First Act Break

Welcome to episode 32 of The First Act Break podcast, the show where we dive into the art, business, and hustle of breaking into the film industry, and help you build a career doing what you love. In this episode, Tribeca feature film director Chris Merola breaks down exactly how he made his first feature film Lemonade Blessing and premiered it at the Tribeca Film Festival. He shares the full journey: from writing the script, fundraising, building a team, and navigating indie production, to landing reps, taking meetings, and understanding today’s brutal distribution landscape. Whether you're an aspiring director, indie filmmaker, or USC film student, this deep-dive reveals the real strategies, risks, and mindset needed to make your first feature.

Welcome to episode 31 of The First Act Break podcast, the show where we dive into the art, business, and hustle of breaking into the film industry, and help you build a career doing what you love. Today, we bring on Elijin Yoo, a USC film school grad and editor of vertical short dramas. He breaks down how a musician’s rhythm shapes pacing, coverage, and storytelling for TikTok/Reels-style narrative edits, plus the key differences from traditional film editing. He shares the indie journey behind his short “Sonata” (SAG micro-budget, Seed&Spark crowdfunding, festival strategy) and previews his Koreatown drama “Sea Otter,” with practical advice on career stability and building toward a debut feature. We also tackle distribution trends and AI in filmmaking as well as actionable insights for editors, directors, and film students navigating today’s industry.

Welcome to episode 30 of The First Act Break podcast, the show where we dive into the art, business, and hustle of breaking into the film industry, and help you build a career doing what you love. Today, we bring on Mic Ferrante, an Emmy-Winning composer who's scored for the NFL, NBA, FAZE Clan, Kai Cenat and many more. He shares his experience going to music school and his recent career as a newly graduate pursing the composing dream.Timecodes:00:00 Intro00:01:58 Falling in love with scoring00:05:26 First real paycheck as composer00:06:28 Getting paid through commercial work00:07:15 How composers actually get hired00:08:59 Marketing yourself as a composer00:09:27 Biggest thing directors should know00:10:45 Working with big brands (NBA, USC)00:12:17 How people find him for gigs00:14:23 The USC “Among Us” horn00:15:40 Writing for narrative vs commercial00:18:52 How themes and melodies are born00:20:01 Why melody matters so much00:22:58 Writing personal music outside film00:23:40 Studying great music00:27:06 Do directors need “good taste”?00:27:59 Temp scores: helpful or cheating?00:30:07 Is there a “career path”?00:31:31 How composers actually break in00:33:59 Diversify or starve in music00:34:59 Balancing creativity and mental health00:35:12 Is music / film school worth it?00:36:59 USC: connections vs. classes00:38:02 Mozart vs. modern composers00:40:46 Money stress after graduation00:41:40 How much do gigs pay?00:44:33 Learning when to say no00:47:00 Will AI take composer jobs?00:48:59 How he’s future-proofing with AI00:50:00 Using AI in music workflow00:50:36 Handling jealousy and comparison00:51:57 Scoring for different directors’ styles00:53:35 Worst kind of project experience00:54:38 Running live sessions, leading people00:55:51 How to get good at piano00:58:17 Breaking down our scores together01:02:22 Melodies of War breakdown01:03:22 Love themes, character themes01:04:48 How sets actually work (drama)01:07:34 How we pulled off the musical01:09:35 Writing songs fast for production01:10:24 Question from last guest01:11:20 Freelance goals (director POV)

