Best Commercialdirector Podcasts (2025)

1
That Time Val Kilmer Took Us Camping. 27:06

6d ago27:06

27:06

Val Kilmer was more than a movie star—he was a father, a poet, an actor, and an enigma. But above all, he was a generous soul who deeply understood the importance of creating meaningful moments. When our sons were in grade school together, Val invited my family on an unforgettable camping trip to his sprawling ranch in New Mexico. Every activity he…

1
Sniffing Glue and Cutting Felt with Mike Slane and Adrian Bishop, aka Practice. 1:05:28

14d ago1:05:28

1:05:28

My friends fimmakers Mike Slane and Ade Bishop are the creative duo behind Practice, a commercial directing studio known for their whimsical mixed-media animation. They've worked on projects for Sesame Street, Thumbtack, and Blonde Beards, bringing characters to life with a unique blend of practical effects and digital magic. Their approach is all …

1
Chasing Creativity and Community with Mack Garrison of Dash Studio. 1:02:01

26d ago1:02:01

1:02:01

Mack Garrison, the co-founder and creative director of Dash Studio, a motion design agency based in Raleigh, North Carolina. Mack and I cover a ton of ground in this conversation - from his adventures hiking in Patagonia, to the origin story of starting his own studio, to the importance of building genuine relationships in this industry. We also di…

1
PJ Pereira Is Redefining Creativity: Exploring the Transformative Power of AI in Advertising. 1:00:28

1M ago1:00:28

1:00:28

My esteemed guest is PJ Pereira, a true creative pioneer at the intersection of advertising, storytelling, and artificial intelligence. As co-founder of Pereira O’Dell, he has led groundbreaking AI-driven campaigns (see: Coca Cola's ai made "Holidays Are Coming") that push the boundaries of modern marketing. A thought leader in the industry, PJ exp…

1
Crafting Captivating Director's Treatments with Charles Barclay of Hollywood Secret Service. 1:19:36

2M ago1:19:36

1:19:36

A pleasure to chat with Charles Barclay, the founder of Hollywood Secret Service. He's a master of director's treatments and more. Check out my rant about treatments in Little Black Book. COMMERCIAL DIRECTING BOOTCAMP 04.05.2025 Filmmakers learn how to win jobs and craft better work that leads to more opportunities. Agency creatives will learn how …

1
Embracing Your Creative Journey: My Reflections on Passion and Perseverance. 15:05

2M ago15:05

15:05

As I sit in my trailer-studio, "Breezy," we call her, I can't help but reflect on the journey that has brought me here. From my early days watching Steve Martin on SNL to the evolution of my own creative path, the pursuit of artistry has been a constant companion. This is just me, share insights on committing to your passion projects, embracing cha…

1
The Sawtooth Saga Continues: Chris Salters Part II 25:07

2M ago25:07

25:07

Chris Salters, editor and founder of Sawtooth, tells us the importance of using the right tool for the right job in filmmaking. Whether it's LED walls, green screens, or AI-powered tools, the key is understanding the limitations and challenges of each technology and using them responsibly to achieve the desired creative outcome. It's about leveragi…

1
Launching Sawtooth: How Editor Chris Salters is Redefining the Post-Production Landscape. 1:12:05

2M ago1:12:05

1:12:05

Editor Chris Salters launched Sawtooth, his own freelance-driven editorial house. Chris and I talk about how he's providing an all-in-one post solution for agencies and brands. We unpack the evolving role of AI in post-production, and we dive into his work in spots obviously. I love his work on the Pinocchio documentary by Guillermo del Toro, where…

1
Make Your Passion Project Now With Filmmaker Michael Patrick Jann. 1:08:16

3M ago1:08:16

1:08:16

Writer/Director/Producer Micheal Patrick Jann ("Drop Dead Gorgeous", "The State", "The Good Doctor") and I are holding a live webinar called "Make Your Passion Project Now" on Feb. 18th. 6pm Pacific. Live with a spirited Q&A and VIP pop ins. Sign up here. 100% of the ticket sales go to Red Cross LA to help the victims of the LA fires. Graciously ho…

1
Micro Steps to Macro Progress: Tiny Assignments for Filmmakers. 20:43

3M ago20:43

20:43

Welcome our newest sponsor: Spot School - the best commercial directing courses on the planet. Thanks to all that have supported the victims of these horrific LA fires. My family is safe, but countless friends and colleagues have lost their homes. We're doing a fund-raising webcast called Make Your Passsion Project Now with filmmaker Michael Patric…

