Val Kilmer was more than a movie star—he was a father, a poet, an actor, and an enigma. But above all, he was a generous soul who deeply understood the importance of creating meaningful moments. When our sons were in grade school together, Val invited my family on an unforgettable camping trip to his sprawling ranch in New Mexico. Every activity he planned was designed to build lasting memories for all of us.

But this isn’t just a story about a weekend in the wilderness—it's a tribute to a man whose heart was every bit as extraordinary as his performances on screen.

FILMMAKER RETREAT JOSHUA TREE '25 Thursday, September 25th – Sunday, September 28th, 2025. Limit 15 Filmmakers. This will be our 4th year and it's so special, I'd prefer to jump on the phone with you and tell you more. Every year since our first, filmmakers have come back. Pretty much says it all. SIGN UP!

ONLINE FILMMAKING COURSES - DIRECT WITH CONFIDENCEEach of my online courses come with a free 1:1 mentorship call with yours truly. Taking the Shadow course is the only way to win a chance to shadow me on a real shoot! DM for details. Want to level up your commercial directing game?

MAGIC MIND - MY MENTAL PERFORMANCE EXILIR - SAVE w BRADY40Save hugely on Magic Mind with this link. — This link is the way. 

Thanks,

Jordan

My cult classic mockumentary, "Dill Scallion" is online so I'm giving 100% of the money to St. Jude Children's Hospital. I've decided to donate the LIFETIME earnings every December, so the donation will grow and grow annually. Thank you.

"Respect The Process" podcast is brought to you by Commercial Directing FIlm School and True Gent, aka True Gentleman Industries, Inc. in partnership with Brady Oil Entertainment, Inc.

My friends fimmakers Mike Slane and Ade Bishop are the creative duo behind Practice, a commercial directing studio known for their whimsical mixed-media animation. They've worked on projects for Sesame Street, Thumbtack, and Blonde Beards, bringing characters to life with a unique blend of practical effects and digital magic. Their approach is all about play, creativity, and finding joy in the process. Check out there site or visit them on the Jelly site for US work. Either way, you find yourself smiling.

COMMERCIAL DIRECTING BOOTCAMP 04.05.2025 - LAST SPOT! Filmmakers learn how to win jobs and craft better work that leads to more opportunities. Agency creatives will learn how the flow goes on-set before the shoot. Limit 10 filmmakers. Includes one-on-one onboarding call.  Enroll now to direct with confidence.

FILMMAKER RETREAT JOSHUA TREE '25 Thursday, September 25th – Sunday, September 28th, 2025. Limit 15 Filmmakers. This will be our 4th year and it's so special, I'd prefer to jump on the phone with you and tell you more. Every year since our first, filmmakers have come back. Pretty much says it all. SIGN UP!

ONLINE FILMMAKING COURSES - DIRECT WITH CONFIDENCEEach of my online courses come with a free 1:1 mentorship call with yours truly. Taking the Shadow course is the only way to win a chance to shadow me on a real shoot! DM for details. Want to level up your commercial directing game?

MAGIC MIND - MY MENTAL PERFORMANCE EXILIR - SAVE w BRADY40Save hugely on Magic Mind with this link. — This link is the way. 

Thanks,

Jordan

My cult classic mockumentary, "Dill Scallion" is online so I'm giving 100% of the money to St. Jude Children's Hospital. I've decided to donate the LIFETIME earnings every December, so the donation will grow and grow annually. Thank you.

"Respect The Process" podcast is brought to you by Commercial Directing FIlm School and True Gent, aka True Gentleman Industries, Inc. in partnership with Brady Oil Entertainment, Inc.

Mack Garrison, the co-founder and creative director of Dash Studio, a motion design agency based in Raleigh, North Carolina. Mack and I cover a ton of ground in this conversation - from his adventures hiking in Patagonia, to the origin story of starting his own studio, to the importance of building genuine relationships in this industry. We also dive into the challenges of balancing creativity and business realities, and Mack shares some killer insights on effective leadership. So buckle up, because this is a free-flowing, fun chat that I know you're really going to enjoy.

COMMERCIAL DIRECTING BOOTCAMP 04.05.2025 Filmmakers learn how to win jobs and craft better work that leads to more opportunities. Agency creatives will learn how the flow goes on-set before the shoot. Limit 10 filmmakers. Includes one-on-one onboarding call.  Enroll now to direct with confidence.

