DMF Episode 331 — Jaze Bordeaux: Filmmaking Lessons That Changed My Life

Welcome to The DMF — Discovering Meaning in Film and Acting. Justin Younts sits down with award-winning filmmaker Jaze Bordeaux to discuss independent filmmaking, cultural perspective, and storytelling craft. From Brooklyn to Toronto, Jaze shares insights on directing, producing, and bringing original films like EFC to life in today’s film industry.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://jazebordeaux.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠00:00:00 - Introduction00:00:42 - Guest Background00:04:03 - Cultural Differences00:06:35 - Impact of Diverse Cultures00:09:37 - Entrepreneurial Journey00:14:02 - Inspiration00:15:28 - Understanding Film Financing00:16:39 - The Artwork of Film Structure00:18:25 - Learning from Startup Companies00:19:32 - Preparing for Film Financing00:19:47 - The Importance of Budgeting00:20:37 - Learning from Mistakes and Ventures00:22:19 - Advice for New Filmmakers00:24:23 - The Importance of a Clear Pitch00:28:46 - The Changing Film Industry00:29:58 - Improving the Industry from a Budget Standpoint00:31:12 - Comparing Film Production Costs Globally00:31:40 - Challenges in the American Film Industry00:35:26 - The Impact of Inflation and Human Capital on Film Budgets00:39:37 - The Consequences of Rushed Film Production00:41:06 - Going Outside the System: An Alternative Approach to Film Production00:43:51 - The Vision for a Global Independent Film Platform00:46:31 - The Evolution of Online Streaming00:48:42 - The Challenges of Online Streaming00:49:14 - The Experiment and Lessons Learned00:50:58 - The Issue of Digital Rights Management00:52:33 - The Future of Piracy00:53:57 - The Demand for Physical Copies00:54:35 - The Uncertainty of Digital Ownership00:54:48 - The Return to Physical Media00:59:08 - The Potential of Personalized Streaming00:59:48 - The Future of Media Consumption01:02:04 - On-Set Learning and Experience01:05:08 - The Importance of Acting01:10:57 - The Journey into Filmmaking01:14:11 - Directing Actors: A Collaborative Approach01:16:06 - The Significance of Casting and Performance01:17:38 - The First Notable Film: Excelsis01:17:56 - The Name Change to EFC01:18:10 - The Importance of Film Title01:18:56 - The Challenge of Translating Film Titles01:19:28 - The Marketing Aspect of Film Titles01:20:50 - The Impact of Unexpected Events on Film Production01:25:15 - The Decision Between Story and Action01:28:00 - The Rise of Women's Mixed Martial Arts01:30:00 - The Initial Reception of Women's MMA Film01:32:22 - The Evolution of Women's Roles in Combat Sports Films01:35:00 - Recognition and Awards01:37:00 - The Experience of Winning Best Director01:42:36 - The Story Behind 'Starry-Eyed'01:43:36 - Adapting the Story and Characters01:46:00 - Incorporating Film School Graduates01:47:03 - The Evolution of 'Starry-Eyed'01:48:16 - Supporting Other Filmmakers01:49:23 - Introduction to 'Let Go'01:49:41 - The Making of 'Let Go'01:50:48 - The Role of Carly Rose in 'Let Go'01:53:14 - The Story of 'Let Go'01:53:58 - Release of 'Let Go'01:54:22 - Current Projects of Alex Cruz01:55:00 - Distribution of EFC01:55:34 - Introduction to 'Genesis'01:55:41 - The Evolution of 'Genesis'01:56:18 - The Concept of 'Genesis'01:57:35 - The Writing Process of 'Genesis'01:59:31 - The Genre and Influence of 'Genesis'02:01:58 -