Musicbed Podcast Musicbed

In the final episode of the Musicbed Podcast, the VFX legend discusses the dangers of limiting your inspiration and the importance of making audiences believe the unbelievable.



Whether it's writing acclaimed narratives or directing award-winning content for global brands like Nike, McDonald's, and adidas, writer/director Elle Brooks-Tao's fresh approach to filmmaking prioritizes pushing the boundaries and bringing untold stories to light.

Talking Points:


Working with James Cameron and Martin Scorsese
Going behind the scenes of The Aviator, Titanic, and more
Feeling something always transmutes into the work
The only way to get what you want: walk into it
Never cut anything unless it wows you
Taking inspiration from what's never been done

Show Notes:


Hugo (2011) – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0970179/
The Twilight Zone (TV Series 1959–1964) – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052520/
Apollo 13 (1995) – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112384/
Titanic (1997) – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120338/
Armageddon (1998) – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120591/
Cast Away (2000) – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0162222/
The Aviator (2004) – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0338751/
Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles (1994) – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110148/
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (TV Series 1993–1999) – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106145/
John Sayles – https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000626/
Tom Hanks – https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000158/
Philadelphia (1993) – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107818/
Forrest Gump (1994) – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109830/
James Cameron – https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000116/
Martin Scorsese – https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000217/
Avatar (2009) – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0499549/
MotionBuilder – https://www.autodesk.com/products/motionbuilder/overview
Leonardo DiCaprio – https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000138/
Alita: Battle Angel (2019) – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0437086/
The Lion King (2019) – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6105098/
The Jungle Book (2016) – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3040964/
Caleb Deschanel – https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0221042/
Unreal Engine – https://www.unrealengine.com/
Beach Boys – https://thebeachboys.com/
Brian Wilson – https://www.brianwilson.com/
Ray Harryhausen – https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0366063/
Godzilla (1954) – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0047034/
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0062622/
Ron Howard – https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000165/

Brought to you by Musicbed, the filmmaking industry's music licensing platform of choice. Learn more: ⁠⁠⁠⁠musicbed.com⁠⁠⁠⁠.

About Musicbed: Musicbed is the leading sync licensing platform for authentic music from relevant artists. We’re a one-stop licensing agency representing a curated roster of authentic artists, bands, and composers for film, TV, and advertising. From leading composers to tour-tested bands, and rising singer/songwriters, we believe music brings emotion and has the power to amplify your story.

In this episode of the Musicbed Podcast, director Elle Brooks-Tao discusses the value of creating vulnerable work, protecting your creativity at all costs, and why filmmakers should never shy away from the comment section.

Whether it's writing acclaimed narratives or directing award-winning content for global brands like Nike, McDonald's, and adidas, writer/director Elle Brooks-Tao's fresh approach to filmmaking prioritizes pushing the boundaries and bringing untold stories to light.

Talking Points:


Navigating the ethics of filming real people
Maintaining good mental health
Adopting an unapologetic approach
Accepting filmmaking as a form of manipulation
Taking keyboard criticism with a grain of salt
Creativity runs on rejection—not approval

Show Notes:


Khalid Mohtaseb–https://www.khalidmohtaseb.com/
Jon Bregel–https://jonathanbregel.com/
Why We Wake (2017)–http://ellebrookstao.com/whywewake
Buffalo Wild Wings "Watching"–https://vimeo.com/222082743
Bardot (2023)–https://www.imdb.com/title/tt19001296/
Alejandro González Iñárritu–https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0327944/
Birdman (2014)–https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2562232/
Free Solo (2018)–https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7775622/
Clair Popkin–http://clairpopkin.com/
My Octopus Teacher (2020)–https://www.netflix.com/title/81045007
Women Talking (2022)–https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13669038/
Frances McDormand–https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000531/
Rooney Mara–https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1913734/
Drive (2011)–https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0780504/
Ryan Gosling–https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0331516/
Sundance Film Festival–https://festival.sundance.org/
Justin Chon–https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2014390/
Blue Bayou (2021)–https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11121664
Blue Valentine (2010)–https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1120985/
Insomnia (2023)–https://vimeo.com/799152002
Rick Rubin–https://www.instagram.com/rickrubin/?hl=en
All Quiet on the Western Front (2022)–https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1016150/
The Lighthouse (2019)–https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7984734/
Diego Contreras–http://www.thisisdiego.net/
Samm Hodges–https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3280275/
A21–https://www.a21.org/
ZeroZeroZero (2020)–https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8332438/

Brought to you by Musicbed, the filmmaking industry's music licensing platform of choice. Learn more: ⁠⁠⁠musicbed.com⁠⁠⁠.

