Get Reelisms | An Ode to Filmmaking

Christine Chen, Adam Rani
  • 4.6 (9)
  • Film Interviews
  • Updated Biweekly

The ins and outs, tips and tricks, and dirt on the independent film industry. getreelisms.com

  1. 1d ago

    S4E195: Feeling Stuck? How Filmmakers Can Overcome Creative Burnout & Find Inspiration

    Feeling Stagnant During Radiation: Filmmaking, Control, and Creative Renewal On episode 195 of the Get Reelisms podcast, filmmakers Adam Chase Rani and Christine Chen discuss Christine finishing week one of six weeks of radiation for an oligodendroglioma brain tumor, alongside fertility treatment, and how the invisible progress and grant rejections make her feel stagnant and ungrounded without being on set. A friend suggests shooting part of Christine’s proof-of-concept short in her temporary “radiation camp” apartment near the treatment center, so she plans to film soon before symptoms worsen, and may ask for food donations for cast and crew. They recommend actors seek script-reading opportunities like the LA group Safe House, and reflect on imposter syndrome, conflict-of-interest when working with friends, and balancing creative joy with the job aspect of filmmaking. They also discuss The Artist’s Way “morning pages,” creative routines, and mention seeing The Odyssey and Christopher Nolan’s leadership at a DGA town hall.      About Christine W Chen: Christine W. Chen is a Taiwanese American filmmaker, Academy member (Short Films Branch), and versatile producer, director, and writer known for bold, character-driven storytelling. Through her production company, Moth to Flame, she has created award-winning short films, features, and branded content—including Erzulie, a feminist swamp thriller that had a limited theatrical run and now streams on major platforms. In addition to her directorial work, Christine is a seasoned DGA 1st Assistant Director and co-author of Get Reelisms and ABCs of Filmmaking, as well as the co-host of the Get Reelisms Podcast. For more information about Christine Chen: christinewchen.com About Adam Rani: Adam Chase Rani is a production designer and set dresser working in the Austin film market, bringing a sharp eye for visual storytelling and practical creativity to every project. During the pandemic, he co-founded the Get Reelisms Podcast with Christine Chen to foster community within the film industry. Together, they’ve built a platform that blends education, candid conversations, and industry insights to help filmmakers connect, learn, and grow.   WEBISODE version of the Podcast 00:00 Feeling Stagnant 00:49 Podcast Intro 01:43 One Year In 02:44 Radiation Update 05:25 Radiation Camp Life 07:01 Fertility Treatment 08:58 Steroid Superpowers 09:28 Proof of Concept Plan 11:56 Actor Casting Tips 14:49 Safe House Breakdown 15:50 Imposter Syndrome Talk 18:07 Friends and Casting 22:17 When Work Feels Like Work 25:09 Rediscovering Writing 26:03 Morning Pages Method 27:59 Break Routine for Inspiration 31:01 Journaling as Therapy 31:32 Restarting the Practice 32:49 Naruto Weights Comeback 34:45 Industry Ebbs and Flows 35:51 Art from Hard Times 37:34 Films That Reignite Passion 38:25 Backrooms Innovation Talk 41:31 Odyssey Craft and Scale 43:29 Nolan DGA Town Hall 48:29 Housekeeping and Merch 49:09 Wrap and Return Soon     Official Get Reelisms Page Get Reelisms Amazon Store Instagram

