This mini-episode is a reading of a guest blog I wrote for Creative Cow titled "10 Ways to Avoid Editor's Block" (Check it out here). If you're not already, we highly suggest taking a quick 15 minute walking break while listening to this episode as walking away is often the best strategy for defeating editor's block entirely.

Useful Links:

Freedom App Blocker

Optimize Yourself

How Many Minutes Should You Take a Break for Work?

Break Time App

Toggl Tracker

Trello

FiP Podcast Ep 51: Minimizing Paperwork to Maximize Creativity

FiP Podcast Ep 54: Behind the Empire Editorial Workflow

FiP Podcast Ep71: How Movement Makes You Smarter

FiP Podcast Ep77: Why You Keep Failing At Your Goals (And How to Fix This)

A Classic Case of Post-Production Burnout

Fitness in Post Website

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, the show notes were prepared by Jakin Rintelman, and this show is executive produced by Kanen Flowers. We are a member of the THAT STUDIO podcast network.

Balancing any kind of personal life outside your demanding career in post-production is difficult, but when that personal life includes children, it can feel nearly impossible. Having two young kids myself (a 6 year old son and a 4 year old daughter), I know how impossible it can seem to be present as a parent while being equally focused on your job for 12+ hours every day. But there are ways to find balance and be successful with both.

In this episode I have a conversation with award-nominated editor Yvette Amirian about how she became a successful television editor very quickly in her young career, but more importantly how she is balancing a demanding job, teaching several editing courses at USC, as well as raising her 5-year old son.

Sponsors:

CineMoti

Topics of conversation:

• Yvette’s background as an editor and producer
• The role of and editor in unscripted television
• How Yvette made the transition into producing
• The reality TV workflow
• Yvette’s career trajectory and how she moved up the ladder so quickly
• Tips on how to successfully move from assistant editor to editor
• A few things Yvette learned in her first few years as a parent
• Sharing the caretaking duties with family and how to get some quality time in with your child
• How your perspective and priorities change when you have a child
• The difficulties of missing time with your child and how to make up for it
• Balancing work and parenting
• The importance of putting your foot down 
• Coping with the guilt of missing out on your child’s milestones
• How being a woman with a child has affected Yvette’s career prospects (and how society judges that)
• How Yvette’s career aspirations changed (or didn’t) since having a child
• When your career is your identity, how do you take on another?
• Struggling to balance career and children is something we all deal with!

Useful Links:

FiP Podcast Ep48: Transitioning From Reality to Scripted

FiP Podcast Ep59: Making the Jump From Assistant Editor to Editor

FiP Podcast Ep56: Advancing Your Career in Post: What They Don't Teach in Film School

FiP Podcast Ep74: When You Should Take Free Work (And When You Should Run)

Guest Bio:

Yvette Amirian is an award-nominated film and television editor, as well as a producer and writer.  In addition to her work in the industry, Yvette teaches editing courses at her alma mater, USC's School of Cinematic Arts.  Yvette lives in Los Angeles with her husband and 5-year old son. 

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, the show notes were prepared by Natalie Boschan, and this show is executive produced by Kanen Flowers. We are a member of the THAT STUDIO podcast network.

The music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Dorian Cheah from his brilliant album ARA.

Balancing any kind of personal life outside your demanding career in post-production is difficult, but when that personal life includes children, it can feel nearly impossible. Having two young kids myself (a 6 year old son and a 4 year old daughter), I know how impossible it can seem to be present as a parent while being equally focused on your job for 12+ hours every day. But there are ways to find balance and be successful with both.

In this episode I have a conversation with award-nominated editor Yvette Amirian about how she became a successful television editor very quickly in her young career, but more importantly how she is balancing a demanding job, teaching several editing courses at USC, as well as raising her 5-year old son.

Sponsors:

CineMoti

Topics of conversation:

• Yvette’s background as an editor and producer
• The role of and editor in unscripted television
• How Yvette made the transition into producing
• The reality TV workflow
• Yvette’s career trajectory and how she moved up the ladder so quickly
• Tips on how to successfully move from assistant editor to editor
• A few things Yvette learned in her first few years as a parent
• Sharing the caretaking duties with family and how to get some quality time in with your child
• How your perspective and priorities change when you have a child
• The difficulties of missing time with your child and how to make up for it
• Balancing work and parenting
• The importance of putting your foot down 
• Coping with the guilt of missing out on your child’s milestones
• How being a woman with a child has affected Yvette’s career prospects (and how society judges that)
• How Yvette’s career aspirations changed (or didn’t) since having a child
• When your career is your identity, how do you take on another?
• Struggling to balance career and children is something we all deal with!

