Podcast Summary
The importance of recognizing personal significance: Recognizing and cherishing the seemingly insignificant details in our lives can reveal deeper meanings and hold great importance to us.
Sometimes the things that seem insignificant to others can hold deep meaning for us. Jay shared his story about being proud of his golf score and how he planned to buy his wife a ring for their anniversary, using the movie "Lord of the Rings" as a reminder in his calendar. Although his colleagues found his stories long-winded and full of unnecessary details, they revealed his love for golf and his wife, which are important aspects of his life. The use of a memorable prompt in his calendar helped him keep track of these significant events, even if it raised some questions from his colleagues. Overall, Jay's stories showed that even the most mundane details can hold meaning and significance in our lives.
Soderbergh's Influence on Independent Film: Soderbergh's early work sparked the 90s independent film movement, and throughout his career, he's stayed true to his personal, auteur-driven vision, making him a pioneer in the film industry.
Steven Soderbergh, a master filmmaker with over 35 films and $2 billion in box office revenue under his belt, started his career humbly and has maintained an independent spirit within the studio system. Soderbergh's influence on independent film began with his early work like "Sex, Lies, and Videotape," which marked the beginning of the 90s independent film movement. He has consistently produced unique and influential films, both with and without large budgets. Soderbergh's approach to filmmaking is rooted in his admiration for films that feel personal and auteur-driven. Throughout his successful career, he has stayed true to this vision, making him a pioneer and an enduring figure in the film industry.
The importance of individual creativity in filmmaking: Filmmaker Jason Reitman emphasizes staying true to individual creativity and absorbing new ideas to inform projects, rather than focusing on specific genres or studio projects.
The film industry has seen various waves of innovation, with the American New Wave being a pivotal moment that shifted the focus towards films made by individuals rather than studios. Jason Reitman, a filmmaker known for his diverse body of work, emphasizes the importance of staying true to this idea and constantly absorbing new ideas to inform his projects. He doesn't consciously seek out specific genres or studio projects but rather focuses on ideas that resonate with him personally. Reitman's success can be attributed to a combination of taste, developed through his upbringing and experiences, and the willingness to grind it out to create the best possible version of each project. His approach is a testament to the power of authenticity and the value of staying open to new influences in the ever-evolving world of filmmaking.
Fostering a creative atmosphere and safe driving habits: Continuous conversation, problem-solving, and being part of a community are essential for growth in directing. Safe drivers can save money with Allstate's DriveWise feature, and B2B marketers should use LinkedIn ads for targeted reach.
Creating a creative atmosphere involves fostering an environment where people can focus on the project at hand, rather than being distracted by the director's behavior. This requires continuous conversation and problem-solving when obstacles arise. While technical skills can be learned, being part of a community or "gang" is crucial for growth and development in the field of directing. Education can provide socialization opportunities and access to resources, but ultimately, the drive and passion for creating comes from within. Additionally, safe drivers should not be paying the same auto insurance rate as less cautious drivers. Instead, they should consider using the Allstate app's DriveWise feature to save money based on their individual safe driving habits. Lastly, for B2B marketers, LinkedIn ads offer targeting capabilities to reach a professional audience effectively.
Focus on reaching the right audience on LinkedIn: Effectively targeting decision-makers on LinkedIn and preparing physical elements can lead to business success
LinkedIn offers a vast platform with over 70 million decision-makers, making it an ideal place to reach the right audience for your business messages through LinkedIn ads. The speaker's personal experiences of working with successful actors like George Clooney and Matt Damon highlight how important it is to focus on getting your message to the right people, rather than relying on intermediaries or waiting for opportunities to come to you. Additionally, the speaker emphasizes the importance of physical preparation, such as wardrobe and props, in creating a successful scene or campaign. So, whether you're looking to expand your business or create compelling content, focusing on reaching the right audience and preparing the physical elements can lead to significant success.
Creating a comfortable environment for actors: Directors should create a trusting relationship with actors, provide clear guidance, and allow the process to evolve organically while maintaining a clear structure.
Effective communication and collaboration between directors and actors are crucial for a successful film production. Directors like Stephen and Jason emphasized the importance of creating a comfortable and confident environment for actors to perform at their best. This approach encourages actors to give their best performance and trust the director's guidance. Directors also need to recognize their limitations and rely on the expertise of other crew members to ensure a cohesive production. Additionally, having a light touch and allowing the process to evolve organically while maintaining a clear structure and trusting relationships with actors can lead to the best results.
Sean Penn's Passion for Filmmaking: Sean Penn's prolific career in filmmaking is driven by his metabolism and love for the art, resulting in numerous films and commercials. Despite the lack of 'events' in his releases, he continues to create due to enjoyment of the process and being in the 'volume business'.
Sean Penn's prolific career in filmmaking, with numerous films and commercials under his belt, stems from his metabolism and passion for the art. Despite the lack of "events" in his film releases due to the consistency of his great work, he continues to create because he enjoys the process. During their conversation, they discussed Penn's early days of filmmaking with George Clooney and how he's been compared to Todd Field, another prominent American director. Penn acknowledged that he's in the "volume business" and that there's a downside to constantly creating, but he can't let it stop him. The conversation also touched on Penn's research and attention to detail in his films, particularly in "Contagion," where he regretted not casting Jude Law as the president instead of a supporting role. Overall, Penn's dedication to his craft and his ability to consistently produce high-quality work sets him apart in the film industry.
