Best Job Ever

Shortly after the original interview was recorded Zakin called up Jay and requested that we do a follow-up interview to discuss some things that we failed to mention during the first session.  We discuss a lot of advice for anyone looking to enter the film/tv business as well as the internship program at The Director's Bureau (Roman Coppola's production company).  It's a short talk but lots of gems in there.

Michael Zakin started off as Set PA on Beverly Hills 90210.  It was there that he caught the bug and joined the circus.  Before long he was producing music videos with some of the best bands and directors in the world at Virgin Records.  The bubble burst in the music video industry leaving few unscathed but Zakin survived and has been serving a long residency at American Zoetrope as the VP of Film Production.  American Zoetrope was founded by Francis Ford Coppola in 1969 and has produced countless classic films since.  While at Zoetrope Zakin produced "Life After Beth", "The Bling Ring", "Mozart in the Jungle" as well the upcoming "A Very Murray Christmas" (Starring Bill Murray and Directed by Sofia Coppola) and "Bonjour Anne" (Eleanor Coppola's directorial debut).  You can't find a more honest, trustworthy and talented Producer than Michael Zakin.

Michael Zakin started off as Set PA on Beverly Hills 90210.  It was there that he caught the bug and joined the circus.  Before long he was producing music videos with some of the best bands and directors in the world at Virgin Records.  The bubble burst in the music video industry leaving few unscathed but Zakin survived and has been serving a long residency at American Zoetrope as the VP of Film Production.  American Zoetrope was founded by Francis Ford Coppola in 1969 and has produced countless classic films since.  While at Zoetrope Zakin produced "Life After Beth", "The Bling Ring", "Mozart in the Jungle" as well the upcoming "A Very Murray Christmas" (Starring Bill Murray and Directed by Sofia Coppola) and "Bonjour Anne" (Eleanor Coppola's directorial debut).  You can't find a more honest, trustworthy and talented Producer than Michael Zakin.  Zakin wasn't fully satisifed with his first interview at Best Job Ever so he came back a week later to share some more wisdom and advicce with us.  Part 2 of our conversation will be released later this week as a Bonus Episode.  

Claudia Lonow has led one of those unpredictable, chaotic, adventurous, amazing, and inspiring lives that you read about in novels and see at the movies.  Unlike such works of fiction Claudia's journey from the punk rock streets of late 70s Manhattan to the blaring sun and air conditioned sound stages of Los Angeles in the 80s is the stuff of truth.  These days the unstoppable Claudia Lonow is out here in Hollywood running tv shows, writing scripts and loving every minute of it.  Want to do the same?  Give a listen and hear how it's done.

Way back when Jay didn't have a lick of experience in film production he met Devendra Cleary on the set of a tiny short film in Denver, Co.  Devendra is about the most passionate man in the art of sound that Jay has ever met and their careers and lives have been intermingled ever since that fateful day in Denver.  Devendra knew what he wanted to do from Day 1 and he didn't wait around for someone to hand him a gift-wrapped career.  If you want to know how to live your dream...listen here.  "D Man" has the answers.  

Jay sits down with Feature Film & Tv editor Ryan Brown.  Jay and Ryan go way back to the college days at CU Boulder but Ryan was filling his spare time shooting and editing short films and skate videos on video toasters and VCRs all the way back to his teen years in the 90s.  He's come a long way since the "toaster" days and now enjoys editing some of the best films, tv shows, and commercials out there.  His recent credits include Adam Carolla's "Road Hard", "The Young Kieslowski", Eugene Levy's "Schitt's Creek" (Pilot) and The Lonely Island's new pilot "Home for the Weekend". Throw another log on the fire and curl up on that shag carpet while you take a trip to Brown Town.

Jay sits down with Lee Metzger (Executive Producer of NBC's "The Voice").  Lee's story begins in the early 90's on the Sunset Strip shredding hot guitar licks in his hair metal band "Mona Lisa".  When the band broke up Lee traded in his Flying V and studded leather jacket for a career behind the camera.  From Boom Operator to Screenwriter to Show Runner Lee's story of diligence and devotion is a perfect example of what it takes to "Live the Dream".  How do you get that job?  Listen and find out.

This week we sit down with an old friend, Zeb Wells.  For years he wrote comic books for Marvel before working full time as a staff writer on the popular Adult Swim show Robot Chicken.  Before long Zeb upgraded to Director and has successfully directed the last two seasons of Robot Chicken.  Currently he's hard at work on a new show of his own creation, "Super Mansion", which will air on Sony's Crackle.com online network in late 2015.  

Zeb tells the unbelievable story of his "big break" during college that led to a full time gig writing comic books and eventually a career in television and film.  Buckle up.

Jay sits down with Film/TV/Commercial director Nick Jasenovec.  Nick walks us through his journey from the early days dubbing tapes at a post house in Burbank and shooting no budget short films on the weekend to shadowing Judd Apatow on the set of Knocked Up and the eventual launch of his directing career on the feature film Paper Heart.  The story of Nick's rise from total obscurity to highly successful in-demand Director is about as unlikely as it is inspiring.  This one is packed with tales of Nick's adventures with Martin Sheen, Bill Hader, Judd Apatow, Jonah Hill, Charlyne Yi, Michael Cera, Jake Johnson and many others.

Rich Talarico is not only a master of Long Form Improv Comedy but also writes, directs and acts in television and film.  Jay talks with Rich about his fascinating journey from small town life in Upstate New York to working on some of the best comedy shows of our time.