The Meteoric Rise of Chandler Levack - Just Shoot It 523

Where do you fit in, as a director? That’s what Matt and Oren are talking about on this episode of Just Shoot It!What does that mean? Think of this: what makes you just the right director for a certain script, or a certain commercial spot? Is it your ability to write quirky quick-paced dialogue and convince people to fund it? Or is it your unique way of shooting walk and talks that makes it easy for agencies to sell you to their brands?In this episode Matt and Oren share about their journey to find out how they fit in. And that journey starts, believe it or not, with understanding that the journey exists. And that’s why the guys dive into why it can be so difficult to identify the elements of your filmmaking that are unique to your life experiences, point of view, and your personality.And they also talk about the next step, which might even be harder. And that is, once you know who you are, how do you communicate it through your reel and track-record of projects in a way that makes sense to producers, agencies, and clients?This is an episode you won’t want to miss that goes into the subtleties a-b-o-u-t your directing, that can be even more important to your success as your director. Not what you do to audiences, but how you get it across to people that can hire you.Help Matt's film: https://wefunder.com/badfeelingHelp our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/JustShootItPodMatt's Endorsement: John Wilson: How To Make a Podcast | Doomscroll https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLhBO-_I34kOren's Endorsement: Vehicle Motion Cues iPhone feature https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/iphone-comfortably-riding-a-vehicle-iph55564cb22/ios Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chandler Levack https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5576953 made 3 feature films. One with a $250,000 budget, and the last with a $30 million budget for Netflix. How did that happen?Matt and Oren dive into how Chandler met Adam Sandler. And the answer is, she made herself the only director for the job.Check out this amazing story from a Canadian filmmaker!Help Matts' film: https://wefunder.com/badfeelingHelp our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/JustShootItPodMatt's Endorsement: "Akira" https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094625/Oren's Endorsement: "The Big Picture" podcast episode with Steven Spielberg https://open.spotify.com/episode/6p0EBj4y9VkLfNOcwFUJbPChandler's Endorsement: "Dead Lover" https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27378311 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Annemarie Jacir has an amazing career that span directing for Hulu’s “Ramy” with comic Ramy Youssef, as well as jurying for Telluride, Cannes, and Sundance. And she chats with Oren and Matt about bringing her latest film “Palestine 36” to life.Jeremy Irons stars in this Oscar-submitted film, Annemarie’s fourth, that played at TIFF and AFI. Set in Palestine in 1936, this historical fiction weaves between events in recent memory to tell a story about Palestinian villages’ revolt against British colonial rule.And on the pod, Annemarie shares her love of filmmaking and the pursuit of their 8-year long project, the funding, the controversy, as well as the details and passion behind the production design and architectural accuracy. And she describes a level of commitment and passion far exceeding the Hollywood norm.Yet when asked if this is a political film, the discussion transcends the cultural flashpoints. You won’t want to miss this episode if you want to understand “what is filmmaking”. Because on this episode Matt and Oren explore that question from perspectives film schools may not.Find Annemarie on IG @annamariajacir or @palestine36film and the website is Palestine36.com.---Help Matts' film: https://wefunder.com/badfeelingHelp our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/JustShootItPodMatt's Endorsement: 100 or 1000 Water balloon filler https://www.amazon.com/Water-Balloons-Swimming-Outdoor-Summer/dp/B0GWD8XGWK/Oren's Endorsement: How to Speak by Patirck Winston, on YouTube https://youtu.be/Unzc731iCUY?si=82KVMF9jIyfDH-n9Annemarie's Endorsement: A ceramic self-watering device for plants https://www.amazon.com/Reifier-10-Pack-Natural-Watering-Spikes/dp/B0BGQPKLCP Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You know them as BriTANick https://www.britanick.com/ and their latest feature, “Pizza Movie” debuts on Hulu on April 3! Now Brian McElhaney and Nick Kocher join Matt and Oren and reveal how they keep new ideas flowing.These guys have written for SNL and “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” and they were the voice of Comedy Central. But they learned a lot shooting this feature, their first departure from a run-and-gun, indie style.Working with DP Bella Gonzales highlighted both the freedom and constraints that come with a bigger budget. It was different, but at the end of the day, they found a way you can use to keep doing the things you always have, with your “travelling carnival family”.Matt and Oren chat about the science of timing. What’s the cadence of comedy? Is there a science to timing and beats? And can you boil it down to a unifying theory of timing --- one where scary movies and funny movies are really the same art?Best of all, there’s some honest talk about that constant feeling of “damn, what I’m seeing isn’t what I’m really, really happy with”. And strategies you can use to move on, and not let it hamper your work.Follow BriTANick on https://www.youtube.com/c/britanick and https://www.patreon.com/BriTANicK--- Help Matts' film: https://wefunder.com/badfeelingHelp our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/JustShootItPodMatt's Endorsement: the director's commentary for the "The Witch" by Nick Robinson on YouTubeOren's Endorsement: Go