Marvel director Kat Coiro https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0192478 covers everything from working with day players to why directors have to take acting classes. Once an actor herself, Kat has mastered the art of infusing enthusiasm into every set and using that energy to supercharge collaboration.

Kat's worn every hat—writer, actor, director, producer, EP, and more. And while CAA found her because of her short film, her deep understanding of each role on set propelled her into a coveted career directing "Marry Me" with Owen Wilson and Jennifer Lopez, "Matlock" with Kathy Bates, Marvel's "She Hulk: Attorney at Law", to name a few.

Is there ever over-preparing as a director? Not according to Kat. It's all about putting in the work, asking questions of your showrunner, and really investing into its world. And she doesn't downplay the ability to leverage commercial sensibilities, and pitching with decks and details that can take weeks simply on spec.

Join us October 8th for a meetup in @ Lawless Brewery in North Hollywood.

Tickets are free, but RSVP at: events.JustShootItpod.com

Matt and Oren get Kat to share her go‑to techniques for “talking details through” before stepping on set. And why talking about how you were up all night working on the show, isn't necessarily a good sign.

In fact, Kat's a big believer in the importance of self-care in projecting confidence. And mantra is about knowing when :slowing down" unlocks "speeding up". For Kat, relaxing and taking care of yourself is a huge part of a show's overall success.

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Matt's Endorsement: Atlas Obscura App https://app.atlasobscura.com/

Oren's Endorsement: Swap wearing your watch on different wrists to avoid tan lines. Use Midjourney https://www.midjourney.com/home for art direction inspiration.

Kat's Endorsement: the Oura Ring https://ouraring.com/

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After an amazing DP/cinematographer has an unfortunate schedule change, Matt & Oren whip up a discussion about social media and listener notes about their websites. And Matt talks about how his LinkedIn post got noticed. And there's a surprising little twist that might make some listeners uneasy.

Later, they dig into a listener question. And that leads to some banter about the must haves when you're shooting a commercial on spec. And Matt decodes a list of items that make a compelling spec, especially when you write it yourself.

Matt's Endorsement: Fog machines are inexpensive right now.

Oren's Endorsement: You can Google how long trailers are before a movie plays.

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Matt & Oren discuss the feeling dogging every freelancer: "Will I ever work again?" They dig into who they recommend when they can't take an awesome job, and how that has paid it forward in good ways. Maybe it's all about who you vibe with.

But what is that, exactly? And what if a brand or agency does a vibe check on you? Surprisingly, it's like a date, and more of sales pitch so be prepared!

But there's a way to show up with a certain enthusiasm for a project and demonstrate a personal connection without sounding like a cold email that falls on its face. This episode is definitely worth a listen if you're trying to rack up more jobs this year!

Matt's Endorsement: Deschute's Fresh Squeezed Non-Alcohoilc IPA https://deschutesbrewery.com/products/fresh-squeezed-non-alcoholic

Oren's Endorsement: Tab Groups in Google Chrome. R-Click on a tab > Add Tab to New Group. Also on Chromium-based browsers like Firefox and Brave. https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/2391819?hl=en&sjid=9324260012388965296-NC#zippy=%2Cgroup-your-tabs

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Matt's been getting wrapped up in analytics, and Oren's been updating his reel. So yeah, update your f**king website if you haven't!

This week, we get into where to host your portfolio whether you want the best web host or video platform. And we dive into some honest talk about what defines you as a director, because trying to be everything just doesn't work. There are also some hot tips on things you can do to stand out as someone exciting to work with.

If you're seriously building a career as a filmmaker, this is a must-listen.

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Matt's Endorsement: Watch "The French Connection" (1971) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0067116/

Oren's Endorsement: Get good at making slide decks because they will help you sell your ideas.

And Bob Odenkirk on Mike Birbiglia's Podcast, "Working It Out" https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/179-bob-odenkirk-the-art-of-anger-in-comedy/id1515419751?i=1000719445989

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Director Emily Elizabeth Thomas joins Matt and Oren to talk about her journey from commercial success to directing vertical series and feature films.