Useful Links:

FiP Podcast Ep48: Transitioning From Reality to Scripted

FiP Podcast Ep59: Making the Jump From Assistant Editor to Editor

FiP Podcast Ep56: Advancing Your Career in Post: What They Don't Teach in Film School

FiP Podcast Ep74: When You Should Take Free Work (And When You Should Run)

Guest Bio:

Yvette Amirian is an award-nominated film and television editor, as well as a producer and writer.  In addition to her work in the industry, Yvette teaches editing courses at her alma mater, USC's School of Cinematic Arts.  Yvette lives in Los Angeles with her husband and 5-year old son. 

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, the show notes were prepared by Natalie Boschan, and this show is executive produced by Kanen Flowers. We are a member of the THAT STUDIO podcast network.

The music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Dorian Cheah from his brilliant album ARA.

Blake Calhoun isn't a celebrity director, he's not a health & wellness expert, and he's not going to drop any giant knowledge-bombs on you in this episode. He's just a hard-working filmmaker and editor doing his best to raise two kids and create cool stuff in the process.

Through virtually no effort whatsoever, Blake has lost over 30 pounds (and kept it off in the last year), eradicated himself from a daily soda & junk food habit, and has the energy left after a long day to spend time with his family. If that doesn't make you a superhero in the film industry, I don't know what does.

By simply following a few of the steps we talk about in this episode, you can completely change your life for the long term as Blake did, and you can do it one small step at a time.

Full disclaimer: Blake is the owner of Cinemoti, one of the sponsors of this episode. If you're a filmmaker and you don't know about Cinemoti, you need to check them out. He's doing some really cool stuff.

Our Sponsors:

GeekDesk

CineMoti

Topics of Conversation:

• How Blake and I met
• Blake’s new healthy habits
• What is simple is not always easy...
• Blake’s journey to better health and wellness
• What Blake has noticed since he changed his diet
• The difference between fad dieting and a lifestyle change
• The reasons why Blake decided to make this lifestyle change -- his children
• “You really can change your health just by what you eat”
• Why BMI isn’t a very good measure of health
• Blake’s roadmap to better health
• It’s the little things that help!
• How Blake “treats” himself throughout the week
• Does food taste differently now?
• A little bit of soda bashing (use Coke to clean your toilet!)
• Blake’s tips on how to succeed in changing your lifestyle
• What CineMoti has in its library (read: not just background elements!)
• Use coupon code FIP15 for 15% off CineMoti!

Useful links:

FiP Blog Post: Sitting is Killing You, But Standing Isn't The Answer

FiP Podcast Ep36: The Primal Lifestyle

FiP Podcast Ep76: Why Calorie Counting Doesn't Work

FiP Podcast Ep79: How To Stay Healthy at Conventions and Events

Link: BMI calculator

Advocare

Fed Up

Guest Bio:

Blake is founder of the 2nd Unit footage site CineMoti.com and a Texas-­based filmmaker who likes to play golf (although he never gets to). He’s also produced, directed & edited ten independent feature films and digital series including the award­winning shows Pink and Continuum, also Exposed for Warner Bros. TV and executive producer McG. And recently he teamed up with New York Times Best­Selling author Rachel Caine and Felicia Day’s Geek & Sundry entertainment network to create the digital series Morganville. In his spare time he tries to sleep (at least six hours a night).

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, the show notes were prepared by Natalie Boschan, and this show is executive produced by Kanen Flowers. We are a member of the THAT STUDIO podcast network.

The music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Dorian Cheah from his brilliant album ARA.

Blake Calhoun isn't a celebrity director, he's not a health & wellness expert, and he's not going to drop any giant knowledge-bombs on you in this episode. He's just a hard-working filmmaker and editor doing his best to raise two kids and create cool stuff in the process.

Through virtually no effort whatsoever, Blake has lost over 30 pounds (and kept it off in the last year), eradicated himself from a daily soda & junk food habit, and has the energy left after a long day to spend time with his family. If that doesn't make you a superhero in the film industry, I don't know what does.

By simply following a few of the steps we talk about in this episode, you can completely change your life for the long term as Blake did, and you can do it one small step at a time.

Full disclaimer: Blake is the owner of Cinemoti, one of the sponsors of this episode. If you're a filmmaker and you don't know about Cinemoti, you need to check them out. He's doing some really cool stuff.

