Get Reelisms | An Ode to Filmmaking Christine Chen, Adam Rani

In the podcast episode "E130S4," hosts Christine W Chen and Adam Rani return after a brief hiatus, discussing various topics related to podcasting, filmmaking, and scheduling challenges.

Christine shares her recent projects, including a commercial gig with Ozarka water and a documentary about Hawaiian cowgirls. Notably, she recounts being asked to join a 10-day film shoot for a horror movie in Hawaii with only two days' notice. Despite the chaotic shoot, Christine praises the talented crew's ability to work together.

The hosts dive into the challenges of influencer-produced short films, with Adam Rani expressing opinions on their varying quality. They discuss issues raised by industry professionals, emphasizing the importance of professionalism and scheduling in filmmaking.

The episode explores indie filmmaking challenges and compromises, with Christine sharing her frustrations about microaggressive comments and the perception of undervaluation. The discussion moves to the difficulties of filming a low-budget movie during a strike, addressing issues like limited resources, time constraints, and the adaptability of the crew.

Safety concerns on film sets become a focal point, with discussions on fire safety, gun safety, and the lack of established safety protocols. Both hosts stress the importance of safety in filmmaking, acknowledging the difficulty of balancing creative freedom with safety concerns.

The challenges of filmmaking, including unforeseen external factors and limited resources, are discussed, emphasizing the importance of prep work and creative problem-solving. The hosts reflect on the give-and-take of collaboration, the need for flexibility, and the perseverance required in the face of unexpected obstacles.

The episode touches on rewriting the finale of a film due to rescheduling and highlights the importance of communication between departments. Christine introduces the Get Reelisms Academy, a virtual film school offering courses on creating short films with smartphones, aimed at fostering inclusivity and knowledge-sharing in the industry.

In the concluding segment, the hosts express gratitude for their audience, reflecting on the podcast's growth and impact. They emphasize the importance of inclusivity and knowledge-sharing, looking forward to future episodes and film screenings.

In the podcast episode "E129S4 - Together in Texas Again," hosts Christine W Chen, Adam Rani, and Kellie Penna explore a diverse range of topics, including barbecue, podcasting, and profits. They highlight the success of Tootsie's barbecue in San Antonio, Texas, known for selling out of meat within hours of opening on Saturdays. The hosts also share anecdotes from their travels, with Christine recounting a childhood experience of riding a horse to school.

The episode covers various aspects of filmmaking, including commercial shoots, challenges related to food waste on set, and the importance of striking a balance between creativity and paid work. Adam Rani shares a humorously traumatizing experience involving a whole turkey for a shoot. The hosts discuss filmmaking techniques, client expectations, and the challenges of being pigeonholed into specific roles within the industry.

Exploring script writing, acting challenges, and the struggles of maintaining work-life balance and relationships in the film industry, the hosts delve into personal experiences with dating. They discuss challenges such as dating non-film individuals, navigating work-related socializing, and the impact of constant social engagements on mental and physical well-being.

The episode touches on networking events, gender roles, and insecurity within the film industry. Adam Rani and Christine explore topics related to dating apps, relationships, dating expectations, and the potential awkward interactions that may arise. The hosts stress the importance of respect, effective communication, and recognizing one's worth in relationships.

Filmmaking, directing, and the impact of ongoing strikes in the industry, particularly within Netflix, are also discussed. Adam Rani and Christine encourage filmmakers to stay resilient during challenging times and underscore the significance of establishing standard rates for their work.

Concluding with a discussion on negotiating salaries and rates in the entertainment industry, the hosts, along with Kellie Penna, stress the importance of understanding one's value, negotiating rates, and advocating for fair compensation. They touch on topics like salary transparency and the need for freelancers to support each other in their careers. The episode ends with recommendations for Halloween movies and the promotion of the hosts' book, "Get Reelisms: A Guide to Filmmaking."

In the podcast episode "E128S4 - Aledo & Ozarka," Christine Chen discusses her experiences at the Louisiana Film Prize and a commercial gig in Austin, Texas. She shares the challenges of a film shoot, including a 10-hour drive and a dead phone causing anxiety and worry about letting the crew down. Despite losing her phone, the crew remained patient and gracious.

Adam Rani talks about turning 29 and reflects on aging, expressing concerns about the impact on his ability to enjoy food and drink. Christine shares her struggles with weight gain and the importance of consistent workouts for a healthy lifestyle.

Adam and Christine discuss script writing and improvements, emphasizing the determination to finish projects despite occasional frustration and feeling overwhelmed. They also reminisce about working with Taylor and discuss Halloween and Christmas decorations, haunted houses, and fear confrontation.

