Just Shoot It: A Podcast about Filmmaking, Screenwriting and Directing

Laura Murphy chats with Matt and Oren about directing her new film "F*** Marry Kill" https://www.imdb.com/title/tt22528200 And they talk about the process to become a director on a film like this, is there a list you need to be on? And what can directors do to get on the "list"?In this first of a two-part interview, you can hear whether being on time and on budget really makes a difference in the long run.  As a bonus, Matt and Oren kick things off with some insights from Oren's latest commercial shoot. It was a mix of knuckle-gripping ups and downs with weather, appendicitis, and near over budget calamity. And Oren reflects on the most important decisions he made. And he shows what directors need to do on set, when everything around you is pooping the bed. You can find Laura at @bestlauraever on both Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).---Get a great deal on Magic Mind! https://magicmind.com/shootit NEW LINK!!Endorsements -- check next week for Matt's, Oren's, and Laura's endorsements! 

Oren's on another commercial shoot and Matt's just started another new show! Everything's great, or is it? Matt and Oren chat about why the vision you pitch can be really, really hard in reality. Especially as budget, storyboard, timings, weather, and the nuances of handling this particular client unfold.And the guys go deep into a discussion of the first principles of filmmaking, and when might be a good time to break or rethink them. ---Get a great deal on Magic Mind! https://magicmind.com/shootit ** NEW LINK!!!Matt's Endorsement:  Animator Joe Cappa, maker of "Meet the Boys" and "Haha You Clowns" has the greatest pacing of his soft, bone-dry jokes. https://www.youtube.com/@JoeCappaOren's Endorsement: Using a stylized LUT while shooting (even though it might be dialed back) instead of defaulting to Rec 709. Doing so generates a conversation around style and feel, while on set with the client and gets them comfortable with a more stylized look before post starts.

First-time director Kyle Hausmann-Stokes IG @kylehausmannstokes https://www.instagram.com/kylehausmannstokes/ shares how he landed Ed Harris and Morgan Freeman for his film "My Dead Friend Zoe". https://mydeadfriendzoemovie.comIG @mydeadfriendzoe https://www.instagram.com/mydeadfriendzoe/And he chats with Oren and Matt about why his pitch was so successful. Hear the journey that led to the film’s big win at SXSW, as well as the ups and downs to maintain the project's momentum, land the rights to Rihanna's "Umbrella", and convince Travis Kelce to be an EP.“My Dead Friend Zoe” opens on 700 theatre screens on Feb. 28, 2025.---Get a great deal on Magic Mind! https://magicmind.com/shootitjanMatt's Endorsement: Cold Open for the SNL Music DocumentaryOren's Endorsement: Giggster can help you book locations and permits. https://giggster.com/Kyle's Endorsements: The Shottr screenshot app https://shottr.cc/ and non-alcoholic beer from Athletic Brewing Co. https://athleticbrewing.com/ Veterans in Media & Entertainment https://vmeconnect.org/The Mission Continues https://www.missioncontinues.org/Bob Woodward Foundation https://bobwoodrufffoundation.org/Every Town for Gun Safety https://www.everytown.org/

Executive Producer (EP) Eric McCasline talks about building his new, top-tier production company, Good Times. https://ItsGoodTimes.com/ And he chats with Matt and Oren about how directors can get on the roster, win jobs, and why you as a director need to know your lane and understand how reps will pitch you. It's a "Moneyballl" game to get on and stay on, are you playing your game right?The conversation goes deep into budgets, incentives, permits, fees as well as the shifting aesthetic of commercials. And the guys reveal why only top-tier work matters these days. So you gotta shoot way higher than the B-Team!!!---Get a great deal on Magic Mind! https://magicmind.com/shootitjanMatt's Endorsement: https://www.kimgehrig.com/ Patrick Tomaso's video "Why don't movies look like *movies* anymore?" https://youtu.be/EwTUM9cFeSo?si=8MV4niF9L7o-Uh6FOren's Endorsement: Use Photoshop Generative AI and Midjourney to make edits to storyboards and animatics while staying consistent to your storyboard artists style.Bring Cool Ranch Doritos to your party, seriously.Eric's Endorsements: SteadfastLA https://www.steadfastla.com/ is helping rebuild Los Angeles."After the End of Art", a book by Arthur Danto https://press.princeton.edu/books/paperback/9780691163895/after-the-end-of-art

