Creative Principles

As a kid, Eytan Rockaway would film toy soldiers in an effort to model his hero, Director Steven Spielberg. By the time he was twelve, he was shooting short films with friends, then after the army, he went to NYU to study film. In his new film ‘Lansky,’ Harvey Keitel stars as Meyer Lansky.

The description reads, “When the aging Meyer Lansky is investigated one last time by the Feds who suspect he has stashed away millions of dollars over half a century, the retired gangster spins a dizzying tale, revealing the untold truth about his life as the notorious boss of Murder Inc. and the National Crime Syndicate.”

In this interview, Rockaway talks about the constant battle to make Independent Films, his obsession with mixed genres, how he spends time between films, how he creates “the Director’s Bible,” and the scene he hated to cut in ‘Lansky’ that might have changed the movie.

If it’s your first time listening, make sure to subscribe and visit my new website for information on the YouTube channel, the blog, this podcast, and my new book ‘Ink by the Barrel’ which takes advice from these 200+ interviews at the link below…

Follow us on Instagram: @creativeprinciples

If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60-seconds and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom on your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

Eugene Ashe first entered the filmmaking business as a recording artist, where he landed on soundtracks for Free Willy and The Bronx Tale. While reading these scripts, and others, he started to see movies and television in a songwriitng sense.

As a screenwriter, Ashe has credits for the documentary Home Again and films Homecoming and Sylvie’s Love. In the latest project, the story follows a young woman who meets an aspiring saxophonist in 1950s Harlem.

In this interview, Ashe talks about making movies rooted in humanity rather than trauma, writing screenplays to music, his formula for making Indie films, how to change the energy in pre-production, and why creatives need tunnel vision to make work at the best of their capabilities.

If it’s your first time listening, make sure to subscribe and visit my new website for information on the YouTube channel, the blog, this podcast, and my new book ‘Ink by the Barrel’ which takes advice from these 200+ interviews at the link below…

Follow us on Instagram: @creativeprinciples

If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60-seconds and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom on your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

Patrick Hughes said he knew he wanted to become a filmmaker when he saw the Coen Brothers’ film, ‘Raising Arizona.’ The action-comedy led Hughes down a path to make similar films.

Hughes is best known for his work on ‘Red Hill,’ ‘The Expendables 3,’ and the ‘The Hitman’s Bodyguard’ films. In the sequel, Michael Bryce (Ryan Reynolds) continues his friendship with Darius Kincaid (Samuel L. Jackson) as they try to save Darius’ wife Sonia (Salma Hayek).

In this interview, Hughes talks about making 35 short films, how to write villains with no dialogue, how action-comedies fit the “big screen experience,” why great action sequences are often designed on location and how to elevate action with stuntmen and modern editing.

If it’s your first time listening, make sure to subscribe and visit my new website for information on the YouTube channel, the blog, this podcast, and my new book ‘Ink by the Barrel’ which takes advice from these 200+ interviews at the link below…

Follow us on Instagram: @creativeprinciples

If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60-seconds and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom on your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

Malcom Spellman spent seven years writing before he broke into the industry. Even then, he struggled for another five years, lost his representation and had to start all over. Then he sold the script for ‘Our Family Wedding.’

Today, Spellman is best known for ‘Empire,’ ‘The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’ and two upcoming features, ‘Muscle’ starring Vin Diesel and then Captain America 4, which will be a follow-up from the Disney Plus series.

On the Disney series, the plot is listed as: Following the events of 'Avengers: Endgame,' Sam Wilson/Falcon and Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier team up in a global adventure that tests their abilities -- and their patience.

In this interview, Spellman talks about his relationship with Brian Koppelman, how ‘Empire’ was metaphorically his first real gig in the business, how to pitch “failures,” how he pitched for Disney, how to write for “firepower” series and why voice beats concept.

If it’s your first time listening, make sure to subscribe and visit my new website for information on the YouTube channel, the blog, this podcast, and my new book ‘Ink by the Barrel’ which takes advice from these 200+ interviews at the link below…

Follow us on Instagram: @creativeprinciples

If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60-seconds and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom on your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

Australian actor-writer-director Josh Lawson always wanted to be involved in filmmaking. While in drama school and then college, he always kept up his writing as he moved into sitcoms and movies, like TV Burp, Kinne, The Little Death, and most recently, Long Story Short. You’ve also seen him in the new Mortal Kombat as Kano, along with roles in The Eleven O’Clock and Anchorman 2.

Lawson is the writer-director of the romantic comedy, Long Story Short. The movie stars Rafe Spall and Zahra Newman. The description reads “Teddy wakes up the morning after his wedding to discover that every few minutes he's jumping forward to the next year of his life.”

In this interview, we discuss high-concept comedies, why comedy films are often overlooked today, creative editing versus reshoots, lessons from James Burrows (Cheers, Will & Grace), why he dislikes mumblecore, and how to embrace adventure with magical realism.

If it’s your first time listening, make sure to subscribe and visit my new website for information on the YouTube channel, the blog, this podcast, and my new book ‘Ink by the Barrel’ which takes advice from these 200+ interviews at the link below…

Join the email list here: www.brockswinson.com

Follow us on Instagram for updates: @brockswinson

If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60-seconds and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom on your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

Josh Bycel got his start writing for The Onion in college, before he moved to television, writing for Veronica’s Closet, American Dad!, Psych, Scrubs, and now, Solar Opposites.

Mike McMahan wrote for Axe Cop and Star Trek: Short Treks before writing for Rick and Morty. Since writing for the iconic series, he’s also worked on Star Trek: Lower Decks and is the Co-Creator of Solar Opposites alongside Justin Roiland.

The Hulu series Solar Opposites is about a family of aliens who moved to middle America, where they debate whether life is better there or their home planet.

