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It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia Director Richie Keen Gives Us The Lowdown.

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Richie Keen directs hit sitcoms, most recently “New Girl” & “Mixology”. He makes hilarious sketches. (See: Funny Or Die shorts,  “Important Things with Dimitri Martin”). And he’s shot commercials in the former Soviet Union. If it makes him laugh on the page, he’s usually game.  And after directing multiple episodes of “It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia”, it seems Richie has honed his comedic voice behind the camera.  In this podcast, he shares his journey and insights. Enjoy.

Below is a favorite Keen clip, which I always called “Doc on a plane”. Oh, would you please rate us on the iTunes.

Director Keith Schofield. Brilliantly bizarre.

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His spots are meticulously executed, while his music videos are wonderfully bizarre. Director Keith Schofield won the prestigious Gold Lion at Cannes and helped define “viral video”. I love that he posts his treatments on his website for all to see, which indirectly influenced me to start this podcast. Hear why… Oh yeah. I need the ratings on iTunes please.

I watched his career incubate in the back room of the production company where we worked together, while no one was watching. Well, he sure has hatched. Bravo, Keith. Bravo.

Comedy Super Duo: The Sklar Bros.

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Randy & Jason Sklar are two of my favorite stand up comedians. Together & individually. They’re hilarious comics/actors/podcasters/hosts/writer/producers… and true gentlemen. The brothers just took their maiden voyage into directing with a wickedly funny music video for The Sheepdogs.

Relevant to the spot world, the play “Tech” & “Service” in a series of Time Warner spots, directed by Barton Landsman . We chat about improvising on set, why comedians often make good directors, and they offer me free advise on how to make a winning podcast. Their Sklarbor Country is a fav.

Enjoy the Sklar Brothers in my documentary “I AM COMIC”. Full movie avail on iTunes. Relish in their web series “Held Up” on Crackle.

Remember, all links link to links. Here’s behind the scenes on Jason & Randy’s directorial debut.

One of the many “Tech” & “Service” spots for Time Warner.

Hecklers beware.  “I Am Comic” makes a great holiday gift for your comedian.

Jed Hathaway directs stop-motion comedy for Happy Honda Days.

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I’ve always marveled at how “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” was shot. Now straight from the real Island of Misfit Toys, Director Jed Hathaway of Shadow Machine breaks down this intriguing world of stop-motion animation. This episode plays like a crash course in shooting puppets for advertising, as Jed explains how he twisted the Happy Honda Day’s commercial campaign into an animated hit with Secret Weapon Marketing. Learn the modern approach to the classic look.

Watch the spots below to truly appreciate what we’re talking about.

SoCal HONDA – Penguin from JED HATHAWAY on Vimeo.

SoCal HONDA – Chimney from JED HATHAWAY on Vimeo.

SoCal HONDA – Angel from JED HATHAWAY on Vimeo.

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Comedy Director Dan Sheppard is living his dream.

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In high school, Dan Sheppard knew he wanted to direct funny tv commercials for a living. Today, he is a working comedy director in-demand, churning out funny spots. Listen to his plan that turned the dream into a reality.  Dan is surely one to watch, and I love his stuff.

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Below is one of my favorite Dan Sheppard spots for Better Oats, the behind-the-scenes of a classic “Old Spice” by Tom Kuntz, and a must-see, well-choreographed spot by Superlounge helmer Joe Schaak for Minnesota Tourism.

Better Oats Oatmeal // Campaign from Daniel Sheppard on Vimeo.

Old Spice “Scent Vacation” / Behind the Scenes from Theo Jemison on Vimeo.

Stolen ideas and M&M’s.

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How do you feel when your ideas get lifted? As a comedian, it happened all the time. As a filmmaker, intellectual property rights deliver money I count on; same with my obscure country music publishing. But in the world of commercials, who’s idea is it? My opinion may surprise you.

You’ll also enjoy a quick rant on shitty craft service.

Scroll down to number 5 on Urban Dictionary and you’ll see one of my more famous bits, lost to so much thievery that it’s not even worth discussing today. You can also now sign up for the mailing list to win free prizes!

Exec Creative Director Chuck Meehan sheds the light.

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Chuck Meehan hired me for my first real commercial directing gig (a spoof for Kia below), and we’ve been friends & collaborators ever since. We’ve racked up maybe over 75 tv spots together. Chuck coined the term, “The Brady Method”, referring to my patented approach to casting, and he has the most dashing smile in all of advertising. He cranks out funny spots consistently, and helps foster creativity around the world. Listen, share, rate us on iTunes.

A sound man and I discuss sound, recorded with bad sound.

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While shooting on location in Missouri, I chat with one of my favorite sound guys, Rich Stobaugh. Recorded with my Tascam DR-07mkII, the interview sounds kind of crappy, making me appreciate the great sound men & women I work with. We also discuss the old-school approach I favor, craft versus art, and learn how I control photo-happy Production Assistants.

Actor/Director Clifton Collins Jr. talks working with big Directors.

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Clifton Collins Jr. is one of my favorite actors, and he’s worked with my favorite directors. Cliff shares the actor’s perspective on being directed.  He’s also an accomplished director of music videos. Check out his Stone Free Productions site for all-things-Clifton.

Watch this behind the scenes of his “Gotten” music video with Slash, and see “Hellbenders” in theaters now.

How it flows before you get to shoot.

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A quickie. Just me rambling about the steps a commercial goes through before the director even starts prepping to shoot it.
This is “Respect the Process” is my podcast about commercial filmmaking.

Let go my Eggo! w/ Creative Director T.S. Elliott.

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Creative Director/Copywriter T.S. Elliott joins me on “Respect the Process”, a podcast about commercial filmmaking. We talk about our two dozen spots for Eggo Waffles, the rules of elfin magic and the evolution of Tony the Tiger.

Behind the “Disguise” from tselliott on Vimeo.

EggoMan Making of “Toaster” from tselliott on Vimeo.

My guest is director Nick Spooner. #RTP

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“Respect the Process” is a podcast about commercial filmmaking.  Nick Spooner has been directing funny spots for years and I love his work.  Learn how he casts kids, draws his own shooting boards and more.

Yay! The debut of my podcast, with guest Joe Schaak.

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“Respect the Process” is a phrase film crews have heard me say for years.  Now I share that philosophy with you.  Our first guest is Joe Schaak, a commercial director at Superlounge who’s work I love.  We talk about work relationships, making his Super Bowl spot and those pesky animatics.  Enjoy.