1
Omnicom/RAPP Global CCO Troy Hitch's Million Little Big Ideas. 45:21

4M ago45:21

45:21

Troy Hitch, the Global Chief Creative Officer at Omnicom/RAPP. As a leader at the forefront of shaping the future of advertising, Troy's insights into the art and science of RAPP's precision marketing techniques were nothing short of fascinating. Troy shared his concept of "a million little big ideas" - the challenge of creating personalized, emoti…

1
Commercial Director Cassandra Brooksbank's Explosive Approach to Action Comedy. 1:11:45

4M ago1:11:45

1:11:45

Director Cassandra Brooksbank is a rising star in the commercial directing world - she has a style that's all her own - a high-energy blend of action, comedy, and pure, unadulterated chaos. When I sat down with Cassandra, I truly understood the magic she brings to the table. There's a fearlessness and creativity to her work that's simply captivatin…

1
Producer Director Daniel Brea Urges Us to Delegate, Elevate, Dominate Filmmaking. 56:45

4M ago56:45

56:45

When Producer-Director Daniel Brea's unassuming yet impactful Instagram ads for his Dream Rach Media started popping up in my feed, I knew I had to get him on the show. His message of delegating, building a team, and not trying to be a one-man band really resonated with me - it's a philosophy I've long advocated for in the commercial filmmaking wor…

1
Teddy Stoecklein, ECD at VIA, Unlocks The Keys To Creative Collaboration. 1:06:01

4M ago1:06:01

1:06:01

Teddy Stoecklein is the Co-Executive Creative Director at Via, the Portland, Maine-based advertising agency. With over 16 years of experience at the agency, Teddy has helped guide Via to win numerous accolades, including being named the Clio Small Agency of the Year. In addition to his leadership role, Teddy remains actively involved in the creativ…

1
Trey Nelson's Lens of Compassion: Directing for a Cause. 57:45

4M ago57:45

57:45

Commercial director Trey Nelson shares his remarkable journey of finding purpose and intention in his work. Trey describes how a near-death experience led him to focus on creating emotionally resonant, purpose-driven content - exemplified by his impactful work with Cookies For Kids Cancer. He emphasizes the importance of cultivating a collaborative…

1
Lessons in Boldness from Steve Red, President/Co-CCO of RTO+P. 1:00:06

4M ago1:00:06

1:00:06

Steve Red, Chief Creative Officer and co-founder of Red Tettemer O'Connell + Partners, gives a candid chat about creating bold, unforgettable campaigns that cut through the noise. Steve pulls back the curtain on the agency's most iconic work—like the hilariously disruptive "Dietz Nuts" Super Bowl spot with Craig Robinson, and reveals the creative p…

1
Director Julian Acosta Blends Tradition and Innovation To Evolve His Creative Voice. 1:20:12

4M ago1:20:12

1:20:12

Growing up in Bakersfield, Filmmaker Julian Acosta discovered his passion for filmmaking later in life, finding his voice through visual storytelling that connects with audiences on a human level. As a globally sought-after director, Julian has navigated the evolving landscape of the industry, embracing new tools like AI while staying true to his a…

1
MoinkFest: LA Gets a Taste of Family-Farmed, Ethically Raised Beef. 13:54

4M ago13:54

13:54

MoinkFest is December 19th, 2024 in Los Angles. It is FREE. Just sign up to attend and give your honest opinions & thoughts on camera. We're celebrating family farmers that bring ethically-raised beef, pork, chicken and lamb to your door. I want city folk to taste the quality of the meat for themselves, while learning what regenerative farming does…

1
Relationship-Fueled Filmmaking with Commercial Directing Duo Morgan and Nick. 1:19:08

4M ago1:19:08

1:19:08

Directing duo Morgan & Nick (Morgan Bond Grisham and Nickolas Grisham) discussed their journey in establishing their production company CamLock Films, the importance of relationships and reputation in the industry, their use of advanced filmmaking techniques like previz, the challenges of self-promotion on social media, and their recent creative pr…

1
Gratitude On This Day of Thanks. 12:28

5M ago12:28

12:28

Happy Thanksgiving! Just me rambling for 13 minutes about how much I appreciate everyone for listening and engaging over the years. Also so grateful for you, my whole team and just to be a working commercial director. And of course, without my family what is the point? #familyfirst Congrats to filmmaker Kat Raphael is the reipient of Commercial Dir…

