Tom Proffitt Take

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 - Intro0:02:49 - Writing through naps0:04:23 - Get distracted on the internet for creativity0:04:23 - Start with desire for an idea0:13:03 - David Lynch’s index cards in a box method0:16:50 - Give yourself permission to forget0:25:29 - To write ideas or not write ideas0:38:43 - Writing sketches from memory0:57:09 - I don’t write backstory1:01:40 - Writing the first draft1:05:52 - Second draft1:25:08 - Writing without formatting

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 - Intro0:02:37 - Make 5 short films ASAP, well, within your means0:06:43 - Quantity is Quality0:09:13 - Filmmaking is swimming in the ocean0:14:41 - Extreme ownership applied to filmmaking0:18:31 - I’m no master0:19:09 - You don’t know what can’t be done0:20:29 - Podcast breakdown0:25:09 - You should have a good script before you enter pre-production0:29:29 - Creativity keys & 80/20 principle0:32:34 - Creative routine0:36:25 - Meditation0:48:49 - Power naps for problem solving0:58:39 - Listen to your inner self, not music while working out1:00:39 - To do list routine for productivity1:02:17 - Deep Work1:08:19 - Eliminate distractions1:10:07 - Write films you can produce1:14:44 - Getting feedback on feedback1:16:54 - Trusting your gut over feedback1:20:49 - Clouds and dirt of filmmaking1:26:14 - The Interconnectedness of filmmaking process1:27:52 - What makes for a great film or script1:44:50 - Find and master simple effective processes1:59:24 - Write like your favorite writers through osmosis2:00:57 - Structure is in all great art2:02:59 - Structure is an obstacle or limitation2:08:41 - Picking your battles and the order you fight them2:14:55 - How I write scenes & dialogue2:17:35 - Truth and honesty in storytelling and film2:19:17 - Withholding your intentions from the audience2:26:13 - Limitations are your tools

Had a great podcast with Madison Hodges! We discussed what it was like for us growing up with learning disabilities, ADD/ADHD, and how the latter may have shaped our unique-yet super similar writing process! And we discuss much much more! - also I find out I may or may not be dyslexic!

For video version, and links, go to: https://proffittableproductions.com/podcast/2022/1/5/take-14-madison-hodges-actress-screenwriter-model0:00:00 Intro0:07:47 How Madison got started acting0:10:00 How Madison got started writing0:16:30 Madison and Tom on ADD, ADHD and other disabilities0:20:10 How we consume books, podcasts, and movies with our attention span0:24:24 Getting off ADHD medicine to become a better artist/writer0:27:00 What it’s like for Madison to have Dyslexia0:33:53 Madison on her Theater experience0:38:45 Pitfalls of theater acting0:43:15 Talking about Madison's film we’re shooting0:49:45 We discuss scripts and writing - We discuss writing0:56:15 The value of feedback in writing1:09:15 Casting process -don’t cast people until you’re auditioning1:14:35 What things Madison likes to have in her stories in her scripts/films - Madison writes with multiple endings in mind1:27:55 Madison on her sketch show she wants to write1:30:00 Why write short films before bigger projects 1:31:45 Why outlining is important - Writing is like quicksand and an outline is a safety rope1:41:35 Madison and Tom on Writing in our heads during naps and also using sleep for writing and creativity - ADD and Writing in Our Heads1:45:10 Our minds can create in multiple dimensions simultaneously1:48:10 You need to eliminate distractions during writing or deep work1:50:20 Simple story structure 1:55:10 Difference between films and sketch structure2:00:45 How Madison has evolved as a person 2:03:50 Rates2:07:50 Actors network with filmmakers2:11:20 One of the hardest parts about being an artist2:19:50 What Madison looks for in films2:21:10 Shows we get drawn to have things we don’t have - and what’s wrong with television2:30:30 Deep rapid fire questions2:38:57 Madison reveals she was in in Mayer of Easttown

Had a super fun podcast with actor Mike Inglese, and writer-director John Targowski. We discuss the film we made together ‘Real Oranges’. Also we talk everything filmmaking, their values, aliens discovering us after we’re gone through everything stored in the cloud, and much more!

