FIVE-HUNDREDish Filmmaking Tips & Tricks w/Matt & Oren - Just Shoot It 500

FIVE-HUNDREDish Filmmaking Tips & Tricks w/Matt & Oren - Just Shoot It 500

Author: Filmmakers Matt Enlow & Oren Kaplan November 6, 2025 Duration: 1:19:42

Matt and Oren celebrate 500 episodes! That's basically one episode per week without dropping a beat, not even on Thanksgivings, since 2015.


And while it's true "Just Shoot It" has changed a lot over the years. So too has the film & TV industry. It all started with a focus on auteur filmmaking. But the podcast took a definite shift towards commercial directing over the years.


And while both Matt and Oren have successful careers and get paid to actually do what they love doing, neither broke out in a way that made them lose touch with what it really means to make it in the film and TV industry. Through the ups and the downs, both for the industry as a whole and for their individual careers, they've ridden the same rollercoaster as you.


Matt talks about some dark times and how he made it through. And Oren and Matt both exchange techniques and ways of thinking that they picked up over the years to help them succeed faster. In the end, they wrote their own rules instead of waiting to "suddenly be discovered". 


Sure, luck was involved, but in a lot of ways, they learned to help luck take root. 


It's a real up-close look at where Matt and Oren are today in their careers, a look back at how they got there, and some introspection about what they might have done different.


You can't miss this episode if you're looking to find tips and tricks to make it in film or TV in 2025 and beyond.



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Help our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/JustShootItPod


Matt's Endorsement: Molegirl aka "Tunnel Girl" on TikTok

https://www.fastcompany.com/91299852/tiktoks-tunnel-girl-is-digging-again-much-to-the-internets-delight

https://www.tiktok.com/@engineer.everything?lang=en


Oren's Endorsement: Adobe's Firefly Boards https://www.adobe.com/products/firefly/features/moodboard.html


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


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: 100

Just Shoot It: A Podcast about Filmmaking, Screenwriting and Directing
Podcast Episodes
What Makes Something Cinematic? w/Carlyn Hudson - Just Shoot It 483 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:17
What does cinematic mean to you? Carlyn Hudson https://www.carlynhudson.com/ joins Matt and Oren fresh off completing her latest short, "Waffle".Is cinematic just a slick look? Is it about lighting? Or is it whatever Mid…
Being In the Mix w/Matt and Oren - Just Shoot It 482 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:38
Matt’s back from the Chattanooga Film Festival, and Oren just wrapped a whirlwind gig in Thailand. Jet lag not included. Yay!!! This week, they unpack the age-old question: is it still essential to live in L.A.? Is the c…
Making Creative Decisions w/Matt & Oren - Just Shoot It 481 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:22
Matt and Oren dig into the creative choices director's make. And they kick it off by looking at the growing influence of AI on the process. They also tackle casting and why it’s more than just finding the “right” actor.…
"Don't Tell Larry" w/Greg Porper and John Shimke - Just Shoot It 480 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:12
The directing duo from "Don't Tell Larry" detail their eight-year journey to turn the phrase, "Don't Tell Larry", into a world, a web series, and feature starring Eg Begley., Jr., Dot-Marie Jones, Patty Guggenheim, and K…
How to Choose a DP w/Matt & Oren - Just Shoot It 478 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:42
Matt and Oren dive into the process of finding the right cinematographer or DP for your project, breaking down key factors like reputation, working methodology, artistry, specialties, reel, website, and even foreign lang…
Adventures from Set w/ Matt & Oren - Just Shoot It 477 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:24
Matt and Oren break down their approach to directing on set—from working with celebrity talent like Neil Patrick Harris to navigating the challenges of directing kids. It's a glimpse into their lives as directors.They al…
Editing "The Studio" w/Eric Kissack - Just Shoot It 474 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:20
Ever wonder how "The Studio" perfected comedic timing using oners and one-shot scenes? Eric Kissack, who edited the entire season for Seth Rogen, shares his tips, tricks, and behind-the-scenes insights into how the show…