Respect The Process

Cinematographer David C. Weldon, Jr. recently lensed the latest campaign for the iconic British luxury brand Rolls Royce for their newest vehicle the “Black Badge.”  He’s shot music videos and commercials for directors Joseph Kahn and others for artists DJ Khalid, the Jonas Brothers, Post Malone, Travis Scott, Sza, Ciara, Imagine Dragons, Bebe Rehxa, Shaggy and Sting.  Bootcamp is 10.10.2020 in Los Angeles and we’ve got 6 spots left. Masterclass is available online right now for you to level up. Everything is at Commercial Directing Film School. You can always DM me on the socials with questions. Thanks, Jordan This is 90 minutes of fun. Be sure and write me at jordan@commercialdirectingfilmschool.com and ask about chats we’ve already aired. I’ll write back with links. 

Director Kevin Berlandi successfully directs both commercials and episodic television. Here, we focus on the spot world and how he got into the business. Please check out Kevin’s work on his site and the two spots below. Of note, we’re also just now naming the episodes after our guests, because that what each show is all about. Enjoy my pal Kevin. I speak to being “covid compliant” in the intro, as I’ve got two shoots safely under my belt now. Bootcamp is 10.10.2020 in Los Angeles and we’ve got 6 spots left. Masterclass is available online right now for you to level up. Everything is at Commercial Directing Film School. You can always DM me on the socials with questions. Thanks, Jordan This is an hour of fun. 

The multi-talented Valerie Smaldone has mastered the art and craft of Voiceover and is holding a special workshop you need to take, online August 1st and 2nd. Valerie is also a seasoned producer, interviewer and working actor in New York, and knows her stuff. So don’t miss out. She was kind enough to have me on her podcast, Bagels and Broadway, to talk about Oso Delicious Hot Sauce! We chat about craft, adapting work to the pandemic, making the most of opportunities and creating one’s own content. You’ll love this chat. Commercial Directing FIlm School has links to both Bootcamp and Masterclass. Note, Bootcamp is now only 15 filmmakers, so we can socially distance, even though it’s 10.10.2020 in LA.  Thanks, Jordan This chat runs an hour and change. 

Taylor Hughes is a fantastic professional magician, something I’ve dreamed about since my troubled youth. His new special, Chasing Wonder” is available now at ChasingWonder.tv as well as on Amazon Prime. We talked about how he produced it, why he filmed at my fav hipster club, Dynasty Typewriter, and how best to get this family-friendly funny show to the people. Check out the trailer and support this amazing friend.  Taylor also hosts “About to Break” podcast and I recommend you start with this episode. Commercial Directing Film School has links to all my film education stuff. Enjoy. Don’t forget the free 20 min filmmaker consultation with completion of Masterclass. As well as saving $100 off Bootcamp. Wow that’s value! Thanks, Jordan This episode runs 1:15 min.  Oso Delicious Hot Sauce is still sold out as of July 2nd, 2020.

Em Weinstein is a writer/director of new plays, films, musicals and interactive installations. They have a list of credits and awards a mile long. Their new short film, “In France, Michelle Is A Man’s Name” is a heartwarming story of a young trans man visiting his folks. I loved it. A great father-trans son story that made me tear up. Email Em for a secret link. We chat about stories from LGBTQ+ filmmakers, how they are represented in media, how advertisers have started embraced the LBGTQ+ characters in commercials and more. Happy Pride, especially to those just coming to terms with their true selves. We love you. Commercial Directing Masterclass is 24/7 there for you and Commercial Directing Bootcamp is 10.10.20 and filling up fast. Come join us.  Thanks,  Jordan This is an hour. Oso Delicious Hot Sauce is sold out as of now. But we have the bears making more. 

I’ve been fortunate to shoot with Dan Councilor, Associate Creative Director at Leo Burnett, a few times now for Buick and it’s always a blast. Just as important, maybe more so, is the quality of the spots we make. Dan shares his journey to the Super Bowl LIV for Hummer’s EV with the king, LeBron James. Take a look: Dan’s Super Bowl spot for the all-new Hummer EV w the GOAT. We also chat about making ads just for fun, collaboration and how Dan hires Directors for his spots. Check out the work we chat about here. Both my Commercial Directing Masterclass and Bootcamp are now at one easy-to-use link: Commercial Directing Film School. Bootcamp is 10.10.20 in LA. Join us if you can. Thanks, Jordan This is an hour and 17 minutes. Enjoy! PS. Oso Delicious Hot Sauce is SOLD OUT! But we’re making more.

Andrew Bowen is an actor, writer, director & producer – currently starring in “All for Nikki” on Apple TV, iTunes and more. We chat about creating your own projects, family, and his passion project “The 716th” that lit up the Tribeca Film Festival. Commercial Directing Masterclass has already helped over 400 filmmakers up their game. FIlmmakers completing the course save $100 off Commercial Directing Bootcamp. The next one is 10.10.2020 in LA. Limit 20. #BlackLivesMatter is going to take a group effort to make lasting change. The 716th – PRIME VIDEO TRAILER – 2020 from Andrew Bowen on Vimeo. Thank you, Jordan This runs 90 minutes.

