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No Set Path: Entertainment Break-In Stories
No Set Path: Entertainment Break-In Stories episodes
- 28 - 5 First-Year Podcasting Mistakes to Avoid (Recap!)
BREAKDOWN:
3:29 - Overview Recap: Ideating, buying gear, launch, frequency/release cadence, top 5 episodes
6:05 - Finding guests - do guests’ audiences matter?
8:56 - Analytics: Gender split!
9:10 - How to get on the charts worldwide as a small podcast
11:30 - Spotify Labs
12:29 - Getting monetized through Spotify for Podcasters’ Ad Ambassador program
14:13 - Going viral on TikTok with a podcast clip
16:35 - Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid in First Year of Podcasting - #1: Not having clear goals
18:10 - #2 Not seeing out advice from people actually executing at your level
25:54 - #3 Not finding the balance of researching/preparing and starting/executing
28:17 - Avoiding tech issues + what gear I use
30:50 - Picking a hosting platform
31:35 - Total gear cost
35:19 - #4 Having unrealistic expectations about growing listenership
38:00 - how to optimize other platforms to get listens on your podcast
39:20 - hot take: maybe don’t start a podcast
42:47 - #5 Not having realistic expectations for podcasting as a networking tool
45:50 - Episode recap
CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:
All platforms: @NoSetPathShow
www.NoSetPathShow.com
48 min - 27 - From 1st AD to Director with David Gutel (Forty-Seven Days with Jesus, Ginger Root)
David Gutel’s theatrical directorial debut “Forty-Seven Days with Jesus” hits over 900 theaters this March! In this episode, we get into how David set his feature up for success through casting from similar popular series “The Chosen”, distribution resources and tips for independent films, how he used real estate tech to pre-viz musical numbers, why he decided to do a faith-based film after initially being hesitant and how he transitioned to directing after 8 years as a 1st Assistant Director.
BREAKDOWN:
6:00 - Pre-viz for a musical: Lidar mapping (real estate tools?!)
13:34 - Challenges: strikes, Texas heat, mechanical failures of picture vehicles (sinking boat!)
18:08 - Getting theatrical distribution partly through casting actors from “The Chosen”
24:10 - Distribution resources - Fathom Events & Pinnacle Peak as a resource for independent films, getting distribution abroad through hitting minimums at home
26:30 - Getting distribution tips recap + David’s initial connection to distributors
29:10 - Market festivals vs. competition film festivals
30:25 - From 1st AD to director
41:03 - First job as second unit director
45:19 - Challenging shoots: When to rise to a challenge vs. abandon impending disaster
55:30 - Recap of David’s path in the industry
58:30 - Is film school worth it? David’s experience paying $24k for CSULB
1:04:00 - TIME CAPSULE
CONNECT WITH DAVID: Instagram @davidmgutel / @fortysevendaysfilm
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DeadMediaStore
CONNECT WITH THE SHOW
All platforms: @NoSetPathShow
www.NoSetPathShow.com / bio.site/nosetpath
1 hr 17 min - 26 - Directing Your First Feature After Shorts with Michael Lukk Litwak (Molli & Max in the Future, SXSW 2023)
MICHAEL LUKK LITWAK is a Brooklyn-based filmmaker and cartoonist that was born and raised in Los Angeles. His first feature was ‘MOLLI AND MAX IN THE FUTURE’ a sci-fi Romantic-Comedy starring Zosia Mamet and Aristotle Athari and is often described as ‘When Harry Met Sally’ meets ‘Futurama.’ ‘MOLLI AND MAX’ had its world premiere at SXSW 2023, played at BFI London, Sitges, and Fantasia before its theatrical distribution in February 2024 and is currently sitting at 97% on Rotten Tomatoes.
2:21 - Molli & Max in the Future
4:31 - Admission to SXSW - getting in as a director on the 12th try
6:51 - The strategic side of top festival admissions
12:41 - What film festivals are worth it?
14:21 - Getting theatrical distribution for a first feature
15:21 - Additional benefits of theatrical release: NYT review, Late Night exposure
16:11 - Shooting with new tech - virtual production, volume stages, LED stages & green screen
18:01 - Creative solves to making sci-fi on a budget
26:59 - The Life and Death of Tommy Chaos & Stacey Danger - how Michael’s short that got rejected from every major film festival went viral and landed him representation
29:51 - Landing a $2.5 million Warner Bros show - only to have it scrapped with the shutdown of Go90
38:21 - navigating agents & managers as a director
44:21 - Impact of the strikes
47:07 - Cartoons
49:41 - Being featured on Humans of New York
51:21 - Support & understanding when married to another creative in film
53:25 - Things are not stepping stones and people won’t rescue you
56:16 - Getting inspired again after low points
58:21 - TIME CAPSULE
CONNECT WITH MICHAEL:
IG: @michaellitwak / @molliandmax
https://www.michaellitwak.com/
CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:
All Platforms: @NoSetPathShow
www.NoSetPathShow.com
1 hr 20 min - 25 - Sundance on the Street (Handling the Undead, Welcome to the Enclave, Abbott Elementary)
This special episode takes you to Park City, Utah to talk to filmmakers, staff, and attendees of the 2024 Sundance and Slamdance Film Festivals.
