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

Jan 16, 2023 • 1h 19min
An Ideal Career with Horror Filmmaker Roxanne Benjamin!
This week, Alrik and Liz welcome Director Roxanne Benjamin to talk about her new movie THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE CHILDREN which is coming out on digital and DVD on January 17th. We chat about how she got attached to the film and how she created a sustainable career as a writer and director. After that we play another round of THE GAME and then we answer a listener question! 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

Jan 9, 2023 • 1h 19min
From Competitions to Writers' Rooms with Sean Collins-Smith!
This week, Alrik and Liz welcome writer Sean Collins-Smith on the show to talk about moving to LA, how he got into a writers room and what he has learned through the two rooms he has been in so far. We also 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

Jan 2, 2023 • 1h 21min
Promoting Like Hell with Alok Mishra!
This week we welcome producer extraordinaire Alok Mishra on the show to talk about the making of his Netflix hit 1 BR which just expanded to Tubi on January 1st! Alok talks about how he and his team raised money for the feature, how they navigated a challenging shoot and the way he masterly promoted the movie from landing at their first film festival till now! 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

Dec 29, 2022 • 1h 25min
Taking Your First Documentary to Sundance with Maria Loohufvud & Love Martinsen!
Happy Holidays from the Making Movies is HARD Team and we've got a very special bonus episode for you right in the middle of the holiday break to help boost your post Christmas blues! Our producer extraordinaire Eric did a solo interview with filmmakers Maria Loohufvud & Love Martinsen about their documentary Calendar Girls which played Sundance last year and had an incredible festival run, playing festivals all over the world. After that Eric and Alrik play a round of The Game where Eric is in the hot seat for the first time! Enjoy and happy Holidays and a Happy New Year to you all!

Dec 26, 2022 • 54min
Directing Lindsay Lohan for Your First Feature with Janeen Damian!
This week we welcome filmmaker Janeen Damian on the show to talk about her Netflix Christmas movie Falling for Christmas starring Lindsey Lohan, what it was like to jump into the director's chair for the first time after many years of writing/producing and how she won the trust of Lindsey Lohan on set. After that we play another round of THE GAME. Enjoy!
Watch Falling for Christmas on Netflix now!
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

Dec 19, 2022 • 1h 4min
An Ideal First Feature with Alison Star Locke of The Apology!
This week we welcome first time feature filmmaker Alison Star Locke to talk about her feature The Apology which came out in theaters on Friday 12/16 and is streaming on Shudder and AMC+ right now! Alison talks about how she got the film funded, how she managed being a mom while directing the feature and how she managed to direct such a dark story. After that we play another wonderful 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

Dec 12, 2022 • 1h 21min
Re-Editing First Feature Film Going All The Way with Mark Pellington!
This week, Alrik and Liz welcome producer/director Mark Pellington on the show to talk about the re-edit of his first feature Going All the Way, why he re-edited the film 25 years later, directing music videos and what it was like to work on a Quibi show. We also 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.smarthousecreative.com to learn more about PR company Smart House Creative!
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

Dec 5, 2022 • 1h 31min
We Celebrate Our 400th Episode with Producing Superstar Natalie Qasabian!
This week on our phenomenal 400th episode we welcome producer Natalie Qasabian on the show to talk about rising the ranks as a producer and she gives us a bit of a breakdown of the making of Searching 2, which is coming out in 2023! We also play another round of THE GAME and we talk about what we’ve learned across 400 (and 200) episodes of making this podcast! 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

Nov 28, 2022 • 1h 11min
Being Hired by Dean Devlin to Direct The Deal with Orsi Nagypal!
This week we welcome Hungarian director Orsi Nagypal on the show to talk about being hired to direct her second feature The Deal by Hollywood producer Dean Devlin! After that we play another round of the Game courtesy of listener Colin Stryker and producer Eric Toms! 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

Nov 21, 2022 • 1h 10min
Discussing the Actor's Process with Director Mali Elfman!
This week Alrik and Liz have a horror-centric episode. First we talk about our latest horrific experiences in indie film development, then we share a solo-interview Liz did with NEXT EXIT writer/director Mali Elfman, and finally 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