodboard.html
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Seth Worley https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2124394/ made money selling tools for filmmakers. And Matt and Oren get him to talk about ways filmmakers can make side-income today. Can filmmakers make money selling plug-ins and stock footage? And if so, how?
But why make side-income as a filmmaker or working commercial director? Simply put: AI. And the guys get into a broader discussion how AI will change video and the impact AI will have in an already saturated marketplace of creatives. And they wrestle with tough questions like, what kind directors won't be replaced by AI?
Like a lot of filmmakers, Seth's real passion is making good work. And he gets into his 9-year journey to complete his latest film, "Sketch". Did it change his life completely? The short answer is no. But you'll want to hear how making his feature film transformed how he worked from Nashville as a commercial director.
This is the VFX episode you won't want to miss. And you’ll hear some great tips for making a Spielberg-reminiscent, Amblin-inspired movie for today's audiences.
Find Seth on IG @thesethworley
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Help our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/JustShootItPod
Matt's Endorsement: Evan Monsma's YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@EvanMonsma
Oren's Endorsement:
"Why You Should Shoot It Twice" from Frameset https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSrlQdtuLi0
The latest episode from the podcast "Lonely Island and Seth Meyers " https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/laser-cats-5/id1738121304?i=1000732778308
Edgar Wright on "Smartless" podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/edgar-wright/id1521578868?i=1000731238799
Seth's Endorsement: Sho Pizza Bar https://www.shopizzabar.com/
The album "Getting Killed" by the band Geese. https://geesebandnyc.bandcamp.com/album/getting-killed
The soundtrack from "It Follows" https://music.apple.com/us/album/it-follows-original-motion-picture-soundtrack-deluxe/1842890406
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
How do you define your voice as a director? John-Michael Powell https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3119508/ talks about his new film "Violent Ends" https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6902560 and the career journey that brought it to theaters.
When the entire faculty of his art college told him to give up on becoming an artist, John-Michael moved to Los Angeles. He landed his first job at Bunim-Murray Productions, spending nights watching VHS tapes of "The Real World" and transcribing every line of dialogue onto scraps of paper. By day, he lived in a garage in the Valley off the 405 and close to the edge of moving back home.
The better he became at editing TV segments with paper scraps thumb-tacked to a corkboard, the faster he spiraled towards mastering useless skills and boring stories about the way things were.
But John-Michael had a knack for finding building blocks in any situation. Even alone, the work fueled him. But he still didn't yet know why that mattered to him.
Soon things started taking shape: a Sundance award, editing a documentary on the Boston Marathon bombers, learning comedic timing from legend Jerry Zucker, and eventually an Emmy. Suddenly, he began seeing how the trajectory he was on, was nothing he imagined growing up in Arkansas.
Listen as John-Michael shares about his career. Why Arkansas is a big part. And how it's all about constant discovery. You're really going to enjoy seeing and feeling why he’s in love with building his voice as a director and uncovering the secrets that await.
Find him on Instagram: @johnmichael_powell
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Help our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/JustShootItPod
Matt's Endorsement: The cookbook "Let's Party", by Dan Pelosi https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/dan-pelosi/lets-party/9781454956785/
Oren's Endorsement: An interview with David Zucker on the podcast "How I Write: Hollywood Director Explains The 15 Rules of Comedy" https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/david-zucker-hollywood-director-explains-the-15-rules/id1700171470?i=1000715428218
John Michael's Endorsement: "A Dictionary of Color Combinations", by Sanzo Wada https://www.amazon.com/Dictionary-Color-Combinations-Various/dp/4861522471
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Maya ‘Mayachka’ Margolina https://mayachka.com/ talks about her work with luxury brands like Coach, Rihanna's Fenty, Mercedes Benz, and MCM and how she craft treatments that get her work. And she reveals her own struggle to avoid being derivative while acknowledging that everything is derivative, at least somehow.
In this episode, Oren and Matt unpack how Maya's unique cinematic form gets audiences to perceive brands in ways they never imagined. You might call it bridging the gap between a brand and a part of you brain that's from a completely different galaxy.
And though her unique perspective is mind-bending, much of her method is grounded in the same framework Matt and Oren have used in their comedy-focused work. You'll see similar beats with a familiar thought process and the same discovery call, but coming together in a completely different art form. And Maya discusses the details of working with movement directors and music supervisors as well as her interpretation of camera motion, pop culture memes, and getting the best performance from models and celebrities.
Honest question. Are you someone who would never call something "hot"? Then this is the down to earth story of how to direct commercials for luxury brands that you've been wanting to hear!
IG @mayachka____
(that's 4 underscores)
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Help our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/JustShootItPod
Matt's Endorsement: Hayao Miyazaki's. "Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind" https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087544/
Oren's Endorsement: the Roku remote has a headphone jack. And, r/barista on Reddit is hilarious https://www.reddit.com/r/barista/?rdt=37757
Maya's Endorsement: Flora AI https://www.florafauna.ai/ node-based AI with a UI reminiscent of Davinci Resolve color grading.
