How To Succeed As An Episodic TV Producing Director With Filmmaker Michael Patrick Jann.

Writer/Director/Producer Michael Patrick Jann returns to the podcast (check out his 2014 episode here) to explain what a Producing Director does, how he pitches to get episodic assignments and so much more. Most enlightening for me as the guy always telling young filmmakers to “put yourself in a box”, Michael embraces his multitude of experiences and his versatility when pitching on new shows. He has so many arrows in his directing quiver, it makes sense. 

It’s also interesting to learn from the Producer’s perspective how an episodic Director is hired and what the goal of that Director might be. Shout out to Michael’s mom, who sat in on the interview. Always a delight to see friends and colleagues succeed.

Thanks,

Jordan

This is 90 minutes, almost, and worth your time. The next Commercial Directing Bootcamp is Oct. 12th, 2019 and one third sold out. Limit 20 Filmmakers. Buy your Oso Delicious Hot Sauce to support the show, and www.militaryfamilies.org 

Directing “A to Z” with Michael Patrick Jann.

Director Michael Patrick Jann brilliantly draws an analogy between directing and the art of ancient Chinese calligraphy. This is a must-listen episode.

Michael knows comedy. Straight from film school to directing MTV’s “The State”, then onto “Reno 911” and countless commercials, he’s been directing the funny non-stop for 15 years. Today, Michael is an accomplished director of single camera tv comedies, and a go-to guy to shape many a network’s pilot episode. His new series “A to Z” debuts this October on NBC.

We talk about shooting pilots, the joy of winning commercials and the fickle nature of making movies. I wish I’d had this chat 15 years ago, I’d be a way better director. Enjoy.

Click Community Films to see his spots and a “Flight of the Conchords” video I love.

This episode is just over an hour. Do rate us on iTunes and “like” us on Facebook pretty please.