Best Commercialdirector Podcasts (2024)

1
Florence EP Ned Brown on Mentorship, Creativity and Supporting Directorial Talent. 1:06:12

1h ago1:06:12

1:06:12

Florence Managing Director and Executive Producer Ned Brown has been a key figure in the commercial production world for as long as I've been in the business. He's a savvy EP and generous with his knowledge, continuing to help to guide the careers of many talented directors. Ned and I discuss the evolution of the industry, the importance of authent…

1
Marc Schölermann Shares His Commercial Directing Secrets In His New Book: "Directing Commercials." 1:12:45

14d ago1:12:45

1:12:45

Veteran commercial directors Marc Scholermann shares his many insights on navigating the industry, building a diverse portfolio, collaborating with agencies, and the importance of maintaining strong client relationships. Wow, there's a wealth of practical advice for both aspiring and seasoned commercial directors looking to elevate their craft and …

1
Ad Production Insider Insights from Media Fixer Michael Pierce. 1:00:17

8d ago1:00:17

1:00:17

A real pleasure sitting down with industry veteran Michael Pierce for a captivativing conversation and I was eager to learn more about Michael's unique role as a "media fixer." What struck me most was his ability to evolve from a creative freelancer to a strategic media connector, leveraging his extensive network and deep industry knowledge. The ro…

1
From Documentaries to Commercials: The Creative Journey of Filmmaker Jessica Sanders. 1:00:01

15d ago1:00:01

1:00:01

Jessica Altina Lee Sanders’s martial arts action comedy short “THE COCKTAIL PARTY” exploring female empowerment, premiered at the 2021 Tribeca Film Festival and won numerous international festival awards. The action packed, playful film tells the story of a cocktail party that turns into an unexpected martial arts action film. Jessica directed and …

1
Commercial Filmmaking Insights from Advertising Veteran Anthony Vagnoni. 1:01:09

21d ago1:01:09

1:01:09

Advertising industry veteran Anthony Vagnoni and I had an insightful discussion on the evolving landscape of commercial filmmaking and marketing. With decades of experience spanning roles in publishing, PR, and production, Vagnoni provides a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing up-and-coming directors. From the importance o…

1
Ilanna Barkusky: Embracing Her Unexpected Path to Directorial Success. 1:15:47

2M ago1:15:47

1:15:47

Born in Vancouver, Canada and now based in Los Angeles, Ilanna Barkusky is an internationally awarded commercial director, filmmaker and photographer. Her creative journey originated in the action sports industry, capturing athletes in the mountains with her camera in tow while completing her Bachelor of Arts at the University of British Columbia. …

1
Hybrid Collective's Susan Munro On the Art and Discipline Behind Editing Powerful Stories. 1:10:09

2M ago1:10:09

1:10:09

Susan Munro (on the right) of Hybrid Collective and more recently of her sister company Session City, (seen above with co-founder Starr Session Varga, left) has consistently impressed me with her passion and dedication to the craft. As longtime friends who have worked together for over a decade, I've always admired her ability to blend technical ex…

1
Director Lars Timmermann Mixes Whimsy, Wonder and Technical Prowess. 1:25:10

2M ago1:25:10

1:25:10

Commercial director Lars Timmermann is a true master of his craft, blending technical prowess with a boundless creative spirit. From meticulously crafted stop-motion miniatures to collaborating with skilled puppeteers, Lars' work is a testament to the power of practical effects and handcrafted elements. I was struck by his unwavering commitment to …

1
Behind the Mix at Signature Sound: Insights from Audio Professionals on Their Collaborative Process. 1:34:52

4M ago1:34:52

1:34:52

Audio industry veterans Dawn Redman, Larry Benjamin, and Tim Hoogenakker join me in a lively conversation at Signature Post. Dawn is the director of scheduling, where she oversees operations. Larry is a re-recording mixer who has worked on shows such as Ozark and is currently mixing Jason Bateman's upcoming series Black Rabbit. Tim is also a re-rec…

1
EP Scott Dodoro's Journey Launching Local Boy Productions. 1:24:39

4M ago1:24:39

1:24:39

Executive Producer Scott Dodoro shares how his passion for film led to starting Local Boy Productions after over a decade working for another company. Local Boy, by the way, is a full service production company in Detroit, built for the future. He discusses building his roster of directors and tackling big projects for Buick, Cadillac and GMC> Goll…

