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

SAY THANKS

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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!

🏆 Super Bowl-winning coach. Hall of Famer. NBC analyst. In this episode of Frame By Frame, I sit down with Tony Dungy for one of the most insightful conversations we’ve had yet.

We break down:

✅ The moment he thought he’d never get his head coach shot—and how it finally happened

✅ Why staying true to yourself matters more than chasing expectations

✅ How coaching an NFL team is just like directing a film 🎬🏈

✅ His mindset for handling pressure in high-stakes moments

✅ What success vs. significance really means

Get my Production Gear (Free) https://www.danielmogg.com/join

⏱️ Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro

02:00 – How Tony helped me get my big break in the industry

3:00 – Why being a director is like being a head coach 🎬🏈

05:00 – The job that changed everything—but he almost didn’t consider it

07:00 – The pressure to change vs. staying true to yourself

10:00 – Getting rejected over and over—how he handled it

16:29 - Meeting Peyton Manning for the 1st time

17:00 – How great leaders empower others to lead

25:00 – The secret to handling pressure:

30:00 – Coaching vs. Broadcasting: What changed?

35:00 – How Tony used his Super Bowl moment to share his faith

39:00 – Success vs. Significance: What truly matters?

41:00 – Final takeaways & lessons for leaders, creatives, and dreamers

📺 Subscribe for more in-depth conversations on storytelling, leadership, and filmmaking!

http://bit.ly/DMYOUTUBE

In this episode of Frame By Frame, we dive into what it really takes to act in and produce a feature film on an indie budget. Kelsi Umeko and Curtis McGann share how they went from acting in short films to selling a feature film they made for under $100K—with no big investors or Hollywood backing.

💡 Topics & Timestamps:
⏳ 00:03:34 – How a Craigslist purchase led to a feature film role
⏳ 00:08:01 – Leaving everything behind to chase acting in LA
⏳ 00:21:14 – Making a feature film with no investors—just faith and hustle
⏳ 00:23:02 – The real budget: 15 days, under $100K, and how they pulled it off
⏳ 00:26:30 – How they found a distribution deal for their indie film
⏳ 00:38:49 – The future of indie filmmaking: Why DIY is the way to go
⏳ 00:41:02 – Advice for aspiring actors and filmmakers—just start!

🚀 Thinking of making your own movie? Drop your questions in the comments!

🎥 Watch The Last Flight (Short Film) here:

🎬 Check out The God Keep series:

📢 Subscribe for more filmmaker deep dives!

Follow me:

Instagram: @DanielJMogg

Podcast Instagram: @Frame_ByFramePod

In this episode of Frame By Frame, host Daniel Mogg sits down with Emmy-winning DP Jason Johnson to uncover the secrets to building a successful career in filmmaking. From transitioning from professional football to becoming an award-winning cinematographer, Jason shares his unique journey and the hard lessons he learned along the way.

00:00 – Welcome and Jason’s background: From football to filmmaking.
06:09 – Why DPs struggle financially and how to think like a business.
13:00 – Breaking into filmmaking: Lessons from shooting his first documentary.
21:18 – The importance of gaining experience and "hiring your mentors."
36:36 – Balancing passion with paying the bills as a DP.
40:19 – Jason’s top films and storytelling inspiration from Interstellar.
46:07 – Why working for free (at the right time) can open doors.
53:31 – Closing advice: Solving problems on set and staying creative under pressure.

🔥 Why many DPs struggle to make a living and how to fix it.
💡 The importance of treating filmmaking as a business.
🎬 How to stand out in a competitive industry.
🚪 Breaking into sports filmmaking and the power of relationships.
📈 Practical advice for scaling your career and making consistent income.

Whether you're an aspiring filmmaker or a seasoned pro looking to level up, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you succeed as a DP.

📌 Subscribe for more stories, insights, and inspiration from the world of filmmaking and beyond!

Follow me:

Instagram: @DanielJMogg

Podcast Instagram: @Frame_ByFramePod

Liam shares his journey from acting to directing, revealing how his pivot to filmmaking shaped his approach to storytelling.

The conversation delves deep into the art and challenges of creating an intimate portrait of a high-profile figure. Liam discusses the minimalist yet impactful production style that helped capture Aaron’s vulnerability, from shooting solo in Costa Rica to weaving the complex narrative of an athlete wrestling with legacy, fame, and personal growth.