Meanwhile, Oren’s been updating his website and shares some valuable insights on what to include in your reel, what to leave out, and why it matters. And that leads into Matt sharing some insightful data on how many views a reel gets per day.

Back to Emily—she’s all about making everything feel like a movie, even a vertical series. She shares how she fought for that vision and explains how shooting open gate helped convince producers they could save money doing it her way. And maybe even make more with some luck.

At her core, Emily is a craft-driven filmmaker with a passion for detail. She talks about her love for set design and working with artisanal couturiers to find the perfect accessories, like a custom western hat from Austin or hours spent digging through costumes at Warner Brothers.

The episode wraps with practical tips on surgically using tools like jibs, Steadicams, and Technocrane (yeah the gear producers often assume is out of budget) to maximize production value and scope on a tight budget.

You can find Emily here:

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8502506/

https://www.electriccowgirl.xyz/

IG: @emilyelizabeththomas/

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Matt's Endorsement: Letterboxd's interview with the stars of "I Like Movies" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VE1kANkYGSw and the movie itself https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14913282/

Oren's Endorsement: The book "Linchpin" by Seth Godin https://seths.store/linchpin/. The subreddit /vfx https://www.reddit.com/r/vfx/. And, Filmvibes https://filmvibes.io/

Emily's Endorsement: Jean Paul Gauthier's Wardrobe design and Styling of the movie "The Fifth Element". Vidiots theatre https://vidiotsfoundation.org/. And the movie itself https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119116/

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Jamaal Parham, part of the directing duo Jams and Bash, talks to Oren and Matt about how they approach their business without the cheesiness. From a start working exclusively with Broadway productions, they've become a CAA-recognized brand in sports comedy.

Matt discusses how the dream of never looking at a spreadsheet isn’t realistic in filmmaking, or at least not in building a career in it. And Jamaal shares secrets on how they connect with decision-makers through targeted social media strategies that go beyond traditional PR, advertising, or social thinking.

**Key lesson:** A lot of directing is really hosting. Don’t get it? Check out this amazing episode!

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1729641/

https://www.jamsandbash.com/

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Matt's Endorsement: Chris Moran | Creative Breakdowns on TikTok and his tutorials on the Vox aesthetic https://www.tiktok.com/@chrismoran__

Oren's Endorsement: order your pet meds from https://discountpetmedication.biz/ and the use Amazon to monitor for deals on what you want, like a Dyson v11, and get a great deal on Prime Week.

Jamaal's Endorsement: "The Black Pack" book by Artel Great https://www.rutgersuniversitypress.org/the-black-pack/9781978838130/

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Legendary director Joseph Kahn https://www.josephkahn.com/ talks about his new movie "Ick" https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31795447/. And Matt and Oren get him to share how this creature feature came about as a kid-friendly movie and the challenges he faced in making a script written for a $100 million budget shot during COVID and the WGA & SAG- AFTRA strikes.

And Joseph also discusses the difference between working with the best people money can buy, and choosing people who understand you and your unique brand of filmmaking. Plus, he shares his method to becoming the director Taylor Swift or U2 calls.

But this winner-takes-all business comes at a cost. Heck, the odds of success as a director are probably lower than becoming the dictator of a country! And Joseph gets real about his own insecurities, despite his mountain of successes.

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Kelly Christensen built a toolkit for crafting a lasting career as a commercial producer. And he shares what directors can do to stand out and keep getting hired. Matt and Oren chat with Kelly about what makes his secret sauce. And you may be surprised to find out about the many layers and why it's different for each person.

Sure, collaboration matters. But what does that really look like? What are the nuances of lasting collaboration with agencies and production companies? What role does a producer play in making your life as a director easier? And what can you do to make sure producers recommend you for future gigs?

You can find Kelly on Instagram at @kellyman

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Matt's Endorsement: The Business podcast about M3GAN 2.0 flop and the Blumehouse slump https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-business/id73330606

Oren's Endorsement: Tell your kids about the scary parts of a movie (ask your friends what the scary parts are), before you take your kids to see the movie. And traffic etiquette is a great topic for small talk.

Kelly's Endorsement: the free streaming site https://www.kanopy.com/

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