Ourselves Podcast

• How I turned 1,000 rejections into a full-time filmmaking career

  Rejection almost ended my filmmaking career. I’ve pitched over 1,000 projects in my life and lost the vast majority of them. I’ve been ghosted, ignored, and told “no” more times than I can count. But every single rejection taught me something that eventually led to my biggest breaks in the industry. In this episode, I share how I survived years of constant rejection, the mindset shift that turned “no” into fuel, why rejection isn’t personal but situational, how to refine your pitch so people can’t ignore you, and the exact strategies I used to land career-changing projects. If you’re a filmmaker, creative, or entrepreneur dealing with rejection, this conversation will change the way you see every “no” you get. Watch if you’ve ever wondered how to keep going when nothing’s working, why people reject your ideas, or how to turn rejection into opportunity.   00:00 Introduction: Facing Rejection 00:20 The Reality of Rejection 00:37 My Filmmaking Journey 01:14 Early Career Struggles 02:10 The Relentless Pursuit 02:26 Questioning My Path 02:43 Understanding Treatments 03:29 Facing Ghosting and Burnout 04:31 Recalibrating After Rejection 06:32 Rejection is Situational 07:15 Film Festival Rejections 08:55 Pitching in Person 10:16 Rejection as Redirection 11:31 Processing Rejection 12:40 Detaching Identity from Outcome 13:29 Improving Your Pitch 14:44 Building Relationships 15:46 Protecting Your Joy 16:38 Finding a Community 18:14 Learning from Rejection 18:45 Final Thoughts on Rejection   Follow ⁠⁠⁠Arrad (podcast host)⁠⁠⁠    LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST: ⁠⁠⁠SPOTIFY⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠APPLE MUSIC⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠YOUTUBE⁠⁠⁠   CONNECT WITH US: ✩ ⁠⁠⁠Ourselves (production team)⁠⁠⁠:  ✩ ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ ✩ ⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠ ✩ ⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠ ✩ ⁠⁠⁠Facebook

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• Taylor Swift's Director Is Coming Out With a New MOVIE!

  From directing iconic music videos for Britney Spears and Eminem to working with Taylor Swift on some of the most defining visuals of the last decade, Joseph Kahn has built a legacy few can rival. In this episode, Joseph takes us through his journey, from dropping out of NYU with $25,000 in debt and hustling his way through Texas rap videos, to becoming one of the most sought-after directors in music and commercial filmmaking. We dive into his unconventional start, the art of bullshitting with confidence, and the calculated risks that shaped his style. Joseph gets honest about the industry: how to sell success before you have it, why directing is lying, and how he landed his first big video gigs with Def Jam. We also break down his treatment-writing process in the ’90s, shooting without storyboards, and building unshakable trust with artists like Taylor Swift and Mariah Carey. This conversation is a must-listen for filmmakers, creatives, and anyone navigating the tension between commerce and art in visual storytelling. We end with a deep look at his newest feature ICK: a genre-bending, creature-feature fever dream he’s betting big on. 00:00 Intro 03:09 The Journey to Becoming a Director 12:06 Overcoming Cultural and Academic Challenges 17:43 The Hustle in the Early Career 22:26 Breaking into the Industry 39:48 Joseph Kahn's Treatment Style in the 90s 40:35 Improvisation in Music Video Production 42:34 Building Trust with Artists 45:09 Managing Production Companies 52:42 The Role of Social Media in Filmmaking 58:35 Challenges in Music Video Production 59:40 Iconic Music Videos and Creative Freedom 01:07:06 Biggest Productions and Working with Taylor Swift 01:12:10 The Call from Taylor Swift 01:12:27 Creating the 'Blank Space' Music Video 01:14:23 Collaborating with Taylor Swift 01:16:56 Mariah Carey's Sense of Humor 01:19:05 AI in Filmmaking 01:28:19 Challenges in the Commercial Industry 01:37:35 The Reality of Director Jail 01:42:59 Making Independent Films 01:45:42 Challenges of Promoting an Independent Film 01:46:59 Passion for the Movie and Its Unique Elements 01:47:55 Blink 182, All American Rejects, Soundtrack Licensing and Its Impact 01:49:47 Inspiration Behind the Creature Feature ICK 01:56:57 Directing and Casting Insights 02:05:49 The Importance of Family in Filmmaking 02:12:17 Final Thoughts and Future Plans   Follow ⁠Joseph⁠ Follow ⁠⁠⁠Arrad (podcast host)⁠⁠⁠    LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST: ⁠⁠⁠SPOTIFY⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠APPLE MUSIC⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠YOUTUBE⁠⁠⁠   CONNECT WITH US: ✩ ⁠⁠⁠Ourselves (production team)⁠⁠⁠:  ✩ ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ ✩ ⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠ ✩ ⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠ ✩ ⁠⁠⁠Facebook

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• The Dance Legend Behind Chris Brown, BTS, and Usher

