The Practical Filmmaker

Yup you're seeing it right; we've come to the end of the road for There to Here. But! Stay put, and you'll get the same great content from "The Practical Filmmaker." Be on the lookout for title and album artwork changes. I'm SUPER STOKED because I'm setting up a brand new website (and learning lots about setting up an LLC). Onwards my friends—can't wait to go on this journey with you, starting at the end of this month. See you there :)   

-T

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Taylor Morden, documentary filmmaker, talks about his journey to becoming a documentarian and his experience in filming The Last Blockbuster. 

Taylor describes what inspired The Last Blockbuster and what the 4-year process has entailed from its conception to its marketing and distribution. Listen to his insightful advice on budgeting, marketing, financing and distribution in this branch of filmmaking.

Show Links:
Pop Motion Pictures
Pick It Up Documentary
The Last Blockbuster
Here's To Life

Key Points
0:00 - Intro
1:00 - His journey to become a filmmaker
2:16 - Flash animation
5:00 - Starting out with a DSLR & making music videos
9:14 - The idea of his first feature film
14:58 - Personal investment in documentaries
19:20 - What inspired The Last Blockbuster
26:00 - How do you get people involved with the project
29:30 - Nostalgia’s role in the success and involvement of films
37:54 - Documentary budgets, financing and distribution approach
44:00 - Marketing in a documentary
51:00 - Scripting in documentaries
54:05 - Talking to subjects before interviews
55:00 - Scheduling interviews with subjects
55:47 - Ending documentaries vs. following in real time
57:00 - Streaming On-Demand The Last Blockbuster


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José Miguel Vásquez is an Atlanta-based actor featured in The Walking Dead, Cobra Kai, and Netflix’s new mini-series released on Veteran’s Day, "The Liberator." He shares insight into his background and life as an actor, the status of the industry in Atlanta, and diversity in film.

José dives into his experience in shooting "The Liberator," using new Trioscope technology for a groundbreaking animation experience. He also talks about how he started a YouTube channel with his family and the challenges that come with growing an audience. 

Listen to him as he shares encouraging advice for actors and entrepreneurs.

Key Points

0:17 — Intro 

1:04 — His background

4:11 — Moving to Atlanta

6:30 —  Status of Film Industry in Atlanta

8:16 — Experience with filming "The Liberator"

9:12 — Trioscope Technology

13:14 — Casting on the Thunderbirds & filming in Poland

17:50 — Teaching & Coaching 

19:19 — Jose’s YouTube channel

20:50 — Future of his acting

22:12 — Difficulties of creating a YouTube channel

23:11 — Challenges of growing an audience

26:13 — Role of faith in their channel

27:00 — Work-life balance

30:11 — The impact of COVID 

31:39 — Encouraging advice

33:43 —Plan B job for actors

36:06 — Dealing with morals as an actor

37:36 — The reason behind still being an actor

Show Notes
YouTube Channel MaJeliv
Variety News: The Liberator

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Maegan Philmore, Television Line Producer for NFL and Production Coordinator and Manager for TV series such as Dance Moms and Naked and Afraid, joins in conversation with Tanya to tell us more about her experiences working on reality TV.

Maegan talks about what it is like to shift from scripted to non-scripted content and its challenges. She also tells us fascinating stories about her experience at the Super Bowl and all the moving parts to live production. Maegan also shares an insight on how she has handled sanitary outbreaks in the past and how COVID has changed this particular side of the entertainment industry.

Listen to Maegan's great advice on what to do if you want to get started in this industry.

Show Notes
Listen to Jill Macy's Interview
Staff Me Up
WorkCare
World Health Organization Training

Key Points
01:17 — Maegan’s background

03:05 — Shift from scripted to non-scripted content

05:33 —  Difference between production coordinator & production manager

08:06 — Reality TV & the Union

11:30 — How to decide between scripted and unscripted TV

15:21 — Working as a producer on the Super Bowl

17:40 — Malaria, Guyana & Naked & Afraid

21:20 — Working in production & handling tropical diseases

22:57 — Her experience with COVID 

26:06 — effects of COVID in her industry

29:06 — Advice to people looking for work

30:02 — Roles that have increased their demand

31:14 — Future roles for Maegan

32:30 — Work-life balance

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Are you ever curious on what filmmakers and producers do to film at certain locations? 

