Is AI a Tool? w/Sarah May Bates and Susan Song  - Just Shoot It 516

Is AI a Tool? w/Sarah May Bates and Susan Song - Just Shoot It 516

Author: Filmmakers Matt Enlow & Oren Kaplan February 26, 2026 Duration: 1:21:09

Sarah May Bates https://www.sarahmaybates.com/ is an AI director, and she’s been getting lots of work! And Matt and Oren dive deep into how she makes that happen. She’s joined by actor Susan Song.


Sarah has a clear line for AI usage. And it comes down to what are you in this for? Do you love the organic aspect of filmmaking and discovery, where what you plan isn’t always what you get? Like, in a good way.


Because if you’re not, you might prefer the robotic precision of AI.


But be careful of being tricked into believing that’s what brands want, especially the top brands you want to work for.


At the end of the day, Sarah believes human oversight is at the core of what creatives do. Like, why would you want to have AI write your script, or even your email? That’s what you do, and that’s what makes you who you are!


Here’s the golden rule: if the medium is leading, then you are failing.


What does that mean? Don’t fall into the trap of creating AI for the sake of filling the request. Instead, Sarah recommends letting the creative work find what it wants to be!


This is the episode you want to hear as an actor, filmmaker, or anyone in the industry looking for some sense of purpose, foundation, and compass for what’s happening in AI!

Connect with Sarah at https://www.yaywithme.com


Connect with Susan on IG @sujjang012


---

Help Matts' film: https://wefunder.com/badfeeling

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


Matt's Endorsement: Send Help https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8036976/

Nick Lutsko's song for the Manscaped Super Bowl Commercial https://www.local3news.com/local-news/update-chattanooga-artist-nick-lutsko-composes-song-for-national-super-bowl-commercial/article_dd5d9cd0-9c5a-4565-a1af-1dfe3d1ffdda.html


Sarah's Endorsement: The UPA Cartoon "Rooty Toot Toot" https://cartoonresearch.com/index.php/the-70th-anniversary-of-rooty-toot-toot/ 


The documentary on the animation company UPA https://www.cartoonbrew.com/documentary-2/animation-mavericks-the-forgotten-story-of-upa-documentary-258284.html 


The book "Bird by Bird", by Anne Lamott https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/97395/bird-by-bird-by-anne-lamott/


Susan's Endorsement: See the Backstreet Boys at the Sphere, in Las Vegas


Oren's Endorsement: @stuffaboutadvertising on Instagram



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
Engagement Farming  w/Matt & Oren- Just Shoot It 492 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:39
Matt & Oren dive into answering your questions. It's a new format and we hope it clicks! And whether it works or not, there's a new way you can let them know.There's questions from early career filmmakers. What is the on…
Marketing Yourself w/Matt and Oren - Just Shoot It 490 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:02
After an amazing DP/cinematographer has an unfortunate schedule change, Matt & Oren whip up a discussion about social media and listener notes about their websites. And Matt talks about how his LinkedIn post got noticed.…
Vibe Checks w/Matt & Oren - Just Shoot It 489 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:54
Matt & Oren discuss the feeling dogging every freelancer: "Will I ever work again?" They dig into who they recommend when they can't take an awesome job, and how that has paid it forward in good ways. Maybe it's all abou…
Update Your F**king Website! w/Matt & Oren - Just Shoot It 488 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:03
Matt's been getting wrapped up in analytics, and Oren's been updating his reel. So yeah, update your f**king website if you haven't!This week, we get into where to host your portfolio whether you want the best web host o…
Crafting your Directing Brand w/Jamaal Parham - Just Shoot It 486 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:19:16
Jamaal Parham, part of the directing duo Jams and Bash, talks to Oren and Matt about how they approach their business without the cheesiness. From a start working exclusively with Broadway productions, they've become a C…
What Makes a Good Producer w/Kelly Christensen - Just Shoot It 484 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:30
Kelly Christensen built a toolkit for crafting a lasting career as a commercial producer. And he shares what directors can do to stand out and keep getting hired. Matt and Oren chat with Kelly about what makes his secret…