Uploaded June 2024 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Jon Housholder | Co-Owner, Director, Editor, Producer
Jon is a three-time Emmy Award winner as a producer, editor, and director. Over the past decade, he has created nationally televised films, commercials, trailers, documentaries, and docuseries for networks, online streaming platforms, and major corporations.
unrivaledfilms.co
00:00 Intro Clip: “You go out here and take something…”
01:03 Meet John Householder
01:32 Growing Up in West Des Moines, Iowa
02:06 College Journey: From News to Production
02:25 First Jobs: Menards and Commercials
02:38 Pitching to NASCAR at Age 23
03:05 Getting Started in Documentary Work
03:19 Childhood Interest in NASCAR & Racing
04:51 First NASCAR Race Experience
05:50 Early Influences: Fantasia, Home Alone, and Space Jam
06:50 Filmmaking as a Kid: Camcorder Experiments
07:43 Childhood Stop-Motion NASCAR Projects
08:30 Working at Menards and NASCAR: A Full-Circle Moment
09:00 Starting Paid Film Work
10:05 Learning Interviewing from Journalism
10:56 NASCAR Training & After Effects Breakthrough
11:22 From Trailers to Documentaries at NASCAR
12:08 Partnering with Jeff: Building a Creative Duo
12:46 Transition to Real Filmmaking
13:09 Journalism Training and Internships
14:30 Switching from News to Film Production
15:00 Journalism’s Impact on Documentary Storytelling
16:25 Race Feature Work: Tight Deadlines and Craft
17:40 Blending Journalism with Film
18:50 Navigating Real-Time Storylines in Documentaries
19:57 Making Tough Editorial Decisions Mid-Race
21:00 Case Study: Sprint Car Racer Wreck
22:00 Letting the Story Speak for Itself
22:42 Integrity in Storytelling and Reality vs. Reality-TV
23:32 Respecting the Subject's Story
24:31 Reflecting on Career Path & Choices
25:10 Importance of Journalistic Integrity
26:01 Building Trust with Subjects
27:13 Inspirational Stories & Staying Connected
27:59 Prepping for Interviews
28:26 Pre-Interviews and Matching Directors to Subjects
29:15 Discovering Details Through Pre-Interviews
29:50 Handling Difficult Topics with Respect
30:03 Giving interview subjects a heads-up helps build trust and comfort
30:47 Start with easy questions before moving to difficult topics
31:26 Doing research earns respect and better responses from subjects
32:06 Handling post-game athlete emotions requires sensitivity and reading the room
33:44 Early tough interviews prepare you for high-pressure situations
34:50 Observing other journalists’ mistakes helps improve your approach
35:36 Live reporting demands quick thinking and adaptability
36:43 Media days require creative questioning to avoid repetitive answers
37:45 Let conversations flow naturally for genuine responses
39:02 Break through rehearsed PR answers for deeper insights
40:03 Using silence after tough questions brings out raw moments
41:46 Talk less and listen more during interviews
42:59 Forget strict timing to capture authentic stories
44:49 Let the subject’s story emerge without forcing a narrative
46:13 Truthful stories shine best with honest visuals and reenactments
48:42 Experimenting with gear and techniques enhances storytelling
50:55 Match visual style and lighting to the subject’s tone
52:00 Navigating legal rights for archival sports and entertainment footage
53:58 Use reenactments or photos when footage isn’t available
55:15 Track down footage through leagues, networks, or private owners
56:49 Archival footage can be very expensive per second
58:23 Always get proper credits and legal clearances for footage use
1:00:00 The High Cost of Music Licensing in Projects
1:04:45 Benefits and Challenges of Temp Music
1:05:00 First Major Project: Refuse to Lose Documentary
1:11:00 Timing Releases for Maximum Impact
1:12:19 Balancing Business and Creativity in Film
1:14:14 How Projects and Ideas Find You
1:15:00 Embracing Feedback and Collaboration
1:18:02 Handling Client Feedback Without Ego
1:19:25 Creative Challenges in Documentary Filmmaking
1:21:00 Creating Powerful Moments: Jeff Gordon & Dale Earnhardt Statue
1:23:47 Showing Athletes in New, Personal Ways
1:24:38 The Magic of Real, Unscripted Documentary Moments
1:25:43 How Collaborative Feedback Shapes a Better Story
1:26:25 Learning to Embrace Feedback in Early Career
1:26:37 Lessons from Unrivaled
1:27:44 Racing Life: Highlighting a Female Racer’s Journey
1:28:22 Relentless: The Inspiring Brandon Wisley Story
1:29:40 Emotional Impact and Perseverance
1:30:05 Days of Thunder Doc: From Short Film to Full Series
1:31:20 Unique Access: Interviews with Film Legends & Composers
1:32:45 Personal Connection: Tony Scott’s Legacy in the Documentary
1:33:20 Upcoming Projects
1:33:26 Ferrari at Pebble Beach: The Super Bowl of Car Events
1:34:20 Working with Justin Bell & The Thrill of Ferrari Shoot
1:34:44 Future Goals: Exploring Narrative Films & Staying Curious
1:35:45 Advice for Aspiring Filmmakers: Start Shooting & Keep Learning
1:37:05 Stay Humble, Be Nice, and Embrace Feedback
1:38:06 Closing Thoughts: Enjoy the Journey
Jon Housholder | Co-Owner, Director, Editor, Producer
Jon is a three-time Emmy Award winner as a producer, editor, and director. Over the past decade, he has created nationally televised films, commercials, trailers, documentaries, and docuseries for networks, online streaming platforms, and major corporations.