On this episode, Tanya talks to Kyle Hinshaw, Atlanta based locations manager for film and TV like Baby Driver, Walking Dead and Bad Boys for Life. Kyle walks us through the process of scouting and getting a location ready for a production crew. He also shares what the past few months have been like for him and how COVID has changed the way of production and technology. 

Kyle shares details on what it’s like to work for different films and TV productions, dealing with state and federal governments, and getting clearance to film in different locations. Listen to his advice on what sets good professional location managers apart from the rest, and what you should do if you want to work in the film industry.  

Show Links:
David Geroge Podcast
Jill Maxcy Interview 
https://locationmanagers.org 

Key points:

1:29 — Introduction

2:10 —  Kyle’s backgrounds

7:27 —  What is a location manager

10:15—  How demand for location managers has grown

11:20 — Amateur vs Professional Location Managers

13:32 — Winning the Outstanding  Location in a contemporary film for Baby Driver 

15:23 — Getting clearance for locations

17:41 — His impressions on movies as location manager

19:50 —  Working TV vs Films

22:20 — Covid impact for his industry 

26:50 — Most drastic changes he’s seen after covid

27:30 — Thoughts on current changes in technology

30:05 — Scouting multiple regions/countries

32:42 — Difference between production designer locations & pre-existing ones. 

36:00 — Making a location viable for production

37:05 — Budgeting for location as an indie filmmaker

39:18 — Getting state and government agreements/permits

40:49 — Making production aware of locations

42:54 — Commonly overlooked items in location management

43:19 — Future production roles 

46:30 — Advice for filmmakers

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Lucas Tanaka, Producer and Editor for NBC Universal Skycastle, shares with Tanya the nuts and bolts of working in the commercial world including the storytelling process, working with different clients, and the future of the industry after COVID. 

Lucas emphasizes on the importance of project management skills and networking when freelancing. Listen to him share with Tanya about his journey, his current career and his future projects in film and media.  

Key Points: 

00:51 — Lucas’ background
5:00 — Freelancing vs a full-time job
8:00 — Telling stories through commercials
10:30 — How COVID impacted his current job
13:40 — Finding joy in the process 
14:47 — What his day-to-day looks like
15:06 — Getting creative Working From Home
16:28 — COVID Compliance on set
17:41 — Producing & editing projects
18:43 —Working with Da Vinci Resolve
22:00 — Working with different softwares & cameras
25:15 — The future for NBC Universal Skycastle 
26:18 — How to position yourself
27:45 — Shifting of roles 
29:17 — Working with different clients 
30:44 — Balance between accommodating clients and remaining firm on what’s agreed
32:40 — Crafting contracts 
34:20 — Uniqueness of NBC Universal Skycastle
36:30 — How to choose your crew
38:30 — What he does outside of his job

Show Links:
David Geroge Episode
Tom Wentworth Episode
Da Vinci Resolve

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Jill Maxcy, First AD and Health Safety Supervisor with COVID 19 compliant services, talks with Tanya about what the new normal looks like for the film industry. As crew members and actors go back to work, Jill shares insight on safety plans, budgeting, and advice on how to position yourself during these times. 

Jill went from being an AD into a Health Safety Supervisor and running her own small business in just a short period. 

Listen to her full story on what she did to pivot her career during COVID and the role Health Safety Supervisors have in the future of film.  

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Show Links:
10 ways to keep your crew safe on set
Saniset
COVID 19 Complence Set
John Hopkins Tracing
Women in Film
Safe Way Forward

Key Points:
1:05 Jill’s background 
4:00 Becoming a COVID Compliance Officer
5:04 Getting the first job as a HSS
8:00 Authority of HSS on set
9:07 Working Union vs non-union sets
10:27 Plan for shooting
12:20 How much time protocols are adding to production days
13:05 Violation protocols to look out for as crew
15:34 Film school protocols
17:24 Protocols with actors & extras
18:35 How to position yourself 
19:38 Budgeting HSS for indie films
21:03 Pivoting from AD to HSS
22:53 Partnership with SANISET
26:34 How to get training on COVID 
29:32 Personal concerns with COVID

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Tami Cooper, President of Hollywood International Placements, Inc. shares with Tanya the role that product placement agencies play in film production, including working on preparing sets, getting brand deals and product clearance. 

