The Zack Arnold Podcast

In case you missed the announcement, the Optimize Yourself podcast is currently on summer hiatus, but that doesn’t mean we plan to leave you high and dry without engaging conversations that educate, motivate, and inspire you. We’ll be back this fall with some significant changes and improvements to the show, but in the meantime…...this week I’d like to share with you another interview I did last summer with Tanya Musgrave of The Practical Filmmaker, where we also discussed my viral article: Dear Hollywood: We Don’t Want to Go Back to Normal. Normal Wasn’t Working. In this interview we specifically talk about how to set boundaries for yourself and how reducing set hours can not only save our health and our sanity but even save productions money. I highly recommend Tanya’s Practical Filmmaker podcast which can be found at thepracticalfilmmaker.com. And now without further adieu my The Practical Filmmaker interview with Tanya Musgrave.→ Click here to go to the full interview page at The Practical Filmmaker podcast→ Click here to go to The Practical Filmmaker home page

In case you missed the announcement, the Optimize Yourself podcast is currently on summer hiatus, but that doesn’t mean we plan to leave you high and dry without engaging conversations that educate, motivate, and inspire you. We’ll be back this fall with some significant changes and improvements to the show, but in the meantime…...this week I’d like to share with you an interview I did last year with Erica Wernick, the host of Hollywood Success Coach, who reached out to me to discuss my article that went viral: Dear Hollywood - We Don’t Want to Go Back to Normal. Normal Wasn’t Working. We talk about what isn’t working about how Hollywood does business and treats its creative professionals and below-the-line workers. I have no doubt this will be a very interesting listen one year out with a lot more perspective about how things have changed (or haven’t) since the pandemic began. I highly recommend Erica’s show and her work as a coach. She and her podcast can be found at hollywoodsuccesscoach.com. And now without further adieu my Hollywood Success Podcast interview with Erica Wernick.→ Click here to go to the full interview page at The Hollywood Success podcast→ Click here to go to The Hollywood Success home page

In case you missed the announcement, the Optimize Yourself podcast is currently on summer hiatus, but that doesn’t mean we plan to leave you high and dry without engaging conversations that educate, motivate, and inspire you. We’ll be back this fall with some significant changes and improvements to the show, but in the meantime…...this week I’d like to share with you a recent interview I did with Alex Ferrari for his Indie Film Hustle podcast. We talk about a variety of topics including my work on Cobra Kai, how to maintain optimal health despite the challenges that come with being a very sedentary creative professional, and how I balance being a semi-retired editor with being an online entrepreneur, podcaster, and online coach. I highly recommend Alex’s podcast Indie Film Hustle as well as his other shows Bulletproof Screenwriting, and Filmtrepreneur, all of which can be found at indiefilmhustle.com. And now without further adieu my Indie Film Hustle interview with Alex Ferrari.→ Click here to go to the full interview page at Indie Film Hustle→ Click here to go to Indie Film Hustle home page

Hello out there to all of my Optimize listeners & readers, I hope you’re doing well and enjoying your summer so far. This brief announcement letting you know that I and my team will be going on a summer hiatus for the next several weeks. Since the pandemic began in early March of 2020 we’ve all been going non-stop without a break doing our best to provide you with the best education, motivation, and inspiration we can to both help you weather the dumpster fire that has been the last year and a half but also continue to pursue the most fulfilling, the most enjoyable, and the most balanced lives you can. And to be honest, after releasing over 70 new episodes, writing many new articles, enrolling over 100 new students into the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program, training for my rookie season of American Ninja Warrior, editing 4 new episodes of Cobra Kai season 4, and being a parent during a pandemic...it’s time for a break. If I’m going to continue teaching you how to stay energized and avoid creative burnout, it’s time for me to practice what I preach and step away for a bit to recharge. Don’t worry, there will still be open enrollment for the coaching program in early September, and we’ll be coming back stronger than ever with new changes and upgrades to our weekly content. But in the meantime I thought I’d share with you over the course of the summer several of the interviews I’ve done with other podcasts about topics that vary from what we usually talk about on this show, such as my editorial workflow on Cobra Kai, my creative process when cutting, the behind-the-scenes of becoming an online entrepreneur, and so much more. I highly encourage you to subscribe to these other podcasts as they do a wonderful job of sharing valuable education with our global community and with the world. So keep an eye out each week for a new interview from a different show to keep you educated, motivated, and inspired during our summer hiatus. I look forward to reconnecting with you in the fall. Take care and be well.