Our Sponsors:

GeekDesk

CineMoti

Topics of Conversation:

• How Blake and I met
• Blake’s new healthy habits
• What is simple is not always easy...
• Blake’s journey to better health and wellness
• What Blake has noticed since he changed his diet
• The difference between fad dieting and a lifestyle change
• The reasons why Blake decided to make this lifestyle change -- his children
• “You really can change your health just by what you eat”
• Why BMI isn’t a very good measure of health
• Blake’s roadmap to better health
• It’s the little things that help!
• How Blake “treats” himself throughout the week
• Does food taste differently now?
• A little bit of soda bashing (use Coke to clean your toilet!)
• Blake’s tips on how to succeed in changing your lifestyle
• What CineMoti has in its library (read: not just background elements!)
• Use coupon code FIP15 for 15% off CineMoti!

Useful links:

FiP Blog Post: Sitting is Killing You, But Standing Isn't The Answer

FiP Podcast Ep36: The Primal Lifestyle

FiP Podcast Ep76: Why Calorie Counting Doesn't Work

FiP Podcast Ep79: How To Stay Healthy at Conventions and Events

Link: BMI calculator

Advocare

Fed Up

Guest Bio:

Blake is founder of the 2nd Unit footage site CineMoti.com and a Texas-­based filmmaker who likes to play golf (although he never gets to). He’s also produced, directed & edited ten independent feature films and digital series including the award­winning shows Pink and Continuum, also Exposed for Warner Bros. TV and executive producer McG. And recently he teamed up with New York Times Best­Selling author Rachel Caine and Felicia Day’s Geek & Sundry entertainment network to create the digital series Morganville. In his spare time he tries to sleep (at least six hours a night).

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, the show notes were prepared by Natalie Boschan, and this show is executive produced by Kanen Flowers. We are a member of the THAT STUDIO podcast network.

The music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Dorian Cheah from his brilliant album ARA.

For many in the post-production industry, traveling to conventions & events is just part of the business. Whether it's NAB in Las Vegas, Editor's Retreat, or any of the multitude of educational conferences worldwide, those conventions can be treated like paid vacations which means leaving your healthy habits at home. And if this is your choice, fantastic! More power to you. Enjoy yourself and live life.

But for some people, attending large conventions like NAB can be difficult because they prefer to maintain their healthy habits so they have plenty of energy and focus to get the most out of their experience and education. But between the meet-ups, the parties, and the drinking, it can be nearly impossible to even stand upright by the final day.

For those of you looking for helpful tactics and strategies to make your next convention or event a healthier one, I have an in-depth discussion with Katie Hinsen who created the #HealthyNABChallenge, taking it upon herself to make her visit to NAB this year as healthy and productive as possible. 

Download your FREE bonus document '10 Tips to Make Your Next Conference a Healthy One' which includes Katie's review of 37 meal replacement bars!

Sponsors:

GeekDesk

Topics of Conversation:

• How Katie approached me with her idea to start the #HealthyNABChallenge
• What is NAB and why is it so unhealthy?
• Why Katie decided she needed to change her lifestyle and be more healthy
• Katie’s background with Celiac Disease and the seriousness of her condition
• How difficult it is to find healthy food in Vegas and at NAB
• NAB IS A PARTY! You can treat it as such if you want, but maybe you can be healthy while doing it….
• Challenge #1: Food (She and Boon-Shin tried 37 bars to prepare for NAB)
• The two things you need to look for when finding a meal replacement bar
• Katie’s coffee tips
• Challenge #2: Activity (and we’re not just talking steps here)
• How 15 minutes of yoga can make you feel refreshed
• Katie was even able to fit in short workouts during the busy weekend!
• The benefits of morning activity
• 3 must haves for traveling to events like NAB: melatonin patch, exercise & water 
• Challenge #3: Alcohol (How to cut back without looking totally lame)
• Pacing your alcohol consumption
• How having a defined purpose helped Katie succeed
• How to get out of a slump when you lose your motivation
• It’s better to get started than to think about everything you’re not doing! So just start!

Useful Links:

Blue Collar Post Collective

FiP Blog Post: Is It Possible To Stay Healthy At NAB? Let's Find Out...

