Indie Film Hustle® Podcast: Filmmaking | Screenwriting | Cinematography | Film School | Film Production | Independent Film

Have you ever been in a job you hate? Would you leave a stable job to follow your dream? Meet producer, director and actor Drew Waters. He did just that. Drew became an entrepreneur with three retail businesses and a commercial/residential construction company with partners. One day he woke up at the age of 30 and realized I wasn't fulfilled with what he was doing, so he thought back to the moment he was the happiest.That moment turned out to be a time, nearly ten years earlier when he was in Japan and was shooting a commercial. That realization led him to the decision to pursue a career in the entertainment industry.The next week he sold the companies to his partner and started acting/directing /producing. His first film was a D horror movie made for $3,500 That sold and was followed up by another D horror film that was made for $1,500.From there he made a 30k film in 10 days that sold to a distributor for a 50k MG.  Now after 14 years, 60+ acting credits, 7 produced films later and working with some of the

LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE, self-distribution vs traditional distribution!!! I wanted to finally create an HONEST resource for indie filmmakers to learn the TRUTH about both forms of distributing their films.I get into the weeds on this one and talk about my experience self-distributing my film, This is Meg, what my experience was working with multiple domestic and international distribution companies and give examples on how and why self-distribution is a great path just not for every film.It's a knowledge bomb packed episode so get ready to take some notes. Knowledge is power. Enjoy!

Today on the show we have returning champion producer Suzanne Lyons. Suzanne was one of my first guests (IFH 015) on the podcast. Her episodes are some of my most downloaded episodes so I had to have her back on to talk shop.Suzanne will go over a ton of information on how to produce an indie feature film. She covers:The dos and don'ts of Low Budget FilmmakingWhat is Soft Prep?ContractsWorking with unionsThe hell of deliverablesand much moreWe also discuss Suzanne's new course Indie Film Producing Masterclass:Here's some info on the Indie Film Producing Masterclass:Have you ever wondered what it really takes to produce an independent film? How raise money, dealing with contracts, SAG agreements and putting together sales presentations for investors? Then this masterclass is for you.Award-winning film producer Suzanne Lyons is about to take you from script to screen and beyond in this Mastermind workshop. After producing a number of bigger budget features Suzanne thought producing the SAG ultra-low and modifie

As promised today's guest is Jamie Adams, the writer/director of the new film Alright Now starring (Cobie Smulders, “How I Met Your Mother, Avengers”) You can listen to her interview here. I wanted to chat with Jamie because he has made a career of shooting feature films fast, cheap and completely improv.As you all know I shot my first two features, This is Meg and On the Corner of Ego and Desire, using the same style and techniques. They're not a ton of film directors shooting features films like this, let alone films with major movie stars in them, so I had to have him on to discuss his process.in this interview Jamie breaks down:- How he was able to cast Cobie Smulders- What his process is when writing the scriptment- How he works with actors- How he covers a scene and much moreHere's a bit about the film:ALRIGHT NOW follows Joanne (Cobie Smulders, “How I Met Your Mother, Avengers”) a rock musician who drunkenly enrolls in college after she breaks up with her boyfriend and her band falls apart. Convinced s

Today's guest is actress Cobie Smulders. You may recognize Cobie from blockbuster films like The Avengers, The Avengers: Age of Ultron, Captain America: Winter Soldier and Jack Reacher: Never Go Back. She'll also be in the new Spidey film Spider-Man: Far from Home. I've been a fan of Cobie's for a while now. Her ability to jump from mega-blockbuster to ultra-low budget indie film has always fascinated me.One of the main reasons I wanted to chat with Cobie was to discuss her new film Alright Now. What makes her new film unique is that it was shot 100% Improv-style, just like I shot my film This is Meg and On the Corner of Ego and Desire. I wanted to see why an actress used to shooting big studio tentpoles would be attracted to making a low budget improv indie in the UK. What was her experience being out there acting with no net. Also what it was like working with Jamie Adams (who will be a guest in the show soon), the writer/director of Alright Now. Here's a bit about the film:ALRIGHT NOW follows Joanne (Cobie

On today's episode, I go over my top ten books that ROCKED my world! I get asked all the time what are a few books I could recommend. So I decided to just put a list together of these books. The books on the list have transformed me into the person I am today.  They have opened my mind, showed me new ideas, changed the way I thought about life and most importantly shook the foundations of my existence. Enjoy and may you find value in this list, my friends. Now get to reading!

