Vertical dramas are on the rise. If you've seen platforms like Reelshort, ShortMax, Dramabox, and PocketFM dominating the entertainment charts on the Apple and Android App Stores, or caught a glimpse of their spicy, drama-packed clips on Instagram or TikTok, you're witnessing a shift in storytelling. For the past year, I’ve been immersed in directing vertical dramas, and after completing my 7th (and prepping for my 8th) feature-length mini-series, directing has officially become my full-time...

Hello friends! Thanks for tuning in to another episode of the podcast. This episode is sponsored by the Film Analysis Journal, my new book that I released on Amazon for film students and aspiring filmmakers. It's an educational journal aimed at helping you break down your favorite movies as you watch them, learning more about character arcs, story beats, visual language, and more. Available in both paperback and hardback:...

Hello Friends! Today's special guest is writer/director Cody Ashford. Cody is a central valley filmmaker who recently completed his first feature film. We dive into the writer/director's experience from pre-production to post-production, covering various topics such as how to handle rejection, failure, as well as the balance of collaboration. Follow Cody on Instagram: @codash27 and TikTok. www.FilmDirectingMerch.com www.MattMacedo.com New Kids Book: "Lights Camera Cut"...

Hello Friends! Today's special guest is Adrian Sierkowski, a cinematographer and gaffer. In this episode, we discuss the relationship between the director and cinematographer, how lighting can portray a character's psychology, the role of lighting in storytelling, and the future of film production involving AI and virtual stages. To get in contact with Adrian, visit his website at www.AdrianSierkowski.com. To learn more about the feedback services I provide on Fiverr, click the links...

Are you needing feedback on a script or film you've completed? I've started offering services on Fiverr! If you are a Writer/Director about to embark on directing a script you have written, PLEASE get the optional directing notes with your screenplay order. In addition to feedback on the story, characters, etc, you will receive feedback included in the other Directing service, but BEFORE you've completed your film. Screenwriting Feedback with *Optional Directing Notes:...

Did you know your handwriting reveals virtually everything about you? Today's special guest is Author and Expert Handwriting Analyst Sheila Lowe. We dive deep into how our characteristics (and even past injuries) show themselves through our handwriting.  To learn more about Sheila, her books, and the services that she offers, please visit SheilaLowe.com & SheilaLoweBooks.com  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/matt-macedo/message Support this podcast:...

Hello Friends! On today's episode, I welcome Jordan Brady to the podcast. He is an ultra-successful commercial director who has directed well over 1,000 commercials and has multiple online courses. If you follow his Instagram, you're definitely aware of how funny he is and the free knowledge he gives away. In this episode, we talk about the similarities and differences between directing films and directing commercials.  Please check out Jordan's work at TrueGent.tv and follow him on...

Hello friends! Today, I welcome back writer, director, and cinematographer Steven Bernstein (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0077149/) to chat about intuition and its impact on a director and the filmmaking process. Make sure to follow Steven on social media and Patreon! (https://www.instagram.com/stevenbernsteindirectorwriter/?hl=en) Please RATE, REVIEW, and SUBSCRIBE! Follow me on Instagram @MattMacedo (https://www.instagram.com/mattmacedo/) www.MattMacedo.com --- Send in a voice...

Hello friends! Today, I welcome back writer, director, and cinematographer Steven Bernstein (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0077149/) to chat about psychology and its impact on directing and filmmaking.  Make sure to follow Steven on social media! (https://www.instagram.com/stevenbernsteindirectorwriter/?hl=en) Make sure you RATE, REVIEW, and SUBSCRIBE! Follow me on Instagram @MattMacedo (https://www.instagram.com/mattmacedo/) www.MattMacedo.com --- Send in a voice message:...

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/matt-macedo/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/matt-macedo/support

Hello friends! Today, I speak with my good friend and composer Jamie Murgatroyd (https://www.murgatroydmusic.com/) about our collaborative relationship and the relationship between composers and directors. If you're needing a composer, make sure to visit https://www.murgatroydmusic.com/ to contact Jamie!  Drug of Choice Soundtrack: https://soundcloud.com/macedoproductions  Jamie's Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/jamie-murgatroyd Software Jamie mentions with Clara's voice: Ethera...

