August 17, 2025 • 35 mins
Saddle up for a thrilling adventure story straight from the golden sands of the Bahamas. Josh Friedman, writer, producer and director extraordinaire, takes us behind the scenes of his epic feature film debut The Queen's Jewels.
Josh reveals how a chance beach encounter sparked his imagination and inspired the movie's treasure hunting plot. We get the inside scoop on creating the original short film as a "proof of concept", and the challenging but rewarding journey to making a full-length feature film.
The exotic Bahamas backdrop was actually filmed in the Dominican Republic, and Josh describes how the stunning natural landscape was the perfect setting for this swashbuckling tale.
Josh has some great advice for new directors, writers and creatives. He also shared his secrets about what reinsures him when he needs a creativity boost, guess what its free and very easy to get to!
Timestamps:
2:30 - How Josh met a local treasure hunter who regaled him with legends of lost Spanish gold.
5:15 - Transforming a kernel of history into a fictional adventure movie.
8:45 - Using a short film to prove the concept and pitch a bigger feature version.
12:30 - Scouting locations in the Dominican Republic to match the script's Bahamas setting.
Key takeaways:
- Movies can emerge from the most unlikely places - even a chance beach chat with a stranger!
- Short films are a great way to build proof of concept for bigger projects.
- Picking the perfect filming location is crucial for transporting audiences into the movie's world.
So swab the decks and get ready to dive into a rip-roaring yarn! Listen now to hear Josh recount this epic movie-making journey.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
Get A. I'm Laala Berry, nutritionist, author, actor, TV presenter,
and professional oversharer. This podcast is all about celebrating failure
because I believe it's a chance for us to learn,
grow and face our blind spots. Each week, I'll interview
a different guest about their highs as well as their lows,
(00:26):
all in a bid to inspire us to fearlessly fail.
Get A Fearlessly Failing, fam We have an incredible writer, director,
and executive producer, Josh Friedman, jumping on the pod today.
He is like a warm hug. You are in for
(00:46):
such a treat. We're talking about his brand new feature film,
The Queen's Jewels. Please jump online and follow and just
support this unreal human being. I hope you love this episode.
So many pearls of wisdom, especially if you've got a
creative heart like me. Josh Friedman, Welcome to the Potter Rooney. Hi, Hello, director, writer,
(01:11):
executive producer.
Speaker 2 (01:13):
How are you?
Speaker 1 (01:14):
I want to know how you are? How do you feel?
Because you texted me yesterday and you're like, listen, the
first minute of an interview is hard for me.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
Why It's true, I'm not the actor. I'm more comfortable
behind the scenes, So it takes me about a minute
to warm up and then I just kind of forget
that it's happening. It's all new to me, so I'm
just kind of going with the flow.
Speaker 1 (01:32):
Well, I can't tell you feel very natural and chill
and calm.
Speaker 2 (01:37):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (01:39):
We're maturing.
Speaker 2 (01:39):
Yeah. Oh yes, we love a good marcher. Yeah, we
love a good mind.
Speaker 1 (01:43):
I love hearing an Americans say match well, obviously, and
as he says matcher and you say march.
Speaker 2 (01:49):
Marcher, I am a marcher man for sure.
Speaker 1 (01:52):
Okay. On the weekend, I'm going to dive straight in
because I'm fan girling over you right now. Matt and
I watched The Queen's Jewels and Holy mackerel, it's incredible.
So this is your do I say, directorial debut as
a feature film directors?
Speaker 2 (02:09):
Is? It is my directorial debut as a feature film director,
which is very exciting for me. Thank you, thank you,
thank you.
Speaker 1 (02:16):
So okay, it feels to me having seen it action packed,
it's thrilling. It feels like it's fun for the whole family.
For the listener of your at Home, can you give
us a little taste of the synopsis? What's it about?
Speaker 2 (02:31):
It's basically about a three hundred year old treasure and
a character from a small town who basically realizes that
the myth and the missing treasure still exists and has
to go on this incredible advent or really to I
guess Avenge his father. And yeah, it's a really fun film.
(02:56):
I really enjoyed making it.
Speaker 1 (02:57):
I do you know. One of my favorite parts of it,
And it might seem a bit off topic, but the
friendship kind of like camaraderie. You get this, yes, you
get your hero's journey arc with as Bo, the main character. Yes,
but then you get to see like these other characters
come in, like La La, and you get to see
this beautiful friendship kind of like blossom throughout the film.
(03:21):
And so it kind of feels like this like friendship,
like heroes, journey, treasure like adventure.
Speaker 2 (03:28):
Good.
Speaker 1 (03:29):
That's how it feels. That's how it was. Okay, So,
as you know, I'm a nerd, you already know this
from our match a day to you, Yes, okay, I
want to know behind the scenes. I have to ask,
so is it true that the idea came to you
from you literally met someone on the beach in Florida?
Because where you're from is Treasure Coast? Am I saying that?
Speaker 2 (03:47):
Right? Yeah? So do you want me to jump here? Yeah? So,
like around COVID time, like nobody was doing anything in
the industry, like and it was difficult even as an
independent can only imagine the working artists at that time,
but trying to get the ball rolling. So I had
a lot of downtime to kind of like stew on
what my ideas are going to be. And then also
(04:09):
there was so much time and like peace for me
that I felt like I'm going to try to really
focus on when this is all is said and done,
like how am I going to get to where I
want to go? Yeah? And I find that being by
the beach is something that brings me true peace. So
I would spend a lot of time at the beach.
And so, yes, like you said, I'm from a place
(04:31):
called Vero Beach, which is a part of the Treasure Coast.
So people all the time are using the metal detector
and they're always like looking for stuff, and and this
guy was he was just metal detecting. But I had
seen him consistently for like a few days, like he
was just always there. And you know, you don't really
say anything. He's just doing his things. He's got his
little you know, headphones on, and he's got his metal detector.
(04:53):
And eventually, like on day, like I don't know what
day at this point it was, but I saw him
and I eventually just stood up walked over to him,
and I said, hey, like, do you ever find anything?
Like ever?
Speaker 1 (05:04):
Like that was my question just then, like.
Speaker 2 (05:05):
Do you actually ever find And he's like, yeah, I do.
And and then he started telling me about the history
of the town. And I have known like about the
Treasure Coast and the treasure but I didn't really like
look into it as much as I like I should have,
I guess because the signs are everywhere, right, there's museums,
there's like it's called the Treasure Coast. So I met
(05:26):
this guy and eventually we got chatting. I saw him
again the next day and we kind of built this
kind of like friendly relationship, and he took me at
some point, you know, into his into his home and
he showed me like his museum of things that he's found,
whether it was like a piece of a plate from
this Spanish plate fleet. Yeah, and like he was talking
(05:48):
all about the treasure and how he had written a
book about the treasure. I read the book. It was
very cool. So yeah, he kind of inspired, like you
know what I was at the time being in this
small little town and this treasure, and I was like,
how is this not a movie? Like how this could
be a total movie. So I basically took the concept
(06:09):
of a true story, like the true history I should say, yeah,
and then created a fictional story around it. So in history,
there's twelve ships that like, you know, one made it
back to France, the eleven of them sank in this
hurricane right off of the Treasure coast. And then I
made up a story about the thirteenth ship. Then the
thirteenth ship is completely fictional, as are the characters. But
(06:30):
I kind of took like a creative liberty to just,
you know, I love it to share with the world,
like this amazing history and a very small town that's
very real and it's super fun.
Speaker 1 (06:41):
What an amazing imagination you had.
Speaker 2 (06:43):
Oh thank you, Holy Matt.
Speaker 1 (06:44):
I love it. Okay, So if you have you have
this idea, you get captivated by this story and you
kind of let it take you on this journey, then
and correct me if I'm wrong, but you create a
short from that?
Speaker 2 (06:55):
Is that?
Speaker 1 (06:55):
Like that was the first the next step, right?
Speaker 2 (06:57):
Yes?
Speaker 1 (06:58):
And then how does someone go from like all right,
I've got this vision, I'm going to create a short
then to be like, I know this is going to
be a feature film.
Speaker 2 (07:06):
Yeah, this is fun for me to talk about. So
I knew that when I made the short film, because
there is a short film called The Queen's Jewels. I
knew at that time that the story was going to
be bigger. So I actually planned and strategized ahead of
time to create a proof of concept knowing that I'm
going to use the short film to pitch the bigger idea.
