Unlearning Grind Culture With Oscar-Winning Editor Paul Rogers

In this episode, GG Hawkins is joined by Shelby Schultz, Director of Programming at LOOK Cinemas. Shelby shares her insights into the complex and often misunderstood world of theatrical exhibition, from how she discovers films to what drives the decision-making process behind booking movies in theaters. Drawing from her extensive background in distribution, financing, and development, Shelby explains how indie filmmakers can better position their projects for theatrical success, the importance of knowing your audience, and the evolving role of movie theaters in the digital age. In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins and guest Shelby Schultz discuss... How Shelby’s background in film led her to become a theater programmer The process LOOK Cinemas uses to discover and book films Why strong marketing and audience engagement matter more than ever for indie films The importance of trailer placement and timing when planning a theatrical run The metrics used to evaluate a film’s success in theaters How filmmakers can effectively pitch their projects to theater chains Seasonal trends in theatrical programming and when indie films have the best shot How audience behavior has shifted post-COVID and why theaters are still thriving The critical role local support plays in theatrical success Memorable Quotes: "Quality doesn’t always get people to the theater... so we have to find ways to work together with our filmmaker partners." "I don’t necessarily need comps. I just want to know that you know who your audience is and how to reach them." "Success can just look like having one sold out show in your hometown." "Don’t be afraid to reach out to your local theater. We want to represent you." Resources: LOOK Cinemas Film Independent Spirit Awards Find No Film School everywhere: On the Web: No Film School Facebook: No Film School on Facebook Twitter: No Film School on Twitter YouTube: No Film School on YouTube Instagram: No Film School on Instagram  📩 Send us an email with questions or feedback: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, GG Hawkins speaks with writer-director-producer Nora Fiffer about her debut feature Another Happy Day, and how she achieved a rare feat in indie filmmaking: shooting on strict eight‑hour days while providing on‑set childcare. The two explore how this family-friendly approach—driven by Fiffer's own journey into motherhood—shaped every stage of production, from scheduling and budgeting to set morale and creative decision-making. In this episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins, and guest Nora Fiffer discuss… The personal impetus behind Another Happy Day—how motherhood inspired the story and production values Creating a collaborative, theater-informed mindset that fueled preparation and efficiency Concrete strategies for implementing eight‑hour shooting days and on‑set childcare as non-negotiables in budget and schedule How fewer setups, lean shot lists, and actor preparation maximized time and morale Using fixed creative constraints as generative tools—not limitations Securing talent like Lauren Lapkus, Carrie Coon, and Marilyn Dodds Frank through personalized writing and deep connections Pitching the film to investors with equity and inclusion baked into its DNA (childcare prominently featured, even in opening credits) The importance of making such practices visible to normalize them across the industry Lessons learned in post-production—how the same efficiency and clarity from production didn’t automatically carry over How Fiffer plans to carry this ethos forward in future projects Memorable Quotes “What the priority was emerging to shoot eight‑hour days, in addition to providing childcare, this now impacted how we were going to shoot it even before we got to production.” “By prioritizing childcare and the eight‑hour days in the budget… that was untouched.” “Everyone came with fresh ideas.” “I planned every moment, every beat… I knew the script, the story, the characters and the edit in my head so well.” Guests: Nora Fiffer — Writer, director, producer, actor of Another Happy Day Resources: Nora Fiffer, Another Happy Day I Really Love My Husband Instagram Find No Film School everywhere: On the Web: No Film School (https://nofilmschool.com/) Facebook: No Film School on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschool) Twitter: No Film School on Twitter (https://twitter.com/nofilmschool) YouTube: No Film School on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschool) Instagram: No Film School on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/nofilmschool) 📩 Send us an email with questions or feedback: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the No Film School Podcast, GG Hawkins sits down with filmmaker Macon Blair to discuss his journey from scrappy DIY filmmaking in Virginia to directing the 2025 reimagining of the cult classic The Toxic Avenger. The film hits theaters today, and Blair shares how he balanced homage and originality, kept the humor grounded in absurdity, and tackled the long production process. He also reflects on his start in the industry, the value of creative community, and what it really means to stick it out in an unpredictable industry. In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins and guest Macon Blair discuss... Macon's early days making VHS films with friends and how that creative community shaped his career The years-long journey from writing spec scripts to directing Sundance winner I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore How Macon was approached to write The Toxic Avenger and how it evolved into his directorial role Reimagining a cult classic while staying