In this episode of Next Gen Cinema, Ian Wald and Hunter Schwefringhaus are joined by filmmaker Ryan Watson to discuss the balance between creativity and the business side of filmmaking. Ryan shares his insights on staying true to your passion and the importance of focusing on quality. Towards the end, Ian and Hunter dive into the power of a great opening scene, discussing how it can set the tone for a film, hook the audience, and establish a strong emotional connection right from the start.

In this inaugural episode of the Next Gen Cinema Podcast, hosts Hunter Schwefringhaus and Ian Wald, both high school film educators, discuss their backgrounds, the challenges and joys of teaching filmmaking, and the importance of student filmmaking. They outline the structure of their podcast, share quick tips for aspiring filmmakers, and provide updates on their classroom projects. The episode emphasizes the value of planning in filmmaking and the unique perspectives that student filmmakers bring to the art form.