Film Stuff podcast
46 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 3 years ago - ★★★★★ - 20 ratingsIf you're a film buff, this is not the podcast for you. Soo Zee and Leigh talk about film in the loosest sense of the word. Mostly it's about what it means to be creative.
HI! We're Soo Zee and Leigh and we Do Stuff and then make videos about it. Videos are real stories from our lives. It's reality, only with a better narrator. We do stuff mostly in Berlin, Germany, but sometimes other places too.
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Episodes
Creator Burnout And Breakdown
February 25, 2021 09:23 - 24 minutes - 45.7 MBLots of creators—especially young, successful ones—publicly admit to being emotionally, mentally, and physically exhausted by their channels. Why is that? And while we know burnout is a real and serious problem, we have to wonder. How much burnout is true burnout, and how much is because many creators are new this: new to managing professional life, new to making art, and new to the notoriously demanding work of filmmaking. We look at creator burnout from many angles and even suggest ways to ...
Creator burnout and breakdown
February 25, 2021 09:23 - 24 minutes - 45.7 MBLots of creators—especially young, successful ones—publicly admit to being emotionally, mentally, and physically exhausted by their channels. Why is that? And while we know burnout is a real and serious problem, we have to wonder. How much burnout is true burnout, and how much is because many creators are new this: new to managing professional life, new to making art, and new to the notoriously demanding work of filmmaking. We look at creator burnout from many angles and even suggest ways to ...
Finding better video jobs
February 07, 2021 12:51 - 29 minutes - 27.2 MBThe film world we were brought up in works on an apprentice system, where you attach yourself to a person or team, and usually work on the projects they land. In the world of modern video making, where creators can be full-time and video is a huge part of marketing, that world is evolving. Now there's tons of openings for filmmaking jobs. They're not all good. Some are gold, some are garbage, and in this episode we talk about how to tell the difference. We get super tactical for anyone job hu...
Editing for mobile devices
November 22, 2020 18:22 - 24 minutes - 44.4 MBOur friend Mickey had a simple question about audio mixing. The answer isn't quite so simple, and led us to have a full on film stuff episode about the ways that making films for mobile devices isn't the same as making films for televisions, computers, or projectors. We talk all about it in this episode, including: audio mixing, screen real estate, and why you should never watch Maze Runner on a plane. Extra special thanks to Mickey for inspiring this one! • Frequency distributions on recent...
How corona virus will affect film
April 10, 2020 14:51 - 13 minutes - 24.4 MBCoronavirus has affected many parts of the world and during this quarantine/self-isolation period many of us have been consuming media more than ever. Which bring us to this episode, where we talk about how COVID-19 has affected the film industry as a whole and and foremost how it will affect the business side and the creative side of movies and tv in the future. • Vox article that describes how 9/11 affected movies, tv, and even the music industry afterwards. If you are interested in readi...
Educational video vs. pornography
April 04, 2020 18:51 - 20 minutes - 37.4 MBAnother analytics episode! All too often we hear people talk about "good" videos and metrics as if they're universal. They aren't. Case in point: e-learning videos on sites like Khan Academy and Udemy, adult-only videos, and both the ultra-long and the ultra-short (e.g., live sports and TikToks). We lay out how you should approach making a learning video differently, which metrics you should be watching if you're a small business owner, and the epic story of how pornography killed Betamax. •...
Quizzing Soo Zee on film set terms
February 11, 2020 18:53 - 16 minutes - 19.4 MBI quiz Soo Zee about the meanings and origins of terminology used only in the film world. It's tricky because if you search online for some of these terms, you won't get the thing you're actually looking for. That's why it's a game! Here's the full list of terms we went over: • ADR/Looping • Stingers • C-47s/Bullets • Alan Smithee • Dead Cat • Windscreen • Champagne Roll • Martini Shot • Abby Singer Shot • Rushes/Dailies • Squib • Walla/Rhubarb • MOS • NG, Hold, Print • Choker • 50/50 • Coo...
