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

The 2025 year-end Director's Panel is here! Each year, Matt and Oren have a little cocktail party with some of the past year's guests. It's a chance to reconnect and chat about what went well, what didn't, and what they're hopeful for in the coming year.Carlyn Hudson, Jamaal Parham, and Mercedes Bryce Morgan participate in this first-ever, on-camera, live-to-tape panel. And if you've got questions about the impact of AI on Hollywood and the impact of how movies are getting funded on A-list talent, then this is an episode you won't want to miss!Bringing together directors who have attended TIFF, worked with Jake Gyllenhaal, have films on Hulu, travel the globe, and know how to utilize the JOBS Act to fund films yields a diverse range of topics. And this crew talks about the need to do more with less, finding time to be creative, and further pushing the boundary of what's possible in an 8-hour shoot day. And yeah, AI is a big subject on everyone's minds. But is it really a threat? Or are we all whale hunters nearing extinction?There's a lot of hope and ideas in this episode. Happy New Year, everyone!Find Mercedes on IG @mercedesbrycemorgan or https://www.mercedesmorganfilm.com/Find Carlyn on IG @carlynhudsonFind Jamaal on IG @jamaalparham and @jamsandbash---Help our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/JustShootItPodMatt's Endorsement: Fire extinguishers. AND, the fire department. Oren's Endorsement: Download everything from your phone related to your work projects, weekly () or on some fixed schedule) so you can find it later. Also, James Cameron's interview on "The Town" podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/part-1-james-cameron-on-avatar-misconceptions-ais-skynet/id1612131897?i=1000738091636Mercedes's Endorsement: Photoshop's Remove Tool (currently in Photoshop Beta version)Kind of like Harmonize.ai (which adds shadows and reflections when you add objects to photos)Carlyn's Endorsement; Send words of affirmation to people you appreciate.Jamaal's Endorsement: Akari Sauna with 2 locations in Brooklyn, NY, Greenpoint and Williamsburg https://www.akarisauna.com/. And use saunas as your time to develop creative ideas. Also the book "The Genius of the System: Hollywood Filmmaking in the Studio Era" by Thomas Schatz https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780805046663/thegeniusofthesystem/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bella Gonzales https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7543234/ brings a ton of insight about being a cinematographer on series like Pen 15, Fargo, Alien: Earth, and The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox.It’s a really inspiring episode that made Oren want to pick up a camera and operate again. On the other hand, Bella is a self-described lighting-focused DP (Director of Photography). And her conversation with Matt and Oren details how her approach to cinematography enhances, and perhaps even creates, the world of the show more so than an operator-focused DP.Bella also gets into the playbook for Fargo and the rules of the road that create its uniquely offbeat look. And Bella lays out how this makes audiences feel more like they are inside the story.You won’t want to miss this unique episode with a cinematographer who passionately explains the techniques she uses in the art of her craft.Find Bella on Instagram @bellagonzalesdp---Help our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/JustShootItPodMatt's Endorsement: Ethan Hawke on social mediaOren's Endorsement: a400 round base monopod https://www.ifootagegear.com/products/monopod-a400-roundbaseBella's Endorsement: "The Duellists", movie by Ridley Scott https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075968 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tony Yacenda https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2829241/ , the director from "Chad Powers", "Dave", "American Vandal", and a ton of commercials, joins Oren and Matt. And in this episode, Tony gives us a look into how he jumped like four levels to get his first big break on American Vandal.Then Matt and Oren get Tony to share what it means to rebalance how you think about your role and what makes you an effective team player. Why? Because what you think is right can be a lot different on a show with higher network exposure and increased performance pressure. Wanna sneak-peak? Have the confidence to do your role really well, and care less about how it impacts other people's jobs. Without being an a**hole.Finally, the three share strategies for being an artist who takes every note, without robotically being a yes-man and without sacrificing the cohesiveness of your creative vision. It's a great episode that may flip how you think about directing. And it just may help you skip levels in your career as a director.Find Tony on Instagram @tyacenda---Help our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/JustShootItPodMatt's Endorsement: "Paddington 2", the movie https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4468740/ , Flavacol, flavoring for popcorn, and Wonder Boom bluetooth speaker https://www.ultimateears.com/en-us/shop/p/wonderboom-4Oren's Endorsement: Genius Scan pdf scanning app https://help.geniusscan.com/ Also Premiere Pro has a one-click tool to object mask, in the Beta app.Tony's Endorsment: "Going Dutch", the TV show on FOX. And watch it TV-TV, cable or antenna. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Commercial director NEDA joins Matt and Oren in their first-ever interview from Eastern Europe! NEDA talks about how she gets unique shots, even when working with kids. She shares how she balances freestyle with agency needs and discovers techniques to capture real moments where the kids are being real, and not pretending or acting.Then Matt and Oren get her to explore what type of director can pull off a one-name brand, like NEDA. And the three explore what happens when your career reaches a point where it seems you get asked too often to do what you’re known for. It sounds like a good problem to have, but it can reach an extreme that limits your ability to expand your reel and grow as a creator.You won’t want to miss this episode about getting unique shots, building your unique style, and having the freedom to keep updating your style as you grow your tastes and stay relevant to today’s trends and audiences.You can find NEDA on IG @minka_jones---Help our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/JustShootItPodMatt's Endorsement: "Noir-vember", the film-noir watch-commitment for NovemberOren's Endorsement: GifSki https://gif.ski/ gif makerNEDA's Endorsement: "Twin Peaks", the original David Lynch TV series Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Simon Cellan Jones https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0148116 shares the story of his rise from the mailroom at BBC to become a director on "The Diplomat", "See", "Ballers", and "The Expanse".Then Matt and Oren get Simon to share some tips for working with star talent, like Mark Wahlberg, on his latest film "Family Plan 2". What's the difference between how Mark comes to set compared to Jason Momoa? And what are the factors that go into deciding whether to use a Podcar or a process trailer? The guys get into a lot more, and you can't miss this episode.The three wrap up with a chat about the gritty, cutting-edge films that came out of the 1970s. And they ask the question on everyone's mind: Will we soon see a new renaissance in cutting-edge filmmaking in the next year or two? Find out in this week's episode!Find Simon on Instagram @simon.cellanjones---Help our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/JustShootItPodCome to our event! RSVP at https://events.justshootitpod.com/Dec 10, 2025 at 7:00 PM Lawless Brewing Co.5275 Craner AvenueLos Angeles, CA 91601Matt's Endorsement: Use a warming tray / chafing dish and make hosting parties easier.Oren's Endorsement: "Task" on HBO. "I Love LA" on HBO. And the Robinhood Gold Credit CardSimon's Endorsement: Plant crocuses; yellow is great! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.