In this week’s episode, Steve answers questions from our listener community + thoughtfully curated ones inspired by our engagement with independent filmmakers around the world. In this AMA session, Steve and Vince explore practical advice for independent filmmakers such as finding one's creative voice, thoughts and tips for filmmakers working with micro budgets in 2025, and essential business skills for success in the industry. As a reminder, if you're enjoying this podcast, feel free to follow us on Apple Podcasts, and Instagram @filmmakerandfanspodcast.

In this week’s episode, Steve and Vince explore the 1992 film, “Glengarry Glen Ross”. Using Glengarry Glen Ross as their foundation, they explore topics such as David Mamet's distinctive writing style, the moral complexities of the film’s characters, and its masterful use of language and performance. As a reminder, if you're enjoying this podcast, feel free to subscribe for free on Apple Podcasts, and follow us on Instagram @filmmakerandfanspodcast.

In this week’s episode, Steve and Vince explore the new 2025 series, “The Studio”, starring Seth Rogen, Catherine O'Hara, Ike Barinholtz, and Kathryn Hahn. Using The Studio as their foundation they explore topics such as the intersection of art and commerce in Hollywood, how cinematic techniques, such as lens choices, can significantly impact storytelling, and the challenges of maintaining authenticity in a commercial environment. As a reminder, if you're enjoying this podcast, feel free to follow us on Apple Podcasts, and Instagram @filmmakerandfanspodcast.

In this week’s episode, we bring you a lecture Steve delivered in Winnipeg this month during an acting workshop in collaboration with the Onalee Ames Film Studio. In this excerpt from his workshop, Steve explores topics such as the intricate relationship between performance and authenticity in acting, how actors often carry internal conflicts and emotions that can influence their performances, and the role of victimhood and anger in character portrayal. As a reminder, if you're enjoying this podcast, feel free to follow us on Apple Podcasts, and Instagram @filmmakerandfanspodcast.

It’s scene study time! In this week’s episode, Steve and Vince break down the opening scenes of the 2024 Oscar-winning film, “Anora”, and explore topics such as Sean Baker's unique approach to character development, visual storytelling techniques, and the importance of maintaining an integrity of vision in filmmaking. As a reminder, if you're enjoying this podcast, feel free to follow us on Apple Podcasts, and Instagram @filmmakerandfanspodcast.

It’s our first Ask Me Anything (AMA) episode! In this week’s episode, Steve answers questions from our listener community, along with thoughtfully curated ones inspired by our engagement with independent filmmakers around the world. In this AMA session, Steve explores practical advice for independent filmmakers such as how to achieve a cinematic look on a budget, the necessity of building strong teams, and sustaining a career in film. As a reminder, if you're enjoying this podcast, feel free to follow us on Apple Podcasts, and Instagram @filmmakerandfanspodcast.

In this week’s episode, Steve and Vince discuss the current state of filmmaking in Hollywood. In this conversation, Steven and Vince explore topics such as the economic challenges faced by the local community, the evolving financing models in the film industry, and the potential for growth in the global industry driven by new technologies and changing audience expectations. As a reminder, if you're enjoying this podcast, feel free to follow us on Apple Podcasts, and Instagram @filmmakerandfanspodcast.

It’s our 50th episode! To celebrate, we thought we’d drop a teaser (through exploratory conversation, of course) for our very first book, which we’re developing for filmmakers at all levels. It’s The Filmmaker’s Book of Ten! In this week’s episode, Steve and Vince discuss their upcoming new book, The Filmmaker’s Book of Ten, which distills essential principles across various roles in film, including screenwriting, directing, acting, producing, production management, and much more. They explore specific topics in the book, including the significance of interpersonal relationships for successful creative collaboration, conflict resolution, and the practical aspects of filmmaking, such as time management and understanding shot sizes. As a reminder, if you're enjoying this podcast, feel free to follow us on Apple Podcasts and Instagram @filmmakerandfanspodcast.

In this BONUS episode, Steve and Vince caught up with Peter Debruge, Chief Film Critic at Variety, while he was at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival. Peter talks about the intricacies of the Berlin Film Festival, exploring its scale, the networking opportunities it presents, and the evolving landscape of film festivals post-pandemic. Their discussion also explored the balance between art and commerce in cinema, emphasizing the role of film festivals as platforms for artistic expression and the evolving landscape of the film industry. As a reminder, if you're enjoying this podcast, feel free to follow us on Apple Podcasts, and Instagram @filmmakerandfanspodcast.

In this week’s special episode, we’re featuring a lecture that Steve gave in Winnipeg recently on filmmaking and the creative process, in partnership with the Onalee Ames Film Studio. In his lecture, Steve explores topics such as the importance of creativity and originality in artistic expression, the dangers of consensus and mediocrity in creative environments, and the importance of embracing chaos, vulnerability, and the rejection of orthodoxies. As a reminder, if you're enjoying this podcast, feel free to follow us on Apple Podcasts, and Instagram @filmmakerandfanspodcast.

