The No Film School Podcast

The No Film School Podcast

A podcast about how to build a career in filmmaking. No Film School shares the latest opportunities and trends for anyone working in film and TV. We break news on cameras, lighting, and apps. We interview leaders in screenwriting, directing, cinematography, editing, and producing. And we answer your questions! We are dedicated to sharing knowledge with filmmakers around the globe, “no film school” required.

Episodes

July 4, 2025 85 mins
In this episode of the No Film School Podcast, GG Hawkins presents two riveting conversations that push boundaries and challenge cultural taboos. First, she interviews Michael Taylor Jackson, writer, director, and star of the radically inventive film Orange Underground (Bajo Naranja), a satirical, punk-infused narrative born out of the Argentine quarantine. Then, she speaks with Kate Downey, creator and host of the podcast CRAMPED,...
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In this episode, GG Hawkins sits down with Emmy and ACE Eddie-nominated editor Isaac Hagy, whose emotionally charged and visually inventive work includes Waves, Atlanta, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, and The Friend. Known for his moody and immersive editing style, Hagy shares how he found his voice as an editor, the unconventional path that led him to Atlanta, and the creative and technical strategies that shape his work. He also dives into ...
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June 27, 2025 48 mins
In this episode, GG Hawkins sits down with Derick Rhodes, VP of Community at Vimeo, to dive into how Vimeo continues to be a crucial hub for independent filmmakers. Derick reveals the behind-the-scenes process of how Vimeo Staff Picks are curated, the platform’s renewed focus on supporting creators, and the company’s evolving role in global film culture. From new streaming options to global partnerships and grassroots community sup...
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In this episode, GG Hawkins speaks with writer-director Alessandra Lacorazza about her award-winning film In the Summers, which took home both the U.S. Grand Jury Prize and Best Director at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. Lacorazza shares the deeply personal roots of the film, the tumultuous road to production, and the pressures of staying true to a creative vision in the face of industry challenges. The conversation dives into ca...
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This week on the No Film School Podcast, GG Hawkins sits down with Pete Docter, Chief Creative Officer at Pixar Animation Studios and the visionary behind films like Monsters, Inc., Up, Inside Out, and Soul. The conversation dives deep into the creative process behind Pixar’s latest original feature Elio, and how Pixar’s iterative storytelling model has evolved over the years. Pete shares actionable insights on how filmmakers—wheth...
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Filmmakers Peter Hall and Paul Gandersman join No Film School's GG Hawkins to discuss their chilling feature debut Man Finds Tape, premiering in the “Escape from Tribeca” section at the 2025 Tribeca Festival. The Texas-based writer-director duo explores their found-footage horror hybrid, rooted in documentary realism and intimate character drama. They dive deep into the film’s decade-long evolution, DIY production tactics, narrativ...
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In this episode, GG Hawkins is joined by writer-director duo (and real-life couple) David Joseph Craig and Brian Crano to discuss their new film I Don’t Understand You, a genre-bending dark comedy starring Nick Kroll and Andrew Rannells. The film follows a couple on a babymoon in Italy that spirals into chaos and violence. Craig and Crano share their process of fictionalizing their own adoption journey, balancing collaboration as m...
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In this episode of the No Film School Podcast, GG Hawkins welcomes back filmmaker Janek Ambros to dive deep into the wild origin and evolution of his second feature film, Mondo Hollywoodland. The conversation spans everything from a life-changing phone call with Francis Ford Coppola to the chaotic, experimental production process of an iPhone-shot psychedelic satire. Ambros shares how a rogue spirit, a skeleton crew, and the mantra...
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This episode of the No Film School Podcast is a deep dive into the often opaque world of film finance, distribution, and foreign pre-sales. GG Hawkins hosts the episode and is joined by filmmakers Stephen Cedars and Benji Kleiman, as well as special guest Mike Chapman from Bluefinch Films. Together, they explore what it takes to get a film made and sold in today’s unpredictable global market. From debunking myths about foreign pre-...
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On this episode of the No Film School Podcast, GG Hawkins is reporting live from the 2025 Cannes Film Festival alongside a vibrant panel of first-time attendees. Filmmakers Stephen Cedars and Benji Kleiman, and producer Lexi Tannenholtz reflect on the chaos, surprises, and serendipity of navigating Cannes for the first time. From deciphering the market to running into unexpected industry contacts, they explore the overwhelming yet ...
