The No Film School Podcast

No Film School

A podcast about how to build a career in filmmaking

  • 53 minutes 25 seconds
    How Earning an Actor’s Trust as a Director Can Drive Your Career

    Allan Ungar started directing features at just 23 and has since evolved into a filmmaker known for his action-comedy chops and ability to elicit career-best performances from his actors. In this episode, he sits down with No Film School host, GG Hawkins, to discuss how his approach has matured from rigid control to meaningful collaboration, why psychological insight is essential for directors, and how to create an environment where actors can thrive. From early experiments with camcorders to directing viral hits and the critically acclaimed Bandit and London Calling, Ungar shares a masterclass in the art and strategy of long-term career building in film.

    In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins and guest Allan Ungar discuss...

    • Why understanding actor psychology is key to strong performances

    • How Ungar transitioned from controlling sets to creating collaborative environments

    • Techniques to push actors without breaking trust

    • The evolution of Ungar’s directing style across films like Bandit and London Calling

    • Building a career in chapters and managing “hurry up and wait” downtime

    • Why creating your own opportunities is essential in today’s film landscape

    • The importance of casting actors who can improvise and bring ideas

    • How to know when a joke or moment fits the tone of a scene

    • Advice for emerging filmmakers navigating their first projects

    Memorable Quotes:

    • "Directing is more than just a creative outlet. You have to be good with people."

    • "To be a filmmaker that's in control, you have to let go of control."

    • "I leave no stone unturned. If I don't feel like I have it, I will push until we have it."

    • "You have to figure out how to greenlight yourself."

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    18 December 2025, 4:00 pm
  • 42 minutes 18 seconds
    From Book to Big Screen: Rebecca Sonnenshine’s Adaptation Playbook (The Housemaid, The Boys)

    Screenwriter and showrunner Rebecca Sonnenshine joins the No Film School Podcast to unpack her career and creative process behind hit adaptations including The Boys and The Housemaid. She shares how she got her start, how she discovered her voice in genre, and the intense pitch process behind landing The Housemaid. Rebecca also offers practical advice for writing contained stories, building a compelling script from source material, and creating work that audiences actually want to watch. She shares how she got her start, how she discovered her voice in genre, and the intense pitch process behind landing The Housemaid. Rebecca also offers practical advice for writing contained stories, building a compelling script from source material, and creating work that audiences actually want to watch.

    In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins and guest Rebecca Sonnenshine discuss...

    • How Rebecca’s early jobs and script coverage experience helped her become a screenwriter

    • Why she embraced genre writing and how her perspective as a woman informs her work

    • The pitch process for adapting The Housemaid, and how she knew it was the right fit

    • How she avoids voiceover and instead finds cinematic ways to externalize internal character thoughts

    • The importance of blocking and movement when writing contained, single-location stories

    • Her writing habits: page goals, scene sketching, talking out dialogue, and more

    • What filmmakers can learn from writing bottle episodes or adapting material

    • Why thinking about your audience is key to writing something people actually want to watch

    Memorable Quotes:

    • "I read something and it either clicks or it doesn’t."

    • "Pitching… takes a long time. You need all the twists and turns… but not more than 28 minutes."

    • "I don’t love voiceover. So I had to find a device in which we could get some of their thoughts out."

    • "Blocking is everything. If you’re not thinking about blocking while you’re writing, then you’re doing your project a disservice."

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    12 December 2025, 4:00 pm
  • 1 hour 7 minutes
    David Zaslav Will Make Nearly $1 Billion From Selling Warner Bros. to Netflix (or Paramount). How Much Will Filmmakers Make?

    In this episode, No Film School founder Ryan Koo and host GG Hawkins, along with producer and guest Ana Liza Muravina, dig into the ramifications of the news that Netflix is bidding (or may be outbid by Paramount) to acquire Warner Brothers — and what this massive consolidation could mean for the future of theatrical film, streaming, and the livelihoods of filmmakers.

    In this episode, No Film School's Ryan Koo, GG Hawkins, and guest Ana Liza Muravina discuss...