  At just 23, Josh Smith was choreographing for the biggest names in music: Chris Brown, Usher, BTS, Ciara, and more. But his journey started way outside the industry playbook. In this raw and powerful episode, Josh opens up about being rejected, breaking into the dance world with no agent, and how one last-minute audition changed everything. From crashing a Disney audition to touring the world with Usher, this is the unfiltered truth about what it takes to build a sustainable dance career, including the money, the mindset, and the hustle no one talks about. Whether you're a dancer, creative, or just chasing a dream, this interview will shift your perspective. 00:00 Intro 02:06 Childhood and Early Dance Influences 03:44 Middle School Dance Beginnings 10:01 High School and Developing Skills 11:33 Transition to Atlanta 13:50 America's Best Dance Crew Experience 15:51 First Professional Gigs 21:13 Dealing with Rejection and Perseverance 29:46 Landing Major Artist Collaborations 30:48 Mentorship and Career Growth 32:02 Loyalty and Big Break with Usher 34:38 Touring with Usher 41:29 The Role of Dance Agents 46:07 Sustaining a Dance Career 52:17 Adapting as You Get Older 01:00:34 Transitioning to Choreography 01:02:27 Working with Chris Brown 01:09:43 The Role of Choreographers in Dance 01:10:31 The Challenges of Filming Dance 01:10:40 Editing Dance Videos 01:12:30 The Impact of TikTok on Dance 01:23:45 Finding Inspiration for Choreography 01:32:47 Advice for Aspiring Dancers 01:36:28 Dream Collaboration with Michael Jackson 01:39:30 Meaningful Compliments and Legacy 01:42:38 Final thoughts   Follow Josh Follow ⁠⁠Arrad (podcast host)⁠⁠    LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST: ⁠⁠SPOTIFY⁠⁠ ⁠⁠APPLE MUSIC⁠⁠ ⁠⁠YOUTUBE⁠⁠   CONNECT WITH US: ✩ ⁠⁠Ourselves (production team)⁠⁠:  ✩ ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ✩ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠ ✩ ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠ ✩ ⁠⁠Facebook

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• How to build a FULL-TIME career as a filmmaker from NOTHING

  Let's dive into what it takes to make a full-time living as a filmmaker in 2025. We’re in the most accessible era for filmmaking ever, cameras in your pocket, unlimited platforms to share your work, but with that access comes unprecedented competition. I talk about how the landscape has evolved, the importance of building a strong portfolio, and why choosing a niche is crucial for standing out.I also explore multiple income paths for filmmakers today: from commercial work and music videos to editing, stock licensing, content creation, and even selling digital assets. You’ll hear real, unfiltered insights about freelancing, creative burnout, and why long-term stability is just as important as short-term hustle. 00:00 Introduction to Modern Filmmaking 02:29 The Evolution of Camera Technology 03:39 Building a Career in Filmmaking 04:21 Creating a Strong Portfolio 05:23 Choosing Your Niche 06:12 Diversifying Your Portfolio 07:07 Offering Free Services to Build Network 08:08 Finding Your Style and Voice 08:18 The Importance of Narrative Work 08:57 The Role of Specs in Filmmaking 10:14 Balancing Freelance Work and Stability 12:07 The Rise of Content Creators 14:40 Opportunities in Editing 16:32 Licensing Footage for Passive Income 18:25 Selling Digital Assets 18:59 The Saturation of Digital Marketplaces 19:16 The Challenges of Selling Digital Products 21:21 My Experience in Music Videos 22:40 Investing Freelance Earnings 23:26 Building Stability for Creative Freedom 24:22 The Goal of Freelancing   Follow ⁠⁠⁠Arrad (podcast host)⁠⁠⁠    LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST: ⁠⁠⁠SPOTIFY⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠APPLE MUSIC⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠YOUTUBE⁠⁠⁠   CONNECT WITH US: ✩ ⁠⁠⁠Ourselves (production team)⁠⁠⁠:  ✩ ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ ✩ ⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠ ✩ ⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠ ✩ ⁠⁠⁠Facebook

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• From Post Malone in the Studio to Trading Millions in Crypto: Seeno Shahrooz Tells All

  From producing and marketing for some of today’s biggest artists to making major moves as a crypto investor, Seeno Shahrooz has quietly built an empire behind the scenes. In this episode, we dive deep into Seeno’s origin story, from Persian radio stations in New York to running his own recording studio in Los Angeles. He opens up about navigating hustle culture, pivoting from production to artist management, building a six-figure studio from scratch, and finding peace in a chaotic industry. This one’s full of wisdom for creatives, entrepreneurs, and anyone chasing something bigger. 00:00 Intro 01:45 Reflecting on Brotherhood and Collaboration 03:17 Early Encounters and Industry Connections 07:27 Navigating the Music Industry as an Iranian 11:42 From Engineering to Production 13:43 Building his studio Ohm House 16:37 The Importance of Work-Life Balance 33:45 Advice for Aspiring Creatives 41:25 The Survival of the Fittest in Creative Careers 42:37 Director X and the Legacy of Quality Work 43:58 Christopher Nolan: A Case Study in Passionate Filmmaking 46:15 The Struggles and Rewards of Artistic Creation 47:36 The Role of Management in the Music Industry 50:59 Balancing Masculine and Feminine Energies 55:45 Leading with Compassion in Creative Fields 01:01:21 Creating Art for Yourself 01:12:00 The Evolution of Music Promotion 01:20:03 Advice for New Artists with Limited Resources 01:22:03 Building an Audience 01:22:42 Curating a Catalog 01:23:49 The Importance of Persistence 01:24:48 Financial Realities in Creative Industries 01:25:52 Attaching to an Artist 01:27:38 Starting Out as a Mixer 01:28:23 Management and Networking 01:29:55 Entrepreneurial Spirit 01:35:13 Getting Rich from Cryptocurrency 01:36:00 Understanding Blockchain and NFTs 01:57:57 Final Thoughts   Follow Seeno Follow ⁠⁠Arrad (podcast host)⁠⁠    LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST: ⁠⁠SPOTIFY⁠⁠ ⁠⁠APPLE MUSIC⁠⁠ ⁠⁠YOUTUBE⁠⁠   CONNECT WITH US: ✩ ⁠⁠Ourselves (production team)⁠⁠:  ✩ ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ✩ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠ ✩ ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠ ✩ ⁠⁠Facebook

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