Just Shoot It: A Podcast about Filmmaking, Screenwriting and Directing

Janek Ambros https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4471783/ doesn't use social media for self-promotion. And he tells up and coming filmmakers, you have to be annoying. Because in reality, that's what everyone in this industry is doing, including A-Listers.

Besides if you're under 30, you're not supposed to know any better. So swing for the fence!! With a Sundance film under his belt and scores of other, Janek brings a filmmaker-sans...

Mercedes Bryce Morgan https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5521959/ talks about building the career that got her "Bone Lake" https://www.imdb.com/title/tt26783625/. From several Marshmello videos, episodes of Stargate Origins, and ten-by-tens, Mercedes has learned a lot.

One of her techniques is the pre-pitch meeting. That's a get together (on zoom of course) prior to her pitch. Kind of like a creative brief. And she sees it as an opport...

Matt and Oren reveal their backstory in this collab with G.G. Hawkins and No Film School. https://nofilmschool.com/u/lostingraceland And you won't want to miss what it was like before smartphones , back when there was a barrier to entry to making video or film. 

It was totally different from today. Or was it? OK today, almost anyone can use a smartphone and AI to create some amazing content.

And that'...

Tom Morris https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2730235/ joins Carlyn Hudson - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3972277 https://www.instagram.com/carlynhudson to talk about their views on making that signature feature film that everyone dreams of, one that is an iconic piece of IP that launches a Jordan Peele-career.

And Oren and Matt dive into what that means when you start wanting to own a house, have kids, and think about college -- n...

Matt & Oren dive into answering your questions. It's a new format and we hope it clicks! And whether it works or not, there's a new way you can let them know.

There's questions from early career filmmakers. What is the one piece of gear filmmakers buy early on, but don't need? What's the best way to invest $100 in film gear? How do you write dialog that feels real?

And questions about life on set. Like, what's the mo...

Marvel director Kat Coiro https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0192478 covers everything from working with day players to why directors have to take acting classes. Once an actor herself, Kat has mastered the art of infusing enthusiasm into every set and using that energy to supercharge collaboration. 

Kat's worn every hat—writer, actor, director, producer, EP, and more. And while CAA found her because of her short film, her de...

After an amazing DP/cinematographer has an unfortunate schedule change, Matt & Oren whip up a discussion about social media and listener notes about their websites. And Matt talks about how his LinkedIn post got noticed. And there's a surprising little twist that might make some listeners uneasy.

Later, they dig into a listener question. And that leads to some banter about the must haves when you're shooting a commercial on ...

Matt & Oren discuss the feeling dogging every freelancer: "Will I ever work again?" They dig into who they recommend when they can't take an awesome job, and how that has paid it forward in good ways. Maybe it's all about who you vibe with. 

But what is that, exactly? And what if a brand or agency does a vibe check on you? Surprisingly, it's like a date, and more of sales pitch so be prepared!

But there's a way to sh...

Matt's been getting wrapped up in analytics, and Oren's been updating his reel. So yeah, update your f**king website if you haven't!

This week, we get into where to host your portfolio whether you want the best web host or video platform. And we dive into some honest talk about what defines you as a director, because trying to be everything just doesn't work. There are also some hot tips on things you can do to stand out as some...

Director Emily Elizabeth Thomas joins Matt and Oren to talk about her journey from commercial success to directing vertical series and feature films.

Meanwhile, Oren’s been updating his website and shares some valuable insights on what to include in your reel, what to leave out, and why it matters. And that leads into Matt sharing some insightful data on how many views a reel gets per day.

Back to Emily—she’s all about making...

Jamaal Parham, part of the directing duo Jams and Bash, talks to Oren and Matt about how they approach their business without the cheesiness. From a start working exclusively with Broadway productions, they've become a CAA-recognized brand in sports comedy.

Matt discusses how the dream of never looking at a spreadsheet isn’t realistic in filmmaking, or at least not in building a career in it. And Jamaal shares secrets on how the...

Legendary director Joseph Kahn https://www.josephkahn.com/ talks about his new movie "Ick" https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31795447/. And Matt and Oren get him to share how this creature feature came about as a kid-friendly movie and the challenges he faced in making a script written for a $100 million budget shot during COVID and the WGA & SAG- AFTRA strikes.

And Joseph also discusses the difference between working with the be...

Kelly Christensen built a toolkit for crafting a lasting career as a commercial producer. And he shares what directors can do to stand out and keep getting hired. Matt and Oren chat with Kelly about what makes his secret sauce. And you may be surprised to find out about the many layers and why it's different for each person. 

Sure, collaboration matters. But what does that really look like? What are the nuances of...

What does cinematic mean to you? Carlyn Hudson https://www.carlynhudson.com/ joins Matt and Oren fresh off completing her latest short, "Waffle".

Is cinematic just a slick look? Is it about lighting? Or is it whatever Midjourney gives you when you ask for a cinematic style? It's always a party when these three are together, with lively discussion, interesting perspectives, and free thrown punches. And our partners in banter...

Matt’s back from the Chattanooga Film Festival, and Oren just wrapped a whirlwind gig in Thailand. Jet lag not included. Yay!!! This week, they unpack the age-old question: is it still essential to live in L.A.? Is the cost of living worth it? And what does long-term career sustainability actually look like?

It’s an episode about experimentation and pushing boundaries. Matt tested the waters by bringing his kid to a low-key film...

Matt and Oren dig into the creative choices director's make. And they kick it off by looking at the growing influence of AI on the process. 

They also tackle casting and why it’s more than just finding the “right” actor. But also, what makes for the right actor in a commercial? Comedic timing, tone, understanding the game, our grasp of something else? 

They also share how many actors they callback and put on avail. ...

The directing duo from "Don't Tell Larry" detail their eight-year journey to turn the phrase, "Don't Tell Larry", into a world, a web series, and feature starring Eg Begley., Jr., Dot-Marie Jones, Patty Guggenheim, and Kiel Kennedy. And they chat with Matt and Oren about how their background in unscripted TV prepared them but also left gaps when it came to making the movie they wanted to make, without EPs steering them off-tra...

"Chimp Crazy" is HBO's top-watched documentary. But being from the team that made Tiger King is both a plus and a minus. In this episode, writer, producer, and editor Evan Wise https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2188036/ chats with Matt & Oren about the hurdles they faced and the moment he knew this doc would be good. We explore the importance of personal connection, being open to letting the story evolve during filming, and the role ...

Matt and Oren dive into the process of finding the right cinematographer or DP for your project, breaking down key factors like reputation, working methodology, artistry, specialties, reel, website, and even foreign language skills.

They also explore how budget impacts these considerations. Like what shifts when you're working with $50K versus $2 million? From personal tastes to professional appearances, this episode takes a dee...