    • How theatrical attendance has been in decline for decades, long before COVID — from the post–World War II boom through the arrival of television, home video, and streaming.

    • Why the recent surge in acquisitions and mergers (from Comcast/Universal, Disney/Fox, Amazon/MGM, to the potential Netflix–Warner deal) spells trouble for market competition in both production and distribution.

    • What consolidation means for filmmakers trying to get projects financed and sold — fewer buyers, fewer distribution windows, and diminished bidding wars that once supported indie and mid‑budget films.

    • The potential financial upside for studios and executives (like David Zaslav), contrasted with the limited upside — or none — for writers, directors, actors, and other creative laborers.

    • The possible benefits of global streaming platforms: ability to reach worldwide audiences, support for diverse or niche stories (e.g., a basketball movie about a young Black player), and access for filmmakers outside traditional Hollywood systems.

    • How now more than ever filmmakers might need to pivot: embrace scrappy, independent means of production/distribution, build creative communities, and consider alternate funding — rather than relying on traditional studio financing and residual structures.

    • That this may be a painful but necessary transition: the collapse of one ecosystem could open space for a new kind of filmmaking — more distinct voices, counterculture, experimentation, and potentially a new model for how films get made and distributed.

    Memorable Quotes:

    • “I pitched my Netflix movie 80 times — I got 79 no’s and I got one yes.”

    • “In a world where all the ways in which my piece of content can be exploited … are concentrated, it forces you to think about what are the other sources.”

    • “You hit pause, you hibernate for a minute … and you don’t feel like that’s the end of the freaking world.”

    • “This is the math all of us are doing all the time … If you follow one person benefiting to the tune of a billion dollars … from the sale of a company … it tells you exactly why so many people had to leave L.A…”

    Guests:

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    10 December 2025, 4:00 pm
  • 50 minutes 54 seconds
    How Queer, Gender-Fluid DP Gayle Ye Is Transforming Set Culture From Within

    In this episode, cinematographer Gayle Ye joins host GG Hawkins for an intimate and wide-ranging conversation about artistry, identity, and what it means to lead with authenticity as a DP. Gayle, who recently won a Canadian Screen Award for Paying For It and Late Bloomer, breaks down their creative process, from building visual language to managing crew dynamics. As the youngest and first queer, gender-fluid person of color to win a Daytime Emmy for lighting design, Gayle shares how they use their voice and position to advocate for meaningful change in the industry—on set and beyond.

    In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins and guest Gayle Ye discuss...

    • Gayle's path from shooting webcam videos in high school to winning a Daytime Emmy

    • How their background in editing informs their cinematography

    • Visual strategies and “cinematography pillars” used in Paying For It

    • Shooting intimacy scenes with care and collaboration

    • Why being a “Dream Manager” is a key part of being a DP

    • The role of mentorship, advocacy, and representation in Gayle’s career

    • Building visual tone in dramedy series Late Bloomer

    • Advice for underrepresented filmmakers breaking into the industry

    Memorable Quotes:

    • “I preferred to be on set for 14 hours than in a dark room for eight.”

    • “I'm not here to just show up and throw all my cool shot ideas. I really need to immerse myself in the story.”

    • “If I made it, then it’s an Asian and queer film. It doesn’t matter what the content is.”

    • “A DP is also a Dream Manager—negotiating between vision and budget.”

    Guests:

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    5 December 2025, 4:00 pm
  • 42 minutes 8 seconds
    Documenting the Business of Fear: Inside HBO’s 'Thoughts & Prayers'

    GG Hawkins speaks with directors Jessica Dimmock and Zackary Canepari about their haunting and thought-provoking HBO documentary Thoughts & Prayers. The film offers a chillingly observational look at the normalization of school shootings in America—not by focusing on the tragedies themselves, but by examining the surreal, billion-dollar industry of “school safety” that's risen in their aftermath. Through restrained cinematography and a surprisingly dark sense of humor, Dimmock and Canepari capture how everyday life continues against the backdrop of unimaginable trauma, and how children are often more articulate than adults about the realities they face.

