Shows
The Sights and Sounds PodcastWhy Horror? With Special Guest: Wolfe McReadyHalloween. Hereditary. Hellraiser. Not everyone loves scary movies, but many, like us, absolutely love them. Some filmmakers devote their entire career to the genre, and it's a staple genre for indie and up and coming filmmakers to capitalize on when starting their journey into feature films. But why?That's exactly the question we sat down with writer/director and friend of the show, Wolfe MacReady, to discuss. Wolfe is a talented writer, director, and SFX artist, a frequent collaborator with Jonathan and Courtney on their films, and currently in pre-production for their first feature film, G...2023-10-1341 minThe Sights and Sounds PodcastScripts Aren't Static!We all know the saying "writing is re-writing," but what does that actually mean? And when do you stop re-writing your script? When you start pre-production? The shooting draft? And even when your script is locked - does that mean your story is, too?That's exactly the question Courtney and Jonathan work to answer in this episode of the Sights + Sounds podcast. And while every writer, and every script, and every story, is different, there are definitely some tried and true lessons to learn about getting married to one version of your script or story. Lessons that...2023-09-2642 minThe Sights and Sounds PodcastOppenheimer Should Have Been Boring!2023-09-1245 minThe Sights and Sounds PodcastWhere to Put Your Film: a Discussion on Knowing Where Your Audience Is.Welcome to The Sights + Sounds Podcast, where we unravel the art of filmmaking and explore the boundless possibilities of independent cinema. In this episode, we embark on an illuminating journey to unveil the secrets behind strategically placing your film for ultimate success.Join Courtney and Jonathan as they engage in an insightful discussion on the importance of understanding your audience's preferences. Learn how to decode your audience's desires and curate a tailored distribution strategy that ensures your masterpiece resonates with the right viewers.Dive deep into the world of film platforms as we dissect the b...2023-08-0134 minThe Sights and Sounds PodcastThe Art of Filmmaking on a Budget: Tackling Big Ideas with Shoestring Budgets!In this episode hosts Jonathan and Courtney delve into the crucial topic of budgeting and the art of navigating the challenging waters when the funds don't align with your ambitious vision.Whether you're a budding filmmaker taking your first steps or a seasoned pro seeking a fresh perspective, this episode offers invaluable insights and practical advice. Drawing from their extensive experience in the industry, Jonathan and Courtney candidly share their firsthand encounters with upcoming projects, as well as lessons learned from previous film endeavors.Join us as we uncover the secrets to making your film...2023-07-1847 minThe Sights and Sounds PodcastThe Secrets of Successful Adaptations: What Makes an Adaptation A+Spoiler Alert! In this episode, Jonathan and Courtney discuss the movie adaptation of "Dungeons and Dragons." They also touch upon potential spoilers for other shows and movies, ensuring that listeners stay informed and prepared. Listen at your own risk!______________In this week's installment, hosts Jonathan and Courtney delve into the captivating world of adaptations and explore what truly makes a good transition from video games to TV shows or books to movies. With their extensive professional experience, they offer their expert opinions on the good, the bad, and the ugly aspects of these...2023-07-1153 minThe Sights and Sounds PodcastAudio: Not an After Thought. A Conversation with Ken Baumann.What's the number one reason people give up on an independent film they're watching? It's not the acting. It's not the director or the story falling short. It's the sound. Not only does good (or bad) audio make or break a film, but great sound design, mixing, foley, and ADR are often the elements to truly elevate a film. If a film's visuals are the meat and potatoes of a movie, the sound is the seasoning. Leave it out entirely, and your meal is pretty bland. Use the right amount and the right kind, and yo...2023-07-041h 07The Sights and Sounds PodcastWhen Big Ideas are Challenging: Managing Expectations in Independent FilmmakingJoin Courtney and Jonathan in this insightful episode of The Sights + Sounds Podcast, where they delve deep into the realm of independent filmmaking and explore the crucial art of managing expectations. In the unpredictable world of filmmaking, it's common for aspiring creators to encounter obstacles and face disappointment when their grand visions don't align