The No Film School Podcast

‘Back in Action’ Director Seth Gordon: Get Lost in One Detail at a Time

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GG Hawkins and Jason Hellerman talk with Seth Gordon, the celebrated writer-director behind Back in Action, Horrible Bosses, and The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters. Seth shares the joys and challenges of creating large-scale films, balancing action and comedy, and his insights into leadership and creativity. This episode is packed with practical advice for emerging filmmakers and candid reflections on Seth’s career journey.


In this episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins, Jason Hellerman, and Seth Gordon discuss:

  • How Seth approaches directing large-scale films while staying focused on the story’s essence
  • Why removing distractions is key to immersing yourself in the creative process
  • The importance of starting with the story and building everything else around it
  • Balancing meticulous planning with room for spontaneity and collaboration on set
  • Why aspiring filmmakers should focus on creating something deeply meaningful, rather than chasing external recognition


    • Memorable Quotes:

    • “My phone is always off. I don’t even answer the phone anymore... The interruptions throw me off... What works for me is to disappear into a tiny sort of working environment and then get lost in one detail at a time.”
    • “Make something. Don’t make it about a film festival or about getting recognition. Make it about something you care about deeply.”
    • “It didn't start with a crew of 300 and dealing with the Thames river and weather in England and whatever. It started with a piece of paper and excitement about a story.”


      • Resources:

      • Seth Gordon on IMDb
      • Back in Action Trailer


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