The No Film School Podcast

Yashar Kassai is the production designer of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem. The team behind the film pushes the boundaries of animation by adding depth, complexity, and messiness to both the visuals and emotional tone of the film. Yashar describes the design of the film as bad. He says, “it’s like good-bad. It’s like dumb-good.” In today’s episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins speaks with production designer Yashar Kassai to discuss: What it means to be a production designer in animation Defining the parameters of the world his team built How being a lame hero is refreshing in a world of ultra serious heroes Why they intentionally designed the whole film to be “imperfect” The value in destroying the film over and over again  The power of shaping light to tell your story  What Yashar hopes to see in the future of Western animation Feeling both terrified and impressed by the capabilities of A.I. How animation has room for more complexity Memorable Quotes “How do you tie together all the brilliant work that’s being put in front of you and make it into one cohesive thing on screen.” [8:40] “You can do anything you want to, no matter how crazy it is.” [09:09] “It’s really endearing to be lame as a teenager and not know who you are.” [14:09] “We thought we had it. We thought we really went for it, but we didn’t.” [18:24] Resources:Yashar's Instagram Yashar's website Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant MayhemFind No Film School everywhere:On the Webhttps://nofilmschool.com/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschoolTwitter https://twitter.com/nofilmschoolYouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschoolInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/nofilmschoolSend us an email with questions or feedback: podcast@nofilmschool.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Should filmmakers include intentional intermissions on long films? How do you properly film on a set, so it doesn’t look like a set? Is it possible to shoot your entire project using an iPhone?In today’s episode, No Film School’s Charles Haine, GG Hawkins, and Jason Hellerman discuss: Movie theaters adding intermissions to a Scorsese film without permission The reason 3D movies in the 1950s used intermissions  Filmmakers creating different formats for different viewing options  Scenarios when filmmakers should plan for intermissions in their films What GG’s first sound stage experience was like  How to make a set NOT look like a set Everything we love about Apple’s recent products How Apple shot their news event entirely on the iPhone 15 Memorable Quotes “Since the invention of television, every filmmaker has had to think in multiple formats.” [16:14] “Scorsese can do whatever the fuck he wants and if he says ‘no intermission,’ I will not drink liquid ahead of time.” [17:09] “There’s a way to shoot with limited resources to still think big.” [25:12] “A set wall will never look like a real wall no matter how hard you try.” [31:10] Resources:Learn to Shoot 35mm Killers of the Flower MoonAn Apple event shot on the iPhoneFind No Film School everywhere:On the Webhttps://nofilmschool.com/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschoolTwitter https://twitter.com/nofilmschoolYouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschoolInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/nofilmschoolSend us an email with questions or feedback: podcast@nofilmschool.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The horror genre has not always been widely appreciated, yet it is one of the best genres to explore the challenges facing our world at large. “It is very easy to find the horror in reality,” whether it be the current ecological crisis or inequality facing female filmmakers. This genre offers an opportunity to bring awareness to important issues, in an enlightening and entertaining way.In today’s episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins speaks with Director Elza Kephart to discuss: Her experience attending film school in the US as a Canadian filmmaker Funding a film with insurance money received from a burglary Getting paid as a director, for the first time, in her 40s How the Fantasia Film Festival helped her grow in confidence and connections The differences between the Canadian film industry and the US film industry Why you shouldn’t rely on the social justice angle for your film Recognizing gender inequality in the filmmaking industry  Why it’s okay to be a filmmaker who is an introvert Specific tips to know if you found the right actor Memorable Quotes “This is a mature career. It takes decades to build to the point where you have a sustainable career.” [8:05] “No matter how strange an idea…if it’s coming from an unconscious, organic place, that’s the story you need to follow.” [21:56] “Expectations: Make a good film and don’t be an asshole.” [40:16] “If you cast good actors, you almost don’t have to do anything.” [51:34] Resources:Slaxx‘Joyland’ Director Saim Sadiq Redefines What It Means To Be a Director Kelly Fremon Craig Shares With NFS How To Adapt Beloved Classics for TheatersThe Confidence CodeHope for FilmFind No Film School everywhere:On the Webhttps://nofilmschool.com/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschoolTwitter https://twitter.com/nofilmschoolYouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschoolInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/nofilmschoolSend us an email with questions or feedback: podcast@nofilmschool.