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Film Pro Productivity

Film Pro Productivity

By: Carter Ferguson
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 Are you a creative who wants to do more, create more, and live more? This is the podcast for you. Join 30-year film pro Carter Ferguson as he shares practical strategies and real-world insights to help you boost productivity, sharpen your focus, and achieve greater success. Discover how to streamline your creative process, build better habits, and unlock your full potential. Carter Ferguson Art Economics Leadership Management & Leadership Personal Development Personal Success
Episodes
  • THE INTELLIGENCE TRAP: WHY SMART PEOPLE STRUGGLE WITH PRODUCTIVITY Part 1 #181

    THE INTELLIGENCE TRAP: WHY SMART PEOPLE STRUGGLE WITH PRODUCTIVITY Part 1 #181
    Feb 8 2026
    Why do smart, capable people struggle to follow through?In part one of a two-part series, this episode looks at the intelligence trap - the way thinking, analysis, and complexity can quietly replace action. Drawing on ideas from Isaiah Hankel and real creative experience, it explores how depleted mental energy, busyness, and fragmented attention undermine productivity, even when motivation and ability are high.This episode isn’t about fixing anything yet. It’s about noticing what drains your energy, what work expands when focus collapses, and how intelligence can start working against progress instead of supporting it. “Smart people don’t stall because they lack discipline. They stall because they see too much.”Carter Ferguson LINKS Official website: https://www.filmproproductivity.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/filmproproductivityContact: https://www.filmproproductivity.com/contactIndie Film Hustle Network: https://indiefilmhustle.com/ifh-podcast-network-filmmaking-and-screenwriting/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqo0Zld2Lm2lJDpDh3GsuZgQUOTES“Being intelligent doesn’t automatically make you effective.” Isaiah Hankel“Clarity about what matters provides clarity about what does not.” Cal Newport“Your mind is for having ideas, not holding them.” David Allen“The key is not to prioritise what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.” Stephen Covey“What we call interruptions are really the enemy of deep thought.” Herbert Simon“What is important is seldom urgent, and what is urgent is seldom important.” Dwight D. Eisenhower“The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge.” Daniel J. BoorstinTHIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY JAMES MCCREADIE & DEBBIE MAYREFERENCESThe Science of Intelligent Achievement – Isaiah HankelDeep Work – Cal NewportThe intelligence trapFinite mental energyBusyness as avoidanceAttention fragmentationPlease check out my friends shows:FILM FIGHTS WITH FRIENDS PODCASTTHE FILMMAKERS PODCASTTHE HORROR CUTWILDE WORLDMUSIC & CREDITSA Himitsu Music: Adventures by A HimitsuCommons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b...Music released by Argofox https://www.youtu.be/8BXNwnxaVQEMusic provided by Audio Library https://www.youtu.be/MkNeIUgNPQ8Contact the artist: x.jonaz@gmail.comhttps://www.facebook.com/ahimitsuhttps://www.twitter.com/ahimitsu1https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgFwu-j5-xNJml2FtTrrB3A
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    17 mins
  • GETTING STUFF DONE with HIGH IMPACT ACTIONS #180

    GETTING STUFF DONE with HIGH IMPACT ACTIONS #180
    Feb 1 2026
    In this episode, I explore why finishing creative projects feels so difficult, especially as time, energy, and resources become more limited. Building on the idea of momentum, I introduce the concept of High Impact Actions — small, focused steps that genuinely move work forward instead of draining attention through endless to-do lists. Drawing on insights from thinkers like Cal Newport, Andy Grove, and James Clear, I explain how choosing clarity, leverage, and focus over volume helps creative people manage friction, protect energy, and actually complete the work that matters.OFFICIAL WEBSITE: https://www.filmproproductivity.com/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/FilmProProdPodFACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/filmproproductivityCONTACT: https://www.filmproproductivity.com/contactINDIE FILM HUSTLE: https://indiefilmhustle.com/ifh-podcast-network-filmmaking-and-screenwriting/YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqo0Zld2Lm2lJDpDh3GsuZgQUOTES:“Vision without execution is hallucination.” — Thomas Edison“Clarity is power.” — James Clear“The tasks with the biggest impact are often the ones we resist most.” — Leo Babauta“Increases the output of others.” — Andy Grove“If you don’t produce, you won’t thrive – no matter how skilled or talented you are.” — Cal Newport“Clarity about what matters provides clarity about what does not.” — Cal Newport“Concentration is the secret of strength.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson“The essence of strategy is choosing what not to do.” — Michael Porter“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” — Walt Disney“Action is the foundational key to all success.” — Pablo Picasso“Done is better than perfect.” — Sheryl Sandberg (referenced)“There is nothing so useless as doing efficiently that which should not be done at all.” — Peter Drucker-----------------------------------------------------------This episode is sponsored by a terrific supporter and friend of the show Matt Herbert.-----------------------------------------------------------Please check out my friends shows:FILM FIGHTS WITH FRIENDS PODCASTTHE FILMMAKERS PODCASTTHE HORROR CUTWILDE WORLD-----------------------------------------------------------Thanks:A Himitsu Music: Adventures by A HimitsuCommons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b...Music released by Argofox https://www.youtu.be/8BXNwnxaVQEMusic provided by Audio Library https://www.youtu.be/MkNeIUgNPQ8 –––Contact the artist: x.jonaz@gmail.comhttps://www.facebook.com/ahimitsuhttps://www.twitter.com/ahimitsu1https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgFwu-j5-xNJml2FtTrrB3A
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    24 mins
  • HOW TOXIC PEOPLE POISON CREATIVE DRIVE #179

    HOW TOXIC PEOPLE POISON CREATIVE DRIVE #179
    Jan 25 2026
    This episode looks at how toxic people can subtly undermine creative drive. Focusing on subtle human interference rather than platforms or technology, it breaks down a series of toxic archetypes that drain momentum, shut down thinking, and make effort feel risky. The episode explores why productivity collapses in certain environments and why distance, not debate, is often the most effective response.OFFICIAL WEBSITE: https://www.filmproproductivity.com/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/FilmProProdPodFACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/filmproproductivityCONTACT: https://www.filmproproductivity.com/contactINDIE FILM HUSTLE: https://indiefilmhustle.com/ifh-podcast-network-filmmaking-and-screenwriting/YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqo0Zld2Lm2lJDpDh3GsuZgQUOTES:“Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will.” – Suzy Kassem“Clarity is power.” – James Clear“People who care about tone more than truth usually have a reason.” – Hannah Arendt“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” – Eleanor Roosevelt“Action may not always bring happiness, but there is no happiness without action.” – William James“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” – Sally Berger“Where there is no respect, there is no energy.” – Peter Drucker“Stay away from people who belittle your ambitions.” – Mark Twain-----------------------------------------------------------This epsiode is sponsored by my good friend and long time supporter of the podcast Petra Kolb. Thanks Petra!-----------------------------------------------------------Please check out my friends shows:FILM FIGHTS WITH FRIENDS PODCASTTHE FILMMAKERS PODCASTTHE HORROR CUTWILDE WORLD-----------------------------------------------------------Thanks:A Himitsu Music: Adventures by A HimitsuCommons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b...Music released by Argofox https://www.youtu.be/8BXNwnxaVQEMusic provided by Audio Library https://www.youtu.be/MkNeIUgNPQ8 –––Contact the artist: x.jonaz@gmail.comhttps://www.facebook.com/ahimitsuhttps://www.twitter.com/ahimitsu1https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgFwu-j5-xNJml2FtTrrB3A
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    31 mins
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