No Set Path: Entertainment Break-In Stories (Rebecca Doyle)

Kristen Brancaccio is a writer, director, and VMA-nominated producer. Her recent projects include music videos for artists including the Oscar-winning FINNEAS, Ke$ha, Usher, and a video for Ben Abraham that screened at SXSW 2023, directed by Jillian Bell and starring Charlie Day and Mary Elizabeth Ellis. 

In this episode we cover: 

- How Kristen went from not knowing anyone in LA to cultivating a robust Hollywood rolodex 

- How she ended up having her first-ever pitch meeting opposite Matt Damon and Ben Affleck

- Her experience with programs like Project Greenlight, AT&T Shape, SyFy's digital pilot competition, and SXSW 2023

- When she knew it was time to start her own production company, Exit Twelve

Keep up with Kristen @kristensreality

Keep up with the show @nosetpathshow

This special episode features several writers representing the Writers Guild of America (WGA) on the writers strike picket lines in Los Angeles. We had the opportunity to speak with Alex O'Keefe (The Bear), David Weddle (For All Mankind, Battlestar Galactica, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine), Ryan Lee (CSI: Vegas) and Megan Rees (Pre-WGA).

CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:

All Platforms: @NoSetPathShow

www.NoSetPathShow.com

Juan Luis Bravo has worked as a storyboard artist in animation for shows like Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures and LEGO Dreamzzz.

Today het gets into the steps from a digital media specialist making corporate videos to storyboard artist for a Star Wars based show; how to actually yield results from networking events; and how to tap into your power as a member of a marginalized community.

EPISODE BREAKDOWN (updated - 2:36 is actually 1:43)

1:43 - Young Jedi Adventures: years in the making!

2:13 - Starting off as a Digital Media Specialist internally at Disney

4:52 - Getting aggressively poached from a show

1:27 - What’s the best way to follow up/advocate for yourself with a new connection?

13:27 - How to get someone to want to help you

18:07 - Landing & leveraging a first job toward your long-term goals 

23:52 - Identifying opportunities for further education past college

26:57 - How to decide to leave your “steady” job to pursue your dreams - and convince the next hiring manager you can do it (leaving helping to cut Marvel animatics to pursue storyboarding)

33:07 - Cultivating relationships from college into long-term professional relationships 

34:47 - How to balance being direct about what you want without being an egomaniac 

39:17 - Friends from college making the Black List

40:27 - How to say what you want 

44:37 - The right questions to ask in a cold email or mentor outreach

46:33 - Living situation impact on creativity 

49:22 - If you hate LA…

50:17 - Were there moments of wanting to quit? 

57:52 - How to tap into your power as a member of a marginalized community 

1:00:55 - TIME CAPSULE

Instgram and X: @juanluisbravo_

EPISODE BREAKDOWN:

4:10 - Wildfire impact on production insurance, bonding, & building materials

11:30 - Stay in LA Campaign

20:17- Practical implications: a game of attraction, not demands

KEEP UP WITH THE SHOW:

IG: @NoSetPathShow

All Platforms: @NoSetPathShow

www.NoSetPathShow.com

bio.site/nosetpath

Mike Grimm is a writer of over 30 screenplays and former creative executive at Wayfarer Studios.  In this episode, Mike dives into: 3:13 - His projects in various stages of development 16:12 - What's in a general meeting? 18:13 - Should you ever write for free?  22:29 - How to not get jaded 26:29 - How Sabrina Carpenter became attached to his original script 29:24 - Creative executive vs. screenwriter paths  38:16 - General meeting insider tips 42:08 - From script coverage to executive 48:02 - What he wrote in a cold email to land his first story analysis job 1:01:53 - Do writers need to move to LA? 1:08:28 - Exiting Wayfarer to commit to writing 1:16:43 - Navigating representation (managers) 1:24:31 - Time Capsule CONNECT WITH MIKE: Instagram: @MrGrimmReaper77 Twitter: @DontBeSoGrimm CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: All Platforms: @NoSetPathShow www.NoSetPathShow.com

David Gutel’s theatrical directorial debut “Forty-Seven Days with Jesus” hits over 900 theaters this March! In this episode, we get into how David set his feature up for success through casting from similar popular series “The Chosen”, distribution resources and tips for independent films, how he used real estate tech to pre-viz musical numbers, why he decided to do a faith-based film after initially being hesitant and how he transitioned to directing after 8 years as a 1st Assistant Director.

BREAKDOWN:

6:00 - Pre-viz for a musical: Lidar mapping (real estate tools?!)

13:34 - Challenges: strikes, Texas heat, mechanical failures of picture vehicles (sinking boat!)

18:08 - Getting theatrical distribution partly through casting actors from “The Chosen” 

24:10 - Distribution resources - Fathom Events & Pinnacle Peak as a resource for independent films, getting distribution abroad through hitting minimums at home

26:30 - Getting distribution tips recap + David’s initial connection to distributors 

29:10 - Market festivals vs. competition film festivals

30:25 - From 1st AD to director

41:03 - First job as second unit director

45:19 - Challenging shoots: When to rise to a challenge vs. abandon impending disaster

55:30 - Recap of David’s path in the industry

58:30 - Is film school worth it? David’s experience paying $24k for CSULB

1:04:00 - TIME CAPSULE

CONNECT WITH DAVID: Instagram @davidmgutel / @fortysevendaysfilm 

Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DeadMediaStore

CONNECT WITH THE SHOW

All platforms: @NoSetPathShow 

www.NoSetPathShow.com / bio.site/nosetpath 

Matt McClung is a writer/director whose feature debut Inhabitants is premiering at the Austin Film Festival 2023.He sold an original pilot he co-wrote to Adult Swim in 2020. His work has been featured on Short of the Week and Director’s Notes.

EPISODE BREAKDOWN:

2:00 - Directorial debut “Inhabitants” premiering at the Austin Film Festival

10:00 - Elements of Catholicism in secular movies

15:14 - Finding an editor you can trust

18:10 - Getting your first feature made as a director

25:10 - The path! First steps after film school (USC)

36:31 - Day jobs within vs. outside the industry 

42:25 - Matt’s origin story

53:29 - Advice!

59:47 - TIME CAPSULE

CONNECT WITH MATT:

Instagram: @mattmclung / @inhabitantsmovie

CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:

All Platforms: @NoSetPathShow

www.NoSetPathShow.com

Nina Sadowsky is a 5-time published author, producer, and educator. In this episode Nina discusses: - Lessons she learned from the 2007 writers' strike and how to apply them in 2023 - How she broke into film producing, screenwriting, and novel writing - Overcoming a project or company failure without letting it become your identity - Cultivating the discipline to write consistently @nosetpathshow CONNECT WITH NINA: @ninasadowsky www.ninasadowsky.com Nina's Dispatch: https://ninasadowsky.com/subscribe

Editor Matthew Jensen dives into how he was able to jump from reality TV back to scripted after getting his union days, how he leveraged relationships from every job - and unpaid internship - into fruitful projects a decade later, and the various methods he used to find post production gigs while building his network. 

4:56 - Sound of Freedom, Black White and the Greys, Popular Theory, Rescuing Christmas

10:46 - Arcadian, Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin

24:40 - How Matthew built a career beginning with his first unpaid internship at Wolf Films

30:11 - Getting into the editors’ union & getting jobs

33:36 - Jumping from reality to scripted

39:45 - Matt’s origin story!

44:20 - Do you need to live in LA?