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is the best time to release your horror film during the month of October? Damien LeVeck certainly doesn’t think so. Damien is an award winning filmmaker known for his work in the horror genre. We can’t wait to see his most recent film, A Creature was Stirring. This “Christmas meets horror” movie will be released this December. In today’s episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins speaks with filmmaker Damien LeVeck to discuss: One of the best horror scripts he has ever read Why he takes script submissions on his website Taking a good script and making it into a great script How a Minimum Guarantee (MG) deal works Using the cloud system provided by Black Magic Design A simple tech tip that all directors should know The challenge of writing, directing, producing, and editing your own movie Doing screenings in order to get honest feedback  Memorable Quotes “You should be glad you did this, because it might be the only time in your life when you will take these kinds of risks.” [3:39] “If you cannot see the twist coming on the page, that’s a real feat.” [7:21] “If you know how to edit, you will be a much better director.” [18:24] Resources:A Creature was Stirring Top Legal Mistakes Filmmakers Make and How To Avoid ThemSkubalon EntertainmentDamien’s InstagramFind No Film School everywhere:On the Webhttps://nofilmschool.com/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschoolTwitter https://twitter.com/nofilmschoolYouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschool Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/nofilmschoolSend us an email with questions or feedback: podcast@nofilmschool.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ricardo Martinez is a multi-hyphenate Editor, Writer, Director. He is known for his award-winning documentary, The Wall, which won the 2010 SF Latino Film Festival and screened on PBS. If we had to describe Ricardo’s work, we would say he is an expert at “finding the horror and beauty in the reality” of everyday life.In today’s episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins speaks with filmmaker Ricardo Martinez to discuss: The LatinXorcists - a group made of latino screenwriters who love horror Why he was inspired to create the documentary film, The Wall Creating a horrifying video trailer for The Bloodstone  What we need to know within the first 5 pages of a script  What makes a good monster story Exploring the horror in our everyday human fears  Why Ricardo loves using Black Magic tools Color correction tips and tricks Our suggestions for some of the scariest movies Memorable Quotes “I think there’s beauty in horror as well.” [18:25] “Making sounds yourself is actually a lot of fun and a cheap way to boost up production costs.” [23:45] “Every good monster story is not about the monster. The monster means something, it represents something.” [31:49] “That dread is part of the joy of horror.” [32:48] “Horror can be so many different things. That’s the joy of horror. There’s such a wide spectrum of types of horror.” [41:12] Resources:About the LatinXorcistsCitadel ScavengerCreators of EarthSeed to StrainCheck out Ricardo's websiteThe Bloodstone ComicThe Handy FoundationThe LatinXorcists websiteThe LatinXorcists InstagramRicardo's Instagram The Bloodstone InstagramBurden of Dreams film Find No Film School everywhere:On the Webhttps://nofilmschool.com/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschoolTwitter https://twitter.com/nofilmschoolYouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschoolInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/nofilmschoolSend us an email with questions or feedback: podcast@nofilmschool.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can you make a feature film using practical effects in a way that feels realistic and not “cheesy?” That’s what the team behind the film, Snatchers did. Snatchers is a horror-comedy film about a teen girl who wakes up nine months pregnant with an alien. In today’s episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins and Jason Hellerman speak with filmmakers Stephen Cedars and Benji Kleiman to discuss: Practical effects - what are they? Some of our favorite practical effects in film How practical effects can be more effective than cgi Scaring away a famous editor with the smell of farts Finding a balance between cgi and practical effects How Stephen and Benji approach writing sketches Transitioning into making feature films Memorable Quotes “Horror movies are trying to show you something you can’t fathom or haven’t seen before.” [9:34] “It’s really hard to be creative while also tamping down on your creativity.” [27:09] “There’s no greater killer of creativity than feeling insecure.” [38:14] “If you’re passionate and prepared, you can’t go wrong.” [43:48] Resources:Snatchers TrailerSperuchet Pan Tournegos Short Benji & Stephen's websiteStephen's InstagramFind No Film School everywhere:On the Webhttps://nofilmschool.com/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschoolTwitter https://twitter.com/nofilmschoolYouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschoolInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/nofilmschoolSend us an email with questions or feedback: podcast@nofilmschool.