Welcome to episode 29 of The First Act Break podcast, the show where we dive into the art, business, and hustle of breaking into the film industry, and help you build a career doing what you love. Today, hosts Richard and Jiayang chat about building a life outside and surrounding filmmaking. It's a discussion that reflects how to live a healthy artist lifestyle.Timecodes:00:00 Making movies is your whole life00:19 Life after USC Film School (graduation update)00:56 Nature, unplugging, and fixing burnout04:51 Family, guilt, and healing in China06:12 Preparing for “the real world” as a young filmmaker07:42 Don’t peak in college / You still have time10:51 Work–life balance vs full obsession with film11:55 Do you want greatness or happiness?14:39 Gratitude vs ambition: staying hungry without burning out16:00 The cost of dreams (Damien Chazelle conversation)19:12 Can you be a great director and still be a family person?20:14 You don’t have to be a tortured artist21:51 You don’t need it all figured out right now23:09 Death, purpose, and Stephen King on why art matters24:52 Acting class that changed how I direct30:47 Why great actors are insanely empathetic36:51 “I want to direct for the rest of my life”38:07 Art is why we’re alive43:34 Final thoughts: build a life beyond film

Welcome to episode 28 of The First Act Break podcast, the show where we dive into the art, business, and hustle of breaking into the film industry, and help you build a career doing what you love. This podcast has changed my life. One of the best decisions ever made. 25+ episodes later, here is everything I learned about running a podcast to help you guys get started on your own journeys. Timecode:00:00 Keep pushing — don’t quit00:00:23 6 months running our podcast00:01:58 Why we started this podcast00:03:38 Lessons from talking to filmmakers00:04:54 Our tiny-room podcast gear setup00:06:22 Start your own podcast cheap00:08:26 Favorite guests and biggest takeaways00:10:38 Getting better at interviewing guests00:12:04 Asking better questions, better stories00:14:16 Filmmaking, YouTube, and Jon M. Chu00:16:11 Consistency: why most podcasts die00:21:05 Podcasting, AI, and the future00:26:42 Will AI replace filmmakers?00:28:36 You can’t control the industry00:30:34 AI debate: both sides matter00:31:02 Outro / thanks for watching

Welcome to episode 27 of The First Act Break podcast, the show where we dive into the art, business, and hustle of breaking into the film industry, and help you build a career doing what you love. Today, we bring on Rhys Zemeckis, a USC film director with a passion for classic movies. He shares his experience growing up in a filmmaking family and lessons he learned about what makes a good film director.

Welcome to episode 26 of The First Act Break podcast, the show where we dive into the art, business, and hustle of breaking into the film industry, and help you build a career doing what you love. Today, we bring on Teddy Alvarez-Nissen, a recently graduated USC film director. He shares his experience breaking into Hollywood and how he made a movie with snails. We discuss the what it takes for a director to succeed in the movie business and the path that led to him to being noticed at film festivals and by talent agencies.Time Stamps:(0:00) - Intro(3:49) - Learning Filmmaking as a Child(13:24) - Directing a Snail(16:11) - Building the Set(21:10) - Fantastical storytelling(25:27) - Finding Ideas(37:52) - Old Goat(40:29) - Film Festivals(46:38) - Best Marketing Tool(52:37) - Most Memorable Set(54:50) - 1st AD(1:00:10) - Networking(1:05:15) - Career Plan After College(1:11:57) - $3 Million Feature Idea(1:13:47) - AI isn’t directing

Welcome to episode 25 of The First Act Break podcast, the show where we dive into the art, business, and hustle of breaking into the film industry, and help you build a career doing what you love. Today, we bring on Phinehas Yoon, a professional actor with a recent lead role in a SXSW feature film. He shares his experience breaking into Hollywood. We discuss the what it takes for an actor to succeed in the movie business and the path that led to him starring in multiple high profile movies.Timecode:(00:56) - SXSW(01:48) - How We Met(04:51) - Beginnings(08:40) - Child Acting(09:51) - Asian American Actors(11:03) - Filmmaking & Acting(15:17) - Action Short(21:12) - Biggest Short Film(31:03) - Casting(33:30) - SXSW Film “It Ends”(39:20) - Financing & Casting the Film(45:00) - Rejection for Actors(51:02) - Is Acting Professional Lying?(53:23) -Breaking into the Industry Today(55:18) - Do YOU Need to be in LA?(57:16) - Getting an Agent/Manager(1:00:08) - Why Pursue this Path?(1:01:09) - Financial Security in Entertainment(1:02:16) - How to Adapt to Rapid Change(1:05:36) - Dream movie for $4mil(1:09:32) - Audition Opportunities(1:12:31) - Stereotypes in Asian American Screen Presence(1:14:36) - Getting Better Performances(01:19:20) - Trust Between Director and Actor(01:20:40) - Looks(01:30:29) - Question(01:34:01) - $6mil dream movie(01:35:08) - Sperm Race(01:36:56) - Deep Question(01:40:14) - What’s Next

