

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

Feb 13, 2023 • 1h 17min
Storyboarding Your Way To A Career In Directing with Cate Devaney!
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

Feb 9, 2023 • 1h 18min
BONUS: From Writer’s Room to First Time Feature Director with Corey Deshon!
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!

Feb 6, 2023 • 1h 10min
Scheduling Your Way Into a Sony Overall Deal with Saeed Crumpler!
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

Feb 2, 2023 • 56min
BONUS: Throwback Interview with Malgorzata Szumowska!
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

Jan 30, 2023 • 53min
Coppola, Selena and Odenkirk: A chat with Filmmaker Cecelia Miniucchi!
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

7 snips
Jan 23, 2023 • 1h 12min
Tom Schulman - Doubling Down on Independent Film from an Oscar Winning Writer!
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.

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!