A podcast about how to build a career in filmmaking. No Film School shares the latest opportunities and trends for anyone working in film and TV. We break news on cameras, lighting, and apps. We interview leaders in screenwriting, directing, cinematography, editing, and producing. And we answer your questions! We are dedicated to sharing knowledge with filmmakers around the globe, “no film school” required.
In this episode, GG Hawkins sits down with director Steven Feinartz and editor Derek Boonstra, two members of the team behind 'Are We Good?', an intimate documentary following comedian Marc Maron as he navigates grief, healing, and finding humor in the darkest moments. Together, they share how the project came to life, how they came together, the challenges of balancing comedy and vulnerability, and the ethical and emotional complexities of telling someone else’s deeply personal story.
The conversation explores the collaborative dynamic between director and editor, unexpected discoveries in the cutting room, and the powerful reactions the film has sparked in audiences. It’s an honest, behind-the-scenes look at crafting a documentary that’s as funny as it is profound.
In this episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins and guests Steven and Derek discuss…
The inspiration and origin of Are We Good?
Navigating the balance between humor and grief
How editorial choices shaped the emotional arc of the film
Their creative collaboration and building trust in the edit room
Ethical considerations when working with such personal material
Surprising audience reactions and what they’ve learned from them
Advice for filmmakers on telling vulnerable, authentic stories
Guests:
Resources:
Details on 'I Really Love My Husband' showtimes & tickets: https://www.instagram.com/ireallylovemyhusbandmovie/
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In this episode of the No Film School Podcast, GG Hawkins presents two riveting conversations that push boundaries and challenge cultural taboos. First, she interviews Michael Taylor Jackson, writer, director, and star of the radically inventive film Orange Underground (Bajo Naranja), a satirical, punk-infused narrative born out of the Argentine quarantine. Then, she speaks with Kate Downey, creator and host of the podcast CRAMPED, which explores the hidden pain and social invisibility surrounding menstruation. Together, these conversations highlight how bold, personal storytelling can become an act of protest and empowerment.
In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins and guests discuss...
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In this episode, GG Hawkins sits down with Emmy and ACE Eddie-nominated editor Isaac Hagy, whose emotionally charged and visually inventive work includes Waves, Atlanta, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, and The Friend. Known for his moody and immersive editing style, Hagy shares how he found his voice as an editor, the unconventional path that led him to Atlanta, and the creative and technical strategies that shape his work. He also dives into his Adobe Premiere workflow, the importance of collaboration, and how intuition—and his pit bull Blue—help fuel his storytelling.
In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins and guest Isaac Hagy discuss...
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In this episode, GG Hawkins sits down with Derick Rhodes, VP of Community at Vimeo, to dive into how Vimeo continues to be a crucial hub for independent filmmakers. Derick reveals the behind-the-scenes process of how Vimeo Staff Picks are curated, the platform’s renewed focus on supporting creators, and the company’s evolving role in global film culture. From new streaming options to global partnerships and grassroots community support, this conversation paints a comprehensive picture of where Vimeo is heading and why it remains vital for indie creatives.
In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins and guest Derick Rhodes discuss...
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Guests:
Derick Rhodes - VP of Community, Vimeo
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In this episode, GG Hawkins speaks with writer-director Alessandra Lacorazza about her award-winning film In the Summers, which took home both the U.S. Grand Jury Prize and Best Director at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. Lacorazza shares the deeply personal roots of the film, the tumultuous road to production, and the pressures of staying true to a creative vision in the face of industry challenges. The conversation dives into casting across timelines, editorial discovery, and the intense final days before Sundance. It's an intimate and inspiring look at how a deeply personal, quietly powerful film almost didn't get made—and why it ultimately resonated so profoundly.
In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins and guest Alessandra Lacorazza discuss...
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In the Summers is now available to stream on Hulu.
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This week on the No Film School Podcast, GG Hawkins sits down with Pete Docter, Chief Creative Officer at Pixar Animation Studios and the visionary behind films like Monsters, Inc., Up, Inside Out, and Soul. The conversation dives deep into the creative process behind Pixar’s latest original feature Elio, and how Pixar’s iterative storytelling model has evolved over the years. Pete shares actionable insights on how filmmakers—whether working at a major studio or independently—can embrace change, vulnerability, and creative discovery to build resonant stories.