    In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins and guests discuss...

    • How the project evolved from a photo series to a full-length documentary

    • The cultural and industrial normalization of school shootings in America

    • Why the film avoids graphic depictions of violence and instead focuses on the systems around it

    • The use of stillness, humor, and wide shots as storytelling tools

    • Casting nontraditional “characters” in a documentary format

    • The emotional challenges of working with children on such a sensitive topic

    • Co-directing as creative collaborators and partners

    • The gear and post-production tools that made the film possible

    • Why the title Thoughts & Prayers was chosen and how satire plays into it

    Memorable Quotes:

    • "In the middle of learning your ABCs, you pause to practice for mass death, and then you go back to learning... that's the chilling part."

    • "Cut this more like a scene in a Christopher Guest film than in an important documentary.”

    • "None of the adults ever say anything about guns... it's always the kids."

    • "We're not going to practice our way out of this."

    Guests:

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    21 November 2025, 4:00 pm
  • 1 hour 34 minutes
    You’re Picture Locked. Now What? (Plus Dir. Ruben Fleischer!)

    In this episode of the No Film School podcast, GG Hawkins and Ryan Koo dig into the often‑murky world of film release strategy and distribution from multiple angles—and then sit down with acclaimed filmmaker Ruben Fleischer to trace his path from indie start to big‑budget studio productions.

    In this episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins, Ryan Koo, and guest Ruben Fleischer discuss…

    • GG’s journey with her micro‑budget feature I Really Love My Husband: festival strategy, light theatrical run, and streaming rollout

    • The importance of marketing and audience‑building even for indie films (“the extra 50% of effort after picture‑lock”)

    • Festival submission strategy: premium “buyer’s festivals” vs regional festivals, world‑premiere constraints, and timing decisions

    • Tools and tactics: creating trailer/sizzle assets, leveraging sales & festival reps, doing the reference‑check on distributors

    • Real‑world rejection: extracting learning from “pass” notes and small deals, how to choose between flashy name vs partner who will work for you

    • The one‑to‑one interview with Ruben Fleischer: his early career, moving from shorts/commmercials to features, how he handles large‑scale shoots, visualising scenes, leading big crews, and navigating reshoots

    • Ruben’s key pieces of advice for emerging filmmakers: making things now, learning by doing, honing your craft by continuing to create

    • A bonus deep‑dive into how even locked‑picture films still require a lot of narrative strategy, deliverables, and business savvy in order to land distribution

    Memorable Quotes:

    • “If you are going to bend over backwards, invest all this time, energy, and effort into making a film, but you’re not going to do the same for getting the word out there … you are setting yourself up for failure.”

    • “Submitting to a film festival is like getting down on one knee and asking someone to marry you, but then you have to wait months for the response.”

    • “I always go in with an intention of how I would imagine blocking the scene… but I’m also very flexible in working with actors.”

    • “The only real way to direct stuff is to go out and do it.”

    Guests:

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    14 November 2025, 6:11 pm
  • 51 minutes 9 seconds
    How We Are Reclaiming Development

    The current state of Hollywood script development is chaotic, to say the least—but what if there were a way to reclaim it for writers? In this episode, guest host Charles Haine returns to No Film School to speak with Brian Austin and Scott Foster, the creators behind ScriptHop and the newly launched The Gauntlet. They dive into how the traditional process of script discovery has broken down and explore how the Gauntlet offers a transformative path forward—one that empowers writers with meaningful feedback, professional endorsements, and real chances at industry attention.

    In this episode, No Film School's Charles Haine and guests discuss...

    • The breakdown of traditional story departments at major agencies and studios

    • How ScriptHop began as a library tool and evolved into a platform empowering writers

    • The creation of “The Packet” to help writers better market their scripts

    • Why Script Gauntlet isn’t just another screenwriting contest

    • How the Gauntlet provides detailed, collaborative feedback from active industry professionals

    • Why professional endorsements through the Gauntlet could change the script discovery game

    • Their strategy for launching scripts through curated industry slates

    Memorable Quotes:

    • "Hollywood is kind of a pro-spaceship town."