FILMMAKER RETREAT JOSHUA TREE '25 Thursday, September 25th – Sunday, September 28th, 2025. Limit 15 Filmmakers. This will be our 4th year and it's so special, I'd prefer to jump on the phone with you and tell you more. Every year since our first, filmmakers have come back. Pretty much says it all. SIGN UP!

ONLINE FILMMAKING COURSES - DIRECT WITH CONFIDENCEEach of my online courses come with a free 1:1 mentorship call with yours truly. Taking the Shadow course is the only way to win a chance to shadow me on a real shoot! DM for details. Want to level up your commercial directing game?

MAGIC MIND - MY MENTAL PERFORMANCE EXILIR - SAVE w BRADY20Save hugely on Magic Mind with this link. — This link is the way. 

Thanks,

Jordan

My cult classic mockumentary, “Dill Scallion” is online so I’m giving 100% of the money to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. I’ve decided to donate the LIFETIME earnings every December, so the donation will grow and grow annually. Thank you.

“Respect The Process” podcast is brought to you by Commercial Directing FIlm School and True Gent, aka True Gentleman Industries, Inc. in partnership with Brady Oil Entertainment, Inc.

My esteemed guest is PJ Pereira, a true creative pioneer at the intersection of advertising, storytelling, and artificial intelligence. As co-founder of Pereira O’Dell, he has led groundbreaking AI-driven campaigns (see: Coca Cola's ai made "Holidays Are Coming") that push the boundaries of modern marketing. A thought leader in the industry, PJ explores how AI enhances creativity, shaping the future of advertising and branded content. Beyond marketing, he is also an accomplished author, bringing his storytelling expertise to both fiction and emerging AI narratives.

COMMERCIAL DIRECTING BOOTCAMP 04.05.2025 Filmmakers learn how to win jobs and craft better work that leads to more opportunities. Agency creatives will learn how the flow goes on-set before the shoot. Limit 10 filmmakers. Includes one-on-one onboarding call.  Enroll now to direct with confidence.

FILMMAKER RETREAT JOSHUA TREE '25 Thursday, September 25th – Sunday, September 28th, 2025. Limit 15 Filmmakers. This will be our 4th year and it's so special, I'd prefer to jump on the phone with you and tell you more. Every year since our first, filmmakers have come back. Pretty much says it all. SIGN UP!

ONLINE FILMMAKING COURSES - DIRECT WITH CONFIDENCEEach of my online courses come with a free 1:1 mentorship call with yours truly. Taking the Shadow course is the only way to win a chance to shadow me on a real shoot! DM for details. Want to level up your commercial directing game?

MAGIC MIND - MY MENTAL PERFORMANCE EXILIR - SAVE w BRADY20Save hugely on Magic Mind with this link. — This link is the way. 

Thanks,

Jordan

My cult classic mockumentary, “Dill Scallion” is online so I’m giving 100% of the money to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. I’ve decided to donate the LIFETIME earnings every December, so the donation will grow and grow annually. Thank you.

“Respect The Process” podcast is brought to you by Commercial Directing FIlm School and True Gent, aka True Gentleman Industries, Inc. in partnership with Brady Oil Entertainment, Inc.

A pleasure to chat with Charles Barclay, the founder of Hollywood Secret Service. He's a master of director's treatments and more. Check out my rant about treatments in Little Black Book.

COMMERCIAL DIRECTING BOOTCAMP 04.05.2025 Filmmakers learn how to win jobs and craft better work that leads to more opportunities. Agency creatives will learn how the flow goes on-set before the shoot. Limit 10 filmmakers. Includes one-on-one onboarding call.  Enroll now to direct with confidence.

FILMMAKER RETREAT JOSHUA TREE '25 Thursday, September 25th – Sunday, September 28th, 2025. Limit 15 Filmmakers. This will be our 4th year and it's so special, I'd prefer to jump on the phone with you and tell you more. Every year since our first, filmmakers have come back. Pretty much says it all. SIGN UP!

ONLINE FILMMAKING COURSES - DIRECT WITH CONFIDENCEEach of my online courses come with a free 1:1 mentorship call with yours truly. Taking the Shadow course is the only way to win a chance to shadow me on a real shoot! DM for details. Want to level up your commercial directing game?

MAGIC MIND - MY MENTAL PERFORMANCE EXILIR - SAVE w BRADY20Save hugely on Magic Mind with this link. — This link is the way. 

Thanks,

Jordan

My cult classic mockumentary, “Dill Scallion” is online so I’m giving 100% of the money to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. I’ve decided to donate the LIFETIME earnings every December, so the donation will grow and grow annually. Thank you.

