PODCAST · business
Fabulist
by Joel Pilger
The glamorous studio story is a lie. This is what actually happens behind the scenes.A candid look inside the world’s most interesting studios and production companies… and the business decisions fueling their best work.I’m Joel Pilger. I ran Impossible Pictures for 20 years. Today in Forum™, I help founders run their studio on purpose.If you work in motion, animation, live action, sound, or experiential… this is where founders get real about the business.Join the movement: http://joelpilger.comHuge thanks to our audio production partner, Coupe Studios. Learn more: coupestudios.com© 2019–2026 JPMP
Episodes
-
State of Studios 2025: The 7 Laws of Thriving Studios — Joel Pilger at FORUM
What’s actually happening inside creative studios right now? I work with hundreds of creative studios and production companies across 40+ countries — motion design, VFX, live action, experiential, music, and sound. And toward the end of every year, founders ask me the same question: “You work...
-
Competition as Craft: VAGRANTS & PENNANT VIDEO
We’re challenging each other—and the industry. Joel sits down with Vagrants co-founders Dustin Devlin and Winston Macdonald (Boston-based creative/production studio) and Tim Bradley, founder of Pennant Video Co., to unpack how today’s best studios are evolving beyond “project vendors” into true...
-
Protecting the Craft — Barton Damer at ALREADY BEEN CHEWED
Running a standout studio isn’t about selling hours—it’s about protecting the craft, picking the right clients, and staying scrappy (in smarter ways). Joel sits down with Barton Damer, founder/founding artist of Already Been Chewed (ABC), the Texas-based studio channeling skate culture into...
-
It Started As A Party — Cory Livengood & Meryn Hayes at DASH
What happens when a studio anniversary party turns into one of the motion design industry’s most loved gatherings? In this episode of The Fabulist, I talk with Cory Livengood (Creative Director & Founder, Dash Studio) and Meryn Hayes (Executive Producer, Dash Studio) about the evolution of Dash...
-
The Studio Was Just the Start — MASSFX, VERSUS, REZONATE
In this episode of The Fabulist, Joel Pilger sits down with three powerhouse studio founders—Shawna Schultz (Mass FX Media & 38th and Post), Katwo Puertollano (rezonate), and Samantha Louise (Versus)—to explore what happens after you’ve built a successful studio. What do seasoned founders build...
-
Build What Scares You — PARADISO
What does it take to create a truly transformational experience—not just an event? In this special episode, Joel Pilger sits down with Paradiso co-founders Hector Ayuso and Marko Pfann to unpack the heart, hustle, and human connection behind this one-of-a-kind gathering in Mérida, Mexico. Born…
more -
Aaron Becker and Seth Kleinberg — FILMOGRAPH
The best title sequences don’t just introduce a film or TV show—they set the tone, create anticipation, and often become iconic in their own right. In this episode, I connect with Aaron Becker and Seth Kleinberg, the co-founders of Filmograph, a studio that has shaped some of Hollywood’s most...
-
THE MILL is Gone: The End of the Beginning of Motion Design, Part 4
In this special episode of The Fabulist, Jared Yeater, a former Managing Director at The Mill, joins Ryan Summers, John LePore, and Joel Pilger to break down the shocking closure of The Mill and what it signals for the future of motion design, VFX, and creative studios. Discussion Points: Was…
more -
Sales is a Team Sport — Tony Kadillak at VERSUS
What does it really take to build lasting relationships in the creative industry? In this episode ofThe Fabulist, Joel Pilger sits down with Tony Kadillak, Executive Producer of Business Strategy & Sales at Versus, to unpack the art of business development beyond just sales. From the origins of…
more -
The Italian Way — Ilenia Notarangelo & Luca Gonnelli at ILLO & ALGO
Welcome to Season 3 of The Fabulist, the podcast for creative studios mastering the art of business. Powered by Coupe Studios, host Joel Pilger travels the world to gather insights from studio leaders who are not just participating in the industry—but reinventing it. In this episode, we’re diving...
-
Brave The Dark — Derek Dienner at MAKE/FILMS
In this episode of The Fabulist, Joel Pilger dives deep with Derek Dienner, founder of Make Films and producer of the upcoming feature film Brave the Dark. Derek shares his remarkable journey from running a thriving commercial production company to navigating the highs and lows of bringing a...
-
Build Your Brand To Elevate Your Company Brand — Simon Dixon at DIXON BAXI, Mitch Monson at SIBLING RIVALRY, Carson Hood at BIGSTAR
In this thought-provoking episode of the Fabulist Podcast, host Joel Pilger brings together a panel of creative industry leaders—Simon Dixon of DixonBaxi, Mitch Monson of Sibling Rivalry, and Carson Hood of BGSTR—for an authentic and inspiring conversation on the evolving role of personal and...
-
The Nash Stash: Creative Business Strategies — Joe Nash
In this episode, I sit down with Joe Nash to unpack the complexities of running a creative studio in today's ever-evolving market. We dive into: Why authenticity and truly caring about your clients’ challenges are the ultimate game-changers. The shift from traditional agency models to in-house...
-
Your Client Called, They’re Doing It Themselves — Justin Cone at BUCK
In this episode of The Fabulist, I – your host Joel Pilger – am joined by industry veteran Justin Cone at BUCK to tackle some of the biggest shifts currently shaping the motion design world. We dive into the rise of in-housing, as brands increasingly bring creative work in-house. This trend…
more -
Originality is the Template — Dominic DiMaria
In this episode of The Fabulist, Joel Pilger talks with artist and entrepreneur Dominic DiMaria, co-founder of Das Audie. Together, they explore the art of “positioning” — how creatives can stand out by embracing a unique perspective and refusing to compromise on originality. Dominic shares his...