1
AI Storytelling From An Early Adaptor's Point of View, Filmmaker Jon Finger, Part Two. 53:19

4M ago53:19

53:19

The conclusion to my fascinating chat with Filmmaker Jon Finger, my guru of AI filmmaking tools, discusses their impact on the creative industries from the perspective of an early adopter. While acknowledging tools like image generation raise valid concerns, Jon believes AI can empower independent artists by lowering barriers to distribution. Jon s…

1
Filmmaker Jon Finger Quells Our Fears Of AI Storytelling Tools. Part One. 59:13

5M ago59:13

59:13

Jon Finger, my guru of AI filmmaking tools, discusses their impact on the creative industries from the perspective of an early adopter. While acknowledging tools like image generation raise valid concerns, Jon believes AI can empower independent artists by lowering barriers to distribution. Jon shares experiences experimenting with AI storytelling …

1
Diane Strand's Creative Journey in Entertainment and Nonprofit Arts. 58:29

5M ago58:29

58:29

Diane Strand owns JDS Video & Media Productions, a woman-majority owned business with over twenty-five years of expertise in video production and media marketing. Diane began her career in theater production before transitioning to prominent roles at The Walt Disney Company and Universal Studios, focusing on corporate video production known for cre…

1
Behind the Balls: Comedy Director JJ Adler Talks Manscaped "The Boys'". 46:19

5M ago46:19

46:19

Director JJ Adler of her own Ruckus Films, returns to talk about her award-winning spot for Manscaped that's all the buzz. "The Boys" is truly hilarious commercial that uses the same actors to portray our heroes and those hero's testicles. Forced perspective, shaving and more. Agency Pereira O'Dell has gobbled up the kudos with J.J. and they've got…

1
Hitting the Mark: Stunt Driving Experts Olivia Summers and Dee Bryant. 1:10:09

5M ago1:10:09

1:10:09

Retreat Curious? Schedule a call with me to see if our FIlmmaker Retreat is right for you. Wow, great time chatting with stunt drivers Olivia Summers and Dee Bryant. We talk about the precision required for their work - things like practicing hitting marks down to the inch. It was fascinating to hear how they rehearse big sequences. We keep it real…

1
Directing in Japan: Navigating Cultural Differences with Director Ryan Christopher McGuire. 1:23:18

6M ago1:23:18

1:23:18

Retreat Curious? Schedule a call with me to see if our FIlmmaker Retreat is right for you. Director Ryan Christopher McGuire has been based in Tokyo for over a decade, where he is also the Managing Director of Cutters Studios Tokyo. Ryan has a truly global perspective on the film industry thanks to his diverse career path. We discussed what ultimat…

1
Comic Actor and Improvisational Wizard Pat Finn Plays To The Whistle. 1:36:59

6M ago1:36:59

1:36:59

Improvisational genius/comic actor Pat Finn is on this very special episode! Pat and I have been collaborating together for almost 20 years making on Valley Toyota spots, and it's always a blast. Agency folks always like casting actors that can improv, but Pat is next level. And he happens to be the one of the top three nicest humans in Hollywood. …

1
VLM's Veronica Lombardo Is More Than A Sales Rep, She's Guiding Creative Careers. 1:37:39

6M ago1:37:39

1:37:39

Veronica Lombardo of VLM started her career as a below-the-line talent agent before establishing herself as an independent representative and manager. Veronica shares her perspective on representing directors and production companies, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, strategy and treating her clients as part of a team. She also offers v…

1
From Real-Life Repo Man to International Filmmaker with Director Ed McCulloch. 1:21:34

6M ago1:21:34

1:21:34

Commercial director Ed McCulloch shares his unconventional rise to becoming an internationally renowned filmmaker. Ed opens up about his journey of self-discovery through photography, and ambitious do-it-yourself approach to shooting 12 spec commercials that launched his successful global career spanning over 30 countries. Oh fun fact: Ed was a Rep…

1
Are You Filmmaker Retreat Curious? Plus My Passion Project Jumpstart Process. (Patent Pending). 16:13

7M ago16:13

16:13

Curious if our Filmmaker Retreat Joshua Tree is right for you? Set up a free quick call with me, and perhaps I'll talk you out of it. Plus, I share how to get your passion project off the ground. It's pretty eazy actually. Just me babbling for 19 mintes. C'mon folks, time to level up, duct tape the monkey brain and keep making stuff. FLOW Use the l…