So you know, it's interesting too because there's so many
(07:28):
similarities between the short film and the feature film, but
then there's so many differences. So it's cool to see
how like that evolved. Like, I didn't anticipate that when
I created the short film, but I knew, like I
was telling you, like, I knew that I was going
to make this the feature film because you can only
make so many short films and like, and I love
getting the awards. I love feeling like we're doing something
(07:50):
that means something, and art gives to people and to
be able to share, you know, to share my imagination
with the world is so fun. But at some point
you have to be able to take the leap. If
you're gonna be a filmmaker, you have to find the
right way for yourself to make sure that you can
do it. So I felt like I was starting to
outgrow the short film space. So I swung really really
(08:12):
hard and with the with the short film, and I
just refused to to not give up, just to get
to where we are today. And here we are. So
I'm proud of myself, I'm proud of my team, I'm
proud of I'm.
Speaker 1 (08:27):
Proud of you.
Speaker 2 (08:28):
That's unreal.
Speaker 1 (08:29):
Okay, So the location is off the charts amazing.
Speaker 2 (08:33):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (08:34):
Talk to me about that because it's so I believe
it's set in the Bahamas.
Speaker 2 (08:39):
Is that right? The storyline takes place in the Bahamas?
Speaker 1 (08:41):
Yes, and looks incredible.
Speaker 2 (08:45):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (08:46):
So how did what were you like? Okay? Was there
like a location scouting process that you went through?
Speaker 2 (08:52):
Yeah? Okay. So even though the film the storyline is
in the Bahamas, we actually filmed in the Dominican Republic,
which is you know, the business side of things, there's incentives,
there's tax credits, there's all these variables that come into play.
But for me, creatively, what I had written, it was
(09:15):
a perfect match. Like I got to really play in
the natural elements of what the Dominican Republic had to
offer with like you were saying, like these beautiful well
you weren't saying this, but I'll say it for it.
There's beautiful blue water, get the caves. Yeah, it was
like the perfect a place to play with, you know,
creative and imagination. We did scout, we did scout the Bahamas,
(09:37):
and we did scout the Dominican Republic, and yeah, they
both were enjoyable. I went back after we filmed in
the Dominican Republic to the Bahamas and I filmed for
like two days just to get b roll to kind
of give life to the storyline. Because it's so important
to me to always try to make everything as authentic
as it can possibly be. Even the beginning of the
(09:59):
movie takes place in the Treasure Coast in Florida. Yeah,
like so like I brought like I'm trying, I was
trying really hard to have like my artistic signature. But yeah,
I mean it was so fun. It was really hot.
It was so hot.
Speaker 1 (10:12):
But some walk that was like three hundred steps to
get to some cave, is that right? And it was
like a seven series cave or something.
Speaker 2 (10:19):
Oh my gosh. You have to take a little boat
and like literally like there's a guy that like pulls
you on a rope to get across to the part.
And I've like, I felt so bad. I'm like apologizing
to everyone, like I know that I that I'm the
one that chose this part of the cave, but we
have to get here in order to do it. But
everybody handled it amazing. We had such a great team.
And yeah, three hundred steps down in the cave there's
bats swirling around. Oh yeah, you know, it was. It
(10:41):
was truly beautiful though.
Speaker 1 (10:42):
It really is so okay. There were so many really
nice underwater scenes as well, And I can only imagine.
I'm not a filmmaker, but I can only imagine that's
a whole nother logistical situation. Is it hard at a
film underwater or is that just my brain tricking me?
Speaker 2 (10:59):
So it's you know, it is not as hard as
you would think, really, but there are complications that you know,
when you're working with camera equipment and you are underwater,
you have to take precaution. Yeah, and also in our case,
we had to consider the weather. So I love that
you loved the underwater scenes, but we actually had to
(11:19):
switch from like actually filming in that cave because it
had like there was a massive thunderstorm and all the
rain was dripping into the cave, so the water got
polluted and there was no way that myself or Linda
the EP were going to allow anybody getting into that
water without like health reasons. Yeah, but yeah, little did
(11:41):
I know, Like the day before I'm like scouting it
and I'm like blowing water out of my mouth, like
I'm like, oh, it's fine, Nope, the water is contaminated.
But yeah, so we actually we created the underwater sequences
that you have in a water tank. And also you
know with set pieces and things like that, and there's
(12:03):
like this box that you put it in. I'm not
a DP, but they know what I'm talking about, and
then you put the camera in, so you have to
like also make sure that when the camera is in
the little box that you are, you know that it's
not fogging up. And there's so yeah, it's not as
difficult as you would think it's probably harder to do
in the actual ocean when you're being tossed around by
(12:23):
the currents and things like that. But yeah, it's it's
I'm really happy with the outcome.
Speaker 1 (12:30):
Oh, as you should be. The nature to me felt
like one of the highlights, like the beauty of it,
like the esthetic, feeling like I'm on the adventure too
as a viewer. So you nailed it. That's on that one.
Speaker 2 (12:45):
Thank you, Thank you.
Speaker 1 (12:47):
That brings me to a question, and I hope you
don't mind me asking this, but were there any kind
of hurdles where you were like, oh, like this is
I'm going to have to like pivot or I don't
know if this is a very Australian or millennial thing
to say, but let maguy for this, like figure it out.
Speaker 2 (13:02):
Yeah. I think that, like any filmmaker knows that, especially
if you're in the director's chair, like being the decision maker.
If you don't okay, well, I feel like I'm about
to go into tangent. So i'mone, Oh please please do.
Being able to make a decision under a lot of
pressure and a lot of stress is so important, and
(13:24):
I think most of it is about your attitude, because
if you feel like, hey, this is overwhelming and it's
going to be stressful, there's so many people we had,
like over four hundred crew members like that are depending
on you to make the right decision. So I think
it's about how you're If you don't make a decision,
you're screwed if you if you make a decision, see
it through. So an example, when we were actually filming
(13:45):
in the water tank, you know, we had planned it,
we were in the studio. You know, we filled it
up with the hose, this whole thing. We had a
whole contraption to make something come out of the water. Everything.
But and the actors were true professionals, Like they were
in the water, they were having fun. But you know,
I'm kind of like paying attention, and you know, I
(14:06):
hear them saying, yeah, it's cold, and everybody says it's cold,
and like I get it, I get it, but like
they were not telling me that like how cold it was,
which I give them respect for because they wanted to
do the best in their role. But eventually, like when
I'm you know, taking you know, in between shots, and
I see them laying in the sun outside trying to
like warm up. I was like, yeah, yeah, this isn't
(14:29):
We're not We're not going to keep doing this, so uh,
you know, on a you know, on a dime, I guess, like,
you know, I just went to Linda and I went
to our you know, our first a d and I
was like, guys, we have a water tank outside, but
that already has his set piece that we're going to
be filming in that we've already filmed in. Let's just
do what we're doing over there. And they're like, but
(14:51):
it's going to take so much time to move everything.
And I said, guys, we're going to move this. And
this actually was the last day of filming as well,
so we had to get these shots. We had to
finish it or else we didn't have pieces to kind
of connect to the film. We only had X amount
of time in the Dominican Republic. So so yeah, like
we made the decision, and yeah, the trucks, the vans,
(15:14):
the people, the cast, the whole crew. We moved from
the water tank inside to the warm water that was
like warms by the sun and it was beautiful. But
and we did it, and it was so crazy and
so interesting for me, and I know, I made the
right decision because the energy shifted when everybody was more
comfortable and happy, and it was a great way to
(15:36):
end the last day of filming. And I feel like
I feel like I know I made the right decision
and it looks great, so I'm happy with it.
Speaker 1 (15:43):
It sounds like you've got a really great perception of
like reading the room, especially if you've got how many
people do you say, four hundred people that you're like roughly,
you know, you've got to be aware of it. There's
a lot of moving pieces and making a decision like that,
like you said, on a dime, like it's kind of
being like, Okay, this is the best decision for what
we need to achieve right now that looks after everyone
in the right way, and I'm going to make that
(16:05):
call and I'm not going to second guess myself. Like
that's a skill, thank you. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (16:09):
Yeah. And I am lucky though, because you know, there's
so many great people that surround me that you know
that I'm able to make an informed decision. It's not
like it's just like me making that. It's like I
very much like to listen to what's happening, and I
obviously this is a people person job and to be
a leader. If you're not listening, I don't know why
(16:29):
you want to do what you do. So yeah, I
appreciate that, and you know, hopefully it gets me far.