Welcome to episode 24 of The First Act Break podcast, the show where we dive into the art, business, and hustle of breaking into the film industry, and help you build a career doing what you love. Today, we bring on Daniella Rafael, a USC film director and producer, who shares her experience making movies in the Middle East during geopolitical tensions. We discuss the behind the scenes of her dance film used to empower Iranian women and her plan to make her first feature film right after film school.Timecode:(0:00) - Intro(2:04) - Going to School with Nuns and religion(3:54) - Coming to LA for Film School(8:09) - Producing(13:09) - Collaboration at USC(16:25) - Junior Thesis Film(22:49) - Building Trust(23:36) - War films(29:25) - Making an Iranian Dance Film(40:08) - Directing a movie the Middle East(48:23) - Planning on Making First Feature Film(55:13) - Fundraising Advice(57:22) - Freelance vs Studio(58:23) - How to find Ideas(1:02:51) - Internships(1:11:35) - Social Media(1:12:26) - Theater(1:14:25) - What makes a good Script(1:18:56) - Student Assistant at USC

Welcome to episode 23 of The First Act Break podcast, the show where we dive into the art, business, and hustle of breaking into the film industry, and help you build a career doing what you love. Today, we bring on Flint Tanquary, an Emmy-Winning USC film director and vfx artist, who shares his stories behind the best sport hype video of all time. We discuss the behind the scenes of "Arrival of the Trojan", Coachella, Rolling Loud, The Weekend promo videos and many other projects.Timecode:(0:00) - Intro(4:05) - Aftermath of “Arrival of the Trojan”(8:36) - Working with USC Football Players(9:49) - Post Production (10:41) - Pre-production (11:58) - Inspirations(13:22) - Reply to haters(15:10) - USC Football recruiting(17:31) - How to Keep Pushing Forward(23:42) - Working with Coachella(25:47) - UFOs in Rolling Loud video(28:47) - Capturing Live Event(32:34) - Knowing when you’re Finished(33:50) - Early works(35:08) - Working with Celebrities(36:50) - Journey and Application to USC Film School(46:46) - First Big Gig(48:47) - Finding Balance(50:19) - Softwares to learn(58:24) - Finding your Style(59:31) - Being Confident(1:01:08) - Dealing with Self Doubt(1:01:57) - Future Career Plans(1:05:10) - AI impact on VFX(1:08:23) - Freelancing in LA

Welcome to episode 22 of The First Act Break podcast, the show where we dive into the art, business, and hustle of breaking into the film industry, and help you build a career doing what you love. Today, we bring on Kayla Cunningham, a USC film director and editor, who shares her insights on finding the right path starting from new. We discuss her thoughts on film school, experience in the Trojan Filmmaker's Club, and advice on having a freelance career in this fast changing industry.Timecode:(0:00) - Intro(3:10) - Finding Your Path(4:49) - Projects Kayla Made(7:54) - Thoughts on Film School(9:34) - Editing as a Path(12:11) - Teddy and Elizabeth(14:14) - Trojan Filmmaker’s Club(18:36) - Other Art Forms(23:27) - Finding Inspiration(26:01) - Working with USC People(29:10) - Film Symposium Class(33:40) - Film Production Class (38:28) - Freelance Editing(48:34) - Taking Editing Notes(51:07) - Career Plan(53:00) - Advice for Freshman Year Self(54:16) - Being Optimistic (57:01) - The One Film(1:04:27) - Doing Theater(1:09:36) - Co-Writer(1:12:05) - Environmentalism

