Making Movies is HARD!!!: The Struggles of Indie Filmmaking

This week Alrik and Liz welcome writer/director Ryan Spindell on the show to talk about how he made his anthology feature The Mortuary Collection, what his approach was, why he decided to make an anthology film in the first place and how he got the film funded and distributed! After that we actually premiere a brand new segment called, You’re the Expert. Enjoy! Order The Alternate on Itunes Out Now: https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/the-alternate/id1640576609?ls=1 For 20% off your Jambox subscription use code MMIH @ jambox.io Check out the ISA at: www.networkisa.org

Here's a throwback episode from way back in the vault from episode 151 on April 9th 2018 with practical SFX whiz Don Bies who worked on movies such as Indiana Jones and the Last Crusades, The Fly, Galaxy Quest, Starship Troopers, Ghost Busters 2 and many more! If you like these throwback episodes give us a shout at podcast@makingmoviesishard.com and thanks for listening! Check out our patreon at www.patreon.com/mmihpodcast Order The Alternate on Itunes Out Now: https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/the-alternate/id1640576609?ls=1

This week, Alrik and Liz welcome writer and director Carter Smith on the show to talk about how he made his latest film SWALLOWED, how he got Jena Melone to star in the film and his pitch to Spielberg which secured his role as director for The Ruins. After that we play another round of THE GAME and read a new iTunes review. Enjoy! Order The Alternate on Itunes Out Now: https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/the-alternate/id1640576609?ls=1 For 20% off your Jambox subscription use code MMIH @ jambox.io Check out the ISA at: www.networkisa.org

This week on our throwback episode we feature an old interview with Joslyn Rose Lyons from episode 331 back on August 9th, 2021! The full episode featuring our currently retired segment, Get Shorty and Liz and Alrik's normal discussion, is behind the paywall, so unless you are a patreon supporter, you'll just get the interview itself. Let us know what you think of this throwback interview and if there are any old interviews you want to hear, let us know and we will consider them for a future episode! Check out our patreon at www.patreon.com/mmihpodcast Order The Alternate on Itunes Out Now: https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/the-alternate/id1640576609?ls=1

This week Alrik and Liz welcome writer/director Cate Devaney on the show to talk about making her first feature film, how she got attached to the film and how her career as a storyboard artist helped her get her first directing job. Also a big thank you to the Austin Film Festival for making this episode possible! After that we play another round of THE GAME and read another itunes review. Enjoy! Order The Alternate on Itunes Out Now: https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/the-alternate/id1640576609?ls=1 For 20% off your Jambox subscription use code MMIH @ jambox.io Check out the ISA at: www.networkisa.org

This week we have a very special bonus episode brought to you all by our wonderful producer Eric Toms! Eric sits down and chats with writer/director Corey Deshon about making his first feature, Daughter, how he got the project off the ground and the challenges he faced transitioned from TV writer to feature writer/director! After that Eric and I play a round of his creation, The Game, brought on by a real life situation Corey faced making his feature. Enjoy!

This week Alrik and Liz welcome writer Saeed Crumpler on the show to talk about writing his first feature, Hip Hop Family Christmas, getting into his first writers room and how he got his overall deal with Sony! After that they play another round of The Game and read a listener email and an itunes review. Enjoy! Order The Alternate on Itunes Out Now: https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/the-alternate/id1640576609?ls=1 For 20% off your Jambox subscription use code MMIH @ jambox.io Check out the ISA at: www.networkisa.org

This week we are doing our first ever 'Bonus Thursday Throwback Episode' featuring our conversation with acclaimed Polish Filmmaker Malgorzata Szumowska way back on episode 259 from April 13th 2020 where she talked about directing her first film in english, The Other Lamb! Malgorzata talks to us about how this film compares to her other eight or so feature films, what she learned directing the film and how she navigates a set when the movie is not in her native language. Enjoy! Order The Alternate on Itunes Out Now: https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/the-alternate/id1640576609?ls=1

This week, Alrik and Liz welcome writer/director Ceceila Miniucchi on the show to talk about her latest feature, Life Upside Down, starring Bob Odenkirk, Danny Huston and Radha Mitchell. Cecelia talks about how she got her amazing cast, how they shot the moving during the pandemic and her overall philosophy on filmmaking in general. After that we play another round of THE GAME. Enjoy! Order The Alternate on Itunes Out Now: https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/the-alternate/id1640576609?ls=1 Go to www.thewerkingwriter.com/school to sign up today and use code MMIH for 10% off from now until January 31st! For 20% off your Jambox subscription use code MMIH @ jambox.io Check out the ISA at: www.networkisa.org

In this engaging chat, Academy Award-winning writer and director Tom Schulman shares insights from his illustrious career, including classics like Dead Poets Society and the recent Double Down South. He discusses the challenges of transitioning from Hollywood to indie filmmaking, touching on the delicate balance between creative freedom and financial realities. With amusing anecdotes about rewrites, family frustrations, and the unpredictability of shooting schedules, Schulman reflects on the journey of navigating the film industry while maintaining artistic integrity.