Get Reelisms | An Ode to Filmmaking

The ins and outs, tips and tricks, and dirt on the independent film industry. getreelisms.com

Get Reelisms | An Ode to Filmmaking is a comedy podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 206 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Unknown Host hosts Get Reelisms | An Ode to Filmmaking, a comedy show with 206 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #194

  S4E194: Navigating a brain tumor - Facing your mortality

  Sep 1, 20261h 7mS4

  n episode 194 of the Get Reelisms podcast, filmmakers Adam Chase Rani and Christine Chen discuss Christine’s recent health crisis: after an MRI on May 1, doctors found a brain tumor, and she is scheduled for surgery on May 19 to remove it. Christine describes sporadic focal seizures starting the previous summer, including brief left-side freezes while fully conscious, one occurring publicly at a Canon networking event and twice while driving, leading to her no longer being allowed to drive. They criticize the U.S. healthcare system, including receiving results via a CD and delayed medical follow-up, and note her surgery was expedited through her surgeon brother’s connections. They use dark humor about naming the tumor “Tumi,” potential sketches, filmmaking memories, and plan a podcast pause until June while promoting getrealisms.com during recovery. Hosts: Adam Rani ( @adamthechase ) & Christine Chen ( @cchenmtf ) About Christine W Chen: Christine W. Chen is a Taiwanese American filmmaker, Academy member (Short Films Branch), and versatile producer, director, and writer known for bold, character-driven storytelling. Through her production company, Moth to Flame , she has created award-winning short films, features, and branded content—including Erzulie , a feminist swamp thriller that had a limited theatrical run and now streams on major platforms. In addition to her directorial work, Christine is a seasoned DGA 1st Assistant Director and co-author of Get Reelisms and ABCs of Filmmaking , as well as the co-host of the Get Reelisms Podcast . For more information about Christine Chen: christinewchen.com About Adam Rani: Adam Chase Rani is a production designer and set dresser working in the Austin film market, bringing a sharp eye for visual storytelling and practical creativity to every project. During the pandemic, he co-founded the Get Reelisms Podcast with Christine Chen to foster community within the film industry. Together, they’ve built a platform that blends education, candid conversations, and industry insights to help filmmakers connect, learn, and grow. WEBISODE version of the Podcast 00:00 Brain Tumor Reveal 00:22 Podcast Intro Setup 01:41 Mothers Day Message 02:06 Diagnosis And Surgery Date 03:58 Coping With Dark Humor 04:49 Seizure Symptoms Explained 10:06 Driving Scare And No Keys 11:58 Healthcare System Breakdown 13:03 The CD Player Sketch 16:34 Surgeon Mafia Fast Track 26:40 Friends Support System 27:58 Devil Wears Prada 2 Tangent 29:47 Bots And Bad Reviews 32:27 No Guest Just Us 33:25 Traveling Podcast Memories 34:07 Journaling Through Hard Times 36:04 Not Knowing and Learning 37:33 Cheap Gear Real Talk 38:28 Honest Film Podcast Philosophy 40:23 Fugitive Dreams War Stories 46:36 Family Pressure and Set Culture 51:45 Guest No Show Mothers Day 53:29 Gratitude and Friendship 57:06 Erzulie Set Highlights 01:00:09 Make A Wish Film Funding 01:03:25 Wrap Up and Merch Plug Official Get Reelisms Page Get Reelisms Amazon Store Instagram

