Episodes
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Becca Mann is an author, screenwriter, and former Team USA swimmer. A two-time national champion, she was the youngest to place Top 10 in four events at a single Olympic Trials and competed in four World Championships. She later worked in writers rooms on shows like Cruel Summer, The Wilds, and The Morning Show. Her memoir Outside the Lanes and novel Unruly drop the first week of April.
Today, we dive into how Becca landed her first writers' room job with 500+ cold emails; how she turned a spontaneous book pitch into a deal; and why embracing boldness, loving the process, and facing failure head-on leads to success.
BREAKDOWN:
3:00 - âOutside the Lanesâ - memoir from an alumnae swimmer of Team USA
15:00 - First job in Hollywood by guessing showrunnersâ emails and cold emailing
17:18 - First writersâ room job as a writersâ PA on âCruel Summerâ
22:00 - Being show runnerâs assistant on âThe Wildsâ
23:50 - Becoming script coordinator on âThe Morning Showâ
25:40 - Back to sending emails for the next job!
28:00 - How Becca got her book deal + failure isnât real
33:00 - Huge week for Becca in April! Books, races, shows!
34:00 - Becca announces her YA book premise, coming out this April!
37:30 - USC swim career + early swim career
44:50 - Advice!
54:07 - TIME CAPSULE
KEEP UP WITH BECCA:
IG: @becca__mann
TikTok: @beccawmann
Buy Becca's Memoir:
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/774496/outside-the-lanes-by-becca-mann/
KEEP UP WITH THE SHOW:
All Platforms: @NoSetPathShow
www.NoSetPathShow.com
bio.site/NoSetPath
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Maggie Admire is an LA-based writer and producer, nominated for a 2025 WGA Award and a CrimeCon Clue Award, with features in The New York Times. Over nine years, sheâs created 40+ podcast series, many for Spotify, including Serial Killers and Coinspiracy Theories, reaching millions. She helped build Parcast as its first hire before its Spotify acquisition.
Beyond podcasts, sheâs been a Pack Theater sketch writer, crafted tweets for Funny or Die, and even ghostwrote Tinder repliesâbefore being replaced by a younger, hotter AI. Sheâs currently writing a romantasy-comedy novel and fostering a dog.
Today weâre getting into how putting yourself and your ideas out there can land you a prestigious nomination like one at the WGA Awards, how to balance long term strategy with short term opportunity when deciding what career decisions to make next, and how to take calculated risks when pitching new ideas.
BREAKDOWN:
2:15 - Maggieâs favorite âSerial Killersâ episode, which was nominated for a 2025 GA Award
12:00 - how to find balance when working with very dark material
13:30 - the decision to do audio-only for a podcast episode vs. video podcast
16:00 - proactively submitting for a WGA award nomination
19:49 - First Deadline mention by name
20:07 - WGA Awards experience!
31:43 - How to stand out in a comptitive industry
34:30 - Other Spotify shows: âDog Tales,â âTales,â âMindâs Eyeâ
39:00 - advice for screenwriters considering podcasts
43:50 - Balancing writing podcasts with other writing passions including sketch comedy and novels
49:40 - Early jobs: ghostwriting peopleâs responses on Tinder
51:20 - Getting paid to write individual jokes on the now-defunct âPitchâ app
54:50 - Thoughts on TikTok & comedy
57:30 - Advice for persevering in this career + not wanting to be a manager
1:06:12 - TIME CAPSULE
KEEP UP WITH MAGGIE:
TikTok: @MaggieAdmire
IG: @secret___admire
Listen to Maggieâs work: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3MH80XPwH4UdpQxXon2obn
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EPISODE BREAKDOWN
0:00 - Intro
6:00 - Why Baldoni & Lively probably wonât go to trial
6:40 - Publicity vs. PR vs. Marketing
7:59 - Looking at things with a critical eye & documentary subjects saying ânoâ
10:10 - North West, Kim Kardashian, Kanye West & âThe Lion Kingâ at the Hollywood Bowl
12:58 - Amazon Primeâs publicist dramatization in âFlackâ
15:00 - the advent of the âinfluencerâ
16:25 - Real stories of publicist shenanigans from my time at the Hollywood Reporter
22:45 - more Hollywood stories
23:26 - studios/companies telling actors things to say to promote a film, including fake stories. Case study: Suicide Squad & Jared Letoâs crazy âgiftsâ
38:33 - Failed publicity stunts - Balloon boy (2009), Jussie Smollett (2019), Morton Downey Jr. (1989)
54:18 - how youâre being tricked by social media creators
KEEP UP WITH THE SHOW:
All Platforms: @NoSetPathShow
www.NoSetPathShow.com
www.bio.site/NoSetPath
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Evan McGahey, staff writer on Season 8 of Outlander, breaks down how he worked his way up in TV from support staff to staff writer; how he recently sold his original TV pitch to a major studio; and what he predicts with future writers given Hollywood's contraction and battle over A.I.
