A Phil Svitek Podcast - A Series From Your 360 Creative Coach

Phil Svitek
  • 4.8 (11)
  • ARTS
  • UPDATED DAILY

With 20+ years in the entertainment industry at the top level, I’m Phil Svitek. Join me as I pay it forward, sharing insights from my journey as a filmmaker, author, podcaster, and even high-level executive. Get a 360-degree view of the digital artist’s path to success, blending technical theory, practical wisdom, and personal development. Your smoother journey awaits.

  1. 10H AGO

    MIFA Online: A New Way to Plug Into Annecy Festival Without the Travel

    Phil Svitek flags a practical option for animators and filmmakers: MIFA (the market/information side of the Annecy Festival ecosystem) now has an online component. He explains why it’s useful if France travel is cost-prohibitive and suggests searching “MIFA online” to explore the access, replays, and programming. 🚀 Looking for a Creative Collaborator or Coach?  Whether you need help launching a podcast, shaping your story, editing a video, or navigating the artist’s life—I’m here to help.  ✅ Work with me: ⁠https://philsvitek.com/collaborate/⁠ 🔔 Subscribe for movie reviews, creative coaching, and mindset tools for storytellers.  📬 Want exclusive breakdowns and behind-the-scenes content? Join me on:  • Patreon – ⁠http://patreon.com/philsvitek⁠  • Substack – ⁠http://philsvitek.substack.com⁠

    2 min

  2. 1D AGO

    Stop Ruining Podcasts: Record Clean Audio (It’s 2026)

    Phil Svitek calls out a growing trend: as tech improves, podcast audio quality somehow gets worse. He breaks down why “fix it in post” is a trap, how bad audio increases editing time and cost, why lav mics aren’t something to be precious about, and why clean, intelligible sound is the baseline for any serious production. 🚀 Looking for a Creative Collaborator or Coach?  Whether you need help launching a podcast, shaping your story, editing a video, or navigating the artist’s life—I’m here to help.  ✅ Work with me: ⁠https://philsvitek.com/collaborate/⁠ 🔔 Subscribe for movie reviews, creative coaching, and mindset tools for storytellers.  📬 Want exclusive breakdowns and behind-the-scenes content? Join me on:  • Patreon – ⁠http://patreon.com/philsvitek⁠  • Substack – ⁠http://philsvitek.substack.com⁠

    6 min

  3. 3D AGO

    Why I Don’t Keep “Multiple Irons in the Fire” & Instead Self-Fund The Arbiters Progress

    In an industry that constantly tells creatives to keep “multiple irons in the fire,” Phil Svitek explains why he’s choosing the opposite approach. Rather than bouncing between projects while waiting on studios or investors, Phil is fully committing to The Arbiters — continuing storyboards, refining concept designs, rewriting with intention, and self-funding progress so momentum never stalls. This isn’t about stubbornness. It’s about conviction, clarity, and showing tangible forward motion so when the right opportunity hits, the project is undeniable. If you’re torn between chasing new ideas or doubling down on the one that won’t leave you alone, this is a perspective on why going all in might be the stronger long-term play. 🚀 Looking for a Creative Collaborator or Coach?  Whether you need help launching a podcast, shaping your story, editing a video, or navigating the artist’s life—I’m here to help.  ✅ Work with me: ⁠https://philsvitek.com/collaborate/⁠ 🔔 Subscribe for movie reviews, creative coaching, and mindset tools for storytellers.  📬 Want exclusive breakdowns and behind-the-scenes content? Join me on:  • Patreon – ⁠http://patreon.com/philsvitek⁠  • Substack – ⁠http://philsvitek.substack.com⁠

    23 min

  4. 4D AGO

    Business Side No One Sees & The Creator Rant I Didn’t Plan to Go On - 2/16/2026: Vlog

    Phil Svitek checks in after a busy January in LA—sharing a big progress update on The Arbiters (storyboards through Act 1, concept design ramp-up, and how he’s keeping momentum while conversations with studios/distributors evolve). He also recaps working Grammys week (Grammy House + the digital/YouTube clip operation), reflects on ideas from Open Socrates about seeing the best in people and using criticism productively, then fires off quick, practical tips: record clean podcast audio, check out MIFA’s new online option, explore Cinando’s modernized website, and don’t screw up objective requirements on client work. He wraps with a blunt take on AI CEOs needing clearer problem-solving goals, plus a nostalgic love letter to The Mummy trilogy (and curiosity about a fourth film). 🚀 Looking for a Creative Collaborator or Coach?  Whether you need help launching a podcast, shaping your story, editing a video, or navigating the artist’s life—I’m here to help.  ✅ Work with me: ⁠https://philsvitek.com/collaborate/⁠ 🔔 Subscribe for movie reviews, creative coaching, and mindset tools for storytellers.  📬 Want exclusive breakdowns and behind-the-scenes content? Join me on:  • Patreon – ⁠http://patreon.com/philsvitek⁠  • Substack – ⁠http://philsvitek.substack.com⁠

    1h 8m

  5. FEB 11

    The Making of The Arbiters' Proof of Concept (For More Exclusives Visit Patreon.com/PhilSvitek)