1
Florence EP Ned Brown on Mentorship, Creativity and Supporting Directorial Talent. 1:06:12

5M ago1:06:12

1:06:12

Florence Managing Director and Executive Producer Ned Brown has been a key figure in the commercial production world for as long as I've been in the business. He's a savvy EP and generous with his knowledge, continuing to help to guide the careers of many talented directors. Ned and I discuss the evolution of the industry, the importance of authent…

1
Marc Schölermann Shares His Commercial Directing Secrets In His New Book: "Directing Commercials." 1:12:45

6M ago1:12:45

1:12:45

Veteran commercial directors Marc Scholermann shares his many insights on navigating the industry, building a diverse portfolio, collaborating with agencies, and the importance of maintaining strong client relationships. Wow, there's a wealth of practical advice for both aspiring and seasoned commercial directors looking to elevate their craft and …

1
Ad Production Insider Insights from Media Fixer Michael Pierce. 1:00:17

6M ago1:00:17

1:00:17

A real pleasure sitting down with industry veteran Michael Pierce for a captivativing conversation and I was eager to learn more about Michael's unique role as a "media fixer." What struck me most was his ability to evolve from a creative freelancer to a strategic media connector, leveraging his extensive network and deep industry knowledge. The ro…

1
From Documentaries to Commercials: The Creative Journey of Filmmaker Jessica Sanders. 1:00:01

6M ago1:00:01

1:00:01

Jessica Altina Lee Sanders’s martial arts action comedy short “THE COCKTAIL PARTY” exploring female empowerment, premiered at the 2021 Tribeca Film Festival and won numerous international festival awards. The action packed, playful film tells the story of a cocktail party that turns into an unexpected martial arts action film. Jessica directed and …

1
Commercial Filmmaking Insights from Advertising Veteran Anthony Vagnoni. 1:01:09

6M ago1:01:09

1:01:09

Advertising industry veteran Anthony Vagnoni and I had an insightful discussion on the evolving landscape of commercial filmmaking and marketing. With decades of experience spanning roles in publishing, PR, and production, Vagnoni provides a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing up-and-coming directors. From the importance o…

1
Ilanna Barkusky: Embracing Her Unexpected Path to Directorial Success. 1:15:47

7M ago1:15:47

1:15:47

Born in Vancouver, Canada and now based in Los Angeles, Ilanna Barkusky is an internationally awarded commercial director, filmmaker and photographer. Her creative journey originated in the action sports industry, capturing athletes in the mountains with her camera in tow while completing her Bachelor of Arts at the University of British Columbia. …

1
Hybrid Collective's Susan Munro On the Art and Discipline Behind Editing Powerful Stories. 1:10:09

7M ago1:10:09

1:10:09

Susan Munro (on the right) of Hybrid Collective and more recently of her sister company Session City, (seen above with co-founder Starr Session Varga, left) has consistently impressed me with her passion and dedication to the craft. As longtime friends who have worked together for over a decade, I've always admired her ability to blend technical ex…

1
Director Lars Timmermann Mixes Whimsy, Wonder and Technical Prowess. 1:25:10

8M ago1:25:10

1:25:10

Commercial director Lars Timmermann is a true master of his craft, blending technical prowess with a boundless creative spirit. From meticulously crafted stop-motion miniatures to collaborating with skilled puppeteers, Lars' work is a testament to the power of practical effects and handcrafted elements. I was struck by his unwavering commitment to …

1
Behind the Mix at Signature Sound: Insights from Audio Professionals on Their Collaborative Process. 1:34:52

9M ago1:34:52

1:34:52

Audio industry veterans Dawn Redman, Larry Benjamin, and Tim Hoogenakker join me in a lively conversation at Signature Post. Dawn is the director of scheduling, where she oversees operations. Larry is a re-recording mixer who has worked on shows such as Ozark and is currently mixing Jason Bateman's upcoming series Black Rabbit. Tim is also a re-rec…

1
EP Scott Dodoro's Journey Launching Local Boy Productions. 1:24:39

9M ago1:24:39

1:24:39

Executive Producer Scott Dodoro shares how his passion for film led to starting Local Boy Productions after over a decade working for another company. Local Boy, by the way, is a full service production company in Detroit, built for the future. He discusses building his roster of directors and tackling big projects for Buick, Cadillac and GMC> Goll…

