Tom Morris and Carlyn Hudson are back talking about their passion projects. In episode 493, you might remember Carlyn was just about to start shooting and Tom was about to shoot a feature starring his family of five kids. So Matt and Oren chat them up about where they are, what they learned, and how they balanced being working commercial directors with the demands of independent projects.

It starts with a discussion about style – what are the three words that define your style as a director? And Carlyn and Tom share with Matt and Oren the frustration of balancing bias and the need to convey a situation or story in a quick and culturally relevant way.

It’s different in a commercial than in a film. Why? Because there’s more time to tell the story when it’s what people came to watch, like a film or a TV show. But ads have to land quickly.

Commercials, though still very creative and directing them is an art in itself, aren’t what people come to watch. Like, no normal person decides to watch 20 commercials for entertainment. There’s no “20 commercials and chill”.

Taking notes is also much different. And Matt shares a story of vulnerability. And how that can feel challenging when your everyday life is directing work that someone else created. You won’t want to miss this episode if you’re looking to articulate your style as a commercial director, or developing your skills as an indie-filmmaker.

Help Matt's film: https://wefunder.com/badfeeling

Join the Just Shoot it Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/JustShootItPod

Matt's Endorsement: Plant a tree. Also, passion fruit vines.

Oren's Endorsement: Try to present your edits to clients. And show the cut twice before asking for feedback.

Carlyn's Endorsement: "Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma" https://www.imdb.com/title/tt35298123

Tom's Endorsement: India's Tandoori in Burbank, CA on San Fernando Blvd.

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Mike Davidson, Head of Production at Callen https://thisiscallen.com/, joins Matt and Oren. After years with agencies like Leo Burnett, Wieden+Kennedy, Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, and PXP, Mike is happy to be in a role that’s more production-focused while still being client-engaged.

And Matt and Oren chat about his journey from the digital, interactive, and web design side of creative to the TV commercial and production world. And he shares some unique insights that helped him level up as campaigns underwent a transformation to integrated and 360.

For Mike, choosing directors is about finding the right talent who can see the ad's strategic direction, the client’s purpose, as well as how the insanity of the idea is best suited to make things work. And he shares a producer’s perspective on choosing the right person for the directing job. And he describes the often necessary triple bid process, and why it works and sometimes doesn’t.

But Matt and Oren probe Mike on what a producer looks for in a reel. And Mike shares some key insights into what, unfortunately, may be making you appear generic. And it all leads to a fascinating conversation about AI, and how Callen uses AI and LLMs to make their bids more effective while still keeping creative solely the output of a human head.

Help Matt's film: https://wefunder.com/badfeeling

Join the Just Shoot it Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/JustShootItPod

Matt's Endorsement: "BlackBerry" https://www.imdb.com/title/tt21867434/ currently on Netflix.

Oren's Endorsement: "Margo's Got Money Troubles" on Apple TV

Mike's Endorsement: "Patriot", the series on Amazon Prime

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Matt and Oren layout their template for vibe checks. You won’t want to miss this episode if you’re dying to know how to make yourself standout. And you’ll learn ways you can be seen as the best director to pull things off. Without sounding like you have all the answers. And without appearing too desperate for work!

Help Matt's film: https://wefunder.com/badfeeling

Join the Just Shoot it Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/JustShootItPod

Matt's Endorsement: Find a cool indie movie theater when travelling. Watermelon popsicles from Johnny Pops

Oren's Endorsement: "The Hacks" episode of the Script Notes podcast mentions how a writing duo can find their way into the scene. And they talk about competency-porn, when you see an actor do their job really well.

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Dylan Meyer grew up in a film school. Well, kind of; her dad was a screenwriter. And Dylan chats with Matt and Oren about the benefits of growing up in an environment where the idea of working as a film director is not some flimsy dreamy.

Matt and Oren ask Dylan about the importance of being cost-effective. Does it make your script easier to produce? And Dylan shares the importance of “cost-effective-ness”, not only to producers, but to you as a filmmaker. How so? Bigger budgets often invite more adults into the room, more scrutiny, more confrontation, and more negotiation for what you want your film to be. And in this episode Dylan teaches you the right budget range for your movie, if you want to have the greatest amount of creative free range.

In shooting her new film, "The Wrong Girls", there were a lot of scenes where people are high. And Dylan talks about the cinematography, lenses, production design, and other creative and visual considerations that went into making it a believable, altered reality.