BREAKDOWN:
2:08 Guri Neby - Producer, Handling the Undead (Sundance 2024)
5:00 Ken Wittingham, Director & Sundance Comedy Panelist (Abbott Elementary, Parks & Recreation, Black-ish)
7:33 Sarah Lasley [Director & Writer] & Brenna Palughi [Actress/Co-Writer], Welcome to the Enclave (Slamdance 2024)
17:09 Lindsay Compton, Sundance Staff
20:45 Chris Jai Alex, Director / Festival Attendee
25:16 Justin Knoepfel, Filmmaker / Festival Attendee
29:56 Desiree Breise, Film Lover / Festival Attendee
CONNECT WITH THE GUESTS:
Guri Neby - Einar Film IG @einarfilm
Ken Wittingham - www.imdb.com/name/nm0926526/
Brenna Palughi - IG @brenna__pal
Sarah Lasley - IG @sarah_lasley / sarahlasley.com
Lindsay Compton - IG @lindsayycompton / Letterboxd @lcomp
Chris Jai Alex IG - @chrisjaialex https://tubitv.com/movies/100012918/get-the-girl
Justin Knoepfel IG - @justinknoepfel
CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:
All platforms @NoSetPathShow
33 min - 24 - Attracting an Executive Producer w/ Emily Ruhl (We Strangers SXSW 2024, Playland Tribeca 2023)Emily Ruhl is a model, actress, producer, writer, and director. She has been the face of brands like Smashbox, KKW and MAC; acted in films like Newness (Sundance 2017), and Executive Produced We Strangers (SXSW 2024) and Playland (Tribeca 2023). Her directorial writing, directing, and producing debut, short Blue Moon, played at 100+ festivals and landed her 4 awards for Best Director. Emily is a Lister on the Forbes 30 Under 30 List 2024.BREAKDOWN:2:57 - EPing We Strangers (SXSW 2024)3:52 - What an EP does4:54 - Blue Moon - lessons in making your first film9:08 - EPing Playland (Tribeca 2023)10:43 - What attracted Emily to projects as an EP13:30 - Working with Jim Cummings16:28 - Upcoming projects25:10 - How to learn about how to develop & pitch TV28:04 - Addiction & recovery shows - the good, the bad, and the ugly31:48 - Founding Public School Pictures33:50 - Making Forbes 30 Under 30 & tips for next year’s list40:00 - Finding financing for your own projects43:50 - Building a production company staff47:50 - Modeling in Tokyo & NYC51:54 - Purpose & motivation fueled by passion & rejection55:25 - Lessons in management56:50 - "Rejection" vs. “adapting to a ‘no’"57:40 - TIME CAPSULECONNECT WITH EMILY:@emilyruhlwww.publicschoolpictures.comCONNECT WITH THE SHOW:All Platforms: @NoSetPathShowwww.NoSetPathShow.com1 hr 9 min
- 23 - Motivation Mix for Filmmakers 2024 (Listen to get inspired)This motivation mix was created for directors, writers, producers, cinematographers, editors, makeup artists, entrepreneurs, and filmmakers from previous episodes of No Set Path.TOPIC BREAKDOWN:0:12 - Overcoming tough times10:08 - You were born to do this13:23 - Form your own taste, set your own path17:58 - Comparison + imposter syndrome25:40 - Overcoming tough financial times26:22 - Build your community35:03 - How you do it is more important than what you do41:59 - Make the prototype44:49 - Bad movies don’t exist46:10 - Learn & let go50:41 - Prioritize values alignment53:01 - Discipline sets you free56:54 - Enjoy your lifeThe speakers are:Brian Tang (Ep. 01)Kristen Brancaccio (Ep. 02)Alessandra Conti (Ep. 03)Nina Sadowsky (Ep. 04)Jenine Pastores (Ep. 05 & 06)Josh Jackson (Ep. 05 & 06)YB Chang (Ep. 07)Peri Segel (Ep. 08)Mike Grimm (Ep. 09)Emilia Werynska (Ep. 10)Alex O’Keefe (Ep. 11)David Weddle (Ep. 11)Ryan Lee (Ep. 11)Megan Rees (Ep. 11)Clay Savage (Ep. 12)Jack Powers (Ep. 12)Matthew Jensen (Ep. 13)Noah Schecter (Ep. 14)Becca Mann (Ep. 14)Leiah Yvonne Kwong (Ep. 15)Katrina Kudlick (Ep. 17)Matt McClung (Ep. 18)Mark J. Matthews (Ep. 19)Michael Ritter (Ep. 21)John Burd (Ep. 22)CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:All Platforms: @NoSetPathShowwww.NoSetPathShow.com1 hr 1 min
- 22 - Writing TV Movies w/John Burd (Love at the Christmas Contest, Christmas with the Andersons)John Burd is a writer, producer and director specializing in TV movies. John has worked on projects for networks including Hallmark, Lifetime, Syfy, Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, UpTV, and Ion. He made his directorial debut in 2021 with his script Love at the Christmas Contest.BREAKDOWN:4:00 - Acquiring rights to a book for script adaptation5:57 - Upcoming movies: Nana’s Here, Stalked by My Stepsister (Lifetime)11:19 - Hired to direct first feature, financing first feature13:50 - Christmas movie horror stories + TikTok virality27:50 - Not compromising your values for a project35:03 - Upcoming - Christmas Keepsake (Great American Family), Her Deadly Letters36:20 - Balancing working in development at MarVista with screenwriting43:10 - Creating opportunities during covid, strikes, dry spells in work45:20 - How to build good industry relationships47:00 - Moving to Tulsa53:00 - Law school transferable skills for screenwriting57:00 - Advice for writers who want to work in TV movies or Christmas space1:03:50 - TIME CAPSULE1:16:16 - TakeawaysCONNECT WITH John:https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4719650/www.burdhousepost.comCONNECT WITH THE SHOW:All Platforms: @NoSetPathShowwww.NoSetPathShow.com1 hr 19 min