Speaker 1 (16:37):
Yeah, you've been described as a collaborative director, which I think,
like as an actor, is so warming to hear because
sometimes you can you've already got a bit of insecurity
or a bit of self doubt, especially on day one,
but knowing that that's your style and knowing that you're
so collaborative, you listen. And I've heard you say you
really like to listen to the like actors feedback as.
Speaker 2 (16:56):
Well, so bad, Like I love that. Yeah, it's so important.
I mean, actors, they're the ones personifying your character. I
feel like it would not behoove me at all to
listen to not have them have a say and like
who they're, who they're encapsulating. So when when I was
working with the actors a few times they were like, hey, Josh,
(17:19):
like this doesn't really happen often where you I'm like,
what are you talking? Who are you working with? Like,
of course you should have a say and and what
you feel that you're doing and and I'm so happy
that you know that they say nice things and I
love watching them like be proud of what they've accomplished too,
And you know, it makes me feel like as the director,
(17:42):
like that's gonna be the best performance when they believe
what they're doing. And if they believe it, I believe it.
So so yeah, I love. I love to collaborate, and
I think it makes for a cultivation of a happier
set and a more productive environment to be creative and
to feel free and say, and artists are all vulnerable
and I want to be able to make sure that
(18:04):
they feel safe. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (18:05):
I think if you've all got the same like you're
all connected to the same goal, the same like, that's
a really nice feeling to be part of this theme, you.
Speaker 2 (18:12):
Know, Yeah, totally. I think having that synergy and we're
all in this together, you create like a bond and
it's we're all so close for x amount of time
and we're days and days we're all experiencing the same
kind of stress and you know, or maybe not stress
because we did a great job, but but you know,
we're in it together. We're in it together. It creates
(18:33):
like it's like a team. It's like a sport. Yeah,
you build that bond and it's really special.
Speaker 1 (18:38):
I would love to talk to you about casting because
I know the lead that plays Bo, and you had
this connection over Florida.
Speaker 2 (18:44):
Right, crazy town, Right, I didn't like like so fun
fact Bo, Carson Rowland incredible human, super charming, the sweetest
guy and incredibly talented. He was on my radar, and
then the casting director like Bo for me was the
(19:06):
most important, Like I like, he's leading the film, right.
So I was like, so every time somebody would make
a suggestion to me about who the actor was, I
would always always listen or who it could be considered
this consider that I I like to retreat, like I
put my head in my shell like a turtle and
then just really really sit on it. And when I
(19:30):
when I gave Carson like that moment to like you know,
to watch his auditions and you know, to see that,
it was like no question for me, Like it was
like this is it. He's like he's got that boy
next door kind of like he's so warm and friendly
and he looks like a baby Channing Tatum.
Speaker 1 (19:49):
So he does.
Speaker 2 (19:52):
So I was really really pleased with with my choice there,
and I think He's just an incredible actor in person.
He is a friend of mine, So how goods.
Speaker 1 (20:06):
Was there a moment on set where I don't know,
if you're sitting in your trailer or something, where it's
just like such a pinch yourself moment, like Holy Matt,
like You've got all this experience behind you. You've got
all this experience, all these awards short films coming out
of the world, you know what I mean, Like you've
you're ready for this moment. You've done the work, You've
worked very very hard to be there. Yeah, but was
(20:29):
there like a moment where you're like, oh my god,
this thing is happening right now.
Speaker 2 (20:32):
Yeah. I think it was the fact that I had
a trailer. Yeah, I was like, this is wild. So
I think there are so many of them, so so
many of them, and I was trying to soak up
as much as I could. And I'm so lucky because
I didn't do this journey alone. I get to do
it with my best friend and big sister, Linda Duncombe's
also the executive producer and producer, and so yeah, together,
(20:57):
I think we were just kind of like, you know,
starry eyed and like, you know, I'm like do we hug?
This is so crazy, like what do we do? How
do we celebrate these moments? And how do we share it?
And it's just truly special to get to not be
in this alone and to really feel like you are
aligned and yeah, and to share it with somebody and
then to do you know, just like a really great
(21:19):
job as always I guess like the cherry on top right.
Speaker 1 (21:22):
Yeah, and to be like traveling and being in different
locations and filming that like you like you said, this
came from you chit chatting to someone on a beach
You've then gone and kind of like obsessed over the
idea of it. I mean that the best way ever.
Speaker 2 (21:37):
Oh I did. I went to pawn shops, talk to people,
I read books like.
Speaker 1 (21:41):
And then to see it like be on set filming
said thing or like that vision from like potentially a
storyboard or you know what I mean, like fully being
there and it all coming together the cart like I
can only imagine it'd be like oh my goodness, and
you're so young.
Speaker 2 (21:58):
Oh thank you? Yeah, I feel well, yeah, all of
it was like there's so just so many of them,
I think, like showing up to set the first time
and just like seeing all the vans and the truck people.
Because I've interviewed and I've met the department heads and
I've had my creative flow with them, but like actually
showing up day one and just seeing like how much
(22:19):
work goes has been already been behind the scenes happening
before I even showed up there. I'm just like I
want to shake everyone's hand. I want to say hello,
you know, like yeah, I mean I don't know. And
then the actors performing and when when they're performing and
I can really see that they that they care and
(22:39):
the questions that they ask, I'm just like, what a
gift that you're sharing that vulnerability with me and that
you trust in the environment that we've created. Like that's
it's just so special. And i mean, look, there's there's
just too many moments. I think in my mind, I
think the whole experience itself is just like you can't
you can't not look back and be like, wow, like
(23:00):
what we just did was amazing, because I think it
is you.
Speaker 1 (23:05):
Need to write a book about this. This is like
such an amazing like you've got this is your own
hero's journey. I have to ask because a lot of
young creatives. Listen to this pod or watch it. What's
your advice young directors, writers, or producers? Because I think
when you get out of it, definitely for acting school,
but say film school. Sometimes you'll get out of school
(23:27):
and you've had the best You've been in this beautiful
little incubator and you've been around all these other creatives.
But there sometimes can feel like there's a little bit
of a disconnect between doing the thing you love in
school and then going out into the real world and
like putting on your business hat. Like you mentioned a
few of the business side of things earlier, like what's
your advice for a young creative that's like I really
(23:49):
want to do this thing. I really want to I
just don't know where to start.
Speaker 2 (23:53):
YEP. I like this question, and I feel like I'm
not in a place to like speak like so objectively
about what I think people should do. But from my
experience having an entrepreneurial side and a business side, I
know that the creative world is like so enticing, you
(24:14):
know what I mean. But like people like they they
want the heart of it, and like it's so fun
to get to be creative, and it's like the joy
and the passion of what we all want to do
as creatives. But if you're not thinking from a business perspective,
and if you're not learning how to speak and gain
credibility for the people that you'll be collaborating with that
(24:35):
are going to be investing time and money into you,
I feel like that's going to be more challenging for you.
Try to cultivate a business acumen, I would say, like
just just by doing it, doing something to try it,
and then listen to your colleagues and listen to the
people that you trust. There's going to be so many
(24:55):
people as well that that try to say this is
the right way. But if you don't believe that, then
don't do it.
Speaker 1 (25:02):
Because a trust your internal compass as well.
Speaker 2 (25:04):
You do, you do, and there are people though I
don't want to scare you know, any new artist away,
but you have to be able to trust the people
that you trust because we all don't know everything, but
but we do know what our hearts tell us and
what our intuition tells us. And if you don't get
a good feeling that, there's probably a reason why. And
I think guest learning the business side is just as
important as it is the creative. And that's why I
(25:26):
think that I and we are where we are today
because you can't do one without the other. And it
really is a business at the end of the day.
It's business. You know.
Speaker 1 (25:38):
It's such good advice because I think sometimes we think, oh,
I'm a creative, this is where I need to be,
but that yeah, that's savvy, I want to say, like
savviness and business, just like the understanding like what goes
into being on a set like the creator and as
well as an actor, like you need to be visible,
you need to be seen like that. There is a
(25:58):
whole other piece of the puzzle that isn't just the creative.
