Writer/Director Jamie Buckner has made an adorable, funny romantic comedy called “Split”. Jamie tells us about making the short film first to raise the dough and the complications of shooting in a working bowling alley. He smartly went to his hometown to make the film.
Please support the film by clicking here, and watch and enjoy “Split”. My favorite aspect is Jamie spoofs all the tropes of the romantic comedy while using them effectively to tell the sweet story.
Gary Rose is the Managing Director of Go Film, one of the top shops for making commercials. We look at the current state of our business and how the game has evolved. I rarely call it “the game” but hey. Gary has worked alongside one of my favorite filmmakers, Christopher Guest, so I get to learn how Mr. Guest likes to work on the spots he chooses to do. Overall, Gary navigates the business with finesse and surely knows how to pick and develop directorial talent.
We touch on his love of underwater photography. I wish you could see his work on the walls of Go Film. Click here for a taste. Oh, that’s a Billy Idol screenshot from a Go FIlm spot, not Gary.
Commercial Directing Bootcamp Chicago was a blast! Huge thank you to the filmmakers. Now send me podcast feedback people. How are we doing? Questions?
Filmmaker Rick Cowan was my dear friend and frequent collaborator. He grew to be a mentor and pillar to all who knew him. He passed away this week, and I miss him. RIP Rick.
This conversation is from July 2015 and was posted back then.
Miranda Bailey is a prolific film producer, actress and director. Currently, she’s got two wonderful films in theaters, “Swiss Army Man” and “Don’t Think Twice”, the latter opening wide this weekend. Go see it. It stars Keegan Michael Key, Gillian Jacobs, Tami Sagher, Chris Gethard, Kate Micucci and the film’s writer/director Mike Birbiglia. It’s funny, sad, heartfelt and the best look at the world of improvisational comedy ever.
Miranda has her own production company, Cold Iron Pictures, and started a distribution company, The Film Arcade. Click the words. She’s the real deal.
The last half of our chat reveals that I am indeed an old fashioned sexist. Eye opening, as we delve into the topic of gender inequality. Truthfully, I wanted to leave that alone and just talk to Miranda as a producer, but felt it was needed so we explore and shed a little light. Enjoy the trailer, then buy tickets:
Sitting down with Director Jonathan Kesselman was like reuniting with a cousin I’d never met. I’d seen his first film, The Hebrew Hammer, now we talk about his new film “Jimmy Vestvood: Amerikan Hero” starring comedian Maz Jobrani. Maz is hysterical in the clubs, on his specials, so I knew the film would be laugh out loud too.
We chat about developing the film, working with actors who wrote the script they star in, and oh, so much more. Enjoy the trailer, then see the movie.
I’m honored to chat with Director Jeff Gordon, a versatile filmmaker, but one that can say he specializes in commercials with chimps and babies. In our conversation, he points out one “secret weapon” to his success with infants – his baby wrangler.
It was delightful to hear we’ve both worked with a particular chimp named Bella. She is wonderful to shoot with. All in all this is a such great episode. You listeners will certainly enjoy this one.
See more of Jeff Gordon‘s fun spots by clicking his name. Oh, We’re still taking Filmmakers for Commercial Directing Bootcamp Chicago. August 13th. This live event will sell out. Sign up today!
After three intense days shooting for Toyota and Saatchi & Saatchi Los Angeles, I took up my usual post shoot ritual of bowling. Surprisingly, I ran into my favorite filmmaker, Director Werner Herzog. He indulged me with a quick exchange about my Commercial Directing Bootcamp in Chicago, August 13th, 2016.
I am so deeply humbled Mr. Werner Herzog had any knowledge of it. I am currently taking his Masterclass, by the way, which I recommend to every filmmaker. Here’s a prior Toyota spot, forgive me if I posted this. It’s one of over 25 I’ve made with my team.
Matthew Celia stands majestically at the forefront of virtual reality filmmaking, having conceived, shot and delivered VR projects for Paramount, GoPro and even the esteemed Dr. Phil. Today, Matt explains the technology and stresses the key element all of you adore: story.
It’s great to chat with Matt because we go back a handful of years. He’s an inspiring storyteller and filmmaker. Check out his work.
Commercial Directing Bootcamp in Chicago August 13th, 2016 already has filmmakers signed up! Limit 20 filmmakers, so do not dilly dally. And hey, let’s all practice loving our fellow Americans, and fellow global humans.
Movie critic, celebrated journalist, author and documentarian Marshall Fine graced me with an interview via the magic of Skype to talk about his new docu, “Robert Klein Still Can’t Stop His Leg.” I really loved the film, a smash hit at Tribeca this year. First because I am a fan of the legendary stand-up Robert Klein, and also as a most candid profile of an American icon.
Bravo Marshall, bravo.