EPISODE BREAKDOWN:
1:30 - Writing a first episode of Outlander
3:00 - Lessons from writing an episode after working as writers room support staff
4:20 - Experience co-writing an episode with another writer
5:00 - How Evan landed a support staff role on Outlander
7:26 - How Evan made the connections who ended up referring him for the interview
10:00 - How to sell an original show to a major network
15:45 - Choosing a production companies
17:06 - Landing a manager
18:30 - Co-writing a pilot
20:10 - Getting started in TV writing: first jobsâ
26:20 - Writerâs PA vs. Writerâs Assistant: how to maximize each job
28:20 - Why Evan chose Outlander over staying at NBCâs The Black List
35:00 - We Survived âtil â25, now what?: How to navigate the current contraction as a writer
39:50 - Writers vs. A.I.
43:40 - From going to USC to become a doctor to switching to pursuing screenwriting with a biology degree
44:00 - underGRAD
47:46 - Having a dedicated creative space for working
50:50 - TIME CAPSULE
KEEP UP WITH THE SHOW:
All Platforms: @NoSetPathShow
www.NoSetPathShow.com
bio.site/nosetpathshow
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In this episode, guest Becca Mann joins to discuss New Year's Resolutions - what makes them actionable, when to share them, and thoughts on submitted resolutions from people on both coasts!
BREAKDOWN:
1:30 - Beccaâs professional swimmer update!
3:30 - Resolutions vs. goals: family, work, hobbies, emotional/spiritual, bucket list items
4:42 - Discernment: what excited me, what drained me, what did I learn?
5:45 - Navigating social media
8:20 - Rebeccaâs update
12:20 - Save money & spend time with loved ones
13:30 - Goals you can control vs. ones you canât
16:50 - Quit a bad job
19:25 - Find a full-time job
20:00 - Not sure what to resolve
21:32 - Direct another feature or more shorts for anthology feature
23:50 - Vote for âThe Last Rangerâ from Darwin Shaw!
24:38 - Find a home for comedic scripts
25:33 - Is a âresolutionâ actionable?
26:23 - Get more direct-to-client work
32:45 - Bartend in order to work on writing
36:40 - Write another feature and pilot
38:00 - Should you tell people about your goals?
KEEP UP WITH GUEST BECCA MANN:
IG: @becca__mann
TikTok: @beccawmann
KEEP UP WITH THE SHOW:
All Platforms: @NoSetPathShow
www.NoSetPathShow.com
bio.site/NoSetPath
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Juan Luis Bravo has worked as a storyboard artist in animation for shows like Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures and LEGO Dreamzzz.
Today het gets into the steps from a digital media specialist making corporate videos to storyboard artist for a Star Wars based show; how to actually yield results from networking events; and how to tap into your power as a member of a marginalized community.
EPISODE BREAKDOWN (updated - 2:36 is actually 1:43)
1:43 - Young Jedi Adventures: years in the making!
2:13 - Starting off as a Digital Media Specialist internally at Disney
4:52 - Getting aggressively poached from a show
1:27 - Whatâs the best way to follow up/advocate for yourself with a new connection?