She also shares advice on how filmmakers can work with brands in their films, how to approach product placement agencies and where to find props and other staging materials. 

Listen to Tami share the intricacies that come from working with brands on set, getting their clearance and working with production to provide adequate representation.  

Key Points:
1:11 How she got started
2:34 What Product Placement International does
4:25 Conflict between paid and unpaid advertising
5:00 Working with different departments & getting clearance
6:54 Working with films vs. network television
8:00 How much it costs to have product placement services
9:50 What product placement means
11:21 Steps for filmmakers to get product integration in their films
13:00 Using product placement deals to finance films
15:00 The importance of product clearance in sets
17:00 What to look for in Product Placement Companies
17:38 The ideal deals between films and product placement companies
19:41 The future of product placement 
21:36 Product use vs. product placement
23:18 Ideal timing to submit your deck to product placement companies
25:00 Setting up sets outside of LA
25:49 Opportunities for indie filmmakers
26:47 How to find product placement companies
27:10 Getting in touch with Tami Cooper

Show links:
Hollywoodprops.com
setdecorators.org

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Have you ever made a film but struggled with taking it to the next level? 

Ross Putman, producer, sales and finance agent for Verve, shares valuable insight on the world of sales and distribution agencies. He offers excellent advice for filmmakers on how to sell films and what to look for in distribution companies, emphasizing the importance of networking and constantly making material. 

Listen to Ross share with Tanya his expertise and advice for filmmakers to take their films to the next level.  

Key points:  
1:06 —  Journey to becoming a sales agent
3:32 — What the sales agent job entails
6:00 — Difference between producer & sales agent
8:00 — Agent deals 
9:42 — Global vs. Domestic Deals
11:36 — International Distribution 
13:00 — Getting in touch with a sales agency for the first time
18:35 — The importance of networking
20:51 — How to decide how much to spend in a film
24:00 — The importance of collaboration in feature films
25:20 — Debunking the term “Story is King”
27:00 — Focusing on the strengths of your film
29:13 — Challenges of foreign/ international films 
31:04 — Leverage during negotiations
36:00 — Sales discussions
40:30 — What sales agents look for in films
43:35 — How distribution deals work
46:40 — How filmmakers profit from distribution deals
48:17 — Derivative productions 
49:00— How to get an agency to read your script
53:36 — Advice on budgets

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Greg Nicotero, SFX make up artist & Producer/Director of The Walking Dead, shares nuts and bolts of the SFX department, including tips on how to get started, working with CGI & SFX on The Walking Dead, the difference between working as a make up artist, producing director and the importance of collaboration in different film departments. 

From a young age, Greg Nicotero, had always been passionate about horror films. Unable to translate his hobby into a career, he pursued a pre-med college degree, until he was offered his first job at Day of the Dead.  Little did he know, this was just the beginning of a brilliant career in the film industry. 

Listen to Greg share with Tanya fascinating stories of working with renowned directors & his experiences on the Walking Dead

Key points
1:25 Greg’s background/journey
4:25 How he turned his passion into a career
4:54- His work in The Walking Dead
6:40 - Working with other departments as makeup effects people
7:46 - Experience with different directors
9:28 - Impact of Pre-Med background in Film 
13:15 - How to get started in SFX 
16:20 -  Skills denoting talented makeup artists
19:00 - Challenges in film & COVID adjustments 
19:40 - Developing next season of The Walking Dead
22:35 - COVID Protocols in TWD
24:00 - Technological threats to SFX jobs
26:11 - CGI vs. SFX decision process & collaboration
27:00 - TWD SFX & CGI
31:25 - Keeping the spirit of collaboration on set
31:57- Working on Sin City
33:00 - Experience in directing & how it helps him as a make up artist
33:59 – Working with actors on TWD
36:10 - Balancing work-life & career
37:59 - Working at Creepshow 

Show notes:
IMDB profile
KNB EFX Group

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