Steven Bernstein is a successful Cinematographer, Director, Screenwriter, and Author.  Some of his credits include Monster (2003), The Waterboy (1998), Scary Movie 2 (2001), Half Baked (1998), Last Call (2016), and Decoding Annie Parker (2013).  Please follow Steven on Instagram, and keep an eye out for one of his classes! @StevenBernsteinDirectorWriter (https://instagram.com/stevenbernsteindirectorwriter?igshid=nxgyegf3bt1o) Please RATE, REVIEW, and SUBSCRIBE!  Follow me on Instagram:...

Hello Friends! Today I chat with Actor, Writer, Photographer, Aspiring Director, and Avatar: The Last Airbender fan, Joshua Slack. Together, we analyze the shows' themes and character arcs, as well as the shows' impact on us after growing up. Follow Joshua on Instagram: @jdotslack (and @jslackimages) and on Twitter: @jdotslack as well as his website www.jslackimages.com Make sure you RATE, REVIEW, and SUBSCRIBE! Follow me on Instagram: @MattMacedo www.MattMacedo.com --- This episode is...

Today I speak with Central Valley Filmmaker and Serrano Studios creator Ernest Serrano about the specific changes and challenges to how a film set now operates under the new post-COVID-19 guidelines.  Click here to see Serrano Studios films on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2ZxiYob Serrano Studios Website: www.serranostudios.net Make sure you RATE, REVIEW, and SUBSCRIBE! Follow me on Instagram @MattMacedo www.MattMacedo.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to...

I was sick (not with COVID-19), but I'm back now! After losing creative motivation for nearly a month while I healed, I'm back just to let you know I'm back, and to give a little teaser of what's to come. Make sure you RATE, REVIEW, and SUBSCRIBE!  Instagram: @MattMacedo www.MattMacedo.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/matt-macedo/message Support this podcast:...

The industry might not ever be the same again. In this episode, I scan through multiple articles on Variety, Hollywood Reporter, and Deadline to share what's going on with the movie industry during the time of COVID-19. In the second half of the episode, I'm joined by director Daniel Duddy of The Duddy Trip Podcast.  Make sure to RATE and SUBSCRIBE! Thank you! Instagram: @MattMacedo www.MattMacedo.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. ...

Today, I'm joined by my good friend Dédalo of the HeyDédalo Podcast (http://anchor.fm/heydedalo) to discuss our personal Top 5 favorite shows of all time! Check out his podcast to listen to the episode of our top 5 personal favorite movies! Also, check out his Instagram @HeyDedalo, and follow him on Twitter and Youtube! Follow me on Instagram: @MattMacedo www.MattMacedo.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send...

Daniel Duddy of The Duddy Trip podcast shares with us his experience with drugs and the cinematic arts.  *We do not encourage the use of drugs, however, we do encourage you to WASH YOUR DAMN HANDS* Instagram: @MattMacedo www.MattMacedo.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/matt-macedo/support

Here is the link to watch Blackmail (1929) on Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwkfM-Gi7KU) (Scene starts at 3:11) On this podcast, I go over a scene from the movie Blackmail (1929) directed by Alfred Hitchcock. I break down the opening scene shot by shot and point out specific directing choices Hitchcock made that really stand out to me. During the scene that starts three minutes and eleven seconds into the movie, there's a powerful motivated camera move that seemingly comes out of...

"Top 5 Directors of All Time" - List Curated by Peter Markham (FilmDirectingClass.com) Alfred Hitchcock Stanley Kubrick Martin Scorsese  Akira Kurosawa  Michael Powell  I HIGHLY encourage you all to do your research and watch as many films by these directors as possible. Watch them scene by scene, shot by shot, and study it as a filmmaker! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

"Top 5 Directors Alive Today" - List Curated by Peter Markham (FilmDirectingClass.com) Lynne Ramsay Lucrecia Martel  Barry Jenkins  Sofia Coppola  Michael Haneke Like many of you, I'm sure, I have only seen a handful of films created by those mentioned above. If they're on Peter's list, I highly encourage you all to do some research and watch their films, just as I'm doing.  --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

“The most important teacher I’ve ever had..." Ari Aster (Midsommar, Hereditary)  Peter Markham is the former AFI Conservatory Directing Head and currently hosts Masterclasses online. (You can sign up through his website www.FilmDirectingClass.com I recently had the honor of taking two of his master classes and they were incredibly insightful and I learned SO MUCH. I wanted to honor Peter with this first episode dedicated entirely to him because it's him that has inspired this podcast. This...

Trailer for the Film Directing with Matt Macedo Podcast