DoubleDownFilmShow

On the next Double Down Film Show we’ll be talking to writer/director, Luke Matheny who just won an Academy Award for his short film “God of Love”. Luke is a grad student at NYU’s fabled Tisch School of the Arts Dept. of Film and TV. Apart from “God of Love”, Luke also helmed the short, “Earano”. How have things CHANGED since winning an Oscar? What members of his CREW were most instrumental? What role does he think FILM SCHOOL played in his success? What’s NEXT in the production pipeline? How did his team approach the CINEMATOGRAPHY for the film? We’ll give the answers to all these questions, plus more insight and inspiration when we rap to 2011 Oscar-winning director and up and new filmmaking talent, Luke Matheny. Straight up tips and real-world filmmaking advice from a diverse selection of the best in the business - past, present and future - every Wednesday Night at 9pm, only on The Double Down Film Show. Can you dig it?!

On the next Double Down Film Show we’ll be serving up another one of our special keynote addresses. This episode is entitled The Freelance Video Show. We’re all filmmakers, but let’s be real - narrative and documentary filmmaking rarely pays the bills - shooting videos for hire DOES. Co-hosts and award-winning filmmakers, Anthony Q. Artis (author of “The Shut Up and Shoot Documentary Guide”) and Pete Chatmon (Director of “Premium”) will break down a laundry list of best practices, do’s and don’ts and insights into all the inside knowledge they’ve only learned the hard way - through years of successfully producing marketing videos, promos, commercials, concert shoots, music videos and many other video projects for hire. · Where and how can you best land NEW clients? · How can freelance production further your FILMMAKING career? · How is freelance video very DIFFERENT than personal filmmaking? · When and how should you collect the MONEY? · What should you ‘TRAIN” your clients to do? We’ll answer all these questions and more on the next Double Down Film Show. Real issues. Real knowledge. Real Practical. By filmmakers for filmmakers. Every Wednesday at 9pm the back door to film school is open once again.

On the next Double Down Film Show we’ll have a conversation with filmmaker and film marketer, Ava DuVernay, whose new feature film, I Will Follow is being released this Friday and was just dubbed by Roger Ebert, “one of the best films I’ve seen about the loss of a loved one.” Ava formed her award-winning publicity firm currently known as DVA Media + Marketing, in 1999. In addition to directing, she has provided marketing strategy and execution for more than 100 mainstream Hollywood film and television campaigns including Hairspray, I - Robot, Spider-Man 2, and Collateral, just to name a few. Before her most recent release, Ms. DuVernay directed the documentary projects This is the Life and My Mic Sounds Nice: The Truth About Women in Hip-Hop. Her latest venture is founding the African-American Film Festival Releasing Movement (AFFRM), which organizes limited engagement theatrical releases for Black independent films and was recently profiled in a feature article in the New York Times. · How did she TRANSITION from marketing to directing? · What does a modern indie film CAMPAIGN consist of? · When should you seek and when should you avoid press? · What makes a film more of a “TOUGH SELL”? · What MISCONCEPTIONS do many filmmakers share? · At what POINT does an indie film need a publicist? We’ll answer all these questions and more in another insightful episode of The Double Down Film Show. More practical filmmaking wisdom than you can shake a stick at…every Wednesday night at 9pm E.S.T. Filmmaking Reality Starts HERE.

On the next Double Down Film Show we’ll delve deep into the practical realities of making your first feature with writer/director, Julius Onah. Julius was named one of Filmmaker Magazine’s 25 New Faces of Independent Film. His debut feature, The Girl Is In Trouble, is executive produced by Spike Lee, stars Columbus Short and Wilmer Valderrama, and is poised to launch him firmly onto the independent film scene. A graduate of Wesleyan University's theater program, Julius transitioned from being in front of the camera to writing and directing. He’s currently a Thesis student at NYU’s grad film program where he’s shot a slew of notable short narratives and documentaries with diverse casts and subject matter that have gained him international festival attention including Szmolinsky, Linus and The Boundary. · How did Spike Lee come onboard as Executive Producer? · What was the hardest part of directing his first feature? · Why does he use so many international characters and settings? · Why did he love making two films entirely on cellphones? · How can budget and time limitations help you as a filmmaker? We’ll answer all these questions and more in an insightful and wisdom-packed interview with writer/director, Julius Onah. Why learn it the hard way on your set, when you can learn it right here on the Double Down Film Show first? We aren’t film fans, we’re filmmakers helping other filmmakers every Wednesday night at 9pm E.S.T.

