The No Film School Podcast

• Field Producing on Last Week Tonight & Tackling Vimeo’s EU/UK Problem

  In this episode, GG Hawkins and Jason Hellerman sit down with filmmaker and producer Matthew Scheffler, whose unique path through the industry includes five seasons field producing for Last Week Tonight with John Oliver and producing shows like Random Acts of Flyness and Black Twitter: A People's History. Matthew shares his journey from faking his way into the industry to directing his own Victorian horror short The Traveler, while raising three kids and navigating the shifting landscape of indie filmmaking. The episode also revisits the growing frustration Vimeo users in the UK and EU face due to regulatory changes, sparking a larger conversation on platform responsibility and the future of video hosting for filmmakers. In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins, Jason Hellerman, and guest Matthew Scheffler discuss... How Matthew went from commercials in Boston to producing Emmy-winning segments for Last Week Tonight The real challenges of transitioning from production roles into directing How working in production sharpened his creative instincts The long road to making The Traveler, a Victorian horror short shot on Staten Island Why Vimeo has become inaccessible in the UK/EU and what it means for indie filmmakers A listener’s UK-based perspective on the loss of Staff Picks and public search Vimeo’s official response to the criticism and the broader implications of global tech regulation Memorable Quotes: "You kind of lie within the parameters...lying about a location where you live. I agree with you—chances are if I had said I was moving, they would have just given it to my friend who already lives there." "I've never been on a production where the budget matched the creative. Ever." "You just have to decide what you need to cut out—because when you have kids especially, you can't really cut them out." "Filmmakers built Vimeo. They shouldn't forget that." Guests: Matthew Scheffler Resources: The Traveler Instagram: @thetraveler_film Matthew’s Instagram: @ironschef2021 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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• Why Dating—and Making a Second Feature—Drives Us a Little Crazy

  This episode of the No Film School Podcast features GG Hawkins in conversation with writer-director Sophie Brooks, whose new film Oh, Hi! hits theaters nationwide on July 25, 2025. The film, starring Molly Gordon and Logan Lerman, explores the chaotic, vulnerable, and often hilariously painful world of romantic relationships. Sophie shares her journey of getting from her debut feature The Boy Downstairs to Oh, Hi!, a second feature that took nearly a decade to realize. They discuss the struggles of indie filmmaking, casting chemistry, writing complex characters, and what it truly means to create art that reflects personal truths. In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins and guest Sophie Brooks discuss... Why it took nine years to make a second feature How writing with an actor in mind (Molly Gordon) shaped the character of Iris The challenges and unexpected benefits of filming during/post-COVID How Sophie and her DP crafted a romantic, evolving visual style Writing unlikable yet deeply relatable characters Securing financing when nothing seems to go right The mental toll and unexpected joys of the post-production process Memorable Quotes: "I try really hard as a filmmaker. I try really hard with my friends...but I just want something. Is that so bad?" "You can feel so confident...but it's scary when you haven't done a part of the job in a long time." "There's a big difference between compromising and settling." "I didn’t believe the movie was happening until I was on set." Guest: Sophie Brooks Resources: Sophie Brooks on her first film ‘I Really Love My Husband’ Previews and Director Q&As ‘I Really Love My Husband’ Screenings 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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• Run-and-Gun Risks and When Jim Cummings Becomes Your EP

  In this episode, GG Hawkins and Jason Hellerman dig into the behind-the-scenes business of micro-budget filmmaking. They tackle a fan-submitted Ask No Film School question about run-and-gun filmmaking risks, E&O insurance, and securing distribution when shooting without proper permits. Then, GG interviews writer/director Anna Baumgarten and producer Danny Mooney, the creative duo behind the indie feature Disfluency, a powerful micro-budget drama executive produced by Jim Cummings. The episode offers a treasure trove of insights into how to bring a short film to life as a feature, fundraise strategically, and navigate distribution on your own terms. In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins, Jason Hellerman, and guests discuss... The real risks of guerrilla filmmaking and when E&O insurance matters How micro-budget filmmakers should approach risk management and legal protections Why shooting permits—even if they're free—can save you massive headaches later How Anna and Danny turned the short Disfluency into a feature with no initial investors Why having a “moving train” production plan helps raise money faster The importance of audience-building and crowdfunding in early development How Jim Cummings and the Short to Feature Lab helped launch Disfluency Navigating distribution and negotiating for your film's future Memorable Quotes: "You need to kind of think about: How much did your movie cost? What kind of lawsuits can come in? Does it work for you?" – 08:09 "Motivation does not create action. Action creates motivation." – 41:44 "You have to be building the plane and flying it at the same time." – 46:50 "Make something you love, because you're going to be working on this all the way through the end." – 01:01:03 Guests: Anna Baumgarten Danny Mooney Resources: More Jim Cummings on No Film School Showtimes For I Really Love My Husband w/ In-Person Q&A ‘I Really Love My Husband’ on Instagram Where to Watch Disfluency 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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• John Hamburg on Writing the Most Quotable Movies of All Time