true to its outrageous tone and aesthetic How comedy and absurdity play into horror and action, and the challenge of balancing tone The production process in Bulgaria and collaborating with an international crew Designing the film’s gritty, stylized world—from production design to costumes and camera movement Lessons from the editing room and how to let audience feedback shape the final cut Macon’s advice for emerging filmmakers about perseverance, collaboration, and flexibility Memorable Quotes: “I just wanted to do something with movies... if it's writing, great. If it's acting, great. If it's driving a truck, great.” “We would just pitch things back and forth, and if a line or a reaction would get a laugh from enough people, then it would be like, alright, put it in the movie.” “You have to be flexible enough or open enough to kind of be like, oh, I didn’t construct things the correct way. And I kind of owe it to you for you to not be confused.” “Preparation versus flexibility—having everything prepared to the nth degree, and being prepared to totally drop it if you need to.” Guests: Macon Blair Resources: Macon Blair on I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore (No Film School interview) Get tickets to The Toxic Avenger (Look Cinemas) Follow GG Hawkins’s feature I Really Love My Husband on Instagram Find No Film School everywhere: On the Web: No Film School Facebook: No Film School on Facebook Twitter: No Film School on Twitter YouTube: No Film School on YouTube Instagram: No Film School on Instagram  📩 Send us an email with questions or feedback: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

No Film School delves into the high-pressure, fast-paced world of sketch comedy editing on Saturday Night Live's historic 50th Anniversary special. The episode features returning guest Ryan Spears—four-time Emmy nominee and Film Unit editor at SNL—joined by longtime collaborators Daniel Garcia and Paul Del Gesso. Together, they share insider stories on crafting memorable montages, rediscovering archival gems, navigating the evolution from analog to digital workflows, and ultimately earning their first-ever team nomination for the anniversary special. In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins, and guests discuss… How the SNL editorial team collaborated on the 50th Anniversary special, blending archival material and creative reels into a unified piece. The rediscovery of forgotten gems—like Tom Hanks’s softball clip—and deciding what made the final cut. Technical and generational shifts in editing: from film and DIY workflows to 4K raw editing, searchable transcripts, advanced VFX, and speedy turnaround. Adapting to new creative tools, such as APM’s sound‑alike search and 3D animation techniques like the Cheeto character. Balancing fast cuts with breathing room—tailoring pacing to fit the tone, whether it’s surreal whimsy or a more paced parody like White Lotus. Managing chaos: keeping cool under pressure during live edits, system failures, and last-minute creative changes. Advice for aspiring SNL editors: start as assistant editors, build a strong reel (even outside comedy), check your ego at the door, and learn the collaborative workflow. Memorable Quotes “It really was just this kind of like hot, like this sort of like melting pot of ideas…” “Tom Hanks is playing softball with these kids… he’s playing the real version of Tom Hanks… super competitive.” “We’ve jumped to 4K and we’re editing raw… now you’re transcribing your sequences too… What a game changer.” “Every joke to the frame pretty much.” “It’s a learned craft… some people could do it and some people can.” Guests Ryan Spears is a Film Unit editor at SNL and four time Emmy nominee for work including “I’m Just Pete”, “Mario Kart”, and “Murder Show”. He’s also cut for the shows “The Amber Ruffin Show”, “Teenage Euthanasia”, the film “Citizen Weiner” and the Hulu standup “Matteo Lane: The Al Dente Special”. He’s currently a commercial editor based in New York at The Den Editorial. Daniel Garcia – Daniel Garcia has been a video editor at SNL for 10 years.  His work on the show includes editing weekly promos, pretapes such as PDD’s “Hard Seltzer”, and the Emmy winning digital series Creating SNL. Paul Del Gesso is a Film Unit Editor at SNL, where he was previously Emmy nominated for "Bowen's Straight." Additionally, Paul is a writer and producer, and is Head of Production at Warrior Queen Inc. Resources I Really Love My Husband on Instagram: @iReallyLovemyhusbandmovie Find No Film School everywhere: On the Web: No Film School Facebook: No Film School on Facebook Twitter: No Film School on Twitter YouTube: No Film School on YouTube Instagram: No Film School on Instagram Send us an email with questions or feedback: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the No Film School Podcast, GG Hawkins sits down with Oscar-winning editor Paul Rogers, best known for his work on Everything Everywhere All at Once. Paul opens up about his journey from Alabama to Hollywood, founding the post-production company Parallax, and how personal experiences—like fatherhood and burnout—reshaped his approach to creativity and work. The conversation dives deep into balancing artistic passion with sustainable working habits, challenging the toxic grind culture in filmmaking, and embracing a more holistic view of success in the industry. In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins, Jason Hellerman, and guest Paul Rogers discuss... The origins of Paul's career and his path to editing How Parallax was founded and its evolving mission The “one for me, one for them” model—redefining it for sustainability How COVID redefined Paul’s understanding of work-life balance Setting boundaries in the film industry