In a world dominated by social media and AI, our attention is constantly being pulled in a thousand directions. But the greatest gift we can give someone is our presence—real, undivided attention. While the world demands our focus, we have the power to be the change we want to see. Let’s talk about the value of being present, how it shapes our relationships, and why it’s more important now than ever.🔔 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 arts have long been built on mentorship, yet today, too many creatives are left to fend for themselves, struggling to learn the craft without guidance. It’s time to bring back apprenticeships—real hands-on learning from experienced artists to the next generation. This isn’t just about tradition; it’s about sustainability, preserving knowledge, and ensuring that skills aren’t lost. Let’s talk about how we can create pathways for mentorship and why it’s essential for the future of the arts.🔔 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

Sean Baker’s impassioned speech at the 2025 Film Independent Spirit Awards (watch it here: https://youtu.be/yIxtMGRlx0k?si=0_QCG3cLpvqFDWKd) resonated deeply with me. Like him, I’m an indie film lifer—and that’s okay. We get to define success on our terms, and we must demand what we’re worth. The money is out there, and while we’re not asking for a fortune, we won’t accept pennies either. Indie filmmakers create jobs, revenue, and art that matters. It’s time we shape the industry rather than let it shape us. Let’s do this.🔔 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 Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones, a whimsical and subversive fantasy novel that blends fairy tale magic with witty character dynamics.Follow Sophie Hatter’s journey as she’s transformed into an old woman by the Witch of the Waste and seeks refuge in the mysterious moving castle of the infamous wizard Howl. Along the way, she encounters a fire demon, uncovers hidden truths, and discovers her own unexpected magical abilities.Join us as we explore the novel’s themes of fate vs. free will, identity, transformation, and the power of words. We’ll discuss Diana Wynne Jones’ unique writing style, her influence on fantasy literature, and the impact of Howl’s Moving Castle on both readers and pop culture—including its renowned Studio Ghibli adaptation.We’d love to hear your thoughts! Share your favorite moments, insights, and interpretations in the comments.Upcoming Reads:• Confessions of a Forty-Something F** Up* by Alexandra Potter (March 2025)• Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison (April 2025)• (May 2025 TBD)• Avatar: The Last Airbender – The Reckoning of Roku by Randy Ribay (June 2025)Be sure to like, share, and subscribe! Connect with us on social media and check out Marisa’s podcast, Friends & Favorites w/ Marisa Serafini, available at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/friends-and-favorites-w-marisa-serafini/id1693327509.Yours truly,Phil SvitekFilmmaker, author, podcaster & 360 Creative Coach⁠http://philsvitek.com⁠

Gene Wolfe once said, “You never learn how to write a novel. You just learn how to write the novel that you're writing.” And the more I create, the more I realize how true this is—not just for writing, but for filmmaking, painting, music, and every other art form.Each project is its own unique puzzle, demanding fresh solutions. You never fully “arrive” as an artist; instead, you become an expert at navigating the unknown over and over again.In this episode, I dive into why embracing the uncertainty of creation is key to artistic growth—and why the most successful artists aren’t the ones who “have it all figured out,” but the ones who thrive in the process of discovery.

🔹 How has this been true in your creative journey? Let’s discuss in the comments!

🔔 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 Svitek

Filmmaker, author, podcaster & 360 Creative Coach

⁠http://philsvitek.com⁠

We’ve been conditioned to think that if we can’t measure it, it doesn’t matter. But what if the opposite is true? What if the most meaningful things—art, kindness, justice, human connection—can never be captured in numbers?In this episode, I argue that we need to do away with KPIs entirely because they’ll never truly measure real impact. I reference Loretta Ross and her work on “calling in”, share my own experiences—like a book I discussed in my monthly book club (https://youtu.be/vPgWM5rOFqA?si=W3sJ1GFyVvsLC1Xt) and the premiere of my second film—where the ripple effect of our actions is unknowable.Takeaways:🔹 Focus on the process, not performance metrics.🔹 Do good, be kind, and trust that it reverberates.🔹 Detach from measuring impact—it’s freeing to realize you’ll never fully know how your work influences others.It might feel heady, but once you accept this, it’s liberating—because it means you can focus on creating meaningful work without the pressure of trying to quantify it.📢 What do you think? Can we let go of the obsession with metrics and trust the process? Let’s discuss!🔔 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

Ne Zha 2 just made nearly $1 billion in China alone, proving that Hollywood isn’t the only game in town. As filmmakers, we need to think beyond Hollywood and understand where the real opportunities lie. In this episode, I break down:🎬 Why knowing your market is just as important as making a great film🌎 How the entertainment industry is truly global, and what that means for funding and distribution💡 My own experience navigating foreign markets to fund my animated featureIf you’re a filmmaker looking to expand your career beyond the traditional industry path, this is essential viewing!🔔 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

"Unfortunately, I can't take on any unpaid work to help you make money at this time." You've probably seen this phrase floating around—and while I get the sentiment, the reality is more nuanced.🎭 Yes, you should have a circle of creatives you collaborate with and uplift.📜 If you’re doing unpaid work, everyone should know their role and what they stand to gain. The person who benefits the most from the project should be doing the brunt of the work and securing funding—not just relying on others to work for free.💰 If there’s outside funding, people should get paid. No question.In this episode, I break down when unpaid work makes sense, when it doesn’t, and how to navigate it without getting exploited. If you’re an artist, filmmaker, or creator, you’ll want to hear this take!🔔 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

If your emails aren’t getting responses or feel ignored, it’s probably because they’re too long, too vague, or filled with weak phrases. Let’s fix that! 🚀In this episode, I share 10 powerful email tips that will help you:📧 Get faster replies and clearer responses💼 Sound more confident and professional🚀 Avoid common mistakes that make emails ineffectiveI’ll cover weak phrases to avoid, why brevity matters, and how to write emails that actually get results.🔔 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’ve committed to being truly bold in my outreach for my big animated feature. Now, with more time opening up, I’m returning to past projects: updating my novel outline and starting to write this week, wrapping up my digital film school video and 20-year doc with a new editor I’ve gotten to know. As I close out the vlog, I share some observations—like the real difference between having a sponsor vs. letting them control your vision, the irony of people who don’t respect boundaries, and why at some point… mentors don’t have the answers you need. Oh, and taxes? Done.🔔 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