Kart kit for the Gyroor Hoverboard https://www.amazon.com/Rsq-Nylon-Shorts-Black-Medium/dp/B0FBLGQMSY?ref_=ast_sto_dp&psc=1Brian's Endorsement: "Nasal Fresh MD" nasal flushNick's Endorsement: Playboy Magazine's Collection of Interviews With Directors: the Book Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Travis Wood & Alex Mallis are living the director’s dream! Their feature film "The Travel Companion" https://thetravelcompanionfilm.com/ premiered at Tribeca, they have distribution through Oscilloscope, and they’re touring theaters across the country. And now they're on to the next big thing, and this time the goal is to make one dollar on their next film.And that’s how they start chatting with Matt and Oren about the importance of the metrics and ruler you choose to value yourself. And why that is so important as a filmmaker today.Ten years ago, there were a lot more outlets looking for films. But if you were around then, you probably remember hearing the same thing about the market ten years before that! Fast-forward to eight years ago, and picture this – that’s the day Travis wrote an email to Oren, hoping to connect and pick his brain about how to get directing opportunities in LA.Since then, Travis landed a Vimeo staff pick under their belt. And they took an idea they hatched at a film festival and turned it into a feature. But it was far from easy. And man, did they learn a lot about finding financiers, writing dialogue that sounds real, and how to keep having fun through the long years of waiting for people to respond and money to come in.And Matt really keys in on the advice they have on how to keep control over your filmmaking process, even when everything seems like it’s dependent on others. This is an uplifting episode with a lot of great practical tips and ways to go about your filmmaking process in 2026!Help Matt's film: https://wefunder.com/badfeelingHelp our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/JustShootItPodMatt's Endorsement: Kurosawa's "High and Low" https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057565/Oren's Endorsement: The 12-liter dog poop trash can is the ideal sizeTravis's Endorsement: Chip's Ahoy CookiesAaron's Endorsement: "Teddy Out of Tune" https://www.teddyoutoftune.com/ is re-releasing on Blu-ray Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aaron Pagniano https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3142582/ talks about their new micro-budget feature film "It Needs Eyes" and they share secrets to overcoming hurdles when you don’t have a ton of money to play with.Matt and Oren get a lot of info, like how much money you really net when you raise, say $60,000 on Kickstarter. As well as the secret to affording 35 mm film stock and a Panavision when your budget is limited.Aaron’s big on building a crew that is excited to work within the budget. And they’ve learned a lot about writing the script to your budget and skillset. And if you’re trying to get your film distributed, Aaron has some insight into shady sales agents and distribution companies and all the ways they will get your film in and cheat you out of the upside and reward.Find Aaron at https://www.formidablefilefilms.com/ and on IG @formidablefilefilmsHelp Matts' film: https://wefunder.com/badfeelingHelp our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/JustShootItPodMatt's Endorsement: Chris Gethard on "The Vulture" podcast and the nature of DIY and punk rock ethics in comedy, and there's no longer a middle class of comedy.Oren's Endorsement: The Original Proper Popper Silicone Microwave Bowl and "The Pitt" on HBOAaron's Endorsement: Colorado Gators & Reptile Park https://www.coloradofunguide.com/colorado-gators-reptile-park/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As directors, we live a very atypical work life. And Carlyn joins Oren and Matt to clear the air about some frustrations they all share about producers and crew who just aren’t meeting the grade.In any given year, a working director will interview for 150 commercial opportunities and land 20 or so. So while the rest of the world applies for 150 jobs and gets scores of interviews, and lands a few offers for employment for several years, a director interviews a ton to get 20 jobs that maybe last 1 week each.So it’s all about client service. Getting asked back (i.e. repeat business). Not getting bogged down fixing yesterday’s shoot, and having it impact the next pitch you’re working. And, doing the little things that make clients really enjoy working with you.With stiff competition from other directors, who you choose to be on your team is critical to creating work you feel good about and making sure there’s time to do the job 100% awesome.So what about those people you’ve known forever, but just aren’t bringing the level of work you’ve come to expect from them – whether DP, cam op, production designer, producer, or even PA? How do you let them know? You certainly don’t want to be a d**k, and you’re aware of their feelings, but what’s the best way to get the truth in the air? And how do you know when to move or split up?This episode is an open door on the complaining that’s usually private. And it’s also the episode with solutions for you as a director, producer, DP, or any crew member on set or off.----Help Matts' film: https://wefunder.com/badfeelingHelp our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/JustShootItPodMatt's Endorsement: Chloe Zhao "Hamnet" Dance TapesOren's Endorsement: The Original Proper Popper Silicone Microwave BowlCarlyn's Endorsement: The Peanut Ball spine massager. And Fage Greek Yogurt with grapefruit, pistachios, and a touch of flake salt. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt and Oren spend some time figuring out how to be a normal human being in a world where there’s so much that isn’t normal anymore. We’re way past the new normal!!Like, can you really pitch a potential client on how much you love their toilet paper while your family can’t travel and worry about the next round of incoming missiles?OK, as a commercial director or a filmmaker in general, you know this time of year is slow. Heck, it’s tough enough as it is. Never mind the endless opportunities to accidentally getting caught in the doom scroll of seeing how much everyone else is on set when it seems like all your opportunities are on hold.It’s a weird time, Matt points out. Like, there are families of actors raising money on GoFundMe. And these people had careers on shows and films where, it used to be, the residuals were to die for. But now in 2026, who is making money in the business of LA and Hollywood?It seems you’re either working your a** off, or marketing yourself to get the next gig. (read as… working your a** off in a non-fun way). And at the end of the day, is there ever time to let your brain work as it should (or rather rest as it should), so you can truly be creative??!If you’re looking for ways to stay inspired, creatively, or for energy to simply keep in the game, this is an episode you won’t want to miss!---Help Matts' film: https://wefunder.com/badfeelingHelp our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/JustShootItPodMatt's Endorsement: In Gmail, in the url replace "inbox" with "sub" and you can see all the bulk mail you are signed up for.Oren's Endorsement: Trader Joe's Thai Style Yellow Curry Potato Chips."Night of the Seven Kingdoms", part of the Game of Thrones world, and sequel to the "House of the Dragon"   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sarah May Bates https://www.sarahmaybates.com/ is an AI director, and she’s been getting lots of work! And Matt and Oren dive deep into how she makes that happen. She’s joined by actor Susan Song.Sarah has a clear line for AI usage. And it comes down to what are you in this for? Do you love the organic aspect of filmmaking and discovery, where what you plan isn’t always what you get? Like, in a good way.Because if you’re not, you might prefer the robotic precision of AI.But be careful of being tricked into believing that’s what brands want, especially the top brands you want to work for.At the end of the day, Sarah believes human oversight is at the core of what creatives do. Like, why would you want to have AI write your script, or even your email? That’s what you do, and that’s what makes you who you are!Here’s the golden rule: if the medium is leading, then you are failing.What does that mean? Don’t fall into the trap of creating AI for the sake of filling the request. Instead, Sarah recommends letting the creative work find what it wants to be!This is the episode you want to hear as an actor, filmmaker, or anyone in the industry looking for some sense of purpose, foundation, and compass for what’s happening in AI!Connect with Sarah at https://www.yaywithme.comConnect with Susan on IG @sujjang012---Help Matts' film: https://wefunder.com/badfeelingHelp our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/JustShootItPodMatt's Endorsement: Send Help https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8036976/Nick Lutsko's song for the Manscaped Super Bowl Commercial https://www.local3news.com/local-news/update-chattanooga-artist-nick-lutsko-composes-song-for-national-super-bowl-commercial/article_dd5d9cd0-9c5a-4565-a1af-1dfe3d1ffdda.htmlSarah's Endorsement: The UPA Cartoon "Rooty Toot Toot" https://cartoonresearch.com/index.php/the-70th-anniversary-of-rooty-toot-toot/ The documentary on the animation company UPA https://www.cartoonbrew.com/documentary-2/animation-mavericks-the-forgotten-story-of-upa-documentary-258284.html The book "Bird by Bird", by Anne Lamott https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/97395/bird-by-bird-by-anne-lamott/Susan's Endorsement: See the Backstreet Boys at the Sphere, in Las VegasOren's Endorsement: @stuffaboutadvertising on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Natasha Kermani talks about casting Sophie Turner in her latest film “The Dreadful” https://www.imdb.com/title/tt30842022/ and it’s amazing how she connected with Sophie and demonstrated why this project was a great fit for her trajectory as an actor.But when Matt and Oren dig into the details of the one thing Natasha said in her letter that sealed the deal, they get a big surprise.This is a great episode that explores Natasha’s love for the details, discovering Cornwall, and finding the right combinations of textures, imagery and dialect to tell this story. With Kit Harington and Marcia Gay Harden also on board, this was a film that had to deliver. And Natasha shot it in just 18 days.Finding the right connection with a DP to make such a tight schedule work, without having to panic, can be tricky. And Natasha talks about how she never threw out the shotlist, but always stayed committed to rewriting each day, to keep the creative work intact with the vision.From specialized dialects developed just for this film, to finding locations to which she specifically wrote scenes of the film, it’s an amazing story of an auteur at work. And through all of this she brought her daughter into the world, and you get to see her on the pod!This is the episode that shows great work can be done while raising a family in LA. Yes, you too can find the time to make family and work as a filmmaker a lifestyle!Find Natasha on IG @natakerm---Help our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/JustShootItPodMatt's Endorsement: Italian Paperclips from Dell'era Giuseppe https://www.delleragiuseppe.com/en/stationery/paper-clips/ Oren's Endorsement: Get a DIT who will upload to iCloud as you go without waiting til the end of the shoot.Natasha's Endorsement: KUSC classical radio https://www.kusc.org/ and just listening t o the radio in general.Chuck Kinnane's Endorsement from last time: Riehle's Select Popcorn https://www.selectpopcorn.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.