unrivaledfilms.co
00:00 Intro Clip: “You go out here and take something…”
01:03 Meet John Householder
01:32 Growing Up in West Des Moines, Iowa
02:06 College Journey: From News to Production
02:25 First Jobs: Menards and Commercials
02:38 Pitching to NASCAR at Age 23
03:05 Getting Started in Documentary Work
03:19 Childhood Interest in NASCAR & Racing
04:51 First NASCAR Race Experience
05:50 Early Influences: Fantasia, Home Alone, and Space Jam
06:50 Filmmaking as a Kid: Camcorder Experiments
07:43 Childhood Stop-Motion NASCAR Projects
08:30 Working at Menards and NASCAR: A Full-Circle Moment
09:00 Starting Paid Film Work
10:05 Learning Interviewing from Journalism
10:56 NASCAR Training & After Effects Breakthrough
11:22 From Trailers to Documentaries at NASCAR
12:08 Partnering with Jeff: Building a Creative Duo
12:46 Transition to Real Filmmaking
13:09 Journalism Training and Internships
14:30 Switching from News to Film Production
15:00 Journalism’s Impact on Documentary Storytelling
16:25 Race Feature Work: Tight Deadlines and Craft
17:40 Blending Journalism with Film
18:50 Navigating Real-Time Storylines in Documentaries
19:57 Making Tough Editorial Decisions Mid-Race
21:00 Case Study: Sprint Car Racer Wreck
22:00 Letting the Story Speak for Itself
22:42 Integrity in Storytelling and Reality vs. Reality-TV
23:32 Respecting the Subject's Story
24:31 Reflecting on Career Path & Choices
25:10 Importance of Journalistic Integrity
26:01 Building Trust with Subjects
27:13 Inspirational Stories & Staying Connected
27:59 Prepping for Interviews
28:26 Pre-Interviews and Matching Directors to Subjects
29:15 Discovering Details Through Pre-Interviews
29:50 Handling Difficult Topics with Respect
30:03 Giving interview subjects a heads-up helps build trust and comfort
30:47 Start with easy questions before moving to difficult topics
31:26 Doing research earns respect and better responses from subjects
32:06 Handling post-game athlete emotions requires sensitivity and reading the room
33:44 Early tough interviews prepare you for high-pressure situations
34:50 Observing other journalists’ mistakes helps improve your approach
35:36 Live reporting demands quick thinking and adaptability
36:43 Media days require creative questioning to avoid repetitive answers
37:45 Let conversations flow naturally for genuine responses
39:02 Break through rehearsed PR answers for deeper insights
40:03 Using silence after tough questions brings out raw moments
41:46 Talk less and listen more during interviews
42:59 Forget strict timing to capture authentic stories
44:49 Let the subject’s story emerge without forcing a narrative
46:13 Truthful stories shine best with honest visuals and reenactments
48:42 Experimenting with gear and techniques enhances storytelling
50:55 Match visual style and lighting to the subject’s tone
52:00 Navigating legal rights for archival sports and entertainment footage
53:58 Use reenactments or photos when footage isn’t available
55:15 Track down footage through leagues, networks, or private owners
56:49 Archival footage can be very expensive per second
58:23 Always get proper credits and legal clearances for footage use
1:00:00 The High Cost of Music Licensing in Projects
1:04:45 Benefits and Challenges of Temp Music
1:05:00 First Major Project: Refuse to Lose Documentary
1:11:00 Timing Releases for Maximum Impact
1:12:19 Balancing Business and Creativity in Film
1:14:14 How Projects and Ideas Find You
1:15:00 Embracing Feedback and Collaboration
1:18:02 Handling Client Feedback Without Ego
1:19:25 Creative Challenges in Documentary Filmmaking
1:21:00 Creating Powerful Moments: Jeff Gordon & Dale Earnhardt Statue
1:23:47 Showing Athletes in New, Personal Ways
1:24:38 The Magic of Real, Unscripted Documentary Moments
1:25:43 How Collaborative Feedback Shapes a Better Story
1:26:25 Learning to Embrace Feedback in Early Career
1:26:37 Lessons from Unrivaled
1:27:44 Racing Life: Highlighting a Female Racer’s Journey
1:28:22 Relentless: The Inspiring Brandon Wisley Story
1:29:40 Emotional Impact and Perseverance
1:30:05 Days of Thunder Doc: From Short Film to Full Series
1:31:20 Unique Access: Interviews with Film Legends & Composers
1:32:45 Personal Connection: Tony Scott’s Legacy in the Documentary
1:33:20 Upcoming Projects
1:33:26 Ferrari at Pebble Beach: The Super Bowl of Car Events
1:34:20 Working with Justin Bell & The Thrill of Ferrari Shoot
1:34:44 Future Goals: Exploring Narrative Films & Staying Curious
1:35:45 Advice for Aspiring Filmmakers: Start Shooting & Keep Learning
1:37:05 Stay Humble, Be Nice, and Embrace Feedback
1:38:06 Closing Thoughts: Enjoy the Journey