“Respect The Process” podcast is brought to you by Commercial Directing FIlm School and True Gent, aka True Gentleman Industries, Inc. in partnership with Brady Oil Entertainment, Inc.

As I sit in my trailer-studio, "Breezy," we call her, I can't help but reflect on the journey that has brought me here. From my early days watching Steve Martin on SNL to the evolution of my own creative path, the pursuit of artistry has been a constant companion. This is just me, share insights on committing to your passion projects, embracing change, and finding fulfillment in the very process of creating. I hope this rambling reflection inspires you to keep pushing forward, to honor the craft, and to never lose sight of the resilience that lies at the heart of the creative spirit.

PS I've taken a break from my annual tradition of commenting on the Super Bowl spots, the creativity and innovation showcased in those commercials continue to be a source of inspiration. Click here to watch them all with no paywall. 

COMMERCIAL DIRECTING BOOTCAMP 04.05.2025 We're donating 50% of your Bootcamp tuition to charities and GoFundMe's to help the fire victims. Filmmakers learn how to win jobs and craft better work that leads to more opportunities. Agency creatives will learn how the flow goes on-set before the shoot. Limit 10 filmmakers. Includes one-on-one onboarding call.  Enroll now to direct with confidence.

FILMMAKER RETREAT JOSHUA TREE '25 Thursday, September 25th – Sunday, September 28th, 2025. Limit 15 Filmmakers. This will be our 4th year and it's so special, I'd prefer to jump on the phone with you and tell you more. Every year since our first, filmmakers have come back. Pretty much says it all. SIGN UP!

ONLINE FILMMAKING COURSES - DIRECT WITH CONFIDENCEEach of my online courses come with a free 1:1 mentorship call with yours truly. Taking the Shadow course is the only way to win a chance to shadow me on a real shoot! DM for details. Want to level up your commercial directing game?

MAGIC MIND - MY MENTAL PERFORMANCE EXILIR - SAVE w BRADY20Save hugely on Magic Mind with this link. — This link is the way. 

Thanks,

Jordan

My cult classic mockumentary, “Dill Scallion” is online so I’m giving 100% of the money to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. I’ve decided to donate the LIFETIME earnings every December, so the donation will grow and grow annually. Thank you.

“Respect The Process” podcast is brought to you by Commercial Directing FIlm School and True Gent, aka True Gentleman Industries, Inc. in partnership with Brady Oil Entertainment, Inc.

Chris Salters, editor and founder of Sawtooth, tells us the importance of using the right tool for the right job in filmmaking. Whether it's LED walls, green screens, or AI-powered tools, the key is understanding the limitations and challenges of each technology and using them responsibly to achieve the desired creative outcome. It's about leveraging technology in a thoughtful and effective manner. Chris and I are both passionate about respecting the craft and delivering the best possible work for our clients and collaborators.

LIVE BENEFIT FOR LA FIRE VICTIMS - FEB. 18th MAKE YOUR PASSION PROJECT NOW. Writer/Director/Producer Micheal Patrick Jann ("Drop Dead Gorgeous", "The State", "The Good Doctor") and I are holding a live webinar called "Make Your Passion Project Now" on Feb. 18th. 6pm Pacific. Live with a spirited Q&A and VIP pop ins. Sign up here.

100% of the ticket sales go to Red Cross LA to help the victims of the LA fires. Graciously hosted by our dear friends at the Filmmakers Academy.

COMMERCIAL DIRECTING BOOTCAMP 04.05.2025 We're donating 50% of your Bootcamp tuition to charities and GoFundMe's to help the fire victims. Filmmakers learn how to win jobs and craft better work that leads to more opportunities. Agency creatives will learn how the flow goes on-set before the shoot. Limit 10 filmmakers. Includes one-on-one onboarding call.  Enroll now to direct with confidence.

FILMMAKER RETREAT JOSHUA TREE '25 Thursday, September 25th – Sunday, September 28th, 2025. Limit 15 Filmmakers. This will be our 4th year and it's so special, I'd prefer to jump on the phone with you and tell you more. Every year since our first, filmmakers have come back. Pretty much says it all. SIGN UP!

ONLINE FILMMAKING COURSES - DIRECT WITH CONFIDENCEEach of my online courses come with a free 1:1 mentorship call with yours truly. Taking the Shadow course is the only way to win a chance to shadow me on a real shoot! DM for details. Want to level up your commercial directing game?

MAGIC MIND - MY MENTAL PERFORMANCE EXILIR - 48% OFF w BRADY20Save hugely on Magic Mind with this link. — This link is the way. 