  2. Sep 1

    S4E194: Navigating a brain tumor - Facing your mortality

    n episode 194 of the Get Reelisms podcast, filmmakers Adam Chase Rani and Christine Chen discuss Christine’s recent health crisis: after an MRI on May 1, doctors found a brain tumor, and she is scheduled for surgery on May 19 to remove it. Christine describes sporadic focal seizures starting the previous summer, including brief left-side freezes while fully conscious, one occurring publicly at a Canon networking event and twice while driving, leading to her no longer being allowed to drive. They criticize the U.S. healthcare system, including receiving results via a CD and delayed medical follow-up, and note her surgery was expedited through her surgeon brother’s connections. They use dark humor about naming the tumor “Tumi,” potential sketches, filmmaking memories, and plan a podcast pause until June while promoting getrealisms.com during recovery.   Hosts: Adam Rani (@adamthechase)  & Christine Chen (@cchenmtf)  About Christine W Chen: Christine W. Chen is a Taiwanese American filmmaker, Academy member (Short Films Branch), and versatile producer, director, and writer known for bold, character-driven storytelling. Through her production company, Moth to Flame, she has created award-winning short films, features, and branded content—including Erzulie, a feminist swamp thriller that had a limited theatrical run and now streams on major platforms. In addition to her directorial work, Christine is a seasoned DGA 1st Assistant Director and co-author of Get Reelisms and ABCs of Filmmaking, as well as the co-host of the Get Reelisms Podcast. For more information about Christine Chen: christinewchen.com About Adam Rani: Adam Chase Rani is a production designer and set dresser working in the Austin film market, bringing a sharp eye for visual storytelling and practical creativity to every project. During the pandemic, he co-founded the Get Reelisms Podcast with Christine Chen to foster community within the film industry. Together, they’ve built a platform that blends education, candid conversations, and industry insights to help filmmakers connect, learn, and grow. WEBISODE version of the Podcast   00:00 Brain Tumor Reveal 00:22 Podcast Intro Setup 01:41 Mothers Day Message 02:06 Diagnosis And Surgery Date 03:58 Coping With Dark Humor 04:49 Seizure Symptoms Explained 10:06 Driving Scare And No Keys 11:58 Healthcare System Breakdown 13:03 The CD Player Sketch 16:34 Surgeon Mafia Fast Track 26:40 Friends Support System 27:58 Devil Wears Prada 2 Tangent 29:47 Bots And Bad Reviews 32:27 No Guest Just Us 33:25 Traveling Podcast Memories 34:07 Journaling Through Hard Times 36:04 Not Knowing and Learning 37:33 Cheap Gear Real Talk 38:28 Honest Film Podcast Philosophy 40:23 Fugitive Dreams War Stories 46:36 Family Pressure and Set Culture 51:45 Guest No Show Mothers Day 53:29 Gratitude and Friendship 57:06 Erzulie Set Highlights 01:00:09 Make A Wish Film Funding 01:03:25 Wrap Up and Merch Plug Official Get Reelisms Page Get Reelisms Amazon Store Instagram

  3. Aug 18

    S4E193: Reel Connections - Building a Film Fam

    In episode 193 of the Get Reelisms podcast, hosts Adam Chase Rani and Christine Chen talk with Mylene “Mai” Briggs of Keelab Media, a producer, writer, director, marketer, and mom with production companies in Los Angeles and Ottawa. Mai and Christine share how they met through Film Girls Brunch and discuss navigating LA’s isolating, competitive film scene by intentionally building community, including the origins and growth of Film Girls Brunch (founded by Imani and Kaiulani, later expanded with Mai). Mai describes burnout, single parenting, and starting her company for survival after exhausting film-industry hours and childcare costs, then working extreme schedules for flexibility. They swap first-client stories, reflect on learning without film school by saying yes and figuring it out, and Mai recounts high-pressure live multi-cam festival livestream work for Pique in Ottawa.   About Christine W Chen: Christine W. Chen is a Taiwanese American filmmaker, Academy member (Short Films Branch), and versatile producer, director, and writer known for bold, character-driven storytelling. Through her production company, Moth to Flame, she has created award-winning short films, features, and branded content—including Erzulie, a feminist swamp thriller that had a limited theatrical run and now streams on major platforms. In addition to her directorial work, Christine is a seasoned DGA 1st Assistant Director and co-author of Get Reelisms and ABCs of Filmmaking, as well as the co-host of the Get Reelisms Podcast. For more information about Christine Chen: christinewchen.com About Adam Rani: Adam Chase Rani is a production designer and set dresser working in the Austin film market, bringing a sharp eye for visual storytelling and practical creativity to every project. During the pandemic, he co-founded the Get Reelisms Podcast with Christine Chen to foster community within the film industry. Together, they’ve built a platform that blends education, candid conversations, and industry insights to help filmmakers connect, learn, and grow. Guest:  Mailyne Briggs is a Filipino Canadian multi-hyphenate filmmaker, writer/director, and mother. As the founder of Kilam Media Inc., her media production company focuses on purpose-driven content and diverse stories with impact. With over a decade of production experience, including co-producer/DoP for I AM: Limitless (CBC Gem), Mailyne’s work centers on women and underrepresented communities with themes of identity, belonging, and joy. Her commitment to community advocacy is proven through her work as a volunteer Board member for multiple non-profits in Canada and as the co-founder of three non-profits, including Film Girlz Brunch Los Angeles. She continues to work on co-productions in Canada and the US while actively developing her debut feature film, Those Days of Summer. Above all, Mailyne prioritizes rest, mental health, and family.   WEBISODE version of the Podcast   00:00 Leaving Film for Family 00:39 Podcast Cold Open 00:42 Meet the Hosts 01:21 Introducing Mai Briggs 02:41 How Christine Met Mai 07:00 LA Industry Reality Check 10:45 Finding Your People 12:44 Why Film Girls Brunch Started 16:19 Brunch Community Grows 18:17 Founders and Origin Story 19:41 Creating Together for Fun 20:44 Work That Feels Like Play 21:29 Always Talking Shop 22:27 Artist Life Misunderstood 23:34 Parenthood And Priorities 24:51 Starting Killa Media 28:16 First Clients And Hustle 32:14 Learning On The Job 36:16 Figure It Out School 37:39 Live Stream Pressure Cooker 40:06 Power Pull Disaster 41:40 How Big Is The Crew Official Get Reelisms Page Get Reelisms Amazon Store Instagram

