Filmmaker Joe Burke and actor-writer-producer Oliver Cooper join No Film School to discuss the making and release of Burt, a black-and-white micro-budget feature inspired by real-life musician Burt Berger. The conversation covers how Burke and Cooper built a narrative film around a non-actor, shot the movie in seven days for $7,000, used a tiny crew to prese ... Show More
Jun 26
The Assistant Route: Networking, Mentorship, and Building a Film Career & Community
In this episode, GG Hawkins talks with writer, director, producer, assistant, and Not Your Daddy’s Films co-founder Vika Stubblebine about building a sustainable film career through assistant work, mentorship, community, and creative self-advocacy. Vika traces her path from actin ... Show More
54m 40s
Jun 19
The Art of Curation: Inside Kanopy’s Approach to Film Discovery
No Film School’s GG Hawkins speaks with Kanopy’s Aaron Spears and Matt Lewis about curation, film discovery, and how independent films find audiences in a streaming landscape shaped by algorithms. The conversation covers Kanopy’s library- and university-based model, the importanc ... Show More
45m 12s
Oct 2024
Avoid These 3 Common Filmmaking Mistakes: What You Need to Know
In this Filmmaking Stuff Podcast episode, host Tom Malloy shares three common mistakes filmmakers make when shooting their movies or attending film markets like AFM, Cannes, or EFM. Learn how to balance excitement, avoid over-promising or under-delivering, and maintain discipline ... Show More
5m 5s
Oct 2024
3 Negotiation Tactics That Can Double Your Film’s Budget
In this episode of the Filmmaking Stuff Podcast, host Tom Malloy dives into three key situations where increasing your movie budget can significantly enhance the final product. Learn why raising your budget for cast, scope, and production value can drive better sales and improve ... Show More
4m 21s
Nov 2025
Distribution Contract Red Flags Every Filmmaker Should Know
Before you sign that distribution deal, hit play. In this episode, I break down the three red flags that can wreck your film’s future — unfair splits, crazy-long contract terms, and inflated marketing expenses. Learn how to spot them early, protect your movie, and secure a deal t ... Show More
4m 2s
Sep 2025
263 | Feature Film Story Engine Checklist: 8 Elements to Turn a Situation Into a Movie (REBROADCAST)
Check out our premium TSL WORKSHOPS program here: https://tslworkshops.circle.so STORY ENGINE. Two words we so often dread, but let's be honest: the engine of your story is what POWERS your movie. It's make, or break. And today, we break down eight elements to test whether or not ... Show More
1h 10m
Aug 2025
260 | From Barf Draft to Next Draft: 5 Steps to Take Now
Join TSL Workshops: https://tslworkshops.circle.so In this episode, Meg and Lorien dive into a messy, magical stage of screenwriting: the barf draft — your first unfiltered pass at a script. They share how to tackle chaos on the page, whether your draft is too long, too short, to ... Show More
1h 2m
Dec 2022
307 One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest Part 2
This week on The Cine-Files, Steve and John conclude their discussion of one of the greatest films ever made. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is the epitome of 70's filmmaking with complex, human themes, challenging ideas, tremendously natural performances and a profoundly powerf ... Show More
2h 24m