Filmmaking Without Fear

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Take a journey with award-winning filmmaker Elizabeth Blake-Thomas and Director of Photography Duncan Johnson as they share their filmmaking knowledge and break down their past films. Learn how to be a true “filmmaker without fear” and create magic from script to screen. In season 2, join Elizabeth and her daughter Isabella, an accomplished actress, as they explore the creative process and ultimate purpose behind their latest projects. This season, focused on the art of storytelling, will help you breathe life into your ideas and fully realize how to tell the stories in your head and heart.

Mother & Daughter Entertainment


    • Dec 19, 2023 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 9m AVG DURATION
    • 94 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Filmmaking Without Fear

    Living with Intention: Careers and Best Laid Plans

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2023 13:41


    Elizabeth and Isabella discuss plans not sticking, and it's okay for things to not go to plan.

    Living with Intention: Simplicity, Minimalism, What Actually Matters?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2023 11:37


    Elizabeth and Isabella discuss perspective and rights and wrongs.

    Living with Intention: How do You Really Feel?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2023 13:07


    Elizabeth and Isabella discuss honesty with yourself and other people.

    Living with Intention: Love Yourself, is it Enough?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2023 12:52


    Elizabeth and Isabella discuss loving yourself and working on it.

    Living with Intention: What is Safety

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2023 12:32


    Elizabeth and Isabella discuss different types of safety and making yourself feel safe.

    Living with Intention: Life is a Lot

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2023 13:28


    Elizabeth and Isabella discuss adulting and letting yourself off the hook.

    Living with Intention: Boundaries

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2023 13:41


    Elizabeth and Isabella discuss setting boundaries and following through on them.

    Living with Intention: Listening to Your Gut

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2023 11:45


    Elizabeth and Isabella discuss living with your decisions and not being afraid to speak up.

    Living with Intention: Work in Progress

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2023 13:59


    Elizabeth and Isabella discuss not being perfect and that there is no "end" when working on yourself.

    Living with Intention: Not Fitting In

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2023 12:43


    In this episode, Elizabeth and Isabella discuss how not fitting in is fitting in.

    Storytelling Without Fear: Finale

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2021 8:41


    Elizabeth and Isabella outline their future projects and impart their final words of wisdom about overcoming fear to tell your story. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/filmmaking-without-fear/message

    Will You Be My Quarantine: Purpose

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2021 5:25


    Learn what Elizabeth and Isabella's ultimate goals were as they created and completed “Will You Be My Quarantine?”, a project both sharply defined by and determined to overcome the challenges of the pandemic. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/filmmaking-without-fear/message

    Will You Be My Quarantine: Performance

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2021 9:18


    Learn what Elizabeth and Isabella's ultimate goals were as they created and completed “Will You Be My Quarantine?”, a project both sharply defined by and determined to overcome the challenges of the pandemic. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/filmmaking-without-fear/message

    Will You Be My Quarantine: Creation

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2021 9:25


    Filming under normal conditions can be stressful enough, but with a pandemic and all its restrictions comes even more moving parts to juggle. Elizabeth and Isabella share how they managed to safely pull off “Will You Be My Quarantine?” within a tight schedule and COVID regulations. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/filmmaking-without-fear/message

    COVID Projects

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2021 12:04


    Though the world was put on pause during national lockdown, Elizabeth and Isabella kept busy with several projects. Learn what they worked on during quarantine and how they managed to pull it off amid the challenges and restrictions posed by COVID-19. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/filmmaking-without-fear/message

    Death Link: Performance and Purpose

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2021 8:51


    Filming Death Link was a wild experience for numerous reasons. From last-minute script changes to a looming pandemic, discover what Elizabeth and Isabella did to make sure the film was finished and the story stayed true. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/filmmaking-without-fear/message

    Death Link: Creation

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2021 8:50


    Join Elizabeth and Isabella as they discuss the roles they stepped into on the film Death Link--some more familiar, and some completely new--and how their past experiences informed the decisions they made on this project. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/filmmaking-without-fear/message