  4. Aug 4

    S4E192: Vertical Film Frenzy - The New Wave of Vertical Cinema

    Fellowship App Hell, Strategic TV Directing Pitches, and Why Verticals Are the New Wild West On the Get Reelisms podcast, filmmakers Adam Chase Rani and Christine Chen catch up on recent festival news and Christine’s birthday, then dive into “fellowship app hell season,” comparing repeated lab applications and essay-writing to endlessly applying to colleges with no clear feedback. Christine shares she’s applying to programs including Film Independent, Sundance Producing Lab, and WriteBack Rise, and discusses the demoralizing competition, lack of guarantees, and the need to budget time by stepping back from AD work to focus on directing and stronger applications. Adam explains reframing a Disney directing program pitch from choosing a favorite show to choosing a show that logically matches evidence in his portfolio and experience. They also recap a Scene Lab focused on verticals and discuss vertical video’s growth, rising production value, democratized audience-driven discovery, and reduced gatekeeping compared to traditional Hollywood.    Hosts: Adam Rani (@adamthechase)  & Christine Chen (@cchenmtf)  About Christine W Chen: Christine W. Chen is a Taiwanese American filmmaker, Academy member (Short Films Branch), and versatile producer, director, and writer known for bold, character-driven storytelling. Through her production company, Moth to Flame, she has created award-winning short films, features, and branded content—including Erzulie, a feminist swamp thriller that had a limited theatrical run and now streams on major platforms. In addition to her directorial work, Christine is a seasoned DGA 1st Assistant Director and co-author of Get Reelisms and ABCs of Filmmaking, as well as the co-host of the Get Reelisms Podcast. For more information about Christine Chen: christinewchen.com About Adam Rani: Adam Chase Rani is a production designer and set dresser working in the Austin film market, bringing a sharp eye for visual storytelling and practical creativity to every project. During the pandemic, he co-founded the Get Reelisms Podcast with Christine Chen to foster community within the film industry. Together, they’ve built a platform that blends education, candid conversations, and industry insights to help filmmakers connect, learn, and grow.   WEBISODE version of the Podcast 00:00 Logic Over Emotion  00:41 Podcast Intro Chaos  02:20 Birthdays and Benjamin Button  02:59 Daisy the Warrior Terrier  05:10 Fellowship Application Hell  07:54 Which Labs to Apply For  10:50 Too Many Programs  12:00 Strategic Show Selection  17:15 Feeling Behind Outside LA  17:59 Application Grind Mindset  18:39 Scene Lab Workshop Recap  20:27 AD Work Versus Directing  21:52 Fellowship Focus Strategy  25:07 Friends in Film Reset  29:30 Verticals Future Trends  35:31 Why Vertical Storytelling Wins  38:02 Viral Post And Creator Rush  39:56 Guest Handoff And Merch Plug Official Get Reelisms Page Get Reelisms Amazon Store Instagram

