Respect The Process

After the last episode's babble, I dig into what it really means to "find your voice" as a filmmaker—especially in the commercial world. It isn't just a visual style, but the combination of your reel and your reputation: the work you put out plus what it's like to work with you. I talk about the balance of ego and humility on set, and explain why repeat business is the magic fourth "R" that grows out of relationships and a strong, consistent voice. Let me intro you to concepts like ikigai and dharma, reframing success as the intersection of what you love, what the world needs, what you can be paid for, and what you're truly meant to do. I share how original content and dream projects—like my Moink documentary—help reveal and refine your voice across different "boxes" (comedy, kids spots, docs) while staying true to who you are. And I give details on my intimate Joshua Tree Filmmaker Retreat, where a small group of working directors and I dive deeper into these ideas together. FILMMAKER RETREAT JOSHUA TREE '26 - JOIN US Oct. 1–4: our 5th Annual Retreat. SIGN UP NOW No application. Just save your spot and come learn, shoot, and grow with working filmmakers. Limit 15. POSH DUOThe original 2-in-1 styling wax stick. I use Posh Duo to keep my hair fly and my beard on point. Free shipping for RTP listeners. Get the Posh look. A portion of the proceeds from every stick sold goes to Wigs For Kids. Free shipping until the official launch. ONLINE FILMMAKING COURSES - DIRECT WITH CONFIDENCEEach of my online courses come with a free 1:1 mentorship call with yours truly. Taking the Shadow course is the only way to win a chance to shadow me on a real shoot! DM for details. Want to level up your commercial directing game? MAGIC MIND - MY MENTAL PERFORMANCE EXILIRSave hugely on Magic Mind with this link. — This link is the way. Thanks, Jordan My cult classic mockumentary, "Dill Scallion" is online so I'm giving 100% of the money to St. Jude Children's Hospital. I've decided to donate the LIFETIME earnings every December, so the donation will grow and grow annually. Thank you. "Respect The Process" podcast is brought to you by Commercial Directing FIlm School and True Gent, aka True Gentleman Industries, Inc. in partnership with Brady Oil Entertainment, Inc.

Just me talking about staying tool agnostic as a commercial director—moving between live-action, CG, and AI without losing my point of view. I share recent job stories, how I'm using my Filmmaker Retreat Joshua Tree and Posh Duo promos as testing grounds for new tools, and why I still put actors, crew, agency team - you know - collaboration above whatever camera, crane or software is hot this week. Storytelling with the talking pictures, that's the fun. FILMMAKER RETREAT JOSHUA TREE '26 - JOIN US Oct. 1–4: our 5th Annual Retreat. SIGN UP NOW No application. Just save your spot and come learn, shoot, and grow with working filmmakers. Limit 15. POSH DUOThe original 2-in-1 styling wax stick. I use Posh Duo to keep my hair fly and my beard on point. Free shipping for RTP listeners. Get the Posh look. A portion of the proceeds from every stick sold goes to Wigs For Kids. Free shipping until the official launch. ONLINE FILMMAKING COURSES - DIRECT WITH CONFIDENCEEach of my online courses come with a free 1:1 mentorship call with yours truly. Taking the Shadow course is the only way to win a chance to shadow me on a real shoot! DM for details. Want to level up your commercial directing game? MAGIC MIND - MY MENTAL PERFORMANCE EXILIRSave hugely on Magic Mind with this link. — This link is the way. Thanks, Jordan My cult classic mockumentary, "Dill Scallion" is online so I'm giving 100% of the money to St. Jude Children's Hospital. I've decided to donate the LIFETIME earnings every December, so the donation will grow and grow annually. Thank you. "Respect The Process" podcast is brought to you by Commercial Directing FIlm School and True Gent, aka True Gentleman Industries, Inc. in partnership with Brady Oil Entertainment, Inc.