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do you handle post set blues? How do you properly adapt something you don’t have the rights for? What can we all learn from Taylor Swift’s recent movie? In today’s episode, No Film School’s Charles Haine, GG Hawkins, and Jason Hellerman discuss: Shooting an indie film in panama - excitement, exhaustion, and mosquito bites All the work involved after wrapping  The importance of screen acting and what’s involved  Being blown away by the commitment and generosity of the cast and crew What we love about Taylor Swift’s newest film  Why film set people are the best Adapting without the rights - is it worth it Benefits to writing unlicensed biopics Memorable Quotes “This whole thing is greater than the sum of its parts.” [9:31] “We need better sound proofing between the theaters please.” [34:15] “You will lose to money. You will lose every time.” [50:52] Find No Film School everywhere:On the Webhttps://nofilmschool.com/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschoolTwitter https://twitter.com/nofilmschoolYouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschoolInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/nofilmschoolSend us an email with questions or feedback: podcast@nofilmschool.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can you make a big budget, sci-fi film that isn’t a franchise, or a sequel, or a reboot, and tackle it using an indie mindset? That’s what the team behind the film, The Creator did. The film, which tells a story about war between humanity and artificial intelligence, is currently in theaters. In today’s episode, No Film School’s Charles Haine speaks with DP Oren Soffer to discuss: Being offered a co-dp position on the film How shooting on one lens made the VFX much easier to work with The differences in lenses over time that affect their consistency  Leaning into natural light as much as possible Wanting to maintain the creative energy of guerilla style filmmaking  How the project originally got the green light from the studio Working in a very trusting environment Looking at tons of references images the director pulled from Memorable Quotes “The visual effects approach was designed to fit the footage and not the opposite.” [6:53] “What do we need to add or subtract from that lighting to create a more curated lighting environment?” [22:04] “The filmmaking process itself felt really scrappy in the best way possible.” [36:39] Resources:The Creator Oren’s websiteFind No Film School everywhere:On the Webhttps://nofilmschool.com/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschoolTwitter https://twitter.com/nofilmschoolYouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschool Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/nofilmschoolSend us an email with questions or feedback: podcast@nofilmschool.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Making a film is a laborious task that requires dedication, passion, discipline, and inspiration. Seeing the success of other filmmakers, who are more often than not in the same position as us, is not only motivational but can be a guiding light for those making their first film.In today’s episode, No Film School’s Yaroslav Altunin speak with multi-hyphenate creative Andrew Bowser to discuss:  How Andrew came up with the Onyx character Starting his career as a child actor before becoming a writer and director Questioning his original script after getting some harsh notes  Why having multi-hyphenate creatives work on the film was necessary Working with VFX and puppets and the challenges that came with it Discovering some continuity errors they didn’t catch in the final edit  Why Andrew likes a slower editing process  Not looking down on non traditional film platforms Memorable Quotes “It was this revelation. I felt like I had found something to pursue creatively.” [2:23] “I was led to writing and directing purely out of a want for more control.” [5:39] “On indies there's not a lot of time to explore.” [40:22] “Editing for me is such slicing and splicing.” [48:19] Resources:Onyx, The Fortuitous, and The Talisman of SoulsTickets to Onyx The Fortuitous and the Talisman of Soulshttps://www.fathomevents.com/events/Onyx-the-Fortuitous-and-the-Talisman-of-Souls/Andrew’s YouTube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@BowserVidsFind No Film School everywhere:On the Webhttps://nofilmschool.com/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschoolTwitter https://twitter.com/nofilmschoolYouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschoolInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/nofilmschoolSend us an email with questions or feedback: podcast@nofilmschool.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don’t be afraid to plant your flag early on. This advice comes from writer Chris Sparling, who is known for the 2010 film, Buried, starring Ryan Reynolds and the 2020 film Greenland, starring Gerard Butler.In today’s episode, No Film School’s Jason Hellerman speaks with writer and director Chris Sparling to discuss: The first time Jason and Chris met, 10 years earlier  How Chris starts the writing process Talking to reps to get an accurate idea of what scripts will be successful Why Chris writes specs and encourages other writers to do the same Breaking out of the box people put you in  Recognizing it’s not necessary to go after every single assignment How to manage your expectations when going out with a new spec Writer’s block - Is it real and how to overcome it Why it’s important to rehearse your pitch Memorable Quotes “If there’s a real fire in you, that’s the story you want to tell.” [6:10] “I’m constantly trying to pump out new material that shows another side to what I do.” [12:30] “You have to get out of your own way and power through it. [30:38] “Don’t be difficult, but also don’t undervalue yourself.” [42:52] ResourcesBuriedGreenland Find No Film School everywhere:On the Webhttps://nofilmschool.com/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschoolTwitter https://twitter.com/nofilmschoolYouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschoolInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/nofilmschoolSend us an email with questions or feedback: podcast@nofilmschool.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices