In this episode, we sit down with Bud Rebel—filmmaker, actor, podcaster, and content creator—whose career spans indie feature films (The Undead, All Screwed Up), over 200 YouTube videos, and a podcast that’s welcomed major Hollywood guests. Bud shares how he built his creative empire from the ground up, the mindset shifts that kept him going, and his strategies for staying consistent across platforms. If you're an aspiring artist wondering how to take your first (or next) step, this conversation is full of actionable wisdom and inspiring energy.

For more info on Bud, check out http://budrebelproductions.com.

🔔 Subscribe for more movie reviews, storytelling insights, and creative discussions! Want deeper breakdowns? Join me on Patreon or Substack for exclusive content!

Yours truly,Phil SvitekFilmmaker, author, podcaster & 360 Creative Coach⁠http://philsvitek.com⁠

Welcome to our monthly book discussion series hosted by Marisa Serafini (@serafinitv) and me, Phil Svitek! This month, we dive into Confessions of a Forty-Something F**k Up by Alexandra Potter — a witty, honest, and relatable novel about starting over when life doesn’t go to plan.

We follow Nell, a woman whose business fails, engagement crumbles, and who finds herself back in London starting from scratch. Navigating a sea of Instagram-perfect lives, marital milestones, and sky-high rent, Nell feels like she’s missed the boat. But through an unlikely friendship with the fabulous 80-something Cricket, she begins to rediscover joy, resilience, and the messy beauty of real life.

In this discussion, we explore themes of reinvention, aging, societal pressure, female friendship, and embracing the f**k ups that make us human. Join us as we reflect on the book’s most poignant and hilarious moments—and share your take in the comments!

Upcoming Reads: -Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison (April 2025)-1984 by George Orwell (May 2025)-Avatar: The Last Airbender – The Reckoning of Roku by Randy Ribay (June 2025)

Be sure to like, comment, and subscribe. And check out Marisa’s podcast, Friends & Favorites w/ Marisa Serafini: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/friends-and-favorites-w-marisa-serafini/id1693327509

🔔 Subscribe for more movie reviews, storytelling insights, and creative discussions! Want deeper breakdowns? Join me on Patreon or Substack for exclusive content!

Yours truly,Phil SvitekFilmmaker, author, podcaster & 360 Creative Coach⁠http://philsvitek.com⁠

We’ve seen movies based on books, comics, and even toys—but what if the starting point was a song? In this episode, I explore the idea of using an original track—something catchy, cinematic, and emotionally resonant—as the IP that launches a film. Imagine writing a movie with a song baked into the concept, getting that song to catch on (think Ava Max or Indila), and building momentum from there. Is it crazy... or just crazy enough to work? I share my thoughts and ask: should more creators be looking at unconventional paths to break through the noise?🔔 Subscribe for more movie reviews, storytelling insights, and creative discussions! Want deeper breakdowns? Join me on Patreon or Substack for exclusive content!Yours truly,Phil SvitekFilmmaker, author, podcaster & 360 Creative Coach⁠http://philsvitek.com⁠

What if you could start building hype for your project before it’s even finished? Here, I talk about how creators across all disciplines—writers, filmmakers, musicians, visual artists—can use public events like Comic-Cons, book festivals, art fairs, and music expos to generate excitement and gather early fans before the final product is out. These events are more than just launchpads—they're opportunities to engage your audience, test ideas, and build community around your work-in-progress.Here are a few examples:-Writers hosting live readings of early chapters at literary events-Filmmakers showing concept art or proof-of-concept trailers at conventions-Musicians performing demos or unreleased tracks during pop-up sets-Visual artists displaying sketchbooks or inviting feedback on unfinished seriesWhether your project is a film, a novel, an album, or a gallery show—there’s value in bringing people into the process early. It's not about perfection—it's about connection.🔔 Subscribe for more movie reviews, storytelling insights, and creative discussions! Want deeper breakdowns? Join me on Patreon or Substack for exclusive content!Yours truly,Phil SvitekFilmmaker, author, podcaster & 360 Creative Coach⁠http://philsvitek.com⁠

I break down a subtle trap many of us fall into—we compare ourselves not to one person, but to a collage of people, mistakenly treating their combined successes as if they belong to a single superhuman. No wonder we feel like we're not doing enough. But when we separate these individuals and actually study their journeys, we find the challenges, setbacks, and slow growth that got them to where they are. This isn't about minimizing their success—it’s about making your own path feel more real, grounded, and doable. You don’t need to do everything all at once.🔔 Subscribe for more movie reviews, storytelling insights, and creative discussions! Want deeper breakdowns? Join me on Patreon or Substack for exclusive content!Yours truly,Phil SvitekFilmmaker, author, podcaster & 360 Creative Coach⁠http://philsvitek.com⁠

I dive into a simple yet powerful idea that could improve job platforms like Fiverr and Upwork: what if the freelancer who gets hired is paid the average of all submitted quotes? This small shift could reduce underbidding, encourage fair pricing, and promote higher-quality work across the board. I break down how this model benefits freelancers, clients, and the platforms themselves—and why it might be the key to a more sustainable freelance economy.🔔 Subscribe for more movie reviews, storytelling insights, and creative discussions! Want deeper breakdowns? Join me on Patreon or Substack for exclusive content!Yours truly,Phil SvitekFilmmaker, author, podcaster & 360 Creative Coach⁠http://philsvitek.com⁠

