The No Film School Podcast

• Found Footage with Bite: Tribeca-Premiering ‘Man Finds Tape’

  Filmmakers Peter Hall and Paul Gandersman join No Film School's GG Hawkins to discuss their chilling feature debut Man Finds Tape, premiering in the “Escape from Tribeca” section at the 2025 Tribeca Festival. The Texas-based writer-director duo explores their found-footage horror hybrid, rooted in documentary realism and intimate character drama. They dive deep into the film’s decade-long evolution, DIY production tactics, narrative experimentation, and the collaborative scrappiness that made their micro-budget creature feature resonate on a grand scale. In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins and guests discuss: How a shelved podcast idea evolved into a Tribeca-premiering feature film Using documentary experience to inform a found-footage horror aesthetic Why keeping a tight creative circle allowed for fast, agile production decisions Shooting scenes with GoPros and iPhones for final edits—and why it works Casting actors willing to dive into a highly iterative, experimental process Crafting practical and VFX-driven creature moments that elevate low-budget horror Editing techniques that treat the narrative as a real documentary-in-progress How found footage can stay emotionally grounded and narratively justified Memorable Quotes: "There cannot be a point at which the audience says, why are they still filming?" "We were willing to let it sound like shit in parts, and it ended up not having to." "We threw out a lot of the lavs and just used on-camera MiniDV audio. It felt 10 times more real." "What we make is not Peter’s voice or my voice—it’s a third voice." Guests: Peter S. Hall Paul Gandersman Resources: Man Finds Tape at Tribeca XYZ Films Boards Tribeca Horror Feature Man Finds Tape 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

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• Filmmaking Lessons from a Married Directing Team

  In this episode, GG Hawkins is joined by writer-director duo (and real-life couple) David Joseph Craig and Brian Crano to discuss their new film I Don’t Understand You, a genre-bending dark comedy starring Nick Kroll and Andrew Rannells. The film follows a couple on a babymoon in Italy that spirals into chaos and violence. Craig and Crano share their process of fictionalizing their own adoption journey, balancing collaboration as married filmmakers, and navigating international co-productions. They also dive into the mechanics of shooting stunts, working with passionate collaborators, and sustaining a creative life while parenting. In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins and guests David Joseph Craig and Brian Crano discuss... How personal experiences shaped the emotionally charged and comedic tone of I Don’t Understand You Transitioning from individual careers in acting and theater to collaborative filmmaking Tips for making international co-productions smoother, especially in Italy The logistics and artistry of filming stunts that are both shocking and funny Balancing parenting and directing, and how being a parent reshapes storytelling instincts Hiring passionate collaborators to elevate areas where you may feel less confident Why directors should consider editing or DP paths for a more sustainable career Memorable Quotes: "My films are like my ex-wives — I'm glad they exist and I never want to see them again." "We just decided early that on set, we would shoot everything and figure it out after." "Directing is like being eaten by crows — no one wants all of you, but everyone wants three bites." "Hire the people who are most passionate about the job you're most insecure about." Guests: David Joseph Craig on IMDb David’s Instagram Brian Crano on IMDb Brian’s Instagram Resources: I Don’t Understand You — In theaters June 6 - Get Ticket Now I Don’t Understand You Trailer I Don’t Understand You on Instagram Articles on stunts and filmmaking at No Film School 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

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• Coppola Told Me: Shoot It on Your Phone

