Indie Film Hustle® - A Filmmaking Podcast

How to Make Money as a FilmmakerI always get asked,"How to make money as a filmmaker or can you make money as a filmmaker?"The short answer is yes, of course, you can but will it be easy, HELL NO! What's a filmmaker to do? I've been able to develop an over 20-year career making money as a filmmaker. So if I can do it you can too. In this podcast episode, I go into details on all the money making ideas filmmakers can do to make money. I give examples, tell stories and show you how I and other filmmakers make money today. Here are a few things I go over in the episode.Film Crew WorkProduction AssistantDepartment PAProduction Office PAGeneral CrewFilm Office WorkI go over the details of my film office job and what amazing things happen because of itYou meet and network with industry peopleFilm Production CompanyI discuss my first job at a production company and how it launched my careerThe value of interningHow you can leverage this job into a profitable freelance careerSkilled FreelancerLearn a skill (Editing, Camera, Props, Grip. etc)Find a skill and brand yourselfBuilding Your own production CompanyBecome a “Predator: Producer - Director - EditorYou and a camera, some lights and editing gear and you are now a production companyClients:Corporate Jobs (Not fun but they pay)Duplass Brothers StoryMusic Videos (creative but little cash)Create a web commercial for a local company for FREE at first, if you are just starting outBuild your showreel and gain experienceWeddings or Event FilmingStock Footage CreationAmazing Side HustlePassive Revenue StreamsBorrow a camera or buy a camera and shoot on your downtimeFind unique locations around where you liveB-Roll and RAW footage from old project sitting on a hard driveBlackBox – Make Passive Income From Your FootageOnline Content CreatorVery creativeFind an audience and serve the audienceIt's a long gameDo it on the side hustle at firstYou WILL NOT GET RICH but it’ll help build your brand and show your skillsDon’t write off doing FREE ProjectsI'll tell you my Snoop Dogg StoryEnjoy and I hope it helps you make some cheddar!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

On today's episode, I'll be giving you a sneak peek of producer Suzanne Lyons' new course Indie Film Producing Masterclass. This is part one of two so enjoy this look inside the best selling indie producing course.How do you legally option a screenplay? What are the agreements you need? Suzanne goes over everything you need to know in this episode. Enjoy!Here's some info on the course:Have you ever wondered what it really takes to produce an independent film? How raise money, dealing with contracts, SAG agreements and putting together sales presentations for investors? Then this masterclass is for you.Award-winning film producer Suzanne Lyons is about to take you from script to screen and beyond in this Mastermind workshop. After producing a number of bigger budget features Suzanne thought producing the SAG ultra-low and modified budget films would be a piece of cake. Boy, was she wrong? Wearing 100 different hats was a challenge and she learned so much. And now she will be sharing all that great info with you.In this Mastermind workshop, you’ll learn from her experience and benefit from her success. Suzanne will take you through a structured crystal, clear step by step process that will actually make low budget filmmaking easy and fun!This workshop is unique in that it will literally guide you through the entire process of making your film. From her own hands-on experience, she will be addressing every detailed facet of filmmaking.“Suzanne has that rare ability to combine artistic creativity and smart business sense… she’s proven that by taking a SAG ultra-low budget and somehow squeezing out a quality film that looks like it cost a million!” Academy Award® Winner Mark L. Smith, Writer/Director “Séance” Writer, “The Revenant”“Suzanne is brilliant… take her workshop and put her suggestions to work and you’ll be amazed at the extraordinary results you’ll produce.” Ross Grayson Bell, Producer “Fight Club”From option a screenplay, development, designing your business plan, opening your film company, hiring your line producer and director. Finessing your budget, schedule and film timeline. Being smart about contracts and paperwork. Casting and working with actors. The details of pre, principle, and post, choosing your sales agent, preparing for film delivery and festivals, and so so so much more.You'll also get a BONUS PACK of the real world used contracts, agreements and business plans word and PDF worth over thousands.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