On the next Special Oscar Edition of The Double Down Film Show we’ll feature an exclusive interview with Josh Fox, the director of the Oscar-nominated documentary, Gasland which explores the controversial and little-known practice of hydraulic gas fracturing or “fracking” and how it’s threatening America’s water supply. Shot in just over a year, Gasland began as a personal documentary about an issue affecting the Fox family’s Pennsylvania home… In the year’s time since it’s initial release the film has won a Special Jury Prize at Sundance, been picked up by HBO, sparked a recent hearing in congress and is now a hot contender for the Academy Award for Best Documentary. · What was the RESEARCH PROCESS behind the documentary? · Why did they shoot on SEVEN different cameras? · What’s been the FALLOUT of the film? · How did Josh find his interview subjects ORGANICALLY? · What was his APPROACH to post-production? Tune in to find out the answers to all these questions and more as we explore the down and dirty making of this activist documentary from concept to the Academy Awards and the whole journey in between with our exclusive guest, Gasland director, Josh Fox. Filmmaking Reality Starts Here.

On the next episode of The Double Down Film Show we’ll converse with Producer/Director - Warrington Hudlin of the notable Hudlin Brothers producing/directing team. With his brother Reginald Hudlin in the director’s chair, Warrington helped to fuel the Black film renaissance of the early 90’s by producing such hit films as House Party and Boomerang starring Eddie Murphy. He also produced the animated hit Bebe Kids starring the late Robin Harris as well as the provocative sci-fi feature, Cosmic Slop. Warrington currently serves as the President of the Black Filmmaker Foundation (BFF) and is the Founder & Chief of the dvRepublic.org and the Cast and Crew of Color.org online communities. What does the act of PRODUCING entail? What’s the FUTURE of indie distribution? How can the filmmakers HARNESS the power of the web? What is the state of filmmaking for people of COLOR? What HAPPENED to the Black film renaissance? We’ll get to the bottom of all these questions and more in our exclusive interview with producer, director and media community organizer, Warrington Hudlin, this week on The Double Down Film Show. Filmmaking Reality Starts Here.

On the next Double Down Film Show we’ll be having an in-depth conversation with celebrated Screenwriter, Playwright and Professor - Richard Wesley. Richard is the comic mind behind the iconic 70’s smash hits Uptown Saturday Night and Let’s Do It Again starring Sidney Poitier, Bill Cosby and an all-star casts of A-List Black comedians. He has also penned many other titles for stage and screen including Native Son, Deacon’s for Defense, 100 Centre Street, Mandela and de Klerk and Bojangles amongst many others. Richard still actively writes for the stage and screen and is currently chair of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts Rita Burton Dramatic Writing Program. · What are the most common MISTAKES among new writers? · What does writing give you the POWER to do? · What should each scene BUILD on? · How did Sidney Poiter TRAIN him for showbiz? · How do you actually LEARN the craft of writing? Come get a candid crash course M.F.A. in dramatic writing and listen to the whole inside story of how two feature comedies with an all-Black cast made film history and became break-out hits and instant classics…only on the Double Down Film Show. Y’all know how we do. Filmmaking Reality Starts HERE.