"One video made by anyone can change the world."- Misha TenenbaumWhether you are a seasoned editor, an aspiring editor, or if you're simply a creative professional who tells stories, you can always benefit from improving your visual storytelling skills. The craft of storytelling gives you the power of persuasion, the ability to affect change, and the opportunity to express yourself in a unique way. By far the most persuasive and engaging way to tell your story online (and sell a product - or yourself) is with video.Until now, learning the language of visual storytelling has largely been limited to online tutorials that focus on the technology and how to push the right buttons. Even film school editing classes often focus more on the technical aspects of the process and less on the principles of storytelling. But the brand new browser-based NLE EditMentor revolutionizes the way we are going to learn how to edit and be better visual storytellers by not only focusing on teaching you how to edit but more importantly on why you should make the choices you do as an editor.In today's conversation, founder and CEO of both EditStock and EditMentor Misha Tenenbaum and I take a deep dive into the nuts and bolts of EditorMentor as well as the habits and practices that enable editors and content creators to create more compelling visual stories. We discuss the value of having a great teacher and the psychology behind the teaching methods he chose when making EditMentor. Beyond the tech we also discuss the deeper theory and practices of editing, how to approach dailies & script analysis, and so much more.No matter if you’re brand new to the craft of editing or you have years of experience but you’re looking to improve your skills even further, EditMentor is a groundbreaking new tool I highly recommend everyone try out by signing up for this free tutorial lesson.Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episodeHere's What You'll Learn:Why Misha started Edit Stock and what he learned from starting his own business.The entrepreneur mindset and what type of personality it's best suited for.Edit Mentor is the education system for content creators.KEY TAKEAWAY: The value out of learning to visually tell a story is self expression.Editors are painters who use emotion as their paint.What Edit Mentor is and what makes it different from other editing tutorials.The difference between being an efficient editor and an effective editor.Why dailies analysis is a critical skill that is not taught in most programs.Edit Mentor will teach you the language of film.KEY TAKEAWAY: Media literacy is for everybody.The nuts and bolts of what you get from Edit Mentor.Defining what a story is.How seasoned editors can learn from Edit Mentor and what value they get from the lessons.The difference between being a sculptor and a builder in regards to editing.Habits and processes for making decisions in the editing process.The psychology behind the education method of Edit Mentor.Edit Mentor always gives reasons behind the answers in their challenges so you understand the logic behind the theory.What's coming in the future for Edit Mentor and the integration with Edit Stock.How to get started on Edit Mentor. Useful Resources Mentioned:VHS - WikipediaContinue to Listen & LearnMastering the “Chess Mindset” to Achieve Any Difficult Goal (and Get Really Good at Failing Along the Way) | with Misha TenenbaumHow to Transition From 'Technician' to 'Entrepreneur' | Community Q&A with Misha TenenbaumRamit Sethi on Forging The Path Towards Your Own ‘Rich Life’How to Keep Working As An Editor (After You’ve Made the Transition From AE) | with Susan Vaill, ACEHow to Find the Right Type of Mentor For You (and When You Should Seek the Best)How to Go From Cold Contact to Your Ideal Mentor In Seven Simple StepsIMDbPro for Networking: The 10 Features That Will Take Your Outreach to a New LevelHow to Avoid Getting Pigeonholed, The ‘Concentric Circles of Networking’ & More | with Doc Crotzer, ACEFOCUS: The Superpower of the 21st Century | with Cal NewportThe Zen-like Art of 'Getting Things Done' | with David AllenRedefining What It Means to Be “Productive” (and Aligning Your Values With Your Time) | with Tamara TorresHow Tiny Changes Can Create Remarkable Results | with James ClearHow to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-ShaharOur Generous Sponsors:Struggling With Real-Time Remote Collaboration? Meet EvercastAs work begins to slowly trickle in again, perhaps the most pressing challenge we as creative professionals face in our post-pandemic reality is real-time collaboration. Zoom is great for meetings, but it sure doesn't work for streaming video. Luckily this problem has now been solved for all of us. If you haven't heard of Evercast, it's time to become acquainted. Because Evercast's real-time remote collaboration technology is CHANGING. THE. GAME.→ Click here to see a free demo of Evercast in action!This episode was brought to you by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat (my #1 recommendation for anyone who stands at their workstation) and now their latest product. New Standard Whole Protein is a blend of both whey and collagen, sourced from the highest quality ingredients without any of the unnecessary filler or garbage. Not only will you get more energy and focus from this protein powder, you will notice improvements in your skin, hair, nails, joints and muscles. And because they don’t spend a lot on excessive marketing and advertising expenses, the savings gets passed on to you.Guest Bio: Before founding EditStock and EditMentor, Misha Tenenbaum was a film and television editor. He edited shows for the Speed Channel, Food Network, and indie films. He joined the Editor's Guild in 2011 and worked as an Assistant Editor on shows like American Horror Story, JOBS, the biopic about Steve Jobs starring Ashton Kutcher, the Fox show Wayward Pines, and Quarry for Cinemax.Show Credits:This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