13:27 - How to get someone to want to help you
18:07 - Landing & leveraging a first job toward your long-term goals
23:52 - Identifying opportunities for further education past college
26:57 - How to decide to leave your âsteadyâ job to pursue your dreams - and convince the next hiring manager you can do it (leaving helping to cut Marvel animatics to pursue storyboarding)
33:07 - Cultivating relationships from college into long-term professional relationships
34:47 - How to balance being direct about what you want without being an egomaniac
39:17 - Friends from college making the Black List
40:27 - How to say what you want
44:37 - The right questions to ask in a cold email or mentor outreach
46:33 - Living situation impact on creativity
49:22 - If you hate LAâŠ
50:17 - Were there moments of wanting to quit?
57:52 - How to tap into your power as a member of a marginalized community
1:00:55 - TIME CAPSULE
Instgram and X: @juanluisbravo_
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Devin Berko is a producer at the Walt Disney Company, entrepreneur and matzo ball enthusiast. He moved to Los Angeles in 2018 after running a successful production company and has since focused on creating diverse content, whether through his work as a food photographer, commercial producer, or director.
Today Devin gets into how to get hired by Disney and what Disney corporate producers look for in a director and production company to work on commercials for the Disney parks, faking a documentary to propose to the love of your life, and the philosophy he adopted from his fianceé that will give you the best shot at getting what you want.
EPISODE BREAKDOWN:
1:15 - start
1:35 - Devinâs job at Disney producing commercials for the Disney Parks
3:35 - Tianaâs Bayou Adventure!
4:55 - From making TikToks for a company to working with Disney IP
7:05 - Being a part of something bigger
10:33 -working inside a bureaucracy / large company
23:15 - set your own path; short-term opportunity vs. long-term strategy
29:45 - wedding company gets ghosted
34:05 - Producing for TikTok
35:25 - When is too late to start? (Age)
38:45 - The âget-out-of-bedâ rate
41:55 - Donât Ask, Donât Get
44:45 - How to get hired by Disney
51:15 - Matzoball Documentary
56:25 - Faking a documentary to propose
1:01:03 - TIME CAPSULE
KEEP UP WITH DEVIN:
IG: @devinberko
KEEP UP WITH THE SHOW:
All Platforms: @NoSetPathShow
www.NoSetPathShow.com
bio.site/nosetpath
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Rebecca Doyle and Michael Ritter react to submitted career regrets and how to avoid them yourself!
EPISODE BREAKDOWN:
1:30 - Not coming to LA earlier
6:10 - Not avoiding drama
9:35 - Not taking digital seriously + creative PR for indie films and digital vs. traditional
23:00 - Not begging for your job back?
27:38 - Not saving more money
29:30 - Not pursuing acting as a child
31:44 - Leaving a TV assistant job to go write samples alone
34:12 - Picking the wrong gig
36:20 - Focusing too much on a day/high-paying job and not making time for personal creative projects with friends
38:44 - Being convinced by an agent to turn down a conscripted writing job
40:48 - Donât burn bridges, even if the people suck
41:35 - Accusation of interview questions
42:03 - Leaving an office job to pursue personal stuff + not seeking mental health support earlier
43:18 - Focusing too much on personal projects and not taking more union high-level work early
44:25 - Getting an entertainment-related education
45:26 - Getting sidetracked in reality TV
46:20 - Allowing senior employees to create insecurity
48:20 - Not making your own content
48:30 - Not stealing Michael Eisnerâs rolodex
50:55 - Worked with (bad) influencers
52:24 - Not doing corporate or agency time early on
54:14 - Not asking for help
55:26 - Snippy comments / picking this industry at all
56:05 - Sign with ICM instead of CAA
57:05 - Choosing VFX as a career
57:55 - Hollywood is the hardest thing, so we got this! - But start your S-corp early
KEEP U
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EPISODE BREAKDOWN:
1:00 - The question: if youâre making six figures, how did you do it?
1:40 - Have a good attitude
4:38 - To diversify or not diversify?
14:08 - Freelancer â> tech / marketing / entrepreneur
16:55 - $100k+ as a DP - with rates ##
19:16 - Have multiple projects in various phases + be careful of talker$
22:30 - Does having multiple projects help burnout?
23:17 - Work on long-running shows
23:38 - Apply for government funding (Canada, Europe etc.)
26:08 - Pay bills with branded + build portfolio
32:50 - A dissenting opinion!