And the creative is obviously why we do what we do,
of course, but the business is kind of like that
magic bit that like like clicks it all together, right.
Speaker 2 (26:12):
Yeah. I mean, Let's say you're an actor and you have,
you know, these incredible reels and posts and you're scene
and then you're speaking to a producer and they ask
you a few different questions, but you're not able to
validate like how great that you look and how you
are and how you're able to get to reword you.
I feel like it's going to limit your ability.
Speaker 1 (26:32):
To great advice. Yeah, need that combo.
Speaker 2 (26:37):
Yeah, but I could be totally wrong. I love it.
Speaker 1 (26:39):
No, I'm very pro the combo. I'm very pro the combra.
So for people at home, how can we support the
Queen's duels? What's the best way? Like obviously follow on
along on social?
Speaker 2 (26:54):
Yes, I would, yes, follow the social.
Speaker 1 (26:58):
Yeah, that'll be in the show notes.
Speaker 2 (27:03):
Right now, I think it's like staying patient. There are
so many people right now that want to see the film,
and I still badly want to show them in the film.
But it's amazing. We have some incredible things happening around
festivals and distribution and yeah, so we're doing everything we can.
So I think it's just you know, if you see
something you like, like, share it, talk about it, tell
(27:24):
your friends you.
Speaker 1 (27:26):
Know, I love it. Yeah, that's okay, sharing all right.
Speaker 2 (27:29):
Chare be present and stay patient while we get it
ready to.
Speaker 1 (27:34):
So I'm so excited for you. Okay. Now you and
me met yes at an Aussie lunch.
Speaker 2 (27:40):
We sure did, and you.
Speaker 1 (27:42):
Feel like an honorary Aussie. It might have been the
mullet wig that we were all wearing listening to in excess. Yes,
can you share with me your next really exciting Australiana project.
Speaker 2 (27:55):
Yes, And first of all, thank you for saying that
I'm an honorary Australian. I take so much that.
Speaker 1 (28:03):
You might write.
Speaker 2 (28:04):
Yes, I even have a jar that has Joshi written
on amazing from my big sister. So yeah, we, Linda
and myself are currently working on another feature film Australian based.
It is called The Great Emy War and it is
(28:29):
written by Monty Franklin and Rob Schneider starring Monty Franklin,
Rob Schneider, and John Cleese, which is very exciting for us. Yeah,
and it's such a great story. And you know, can
I like talk for like a quick second. So like,
I was actually really nervous when Linda presented this to
(28:52):
me because this is actually going to be like in
my whole career, I have never not written the things
that I've directed it, So when this script came up
and I read it, the story is just exceptional. I
love it so much. And Monty, who I've been spending
most of our creative time with right now, he just
(29:15):
did an amazing job with Rob and his team, and
I think that that's there's something in me that wants
to protect what he has created. And I'm finding that
that's growth for myself as well, because I know what
it's like to feel like protective of my own work,
but to be able to help somebody, you know, protect
(29:35):
what they've done and have that kind of writing kind
of background. It's just so important that he's in a
safe place. And not to mention, I went to one
of his comedy shows and he's brilliant. Yes he's Oh
my gosh, he's so funny. But I don't want him
to know how good he is yet. You know, we
still we still have to work together.
Speaker 1 (29:55):
Monty is a good friend of the pod too, so
I will.
Speaker 2 (29:59):
It's just going to be It's gonna be a lot
of fun and I'm really excited about this.
Speaker 1 (30:03):
Do you know the first thing you said to me
about this when we were having our matchar slash coffee date.
Speaker 2 (30:08):
Why did I tell you?
Speaker 1 (30:08):
You said that you loved the story arc for Monty's character,
Like that was what you loved about it. Because yes,
for the people playing along home, this is a true
story in a sense, like it's based on there was,
I believe, in nineteen thirty one a great EMU war
where the Australian Army and the EMUs. Literally we're in
(30:29):
a war and spoil spoiler alert. If they've listened to
Monty's EPP, they'll know this. The EMUs won, right, So.
Speaker 2 (30:37):
Funny, isn't it. It's just so funny, isn't it?
Speaker 1 (30:41):
Just Like, Oh, but how exciting to film in Australia, Like, yeah,
that's like so exciting. As an Aussie, I'm just like, yes,
I'm pumped.
Speaker 2 (30:51):
As an American, I'm pumped for me. Yeah, this is great.
Speaker 1 (30:56):
Have you started the location scouting process yet?
Speaker 2 (31:00):
We have, We have started, but we'll be officially headed
out there in a couple months. I think, like November
is what we're talking about, which is perfect, Yeah, perfectly
aligned with where we'd like to be. So yeah, but
we get like a whole bunch of pictures and things
like that. We have an awesome producer named Scott who's
(31:21):
working alongside Linda beautiful, and yeah, like he's so he's
been sending us some stuff and you know, Monty and
I have a look and we peek and you know,
we're like, oh, I can't wait to see you.
Speaker 1 (31:32):
Oh my goodness, I'm so excited. I feel I feel
like attached already. I'm like, okay, I'm excited, I'm on board.
I'm like, I can't wait to see this comes to life.
Because when I first interviewed Monty two years ago, he
was already telling me about it. That's how long this
has been his baby form. Like, how cool to be
part of that coming?
Speaker 2 (31:51):
Oh for sure. I I respect that more than anything.
He's still he's still going for it, and there's so
much heart and what he's created and what he wants
to bring to the table. And I'm lucky that I'm
being trusted to be a part of that.
Speaker 1 (32:08):
Have you ever spent long periods of time in Australia. Yes, okay,
so you already like know all your favorite.
Speaker 2 (32:13):
I love Australia. I do. But you were also telling
me that there's Byron Bay.
Speaker 1 (32:17):
Yeah you have to go to It's so bad now,
oh my goodness, the best part of Australia. Like it's
my favorite part of Australia.
Speaker 2 (32:22):
I have to go. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (32:23):
And because you love we were talking about you can
do some great snorkeling and stuff there.
Speaker 2 (32:28):
Right, yeah, and you would like swam with like whale
sharks and stuff.
Speaker 1 (32:30):
Oh yeah, that's the other side that's Perth. But you
can go out in Byron. You can go out kayaking
with dolphins and green sea turtles and little turtleheads pop
up like.
Speaker 2 (32:43):
Sounds perfect.
Speaker 1 (32:44):
Okay, I could talk to you about Australia all day long.
I'll give you a whole list of Byron Bay things
to do. Make sure you visit Byron as well. Just
do your locations going then be like, Okay, Linda, We're
just going to do a week in Byron to round
this tripper.
Speaker 2 (32:56):
Just a real quick, little pope.
Speaker 1 (32:57):
Little pop in. Okay. So a quote I wrote about
you I love and it is this. You've been described
as having a relentless creative spirit and I was like,
oh yes, but my question for you is what happens
on those days where because I described as like having
(33:18):
a little flicker in your heart and you kind of
to fan that flicker to turn into a wildfire. Right?
Speaker 2 (33:23):
I love it?
Speaker 1 (33:23):
Yeah, but there are days when you think, oh, like
it can feel hard, and it can feel like you're
behind or you're blocked a little bit creatively. What do
you do to re empower and re inspire yourself on
those days?
Speaker 2 (33:40):
Hi? Yeah, first fire? I love the analogy of the
fanning of the flame. I think it was well said,
and I can relate to that. I have like a
visual that comes to mind and like my own emotional
approach to that. But yeah, I think for me, I
am I love. I know this sounds like sad or something,
(34:00):
but I love to my alone time too. I have
to find my own space and in that space, if
it's just music or you know, being on a walk
and watching two people interact, and I was like, that
would be like a cool little, you know, snippet to
have a character do something like that, and then my
(34:21):
brain just starts to go and go. And for me also,
I love I love like nature in general. Like there's
just something about like being connected to something that brings
me peace, that allows the creativity to flow.
Speaker 1 (34:38):
Oh yeah, there's a word I'm going to teach you.
It's called biophilia, healing power of mother nature and human beings.
So you're a biphilia person.
Speaker 2 (34:45):
I'm a bipilia.
Speaker 1 (34:47):
You can see it in your movie. You can see it,
like thank you the Okay, there is so much my friend. Okay,
I could literally talk to you. That's gone so quick.
