Creative Principles

Meredith Danluck started her career as a visual artist. She soon moved into directing, starting with music videos and now feature films. Thanks to female directors like Kathryn Bigelow, Danluck knew it was possible to make it in a predominantly man’s world.

Her latest film, ‘State Like Sleep’ stars Katherine Waterson, Luke Evans, and Michael Shannon. The plot follows a woman grappling with the consequences of her celebrity husband's double life after he commits suicide.

In this interview, Danluck tells fans that millions of dollars isn’t necessary to make a film if the team stands behind the project. We also discuss transitioning careers, the benefits of note cards, keeping a low overhead as an artist, and the importance of fleshing out supporting characters.

If you enjoyed this interview, join thousands of viewers for the new YouTube series, Creative Principles, which dissects new films, series, and more: bit.ly/2FARJz5

Duncan Skiles grew up in a movie-loving family. He started off making movies with friends and family, before he took a stab at professional films. For this feature, he teamed up with Christopher Ford - hot off the script for ‘Cop Car’ - and they paired up for ‘The Clovehitch Killer.’

The mystery stars Charlie Plummer and Dylan McDermott and exists within the vein of ‘Rear Mirror’ or ‘Disturbia,’ with a twist. The official plot reads, “ A picture-perfect family is shattered when the work of a serial killer hits too close to home. McDermott stars in this chilling portrait of all-American evil.”

In this interview, Skiles discusses his love of cinema, the origin story and influences behind ‘Clovehitch,’ making a disturbing movie set in daytime, the necessity of trial and error, moving from over-the-top to reserved works, and creating outcasts in film.

If you enjoyed this interview, join thousands of viewers for the new YouTube series, Creative Principles, which dissects new films, series, and more: bit.ly/2FARJz5

Melissa Miller Costanzo launched her career in the art department, working on projects like ‘Precious,’ ‘Rubicon,’ ‘The Fighter,’ ‘The Magic of Belle Isle,’ ‘The Affair,’ and the recent films, ‘Rebel in the Rye’ and ‘If Beale Street Could Talk.’

In her directorial debut, ‘All These Small Moments’ stars Molly Ringwald, Jemina Kirke, and Brendan Meyer. The story follows “A teenage boy's infatuation with a woman he sees on the bus further complicates his already tumultuous adolescence.”

Back up plans in the field, misconceptions about locations and the art department, being flexible as a director, getting a project off the ground, the problem with heavy titles, arcs in small scenes, how to pace yourself as a director, and what she learned from Barry Jenkins while working on ‘If Beale Street Could Talk.’

If you enjoyed this interview, join thousands of viewers for the new YouTube series, Creative Principles, which dissects new films, series, and more: bit.ly/2FARJz5

Haley Joel Osment’s career started at a vert early age. By chance, he was cast in a Pizza Hut commercial which led to being cast in the final scenes of 'Forrest Gump.' Soon after, he was on sitcoms, and then earned an Oscar nomination for the horror classic, ‘The Sixth Sense.’

In this interview, Osment talks about his early appreciation of the craft of being an actor, lessons from icons like M. Night Shyamalan, Steven Spielberg, and Robert Zemeckis, the luxury of preparation time on set, his decision to come back to film after attending college, and what it’s like working on comedies with Will Ferrell and Kristen Wiig.

In his latest film, 'Clara’s Ghost,' Joel stars as Joe. The official description reads, “Set over the course of a single evening in the Reynolds family home in suburban Connecticut, Clara's Ghost tells the story of Clara Reynolds who, fed up with constant ribbing from her self-absorbed showbiz family, finds solace in and guidance from the supernatural force she believes is haunting her.”

If you enjoyed this interview, join thousands of viewers for the new YouTube series, Creative Principles, which dissects new films, series, and more: http://bit.ly/2FARJz5

Brothers Ari and Ethan Gold tackled the coming-of-age story, 'The Song of Sway Lake,' as a writer-director and composer. The film can be described as, “Music collector Ollie Sway recruits his only friend, a rowdy Russian drifter, to help him steal a 78 record from his own family's estate.”

Both brothers are interested in music and filmmaking. Ethan, the composer, has directed music videos. Ari, the writer-director, has been in various bands and created music. Together, the focus is always on story and “rowing in the same direction.”