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  Episode #192

  S4E192: Vertical Film Frenzy - The New Wave of Vertical Cinema

  Aug 4, 202641 minS4

  Fellowship App Hell, Strategic TV Directing Pitches, and Why Verticals Are the New Wild West On the Get Reelisms podcast, filmmakers Adam Chase Rani and Christine Chen catch up on recent festival news and Christine’s birthday, then dive into “fellowship app hell season,” comparing repeated lab applications and essay-writing to endlessly applying to colleges with no clear feedback. Christine shares she’s applying to programs including Film Independent, Sundance Producing Lab, and WriteBack Rise, and discusses the demoralizing competition, lack of guarantees, and the need to budget time by stepping back from AD work to focus on directing and stronger applications. Adam explains reframing a Disney directing program pitch from choosing a favorite show to choosing a show that logically matches evidence in his portfolio and experience. They also recap a Scene Lab focused on verticals and discuss vertical video’s growth, rising production value, democratized audience-driven discovery, and reduced gatekeeping compared to traditional Hollywood. Hosts: Adam Rani ( @adamthechase ) & Christine Chen ( @cchenmtf ) About Christine W Chen: Christine W. Chen is a Taiwanese American filmmaker, Academy member (Short Films Branch), and versatile producer, director, and writer known for bold, character-driven storytelling. Through her production company, Moth to Flame , she has created award-winning short films, features, and branded content—including Erzulie , a feminist swamp thriller that had a limited theatrical run and now streams on major platforms. In addition to her directorial work, Christine is a seasoned DGA 1st Assistant Director and co-author of Get Reelisms and ABCs of Filmmaking , as well as the co-host of the Get Reelisms Podcast . For more information about Christine Chen: christinewchen.com About Adam Rani: Adam Chase Rani is a production designer and set dresser working in the Austin film market, bringing a sharp eye for visual storytelling and practical creativity to every project. During the pandemic, he co-founded the Get Reelisms Podcast with Christine Chen to foster community within the film industry. Together, they’ve built a platform that blends education, candid conversations, and industry insights to help filmmakers connect, learn, and grow. WEBISODE version of the Podcast 00:00 Logic Over Emotion 00:41 Podcast Intro Chaos 02:20 Birthdays and Benjamin Button 02:59 Daisy the Warrior Terrier 05:10 Fellowship Application Hell 07:54 Which Labs to Apply For 10:50 Too Many Programs 12:00 Strategic Show Selection 17:15 Feeling Behind Outside LA 17:59 Application Grind Mindset 18:39 Scene Lab Workshop Recap 20:27 AD Work Versus Directing 21:52 Fellowship Focus Strategy 25:07 Friends in Film Reset 29:30 Verticals Future Trends 35:31 Why Vertical Storytelling Wins 38:02 Viral Post And Creator Rush 39:56 Guest Handoff And Merch Plug Official Get Reelisms Page Get Reelisms Amazon Store Instagram

