I’ve always respected Ron Howard. His skill as a director often goes overlooked, primarily because he’s not very “flashy”. Don’t let that fool you into thinking the polish isn’t there. To present something “simply” requires elegance and an understanding of what is fundamentally important to the script and the scene. I’ll stop here, but first a quote to give you an understanding of the value of this interview you’re about to enjoy:

“The one thing I’d thought I’d talk about and doesn’t always get discussed is collaboration. That word gets kind of misunderstood a little bit. Being a collaborative filmmaker doesn’t mean directing by consensus. But the more collaborative I’ve learned to be, the better my movies have gotten, and the more consistent the work has been.”

Special shout out to Stephanie Palmer who first pointed me toward this interview. Pick up her book Good In A Room — you’ll like it.

(VIA Speaker Series 2006/2007)

Wednesday, December 7th @ 9pm EST

On the final Double Down Film Show of the Fall 2011 semester we’ll be rapping with comedian Issa Rae, who is the Writer/Director and Star of the popular web series, Awkward Black Girl. Issa’s series chronicles the comedic everyday social misadventures of a young woman that doesn’t quite fit in…anywhere…

- How should you use social media to ENGAGE your audience?
- How did their KICKSTARTER campaign raise $56,000 in a month?
- What are studio executives looking for on the WEB?
- What is the advantage of KEEPING a show on the web?
- Why have audiences been so RESPONSIVE to the show?

We’ll elicit the answers to these questions and more on this Season 6 finale of The Double Down Film Show, plus we’ll give out some more free info from new The Shut Up and Shoot Freelance Video Guide and answer your questions on the air.

By filmmakers. For filmmakers. Nothing but real-world case studies and practical wisdom to help you build a filmmaking career.

Wednesday, November 30th @ 9pm EST

One of the things we pride ourselves on with this show is that we talk to tomorrow’s indie filmmaker’s today, such is the case with one of our early guests, Writer/Director – Alrick Brown, who’s back to discuss the incredible rise of his first indie feature, Kinyarwanda, an intense and moving drama about the people affected by the Rwandan genocide…

Notably the film was shot entirely on location in Rwanda with a cast of all Rwandans and Africans, won the 2011 World Cinema Audience Award at Sundance and is now being distributed by Ava DuVernay’s outfit A.F.F.R.M. (African-American Film Festival Releasing Movement).

- How did his team successfully market this NON-COMMERCIAL film?
- WHO should be going to film festival with you and what do they do?
- How did an UNDERGRAD film student come to EDIT this indie hit?
- What festival STRATEGIES did his team deploy to push the film?
- How can you manage the HYPE that comes with attention?

We’ll drill Alrick on the answers to all these questions and more. Plus, we’ll also be sharing some of our exclusive tips and advice for video freelancers from the all-new Shut Up and Shoot Freelance Video Guide – now available for pre-orders at DownAndDirtyDV.com. It’s not even hitting the shelves for another 2 weeks, but we’re gonna drop some for your ears only on the very next Double Down Film Show.

Some say that, “the game is to be sold, not told”, but we don’t care. We’re giving away the film game for free every Wednesday night at 9pm EST. Get a piece while it’s hot, baby!

Wednesday, November 16th @ 9pm EST

On our 80th epic episode of The Double Down Film Show we’re gonna run through the unique journey of self-taught Writer/Director, Matthew Cherry. In the span of just a few years Matthew went from NFL Player for the Jacksonville Jaquars to Production Assistant to directing his first feature film, the new football drama The Last Fall, which features some major Hollywood talent including Keith David, Nicole Beharie and Lance Gross…

- How can you get to the director’s chair if you DIDN’T go to film school?
- What genre affords you a good opportunity to learn the craft QUICKLY?
- What did Matthew do to help his script CIRCULATE among major actors?
- How can what you DON’T know work to your advantage?
- What does he wish someone would’ve told him BEFORE he started?

We’ll reveal the answers to all these questions and more on the very next Double Down Film Show as we walk you through the real-life journey of a first time feature film director – just like you. There are many paths to a successful career in the industry…and we share them all every Wednesday night at 9pm E.S.T.

By filmmakers for filmmakers. No B.S. Just real-world case-studies and advice.

The Last Fall – Facebook Page

Wednesday, October 19th, 9pm EST

The next Double Down Film Show is all about the art of storytelling with editor/author Norm Hollyn. Norm was the editor of Heathers and the TV series Wild Palms as well as music editor on The Cotton Club and Fame among dozens of other features and TV show credits…

Norm is also an Associate Professor and Head of Editing at U.S.C.’s film school as well as author of The Film Editing Handbook and The Lean Forward Moment, his latest book on the art of visual storytelling.

- What common storytelling MISTAKES does he see over and over?
- What is a “lean forward moment” and how can you CRAFT one?
- How do you decide what info to REVEAL and when?
- What’s the difference between a filmmaker and audience LOGLINE?
- How can you build SUSPENSE visually?

…We’ll drill Norm on all these questions and more. Whether it’s framing, color, music, camera moves or editing it’s ALL about the S-T-O-R-Y, baby! This will be an informative conversation about all the many ways filmmakers can tell stories more effectively.

(VIA BlogTalkRadio)

Wednesday, October 12, 2011 – 9pm E.S.T.

On the next Double Down Film Show we’ll discuss the state of Black Cinema with filmmaker and blogger, Tambay Obenson. Tambay is the director of the indie film “Beautiful Things” and the founding blogger of Shadow and Act which is part of the Indiewire Blog Network…

- Why are some actors of color offered MORE roles than others?
- Which minority filmmakers are CHANGING UP the game this year?
- What are the COMMON MISTAKES amongst the bad films?
- What makes some minority films play in the MEDIA more than others?
- Where is the industry HEADED in 2012?

We’ll dive into these questions and more on the next thought-provoking episode of the Double Down Film Show.