Film School

About Film School

A filmmaker and a writer tackle the AFI's Top 100 Films and beyond to educate themselves about movies and storytelling. Welcome to Film School!

Publisher

Ira Heinichen, Joshua McClenney

Category

arts · tv & film

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

7 Jan 2019

Latest episode

13 Oct 2025

Latest episodes

468 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   13 Oct 2025

   The Devil's Backbone

   What is a ghost? A tragedy condemned to repeat itself time and again? An instant of pain, perhaps? Something dead which still seems to be alive? An emotion suspended in time? Like a blurred photograph? Like an insect trapped in amber?

2. 

   4 Sept 2025

   What Is Genre? (Cutting Room Floor #233)

   When we talk about "genre" as it relates to movies, books, comics, etc. what do we mean? What IS "genre?" Josh and Ira break down how we use that term on Film School. Also, Josh recommends MasterChef (Hulu), and Ira recommends Sunderland Till I Die (Netflix). The Genre Five Leaf Clover is available over at StoryGrid.com: https://storygrid.com/books/story-grid-genre-five-leaf-clover/

3. 

   1 Sept 2025

   Castle in the Sky (Hayao Miyazaki Deep Dive #3)

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

9,165,660

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.8 / 5

26 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 76 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

94

Social presence

0

YouTube

93

Engagement

51

Contact Film School

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Questions about Film School