50:56 - TIME CAPSULE

CONNECT WITH MATTHEW:

Instagram: @mejensen87

www.matthew-jensen.com

CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:

All Platforms: @NoSetPathShow

www.NoSetPathShow.com

Maggie Admire is an LA-based writer and producer, nominated for a 2025 WGA Award and a CrimeCon Clue Award, with features in The New York Times. Over nine years, she’s created 40+ podcast series, many for Spotify, including Serial Killers and Coinspiracy Theories, reaching millions. She helped build Parcast as its first hire before its Spotify acquisition.

Beyond podcasts, she’s been a Pack Theater sketch writer, crafted tweets for Funny or Die, and even ghostwrote Tinder replies—before being replaced by a younger, hotter AI. She’s currently writing a romantasy-comedy novel and fostering a dog.

Today we’re getting into how putting yourself and your ideas out there can land you a prestigious nomination like one at the WGA Awards, how to balance long term strategy with short term opportunity when deciding what career decisions to make next, and how to take calculated risks when pitching new ideas.

BREAKDOWN:

2:15 - Maggie’s favorite “Serial Killers” episode, which was nominated for a 2025 GA Award

12:00 - how to find balance when working with very dark material

13:30 - the decision to do audio-only for a podcast episode vs. video podcast

16:00 - proactively submitting for a WGA award nomination

19:49 - First Deadline mention by name

20:07 - WGA Awards experience!

31:43 - How to stand out in a comptitive industry

34:30 - Other Spotify shows: “Dog Tales,” “Tales,” “Mind’s Eye”

39:00 - advice for screenwriters considering podcasts

43:50 - Balancing writing podcasts with other writing passions including sketch comedy and novels

49:40 - Early jobs: ghostwriting people’s responses on Tinder

51:20 - Getting paid to write individual jokes on the now-defunct “Pitch” app

54:50 - Thoughts on TikTok & comedy

57:30 - Advice for persevering in this career + not wanting to be a manager

1:06:12 - TIME CAPSULE

KEEP UP WITH MAGGIE:

TikTok: @MaggieAdmire

IG: @secret___admire

Listen to Maggie’s work: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3MH80XPwH4UdpQxXon2obn

YB Chang is a senior editor for the Try Guys and recently received her first television credit as editor of an episode of No Recipe Road Trip on the Food Network. A former editor at BuzzFeed, YB also creates her own content for her 400,000 followers across Instagram and YouTube where she posts about food, lifestyle, and most recently - her wedding! Today YB chats with us about how she made the leap from her corporate job at Fox to pursue her creative passions, how she navigated asking for raises and career advancement, and how she stays positive in the face of uncertainty, change, and the occasional negative spotlight.

2:18 - First network TV credit (No Recipe Road Trip)

6:52 - Phoning It In (Try Guys series)

10:30 - Attending scientology school?!

11:36 - Pharmacy vs. Film school

13:50 - Attending USC

15:11 - Leaving FOX for BuzzFeed

24:00 - Working for Try Guys

29:50 - Launching YB’s own channel

36:52 - Getting recognized in public

39:25 - Getting comfortable on camera

41:52 - Navigating drama / Try Guys scandal

47:25 - Love story with Herbert

49:52 - Advice for aspiring creators and/or editors

54:08 - TIME CAPSULE

YOUTUBE (FOR USE WITH CLOSED CAPTIONS): https://youtu.be/_fO5HopR07M CONNECT WITH THE PODCAST: @nosetpathshow CONNECT WITH YB: YouTube: www.youtube.com/ybchangofficial Instagram: @xoybox

Gorby Shih is a director and producer whose work includes "Killer Maid" for Tencent Pictures, which is being adapted into a TV series for Legendary Entertainment; and two drama series for app ReelShort. Gorby has his BA in Film & Television Production from USC (2014) and his MFA in Creative Producing from Columbia University (2024).

Today we’re getting into different ways to land attention on your work and directing jobs, how the market in China has changed over the years and what pieces you should have in your portfolio to be a sought-after director. Let’s jump into the interview. 

BREAKDOWN: 

2:37 - Directing vertical content: business model, story structure differences, company players in the game

11:40 - Is digital media just a stepping stone?  

20:20 - What should a director have on his or her reel to land these jobs? 

22:00 - Going back to film school + becoming a director vs. creative exec vs. producer

25:46 - Making a short that led to signing with UTA and moving to Beijing to direct

31:27 - Directing his first feature for Tencent in 14 days (“Killer Maid”). 

37:20 - Gorby’s origin story + how represents

40:00 - What are people doing who have left the industry? 

43:00 - Script “Sinuous” 

48:12 - How accolades affect receptivity to your script or new project

50:05 - The best way to “network”

1:01:35 - TIME CAPSULE

KEEP UP WITH GORBY: 

IG: @gorbacevmofoshih

REEL:

https://vimeo.com/951351677/c15853b64a?share=copy

WEBSITE: www.gorbyshih.com

CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:

All Platforms: @NoSetPathShow

www.NoSetPathShow.com

Katrina M. Kudlick is a producer and writer known for “Fixation” (2022), Hulu's “Appendage” (2023), and “Spoonful of Sugar” (2022). The founder of Fever Dream Studios, her work  has screened at festivals including Toronto International Film Festival, Fantastic Fest, SXSW, BFI London and Fantasia Film Festival. In this episode, Katrina dives into landing her first LA billboards for “Appendage,” why she left her job producing for Disney’s marketing department, and how to become successful when you need to be truly self-made.  BREAKDOWN:  2:06 START 2:19 - Appendage 18:19 - First job after graduating USC 20:01 - Working at Disney 22:23 - Being self-made; founding Fever Dream Studios 32:37 - Shooting Fixation during the pandemic in Canada 36:56 - How to get into TIFF 38:07 - Getting Spoonful of Sugar greenlit at Shudder 40:39 - Producing commercials and music videos in between features 42:31 - Katrina’s early interest + getting into USC & NYU film schools 46:47 - Living in different LA neighborhoods 48:30 - Getting through tough moments 49:57 - TIME CAPSULE  CONNECT WITH KATRINA: @KatrinaKudlick @fever.dream.studios CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: All platforms: @NoSetPathShow www.NoSetPathShow.com

BREAKDOWN:

3:29 - Overview Recap: Ideating, buying gear, launch, frequency/release cadence, top 5 episodes

6:05 - Finding guests - do guests’ audiences matter?

8:56 - Analytics: Gender split!

9:10 - How to get on the charts worldwide as a small podcast

11:30 - Spotify Labs

12:29 - Getting monetized through Spotify for Podcasters’ Ad Ambassador program

14:13 - Going viral on TikTok with a podcast clip

16:35 - Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid in First Year of Podcasting - #1: Not having clear goals

18:10 - #2 Not seeing out advice from people actually executing at your level 

25:54 - #3 Not finding the balance of researching/preparing and starting/executing

28:17 - Avoiding tech issues + what gear I use

30:50 - Picking a hosting platform

31:35 - Total gear cost

35:19 - #4 Having unrealistic expectations about growing listenership 

38:00 - how to optimize other platforms to get listens on your podcast

39:20 - hot take: maybe don’t start a podcast

42:47 - #5 Not having realistic expectations for podcasting as a networking tool 

45:50 - Episode recap

CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:

All platforms: @NoSetPathShow

www.NoSetPathShow.com

Jenine Pastores and Josh Jackson are co-creators of Tubby Nugget and Snapchat-backed Nuggetverse, Inc. With their original character and IP they have successfully built out an audience over 9+ million globally with their animated cartoons and have diversified into plush toys, books, and custom drinks.  Part 2 out next Wednesday 5/10/23! CONNECT WITH TUBBY NUGGET: All platforms @tubbynugget FOLLOW THE PODCAST: @nosetpath

Host Rebecca Doyle reads your anonymously submitted, true stories of faking it 'til you made it - landing jobs in various positions, all the way up to interviewing Oprah, launching a 20+ year career, and landing a circus performer role on Parks & Rec. CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: All Platforms: @NoSetPathShow www.NoSetPathShow.com

From PAs running to crafty for a honey crisp when asked for a "half apple" to interrupting Martin Sheen mid-take - today we dive into true stories of the funniest newbie mistakes on film sets.