I had the pleasure the other night to see two of my inspirations speak on stage. Mark and Jay Duplass or as they are known The Duplass Brothers, were at a book signing for their new book, Like Brothers, and gave an awesome talk about how they got started, playing the Hollywood game and making​ up your own rules.Many of you know that the Duplass Brothers are the reason why I got off my ass and made my first feature film This is Meg. Their “just go out and do it” attitude inspired me to go and do it. The further inspired me to make my latest film On the Corner of Ego and Desire. If you have seen their $3 short film, This is John, that got into Sundance and launched their careers you can watch it in the show notes​. Here’s a bit on their new book Like Brothers:How do you work with someone you love without killing each other? Whether producing, writing, directing, or acting, the Duplass Brothers have made their mark in the world of independent film and television on the strength of their quirky and empathetic approach to storytelling. Now, for the first time, Mark and Jay take readers on a tour of their lifelong personal and professional partnership in LIKE BROTHERS, a unique memoir told in essays that share the secrets of their success, the joys and frustrations of intimate collaboration, and the lessons they’ve learned the hard way.Part coming-of-age memoir, part underdog story, and part insider account of succeeding in Hollywood on their own terms, LIKE BROTHERS, is also a surprisingly practical roadmap to a rewarding creative partnership. From a childhood spent wielding an oversized home video camera in the suburbs of New Orleans to their shared years at the University of Texas in early ‘90s Austin, and from the breakthrough short they made on a $3 budget to the night their feature film Baghead became the center of a Sundance bidding war, Mark and Jay tell the story of a bond that’s resilient, affectionate, mutually empowering, and only mildly dysfunctional. They are brutally honest about how their closeness sabotaged their youthful romantic relationships, about the jealousy each felt when the other stole the spotlight as an actor (Mark in The League, Jay in Transparent), and about the challenges they faced on the set of their beloved HBO series, Togetherness—namely, too much togetherness.From their obsession with people-watching at airports to their always-evolving “top 10 films of all-time” list to their personal email conversations to their defense of Air Supply, LIKE BROTHERS is as openhearted and lovably offbeat as Mark and Jay themselves.I highly recommend any and all filmmakers and screenwriters read this book. Enjoy an evening with the Duplass Brothers.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

Today's guest is Heather Hale, author of How to Work the Film and TV Markets: A Guide for Content Creators. Heather Hale is a film and television director, screenwriter and producer with over 50 hours of credits. She is currently under contract to direct an indie romantic comedy.She directed, produced and co-wrote the million dollar feature Absolute Killers (2011) which was marketed by distributors at Le Marche du Film and the American Film Market. She wrote the $5.5 million dollars Lifetime Original Movie The Courage to Love (2000) which starred Vanessa Williams, Stacy Keach, Gil Bellows and Diahann Carroll.Heather’s new book How to Work the Film & TV Markets: A Guide for Content Creators was just published this summer by Focal Press/Routledge while her Story$elling: How to Develop, Market and Pitch Film & TV Projects will be published in 2018 by Michael Weise Productions.For over two decades, Heather has served as an international keynote speaker, teacher, moderator, panelist and custom workshop facilitator for film and TV markets, festivals, writers workshops, colleges and universities and Chambers of Commerce around the globe, including creative adventure weeklong retreats such as StoryTellers on WalkAbout.Enjoy my conversation with Heather Hale.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

Today we have a special crossover event between The Indie Film Hustle Podcast and The Bulletproof Screenplay podcast. Since I’m the host of both podcasts I thought it would be fun and educational to do these kinds of episodes every once in a while. Today’s guest is best selling author K.M. Weiland, the author of Creating Character Arcs: The Masterful Author’s Guide to Uniting Story Structure, Plot, and Character Development.K.M. Weiland lives in make-believe worlds, talks to imaginary friends, and survives primarily on chocolate truffles and espresso. She is the IPPY, NIEA, and Lyra Award-winning and internationally published author of the acclaimed writing guides Outlining Your Novel, Structuring Your Novel, and Creating Character Arcs, as well as Jane Eyre: The Writer’s Digest Annotated Classic, the historical/dieselpunk adventure Storming, the portal fantasy Dreamlander, the medieval epic Behold the Dawn, and the western A Man Called Outlaw. When she’s not making things up, she’s busy mentoring other authors on her award-winning website Helping Writers Become Authors.We dig in deep on plot, story structure and of course character arcs. Enjoy my conversation with K.M. Weiland.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

Have you ever wondered if you could actually make money making short films? Take it from the guy who made over $90,000 selling a short film, yes you can (click here to hear that story). Today on the show we have the founder of the world's largest short film distribution company SHORTS International, Carter Pilcher. Carter Pilcher founded Shorts International in 2000. Coming from a background in both investment banking and law, Carter has made Shorts International the world's leading short movie entertainment company, functioning as a distributor, broadcaster, and producer. Carter has extensive experience in short movie production and short movie entertainment. He is a voting member of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts and a member of the Short Film and Feature Animation Branch of The US Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Sciences (AMPAS)Enjoy my conversation with Carter Pilcher.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