We’ll be kicking off Season #5 of The Double Down Film Show with a return visit by director, Rashaad Ernesto Green. Rashaad was a previous guest on the show in season 1 to discuss his shorts. Now he’s back to share the lessons he learned while making his new feature drama, Gun Hill Road, which just premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. Rashaad, who was also recently named as one of Filmmaker Magazine’s 25 New Faces, began his career as an actor and soon turned his attention to the other side of the lens by enrolling in NYU’s grad film program where he made several award-winning shorts including Cuts and Premature, which also aired on HBO. Gun Hill Road is his first feature film and stars, Esai Morales, Judy Reyes, and Isiah Whitlock, Jr. · How did he successfully cast a young NON-ACTOR for a lead role? · Why did they shoot on the RED ONE camera instead of 35mm? · What was so DIFFERENT about making his feature vs. his shorts? · Which crew positions did he come to rely on the MOST? · What do you need A LOT more time for than you think? We’ll get the low down, inside skinny and straight dope on everything it took for Rashaad to go from concept to production to Sundance premiere…and survive with a smile. We dive straight into everything they don’t teach you in film school, every Wednesday night at 9pm E.S.T. only on The Double Down Film Show. Filmmaking REALITY Starts Here.

This Wednesday, Dec. 8th on the final episode of Season #4 of the Double Down Film Show, we’ll be sharing our Top 10 Words of Filmmaking Wisdom from our guests over the past 2 years on everything from making the most of festivals to dealing with difficult actors. We’ll be reprising clips from 10 of our most insightful and inspiring guests: ...Sam Pollard – Producer/Editor 4 Little Girls, Mo’ Better Blues, Clockers -- “The Evolution of Becoming an Editor” Zoe Saldana – Actress Avatar, The Losers, Drumline -- “What NOT to Say to an Actor” Chris Gore – Author/Filmmaker The Ultimate Film Festival Survivor’s Guide -- “The Zen of Networking” Sheril Antonio – Vice Dean N.Y.U. Tisch School of The Arts – Film/TV -- “The Necessity of Passion” Sig De Miguel – Casting Director Premium, The Good Shepherd, United 93 -- “Getting Name Talent for First Time Directors” Cliff Charles – D.P. When the Levees Broke, Nike Commercial -- “The First Thing to Do w/ a Script” Roberta Munroe – Festival Programmer, Author Sundance, "How Not To Make a Short Film" -- “Story vs. Style” Darnell Martin – Director Cadillac Records, I Like It Like That -- “Handling On-set Freak Outs” Lloyd Kaufman – Director Toxic Waste Avenger, Class of Nuke ‘Em High -- “What Propels a Movie” Hill Harper – Actor Author CSI, Lackawanna Blues, Premium -- “Show Art vs. Show Business” This final installment of 2010 will be another one of our special wisdom-packed no-B.S. “keynote” episodes and a guaranteed instant classic. Listen in or download the show after it airs and go to film school through the back door courtesy of some of the best in the business. Thanks for listening and supporting the show. We’ll be back in the new year with more filmmaking inspiration, wisdom and advice. Have a happy holiday!

On the next Double Down Film Show we’ll be trading industry notes with a rare Hollywood power couple. Meena Payne is Director of Development at Rainforest Films (Obsessed, Stomp the Yard 1 & 2, Takers) and engaged to the director, Sylvain White, who has helmed such films as Stomp the Yard and Th...e Losers. Each started out as a mere intern and then hustled and busted their butt to get to their respective positions on the studio backlot. · How did they each go from intern to POWER player? · What actually IS the development process? · What should you always be VOCAL about as an intern? · What are OPTIONS and how do they work? · What is it like to be a COUPLE in the industry? Tune in and take notes as they lay out their blueprints for perseverance and success in a rough and tumble industry. Plus they will candidly discuss the challenges and rewards of being a power couple in Hollywood. Real talk about real filmmaking issues that can make or break your career – only on the Double Down Film Show.