In this interview, the writers talk about the history of animation, how they find unique voices for the writer’s room, the story behind the undercover C-story “The Wall,” how to write “controlled dumb,” and tactical advice for screenwriters trying to break in today.

If it’s your first time listening, make sure to subscribe and visit my new website for information on the YouTube channel, the blog, this podcast, and my new book ‘Ink by the Barrel’ which takes advice from these 200+ interviews at the link below…

Join the email list here: www.brockswinson.com

Follow us on Instagram for updates: @brockswinson

If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60-seconds and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom on your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

David Weil grew up amongst storytellers. His grandparents, his parents, his siblings. He loved the idea of being able to transport listeners - or viewers - to new, untold worlds.

Weil carried this passion for years, acting and writing with people like Darren Aronofsky and J.J. Abrams, until he finally got his first projects made, Hunters and Solos, both for Amazon.

Hunters: In 1977, in New York City, a troubled young Jewish man bent on revenge is taken in by a secret group of Nazi hunters fighting a clandestine war against the cabal of high-ranking Nazi officials in hiding who work to create the Fourth Reich.

Solos: Seven unique character-driven stories. Each character will set off on a thrilling adventure in an uncertain future and they'll come to reckon that even during our most isolated moments, we are all connected through the human experience.

In this interview, Weil talks about scholarships and the Blacklist, writing specs as calling cards, how to lead with details, what he learned conducting research for Tom Hardy, and why the story demands what the story demands.

If it’s your first time listening, make sure to subscribe and visit my new website for information on the YouTube channel, the blog, this podcast, and my new book ‘Ink by the Barrel’ which takes advice from these 200+ interviews at the link below…

Join the email list here: www.brockswinson.com

Follow us on Instagram for updates: @brockswinson

If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60-seconds and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom on your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

Crystal Moselle got her start making documentary films like ‘The Wolfpack’ and ‘Our Dream of Water.’ Soon after, she took this visual following style with her to make fictional works like ‘Skate Kitchen’ and now, HBO’s ‘Betty.’

In ‘Betty,’ the series stars Dede Lovelace, Kabrina Adams, and Nina Moran. The description reads, " A diverse group of young women navigating their lives through the predominantly male oriented world of skateboarding.”

In this interview, Crystal talks about researching the world of female skateboarders, how she follows inspirations to create look and feel of a show or movie, how she brings improv to the series, and how she shoots the new series like a documentary with purposeful imperfections.

If it’s your first time listening, make sure to subscribe and visit my new website for information on the YouTube channel, the blog, this podcast, and my new book ‘Ink by the Barrel’ which takes advice from these 200+ interviews at the link below…

Join the email list here: www.brockswinson.com

Follow us on Instagram for updates: @brockswinson

If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60-seconds and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom on your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

Influenced by Madonna, Tina Turner and Prince, Bonnie McKee always knew she wanted to be a pop singer. Bonnie is known for songs like “American Girl” and “Sleepwalkers.” She also co-wrote “California Gurls,” “Roar,” and “Teenage Dream” with Katy Perry. She has additional credits for Kesha, Cher, Christina Aguilera, Adam Lambert, and Kelly Clarkson.

Most recently, Bonnie has created the short film, April Kills the Vibe, where she’s the writer, director, editor, producer, star, and score creator. The story is based on sexual assault and alcoholism, along with slut shaming and victim blaming.

In this interview, Bonnie talks about making this short during the quarantine, her transition from music videos to short films, how to direct on a limited schedule, how music videos are being made today, and the importance of finding the right collaborators for any project.

If it’s your first time listening, make sure to subscribe and visit my new website for information on the YouTube channel, the blog, this podcast, and my new book ‘Ink by the Barrel’ which takes advice from these 200+ interviews at the link below…

Join the email list here: www.brockswinson.com

Follow us on Instagram for updates: @brockswinson

If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60-seconds and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom on your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

The biographical musical drama Clouds is based on the memoir Fly a Little Higher: How God Answered a Mom’s Small Prayer in a Big Way by Laura Sobiech. In the film, a young musician named Zach Sobiech (Fin Argus) discovers his cancer has spread and he only has a limited time to make his dream come true of becoming a musician.

“It started out seeing Zach’s video,” said Casey La Scale. “My wife had seen the video online. I was blown away, then randomly, a month later my manager said he found an interesting book and it happened to be Zach’s story.” Since Casey had previously produced another movie in the same realm, A Walk to Remember, his manager suggested turning the story into a movie.

Casey sent the book to Patrick Kopka, who also felt an immediate connection to the book. “Every studio had already passed on it. They saw it as Fault in Our Stars, and even Warner Brothers passed on it. Luckily, I had a relationship with them, but sort of as the last favor I had, we overturned that pass.”

Casey and Patrick took a swing at the screenplay, but they felt like something was missing. “We did the family version, then the teen version, but we ended up finding Kara. She came in with fresh eyes and then we started getting some momentum, which was great.”

Kara, who had worked on Soul Surfer and Carrie Pilby, had also been following the real life story of Zach Sobiech. Thanks to her relationship with Director Justin Baldoni, she was invited to take a look at the screenplay.

“I watched the documentary and felt kind of overwhelmed. It was such an incredible story and incredible character, but it’s so sad and there are so many parts to it.” That said, when she asked herself “Who’s story is this?” She changed the perspective to Zach’s POV and pieces of the story fell into place.

If it’s your first time listening, make sure to subscribe and visit my new website for information on the YouTube channel, the blog, this podcast, and my new book ‘Ink by the Barrel’ which takes advice from these 200+ interviews at the link below…

Join the email list here: www.brockswinson.com

Follow us on Instagram for updates: @brockswinson

If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60-seconds and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom on your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!