    Evie Rose: Purpose

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2021 9:35


    Though Evie Rose and its many purposes evolved during the edit, Elizabeth and Isabella's ultimate goal remained the same: to tell a moving story. Listen as they share what the film means to them and what they took away from the experience of making it. Evie Rose is available to stream on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3a2hgPg --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/filmmaking-without-fear/message

    Evie Rose: Performance

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2021 8:30


    When disaster strikes just before filming begins, tough decisions must be made. Learn how Elizabeth and Isabella adapted to pull off the shoot for Evie Rose, and what they learned along the way. Evie Rose is available to stream on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3a2hgPg --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/filmmaking-without-fear/message

    Evie Rose: Creation

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2021 8:18


    Listen as Elizabeth and Isabella share the process that went into creating their film Evie Rose, a tale inspired by Isabella’s real-life friendship with her 100-year-old neighbor. Evie Rose is available to stream on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3a2hgPg --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/filmmaking-without-fear/message

    Across the Pond: Purpose

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2021 6:52


    After spending years on the shelf, Across the Pond was finally brought to fruition. Discover what Elizabeth and Isabella learned from making their first TV show, and what the future has in store for the project. The pilot episode of Across the Pond is available to stream on MDE’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xQGDxt2Ycw --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/filmmaking-without-fear/message

    Across the Pond: Performance

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2021 10:05


    Five Brits, two days to shoot, one small houseboat. Learn all about the fun Elizabeth and Isabella had shooting Across the Pond, along with the obstacles posed by budget, location, and limited experience. The pilot episode of Across the Pond is available to stream on MDE’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xQGDxt2Ycw --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/filmmaking-without-fear/message

    Across the Pond: Creation

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2021 8:42


    Elizabeth and Isabella share how they embarked on Elizabeth’s first foray into television with Across the Pond, and did so with one of their most personal stories to date. The pilot episode of Across the Pond is available to stream on MDE’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xQGDxt2Ycw In this episode, Elizabeth and Isabella also mention their friend and collaborator, Abbie Rose, whose music has been featured in MDE projects. Check out her work at @abbietheroses on Instagram --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/filmmaking-without-fear/message

    Unseen: Performance

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2021 8:20


    UNSEEN was a powerful project for Elizabeth on both a personal and professional level. Learn how the film evolved and unlocked its full potential throughout the storytelling process, from writing the script to screening the finished film. UNSEEN is available to stream on MDE’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KzrOmdwXGo In this episode, Elizabeth and Isabella discuss the theatre where UNSEEN screened. Check out https://arenascreen.com for more info. For more information about Elizabeth's work with Awareness Ties, go to https://www.awarenessties.us/elizabethblakethomas.html. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/filmmaking-without-fear/message

    Unseen: Performance

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2021 9:33


    Elizabeth and Isabella recount the hectic shoot for UNSEEN, as well as all the unexpected moments and last-minute changes that helped define the project and enhance the story. UNSEEN is available to stream on MDE’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KzrOmdwXGo --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/filmmaking-without-fear/message

    Unseen: Creation

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2021 9:42


    UNSEEN was a passion project that became an incredible learning experience for Elizabeth and Isabella. Learn how a film incredibly close to Elizabeth’s heart came to be, and what was unique about the creative process for this short. UNSEEN is available to stream on MDE’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KzrOmdwXGo --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/filmmaking-without-fear/message

    Running On Empty: Purpose

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2021 7:59


    Elizabeth had several purposes in mind when she decided to make Running on Empty. Listen as she and Isabella reflect on finishing the project, and what they took away from the experience. Running On Empty is available to stream on Sofy: https://sofy.tv/viewer/film/running-on-empty --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/filmmaking-without-fear/message