and learning to say no The creative benefits of rest and “collecting experiences” How fame after winning an Oscar impacted his workflow Memorable Quotes: "Surviving wasn't thriving... and I really wanted to thrive." "You can get to flow state through burnout, or through joy. Joy is just harder." "You're going to start regurgitating the same ideas creatively over and over again." "Have life outside of filmmaking… be collectors, not recyclers.” Guests: Paul Rogers Resources: Parallax Everything Everywhere All at Once BLKNWS: Terms and Conditions (upcoming) Find No Film School everywhere: On the Web: No Film School Facebook: No Film School on Facebook Twitter: No Film School on Twitter YouTube: No Film School on YouTube Instagram: No Film School on Instagram 📩 Send us an email with questions or feedback: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of the No Film School Podcast welcomes back Charles Haine, who hosts a compelling conversation with filmmaker Aditya Kripalani and lead actors Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Chitrangada Satarupa. The group discusses their latest film I'm Not an Actor, a cross-continental drama that was shot simultaneously in Mumbai and Frankfurt, using FaceTime as a primary storytelling and production tool. The film follows a virtual connection between a struggling actor and a melancholic retired banker, played by two of India's most compelling talents. They unpack the technological challenges, emotional resonance, and deeply collaborative process behind the movie, from remote acting and directing to editing via FaceTime itself. In this episode, No Film School's Charles Haine and guests discuss... The challenges of filming across two continents using FaceTime How real-life technological constraints enhanced the storytelling Rewriting and reshooting the ending based on audience feedback Using location to reflect character psychology The importance of creating seamless digital intimacy on screen How Apple products unintentionally became integral to the production Remote post-production workflows and their growing normalcy The influence of Richard Linklater and conversational cinema Memorable Quotes: "Technology disappeared. That was the best thing." "I thought, okay, this is my life. This is how you connect. This is the world actually, where I have to survive." "I edited this film on FaceTime... the post-production also happened remotely, just like the film." "It had to feel like a vlog... that's how we were very specific. It has to look like someone's doing a vlog." Guests: Aditya Kripalani Nawazuddin Siddiqui Chitrangada Satarupa Find No Film School everywhere: On the Web: No Film School Facebook: No Film School on Facebook Twitter: No Film School on Twitter YouTube: No Film School on YouTube Instagram: No Film School on Instagram  📩 Send us an email with questions or feedback: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the No Film School Podcast, GG Hawkins sits down with powerhouse writing and showrunning duo Nick Stoller and Francesca Delbanco. The married couple behind hit shows like Friends from College and Platonic discuss the nuances of building a creative career, collaborating with your spouse, and navigating the demands of leading a TV series. They reflect on how their individual writing journeys led them to a shared path, how they approach leadership and tone in a writer's room, and what makes Platonic so personal and relatable. Plus, GG and Jason dive into practical festival PR tips and how to plan for distribution after your film is finished. In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins and guests Nick Stoller & Francesca Delbanco discuss... How Nick and Francesca transitioned from individual careers to a collaborative creative partnership The inspiration and evolution behind Platonic, now in its second season on Apple TV+ Balancing marriage, parenthood, and co-showrunning duties What makes a second season creatively different—and sometimes harder—than a first The dynamics of a writer’s room and the importance of hiring the right voices How to sustain a long-term creative career by following your passions Tactical PR strategies for filmmakers hitting the festival circuit Budgeting for buyer vs. non-buyer film festivals and why it matters Memorable Quotes: "I always say TV and movies are hard to make. There's no reason that you shouldn't try to make it fun." "We both worry about 100 percent of the process together at all times." "Your voice is really all you have as a writer. So make it as specific to you as you possibly can." "When you run out of ideas, that's when the best ideas come.” Guests: Nicholas Stoller Francesca Delbanco Resources: I Really Love My Husband – Instagram I Really Love My Husband Screening w/ In-Person Q&A Find No Film School everywhere: On the Web: No Film School Facebook: No Film School on Facebook Twitter: No Film School on Twitter YouTube: No Film School on YouTube Instagram: No Film School on Instagram  📩 Send us an email with questions or feedback: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special episode of the No Film School Podcast, GG Hawkins sits down with filmmaker duo Talia Shea Levin and Kara Grace Miller to discuss the journey behind their short film Make Me a Pizza—a provocative, hilarious, and genre-blurring short that’s become a viral sensation. Fresh off a big win at the Fantasia Festival’s Frontières 'Short to Feature' competition, Levin and Miller open up about their pitch experience, the creation of their film, the strategic path to building an audience, and what it really takes to turn a short into a feature in today’s film industry. In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins and guests discuss... How Make Me a Pizza