In this interview, the duo discusses tapping into shared emotional experiences, real life inspirations for character, composing based on theme, the benefits and risks of working with siblings, how disagreements can lead to elevation, how to dig into yourself, and the truth about their friend Adrian Grenier and the character Ari Gold on 'Entourage.'

If you enjoyed this interview, join thousands of viewers for the new YouTube series, Creative Principles, which dissects new films, series, and more: http://bit.ly/2FARJz5

As a photographer turned filmmaker, Vladimir de Fontenay started shooting on Super 8 to learn about filmmaking. Eventually, he made a short, also called Mobile Homes (2013), which would guide him to the new film, which stars Imogen Poots. Because of the short, he was able to get into festivals, meet producers, and connect with the future stars of the film.

The official description reads, “A young mother drifts from one motel to the next with her intoxicated boyfriend, and her 8-year-old son. The makeshift family scrapes by, living one hustle at a time, until the discovery of a mobile home community offers an alternative life.”

The original idea came when the director was driving and noticed a mobile home being transported. He realized the struggle to find a home was a universal need. Soon, characters started to materialize within his mind.

In this interview, Fontenay discusses images that stick with you, the struggles of storytelling, his appreciation for 'The Florida Project,' his the method in which he dives into a character’s mindset, and writing universal stories.

If you enjoyed this interview, join thousands of viewers for the new YouTube series, Creative Principles, which dissects new films, series, and more: http://bit.ly/2FARJz5

Ep125 - Andrew Jenks Talks #1 Podcast & Partnering With The Rock

Chris Christie's Bridgegate scandal, Michael Jordan's early retirement and Britney Spears' infamous 2007 meltdown. These are a few of the topics Andrew Jenks tackles in his hit podcast, "What Really Happened?"

The series takes deep dives into historical or widely-publicized events over the past century, such as the lazy coverage of Princess Diana’s death, Muhammad Ali talking a man down from suicide, and the real reason Dave Chappelle quit his iconic comedy series.

In our conversation, Jenks discusses campfire stories, the importance of facts and substance, what it’s like to work with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and upcoming stories coming to his #1 podcast.

Stay up-to-date on other creative advice at www.creativeprinciples.live

In ‘Ozark,’ a financial adviser drags his family from Chicago to the Missouri Ozarks, where he must launder $500 million in five years to appease a drug boss. The Netflix series stars Jason Bateman and Laura Linney.

In this interview, screenwriter and producer Alyson Feltes discusses her role on the series, the Ozarks as a setting, the importance of avoiding television tropes, how intimacy can save a character, and she gives a few details about an upcoming project based on memoirs from Chelsea Clinton.

In addition to this audio format, the print interview for this conversation is available on Creative Screenwriting Magazine’s website.

Stay up-to-date on other creative advice at www.creativeprinciples.live

In the movie ‘Final Score,’ Dave Bautista stars as Michael Knox, an ex-soldier who must deal with deadly terrorists who take his niece hostage at a professional soccer match. The movie also stars Pierce Brosnan and Ray Stevenson.

The film comes from Scott Mann, director of ‘Heist’ and ‘The Tournament.’ Mann grew up as a fan of movies like ‘Commando’ and the film ‘Terminator 2’ is still his favorite movie of all time.

In this interview, the director talks about working with Dave Bautista, seizing opportunities or using assets as a filmmaker, making fun movies that don’t take themselves too seriously, how he avoids the safe zone of not making certain films, and how to turn weaknesses into strengths.

Stay up-to-date on other creative advice at www.creativeprinciples.live

The film ‘Blindspotting’ moves from buddy comedy to dramatic reality. As such, the film needed a nimble score to make it powerful and relatable to audiences across the globe.

In this interview, movie composer Michael Yezerski discusses working with Oakland natives, filmmakers, and stars Daveed Diggs and Rafael Casal on ‘Blindspotting.’

In addition, the composer gives advice on responding to visions and inspiring visions, what it means to have gut-instinct musical responses, how repetition can hurt a composer, and what it means to add emotional layers to the big screen.

Stay up-to-date on other creative advice at www.creativeprinciples.live