  In this episode of the No Film School Podcast, GG Hawkins welcomes back filmmaker Janek Ambros to dive deep into the wild origin and evolution of his second feature film, Mondo Hollywoodland. The conversation spans everything from a life-changing phone call with Francis Ford Coppola to the chaotic, experimental production process of an iPhone-shot psychedelic satire. Ambros shares how a rogue spirit, a skeleton crew, and the mantra "just make something" powered his creative journey. He also discusses the challenges of distribution, finding a cult audience, and why the edit room is his happy place. In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins and guest Janek Ambros discuss... How Francis Ford Coppola inspired the DIY ethos behind Mondo Hollywoodland Why the film is more of a spiritual successor than a direct sequel to the 1967 cult doc Mondo Hollywood The experimental, no-crew production process using an iPhone and real locations Casting friends and local oddballs to match the film’s bizarre, countercultural tone How the film’s editing and narrator shape its chaotic narrative Navigating COVID-era distribution and marketing challenges Ambros’s dual approach to career-building: make art, but also think commercially Why learning to produce is essential for emerging filmmakers Memorable Quotes: "You should just make a movie with your iPhone with your friends if you don’t have money." "We didn’t have a cinematographer. We have a camera op. That’s really it." "It was just totally the freest form of filmmaking." "Editing is definitely my favorite part of filmmaking. Everything else is a necessary evil just to edit." Guests: Janek Ambros Resources: More from NFS x Janek Screening Tickets – June 8, 6 p.m. at Lumineer Music Hall, Beverly Hills Mondo Hollywoodland on Letterboxd Assembly Line Entertainment on Instagram: @assemblylineent,  Mondo Hollywoodland on Instagram: @mondohollywoodland Janek on Twitter: @janekambros88 Assembly Line Entertainment on Twitter: @assemblylineent 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

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• Real Talk on Film Finance, Distribution, and Pre-Sales

  This episode of the No Film School Podcast is a deep dive into the often opaque world of film finance, distribution, and foreign pre-sales. GG Hawkins hosts the episode and is joined by filmmakers Stephen Cedars and Benji Kleiman, as well as special guest Mike Chapman from Bluefinch Films. Together, they explore what it takes to get a film made and sold in today’s unpredictable global market. From debunking myths about foreign pre-sales to discussing how to attract investors and get your film noticed at festivals, this is an essential listen for indie filmmakers navigating the post-production and sales process. In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins and guests discuss... The harsh realities of the current acquisitions and distribution market Why understanding distribution from the beginning helps you fund your movie The value (and limitations) of foreign pre-sales and cast attachments What sales agents look for in a pitch, and how to present a compelling deck Why comps in pitch decks can be misleading or counterproductive Navigating film festivals and markets like Cannes, Berlin, and Toronto effectively Practical tips for raising money without burning out or making costly mistakes Memorable Quotes: “Nobody knows anything in the film industry.” “Every birth is a miracle. Editors are midwives. We could really keep this metaphor going.” “You’ve got to be bold. If it just feels like a lower-budget version of something the studio’s making, they’ll just watch the studio version.” “If it is a good film, it will find a way to cut through.” Guests: Mike Chapman (Bluefinch Films) Stephen Cedars Benji Kleiman Resources: Blue Finch Film Releasing The Wolfpack Deadstream Hundreds of Beavers 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

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• A First-Timer’s Guide to the Cannes Film Festival

  On this episode of the No Film School Podcast, GG Hawkins is reporting live from the 2025 Cannes Film Festival alongside a vibrant panel of first-time attendees. Filmmakers Stephen Cedars and Benji Kleiman, and producer Lexi Tannenholtz reflect on the chaos, surprises, and serendipity of navigating Cannes for the first time. From deciphering the market to running into unexpected industry contacts, they explore the overwhelming yet exhilarating world of one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world. This episode is packed with practical advice for emerging filmmakers hoping to make the most of a trip to Cannes. In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins and guests discuss... What it means to “have a movie” at Cannes and the nuances between screening, sales, and market presence How the Cannes Film Festival is actually multiple events in one—red carpets, markets, pavilions, and more The unique experience of The Marché du Film and what it teaches about global film distribution Serendipitous encounters and the power of just showing up prepared and open to connection The social dynamics of the festival and why dressing the part can be as important as showing up Tips for navigating Cannes for first-timers—from parties to planning to staying present The balance between networking and being respectful in professional interactions Memorable Quotes: "I feel like I've learned more in the last six days than I have in the last six years." "Prepare yourself for good luck.” "Don’t try to get an apple tree on day one of planting the seed." "The festival is a celebration of art, but the market is all business." Guests: Stephen Cedars Benji Kleiman Lexi Tannenholtz Resources: Goodside: Affordable housing for filmmakers at major festivals 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

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