Just Shoot It: A Podcast about Filmmaking, Screenwriting and Directing
Just Shoot It is a podcast about directing hosted by directors. Each week we interview filmmakers on writing, cinematography, development and acting to learn how to build a successful career as a filmmaker in the Hollywood industry.
Episodes
Directing Blumhouse's "The Last Kiss" w/Yoko Okumura - Just Shoot It 548
Yoko Okumura is back again! And she’s fresh off the release of her latest film with Universal Studios!!! Matt and Oren dive into what it was like to direct “The Last Kiss” and the art of working with Blumhouse.Yoko imbues her unique style into everything she does. Colorful frames, an elevated look, and a lively reimagining and response to the last Hollywood cycle of muted, near monochromatic grit
Lessons from 600 Podcast Episodes w/Making Movies is Hard - Just Shoot It 547
Alrik Bursell, Liz Manashi, Matt & Oren have, made over 1,100 podcasts episodes – 600 by “Making Movies is Hard” and 547 for “Just Shoot It”.What a shift it’s been from how they used to view the industry a decade ago, to how they view it today. There was a time when you could make a $100,000 short, get into Sundance, and that would launch you into a career as a full-time director. If only you
Your Career on Cruise Control w/Matt & Oren - Just Shoot It 546
Matt & Oren talk about how nice it would be to have a career that drives itself. One where you the money keeps coming in. And the hustle is less.You might think cruise control means not caring. But that’s not what this episode is about. Matt and Oren want to share some ways to keep caring. Ways to hack your dopamine system to stay motivated, maybe even ambitious.Is that a bad thing?.You alread
Bucking the Studio System w/Wesley Wang - Just Shoot It 545
Wesley Wang talks about his short film that linked him with Darren Aronofsky – who was dying to convince Wesley to make turn it into a feature. And that’s how Wesley got his script idea to become a Sony Pictures film.But after landing a spot in “Forbes 30 Under 30”, Wesley decided it was time to buck the studio system and create one on his own. His new studio is a seed fund for content creators ma
How to Direct Ruthless Comedy w/Rick Darge - Just Shoot It 544
Rick Darge rickdarge.com talks about casting unique faces, running effective callbacks, and methods to find the best actor. And Matt and Oren dive into the secrets behind Rick’s elevated comedic-style, which is as much zany as contained for the brand.Rick talks about the importance of clarity. So people who want to hire you know what you mean. But also so a spot hits the beats and tell the story i
Fighting for Your Passion Project w/Carlyn Hudson & Tom Morris- Just Shoot It 543
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
Navigating the Advertising Landscape w/Callen's Mike Davidson- Just Shoot It 542
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 th
Preparing for a First Meeting w/Matt & Oren - Just Shoot It 541
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/badfeelingJoin the Just Shoot it Patreon!
Hangin' with 'The Wrong Girls' Director Dylan Meyer - Just Shoot It 540
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-effecti
Becoming ‘The Chi’ Guys w/Deondray and Quincy Gossfield - Just Shoot It 539
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
A Just Shoot It Party on Wednesday
We're slipping into your podcast feed to make sure you all know about our in-person summer meetup party we are hosting on Wednesday, August 5th. No panels or interviews, just filmmakers meeting each other, chit-chatting about work, craft, food, whatever and hopefully meeting like-minded folks. Check out all the info at http://events.justshootitpod.com.Just Shoot It is co-hosted by comedy comme
Entering “The Devil’s Mouth” w/Director Jeff Wadlow - Just Shoot It 538
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
On the Black List for ‘One Night Only’ w/Travis Braun - Just Shoot It 537
Travis Braun talks getting on the Blacklist multiple times and why his film, “One Night Only” checked all the boxes to land there tooBut 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 brea
Becoming a Breadwinner w/Director Eric Appel- Just Shoot It 536
Eric Appel talks about the benefits of improv experience and how it shaped his career, from his latest film “The Breadwinner”, which stars Nate Bargatze, Mandy Moore, and Colin Jost, to working with Weird Al and Aron Paul. And Matt and Oren chat with Eric about not being married to your own ideas and various methods to “yes and” with style. And they talk about the balance between being fully commi
How to Break Out w/Matt & Oren - Just Shoot It 535
Matt and Oren engage in a lively chat about how to create passion projects that advance your career and add to your reel. Do you know the 4 types of projects? What about the how to make them stand out?And the guys dive into the balance between projects that get you recognition and those that build your craftsmanship. As well as some of the specifics of what makes a good spec commercial. And who ca
Scheduling Your Life w/Matt & Oren - Just Shoot It 534
Oren's July went from being overbooked and bidding wars for his time, to nothing at all coming to fruition. And now he has free time on his hands... too much free time.So Matt and Oren chat about the down times. Those time when it's easy to spiral into always wondering if you'll ever work again. You know the feeling.And the guys talk about how to fight the sense of not being productive
Fix It in Prep w/Matt & Oren- Just Shoot It 533
With the year in swing and clients shooting, Matt and Oren talk about challenges they’re experiencing on set and some interesting solutions to some common problems to all commercial directors.Matt kicks it off talking about the unique kind of loneliness you feel as the director on set.All leaders experience it, but in the film and commercial world there are particular challenges that stem from wor
Booking Work w/Director Robert Boocheck - Just Shoot It 532
Robert Boocheck talks about the three ways commercial directors land jobs. But first Oren and Matt chat about California's Billionaire tax, its impact on the film industry, and why it is and isn't a great solution.Then Oren and Matt dive deep and quiz Robert on making relationships in the industry and what's the best way to break into the commercial industry as a film director. Which t
Agency Month w/Fallon Anderson of Tailfin - Just Shoot It 531
Fallon Anderson, Creative Director at Tailfin agency https://tailfin.com/ talks about making a Super Bowl commercial and her method for elevating creative.And Matt and Oren dive deep into her process, what she values, and how she chooses commercial directors to hire. And that spurs Fallon to disclose how hard the agency fights for the vision of the director and how she’s learned to prioritize whic
From Crewing to Directing w/Carolina Caroline's Adam Carter Rehmeier - Just Shoot It 530
Adam Carter Rehmeier talks about his latest film, "Carolina Caroline" https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33365126/ , his journey as a dedicated crew member and the moves he made to create 3 features: his new release , "Snack Shack", and “Dinner and a Movie”.And Matt and Oren get him to open up about getting past the gatekeepers and nay-sayers who like to say we can’t let you do that,
Manifesting a "Fantasy Life" w/Matthew Shear - Just Shoot It 529
Matthew Shear IG: @matthew_shear takes us on the journey to cast Amanda Peet, Alessandro Nivola, and Judd Hirsch in his directorial debut. In the midst of a long and successful career as an actor, should you ever write your own film? Does it even make sense to follow your agent's advice about making more content?Matthew just wrapped as series reg, and Matt and Oren are curious about how and wh
Agency Month w/Greg Kort of Doner - Just Shoot It 528
Greg Kort from Doner Advertising, Detroit https://www.doner.com/talks about the job of an agency producer and how it differs from a line producer, or any other kind of producer. And Matt and Oren get him to share what it means to be the connective tissue between multiple people -- whether brands, agency, or outside creatives -- and how being a creative producer can be more about balancing personal
Agency Month w/Joe Saroufim from Kimmelot - Just Shoot It 527
As a Creative Director at Kimmelot Labs, Joe Saroufim has worked with Janusz Kaminski and Matt Oren chat with him about the role of a Creative Director in maintaining the voice of the brand while pushing creative boundaries.Joe talks about his background at film school and how working at an agency taught him to alter his writing to be more modular. Today, he thinks more about how the right combina
Agency Month w/J.K. Lyons of Conscious Minds - Just Shoot It 526
Matt and Oren chat with Creative Director JK Lyons about how you can stand out as a director. And they dive deep into what is in your reel, book, or portfolio. Does it make a statement about your personality? Can somebody tell this is truly you?And they talk about actions you can take so that you're part of the CD's team, and not just a hire. Because at the end of the day, that is what mak
How to Act in an Audition w/Matt & Oren - Just Shoot It 525
Matt and Oren talk about what they love to see from actors. How many takes should you do? What if you drop a line in an audition? And what’s the best way to ask questions?It’s a great episode on the little things actors have done and gotten booked. As well as the mistakes actors have made that worked against them.It’s funny, because Matt and Oren agree on a lot. But while some things are cringe to
Where Do I Fit In? w/Matt & Oren - Just Shoot It 524
Where do you fit in, as a director? That’s what Matt and Oren are talking about on this episode of Just Shoot It!What does that mean? Think of this: what makes you just the right director for a certain script, or a certain commercial spot? Is it your ability to write quirky quick-paced dialogue and convince people to fund it? Or is it your unique way of shooting walk and talks that makes it easy f
The Meteoric Rise of Chandler Levack - Just Shoot It 523
Chandler Levack https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5576953 made 3 feature films. One with a $250,000 budget, and the last with a $30 million budget for Netflix. How did that happen?Matt and Oren dive into how Chandler met Adam Sandler. And the answer is, she made herself the only director for the job.Check out this amazing story from a Canadian filmmaker!Help Matts' film: https://wefunder.com/badfeel
Bringing "Palestine 36" to Life w/ Annemarie Jacir - Just Shoot It 522
Annemarie Jacir has an amazing career that span directing for Hulu’s “Ramy” with comic Ramy Youssef, as well as jurying for Telluride, Cannes, and Sundance. And she chats with Oren and Matt about bringing her latest film “Palestine 36” to life.Jeremy Irons stars in this Oscar-submitted film, Annemarie’s fourth, that played at TIFF and AFI. Set in Palestine in 1936, this historical fiction weaves b