Yoga gloves & yoga socks

Shakeology

Guest Bio:

Originally from New Zealand, Katie Hinsen is a New York­based, award­winning Finishing Artist with credits on over 80 major productions. Over her 18­year career she has worked as an engineer, editor, VFX artist, Stereoscopic 3D artist, colorist and finishing artist; on commercials, documentaries, television, music videos, short and feature films. Outside of the office she is a passionate advocate for emerging talent, providing mentorship and serving at the Executive level of a number of industry­based non­profit organizations including Gaia Community Initiatives and the One Voice project in New Zealand, and the Blue Collar Post Collective in New York

Katie Hinsen on Twitter: @katiehinsen

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, the show notes were prepared by Natalie Boschan, and this show is executive produced by Kanen Flowers. We are a member of the THAT STUDIO podcast network.

The music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Dorian Cheah from his brilliant album ARA.

For many in the post-production industry, traveling to conventions & events is just part of the business. Whether it's NAB in Las Vegas, Editor's Retreat, or any of the multitude of educational conferences worldwide, those conventions can be treated like paid vacations which means leaving your healthy habits at home. And if this is your choice, fantastic! More power to you. Enjoy yourself and live life.

But for some people, attending large conventions like NAB can be difficult because they prefer to maintain their healthy habits so they have plenty of energy and focus to get the most out of their experience and education. But between the meet-ups, the parties, and the drinking, it can be nearly impossible to even stand upright by the final day.

For those of you looking for helpful tactics and strategies to make your next convention or event a healthier one, I have an in-depth discussion with Katie Hinsen who created the #HealthyNABChallenge, taking it upon herself to make her visit to NAB this year as healthy and productive as possible. 

Download your FREE bonus document '10 Tips to Make Your Next Conference a Healthy One' which includes Katie's review of 37 meal replacement bars!

Sponsors:

GeekDesk

Topics of Conversation:

• How Katie approached me with her idea to start the #HealthyNABChallenge
• What is NAB and why is it so unhealthy?
• Why Katie decided she needed to change her lifestyle and be more healthy
• Katie’s background with Celiac Disease and the seriousness of her condition
• How difficult it is to find healthy food in Vegas and at NAB
• NAB IS A PARTY! You can treat it as such if you want, but maybe you can be healthy while doing it….
• Challenge #1: Food (She and Boon-Shin tried 37 bars to prepare for NAB)
• The two things you need to look for when finding a meal replacement bar
• Katie’s coffee tips
• Challenge #2: Activity (and we’re not just talking steps here)
• How 15 minutes of yoga can make you feel refreshed
• Katie was even able to fit in short workouts during the busy weekend!
• The benefits of morning activity
• 3 must haves for traveling to events like NAB: melatonin patch, exercise & water 
• Challenge #3: Alcohol (How to cut back without looking totally lame)
• Pacing your alcohol consumption
• How having a defined purpose helped Katie succeed
• How to get out of a slump when you lose your motivation
• It’s better to get started than to think about everything you’re not doing! So just start!

Useful Links:

Blue Collar Post Collective

FiP Blog Post: Is It Possible To Stay Healthy At NAB? Let's Find Out...

Yoga gloves & yoga socks

Shakeology

Guest Bio:

Originally from New Zealand, Katie Hinsen is a New York­based, award­winning Finishing Artist with credits on over 80 major productions. Over her 18­year career she has worked as an engineer, editor, VFX artist, Stereoscopic 3D artist, colorist and finishing artist; on commercials, documentaries, television, music videos, short and feature films. Outside of the office she is a passionate advocate for emerging talent, providing mentorship and serving at the Executive level of a number of industry­based non­profit organizations including Gaia Community Initiatives and the One Voice project in New Zealand, and the Blue Collar Post Collective in New York

Katie Hinsen on Twitter: @katiehinsen

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, the show notes were prepared by Natalie Boschan, and this show is executive produced by Kanen Flowers. We are a member of the THAT STUDIO podcast network.

The music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Dorian Cheah from his brilliant album ARA.

It's so easy to get distracted by the latest "shiny object," and

In this episode I have an in-depth conversation with unscripted

Our show sponsors:

GeekDesk

CineMoti

Topics of Conversation:

Useful Links:

The Power Edit

The Power Edit Facebook Group

Edit Better: Hollywood-Tested Strategies for

FiP Podcast Ep60: Walter Murch on Surviving 50+ Years in

In the Blink of An Eye by Walter

FiP Podcast Ep57: Advancing Your Career in

Why We Get Fat

Guest Bio:

Jeff Bartsch built his career in Hollywood as an editor of

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis

The music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of

It's so easy to get distracted by the latest "shiny object," and the latest tips & tactics for how to get healthy or even to get ahead in your career. But sometimes you have to take a step back from all the noise and start thinking about your strategies, whether you're dealing with your health, your career, or your whole life.

