
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

Sep 5, 2022 • 1h 13min
Distributing Your Films to Your Own Platform with Christin Baker of Tello Films!
This week, Alrik and Liz chat with filmmaker Christin Baker from Tello films about making and releasing holiday movies and thrillers with LGBTQIA characters. We also play another round of The Game (indie production challenges) and talk about organic social media promotion.
Enjoy!
Pre-order The Alternate on Itunes Now Coming out 9/13: https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/the-alternate/id1640576609?ls=1
Sign up for Casting Networks today at: https://www.castingnetworks.com/movies/
For 20% off your Jambox subscription use code MMIH @ jambox.io
Check out the ISA at: www.networkisa.org

Aug 29, 2022 • 1h 16min
Working with Actors: A Chat With Acting Coach Craig Archibald!
This week, Alrik and Liz welcome actor and acting coach Craig Archibald on the show to talk about all things acting, from how he works with his students, what not to do as a young actor and what it looks like to really truly be a working actor. After that we do another round of Eric Tom's 'The Game’ where we figure out what to do during an on-set indie film emergency. Enjoy!
Pre-order The Alternate on Itunes Now Coming out 9/13: https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/the-alternate/id1640576609?ls=1
Sign up for Casting Networks today at: https://www.castingnetworks.com/movies/
For 20% off your Jambox subscription use code MMIH @ jambox.io
Check out the ISA at: www.networkisa.org

Aug 22, 2022 • 1h 12min
From Microbudget to Ms. Marvel: Directing Film & TV with Meera Menon!
This week Alrik and Liz welcome director Meera Menon on the show to talk about her career from her microbudget first feature, her Sundance premiering second, and her prolific career in TV directing. After that we play another round of Eric Tom’s 'The Game,' where we figure out what to do during an on-set indie film emergency. Enjoy!
Pre-order The Alternate on Itunes Now Coming out 9/13: https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/the-alternate/id1640576609?ls=1
Sign up for Casting Networks today at: https://www.castingnetworks.com/movies/
For 20% off your Jambox subscription use code MMIH @ jambox.io
Check out the ISA at: www.networkisa.org

Aug 15, 2022 • 1h 19min
Using NFTs to Raise Over 700k with Miguel Faus!
This week, Alrik and Liz chat with filmmaker and NFT expert Miguel Faus. We discuss the fundraising of his first feature as well as a full explanation of how NFTs work and how to raise money for projects in the web3 marketplace. We also play a new game, called 'The Game,' and answer a listener question. Enjoy!
Pre-order The Alternate on Itunes Now Coming out 9/13: https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/the-alternate/id1640576609?ls=1
Sign up for Casting Networks today at: https://www.castingnetworks.com/movies/
For 20% off your Jambox subscription use code MMIH @ jambox.io
Check out the ISA at: www.networkisa.org

Aug 8, 2022 • 59min
A Family of Filmmakers - Making Movies with The Adams Family!
This week, Alrik and Liz interview John Adams and Toby Poser about their sixth feature, HELLBENDER, and the unusual and organic way in which they construct their films. We also read an itunes review and talk about pathways to success in horror. Enjoy!
Sign up for Casting Networks today at: https://www.castingnetworks.com/movies/
For 20% off your Jambox subscription use code MMIH @ jambox.io
Check out the ISA at: www.networkisa.org

Aug 1, 2022 • 1h 11min
From Breakdown to Breakout with Addison Heimann!
This week Alrik and Liz talk to writer/director Addison Heimann about the making of his first feature, Hypochondriac! Addison talks about how he met his producers, put together the financing, and how he got a dream reception to his debut from SXSW and XYZ. Enjoy!
Sign up for Casting Networks today at: https://www.castingnetworks.com/movies/
For 20% off your Jambox subscription use code MMIH @ jambox.io
Check out the ISA at: www.networkisa.org

Jul 25, 2022 • 1h 11min
The 10 Year Journey to Paradise Highway with Anna Gutto!
This week, Alrik and Liz chat with writer/director Anna Gutto on the show to talk about her first feature film Paradise Highway starring Morgan Freeman and Juliette Binoche! Anna talks about how she was able to make her first feature film at around a 6 million dollar budget. After that we talk about an article from Indiewire about how two films aimed at older women did really well at the box office. Enjoy!
Sign up for Casting Networks today at: https://www.castingnetworks.com/movies/
For 20% off your Jambox subscription use code MMIH @ jambox.io
Check out the ISA at: www.networkisa.org
Check out this weeks article:
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/digital-creators-hollywood-1235175859/

Jul 18, 2022 • 1h 15min
Remote Movie Making is Hard!!! with Mikail Chowdhury!
This week Alrik and Liz interview filmmaker Mikail Chowdhury about his career as well as a focus on making content during the global pandemic. We also discuss the tension of influencers trying to break into the established media landscape. Enjoy!
Sing up for Casting Networks today at: https://www.castingnetworks.com/movies/
For 20% off your Jambox subscription use code MMIH @ jambox.io
Check out the ISA at: www.networkisa.org
Check out this weeks article:
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/digital-creators-hollywood-1235175859/

Jul 11, 2022 • 1h 9min
Navigating Pitfalls of Indie Distribution with Feature Filmmaker Savannah Bloch!
This week, Alrik and Liz interview director, writer and cinematographer Savannah Bloch about making her first feature, AND THEN THEIR WAS EVE, and her tricky journey in distributing the film. After that we talk about an article from The Hollywood Reporter on influencers and how that star power Is fleeting and lastly, Alrik and Liz talk about what makes a movie/show have an impact on us. Enjoy!
For 20% off your Jambox subscription use code MMIH @ jambox.io
Check out the ISA at: www.networkisa.org
Check out this weeks article: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/vidcon-2022-creators-star-power-1235172640/

Jul 4, 2022 • 1h 45min
A Live Show with Marc Smolowitz: Producer Extraordinaire!
This week Alrik and Liz chat with Bay Area filmmaker Marc Smolowitz as part of the inaugural Bay Area Media Makers Summit. We also talk about the Academy's newest class of membership and consistency in filmmaking. Enjoy!
This week Alrik and Liz chat with writer Charla Lauriston about making it as a writer in the entertainment industry as well as paying it forward with her new course to help writers navigate everything other than the work. We also talk about Bradley Cooper being made fun of by the Hollywood elite. Enjoy!
For 20% off your Jambox subscription use code MMIH @ jambox.io
Check out the ISA at: www.networkisa.org
Check out this weeks article: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/is-oscars-inclusion-push-working-surprising-academy-numbers-1275305/