BriTANick Bake a 'Pizza Movie' - Just Shoot It 521
You know them as BriTANick https://www.britanick.com/ and their latest feature, “Pizza Movie” debuts on Hulu on April 3! Now Brian McElhaney and Nick Kocher join Matt and Oren and reveal how they keep new ideas flowing.These guys have written for SNL and “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” and they were the voice of Comedy Central. But they learned a lot shooting this feature, their first departur
Listener Strikes Gold w/‘The Travel Companion’ from Travis Wood & Alex Mallis - Just Shoot It 520
Travis Wood & Alex Mallis are living the director’s dream! Their feature film "The Travel Companion" https://thetravelcompanionfilm.com/ premiered at Tribeca, they have distribution through Oscilloscope, and they’re touring theaters across the country. And now they're on to the next big thing, and this time the goal is to make one dollar on their next film.And that’s how they sta
Writing to your Budget w/Aaron Pagniano - Just Shoot It 519
Aaron Pagniano https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3142582/ talks about their new micro-budget feature film "It Needs Eyes" and they share secrets to overcoming hurdles when you don’t have a ton of money to play with.Matt and Oren get a lot of info, like how much money you really net when you raise, say $60,000 on Kickstarter. As well as the secret to affording 35 mm film stock and a Panavision
Ending Relationships w/ Carlyn Hudson - Just Shoot It 518
As directors, we live a very atypical work life. And Carlyn joins Oren and Matt to clear the air about some frustrations they all share about producers and crew who just aren’t meeting the grade.In any given year, a working director will interview for 150 commercial opportunities and land 20 or so. So while the rest of the world applies for 150 jobs and gets scores of interviews, and lands a few o
How to be a Person w/Matt & Oren - Just Shoot It 517
Matt and Oren spend some time figuring out how to be a normal human being in a world where there’s so much that isn’t normal anymore. We’re way past the new normal!!Like, can you really pitch a potential client on how much you love their toilet paper while your family can’t travel and worry about the next round of incoming missiles?OK, as a commercial director or a filmmaker in general, you know t
Is AI a Tool? w/Sarah May Bates and Susan Song - Just Shoot It 516
Sarah May Bates https://www.sarahmaybates.com/ is an AI director, and she’s been getting lots of work! And Matt and Oren dive deep into how she makes that happen. She’s joined by actor Susan Song.Sarah has a clear line for AI usage. And it comes down to what are you in this for? Do you love the organic aspect of filmmaking and discovery, where what you plan isn’t always what you get? Like, in a go
Landing Top-Tier Talent for 'The Dreadful' w/Director Natasha Kermani - Just Shoot It 515
Natasha Kermani talks about casting Sophie Turner in her latest film “The Dreadful” https://www.imdb.com/title/tt30842022/ and it’s amazing how she connected with Sophie and demonstrated why this project was a great fit for her trajectory as an actor.But when Matt and Oren dig into the details of the one thing Natasha said in her letter that sealed the deal, they get a big surprise.This is a great
Directing Kevin James in "Solo Mio" w/Chuck Kinnane
Chuck Kinnane joins directly from Little Compton, Rhode Island. And he comes out straight on sharing the credit and pay from their latest feature, “Solo Mio”, starring Kevin James.The Kinnane brothers have been living the dream as filmmakers. And they’re proof that years of work with YouTube videos, closed caption documentaries, and just making shorts, writing scripts and pitching ideas, can and d
Producer-Director Relationships w/Mr. Jonathan Burns - Just Shoot It 513
Producer Jonathan Burns https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanaburns talks about his methods for selecting the vibe that he presents to brands and agencies. And the different considerations that drive his every choice from kraft, to restaurants, crew decisions, and more.Matt and Oren have worked with Jonathan on multiple occasions. And they talk about what separates a production manager who’s gradua
Sundance, Securing Money, and Scheduling w/Matt & Oren - Just Shoot It 512
How important is Sundance to your career as a commercial director? Matt and Oren talk about their experiences in Park City before the festival wraps up its last year in Utah. With Matt working to raise money for his latest film, “Bad Feeling”, there’s a lively discussion about whether making narrative films can advance your career as a commercial director. And the answer is,
AI Filmmaking w/Sergio Cilli & Kristyna Archer - Just Shoot It 511
When Sergio Cilli https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1826186/ made his first AI film, it really didn’t get noticed. And neither did many others he made. Sure they were good. But what got noticed more was the one video he made, which showed why AI isn’t quite and why it’s not yet the monster filmmakers fear.Sergio joins Kristyna Archer https://www.archer.vision/ to talk about making AI films. What works,
Sounds of a Coffee Meeting w/Sound Designer Eric Crepeau - Just Shoot It 510
Eric Crepeau https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4145859 joins Matt and Oren after a gap of over 400 episodes to talk about sound design! What makes a good sound designer? And what makes a great sound designer? Eric is the OG Editor of "Just Shoot It!" and he's brought along a reel of outtakes that he's kept over the years! And he's dying to talk about 10 useful words when talking to sound designer.A