  5. Jul 21

    S4E191: The Evolving Role of AI in Filmmaking

    On Get Reelisms Podcast episode 191, hosts Adam Chase Rani and Christine Chen interview filmmaker/producer/AD and occasional actor Avid (“Avi”) from Puppy Love Productions about becoming a “multi-tool” on set, especially in vertical productions. Avi recounts starting as a high-school editor on Final Cut Pro 7, continuing filmmaking while majoring in chemistry/biochemistry due to family pressure, learning directing performances through an improv-actor collaborator, and falling into first AD work via a 48-hour challenge and a Sony-financed short where a seasoned producer taught him set lingo. They discuss on-set judgment and delegation, phone rules, interns learning walkie etiquette, and how vertical storytelling uses cliffhangers, paywalls, CPI/client-driven scenes, and evolving efficiency systems. Avi also explains creating 3Line Studio, notable clients, a stolen box truck recovery using AirTags, and plugs a vertical Scene Lab event at 3Line Studio on April 29 (7–10 PM). Hosts: Adam Rani (@adamthechase)  & Christine Chen (@cchenmtf)  About Christine W Chen: Christine W. Chen is a Taiwanese American filmmaker, Academy member (Short Films Branch), and versatile producer, director, and writer known for bold, character-driven storytelling. Through her production company, Moth to Flame, she has created award-winning short films, features, and branded content—including Erzulie, a feminist swamp thriller that had a limited theatrical run and now streams on major platforms. In addition to her directorial work, Christine is a seasoned DGA 1st Assistant Director and co-author of Get Reelisms and ABCs of Filmmaking, as well as the co-host of the Get Reelisms Podcast. For more information about Christine Chen: christinewchen.com About Adam Rani: Adam Chase Rani is a production designer and set dresser working in the Austin film market, bringing a sharp eye for visual storytelling and practical creativity to every project. During the pandemic, he co-founded the Get Reelisms Podcast with Christine Chen to foster community within the film industry. Together, they’ve built a platform that blends education, candid conversations, and industry insights to help filmmakers connect, learn, and grow. Guest: Avid Eghbali was born on August 20, 1996 in Iran. He is a director and producer, known for Bated Breath, Drift (2024) and Hell Hath No Fury (2026).   WEBISODE version of the Podcast   00:00 Chem Major Film Hustle 01:01 Podcast Intro And Guest 02:16 Meeting Avi On Verticals 02:51 Multi Tool Set Mindset 06:24 Avi Acting On Set 09:06 How Avi Got Started 12:30 Learning AD Lingo Fast 14:26 Family Pressure And Legacy 20:04 First Day Jitters To Growth 22:30 Delegation And Set Judgment 29:33 Phones On Set Debate 32:55 CPI Scenes And Vertical Demands 35:32 How Verticals Are Written 38:08 Vertical Video Debate 40:06 Innovation and Naysayers 41:39 Vine Lessons and Coexistence 42:49 AI Trailers and Backlash 44:00 AI as Previs Tool 47:37 Branded Vertical Series 51:36 Three Line Studio Origins 56:58 Celebrity Shoots and Clients 59:02 Stolen Box Truck Story 01:03:38 Trump Impressions and Set Antics 01:12:44 Event Plug and Housekeeping 01:14:28 Final Goodbye Official Get Reelisms Page Get Reelisms Amazon Store Instagram