-
Producers: The Unsung Heroes of Our Industry — Rebecca Olson, Kathryn Henderson, Leyla Rosario, Jessica Ransom
In this episode of The Fabulist, we tackle one of the most misunderstood roles in the creative industry: “What does a Producer actually do?” To help answer that question, I’ve brought together an incredible panel of powerhouse Producers – Rebecca Olson, Kathryn Henderson, Leyla T. Rosario, and...
-
The Transition to Digital Was Nothing — Michael Gilday at DEEP VIBE
In this enlightening episode of The Fabulist Podcast, host Joel Pilger sits down with Michael Gilday, founder and CEO of Deep Vibe Creative, for an in-depth discussion on the transformation and future of creative industries in the age of AI. Gilday shares his extensive career journey, from the...
-
Your Studio's Future is Brand-Direct — Kevin Rapp at ULTRA FRIENDS
Let's dive deep into the highs and lows of the creative life with Kevin Rapp, the seasoned creative leader and founder of Ultra Friends. In this episode, Joel Pilger invites Kevin to explore: Why creatives often find themselves exploited The emotional toll of turning passion into a career How...
-
Mackinations — Mack Garrison at DASH
Joel Pilger dives into the intersection of creativity and commerce with Mack Garrison from Dash Studio, addressing industry challenges and trends such as post-COVID screen fatigue, the rise of influencers, and industry disruptions. The pair discuss the importance of diversification, innovation…
more -
The End of the Beginning of Motion Design | Part 3 with Ryan Summers and John LePore
The Fabulist is back! Join host Joel Pilger as he leads this discussion with disruptors Ryan Summers and John LePore into the evolving landscape of motion design. This episode, titled ‘The End of the Beginning of Motion Design,’ highlights the rise of AI, the widening gap between order-takers and...
-
The End of the Beginning for Motion Design | Part 2 with Ryan Summers and John Lepore
Joel Pilger rejoins forces with Ryan Summers and John LePore for a fresh deep dive into the incredible potential and versatility of motion design! Oh, if you missed PART 1, see the link below. In this episode, we answer these questions: - How can motion design skills be seamlessly transferred…
more -
Beat Baudenbacher — LOYALKASPAR
In a world inundated with brands, one visionary offers a more considered method to branding. GUEST Beat Baudenbacher | Principal, Chief Creative Officer at loyalkaspar HOST Joel Pilger | Global Consultant at RevThink | Instagram | LinkedIn NOMINATE A FABULIST Know a creative...
-
Orion Tait — RESIDENCE
Find out why Residence isn't a holding company in the traditional sense, the overall reception in the industry and what are the championing values of the companies Residence embraces. GUEST Orion Tate | Founder, Chief Creative Officer at BUCK and Residence HOST Joel Pilger | Global Consultant…
more -
Ryan Honey & Orion Tait — BUCK
The world’s most celebrated motion design studio balances nonstop evolution with a relentless pursuit of its North Star. GUESTS Ryan Honey | Founder, Chief Creative Officer at BUCK Orion Tate | Founder, Chief Creative Officer at BUCK HOST Joel Pilger | Global Consultant at RevThink | Instagram |...
-
The End of the Beginning for Motion Design | Part 1 with Ryan Summers and John Lepore
Animation… broadcast design… motion graphics… mograph… motion design… Looking back over the past 30 years, our field has exploded, regardless of what you call it. In this veritable tour de force, I’m joined by futurists John LePore (formerly of Perception NYC) and Ryan Summers (IF, DK, Spillt)…
more -
Erin Sarofsky — SAROFSKY
On the journey to building a legacy, there is a fine line between fragility and stability. GUEST Erin Sarofsky | Owner and Executive Creative Director at Sarofsky HOST Joel Pilger | Global Consultant at RevThink | Instagram | LinkedIn NOMINATE A FABULIST Know a creative entrepreneur who should be...
-
Marcel Ziul — STATE DESIGN
Along one studio’s journey to the highest levels, its founder struggles with darkness… only to discover a deeper purpose. GUEST Marcel Ziul | Executive Creative Director & Founder at STATE Design HOST Joel Pilger | Global Consultant at RevThink | Instagram | LinkedIn NOMINATE A FABULIST Know a...
-
Joe Wright & Mikon van Gastel — SIBLING RIVALRY
Sibling’s work is bold, clear, and smart. But as with any creative business, the work is – at most – half the story. GUESTS Joe Wright | Co-Founder, Director, Chief Creative Officer at Sibling Rivalry Mikon van Gastel | Co-Founder, Director, Chief Creative Officer at Sibling Rivalry HOST Joel...
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
The glamorous studio story is a lie. This is what actually happens behind the scenes.A candid look inside the world’s most interesting studios and production companies… and the business decisions fueling their best work.I’m Joel Pilger. I ran Impossible Pictures for 20 years. Today in Forum™, I help founders run their studio on purpose.If you work in motion, animation, live action, sound, or experiential… this is where founders get real about the business.Join the movement: http://joelpilger.comHuge thanks to our audio production partner, Coupe Studios. Learn more: coupestudios.com© 2019–2026 JPMP
HOSTED BY
Joel Pilger
CATEGORIES
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Fabulist have?
Fabulist currently has 28 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Fabulist about?
The glamorous studio story is a lie. This is what actually happens behind the scenes.A candid look inside the world’s most interesting studios and production companies… and the business decisions fueling their best work.I’m Joel Pilger. I ran Impossible Pictures for 20 years. Today in Forum™, I...
How often does Fabulist release new episodes?
Fabulist has 28 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Fabulist?
You can listen to Fabulist on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Fabulist?
Fabulist is created and hosted by Joel Pilger.
URL copied to clipboard!