"Copycat" with Sigourney Weaver https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112722
Low Cinema in Queens NYC https://lowcinema.com/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Janek Ambros https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4471783/ doesn't use social media for self-promotion. And he tells up and coming filmmakers, you have to be annoying. Because in reality, that's what everyone in this industry is doing, including A-Listers.
Besides if you're under 30, you're not supposed to know any better. So swing for the fence!! With a Sundance film under his belt and scores of other, Janek brings a filmmaker-sans-TV-commercial perspective, grit, and tenacity. And Matt and Oren explore his fascinating counterpoint take one how to make a career. Things like what makes a script that gets picked up. And where to start writing -- for character or budget.
It's a fact-filled episode overflowing with juicy info!
Find Janek on IG: @assemblylineent
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Help our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/JustShootItPod
Matt's Endorsement: "Singing In the Rain" https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0045152/
Oren's Endorsement: "Gabby's Dollhouse", the movie https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32214143/ and the HBO show "Peacemaker" https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13146488/
Janek's Endorsement: "The Kid Stays in the Picture" audiobook by Robert Evans, read by Robert Evans https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Kid-Stays-in-the-Picture-Audiobook/B00CICHAN8 And “Adventures in the Screen Trade”, the book https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/william-goldman/adventures-in-the-screen-trade/9780446391177
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mercedes Bryce Morgan https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5521959/ talks about building the career that got her "Bone Lake" https://www.imdb.com/title/tt26783625/. From several Marshmello videos, episodes of Stargate Origins, and ten-by-tens, Mercedes has learned a lot.
One of her techniques is the pre-pitch meeting. That's a get together (on zoom of course) prior to her pitch. Kind of like a creative brief. And she sees it as an opportunity to find out what they really want. Which is sometimes easier for people to articulate, she learned, as what they don't want.
Another is embedding gifs into her shot list and seeing second units not as a budget extra, but as a real cost-saving tool.
If you're building a career as a fillmmaker, you won't want to miss out on some pointers that most people don't talk about.
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Help our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/JustShootItPod
Join Matt & Oren at the Just Shoot It mixer! You don't even have to shower come!
Free tickets!
Wednesday, October 8 · 7 - 10pm PDT
Lawless Brewing Co.
5275 Craner Avenue Los Angeles, CA 91601
RSVP and info at https://events.justshootitpod.com or https://www.eventbrite.com/e/just-shoot-it-october-meetup-tickets-1665676596539
Matt's Endorsement: Texture Labs https://texturelabs.org/
Oren's Endorsement: Have an editor on set. And bring png's of on-screen text to your VTR person on set.
Mercedes' Endorsement: Six Flags' Hurricane Harbor https://www.sixflags.com/hurricaneharborla
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Matt and Oren reveal their backstory in this collab with G.G. Hawkins and No Film School. https://nofilmschool.com/u/lostingraceland And you won't want to miss what it was like before smartphones , back when there was a barrier to entry to making video or film.
It was totally different from today. Or was it? OK today, almost anyone can use a smartphone and AI to create some amazing content.
And that's just the opportunity. It may be easier, but it has less value. Meaning most anyone can't make a living as a filmmaker. Or can you?
Maybe you can master the multiple tentacles of connections you need to have in order to have visibility to opportunities that level up you career in a meaningful way. And maybe you can build community and know how to warm people up to who you are in a matter of seconds.
And that's what this episode is about. Because today it's even more critical to get the attention of people you need to hear you out, when they see thousands just like you every day.
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Help our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/JustShootItPod
Join Matt & Oren at the Just Shoot It mixer! You don't even have to shower come!
Free tickets!
Wednesday, October 8 · 7 - 10pm PDT
Lawless Brewing Co.
5275 Craner Avenue Los Angeles, CA 91601
RSVP and info at https://events.justshootitpod.com or https://www.eventbrite.com/e/just-shoot-it-october-meetup-tickets-1665676596539
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Tom Morris https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2730235/ joins Carlyn Hudson - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3972277 https://www.instagram.com/carlynhudson to talk about their views on making that signature feature film that everyone dreams of, one that is an iconic piece of IP that launches a Jordan Peele-career.
And Oren and Matt dive into what that means when you start wanting to own a house, have kids, and think about college -- not your college tuition, but your kids! On the one hand, a successful freelance career in commercials, can make it all happen. And over 10 years, 15 years or more it can elevate your directing chops beyond what you could have imagined. On the other hand, it can be the very reason why chasing that feature, the one that finally shows your fill skill set and ability, is a financial fantasy. Why risk losing more work to take 2, 3, or 10 years to make that feature?
And Tom gets into how, after having several features under his belt, what would get him noticed by influential showrunners, was making another short.
Ira Glass preached about how you have to stick it out until your talent matches your taste. But is that even possible in a future with AI?