For video version, links, go to: https://proffittableproductions.com/podcast/2021/12/15/take-13-mike-inglese-actor-and-john-targowski-writer-director

0:00:00 - Part 2 intro0:05:53 - Less is more in film and acting0:32:40 - *Hollis Frampton0:33:46 - Dealing with self doubt0:38:16 - Life, death, religion and finding meaning0:45:50 - *Frown Land film0:49:16 - Brad Pitt in Once Upon A Time0:52:15 - The state of film0:53:54 - Get rid of digital0:58:10 - How to write like your favorite writer

Had a super fun podcast with actor Mike Inglese, and writer-director John Targowski. We discuss the film we made together ‘Real Oranges’. Also we talk everything filmmaking, their values, aliens discovering us after we’re gone through everything stored in the cloud, and much more!

For video version, links, go to: https://proffittableproductions.com/podcast/2021/12/15/take-13-mike-inglese-actor-and-john-targowski-writer-director

0:00:00 - Intro0:13:19 - John Targowski on his film Real Oranges 0:15:24 - Time during filmmaking0:43:39 - What films do better than television0:47:44 - Paul Blart matching up with Dark Side Of The Moon0:53:20 - Lucas as con man0:58:11 - What television could do to be better1:06:04 - Films with no music1:14:48 - Being president of a fraternity w/ Mike Inglese2:03:08 - John on creative block2:04:42 - How to be less controlled by fear2:16:28 - How have you evolved in your art?2:17:59 - Aliens discovering humanity 2:28:30 - Kermit causing 9/11

Had the great pleasure of sitting down with Cameron Auble-Branigan, a professional dancer-turned-actor/producer. We discuss beginnings in life, how and why they shape who we become, ways for actors to get roles without doing endless auditions, how to lead a more positive/happy life, and our experiences with death and how it changes us.

For video version, links, and selected clips, go to: https://proffittableproductions.com/podcast/2021/11/30/take-12-cameron-auble-branigan-actor-pro-dancer-producer

0:02:36 - What's it like as a pro-dancer?0:15:29 - How Cam got into acting0:17:36 - Education system for people with learning disabilities0:37:57 - How to be positive0:52:20 - Create don't interpret1:13:23 - How to do deep work/writing if you're restless or have ADHD1:21:38 - How to get roles without doing endless auditions1:39:28 - Does the boxer's prime apply to filmmaking and art?1:51:26 - Death and illness in those we love2:13:08 - Tik Tok stars getting lead roles

Had the great pleasure of sitting down with writer-director-actor Kevin Austra. We discussed creative/writing routines, how to get through creative block, how to overcome being typecast as an actor, what makes for a great film (i.e. picking your battles or more specifically choosing what ideas/things to focus on first from idea to execution), why he prefers instagram for finding cast and crew, what about an idea or project leads us to pursue making it, and much more. This was a super fun and insightful podcast!

For video version, links, and selected clips, go to: https://proffittableproductions.com/podcast/2021/10/9/take-11-kevin-austra-writer-director-actor

Had the great pleasure of sitting down with writer-director-actor Kevin Austra. We discussed creative/writing routines, how to get through creative block, how to overcome being typecast as an actor, what makes for a great film (i.e. picking your battles or more specifically choosing what ideas/things to focus on first from idea to execution), why he prefers instagram for finding cast and crew, what about an idea or project leads us to pursue making it, and much more. This was a super fun and insightful podcast!

For video version, links, and selected clips, go to: https://proffittableproductions.com/podcast/2021/10/9/take-11-kevin-austra-writer-director-actor

Had a super fun podcast with Jamie F Root! We discussed her film Densmore, as well as her principles and values in art and life and so much more! Also shots may or may not have been fired at the CEO of Monster Energy.

For video version, links, and selected clips, go to: https://proffittableproductions.com/podcast/2021/8/14/take-10-jamie-f-root-ceo-cinematographer-editor