I could talk to you all day long. I'm just
gonna say, he gonna have to come back on the pod.
You're amazing. Oh you were amazing, and I can't wait
to see what happens next for you. And I'm here
cheering you on. So please let me know whatever I
(35:09):
can do to help. He's stuck with me. So but Josh,
thank you so much for jumping on feels failing today.
Speaker 2 (35:17):
Thank you so much for having me. I appreciate this.
I had so much fun me too.
Speaker 1 (35:24):
That's a wrap on another episode of Fearlessly Failing. As always,
thank you to our guests, and let's continue the conversation
on Instagram. I'm at Yamo Lollerberry. This potty my word
for podcast is available on all streaming platforms. I'd love
it if you could subscribe, rate and comment, and of
(35:47):
course spread the love
Get A. I'm Laala Berry, nutritionist, author, actor, TV presenter,
and professional oversharer. This podcast is all about celebrating failure
because I believe it's a chance for us to learn,
grow and face our blind spots. Each week, I'll interview
a different guest about their highs as well as their lows,
(00:26):
all in a bid to inspire us to fearlessly fail.
Get A Fearlessly Failing, fam We have an incredible writer, director,
and executive producer, Josh Friedman, jumping on the pod today.
He is like a warm hug. You are in for
(00:46):
such a treat. We're talking about his brand new feature film,
The Queen's Jewels. Please jump online and follow and just
support this unreal human being. I hope you love this episode.
So many pearls of wisdom, especially if you've got a
creative heart like me. Josh Friedman, Welcome to the Potter Rooney. Hi, Hello, director, writer,
(01:11):
executive producer.
Speaker 2 (01:13):
How are you?
Speaker 1 (01:14):
I want to know how you are? How do you feel?
Because you texted me yesterday and you're like, listen, the
first minute of an interview is hard for me.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
Why It's true, I'm not the actor. I'm more comfortable
behind the scenes, So it takes me about a minute
to warm up and then I just kind of forget
that it's happening. It's all new to me, so I'm
just kind of going with the flow.
Speaker 1 (01:32):
Well, I can't tell you feel very natural and chill
and calm.
Speaker 2 (01:37):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (01:39):
We're maturing.
Speaker 2 (01:39):
Yeah. Oh yes, we love a good marcher. Yeah, we
love a good mind.
Speaker 1 (01:43):
I love hearing an Americans say match well, obviously, and
as he says matcher and you say march.
Speaker 2 (01:49):
Marcher, I am a marcher man for sure.
Speaker 1 (01:52):
Okay. On the weekend, I'm going to dive straight in
because I'm fan girling over you right now. Matt and
I watched The Queen's Jewels and Holy mackerel, it's incredible.
So this is your do I say, directorial debut as
a feature film directors?
Speaker 2 (02:09):
Is? It is my directorial debut as a feature film director,
which is very exciting for me. Thank you, thank you,
thank you.
Speaker 1 (02:16):
So okay, it feels to me having seen it action packed,
it's thrilling. It feels like it's fun for the whole family.
For the listener of your at Home, can you give
us a little taste of the synopsis? What's it about?
Speaker 2 (02:31):
It's basically about a three hundred year old treasure and
a character from a small town who basically realizes that
the myth and the missing treasure still exists and has
to go on this incredible advent or really to I
guess Avenge his father. And yeah, it's a really fun film.
(02:56):
I really enjoyed making it.
Speaker 1 (02:57):
I do you know. One of my favorite parts of it,
And it might seem a bit off topic, but the
friendship kind of like camaraderie. You get this, yes, you
get your hero's journey arc with as Bo, the main character. Yes,
but then you get to see like these other characters
come in, like La La, and you get to see
this beautiful friendship kind of like blossom throughout the film.
(03:21):
And so it kind of feels like this like friendship,
like heroes, journey, treasure like adventure.
Speaker 2 (03:28):
Good.
Speaker 1 (03:29):
That's how it feels. That's how it was. Okay, So,
as you know, I'm a nerd, you already know this
from our match a day to you, Yes, okay, I
want to know behind the scenes. I have to ask,
so is it true that the idea came to you
from you literally met someone on the beach in Florida?
Because where you're from is Treasure Coast? Am I saying that?
Speaker 2 (03:47):
Right? Yeah? So do you want me to jump here? Yeah? So,
like around COVID time, like nobody was doing anything in
the industry, like and it was difficult even as an
independent can only imagine the working artists at that time,
but trying to get the ball rolling. So I had
a lot of downtime to kind of like stew on
what my ideas are going to be. And then also
(04:09):
there was so much time and like peace for me
that I felt like I'm going to try to really
focus on when this is all is said and done,
like how am I going to get to where I
want to go? Yeah? And I find that being by
the beach is something that brings me true peace. So
I would spend a lot of time at the beach.
And so, yes, like you said, I'm from a place
(04:31):
called Vero Beach, which is a part of the Treasure Coast.
So people all the time are using the metal detector
and they're always like looking for stuff, and and this
guy was he was just metal detecting. But I had
seen him consistently for like a few days, like he
was just always there. And you know, you don't really
say anything. He's just doing his things. He's got his
little you know, headphones on, and he's got his metal detector.
(04:53):
And eventually, like on day, like I don't know what
day at this point it was, but I saw him
and I eventually just stood up walked over to him,
and I said, hey, like, do you ever find anything?
Like ever?
Speaker 1 (05:04):
Like that was my question just then, like.
Speaker 2 (05:05):
Do you actually ever find And he's like, yeah, I do.
And and then he started telling me about the history
of the town. And I have known like about the
Treasure Coast and the treasure but I didn't really like
look into it as much as I like I should have,
I guess because the signs are everywhere, right, there's museums,
there's like it's called the Treasure Coast. So I met
(05:26):
this guy and eventually we got chatting. I saw him
again the next day and we kind of built this
kind of like friendly relationship, and he took me at
some point, you know, into his into his home and
he showed me like his museum of things that he's found,
whether it was like a piece of a plate from
this Spanish plate fleet. Yeah, and like he was talking
(05:48):
all about the treasure and how he had written a
book about the treasure. I read the book. It was
very cool. So yeah, he kind of inspired, like you
know what I was at the time being in this
small little town and this treasure, and I was like,
how is this not a movie? Like how this could
be a total movie. So I basically took the concept
(06:09):
of a true story, like the true history I should say, yeah,
and then created a fictional story around it. So in history,
there's twelve ships that like, you know, one made it
back to France, the eleven of them sank in this
hurricane right off of the Treasure coast. And then I
made up a story about the thirteenth ship. Then the
thirteenth ship is completely fictional, as are the characters. But
(06:30):
I kind of took like a creative liberty to just,
you know, I love it to share with the world,
like this amazing history and a very small town that's
very real and it's super fun.
Speaker 1 (06:41):
What an amazing imagination you had.
Speaker 2 (06:43):
Oh thank you, Holy Matt.
Speaker 1 (06:44):
I love it. Okay, So if you have you have
this idea, you get captivated by this story and you
kind of let it take you on this journey, then
and correct me if I'm wrong, but you create a
short from that?
Speaker 2 (06:55):
Is that?
Speaker 1 (06:55):
Like that was the first the next step, right?
Speaker 2 (06:57):
Yes?
Speaker 1 (06:58):
And then how does someone go from like all right,
I've got this vision, I'm going to create a short
then to be like, I know this is going to
be a feature film.
Speaker 2 (07:06):
Yeah, this is fun for me to talk about. So
I knew that when I made the short film, because
there is a short film called The Queen's Jewels. I
knew at that time that the story was going to
be bigger. So I actually planned and strategized ahead of
time to create a proof of concept knowing that I'm
going to use the short film to pitch the bigger idea.
So you know, it's interesting too because there's so many
(07:28):
similarities between the short film and the feature film, but
then there's so many differences. So it's cool to see
how like that evolved. Like, I didn't anticipate that when
I created the short film, but I knew, like I
was telling you, like, I knew that I was going
to make this the feature film because you can only
make so many short films and like, and I love
getting the awards. I love feeling like we're doing something
(07:50):
that means something, and art gives to people and to
be able to share, you know, to share my imagination
with the world is so fun. But at some point
you have to be able to take the leap. If
you're gonna be a filmmaker, you have to find the
right way for yourself to make sure that you can
do it. So I felt like I was starting to
outgrow the short film space. So I swung really really
(08:12):
hard and with the with the short film, and I
just refused to to not give up, just to get
to where we are today. And here we are. So
I'm proud of myself, I'm proud of my team, I'm
proud of I'm.