Jonathan Del Gatto is a visionary filmmaker and creative coach, known for his transformative work in brand films and direct-to-consumer content. In this episode, Jonathan shares his journey from editing TV commercials to founding Brighter Company, where he crafts compelling narratives that connect with audiences. We explore the evolution of content creation—balancing artistry with strategy, the shift from traditional ads to digital storytelling, and the importance of authenticity in today's market. Jonathan offers insights into his coaching philosophy, emphasizing the value of trust, adaptability, and building meaningful relationships in the industry. Join us as we uncover the secrets to thriving in a rapidly changing creative landscape. FILMMAKER RETREAT JOSHUA TREE '26 - JOIN US Oct. 1–4: our 5th Annual Retreat. SIGN UP NOW No application. Just save your spot and come learn, shoot, and grow with working filmmakers. Limit 15. POSH DUOThe original 2-in-1 styling wax stick. I use Posh Duo to keep my hair fly and my beard on point. Free shipping for RTP listeners. Get the Posh look. ONLINE FILMMAKING COURSES - DIRECT WITH CONFIDENCEEach of my online courses come with a free 1:1 mentorship call with yours truly. Taking the Shadow course is the only way to win a chance to shadow me on a real shoot! DM for details. Want to level up your commercial directing game? MAGIC MIND - MY MENTAL PERFORMANCE EXILIRSave hugely on Magic Mind with this link. — This link is the way. Thanks, Jordan My cult classic mockumentary, "Dill Scallion" is online so I'm giving 100% of the money to St. Jude Children's Hospital. I've decided to donate the LIFETIME earnings every December, so the donation will grow and grow annually. Thank you. "Respect The Process" podcast is brought to you by Commercial Directing FIlm School and True Gent, aka True Gentleman Industries, Inc. in partnership with Brady Oil Entertainment, Inc.

Jonathan Del Gatto is a visionary filmmaker and creative coach, known for his transformative work in brand films and direct-to-consumer content. In this episode, Jonathan shares his journey from editing TV commercials to founding Brighter Company, where he crafts compelling narratives that connect with audiences. We explore the evolution of content creation—balancing artistry with strategy, the shift from traditional ads to digital storytelling, and the importance of authenticity in today's market. Jonathan offers insights into his coaching philosophy, emphasizing the value of trust, adaptability, and building meaningful relationships in the industry. Join us as we uncover the secrets to thriving in a rapidly changing creative landscape. FILMMAKER RETREAT JOSHUA TREE '26 - JOIN US Oct. 1–4: our 5th Annual Retreat. SIGN UP NOW No application. Just save your spot and come learn, shoot, and grow with working filmmakers. Limit 15. POSH DUOThe original 2-in-1 styling wax stick. I use Posh Duo to keep my hair fly and my beard on point. Free shipping for RTP listeners. Get the Posh look. ONLINE FILMMAKING COURSES - DIRECT WITH CONFIDENCEEach of my online courses come with a free 1:1 mentorship call with yours truly. Taking the Shadow course is the only way to win a chance to shadow me on a real shoot! DM for details. Want to level up your commercial directing game? MAGIC MIND - MY MENTAL PERFORMANCE EXILIRSave hugely on Magic Mind with this link. — This link is the way. Thanks, Jordan My cult classic mockumentary, "Dill Scallion" is online so I'm giving 100% of the money to St. Jude Children's Hospital. I've decided to donate the LIFETIME earnings every December, so the donation will grow and grow annually. Thank you. "Respect The Process" podcast is brought to you by Commercial Directing FIlm School and True Gent, aka True Gentleman Industries, Inc. in partnership with Brady Oil Entertainment, Inc.

Gary Knight is a legendary commercial editor and partner at Cut+Run whose work spans iconic spots for brands like Adidas, American Express, and Chase. In this episode, Gary traces his journey from rubber-numbering film cans as a teenage runner in Soho to becoming a sought-after storyteller in the edit bay. We dig into the craft of editing—taste vs. tools, why watching all the footage still matters, how to find the right tone and tempo, and the power of happy accidents. Gary shares candid stories about collaborating with directors like Gus Van Sant, shaping music-driven montages, handling shrinking timelines and "too many notes," and why true respect for the process starts with trust, curiosity, and a love of the work. FILMMAKER RETREAT JOSHUA TREE '26 - JOIN US Oct. 1–4: our 5th Annual Retreat. SIGN UP NOW No application. Just save your spot and come learn, shoot, and grow with working filmmakers. Limit 15. POSH DUOThe original 2-in-1 styling wax stick. I use Posh Duo to keep my hair fly and my beard on point. Free shipping for RTP listeners. Get the Posh look. ONLINE FILMMAKING COURSES - DIRECT WITH CONFIDENCEEach of my online courses come with a free 1:1 mentorship call with yours truly. Taking the Shadow course is the only way to win a chance to shadow me on a real shoot! DM for details. Want to level up your commercial directing game? MAGIC MIND - MY MENTAL PERFORMANCE EXILIRSave hugely on Magic Mind with this link. — This link is the way. Thanks, Jordan My cult classic mockumentary, "Dill Scallion" is online so I'm giving 100% of the money to St. Jude Children's Hospital. I've decided to donate the LIFETIME earnings every December, so the donation will grow and grow annually. Thank you. "Respect The Process" podcast is brought to you by Commercial Directing FIlm School and True Gent, aka True Gentleman Industries, Inc. in partnership with Brady Oil Entertainment, Inc.