This is the mature, filmmaker convo that no one gets into. And it comes at a time when what you do next matters more than ever.
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Matt's Endorsement: Weleda Skin Food https://www.weleda.com/product/skin-food-light-nourishing-cream-g007756
Oren's Endorsement: How to be a human fly swatter using the Alan Gwizdowski method https://www.instagram.com/alangwiz/ .
Tom's Endorsement: the medical staff at Cedar's Sinai Hospital
Carlyn's Endorsement: "The Battered Bastard of Baseball" documentary on Netflix https://www.netflix.com/title/70299904
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Matt & Oren dive into answering your questions. It's a new format and we hope it clicks! And whether it works or not, there's a new way you can let them know.
There's questions from early career filmmakers. What is the one piece of gear filmmakers buy early on, but don't need? What's the best way to invest $100 in film gear? How do you write dialog that feels real?
And questions about life on set. Like, what's the most stressful part of directing? What does a director actually do once they're on set? And what are some things that go wrong on every shoot?
And they round out the episode with some hacks for tackling the toughest production problems.
But most importantly, Matt and Oren are throwing a party. And it's your chance to connect with other filmmakers and let them know what you think! RSVP below!
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!!! PARTY INFO !!!
Free tickets!
Wednesday, October 8 · 7 - 10pm PDT
Lawless Brewing Co.
5275 Craner Avenue Los Angeles, CA 91601
RSVP and info at https://events.justshootitpod.com or https://www.eventbrite.com/e/just-shoot-it-october-meetup-tickets-1665676596539
Matt's Endorsement: Drink whole milk. Not skim, 2%, soy milk or one of those other kinds of milk. Even as an adult. And not just in your coffee.
Oren's Endorsement: Use Midjourney to make animated lower thirds.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Marvel director Kat Coiro https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0192478 covers everything from working with day players to why directors have to take acting classes. Once an actor herself, Kat has mastered the art of infusing enthusiasm into every set and using that energy to supercharge collaboration.
Kat's worn every hat—writer, actor, director, producer, EP, and more. And while CAA found her because of her short film, her deep understanding of each role on set propelled her into a coveted career directing "Marry Me" with Owen Wilson and Jennifer Lopez, "Matlock" with Kathy Bates, Marvel's "She Hulk: Attorney at Law", to name a few.
Is there ever over-preparing as a director? Not according to Kat. It's all about putting in the work, asking questions of your showrunner, and really investing into its world. And she doesn't downplay the ability to leverage commercial sensibilities, and pitching with decks and details that can take weeks simply on spec.
Join us October 8th for a meetup in @ Lawless Brewery in North Hollywood.
Tickets are free, but RSVP at: events.JustShootItpod.com
Matt and Oren get Kat to share her go‑to techniques for “talking details through” before stepping on set. And why talking about how you were up all night working on the show, isn't necessarily a good sign.
In fact, Kat's a big believer in the importance of self-care in projecting confidence. And mantra is about knowing when :slowing down" unlocks "speeding up". For Kat, relaxing and taking care of yourself is a huge part of a show's overall success.
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Matt's Endorsement: Atlas Obscura App https://app.atlasobscura.com/
Oren's Endorsement: Swap wearing your watch on different wrists to avoid tan lines. Use Midjourney https://www.midjourney.com/home for art direction inspiration.
Kat's Endorsement: the Oura Ring https://ouraring.com/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
After an amazing DP/cinematographer has an unfortunate schedule change, Matt & Oren whip up a discussion about social media and listener notes about their websites. And Matt talks about how his LinkedIn post got noticed. And there's a surprising little twist that might make some listeners uneasy.
Later, they dig into a listener question. And that leads to some banter about the must haves when you're shooting a commercial on spec. And Matt decodes a list of items that make a compelling spec, especially when you write it yourself.
Matt's Endorsement: Fog machines are inexpensive right now.
Oren's Endorsement: You can Google how long trailers are before a movie plays.
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Matt & Oren discuss the feeling dogging every freelancer: "Will I ever work again?" They dig into who they recommend when they can't take an awesome job, and how that has paid it forward in good ways. Maybe it's all about who you vibe with.
But what is that, exactly? And what if a brand or agency does a vibe check on you? Surprisingly, it's like a date, and more of sales pitch so be prepared!
But there's a way to show up with a certain enthusiasm for a project and demonstrate a personal connection without sounding like a cold email that falls on its face. This episode is definitely worth a listen if you're trying to rack up more jobs this year!
Matt's Endorsement: Deschute's Fresh Squeezed Non-Alcohoilc IPA https://deschutesbrewery.com/products/fresh-squeezed-non-alcoholic
Oren's Endorsement: Tab Groups in Google Chrome. R-Click on a tab > Add Tab to New Group. Also on Chromium-based browsers like Firefox and Brave. https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/2391819?hl=en&sjid=9324260012388965296-NC#zippy=%2Cgroup-your-tabs
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.