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  Episode #191

  S4E191: The Evolving Role of AI in Filmmaking

  Jul 21, 20261h 15mS4

  On Get Reelisms Podcast episode 191, hosts Adam Chase Rani and Christine Chen interview filmmaker/producer/AD and occasional actor Avid (“Avi”) from Puppy Love Productions about becoming a “multi-tool” on set, especially in vertical productions. Avi recounts starting as a high-school editor on Final Cut Pro 7, continuing filmmaking while majoring in chemistry/biochemistry due to family pressure, learning directing performances through an improv-actor collaborator, and falling into first AD work via a 48-hour challenge and a Sony-financed short where a seasoned producer taught him set lingo. They discuss on-set judgment and delegation, phone rules, interns learning walkie etiquette, and how vertical storytelling uses cliffhangers, paywalls, CPI/client-driven scenes, and evolving efficiency systems. Avi also explains creating 3Line Studio, notable clients, a stolen box truck recovery using AirTags, and plugs a vertical Scene Lab event at 3Line Studio on April 29 (7–10 PM). Hosts: Adam Rani ( @adamthechase ) & Christine Chen ( @cchenmtf ) About Christine W Chen: Christine W. Chen is a Taiwanese American filmmaker, Academy member (Short Films Branch), and versatile producer, director, and writer known for bold, character-driven storytelling. Through her production company, Moth to Flame , she has created award-winning short films, features, and branded content—including Erzulie , a feminist swamp thriller that had a limited theatrical run and now streams on major platforms. In addition to her directorial work, Christine is a seasoned DGA 1st Assistant Director and co-author of Get Reelisms and ABCs of Filmmaking , as well as the co-host of the Get Reelisms Podcast . For more information about Christine Chen: christinewchen.com About Adam Rani: Adam Chase Rani is a production designer and set dresser working in the Austin film market, bringing a sharp eye for visual storytelling and practical creativity to every project. During the pandemic, he co-founded the Get Reelisms Podcast with Christine Chen to foster community within the film industry. Together, they’ve built a platform that blends education, candid conversations, and industry insights to help filmmakers connect, learn, and grow. Guest: Avid Eghbali was born on August 20, 1996 in Iran. He is a director and producer, known for Bated Breath , Drift (2024) and Hell Hath No Fury (2026) . WEBISODE version of the Podcast 00:00 Chem Major Film Hustle 01:01 Podcast Intro And Guest 02:16 Meeting Avi On Verticals 02:51 Multi Tool Set Mindset 06:24 Avi Acting On Set 09:06 How Avi Got Started 12:30 Learning AD Lingo Fast 14:26 Family Pressure And Legacy 20:04 First Day Jitters To Growth 22:30 Delegation And Set Judgment 29:33 Phones On Set Debate 32:55 CPI Scenes And Vertical Demands 35:32 How Verticals Are Written 38:08 Vertical Video Debate 40:06 Innovation and Naysayers 41:39 Vine Lessons and Coexistence 42:49 AI Trailers and Backlash 44:00 AI as Previs Tool 47:37 Branded Vertical Series 51:36 Three Line Studio Origins 56:58 Celebrity Shoots and Clients 59:02 Stolen Box Truck Story 01:03:38 Trump Impressions and Set Antics 01:12:44 Event Plug and Housekeeping 01:14:28 Final Goodbye Official Get Reelisms Page Get Reelisms Amazon Store Instagram

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  Episode #190

  S4E190: Vertical Film Frenzy - Guerrilla Filmmaking on Crack

  Jul 7, 202638 minS4

  Verticals, Unions, and AI: The Wild West of New Filmmaking | Get Reelisms Ep. 190 In episode 190 of the Get Reelisms podcast, filmmakers Adam Chase Rani and Christine Chen talk about Christine’s desert trip to see a meteor shower, her deliberate hiatus from AD work to regain creative peace, and her return to making fast, low-budget sketch comedy—especially vertical YouTube/Instagram sketches—through groups like Banana TV and a 10-episode series with her friend Myleene about friends whose hangouts always turn into film work. They discuss the rise of union and branded verticals, why creators are embracing the format as a new storytelling medium, and how to improve quality through writing and framing. The conversation covers intense vertical set workflows, block shooting and child actor restrictions, the push-pull between budgets and union standards, concerns about AI replacing art versus using AI as a logistics tool, and worries about declining literacy from students using ChatGPT. They close with GetReelisms.com plugs and tease the next guest from Puppy Love Productions. Hosts: Adam Rani ( @adamthechase ) & Christine Chen ( @cchenmtf ) About Christine W Chen: Christine W. Chen is a Taiwanese American filmmaker, Academy member (Short Films Branch), and versatile producer, director, and writer known for bold, character-driven storytelling. Through her production company, Moth to Flame , she has created award-winning short films, features, and branded content—including Erzulie , a feminist swamp thriller that had a limited theatrical run and now streams on major platforms. In addition to her directorial work, Christine is a seasoned DGA 1st Assistant Director and co-author of Get Reelisms and ABCs of Filmmaking , as well as the co-host of the Get Reelisms Podcast . For more information about Christine Chen: christinewchen.com About Adam Rani: Adam Chase Rani is a production designer and set dresser working in the Austin film market, bringing a sharp eye for visual storytelling and practical creativity to every project. During the pandemic, he co-founded the Get Reelisms Podcast with Christine Chen to foster community within the film industry. Together, they’ve built a platform that blends education, candid conversations, and industry insights to help filmmakers connect, learn, and grow. WEBISODE version of the Podcast 00:00 Vertical Film FOMO 00:21 Podcast Intro Setup 01:15 Meteor Shower Birthday 02:49 AD Hiatus For Writing 05:07 Back To Sketch Roots 06:45 Friends In Film Series 09:46 Verticals Branded Wave 14:19 Cinematic Vertical Potential 15:40 Vertical Set War Stories 17:29 Block Shooting Explained 18:49 Working With Child Actors 20:19 Crew Set Stories 20:55 Child Actor Rules 21:56 Union Versus Verticals 24:42 Knowing Your Worth 27:16 AI In Filmmaking 31:33 Gen Z Literacy Drop 35:09 Read More Books 35:57 Wrap And Plug Official Get Reelisms Page Get Reelisms Amazon Store Instagram