Thanks,

Jordan

My cult classic mockumentary, “Dill Scallion” is online so I’m giving 100% of the money to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. I’ve decided to donate the LIFETIME earnings every December, so the donation will grow and grow annually. Thank you.

“Respect The Process” podcast is brought to you by Commercial Directing FIlm School and True Gent, aka True Gentleman Industries, Inc. in partnership with Brady Oil Entertainment, Inc.

Editor Chris Salters launched Sawtooth, his own freelance-driven editorial house. Chris and I talk about how he's providing an all-in-one post solution for agencies and brands. We unpack the evolving role of AI in post-production, and we dive into his work in spots obviously. I love his work on the Pinocchio documentary by Guillermo del Toro, where managing massive amounts of footage was key. Of course we must about the future of AI in filmmaking, from LED walls to ethical concerns, and why respecting the edit process still matters. And so much. Great chat!

LIVE BENEFIT FOR LA FIRE VICTIMS - FEB. 18th MAKE YOUR PASSION PROJECT NOW. Writer/Director/Producer Micheal Patrick Jann ("Drop Dead Gorgeous", "The State", "The Good Doctor") and I are holding a live webinar called "Make Your Passion Project Now" on Feb. 18th. 6pm Pacific. Live with a spirited Q&A and VIP pop ins. Sign up here.

100% of the ticket sales go to Red Cross LA to help the victims of the LA fires. Graciously hosted by our dear friends at the Filmmakers Academy.

COMMERCIAL DIRECTING BOOTCAMP 04.05.2025 We're donating 50% of your Bootcamp tuition to charities and GoFundMe's to help the fire victims. Filmmakers learn how to win jobs and craft better work that leads to more opportunities. Agency creatives will learn how the flow goes on-set before the shoot. Limit 10 filmmakers. Includes one-on-one onboarding call.  Enroll now to direct with confidence.

FILMMAKER RETREAT JOSHUA TREE '25 Thursday, September 25th – Sunday, September 28th, 2025. Limit 15 Filmmakers. This will be our 4th year and it's so special, I'd prefer to jump on the phone with you and tell you more. Every year since our first, filmmakers have come back. Pretty much says it all. SIGN UP!

ONLINE FILMMAKING COURSES - DIRECT WITH CONFIDENCEEach of my online courses come with a free 1:1 mentorship call with yours truly. Taking the Shadow course is the only way to win a chance to shadow me on a real shoot! DM for details. Want to level up your commercial directing game?

MAGIC MIND - MY MENTAL PERFORMANCE EXILIR - 48% OFF w BRADY20Save hugely on Magic Mind with this link. — This link is the way. 

Thanks,

Jordan

My cult classic mockumentary, “Dill Scallion” is online so I’m giving 100% of the money to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. I’ve decided to donate the LIFETIME earnings every December, so the donation will grow and grow annually. Thank you.

“Respect The Process” podcast is brought to you by Commercial Directing FIlm School and True Gent, aka True Gentleman Industries, Inc. in partnership with Brady Oil Entertainment, Inc.

Writer/Director/Producer Micheal Patrick Jann ("Drop Dead Gorgeous", "The State", "The Good Doctor") and I are holding a live webinar called "Make Your Passion Project Now" on Feb. 18th. 6pm Pacific. Live with a spirited Q&A and VIP pop ins. Sign up here.

100% of the ticket sales go to Red Cross LA to help the victims of the LA fires. Graciously hosted by our dear friends at the Filmmakers Academy.

Born of a chat Michael and I were having, he said, "while it's good to know the difference between 24mm and 70mm lenses and have a rich friend who is also a movie star, it doesn't matter if you can't define and explore your vision."  Your vision is the center of everything, and without it, you have no project. What is your vision, and how does that vision make the journey from your heart to the screen? What are you trying to say? How do you communicate that?

This class is about figuring out how master filmmakers have answered these questions and put their vision on the screen... and, most importantly, how you can do this as well. We will discuss and study several great films and filmmakers - with a particular emphasis on distilling the filmmaker's vision and intent and how they brought that to life. See you all there.

COMMERCIAL DIRECTING BOOTCAMP 04.05.2025 We're donating 50% of your Bootcamp tuition to charities and GoFundMe's to help the fire victims. Filmmakers learn how to win jobs and craft better work that leads to more opportunities. Agency creatives will learn how the flow goes on-set before the shoot. Limit 10 filmmakers. Includes one-on-one onboarding call.  Enroll now to direct with confidence.