CONNECT WITH SPECIAL GUEST CO-HOST MICHAEL RITTER:

Instagram: @mkritter / @29goingonbreakdown LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-ritter-filmmaker IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5778236/

Watch "Those About to Die" now on Peacock!

KEEP UP WITH THE SHOW:

All Platforms; @NoSetPathShow

www.NoSetPathShow.com

bio.site/NoSetPath

Rebecca Doyle and special guest Michael Ritter read and react to some anonymously submitted horror stories from Hollywood Assistants - complete with ranking the circle of hell each story's villain belongs to.

CONNECT WITH SPECIAL GUEST CO-HOST MICHAEL RITTER:

Instagram: @mkritter / @29goingonbreakdown LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-ritter-filmmaker IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5778236/

CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:

All platforms: @NoSetPathShow

www.NoSetPathShow.com

Revealing the top episodes, wins for the year, and upcoming opportunities!

CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:

All Platforms: @NoSetPathShow

bio.site/NoSetPath

www.NoSetPathShow.com

Welcome to the prequel episode of No Set Path! No Set Path is a biweekly podcast interviewing successful creatives in the entertainment industry. Host Rebecca Doyle dives into each guest’s story of breaking into film and television - the challenges overcome, the rules broken, and the unconventional moves made in pursuit of forging one’s own unique path.

In this episode we interview four current artists in residence at St. Joseph's Home for Artisans, the only operating Catholic artist residency in the United States, in Boston, MA.

We talk through how to balance filmmaking with other aspects of vocation, how faith can help in the pursuit of a creative career, and overcoming our individual obstacles (from healing from Guillain Barré syndrome, to navigating being a first-generation Mexican American storyteller).

BREAKDOWN:

2:47 - FERNANDO J. LIMBO III - Residency Co-Founder from Boston, MA 

5:44 - Finding peace to cultivate creative freedom

6:35 - Co-creating with your Creator

9:18 - Co-founding an artist residency: the origins of St. Joseph’s Home for Artisans

15:35 - Fernando’s ongoing recovery from Guillain-Barré syndrome

19:20 - CLARE MCCALLAN - Residency Founder, author, TV writer & host from Boston, MA

19:53 - Work-life balance? 

20:35 - Consideration of family goals vs/and career goals, especially for women 

22:48 - Advantages of having faith in artistic careers

29:04 - PATRICK LEHE - Screenwriter & producer from Los Angeles

30:28 - Not staking your entire identity on your career / successes and failures

39:11 - BENJAMIN SUAREZ - Filmmaker from Atlanta, GA

40:13 - Surrounding yourself with people who inspire you 

30:50 - Atlanta vs. LA or NYC

44:37 - One question to ask yourself to discern filmmaking as part of your vocation 

45:48 - Overcoming barriers to pursuing filmmaking as a first-generation Mexican American

 

CONNECT WITH THE RESIDENCE: 

www.StJosephsHomeforArtistans.com

IG: @stjosephsartisans

CONNECT WITH FERNANDO: 

IG: @fernandojlimbo

CONNECT WITH CLARE: 

www.ClareMcCallen.com

IG: @clare_mccallen

CONNECT WITH PATRICK: 

www.patrickjlehe.com

IG: @pjlehe

CONNECT WITH BENJI: 

IG: @benjisuarezfilms

CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: 

All platforms: @NoSetPathShow

www.NoSetPathShow.com

bio.site/nosetpath

Mark J. Matthews is an LA-based engineer specializing in A.I. research. His work was key in character movement in films including Kung Fu Panda, Shrek Forever After, Madagascar, and installments of franchises Trolls and How to Train Your Dragon. He has multiple patents and two DreamWorks Technical Achievement Awards. Today we’re getting into the realistic future of AI, how to protect yourself from it as a writer, actor or filmmaker; what Mark did proactively step by step to land a dream job at DreamWorks even after DreamWorks rescinded a first job offer, and the one trait that every person who did land a job at DreamWorks had in common. 2:22 - Mark’s work in AI, tech, and at DreamWorks 7:07 - can AI ever fully replace screenwriters or VFX artists? 8:32 - historical patterns of opposition to technological replacements 16:22 - Mark’s patents and awards for AI techniques in movies  25:07 - Exact steps Mark took to land a job at Dreamworks 30:07 - Canada -> US immigration 35:57 - Decision to drop out of PhD 37:57 - Work on How to Train Your Dragon, Trollz, Kung Fu Panda, Madagascar 41:17 - The thing people hired by Dreamworks had in common 44:18 - TIME CAPSULE CONNECT WITH MARK Instagram: www.markjmatthews.com CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: All Platforms: @NoSetPathShow www.NoSetPathShow.com

EPISODE BREAKDOWN

0:00 - Intro

6:00 - Why Baldoni & Lively probably won’t go to trial

6:40 - Publicity vs. PR vs. Marketing

7:59 - Looking at things with a critical eye & documentary subjects saying “no”

10:10 - North West, Kim Kardashian, Kanye West & “The Lion King” at the Hollywood Bowl

12:58 - Amazon Prime’s publicist dramatization in “Flack”

15:00 - the advent of the “influencer”

16:25 - Real stories of publicist shenanigans from my time at the Hollywood Reporter

22:45 - more Hollywood stories

23:26 - studios/companies telling actors things to say to promote a film, including fake stories. Case study: Suicide Squad & Jared Leto’s crazy “gifts”

38:33 - Failed publicity stunts - Balloon boy (2009), Jussie Smollett (2019), Morton Downey Jr. (1989)

54:18 - how you’re being tricked by social media creators

KEEP UP WITH THE SHOW:

All Platforms: @NoSetPathShow

www.NoSetPathShow.com

www.bio.site/NoSetPath

Today’s guest is Parissa Koo, an actress, singer, and model who has appeared on the Disney Channel, USA Network, Funny or Die, For the Record Live Onstage, Pixel Playhouse, and the Norwegian Cruise Line Escape. You can catch her in commercials for Capital One, Freeform, and Chevron but more imminently - this weekend in HBOhNo…It’s a Musical!

Today we get into the often overlooked place to find jobs in entertainment, how to make a first impression that leads to lasting collaboration, and the one question you should ask while trying to network.

BREAKDOWN: 

2:30 - HbOhNo…It’s a Musical!

5:30 - Meeting a longterm collaborator on a cruise ship 

8:00 - The key to creating a lasting relationship

10:00 - Creating your own work, taking control of your art 

14:00 - Liking genres that aren’t see as “high art” (shoutout Glenn Powell)

19:25 - Say yes, stay in touch - people come back around

21:00 - be genuine in networking 

23:00 - rejection: push harder or walk away? 

24:30 - What to ask for when networking!

27:00 - Auditioning for American Idol

31:50 - Auditioning for the Glee Project & getting noticed by Robert Ulrich

33:10 - Deferring & then skipping college + signing to Osbrink 

35:00 - Auditioning for Mulan (vs. Jamie Chung)

35:50 - Auditioning for Deadpool without knowing

39:50 - Gaining perspective through geographic distance from the industry 

41:04 - YouTube surpassing Netflix for TV watch time and: Pixel Playhouse! 