The old Hollywood system is crumbling, and two legendary filmmakers—Robert Rodriguez and Mark Duplass—aren’t waiting around. Rodriguez is launching Brass Knuckle Films, letting fans invest in his movies, while Duplass is bypassing streamers to self-release his latest show.This isn’t just a trend—it’s a blueprint for survival. If you’re a filmmaker still hoping for a studio greenlight, you’re already behind. In this episode, we break down:-Why Rodriguez and Duplass are ditching Hollywood’s traditional model-The key lessons you can apply to fund and distribute your own film-Why indie filmmakers must take control before it’s too late🔗 Read the full articles here:-Robert Rodriguez lets fans invest in his films: https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/03/11/robert-rodriguez-brass-knuckle-invest-movies-films?utm_source=chatgpt.com-Mark Duplass on bypassing streamers for self-distribution: https://seedandspark.com/user/barret-obrien-01jj3pqjdgr9pqmtap0ym5bt5d-Kickstarter’s 2024 Animation Crowdfunding Trends: https://www.animationmagazine.net/2025/03/kickstarter-reveals-animation-crowdfunding-trends-from-2024/?utm_source=chatgpt.comThis episode isn’t just about their success—it’s about your future as a filmmaker. Don’t wait. Watch now and take control of your career!🔔 Subscribe for more movie reviews, storytelling insights, and creative discussions! Want deeper breakdowns? Join me on Patreon or Substack for exclusive content!Yours truly,Phil SvitekFilmmaker, author, podcaster & 360 Creative Coach⁠http://philsvitek.com⁠

In this inspiring conversation, I sit down with animator and storyteller Toby Cochran, the creative force behind LUKi & the Lights, a deeply moving animated short film about ALS. We discuss his journey in animation, the challenges of indie filmmaking, and the importance of authentic storytelling. Toby shares insights from his years in the industry, his experience with Oscar campaigning, and the mission behind his studio, Big Grin Productions. If you're passionate about animation, filmmaking, or stories that make an impact, this is a must!Toby’s website: https://www.tobycochran.com/Big Grin’s Productions website: https://www.biggrinproductions.com/Global Neuro YCare website: https://globalneuroycare.org/Watch LUKi & the Lights: https://globalneuroycare.org/full-movie/🔔 Subscribe for more movie reviews, storytelling insights, and creative discussions! Want deeper breakdowns? Join me on Patreon or Substack for exclusive content!Yours truly,Phil SvitekFilmmaker, author, podcaster & 360 Creative Coach⁠http://philsvitek.com⁠

I share major updates on The Arbiters, including progress on the script, our writer’s room sessions, and the latest developments with our new trailer and proof of concept. I also discuss the investor deck, the filmmaking digital school project, and the strides I’ve made in my novel writing.Beyond that, I explore key topics like the real struggles of indie filmmaking, why companies fail to properly educate their employees—making career growth harder—and how we, as a society, are losing the ability to recognize and communicate mission-critical information.I also share my thoughts on the Indie Spirit Awards (and award shows in general), an escape room adventure, and my review of Ne Zha 2. Oh, and YouTube finally monetized my channel!Art isn’t just about creative talent—it’s about patience, persistence, and playing the long game. Slow and steady truly wins the race.Why Are All The Oscar-Winning Filmmakers Broke? from Luc Forsyth: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxC00XV5NFMThe Hidden Costs of Layoffs: Why Cutting Jobs Hurts Companies in the Long Run: https://youtu.be/Kbvra7KpXuI

🔔 Subscribe for more movie reviews, storytelling insights, and creative discussions! Want deeper breakdowns? Join me on Patreon or Substack for exclusive content!

Yours truly,Phil SvitekFilmmaker, author, podcaster & 360 Creative Coach⁠http://philsvitek.com⁠

Layoffs may seem like an easy way for companies to cut costs, but the data tells a different story. In this episode, we dive deep into the financial, operational, and cultural consequences of layoffs, showing how they often backfire by increasing expenses, tanking stock prices, and damaging long-term growth.

💡 Key Topics:

• Why 30% of companies that lay off employees end up with higher expenses (The US Conference Board).
• How layoffs double the likelihood of bankruptcy (The Hustle).
• Why the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company has dropped from 35 to 20 years—and is shrinking (McKinsey & Company, Innosight).
• The long-term impact on employee morale, productivity, and innovation—leading top talent to leave.
• Better cost-cutting alternatives that help businesses thrive without gutting their workforce.

🔗 Sources & Further Reading:

• The Layoff Myth: Why Job Cuts Don’t Actually Save Money (Fortune)
• Hidden Costs of Layoffs (Forbes)
• Declining S&P 500 Longevity (McKinsey & Company Report, Innosight)
• Why Are Layoffs Always the Default Mechanism? (Reddit Discussion)
• How Layoffs Damage Company Culture & Productivity (LinkedIn)
• How McKinsey Shaped Layoff Culture (John Oliver’s Explainer: YouTube)
• The Cost of Layoffs & Why They Often Fail (myabcm.com)
• Layoffs & Bankruptcy Risk (The Hustle)
• The Decline of S&P 500 Companies (Mr. Money Mustache Forum)
• Are Layoffs the Right Way to Cut Costs? (CFO Share)

Want to understand why layoffs are often a mistake and what smarter alternatives companies can use? Tune in to this episode!