1
AI Storytelling From An Early Adaptor's Point of View, Filmmaker Jon Finger, Part Two. 53:19

10M ago53:19

53:19

The conclusion to my fascinating chat with Filmmaker Jon Finger, my guru of AI filmmaking tools, discusses their impact on the creative industries from the perspective of an early adopter. While acknowledging tools like image generation raise valid concerns, Jon believes AI can empower independent artists by lowering barriers to distribution. Jon s…

1
Filmmaker Jon Finger Quells Our Fears Of AI Storytelling Tools. Part One. 59:13

10M ago59:13

59:13

Jon Finger, my guru of AI filmmaking tools, discusses their impact on the creative industries from the perspective of an early adopter. While acknowledging tools like image generation raise valid concerns, Jon believes AI can empower independent artists by lowering barriers to distribution. Jon shares experiences experimenting with AI storytelling …

1
Diane Strand's Creative Journey in Entertainment and Nonprofit Arts. 58:29

10M ago58:29

58:29

Diane Strand owns JDS Video & Media Productions, a woman-majority owned business with over twenty-five years of expertise in video production and media marketing. Diane began her career in theater production before transitioning to prominent roles at The Walt Disney Company and Universal Studios, focusing on corporate video production known for cre…

1
Behind the Balls: Comedy Director JJ Adler Talks Manscaped "The Boys'". 46:19

10M ago46:19

46:19

Director JJ Adler of her own Ruckus Films, returns to talk about her award-winning spot for Manscaped that's all the buzz. "The Boys" is truly hilarious commercial that uses the same actors to portray our heroes and those hero's testicles. Forced perspective, shaving and more. Agency Pereira O'Dell has gobbled up the kudos with J.J. and they've got…

1
Hitting the Mark: Stunt Driving Experts Olivia Summers and Dee Bryant. 1:10:09

11M ago1:10:09

1:10:09

Retreat Curious? Schedule a call with me to see if our FIlmmaker Retreat is right for you. Wow, great time chatting with stunt drivers Olivia Summers and Dee Bryant. We talk about the precision required for their work - things like practicing hitting marks down to the inch. It was fascinating to hear how they rehearse big sequences. We keep it real…

1
Directing in Japan: Navigating Cultural Differences with Director Ryan Christopher McGuire. 1:23:18

11M ago1:23:18

1:23:18

Retreat Curious? Schedule a call with me to see if our FIlmmaker Retreat is right for you. Director Ryan Christopher McGuire has been based in Tokyo for over a decade, where he is also the Managing Director of Cutters Studios Tokyo. Ryan has a truly global perspective on the film industry thanks to his diverse career path. We discussed what ultimat…

1
Comic Actor and Improvisational Wizard Pat Finn Plays To The Whistle. 1:36:59

11M ago1:36:59

1:36:59

Improvisational genius/comic actor Pat Finn is on this very special episode! Pat and I have been collaborating together for almost 20 years making on Valley Toyota spots, and it's always a blast. Agency folks always like casting actors that can improv, but Pat is next level. And he happens to be the one of the top three nicest humans in Hollywood. …

1
VLM's Veronica Lombardo Is More Than A Sales Rep, She's Guiding Creative Careers. 1:37:39

11M ago1:37:39

1:37:39

Veronica Lombardo of VLM started her career as a below-the-line talent agent before establishing herself as an independent representative and manager. Veronica shares her perspective on representing directors and production companies, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, strategy and treating her clients as part of a team. She also offers v…

1
From Real-Life Repo Man to International Filmmaker with Director Ed McCulloch. 1:21:34

12M ago1:21:34

1:21:34

Commercial director Ed McCulloch shares his unconventional rise to becoming an internationally renowned filmmaker. Ed opens up about his journey of self-discovery through photography, and ambitious do-it-yourself approach to shooting 12 spec commercials that launched his successful global career spanning over 30 countries. Oh fun fact: Ed was a Rep…

1
Are You Filmmaker Retreat Curious? Plus My Passion Project Jumpstart Process. (Patent Pending). 16:13

12M ago16:13

16:13

Curious if our Filmmaker Retreat Joshua Tree is right for you? Set up a free quick call with me, and perhaps I'll talk you out of it. Plus, I share how to get your passion project off the ground. It's pretty eazy actually. Just me babbling for 19 mintes. C'mon folks, time to level up, duct tape the monkey brain and keep making stuff. FLOW Use the l…

