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

IFH has a NEW PODCAST. Introducing The Bulletproof Screenplay Podcast. Today is a CROSSOVER EVENT to introduce you to the new show. Today’s guest blew my mind on his approach to storytelling and screenwriting. John Truby is one of Hollywood’s premier screenwriting instructor and story consultant.Over the last 25 years, more than 50,000 people have attended his sold-out seminars around the world, with the American Film Institute declaring that his “course allows a writer to succeed in the fiercely competitive climate of Hollywood.”Over the last 25 years, more than 50,000 people have attended his sold-out seminars around the world, with the American Film Institute declaring that his “course allows a writer to succeed in the fiercely competitive climate of Hollywood.”Called “the best script doctor in the movie industry,” Truby serves as a story consultant for major studios and production companies worldwide, and has been a script doctor on more than 1,800 movies, sitcoms and television dramas for the likes of Di

 Have you ever had to deal with paying out investors, guilds, unions, residuals, and producers from the revenue your film makes? Today's guest is David Zannoni of Fintage House, does just that but on a global scale. David helps you, the producer, ALL the rights for your film globally. Now, this is a subject I didn't know I needed to know about. After meeting David at AFM I knew I had to have him on the show to drop some knowledge bombs on the IFH Tribe.In today’s film industry, it is customary for independent film productions to have a collection account in place. Often film financiers, (international) production companies, sales agents, and lawyers representing any of these parties, require the establishment of a Collection Account before they step on board of, or have their client commit to, a project.What is exactly a Collection Account? A Collection Account is an account opened in the name of an independent, neutral, trusted third party, the so-called Collection Account Manager or simply the CAM. The CAM

How to Make Money with YouTube with Christopher SharpeToday's guest is a bonafide Youtube Guru. Chris has not only created one but two massive Youtube Channels. His first was with his wife called Hilah's Cooking which has close to 400,000 users and launched books, speaking engagements, Food Network appearances and much more.From there he partnered with actress/yoga instructor Adriene Mishler and launched the Yoga with Adriene channel. Now that channel's user base is 3.3 Million subscribers. If you type "Yoga" into Youtube Adriene comes up for the first 7 videos. CRAZY!Together Chris and Adriene built an online empire. They have a huge membership site, licenced products, a US tour and more. Chris shares the secrets on how he was able to hack the Youtube algorithm and get his video ranked in a MASSIVELY competitive space like YOGA.  Chris literally wrote the book on the subject: [easyazon_link identifier="B00N6TZ19M" locale="US" tag="whatisbroke-20"]YouTube Black Book: How To Create a Channel, Build an Audience

The NO Bullsh*t Guide to Making Your Indie Film with Jeff LeisawitzHave you ever been in a place where nothing is going right creatively? Do you ever feel like you are standing in your own way? Me too. Today's guest is author Jeff Leisawitz who wrote Not F*ing Around— the No Bullsh*t Guide for Getting Your Creative Dreams Off the Ground.  This little pack quite a punch. I wanted to have Jeff on the show to drop some knowledge bombs to wake up the tribe a bit. To help you get out of you own way; to get you out of any creative rut. About the book: Can't quite get your creative juices flowing? The day job sucking your soul? Fizzled out before you put the finishing touches on your amazing creation? With relentless positivity, full-on authenticity and a punk rock thunder spirit, author Jeff Leisawitz pulls back the curtain on the creative process and reminds us that we are all creative SuperStars.It's time to get off the couch and get on the path. It's time to tap into the cosmic heartbeat that thumps in your ches

How to Shot a Feature Film in 24 Hours with Ivan MalekinImagine shooting an entire feature film in 24 hours. How could you do something like that and not make it a bad stage play? Today's guest was not only able to do that but made a damn good film in the process. Ivan Malekin and his partner Sarah Jayne directed the feature film Friends, Foes & Fireworks in just one night (24 hours). Here's some info on the film.An intimate New Year's Eve reunion of five female friends in the independent acting scene becomes a test of relationships when old tensions spark, truths are told, and rivalries are reignited. Will the group make it through the night together or will their friendship fizzle out like an overzealous fireworks display?Filmed in a single night, the craziest and most chaotic night of the year - NYE - and relying entirely on improvisation, Friends, Foes & Fireworks is an ambitious Australian drama exploring relationships, love, friendship and the truths we try and fail to keep to ourselves.We dive