In this episode, I give you an insider’s glimpse into the world of my Optimizer coaching & mentorship program and what we call the ‘Hot Seat.’ What you’ll hear today is a recording of an actual live session with an Optimizer student where on the Hot Seat we tackle various questions about career transitions, productivity, workflows, networking, burnout, habit formation, resumes and websites, and any number of other work or life challenges that students bring to the table as they navigate their own path towards success.In the following hot seat session, community member Stanley Collado has “fallen off the wagon” so to speak, with his healthy habits. He’s feeling stuck in negative self criticism and is dealing with an incessant comparing mind that won’t quit. We talk about several strategies for combating limiting beliefs and getting himself back on track. This is a session we can all learn from.Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you!→ Click here to let us know what you think of this formatWant to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session?→ Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

In Part 1 of my conversation with college student (and now graduate) Austin Coburn we discussed the many pitfalls that so many young, ambitious creatives fall into when they enter the working world hoping to “make it.”Today's conversation is part 2 of our conversation, and in today's episode we flip the script and Austin interviews me from the perspective of a college student who is interested in creating better habits for both a successful career and a healthy lifestyle at the same time (Spoiler alert: The two do not have to be mutually exclusive). We talk about habits and strategies for working better and living healthier both in college and after graduation. And we discuss the important life skills that aren't taught in film school but are necessary to survive & thrive in the entertainment industry.This conversation will not only benefit recent graduates but anyone looking to improve their decision making skills and enhance their well being and creativity through the development of proper habits and systems.One quick caveat: This interview was recorded a few years ago back in the Fitness in Post days. Austin has since graduated and you can find links to his most recent work on Instagram.Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episodeHere's What You'll Learn:How to manage the transition from being a student to taking your first career opportunity job.How to redefine and create balance between career, family/social life, and rest.The habits I learned in college that were no longer serving me and how I corrected them.Why you need to learn to turn the creativity switch off once in a while.Tricks I use to focus, increase creativity and reduce procrastination.How I use mindsets and environments to get the most out my productivity and creativity.What is the triangle of quality and why you can only have two of the three.The three pieces of equipment that I take with me to any office to facilitate movement throughout the day.How to manage the workaholic culture and the stigma around taking movement breaks.Finding strength in community.to create healthier work environments and cultures.Red flags to look for in job postings that indicate a poor work environment.Two core questions to ask yourself when considering a job.What positive qualities to look for in potential employers and what negative qualities to avoid.Learning the skills of what to say no to and what to say yes to.How students can start investing in their health for a long and successful future.The one skill that students can implement to set themselves up for good working habits in the future. Useful Resources Mentioned:Spark Foldable Standing DeskTopo MatCAP Barbell 15 Pounds KettlebellTribe Resistance Band SetMaking It In Hollywood as a "Creative" (What They Don't Teach You In Film School) | with Norman HollynContinue to Listen & LearnHow to Become a Production Assistant (and Keep Getting Hired) | with Aaron Schmidt (optimizeyourself.me)How to Be So Thorough You Can’t Be Denied | with James Wilcox, ACETransitioning to Scripted Television (Without Becoming an AE) | with Phil Habeger & Toni Ann CarabelloHow to Stay Productive (and Stop Procrastinating) During Your Next Hiatus | with Debby Germino (optimizeyourself.me)How to Cultivate a “Service-Centric” Mindset (and Why It Will Make You More Successful) | with Agustin RexachChasing After the Next Gig vs. Building Your Career | with Kabir Ahktar, ACEHow Total Burnout Led to the Most Productive Year of My LifeHow to Overcome Post-Production BurnoutHow to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-ShaharPromoting Mindfulness, Well-Being, and Sanity In the Edit Bay | with Kevin Tent, ACETired of Holding it Together All the Time? Here are Five Basic Needs to Get You Back On TrackLegendary Editor Walter Murch On Optimizing Creativity, Productivity, and Well-Being In Hollywood For 50+ YearsThe Importance of Setting Boundaries, Advocating For Yourself, and Asking For Help | with Janace TashjianDear Hollywood...We Create Entertainment For a Living. We’re Not Curing Cancer.Dear Hollywood: We Don’t Want to “Go Back to Normal." Normal Wasn’t Working.How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel LevyOur Generous Sponsors:Struggling With Real-Time Remote Collaboration? Meet EvercastAs work begins to slowly trickle in again, perhaps the most pressing challenge we as creative professionals face in our post-pandemic reality is real-time collaboration. Zoom is great for meetings, but it sure doesn't work for streaming video. Luckily this problem has now been solved for all of us. If you haven't heard of Evercast, it's time to become acquainted. Because Evercast's real-time remote collaboration technology is CHANGING. THE. GAME.→ Click here to see a free demo of Evercast in action!This episode was brought to you by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat (my #1 recommendation for anyone who stands at their workstation) and now their latest product. New Standard Whole Protein is a blend of both whey and collagen, sourced from the highest quality ingredients without any of the unnecessary filler or garbage. Not only will you get more energy and focus from this protein powder, you will notice improvements in your skin, hair, nails, joints and muscles. And because they don’t spend a lot on excessive marketing and advertising expenses, the savings gets passed on to you.Guest Bio: Austin Coburn is a filmmaker and animator who graduated from George Fox University near Portland, Oregon. His latest works can be found in his Instagram & Vimeo accounts.Show Credits:This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

