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

Writer turned filmmaker Veronica Mckenzie graces us with her presence on the show to talk about the making of her first feature film, NINE NIGHTS. Alrik and Liz also chat about the premiere screening of Alrik's first feature, THE ALTERNATE, and we read a listener letter. ENJOY International Screenwriters Association: https://www.networkisa.org/ The Alternate Teaser: https://vimeo.com/600062844

Alrik and Liz chat with filmmaker Ben Hickernell about his latest film, WHAT WE FOUND, as well as his overall strategy for financing and putting work out into the world. We cap off the show with a discussion about film festivals and audience building. Enjoy! The Alternate Teaser Trailer: https://vimeo.com/600062844 International Screenwriting Association: https://www.networkisa.org/

This week Alrik has a solo interview with writer/director Elza Kephart about her new horror/comedy Slaxx which hits VOD & DVD today! Elza talks about how she had the idea for the film twenty years ago, how it was developed and how she was able to successfully pitch the film at the Frontières Film Market at the Fantasia Film Festival! Alrik and Liz also talk more about film festival strategy.Check out the International Screenwriters’ Association @https://www.networkisa.org/Last chance to get tickets to the world premiere of The Alternate on Saturday 9/11 @ https://danceswithfilms.ticketspice.com/dwf24-the-alternate--zero-one-zero

This week Alrik and Liz chat with filmmakers and real life besties, Stacey Maltin and Margarita Zhitnikova, who talk about their company Besties Make Movies, and their latest feature, TRIPLE THREAT. A & L follow up the conversation with some thoughts on film festival promotion. Enjoy!Check out the ISA at: https://www.networkisa.org/Grab your tickets for the world premiere of The Alternate in LA: https://danceswithfilms.ticketspice.com/dwf24-the-alternate--zero-one-zero

This week, Liz and Alrik have a completely open chat about major personal milestones that are impacting their careers including a new baby on the way for Alrik!

Alrik and Liz start the show but Liz takes the interview with Nicholas Bruckman solo as they talk about Nicholas' new documentary on activist Ady Barkan. After that, A+L come back together to talk about Constellation Incubator, and answer a listener email. We hope you enjoy!    Buy Your Tickets to The Alternate Premiere Now!: https://danceswithfilms.ticketspice.com/dwf24-the-alternate--zero-one-zero

This week Alrik and Liz connect with Widmyer and Kolsch on their journey from indie Starry Eyes to the remake of Steven King's Pet Sematary, to directing tv. This episode is a celebration of the indie spirit and pulls back the curtain on the processes of studio development. We also highlight Luke Zwanziger's short film "Gwen." Enjoy!  Get Shorty link: https://vimeo.com/532406451/71aa9fff7e Buy Your Tickets to The Alternate Premiere Now!: https://danceswithfilms.ticketspice.com/dwf24-the-alternate--zero-one-zero

This week Liz and Alrik chat with storyteller Joslyn Rose Lyons about her career thus far. Joslyn inspired us to no end about the importance of process, her philosophy of filmmaking, and the value of representation. Our GET SHORTY this week is Sid Penrose, by Drew Dull, and our listener email comes to us from Brendan Thatcher.  Enjoy!  Get Shorty Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXpMqXZmEho

This week we welcome back filmmakers Brett and Drew Pierce to talk about the pandemic release of their film, The Wretched.  The movie thrived and was number one in the country week after week, grossing over a million dollars in drive-ins alone. Fast forward one year later, we catch up with Brett and Drew to see how their careers have changed since this massive success, what they have learned and what takeaways they have once you find yourself in a position where projects are being brought to you to pitch on. This is a very interesting conversation filled with lots of great nuggets and tough realizations about how films get made and it’s a must listen for anyone who’s making a feature in hopes of it launching their career. We also have another Get Shorty featuring The Parable of Amos Moses by filmmakers Dylan Varella and Mason Beals and we read another listener email, plus Alrik drops a big update on The Alternate!  Get Shorty Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wf5jggDNbkI

This week Liz and Alrik welcome writer/director T. Arthur Cottam on the show to talk about the re-release of his feature film Carbuncle which is now out on Amazon Prime, Plex and Vimeo on Demand. T. talks to us about finding success with short films and how that lead to making Carbuncle for four thousand dollars which was completely funded from film festival prize money. We also talk about his latest feature film One Hour Outcall, how that project came together and how T. balances making his art and paying the bills. This is really great conversation about how you can make a life for yourself as an artist and how there is no one way to make that happen. We also have filmmaker and listener Earl Martin on Get Shorty to talk about his short film LISTEN and Liz and Alrik read a listener letter from a friend of the show!  Get Shorty Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjuU12sUqZY