Find what ignites a 'hell yeah' response: Identify projects or collaborators that spark excitement and commitment for optimal results
For filmmakers, the passion and excitement towards a project are crucial. Sternberg emphasizes that if a project doesn't elicit a "hell yeah" response, it's best to pass. This rule allows for full commitment and dedication to the project. However, the definition of a "hell yeah" can vary depending on one's career stage and personal experiences. For some, it could be the lead actor, for others, it could be a trusted crew member or first AD. Ultimately, it's about finding that person or project that ignites a deep sense of excitement and collaboration.
Exclusive experiences and privileges through partnerships: Partnerships like American Express, Resi, Booking.com, Organic Valley, and Mint Mobile offer unique experiences, privileges, and solutions tailored to individual needs and preferences.
American Express and partnerships like Resi can provide exclusive experiences and privileges, in this case, access to unique dining events. Meanwhile, when it comes to travel, Booking.com offers a wide range of options to cater to various preferences and styles, allowing individuals to feel adventurous and relaxed. Organic Valley, with its ethically sourced dairy products from small family farms, provides not only great taste but also supports sustainable farming practices. Lastly, Mint Mobile offers an affordable solution for wireless plans, saving consumers money and providing premium wireless services. These examples illustrate the power of partnerships and choices that cater to individual needs and preferences.
Directing Solo for Intimate Control and Artistic Vision: The speaker values control and artistic vision in filmmaking, often choosing to direct alone despite potential collaborator input, and strives for commercially accessible yet artistically sophisticated films.
The speaker values the intimate connection and control that comes with being the sole director on a project, even if it means sacrificing the input of potentially brilliant collaborators. They also appreciate making films that are both commercially accessible and artistically sophisticated. The speaker's films trust the audience to understand complex themes and aesthetics, and they have a history of defying studio concerns about commercial viability. The speaker's favorite films, such as "All the President's Men," blend artistic style with clear narratives, and they believe that explaining style to others may be necessary for those who are unaware of it. The speaker's passion for cinema was instilled in them by their father and was solidified by their experience seeing "Jaws" alone in 1975.
The unpredictability of filmmaking and human experience: Steven Spielberg values the unexpected surprises and human collaboration in filmmaking, believing it cannot be replicated by technology, and continues to seek out new experiences in storytelling.
The unexpected surprises and experiences in the filmmaking process, whether it's an actor's performance or a technical mishap, are what make directing so rewarding for Steven Spielberg. This was evident during the production of "Jaws," where he discovered the importance of storytelling and the joy of collaborating with others. Even with advancements in technology like AI, Spielberg believes that the human element and experience cannot be replicated, and the unpredictability of filmmaking is what keeps him engaged. He continues to go to movie theaters to experience the collective excitement of watching a film with an audience and to seek out new surprises in storytelling.
Exploring the importance of perseverance, creativity, and hidden truths: The creative process involves making mistakes and learning quickly, as shown in the making of 'Full Circle'. Perseverance, creativity, and the power of hidden truths coming to light are essential themes.
The creative process involves making mistakes and learning from them as quickly as possible. This was emphasized during the discussion about the show "Full Circle," which is about a long-buried secret that comes back to haunt someone. The show, which is coming on Max, is a New York City melodrama with a crime at its core and explores the concept of karma. The creators, Ed Solomon and Steven Soderbergh, are known for their thematically diverse work and their interest in non-linear storytelling. Soderbergh also shared his experience with Sigani, a Bolivian spirit he discovered while making the film "Che," and how he brought it to America and secured its own category with the U.S. government. Overall, the conversation highlighted the importance of perseverance, creativity, and the power of hidden truths coming to light.
Soderbergh's Impressive Career and Discovering an Obscure Law: Steven Soderbergh's versatility as a director, demonstrated by his nominations for two Best Director Oscars in one year for 'Erin Brockovich' and 'Traffic,' is a testament to his talent and ability to excel in various genres.
Steven Soderbergh's prolific and diverse body of work as a director, spanning various genres and topics, is truly impressive. During a conversation, Jason Bateman expressed his admiration for Soderbergh's ability to take on numerous projects and excel in each one, referencing films like "Erin Brockovich" and "Traffic." Soderbergh's nomination for two Best Director Oscars in the same year for these films is a testament to his talent and versatility. Additionally, the conversation touched on the unexpected discovery of a seemingly obscure law in Hawaii regarding public laughter. Overall, the conversation highlighted Soderbergh's impressive career and the enjoyment of long-overdue conversations with friends.
Finding joy in favorite potato varieties: Appreciate the simple pleasures in life, like favorite potato varieties, and enhance your listening experience by subscribing to Wondery Plus or using Amazon Music with Prime membership.
Life is short, and we should make the most of it by engaging in meaningful conversations and experiences. During our discussion, we touched upon the topic of favorite potato varieties. While this may seem trivial, it's a reminder that even the smallest things in life can bring us joy and connection. So, whether you're a fan of russet, sweet potato, or Yukon gold, take a moment to appreciate the simple pleasures in life. And if you want to enjoy these conversations ad-free, consider subscribing to Wondery Plus or using Amazon Music with your Prime membership. By doing so, you'll not only enhance your listening experience but also support the creators who bring us thought-provoking discussions like this one.