In this episode, I give you an insider’s glimpse into the world of my Optimizer coaching & mentorship program and what we call the ‘Hot Seat.’ What you’ll hear today is a recording of an actual live session with an Optimizer student where on the Hot Seat we tackle various questions about career transitions, productivity, workflows, networking, burnout, habit formation, resumes and websites, and any number of other work or life challenges that students bring to the table as they navigate their own path towards success.In the following hot seat session, community member Joshua Brecht is trying to improve his sleep habits & routines. He understands the importance of getting good quality sleep and how mastering this one healthy habit will improve every other aspect of his life. You’ll hear us talk about practical ways he can improve his sleep and also a few tech gadgets that can help along the way.Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you!→ Click here to let us know what you think of this formatWant to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session?→ Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

Every year at this time there is an influx of energetic and passionate young filmmakers as they graduate from college ready to take on the world and become the next great filmmaker. Most graduates (including myself) enter their career ready to take on the world and do whatever it takes to "make it" in the industry, including:Working ridiculously long hours, Consistently staying up all night, Taking on multiple jobs... Saying ‘Yes’ to everything (because you never know if another opportunity will ever come along).This was my mentality as well, until it inevitably led to my first massive bout of BURNOUT.Today’s guest, college student (and now graduate) Austin Coburn, began to notice that his all nighters and fast food eating habits were not the proper fuel for long-term success. His curiosity about finding work-life balance led him to talking to other students and professionals in filmmaking about their experiences, and he was so inspired by this topic he turned it into a documentary.Because he was an avid listener of my ‘Fitness In Post’ podcast at the time, he reached out to me to be an interview subject for the film, and I found his questions and his perspective so engaging I wanted to invite him to be a guest on this show to share the student’s point of view, one I don’t get to share too often on this show.This episode is part one of a two-part conversation. In part 1 I interview Austin about his experiences and the challenges he will face upon graduation. And in part two, we flip the script and I become the interviewee. Both parts of the conversation offer a fresh perspective on an important topic that most of us grapple with regardless of what stage we are in our career.One quick caveat: This interview was recorded a few years ago back in the Fitness in Post days. Austin has since graduated and you can find links to his most recent work on Instagram.Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episodeHere's What You'll Learn:Why Austin decided to make a documentary on work life balance.Austin spent his high school years on the computer editing his projects and wore his all nighters as a badge of honor.He ate a lot of fast food and decided to go vegetarian to force himself to eat healthier.What he learned from students he interviewed about their view on the demands of the industry.The perception of what it takes to "make it in the industry".Why students develop bad working habits while they're in school and how they carry over into their careers.Why it's dangerous to think of the human body as a machine.The dangers of developing bad eating habits while working.How Austin learned to say no.The different ideas of work life balance between students and Hollywood veterans. Useful Resources Mentioned:The Disciplined Pursuit of Less | with Greg McKeownMaking It In Hollywood as a "Creative" (What They Don't Teach