    Running On Empty: Performance

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2021 8:45


    With the script finalized, Elizabeth and Isabella set out to bring Running On Empty to the screen. Discover what they learned on set and how the shoot impacted the execution of the film. Running On Empty is available to stream on Sofy: https://sofy.tv/viewer/film/running-on-empty --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/filmmaking-without-fear/message

    Running On Empty: Creation

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2021 8:34


    Learn how Elizabeth and Isabella came up with the idea for their short film Running On Empty, a collaborative effort that taught them tons about the writing process. Running On Empty is available to stream on Sofy: https://sofy.tv/viewer/film/running-on-empty --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/filmmaking-without-fear/message

    Top Ten Hints

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2021 10:25


    Elizabeth and Isabella share their top ten pieces of advice for bringing your story to life on screen. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/filmmaking-without-fear/message

    Storytelling Essentials

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2021 8:56


    What do vampires and horticulture have to do with telling a story? Listen as Elizabeth and Isabella explore everything that goes into their storytelling process, from creation, to performance, to the ultimate purpose behind it all. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/filmmaking-without-fear/message

    No Money, No Problem

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2021 9:24


    You may have a million-dollar idea, but will it cost a million to make? Join Elizabeth and Isabella as they recount their experiences working on a tight budget. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/filmmaking-without-fear/message

    Storytelling Without Fear

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2021 9:28


    Elizabeth Blake-Thomas is an award-winning director, writer, producer, philanthropist, and above all, a storyteller. Her daughter, Isabella, is a seasoned veteran of the film industry and an accomplished film, television, and theatre actress. Together, they dive even deeper than season one’s Filmmaking Without Fear to explore the creative process and ultimate purpose behind their latest projects. Season two, anthologized as Storytelling Without Fear, will help you breathe life into your ideas and fully realize how to tell the stories in your head and heart. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/filmmaking-without-fear/message

    storytelling without fear elizabeth blake thomas
    Unseen Q & A

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2020 6:32


    Elizabeth and Duncan hold a Q & A session about the process of making UNSEEN. UNSEEN is available to watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KzrOmdwXGo --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/filmmaking-without-fear/message

    Post-Production on Unseen

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2020 9:16


    Post-production on UNSEEN presented new variables such as VFX, marketing for submission to the Academy, and a screening in Los Angeles. Learn what Elizabeth and Duncan took away from the project as it wrapped and what they’ll carry forward on their future films. UNSEEN is available to watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KzrOmdwXGo --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/filmmaking-without-fear/message

    Shooting Unseen (part 2)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2020 8:18


    From the technical elements to the visual storytelling, discover what elements Elizabeth and Duncan used to make UNSEEN an emotionally resonant and high-quality film. UNSEEN is available to watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KzrOmdwXGo --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/filmmaking-without-fear/message

    Shooting Unseen (part 1)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2020 10:47


    When a drastic casting change, a tight shooting schedule, and a family emergency threatened to upend UNSEEN’s shoot, Elizabeth and Duncan had to improvise to get the project done. Learn what they did to keep their cool and work on the fly to keep UNSEEN from falling apart. UNSEEN is available to watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KzrOmdwXGo --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/filmmaking-without-fear/message

    Producing Unseen

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2020 10:35


    Can you ever be too prepared to film? Discover what Elizabeth and Duncan did to ensure that UNSEEN was top quality on all fronts before filming began. UNSEEN is available to watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KzrOmdwXGo --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/filmmaking-without-fear/message

    Pre-Production on Unseen

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2020 10:29


    As they prepared to shoot UNSEEN, Elizabeth and Duncan did more pre-production than ever before. Learn how their ambition drove them to make their script, their locations, their cast, and their budget work as they brought the project to life. UNSEEN is available to watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KzrOmdwXGo --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/filmmaking-without-fear/message

    Developing Unseen

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2020 9:06


    With a solid foundation of knowledge behind them, Elizabeth and Duncan sought to elevate their craft and make their next project better than ever before, setting their sights on a new passion project, UNSEEN. UNSEEN is available to watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KzrOmdwXGo --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/filmmaking-without-fear/message