    • "It is so crazy to me that the first guard of feedback is... so untested."

    • "This is the best reader dollars I've ever spent."

    • "We're going to be a more important aggregator of analysis than say Rotten Tomatoes."

    Guests:

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    13 November 2025, 6:54 pm
  • 59 minutes 33 seconds
    Editing an American Epic: Inside 'Train Dreams' with Dir Clint Bentley & Editor Parker Laramie

    In this episode of the No Film School Podcast, GG Hawkins dives into the sweeping process behind Train Dreams, a period drama adapted from the Dennis Johnson novella. GG is joined by director Clint Bentley and editor Parker Laramie, who discuss the challenges and joys of crafting a film that spans decades while staying intimate and emotionally resonant. The episode also opens with a candid conversation with filmmaker Boris Rodriguez about community and collaboration in independent filmmaking, leading up to the release of GG’s own directorial debut I Really Love My Husband.

    In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins and guests discuss...

    • The emotional and technical journey of adapting Train Dreams from a novella into a feature film

    • How Clint and Parker’s creative partnership evolved from Jockey to this ambitious period piece

    • The process of editing a film that spans decades without losing narrative momentum

    • How Parker’s background in documentary shaped his approach to editing fiction

    • The value of grabbing unplanned shots on set and how they can end up saving key scenes

    • The philosophical and technical challenges of handling notes from producers and stakeholders

    • The role of music and rhythm in both writing and editing the film

    • Clint’s directorial flexibility and willingness to discover the movie during post

    • Parker’s favorite hotkey and the logistics of editing across Premiere and Avid

    • Reflections on releasing the film and the audience’s evolving interpretation of its themes

    Memorable Quotes:

    • “You have to listen to the film. The way the film speaks to you is through other people and other people giving you notes.”

    • “Just try the fucking note.”

    • “We had no slates on Jockey… and we tried to do that again.”

    • “You don’t always have a good understanding of how something’s going.”

    Guests:

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    7 November 2025, 4:00 pm
  • 1 hour 9 minutes
    State of the Industry & the Art of Programming with Nicolas Curcio and Imani Davis

    In this episode of the No Film School Podcast, host GG Hawkins connects with two key voices in the film-industry ecosystem. First, she chats with screenwriter and filmmaker Nicolas Curcio to take the pulse of the movie business at the close of 2025—what’s changed, what’s hopeful, and what still needs to shift. Then, GG talks with programmer and curator Imani Davis of the American Cinematheque to explore the art and mechanics of programming—from year-round curatorial work to the annual Proof Film Festival, which helps shorts leap into features.

    In this episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins and guests discuss…

    • The emotional and career‑landscape “temperature check” for creators post‑strikes and entering 2026

    • The role of social media, creator‑voice, and audience‑building in today’s writer/director paths

    • Why embracing a “patchwork” of gigs (writing, podcasts, video content) may be more realistic than the old one‑track screenwriter dream

    • Why clean spec scripts are “back” and what that signals for writers getting in the door

    • What a film programmer actually does—how someone like Imani rates submissions, builds curatorial strategies, leverages relationships

    • The difference between ongoing programming (year‑round screenings at an institution) vs. annual festival programming (with a fixed offer to submit, schedule, panels)

    • Inside the Proof Film Festival: what makes a short film “feature‑expandable,” and what kind of statement or vision catches the eye of programmers & studios

    • How programmers balance gut feelings, industry data/timeliness, and filmmaker readiness when selecting films

    • The specific flaws and tired tropes they’re seeing in short films right now (yes: the “influencer vlogs” and basic “AI cautionary tales”)

    • How to start in programming: from basement screenings and volunteer festival committees to full‑time curatorial work

    • The importance of mentorship, networking, and building community around film culture

    • Lastly: quick advice to emerging creators — find a way to stand out, build your voice, and force people to pay attention

    Memorable Quotes:

    • “The studios … they are incredibly self‑aware about the moment that the industry is in … but they’re also like incredibly open to trying new things, giving young filmmakers a chance.”