    👉 Visit patreon.com/philsvitek to be part of the journey. We’re excited to finally share this. This 20-minute behind-the-scenes video offers a rare look at how The Arbiters—our original, hand-drawn, anime-inspired sci-fi/fantasy feature film—came to life through its proof of concept. The Arbiters follows Edea, a young woman searching for her lost friend Rosa, only to uncover a much larger threat—ancient elemental forces, a broken world, and a choice that could determine humanity’s future. Think Princess Mononoke meets Suzume, grounded in emotion, scale, and consequence. This video pulls back the curtain on the process. You’ll see how the project evolved from early ideas into a working proof of concept, why we chose to shoot live-action reference footage, and how that footage became a “glorified animatic” that shaped performances, pacing, and story long before final animation. You’ll also get glimpses of cast and crew interviews, behind-the-scenes moments, and our first time presenting The Arbiters to audiences at LA Comic Con. What You’ll See Inside🎬 Clips from the proof of concept showcasing the film’s tone and visual direction 🛠 How the idea for The Arbiters started—and how it evolved 🎥 Why we combined live-action reference with animation (and what it unlocked creatively) 🌟 Highlights from LA Comic Con and early audience reactions 🎤 Cast & crew reflections on building this world 🌌 A look at the film’s world-building: advanced technology, societal decay, and a planet on the brink This video represents the philosophy behind the project—and behind my Patreon. I believe in showing the process, not just the outcome. The Arbiters is a real-time example of that belief in action. Want to Go Deeper?This behind-the-scenes documentary is just one part of a larger, ongoing open-studio journey happening on my Patreon. On Patreon, supporters get access to: -Additional Arbiters updates as the film develops -Early artwork, storyboards, and design explorations -Creative breakdowns, tools, and lessons drawn from the same process -Community polls, Q&As, and sneak peeks before public releases Whether you support monthly or via a one-time contribution, everyone gets the same Arbiters access. The only difference is how you choose to participate. If this video sparked your curiosity—and you want to see how a film like this actually gets made from the inside—I’d love to have you join us. 👉 Visit patreon.com/philsvitek to be part of the journey. Thanks for watching, and for supporting independent, long-form animation. We’re building something bold, beautiful, and human—one step at a time.

    20 min

  6. FEB 9

    Star Forest: Building a Transmedia Animated Band (and Staying Human in the Algorithm)

    Emmy-winning producer, songwriter, and transmedia creator Genevieve LeDoux joins the show after we met at the World Animation Summit panel “How We Got Our Show Made — Against All Odds!” We dive into the origin of Star Forest—a genre-blurring universe built around an animated band—and how Genevieve is using music, animation, and games to help audiences (especially Gen Z/Gen Alpha) reconnect with creativity, quiet, and flow. Genevieve shares the deeply personal story that shaped her purpose, why mentorship matters more than ever, and how Star Forest is designed as non-linear storytelling that moves fast without sacrificing authenticity. We also talk building a sustainable creative pipeline, responding to negativity with humanity, why “viral” isn’t the plan (or the point), and what’s next: collabs, a third album recorded in a real studio, and expanding the world. If you’re an animator, musician, writer, indie creator, or anyone trying to get your project made “against all odds,” this one’s for you. To learn more about Star Forest, visit http://starforest.rocks

    47 min

  7. FEB 3

    The Honeytraps Artists Fall Into (And Why They Feel Like Smart Choices)

    Not all traps look like mistakes. Some offer good money, attention, or the relief of certainty when you’re exhausted and just trying to survive.I break down the honeytraps artists and creatives fall into: jobs that pay but quietly take over your time, the pull of social media trends and clickbait certainty, and the pressure to take shortcuts when real growth feels painfully slow.We talk about why nuance doesn’t spike, why “this may help” rarely performs as well as “this will solve everything,” and why it can feel harder to grow when you refuse to oversimplify your work or your thinking.I also add an important nuance: sometimes, we have to take a honeytrap — especially for money and survival. The danger isn’t taking the job or chasing stability. It’s losing awareness and letting a temporary trade become a permanent identity.From tipped service work in America to the difference between 10 years doing the same job versus 10 years of real experience, this episode is about learning to use honeytraps consciously — without living inside them.If you’re an artist trying to balance survival, integrity, and long-term growth, this one’s for you.🚀 Looking for a Creative Collaborator or Coach?Whether you need help launching a podcast, shaping your story, editing a video, or navigating the artist’s life—I’m here to help.✅ Work with me: https://philsvitek.com/collaborate/

    16 min

  8. FEB 2

    Worldbuilding Backwards (On Purpose): How Story, Script, and Design Evolved Together

    Worldbuilding doesn’t have to start with an encyclopedia—and in fact, sometimes it shouldn’t. I break down how I approached worldbuilding for my animated feature by working backwards on purpose. BTW, if you want to follow the project as it’s actually being built, I’m sharing the full behind-the-scenes journey on Patreon (development updates, concept art, proof-of-concepts, and real creative decision-making along the way): http://patreon.com/philsvitek. I walk through how we broke down the script to identify what actually needs to exist onscreen, how that led to deeper systems around technology, government, housing, food, and culture, and why this level of logic is crucial for concept artists designing within a cohesive world. Rather than trying to solve everything at once, we’re focusing on major elements we already feel strong about—using small victories to build momentum and inform the harder design challenges ahead. If you’re a filmmaker, writer, animator, or storyteller overwhelmed by worldbuilding, this episode is about giving you permission to build the world as you need it—not all at once. 🚀 Looking for a Creative Collaborator or Coach?Whether you need help launching a podcast, shaping your story, editing a video, or navigating the artist’s life—I’m here to help. ✅ Work with me: https://philsvitek.com/collaborate/

    12 min
See All (1.1K)

4.8
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

With 20+ years in the entertainment industry at the top level, I’m Phil Svitek. Join me as I pay it forward, sharing insights from my journey as a filmmaker, author, podcaster, and even high-level executive. Get a 360-degree view of the digital artist’s path to success, blending technical theory, practical wisdom, and personal development. Your smoother journey awaits.

Information