In this episode I have an in-depth conversation with unscripted editor and author Jeff Bartsch about the moment he realized his paycheck wasn't enough to justify his brutal lifestyle editing hit TV shows, and what he has done since that moment to change his work schedule and his outlook on life.

Our show sponsors:

GeekDesk

CineMoti

Topics of Conversation:

• How Jeff worked so hard that he ended up in the emergency room
• The price tag Jeff would put on his health
• You need to regulate your hours and pay, not an external force (read: the world will not fix your problems)
• Tactics vs. strategies
• How Jeff brings the human aspect into his work
• Why American Ninja Warrior is so popular (hint: it’s not just the obstacles) 
• “The things behind the thing”
• Being a good editor doesn’t just come “naturally” --you’ve got to PUT IN THE WORK ← Talent is overrated
• The quality of a project and the people you work with really matters
• Jeff’s article about choosing the right project
• Why Jeff decided to get healthy
• Stop counting calories! It won’t make you skinny! 
• Jeff’s personal push up challenge
• You don’t have to do it all at once, you just have to start
• What you measure, you can improve upon (yes, I talk about this again--CAUSE IT WORKS)
• If you don’t know why you want to do something, it makes it harder to do that thing
• “You can accomplish great physical things without being an elite athlete”

Useful Links:

The Power Edit

The Power Edit Facebook Group

Edit Better: Hollywood-Tested Strategies for Powerful Video Editing

FiP Podcast Ep60: Walter Murch on Surviving 50+ Years in Post

In the Blink of An Eye by Walter Murch

FiP Podcast Ep57: Advancing Your Career in Post

Why We Get Fat

Guest Bio:

Jeff Bartsch built his career in Hollywood as an editor of unscripted content for ABC, NBC, Universal, Disney, ESPN, MTV, and many others. His commentary on editing and the entertainment industry have been featured in multiple textbooks, The Associated Press, USA Today, and Time Magazine. He is the author of Edit Better: Hollywood-Tested Strategies for Powerful Video Editing, and is the founder of ThePowerEdit.com, which serves professional and amateur video editors in over 40 countries across 6 continents. Jeff lives in Los Angeles with his wife, son, and their German Shepherd named Saint.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, the show notes were prepared by Natalie Boschan, and this show is executive produced by Kanen Flowers. We are a member of the THAT STUDIO podcast network.

The music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Dorian Cheah from his brilliant album ARA.

"Eat less and exercise more" is the diet advice we've all been following for the last 50 years, but I have bad news for you...science has proven that calorie counting doesn't work 95.4% of the time. Our bodies have evolved for thousands of years to naturally balance energy input (eating) and expenditure (activity). So then why is that only AFTER discovering the concept of the calorie have we begun to see the epidemic rise of obesity worldwide in developed countries?

In this episode I have a rapid-fire conversation with New York Times bestselling author Jonathan Bailor, author of "The Calorie Myth" and one of the foremost experts in the health industry on the concept of the calorie. We talk all about the diet myths we've been fed for the last fifty years and why they are wrong. And then we talk about the solution to reshaping your diet if what you desire is long term health, energy, and longevity.

Click here to learn more about The SANE Solution in this FREE 4 Hour Webinar

Our show sponsors:

GeekDesk.com 

CineMoti.com

Topics of Conversation:

Useful Links:

sanesolution.com

The Calorie Myth

Guest Bio:

Jonathan Bailor is a New York Times bestselling author and internationally recognized wellness expert who specializes in using modern science and technology to simplify health. Bailor has collaborated with top scientists for more than 10 years to analyze and apply over 1,300 studies. His work has been endorsed by top doctors and scientists from Harvard Medical School, Johns’ Hopkins, The Mayo Clinic, The Cleveland Clinic, and UCLA.

Bailor is the founder of SANESolution.com and serves as the CEO for the wellness technology company Yopti®. He authored the New York Times and USA Today bestselling book The Calorie Myth, hosts a popular syndicated health radio show The SANE Show, and blogs on The Huffington Post. Additionally, Bailor has registered over 25 patents, spoken at Fortune 100 companies and TED conferences for over a decade, and served as a Senior Program Manager at Microsoft where he helped create Nike+ Kinect Training and XBox Fitness.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, the show notes were prepared by Natalie Boschan, and this show is executive produced by Kanen Flowers. We are a member of the THAT STUDIO podcast network.

The music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Dorian Cheah from his brilliant album ARA.