#BlackLivesMatter. I don’t profess to be an authority on racial problems and solutions, but these three films will open your eyes and spark thought and discussion. Please watch in order, if you can. “13th” is a documentary linking slavery, the 13th Amendment and our current prison-industrial complex. This will offer context for everything else you see. “To Kill A Mockingbird” will tell you how long this shit has been going on. “Fruitvale Station” is the true story of Oscar Grant, killed by a cop. Ryan Coogler’s pre “Black Panther” powerful film. Here is a great interview with Producer and 1st AD Marc Kelly from 2018 about “Blindspotting” and we talk race. Thank you, Jordan

Tina Tackett is Co Executive Creative Director at the Loomis Agency, and I had the pleasure of working with Tina and Creative Director Jim Green earlier this year. Tina delivers an extraordinary eye for design, a strong talent for art direction and a creative mind for marketing. In this one zoom chat, Tina Tackett basically shows us filmmakers how she picks her directors to collaborate with on her shoots. Thank you Tina for these invaluable insights. Y’all should check out these spots cuz we chat about them in depth and they’re great. Stanley Steemer work is gorgeous and gross and enjoyed here. And the “Thanks for Everything” below was a tribute that Loomis did to salute the folks keeping us feed. Rug Doctor is classic comedy I love. Thanks for Everything from LOOMIS on Vimeo. Commercial Directing Masterclass is online and corporate bastards are jacking the price up $50 on June 15th, 2020. I’m honoring free consultations regardless so we can stick it to the man! Commercial Directing Bootcamp is 10.10.2020 and is limited to 20 filmmakers.  Thank you, Jordan This is one hour and 14 minutes of gold.

Jon Morgan is a director that set out to build a director-based production company in St. Louis, JM Films, which meant building a strong roster of talent. He and his team of creatives can also collaborate with any in-house team to up their game. Check out his work here. We chat about Beumer Group, a branding spot for a coal company, that is gorgeous. Commercial Directing Bootcamp has moved to 10.10.2020 in Los Angeles. Limit 20 filmmakers. Go sign up now cuz filmmakers from our cancelled June Bootcamp took one third of the spots. Airline tickets are cheap now too. Commercial Directing Masterclass is $199 online and available now, and you’ll save $100 on Bootcamp when you complete the course. Just saying. Beumer Group – Knight Hawk Coal from JM Films on Vimeo. Nerinx Hall High School from JM Films on Vimeo. Thank you, Jordan This is 30 minutes. Thanks for Oso Delicious Hot Sauce for sponsoring the show.

Director Ronnie Allman began as an Art Director at Goodby, Silverstein and Partners, then started directing his own projects. His brilliant “Cheeteau by Chester” for Cheetos was shortlisted at Cannes. Ronnie has won a slew of awards for good reason. Please watch his short R.L. Allman’s Peter Pan because I know you’ll love it. You’ll learn how he’s marketing the project due to covid-19. Ronnie also took the time off air to teach this old dog a slew of marketing tricks. Commercial Directing Masterclass is online and ready for you to grow your career. Commercial Directing Bootcamp is June 27th, 2020 and will be 15 filmmakers maximum to ensure social distancing.  It’s a Zoom recorded episode to be tolerant. Thanks. Jordan This runs an hour. Special thanks to Ritual Music for their Top 11 Podcasts for Filmmakers list!!! 

This inspirational story of my guest Cali Gilbert will lift your spirits while giving you a reality check as to how fragile everyone’s situation can be. Especially now with jobs vanishing. When she found herself homeless, she couch-surfed and picked up a camera. A self-taught newbie with an android and no other gear, she’s an advocate for women in transition, underserved youth and the homeless population in general.  Commercial Directing Masterclass is available 26/7 and filmmakers are really diggin’ it. Next Commercial Directing Bootcamp is June 27th, 2020. Limit 15 filmmakers and we have 7 seats left.  Thanks, Jordan This runs one hour. 

Nick Spooner is an award-winning director of commercials, short films and other things. He draws his own shooting boards, writes his own treatments and has been involved in the film business since childhood. He was President of the Harvard Lampoon, wrote, produced and directed at Comedy Central, and once fronted a hardcore band in New York City. His new dark comedy short, “The Call of Charlie” has shown at over 88 festivals across 12 countries and has won 45 awards, enjoy it on Amazon Prime. Nick’s cartoons regularly appear in The American Bystander, which Newsweek called “America’s last great humor magazine.”  Commercial Directing Masterclass has taught my voodoo to over 150 filmmakers from 8 countries. Check it out cuz I promise you’ll love it. You also save $100 of Commercial Directing Bootcamp June 27, 2020 or whenever. Enjoy Nick’s Bob-O-Pedic spot I swoon over. Love this: Thank you, Jordan This runs an hour and is sponsored by Oso Delicious Hot Sauce.

Mr. Matt Enlow is an Emmy nominated director, writer & media-type living in Los Angeles. His work has been seen all over the world, and amassed millions of views. He works with places like Comedy Central, Verizon, BlackPills, VH1, Turner, College Humor, CBS, TruTV and Google to make commercials, music videos, digital series, and probably some other stuff that’s harder to categorize (or explain to his parents). Check out his podcast with co-host Oren Kaplan, Just Shoot It podcast and this, Matt’s work with President Barack Obama: Thanks, Jordan This is 90 minutes of gold. My Commercial Directing Masterclass is online and filmmakers are loving it. If you complete the course by April 30th, 2020 you get a FREE consultation call. No matter, all filmmakers that enroll save $100 off Bootcamp. Next Commercial Directing Bootcamp is June 27th, 2020 with ample room for social distancing. Limit 15 #filmmakers.

My friend Stew Redwine is both Creative Director at Oxford Road and a talented commercial filmmaker. We discussed how marketers in the Age of Coronavirus have to walk a fine line between being too opportunistic and too passive to help. We’ve seen advertisers really step up in the last two weeks since we recorded this chat.  Be sure to read Stew’s article on the subject here. And here is just one of his spots he directed for NetSuite. Thanks, Jordan This is 45 minutes. Commercial Directing Masterclass is online and filmmakers are loving it! Enroll now and save a whopping $100 on Bootcamp.