EP28 - COMEDY FILMMAKER - Joe McGowan

This one’s a bit sweary! Joe writes, directs and edits sketches and shorts that screen globally. He also has a background in commercials and branded content. He’s had viral successes with his films. How do big American productions end up being edited in Joe’s house in Romford? Because he’s awesome! Can you learn to be funny? Or are you born funny? Joe worked a lot of corporate video jobs before realising that he could specialise in comedy. Joe took a media course at Havering Sixth Form and learned film-making and editing and found his passion. Then worked at a production company called Confetti Studio during his time on a foundation degree. What is freelancing and why does it appeal to Joe? It’s hard, but lets Joe control the work he wants to do. Full-time work led to some drier work. How a bad experience on a film set spurred Joe into making exactly what he wanted to do, a comedy film for himself - Piss Up. He roped in a family friend actor, and found a zero-budget location. How do you work out budgets for short films and find people to make them? ShootingPeople.org is a good website to find people willing to help with shorts and sketches. How free work as volunteers and personal projects can lead to paid commercial work. Balancing creative satisfaction with making money. How to shoot comedy scenes. The best way to get into filmmaking is to just start and improve as you go. Essex has got loads of exciting film festivals happening for shorts and features and first time directors. Why are film festivals important? Filmmaking is heading East, and new studios are opening in Essex.

Joe McGowan website and films
Joe on Instagram

Are You Creative? recorded by Adam from Lawker Media at Lawker Media Studio
Edited by Nick Hearne
Artwork by Alpaca Antenna

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Thanks to NGDA for their support

Recorded in Chelmsford, Essex, UK