  John Hamburg joins GG Hawkins to discuss crafting iconic, rewatchable comedies—from cult hits like Safe Men to mainstream favorites such as Meet the Parents, Zoolander, I Love You, Man, and the upcoming new Meet the Parents installment. Hamburg shares his creative journey, balancing absurd premises with emotional truth, breaking into the industry, and directing the finale of Apple TV’s Stick. He also dives into working with comedic legends, developing enduring characters, and orchestrating large-scale scenes with precision and heart. In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins and guest John Hamburg discuss... How John’s breakthrough began with an NYU short at Sundance, leading to his first film Safe Men His process for deciding to leave NYU early and navigate a career in features vs. film school What drew him to direct the final episodes of Stick on Apple TV Plus and working with Owen Wilson The particular direction and strategy involved in managing huge crowds and authentic golf interactions on a TV-scale production The building blocks of quotable comedy: committing to emotionally real characters, clear scene goals, and grounded set pieces Collaborating with actors like Ben Stiller, Robert De Niro, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Rudd, and Alec Baldwin—balancing scripted freshness and improvisation Behind‑the‑scenes look at tough moments like reworking the poker table speech in Along Came Polly Hamburg’s ringmaster philosophy: creating a safe, creative set for spontaneity while keeping an eye on structure and story Memorable Quotes: “I think if the characters are grounded in an emotional reality… that’s maybe what makes them stand the test of time.” (27:05) “Directing is such an incredible job, but it can be very lonely at times because you’re the only one that knows really.” (43:57) “Sometimes directing is also sort of like being okay with letting something formulate and happen on its own organically.” (44:42) Guests: John Hamburg (IMDb) Resources: Square Peg Social on FilmFreeway I Really Love My Husband w/ In-Person Q&A I Really Love My Husband on Instagram Find No Film School everywhere: On the Web: No Film School (https://nofilmschool.com/) Facebook: No Film School on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschool) Twitter: No Film School on Twitter (https://twitter.com/nofilmschool) YouTube: No Film School on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschool) Instagram: No Film School on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/nofilmschool) 📩 Send us an email with questions or feedback: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Finding the Story in Marc Maron’s Grief and Comedy

  In this episode, GG Hawkins sits down with director Steven Feinartz and editor Derek Boonstra, two members of the team behind 'Are We Good?', an intimate documentary following comedian Marc Maron as he navigates grief, healing, and finding humor in the darkest moments. Together, they share how the project came to life, how they came together, the challenges of balancing comedy and vulnerability, and the ethical and emotional complexities of telling someone else’s deeply personal story. The conversation explores the collaborative dynamic between director and editor, unexpected discoveries in the cutting room, and the powerful reactions the film has sparked in audiences. It’s an honest, behind-the-scenes look at crafting a documentary that’s as funny as it is profound. In this episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins and guests Steven and Derek discuss… The inspiration and origin of Are We Good? Navigating the balance between humor and grief How editorial choices shaped the emotional arc of the film Their creative collaboration and building trust in the edit room Ethical considerations when working with such personal material Surprising audience reactions and what they’ve learned from them Advice for filmmakers on telling vulnerable, authentic stories Guests: Steven Feinartz Derek Boonstra Resources: Are We Good? on IMDb Details on 'I Really Love My Husband' showtimes & tickets: https://www.instagram.com/ireallylovemyhusbandmovie/ 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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