#161 – Paul Emerson – Creative Resistance and How to Beat It

Paul Emerson is a Los Angeles-based director, producer, and editor who has worked across narrative shorts, commercial campaigns, and comedy series. Before establishing himself as a filmmaker, Paul spent years as the lead singer of a pop-punk band—a high-stakes creative background that continues to shape his approach to storytelling and collaboration. From directing high-budget commercials remotely during the pandemic to exploring the "janky" aesthetics of 90s public access TV, Paul has built a career on technical skill paired with deep empathy for the human subjects behind the screen.

In this episode, Paul breaks down strategies for overcoming creative resistance and pushing through the "big boss" hurdles of finishing long-term projects like scripts and short films, while offering a director’s perspective on generative AI and how it is compared to the irreplaceable value of human choice and taste. In addition, we explore the power of "no expectations" and how accepting your own humanity allows directors to bring out the best performances.

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