33:30 - Meeting 2 of 3 criteria for taking a project
35:40 - Getting hired through DPs + good attitude ($500k+)
37:50 - Work insane hours + go out and get what you want
38:27 - Get referrals, the jobs find you
39:20 - Cold email
39:58 - Music videos â> self-funded features?
41:10 - Union DIT
42:29 - Corporate videos
43:20 - Building a portfolio, following up on connections years later
KEEP UP WITH THE SHOW:
All Platforms: @NoSetPathShow
bio.site/nosetpath
www.NoSetPathShow.com
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Tiffany Kim Stevens's feature directorial debut, Trigger Happy, is currently finishing its festival circuit and will have its Southern California premiere at the Newport Beach Film Festival on 10/18/24 and 10/24/24. Tiffany is a USC alum and currently managed by Gavin Lurie and Najeeb Khuda at Zero Gravity Management.
Today we are getting into how Tiffany ended up finding financing for her feature in Silicon Valley, the key things to have in place for a fruitful relationship between director and writer and how a business proposal ended up landing Tiffany representation as a director at Zero Gravity.
BREAKDOWN:
2:00 - Tiffanyâs feature directorial debut, Trigger Happy
3:45 - Landing funding and distribution
10:30 - The key element to a good working relationship with a writer
15:40 - Signing with Zero Gravity Management after pitching a movie business plan
19:00 - Steps of working with managers on the next big project
21:10 - Tiffanyâs early directing endeavors + short film
30:12 - How living in LA impacts creativity / social capital culture
33:33 - What to do if youâre just starting out
35:00 - Are film fes=tivals worth it?
39:35 - TIME CAPSULE
CONNECT WITH TIFFANY:
Instagram: @TiffanyKimStevens
CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:
All platforms: @NoSetPathShow
www.NoSetPathShow.com
bio.site/nosetpath
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Gorby Shih is a director and producer whose work includes "Killer Maid" for Tencent Pictures, which is being adapted into a TV series for Legendary Entertainment; and two drama series for app ReelShort. Gorby has his BA in Film & Television Production from USC (2014) and his MFA in Creative Producing from Columbia University (2024).
Today weâre getting into different ways to land attention on your work and directing jobs, how the market in China has changed over the years and what pieces you should have in your portfolio to be a sought-after director. Letâs jump into the interview.
BREAKDOWN:
2:37 - Directing vertical content: business model, story structure differences, company players in the game
11:40 - Is digital media just a stepping stone?
20:20 - What should a director have on his or her reel to land these jobs?
22:00 - Going back to film school + becoming a director vs. creative exec vs. producer
25:46 - Making a short that led to signing with UTA and moving to Beijing to direct
31:27 - Directing his first feature for Tencent in 14 days (âKiller Maidâ).
37:20 - Gorbyâs origin story + how represents
40:00 - What are people doing who have left the industry?
43:00 - Script âSinuousâ
48:12 - How accolades affect receptivity to your script or new project
50:05 - The best way to ânetworkâ
1:01:35 - TIME CAPSULE
KEEP UP WITH GORBY:
IG: @gorbacevmofoshih
REEL:
https://vimeo.com/951351677/c15853b64a?share=copy
WEBSITE: www.gorbyshih.com
CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:
All Platforms: @NoSetPathShow
www.NoSetPathShow.com
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Todayâs guest is Parissa Koo, an actress, singer, and model who has appeared on the Disney Channel, USA Network, Funny or Die, For the Record Live Onstage, Pixel Playhouse, and the Norwegian Cruise Line Escape. You can catch her in commercials for Capital One, Freeform, and Chevron but more imminently - this weekend in HBOhNoâŠItâs a Musical!
Today we get into the often overlooked place to find jobs in entertainment, how to make a first impression that leads to lasting collaboration, and the one question you should ask while trying to network.
BREAKDOWN:
2:30 - HbOhNoâŠItâs a Musical!
5:30 - Meeting a longterm collaborator on a cruise ship
8:00 - The key to creating a lasting relationship
10:00 - Creating your own work, taking control of your art
14:00 - Liking genres that arenât see as âhigh artâ (shoutout Glenn Powell)
19:25 - Say yes, stay in touch - people come back around
21:00 - be genuine in networking
23:00 - rejection: push harder or walk away?
