The Producer Podcast

Getting started is never easy, but the people that succeed the most at getting established are the ones that ask questions and learn from other's mistakes. That's why on today's highlights episode I'm talking with guests from seasons 6 & 7 of the show about what advice they would give to beginning career producers.

A producer does very little to actually make the movie. In fact one of his biggest responsibilities is to hire the right people to make movie magic. But what should you know about the hiring process? And how do you find those people you want to keep hiring time and time again?

We'll answer those questions and much more as David Cook returns to The Producer Podcast.

We're back on a topic that everyone in the industry talks about throughout their career. The work life balance. Hear from a number of our guests from throughout the shows run as we talk how they have an enjoyable life, stay connected with their family and so much more.

A producer's job is never done, especially when it comes to new films. Unlike many positions in the industry where you're fully invested in one project at a time a producer might be developing several projects while preparing to film one and having multiple projects in post or distribution. But how do you keep it all straight and not let one project suffer to the betterment of another. That's today's Highlight topic with our season 6 guests.

We're wrapping up Season 7 of the show this week in epic fashion as we share with you the second half of the Q&A Producer Panel recorded live at the 2023 Christian Worldview Film Festival and Filmmakers Guild.

If learning from one producer is great, then four would be off the charts. Join us as we share with you the Producer Q&A Panel recorded live at the 2023 Christian Worldview Film Festival as Stephen Kendrick, David Cook, Jim McBride and Lisa Arnold answer attendee submitted questions.

Producing a film is nothing but challenge after challenge. But if you take your production international you open the door to even more challenges. Today I'm sitting down with Judy Grooters of Grooters Production to talk about what see has learned working in the industry and producing films in places like Romania, South Korea and Columbia.

Making your first feature film is hard enough, but it's nothing compared to trying to distribute it in the every-changing world of digital distribution and streaming. Join me as I talk with producer Cakki Warren about her experiences distributing the film Into the Spotlight and what you should expect when it comes to distirbution.

My time exploring the state of Utah and it's film offices isn't done yet. Today I'm heading south in the state to talk with Bega from the Moab to Monument Valley Film Commission about her area of the state and what you should know before heading out to film in the scenic red rocks.

Our tour of U.S. film offices continues as I head out to the old west today and talk with Derek Mellus from the Utah State Film office about Utah as a state, his experiences with the film office and Utah's different film incentives.

I'm going digital on the Season 7 premiere of The Producer Podcast and exploring the world of motion capture with Brainy Pixel and learning how it can play into both live-action and animated filmmaking.

We're talking post of this edition of The Producer Podcast Highlights as I sit down with more season 5 guests of the show to talk about what a producer should know to have a smooth post-production process.

The crew conversations continue on this episode of The Producer Podcast Highlights as I talk with more of my season 5 guests on what advice they'd give to a producer about running a good set.

On this edition of The Producer Podcast Highlights I'm sitting down with department heads from Seasons 2 & 5 of the show to talk about what they advice they would give to producers about running a good film set.

So often we hear about the need for a work/life balance. But having a good work life/balance starts with being healthy physically, mentally and spiritually. So on today's season 6 finale of The Producer Podcast, I'm joined by producers Micah Gerber and Hannah Bartlett as well as filmmaker and health coach Sarah Beth to take a peek at how you can stay in peak shape while producing your next project.

Fights, chases, falls and explosions can all make for exciting film and television. But what does it really take to produce an action and adventure film or show. That's the topic of the day as I welcome back producer/director Aaron Burns to talk about his experience in this exciting genre.

We're jumping back to the often-overlooked genre of music videos today as I sit down with Producer Andrea Royer who works alongside Director Ben Smallbone on a multitude of projects and music videos including for the band For King & Country.

Have you ever thought about doing a proof of concept for your next film project? Today I'm joined once again by producer Sarah Burnett to discuss the proof of concept for Capital that she helped produce and what she learned doing it that could benefit you on your journey to creating a proof of concept.

