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

Phil Svitek
  • 4.8 (12)
  • 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. 20h ago

    Stop Solving the Wrong Problem By Asking The Three Whys

    If you've ever felt stuck solving the same problem over and over, you may be fixing the symptom instead of the root cause. In this episode, I break down the Three Whys technique—a simple problem-solving framework used in business, leadership, product design, and personal development—to uncover what's really holding you back. We also explore how Brazilian entrepreneur Ricardo Semler transformed Semco by questioning long-held assumptions, why focusing on principles instead of rules leads to better decisions, and how you can use the Three Whys (or my variation, the Three Hows) to make better choices in your career, relationships, creative work, and everyday life. 🚀 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🎬 My Films The Love Market – https://philsvitek.com/filmography/#lovemarket Finding Love in Bogotá – https://philsvitek.com/filmography/#bogotatrip The Arbiters – https://philsvitek.com/filmography/#thearbiters📚 My Books Elan, Elan – https://philsvitek.com/bibliography/#elanelan Master Mental Fortitude – https://philsvitek.com/bibliography/#mastermentalfortitude In Search of Sunrise – https://philsvitek.com/bibliography/#insearchofsunrise Hollywood Dreams on a Shoestring Budget – https://philsvitek.com/bibliography/#hollywooddreams

  2. 1d ago

    Turning Good Edits Into Great Ones

    ```htmlIf you're a video editor, filmmaker, YouTuber, or content creator looking to improve your edits, this episode covers some of the most valuable editing lessons I've learned over more than 20 years working on documentaries, sitcoms, feature films, sizzle reels, and online content. Rather than focusing on keyboard shortcuts or software tutorials, these are storytelling principles that help every cut become more intentional. I discuss why you shouldn't edit for continuity, how reaction shots create comedy, why physical humor needs wider framing, how to use alternate audio takes to strengthen performances, why story always comes before B-roll, and the editing mindset that consistently produces stronger films and videos. 🚀 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🎬 My Films The Love Market – https://philsvitek.com/filmography/#lovemarket Finding Love in Bogotá – https://philsvitek.com/filmography/#bogotatrip The Arbiters – https://philsvitek.com/filmography/#thearbiters📚 My Books Elan, Elan – https://philsvitek.com/bibliography/#elanelan Master Mental Fortitude – https://philsvitek.com/bibliography/#mastermentalfortitude In Search of Sunrise – https://philsvitek.com/bibliography/#insearchofsunrise Hollywood Dreams on a Shoestring Budget – https://philsvitek.com/bibliography/#hollywooddreams```

  3. 2d ago

    The Race To November (Building A Movie Before AFM) - Vlog 8/10/26

    What does it actually take to bring an independent animated feature to life? In this behind-the-scenes update on The Arbiters, I share the production sprint leading up to the American Film Market (AFM), where our goal is to complete a full animatic before pitching investors, distributors, and international partners. We dive into the realities of scaling a creative team, managing hundreds of storyboard shots, building detailed floor plans for complex action sequences, recording temporary voice performances, and why an animatic is one of the most valuable tools for proving a movie works before it's ever animated. If you're an independent filmmaker, animator, producer, or creative entrepreneur, this episode offers an honest look at the filmmaking process from development through 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🎬 My Films The Love Market – https://philsvitek.com/filmography/#lovemarket Finding Love in Bogotá – https://philsvitek.com/filmography/#bogotatrip The Arbiters – https://philsvitek.com/filmography/#thearbiters📚 My Books Elan, Elan – https://philsvitek.com/bibliography/#elanelan Master Mental Fortitude – https://philsvitek.com/bibliography/#mastermentalfortitude In Search of Sunrise – https://philsvitek.com/bibliography/#insearchofsunrise Hollywood Dreams on a Shoestring Budget – https://philsvitek.com/bibliography/#hollywooddreams

  4. 6d ago

    Why Your Work Isn't Worth What You Think (Yet)

    If you're a filmmaker, freelancer, coach, artist, entrepreneur, or creative professional wondering how to charge more, raise your rates, or get paid what you're worth, this episode explains one of the hardest truths about creative careers: your intrinsic worth and your market value are not the same thing. I share how I gradually increased my coaching rates over time—not because I suddenly became more talented overnight, but because I built credibility through experience, testimonials, referrals, reputation, and demand. We'll discuss why the market determines your initial rate, how supply and demand influence pricing, and what you can do to steadily increase your perceived value without undervaluing yourself. Whether you're just starting out or trying to reach your next income level, this episode will help you think more strategically about pricing, positioning, and building a sustainable creative business. 7-Day ChallengeAsk yourself: “What evidence makes me worth my current rate?” Then identify one thing you can do this week to increase your perceived market value. Examples: Publish your work Collect testimonials Improve your website Speak somewhere Finish a portfolio piece Ask for referrals 🚀 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 🎬 My Films The Love Market — https://philsvitek.com/filmography/#lovemarket Finding Love in Bogotá — https://philsvitek.com/filmography/#bogotatrip The Arbiters — https://philsvitek.com/filmography/#thearbiters 📚 My Books Elan, Elan — https://philsvitek.com/bibliography/#elanelan Master Mental Fortitude — https://philsvitek.com/bibliography/#mastermentalfortitude