Welcome to episode 21 of The First Act Break podcast, the show where we dive into the art, business, and hustle of breaking into the film industry, and help you build a career doing what you love. Today, we bring on Noah Lee, a LA based freelance cinematographer and assistant camera, who shares his insights on building a career in cinematography. We discuss his thoughts on film school, and why he chose not to go, and advice on having a freelance career in this fast changing industry.Timecode:(0:00) - Intro(1:25) - How He Got Started(4:14) - Not Going to Film School(19:39) - How to Choose Projects(29:23) - What Makes a Well-Runned Set?(42:16) - Should an Aspiring DP Move to La?(49:15) - Vertical Content(59:08) - Future Career Plans(1:03:07) - Being Proud of Your Work(1:05:09) - Thoughts on AI(1:11:39) - Thought Experiment(1:13:41) - Improving as a DP(1:19:27) - Shot listing

Welcome to episode 20 of The First Act Break podcast, the show where we dive into the art, business, and hustle of breaking into the film industry, and help you build a career doing what you love. Today, we bring on Daeil Kim, a Sundance director and cinematographer, who shares his insights on life after college. We discuss his current career balancing both crafts, how his movie got into the Sundance Film Festival, and advice on having a freelance career.

Welcome to episode 19 of The First Act Break podcast, the show where we dive into the art, business, and hustle of breaking into the film industry, and help you build a career doing what you love. Today, we bring on Daniel Han, a recent USC film school graduate, who shares his insights on life after college. We discuss his current career working on KPOP tour groups, things he had to unlearn after film school, and ways he is rediscovering his own identity.

Welcome to episode 18 of The First Act Break podcast, the show where we dive into the art, business, and hustle of breaking into the film industry, and help you build a career doing what you love. Today, we bring on Alex Li, a USC film director, who shares his insights on the Chinese movie industry. We discuss the differences between with it and Hollywood, stories from Chinese sets, and experiences at USC film school.

Welcome to episode 17 of The First Act Break podcast, the show where we dive into the art, business, and hustle of breaking into the film industry, and help you build a career doing what you love. Today, we bring on Tammy Premchan, a freelance editor working in LA, who shares her insights on how to build an editing career in 2025. We discuss the art of editing, experiences at USC film school, and how to make the most of our time between projects.

Welcome to episode 16 of The First Act Break podcast, the show where we dive into the art, business, and hustle of breaking into the film industry, and help you build a career doing what you love. Today, we bring on Chase Shurtz, a professional camera assistant and cinematographer in LA, who shares insight on how to build a cinematography career in 2025. We discuss the state of the industry, how to build connections, and how to make the most of our time on set to maximize our career.

Welcome to episode 15 of The First Act Break podcast, the show where we dive into the art, business, and hustle of breaking into the film industry, and help you build a career doing what you love. Today, we bring on Emanuel Ortiz and Ethan Go, both USC film directors. The four of us share our experiences at USC film school, our philosophies in life, and advice for young filmmakers trying to build a career in Hollywood.

Welcome to episode 14 of The First Act Break podcast, the show where we dive into the art, business, and hustle of breaking into the film industry, and help you build a career doing what you love. Today, we bring on Kim Krizan the screenwriter of Before Sunrise and a writing mentor. We talk about how to build a career as a screenwriter in 2025, her approach to crafting personal stories, and her philosophies about writing.

Welcome to episode 13 of The First Act Break podcast, the show where we dive into the art, business, and hustle of breaking into the film industry, and help you build a career doing what you love. Today, we bring on Makayla Lysiak an entrepreneur and TV writer/producer who has a large platform on social media to mentor aspiring actors and filmmakers. We talk about how to build a career in the TV industry, her approach to creating a successful Youtube channel, and her philosophies about content creation.