- 21 - From Assistant to VP Development with Michael Ritter (Moonfall, Those About to Die)Michael Ritter is a film producer and executive named on the 2024 Forbes 30 Under 30 list for Hollywood & Entertainment. He was pivotal in closing over $280 million in financing for films such as Lionsgate’s “Moonfall” and TV shows such as Peacock’s upcoming historical epic “Those About to Die.”We dive into the entire process of getting on Forbes 30 Under 30 - - - alongside names like Jenna Ortega and Noah Schnapp - from nomination to final round questions, how to overcome rejection, and the one key factor to truly measure success.BREAKDOWN:2:51 - Making Forbes 30 Under 30, from surprise nomination to final round questions9:36 - Rejection from job, Moonfall, Midway10:31 - Forbes Under 30 Summit 202315:06 - Receiving the Under 30 news + reactions from others20:26 - Tips for aspiring Listers22:59 - Founding Kairon Studios27:14 - Appealing USC rejection + being a spring admit31:37 - Producing first feature, “Samir” (2019) through USC & Warner Bros.39:23 - First jobs - burnout, bartending, assistant to TV director, freelancing in production & photography47:01 - From producing first feature to working the front desk at Equinox49:21 - Working as an assistant to producer Harald Kloser and meeting JP Pettinato on Midway (2019) to Lionsgate with JP Pettinato58:16 - Associate producer on Moonfall (2022) & covid shutdown in 20201:06:09 - Advice for overcoming low moments1:16:36 - TIME CAPSULECONNECT WITH MICHAELInstagram: @mkritter / @29goingonbreakdownLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-ritter-filmmakerIMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5778236/CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:All Platforms: @NoSetPathShowwww.NoSetPathShow.com1 hr 36 min
- 20 - Is Film School Worth It? 5 Questions Before You Decide
As we approach college application season, it's time to explore the 5 questions you should ask yourself before choosing film school.
3:21 - Finding the Right Role in Film
10:57 - A School's Comprehensive Offerings
17:11 - Content of the Degree's Classes
24:18 - Making Your Own Opportunities
32:16 - Student Loans for a Film Degree
CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:
All Platforms: @NoSetPathShowwww.NoSetPathShow.com45 min - 19 - How to Deal with A.I. with Mark J. Matthews (Trolls, How to Train Your Dragon)Mark J. Matthews is an LA-based engineer specializing in A.I. research. His work was key in character movement in films including Kung Fu Panda, Shrek Forever After, Madagascar, and installments of franchises Trolls and How to Train Your Dragon. He has multiple patents and two DreamWorks Technical Achievement Awards.Today we’re getting into the realistic future of AI, how to protect yourself from it as a writer, actor or filmmaker; what Mark did proactively step by step to land a dream job at DreamWorks even after DreamWorks rescinded a first job offer, and the one trait that every person who did land a job at DreamWorks had in common.2:22 - Mark’s work in AI, tech, and at DreamWorks7:07 - can AI ever fully replace screenwriters or VFX artists?8:32 - historical patterns of opposition to technological replacements16:22 - Mark’s patents and awards for AI techniques in movies25:07 - Exact steps Mark took to land a job at Dreamworks30:07 - Canada -> US immigration35:57 - Decision to drop out of PhD37:57 - Work on How to Train Your Dragon, Trollz, Kung Fu Panda, Madagascar41:17 - The thing people hired by Dreamworks had in common44:18 - TIME CAPSULECONNECT WITH MARKInstagram: www.markjmatthews.comCONNECT WITH THE SHOW:All Platforms: @NoSetPathShowwww.NoSetPathShow.com1 hr 1 min
About No Set Path: Entertainment Break-In Stories
From the publisher's feed
No Set Path is a biweekly podcast exploring how to succeed in film & TV by talking to people who have actually done it.