Today's guest gough, from Berrnuts Productions, really doesn't let anything get in his way. When the rest of us are making excuses on why we can't do this or that this legally BLIND director is making films he wants to make. You heard correctly, gough is legally blind and yet he's a prolific film director running a production company, with employees I might add, and doing it his way. He has shot 14 short films and 1 feature film.He's a true inspiration to any filmmaker out there who says they can't do it. When you listen to his story you will see what an amazing journey he has had to get to this point.Here's a bit on gough and his company:Beernuts Productions is Australia’s most exciting and innovative production company. Founded by gough in 2006, Beernuts Productions has set out to prove itself as a prolific producer of contemporary, cutting-edge and award-winning cinema, television, downloads and books with a wide range of topics and projects to be undertaken.“I Will Not Go Quietly” was Beernuts Productions

Well, I finally have news for all of you IFH Tribe members who have been asking what the heck is going on with On the Corner of Ego and Desire. Our film has been accepted to the Raindance Film Festival in London, England. It will be the UK Premiere of Ego and Desire. Raindance is the largest and most prestigious film festival in all of the United Kingdom and we can't be more excited to be a part of it.I wanted to do this quick bonus episode for the IFH Tribe to show you all that dreams do come true. You can do it. You have to follow your dreams if not why are we here?This is the first stop of hopefully many for On the Corner of Ego and Desire. Congratulations to the entire cast and crew. More updates to come soon.

Today episode is a CROSSOVER between the IFH Podcast and the Bulletproof Screenplay Podcast. I do this every 6-8 weeks when I find a guest that would be great on both podcasts. On this episode, we have Michael Tucker from Lessons from the Screenplay. LFTS is a YouTube channel that analyzes movie scripts to examine exactly how and why they are so good at telling their stories.I’ve become a HUGE fan of what Micahel is doing and wanted to have him on the show to drop some knowledge bombs on both tribes!Enjoy my conversation with Michael Tucker from Lessons from the Screenplay.

Today on the show we have an OG in the online filmmaking education space, Griffin Hammond. I've followed Griffin for years and was so excited to sit down and talk shop with him. Griffin Hammond is a documentary filmmaker in New York City, known for producing DIY filmmaking tutorials for indie filmmakers, and his award-winning documentary Sriracha. We discuss how he made over $90,000 with a documentary short film.In 2014, Griffin moved from Bloomington, Illinois to New York City to cover the U.S. presidential election for the Bloomberg Television/MSNBC show With All Due Respect.The University of Southern California and the U.S. State Department named Griffin a Film Envoy for the 2017 American Film Showcase—a cultural diplomacy program that sends independent filmmakers around the world to teach.Previously, he worked for YouTube Next Lab, as executive producer of the YouTube channel Indy Mogul, and started his career as a video producer and social media strategist at State Farm Insurance.Griffin Hammond studied

Understanding the minefield that film production and production equipment insurance is a challenge.  I wanted to bring on the show Kathrine Wong and Aylene Villarin from  Athos Insurance to left the vail on all things filmmaking insurance. Now I know what you are saying...a podcast about insurance, snore! but to be honest it's a fun episode with tons of knowledge bombs.Enjoy my conversation with Kathrine Wong and Aylene Villarin from Athos Insurance.

We have a special show this week. I've always have loved the poem Desiderata and thought it would be of value to the IFH Tribe. I hope reading or listening to Desiderata brought a bit of light and hope to you on your filmmaking or screenwriting journey. Keep that dream alive and I'll speak to you next week!

If you are an avid listener of this podcast you know how much I LOVE Blackmagic Design products. From giving away Davinci Resolve for free to releasing a 4K Pocket Camera with RAW, Blackmagic is truly in the corner of every filmmaker. Their motto is..."Power to the people!"I always wanted to know how and why they make such amazing products for filmmakers at such ridiculously affordable prices. Today's guest, Dan May - President of Blackmagic Design, would be the man to ask. I go deep into the weeds on how the company works, why they make their products so accessible to so many people and why they care so much about the little guy.Just to clarify, no I was not paid for this interview at all. I really wanted to get into the mind of one of my favorite camera and post-production companies. We also talk a little bit about gear.Enjoy this rare look behind the curtain at Blackmagic Design with President Dan May.

What does a First Assistant Director actually do on set? Do you need one? The short answer is YES! I've directed with no First Assistant Directors, with bad 1st Assistant Directors, and with world-class First ADs and trust me I rather work with the latter. Today's guest is First Assistant Director, Brandon Riley. Brandon started out in the entertainment industry working as an Assistant Director and later joined the DGA. With a vast knowledge of how a set operates and functions, Brandon has since gone on to produce, line produce and UPM features and TV projects. Brandon is a natural born leader who aims to lead every show in a calm assertive manner. He prides himself in aiming to create an environment where both cast and crew are treated well and have an enjoyable experience on set.  Brandon is one who continually tries to bring the best out in others and always pushes for excellence in every area. He has a passion for problem-solving and is an invaluable team player.Enjoy my conversation with Brandon Riley.

