Film School

E.T. phone home!

When Ira first watched this movie, he meant its distinction laid out in the back of the VHS cover as the "highest grossing" movie of all time meant that it was super disgusting and scary. There's probably not a single adult right now in their 30s or 40s that didn't have a major part of their childhood shaped by this Steven Spielberg tale of a boy and his super incredible out of the world dog. It's one of the great "kids" movies of all time. So, how does it hold up now as an adult? We watch and find out!

Money. We literally need it. And art doesn't pay at first. That means we can't just work on the art, we have to actually go out and make money in the meantime. Day Job. In fact, we're likely to spend the majority of our time doing work that isn't what we really want to be doing--our art. So, how do we balance that reality? How do we work the day job AND work the passion project? We discuss!

Also, Josh recommends the animated series Justice League which is currently on Netflix and Max, and Ira recommends the CNN series The Movies, which is streaming on HBO Max.

Hold your head high and keep those fists down.

This movie might as well be called "Best Dad Ever." The book was Harper Lee's love note to her father, and the film is the same for Gregory Peck. He shines as Atticus Finch. So do the kids. There's an authenticity to the lives being portrayed here, a testament to the source material. So, how does this film about childhood, parenting, and racism hold up after 60 years? Turns out . . . pretty damn well.

What's your current work in progress? REALLY simple question this week; a chance to just kind of offer an update, we suppose, but we'd love to hear what you're working on right now as well. Let's all share! :)

Also, Josh recommends Peaky Blinders which is currently on Netflix, and Ira recommends Batman: The Animated Series, which is currently on HBO Max.

No, I will not yield!

Jimmy Stew is at his wide-eyed, loquacious, man-of-the-people best here in this film that has a heart as big as the U.S. entire. It's so earnestly idealistic about the potential of politics, politicians and American democracy that it's hard to believe it was derrided at the time for being too negative. Only Smith could go to Washington, and only Stewart could be Mr. Smith. He is just the man to sell such an 'aw-shucks' story. It also put him on the map as an actor. Should be worth it for just that alone, yes? We find out.

When do you feel most confident? Where does that confidence come from? Are there things you can think of that make you FEEL confident? What about when your confidence leaves you--what sent it away? So much of being an artist is finding confidence within ourselves, both to complete the act of creating, and to share that work with others. So...how do we find that kind of confidence? Josh and Ira discuss what works and doesn't work for them!

Also, Josh recommends Lost in Translation, and Ira recommends Soldier.

Hi, Noon!

Minutes after retirement into a happily married life, Sheriff Kane (Gary Cooper) has a crisis: his nemesis Frank Miller has been released from prison, and he's on his way back to town for the purpose of taking it back over, and exacting his revenge. Kane wants to stand his ground and once again send Miller packing . . . but will anyone in the town support him this time? John Wayne is on record as saying he hated this movie on the ground it was anti-American. Its defenders point out it's a scathing commentary on the McCarthy trials and the Red Scare. We find out what the fuss is all about.

So, you have an idea for a story. How do you take that idea and actually write a book from it, or make a movie? One tried and true way is to write an outline! But, how do you make one? Where do we start? Luckily, both Josh and Ira have a decent amount of experience doing just this. In this episode, we talk about how to create an outline.

Also, Josh recommends Bronson and My Life Directed by Nicholas Winding Refn, and Ira recommends Into the Storm on HBO Max.

Buckle up, it's going to be a bumpy night!

Bette Davis fights for her heart's and career's life against the up-and-coming Anne Baxter, who's insinuated herself into Bette's life perhaps . . . too much? This film is mostly known for Davis rocking her sh*t, and rock it she does. The reparte is fast and cutting, the wit is refined, and the characters are out for blood. Age comes to us all, but then again, youth is wasted on the young. Who will come out on top?

What role does emotion play in your creative work? How does it help? How does it hurt? Often, the stories that we're telling have a strong emotional resonance with our personal lives that feels both absolutely necessary to find truth...and a little scary and overwhelming, something we can get lost in. How do we navigate those two poles, and the find the way through?

Also, we recommend Sin City: A Dame to Kill For and The Last Blockbuster.