Dylan notes that directing forces you to confront your own strengths and weaknesses. And Dylan shares some tips for navigating your own next angst-filled, directing adventure! You won't want to miss this episode if you’re about to shoot the script you just wrote.

Help Matt's film: https://wefunder.com/badfeeling

Join the Just Shoot it Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/JustShootItPod

Matt's Endorsement: "Four Seasons", the show

Oren's Endorsement: "Widow's Bay" and "House of the Dragon" shows. And take hot dogs camping to keep the kids' happy.

Dylan's Endorsement: "Such Brave Girls", the show from the UK

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Deondray Gossfield and Quincy LeNear Gossfield chat about how Lena Waithe loved their short film so much, she hired these “first-time directors” as director/producers on her show, “The Chi”.

It’s a fun episode about their very real journey of multiple successes, pivots, and frustration so great they nearly gave up on the industry. But after putting in thousands of hours and doing things they never really set out to do, like becoming the kings of unscripted, reality, competition shows, they built a skillset and way of working that is so impressive, you won’t want to miss it.

This episode is for you if you ever wondered, “Will I ever get hired again?” or “How can I possibly define my niche and brand when I have so many interests?!”

Help Matts' film: https://wefunder.com/badfeeling

Help our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/JustShootItPod

Matt's Endorsement: Palomino Black Wing pencils. The "Superman" written and directed by James Gunn https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5950044/

Deondray's Endorsement: "If I had Million" book by Robin R. Hall. "I love Boosters" https://www.imdb.com/title/tt30827810/

Qunicy's Endorsement: Ninja ice cream maker https://www.sharkninja.com/kitchen/frozen-treat-makers/ice-cream-makers. Using the Apple Vision Pro for editing. The Supernatural workout app for Oculus.

Oren's Endorsement: Reading.com app https://www.reading.com/ for teaching kids how to spell.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jeff Wadlow talks about his new film "The Devil's Mouth". And Matt and Oren get him to reveal how we went from a spec script for “Kick Ass 2” to directing the movie.

Jeff talks about his time at USC Stark and how understanding producing gave him an edge and also landed him a free 1967 Mustang to boot! What’s his formula for success: never accepting a blanket allocation for contingency. And he talks about the ways he navigates around it and keeps his bosses happy and involved in the process.

Jeff says there are only two questions producers are really asking you when you’re up for a directing assignment against other well-qualified directors. And he shares those secrets as well as why he took part in writing “Bates Motel” even after telling the showrunner they should drop the idea and run far away.

You won’t want to miss this episode if you’ve ever thought things would be golden after your last great gig, only to find out there were hard times ahead. And Jeff talks about how and why his impressive IMDB is the result of many ups and downs just like yours.

Help Matts' film: https://wefunder.com/badfeeling

Help our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/JustShootItPod

Matt's Endorsement: "Widow's Island" show

Oren's Endorsement: "The Comeback" show

Jeff's Endorsement: "X-Men '97" show

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Travis Braun talks getting on the Blacklist multiple times and why his film, “One Night Only” checked all the boxes to land there too

But first, Matt and Oren chat about social media, how to take advantage of the algorithm, and how to keep fresh ideas in your feed.

Travis didn’t start at film school, he went to a small journalism school in Indiana. But working in a writing room led to his first break. It wasn’t much to begin with, sitting on a couch outside the writers' room and listening to them break story, while organizing binders, taking notes, and getting coffee.

But after being in lots of writers' rooms over the years since, the best takeaway from all those experiences was learning not to be precious about words. It’s the ideas that matter, because that is what audiences are looking for and want. And unfortunately, the path to those ideas involves lots of rewriting.

Matt and Oren dive deep into the value of being on the Blacklist, not only once you’re getting started in your career, but once you’re established as a director. And Travis talks about what he looks for when hiring a director. You won’t want to miss this episode if, like many directors, you haven’t had the chance to be in a writing room that really hums!

Help Matts' film: https://wefunder.com/badfeeling

Help our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/JustShootItPod

Matt's Endorsement: "Green Room" the film https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4062536- Supergoop https://supergoop.com/ non-zinc sunscreen - "Arco" film on Hulu about a boy who time travels https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14883538/

Oren's Endorsement: "Split Fiction" for Nintendo Switch https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/split-fiction-switch-2/

Travis' Endorsement: Seth Rogan and Orange cats

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.