The hosts delve into horror movies, with Adam expressing enthusiasm for Halloween, while Christine discusses the Louisiana Film Prize and her involvement in the Baker Film Festival. They explore the sense of community and support in Louisiana filmmaking compared to the potentially isolating nature of creativity in Los Angeles. The episode concludes with discussions about the Los Angeles Film Prize, filmmaking trends, and the hosts' new book, "The ABCs of Filmmaking."

In the podcast episode "E127S4 - Burning Man & Mud," hosts Christine W Chen and Adam Chase Rani share Christine's experiences at Burning Man, focusing on challenges encountered in muddy terrain and the construction of large art installations. They discuss the difficulties of navigating through mud at Burning Man.

The hosts describe the process of building a 30-foot art installation at the festival, detailing their interactions with Diplo and overcoming fears of heights during the filming process. They also touch upon the construction of a wobbly art exhibit, with humorous anecdotes about potential inappropriate behavior at Burning Man.

The podcast covers various topics, including video editing, the use of stock footage, and the challenges of filming at Burning Man with different camera equipment. Christine W Chen and Adam Chase Rani emphasize the importance of using the right filmmaking equipment and share experiences with expensive gear that is not properly utilized.

Community and connection at Burning Man are explored, highlighting the sense of camaraderie and reliance on strangers for help. The hosts discuss the challenges of making friends in Los Angeles, contrasting it with the community spirit they experienced at Burning Man.

The episode touches on Burning Man camping experiences, personal preferences, and the news of a thunderstorm at the festival. Christine W Chen discusses her participation in filmmaking fellowships, sharing insights into the competitive nature of the Los Angeles film industry and the struggles faced during the ongoing entertainment industry strike.

The hosts stress the importance of hustle, creativity, and perseverance in the film industry, encouraging listeners to prioritize mental well-being while navigating challenges. The episode concludes with discussions about upcoming projects and Christine W Chen's new baby book about filmmaking.

In the podcast episode "E126S4 - Going Viral" by Aimme La Joie, Christine W Chen and special guest Amy Joie discuss their experiences in the entertainment industry, focusing on TikTok trends and the challenges faced by content creators. Amy Joie shares the origin of her popular "Film Crew" TikTok trend. The conversation also covers viral videos, industry trends, and the impact of social media on careers in the film industry.

The podcast delves into the challenges of the film industry, including parody videos, actor experiences, and issues like job insecurity and strikes. There is a discussion about the role of AI technology in entertainment, with concerns raised about its impact on jobs and likeness rights. The group also explores topics such as animation, storytelling, crowdfunding for movies, and the challenges and creative solutions in indie filmmaking.

The importance of understanding different departments' roles on a film set to improve collaboration and avoid conflicts is highlighted. The podcast concludes with discussions on the significance of empathy, kindness, and respect among crew members, as well as the importance of perspective in filmmaking. The hosts express gratitude to their listeners and announce a hiatus from their podcast, emphasizing the value of independent content sharing and encouraging the audience to contribute to its growth.

In Episode 125 of the Get Reelisms Podcast, the hosts welcome Adam Linkehelt, a director, producer, editor, and short filmmaker, to discuss his short film "The Unreliables." The film revolves around a father who discovers his ex-wife's passing and grapples with telling his children.

Katie, a producer on "Unreliable," is introduced, and her children play pivotal roles in the film, bringing a unique set of challenges. Adam talks about the tough but rewarding experience of working with five and seven-year-old actors, emphasizing the importance of finding talented kids.

Adam's background in documentary filmmaking is explored, highlighting its impact on his narrative work. The inspiration for "Unreliable" stems from a babysitter running from trauma, and the significance of casting for relatability and rooting for characters is discussed.

Details about the film's production are shared, including shooting on anamorphic primes with a budget of approximately $15,000. Adam elaborates on his collaboration with DP Michael Goodman, emphasizing the value of having talented friends on the team.

The episode delves into Adam's journey from documentaries to narrative work, discussing his move to the Philippines for an editing internship and his early experiences with filmmaking in elementary and middle school.

Adam reflects on the acceptance of "The Unreliables" into the Catalina Film Festival, highlighting the pressure to improve and the value of writing down mistakes to learn from them. He emphasizes the shift toward grounded, reality-based storytelling for future projects.

The challenges faced during the shoot, including working with children and maintaining energy, are detailed. The unpredictability of the film is praised, and Adam shares insights into the professional and chill atmosphere on set, as Katie's catering skills contributed to a comfortable environment.

The production crew, including Jen, Katie, Mike, Evan, gaffer Evan Parkette, and sound engineer Greg, is acknowledged. Adam discusses the psychological horror film "Rattled" and stresses the importance of social media in building relationships and shaping creative direction.

The episode concludes with a recommendation to check out Adam's work and reflects on the enjoyable experience of watching a film created by a friend. The hosts express their appreciation for Adam's insights and the collaborative spirit of the Get Reelisms Podcast.