Speaker 1 (08:27):
Proud of you.
Speaker 2 (08:28):
That's unreal.
Speaker 1 (08:29):
Okay, So the location is off the charts amazing.
Speaker 2 (08:33):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (08:34):
Talk to me about that because it's so I believe
it's set in the Bahamas.
Speaker 2 (08:39):
Is that right? The storyline takes place in the Bahamas?
Speaker 1 (08:41):
Yes, and looks incredible.
Speaker 2 (08:45):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (08:46):
So how did what were you like? Okay? Was there
like a location scouting process that you went through?
Speaker 2 (08:52):
Yeah? Okay. So even though the film the storyline is
in the Bahamas, we actually filmed in the Dominican Republic,
which is you know, the business side of things, there's incentives,
there's tax credits, there's all these variables that come into play.
But for me, creatively, what I had written, it was
(09:15):
a perfect match. Like I got to really play in
the natural elements of what the Dominican Republic had to
offer with like you were saying, like these beautiful well
you weren't saying this, but I'll say it for it.
There's beautiful blue water, get the caves. Yeah, it was
like the perfect a place to play with, you know,
creative and imagination. We did scout, we did scout the Bahamas,
(09:37):
and we did scout the Dominican Republic, and yeah, they
both were enjoyable. I went back after we filmed in
the Dominican Republic to the Bahamas and I filmed for
like two days just to get b roll to kind
of give life to the storyline. Because it's so important
to me to always try to make everything as authentic
as it can possibly be. Even the beginning of the
(09:59):
movie takes place in the Treasure Coast in Florida. Yeah,
like so like I brought like I'm trying, I was
trying really hard to have like my artistic signature. But yeah,
I mean it was so fun. It was really hot.
It was so hot.
Speaker 1 (10:12):
But some walk that was like three hundred steps to
get to some cave, is that right? And it was
like a seven series cave or something.
Speaker 2 (10:19):
Oh my gosh. You have to take a little boat
and like literally like there's a guy that like pulls
you on a rope to get across to the part.
And I've like, I felt so bad. I'm like apologizing
to everyone, like I know that I that I'm the
one that chose this part of the cave, but we
have to get here in order to do it. But
everybody handled it amazing. We had such a great team.
And yeah, three hundred steps down in the cave there's
bats swirling around. Oh yeah, you know, it was. It
(10:41):
was truly beautiful though.
Speaker 1 (10:42):
It really is so okay. There were so many really
nice underwater scenes as well, And I can only imagine.
I'm not a filmmaker, but I can only imagine that's
a whole nother logistical situation. Is it hard at a
film underwater or is that just my brain tricking me?
Speaker 2 (10:59):
So it's you know, it is not as hard as
you would think, really, but there are complications that you know,
when you're working with camera equipment and you are underwater,
you have to take precaution. Yeah, and also in our case,
we had to consider the weather. So I love that
you loved the underwater scenes, but we actually had to
(11:19):
switch from like actually filming in that cave because it
had like there was a massive thunderstorm and all the
rain was dripping into the cave, so the water got
polluted and there was no way that myself or Linda
the EP were going to allow anybody getting into that
water without like health reasons. Yeah, but yeah, little did
(11:41):
I know, Like the day before I'm like scouting it
and I'm like blowing water out of my mouth, like
I'm like, oh, it's fine, Nope, the water is contaminated.
But yeah, so we actually we created the underwater sequences
that you have in a water tank. And also you
know with set pieces and things like that, and there's
(12:03):
like this box that you put it in. I'm not
a DP, but they know what I'm talking about, and
then you put the camera in, so you have to
like also make sure that when the camera is in
the little box that you are, you know that it's
not fogging up. And there's so yeah, it's not as
difficult as you would think it's probably harder to do
in the actual ocean when you're being tossed around by
(12:23):
the currents and things like that. But yeah, it's it's
I'm really happy with the outcome.
Speaker 1 (12:30):
Oh, as you should be. The nature to me felt
like one of the highlights, like the beauty of it,
like the esthetic, feeling like I'm on the adventure too
as a viewer. So you nailed it. That's on that one.
Speaker 2 (12:45):
Thank you, Thank you.
Speaker 1 (12:47):
That brings me to a question, and I hope you
don't mind me asking this, but were there any kind
of hurdles where you were like, oh, like this is
I'm going to have to like pivot or I don't
know if this is a very Australian or millennial thing
to say, but let maguy for this, like figure it out.
Speaker 2 (13:02):
Yeah. I think that, like any filmmaker knows that, especially
if you're in the director's chair, like being the decision maker.
If you don't okay, well, I feel like I'm about
to go into tangent. So i'mone, Oh please please do.
Being able to make a decision under a lot of
pressure and a lot of stress is so important, and
(13:24):
I think most of it is about your attitude, because
if you feel like, hey, this is overwhelming and it's
going to be stressful, there's so many people we had,
like over four hundred crew members like that are depending
on you to make the right decision. So I think
it's about how you're If you don't make a decision,
you're screwed if you if you make a decision, see
it through. So an example, when we were actually filming
(13:45):
in the water tank, you know, we had planned it,
we were in the studio. You know, we filled it
up with the hose, this whole thing. We had a
whole contraption to make something come out of the water. Everything.
But and the actors were true professionals, Like they were
in the water, they were having fun. But you know,
I'm kind of like paying attention, and you know, I
(14:06):
hear them saying, yeah, it's cold, and everybody says it's cold,
and like I get it, I get it, but like
they were not telling me that like how cold it was,
which I give them respect for because they wanted to
do the best in their role. But eventually, like when
I'm you know, taking you know, in between shots, and
I see them laying in the sun outside trying to
like warm up. I was like, yeah, yeah, this isn't
(14:29):
We're not We're not going to keep doing this, so uh,
you know, on a you know, on a dime, I guess, like,
you know, I just went to Linda and I went
to our you know, our first a d and I
was like, guys, we have a water tank outside, but
that already has his set piece that we're going to
be filming in that we've already filmed in. Let's just
do what we're doing over there. And they're like, but
(14:51):
it's going to take so much time to move everything.
And I said, guys, we're going to move this. And
this actually was the last day of filming as well,
so we had to get these shots. We had to
finish it or else we didn't have pieces to kind
of connect to the film. We only had X amount
of time in the Dominican Republic. So so yeah, like
we made the decision, and yeah, the trucks, the vans,
(15:14):
the people, the cast, the whole crew. We moved from
the water tank inside to the warm water that was
like warms by the sun and it was beautiful. But
and we did it, and it was so crazy and
so interesting for me, and I know, I made the
right decision because the energy shifted when everybody was more
comfortable and happy, and it was a great way to
(15:36):
end the last day of filming. And I feel like
I feel like I know I made the right decision
and it looks great, so I'm happy with it.
Speaker 1 (15:43):
It sounds like you've got a really great perception of
like reading the room, especially if you've got how many
people do you say, four hundred people that you're like roughly,
you know, you've got to be aware of it. There's
a lot of moving pieces and making a decision like that,
like you said, on a dime, like it's kind of
being like, Okay, this is the best decision for what
we need to achieve right now that looks after everyone
in the right way, and I'm going to make that
(16:05):
call and I'm not going to second guess myself. Like
that's a skill, thank you. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (16:09):
Yeah. And I am lucky though, because you know, there's
so many great people that surround me that you know
that I'm able to make an informed decision. It's not
like it's just like me making that. It's like I
very much like to listen to what's happening, and I
obviously this is a people person job and to be
a leader. If you're not listening, I don't know why
(16:29):
you want to do what you do. So yeah, I
appreciate that, and you know, hopefully it gets me far.
Speaker 1 (16:37):
Yeah, you've been described as a collaborative director, which I think,
like as an actor, is so warming to hear because
sometimes you can you've already got a bit of insecurity
or a bit of self doubt, especially on day one,
but knowing that that's your style and knowing that you're
so collaborative, you listen. And I've heard you say you
really like to listen to the like actors feedback as.
Speaker 2 (16:56):
Well, so bad, Like I love that. Yeah, it's so important.