In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins and guest Pete Docter discuss...
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Filmmakers Peter Hall and Paul Gandersman join No Film School's GG Hawkins to discuss their chilling feature debut Man Finds Tape, premiering in the “Escape from Tribeca” section at the 2025 Tribeca Festival. The Texas-based writer-director duo explores their found-footage horror hybrid, rooted in documentary realism and intimate character drama. They dive deep into the film’s decade-long evolution, DIY production tactics, narrative experimentation, and the collaborative scrappiness that made their micro-budget creature feature resonate on a grand scale.
In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins and guests discuss:
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In this episode, GG Hawkins is joined by writer-director duo (and real-life couple) David Joseph Craig and Brian Crano to discuss their new film I Don’t Understand You, a genre-bending dark comedy starring Nick Kroll and Andrew Rannells. The film follows a couple on a babymoon in Italy that spirals into chaos and violence. Craig and Crano share their process of fictionalizing their own adoption journey, balancing collaboration as married filmmakers, and navigating international co-productions. They also dive into the mechanics of shooting stunts, working with passionate collaborators, and sustaining a creative life while parenting.
In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins and guests David Joseph Craig and Brian Crano discuss...
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In this episode of the No Film School Podcast, GG Hawkins welcomes back filmmaker Janek Ambros to dive deep into the wild origin and evolution of his second feature film, Mondo Hollywoodland. The conversation spans everything from a life-changing phone call with Francis Ford Coppola to the chaotic, experimental production process of an iPhone-shot psychedelic satire. Ambros shares how a rogue spirit, a skeleton crew, and the mantra "just make something" powered his creative journey. He also discusses the challenges of distribution, finding a cult audience, and why the edit room is his happy place.
In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins and guest Janek Ambros discuss...
How Francis Ford Coppola inspired the DIY ethos behind Mondo Hollywoodland
Why the film is more of a spiritual successor than a direct sequel to the 1967 cult doc Mondo Hollywood
The experimental, no-crew production process using an iPhone and real locations
Casting friends and local oddballs to match the film’s bizarre, countercultural tone
How the film’s editing and narrator shape its chaotic narrative
Navigating COVID-era distribution and marketing challenges
Ambros’s dual approach to career-building: make art, but also think commercially
Why learning to produce is essential for emerging filmmakers
Memorable Quotes:
"You should just make a movie with your iPhone with your friends if you don’t have money."
"We didn’t have a cinematographer. We have a camera op. That’s really it."
"It was just totally the freest form of filmmaking."
"Editing is definitely my favorite part of filmmaking. Everything else is a necessary evil just to edit."
Guests:
Resources:
Screening Tickets – June 8, 6 p.m. at Lumineer Music Hall, Beverly Hills
Assembly Line Entertainment on Instagram: @assemblylineent,
Mondo Hollywoodland on Instagram: @mondohollywoodland
Janek on Twitter: @janekambros88
Assembly Line Entertainment on Twitter: @assemblylineent
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This episode of the No Film School Podcast is a deep dive into the often opaque world of film finance, distribution, and foreign pre-sales. GG Hawkins hosts the episode and is joined by filmmakers Stephen Cedars and Benji Kleiman, as well as special guest Mike Chapman from Bluefinch Films. Together, they explore what it takes to get a film made and sold in today’s unpredictable global market. From debunking myths about foreign pre-sales to discussing how to attract investors and get your film noticed at festivals, this is an essential listen for indie filmmakers navigating the post-production and sales process.
In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins and guests discuss...
The harsh realities of the current acquisitions and distribution market
Why understanding distribution from the beginning helps you fund your movie
The value (and limitations) of foreign pre-sales and cast attachments
What sales agents look for in a pitch, and how to present a compelling deck
Why comps in pitch decks can be misleading or counterproductive
Navigating film festivals and markets like Cannes, Berlin, and Toronto effectively
Practical tips for raising money without burning out or making costly mistakes
Memorable Quotes:
“Nobody knows anything in the film industry.”
“Every birth is a miracle. Editors are midwives. We could really keep this metaphor going.”
“You’ve got to be bold. If it just feels like a lower-budget version of something the studio’s making, they’ll just watch the studio version.”
“If it is a good film, it will find a way to cut through.”
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