    • “I used to think … in six months from now, if I don’t have my next studio job, I’m a failure or my career is over. And that has been something I’ve accepted: there are successful screenwriters who don’t just do this.”

    • “At the Proof Film Festival … after each short we show a 90‑second statement of intent video from the filmmaker saying: ‘Here’s my plan for the next phase of this project.’”

    • “What I’m looking for in a short: niche world, unique character, something I haven’t seen that way — like niche sports film about a fencer in a character‑driven way.”

    Guests:

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    6 November 2025, 4:00 pm
  • 1 hour 17 minutes
    Do We Even Need Reps? How 'Violent Ends' Director John-Michael Powell Made His Theatrical Feature Without Them

    Director John-Michael Powell joins No Film School to talk about his gritty Southern crime thriller Violent Ends, which hits theaters October 31. Powell shares the winding journey that led to the film’s production—from being dropped from a college art program, to cutting indie films that made it to festivals like Sundance and SXSW, to editing the Emmy-winning Netflix series American Manhunt. Remarkably, he crafted a feature starring Billy Magnussen and Alexandra Shipp—without agents, managers, or festival support. This episode offers a raw, inspiring, and tactical look at building a career from the ground up, how to forge meaningful creative collaborations, and why the cavalry might never come.

    In this episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins and guest John-Michael Powell discuss…

    • How Powell transitioned from music and graphic design to filmmaking

    • Why getting cut from a college program helped shape his resilience

    • The long road from writing Violent Ends in 2013 to securing funding a decade later

    • The strategy behind securing name actors without traditional representation

    • How he used relationships and resourcefulness to get a bidding war

    • What filmmakers should know about real-money offers and escrow

    • Why adaptability and microbudget thinking still matters—on any scale

    • How not having representation can actually work in your favor

    • Building a production company (Midnight Road) and what’s coming next

    Memorable Quotes:

    • "I got cut. I got the axe."

    • "The most powerful tool you have as a filmmaker is your feet."

    • "I took out 'editor' and put in just 'director and writer.'"

    • "Violent Ends did not get accepted to any festivals… and we sold it to IFC."

    Guests:

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    31 October 2025, 3:00 pm
  • 52 minutes 25 seconds
    Why the Austin Film Festival Is #1 for Screenwriters (and Could Texas Be #1 for Film Production?)

    In this episode, No Film School founder Ryan Koo sits down with contributor and fellow Austinite Jourdan Aldredge to recap the highlights and insights from the 32nd annual Austin Film Festival. Known as "The Writers Festival," AFF has emerged as a critical space for screenwriters, writer-directors, and filmmakers to connect, learn, and showcase their work. Ryan and Jourdan discuss how the festival nurtures emerging talent, supports the craft of screenwriting, and uniquely prioritizes writers. They also dig into the implications of Texas's new film incentive, SB 22, and what it means for the future of production in the Lone Star State.

    In this episode, No Film School’s Ryan Koo and Jourdan Aldredge discuss...

    • Why the Austin Film Festival is considered the top screenwriting festival

    • The unique setup of AFF with its focus on panels and Q&As over red carpets

    • Highlights from panels with Michael Arndt, Celine Song, Christine Vachon, and Rian Johnson

    • Screenwriter Andrew Kevin Walker's brutally honest take on breaking in

    • The inspiring breakout story of writer Austin Kolodny and Dead Man’s Wire

    • The economics of the film industry and why 90–97% of films don’t make money

    • True stories as a strong route into the industry for aspiring screenwriters

    • Texas's new $1.5 billion film incentive and how it could change U.S. production hubs

    • Concerns about creative censorship tied to discretionary state grants

    • The continued power of writing on spec, especially in genre like horror and action

    Memorable Quotes:

    • "The artist is not the beggar for the producer's attention.”

    • "I'm willing to bet the next two years of my life that that's a great ending."

    • "There are a lot of us knocking at the door... We may do it for free for years."

    • "You could get a coursework over a weekend at the Austin Film Festival."

    Resources:

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    30 October 2025, 3:00 pm
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