‘Back in Action’ Director Seth Gordon: Get Lost in One Detail at a Time

GG Hawkins and Jason Hellerman talk with Seth Gordon, the celebrated writer-director behind Back in Action, Horrible Bosses, and The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters.

Seth shares the joys and challenges of creating large-scale films, balancing action and comedy, and his insights into leadership and creativity. This episode is packed with practical advice for emerging filmmakers and candid reflections on Seth’s career journey.

In this episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins, Jason Hellerman, and Seth Gordon discuss:

• How Seth approaches directing large-scale films while staying focused on the story’s essence
• Why removing distractions is key to immersing yourself in the creative process
• The importance of starting with the story and building everything else around it
• Balancing meticulous planning with room for spontaneity and collaboration on set
• Why aspiring filmmakers should focus on creating something deeply meaningful, rather than chasing external recognition

Resources:

• Seth Gordon on IMDb
• Back in Action Trailer

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_{This episode of The No Film School Podcast was produced by GG Hawkins.}