46:00 - Balancing short-term opportunity with long-term strategy for a career

50:10 - TIME CAPSULE

CONNECT WITH PARISSA: 

IG: @ParissaKoo

CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: 

All Platforms: @NoSetPathShow   

bio.site/nosetpath

www.NoSetPathShow.com

Becca Mann is an author, screenwriter, and former Team USA swimmer. A two-time national champion, she was the youngest to place Top 10 in four events at a single Olympic Trials and competed in four World Championships. She later worked in writers rooms on shows like Cruel Summer, The Wilds, and The Morning Show. Her memoir Outside the Lanes and novel Unruly drop the first week of April.

Today, we dive into how Becca landed her first writers' room job with 500+ cold emails; how she turned a spontaneous book pitch into a deal; and why embracing boldness, loving the process, and facing failure head-on leads to success.

BREAKDOWN:

3:00 - “Outside the Lanes” - memoir from an alumnae swimmer of Team USA

15:00 - First job in Hollywood by guessing showrunners’ emails and cold emailing

17:18 - First writers’ room job as a writers’ PA on “Cruel Summer”

22:00 - Being show runner’s assistant on “The Wilds”

23:50 - Becoming script coordinator on “The Morning Show”

25:40 - Back to sending emails for the next job!

28:00 - How Becca got her book deal + failure isn’t real

33:00 - Huge week for Becca in April! Books, races, shows!

34:00 - Becca announces her YA book premise, coming out this April!

37:30 - USC swim career + early swim career

44:50 - Advice!

54:07 - TIME CAPSULE

KEEP UP WITH BECCA:

IG: @becca__mann

TikTok: @beccawmann

Buy Becca's Memoir:

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/774496/outside-the-lanes-by-becca-mann/

KEEP UP WITH THE SHOW:

All Platforms: @NoSetPathShow

www.NoSetPathShow.com

bio.site/NoSetPath

Evan McGahey, staff writer on Season 8 of Outlander, breaks down how he worked his way up in TV from support staff to staff writer; how he recently sold his original TV pitch to a major studio; and what he predicts with future writers given Hollywood's contraction and battle over A.I.

EPISODE BREAKDOWN:

1:30 - Writing a first episode of Outlander

3:00 - Lessons from writing an episode after working as writers room support staff

4:20 - Experience co-writing an episode with another writer

5:00 - How Evan landed a support staff role on Outlander

7:26 - How Evan made the connections who ended up referring him for the interview

10:00 - How to sell an original show to a major network

15:45 - Choosing a production companies

17:06 - Landing a manager

18:30 - Co-writing a pilot

20:10 - Getting started in TV writing: first jobs—

26:20 - Writer’s PA vs. Writer’s Assistant: how to maximize each job

28:20 - Why Evan chose Outlander over staying at NBC’s The Black List

35:00 - We Survived ’til ’25, now what?: How to navigate the current contraction as a writer

39:50 - Writers vs. A.I.

43:40 - From going to USC to become a doctor to switching to pursuing screenwriting with a biology degree

44:00 - underGRAD

47:46 - Having a dedicated creative space for working

50:50 - TIME CAPSULE

KEEP UP WITH THE SHOW:

All Platforms: @NoSetPathShow

www.NoSetPathShow.com

bio.site/nosetpathshow

This special episode takes you to Park City, Utah to talk to filmmakers, staff, and attendees of the 2024 Sundance and Slamdance Film Festivals.

BREAKDOWN:

2:08 Guri Neby - Producer, Handling the Undead (Sundance 2024) 

5:00 Ken Wittingham, Director & Sundance Comedy Panelist (Abbott Elementary, Parks & Recreation, Black-ish)

7:33 Sarah Lasley [Director & Writer] & Brenna Palughi [Actress/Co-Writer], Welcome to the Enclave (Slamdance 2024)

17:09 Lindsay Compton, Sundance Staff

20:45 Chris Jai Alex, Director / Festival Attendee

25:16 Justin Knoepfel, Filmmaker / Festival Attendee

29:56 Desiree Breise, Film Lover / Festival Attendee

CONNECT WITH THE GUESTS:

Guri Neby - Einar Film IG @einarfilm 

Ken Wittingham - www.imdb.com/name/nm0926526/

Brenna Palughi - IG @brenna__pal

Sarah Lasley - IG @sarah_lasley / sarahlasley.com 

Lindsay Compton - IG @lindsayycompton / Letterboxd @lcomp

Chris Jai Alex IG - @chrisjaialex https://tubitv.com/movies/100012918/get-the-girl

Justin Knoepfel IG - @justinknoepfel  

CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:

All platforms @NoSetPathShow

Brian M. Tang is an Asian American director based in Los Angeles. His original SWAT samurai action short film, KODAMA, will have its world premiere at SXSW 2023. His recent directing work includes projects for virtual production company Impossible Objects and “Many Moons,” a film shot on location and in real time in the path of totality of the 2017 total solar eclipse. Informing his director sensibilities are his extensive background in cinematography and VFX.Brian’s DP work has appeared at the Telluride Film Festival, the Cannes Film Festival, the Student Academy Awards, and on Netflix. A USC alum, Brian grew up in Marlboro, New Jersey.

In this episode we discuss how Brian successfully crowdfunded a film that got into SXSW and gained interest from agents and production companies before it even screened. We also talk about how his work as a cinematographer and VFX artist prepared him for the leap into directing, how watching movies and making stop-motion films from Legos as a child formed his cinematic taste, and how he went from being unsure how to pay bills after film school to becoming a rostered director.

Connect with Brian on Instagram: @b_tang

1:00 - Introduction of Brian

2:35 - Kodama - SXSW 2023 selection

22:06 - Brian’s early days of filmmaking

34:24 - USC

36:58 - Under Darkness and Bolero - Telluride selections & Student Academy Award-nominated films

45:38 - Many Moons - shot on location during the 2017 total solar eclipse

56:30 - The Last Whistle - first feature film in theaters & on Netflix

1:01:37 - Bolt from the Blue - feature film shot in Alaska

1:04:15 - Important lessons - film school, VFX capabilities, having a secondary skill

01:22:20 - Living situation impact on creativity

01:24:45 - Advice for younger filmmakers

01:31:00 - Overcoming slow periods

01:35:07 - Time Capsule

01:45:52 - Key Takeaways

EPISODE BREAKDOWN:

1:00 - The question: if you’re making six figures, how did you do it? 

1:40 - Have a good attitude 

4:38 - To diversify or not diversify?

14:08 - Freelancer —> tech / marketing / entrepreneur 

16:55 - $100k+ as a DP - with rates ##

19:16 - Have multiple projects in various phases + be careful of talker$

22:30 - Does having multiple projects help burnout? 

23:17 - Work on long-running shows

23:38 - Apply for government funding (Canada, Europe etc.)

26:08 - Pay bills with branded + build portfolio  

32:50 - A dissenting opinion!

33:30 - Meeting 2 of 3 criteria for taking a project

35:40 - Getting hired through DPs + good attitude ($500k+)

37:50 - Work insane hours + go out and get what you want

38:27 - Get referrals, the jobs find you 

39:20 - Cold email

39:58 - Music videos —> self-funded features?

41:10 - Union DIT

42:29 - Corporate videos

43:20 - Building a portfolio, following up on connections years later

KEEP UP WITH THE SHOW:

All Platforms: @NoSetPathShow

bio.site/nosetpath

www.NoSetPathShow.com

Devin Berko is a producer at the Walt Disney Company, entrepreneur and matzo ball enthusiast. He moved to Los Angeles in 2018 after running a successful production company and has since focused on creating diverse content, whether through his work as a food photographer, commercial producer, or director.

Today Devin gets into how to get hired by Disney and what Disney corporate producers look for in a director and production company to work on commercials for the Disney parks, faking a documentary to propose to the love of your life, and the philosophy he adopted from his fianceé that will give you the best shot at getting what you want.

