Can giving away your films for free actually lead to career success? In this episode of Frame By Frame, filmmaker Jake Viramontez, founder of SOWN for Good, shares how embracing generosity in filmmaking transformed his career—leading to collaborations with Sony, TED, and global NGOs

From having no commercial work during COVID to landing a dream partnership with Sony, Jake’s journey proves that giving without expectations can open unexpected doors. He breaks down his storytelling philosophy, the three-act structure for NGO films, and how filmmakers can create impact-driven stories while building a sustainable career

💡 What you’ll learn in this episode:

✔️ How giving away films led Jake to work with Sony and TED

✔️ The three-act storytelling formula for social impact films

✔️ How young filmmakers can land projects without industry connections

✔️ The unexpected way generosity creates real career opportunities

✔️ Why NGOs and brands need human-centered storytelling more than ever

📌 Chapters & Topics:

00:00 – The Power of Giving in Filmmaking (Jake’s turning point)

02:30 – How Jake Started Giving Away Films for Free

06:45 – How a Cold Email to Sony Led to a Major Partnership

12:10 – Why Filmmakers Should Focus on Impact Over Money

17:30 – Jake’s Early Filmmaking Journey & First Mentor

22:15 – How Traveling and Nonprofits Shaped His Filmmaking Style

27:00 – The Art of Authentic Storytelling for NGOs & Brands

31:45 – The Three-Act Structure for Social Impact Films

36:30 – Building SOWN for Good and Mentoring Young Filmmakers

41:00 – How to Apply for SOWN for Good Filmmaking Opportunities

43:30 – Final Advice for Filmmakers: How to Build a Career That Matters

🎥 About Jake Viramontez:

Jake is an award-winning filmmaker and founder of SOWN for Good, a creative initiative that provides filmmakers with opportunities to tell meaningful stories for nonprofits. His work has been featured by Sony, Chevrolet, and global NGOs, blending commercial filmmaking with purpose-driven storytelling.

When You're Ready

📬: Frame By Frame Dispatch Newsletter (Creative Inspiration)

🎥: Daniel's Recommended Production Gear List

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🎥 When do you know it’s time to leave your dream job? Former Seattle Seahawks Senior Producer Madeline Down built one of the NFL’s best in-house video teams, creating some of the most iconic sports content. But she walked away. In this episode of Frame By Frame, we dive into why she left, how she built her career in sports filmmaking, and what’s next as she transitions into narrative filmmaking
We also discuss her upcoming short film Sense of Emergency, inspired by a life-changing moment involving her mother and first responders, and the launch of her new creative studio, Studio 89, backed by Doug Baldwin.

📌 Timestamps:

00:00 - Opening Hook: When You’re No Longer Seen as a Creative

00:43 - Welcome to Frame By Frame w/ Madeline Down

01:12 - Leaving the Seahawks: Why She Walked Away from a Dream Job

02:25 - The Hardest Part About Leaving a Secure Job

04:23 - The Sports Content Grind & What It Teaches You

08:08 - Building the Seahawks Video Team from 4 to 12 People

10:02 - The NFL’s Content “Arms Race” & Why It’s a Bootcamp for Filmmakers

14:31 - Behind the Sound: The Seahawks’ First Docuseries

17:20 - The Challenges of Making Sports Documentaries

19:01 - How to Pitch & Sell a Creative Project Internally

21:37 - Her #1 Career Advice for Creatives

22:21 - Her Short Film Sense of Emergency – Inspired by a True Story

24:46 - The Wild Story of Her Mom’s Cardiac Arrest & Survival

28:35 - Crowdfunding Her Film Successfully (Using Seed&Spark)

31:10 - Casting Luke Barnett as the Lead & His Viral Film Success

33:02 - Transitioning from Athletes to Working with Actors

36:08 - Vault 89 & Launching Her Own Creative Studio

🔗 Follow Madeline Down:

→ [Instagram]

→ [Sense of Emergency Short Film]

→ [Studio 89]

When You're Ready

📬: Frame By Frame Dispatch Newsletter (Creative Inspiration)

🎥: Daniel's Recommended Production Gear List

CONNECT

🐦 Connect on Twitter

📸 Connect on Instagram

💼 Connect on LinkedIn

📹 Subscribe on YouTube

👍 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with filmmakers, creatives, and industry insiders!

SAY THANKS

💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts

🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify

🎬 Subscribe for more filmmaking insights! If this episode resonated with you, hit LIKE and comment below—would YOU leave your dream job for something unknown?

Filmmaker, Chris Ray—founder of Motion Clubhouse and a key part of the production team behind the Huberman Lab Podcast. In this episode, we dive into his inspiring journey from producing content at DC Shoes to building his own creative agency and working with some of the biggest names in the industry.

If you’re an aspiring filmmaker, creative entrepreneur, or just curious about the behind-the-scenes of branded content and podcast production, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss. 🎥🎙️

Connect w/ Chris: Website | Instagram

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction

00:28 - How We Met IRL After Years of Texts

01:05 - Chris’s Journey: From DC Shoes to Motion Clubhouse

03:00 - Breaking into the Industry Through Skateboarding

04:26 - The Moment Chris Decided to Start His Own Company

07:41 - Taking the Leap: Balancing Family & Career Risks

10:25 - Failing Fast & Learning Quickly in Business

11:08 - Why the Business Side of Filmmaking Is Just as Important

13:15 - The Art of Pitching to Brands

14:21 - Building Brand Relationships as a Creative

15:21 - How Smaller Creators Can Land Big Brand Deals

17:44 - The Future of Branded Content & Creator Economy

20:06 - Behind the Scenes of the Huberman Lab Podcast

23:16 - The Biggest Challenges of High-Level Podcast Production

26:39 - How Huberman Lab Encourages Creativity & Mental Clarity

28:06 - Realizing the Cultural Impact of Your Work

29:18 - Staying Inspired: What Fuels Chris’s Creativity

31:31 - Nerding Out on Gear: Film Cameras & New Tech

33:19 - Reviving Old Cameras: The Charm of Mini DV & Film

34:22 - Practical Advice for Aspiring Filmmakers

36:10 - Chris’s Passion Projects & What’s Next

37:04 - Final Thoughts & Where to Find Chris Online

When You're Ready

📬: Frame By Frame Dispatch Newsletter (Creative Inspiration)

🎥: Daniel's Recommended Production Gear List

CONNECT

🐦 Connect on Twitter

📸 Connect on Instagram

💼 Connect on LinkedIn

📹 Subscribe on YouTube

SAY THANKS

💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts

🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify

👍 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with filmmakers, creatives, and industry insiders!