Welcome to episode 12 of The First Act Break podcast, the show where we dive into the art, business, and hustle of breaking into the film industry, and help you build a career doing what you love. Today, we bring on Adam Bloodgood‬ a USC film producer who transitioned into filmmaking after 12 years of professional ballet and have worked on multiple features and vertical short dramas. We talk about how to build a career in the industry, his experience at film school, and philosophies about producing and filmmaking.

Welcome to episode 11 of The First Act Break podcast, the show where we dive into the art, business, and hustle of breaking into the film industry, and help you build a career doing what you love. Today, we bring on Cece Mou a USC film producer who worked at Disney and camera operates for Jubilee. We talk about the how to step foot into the industry, her experience working on set and for Zach King, and philosophies about producing and filmmaking.

Welcome to episode 10 of The First Act Break podcast, the show where we dive into the art, business, and hustle of breaking into the film industry, and help you build a career doing what you love. Today, we bring on Justin Roh a USC film director who recently graduated and is now pursuing his dreams of directing full time. We talk about the what it takes to stay in the industry, his experience at USC, and philosophies about art and life.

Welcome to episode 9 of The First Act Break podcast, the show where we dive into the art, business, and hustle of breaking into the film industry. Today, we bring on Harlow Schuman a USC film director who runs his own successful film production company Farlight Productions while still attending college. We talk about the what it takes to run such a company, his experience at USC, and philosophies about art and life.

Welcome to episode 8 of The First Act Break podcast, the show where we dive into the art, business, and hustle of breaking into the film industry. Today, we bring on Lillian Lin, a recent USC film school graduate who is now working at CAA, the world's largest talent agency. We chat about how she got into the CAA mailroom and other big studio internships, as well as her experience working alongside agents and executives.

Welcome to episode 7 of The First Act Break podcast, the show where we dive into the art, business, and hustle of breaking into the film industry. Today, we bring on Daisy Liao (aka JJUTO), a production designer who's worked with Zach King and directed the Orange County Film Festival. We chat about her side quests in modeling and Jubilee, career in production design, and thoughts on AI art.

Welcome to episode 6 of The First Act Break podcast, the show where we dive into the art, business, and hustle of breaking into the film industry. Today, we bring on Zach Shenouda and Ryan Robinson, the director duo who recently had their commercial become top 2 in the world for the Super Bowl Doritos Commercial competition. We chat about their 1000iq marketing strategy, filmmaking journey, and advice for aspiring movie directors.

Welcome to episode 5 of The First Act Break podcast, the show where we dive into the art, business, and hustle of breaking into the film industry. Today, we bring on Ethan Go, a USC film director and editor who has a passion for genre filmmaking. We chat about his philosophy when it comes to creativity, fun life stories, and his honest opinion on USC film school.

Welcome to episode 4 of The First Act Break podcast, the show where we dive into the art, business, and hustle of breaking into the film industry. Today, we bring on Bien Bagui, a USC film director who has a passion for financial literacy. We chat about his advice for managing finances in film school and the film industry and how he got into USC film school.

Welcome to episode 3 of The First Act Break podcast, the show where we dive into the art, business, and hustle of breaking into the film industry. Today, we bring on Octavian Kaul, a USC film director who began his career at the age of 8 years old and acted in TV shows like The Flash. We chat about his philosophy when it comes to filmmaking, his honest opinion on USC film school, and advice for people trying to make their first feature films.

Welcome to episode 2 of The First Act Break podcast, the show where we dive into the art, business, and hustle of breaking into the film industry. Today, we share how we got into USC film school and our experience studying here the last 4 years. We go over our portfolio, essays, and all the fun stories studying at USC film school has to offer.

Welcome to episode 1 of The First Act Break podcast, the show where we dive into the art, business, and hustle of breaking into the film industry. Today we talk about how we got into filmmaking, USC film school, and stories from film sets. 

Welcome to the First Act Break Podcast, the show where Jiayang Liu and Richard Li dive deep into the art, business, and hustle of breaking into the film industry. We are here to help you find success doing what you love, by building a sustainable career. We will bring guest from all spaces in the film industry like directors, producers, cinematographers, executives, and more!