EPISODE BREAKDOWN:

1:15 - start

1:35 - Devin’s job at Disney producing commercials for the Disney Parks

3:35 - Tiana’s Bayou Adventure!

4:55 - From making TikToks for a company to working with Disney IP   

7:05 - Being a part of something bigger

10:33 -working inside a bureaucracy / large company 

23:15 - set your own path; short-term opportunity vs. long-term strategy 

29:45 - wedding company gets ghosted

34:05 - Producing for TikTok

35:25 - When is too late to start? (Age)

38:45 - The “get-out-of-bed” rate

41:55 - Don’t Ask, Don’t Get

44:45 - How to get hired by Disney

51:15 - Matzoball Documentary

56:25 - Faking a documentary to propose 

1:01:03 - TIME CAPSULE

KEEP UP WITH DEVIN:

IG: @devinberko

KEEP UP WITH THE SHOW:

All Platforms: @NoSetPathShow

www.NoSetPathShow.com

bio.site/nosetpath

Rebecca Doyle and Becca Mann break down some of the worst career advice they've received and that was anonymously submitted by TV writers, assistants, directors, 1st ADs, and crew members in Hollywood.

BREAKDOWN:

1:31 - “Know your place” 

3:13 - “You should be anxious all the time”

8:06 - “Work your way up from the bottom”

11:05 - “Do the DGA Apprentice Program to become a director”

12:54 - “Hide who you are”

15:39 - “Keep your head down”

18:36 - “You need good gear to make a good movie”

21:11 - “Don’t gain experience in more than one field”

24:37 - “Play it safe and stick with a stable job”

28:35 - “Just wait for the right opportunity to come”

29:35 - “You gotta burn 15-20 bridges in this town”

31:38 - “Listen to others”

33:27 - “Collect those days and become an AD”

34:35 - “Do the programs or volunteer PA”

36:42 - “Stay in the Navy”

KEEP UP WITH BECCA:

Instagram: @becca__mann

TikTok: @beccawmann

Website: www.becca-mann.com

KEEP UP WITH THE SHOW:

All platforms: @NoSetPathShow

www.NoSetPathShow.com

bio.site/nosetpath

As we approach college application season, it's time to explore the 5 questions you should ask yourself before choosing film school.

3:21 - Finding the Right Role in Film

10:57 - A School's Comprehensive Offerings

17:11 - Content of the Degree's Classes

24:18 - Making Your Own Opportunities

32:16 - Student Loans for a Film Degree

CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: All Platforms: @NoSetPathShow www.NoSetPathShow.com

John Burd is a writer, producer and director specializing in TV movies. John has worked on projects for networks including Hallmark, Lifetime, Syfy, Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, UpTV, and Ion.  He made his directorial debut in 2021 with his script Love at the Christmas Contest. BREAKDOWN: 4:00 - Acquiring rights to a book for script adaptation 5:57 - Upcoming movies: Nana’s Here, Stalked by My Stepsister (Lifetime) 11:19 - Hired to direct first feature, financing first feature 13:50 - Christmas movie horror stories + TikTok virality 27:50 - Not compromising your values for a project 35:03 - Upcoming - Christmas Keepsake (Great American Family), Her Deadly Letters 36:20 - Balancing working in development at MarVista with screenwriting 43:10 - Creating opportunities during covid, strikes, dry spells in work 45:20 - How to build good industry relationships 47:00 - Moving to Tulsa 53:00 - Law school transferable skills for screenwriting 57:00 - Advice for writers who want to work in TV movies or Christmas space 1:03:50 - TIME CAPSULE 1:16:16 - Takeaways CONNECT WITH John: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4719650/ www.burdhousepost.com  CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: All Platforms: @NoSetPathShow www.NoSetPathShow.com

In this episode we dive into how you can be using A.I. today as a filmmaker, current WGA and SAG guidelines post-strike, right of publicity a la the Scarlet Johansson / OpenAI dispute, and the context around copyright (how do you protect your own and not violate anyone else's!). BREAKDOWN:

2:13 - Ways you can start using A.I. to help you as a filmmaker

22:10 - WGA & SAG guidelines for A.I.

29:42 - Right to Publicity (ScarJo x OpenAI)

35:51 - Copyright - who owns what you “made”?

MENTIONED MATERIALS: WGA on AI: https://www.wga.org/contracts/know-your-rights/artificial-intelligence SAG on AI: https://www.sagaftra.org/files/sa_documents/AI%20TVTH.pdf "The Town" Episode on Scarlet Johansson vs. OpenAI: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6s1j9JYviMUrRb8mcYeR3C?si=e160db88cf4c4537 When Photography Wasn’t Art by Jordan G. Teicher https://daily.jstor.org/when-photography-was-not-art/ How Photography Pioneered a New Understanding of Art by Eva Silva https://www.thecollector.com/how-photography-transformed-art/ Read with me: Intellectual Property in the New Technological Age 2023 Vol. II Copyrights, Trademarks and State IP Protections: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1945555254?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: All platforms: @NoSetPathShow bio.site/nosetpath www.NoSetPathShow.com

Andrew Nallathambi is a manager in Film & TV at Range Media Partners. Andrew began his career in the early days of Range as one of their first Associate Trainees in November 2020, fresh out of USC. He went on to work as an Associate for two years on the literary side, and then held the Coordinator of Film & TV position before being promoted to Manager in the Film & TV group in March of this year. Today Andrew and gets into how to navigate an uncertain time in the industry and advance into a career you love, what managers currently look for when signing new talent, and how to be comfortable with the uncomfortable.  EPISODE BREAKDOWN: 2:09 - Andrew’s journey to being a manager at Range 4:11 - Landing a first job in the mailroom at CAA, losing it to the pandemic  7:20 - Being accepted into Teach for America as an English teacher when covid shut the entertainment industry down before pivoting back to an entry-level job in management 8:50 - Landing a job through lateral connections and being intentional with your time  12:28 - Balancing planning ahead with being adaptable: being comfortable with the uncomfortable! 15:30 - The joy of letting go of control: no one is 100% self-made 18:18 - Pursuing a career as an agent vs. manager 19:20 - Why not liking something is a good thing 22:55 - Pursuing things that are true to you, not things that everyone else says you should do  24:50 - Can you be a rep if you’re not extroverted? 29:10 - What if you don’t see people like yourself in the position you want?** 31:00 - How to make rejection useful  34:28 - What managers look for in clients to sign 41:10 - What sample should a writer have? Are we entering an era of a tonal shift?  47:20 - What is Andrew’s Range connect up to now?! 48:38 - Questions in a Hollywood assistant interview 52:37 - Being true to yourself will put you in the right place  53:10 - Andrew’s journey from childhood: drums, immigrant parents, inclinations toward art over academics, Blockbuster Video —> studying Cinema-Media Studies USC School of Cinematic Arts 59:28 - Advice for aspiring managers and aspiring clients  1:02:30 - How to do outreach effectively! 1:04:06 - How people got jobs through sending Andrew a cold email 1:05:00 - How to keep going when things get discouraging  1:09:45 - TIME CAPSULE KEEP UP WITH THE SHOW: All Platforms: @NoSetPathShow bio.site/nosetpath www.NoSetPathShow.com

This special episode features several writers representing the Writers Guild of America (WGA) active on the writers strike picket lines in Los Angeles. We had the opportunity to speak with Noah Schechter (The Black List), Evan McGahey (Outlander) and Becca Mann (The Bondsman, The Morning Show).

1:30 - NOAH SCHECTER

2:55 - The flawed business model of streamers

5:00 - First job on The Black List

7:00 - How to make time for writing

13:20 - EVAN MCGAHEY

13:44 - First job on The Black List (with Noah!)