24:30 - What to ask for when networking!
27:00 - Auditioning for American Idol
31:50 - Auditioning for the Glee Project & getting noticed by Robert Ulrich
33:10 - Deferring & then skipping college + signing to Osbrink
35:00 - Auditioning for Mulan (vs. Jamie Chung)
35:50 - Auditioning for Deadpool without knowing
39:50 - Gaining perspective through geographic distance from the industry
41:04 - YouTube surpassing Netflix for TV watch time and: Pixel Playhouse!
46:00 - Balancing short-term opportunity with long-term strategy for a career
50:10 - TIME CAPSULE
CONNECT WITH PARISSA:
IG: @ParissaKoo
CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:
All Platforms: @NoSetPathShow
bio.site/nosetpath
www.NoSetPathShow.com
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Reviewing stories of people who created their own opportunities when there were none to give you some hope & inspiration during this slow time in the industry!
CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:
All Platforms: @NoSetPathShow
bio.site/nosetpath
www.NoSetPathShow.com
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From PAs running to crafty for a honey crisp when asked for a "half apple" to interrupting Martin Sheen mid-take - today we dive into true stories of the funniest newbie mistakes on film sets.
CONNECT WITH SPECIAL GUEST CO-HOST MICHAEL RITTER:
Instagram: @mkritter / @29goingonbreakdownLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-ritter-filmmakerIMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5778236/
Watch "Those About to Die" now on Peacock!
KEEP UP WITH THE SHOW:
All Platforms; @NoSetPathShow
www.NoSetPathShow.com
bio.site/NoSetPath
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Jonathan is a Berlin-based Creative Technologist and entrepreneur who stands at the forefront of digital innovation in the media sector. He is the founder of Berlin-based AI software startup Wavery, which specializes in advanced AI-supported transcription technologies designed for the needs of filmmakers and audio professionals. Previously, he developed innovative VR narratives at WITHIN in Los Angeles. He is a graduate of the University of Southern California and Berlinâs Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF.
Today we get into moving to Europe from the United States as a film creative, how to build a network when you know no one in your new country, and how to take advantage of funding, grants and incentives Europe has to offer.
BREAKDOWN:
2:00 - Moving to Germany with a remote job in VR for quality of life
5:20 - Getting European government funding and grants for projects (both narrative + startups)
9:00 - Working as a creative technologist - from VR to AI and volume walls
12:00 - German x American workflows + expertise
14:00 - Startup Wavery - AI-powered transcription service for filmmakers
17:09 - Process of getting government funding for Wavery
18:20 - Getting his business partner a visa to live in Europe alongside a government-funded project
21::15 - the rental market conundrum in Berlin
26:54 - working on feature film âInteriorâ in Berlin
28:50 - documentary project in development âNot Coming Outâ + winning development money in France
29:30 - Finding money in various government funds in Europe: tax credits, fixed grants, awards system
32:30 - Where does an American who wants to move to Europe to work in film start?
39:22 - Working in VR from the ground floor
46:30 - Emerson film vs. USC non-film
49:55 - Quality of life affects your creativity
52:25 - Persevering through hard times
57:56 - TIME CAPSULE
KEEP UP WITH JONATHAN:
www.GetWavery.com
IG: @jonathaan12
KEEP UP WITH THE SHOW:
All Platforms: @NoSetPathShow
www.NoSetPathShow.com
bio.site/nosetpath
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Rebecca Doyle and Becca Mann break down some of the worst career advice they've received and that was anonymously submitted by TV writers, assistants, directors, 1st ADs, and crew members in Hollywood.
