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Matt's been getting wrapped up in analytics, and Oren's been updating his reel. So yeah, update your f**king website if you haven't!
This week, we get into where to host your portfolio whether you want the best web host or video platform. And we dive into some honest talk about what defines you as a director, because trying to be everything just doesn't work. There are also some hot tips on things you can do to stand out as someone exciting to work with.
If you're seriously building a career as a filmmaker, this is a must-listen.
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Matt's Endorsement: Watch "The French Connection" (1971) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0067116/
Oren's Endorsement: Get good at making slide decks because they will help you sell your ideas.
And Bob Odenkirk on Mike Birbiglia's Podcast, "Working It Out" https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/179-bob-odenkirk-the-art-of-anger-in-comedy/id1515419751?i=1000719445989
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Director Emily Elizabeth Thomas joins Matt and Oren to talk about her journey from commercial success to directing vertical series and feature films.
Meanwhile, Oren’s been updating his website and shares some valuable insights on what to include in your reel, what to leave out, and why it matters. And that leads into Matt sharing some insightful data on how many views a reel gets per day.
Back to Emily—she’s all about making everything feel like a movie, even a vertical series. She shares how she fought for that vision and explains how shooting open gate helped convince producers they could save money doing it her way. And maybe even make more with some luck.
At her core, Emily is a craft-driven filmmaker with a passion for detail. She talks about her love for set design and working with artisanal couturiers to find the perfect accessories, like a custom western hat from Austin or hours spent digging through costumes at Warner Brothers.
The episode wraps with practical tips on surgically using tools like jibs, Steadicams, and Technocrane (yeah the gear producers often assume is out of budget) to maximize production value and scope on a tight budget.
You can find Emily here:
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8502506/
https://www.electriccowgirl.xyz/
IG: @emilyelizabeththomas/
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Matt's Endorsement: Letterboxd's interview with the stars of "I Like Movies" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VE1kANkYGSw and the movie itself https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14913282/
Oren's Endorsement: The book "Linchpin" by Seth Godin https://seths.store/linchpin/. The subreddit /vfx https://www.reddit.com/r/vfx/. And, Filmvibes https://filmvibes.io/
Emily's Endorsement: Jean Paul Gauthier's Wardrobe design and Styling of the movie "The Fifth Element". Vidiots theatre https://vidiotsfoundation.org/. And the movie itself https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119116/
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Jamaal Parham, part of the directing duo Jams and Bash, talks to Oren and Matt about how they approach their business without the cheesiness. From a start working exclusively with Broadway productions, they've become a CAA-recognized brand in sports comedy.
Matt discusses how the dream of never looking at a spreadsheet isn’t realistic in filmmaking, or at least not in building a career in it. And Jamaal shares secrets on how they connect with decision-makers through targeted social media strategies that go beyond traditional PR, advertising, or social thinking.
**Key lesson:** A lot of directing is really hosting. Don’t get it? Check out this amazing episode!
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1729641/
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Matt's Endorsement: Chris Moran | Creative Breakdowns on TikTok and his tutorials on the Vox aesthetic https://www.tiktok.com/@chrismoran__
Oren's Endorsement: order your pet meds from https://discountpetmedication.biz/ and the use Amazon to monitor for deals on what you want, like a Dyson v11, and get a great deal on Prime Week.
Jamaal's Endorsement: "The Black Pack" book by Artel Great https://www.rutgersuniversitypress.org/the-black-pack/9781978838130/
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Legendary director Joseph Kahn https://www.josephkahn.com/ talks about his new movie "Ick" https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31795447/. And Matt and Oren get him to share how this creature feature came about as a kid-friendly movie and the challenges he faced in making a script written for a $100 million budget shot during COVID and the WGA & SAG- AFTRA strikes.
And Joseph also discusses the difference between working with the best people money can buy, and choosing people who understand you and your unique brand of filmmaking. Plus, he shares his method to becoming the director Taylor Swift or U2 calls.
But this winner-takes-all business comes at a cost. Heck, the odds of success as a director are probably lower than becoming the dictator of a country! And Joseph gets real about his own insecurities, despite his mountain of successes.