evolved from a bit into a film that resonated with audiences and trolls alike The strategy behind their pitch at Fantasia’s Frontières market—and how they clinched the win How building a dedicated fanbase (even with age restrictions on YouTube) became key to their success The value of showing up in person to festivals and pitching events Why going viral with a controversial short can be a career launchpad, not a setback Using limitations (like budget and film stock) as creative tools The importance of community over water bottle tours and industry gatekeeping What’s next after winning the pitch competition—and how they’re navigating the post-Festival whirlwind Memorable Quotes: “We have gotten so much love from the weirdos and the perverts, who we are lucky to call our fans.” “We are starting a cult, and we might get to make a feature film.” “If you got the Uber money, spend the Uber money.” “I didn’t dream of posting on Instagram... but you have to get your art to its audience.” Guests: Talia Shea Levin Kara Grace Miller Resources: Make Me a Pizza Instagram: @ThePizzaMovie Talia's Instagram: @taliashea23 Kara's Instagram: @karagmiller Frontières Market: https://frontieresmarket.com/ Find No Film School everywhere: On the Web: No Film School Facebook: No Film School on Facebook Twitter: No Film School on Twitter YouTube: No Film School on YouTube Instagram: No Film School on Instagram  📩 Send us an email with questions or feedback: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, GG Hawkins and Jason Hellerman sit down with filmmaker and producer Matthew Scheffler, whose unique path through the industry includes five seasons field producing for Last Week Tonight with John Oliver and producing shows like Random Acts of Flyness and Black Twitter: A People's History. Matthew shares his journey from faking his way into the industry to directing his own Victorian horror short The Traveler, while raising three kids and navigating the shifting landscape of indie filmmaking. The episode also revisits the growing frustration Vimeo users in the UK and EU face due to regulatory changes, sparking a larger conversation on platform responsibility and the future of video hosting for filmmakers. In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins, Jason Hellerman, and guest Matthew Scheffler discuss... How Matthew went from commercials in Boston to producing Emmy-winning segments for Last Week Tonight The real challenges of transitioning from production roles into directing How working in production sharpened his creative instincts The long road to making The Traveler, a Victorian horror short shot on Staten Island Why Vimeo has become inaccessible in the UK/EU and what it means for indie filmmakers A listener’s UK-based perspective on the loss of Staff Picks and public search Vimeo’s official response to the criticism and the broader implications of global tech regulation Memorable Quotes: "You kind of lie within the parameters...lying about a location where you live. I agree with you—chances are if I had said I was moving, they would have just given it to my friend who already lives there." "I've never been on a production where the budget matched the creative. Ever." "You just have to decide what you need to cut out—because when you have kids especially, you can't really cut them out." "Filmmakers built Vimeo. They shouldn't forget that." Guests: Matthew Scheffler Resources: The Traveler Instagram: @thetraveler_film Matthew’s Instagram: @ironschef2021 Find No Film School everywhere: On the Web: No Film School Facebook: No Film School on Facebook Twitter: No Film School on Twitter YouTube: No Film School on YouTube Instagram: No Film School on Instagram  📩 Send us an email with questions or feedback: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of the No Film School Podcast features GG Hawkins in conversation with writer-director Sophie Brooks, whose new film Oh, Hi! hits theaters nationwide on July 25, 2025. The film, starring Molly Gordon and Logan Lerman, explores the chaotic, vulnerable, and often hilariously painful world of romantic relationships. Sophie shares her journey of getting from her debut feature The Boy Downstairs to Oh, Hi!, a second feature that took nearly a decade to realize. They discuss the struggles of indie filmmaking, casting chemistry, writing complex characters, and what it truly means to create art that reflects personal truths. In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins and guest Sophie Brooks discuss... Why it took nine years to make a second feature How writing with an actor in mind (Molly Gordon) shaped the character of Iris The challenges and unexpected benefits of filming during/post-COVID How Sophie and her DP crafted a romantic, evolving visual style Writing unlikable yet deeply relatable characters Securing financing when nothing seems to go right The mental toll and unexpected joys of the post-production process Memorable Quotes: "I try really hard as a filmmaker. I try really hard with my friends...but I just want something. Is that so bad?" "You can feel so confident...but it's scary when you haven't done a part of the job in a long time." "There's a big difference between compromising and settling." "I didn’t believe the movie was happening until I was on set." Guest: Sophie Brooks Resources: Sophie Brooks on her first film ‘I Really Love My Husband’ Previews and Director Q&As ‘I Really Love My Husband’ Screenings Find No Film School everywhere: On the Web: No Film School Facebook: No Film School on Facebook Twitter: No Film School on Twitter YouTube: No Film School on YouTube Instagram: No Film School on Instagram  📩 Send us an email with questions or feedback: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices