How I Went from PA to Director: An Indie Filmmaker's Journey | Nathan Rigaud - Whale Animation

Chris and Nick sit down with Nathan Rigaud, founder and creative director of Whale Animation Studios.
Nathan shares his fascinating journey from production assistant to director on major Hollywood films. He discusses the founding of his own animation company and lessons learned along the way.
Nathan stresses the importance of proper planning for any film project. "As an indie filmmaker, you don't have the flexibility of assets and funding that a studio has," he notes. He shares how careful pre-production helped complete his recent feature film despite challenges. Nathan also emphasizes starting small and accomplishing achievable goals with limited resources. His company's first short film "Splash" is cited as an example of this approach.
For aspiring creatives, Nathan recommends humble starts like working as a PA to learn from larger productions. "There are opportunities to be creative in every position," he says. He also values giving team members opportunities to shine through trust and empowerment. Nathan's experiences highlight the importance of work-life balance as well. "I want more control over my time so I can spend it with family and community," he explains.
The conversation also dives into early underwater film history. Did you know the first movie ever shot underwater in 1914 involved a dead horse and shark attack? Nathan shares his own underwater filming experiences too. Overall, listeners will gain valuable insight into the film industry straight from a working professional. The episode is a must-listen for any independent filmmaker.
www.whaleanimationstudios.com
Interesting topics:
* Nathan discusses the structure of his animation company, Whale Animation Studios, and his leadership style.
* The speakers debate the benefits of roles like production assistant for learning filmmaking skills.
* The group shares differing opinions on movies and the personal nature of storytelling.
* Payment challenges in the film industry are explored, including options for protection.
* Producer Papa Bear shares details of the 1914 experimental underwater film "30 Leagues Under the Sea" and its controversial shark attack scene
* Nick shares an all-new CULTURE CHECK
Enjoy!
Filmmaking background and creative ideas. (0:13)
Business structure and leadership style in animation industry. (5:58)
Indie filmmaking, crew investment, and fulfillment. (10:54)
Filmmaking challenges and the importance of proper planning. (17:21)
Filmmaking creativity and collaboration. (23:46)
Filmmaking challenges, leadership, and workflow. (31:26)
Filmmaking, relationships, and honest feedback. (38:47)
Personal preferences in movies and the power of storytelling. (43:22)
Work-life balance in the film industry. (48:07)
Importance of payment and professionalism in the film industry. (52:29)
Challenges of seeking payment in the film industry. (57:25)
Underwater movies and their release years. (1:02:47)
Early underwater filmmaking and a controversial film. (1:10:47)
Independent filmmaking, starting small, and learning from larger projects. (1:17:20)
Leadership, humility, and starting small in filmmaking. (1:25:08)
The benefits of being a production assistant in the film industry. (1:27:49)
Filmmaking, music, and pursuing big dreams. (1:33:51)
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[@kylewoodiel]

🐋Great interview!

[@makeitpodcast]

Thank you!

[@hhhhhh-vj2uc]

Great interview

[@makeitpodcast]

Thank you!