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Kelly Christensen built a toolkit for crafting a lasting career as a commercial producer. And he shares what directors can do to stand out and keep getting hired. Matt and Oren chat with Kelly about what makes his secret sauce. And you may be surprised to find out about the many layers and why it's different for each person.
Sure, collaboration matters. But what does that really look like? What are the nuances of lasting collaboration with agencies and production companies? What role does a producer play in making your life as a director easier? And what can you do to make sure producers recommend you for future gigs?
You can find Kelly on Instagram at @kellyman
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Matt's Endorsement: The Business podcast about M3GAN 2.0 flop and the Blumehouse slump https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-business/id73330606
Oren's Endorsement: Tell your kids about the scary parts of a movie (ask your friends what the scary parts are), before you take your kids to see the movie. And traffic etiquette is a great topic for small talk.
Kelly's Endorsement: the free streaming site https://www.kanopy.com/
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What does cinematic mean to you? Carlyn Hudson https://www.carlynhudson.com/ joins Matt and Oren fresh off completing her latest short, "Waffle".
Is cinematic just a slick look? Is it about lighting? Or is it whatever Midjourney gives you when you ask for a cinematic style? It's always a party when these three are together, with lively discussion, interesting perspectives, and free thrown punches. And our partners in banter spar over all the different layers that make cinematic more than any one thing. And how it's different, arguably different, for different people!
It all opens into a side discussion about this summer's movies: Jurassic Park, F1, and of course Danny Boyle's "28 Years Later". What do you think about its "Trainspotting" look, jaw-dropping $75 million (no kidding) budget, and how Instagram is shaping believability. You won't want to miss this fun and thoughtful episode!
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Matt's Endorsement: Pocket Dispo Lens https://pocketdispo.com/ for your DSLR or mirrorless camera.
Oren's Endorsement: The Nintendo Switch 2, because it's fun without the addiction. Especially "Mario Odyssey". Toiletry bags with 2 zippers that double as your shower caddy.
Carlyn's Endorsement: Support the Kerr County (Texas) Flood Relief Fund https://cftexashillcountry.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=4201
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Matt’s back from the Chattanooga Film Festival, and Oren just wrapped a whirlwind gig in Thailand. Jet lag not included. Yay!!! This week, they unpack the age-old question: is it still essential to live in L.A.? Is the cost of living worth it? And what does long-term career sustainability actually look like?
It’s an episode about experimentation and pushing boundaries. Matt tested the waters by bringing his kid to a low-key film festival. Before actually trying to juggle parenting, pitching a film, and festival revelry till the sunrises. Meanwhile, Oren pitched against some heavy-hitters to prove he’s ready to play at the next level. Oh, and a producer found Matt because - wait for it - ChatGPT said he was the perfect director for their commercial!!
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Matt's Endorsement: Make playlists on Spotify related to screenplays and scripts you're writing.
Oren's Endorsement: PatchTagger for saving videos by adding tags https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/patchtagger-save-videos-b/aehpdnmfpeagdgjlhehfgmgnkkpnmdof
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Matt and Oren dig into the creative choices director's make. And they kick it off by looking at the growing influence of AI on the process.
They also tackle casting and why it’s more than just finding the “right” actor. But also, what makes for the right actor in a commercial? Comedic timing, tone, understanding the game, our grasp of something else?
They also share how many actors they callback and put on avail. And what happens when an actor crushes the audition but doesn’t book it. Do you tell them?
You'll find some tips on how to invite creative collaboration, whether wardrobe, production design, or with your DP, in a way that encourages suggestions for plus-ing the production. But, without sounding like a film school director who doesn't know, or is too afraid, to make choices.
