Tom Proffitt Take

I discuss the style/process of writing used by Stephen King and Quentin Tarantino. Character driven writing, and why I think it's superior to outlining, from a writer who's been an outline addict.

Tom Proffitt Take, a show that pursues nuanced perspectives on life and filmmaking, from someone aspiring to be the best writer director they can be.

Full Video Podcast: https://proffittableproductions.com/podcast

00:00 - Intro00:10 - How I Stumbled Upon This06:52 - No Outlines - Let The Characters Tell The Story17:18 - Why It Works - From A Creative Standpoint28:52 - How I Use It34:46 - How I Might Use It In The Future

(Recorded 5/10/2022) Had a fun podcast with John Morgeneier, we discussed acting, intellectual philosophy vs the art of doing and the mind as an illusion (Dao De Jing), how to spot fake film festivals that scam you for laurels but never screen your film, and when theaters and streaming dies, what’s the future for cinema?

Tom Proffitt Take, a show that pursues nuanced perspectives on life and filmmaking, from someone aspiring to be the best writer director they can be.

Full Video Podcast: https://proffittableproductions.com/podcast

(Recorded 5/9/2022) Had a fun podcast with Melanie Rosedale (Actress, Writer, Director) we discussed the projects we’ve done together, acting, our roots in filmmaking, our experiences with ADHD, whether film school is worth it today, and how comedy is 10x harder than drama, and 1/10th as rewarding.

Tom Proffitt Take, a show that pursues nuanced perspectives on life and filmmaking, from someone aspiring to be the best writer director they can be.

Full Video Podcast: https://proffittableproductions.com/podcast

(Recorded 2/12/2022)Had a fun podcast with Lissa Carandang-Sweeney (Actress, Producer) and Michael Flynn (Writer, Director). We discussed their film Closed Seams, the catharsis that can come from playing characters even different from you, film vs digital and how people decades from now may look back and romanticize digital the way we look back and romanticize film, and much more!

Full Video Podcast: https://proffittableproductions.com/podcast

0:00:00 - Intro0:05:34 - How they’ve evolved0:16:10 - Why Tom writes comedies0:22:29 - Laughing gives you energy0:27:29 - The downsides of film school0:48:54 - What makes for a great film or script - limitations0:56:15 - The benefit of budget limitations1:00:55 - What matters most to Lissa and Michael

(Recorded 2/12/2022)Had a fun podcast with Lissa Carandang-Sweeney (Actress, Producer) and Michael Flynn (Writer, Director). We discussed their film Closed Seams, the catharsis that can come from playing characters even different from you, film vs digital and how people decades from now may look back and romanticize digital the way we look back and romanticize film, and much more!

Full Video Podcast: https://proffittableproductions.com/podcast

0:00:00 - Intro0:03:33 - State of film0:14:23 - Michael’s directing process0:20:18 - How Closed Seams got started0:25:08 - What makes great films0:48:43 - How Lissa and Michael met1:12:02 - Working in a film school equipment room1:18:52 - How they got started1:30:02 - Social Media’s influence on Gen Z and Filmmaking1:34:02 - Short form vs Long Form Filmmaking1:45:17 - Michael on being a script reader1:53:02 - Film vs Digital1:58:28 -  Embracing imperfection1:59:58 - Films shot on iphone2:10:33 - Meaning and fulfillment in acting2:21:17 - Film Fundraisers

Starting the New Year off right with a 7 hour (!!) podcast with non profit co-founder, philanthropist, and Executive Producer Mike McGowan. This is some of the most fun I’ve had doing a podcast. We discuss everything life and filmmaking, including the value of networking-how chance encounters can lead to some of our greatest opportunities (it’s who you know), the importance of breaking through your fears- how the pain of inaction can be much worse, and how it’s much better knowing you helped someone- than getting recognition for it. 