  6. Jul 7

    S4E190: Vertical Film Frenzy - Guerrilla Filmmaking on Crack

    Verticals, Unions, and AI: The Wild West of New Filmmaking | Get Reelisms Ep. 190 In episode 190 of the Get Reelisms podcast, filmmakers Adam Chase Rani and Christine Chen talk about Christine’s desert trip to see a meteor shower, her deliberate hiatus from AD work to regain creative peace, and her return to making fast, low-budget sketch comedy—especially vertical YouTube/Instagram sketches—through groups like Banana TV and a 10-episode series with her friend Myleene about friends whose hangouts always turn into film work. They discuss the rise of union and branded verticals, why creators are embracing the format as a new storytelling medium, and how to improve quality through writing and framing. The conversation covers intense vertical set workflows, block shooting and child actor restrictions, the push-pull between budgets and union standards, concerns about AI replacing art versus using AI as a logistics tool, and worries about declining literacy from students using ChatGPT. They close with GetReelisms.com plugs and tease the next guest from Puppy Love Productions.  Hosts: Adam Rani (@adamthechase)  & Christine Chen (@cchenmtf)  About Christine W Chen: Christine W. Chen is a Taiwanese American filmmaker, Academy member (Short Films Branch), and versatile producer, director, and writer known for bold, character-driven storytelling. Through her production company, Moth to Flame, she has created award-winning short films, features, and branded content—including Erzulie, a feminist swamp thriller that had a limited theatrical run and now streams on major platforms. In addition to her directorial work, Christine is a seasoned DGA 1st Assistant Director and co-author of Get Reelisms and ABCs of Filmmaking, as well as the co-host of the Get Reelisms Podcast. For more information about Christine Chen: christinewchen.com About Adam Rani: Adam Chase Rani is a production designer and set dresser working in the Austin film market, bringing a sharp eye for visual storytelling and practical creativity to every project. During the pandemic, he co-founded the Get Reelisms Podcast with Christine Chen to foster community within the film industry. Together, they’ve built a platform that blends education, candid conversations, and industry insights to help filmmakers connect, learn, and grow. WEBISODE version of the Podcast 00:00 Vertical Film FOMO  00:21 Podcast Intro Setup  01:15 Meteor Shower Birthday  02:49 AD Hiatus For Writing  05:07 Back To Sketch Roots  06:45 Friends In Film Series  09:46 Verticals Branded Wave  14:19 Cinematic Vertical Potential  15:40 Vertical Set War Stories  17:29 Block Shooting Explained  18:49 Working With Child Actors  20:19 Crew Set Stories  20:55 Child Actor Rules  21:56 Union Versus Verticals  24:42 Knowing Your Worth  27:16 AI In Filmmaking  31:33 Gen Z Literacy Drop  35:09 Read More Books  35:57 Wrap And Plug Official Get Reelisms Page Get Reelisms Amazon Store Instagram

  7. Jun 23

    S4E189: A Slice of Cinema: John Valley and 'American Dollhouse

    On the Get Reelisms Podcast, filmmakers Madam Chase Rani and Christine Chen interview Austin director Jon Vallet about his new film American Dollhouse, which just premiered at South by Southwest and launched its festival run with an Austin “film family” crew. Vallet says the movie uses a character-driven, proto-slasher approach inspired by films like Psycho and Black Christmas, using modern anxieties about public spaces feeling unsafe and the dissonance of daily life in America as thematic fuel. He shares the logline: a woman inherits her childhood home, hoping to escape debt, but the house is falling apart and a doppelgänger-like neighbor becomes obsessively dangerous, escalating into a Christmas-set slasher. Vallet discusses prioritizing actors’ performances, early sound and scoring collaboration, shooting on Sony Venice in 4:3 with natural light and night-for-day, a 15-day December 2024 shoot, a difficult third-act set build, and adapting scripts and schedules to budget and resources.   Hosts: Adam Rani (@adamthechase)  & Christine Chen (@cchenmtf)  About Christine W Chen: Christine W. Chen is a Taiwanese American filmmaker, Academy member (Short Films Branch), and versatile producer, director, and writer known for bold, character-driven storytelling. Through her production company, Moth to Flame, she has created award-winning short films, features, and branded content—including Erzulie, a feminist swamp thriller that had a limited theatrical run and now streams on major platforms. In addition to her directorial work, Christine is a seasoned DGA 1st Assistant Director and co-author of Get Reelisms and ABCs of Filmmaking, as well as the co-host of the Get Reelisms Podcast. For more information about Christine Chen: christinewchen.com About Adam Rani: Adam Chase Rani is a production designer and set dresser working in the Austin film market, bringing a sharp eye for visual storytelling and practical creativity to every project. During the pandemic, he co-founded the Get Reelisms Podcast with Christine Chen to foster community within the film industry. Together, they’ve built a platform that blends education, candid conversations, and industry insights to help filmmakers connect, learn, and grow. About John Valley John Valley became a prolific music video director in Austin TX before honing in on his debut feature The Pizzagate Massacre, a dark horror comedy that VICE called "A grindhouse Pizzagate satire that perfectly captures a moment in time." His sophomore film, American Dollhouse is a modern take on proto-slasher classics like Psycho and Black Christmas.   WEBISODE version of the Podcast   00:00 Actors First Philosophy 00:22 Podcast Intro And Guest 01:41 Origins Of American Dollhouse 04:57 Logline And Setup 06:34 What Makes A Slasher 11:24 Slasher Structure And Metaphor 15:07 Sound Design And Score 17:34 Lessons From First Film 21:21 Crew And Camera Choices 25:05 On Set Trauma And Third Act Build 29:42 Night for Day Magic 30:43 Scheduling as Storytelling 31:54 Budget as Creative Tool 34:03 Practical Effects and Big Punch 37:14 Script vs Set Reality 39:00 Directing Without Attachment 41:39 Next Projects Monster Movie 44:06 Pivoting and People First 46:58 Christmas Theme and Family Pressure 50:28 Austin Film Scene Farewell 52:41 Housekeeping and Sign Off Official Get Reelisms Page Get Reelisms Amazon Store Instagram