The distribution talk continues on today's episode of The Producer Podcast and we turn our attention to the world of documentary film and what you should consider when making and distributing them.

I'm welcoming back the first guest of The Producer Podcast, Matthew Jordan, as we sit down to discuss the distribution of his film Counter Column and the lessons he learned distributing his first feature film.

Our film office tour continues in today's episode of The Producer Podcast as I talk with the Mississippi film office about filming in Mississippi and how their film office can help you on your next project.

Season 6 is back with a bang as I sit down with Adam Gregory and Andrew Teravskis of Noble Story Co. to talk about their producing journey, starting Noble Story Co. and developing the concepts and scripts for great films.

Merry Christmas! Join me for the special early release of the Season 6 premiere episode of the show as I sit down with Chad Gundersen, Producer on The Chosen to talk about the Christmas with The Chosen: The Messengers special they released in theaters last year.

"It's who you know and who knows you" is a common phrase that I have heard countless times throughout my journey in the film industry. But for people to know you it takes more than just working with them on set. It requires networking and building relationships. So today I'm joined by our season 4 guests to talk about their tips, tricks and advice on how to network in the industry.

Time and time again the biggest struggles and questions I hear filmmakers having is in regard to the work/life balance of the industry. So on today's episode of The Producer Podcast Highlights I'm sitting down with guests from season 3 of the show to talk about the topic and how they manage the work/life balance.

It's the season 5 finale of The Producer Podcast. To wrap up our crew conversations we're looking at the world of post sound and the all important final mix of your film. To do that we're joined by Nathan Ashton as we dive into what a producer should know about the post sound process. Make sure you listen all the way through. We guarantee you won't want to miss Nathan's answer to our final question.

Music can bring a level of life and emotion to your film. But what does it take from the producer to help bring the score to life? Find out as we sit down with film composer Ben Botkin on today's episode of The Producer Podcast.

Color can communicate so much to an audience while they watch a film but when does the color process actually start and how can a producer make sure they're accurately seeing the grade? Find out as we sit down with colorist John-Clay Burnett of Reelcast Productions.

The post-production party continues as we're joined once again by Patrick Murphy to discuss the realm of VFX and what the producer needs to know about bringing the movie magic to life.

What to hear more from Patrick Murphy including his journey in film. Check out his season 3 episode "Inside the Post House" now streaming.

Our Crew Conversations continue as we move to the post-production side of the industry and sit down with editor Tracy Robinson to discuss what a producer should know about the edit process.

Every filmmaker loves behind the scenes, except for maybe when they want to interview you on camera. But what should a producer know about the behind-the-scenes team and how does behind-the-scenes play into your marketing and distribution plan? Find out on today's episode of The Producer Podcast with Kevin Peeples.

Everybody loves stunts, especially beginning filmmakers. But what should you be considering as a producing when working with a stunt coordinator or even deciding if you need a stunt person on set. Find out in today's episode as we talk with Michael Walker of Levitating Stunts.

Waiting for sound is over on today's episode of The Producer Podcast as we're joined by on-set sound mixer Teddy Hallaron to talk about what a producer should consider when working with the sound department, including during elaborate 1-shot scenes.

Locations can make or break a movie. Not just from the perspective of what the audience sees but what the location is like for the film crew. Hear from Josh Pittman about how to have the best locations possible for your next film and how to help avoid problems and upset location owners on the latest episode of The Producer Podcast.

Everyone needs a right-hand man including producers. Today we are discussing just that as we're looking at the role of the production manager, with Allison Weber, and how they work with the producer through a project.

The Season 5 premiere is here as we begin a season of crew conversations. To kickoff the season we're discussing one of the biggest aspects a producer has during a project, the director/producer relationship with the help of Director/Producer Brett Varvel.

We're sitting down with film producer Stephen Kendrick to talk all things filmmaking from the producer's perspective. You won't want to miss this epic episode as we talk about his journey and what he's learned over the years of producing films like Courageous, War Room and Overcomer on what makes a good film producer.