Best Filmschool Podcasts (2025)

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426 - Tia A. Smith - Veteran TV and Film Producer - Why She Almost Quit After 4 Days in New York, How to Create Your Own Path in the Film Business, and Why Pre-Production is Everything 2:07:45

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23h ago2:07:45

2:07:45

This episode is brought to you by The Film Tech Program at Columbia State Community College. ENROLLMENT begins each fall semester. But space is limited to 20 students each year. So, apply now. For more information, reach out to David Smith, FCT Program Director at 615-790-4410 or email him at [email protected] www.ColumbiaState.edu/FCT …

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One Battle After Another | The Emotional Depth of Paul Thomas Anderson's Latest Masterpiece 7:04

3d ago7:04

7:04

Hello, Hello! WHAT IS FILM BRIEF? Blending journalism with artistry, Film Brief transforms film analysis into an engaging and informative listening experience. The goal is to reveal what makes each movie or series resonate—on screen and behind the scenes. For listeners, it’s not just a review; it’s an exploration of the art of filmmaking. BRIEF: In…

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What Does It Mean to Make It? Lessons from Indie Film Veterans Michael Mendelsohn and Zair Montes 15:22

4d ago15:22

15:22

Hello, Hello! In this segment, enjoy a double dose of wisdom from previous guest Michael Mendelsohn on what it means to "MAKE IT" as a creator, followed by filmmaker Zair Montes sharing hard-learned lessons from producing her film "Rumba Love." Michael emphasizes that making it means enjoying what you do across multiple jobs, while Zair details the…

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From Sailboats to the Himalayas with Filmmaker Barry Walton. 1:11:26

2d ago1:11:26

1:11:26

Filmmaker Barry Walton and I discuss the value of passion projects, the lessons learned from giving back, and the significance of respecting the creative process. Barry shares insights from his many documentary adventures, emphasizing the personal growth that comes from overcoming challenges. The discussion culminates in a reflection on how life te…

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Clear the Set: Michael Mendelsohn's Top Films and Hidden Cinema Gems 13:38

3d ago13:38

13:38

Hello, Hello! In this segment, Michael Mendelsohn takes on our "Clear the Set" segment where he shares his top three films of all time, including The Godfather, The Matrix, and a French film by Luc Besson. The conversation explores Michael's film preferences, from movies he loves to ones he's embarrassed not to have seen, including his connection t…

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#14 - SUMMARIES | How Chris Conner Built a 20-Year Career Behind the Curtain 12:03

8d ago12:03

12:03

Hello, Hello! In this episode, we explore the career wisdom of indie film producer Chris Conner, who has over 20 years of experience in film, political campaigns, and advertising. The discussion focuses on Connor's unique approach to maintaining anonymity in an industry built on self-promotion and his philosophy of letting work speak for itself. We…

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Filmmaker Zack Seckler On Mastering Comedy In Top-Tier Advertising. 1:01:37

6d ago1:01:37

1:01:37

Director Zack Seckler has been steadily working with the best agencies and brands for years. We chat about this Career Migration spot (click to see and read about it in Shots) and so much more. Zach has been featured in every industry publication, on both the advertising and production side. A treat to finally get to chat. COMMERCIAL DIRECTING BOOT…

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Which Hollywood Film Took 48 Years to Complete Due to Financial Disasters? 12:27

7d ago12:27

12:27

Hello, Hello! Make It friends and family, Chris here to announce that starting today, with the episode you are about to hear, we’ll be publishing our segments and bonus content on this feed daily. Why are we doing this? Because there’s a good chance you’re already listening to our episodes over the span of the week, we decided to publish our segmen…

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Trust and Verify: Michael Mendelsohn's Formula for Financing Auteur Cinema 36:36

8d ago36:36

36:36

Hello, Hello! Make It friends and family, Chris here to announce that starting today, with the episode you are about to hear, we’ll be publishing our segments and bonus content on this feed daily. Why are we doing this? Because there’s a good chance you’re already listening to our episodes over the span of the week, we decided to publish our segmen…

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Why Do 55% of Film Producers NEVER Get Paid Backend Money? 16:47

9d ago16:47

16:47

Hello, Hello! Make It friends and family, Chris here to announce that starting today, with the episode you are about to hear, we’ll be publishing our segments and bonus content on this feed daily. Why are we doing this? Because there’s a good chance you’re already listening to our episodes over the span of the week, we decided to publish our segmen…

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The Art of Risk-Taking: Why Studios Call Michael Mendelsohn for Difficult Projects 31:54

10d ago31:54

31:54

Hello, Hello! Make It friends and family, Chris here to announce that starting today, with the episode you are about to hear, we’ll be publishing our segments and bonus content on this feed daily. Why are we doing this? Because there’s a good chance you’re already listening to our episodes over the span of the week, we decided to publish our segmen…

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Designing Fear: How Goosebumps Costumes Shape Horror & Character - Vanessa Porter 29:50

13d ago29:50

29:50

From shy theater kid to Disney+ horror powerhouse—Goosebumps costume designer Vanessa Porter reveals how wardrobe secretly drives fear, character, and story. In this in-depth conversation, host Catherine Baumgardner sits down with Vanessa Porter, the costume designer for Disney+'s Goosebumps, to unpack how wardrobe becomes a powerful storytelling t…

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425 - Michael Mendelsohn - Financier and Producer of True Romance, Reservoir Dogs, Lord of War, and The Matrix on Making Cinema: Lessons from Hollywood’s Top Indie Financier 1:57:39

15d ago1:57:39

1:57:39

This episode is brought to you by Notion Agent, the AI that doesn’t just help with work – it finishes it. Try Notion, now with Notion Agent, at notion.com/makeit to support your work and ours! This episode is brought to you by Surfshark VPN. Go to surfshark.com/makeit or use code makeit at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN!" This epis…

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The Lighthouse | Chamber Piece Festival 30:38

17d ago30:38

30:38

This week we dive into the wild imagination of Robert Eggers. We discuss his b&w aesthetic and the isolated story of two lighthouse keepers trying to keep their sanity in 2019's The Lighthouse. A fascinating movie and great conversation.

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Designing Hamnet: Using Grief, Intuition & Community to Create - Malgosia Turzanska 44:20

20d ago44:20

44:20

Costume designer Małgosia Turzańska reveals the emotional secrets, symbolic textures, and behind-the-scenes artistry that shaped Hamnet—and how grief, intuition, and collaboration transformed the film from the inside out. In this deeply human conversation, Hamnet costume designer Małgosia Turzańska opens up about creativity, vulnerability, and the …

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Unlocking Filmmaking Secrets with Director Rob Spera. 1:00:17

23d ago1:00:17

1:00:17

Rob Spera is a seasoned director and educator, on the pod to share his journey through the world of filmmaking. With over 25 feature films and 100 hours of television under his belt, Rob brings a wealth of experience and insight into the art of directing. In this episode, we delve into his acclaimed book, "Film and TV Directors Field Manual," explo…

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From Agency to Autonomy: Comedy Director Michael Martin's Journey. 1:01:04

25d ago1:01:04

1:01:04

Director Michael Martin and I delve into the intricacies of the creative industry, sharing personal anecdotes and professional insights. Michael discusses his journey from agency life to founding his own production company, Two Seam, highlighting the importance of building genuine relationships in the industry. The conversation touches on the evolv…

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424 - Hayder Hoozeer - BAFTA Award Winning Producer on How To Go From Set Runner to Producer, Networking, Value Creation, and Making Your Next Big Move 2:19:52

29d ago2:19:52

2:19:52

This episode is brought to you by Anthropic. Claude is the AI for minds that don’t stop at good enough—it's the collaborator that actually understands your entire workflow and thinks WITH you, not for you. Sign up for Claude today and get 50% off your first three months of Claude Pro when you use our link – www.claude.ai/makeit This episode is brou…

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The Last Independent Automaker: Joe Ligo and the Power of Creative Constraint 6:34

1M ago6:34

6:34

Hello, Hello! NEW PODCAST SERIES ALERT: FILM BRIEF Blending journalism with artistry, Film Brief transforms film analysis into an engaging and informative listening experience. The goal is to reveal what makes each movie or series resonate—on screen and behind the scenes. For listeners, it’s not just a review; it’s an exploration of the art of film…

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That One Scene From... Sling Blade 18:03

