
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

Feb 20, 2025 • 34min
Lena Headey - BONUS Throwback Interview!
On this Thursday bonus episode we are going to play the interview from episode 451 from November 2023 with actor turned writer director Lena Heady who was on the show to talk about writing and directing her first feature. I thought Lena was a good match for Julia because they are both established recognizable actors who we had on to talk about jumping into directing after starring in some of the biggest movies/shows. After that we play another round of You’re the expert, enjoy!
Don’t forget to support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/mmihpodcast
Leave us a Review on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/making-movies-is-hard-the-struggles-of-indie-filmmaking/id1006416952

Feb 17, 2025 • 49min
Julia Stiles - From Starring in Studio Features to Writing and Directing an Indie Feature!
This week we welcome writer, director and actor Julia Stiles on the show to talk about directing her first feature Wish You Were Here and how she managed to get the film made without taking a starring role. After that we chat about our own projects and play another round of the Game, enjoy!
Don’t forget to support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/mmihpodcast
Leave us a Review on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/making-movies-is-hard-the-struggles-of-indie-filmmaking/id1006416952

Feb 13, 2025 • 48min
Christine Weatherup - BONUS Throwback Interview!
On this Thursday bonus episode we are going to play the interview from episode 342 from November 2021 with actor, writer and director, Christine Weatherup who came on the show to talk about making her first feature See You Next Christmas. I thought Christine was a good match for Jules because they are both actors who pulled off making their first features as writers and producers. After that we play another round of You’re the expert, enjoy!
Don’t forget to support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/mmihpodcast
Leave us a Review on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/making-movies-is-hard-the-struggles-of-indie-filmmaking/id1006416952

Feb 11, 2025 • 57min
Jules Bruff - Orchestrating the Production of Your First Feature!
This week we welcome producer, writer and actor Jules Bruff on the show to talk about writing, producing and starring in her first feature, Good Side of Bad and how she got the film made. After that we play another round of THE GAME, enjoy!
Don’t forget to support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/mmihpodcast
Leave us a Review on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/making-movies-is-hard-the-struggles-of-indie-filmmaking/id1006416952

Feb 7, 2025 • 41min
Anna Gutto - BONUS Throwback Interview!
On this Thursday bonus episode we are going to play the interview from episode 381 from July 2022 with writer and director Anna Gutto who talks about the ten year journey to make her first feature film, Paradise Highway. I thought that was a good match for Deborah because they both took around ten years to finish their first features.. After that we play another round of You’re the expert, enjoy!
Don’t forget to support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/mmihpodcast
Leave us a Review on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/making-movies-is-hard-the-struggles-of-indie-filmmaking/id1006416952

Feb 3, 2025 • 58min
Deborah Puette - From Acting to Writing and Co-Directing a Feature!
This week we welcome writer, actor, co-director Deborah Puette on the show to talk about how she got her first feature Cash for Gold made, which she also stars in. Deborah talks about making the short film version in 2013 and how that started her journey to making the feature length version over 10 years later.. After that we play another round of THE GAME, enjoy!
Don’t forget to support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/mmihpodcast
Leave us a Review on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/making-movies-is-hard-the-struggles-of-indie-filmmaking/id1006416952

Jan 30, 2025 • 1h 10min
Timothy Plain and Alrik Bursell - BONUS Throwback Interview!
On this Thursday bonus episode we are going to play the interview from episode 119 from September 2017 where Alrik and old co-host Timothy Plain talk about PR and how they went about getting their films seen. This is a fun match for Justin just to see how far Alrik has come in his PR experience as a nice juxtaposition to Justin’s interview.. After that we play another round of You’re the expert, enjoy!
Don’t forget to support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/mmihpodcast
Leave us a Review on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/making-movies-is-hard-the-struggles-of-indie-filmmaking/id1006416952

Jan 27, 2025 • 1h 5min
Justin Cook - Starting a Film PR Firm!
This week we welcome Public Relations Representative Justin Cook on the show to talk about how he got into PR, how he likes to partner with filmmakers and what makes for a successful PR campaign! After that we play another round of the Game, enjoy!
Don’t forget to support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/mmihpodcast
Leave us a Review on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/making-movies-is-hard-the-struggles-of-indie-filmmaking/id1006416952

Jan 23, 2025 • 33min
Bianca Beyrouti - Maria Mealla - BONUS Throwback Interview!
On this Thursday bonus episode we are going to play the interview from episode 249 from February 2020 featuring indie producer Bianca Beyrouti. She was on the show live from the Napa valley Film festival to talk about Bring Me an Avocado with writer Director Maria Maella. I thought this was a good episode to play to just honor Bianca with her sudden passing a few weeks ago and to just showcase what a big part of the indie filmmaking community she was. After that we play another round of You’re the expert, enjoy!
Don’t forget to support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/mmihpodcast
Leave us a Review on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/making-movies-is-hard-the-struggles-of-indie-filmmaking/id1006416952

Jan 20, 2025 • 55min
Antonio Negret - Daniel Negret - Luiza Ricupero - Making a Feature with Family!
This week we welcome accomplished TV director Antonio Negret, his brother writer Daniel Negret and his wife, the producer Luiza Ricupero to talk about their feature Shaman which played at the Austin Film Festival earlier this year! Our producer extraordinaire Eric Toms conducted this interview from the Omni Hotel in Austin so it’s sure to be a good one. After that we play another round of THE GAME, enjoy!
Don’t forget to support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/mmihpodcast
Leave us a Review on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/making-movies-is-hard-the-struggles-of-indie-filmmaking/id1006416952