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Matt's Endorsement: If you have a Loog Guitar for kids https://loogguitars.com/, get a guitar strap. King C. Gillette Cordless Beard Trimmer https://gillette.com/en-us/products/beard-care/king-c-gillette-beard-trimmer
Oren's Endorsement: Ira Glass on Mike Birbiglia’s podcast https://youtu.be/eIzW5RHpeFQ?si=dcJqxqKlT9c6iaAI
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The directing duo from "Don't Tell Larry" detail their eight-year journey to turn the phrase, "Don't Tell Larry", into a world, a web series, and feature starring Eg Begley., Jr., Dot-Marie Jones, Patty Guggenheim, and Kiel Kennedy. And they chat with Matt and Oren about how their background in unscripted TV prepared them but also left gaps when it came to making the movie they wanted to make, without EPs steering them off-track.
From 300 pitches to turning down lucrative investors, the pandemic, and choosing to shoot in Dallas, the guys explore all the challenges of making an indie film, and adhering to high standards, all while influencers walk away with the fees that filmmakers traditionally could garner from commercial work. And other filmmakers like, Danny Gervitz's film "The Man in the Photo" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6WpwmPe9Ks, "Skinamarink" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APQqilSTxz0 and forgoing distributors and theatrical releases, in favor of going straight to YouTube.
Tell them your thoughts on Instagram @dtlthemovie @gregporper @jschimke
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Matt's Endorsement: "No Hard Feelings" https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15671028/
Oren's Endorsement: Eric Chien, the magician https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWO5-0OYMwc
Greg's Endorsement: The book "Day Trading Attention: How to Actually Build Brand and Sales in the New Social Media World." by Gary Vaynerchuk https://garyvaynerchuk.com/attention/
John's Endorsement: DaVinci Resolve updated their Edit page and it's wonderful. Particularly Source / Record.
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"Chimp Crazy" is HBO's top-watched documentary. But being from the team that made Tiger King is both a plus and a minus. In this episode, writer, producer, and editor Evan Wise https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2188036/ chats with Matt & Oren about the hurdles they faced and the moment he knew this doc would be good. We explore the importance of personal connection, being open to letting the story evolve during filming, and the role of editors as writers and storytellers in documentary films. Evan also discusses how they found their shadow director, why that was important to getting this doc off the ground. Connect with Evan on Instagram @deathedit
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Matt's Endorsement: "Mickey 17" https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12299608/
Oren's Endorsement: Trader Joe's Patio Potato Chips https://www.traderjoes.com/home/products/pdp/patio-potato-chips-062977
Evan's Endorsement: "Diamond Hands" https://www.imdb.com/title/tt17662108/
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Matt and Oren dive into the process of finding the right cinematographer or DP for your project, breaking down key factors like reputation, working methodology, artistry, specialties, reel, website, and even foreign language skills.
They also explore how budget impacts these considerations. Like what shifts when you're working with $50K versus $2 million? From personal tastes to professional appearances, this episode takes a deep dive into the nuances of hiring the right visual storyteller for your film or commercial project.
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Get a great deal on Magic Mind! https://magicmind.com/shootitapr NEW LINK!!
Matt's Endorsement: Los Angeles Conservancy's "Last Remaining Seats", a classic vintage film screening series. See "Rope" by Director Alfred Hitchcock at the Academy Museum on original 35mm nitrate.
Oren's Endorsement: Oren shows Matt a video on "Generating Crowds with Gen 4 References" https://youtu.be/erNSx-wOuPs?si=qugAONtGmm6wQxu4. And he mentions Runway https://runwayml.com/ and Veo generative AI video tools. https://gemini.google/overview/video-generation/
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Matt and Oren break down their approach to directing on set—from working with celebrity talent like Neil Patrick Harris to navigating the challenges of directing kids. It's a glimpse into their lives as directors.
They also explore how user-generated content and influencers are changing the types of projects advertisers want to create and opening new doors for emerging filmmakers who understand the new landscape.
Plus, the guys respond to YouTube comments and discuss how listeners can join the conversation.
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Get a great deal on Magic Mind! https://magicmind.com/shootitapr NEW LINK!!
Matt's Endorsement: Captain Disillusion https://www.youtube.com/@CaptainDisillusion
Oren's Endorsement: 1. Oscar Owen Magic https://www.youtube.com/@Oscar 2. AMEX Delta Reserve card gives you $20 per month for using Uber. And paying for Lyft with the Chase Sapphire earns you 5x miles when traveling to and from airports.