with reality.In this episode, Courtney and Jonathan share their experiences and expert advice on how to gracefully handle the ups and downs of the creative process. They tackle the common scenario of when your big idea doesn't materialize as envisioned, helping listeners...2023-06-2738 minThe Sights and Sounds PodcastWGA Strike, the AI Takeover, and the Indie Filmmaker (ft. Sammy Pendergrast & Evan Taylor Williams)The WGA is on strike. Hollywood is all but shut down. No, it's not 2008 again, but it IS another, arguably more pressing, pivotal moment in film history. While writers (and soon, possibly SAG-AFTRA actors, too) are fighting for fairer wages, their fight against the man is simultaneously a fight against the machine, as AI threatens to upend the very existence and perceived value of writers, actors, and just about everyone working in the industry.But how does that affect you, the Indie Filmmaker? And what can we, as independent filmmakers and creatives, do to help preserve our...2023-06-2048 minThe Sights and Sounds PodcastSeason 2 Premier! Attitude is Everything!We're BAAAACK!! In this episode, Jonathan and Courtney delve into two crucial aspects of the creative world: the "Fake It Til You Make It" mindset and the essentials of assembling a dynamic "Skeleton Crew" for independent short films. Join us as we uncover the secrets behind these strategies and explore their impact on the filmmaking industry.We begin by exploring the concept of "Fake It Til You Make It" and its relevance to success in creative pursuits. Jonathan and Courtney share their insights on how adopting this mindset can help aspiring filmmakers navigate the challenging landscape, build c...2023-06-1339 minThe Sights and Sounds PodcastA Meeting of the Minds (54 Film Fest Collaboration)The Sights and Sounds is BACK with a special BONUS episode! We sat down with 5 talented filmmakers who all participated in the 54 Film Fest's 2023 competition. If you've listened to our show at all, you've likely heard Jonathan say, "constraints bolster creativity," and this mantra has it's roots in the 54, a timed competition that asks filmmakers to conceive, write, shoot, edit, and deliver a fully realized short film in just 54 hours.With an Actors on Actors style roundtable approach to this special podcast episode, Jonathan and Courtney discussed the creative process with each of these multi-talented filmmakers, covering...2023-03-301h 03The Sights and Sounds PodcastS1:E20: Season Finale! Creative Burnout and Pushing Past it!Creating takes time. And it takes energy. So, it shouldn't surprise us that creating consistently and constantly over time time can be exhausting. Just like anything else, you can start to feel burned out. (Trust us - this is, after all, the FINALE of an ENTIRE season of a podcast - even we're tired!) So, given this is the finale episode of our first season, as we enter into the wintry months of the year, an episode on burnout just felt appropriate. What is creative burnout? Can burnout and exhaustion in general affect your creativity? And most i...2022-10-2549 minThe Sights and Sounds PodcastS1:E19: Discussion and Review of Jordan Peele's NOPE!Once known primarily as a comedic writer, Jordan Peele rapidly made a name for himself as a serious horror writer and director with his debut film, Get Out and then his follow-up, Us. This year saw his most recent outing, Nope, and we can safely say: The first two films weren't flukes.Once again starring Daniel Kaluuya, Nope brings a new spin to the UFO sci-fi and horror tropes, delivering loads and loads of Peele's signature subtext and symbolism into its tight and unusual plot. Join us in this e...2022-10-1837 minThe Sights and Sounds PodcastS1:E18: Becoming a Better Writer: Featuring Faith McQuinn!Writing is HARD. Or, at least, it can be. And that's especially true if you're just learning the principles of writing a good story for the first time, or transitioning your writing from screenwriting to another medium (or vice versa!).So, in today's episode of the Sights and Sounds, we sit down for a chat with Faith McQuinn to do both of those things - and more - with your writing. Faith is a multi-talented, seasoned writer, editor, and director with a writing resume about as long and varied as can be. She's written for feature films...2022-10-1141 minThe Sights and Sounds PodcastS1:E17: Should You Make a Fan Film?Star Wars. Star Trek. Marvel. DC. Overwatch. God of War. They're all different universes and stories, but they all share at least one major focal point: Fans. And some of those fans like to make films. Enter: Fan films!They've become increasingly popular and prolific over the