1
Emerging Filmmaker Emmanuel Afolabi And His Journey Defining His Voice. 1:19:33

7M ago1:19:33

1:19:33

Filmmaker Emmanuel Afolabi joins the show for a wide-ranging discussion of his path from Nigeria to pursuing his filmmaking dreams. While relatively young, Emmanuel is very generous with his knowledge, hoping to help others as he himself grows. It was energizing to speak with someone so dedicated to their craft. Through determination and skill, he'…

1
Founder/Creative Director Vasanth Seshadri On Growing The Sunny Side Agency in Singapore. 1:04:41

7M ago1:04:41

1:04:41

Vasanth Seshadri is the Founder, head honcho and Creative Director of the ad agency in Singapore called The Sunny Side. Vasanth shares his non-traditional path into the ad world, starting out as an engineer before catching the creative bug. We talked about his globetrotting career that took him from Singapore to New York and back again. Click here …

1
Building a Directing Career with Seed Media Arts' EP Bradley Johnson and Filmmaker Matthew Underwood 1:10:12

7M ago1:10:12

1:10:12

Wow! What a fun, productive talk with Bradley Johnson, Managing Director and EP at Seed Media Arts, and Seed Director Matthew Underwood. We discuss Matthew's spec spot for Chevy titled "Follow Your Own Road" - including the process of developing the script, shooting it on location in Utah, and editing it down from an initial long cut. Matthew's sta…

1
Little Hands of Stone Founders Matt McCain & Michael Boychuk Are Crafting Memorable Ad Campaigns. 1:17:46

8M ago1:17:46

1:17:46

Matt McCain and Michael Boychuk founded their Little Hands of Stone ad agency in 2019 after both having extensive careers working at other agencies and companies like Amazon. Matt and Michael worked together at the legendary Wong Doody in LA in the late 90s/early 2000s. The LHoS founders discuss their fun projects, unique creative process, and illu…

1
Comedy Director Michael Ryan Fagan's Shares Funny Stories from Commercial Sets. 1:51:23

8M ago1:51:23

1:51:23

Comedy Director Michael Ryan Fagan was in town, so we chat it up about directing comedy for ads... and we never stop. We discuss his career directing actor Vincent Pastore from The Sopranos, among others. We debate the pros and cons of using LED walls and other virtual production techniques in commercials. MRF shares some stories about creative sol…

1
What Does Cinematographer Dustin Pearlman Like To Shoot Most? 1:47:21

8M ago1:47:21

1:47:21

Cinematographer Dustin Pearlman stops by the podcast for a great chat. We met at the DGA trying to dispel myths to help up and coming directors, and we ended up chums. Dustin has shot for brands, agencies, promos, narrative and doc. I try to nail him down to what he likes best... Stay tuned. Check out his work by clicking his name or here. Thanks t…

1
Bo Barrett Goes From Acting In 300 Commercials To Directing Them. 1:27:51

8M ago1:27:51

1:27:51

Commercial Director Bo Barrett shares his journey from acting in over 300 commercials to pursuing directing. He discusses how he learned on film sets by observing legendary directors. He dives into directing his first paid commercial for the brand Shorebirds and the positive response it received. Bo provides advice for other directors just starting…

1
From Surf Films To Major Commercials With Director Ross Haines. 1:20:07

9M ago1:20:07

1:20:07

Filmmaker Ross Haines shares how his career making spots has grown and tells us about his short film "Around the Band". Ross got his start editing surf films in Hawaii, joined Beyoncé’s team for her HBO feature doc, Life Is But a Dream and helped launch DC Shoes' internal film department. We discuss "Around the Band," as a visual poem comprised of …

1
Filmmaker Nema Vand: From Shah's of Sunset Star to VaynerMedia Spot Director. 43:56

9M ago43:56

43:56

Part two, the exciting conclusion to my chat with Filmmaker Nema Vand. Presently, he is directing commercials at VaynerMedia and Eva Nosidam, the in-house production unit. A turning point came when Nema documented Mike Winkelmann's (Mr. Beeple) historic NFT sale, which gained him recognition as a storyteller and director. Now, Nema's goal is to dir…

1
VaynerMedia Commercial Director Nema Vand's Filmmaking Evolution from Commercials to TikTok to Features. 1:08:42

9M ago1:08:42

1:08:42

Filmmaker Nema Vand has enjoyed an eclectic career in entertainment, from being an extra on David Fincher's set, to starting his own casting company to presently directing commercials at VaynerMedia and Eva Nosidam, the in-house production unit. A turning point came when Nema documented Mike Winkelmann's (Mr. Beeple) historic NFT sale, which gained…