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The skyrocketing success of "Friendship," starring Tim Robinson and Paul Rudd, is tied to its distinct visual style. Cinematographer Andy Rydzewski https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2198503 shares the recipe behind the film’s look, breaking down key choices in framing, lighting, and camera techniques.
Matt and Oren dive into the details, nerding out over f-stops, open gate, ISO, sensor breaks, and the creative decision by Andy and director Andrew DeYoung to move away from the 28mm lens.
Find Andy on Instagram @filmandy
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Matt's Endorsement: Upgrade to pro on Letterboxd https://letterboxd.com/pro/
Oren's Endorsement: 1. Use a rice cooker. 2. For Mother's Day or that special day in that special someone's life, instead of buying a gift, give them the gift of a day without having to do anything. Do the laundry, take care of the kids, and finish all the chores in their life while they can kick back and enjoy.
Andy's Endorsement: 1. Use a lap desk (kind of like a pillow with a hard top) to support your laptop while you work. 2. The Blackmagic Camera app
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Trey Edward Shults https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4099092/ has been called a visionary film director. Matt and Oren chat with Trey about his bold leap into auteur filmmaking—what it means to claim that title and how he made it happen.
What did he learn as a nineteen-year-old loading IMAX film for Terrence Malick on the edge of a live volcano? And is going to Cannes or winning at SXSW really enough to eventually land Hollywood’s most sought-after actors for your film?
His latest film, "Hurry Up Tomorrow" (@hurryuptomorrowmovie on Instagram), opens Friday, is a collaboration with The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye), and stars Jenna Ortega.
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Matt's Endorsement: Breaking and Entering on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/company/breakingandentering/posts/?feedView=all It's basically "Everything You Need to Know in Advertising in 60 Seconds."
Oren's Endorsement: Amazing AI art that defies the horrifically bad tells of AI art. Humanly artistic and possessing a sense of authorship and voice. @voidstomper on Instagram. He has millions of followers, but hasn't figured out how to monetize it. So help him out and watch his new videos.
Trey' Endorsements: Chicken Joe's aka CJ's in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g635538-d2041184-Reviews-Chicken_Joe_s-Santa_Teresa_Province_of_Puntarenas.html
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Ever wonder how "The Studio" perfected comedic timing using oners and one-shot scenes? Eric Kissack, who edited the entire season for Seth Rogen, shares his tips, tricks, and behind-the-scenes insights into how the show comes together.
When the funniest people in the world need to ensure a script or edit is hilarious, they turn to Eric. Matt and Oren chat with him about his journey as a director and editor, across "Veep", "Sausage Party", "Black Monday", "The Good Place", and more.
See more of Eric’s work at https://erickissack.com and follow him on Instagram @erickissack.
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Endorsements:
- Matt's Pick: Horror Vibes Coffee Shop - https://horrorvibes.com
- Oren's Pick: Businesses that know when to stop sending customer surveys + Trader Joe’s gluten-free cauliflower crust pizza + CVS receipts with epic coupon deals (buy one item at a time for more savings)
- Eric's Pick: Blue Prince Video Game - https://blueprincegame.com
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Jody McVeigh-Schultz shares his journey from editor to director of Amazon’s *Spy High*. Matt and Oren quiz Jody on exactly what made him the right fit for the job. And they delve into the techniques he uses to uncover hidden stories in footage directors might overlook.
Jody also opens up about landing an agent—and what he wishes he had done differently looking back.
You can find Jody on Instagram @jodymcvs and see his work at https://jodyms.com
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Matt's Endorsement: The movie "Scanners" https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081455 now available at https://www.criterion.com/
Oren's Endorsement: https://pika.art AI tool that lets you manipulate a character (or object) in your videos while keeping the rest perfectly intact. Like making a stuffed animal dance.
Jody's Endorsement: Bring the wheels for your tripod. The Netflix show "Baby Reindeer" https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13649112/, not to be confused with the movie "Lamb".
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Carlyn Hudson returns! Matt and Oren dive into the art of game-time decisions on set—when to stick to the plan and when a last-minute change is worth the risk. It's a great discussion about leadership, with hands-on, real-world insights that go beyond theory.