If you are fans of episode  IFH 088: Why Filmmakers are Always So Damn Broke & What They Can Do to Change It, then you are going to love this one. I wanted to put together an episode as a wake-up call for the IFH Tribe. I wanted to scare the hell out of you a bit but in a good way. So many people talk about their dreams and so few actually doing anything about it. This episode is hopefully the kick in the ass you need to get start TODAY and follow your dreams. I share some personal and raw things in this one in hopes that it moves you into action. Disclaimer: I am a bit RAW in this episode so don't listen with small kids in the room. I hope this helps you on your path. Enjoy!LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODEIFH 088: Why Filmmakers are Always So Damn Broke & What They Can Do to Change ItThis is Meg - First FeatureOn the Corner of Ego and Desire - Second FeatureIndie Film Producing Masterclass with Suzanne LyonsSPONSORSBlackBox - Make Passive Income From Your FootageStudio Unknown Audio Post -  Mention the IFH podcast, and you’ll receive 50% off one day of ADRFilmmaker in a Box - Learn How to Make an Indie Film - 18 Hours+ of Lessons Martin Scorsese Film Directing MasterclassRon Howard Film Directing MasterclassJudd Apatow Comedy Writing/Directing MasterclassAaron Sorkin Screenwriting Master ClassFreeFilmBook.com (Download Your FREE Filmmaking Audio Book)KILLER RESOURCES!!!IFH MASTERS CIRCLE - Filmmaking CommunityIFH's Online Film SchoolSix Secrets to get into Film Festivals for FREE!Action Items:Subscribe to the Podcast on iTunes,  Stitcher, Soundcloud or via RSS.BONUS: Filmmaking ResourcesMartin Scorsese's Film Directing MasterClassBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

We have a very special episode of the Indie Film Hustle podcast today. Our amazing guest is Qasim Basir, co-writer, and director of the Sundance 2018 hit film A Boy. A Girl. A Dream. The film stars Power‘s Omari Hardwick and Meagan Good is the story of two people who meet in Los Angeles on the night Donald Trump is elected President of the United States. The film was just picked up by Samual Goldwyn Company for a theatrical release. Check out a few clips below. Qasim Basir wrote and directed Mooz-lum (2011) starring Danny Glover and Nia Long about an African-American Muslim family and how their lives are changed by the September 11 attacks. The film received nominations from the NAACP Image Awards and Black Reel Awards.Basir also wrote and directed Destined (2016) starring Cory Hardrict. Basir won Best Director at the American Black Film Festival. The film was shot as a true oner, meaning the entire film was shot in one take. To be able to achieve a 90-minute one-take cinematographer Steve Holleran frankenstein'ed a 50-pound antigravity rig and unconventional Sony camera and Panavision anamorphic lens combination.Qasim and I sit down and get raw, real and drop some MAJOR truth bombs on the tribe today. We discuss some the state of the film business from both of our perspectives, what it really takes to break-through and why he does what he does in the first place. This episode is truly eye-opening and I hope it resonates with you at your core.Enjoy my conversation with writer/director Qasim Basir.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

Today on the show we have film editor Lawrence Jordan. Lawrence is a veteran feature film and television editor who has worked with many of the top creatives at the world’s largest entertainment companies, including Time Warner, Sony, Fox, MGM, HBO, Netflix, and Disney. He has supervised creative aspects of the post-production process on over 45 feature films and television shows with budgets ranging from 1 million to upwards of 80 million dollars. He recently completed his latest feature film, “Naked” starring Marlon Wayans and Regina Hall for Netflix.With a passion for technology, Lawrence was fortunate to have the opportunity to be one of the earliest adopters of digital, non-linear, editing workflows. Along the way, he became an adjunct professor at the American Film Institute’s Center for Advanced Studies, and created and taught courses on non-linear editing at UCLA. He has also been a consultant and speaker for companies such as Apple, Adobe, and Avid Technology. Jordan has also written articles for periodicals including American Cinematographer, Editors Guild Magazine, DV, and MacWorld.Jordan also created 2-pop.com, an Internet community dedicated to providing information about Apple’s revolutionary new post-production software, Final Cut Pro. 2-pop quickly became the premier web destination for the rapidly growing digital video marketplace and was a catalyst for FCP user group communities worldwide. It was later acquired by Creative Planet. We jump into the "editing" weeds and discuss the craft, the business and the politics of being a Hollywood editor. Enjoy my conversation with Lawrence Jordan ACE.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

Today on the show we have a true legend from the film business, director John Badham. John has directed some of the most iconic films in history. From the decade-defining Saturday Night Fever to 80's hits like War Games, Short Circuit, & Stakeout. Check out his current demo reels below.  John Badham has not only continued directing but is involved with some of the most cutting-edge television show being made today. John is also the author of two books John Badham On Directing: Notes from the Set of Saturday Night Fever, War Games, and More and I'll Be in My Trailer: The Creative Wars Between Directors and Actors.He's also is a Tenured Film Professor at Chapman University in Los Angeles. I can't tell you what a thrill it was to sit down and pick John's brain. He's been directing for close to five decades. His wealth of knowledge and experience is remarkable.Sit down and get ready to take a TON of notes on this epic conversation with John Badham. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.