1
Commercial Director Jason Cook Melds Motion Design And Directing. 1:35:54

9M ago1:35:54

1:35:54

Commercial director Jason Cook is known for his design-driven approach and ability to concept visually striking commercials that effectively convey messaging. We discuss his formative directing gigs like spots for Toyota and Maytag, where he also served as creative director. He provides advice on working with actors and improv techniques. Cook also…

1
Getting Unstuck with Sacha Reeb: Ideation Techniques and Creative Pushups. 1:31:50

10M ago1:31:50

1:31:50

My guest is Sacha Reeb, Chief Creative Officer at Manifest. Sacha shares insights into real collaboration and explains Creative Pushups - an internal exercise turned event series - sparked new ideas through contributions to "mini briefs" on Slack. Constantly improving ideas through collaboration or reflection is key. Sasha's real-world examples of …

1
Riding the Squid: Carolyn Chen's Journey from Director to Helping Creatives Navigate Career Transition. 1:27:19

10M ago1:27:19

1:27:19

Veteran commercial director Carolyn Chen returns to the podcast to offer invaluable career advice. like how storytelling remains key, despite changing tools. My friend Carolyn has since transitioned to life coaching, helping those in entertainment navigate challenges. She provided candid insights into the emotional toll of freelancing. Most fascina…

1
Invaluable Industry Insights with Spears & Arrows Founder, Managing Director, EP Jason Wolk 1:29:24

10M ago1:29:24

1:29:24

Thrilled to welcome back Jason Wolk - Founder, Managing Director, and Executive Producer of Spears & Arrows. As the leader of one of the top commercial production companies, Jason has a truly unique insight into the ever-changing advertising world and production. Jason and I explore the myriad ways the industry has evolved just in the past few year…

1
Nourish Your Creativity With Spirituality, Wellness And A Touch of Reiki with Lydia Hurlbut. 1:41:43

10M ago1:41:43

1:41:43

Life Coach Lydia Hurlbut, co-founder of the Filmmakers Academy along with famed Cinematographer Shane Hurlbut, joins me in a wide-ranging discussion about spirituality, wellness practices and nurturing creativity. Lydia is a Reiki practitioner in addition to her role at FA, and shares insights from her own journey with mindfulness, energy work and …

1
Deconstructing Work With Visionary Commercial Director Tom Kuntz, Part Two. 30:31

10M ago30:31

30:31

Commercial Director Tom Kuntz shares more insights into his spots. We discuss his philosophy around collaboration over the years, from thinking input wasn't needed early on to now embracing other creative minds. The importance of respecting all involved in the process is emphasized. Valuable perspective is offered for any filmmaker on realizing the…

1
Iconic Commercial Director Tom Kuntz Talks Comedy, Pushing Creative Boundaries and Challenging His Own Process. 1:13:35

11M ago1:13:35

1:13:35

Iconic commercial director Tom Kuntz kicks off Season Two. Over the course of his illustrious career, Tom has pushed creative boundaries with award-winning campaigns for Skittles, Old Spice, Tubi, Apple, Ikea, Bacardi, more Apple, Pringles with the guys hand stuck in the can... and so many more. He's won every award in advertising, including two Go…

1
Podcast Editor Jake Brady's Journey Editing 500 Episodes of Respect the Process. 29:29

11M ago29:29

29:29

Our podcast editor Jake Brady is one most befitting interviewee for this very special 500th episode of Respect the Process. Jake provides his unique perspective on what he's learned from cuttig our guests and the behind-the-scenes process of editing. We discuss common themes from creatives and filmmakers and repeated stories I tends to bring up tha…

1
RevThink's Joel Pilger Talks Positioning with Panache. 1:21:32

12M ago1:21:32

1:21:32

My friend and marketing expert Joel Pilger of RevThink joins me for another insightful discussion. Joel shares his expertise on positioning your company and putting yourself out there through LinkedIn outreach. He also stresses the importance of respecting the process and keeping at it until opportunities come your way. Joel also shares an impactfu…

1
Just Me, Grateful For Family and What I Get To Do For A Living. 11:14

12M ago11:14

11:14

Just me rambling for 10 minutes about how lucky I am to make commercials for a living, and more importantly, that my family is safe and healthy. That is never taken for granted. That I get to work with my sons, my friends and often their kids is a such a treat. Enjoy your time with loved ones. FLOW STATE Click MAGIC MIND and use this nifty discount…