I mean, actors, they're the ones personifying your character. I
feel like it would not behoove me at all to
listen to not have them have a say and like
who they're, who they're encapsulating. So when when I was
working with the actors a few times they were like, hey, Josh,
(17:19):
like this doesn't really happen often where you I'm like,
what are you talking? Who are you working with? Like,
of course you should have a say and and what
you feel that you're doing and and I'm so happy
that you know that they say nice things and I
love watching them like be proud of what they've accomplished too,
And you know, it makes me feel like as the director,
(17:42):
like that's gonna be the best performance when they believe
what they're doing. And if they believe it, I believe it.
So so yeah, I love. I love to collaborate, and
I think it makes for a cultivation of a happier
set and a more productive environment to be creative and
to feel free and say, and artists are all vulnerable
and I want to be able to make sure that
(18:04):
they feel safe. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (18:05):
I think if you've all got the same like you're
all connected to the same goal, the same like, that's
a really nice feeling to be part of this theme, you.
Speaker 2 (18:12):
Know, Yeah, totally. I think having that synergy and we're
all in this together, you create like a bond and
it's we're all so close for x amount of time
and we're days and days we're all experiencing the same
kind of stress and you know, or maybe not stress
because we did a great job, but but you know,
we're in it together. We're in it together. It creates
(18:33):
like it's like a team. It's like a sport. Yeah,
you build that bond and it's really special.
Speaker 1 (18:38):
I would love to talk to you about casting because
I know the lead that plays Bo, and you had
this connection over Florida.
Speaker 2 (18:44):
Right, crazy town, Right, I didn't like like so fun
fact Bo, Carson Rowland incredible human, super charming, the sweetest
guy and incredibly talented. He was on my radar, and
then the casting director like Bo for me was the
(19:06):
most important, Like I like, he's leading the film, right.
So I was like, so every time somebody would make
a suggestion to me about who the actor was, I
would always always listen or who it could be considered
this consider that I I like to retreat, like I
put my head in my shell like a turtle and
then just really really sit on it. And when I
(19:30):
when I gave Carson like that moment to like you know,
to watch his auditions and you know, to see that,
it was like no question for me, Like it was
like this is it. He's like he's got that boy
next door kind of like he's so warm and friendly
and he looks like a baby Channing Tatum.
Speaker 1 (19:49):
So he does.
Speaker 2 (19:52):
So I was really really pleased with with my choice there,
and I think He's just an incredible actor in person.
He is a friend of mine, So how goods.
Speaker 1 (20:06):
Was there a moment on set where I don't know,
if you're sitting in your trailer or something, where it's
just like such a pinch yourself moment, like Holy Matt,
like You've got all this experience behind you. You've got
all this experience, all these awards short films coming out
of the world, you know what I mean, Like you've
you're ready for this moment. You've done the work, You've
worked very very hard to be there. Yeah, but was
(20:29):
there like a moment where you're like, oh my god,
this thing is happening right now.
Speaker 2 (20:32):
Yeah. I think it was the fact that I had
a trailer. Yeah, I was like, this is wild. So
I think there are so many of them, so so
many of them, and I was trying to soak up
as much as I could. And I'm so lucky because
I didn't do this journey alone. I get to do
it with my best friend and big sister, Linda Duncombe's
also the executive producer and producer, and so yeah, together,
(20:57):
I think we were just kind of like, you know,
starry eyed and like, you know, I'm like do we hug?
This is so crazy, like what do we do? How
do we celebrate these moments? And how do we share it?
And it's just truly special to get to not be
in this alone and to really feel like you are
aligned and yeah, and to share it with somebody and
then to do you know, just like a really great
(21:19):
job as always I guess like the cherry on top right.
Speaker 1 (21:22):
Yeah, and to be like traveling and being in different
locations and filming that like you like you said, this
came from you chit chatting to someone on a beach
You've then gone and kind of like obsessed over the
idea of it. I mean that the best way ever.
Speaker 2 (21:37):
Oh I did. I went to pawn shops, talk to people,
I read books like.
Speaker 1 (21:41):
And then to see it like be on set filming
said thing or like that vision from like potentially a
storyboard or you know what I mean, like fully being
there and it all coming together the cart like I
can only imagine it'd be like oh my goodness, and
you're so young.
Speaker 2 (21:58):
Oh thank you? Yeah, I feel well, yeah, all of
it was like there's so just so many of them,
I think, like showing up to set the first time
and just like seeing all the vans and the truck people.
Because I've interviewed and I've met the department heads and
I've had my creative flow with them, but like actually
showing up day one and just seeing like how much
(22:19):
work goes has been already been behind the scenes happening
before I even showed up there. I'm just like I
want to shake everyone's hand. I want to say hello,
you know, like yeah, I mean I don't know. And
then the actors performing and when when they're performing and
I can really see that they that they care and
(22:39):
the questions that they ask, I'm just like, what a
gift that you're sharing that vulnerability with me and that
you trust in the environment that we've created. Like that's
it's just so special. And i mean, look, there's there's
just too many moments. I think in my mind, I
think the whole experience itself is just like you can't
you can't not look back and be like, wow, like
(23:00):
what we just did was amazing, because I think it
is you.
Speaker 1 (23:05):
Need to write a book about this. This is like
such an amazing like you've got this is your own
hero's journey. I have to ask because a lot of
young creatives. Listen to this pod or watch it. What's
your advice young directors, writers, or producers? Because I think
when you get out of it, definitely for acting school,
but say film school. Sometimes you'll get out of school
(23:27):
and you've had the best You've been in this beautiful
little incubator and you've been around all these other creatives.
But there sometimes can feel like there's a little bit
of a disconnect between doing the thing you love in
school and then going out into the real world and
like putting on your business hat. Like you mentioned a
few of the business side of things earlier, like what's
your advice for a young creative that's like I really
(23:49):
want to do this thing. I really want to I
just don't know where to start.
Speaker 2 (23:53):
YEP. I like this question, and I feel like I'm
not in a place to like speak like so objectively
about what I think people should do. But from my
experience having an entrepreneurial side and a business side, I
know that the creative world is like so enticing, you
(24:14):
know what I mean. But like people like they they
want the heart of it, and like it's so fun
to get to be creative, and it's like the joy
and the passion of what we all want to do
as creatives. But if you're not thinking from a business perspective,
and if you're not learning how to speak and gain
credibility for the people that you'll be collaborating with that
(24:35):
are going to be investing time and money into you,
I feel like that's going to be more challenging for you.
Try to cultivate a business acumen, I would say, like
just just by doing it, doing something to try it,
and then listen to your colleagues and listen to the
people that you trust. There's going to be so many
(24:55):
people as well that that try to say this is
the right way. But if you don't believe that, then
don't do it.
Speaker 1 (25:02):
Because a trust your internal compass as well.
Speaker 2 (25:04):
You do, you do, and there are people though I
don't want to scare you know, any new artist away,
but you have to be able to trust the people
that you trust because we all don't know everything, but
but we do know what our hearts tell us and
what our intuition tells us. And if you don't get
a good feeling that, there's probably a reason why. And
I think guest learning the business side is just as
important as it is the creative. And that's why I
(25:26):
think that I and we are where we are today
because you can't do one without the other. And it
really is a business at the end of the day.
It's business. You know.
Speaker 1 (25:38):
It's such good advice because I think sometimes we think, oh,
I'm a creative, this is where I need to be,
but that yeah, that's savvy, I want to say, like
savviness and business, just like the understanding like what goes
into being on a set like the creator and as
well as an actor, like you need to be visible,
you need to be seen like that. There is a
(25:58):
whole other piece of the puzzle that isn't just the creative.
And the creative is obviously why we do what we do,
of course, but the business is kind of like that
magic bit that like like clicks it all together, right.
Speaker 2 (26:12):
Yeah. I mean, Let's say you're an actor and you have,
you know, these incredible reels and posts and you're scene
and then you're speaking to a producer and they ask
you a few different questions, but you're not able to
validate like how great that you look and how you
are and how you're able to get to reword you.
I feel like it's going to limit your ability.
Speaker 1 (26:32):
To great advice. Yeah, need that combo.
Speaker 2 (26:37):
Yeah, but I could be totally wrong. I love it.
Speaker 1 (26:39):
No, I'm very pro the combo. I'm very pro the combra.
So for people at home, how can we support the
Queen's duels? What's the best way? Like obviously follow on
along on social?
Speaker 2 (26:54):
Yes, I would, yes, follow the social.
Speaker 1 (26:58):
Yeah, that'll be in the show notes.
Speaker 2 (27:03):
Right now, I think it's like staying patient. There are
so many people right now that want to see the film,
and I still badly want to show them in the film.
But it's amazing. We have some incredible things happening around
festivals and distribution and yeah, so we're doing everything we can.
So I think it's just you know, if you see
something you like, like, share it, talk about it, tell
(27:24):
your friends you.
Speaker 1 (27:26):
Know, I love it. Yeah, that's okay, sharing all right.
Speaker 2 (27:29):
Chare be present and stay patient while we get it
ready to.
Speaker 1 (27:34):
So I'm so excited for you. Okay. Now you and
me met yes at an Aussie lunch.
Speaker 2 (27:40):
We sure did, and you.
Speaker 1 (27:42):
Feel like an honorary Aussie. It might have been the
mullet wig that we were all wearing listening to in excess. Yes,
can you share with me your next really exciting Australiana project.
Speaker 2 (27:55):
Yes, And first of all, thank you for saying that
I'm an honorary Australian. I take so much that.
Speaker 1 (28:03):
You might write.
Speaker 2 (28:04):
Yes, I even have a jar that has Joshi written
on amazing from my big sister. So yeah, we, Linda
and myself are currently working on another feature film Australian based.
It is called The Great Emy War and it is
(28:29):
written by Monty Franklin and Rob Schneider starring Monty Franklin,
Rob Schneider, and John Cleese, which is very exciting for us. Yeah,
and it's such a great story. And you know, can
I like talk for like a quick second. So like,
I was actually really nervous when Linda presented this to
(28:52):
me because this is actually going to be like in
my whole career, I have never not written the things
that I've directed it, So when this script came up
and I read it, the story is just exceptional. I
love it so much. And Monty, who I've been spending
most of our creative time with right now, he just
(29:15):
did an amazing job with Rob and his team, and
I think that that's there's something in me that wants
to protect what he has created. And I'm finding that
that's growth for myself as well, because I know what
it's like to feel like protective of my own work,
but to be able to help somebody, you know, protect
(29:35):
what they've done and have that kind of writing kind
of background. It's just so important that he's in a
safe place. And not to mention, I went to one
of his comedy shows and he's brilliant. Yes he's Oh
my gosh, he's so funny. But I don't want him
to know how good he is yet. You know, we
still we still have to work together.
Speaker 1 (29:55):
Monty is a good friend of the pod too, so
I will.
Speaker 2 (29:59):
It's just going to be It's gonna be a lot
of fun and I'm really excited about this.
Speaker 1 (30:03):
Do you know the first thing you said to me
about this when we were having our matchar slash coffee date.
Speaker 2 (30:08):
Why did I tell you?
Speaker 1 (30:08):
You said that you loved the story arc for Monty's character,
Like that was what you loved about it. Because yes,
for the people playing along home, this is a true
story in a sense, like it's based on there was,
I believe, in nineteen thirty one a great EMU war
where the Australian Army and the EMUs. Literally we're in
(30:29):
a war and spoil spoiler alert. If they've listened to
Monty's EPP, they'll know this. The EMUs won, right, So.
Speaker 2 (30:37):
Funny, isn't it. It's just so funny, isn't it?
Speaker 1 (30:41):
Just Like, Oh, but how exciting to film in Australia, Like, yeah,
that's like so exciting. As an Aussie, I'm just like, yes,
I'm pumped.
Speaker 2 (30:51):
As an American, I'm pumped for me. Yeah, this is great.
Speaker 1 (30:56):
Have you started the location scouting process yet?
Speaker 2 (31:00):
We have, We have started, but we'll be officially headed
out there in a couple months. I think, like November
is what we're talking about, which is perfect, Yeah, perfectly
aligned with where we'd like to be. So yeah, but
we get like a whole bunch of pictures and things
like that. We have an awesome producer named Scott who's
(31:21):
working alongside Linda beautiful, and yeah, like he's so he's
been sending us some stuff and you know, Monty and
I have a look and we peek and you know,
we're like, oh, I can't wait to see you.
Speaker 1 (31:32):
Oh my goodness, I'm so excited. I feel I feel
like attached already. I'm like, okay, I'm excited, I'm on board.
I'm like, I can't wait to see this comes to life.
Because when I first interviewed Monty two years ago, he
was already telling me about it. That's how long this
has been his baby form. Like, how cool to be
part of that coming?
Speaker 2 (31:51):
Oh for sure. I I respect that more than anything.
He's still he's still going for it, and there's so
much heart and what he's created and what he wants
to bring to the table. And I'm lucky that I'm
being trusted to be a part of that.
Speaker 1 (32:08):
Have you ever spent long periods of time in Australia. Yes, okay,
so you already like know all your favorite.
Speaker 2 (32:13):
I love Australia. I do. But you were also telling
me that there's Byron Bay.
Speaker 1 (32:17):
Yeah you have to go to It's so bad now,
oh my goodness, the best part of Australia. Like it's
my favorite part of Australia.
Speaker 2 (32:22):
I have to go. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (32:23):
And because you love we were talking about you can
do some great snorkeling and stuff there.
Speaker 2 (32:28):
Right, yeah, and you would like swam with like whale
sharks and stuff.
Speaker 1 (32:30):
Oh yeah, that's the other side that's Perth. But you
can go out in Byron. You can go out kayaking
with dolphins and green sea turtles and little turtleheads pop
up like.
Speaker 2 (32:43):
Sounds perfect.
Speaker 1 (32:44):
Okay, I could talk to you about Australia all day long.
I'll give you a whole list of Byron Bay things
to do. Make sure you visit Byron as well. Just
do your locations going then be like, Okay, Linda, We're
just going to do a week in Byron to round
this tripper.
Speaker 2 (32:56):
Just a real quick, little pope.
Speaker 1 (32:57):
Little pop in. Okay. So a quote I wrote about
you I love and it is this. You've been described
as having a relentless creative spirit and I was like,
oh yes, but my question for you is what happens
on those days where because I described as like having
(33:18):
a little flicker in your heart and you kind of
to fan that flicker to turn into a wildfire. Right?
Speaker 2 (33:23):
I love it?
Speaker 1 (33:23):
Yeah, but there are days when you think, oh, like
it can feel hard, and it can feel like you're
behind or you're blocked a little bit creatively. What do
you do to re empower and re inspire yourself on
those days?
Speaker 2 (33:40):
Hi? Yeah, first fire? I love the analogy of the
fanning of the flame. I think it was well said,
and I can relate to that. I have like a
visual that comes to mind and like my own emotional
approach to that. But yeah, I think for me, I
am I love. I know this sounds like sad or something,
(34:00):
but I love to my alone time too. I have
to find my own space and in that space, if
it's just music or you know, being on a walk
and watching two people interact, and I was like, that
would be like a cool little, you know, snippet to
have a character do something like that, and then my
(34:21):
brain just starts to go and go. And for me also,
I love I love like nature in general. Like there's
just something about like being connected to something that brings
me peace, that allows the creativity to flow.
Speaker 1 (34:38):
Oh yeah, there's a word I'm going to teach you.
It's called biophilia, healing power of mother nature and human beings.
So you're a biphilia person.
Speaker 2 (34:45):
I'm a bipilia.
Speaker 1 (34:47):
You can see it in your movie. You can see it,
like thank you the Okay, there is so much my friend. Okay,
I could literally talk to you. That's gone so quick.
I could talk to you all day long. I'm just
gonna say, he gonna have to come back on the pod.
You're amazing. Oh you were amazing, and I can't wait
to see what happens next for you. And I'm here
cheering you on. So please let me know whatever I
(35:09):
can do to help. He's stuck with me. So but Josh,
thank you so much for jumping on feels failing today.
Speaker 2 (35:17):
Thank you so much for having me. I appreciate this.
I had so much fun me too.
Speaker 1 (35:24):
That's a wrap on another episode of Fearlessly Failing. As always,
thank you to our guests, and let's continue the conversation
on Instagram. I'm at Yamo Lollerberry. This potty my word
for podcast is available on all streaming platforms. I'd love
it if you could subscribe, rate and comment, and of
(35:47):
course spread the love
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