On the next action-packed episode of The Double Down Film Show we’re explore the world of high action and falls and punches with veteran Stunt Coordinator/Driver/Performer, Roy Farfel. Over the past 25 years Roy has helped craft and execute the action for such films as Goodfellas, Transformers, The Taking of Pelham 1-2-3, Jack Ass 3-D and many more major films and tv shows. * At what point should you BRING ON a stunt coordinator? * How do you BECOME a stuntman? * What exactly does a stunt coordinator DO? * How do the director and stunt coordinator WORK TOGETHER? * How do camera angles, audio and editing help “SELL” a stunt? We’ll extract the answers to all these questions and more as we “rig it, test it, burn it, and crash it” with Roy Farfel on the next cliff-hanging episode of Double Down Film Show.

On the next Double Down Film Show we’ll be recounting the trials and tribulations of a first time feature with writer/director Rafick Khan. Rafick is a long-time listener of the show who successfully converted his Double Down Film Show knowledge into action with his debut feature entitled “Chessboxing”. · What finally gave him the COURAGE to make a feature? · What WORKED when he broke the rules? · How did THIS SHOW prep him for the process? · How did he land then lose a BIG NAME actress? · What 3 positions did he have to FIRE AND REPLACE? We’ll provide all those answers and more as Rafick Khan walks us through his feature journey from screenplay to film-in-the-can. Listen and learn from his first time trials, tribulations and ultimate triumph. Get your full serving of indie film education and inspiration every Wednesday night on the Double Down Film Show.

The Double Down Film Show is taking off this week, but we’ll be back next Wednesday, November 3rd with our special guest Writer/Director, Dan Schechter, whose next project is The Switch. Dan is adapting the screenplay based on the popular Elmore Leonard novel. The Switch is actually a prequel to Quentin Tarantino’s, Jackie Brown, following the characters that were played by Sam Jackson and Robert DeNiro, but twenty years prior t...o the original story. · How can writing parlay you into the DIRECTOR’S chair? · What are the PROS AND CONS of casting big name talent? · What are the challenges of writing for OTHER ethnicities? · What are the most important keys to your ULTIMATE success? · How can a big budget fall through DESPITE big names being attached? Listen as we drill Hollywood’s new kid on the block, Dan Schechter, for the inside dope on all these questions and more. ***PLUS – We’re gonna rap with friend of the show, D.P., Cliff Charles, about cinematography and his brand-new Master Class for aspiring D.P.’s. MORE INFO + REGISTRATION HERE: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=127280330658522 Your favorite underground film class is back in session with more real talk about everything they don’t cover in film schools and books every Wednesday night. Filmmaking Reality Starts HERE.

On the next Double Down Film Show it’s all about the ins and outs of the acting game in a candid rap session with our special guest actor, Dorian Missick. Dorian dedicated himself to the craft (and hustle) of acting early-on and landed a few commercials as a teenager. After that first taste of professional acting, there was no turning back. He began to methodically build a career as a working stage and screen actor starring in such films and TV shows as Lucky Number Slevin, 6 Degrees, The Manchurian Candidate, The Bounty Hunter and Double Down co-host, Pete Chatmon’s first feature, Premium… and he did it all while managing to avoid the most common pitfalls of young actors. · What is the acting "MIDDLE CLASS" and why do most actors end up there? · What are the unique challenges of CARRYING a feature film? · How important is IMPROV to an actor’s toolbox? · What to do if a scene is grossly inaccurate or gratuitously OFFENSIVE? · What’s the difference between film and tv work for ACTORS? Once again the back door to film school is open and we’re giving up “the game” for FREE on yet another real-life episode of the Double Down Film Show. Filmmaking Reality Starts Here.

On the next Double Down Film Show, it’s that time of year again where we share some of our indie filmmaking wisdom directly with you in a special keynote episode. This time out, we’ll be giving our 10 COMMANDMENTS TO BECOME A BETTER FILMMAKER! This will be our break out list of 10 things that you can do to improve the quality (and quantity) of your filmmaking, regardless of whether you are a veteran filmmaker or just reading your first film book. From the cerebral, to the technical, to the intangible, we’re going to share some best practices and habits to take your craft to the next level and keep your career moving. From wack to good to great filmmaking in 10 Commandments or less, only on the next Double Down Film Show