Digest

Rudy Mankuso, a multi-talented filmmaker, joins Michael Rosenbaum on "Inside of You" to discuss his film "Musicah." Mankuso shares his personal experience with synesthesia, a neurological condition where senses are intertwined, and how it inspired his film. He describes his specific type of synesthesia, rhythmic association, where everyday sounds are involuntarily transformed into musical rhythms. Mankuso also talks about the challenges and advantages of living with synesthesia, including the difficulty of focusing and maintaining relationships. He shares his journey from Vine to directing music videos for artists like Justin Bieber and OAR, and ultimately to directing "Musicah." Mankuso emphasizes the importance of passion and the power of social media as a film school. He details the process of creating "Musicah," including the challenges of balancing a limited budget and the pressure of wearing multiple hats. He highlights the unique montage sequence in the film, which was inspired by his synesthesia and the chaos of his character's life. Mankuso's story is a testament to the power of creativity and the importance of following your passions. Rudy discusses the reception of "Musicah" and how he felt insecure about the film's success. He shares his experience with the internet and how he's learned to deal with negativity. He also talks about his future filmmaking plans, including directing a psychological thriller and exploring different genres. Rudy shares his thoughts on the importance of mental health and therapy, and how he's learned to embrace the creative process and not worry so much about success. He also discusses his relationship with his parents and how they've supported his career. The episode concludes with a discussion about the importance of being present and enjoying the moment. Michael Rosenbaum shares his own experiences with being consumed by technology and how he's trying to make adjustments to his life to be more present. He also encourages listeners to prioritize their mental health and seek therapy if needed.

Outlines

00:00:00

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00:00:32

Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum

This Chapter is the introduction to the podcast "Inside of You" with Michael Rosenbaum. Michael expresses his excitement about the recent guests and upcoming episodes, including Kevin Smith and Zach Braff. He also mentions his new product, Rosie's Puppy Fresh Breath, and upcoming events like a small bill con and live podcast shows.

00:04:58

Rudy Mankuso's Synesthesia and "Musicah"

This Chapter features an interview with Rudy Mankuso, a multi-talented filmmaker. Rudy discusses his experience with synesthesia, a neurological condition where senses are intertwined. He describes his specific type of synesthesia, rhythmic association, where everyday sounds are involuntarily transformed into musical rhythms. Rudy shares the challenges and advantages of living with synesthesia, including the difficulty of focusing and maintaining relationships. He also talks about how his synesthesia inspired his film "Musicah," which he wrote, directed, choreographed, composed, and acted in.

00:21:19

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00:21:51

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00:40:22

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00:54:01

Rudy Mankuso's Filmmaking Journey

This Chapter continues the interview with Rudy Mankuso, where he discusses the reception of his film "Musicah" and his feelings about the film's success. He shares his experience with the internet and how he's learned to deal with negativity. He also talks about his future filmmaking plans, including directing a psychological thriller and exploring different genres.

01:00:05

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01:00:27

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01:01:25

Rudy Mankuso's Future Filmmaking Plans

This Chapter continues the interview with Rudy Mankuso, where he discusses his future filmmaking plans, including directing a psychological thriller and exploring different genres. He shares his thoughts on the importance of mental health and therapy, and how he's learned to embrace the creative process and not worry so much about success.

Keywords

Q&A

• What is synesthesia and how does it affect Rudy Mankuso?

  Synesthesia is a neurological condition where senses are intertwined. Rudy has rhythmic association, where everyday sounds are involuntarily transformed into musical rhythms. This affects his focus and relationships, but also inspires his creativity.

• How did Rudy Mankuso's career transition from Vine to directing "Musicah"?

  Rudy gained a following on Vine, which led to music video directing gigs. He used this experience as a film school and eventually directed "Musicah," a film inspired by his synesthesia and Brazilian heritage.

• What are some of the challenges and rewards of directing a film like "Musicah"?

  Rudy faced challenges with a limited budget and wearing multiple hats. However, he found reward in his passion for the project and the unique creative opportunities it presented.

• What is the significance of the montage sequence in "Musicah"?

  The montage sequence is a theatrical representation of the chaos in the character's life, reflecting Rudy's synesthesia and the complex emotions his character is experiencing.

• How does Rudy Mankuso view the relationship between social media and traditional filmmaking?

  Rudy believes social media can be a valuable film school, allowing creators to experiment and develop their skills. He doesn't see a clear distinction between online and traditional filmmaking, emphasizing the importance of creativity regardless of the platform.

• What advice does Rudy Mankuso have for aspiring filmmakers?

  Rudy encourages aspiring filmmakers to follow their passions and not be afraid to create, regardless of perceived limitations. He believes that anyone can be a filmmaker if they have the drive and the vision.

• What is the importance of mental health and therapy?

  Michael Rosenbaum emphasizes the importance of mental health and therapy, highlighting its benefits for addressing a wide range of issues and improving overall well-being.

• How can Rocket Money help users save money?

  Rocket Money helps users find and cancel unwanted subscriptions, monitor spending, and negotiate lower bills, ultimately helping them save money and improve their financial well-being.

• What are some of Rudy Mankuso's future filmmaking aspirations?

  Rudy is excited about directing a psychological thriller and exploring different genres, including sci-fi, romance, and action. He believes that music is a character in itself and wants to explore its potential as a villain in his future films.

• What is Rudy Mankuso's perspective on the creative process and success?

  Rudy emphasizes the importance of enjoying the creative process and not worrying so much about success. He believes that the journey is just as important as the destination and that it's okay to fail as long as you learn from your mistakes and keep creating.

Show Notes