Professor Jeff Stanzler’s Virtual Film Open Mics Spark Bold Storytelling

Editor's note: This article has been updated to promote Jeff Stanzler's next Zoom open mic on September 20 at 7 p.m. PST. To get the link to join, visit JeffStanzler.com.

When pandemic restrictions wound down and then disappeared altogether, many of us left the virtual world behind — but not Jeff Stanzler, accomplished filmmaker, mentor, and professor at Chapman University Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, or his former graduate student Mason Leaver. The duo launched Zoom open mics for filmmakers at all levels to learn how to give and receive thoughtful critique, deliver a powerful pitch, and honor their artistic vision.

Stanzler’s career spans decades of filmmaking and teaching. His credits include writing and directing "Jumpin' at the Boneyard" (1991) and "Sorry, Haters" (2006). He's currently writing and directing "Kissinger Takes Paris," a film about Dr. Henry Kissinger, a diplomat who dramatically shaped U.S. foreign policy during the Cold War. Stanzler helps both open mic participants navigate everything from film school applications to portfolio development. He often stresses to his mentees that success requires making a strong first impression: "If I have five or ten minutes in a room, how do I make sure that they're convinced I'm a storyteller who can connect? And that even if they don't like what I'm pitching, that I would be good for something else — which happens a lot more often than you think.”

Leaver first connected with Stanzler when he enrolled at Dodge College in 2022. He was struck by Jeff’s rigorous introduction to film production class where “every project mattered — nothing could slide.” Leaver credits that approach as helping him become a more serious filmmaker, drawing on his undergraduate studies in philosophy to explore how our subconscious beliefs impact our lives. He assisted Stanzler on an independent teaser, and their collaboration gave way to Jeff's online mentorship program and open mics that feature top talent such as Dan Waters, screenwriter of “Heathers” and “Batman Returns.”

Stanzler reflects on the ongoing appeal of the virtual format in 2025: “Turns out Zoom really is the perfect open mic. No smoky bar required.”

A welcoming space for filmmakers to experiment​

Stanzler’s open mics offer filmmakers not only the chance to experiment with their ideas, but to also prepare for real-world industry experiences — all while honoring their artistic vision and what sets their voice apart. “What I've always preached as a teacher, and now maybe more than ever, is that you should not be going to film school to make films like everybody else,” Stanzer says. He underscores that creating films that feel distinctly original and “human-esque” is more important than ever due to the rise of AI.

Participants have a few minutes to present a script, pitch, short film, or animatic, then receive candid yet encouraging feedback from Stanzler and their peers. Leaver helps foster a welcoming atmosphere by actively sharing his work while encouraging others to do the same. But no one is pressured to take the virtual stage. “Some people come just to watch at first,” Stanzler says. “By the end, they’re often the ones pitching the most surprising and original ideas.”

Leaver echoes Stanzler, adding that the program fosters a sense of community and trust: “It’s a place where you can put yourself out there without the fear of being judged. That encourages people to take creative risks, and those risks often pay off.”

The strictly-online open mics offer another key advantage: bringing together students from outside Southern California and those without access to traditional film programs, helping them grow their networks while deepening their understanding of film as an artform. “It’s about accessibility,” Leaver says. “Filmmakers who might never get to be in the same room together can now exchange ideas, collaborate, and support each other’s growth.”

The open mics touch on many components that Stanzler has covered in the classroom: sharpening loglines, improving upon pacing, enriching character development, and refining visual storytelling. Aside from the technical know-how, Stanzler emphasizes that participants grow to recognize how important it is to connect with the audience and learn from their reactions and feedback: “You can disagree with a note, but you can’t argue with how your story made someone feel. That’s what you take away."

Leaver has helped Stanzler design and continuously improve on the format so that every participant feels seen, adding that “even if someone’s work is in its earliest stages, we try to make sure they leave with actionable insights and encouragement to keep moving forward.”

In particular, an experience with one of Stanzler’s students illustrates the approach Stanzler and Leaver took for the open mic nights: creating an event where filmmakers can embrace their vision without the pressures of conformity. The young woman brought a short film to class that was technically polished but a little generic, and her peers didn’t respond as she hoped. Stanzler encouraged her to revisit an earlier version — “the one that you think people want to see is rarely as strong as the one only you could make.”

The following class, she presented a rawer, more personal cut and received markedly positive feedback. “It’s like a kitchen stocked with only salt and pepper versus one with a whole spice rack,” Stanzler says. “The first version was fine — seasoned just enough to get by. But the second version had her real voice in it, and suddenly the film had a flavor no one else could replicate.”

From the virtual stage to one-on-one guidance​

While the virtual open mics are a free space for filmmakers to collaborate and grow, Stanzler’s mentorship program offers an even more personalized learning experience. Mentees can book 30- to 60-minute sessions to receive Stanzler's guidance on professionally pitching, animatics (digital storyboards), structurally refining rough cuts, and much more. As Leaver puts it: “You leave with feedback you can act on tomorrow, but also a bigger picture of where your work can go.”

Stanzler’s mentorship style is rooted in close attention and constructive feedback delivered with care: “When I mentor someone, I want to understand what they’re really trying to say, not just what they think the industry wants to hear.” He’s intentional about not only focusing on his mentees’ technical capabilities, but also how effectively they weave their unique interests and background into their work. Leaver’s recent experiences at Dodge College also serve to bridge the gap between Stanzler’s decades-long industry presence and the realities film school graduates face today.

Some mentees even first test ideas at the open mics, then expand on them in one-to-one sessions with Stanzler. The process not only shows how different audiences respond, but also keeps creative momentum alive. Because for most of us, the longer you step away, the harder it is to start again.

Leaver adds: “Take every project seriously, but keep creating. Always have one project on the front burner and another on the back. That’s how you refine your craft.”

Adding flavor to your filmmaking​

For Stanzler, the open mics and mentorship program “are about connection — you can’t make movies alone.” It's not unusual that filmmakers forget this powerful truth early in their careers, particularly if they’re passionate about retaining creative control or reluctant to reshape or let go of their ideas. Ultimately, he hopes that the open mics inspire filmmakers to incorporate fresh viewpoints into their work, including on subjects they believe they know best.

Beyond that, Stanzler’s best advice? Exceptional filmmakers consistently watch movies — a lot of them, including those far beyond the genres and formats they prefer to create and consume.

He returns to his spice-rack analogy: “If you only ever season with salt and pepper, your food might be fine, but it will never surprise anyone. As filmmakers, you need a kitchen stocked with influences — foreign films, silent films, documentaries, even work outside your comfort zone. The more flavors you absorb, the more unique your storytelling becomes.”

Join Stanzler's virtual film open mic nights and mentorship program​

Whether you’re polishing a short, drafting your first reel, or looking for your artistic voice, Stanzler’s mentorship and open mics offer the tools, community, and encouragement to help you reach your goals. Join by visiting Stanzler’s website or Instagram and requesting a link. (Links are private to create a safe space.)

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Don't miss FilmSchool.org's exclusive two-part interview with Chapman University and Dodge College admissions faculty exploring some of the most commonly asked questions about the application process and the film program:


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