17:18 - How the points of negotiation were chosen

19:20 - From bio major to TV writer

28:35 - BECCA MANN

29:40 - First TV job through cold emailing!

32:10 - From USA Swimming National Team to scripted TV

34:26 - Staff room minimums

35:26 - Bike the Strike

CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:

All Platforms: @NoSetPathShow

www.NoSetPathShow.com

Monisha Dadlani is a multi-hyphenate actress, writer, and director. As a writer, she's developed projects with Sony Pictures Television, Netflix Features Animation, Amazon Studios, and MRC. She was also a freelance writer for an animated show on Apple TV+ and voices a series regular on a Nickelodeon International animated series. =She's a member of the WGA and The Animation Guild, an alumni of Ron Howard and Brian Grazer's content acceleration program, Imagine Impact, and had one of her scripts featured on the 2020 Black List. 

Today we dive into developing original material versus adapting IP, pitching on open writing assignments, and finding your voice as a storyteller. 

3:06 - Original scripts vs. open writing assignments (OWAs)

5:20 - IP is king (or queen!)

10:35 - Studio being on board vs. not yet

14:50 - One producer vs. two producers - navigating conflicting notes

17:00 - faithfulness to IP with strong fandoms

21:45 - Monisha’s first OWA for MRC + the process

27:05-  When to turn down an OWA

28:22 - Being part of the Netflix Braintrust

30:28 - Blind script deal at Sony + “if-come” deals 

33:10 - Pitching a PG-13 vs. R-rated version of an idea depending on the distributor 

35:50 - How Monisha started pitching on OWAs + Imagine Impact

43:11 - How the first script Monisha ever wrote was “not great” but landed her in the fellowship that launched her writing career

48:46 - Meeting with managers + choosing one of the 10+ that was interested (David Baggelaar at Goodyear)

52:27 - Why your agent might be hiding in the mailroom 

54:20 - What you should have in your writing sample to attract reps + jobs

59:10 - Monisha’s Black List script “The Boy Who Died” + a pitch to Daniel Radcliffe

1:04:25 - What the Black List can do for a career

1:08:15 - How to make one sample work for both YA, sci-fi, romance AND four-quadrant projects

1:09:39 - Joining the Writers Guild of America

1:10:00 - Growing up in NYC, attending the “Fame” high school, choosing USC School of Dramatic Arts

1:17:00 - Shooting a feature film with $5,000

1:18:55 - Storytelling side hustles + shooting a passion project web series

1:20:43 - TIME CAPSULE

Jonathan is a Berlin-based Creative Technologist and entrepreneur who stands at the forefront of digital innovation in the media sector. He is the founder of Berlin-based AI software startup Wavery, which specializes in advanced AI-supported transcription technologies designed for the needs of filmmakers and audio professionals. Previously, he developed innovative VR narratives at WITHIN in Los Angeles. He is a graduate of the University of Southern California and Berlin’s Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF.

Today we get into moving to Europe from the United States as a film creative, how to build a network when you know no one in your new country, and how to take advantage of funding, grants and incentives Europe has to offer.

BREAKDOWN:

2:00 - Moving to Germany with a remote job in VR for quality of life 

5:20 - Getting European government funding and grants for projects (both narrative + startups)

9:00 - Working as a creative technologist - from VR to AI and volume walls

12:00 - German x American workflows + expertise

14:00 - Startup Wavery - AI-powered transcription service for filmmakers

17:09 - Process of getting government funding for Wavery

18:20 - Getting his business partner a visa to live in Europe alongside a government-funded project

21::15 - the rental market conundrum in Berlin

26:54 - working on feature film “Interior” in Berlin

28:50 - documentary project in development “Not Coming Out” + winning development money in France

29:30 - Finding money in various government funds in Europe: tax credits, fixed grants, awards system 

32:30 - Where does an American who wants to move to Europe to work in film start? 

39:22 - Working in VR from the ground floor

46:30 - Emerson film vs. USC non-film

49:55 - Quality of life affects your creativity 

52:25 - Persevering through hard times

57:56 - TIME CAPSULE

KEEP UP WITH JONATHAN: 

www.GetWavery.com

IG: @jonathaan12

KEEP UP WITH THE SHOW: 

All Platforms: @NoSetPathShow 

www.NoSetPathShow.com

bio.site/nosetpath

Ryan is a story editor on CSI: Vegas (check out his next episode coming out 4/21/24!) In 2018, he participated in the CAPE New Writers Fellowship, and in 2021 he part of the Paramount Writers Mentoring Program. Today we’re getting into how Ryan turned his day job into the final thing that made the showrunner of CSI Vegas want to hire him, Ryan’s final application strategy on the time he was accepted into the Paramount Writers Program, how to be prepared for an interview with a showrunner for a TV writer position, how to deal with burnout, and so much more. BREAKDOWN: 1:41 How Ryan got a job on CSI: Vegas 7:21 What makes a good director for a writer to work with 8:41 How to communicate with other departments as a staff writer 10:11 Are Zoom (Writers) Rooms the future of TV? 11:41 Getting hired on a show you’ve never watched 12:53 Should you work on procedurals? 15:31 Writing features vs. TV 18:40 Rejected from the Paramount Writers Program seven times before getting accepted 20:54  Cape New Writers Fellowship 25:20 Interview questions for a TV writer (CSI: Vegas) 27:10 How day jobs in writing contributed to landing a job in TV writing  30:20 Working through burnout  34:00 Write a procedural, not a Succession spec  37:10 - Don’t get precious, you need many scripts 40:20 Day jobs for writers 52:53 - Getting your first rep while still in college 55:15 - Decision to not have a manager 59:40 - Ryan’s “A story”! Example of how to pitch yourself in a TV writer interview  1:02:40 - Deciding: USC vs. NYU 1:05:20 - Advice 1:09:57 TIME CAPSULE

Michael Ritter is a film producer and executive named on the 2024 Forbes 30 Under 30 list for Hollywood & Entertainment. He was pivotal in closing over $280 million in financing for films such as Lionsgate’s “Moonfall” and TV shows such as Peacock’s upcoming historical epic “Those About to Die.” We dive into the entire process of getting on Forbes 30 Under 30 - - - alongside names like Jenna Ortega and Noah Schnapp - from nomination to final round questions, how to overcome rejection, and the one key factor to truly measure success. BREAKDOWN: 2:51 - Making Forbes 30 Under 30, from surprise nomination to final round questions 9:36 - Rejection from job, Moonfall, Midway 10:31 - Forbes Under 30 Summit 2023 15:06 - Receiving the Under 30 news + reactions from others 20:26 - Tips for aspiring Listers 22:59 - Founding Kairon Studios 27:14 - Appealing USC rejection + being a spring admit 31:37 - Producing first feature, “Samir” (2019) through USC & Warner Bros. 39:23 - First jobs - burnout, bartending, assistant to TV director, freelancing in production & photography 47:01 - From producing first feature to working the front desk at Equinox 49:21 - Working as an assistant to producer Harald Kloser and meeting JP Pettinato on Midway (2019) to Lionsgate with JP Pettinato 58:16 - Associate producer on Moonfall (2022) & covid shutdown in 2020 1:06:09 - Advice for overcoming low moments 1:16:36 - TIME CAPSULE CONNECT WITH MICHAEL Instagram: @mkritter / @29goingonbreakdown LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-ritter-filmmaker IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5778236/ CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: All Platforms: @NoSetPathShow www.NoSetPathShow.com

Reviewing stories of people who created their own opportunities when there were none to give you some hope & inspiration during this slow time in the industry!

CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:

All Platforms: @NoSetPathShow

bio.site/nosetpath

www.NoSetPathShow.com

Emily Ruhl is a model, actress, producer, writer, and director. She has been the face of brands like Smashbox, KKW and MAC; acted in films like Newness (Sundance 2017), and Executive Produced We Strangers (SXSW 2024) and Playland (Tribeca 2023). Her directorial writing, directing, and producing debut, short Blue Moon, played at 100+ festivals and landed her 4 awards for Best Director. Emily is a Lister on the Forbes 30 Under 30 List 2024. BREAKDOWN: 2:57 - EPing We Strangers (SXSW 2024) 3:52 - What an EP does 4:54 - Blue Moon - lessons in making your first film 9:08 - EPing Playland (Tribeca 2023) 10:43 - What attracted Emily to projects as an EP 13:30 - Working with Jim Cummings 16:28 - Upcoming projects 25:10 - How to learn about how to develop & pitch TV 28:04 - Addiction & recovery shows - the good, the bad, and the ugly  31:48 - Founding Public School Pictures 33:50 - Making Forbes 30 Under 30 & tips for next year’s list 40:00 - Finding financing for your own projects 43:50 - Building a production company staff 47:50 - Modeling in Tokyo & NYC 51:54 - Purpose & motivation fueled by passion & rejection 55:25 - Lessons in management 56:50 - "Rejection" vs. “adapting to a ‘no’" 57:40 - TIME CAPSULE CONNECT WITH EMILY: @emilyruhl www.publicschoolpictures.com CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: All Platforms: @NoSetPathShow www.NoSetPathShow.com

Sam Boyer is an Indonesian-American writer who won the Nicholl Fellowship in 2022, was featured on the 2023 Black List, was a 2020 CAPE New Writers Fellow, and has twice been featured on the Black List's CAPE List. He earned his MFA from UT Austin’s Michener Center for Writers and his BA from USC's film school. In this episode, Sam dives into his process in landing a spot in each of these programs, how to face and overcome rejection, tips for making time and space to write, and why his hypothetical presidential platform would include free chips & salsa at every restaurant.  BREAKDOWN: 3:35 - Getting on the Black List 7:24 - Black List 2023 script - “Foragers” 14:00 - Getting the NIcholl Fellowship 25:25 - CAPE Writers Program 31:17 - Getting into Michener  at UT Austin 36:09 - Becoming an Academy Gold member 40:05 - Balancing work when you start out with a day job, making time to write, getting past writers’ block 50:57 - Tips for general meetings 55:43 - Getting initially rejected from SCA 1:00:26 - Rejection is normal 1:09:55 - Personal connection to stories 1:12:33 - Navigating management / reps 1:19:25 - Advice for people starting out / pivoting 1:26:39 - How he persevered through hard times 1:32:27 - The myth of the Overnight Success 1:34:19 - TIME CAPSULE CONNECT WITH SAM:  IG @samboyer  CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:  All platforms @NoSetPathShow  bio.site/nosetpath www.nosetpathshow.com

Part 2! Listen to part 1 in the previous episode, published 05/03/23! Jenine Pastores and Josh Jackson are co-creators of Tubby Nugget and Snapchat-backed Nuggetverse, Inc. With their original character and IP they have successfully built out an audience over 9+ million globally with their animated cartoons and have diversified into plush toys, books, and custom drinks.  CONNECT WITH TUBBY NUGGET: Most platforms @tubbynugget / Facebook & YouTube @tubbynug FOLLOW THE PODCAST: @nosetpath

Rebecca Doyle and Michael Ritter react to submitted career regrets and how to avoid them yourself!

EPISODE BREAKDOWN:

1:30 - Not coming to LA earlier

6:10 - Not avoiding drama

9:35 - Not taking digital seriously + creative PR for indie films and digital vs. traditional 

23:00 - Not begging for your job back? 

27:38 - Not saving more money 

29:30 - Not pursuing acting as a child 

31:44 - Leaving a TV assistant job to go write samples alone

34:12 - Picking the wrong gig 

 36:20 - Focusing too much on a day/high-paying job and not making time for personal creative projects with friends 

38:44 - Being convinced by an agent to turn down a conscripted writing job 

40:48 - Don’t burn bridges, even if the people suck 

41:35 - Accusation of interview questions

42:03 - Leaving an office job to pursue personal stuff + not seeking mental health support earlier 

43:18 - Focusing too much on personal projects and not taking more union high-level work early

44:25 - Getting an entertainment-related education

45:26 - Getting sidetracked in reality TV

46:20 - Allowing senior employees to create insecurity 

48:20 - Not making your own content 

48:30 - Not stealing Michael Eisner’s rolodex

50:55 - Worked with (bad) influencers

52:24 - Not doing corporate or agency time early on

54:14 - Not asking for help 

55:26 - Snippy comments / picking this industry at all

56:05 - Sign with ICM instead of CAA

57:05 - Choosing VFX as a career

57:55 - Hollywood is the hardest thing, so we got this! - But start your S-corp early 

KEEP U

EPISODE BREAKDOWN: 0:52 - Intro! Strike Overview 2:47 - Disclaimers! Redacting the names of shows 4:26 - CLAY SAVAGE (SAG-AFTRA) 6:00 - What’s the deal with residuals?  8:10 - What sectors will AI eliminate? 11:52 - Striking is for minimums, health insurance 13:40 - Advice for actors   15:45 - NANRISA LEE (SAG-AFTRA) 17:12 - Reasons for striking > work 18:20 - CASARA CLARK (SAG-AFTRA, General Hospital) 18:48 - Birthday picket + General Hospital 20:41 - AI will change the industry 30:53 - JACK POWERS (SAG-ELIGIBLE) 32:43 - Quitting Big Tech for acting 34:45 - Actor Tips - audition prep, playing different characters, moving to LA, networking 34:45 - Preparing for auditions 35:46 - Playing different characters 37:30 - Impostor syndrome is REAL CONNECT WITH OUR GUESTS: Clay Savage: @theclaysavage Casara Clark: @casaraclark Cynthia Clark: @drcynthialeaclark Jack Powers: IG @jackpowers90 / TikTok @jackpowerzzz CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: All Platforms: @NoSetPathShow www.NoSetPathShow.com

Alessandra Conti is the on-air Celebrity Matchmaker for NBC's Access Hollywood, a matchmaker behind 2 seasons of MTV's "Are You The One?", regularly featured matchmaker on CBS's Face The Truth, and subject of upcoming scripted and reality shows. In this episode Alessandra discusses: - Two BIG upcoming TV projects she recently landed - How she navigated signing with her first major agent - How to overcome impostor syndrome - How to find projects that align with your values @nosetpathshow CONNECT WITH ALESSANDRA: @matchmakeralessandraconti www.matchmakersinthecity.com Alessandra's Podcast: @datinginthecityshow

This motivation mix was created for directors, writers, producers, cinematographers, editors, makeup artists, entrepreneurs, and filmmakers from previous episodes of No Set Path. TOPIC BREAKDOWN: 0:12 - Overcoming tough times 10:08 - You were born to do this  13:23 - Form your own taste, set your own path 17:58 - Comparison + imposter syndrome 25:40 - Overcoming tough financial times 26:22 - Build your community 35:03 - How you do it is more important than what you do 41:59 - Make the prototype 44:49 - Bad movies don’t exist 46:10 - Learn & let go 50:41 - Prioritize values alignment 53:01 - Discipline sets you free 56:54 - Enjoy your life The speakers are: Brian Tang (Ep. 01) Kristen Brancaccio (Ep. 02) Alessandra Conti (Ep. 03) Nina Sadowsky (Ep. 04) Jenine Pastores (Ep. 05 & 06) Josh Jackson (Ep. 05 & 06) YB Chang (Ep. 07) Peri Segel (Ep. 08) Mike Grimm (Ep. 09) Emilia Werynska (Ep. 10) Alex O’Keefe (Ep. 11) David Weddle (Ep. 11) Ryan Lee (Ep. 11) Megan Rees (Ep. 11) Clay Savage (Ep. 12) Jack Powers (Ep. 12) Matthew Jensen (Ep. 13) Noah Schecter (Ep. 14) Becca Mann (Ep. 14) Leiah Yvonne Kwong (Ep. 15) Katrina Kudlick (Ep. 17) Matt McClung (Ep. 18) Mark J. Matthews (Ep. 19) Michael Ritter (Ep. 21) John Burd (Ep. 22) CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: All Platforms: @NoSetPathShow www.NoSetPathShow.com