1
Emerging Filmmaker Emmanuel Afolabi And His Journey Defining His Voice. 1:19:33

12M ago1:19:33

1:19:33

Filmmaker Emmanuel Afolabi joins the show for a wide-ranging discussion of his path from Nigeria to pursuing his filmmaking dreams. While relatively young, Emmanuel is very generous with his knowledge, hoping to help others as he himself grows. It was energizing to speak with someone so dedicated to their craft. Through determination and skill, he'…

1
Founder/Creative Director Vasanth Seshadri On Growing The Sunny Side Agency in Singapore. 1:04:41

1y ago1:04:41

1:04:41

Vasanth Seshadri is the Founder, head honcho and Creative Director of the ad agency in Singapore called The Sunny Side. Vasanth shares his non-traditional path into the ad world, starting out as an engineer before catching the creative bug. We talked about his globetrotting career that took him from Singapore to New York and back again. Click here …

1
Building a Directing Career with Seed Media Arts' EP Bradley Johnson and Filmmaker Matthew Underwood 1:10:12

1y ago1:10:12

1:10:12

Wow! What a fun, productive talk with Bradley Johnson, Managing Director and EP at Seed Media Arts, and Seed Director Matthew Underwood. We discuss Matthew's spec spot for Chevy titled "Follow Your Own Road" - including the process of developing the script, shooting it on location in Utah, and editing it down from an initial long cut. Matthew's sta…

1
Little Hands of Stone Founders Matt McCain & Michael Boychuk Are Crafting Memorable Ad Campaigns. 1:17:46

1y ago1:17:46

1:17:46

Matt McCain and Michael Boychuk founded their Little Hands of Stone ad agency in 2019 after both having extensive careers working at other agencies and companies like Amazon. Matt and Michael worked together at the legendary Wong Doody in LA in the late 90s/early 2000s. The LHoS founders discuss their fun projects, unique creative process, and illu…

1
Comedy Director Michael Ryan Fagan's Shares Funny Stories from Commercial Sets. 1:51:23

1y ago1:51:23

1:51:23

Comedy Director Michael Ryan Fagan was in town, so we chat it up about directing comedy for ads... and we never stop. We discuss his career directing actor Vincent Pastore from The Sopranos, among others. We debate the pros and cons of using LED walls and other virtual production techniques in commercials. MRF shares some stories about creative sol…

1
What Does Cinematographer Dustin Pearlman Like To Shoot Most? 1:47:21

1y ago1:47:21

1:47:21

Cinematographer Dustin Pearlman stops by the podcast for a great chat. We met at the DGA trying to dispel myths to help up and coming directors, and we ended up chums. Dustin has shot for brands, agencies, promos, narrative and doc. I try to nail him down to what he likes best... Stay tuned. Check out his work by clicking his name or here. Thanks t…

1
Bo Barrett Goes From Acting In 300 Commercials To Directing Them. 1:27:51

1y ago1:27:51

1:27:51

Commercial Director Bo Barrett shares his journey from acting in over 300 commercials to pursuing directing. He discusses how he learned on film sets by observing legendary directors. He dives into directing his first paid commercial for the brand Shorebirds and the positive response it received. Bo provides advice for other directors just starting…

1
From Surf Films To Major Commercials With Director Ross Haines. 1:20:07

1y ago1:20:07

1:20:07

Filmmaker Ross Haines shares how his career making spots has grown and tells us about his short film "Around the Band". Ross got his start editing surf films in Hawaii, joined Beyoncé’s team for her HBO feature doc, Life Is But a Dream and helped launch DC Shoes' internal film department. We discuss "Around the Band," as a visual poem comprised of …

1
Filmmaker Nema Vand: From Shah's of Sunset Star to VaynerMedia Spot Director. 43:56

1y ago43:56

43:56

Part two, the exciting conclusion to my chat with Filmmaker Nema Vand. Presently, he is directing commercials at VaynerMedia and Eva Nosidam, the in-house production unit. A turning point came when Nema documented Mike Winkelmann's (Mr. Beeple) historic NFT sale, which gained him recognition as a storyteller and director. Now, Nema's goal is to dir…

1
VaynerMedia Commercial Director Nema Vand's Filmmaking Evolution from Commercials to TikTok to Features. 1:08:42

1y ago1:08:42

1:08:42

Filmmaker Nema Vand has enjoyed an eclectic career in entertainment, from being an extra on David Fincher's set, to starting his own casting company to presently directing commercials at VaynerMedia and Eva Nosidam, the in-house production unit. A turning point came when Nema documented Mike Winkelmann's (Mr. Beeple) historic NFT sale, which gained…

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