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Dean Fleischer Camp, the Oscar-nominated filmmaker behind Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, joins GG Hawkins on this episode of the No Film School Podcast to discuss his journey from indie auteur to directing Disney's live-action Lilo & Stitch. Camp delves into the emotional and technical challenges of maintaining character integrity, scaling up production, and bringing heart and authenticity to a beloved IP. From personal anecdotes ...
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In this episode of the No Film School Podcast, GG Hawkins and Jason Hellerman tackle breaking news, unpacking President Trump’s proposed 100% tariff on foreign-made films and what it could mean for the future of Hollywood. Then, GG takes us to the heart of indie filmmaking with a vibrant live conversation from Cinema Columbus, where filmmakers Michael Polk, Sam Dunning, and Kelsey Lea Jones share war stories, festival lessons, and ...
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In this episode, GG Hawkins of No Film School sits down with Ben Roberts, Chief Executive of the British Film Institute (BFI), for a powerful conversation on the cultural and creative necessity of film preservation. As the BFI celebrates the 90th anniversary of its National Archive and launches its new BFI America initiative, Roberts shares deep insights into the archival process, global collaboration, and the evolving role of film...
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April 28, 2025 81 mins
In this episode of the No Film School Podcast, GG Hawkins hosts a conversation with filmmakers Annapurna Sriram ("Fucktoys") and Alex Burunova ("Satisfaction"). Fresh from their South by Southwest premieres, they open up about the challenges and triumphs of making their first feature films independently. From the loneliness of directing to finding creative collaborators, the trio shares the real, raw experience of being “in the thi...
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In this two-part episode of the No Film School Podcast, hosts GG Hawkins and Jason Hellerman dive into the success of Ryan Coogler’s new original film Sinners, a box office hit that marks a significant moment for original storytelling in Hollywood. They explore Coogler’s strategic career trajectory from shorts to studio features, examining what emerging filmmakers can learn from his path. Later in the episode, GG takes us back to t...
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Director Mimi Cave joins No Film School’s GG Hawkins and guest co-host Madison Lanesey for a candid conversation about her path from dance to directing, maintaining artistic vision in the studio system, and fostering a grounded and collaborative atmosphere on set. Mimi opens up about the emotional rollercoaster of filmmaking, the practical steps she takes to craft immersive visual tones, and how she cultivates trust with her actors...
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Writer-director Christopher Landon joins No Film School’s GG Hawkins to discuss his newest film Drop, a sharp, suspenseful thriller starring Meghann Fahy. Known for genre-bending films like Happy Death Day, Freaky, and We Have a Ghost, Landon dives deep into his evolution as a filmmaker, how he overcame early failures, the importance of authenticity in storytelling, and the meticulous craft behind building tension. Landon also open...
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What don't they tell you? They you gotta take a break! In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins and Jason Hellerman sit down with editor Max Goldblatt, who cut the heartfelt and hilarious indie road trip film Sacramento. Directed by Michael Angarano and starring Michael Cera, Kristen Stewart, and Maya Erskine, the film made waves at Tribeca and has since garnered a devoted following. Max shares how he got into editing, his long...
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In this episode, GG Hawkins and Jason Hellerman tackle the timely question of whether production in Los Angeles is truly back, despite rising costs and the lure of tax incentives elsewhere. They also host a special Sundance DP Roundtable, featuring cinematographers from some of the festival's most talked-about films. These filmmakers share the stories of how they landed their gigs, the creative and technical choices behind their wo...
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No Film School founder and director Ryan Koo flips the script in this special episode, interviewing regular podcast host GG Hawkins about the world premiere of her feature film I Really Love My Husband at the 2025 SXSW Film Festival. GG shares her whirlwind experience of showcasing her first feature, from managing the chaos of festival logistics and marketing, to the overwhelming response from audiences and peers alike. This episod...
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