You In Film School) | with Norman HollynContinue to Listen & LearnHow to Become a Production Assistant (and Keep Getting Hired) | with Aaron Schmidt (optimizeyourself.me)How to Be So Thorough You Can’t Be Denied | with James Wilcox, ACETransitioning to Scripted Television (Without Becoming an AE) | with Phil Habeger & Toni Ann CarabelloHow to Stay Productive (and Stop Procrastinating) During Your Next Hiatus | with Debby Germino (optimizeyourself.me)How to Cultivate a “Service-Centric” Mindset (and Why It Will Make You More Successful) | with Agustin RexachChasing After the Next Gig vs. Building Your Career | with Kabir Ahktar, ACEHow Total Burnout Led to the Most Productive Year of My LifeHow to Overcome Post-Production BurnoutHow to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-ShaharPromoting Mindfulness, Well-Being, and Sanity In the Edit Bay | with Kevin Tent, ACETired of Holding it Together All the Time? Here are Five Basic Needs to Get You Back On TrackLegendary Editor Walter Murch On Optimizing Creativity, Productivity, and Well-Being In Hollywood For 50+ YearsThe Importance of Setting Boundaries, Advocating For Yourself, and Asking For Help | with Janace TashjianDear Hollywood...We Create Entertainment For a Living. We’re Not Curing Cancer.Dear Hollywood: We Don’t Want to “Go Back to Normal." Normal Wasn’t Working.How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel LevyOur Generous Sponsors:Struggling With Real-Time Remote Collaboration? Meet EvercastAs work begins to slowly trickle in again, perhaps the most pressing challenge we as creative professionals face in our post-pandemic reality is real-time collaboration. Zoom is great for meetings, but it sure doesn't work for streaming video. Luckily this problem has now been solved for all of us. If you haven't heard of Evercast, it's time to become acquainted. Because Evercast's real-time remote collaboration technology is CHANGING. THE. GAME.→ Click here to see a free demo of Evercast in action!This episode was brought to you by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat (my #1 recommendation for anyone who stands at their workstation) and now their latest product. New Standard Whole Protein is a blend of both whey and collagen, sourced from the highest quality ingredients without any of the unnecessary filler or garbage. Not only will you get more energy and focus from this protein powder, you will notice improvements in your skin, hair, nails, joints and muscles. And because they don’t spend a lot on excessive marketing and advertising expenses, the savings gets passed on to you.Guest Bio: Austin Coburn is a filmmaker and animator who graduated from George Fox University near Portland, Oregon. His latest works can be found in his Instagram & Vimeo accounts.Show Credits:This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

In this episode, I give you an insider’s glimpse into the world of my Optimizer coaching & mentorship program and what we call the ‘Hot Seat.’ What you’ll hear today is a recording of an actual live session with an Optimizer student where on the Hot Seat we tackle various questions about career transitions, productivity, workflows, networking, burnout, habit formation, resumes and websites, and any number of other work or life challenges that students bring to the table as they navigate their own path towards success.In the following hot seat session, Community member Chris Salters has some questions on building his network and selling himself better on his portfolio website’s “About” page. He is currently editing commercials and is looking to get into higher end commercials and film projects. He wants to understand what it takes to be the editor that director's keep calling back for more work.Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you!→ Click here to let us know what you think of this formatWant to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session?→ Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program