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Memorial Day Movies, Chazelle’s Filmmaking Tips, & a Chat with 'Lilo & Stitch' Director

Author

Ryan Koo
May 26, 2025

Memorial Day Movies, Chazelle’s Filmmaking Tips, & a Chat with 'Lilo & Stitch' Director

Hey Filmmakers,

You’re back? Good! We’ve got some awesome stuff lined up to help you learn to write, shoot, and direct your next big thing. Let’s take a look at what we’ve got.

First up—to commemorate Memorial Day, we put together a bunch of great films about the heroism, service, and sacrifice of U.S. service members. From Glory to Black Hawk Down, each one on the list is definitely worth a watch today.

Also, we take a look at some great filmmaking tips from La La Land director Damien Chazelle, and chat with Dean Fleischer Camp, director of Disney’s latest live-action film Lilo & Stitch, to talk about how to bring heart and authenticity to a beloved IP.

Let’s get to it!

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🖌️ Screenwriting

'Band of Brothers' Credit: HBO

Today is Memorial Day, and one way to honor our fallen heroes is by watching films about their experience and incredible sacrifice serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

We put together a list of seven incredible war movies, from Glory to Saving Private Ryan. Hopefully, it inspires you to not only watch some great stories about heroism but to write them as well.

🗞️ Quick Reads for Screenwriting

• What's On Yale’s Reading and Watchlist For Their Film Studies Course? - One intrepid X user compiled a list for you to use.

• ‘The Hunger Games': Why Characters Use A 3-Finger Salute (& What It Means) - Let's unpack this popular gesture from the book and the movie.

🎬 Directing

'La La Land' Credit: Sony

Damien Chazelle is one of the most exciting filmmakers working in Hollywood today. So, anyone aspiring to make it in the film industry would be wise to take any career or creative advice the young writer/director has to give.

We found a YouTube video that compiles ten of his best tips on screenwriting, directing, and breaking in. Check them out below!

🗞️ Quick Reads for Directing

• Joe List on How to Direct and Shoot a Live Comedy Special For Theaters - The comedian takes us through his new stand-up special, Small Ball.

• Tom Cruise and Christopher McQuarrie Break Down Some of Their Most Famous Films - The director and actor have been involved in some of the best movies of all time.

• Robert Rodriguez On The Real Reason Why You're Stuck - We've all been there. This director has a solution for you.

🎙️ Podcast

'Lilo & Stitch' Credit: Disney

Dean Fleischer Camp, the Oscar-nominated filmmaker behind Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, joins GG Hawkins on this episode of the No Film School Podcast to discuss his journey from indie auteur to directing Disney's live-action Lilo & Stitch.

Camp delves into the emotional and technical challenges of maintaining character integrity, scaling up production, and bringing heart and authenticity to a beloved IP. Let’s dive in!

📚 Recommended Reads:

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See you next time with more filmmaking goodness! 🎬