

Making Movies is HARD!!!: The Struggles of Indie Filmmaking
Liz Manashil & Alrik Bursell
Liz Manashil and Alrik Bursell discuss independent filmmaking, everything from writing, producing and directing to working as crew. But this is not just a podcast about "making it," it's also about struggling with rejection, self-doubt and everything else that comes with pursuing a career in film. Follow along as we forge our own way through the industry and talk to guests who are also making it happen.
Episodes 238-299 are available at our patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/mmihpodcast
Episodes 238-299 are available at our patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/mmihpodcast
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 21, 2023 • 56min
Making Your First Feature at a High Level with Laura Moss!
This week we welcome writer and director Laura Moss to talk about their first feature Birth/Rebirth, how they got the film made at such a high level and how they are dealing with not working during the strike. After that we play another round of You Are the Expert, enjoy!
Website: Retrospecter Films
https://www.retrospecterfilms.com/
Instagram: @mxlauramoss
https://www.instagram.com/mxlauramoss/
This is an article on the status of the strike when we recorded this interview, just for context.
WGA / AMPTP Negotiations Status when talks broke down https://www.wga.org/uploadedfiles/members/member_info/contract-2023/WGA_proposals.pdf
Check out Casting Calls America, it's casting made easy at www.castingcallsamerica.com!
Watch The Alternate on Tubi Out Now: https://tubitv.com/movies/702632/the-alternate
For 20% off your Jambox subscription use code MMIH @ jambox.io
Check out the ISA at: www.networkisa.org

Aug 14, 2023 • 1h 6min
Making Always, Lola and Going Freelance During the Strike with Jeffrey Crane Graham!
This week we welcome writer/director Jeff Graham on the show to talk about directing his first feature, Always Lola which came out on August 1st, getting started in the world of podcasting, then switching focus to writing and directing, while still producing and co-hosting a podcast. After that we play another round of You’re the Expert, enjoy!
Check out Casting Calls America, it's casting made easy at www.castingcallsamerica.com!
Watch The Alternate on Tubi Out Now: https://tubitv.com/movies/702632/the-alternate
For 20% off your Jambox subscription use code MMIH @ jambox.io
Check out the ISA at: www.networkisa.org

Aug 7, 2023 • 1h 15min
Reaching the Top and Betting on Yourself with Melanie Miller!
This week we welcome producer Mel Miller on the show to talk about her time in distribution, moving from Gravitas to Samuel Goldwyn as the Executive VP and stepping away from that role to focus on her own films, which lead her to winning an Oscar for Nalvany earlier this year. After that we play another round of THE GAME, enjoy!
Check out Casting Calls America, it's casting made easy at www.castingcallsamerica.com!
Watch The Alternate on Tubi Out Now: https://tubitv.com/movies/702632/the-alternate
For 20% off your Jambox subscription use code MMIH @ jambox.io
Check out the ISA at: www.networkisa.org
Check out Casting Calls America, it's casting made easy at www.castingcallsamerica.com!
Watch The Alternate on Tubi Out Now: https://tubitv.com/movies/702632/the-alternate
For 20% off your Jambox subscription use code MMIH @ jambox.io
Check out the ISA at: www.networkisa.org

Jul 31, 2023 • 58min
Capturing the Ultimate Underdog Story with Aaron Woolf and Tommy Hyde!
This week we welcome documentary filmmakers Tommy Hyde and Aaron Woolf on the show to talk about their new documentary Underdog about a Vermont farmer who risks it all to go Dog Mushing in Alaska. FYI ticketing is live for the opening of Underdog, here’s a link to get your tickets for the premiere on Thursday August 10th! https://www.laemmle.com/film/underdog
After that we play another round of THE GAME, enjoy!
Check out Casting Calls America, it's casting made easy at www.castingcallsamerica.com!
Watch The Alternate on Tubi Out Now: https://tubitv.com/movies/702632/the-alternate
For 20% off your Jambox subscription use code MMIH @ jambox.io
Check out the ISA at: www.networkisa.org

Jul 24, 2023 • 1h 8min
Producing Your Ass Off and Putting AI to Work with Stephen Gibler!
This week we welcome producer Stephen Gibler on the show to talk about his career producing indie films, what lead him to producing Liz’s first feature Bread and Butter, how he finds funds for projects and his new app logline.ai which is using AI to create pitch decks in a matter of seconds. After that we play another round of THE GAME, enjoy!
Check out Casting Calls America, it's casting made easy at www.castingcallsamerica.com!
Watch The Alternate on Tubi Out Now: https://tubitv.com/movies/702632/the-alternate
For 20% off your Jambox subscription use code MMIH @ jambox.io
Check out the ISA at: www.networkisa.org

Jul 20, 2023 • 1h 28min
BONUS: Throwback Interviews - Listener Calls!
On this Thursday bonus episode we are going to play the interview from episode 183 back in November 2018 with three different listener call in's where they talk about their filmmaking struggles, which I think is a good match for Jhenn because she is somewhat of a Jill of all trades. After that we play another round of You’re the Expert, enjoy!

Jul 17, 2023 • 1h 11min
Creating a Sustainable Career Making Movies with Jhennifer Webberley!
This week we welcome producer, editor and production accountant Jhennifer Webberley on the show to talk about forming her company, wearing multiple hats, film fundraising and much more! After that we play another round of THE GAME, enjoy!
Check out Casting Calls America, it's casting made easy at www.castingcallsamerica.com!
Watch The Alternate on Tubi Out Now: https://tubitv.com/movies/702632/the-alternate
For 20% off your Jambox subscription use code MMIH @ jambox.io
Check out the ISA at: www.networkisa.org

Jul 13, 2023 • 1h 20min
BONUS: Throwback Interview with Besties Make Movies!
On this Thursday bonus episode we are going to play the interview from episode 334 with filmmakers Stacey Maltin and Margarita Zhitnikova back from September 2021 who talked about willing their film into existence which seemed similar to the way Juan and his team just pulled their film family together to make their special movie. After that we play a round of You’re the Expert, enjoy!

Jul 10, 2023 • 1h 12min
Making Your First Feature During COVID with Juan Felipe Zuleta!
This week we welcome writer/director Juan Felipe Zuleta on the show to talk about his film Unidentified Objects which played Stiges and Fantastic fest and is out now on all platforms. Juan talked about how he made the film during the pandemic and what drew him to writing this story. After that we play another round of THE GAME, enjoy!
Check out Casting Calls America, it's casting made easy at www.castingcallsamerica.com!
Watch The Alternate on Tubi Out Now: https://tubitv.com/movies/702632/the-alternate
For 20% off your Jambox subscription use code MMIH @ jambox.io
Check out the ISA at: www.networkisa.org

Jul 6, 2023 • 1h 3min
BONUS: Throwback Interview with Sana Soni!
On this Thursday bonus episode we are going to play the interview from episode 312 from March 2021 with Sana Soni who was at 1091 but who is now the Director of Sales and Distribution at Giant Pictures! I thought this was a good match for Mia since they both work in distribution, although one is a freelancer and one works for a larger company. After that we play another round of You’re the expert, enjoy!