Fighting for Your Passion Project w/Carlyn Hudson & Tom Morris- Just Shoot It 543

Fighting for Your Passion Project w/Carlyn Hudson & Tom Morris- Just Shoot It 543

Author: Filmmakers Matt Enlow & Oren Kaplan September 3, 2026 Duration: 1:33:53

Tom Morris and Carlyn Hudson are back talking about their passion projects. In episode 493, you might remember Carlyn was just about to start shooting and Tom was about to shoot a feature starring his family of five kids. So Matt and Oren chat them up about where they are, what they learned, and how they balanced being working commercial directors with the demands of independent projects.

It starts with a discussion about style – what are the three words that define your style as a director? And Carlyn and Tom share with Matt and Oren the frustration of balancing bias and the need to convey a situation or story in a quick and culturally relevant way.

It’s different in a commercial than in a film. Why? Because there’s more time to tell the story when it’s what people came to watch, like a film or a TV show. But ads have to land quickly.

Commercials, though still very creative and directing them is an art in itself, aren’t what people come to watch. Like, no normal person decides to watch 20 commercials for entertainment. There’s no “20 commercials and chill”.

Taking notes is also much different. And Matt shares a story of vulnerability. And how that can feel challenging when your everyday life is directing work that someone else created. You won’t want to miss this episode if you’re looking to articulate your style as a commercial director, or developing your skills as an indie-filmmaker.


Help Matt's film: https://wefunder.com/badfeeling

Join the Just Shoot it Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/JustShootItPod


Matt's Endorsement: Plant a tree. Also, passion fruit vines.

Oren's Endorsement: Try to present your edits to clients. And show the cut twice before asking for feedback.

Carlyn's Endorsement: "Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma" https://www.imdb.com/title/tt35298123

Tom's Endorsement: India's Tandoori in Burbank, CA on San Fernando Blvd. 


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Behind every film you've ever loved is a collection of hard-won lessons, creative struggles, and moments of pure luck. Just Shoot It: A Podcast about Filmmaking, Screenwriting and Directing pulls back the curtain on that process. Hosted by working directors Matt Enlow and Oren Kaplan, this podcast operates like a long-form conversation between peers, delving into the granular details of building a life behind the camera. Each episode features an interview with a filmmaker, but the focus is less on promoting projects and more on dissecting the craft. You'll hear directors, writers, cinematographers, and other artists break down their approach to story development, the visual language of a scene, working with actors, and the practical realities of navigating a career. The discussion is grounded in the hosts' own experiences, making the advice tangible and the pitfalls relatable. This isn't abstract theory; it's a field guide compiled from the trenches. Whether you're an aspiring director, a seasoned screenwriter, or simply fascinated by how movies are truly made, this podcast offers an honest, unvarnished look at the art, business, and relentless problem-solving that defines filmmaking. Tune in for a masterclass that feels like a coffee shop chat, where the goal is to demystify the journey from script to screen.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Just Shoot It: A Podcast about Filmmaking, Screenwriting and Directing
Podcast Episodes
The Horrors of Seth Worley’s "Sketch" - Just Shoot It 499 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:35:40
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Crafting Violent Endings w/John-Michael Powell - Just Shoot It 498 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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How do you define your voice as a director? John-Michael Powell https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3119508/ talks about his new film "Violent Ends" https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6902560 and the career journey that brought it to…
How to Pitch with Style w/Maya Margolina - Just Shoot It 497 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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The Film Fixer w/Janek Ambros - Just Shoot It 496 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:02
Janek Ambros https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4471783/ doesn't use social media for self-promotion. And he tells up and coming filmmakers, you have to be annoying. Because in reality, that's what everyone in this industry is…