FILMMAKER RETREAT JOSHUA TREE '25 Thursday, September 25th – Sunday, September 28th, 2025. Limit 15 Filmmakers. This will be our 4th year and it's so special, I'd prefer to jump on the phone with you and tell you more. Every year since our first, filmmakers have come back. Pretty much says it all. SIGN UP!

ONLINE FILMMAKING COURSES - DIRECT WITH CONFIDENCEEach of my online courses come with a free 1:1 mentorship call with yours truly. Taking the Shadow course is the only way to win a chance to shadow me on a real shoot! DM for details. Want to level up your commercial directing game?

MAGIC MIND - MY MENTAL PERFORMANCE EXILIR - JAN SPECIAL 45%Save hugely on Magic Mind by using this special 45% off the Magic Mind Bundle in January with coupon link for MAGIC MIND — This link is the way.

Thanks,

Jordan

My cult classic mockumentary, “Dill Scallion” is online so I’m giving 100% of the money to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. I’ve decided to donate the LIFETIME earnings every December, so the donation will grow and grow annually. Thank you.

“Respect The Process” podcast is brought to you by Commercial Directing FIlm School and True Gent, aka True Gentleman Industries, Inc. in partnership with Brady Oil Entertainment, Inc.

Welcome our newest sponsor: Spot School - the best commercial directing courses on the planet.

Thanks to all that have supported the victims of these horrific LA fires. My family is safe, but countless friends and colleagues have lost their homes. We're doing a fund-raising webcast called Make Your Passsion Project Now with filmmaker Michael Patrick Jann (Award-Winning Writer/Director/Producer "Organ Trail", "Drop Dead Gorgeous", "The State" Founding Member) and myself moderating. 100% of the proceeds are donated to Red Cross LA. This is a great collab between Commercial Directing FIlm School and the Filmmakers Academy, who will host.

Special pop-in guests: 

Cami Delavigne (Screenwriter/Producer "Blue Valentine" "Homecoming" "American Gigolo")

David Wain (Writer/Actor/Director "Wet Hot American Summer" Trilogy "Children's' Hospital") Thomas Lennon (Comic/Actor/Screenwriter "Night At The Museum" "Reno 911!" "Balls Of Fury")

Tiny Goals

This epsiode is just me: I want to share my approach to using "tiny assignments" to make steady progress on your filmmaking goals. I'm a big believer in breaking down big ambitions into manageable micro-steps. Why not try writing just one sentence per day on that screenplay? Or dedicate time each week to analyze a favorite commercial - study the techniques, the editing, the performance.

Anchoring these tiny habits to your daily routine, tracking your progress, and celebrating small wins can lead to major breakthroughs. I provide examples across writing, directing, and networking. The key is to embrace an incremental approach. Don't get bogged down by lofty dreams - focus on the micro-steps you can consistently take. Trust me, those tiny assignments will add up and fuel your creative growth. It's all about taking that first small step. So let's get to work on making micro-progress towards your filmmaking goals!

COMMERCIAL DIRECTING BOOTCAMP 04.05.2025 We're donating 50% of your Bootcamp tuition to charities and GoFundMe's to help the fire victims. Filmmakers learn how to win jobs and craft better work that leads to more opportunities. Agency creatives will learn how the flow goes on-set before the shoot. Limit 10 filmmakers. Includes one-on-one onboarding call.  Enroll now to direct with confidence.

FILMMAKER RETREAT JOSHUA TREE '25 Thursday, September 25th – Sunday, September 28th, 2025. Limit 15 Filmmakers. This will be our 4th year and it's so special, I'd prefer to jump on the phone with you and tell you more. Every year since our first, filmmakers have come back. Pretty much says it all. SIGN UP!

ONLINE FILMMAKING COURSES - DIRECT WITH CONFIDENCEEach of my online courses come with a free 1:1 mentorship call with yours truly. Taking the Shadow course is the only way to win a chance to shadow me on a real shoot! DM for details. Want to level up your commercial directing game?

MAGIC MIND - MY MENTAL PERFORMANCE EXILIR - JAN SPECIAL 45%Save hugely on Magic Mind by using this special 45% off the Magic Mind Bundle in January with coupon link for MAGIC MIND — This link is the way. BRADYJAN is the code.

Thanks,

Jordan

My cult classic mockumentary, “Dill Scallion” is online so I’m giving 100% of the money to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. I’ve decided to donate the LIFETIME earnings every December, so the donation will grow and grow annually. Thank you.

“Respect The Process” podcast is brought to you by Commercial Directing FIlm School and True Gent, aka True Gentleman Industries, Inc. in partnership with Brady Oil Entertainment, Inc.