years. Star Wars' fan films like "Darth Maul: Apprentice" and Overwatch fan films like "Heroes Never Die" and "Shadows" - both by our friends over at Lupin Productions - these fan films have incredibly high production value and millions of views. We even have our own fan film under...2022-10-0441 minThe Sights and Sounds PodcastS1:E16: Pushing Past Imposter SyndromeWe all know it. That creeping intrusive thought:“I’m not good enough.”It’s all part of a little thing we like to call “imposter syndrome” and more people experience it than they talk about.Join us as we discuss Imposter Syndrome and pushing through it! Like what you hear?Consider Buying us a Coffee!Looking to sponsor our show?Contact Us!2022-09-2742 minThe Sights and Sounds PodcastS1:E15: Multiple Skillsets!How many times have you caught yourself wondering "how can I get on set more?"Probably quite a few times, yeah?We all ask it! But how does one get on more film sets? Mayhaps rather than asking "how can I get on set more?" we should be asking "what more can I do to get myself on set?" That's where multiple skills come in handy friends!Join us as we discuss why it's important to have multiple skills to offer, and how that will result in you being on set more fr...2022-09-2034 minThe Sights and Sounds PodcastS1:E14: AI Art and You - Is Midjourney an Omen for the Arts?Artificial Intelligence has been growing by leaps and bounds, and now, with the rise of Midjourney, DALL-E, Stable Diffusion, and other popular AI art generators, it's been rapidly invading the worlds of art and creativity. We're even witnessing the forefront of AI music through projects like Google's Magenta, and in the beginnings of AI voiceover and video (and hosts/actors) with services like Synthesia.So, is this the beginning of the end for artists? When AI can start successfully churning out full films and videos, are your days as an independent filmmaker over? Is the truth of...2022-09-1345 minThe Sights and Sounds PodcastS1:E13: Decisions are HardDecisions are hard.And as creatives we’re constantly having to make tough choices. Whether it’s deciding between two projects, or figuring out if a gig is the right fit for you… sometimes the fear of missing out and “what if” can be stressful!In this episode Courtney walks through a simple decision making system that has helped her make some of her tough choices!2022-09-0629 minThe Sights and Sounds PodcastS1:E12: Plot Holes Will Happen!"Does this make sense" is probably one of the most common questions we ask ourselves as filmmakers. Whether you're an actor, writer, director, or cinematographer we are always questioning ourselves.In this episode, Jonathan and Courtney delve into why and WHEN it's okay for things to not "make sense" and why the heart of your film matters more!2022-08-3036 minThe Sights and Sounds PodcastS1:E11: The Career Path of a DirectorSteven Spielberg. Stanley Kubrick. Quentin Tarantino. David Sandberg. James Wan. Sam Raimi. Each one is a great film director. Different styles. Different genre preferences. Different visions. And you know what else? They all got started directing films in different ways.So, how does one become a film director? Most moviegoers don't even really know what a director does - heck, some early filmmakers don't know - so, of course, the question of how to become one can be just as mysterious. We've both worked with our fair share of brilliant directors...2022-08-2343 minThe Sights and Sounds PodcastS1:E10: What Does Film Do Differently?Why do we love film so much?Why can we watch the same movie over and over again and still feel something different, or revisit the same emotions it gave us the first time around!? What makes film, and filmmaking, unique and different from other creative mediums, like music, fine art, and photography? (And in what ways is it similar?)Film is an incredible medium, and in this episode, Courtney and Jonathan speculate the many reasons why film does things differently!All art forms are worthy and amazing in their own right, but what exactly...2022-08-1647 minThe Sights and Sounds PodcastS1:E9: Mistakes?Picture it… it’s 5 years in the future: you’re sitting at your computer, finishing revisions on the 40th cut of your latest short film.“It’s gotta be perfect” you say.Then you hear the ghostly whispers of your friendly neighborhood filmmakers Jonathan and Courtney say:“Done isssss betterrr thaaann perfect!” A chill runs down your spine. “They’re right!” You say. Your film is released on time. You live happily ever after.OOOOOOOOO spooooooooooooky!!!No, but seriously. You’ll be reminding yourself of this episode every time you overanalyze or overthink yo...2022-08-0942 min