1M ago18:03

18:03

This week we dive into the weird and sad scene from Billy Bob Thorton's Sling Blade from 1996. In this scene Doyle and his friends become too drunk and harass Linda, Frank and Vaughn to a breaking point. Quite an interesting scene to examine. Enjoy the conversation! Make sure to play along with each festival and leave comments so we can interact wi…

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#13 - SUMMARIES | Frances Lebar: Taika Waititi, Creative Chaos, and Building Worlds 14:26

1M ago14:26

14:26

Hello, Hello! Welcome to SUMMARIES, Episode #13 Summaries take some of our best long-form interviews (and even some unpublished ones) and condense them down to 10 (or so) minutes of pure listening pleasure. Summaries are hosted by our AI interns, Alex Ivey and Allison Inverness, and are designed to give you, our valued listeners, just the informati…

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423 - Indie Talk - Decoding the $8 Billion Vertical Video Craze, Filmmaking in the Age of Micro-Drama and the Real ROI of Streaming for Indies 1:31:38

1M ago1:31:38

1:31:38

This episode is brought to you by Anthropic. Claude is the AI for minds that don’t stop at good enough—it's the collaborator that actually understands your entire workflow and thinks WITH you, not for you. Sign up for Claude today and get 50% off your first three months of Claude Pro when you use our link – www.claude.ai/makeit This episode is brou…

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Creating Characters that Spark Joy and Work a Creative Parent with Cameron Dale 54:38

1M ago54:38

54:38

From Wizards Beyond Waverly Place to Sweet Magnolias, Disney costume designer Cameron Dale reveals how she went from sketching dresses as a six-year-old to dressing some of TV's most beloved characters. In this lively conversation, Cameron shares how she balances creativity and motherhood, the unspoken rules of Disney costume design, and how to mak…

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Materialists: A24’s $20M Modern Day Rom-Com 8:37

2M ago8:37

8:37

Hello, Hello! NEW PODCAST SERIES ALERT: FILM BRIEF Blending journalism with artistry, Film Brief transforms film analysis into an engaging and informative listening experience. The goal is to reveal what makes each movie or series resonate—on screen and behind the scenes. For listeners, it’s not just a review; it’s an exploration of the art of film…

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Hedda | Power, Desire, and Societal Constraints 7:38

2M ago7:38

7:38

Hello, Hello! NEW PODCAST SERIES ALERT: FILM BRIEF Blending journalism with artistry, Film Brief transforms film analysis into an engaging and informative listening experience. The goal is to reveal what makes each movie or series resonate—on screen and behind the scenes. For listeners, it’s not just a review; it’s an exploration of the art of film…

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Misery | Chamber Piece Festival 44:10

2M ago44:10

44:10

This week we begin our Chamber Piece Festival, starting with the Rob Reiner classic horror film, Misery from the twisted mind of Stephen King. Paul and Annie are waiting for you to watch. Amazing movie, great conversation! Happy Halloween!

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422 - David Parks - Producer of “The Short Game” - How to Tell Neurodiverse Stories, Mastering Distribution and Marketing, and the Birth of the New Indie Producer 2:34:06

2M ago2:34:06

2:34:06

This episode is brought to you by Anthropic. Claude is the AI for minds that don’t stop at good enough—it's the collaborator that actually understands your entire workflow and thinks WITH you, not for you. Sign up for Claude today and get 50% off your first three months of Claude Pro when you use our link – www.claude.ai/makeit This episode is brou…

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Commercial Director Quinn Katherman On Innovative Storytelling, Comedy and Adapting To The New World. 59:11

2M ago59:11

59:11

I sit down with the talented director Quinn Katherman, whose creative vision has brought to life memorable commercials, including the Super Bowl spot with Cardi B and the humorous Downy campaign. Quinn shares her journey from a creative director to a celebrated director, revealing the insights and experiences that have shaped her unique approach to…

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That One Scene From...I Saw The Devil 20:24

2M ago20:24

20:24

This week we dive into the absolutely brutal and unique fight scene we've ever seen with Kim Jee-woon's 2010's South Korean revenge chase, I Saw The Devil with Min-sik Choi. Truly never seen anything like this scene. Great conversation. Enjoy! Make sure to play along with each festival and leave comments so we can interact with you and remember to …