  8. Jun 9

    S4E188: The Filmmaking Grind - Do NOT wait for the cavalry

    Adam Chase Rani and Christine Chen celebrate reaching 188 episodes of the Get Reelisms filmmaking podcast and reflect on nearly six to seven years of documenting their careers. They discuss recent Oscars results, including a tie and Sam Davis winning after their interview, and debate why genre films like Sinners may struggle for Best Picture despite winning Best Original Screenplay, while One Battle After Another wins Best Picture and PTA earns Best Director. They talk about attention spans, frustration with people assuming indie films are “on Netflix,” and Christine’s behind-the-scenes photo from Shakespeare on the Range being featured in the Academy Museum, a milestone linked to early career growth. Christine shares her decision to pause First AD work to focus on directing, developing a sketch-based branded micro-series, and adapting to vertical content trends. Adam plugs his “Create Your Own Content” course on getreelisms.com.   Christine W. Chen is a Taiwanese American filmmaker, Academy member (Short Films Branch), and versatile producer, director, and writer known for bold, character-driven storytelling. Through her production company, Moth to Flame, she has created award-winning short films, features, and branded content—including Erzulie, a feminist swamp thriller that had a limited theatrical run and now streams on major platforms. In addition to her directorial work, Christine is a seasoned DGA 1st Assistant Director and co-author of Get Reelisms and ABCs of Filmmaking, as well as the co-host of the Get Reelisms Podcast. For more information about Christine Chen: christinewchen.com   Adam Chase Rani is a production designer and set dresser working in the Austin film market, bringing a sharp eye for visual storytelling and practical creativity to every project. During the pandemic, he co-founded the Get Reelisms Podcast with Christine Chen to foster community within the film industry. Together, they’ve built a platform that blends education, candid conversations, and industry insights to help filmmakers connect, learn, and grow.   00:00 Movies All Day 00:22 Podcast Origins 00:54 188 Episodes In 02:03 Oscar Winner Interview 02:54 Oscars Predictions 06:15 Awards Drama Talk 07:07 Short Attention Spans 09:20 Netflix Question Rage 12:36 Academy Museum Photo 14:31 Shakespeare On The Range 18:02 OG Crew Lessons 20:16 BTS Photo Insecurities 20:56 Film History Connections 21:30 How We First Met 22:34 From Stress to Podcast 24:05 Hiatus From First AD 27:30 Friends in Film Sketches 30:29 DIY Filmmaking Revival 32:26 Vertical Video Future 35:43 Budgets and Crew Reality 38:10 Housekeeping and Farewell   WEBISODE version of the Podcast Official Get Reelisms Page Get Reelisms Amazon Store Instagram

See All (206)

Ratings & Reviews

4.6
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

The ins and outs, tips and tricks, and dirt on the independent film industry. getreelisms.com

Information