Episode 20 - Film Set Terms
February 11, 2020 18:53 - 16 minutes - 19.4 MBI quiz Soo Zee about the meanings and origins of terminology used only in the film world. It's tricky because if you search online for some of these terms, you won't get the thing you're actually looking for. That's why it's a game! Here's the full list of terms we went over: • ADR/Looping • Stingers • C-47s/Bullets • Alan Smithee • Dead Cat • Windscreen • Champagne Roll • Martini Shot • Abby Singer Shot • Rushes/Dailies • Squib • Walla/Rhubarb • MOS • NG, Hold, Print • Choker • 50/50 • Coo...
Episode 19 - Bong Joon Ho
November 15, 2019 20:27 - 15 minutes - 17.9 MBParasite (Korean title: 기생충) made headlines in May when it won Cannes Film Festival's prestigious Palm d'Or prize, the first Korean film to ever do so. Now it's November and suddenly people around us who are not so familiar with Korean cinema are starting to talk about it as it's being distributed in America and Europe. It seemed like a good time to talk about director Bong Joon Ho (Korean: 봉준호), namely why we like him, what we thought about Parasite, and what signature filmmaking moves he al...
Our thoughts on Parasite and Bong Joon Ho
November 15, 2019 20:27 - 15 minutes - 17.9 MBParasite (Korean title: 기생충) made headlines in May when it won Cannes Film Festival's prestigious Palm d'Or prize, the first Korean film to ever do so. Now it's November and suddenly people around us who are not so familiar with Korean cinema are starting to talk about it as it's being distributed in America and Europe. It seemed like a good time to talk about director Bong Joon Ho (Korean: 봉준호), namely why we like him, what we thought about Parasite, and what signature filmmaking moves he al...
Episode 18 - Dance movies
July 05, 2019 05:24 - 14 minutes - 28 MBLots of people like to lump dance movies in with musicals, but we think they are a genre all their own. In this episode Soo Zee and Leigh discuss all the key elements of a dance movie and which dance movies make their list of all-time favorites. We're hard to predict; we hate on Swing Kids even though we think Do Kyung-soo can dance. We defend Step Up even though we think it's cheesy. We disagree about Honey. Listen to get the full lowdown. Here's a list of all the dance movies and musicals w...
The anatomy of a dance movie
July 05, 2019 05:24 - 14 minutes - 28 MBLots of people like to lump dance movies in with musicals, but we think they are a genre all their own. In this episode Soo Zee and Leigh discuss all the key elements of a dance movie and which dance movies make their list of all-time favorites. We're hard to predict; we hate on Swing Kids even though we think Do Kyung-soo can dance. We defend Step Up even though we think it's cheesy. We disagree about Honey. Listen to get the full lowdown. Here's a list of all the dance movies and musicals w...
The complicated Walt Disney
May 01, 2019 08:05 - 19 minutes - 35.8 MBGenius or jerk? In this episode we give a few anecdotes from the work and business practices of seminal Walt Disney that only begin to touch on this complicated question. There's a reason why Walt holds a record for the most Academy Awards, and why Mickey Mouse is one of the most globally recognized figures. We talk about Walt Disney the man's vision and insane attention to detail, and Walt Disney the company's theme parks and copyright practices. • It all started with Snow White, which was ...
Episode 17 - Walt Disney
May 01, 2019 08:05 - 19 minutes - 35.8 MBGenius or jerk? In this episode we give a few anecdotes from the work and business practices of seminal Walt Disney that only begin to touch on this complicated question. There's a reason why Walt holds a record for the most Academy Awards, and why Mickey Mouse is one of the most globally recognized figures. We talk about Walt Disney the man's vision and insane attention to detail, and Walt Disney the company's theme parks and copyright practices. • It all started with Snow White, which was ...
Bandersnatch: choose your own movie
February 23, 2019 02:24 - 15 minutes - 29.1 MBWe absolutely adored Netflix & Black Mirror's new choose your own adventure movie experience "Bandersnatch." It was incredibly well constructed both technically and narratively, and had all the mind bending hallmarks of our favorite Black Mirror episodes. Leigh explains all about the technology they used to make it seamless. Soo Zee harangues our fellow filmmakers for failing to grasp why Bandersnatch is completely groundbreaking and has the potential to change everything about how we watch a...
Episode 16 - Bandersnatch: choose your own movie
February 23, 2019 02:24 - 15 minutes - 29.1 MBWe absolutely adored Netflix & Black Mirror's new choose your own adventure movie experience "Bandersnatch." It was incredibly well constructed both technically and narratively, and had all the mind bending hallmarks of our favorite Black Mirror episodes. Leigh explains all about the technology they used to make it seamless. Soo Zee harangues our fellow filmmakers for failing to grasp why Bandersnatch is completely groundbreaking and has the potential to change everything about how we watch a...
Episode 15 - Data driven storytelling
February 02, 2019 03:54 - 14 minutes - 27.8 MBIn this episode we dive into the almighty algorithm and talk about how it's changed the way filmmakers tell stories. Soo Zee makes a good argument for why this is a bad thing, and Leigh reveals how much we pay attention our own YouTube analytics. We talk about Netflix's recommendation engine and why it's simultaneously the best and worst thing to happen to streaming video. We also compare iTunes Music to Spotify and talk about what place human curation has in this world of AI, big data, and d...
Data driven storytelling
February 02, 2019 03:54 - 14 minutes - 27.8 MBIn this episode we dive into the almighty algorithm and talk about how it's changed the way filmmakers tell stories. Soo Zee makes a good argument for why this is a bad thing, and Leigh reveals how much we pay attention our own YouTube analytics. We talk about Netflix's recommendation engine and why it's simultaneously the best and worst thing to happen to streaming video. We also compare iTunes Music to Spotify and talk about what place human curation has in this world of AI, big data, and d...
The YouTube Rewind 2018 controversy
December 12, 2018 14:17 - 14 minutes - 27.6 MBThis episode is about this year's YouTube Rewind video, the video YouTube produced to recap all the internet trends, memes, and (on YouTube at least) hits from 2018. They've been doing this every year since 2010. The reaction this year has been pretty cold online, but somehow we still have warm fuzzy feelings for YouTube. We explain how. Also Soo Zee touches on the difference between "big" and "big on YouTube," and explains why it might be okay for YouTube to suck at this. If you'd like to s...
Episode 14 - YouTube Rewind 2018
December 12, 2018 14:17 - 14 minutes - 27.6 MBThis episode is about this year's YouTube Rewind video, the video YouTube produced to recap all the internet trends, memes, and (on YouTube at least) hits from 2018. They've been doing this every year since 2010. The reaction this year has been pretty cold online, but somehow we still have warm fuzzy feelings for YouTube. We explain how. Also Soo Zee touches on the difference between "big" and "big on YouTube," and explains why it might be okay for YouTube to suck at this. If you'd like to s...
Episode 13 - Movies vs. TV
December 07, 2018 03:38 - 15 minutes - 29.7 MBThis episode is about why movies are starting to look more like television, and why television is becoming more like movies. Also, we reveal our favorite YouTubers and which predictions about the future of social media we agree with. We also talk a lot about the new Fantastic Beasts: Crimes of Grindelwald movie because it's basically impossible to talk about successful episodic storytelling or world building without mentioning the Wizarding World. • Haven't seen Twin Peaks? No worries. Here...
Movies vs. TV
December 07, 2018 03:38 - 15 minutes - 29.7 MBThis episode is about why movies are starting to look more like television, and why television is becoming more like movies. Also, we reveal our favorite YouTubers and which predictions about the future of social media we agree with. We also talk a lot about the new Fantastic Beasts: Crimes of Grindelwald movie because it's basically impossible to talk about successful episodic storytelling or world building without mentioning the Wizarding World. • Haven't seen Twin Peaks? No worries. Here...
Choosing music (pt 2)
November 13, 2018 00:10 - 15 minutes - 28.3 MBMore music! This is the second of our episodes all about picking music and figuring out how to best use it in your videos. We cover three specific techniques and also talk about what you should look for in a song. Leigh hates fade outs, and in this episodes she explains why. Soo Zee also explains what the biggest filmmaker sin is and gives some advice on how to avoid it. Wow, this one turned out a lot more tactical than usual. Show notes: • Leigh implores you to rubber band your music in Epi...
Episode 12 - Choosing music (pt 2)
November 13, 2018 00:10 - 15 minutes - 28.3 MBMore music! This is the second of our episodes all about picking music and figuring out how to best use it in your videos. We cover three specific techniques and also talk about what you should look for in a song. Leigh hates fade outs, and in this episodes she explains why. Soo Zee also explains what the biggest filmmaker sin is and gives some advice on how to avoid it. Wow, this one turned out a lot more tactical than usual. Show notes: • Leigh implores you to rubber band your music in Epi...
Episode 11 - Choosing music (pt 1)
October 10, 2018 09:55 - 18 minutes - 33.6 MBMusic is one of those topics we seem to get endless questions and comments about, so finally we've created an episode all about it. It's too much to fit into one episode though, so we made two. This is the first, all about the artistic part of picking music: why it's important, where to find it, and how to know if you did it right. Then we introduce something Soo Zee finds hugely entertaining. It's called "The Music Game." Show notes: • Leigh mentions some of the playlists we've made. We th...
Choosing music (pt 1)
October 10, 2018 09:55 - 18 minutes - 33.6 MBMusic is one of those topics we seem to get endless questions and comments about, so finally we've created an episode all about it. It's too much to fit into one episode though, so we made two. This is the first, all about the artistic part of picking music: why it's important, where to find it, and how to know if you did it right. Then we introduce something Soo Zee finds hugely entertaining. It's called "The Music Game." Show notes: • Leigh mentions some of the playlists we've made. We th...
Episode 10 - Afrofuturism
September 14, 2018 07:56 - 18 minutes - 33.4 MBWe are fashionably late to the Black Panther party. In this episode of film stuff we dig deep into culture, starting with Afrofuturism: what it is, why it's awesome, and what it has to do with Los Angeles's Koreatown. Show notes: • At the top of the episode we talk about Janelle Monáe and her genius Afrofuturist operas. Some more details about her work here https://www.vox.com/2018/5/16/17318242/janelle-monae-science-fiction-influences-afrofuturism • Also we talk about Kilmonger and his disp...
The Afrofuturism bandwagon
September 14, 2018 07:56 - 18 minutes - 33.4 MBWe are fashionably late to the Black Panther party. In this episode of film stuff we dig deep into culture, starting with Afrofuturism: what it is, why it's awesome, and what it has to do with Los Angeles's Koreatown. Show notes: • At the top of the episode we talk about Janelle Monáe and her genius Afrofuturist operas. Some more details about her work here https://www.vox.com/2018/5/16/17318242/janelle-monae-science-fiction-influences-afrofuturism • Also we talk about Kilmonger and his disp...
Episode 09 - Selling out
February 03, 2018 05:00 - 14 minutes - 27.7 MBToday we deep dive into the relationship between art and commerce. We start with a discussion about why it looks like every YouTube video is the same. Next we talk about how it's not enough just to make art. You have to be a skilled promoter and business lady and community builder too. Lastly we talk about how hard it is to strike that balance between on one side, making art that's true to your vision and on the other, making concessions that make your art appealing to consumers, clients, and...
Selling out
February 03, 2018 05:00 - 14 minutes - 27.7 MBToday we deep dive into the relationship between art and commerce. We start with a discussion about why it looks like every YouTube video is the same. Next we talk about how it's not enough just to make art. You have to be a skilled promoter and business lady and community builder too. Lastly we talk about how hard it is to strike that balance between on one side, making art that's true to your vision and on the other, making concessions that make your art appealing to consumers, clients, and...