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  Episode #189

  S4E189: A Slice of Cinema: John Valley and 'American Dollhouse

  Jun 23, 202653 minS4

  On the Get Reelisms Podcast, filmmakers Madam Chase Rani and Christine Chen interview Austin director Jon Vallet about his new film American Dollhouse, which just premiered at South by Southwest and launched its festival run with an Austin “film family” crew. Vallet says the movie uses a character-driven, proto-slasher approach inspired by films like Psycho and Black Christmas, using modern anxieties about public spaces feeling unsafe and the dissonance of daily life in America as thematic fuel. He shares the logline: a woman inherits her childhood home, hoping to escape debt, but the house is falling apart and a doppelgänger-like neighbor becomes obsessively dangerous, escalating into a Christmas-set slasher. Vallet discusses prioritizing actors’ performances, early sound and scoring collaboration, shooting on Sony Venice in 4:3 with natural light and night-for-day, a 15-day December 2024 shoot, a difficult third-act set build, and adapting scripts and schedules to budget and resources. Hosts: Adam Rani ( @adamthechase ) & Christine Chen ( @cchenmtf ) About Christine W Chen: Christine W. Chen is a Taiwanese American filmmaker, Academy member (Short Films Branch), and versatile producer, director, and writer known for bold, character-driven storytelling. Through her production company, Moth to Flame , she has created award-winning short films, features, and branded content—including Erzulie , a feminist swamp thriller that had a limited theatrical run and now streams on major platforms. In addition to her directorial work, Christine is a seasoned DGA 1st Assistant Director and co-author of Get Reelisms and ABCs of Filmmaking , as well as the co-host of the Get Reelisms Podcast . For more information about Christine Chen: christinewchen.com About Adam Rani: Adam Chase Rani is a production designer and set dresser working in the Austin film market, bringing a sharp eye for visual storytelling and practical creativity to every project. During the pandemic, he co-founded the Get Reelisms Podcast with Christine Chen to foster community within the film industry. Together, they’ve built a platform that blends education, candid conversations, and industry insights to help filmmakers connect, learn, and grow. About John Valley John Valley became a prolific music video director in Austin TX before honing in on his debut feature The Pizzagate Massacre, a dark horror comedy that VICE called "A grindhouse Pizzagate satire that perfectly captures a moment in time." His sophomore film, American Dollhouse is a modern take on proto-slasher classics like Psycho and Black Christmas. WEBISODE version of the Podcast 00:00 Actors First Philosophy 00:22 Podcast Intro And Guest 01:41 Origins Of American Dollhouse 04:57 Logline And Setup 06:34 What Makes A Slasher 11:24 Slasher Structure And Metaphor 15:07 Sound Design And Score 17:34 Lessons From First Film 21:21 Crew And Camera Choices 25:05 On Set Trauma And Third Act Build 29:42 Night for Day Magic 30:43 Scheduling as Storytelling 31:54 Budget as Creative Tool 34:03 Practical Effects and Big Punch 37:14 Script vs Set Reality 39:00 Directing Without Attachment 41:39 Next Projects Monster Movie 44:06 Pivoting and People First 46:58 Christmas Theme and Family Pressure 50:28 Austin Film Scene Farewell 52:41 Housekeeping and Sign Off Official Get Reelisms Page Get Reelisms Amazon Store Instagram

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