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

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.

In Episode 124 of the Get Reelisms Podcast, co-hosts Adam Chase Rani and Christine Chen introduce, Loren Maxine, an independent film producer, writer, and director of web series "Home Girls". "Home Girls," revolves around four close friends in their twenties living in LA, depicting their day-to-day lives. Each episode is around eight to 10 minutes long and is set in one of the character's living rooms.

Loren discusses the challenges faced during the production, including a technical difficulty when a power outage affected the entire block. She emphasizes the importance of automating the prep process for smoother operations.

The episode delves into Loren's background and entry into producing. She studied production in college and later founded the nonprofit "Generation Networks," a community of young creatives. Loren shares advice for getting involved in LA, including networking through Facebook groups and tennis activities.

The hosts explore the pros and cons of producing, with Loren explaining her switch from doubles to singles in college tennis and her realization of wanting to be a producer. They discuss the collaborative and enjoyable aspects of filmmaking and creating a positive, inviting tone on set.

Loren shares her experience working as a prop master on the feature film "Black or White" and discusses the challenges and differences between producing a short film and a web show. The importance of staying grounded, focusing on short films, and experimenting with different themes are highlighted.

Loren talks about her feelings regarding short films, their experimental nature, and plans for promoting them on smaller streaming services. She shares details about upcoming producing projects, including "Sincerely Your Friend," "Cottonmouths," and three thesis projects premiering in the fall.

Loren expresses her career goal of producing content highlighting Black women in various spaces and discusses her short film about a Black gangster based on a true story. She details the emotional journey of interviewing her sister about mental health in the Black community and emphasizes the importance of representation in film.

The episode concludes with information about Loren's upcoming projects, the significance of representation, and a call to follow her on Instagram for updates on "Home Girls." Loren wraps up the podcast, and the hosts express gratitude for her time and insights.

In Episode 123 of the Get Reelisms Podcast, hosts Adam Chase Rani and Christine Chen welcome Nik Pelecki, a freelance DP from Canada.. Nik shares his journey into the film industry, starting with his first camera, a Canon T2i, and his early projects, including a music video for his indie rock band. He emphasizes the importance of learning on the job and faking it until making it.
Nik discusses his entry into the commercial space, where larger projects approached him despite his initial lack of experience. He highlights the collaborative nature of filmmaking and the trust clients place in a DP's vision. The episode delves into the necessity of knowing various aspects of filmmaking, even outside one's expertise, and the importance of effective communication.
The discussion touches on getting projects done on time and on budget, especially on foreign sets. Nik stresses the significance of conducting oneself professionally within the industry and shares insights into working with directors like Derek Lam and Brian Chambers. The hosts explore the role of flexibility, the value of hiring professionals, and the importance of communication in completing projects successfully.
Nik provides advice for those who did not attend film school, emphasizing the need to reverse-engineer budgets wisely. The episode covers topics such as navigating look development, approaching scenes creatively, and the subjective nature of filmmaking. The importance of analyzing and improving one's work is highlighted, with references to influential figures like Stanley Kubrick.
The hosts discuss the collaboration between DP and director, sharing their preferences for working with directors who have clarity on their vision yet maintain flexibility. Nik shares his favorite directors to work with and reflects on the joy of being on set. The episode concludes with a discussion on the relationship between DP and art department, the challenges of working with wide-open shots, and the significance of deadlines in creative work.

In Episode 122 of the Get Reelisms Podcast, hosts Adam Chase Rani and Christine Chen share their experiences working in the film industry. Adam introduces special guest Mike Pariseau, whose background in greens work and special effects was facilitated by his father-in-law, a well-known production designer.

Mike talks about his transition to being a filmmaker and shares details about his first horror film project, supposedly based on a true story. The hosts discuss Mike's journey from scriptwriting to pre-production, highlighting the positive reactions he received from friends.

The episode emphasizes the importance of remembering and giving back to those who supported you in the beginning and the supportive community in the Austin film industry. The hosts also touch on the ongoing strikes in the industry and how writers need to write better content.

The main covers aspects on writing to one's strengths, scouting locations, and incorporating special effects. They discuss the challenges and inspirations behind the film, including influences from John Carpenter and the significance of the chosen Texas locations. The hosts explore the art department, the use of animatronics in the film, and the importance of following the right people in the industry. Mike shares insights into his characters, the challenges of dealing with rented animals on set, and the importance of writing to one's strengths.

They briefly touch on the post-production process, with Christine expressing her desire to be in the director's seat for a horror movie. The episode concludes with advice for aspiring filmmakers, the announcement of the crowdfunding campaign for Mike's film, and a call to support independent films during the ongoing strikes.