About Musicbed: Musicbed is the leading sync licensing platform for authentic music from relevant artists. We’re a one-stop licensing agency representing a curated roster of authentic artists, bands, and composers for film, TV, and advertising. From leading composers to tour-tested bands, and rising singer/songwriters, we believe music brings emotion and has the power to amplify your story.

In this episode of the Musicbed Podcast, Drea provides a behind-the-scenes look at Sundance from a programming POV and what filmmakers need to know about submitting their films.

Programmer/producer Drea Clark has been a fixture of the festival circuit for almost 20 years, serving at Sundance Film Festival, the LA Film Festival, Slamdance Film Festival, and more. She’s also produced three features, music videos, web series, and a TV pilot directed by Charlie Day.

Talking Points:


The importance of original, consistent storytelling
A-list talent isn't always an advantage
Art is subjective and so is rejection
Submit a short over a proof of concept
No one's buying your excuses for bad sound
A good programmer finds filmmakers to champion

Show Notes:


Slamdance Film Festival – https://slamdance.com/festival/
Sundance Film Festival – https://festival.sundance.org/
LA Film Festival – https://www.filmindependent.org/la-film-festival/
Bentonville Film Festival – https://bentonvillefilm.org/
Napoleon Dynamite (2004) – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0374900/
Damien Chazelle – https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3227090/
Whiplash (2014) – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2582802/
Chanshi – https://festival.sundance.org/program/films/indie-episodic
IndieGoGo – https://www.indiegogo.com/
Kickstarter – https://www.kickstarter.com/
Kim Yutani – https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-yutani-aaba3520a
Catalyst Films – https://www.catalyst-films.com/
Directors Lab – https://directorslab.com/home/
Ann Arbor Film Festival – https://www.aafilmfest.org/
Ain't Them Bodies Saints (2013) – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2388637/
David Lowery – https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1108007/
Ben Foster – https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3244731/
Strawberry Mansion (2021) – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11398346/
Kentucker Audley – https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2310589/
The Killing of Two Lovers (2020) – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10702148/
Film Independent Spirit Awards – https://www.filmindependent.org/spirit-awards/
Aftersun (2022) – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt19770238/
Stan Brakhage – https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0104132/

Brought to you by Musicbed, the filmmaking industry's music licensing platform of choice. Learn more: ⁠⁠musicbed.com⁠⁠.

About Musicbed:Musicbed is the leading sync licensing platform for authentic music from relevant artists. We’re a one-stop licensing agency representing a curated roster of authentic artists, bands, and composers for film, TV, and advertising. From leading composers to tour-tested bands, and rising singer/songwriters, we believe music brings emotion and has the power to amplify your story.

In this episode of the Musicbed Podcast, Young Replicant explores the value of replacing early confidence with technique and discusses why filmmakers should own their weaknesses and weirdness.

Young Replicant (AKA Alex Takács) is known for his high concepts and visual poetry. He’s directed videos for Lorde, Alt-J, and Flying Lotus and worked with brands like Sprite and Adidas.

Talking Points:


Never settling on one technique
Accepting weaknesses and weirdness as strengths
Growing up around filmmaking
Stripping treatments down the essentials
Using style as a message
Working with intention as your only plan

Show Notes:


Tibor Takács – https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0847749/
The Gate (1987) – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093075/
Sabrina the Teenage Witch (1996) – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117534
Cinfex Magazine – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinefex
Ergatta – https://ergatta.com/
Ergatta - Game On – https://vimeo.com/659831991
Andrew Levy – https://www.pda.inc/
Sam Wilkes – https://www.pda.inc/
Sam Dew – https://www.instagram.com/sam_dew/?hl=en
Sam Dew "MOONLIT FOOLS" – https://imvdb.com/n/young-replicant
Frank Mobilio – https://frankmobilio.com/
Joe Nankin – https://www.joenankin.com/
M83, "We Own The Sky" – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWsUNbdc5IM
Animal Collective – https://myanimalhome.net/
Iamamiwhoami – https://ionnalee.com/?lang=en_US
The Seven Faces of Jane (2022) – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15345936/
Julian Acosta – https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10640147/
Roman Coppola – https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0178910/
The Director's Bureau – https://thedirectorsbureau.com/
Chris Chang – https://thedirectorsbureau.com/contact/
Bentonville Film Festival – https://bentonvillefilm.org/

Brought to you by Musicbed, the filmmaking industry's music licensing platform of choice. Learn more: ⁠musicbed.com⁠.

