The No Film School Podcast No Film School

You don’t have to have high-end tech or complicated processes to create your film. You just need an open mind and a passion for the story you are telling, as we’ll learn from this week’s episode from the DP and editor of A House Is Not a Disco.

In today’s episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins speaks with cinematographer Eric Schleicher and editor Blake Pruitt to discuss:

How Eric and Blake landed on this film

Why the sound designer had to create sound effects 

Having everything outlined and organized in a Google Doc

What gave the film a kaleidoscopic structure 

Asking for consent to film party scenes 

Keeping the operating team small during production

Matchframing - what it is and why it’s so helpful in the edit

Challenges during the shoot and the edit

The beauty of not having a production company fund the film

Making the space to do projects you’re interested in



Memorable Quotes

“I’m not one to kill myself for a job. Even a dream project, I don’t want to work more than 8 hours a day on this.” [10:24]

“It's more PBS doc than this high-end streamer doc that is out there right now.” [16:22]

“You got an idea? Grab your camera. Shoot what you need.” [39:27]

“Be open to unexpected things happening, but also have boundaries.” [45:47]



Mentioned
A House Is Not a Disco
Fire Island
  

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Michael Sarnoski is the director and co-writer of A Quiet Place: Day One, the franchise's third film. The film follows Sam who is trapped in New York City during the early stages of an alien invasion. Michael shares that he was attracted to this film because of the opportunity to explore interesting character dynamics.

In today’s episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins speaks with Michael Sarnoski to discuss:

Bringing aspects of his feature film Pig to his current film, A Quiet Place: Day One


How the aliens in the film are a vehicle for exploring character dynamics

Michael’s journey as a filmmaker

Giving yourself permission to write something you care about

Figuring out what a “silent New York” would sound like

Balancing VFX and practical effects

Creating a respectful yet constructive environment on set

Michael’s approach to hiring and knowing who to collaborate with


Memorable Quotes

“You just have to find one person that gets your idea and wants to see it happen.” [8:01]

“You have to be constantly focused and moving things forward and not waiting for someone else to step in.” [11:13]

“Write a really inexpensive feature you can shoot with the resources you have, and go do it. You’ll learn a ton.” [32:39]


Mentioned
PIG
A Quiet Place: Day One   


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What’s the best approach to sharing your resume on LinkedIn? Is it okay to negotiate when you rent gear? What’s the difference between hard comedy and hard “R” comedy? How do you shoot a documentary and make it feel like a movie? 

In today’s episode, No Film School’s Charles Haine, GG Hawkins, Jason Hellerman, and guests Lance Oppenheim and Nate Hurtsellers discuss:

A platform that prevents fraud and theft of production equipment

The American Film Market - it’s moving to Vegas!

Having multiple resumes and tailoring them to specific roles 

Negotiating gear rentals

Hard comedy - what it is and what it’s not

Lance Oppenheimer’s documentary film, Ren Faire


Letting the film organically find its language and style 

The benefits of shooting with a small crew

Feeling all over the place and wanting more control while shooting

Nate’s secret to successfully operating handheld cameras

Why you don’t need a sophisticated setup to be a DP



Memorable Quotes

“Rental companies never want their stuff sitting on a shelf. If it can be working, they want it working.” [19:15]

“Everything in the film industry is a negotiation. Always.” [21:50]

“The design reveals itself the longer you spend working on it.” [56:46

“Sometimes what perfect is, changes based on what’s in front of us.” [64:11]



Mentioned
ESTA fraud & theft prevention

“New Film Market” American Film Convention Hopes To Take Root This Fall

This American Life Podcast - Good Guys episode

Ren Faire
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Becoming an editor is more than just learning software and improving your skills. You must listen intently, speak up for yourself, and seek guidance and feedback from others with more experience.

In today’s episode, No Film School’s Grant Vance speaks with editors J. Kathleen Gibson, Joaquin Elizondo, Shelly Westerman, and Payton Koch to discuss:

Their journeys to become editors

All the things Shelly taught Payton as his mentor

Starting as an assistant editor and learning from others

Putting yourself out there and communicating what your goals are 

Paying it forward - helping their assistant editors grow and succeed

Working across different genres

Having over 50 hours of footage for a 30-minute show

Responding positively to notes you disagree with

Why you need to be a good listener if you want to be an editor



Memorable Quotes

“Part of what interests me is to be challenged and stretched and do something I haven’t done before.” [18:05]

“A lot of editing is feeling. You have to be empathetic and go with your gut.” [20:38]

“If people know what you want to do and what you’re interested in, most likely they are going to give you an opportunity.” [36:18]

“Be completely tuned into the world. Listen. Pay attention. Bring all that to your projects.” [38:42]



Mentioned
The Morning Show

Griselda  

Only Murders in the Building


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Jeff Nichols is the director of the film, The Bikeriders, a story about a 1960s motorcycle club that turns into a menacing gang, known as the Vandals. The film is adapted from Danny Lyon’s book of the same title. The complex nature of The Bikeriders, leaves us asking, “Why are we attracted to dangerous things?”

In today’s episode, No Film School’s Jason Hellerman speaks with director Jeff Nichols to discuss:

Feeling inspired by a photographic documentary book

Deliberately changing the film’s structure from the first hour to the second hour

The importance of character point of view

Why the film style felt appropriate for this story

Casting and location scouting - two of the most important parts of the process

Using photos from the book for location inspiration

Feeling drawn to dangerous characters

Why he doesn’t block scenes or rehearse with actors

Using a documentary-style editing structure 

When Jeff realized this story needed to be a movie




Memorable Quotes

“It was by design that the first hour would have one feeling, and the second hour would have another.” [7:58]

“These actors are so damn good. I just get to sit back and watch. Sometimes I forget to yell cut.” [16:14]

“I was trying to build the script on the page to feel like it had been collected and put together like a documentary.” [22:45]



Mentioned
The Bikeriders (trailer)

The Bikeriders (book)  


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Maura Corey is the picture editor of Gen V, a satire about young adult superheroes. Walter Schulz is the visual effects supervisor behind The Curse, a story about a cursed couple who are part of a reality show. These two creatives share how they got their start, their work process, and what it takes to build a successful career in film.

In today’s episode, No Film School’s Grant Vance speaks with editor Maura Corey and visual effects supervisor Walter Schulz to discuss:

Their relationships with other departments

The benefits of working in both production and post-production

Maintaining the tone and feel of The Boys while editing Gen V


Why there is a comeback for practical effects in TV 

The unique, collaborative nature of working on The Curse


A.I. - will it affect editing and VFX

The reason visual effects have improved in television in the past 10 years

The importance of advocating for yourself and telling others your goals

The unique paths they took and opportunities that came their way 



Memorable Quotes

“You’d be surprised how much VFX are actually in comedy.” [13:54]

“Visual language is such a strong medium to illustrate an emotional journey.” [21:31]

“Don’t hate any tools….that one tool you hate is going to save you in those two months you are out of work.” [25:41]

“The only way you’re going to be able to move ahead in this business is to tell people what you want to do.” [40:07]

“Don’t be afraid to walk out of your comfort zone. That will change your life.” [47:25]



Mentioned
Gen V

The Curse  


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