  5. Aug 5

    The Real Reason Creative Projects Stall

    If you're a filmmaker, writer, musician, entrepreneur, or artist struggling to finish long-term creative projects, this episode is for you. We often believe talent is what separates successful creators from everyone else, but the truth is that endurance, discipline, and consistency matter far more. Using Odysseus' journey home in The Odyssey as a metaphor, I explore why every creative career is really a series of marathons—not one—and how to build the mental fortitude to keep going long after motivation fades. I'll share lessons from making feature films, writing books, and pursuing multi-year creative projects, along with practical strategies for developing creative endurance, avoiding abandoned projects, building routines, and making steady progress without burning out. If you've ever wondered how successful artists stay committed for years, this episode breaks down the mindset and habits that make it possible. If you've been putting off a creative project, I'd love to know what it is. Leave a comment below, and let's keep each other accountable. A Seven-Day ChallengeThink about one creative project you've been avoiding. Now ignore how big it feels. Just commit to working on it for 30 minutes every day for the next seven days. Don't worry about quality. Don't even worry about making noticeable progress. Show up. Because endurance isn't built by giant leaps. It's built by keeping promises to yourself. 🚀 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 🎬 My Films The Love Market — https://philsvitek.com/filmography/#lovemarket Finding Love in Bogotá — https://philsvitek.com/filmography/#bogotatrip The Arbiters — https://philsvitek.com/filmography/#thearbiters

  6. Aug 4

    Stop Winging Your Creative Meetings

    If you're a filmmaker, entrepreneur, writer, podcaster, or creative leader who constantly leaves meetings feeling like nothing was accomplished, this episode is for you. I go over the meeting preparation system I use while developing my animated feature film The Arbiters, including how I organize notes, separate ideas from decisions, create actionable discussion points, and dramatically reduce confusion, revisions, wasted time, and unnecessary costs. Great creative projects aren't built during meetings—they're built through the preparation that happens before everyone sits down together. 7-Day Challenge Spend one uninterrupted hour preparing before your next meeting. Write down every issue beforehand. Convert each issue into an actionable question or decision. Notice how much shorter and more productive the meeting becomes. 🚀 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 🎬 My Films The Love Market — https://philsvitek.com/filmography/#lovemarket Finding Love in Bogotá — https://philsvitek.com/filmography/#bogotatrip The Arbiters — https://philsvitek.com/filmography/#thearbiters 📚 My Books Elan, Elan — https://philsvitek.com/bibliography/#elanelan Master Mental Fortitude — https://philsvitek.com/bibliography/#mastermentalfortitude In Search of Sunrise — https://philsvitek.com/bibliography/#insearchofsunrise Hollywood Dreams on a Shoestring Budget — https://philsvitek.com/bibliography/#hollywooddreams

  7. Aug 3

    Philip Pullman's La Belle Sauvage (Book Of Dust Trilogy) | In-Depth Book Discussion

    In this month’s Bookmarked spoiler discussion, we explore Philip Pullman's return to the world of His Dark Materials with the first novel in The Book of Dust trilogy. Beyond the adventure, we examine the philosophical ideas that make Pullman's work so enduring—from free will, authority, and consciousness to mythology, religion, and the power of curiosity. We also discuss Malcolm Polstead's journey, the expanding mythology surrounding Dust, Pullman's writing style, the novel's themes, and whether La Belle Sauvage works as both a standalone novel and a companion to His Dark Materials. Whether you're a longtime Pullman fan or considering reading the series for the first time, this conversation explores why his stories continue to resonate with readers decades later. Book recommendations from fans like you: View the community book recommendations Upcoming reads: Fairest by Meredith Talusan — August 2026 Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga — September 2026 October 2026 — TBD Maus: A Survivor's Tale by Art Spiegelman — November 2026 December 2026 — TBD Circe by Madeline Miller or Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter — January 2026 🚀 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

  8. Jul 30

    Stop Underestimating the Power of Reading

    If you're trying to become a better filmmaker, writer, entrepreneur, artist, or simply a more capable person, one habit consistently appears among high performers: reading. Books don't just provide information—they compress decades of experience, sharpen your thinking, improve your creativity, and expose you to ideas that can dramatically change your life. I explore why reading remains one of the highest-return investments you can make in yourself. We'll discuss how reading builds empathy, strengthens focus, improves communication, expands creativity, and helps you solve problems faster by learning from people who've already faced them. I also share several books that profoundly influenced my own journey, from filmmaking and philosophy to personal finance and lifelong learning. Whether you prefer physical books, ebooks, or audiobooks, the goal is simple: read consistently and let those ideas compound over time. Seven-Day ChallengeFor the next seven days, replace just 20 minutes of social media with 20 minutes of reading. It doesn't matter whether it's fiction, nonfiction, or an audiobook—just commit to reading every day. At the end of the week, write down one idea that changed how you think or something you'll immediately apply to your life. 🚀 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🎬 My Films The Love Market Finding Love in Bogotá The Arbiters📚 My Books Elan, Elan Master Mental Fortitude In Search of Sunrise Hollywood Dreams on a Shoestring Budget

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4.8
out of 5
12 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.

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