BREAKDOWN:
1:31 - âKnow your placeâ
3:13 - âYou should be anxious all the timeâ
8:06 - âWork your way up from the bottomâ
11:05 - âDo the DGA Apprentice Program to become a directorâ
12:54 - âHide who you areâ
15:39 - âKeep your head downâ
18:36 - âYou need good gear to make a good movieâ
21:11 - âDonât gain experience in more than one fieldâ
24:37 - âPlay it safe and stick with a stable jobâ
28:35 - âJust wait for the right opportunity to comeâ
29:35 - âYou gotta burn 15-20 bridges in this townâ
31:38 - âListen to othersâ
33:27 - âCollect those days and become an ADâ
34:35 - âDo the programs or volunteer PAâ
36:42 - âStay in the Navyâ
KEEP UP WITH BECCA:
Instagram: @becca__mann
TikTok: @beccawmann
Website: www.becca-mann.com
KEEP UP WITH THE SHOW:
All platforms: @NoSetPathShow
www.NoSetPathShow.com
bio.site/nosetpath
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In this episode we interview four current artists in residence at St. Joseph's Home for Artisans, the only operating Catholic artist residency in the United States, in Boston, MA.
We talk through how to balance filmmaking with other aspects of vocation, how faith can help in the pursuit of a creative career, and overcoming our individual obstacles (from healing from Guillain Barré syndrome, to navigating being a first-generation Mexican American storyteller).
BREAKDOWN:
2:47 - FERNANDO J. LIMBO III - Residency Co-Founder from Boston, MA
5:44 - Finding peace to cultivate creative freedom
6:35 - Co-creating with your Creator
9:18 - Co-founding an artist residency: the origins of St. Josephâs Home for Artisans
15:35 - Fernandoâs ongoing recovery from Guillain-BarrĂ© syndrome
19:20 - CLARE MCCALLAN - Residency Founder, author, TV writer & host from Boston, MA
19:53 - Work-life balance?
20:35 - Consideration of family goals vs/and career goals, especially for women
22:48 - Advantages of having faith in artistic careers
29:04 - PATRICK LEHE - Screenwriter & producer from Los Angeles
30:28 - Not staking your entire identity on your career / successes and failures
39:11 - BENJAMIN SUAREZ - Filmmaker from Atlanta, GA
40:13 - Surrounding yourself with people who inspire you
30:50 - Atlanta vs. LA or NYC
44:37 - One question to ask yourself to discern filmmaking as part of your vocation
45:48 - Overcoming barriers to pursuing filmmaking as a first-generation Mexican American
CONNECT WITH THE RESIDENCE:
www.StJosephsHomeforArtistans.com
IG: @stjosephsartisans
CONNECT WITH FERNANDO:
IG: @fernandojlimbo
CONNECT WITH CLARE:
www.ClareMcCallen.com
IG: @clare_mccallen
CONNECT WITH PATRICK:
www.patrickjlehe.com
IG: @pjlehe
CONNECT WITH BENJI:
IG: @benjisuarezfilms
CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:
All platforms: @NoSetPathShow
www.NoSetPathShow.com
bio.site/nosetpath
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In this episode we dive into how you can be using A.I. today as a filmmaker, current WGA and SAG guidelines post-strike, right of publicity a la the Scarlet Johansson / OpenAI dispute, and the context around copyright (how do you protect your own and not violate anyone else's!).BREAKDOWN:
2:13 - Ways you can start using A.I. to help you as a filmmaker
22:10 - WGA & SAG guidelines for A.I.
29:42 - Right to Publicity (ScarJo x OpenAI)
35:51 - Copyright - who owns what you âmadeâ?
MENTIONED MATERIALS: WGA on AI: https://www.wga.org/contracts/know-your-rights/artificial-intelligenceSAG on AI: https://www.sagaftra.org/files/sa_documents/AI%20TVTH.pdf"The Town" Episode on Scarlet Johansson vs. OpenAI: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6s1j9JYviMUrRb8mcYeR3C?si=e160db88cf4c4537When Photography Wasnât Art by Jordan G. Teicherhttps://daily.jstor.org/when-photography-was-not-art/How Photography Pioneered a New Understanding of Art by Eva Silvahttps://www.thecollector.com/how-photography-transformed-art/Read with me: Intellectual Property in the New Technological Age 2023 Vol. II Copyrights, Trademarks and State IP Protections:https://www.amazon.com/dp/1945555254?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_detailsCONNECT WITH THE SHOW: All platforms: @NoSetPathShowbio.site/nosetpathwww.NoSetPathShow.com
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