About Musicbed:Musicbed is the leading sync licensing platform for authentic music from relevant artists. We’re a one-stop licensing agency representing a curated roster of authentic artists, bands, and composers for film, TV, and advertising. From leading composers to tour-tested bands, and rising singer/songwriters, we believe music brings emotion and has the power to amplify your story.

In this episode of the Musicbed Podcast, Aguirre discusses advertising's much-needed identity awakening, the cinematic value of diegetic sound, and the difference between selling out and buying time.

Leo Aguirre (Stink Films) has worked with name brands like Levi’s, Nike, Spotify, and more. His short films have screened at Cannes and SXSW, and have garnered countless award nominations. Leo is currently working on his first feature film.

Talking Points:


Not allowing work to be a self-reflection
The pros of being the stupidest person in the room
Treating character identity with care
The difference in selling out and buying time
The cinematic value of diegetic sound
Why chasing fame is always a mistake

Show Notes:


Danyal Niazi – https://www.danyalniazi.com/River Tiber "Hypnotized" – https://youtu.be/q8Vg16Yu-5A
Red Wing Not on Sale (Commercial page) – https://www.danyalniazi.com/red-wing-not-on-sale-2
Aftersun (2022) – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt19770238/
Charlotte Wells – https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3834799/
Martin Scorsese – https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000217/
Hannah (2017) – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4432006/
Charlotte Rampling – https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001648/
Triangle of Sadness (2022) – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7322224/
Y tu mamá también (2001) – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0245574/
Biutiful (2010) – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1164999/
Sin Nombre (2009) – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1127715/
Cary Joji Fukunaga – https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1560977/
Victoria para chino (2004) – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0428017/
Prisoners (2013) – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1392214/
Steve McQueen – https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000537/
Ian Pons Jewell – https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3230157/

Brought to you by Musicbed, the filmmaking industry's music licensing platform of choice. Learn more: ⁠musicbed.com⁠.

About Musicbed:Musicbed is the leading sync licensing platform for authentic music from relevant artists. We’re a one-stop licensing agency representing a curated roster of authentic artists, bands, and composers for film, TV, and advertising. From leading composers to tour-tested bands, and rising singer/songwriters, we believe music brings emotion and has the power to amplify your story.

In this episode of the Musicbed Podcast, Rayka Zehtabchi and Sam Davis take us back to their kismet encounter in film school, why the story should always top the script, and what it’s really like to win an Oscar.



Talking Points:


The excitement (and anxiety) of winning an Oscar
Exploring the changing landscape of short film
Sharpening your skills with short films
Why documentary filmmaking demands discomfort
Prioritizing good storytelling over a solid script
Navigating narrative with a documentary approach



Show Notes:


University of Southern California Cinematic Arts — https://cinema.usc.edu/
Period. End of Sentence. (2018) — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6939026/
Sundance Institute — https://www.sundance.org/
SXSW Film Festival — https://www.sxsw.com/festivals/film/
Tribeca Festival — https://tribecafilm.com/festival
Cleveland International Film Festival — https://www.clevelandfilm.org/
AFI Fest — https://fest.afi.com/
Moiz Tarwadi — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10533814/
The Pad Project — https://thepadproject.org/
Christian Bale — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000288/
Rami Malek — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1785339/
Frances McDormand — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000531/
Are You Still There? (2021) — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13281862/



Brought to you by Musicbed, the filmmaking industry's music licensing platform of choice. Learn more: ⁠musicbed.com⁠.

About Musicbed:Musicbed is the leading sync licensing platform for authentic music from relevant artists. We’re a one-stop licensing agency representing a curated roster of authentic artists, bands, and composers for film, TV, and advertising. From leading composers to tour-tested bands, and rising singer/songwriters, we believe music brings emotion and has the power to amplify your story.