Often when I’m doing paperwork, logging footage, color grading or locating the source of weird smells in my studio (cats leaving “presents”)…I will listen to a podcast. There are so many amazingly informative and colorful characters on the interwebz that put out wonderful content on a weekly basis. For me it’s much more than a distraction or a need to be entertained. By listening to passionate, intelligent and humorous people discuss topics they enjoy, I learn by osmosis and find out things I would never have thought to search out for myself.
Here are 6 podcasts I listen to every week…
1. NeedCreative Podcast – The NeedCreative Podcast features independent creative artists Paul Antico and Ben Consoli. Each week Paul and Ben take on topics relevant to the independent film, video, and visual arts worlds, talking about tools, talent, challenges and successes. What makes them stand out is their honesty, passion and down-to-earth dispositions…plus they swear a lot! They’ve had great conversations with filmmakers such as: Shane Hurlbut, Vincent Laforet, Philip Bloom and just recently…they asked me to share my history and experiences as a film editor. Their podcast is (in their own words) like having a virtual beer with fellow filmmakers.
Favorite Episode: Ep 50 – “Editing: We Fucking Love it!” w/Vashi Nedomansky My visit with Paul and Ben. This shameless plug includes stories from the trenches, swearing and deep ramblings from my coconut.
2. Ruining It For Everyone – Hosts Maggie McFee and Christopher Harrington discuss everything in excruciating detail, from video production to how to make your own giant robot. Each week they take a topic, deconstruct it, and if they’re lucky, put it back together without any leftover parts. It’s a wonderful nerd-fest that includes random tangents and cultural references along with highly detailed and intricate analyses of gear, film and life.
Favorite Episode: Why Do I Have To Be The Brown Wizard?
3. Monday Morning Podcast – Comedian Bill Burr, rants and rambles Monday mornings for cynical insights into the world of comedy and touring. The angrier he gets…the more he laughs at himself. “I’m such an idiot” prefaces or ends most of his dissertations on life. I love starting my week off with Bill Red-Face’s chaotic and hilarious observations. I share in his outlook on life and am often prone to profanity-laced departures myself. Good Times!
Favorite Episode: Crows, Cheesecakes and Alternative Comedy
4. The Treatment – KCRW – A “treatment,” in Hollywood parlance, is a concise overview of a screenplay. On The Treatment, film critic Elvis Mitchell turns the tables and gives the “treatment” to some of the most influential and innovative forces creating movies and popular art and entertainment. Elvis never ceases to impress me with his thoughtful and probing questions. He is an encyclopedia of film knowledge and never comes across as anything but a genuine and caring cinephile and human being. Oh…and he’s funny as shit too.
Favorite Episode: William Friedkin
5. WTF with Marc Maron Podcast – Comedian Marc Maron is tackling the most complex philosophical question of our day – WTF? He’ll get to the bottom of it with help from comedian friends, celebrity guests and the voices in his own head. I thought I swore a lot! Marc literally bares his soul and at the same time pulls out very intimate and personal stories from his guests. If he didn’t share his inner demons in such a forthright and matter-of-fact way…his guests would probably not open up to his rapid-fire inquisitions. But they always do.
Favorite Episode: Cheech and Chong
6. Scriptnotes Podcast – Screenwriters John August and Craig Mazin discuss screenwriting and related topics in the film and television industry, everything from getting stuff written to the vagaries of copyright and work-for-hire law. John and Craig take you inside the writer’s room, the Studio chief’s office and their own writing nooks. Their invaluable advice and experiences are always clearly and concisely explained as they pull back the curtain on the screenwriting profession in Hollywood. They make the intricacies of grammar just as interesting as the stories of how a Studio executive couldn’t read. Go figure!
Favorite Episode: Raiders of the Lost Ark analysis
Since I rid myself of cable TV 3 years ago…I wanted to find a more efficient way to gather new information and stay abreast of the most current and relevant topics that were important to me. Podcasts fulfill those needs for me perfectly…and there’s always another episode waiting in the wings. Until next time…