Carly shares her take on navigating tough calls, balancing respect for the crew, maintaining top-tier quality, and knowing when to let go and adapt to the unexpected. It's a must-listen for anyone aiming to master the dynamics of set life!
Look for Carly on Instagram @CarlynHudson.
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Matt's Endorsement: Take a choo-choo ride on a small train like this https://www.descansogardens.org/event/railroad-grand-opening/ , or ride one near you!
Oren's Endorsement: Scorpio Follow Focus System with Encoder. Also, there's lots of awesome films and shows to get you excited about the industry and what's to come! Minecraft, Sinners, Andor, Hacks, Last of Us, The Studio, Adolescence, The Pitt, Black Mirror, The Rehearsal, Severance, and White Lotus -- just to name a few. What's yours?
Carlyn's Endorsement: Remove Instagram from your phone and live a better life!
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Matt and Oren are back to basics and pushing creative boundaries. Whether it's tackling passion projects, experimenting with constraints like shooting anamorphic on the vertical, or using AI to spark human creativity, they’re finding new ways to innovate. And hey, sometimes a mocktail and a first-class movie night are all you need for fresh inspiration.
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Get a great deal on Magic Mind! Go to https://magicmind.com/shootitjan until April 25th, 2025. Use the link https://magicmind.com/shootitapr after April 25th, 2025.
Matt's Endorsement: Creamy, Spicy Tomato Beans and Greens Recipe https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1025325-creamy-spicy-tomato-beans-and-greens
Get a subscription to the New York Times.
Oren's Endorsement: 1) When traveling on a plane, order a mocktail of club soda & cranberry over ice. 2) Stick with one airline and go all in on their frequent flyer rewards. 3) Place an AirTag in your checked bag so you can see if it's near you on the plane and whether it's close when you're waiting at baggage claim. And 4) watch movies when you're on a plane because the altitude will more your brain more emotionally receptive.
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Can a well-timed email get you on SNL as a director? Oz Rodriguez made it happen. But TV was a whole different game back then! The formula, though, remains the same: great comedy actors make comedy directors look great.
Oren and Matt chat with Oz about how directors can cast incredible comedic talent. Plus, Oz spills secrets on getting the best performances from actors.
Ever wondered what it's like to shoot a video for SNL? Or how much creative freedom a director really has under the watchful eye of Lorne Michaels and some of the best comedy writers in the world? Oz covers it all. He doesn’t hold back, sharing both his setbacks and how he turned them into successes.
If you love comedy, this episode is a must-listen!
Find Oz Rodriguez on IMDb: https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm1444412 and Instagram: @oz_rodriguez. Be sure to check out his first book, The Girl and the Robot: https://books.disney.com/book/the-girl-and-the-robot/.
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Matt's Endorsement: The movie Love Lies Bleeding https://www.imdb.com/title/tt19637052/
Oren's Endorsement: Pinterest now has an awesome algorithm and is super useful for storyboards and lookboards.
The show The Studio on Apple TV https://www.imdb.com/title/tt23649128/
The show Adolescence on Netflix https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31806037/
Oz's Endorsements: Dia Natural Wine Shop https://www.dianaturalwine.com/
The movie Mickey 17 https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12299608/
And also, go to the movies! Like, see a Soderbergh film on the big screen.
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Matt and Oren take a hard look at the current state of the film and TV industry in the wake of the LA fires, pandemic, strikes, AI, and streaming. It’s some real talk about the challenges facing production, including tax incentives, union rates, and the ongoing struggle to keep jobs from leaving the LA area.
And they explore potential solutions to get more production peeps working regularly and keep productions from being forced into shooting in places like Austin, Atlanta, Columbia, Mexico, and everywhere else.
From analyzing the role of tax breaks to discussing union wage negotiations, this is an insider's perspective on what it will take for the industry to get more people working regularly.
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Get a great deal on Magic Mind! https://magicmind.com/shootit
Matt's Endorsement: Use graph paper.
Oren's Endorsement: Sesame AI voice https://www.sesame.com/
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