0:05:26 - Film industry today

0:13:23 - How to fix the film industry

0:20:48 - How Mike has a evolved

0:43:48 - What Mike looks for in projects

1:12:38 - Adult dark humor children's book

1:24:15 - Say foreign friends names right, out of respect

1:25:42 - Getting through fears

1:36:12 - What makes for great film

1:53:32 - How to reach Mike

1:57:22 - All forty nine listeners gone

Starting the New Year off right with a 7 hour (!!) podcast with non profit co-founder, philanthropist, and Executive Producer Mike McGowan. This is some of the most fun I’ve had doing a podcast. We discuss everything life and filmmaking, including the value of networking-how chance encounters can lead to some of our greatest opportunities (it’s who you know), the importance of breaking through your fears- how the pain of inaction can be much worse, and how it’s much better knowing you helped someone- than getting recognition for it. 

00:00:12 - Multicam shooting and feedback

00:10:05 - When not to use music in films based on Andrei Tarkovsky

00:12:00 - *Killed a gnat*

00:16:25 - Tom on comedy shorts

00:17:59 - Film festivals

00:23:54 - Philosophies of life

00:39:09 - Comedy festival

00:51:09 - Meaning of Feeding The Fire title (Mike you friend starts here)

00:56:59 - Mike to act in his own film

1:00:35 - Leaving a mark

1:04:55 - Existential threats and voting rights

1:08:59 - The therapy of human touch

1:13:58 - Getting a studio

1:16:36 - Awkward silence is okay

1:20:48 - Masterclass.com 

1:22:03 - Martin Scorsese and Cinema vs Theme Park Rides

1:32:33 - 5 principles for cinematography 

1:39:09 - Mike’s non profit helping a young filmmaker

1:43:33 - Fear as inspiration

1:46:53 - Protect your brand

1:52:57 - How to write comedic characters and situations

2:01:38 - *Police Squad was cancelled not Naked Gun

2:02:16 - Rapid fire again

2:04:41 - Super AI changing the laws of physics

2:10:09 - Polyamorous relationships

2:16:58 - Sex clubs

2:21:13 - Marketing, also don’t sell yourself short

2:23:20 - Your ace in the hole project

Starting the New Year off right with a 7 hour (!!) podcast with non profit co-founder, philanthropist, and Executive Producer Mike McGowan. This is some of the most fun I’ve had doing a podcast. We discuss everything life and filmmaking, including the value of networking-how chance encounters can lead to some of our greatest opportunities (it’s who you know), the importance of breaking through your fears- how the pain of inaction can be much worse, and how it’s much better knowing you helped someone- than getting recognition for it. 

0:02:58 - Why Mike is awesome - and foray into mediation

0:17:15 - Difference between whoppers and double cheese burgers

0:20:40 -  Don't be opportunistically extroverted

0:25:09 - How not to network

0:32:10 - Landing a job with no description

0:35:20 - Random acts of kindness

0:42:30 - Film Sixes and Sevens, how Tom and Mike met

0:45:04 - Ryan preyed on the old man

0:51:55 - 80/20 Filmmaking and shitting on Ryan (Start here Ryan)

1:21:22 - King Missile

1:27:45 - Sixes and Sevens Title (Shitting on Ryan again)

02:00:49 - How fast creations can be superior to things you labor on for years

This is everything I've ever learned from this 14 year obsession called filmmaking, everything that was revolutionary or useful. From Creativity, Writing, and Production condensed into the 20% that gets me 80% of the results. It's a 7 hour audiobook/podcast hybrid in three parts. If you're new to filmmaking, or feel you're stuck creatively, I believe this will give you the jump you need, and it's free, on iTunes, Spotify, and iHeartRadio.

For video version: https://proffittableproductions.com/podcast

0:00:00 - Intro0:01:16 - Have a good script before preproduction0:12:09 - The tools I present are in the form of work0:14:25 - Chi-map0:19:27 - Directing actors0:29:53 - Finding the right Cast and Crew0:45:01 - Don’t lean forwards or backwards, the key to better relationships0:45:01 - Breakdown/Need list1:06:30 - Look book1:09:59 - My 5 principles for cinematography1:27:22 - Location scouting 1:38:39 - Rehearsal 1:45:33 - Marketing and distributions1:55:03 - First 90 minute rule2:00:02 - Editing2:13:43 - Closing - create don’t interpret2:19:20 - What matters most to me