I have an inspirational treat for you today. On the show, we have writer/producer/director Elizabeth Blake-Thomas. She has recently financed, written, directed and sold six feature films in the past two years, with no professional film school training. Elizabeth has been involved in the creative industries for over 30 years. Studying drama from a young age led her to run theatre schools, train other students and companies and work in various creative industries, culminating in where she is now, a director and writer.When I heard her story I had to hunt her down and find out how she did it. BTW, she's not stopping, Elizabeth is currently in prep for three more feature films. Talk about hustle. She is the definition of the phrase "INDIE FILM HUSTLE." Enjoy my conversation with Elizabeth Blake-Thomas.

Today on the show we have writer/director Alejandro Montoya Marin. He had the pleasure of being selected to be a director on Robert Rodriguez's Rebel without a Crew Television Show. If you've been following me at all over the past three years you'll know how much of a fan I am of Robert Rodriguez (check out How to Make Rodriguez's Guacamole Gun). Here's some info on the show.Armed with a ridiculously low budget and just 14 days to shoot his movie, Robert Rodriguez created El Mariachi an award-winning film that changed independent filmmaking. The 12-part "Rebel Without a Crew: The Series" follows Scarlet Moreno, Alejandro Montoya Marin, Bola Ogun, Josh Stifter, and Bonnie-Kathleen "BK" Ryan as they shoot their own feature-length film in 2 weeks with a budget of only $7,000.I had a ball talking with Alejandro Montoya Marin about filmmaking, working with Robert Rodriguez, his experience being on a reality show and making his film MONDAY for $7000 and in 14 days.Enjoy my conversation with Alejandro Montoya Marin.

Today on the show we have Neil Ames from Distribber. Neil is the Netflix Yoda over at Distribber. He's been working with Netflix since before they were a streaming juggernaut. I wanted Neil to come on the show and pull back the curtain on the inner workings of Netflix. We discuss:What Netflix is looking for?How to submit an indie film to Netflix?How does Netflix decide what to license?What you can do as a filmmaker to have a better chance of getting on Netflix.What Netflix typically pays for acquisitionsand a ton more.So if you ever wanted to get your film on Netflix get ready to take some notes, my friend. Enjoy my conversation with Neil Ames.

We are here! Episode #250! I can't believe we got here. I'm humbled that the IFH Tribe has allowed me to continue this show for almost three years now. I wanted to do something special for episode #250 so today I'm going to talk about The Secret to Making Money with an Independent Film. After being a part of over 60 features films and studying hundreds more I've noticed a few things that filmmakers should avoid.This is not all just doom and gloom I promise. I also go over what I think the future of independent film is and how you can be a part of it. So please enjoy this episode and I hope it's of value to you on your filmmaking journey. Keep on hustlin'!

Today's guest is Carole Kirschner. Carole was at CBS Comedy and then hired as Vice President of Steven Spielberg’s first Amblin Television. During that time, Carole heard more than 3,000 pitches, bought hundreds of scripts, and was involved in developing dozens of television series.In all, she probably read about 5,000 scripts. She created the CBS Diversity Institute Writers Mentoring Program, which she has run for 14 years.  Soon after, Carole was asked to help Jeff Melvoin (creator of the WGA Showrunner Training Program) develop the program’s curriculum. She has also been running that program for the past 13 years.Carole Kirschner wrote a book revealing the “inside,” unwritten truth about what it takes to succeed in this business. Hollywood Game Plan: How to Land a Job in Film, TV and Digital Entertainment has been enthusiastically received and is used in many colleges and universities across the country. We discuss breaking into the business, working with Steven Speilberg and how to create a career in Holl

Today's guest is producer Major Dodge. His new film Bomb City is quite frankly...da bomb (sorry I couldn't help myself). Here's some info on his film.Bomb City is a crime-drama, about the cultural aversion of a group of punk rockers in a conservative Texas town. Their ongoing battle with a rival, more-affluent clique leads to a controversial hate crime that questions the morality of American justice. Based on the true story of Brian Deneke. Directed by Jameson Brooks.I wanted Major Dodge on the show so he can share with the IFH Tribe how he raised the money, got the rights to the story, got a theatrical release, tapped into his key audience and created merch to sell to that audience. Bomb City is a great case study.Enjoy my conversation with Major Dodge.