1
On Set Electrician Jeanne Mailloux Talks "Birdman", Buddhism and Mental Health. 1:35:07

1y ago1:35:07

1:35:07

Jeanne Mailloux works on commercial sets as a union Electrician. (And spells out to me the difference between the Grips and Electricains.) She shares fascinating insights about her start in filmmaking meeting Nick Cage, working on "Birdman" and being a female Electrician in that male-dominated department. We delve into reflections on human sufferin…

1
Greg Hahn, Mischief Co-founder and Chief Creative Officer, Says It All Comes Down To The Work. 1:09:59

1y ago1:09:59

1:09:59

Greg Hahn is the Co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of Mischief@No Fixed Address. Just moments before this insightful and engaging chat, Adweek named Mischief "US Agency of the Year" for excellent brand-building for clients like Tubi (you remember those Super Bowl spots), Peet's Coffee, Tinder and more. They also called out the stellar branding …

1
Filmmaker Nur Niaz Talks Directing Commercials & Music Videos From Kazakhstan. 1:21:55

1y ago1:21:55

1:21:55

Director Nur Niaz is a talented filmmaker creating stylish and fun films for Samsung, Toyota, BMW, Coca-Cola, Red Bull and many more. I met Nur via another filmmaker's instagram post of Nur's work an d loved it. He's living in his home country of Kazakhstan, yes it's a real place, so we zoomed and you'll love this chat. Also check out Nur's treatme…

1
Managing Director/EP Rebecca Niles Grows ArtClass' Business and Culture. 1:28:13

1y ago1:28:13

1:28:13

Managing Director/Exec Producer Rebecca Niles offers us a masterclass in everything filmmakers need to know about joining a roster at a top production company. Rebbeca joined Art Class, one of the busiest shoppes working with brilliant filmmakers, and is dedicated to serving agencies and the next gen of filmmakers to make great stuff. She brings de…

1
From ECD To Commercial Directing With Ed Han. 1:30:52

1y ago1:30:52

1:30:52

Director Ed Han started on the agency side and is now a busy commercial director, having helmed spots for Lincoln, Roomba, Hersey's and more. I love Ed's core philosophy of discover the overlooked, celebrate the journey, share the sublime. Those tenets certianly come through in his work. During our talk, he stressed the importance of ensuring "clar…

1
Filmmaker Jeannette Godoy: From One Spec Commercial To Directing Her Romcom "Diamond In The Rough." 1:35:46

1y ago1:35:46

1:35:46

Filmmmaker Jeannette Godoy screens her romcom feature film "Diamond In The Rough" on September 22nd as part of the NY Latino Film Festival at the Regal Union Square. Jeannette is a talented writer, producer, director and my lovely wife. She started in the business as a dancer/choreographer, choreographing Sir Mix A Lot's "Baby Got Back" before maki…

1
Oscar Winning Filmmaker Chris Overton Talks Commercials, Shorts And Running Slick Films. 1:16:56

1y ago1:16:56

1:16:56

Filmmaker Chris Overton directed "The Silent Child", written by Rachel Shenton, and won the Oscar® for Best Live Action Short at the 90th Academy Awards®. The film tells the story of Libby, a profoundly deaf 6-year-old girl, who lives a silent life until a social worker, played by Shenton, teaches her how to communicate through sign language. Chris…

1
Area Of Expertise Founder Jim DiPiazza Curates Your Creative Dream Team. 1:25:18

1y ago1:25:18

1:25:18

My guest is Jim DiPiazza, Founder & CEO of Area of Expertise, a full-service marketing collective. We built and maintain an invite-only roster of highly experienced talent – who have helped create some of the most famous and impactful brands in the world. As for Jim - he's been around the country at agencies both small and big agencies during his 2…

1
Undnyable Partner/Exec Creative Director Steve Williams Hacks Bland Advertising. 1:11:39

1+ y ago1:11:39

1:11:39

Steve Williams, Undnyable Partner/Exec Creative Director, joins me in an informative and entertaining chat about making commercials soup to nuts. (We've shot six fun spots for Kaiser Permanente, but we've never been on set together due to that pesky pandemic.) We discuss running the agency from concepting and strategy to shooting the spots. We cove…

1
Ataboy Creative Director Vikkal Parikh Is A Talented, Technique Agnostic Filmmaker. 59:56

1+ y ago59:56

59:56

Multi-disciplined filmmaker Vikkal Parikh is an award-winning director and creative director at Ataboy. Born and raised in Mumbai, Vikkal trained as an architect before coming to the U.S. to get his MFA in computer art from Savannah College of Art and Design. After a stint at MTV and Red Car, he formed Attaboy. His clients include Burger King, Puma…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Commercialdirector Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide