AFTER FILM SCHOOL Podcast

Join host Chris Schwartz on After Film School Podcast (AFS) as he dives into captivating conversations with film school graduates from around the world. Each episode reveals the graduates' triumphs, confronts the challenges they faced, and uncovers the invaluable lessons learned through their creative journeys. Tune in to explore the real stories behind the scenes and the personal experiences that shape the future of filmmaking.

AFTER FILM SCHOOL Podcast is a arts podcast hosted by Produced by René Salinas in association with Creativity Lives Here Ltd. Co., with 31 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Produced by René Salinas in association with Creativity Lives Here Ltd. Co. hosts AFTER FILM SCHOOL Podcast, a arts show with 31 episodes published.

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  Episode #31

  Jessica Redish: From USC to Studio Pitch Meetings

  Nov 11, 202530 minS2025

  Jessica Redish is an award-winning director, writer, and choreographer and recent graduate of USC's MFA Film & Television Production Program. Called a "rising star" by Medium.com, her work spans from choreographing The Smashing Pumpkins' International Tour to creating acclaimed short films including "Exit, Pursued by a Bear" (her short movie musical that premiered at Oscar-qualifying HollyShorts and Raindance Film Festivals) and the absurdist comedy "cat." She has worked as a comedy writer for Emmy & Golden Globe winner Joey Soloway and for Michael Bay & Adam Goodman's Invisible Narratives. With a musical theater background from Northwestern University, Jessica won the Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Choreography and earned Chicago Tribune recognition alongside directors like Hal Prince. Inspired by Scorsese, Coppola, Alma Har'el, and Bob Fosse, her work has been described as "hilariously twisted" by Hollywood Digest. Jessica currently resides in Los Angeles where she tends to her "Golden Girls" Chia Pet. IN THIS EPISODE: ✨ How pandemic Q&As inspired her film school journey ✨ The short musical that got her hired ✨ Making "The Last Croissant" - Funny or Die's pick ✨ Developing shows while finishing grad school ✨ Why collaboration is everything ✨ Real talk about the intensity of film school JESSICA'S PROJECTS: https://www.jessicaredish.com/director • Exit, Pursued By A Bear (Short Musical) • The Last Croissant (Funny or Die) • Cat (Absurdist Short) CONNECT WITH JESSICA: Website: https://www.jessicaredish.com/ IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2600459/ IG: @jessicaredish FB: https://www.facebook.com/JessicaBethRedish/ ABOUT AFTER FILM SCHOOL: Real stories from real filmmakers about life after graduation. CHAPTERS WITH TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Introduction: Meet Jessica Redish 01:30 - The Pandemic Pivot: Why Film School? 03:45 - From Theater Kid to Choreographer 06:20 - Breaking Into Music Videos 09:15 - Choreography Meets Camera Movement 12:40 - The Last Croissant: A Breakthrough 15:30 - Cat: The Follow-Up Short 17:45 - First Year Success: Exit, Pursued By A Bear 20:10 - From Student to Professional TV Writer 23:00 - Current Projects: Pitching to Studios 25:30 - Film School Reality Check 28:15 - The Secret Sauce: Collaboration 30:45 - Final Advice for Aspiring Filmmakers 32:30 - Wrap-Up & Where to Find Jessica Tags: film school, USC film school, TV writer, screenwriting, musical theater, film director, women in film, USC cinema, choreography, music videos, short films, comedy filmmaking, absurdist comedy, film school advice, Northwestern University, graduate film programs, television writing, development executive, filmmaker interview, after film school podcast

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  Episode #34

  "From Editor to AI-Powered Director" - Daniel Pineros on Storytelling, Commercial Work, and the Future of Filmmaking

  Sep 1, 202535 minS4

  Daniel Pineros started his journey as an editor, where storytelling is built frame by frame, but his career has evolved into something far more dynamic in the age of AI. As a director working in the commercial space, Daniel is at the forefront of integrating AI tools like Sora and V3 into his creative process, fundamentally changing how he approaches client work and pitch development. In this episode, Daniel shares how AI has transformed his workflow from concept to completion. He discusses using AI tools not just as a replacement for traditional production methods, but as a way to rapidly prototype ideas and present compelling visions to clients. We explore the practical realities of working with AI in commercial production—from the ten generations it might take to get one usable result, to the cultural shift in how brands and audiences perceive AI-generated content. Daniel's journey from high school video projects to professional commercial directing offers valuable insights for film school graduates entering an industry in rapid transformation. His perspective on AI as a collaborative tool rather than a replacement for human creativity provides a refreshing take on the future of filmmaking, where technical innovation serves storytelling rather than overshadowing it. [00:00 - 02:30] Introduction & AI in Commercial Work Daniel's evolution from editor to director and how AI tools are changing commercial production [02:30 - 05:00] AI Workflow in Practice Using tools like Sora and V3 for client pitches and concept development [05:00 - 07:30] The Reality of AI Generation The practical challenges of AI tools - why ten generations might yield one usable result [07:30 - 10:00] Early Filmmaking Passion High school projects and discovering the power of visual storytelling [10:00 - 12:30] Film School Experience Educational background and technical skill development [12:30 - 15:00] Editor to Director Transition How editing skills inform directing and the frame-by-frame approach to storytelling [15:00 - 17:30] Client Work & Brand Perspectives How brands are adapting to AI-generated content and cultural shifts in acceptance [17:30 - End] Future of Filmmaking Predictions for AI integration and maintaining human creativity in commercial work 🎬 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@afterfilmschoolpodcast/videos 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afterfilmschoolpodcast/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/after-film-school-podcast 🎵 Spotify Soundtrack Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2APA41aLuK2qrpgxcNvveq?si=47064d338f1e4353&nd=1&dlsi=51af8d76358548cb 📝 Webapp: https://eu.jotform.com/app/after-film-school/after-film-school-podcast

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  Episode #30

  20 Years Behind Amazing Race: From Communist Prague to Emmy-Winning Cinematographer Petr Cikhart

  Nov 24, 202441 minS3

  <p>Petr Cikhart is an EMMY winning Czech cinematographer living in Los Angeles. As a 19-year-old Assistant Director covered the war in Chechnya for Czech TV, and was arrested and held hostage for two days by Russian soldiers during the assignment. It was his first ever field shoot, and he was hooked.</p> <p><br /></p> <p>In June 2012 he received MFA in Cinematography from the American Film Institute. His thesis film FIRST IN FLIGHT competed at Camerimage cinematography festival in Poland and was nominated for the ASC Harris Savides Student Heritage Award. While at AFI Petr won the College...

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  Episode #29

  'Turn Your S**t Into Ice Cream': Lindsay Stidham on Making $50K Features, Teaching & AFI | Film School Journey #29

  Nov 2, 20241h 2mS3

  <p>Lindsay holds an MFA in screenwriting from the American Film Institute and teaches screenwriting at USC's School of Cinematic Arts and Cal State Long Beach. She has overseen two screenplays from script to screen as writer/producer: SPOONER starring Matthew Lillard (SLAMDANCE) and DOUCHEBAG (SUNDANCE) both released theatrically. Most recently, Lindsay sold WITH LOVE, YOUR SWEETLY SALTED. She is currently adapting the book SEX WITH STRANGERS by Micheal Lowenthal for producer Nadia Leonelli and working on an interactive sci-fi rom com with producer Sandeep Parikh and director Sammi Cohen. Lindsay has also developed unique screenwriting courses for USC, Sundance...

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  Episode #28

  From India to Success: Rasa Partin's Inspiring Journey to AFI Film School and Beyond

  Oct 16, 20241h 18mS3

  <p>Dive into the cinematic world of Rasa Partin</p> <p>The talented director of photography behind Kelley Kali's latest feature films, Kemba (starring Nesta Cooper, Sean Patrick Thomas, and Michelle Hurd) and Jagged Mind (featuring Maisie Richardson-Sellers and Shannon Woodward).</p> <p><br /></p> <p>Rasa has an impressive portfolio that includes the critically acclaimed Immaculate Room directed by Mukunda Dewil, the unique single-shot thriller Saviors directed by Christopher Greenslate, and the intriguing TV series Kappa Kappa Die (Warner Bros) directed by Zelda Williams, along with Los Wanabis directed by Santiago Paladines.</p> <p><br /></p> <p>Beyond features...

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