    Upping the Ante

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2020 9:57


    Three whirlwind years and six feature films later, Elizabeth and Duncan began expanding their knowledge and taking on new projects with the hope of elevating their craft. Learn how they pushed themselves to become better filmmakers and prepared for their most recent project together. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/filmmaking-without-fear/message

    Post-Production on Sounds of Silence

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2020 8:14


    Learn how Elizabeth and Duncan’s years of experience began to pay off as they entered post-production for Sounds of Silence. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/filmmaking-without-fear/message

    Shooting Sounds of Silence

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2020 8:35


    From fog machine mishaps to filming in a foreign language, Elizabeth and Duncan recount the highs and lows of shooting Sounds of Silence. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/filmmaking-without-fear/message

    Pre-Production on Sounds of Silence

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2020 8:03


    How do you shoot a European period piece in modern Los Angeles? Discover what Elizabeth and Duncan learned in pre-production for Sounds of Silence. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/filmmaking-without-fear/message

    Developing Sounds of Silence

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2020 8:42


    When a unique opportunity arose to collaborate on a film with a charity, Elizabeth and Duncan began work on their sixth feature film, Sounds of Silence. Discover how the challenges of shooting a foreign film and a period piece impacted the development of the film. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/filmmaking-without-fear/message

    Maybe I'm Fine Q & A

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2020 11:02


    Elizabeth and Duncan hold a Q & A session about the process of making Maybe I’m Fine. Maybe I'm Fine is available to stream on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Maybe-Im-Fine-Rob-Mayes/dp/B08KG1QF7F --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/filmmaking-without-fear/message

    amazon i'm fine
    Post-Production on Maybe I'm Fine

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2020 10:38


    After a hectic but inspiring shoot, Elizabeth and Duncan were ready to dive into post-production and be more hands-on than ever before with the edit of the film. Learn what was left on the editing room floor and how the post-production process helped shape the final film. Maybe I'm Fine is available to stream on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Maybe-Im-Fine-Rob-Mayes/dp/B08KG1QF7F --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/filmmaking-without-fear/message

    Shooting Maybe I'm Fine (part 2)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2020 12:17


    What do you do when facing issues with your location, fleeting daylight, and several pages left to shoot? Elizabeth and Duncan recap one of the hardest days of shooting on Maybe I’m Fine, along with some of their favorite moments from filming. Maybe I'm Fine is available to stream on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Maybe-Im-Fine-Rob-Mayes/dp/B08KG1QF7F --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/filmmaking-without-fear/message

    Shooting Maybe I'm Fine (part 1)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2020 9:55


    From lost voices, to scheduling conflicts, to cheated locations, learn how Elizabeth and Duncan worked around setbacks and made movie magic on the set of Maybe I’m Fine. Maybe I'm Fine is available to stream on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Maybe-Im-Fine-Rob-Mayes/dp/B08KG1QF7F --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/filmmaking-without-fear/message

    Pre-Production on Maybe I'm Fine

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2020 9:32


    For Maybe I’m Fine, Elizabeth and Duncan took their pre-production on the road to scout locations and plan for the shoot. Learn how they grappled with the challenges of filming on location and discover what they wished they’d done differently. Maybe I'm Fine is available to stream on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Maybe-Im-Fine-Rob-Mayes/dp/B08KG1QF7F --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/filmmaking-without-fear/message

    Writing Maybe I'm Fine

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2020 7:32


    With four films under their belts, Elizabeth and Duncan put their hard-earned knowledge to the test and took on their most ambitious project yet: a road trip movie. Discover all the logistical concerns and production needs they factored into the script writing process for their fifth feature, Maybe I’m Fine. Maybe I'm Fine is available to stream on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Maybe-Im-Fine-Rob-Mayes/dp/B08KG1QF7F --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/filmmaking-without-fear/message

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