Being a video editor (pt 2)
January 12, 2018 11:30 - 17 minutes - 31.6 MBThis part two of our two-part look at what it's actually like to be a video or film editor. Soo Zee makes up a fake short film and we talk you through the whole edit process. How long does transcoding take? How many cuts do you usually go through? What's all that exporting mumbo jumbo? All this and more in this episode! Show notes: • What is the RED Camera of which we speak? More here http://www.red.com • Soo Zee mentioned Scott Pilgrim vs. The World type graphics. Those are awesome! Nerdwri...
Episode 08 - Being a video editor (pt 2)
January 12, 2018 11:30 - 17 minutes - 31.6 MBThis part two of our two-part look at what it's actually like to be a video or film editor. Soo Zee makes up a fake short film and we talk you through the whole edit process. How long does transcoding take? How many cuts do you usually go through? What's all that exporting mumbo jumbo? All this and more in this episode! Show notes: • What is the RED Camera of which we speak? More here http://www.red.com • Soo Zee mentioned Scott Pilgrim vs. The World type graphics. Those are awesome! Nerdwri...
Being a video editor (pt 1)
January 06, 2018 05:31 - 14 minutes - 27.5 MBThis part one of our two-part look at what it's actually like to be a video or film editor. We cover all the feels that go into the edit room: what it feels like to have the whole production look at you to put the film together, what you fight about with the film's director, and what elements of the film are beyond your control. Leigh also goes on a tirade about her filmmaking pet peeves so that you can avoid making the same mistakes. Look forward to part two! Show notes: • Here's a bit more...
Episode 07 - Being a video editor (pt 1)
January 06, 2018 05:31 - 14 minutes - 27.5 MBThis part one of our two-part look at what it's actually like to be a video or film editor. We cover all the feels that go into the edit room: what it feels like to have the whole production look at you to put the film together, what you fight about with the film's director, and what elements of the film are beyond your control. Leigh also goes on a tirade about her filmmaking pet peeves so that you can avoid making the same mistakes. Look forward to part two! Show notes: • Here's a bit more...
Episode 06 - How to get a film job
December 04, 2017 09:08 - 16 minutes - 31.5 MBHow exactly do you get a job in the film industry? The same way you get any job: a good network and a good ask. In this one we talk all about the ask. It's our guide outlining how to successfully cold contact people - that includes people you know and people you'd like to know - without coming off like the world's biggest douchenozzle. We also tell you straight up how to work with us. Soo Zee even writes (a really good!) fictional email to Leigh. Hopefully this will help you adopt the right m...
How to get a film job
December 04, 2017 09:08 - 16 minutes - 31.5 MBHow exactly do you get a job in the film industry? The same way you get any job: a good network and a good ask. In this one we talk all about the ask. It's our guide outlining how to successfully cold contact people - that includes people you know and people you'd like to know - without coming off like the world's biggest douchenozzle. We also tell you straight up how to work with us. Soo Zee even writes (a really good!) fictional email to Leigh. Hopefully this will help you adopt the right m...
Episode 05 - Should you go to film school?
July 14, 2017 13:48 - 15 minutes - 27.6 MBIt's a hard question to answer, since where (or if) you go to university and what you major is a personal question. Soo Zee never went to film school. Leigh went to film school. Twice. There's some pros and some cons to going to film school and we go over them in detail in this episode. We also talk about why we hold the unpopular opinion that going to a prestigious film school is better than going to one no one has ever heard of. TLDR: if you aren't already making films, film school won't he...
Should you go to film school?
July 14, 2017 13:48 - 15 minutes - 27.6 MBIt's a hard question to answer, since where (or if) you go to university and what you major is a personal question. Soo Zee never went to film school. Leigh went to film school. Twice. There's some pros and some cons to going to film school and we go over them in detail in this episode. We also talk about why we hold the unpopular opinion that going to a prestigious film school is better than going to one no one has ever heard of. TLDR: if you aren't already making films, film school won't he...