Listeners will gain insight into Liam’s creative process, including the instinct-driven editing that shaped the documentary, the themes of spirituality and self-discovery explored in Aaron’s off-season, and the strategies behind structuring a story in real-time. Liam also shares advice for aspiring filmmakers, emphasizing the importance of adaptability, intuition, and building a strong portfolio.

Whether you're a filmmaker, sports enthusiast, or just curious about the behind-the-scenes process of creating a Netflix hit, this episode is packed with inspiration and practical insights.

00:00 - Intro
"How Liam Hughes Captured Aaron Rodgers’ Untold Story"

00:25 - First Impressions of Aaron Rodgers
"Award-winning filmmaker Liam Hughes on working with Aaron Rodgers"

01:02 - Liam’s Journey from Acting to Filmmaking
"From the stage to behind the camera: Liam’s creative pivot"

03:11 - Building a Portfolio in Film
"How Liam started making short films and breaking into the industry"

06:26 - Finding Success in Documentaries
"How Religion of Sports shaped Liam’s filmmaking career"

09:34 - Directing McGregor Forever and Destination NBA
"Lessons learned from high-profile sports documentaries"

13:05 - The Birth of the Aaron Rodgers Documentary
"How an idea became Enigma: A pivotal headline sparks a story"

16:24 - Meeting Aaron Rodgers for the First Time
"Learning to build trust and capture vulnerability"

19:17 - Exploring Vulnerability in Enigma
"Turning a sports doc into a personal journey"

23:13 - Crafting a Killer Opening Scene
"The story behind Enigma’s striking intro sequence"

26:33 - Structuring a Real-Time Documentary
"Balancing the past, present, and future in storytelling"

32:05 - Behind the Scenes in Costa Rica
"Minimalist filmmaking and capturing intimacy"

38:14 - Technical Gear and Challenges
"Shooting Enigma with RED cameras and a small crew"

45:08 - Making a Premium Documentary with Limited Resources
"Why intimacy matters more than a big production crew"

50:05 - Aaron Rodgers’ Legacy and Spirituality
"How fame, pressure, and personal growth shaped the story"

52:14 - Editing a Complex Documentary
"Whittling down hundreds of hours into a cohesive narrative"

57:20 - Balancing Creative Vision with Studio Feedback
"Navigating Netflix’s note process while staying true to the story"

01:03:12 - Liam’s Advice for Aspiring Filmmakers
"Follow your instincts and start creating"

01:06:27 - What’s Next for Liam Hughes
"Exploring YouTube and building a personal audience"

01:08:47 - Closing Thoughts
"Reflecting on the journey of Enigma and the future of filmmaking"

📌 Subscribe for more stories, insights, and inspiration from the world of filmmaking and beyond!

Follow me:

Instagram: @DanielJMogg

Podcast Instagram: @Frame_ByFramePod

From the surreal moment of being picked up at the airport by Russ and Ciara to shooting the Wheaties box cover and photographing my first Super Bowl, these are the stories that shaped my career. I share how I transitioned from NBC to becoming Russ's Creative Director, launched his YouTube channel to 100k subscribers, and captured some of the most iconic moments of his career. Along the way, I learned valuable lessons about storytelling, high-performance teamwork, and taking risks to follow my dreams. If you’re curious about breaking into sports content, navigating the world of high-profile clients, or pivoting your career to pursue your passion, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

00:00 - Introduction

00:24 - How It All Started

01:02 - The Surreal Airport Pickup

02:00 - First Big Project: Nike Commercial

03:36 - Traveling the World with Russ

05:12 - Shooting the Wheaties Box Cover

06:07 - Launching Russell Wilson’s YouTube Channel

07:12 - Becoming a Super Bowl Photographer

09:00 - Transitioning to Entrepreneurship

11:22 - Directing Major Commercial Projects

12:45 - Lessons from High-Profile Clients

14:18 - The Pivot to Narrative Filmmaking

15:40 - What’s Next for Frame by Frame

16:42 - Closing Thoughts

📌 Subscribe for more stories, insights, and inspiration from the world of filmmaking and beyond!

Follow me:

Instagram: @DanielJMogg

Podcast Instagram: @Frame_ByFramePod