Postmortems and Fresh Starts w/Matt & Oren - Just Shoot It 509
Matt and Oren are pulling together their year-end recap posts for social media. And they realize, “wow, there's a lot to reflect upon!”LA is definitely enjoying a resurgence, of sorts. And while more productions are shooting in LA, a lot has changed over the past few years. And everything isn’t rosy.So if you’re wondering what’s the right type of year-end social media recap, or what you shoul
2025 Year-End Director Panel - Just Shoot It 508
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
Visual Storytelling w/‘Alien: Earth’ DP Bella Gonzales - Just Shoot It 507
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
Bringing 'Chad Powers' to the Field w/Tony Yacenda - Just Shoot It 506
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
How Commercial Director NEDA Gets Unique Shots - Just Shoot It 505
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 pu
Filming Action! w/'Family Plan 2' Director Simon Cellan Jones - Just Shoot It 504
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
Designing Gritty Drama w/‘Black Rabbit’ Director Ben Semanoff - Just Shoot It 503
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
Return of the Rom Com w/‘31 Candles’ Filmmaker Jonah Feingold - Just Shoot It 502
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 p
Crafting Hit Science Fiction Shows w/'All of You' Writer-Director Will Bridges - Just Shoot It 501
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.
FIVE-HUNDREDish Filmmaking Tips & Tricks w/Matt & Oren - Just Shoot It 500
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
The Horrors of Seth Worley’s "Sketch" - Just Shoot It 499
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
Crafting Violent Endings w/John-Michael Powell - Just Shoot It 498
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 Produ
How to Pitch with Style w/Maya Margolina - Just Shoot It 497
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 aud
The Film Fixer w/Janek Ambros - Just Shoot It 496
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
The Chilling Truth behind 'Bone Lake' w/Mercedes Bryce Morgan - Just Shoot It 495
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 brie
Getting Schooled By No Film School's GG Hawkins - Just Shoot It 494
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 som
Don’t Make Your Movie! w/Tom Morris & Carlyn Hudson - Just Shoot It 493
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, an
Engagement Farming w/Matt & Oren- Just Shoot It 492
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
Putting A TV Show Together w/ Matlock and She-Hulk Showrunner Kat Coiro - Just Shoot It 491
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 be
Marketing Yourself w/Matt and Oren - Just Shoot It 490
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 y
Vibe Checks w/Matt & Oren - Just Shoot It 489
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 prepa
Update Your F**king Website! w/Matt & Oren - Just Shoot It 488
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
Turning 'Keily: Homecoming Dweeb' into a Feature w/Emily Elizabeth Thomas- Just Shoot It 487
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 E
Crafting your Directing Brand w/Jamaal Parham - Just Shoot It 486
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 J
Joseph Kahn Gives Audiences the Ick (in a good way) - Just Shoot It 485
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 differe
What Makes a Good Producer w/Kelly Christensen - Just Shoot It 484
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 loo
What Makes Something Cinematic? w/Carlyn Hudson - Just Shoot It 483
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 punc
Being In the Mix w/Matt and Oren - Just Shoot It 482
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 bri
Making Creative Decisions w/Matt & Oren - Just Shoot It 481
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
"Don't Tell Larry" w/Greg Porper and John Shimke - Just Shoot It 480
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
Editing Chimp Crazy's 1,500 hours of Footage w/Evan Wise - Just Shoot It 479
"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 e
How to Choose a DP w/Matt & Oren - Just Shoot It 478
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 appear
Adventures from Set w/ Matt & Oren - Just Shoot It 477
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 understan
Building "Friendship" w/Cinematographer Andy Rydzewski - Just Shoot It 476
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 cr
Directing The Weeknd's "Hurry Up Tomorrow" w/Trey Edward Shults - Just Shoot It 475
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
Editing "The Studio" w/Eric Kissack - Just Shoot It 474
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
Crafting Spy High for Amazon w/Jody McVeigh-Schultz - Just Shoot It 473
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 f
Production Pivots w/ Carlyn Hudson - Just Shoot It 472
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
Back to Basics, AI, & Travel Tips w/ Matt & Oren - Just Shoot It 471
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. ---Get a great deal on Magic Mind! Go t
SNL or Die w/ Oz Rodriguez - Just Shoot It 470
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
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