Episode 04 - The ethics, laws, and reality of drones
June 22, 2017 14:46 - 14 minutes - 27.7 MBWe tried flying a drone! Here are some of the things we learned, some things we didn't expect, and the details of what you need to know to fly a drone in Korea. Despite how much we rant about our drone stress, we actually love aerial photography. Helicams, quadcopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), oh my! Show notes: • We mentioned how some militaries are training eagles to take out drones. Here's more info about that (from the Washington post) https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worl...
The ethics, laws, and reality of drones
June 22, 2017 14:46 - 14 minutes - 27.7 MBWe tried flying a drone! Here are some of the things we learned, some things we didn't expect, and the details of what you need to know to fly a drone in Korea. Despite how much we rant about our drone stress, we actually love aerial photography. Helicams, quadcopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), oh my! Show notes: • We mentioned how some militaries are training eagles to take out drones. Here's more info about that (from the Washington post) https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worl...
A rant about Korean dramas
May 06, 2017 06:06 - 15 minutes - 27.8 MBMore film stuff! In this one we embrace our rage and rant about Korean television, namely why 미생 was such a big deal, the difference between Korean and international K-Drama viewers, and why Korean TV shows don't have seasons?????? Also we call people in their 40s and 50s "old folk" even though we don't really believe that. As you listen, you'll also here us reference a few specific dramas. Here's the full list: • 꽃보다 남자 (Boys Before Flowers) • 드림하이 (Dream High) • 미생 (Incomplete Life) • 커피프린...
Episode 03 - A rant about Korean dramas
May 06, 2017 06:06 - 15 minutes - 27.8 MBMore film stuff! In this one we embrace our rage and rant about Korean television, namely why 미생 was such a big deal, the difference between Korean and international K-Drama viewers, and why Korean TV shows don't have seasons?????? Also we call people in their 40s and 50s "old folk" even though we don't really believe that. As you listen, you'll also here us reference a few specific dramas. Here's the full list: • 꽃보다 남자 (Boys Before Flowers) • 드림하이 (Dream High) • 미생 (Incomplete Life) • 커피프린...
Episode 02 - YouTube is a genre
March 25, 2017 12:17 - 14 minutesAnother film stuff is here! In this one we talk about what makes YouTube different from other genres of film, why Soo Zee and Leigh like it so much, and what in the moldy cheese is a genre anyway? As you listen, you'll also here us mention the following: • The "overture" also sometimes called the "dream ballet." Find more examples of that here: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/DreamBallet • We also talked about Casey Neistat's vlog style and we did a whole video about that. Watch i...
YouTube is a genre
March 25, 2017 12:17 - 14 minutes - 13 MBAnother film stuff is here! In this one we talk about what makes YouTube different from other genres of film, why Soo Zee and Leigh like it so much, and what in the moldy cheese is a genre anyway? As you listen, you'll also here us mention the following: • The "overture" also sometimes called the "dream ballet." Find more examples of that here: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/DreamBallet • We also talked about Casey Neistat's vlog style and we did a whole video about that. Watch i...
Episode 01 - Stanley Kubrick
January 30, 2017 11:57 - 14 minutes - 32.3 MBThe first episode of Film Stuff is here! In it we talk about Stanley Kubrick: his elaborate sets, his special effects techniques, even his choice of music and framing. As you listen, you'll also hear us mention the following: • Our toast video, in which we parodied the opening sequence of 2001: A Space Odyssey (https://youtu.be/uuBfDW-kGx4) • An awesome video essay about Kubrick's love of one point perspective (https://vimeo.com/48425421) • Slit scan technology (https://vimeo.com/41747091)
The importance of Stanley Kubrick
January 30, 2017 11:57 - 14 minutes - 32.3 MBThe first episode of Film Stuff is here! In it we talk about Stanley Kubrick: his elaborate sets, his special effects techniques, even his choice of music and framing. As you listen, you'll also hear us mention the following: • Our toast video, in which we parodied the opening sequence of 2001: A Space Odyssey (https://youtu.be/uuBfDW-kGx4) • An awesome video essay about Kubrick's love of one point perspective (https://vimeo.com/48425421) • Slit scan technology (https://vimeo.com/41747091)