MICHAEL LUKK LITWAK is a Brooklyn-based filmmaker and cartoonist that was born and raised in Los Angeles. His first feature was ‘MOLLI AND MAX IN THE FUTURE’ a sci-fi Romantic-Comedy starring Zosia Mamet and Aristotle Athari and is often described as ‘When Harry Met Sally’ meets ‘Futurama.’ ‘MOLLI AND MAX’ had its world premiere at SXSW 2023, played at BFI London, Sitges, and Fantasia before its theatrical distribution in February 2024 and is currently sitting at 97% on Rotten Tomatoes.

2:21 - Molli & Max in the Future

4:31 - Admission to SXSW - getting in as a director on the 12th try

6:51 - The strategic side of top festival admissions

12:41 - What film festivals are worth it?

14:21 - Getting theatrical distribution for a first feature 

15:21 - Additional benefits of theatrical release: NYT review, Late Night exposure

16:11 - Shooting with new tech - virtual production, volume stages, LED stages & green screen

18:01 - Creative solves to making sci-fi on a budget

26:59 - The Life and Death of Tommy Chaos & Stacey Danger - how Michael’s short that got rejected from every major film festival went viral and landed him representation

29:51 - Landing a $2.5 million Warner Bros show - only to have it scrapped with the shutdown of Go90

38:21 - navigating agents & managers as a director

44:21 - Impact of the strikes

47:07 - Cartoons

49:41 - Being featured on Humans of New York

51:21 - Support & understanding when married to another creative in film 

53:25 - Things are not stepping stones and people won’t rescue you

56:16 - Getting inspired again after low points

58:21 - TIME CAPSULE

CONNECT WITH MICHAEL:

IG: @michaellitwak / @molliandmax

https://www.michaellitwak.com/

CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:

All Platforms: @NoSetPathShow

www.NoSetPathShow.com

Peri Segel is a biracial, Asian American comedy writer whose credits include episodes of Disney's "The Ghost and Molly McGee" and Netflix's "Go Dog Go." In this episode, Peri dives into: - How she went from her job as a production coordinator to the writers room of a Disney TV show in just 2 weeks - How the personal experiences she initially felt afraid to share became the topics of episodes because they were so relatable - Navigating signing with a first agent or manager - Reflections on the biracial experience and how it impacts her work and outlook CONNECT WITH PERI: Instagram: @p.segel Twitter: @peri.segel CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: All Platforms: @NoSetPathShow www.NoSetPathShow.com

Leiah Yvonne Kwong of London-based Eleventh Hour Films dives into all things British TV, freelancing vs working in-house, working across multiple countries and immigrating to pursue a career in film & TV, and falling in love with the legal and business affairs of filmmaking. 2:00 - The Killing Kind (Paramount+), Alex Rider (FreeVee), Magpie Murders (Masterpiece, BBC) 8:45 - Moving up from assistant 14:30 - On set vs. in-office 15:08 - Hollywood strike effect on London 20:00 - Programs for entry-level jobs 26:14 - Immigration 35:04 - Advice 39:55 - TIME CAPSULE CONNECT WITH LEIAH: Instagram: @auteurtheory CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: All Platforms: @NoSetPathShow www.NoSetPathShow.com

Emilia is a union makeup artist (Local 706) whose work on “Abbott Elementary” earned her a nomination at the 2023 Makeup and Hair Stylists Guild Awards. Her work can also be seen in theaters this year in the film “Maximum Truth,” or on TV in season 4 of “Miracle Workers” featuring Daniel Radcliffe, who she previously worked with on "Weird: The Al Yankovic Story." In this episode, Emilia dives into: 2:32 - Abbott Elementary 5:56 - Attending the Makeup and Hair Stylist Guild Awards as a nominee 6:27 - Maximum Truth 11:28 - Season of 4 Miracle Workers  14:41 - Daniel Radcliffe’s secret talent 16:07 - All-time best wrap gifts for talent 22:27 - Deciding not to go to college 26:58 - Landing the first gigs (beauty counter + 1st  film set jobs) 32:42 - Joining the union 38:27 - Advice for newer makeup artists 41:30 - TIME CAPSULE CONNECT WITH Emilia: Instagram: @emiliawerynska / @emiliaisoffline  Website: www.emiliawerynska.com CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: All Platforms: @NoSetPathShow www.NoSetPathShow.com

Tiffany Kim Stevens's feature directorial debut, Trigger Happy, is currently finishing its festival circuit and will have its Southern California premiere at the Newport Beach Film Festival on 10/18/24 and 10/24/24. Tiffany is a USC alum and currently managed by Gavin Lurie and Najeeb Khuda at Zero Gravity Management. 

Today we are getting into how Tiffany ended up finding financing for her feature in Silicon Valley, the key things to have in place for a fruitful relationship between director and writer and how a business proposal ended up landing Tiffany representation as a director at Zero Gravity. 

BREAKDOWN:

2:00 - Tiffany’s feature directorial debut, Trigger Happy 

3:45 - Landing funding and distribution

10:30 - The key element to a good working relationship with a writer

15:40 - Signing with Zero Gravity Management after pitching a movie business plan 

19:00 - Steps of working with managers on the next big project 

21:10 - Tiffany’s early directing endeavors + short film

30:12 - How living in LA impacts creativity / social capital culture

33:33 - What to do if you’re just starting out

35:00 - Are film fes=tivals worth it? 

39:35 - TIME CAPSULE

CONNECT WITH TIFFANY:

Instagram: @TiffanyKimStevens

CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:

All platforms: @NoSetPathShow

www.NoSetPathShow.com

bio.site/nosetpath

In this episode, guest Becca Mann joins to discuss New Year's Resolutions - what makes them actionable, when to share them, and thoughts on submitted resolutions from people on both coasts!

BREAKDOWN:

1:30 - Becca’s professional swimmer update!

3:30 - Resolutions vs. goals: family, work, hobbies, emotional/spiritual, bucket list items

4:42 - Discernment: what excited me, what drained me, what did I learn?

5:45 - Navigating social media

8:20 - Rebecca’s update

12:20 - Save money & spend time with loved ones

13:30 - Goals you can control vs. ones you can’t

16:50 - Quit a bad job

19:25 - Find a full-time job

20:00 - Not sure what to resolve

21:32 - Direct another feature or more shorts for anthology feature

23:50 - Vote for “The Last Ranger” from Darwin Shaw!

24:38 - Find a home for comedic scripts

25:33 - Is a “resolution” actionable?

26:23 - Get more direct-to-client work

32:45 - Bartend in order to work on writing

36:40 - Write another feature and pilot

38:00 - Should you tell people about your goals?

KEEP UP WITH GUEST BECCA MANN:

IG: @becca__mann

TikTok: @beccawmann

KEEP UP WITH THE SHOW:

All Platforms: @NoSetPathShow

www.NoSetPathShow.com

bio.site/NoSetPath