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#12 - SUMMARIES | Mark Maxey: Rule of Thirds Financing and Purpose-Driven Producing 13:23

2M ago13:23

13:23

Hello, Hello! Welcome to SUMMARIES, Episode #12 Summaries take some of our best long-form interviews (and even some unpublished ones) and condense them down to 10 (or so) minutes of pure listening pleasure. Summaries are hosted by our AI interns, Alex Ivey and Allison Inverness, and are designed to give you, our valued listeners, just the informati…

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A Zed & Two Noughts | Peter Greenaway Festival 37:08

2M ago37:08

37:08

This week we conclude our Peter Greenaway festival with his forgotten gem and second film, A Zed & Two Noughts. An odd story about twin zoologists who lose their wives and become fascinated with decomposing animals and time lapse photography. Great conversation about a fascinating director. Enjoy!

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421 - Charlie's Place Creator Rhym Guissé on The True Crime Craze, International Storytelling, Documentary Ethics, and How Podcasts & Films Preserve Marginalized Voices 1:53:31

2M ago1:53:31

1:53:31

This episode is brought to you by Anthropic. Claude is the AI for minds that don’t stop at good enough—it's the collaborator that actually understands your entire workflow and thinks WITH you, not for you. Sign up for Claude today and get 50% off your first three months of Claude Pro when you use our link – www.claude.ai/makeit This episode is brou…

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Fearless Art, Fabric, and Friendship with Colleen Atwood and Christine Cantella - Kiss of the Spider Woman 40:16

2M ago40:16

40:16

Oscar-winner Colleen Atwood and designer Christine Cantella reveal the fearless creativity, humor, and teamwork behind thier long-time collaboration and thier newest film: Kiss of the Spider Woman. Legendary costume designer Colleen Atwood (Chicago, Alice in Wonderland) and acclaimed collaborator Christine Cantella join host Catherine Baumgardner o…

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Commercial Producer Thomas Anderson Navigates Agency and Freelance Production Producing. 1:02:23

2M ago1:02:23

1:02:23

October 22, in Venice, Califonia, Thomas is hosting a fun, free meet up for commercial industry types. Back on the pod, I sat down with Thomas Anderson, an Emmy-winning Executive Producer who has seamlessly navigated the worlds of both agency and freelance production. With a career built on a foundation of freelance production work and the founding…

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The Devil's Backbone 1:05:49

3M ago1:05:49

1:05:49

What is a ghost? A tragedy condemned to repeat itself time and again? An instant of pain, perhaps? Something dead which still seems to be alive? An emotion suspended in time? Like a blurred photograph? Like an insect trapped in amber?

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Storytelling through Texture, Color and Time with Lynn Ollie - The Man in My Basement 46:32

3M ago46:32

46:32

In this inspiring interview on The Voice of Costume, host Catherine Baumgardner talks with acclaimed costume designer Lynn Ollie about her creative evolution from sketching fashion plates as a child to working for major productions like Black Panther, Mad Men, and The Great Gatsby. Lynn opens up about discovering her passion for storytelling throug…

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The Role of a First AD: Insights from Jason Slaughter 54:36

3M ago54:36

54:36

In this engaging conversation, Jordan Brady and Jason Slaughter delve into the intricacies of filmmaking, particularly focusing on the role of a First Assistant Director (AD). They explore personal connections, the journey into the film industry, and the evolution of technology in filmmaking. Jason shares valuable insights for new filmmakers, empha…

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That One Scene From...Jacob's Ladder 18:25

3M ago18:25

18:25

This week we dive into the famous nightmare hospital scene from Adrian Lyne's 1990 psychological horror classic, Jacob's Ladder, starring Tim Robbins. What a scene and what a start to spooky season. Enjoy the conversation! Make sure to play along with each festival and leave comments so we can interact with you and remember to subscribe to the chan…

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Broadway Meets Disney Magic with Emilio Sosa and Julia Caston - Descendants: The Rise of Red 59:02

3M ago59:02

59:02

When Tony-nominated designer Emilio Sosa and creative powerhouse Julia Caston joined forces for Disney's Descendants: The Rise of Red, magic happened—literally. In this vibrant interview with host Catherine Baumgardner on The Voice of Costume, they reveal how two different worlds—Broadway spectacle and cinematic precision—collided to create the fra…