In this week’s episode, Steve and Vince explore the 2024 film, “Nickel Boys”. Using Nickel Boys as their foundation, they explore topics such as the challenges of adaptations versus original screenplays, the artistic choices that filmmakers make to convey deeper truths, and the courage required to break conventional filmmaking norms. As a reminder, if you're enjoying this podcast, feel free to follow us on Apple Podcasts, and Instagram @filmmakerandfanspodcast.

In this week’s episode, Steve and Vince discuss the current state of film festivals in their inaugural “Industry Insights” episode. In this conversation, Steven and Vince explore the intricacies and evolution of global film festivals, operational aspects such as selection processes and the politics involved, and the positive impacts of festivals on filmmaking careers. As a reminder, if you're enjoying this podcast, feel free to follow us on Apple Podcasts and Instagram @filmmakerandfanspodcast.

In this week’s episode, Steve and Vince explore the ins and outs of the 2025 awards season. In this conversation, Steven and Vince explore the cultural nuances of award season in the film industry, the dynamics of celebrity culture within the context of awards, and the impact of international cinema on Hollywood. As a reminder, if you're enjoying this podcast, feel free to follow us on Apple Podcasts and Instagram @filmmakerandfanspodcast.

In this week’s episode, Steve and Vince explore the 2024 film, “The Brutalist”. Using The Brutalist as their foundation they explore topics such as the broader implications of art and cinema, the dynamics between investors and artists, and the intricate details of cinematic techniques from the film, like the use of VistaVision and its impact on film quality. As a reminder, if you're enjoying this podcast, feel free to follow us on Apple Podcasts, and Instagram @filmmakerandfanspodcast.

This week, due to logistics from the tragic, ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles, we won’t be publishing a new episode. Instead, we hope you enjoy a re-release of one of our favorite special guests from 2024, Peter Debruge, Chief Film Critic at Variety. Peter has worked at Variety since 2005 and oversees a team of more than a dozen freelancers worldwide, assigning and editing film reviews for publication. In 2017, he helped co-found the Animation Is Film Festival in Los Angeles, and he has been a member of juries at the SXSW, Reykjavik, Molodist, COLCOA, Annecy and Cannes film festivals. Using the animated blockbuster “Inside Out” as their foundation, Steve, Vince, and Peter explore topics such as the role of critics and filmmakers in reframing the world, the impact of animated films on all audiences, and the future of animation, including the involvement of technology and the accessibility of animation tools. As a reminder, if you're enjoying this podcast, feel free to follow us on Apple Podcasts, and Instagram @filmmakerandfanspodcast.

It’s scene study time! In this week’s episode, Steve and Vince breakdown the opening scenes of the 2024 film “Conclave,” and explore topics such as the importance of opening scenes in establishing a film's world, the use of symbolism and cutaways to enhance storytelling, and how sound design plays a crucial role in creating atmosphere. As a reminder, if you're enjoying this podcast, feel free to follow us on Apple Podcasts, and Instagram @filmmakersandfanspodcast.

In this last (bonus) episode of 2024, Steve and Vince catch up on creative ventures of the past year, upcoming films and projects in 2025, and celebrate 2024 as a year of artistic growth and collaboration. As a reminder, if you're enjoying this podcast, feel free to follow us on Apple Podcasts, and Instagram @filmmakersandfanspodcast.

In this week’s episode, Steve and Vince explore the 2024 film, “A Complete Unknown,” written and directed by James Mangold. Using A Complete Unknown as their foundation, they explore topics such as the significance of underplayed moments in the film, the complexity of artistic influence and the nature of inspiration, and how the film transcends a mere biography of Dylan and instead offers a deep commentary on art and creativity. As a reminder, if you're enjoying this podcast, feel free to follow us on Apple Podcasts, and Instagram @filmmakerandfanspodcast.

In this week’s episode, Steve and Vince explore the 2024 film, “Wicked”. Using Wicked as their foundation, they explore topics such as the intimate relationship between directors and actors, the importance of costumes in building the world of Oz, and the crucial role of industry film screenings during awards season. As a reminder, if you're enjoying this podcast, feel free to follow us on Apple Podcasts, and Instagram @filmmakerandfanspodcast.

This week Steve and Vince welcome their first Indie Filmmaker special guest (aka “IndieMaker”), BREVI. Brevi is a former recording artist (Cypress Hill, Universal Republic Records) turned screenwriter, and the three explore her journey from music to filmmaking through topics such as the challenges of navigating success and imposter syndrome, how collaboration enhances the creative process in both music and film, and the importance of personal experiences and relationships in the creative process. As a reminder, if you're enjoying this podcast, feel free to follow us on Apple Podcasts, and Instagram @filmmakersandfanspodcast.