Jordan
thanks,
Jordan
Commercial Directing Bootcamp is August 13th, 2016 in Chicago. Limit 20 Filmmakers. Sign up now or bang your head against the wall for missing out.
This episode is a brisk 45 minutes.
Please rate the show on iTunes and share with a filmmaking friend.
I loved his feature film “Bubble Boy”, so when I met Director Blair Hayes I was a bit star struck. Plus, his reputation as a commercial helmer is legendary. So happy we got to finally sit down and chat about his work. Admittedly, I’m in awe of Director/Camerapeople. If you learn one thing, it will be the meaning of capturing the essence of the moment.
UPDATE*** New MCDonald’s spot from Blair Hayes:
Blair’s new film “Great Plains” is making the festival rounds, so keep an eye out for it. Click here for a Hawaii Tourism spot we dissect. Also this below, and more by clicking his name. Enjoy.
I’ve only worked a half day with actor Clayton Farris, but I’ve been a fan since he walked in the casting room. He’s the utmost professional and plays the reality of a situation, and is not afraid to immerse himself into a sometimes geeky character. He’s also a nice guy. Clayton always working and you must check out his silly Vine videos he makes for the fun of it.
Here’s a Bud Light Lime-A-Rita spot we chat about and a few more.
I’ll post more filmmaking conversations later in the week, but today my heart is broken yet again. The hate we face must stop and assault weapons are just too easy to get. Let’s love one another, practice tolerance, and change our laws to make these automatic rifles hard to get, as well as the ammo used to kill people.
Frankie Fiore works non-stop in the sound department, in all areas of it too, but when his pal Anthony Imperiolli asked him to produce his puppet short films for Dairy Queen, Frankie rose the challenge. Check out the behind-the-scenes below. It’s awesome work, hilarious and a great story of how the character of Nonna Maria came to be a viral hit, and a commercial crossover.
Space Station is an artist’s paradise. It offers workshops, classes and it’s an affordable place to cast, and even offers actors a free place to tape auditions and pieces for their reel. I sat down with David Rispoli and Ben Rovner to hear all about this unique operation, as well as their Space Station Artist’s Initiative. Their mission is to provide an all-encompassing education for the artists in our community. We deliver unique and diverse seminars, classes, and intensives for all ages and experience levels. Our priority is to remain affordable, practical, and inspiring.
Thanks,
Peter Ostella, in part two of our interview, offers a peek behind the agency curtain of producing.
This episode is part two of a two-part chat. Leave feedback and share with friends.
What makes “I Am Road Comic” getting on Netflix so sweet, is that it represents a victory in micro-budget indie filmmaking. Keeping a tourniquet on spending, crafting a story with notable comics and a podcast-based PR campaign, it’s finally paid off.
This is my 5th film to land on Netflix. It all started with “I Am Comic”, but Netflix was just starting out and Showtime had debuted the star-studded docu. Then “Waking Up In Reno” and “The Third Wheel” were added. But those films were Disney-owned Miramax garage sales no doubt. Maria Bamford’s “Special Special Special” is awesome, and it’s still up, and that’s all Maria. So with “I Am Road Comic”, I have 4 films streaming. I’m the most prolific filmmaker no one’s ever heard of.
Peter Ostella explains the ins and outs of being an in-demand agency producer. From how he facilitates the creative teams he works with to managing the clients, he spells it out. Does he ever present new directorial talent? How does he deal with newbie clients that have never shot a spot before?
Additionally, we share our love of the stand-up comedy.
This episode is part one of a two-part great chat. Leave feedback and share with friends.
My guest Juan V. Perez is constantly looking to explore the world through an artistic lens, for personal creative fulfillment and to inform his work. We discuss staying relevant in this digital era of constant change.
We dissect his beautiful spot for Comcast that speaks to bilingual American Latinos with just an English voice over, and we find out why. Check out this spot here. Juan asks me the origin of “Respect The Process” as a podcast title and I oblige. It’s a great chat you’ll find motivating.
Thanks to all the filmmakers that attended Commercial Directing Bootcamp in NYC that week. What a blast! Write me if I should come to your town.
Production veteran Joel Pilger helps directors, artists and such focus on the creative side of things, while he and his team at RevThink help you run the business side of things. We chat about his company and his mission to take the pain out of running your own company. Cuz when you hit a certain level of success, shit happens. Stuff you do not want to deal with.
Joel also hosts a great podcast called RevThinking of iTunes. Check it out, and compare his episode interviewing me. He also introduced me to the term solopreneur. Oh, the phone rings but I left it in to offer you a peek behind the curtain of podcasting. And I’m lazy.
Enjoy.
Jordan
Commercial Directing Bootcamp is this Saturday, April 16th, in Manhattan and I am thrilled with the quality of filmmakers that are attending. Still room for you, if you’re special.
Thanks,
Jordan
This episode is 65 minutes.
Please rate the show on iTunes and share with a filmmaking friend.
