About this podcast
The glamorous studio story is a lie. This is what actually happens behind the scenes.
A candid look inside the world’s most interesting studios and production companies… and the business decisions fueling their best work.
I’m Joel Pilger. I ran Impossible Pictures for 20 years. Today in Forum™, I help founders run their studio on purpose.
If you work in motion, animation, live action, sound, or experiential… this is where founders get real about the business.
Join the movement: http://joelpilger.com
Huge thanks to our audio production partner, Coupe Studios. Learn more: coupestudios.com
© 2019–2026 JPMP
Episodes
The newest 20 of 28 episodes
- State of Studios 2025: The 7 Laws of Thriving Studios — Joel Pilger at FORUM · 17 min · Season 4 Episode 5What’s actually happening inside creative studios right now? I work with hundreds of creative studios and production companies across 40+ countries — motion design, VFX, live…
- Competition as Craft: VAGRANTS & PENNANT VIDEO · 59 min · Season 4 Episode 4We’re challenging each other—and the industry. Joel sits down with Vagrants co-founders Dustin Devlin and Winston Macdonald (Boston-based creative/production studio) and Tim…
- Protecting the Craft — Barton Damer at ALREADY BEEN CHEWED · 51 min · Season 4 Episode 3Running a standout studio isn’t about selling hours—it’s about protecting the craft, picking the right clients, and staying scrappy (in smarter ways). Joel sits down with Barton…
- It Started As A Party — Cory Livengood & Meryn Hayes at DASH · 38 min · Season 4 Episode 2What happens when a studio anniversary party turns into one of the motion design industry’s most loved gatherings? In this episode of The Fabulist, I talk with Cory Livengood…
- The Studio Was Just the Start — MASSFX, VERSUS, REZONATE · 59 min · Season 4 Episode 1In this episode of The Fabulist, Joel Pilger sits down with three powerhouse studio founders—Shawna Schultz (Mass FX Media & 38th and Post), Katwo Puertollano (rezonate), and…
- Build What Scares You — PARADISO · 37 min · Season 3 Episode 5What does it take to create a truly transformational experience—not just an event? In this special episode, Joel Pilger sits down with Paradiso co-founders Hector Ayuso and Marko…
- Aaron Becker and Seth Kleinberg — FILMOGRAPH · 1 h 4 min · Season 3 Episode 4The best title sequences don’t just introduce a film or TV show—they set the tone, create anticipation, and often become iconic in their own right. In this episode, I connect…
- THE MILL is Gone: The End of the Beginning of Motion Design, Part 4 · 1 h 5 min · Season 3 Episode 3In this special episode of The Fabulist, Jared Yeater, a former Managing Director at The Mill, joins Ryan Summers, John LePore, and Joel Pilger to break down the shocking closure…
- Sales is a Team Sport — Tony Kadillak at VERSUS · 1 h 0 min · Season 3 Episode 2What does it really take to build lasting relationships in the creative industry? In this episode ofThe Fabulist, Joel Pilger sits down with Tony Kadillak, Executive Producer of…
- The Italian Way — Ilenia Notarangelo & Luca Gonnelli at ILLO & ALGO · 50 min · Season 3 Episode 1Welcome to Season 3 of The Fabulist, the podcast for creative studios mastering the art of business. Powered by Coupe Studios, host Joel Pilger travels the world to gather…
- Brave The Dark — Derek Dienner at MAKE/FILMS · 51 min · Season 1 Episode 20In this episode of The Fabulist, Joel Pilger dives deep with Derek Dienner, founder of Make Films and producer of the upcoming feature film Brave the Dark. Derek shares his…
- Build Your Brand To Elevate Your Company Brand — Simon Dixon at DIXON BAXI, Mitch Monson at SIBLING RIVALRY, Carson Hood at BIGSTAR · 47 min · Season 1 Episode 19In this thought-provoking episode of the Fabulist Podcast, host Joel Pilger brings together a panel of creative industry leaders—Simon Dixon of DixonBaxi, Mitch Monson of Sibling…
- The Nash Stash: Creative Business Strategies — Joe Nash · 31 min · Season 1 Episode 18In this episode, I sit down with Joe Nash to unpack the complexities of running a creative studio in today's ever-evolving market. We dive into: Why authenticity and truly…
- Your Client Called, They’re Doing It Themselves — Justin Cone at BUCK · 49 min · Season 1 Episode 17In this episode of The Fabulist, I – your host Joel Pilger – am joined by industry veteran Justin Cone at BUCK to tackle some of the biggest shifts currently shaping the motion…
- Originality is the Template — Dominic DiMaria · 46 min · Season 1 Episode 16In this episode of The Fabulist, Joel Pilger talks with artist and entrepreneur Dominic DiMaria, co-founder of Das Audie. Together, they explore the art of “positioning” — how…
- Producers: The Unsung Heroes of Our Industry — Rebecca Olson, Kathryn Henderson, Leyla Rosario, Jessica Ransom · 1 h 0 min · Season 1 Episode 15In this episode of The Fabulist, we tackle one of the most misunderstood roles in the creative industry: “What does a Producer actually do?” To help answer that question, I’ve…
- The Transition to Digital Was Nothing — Michael Gilday at DEEP VIBE · 33 min · Season 1 Episode 14In this enlightening episode of The Fabulist Podcast, host Joel Pilger sits down with Michael Gilday, founder and CEO of Deep Vibe Creative, for an in-depth discussion on the…
- Your Studio's Future is Brand-Direct — Kevin Rapp at ULTRA FRIENDS · 36 min · Season 1 Episode 13Let's dive deep into the highs and lows of the creative life with Kevin Rapp, the seasoned creative leader and founder of Ultra Friends. In this episode, Joel Pilger invites…
- Mackinations — Mack Garrison at DASH · 38 min · Season 1 Episode 12Joel Pilger dives into the intersection of creativity and commerce with Mack Garrison from Dash Studio, addressing industry challenges and trends such as post-COVID screen…
- The End of the Beginning of Motion Design | Part 3 with Ryan Summers and John LePore · 30 min · Season 1 Episode 11The Fabulist is back! Join host Joel Pilger as he leads this discussion with disruptors Ryan Summers and John LePore into the evolving landscape of motion design. This episode…