Director Andrew Kightlinger IG@Andrew.vhs and DP Idan Menin IG:@idanmenin talk about their film, from Sylvester Stallone's Balboa Productions, "Lost On a Mountain in Maine" https://www.lostonamountaininmainemovie.com/Matt and Oren go deep about the tough trade-offs they made between budget, VFX, and the need to look realistic. And the guys delve into a wider discussion about the dance between great cinematography and awesome storytelling. Can you shoot on an iPhone and use it alongside an Alexa 35? Would you do it In a commercial, but not in a film and why? And how do you build a relationship between you, as director and your DP that elevates everyone's reel?As always, Oren and Matt get behind the real story to working on a film produced by Sylvester Stallone. Don't miss these juicy details!!---Get a great deal on Magic Mind! https://magicmind.com/shootitjanMatt's Endorsement: Go to a nice movie theater! Oren's Endorsement: Every Frame A Picture's video on YouTube, "Where Do You Put the Camera?" https://youtu.be/wa1O3nqW5hQ?si=ttIU6t8vY0JGhIOeAndrew's Endorsement: "Paradise" on Hulu https://press.hulu.com/shows/paradise/Idan's Endorsement: The liquid emulsion process for creating photographs on a silver-based, liquid photographic emulsion adhered to unconventional surfaces like wood blocks or concrete.

Daniel Russel https://www.daniel-russell.com/ went from an assistant for Dave Meyers www.radicalmedia.com/us/directors/dave-meyers to directing music videos for Justin Timberlake and Jason Derulo. And he chats with Matt and Oren about the moves that built his career. What's the secret to pitching and landing impressive jobs? How can you work with a choreographer and inspire them to create the movement you need? And where can you find the best sources for visual inspiration? You won't want to miss these tips on building your career!Get a great deal on Magic Mind! https://www.magicmind.com/SHOOTITJANMatt's Endorsement: "Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person" (Original title: "Vampire Humaniste Cherche Suicidaire Consentant") https://www.imdb.com/title/tt24216998/Oren's Endorsements: "When the Jump Scare is Actually Clever" a YouTube video by Vanity Fair https://youtu.be/CNCeYM9bfOg?si=y8gk_qYcb589m80GDaniel's Endorsements: "The Virgin's Bucket List" https://www.reelshort.com/movie/the-virgin-s-bucket-list-675110c567a002f3b1017570 The pizza at Pura Vita https://puravitalosangeles.com/ Shoutout to the DJ's at KCRW https://www.kcrw.com/

Matt & Oren chat about the LA fires and their impact on freelancers, filmmakers, and the industry.  It's a conversation about navigating so-called 'normalcy' -- where normalcy is lacking. And the tough decisions around where you're needed most when friends and so many others have lost so much in the fires, It's firsthand and unfiltered.With that backdrop, Matt and Oren take up a broader conversation about bringing more commercial work into LA. What's some of the math for shooting outside LA? Outside the country (USA)? And when does it pay off and under what circumstances? And they challenge SAG-AFTRA and FilmLA to think about what's best for helping the industry and the entire LA filmmaking community, rebuild.Matt's Endorsement: David Lunch shrine near Bob's Big Boy in Burbank. And, "Hundreds of Beavers" https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12818328/Oren's Endorsements: "East of Wall" Directed by Kate Beecroft https://imdb.com/title/tt21349688 And, Kevin P Barry on Instagram @kevinbparry

Matt and Oren chat about 2024, what they learned and what they're planning to do for 2025. Everything from posting on Instagram & LinkedIn, being more productive, toilet training, and gold stars. Then they tackle a question from commercial director Jon Schwartz https://www.ajaxcreative.com/en/commercial-director/jon-schwartz. And delve into point of view (POV), what it means to different audiences, and when to just break the rules. Check out the episode!Matt's Endorsement: "Thelma", the film https://www.imdb.com/title/tt23778968/Oren's Endorsements: 1. "Skeleton Crew", the show https://www.imdb.com/title/tt20600980/ 2. Puzzles from Cobble Hill with Family Pieces https://www.cobblehillpuzzles.com/search?q=family+pieces 3. Behind the scenes (BTS) videos of commercial shoots https://www.jessejamesmcelroy.com/  

"Survive til '25", mission accomplished! But what really sustained the Hollywood and LA production scene -- TV, TikTok, commercials, or movies? Matt and Oren are joined by Maureen Bharoocha, Carlyn Hudson, and Roxy Shih in this panel discussion.  The crew is back together since their last in-person episode in December 2023. And in this first of a two-episode series, they talk about their wins, staying balanced, what kind of hustles paid off in 2024, and what adventures lie before them for 2025! You won't want to miss this super fun conversation!!Unpaid and Endorsements and Resolutions for 2025:Matt's Endorsement: Go to bed by 10 PM. Leave your phone in the other room.Oren's Endorsements: Actively unsubscribing from un-needed stuff. Shotdeck https://shotdeck.com/, Source Creative https://sourcecreative.com/, Frameset https://frameset.app/, and YouTube Premium https://www.youtube.com/premium. Following the Instagram of other commercial directors. And stressing less about the little things.Maureen's Endorsements: Seeing a Naturopath, Dr. Koorjee in Santa Monica https://drkoorjee.com/. Swimming, meditation, infrared sauna, and sleeping better.Roxy's Endorsements:Carlyn's Endorsements: Playing in a team Tennis League. YNAB (You Need A Budget App) https://www.ynab.com/