TOP SECRET Indie Film Hustle Project Finally RevealedThe day is finally here. I've been teasing you guys for months now. The top secret project I've been working on is my next feature film called "On the Corner of Ego and Desire." The entire film was shot at this year's Sundance Film Festival. The film was written, produced, directed by me, produced by Adam Bowman of Media Circus, shot by Austin Nordell and starring Rob Alicea, Sonja O'Hara, and Randy Ramos Jr.Here is the synopsis:Three hapless independent filmmakers make the trek to the Sundance Film Festival and go through absolute hell in search for the elusive producer that is supposedly going to buy their independent feature film, all within 24 hours. With a producer who stole money from his mother's retirement account to fund the film, to a director who thinks she's the next Francois Truffaut, to an actor/editor who is a doormat for everyone, this motley crew of misfit filmmakers have a tough time navigating the chaotic world of the Sundance Film Festiv

Inside the Raindance Film Festival with Founder Elliot GroveToday’s guest is the legendary film author and founder of the Raindance Film Festival Elliot Grove. Elliot is not only the founder of Raindance Film Festival and the British Independent Film Awards. He has produced over hundreds of short films and also five feature films, including the multi-award-winning The Living and the Dead in 2006. He teaches screenwriting and producing in the UK, Europe, Asia and America.Elliot has written three books which have become industry standards: Raindance Writers’ Lab: Write + Sell the Hot Screenplay, now in its second edition, Raindance Producers’ Lab: Lo-To-No Budget Filmmaking and Beginning Filmmaking: 100 Easy Steps from Script to Screen (Professional Media Practice).He has produced over 700 shorts and 6 features including the new action film AMBER.I sat down to talk shop, what the state of indie film is today and all things Raindance. Enjoy my conversation with Elliot Grove.

How to Shoot and Sell a $5000 Micro-Budget Feature Film with Claudia PickeringToday's guest is writer/director/actor/producer Claudia Pickering. She recently wrote and directed the feature film "Frisky" for just $5000. I wanted to have her on the show to discuss the tricks of the trade when making a feature for such a low budget. The film has also played at countless film festivals and won a ton of awards. Check out the trialer below.Two twenty-somethings move to San Francisco to chase their career but end up chasing tail instead.When two twenty-something women move back to San Francisco, where they had met on exchange years earlier, their high career aspirations quickly become sidelined by their sexual interests. While wildly crass and charismatic in their public personas, they are in fact fundamentally at odds on many levels. Their opposing beliefs surrounding responsibility and romance, combined with their close quarters while crashing in an acquaintance's living room, find them thrust onto a fast track to

Finding an Audience for Indie Films in 2018 with Shaked BerensonToday's guest is a returning champion Shaked Berenson from Epic Pictures. On this special edition Sundance episode Shaked and I discuss marketing and finding an audience for your indie films in 2018. We discuss their recent acquisition of the Horror Blog/Brand Dread Central and how you can use today's tools to find your audience. Shaked has produced films like the cult hit Turbo Kid (SXSW Audience Award), Entertainment (Official Sundance Film Festival Selection) and the animated film Space Dogs: Adventure to the Moon. What is great about Shaked is that he has created his own ecosystem. From financing to production to distribution, all under one umbrella. This way he cuts out the middleman and he can keep more of the profits.Thanks again to Media Circus PR who co-produced these podcasts episodes with me. Enjoy my interview with Shaked Berenson. 

How to Package an Indie Film for Investors with Tiffany BoyleToday on the show is Tiffany Boyle from Ramo Law. Tiffany helps indie filmmakers package their projects in a way that helps them attract producers, investors, other top-end actors, and studios. We had a great conversation at this year's Sundance Film Festival. Here's some info on today's guest.Tiffany Boyle has been with Ramo Law since 2009, where she works with the attorneys to review, collaborate, develop, submit and supervise creative materials on behalf of clients within the Firm. Boyle actively works with clients in connection to production and distribution opportunities that bring their new material to life. From television (unscripted/scripted) to feature films to internet properties, she oversees all creative content represented by the firm. Her recent projects include REBIRTH (Netflix original film), YOUTH IN OREGON (starring Christine Applegate, Billy Crudup and Frank Langella), SPRING (premiered in TIFF), THE 12TH HOUR (documentary narrat

Pixar's Coco and the World of Animation with Carlos Moreno Jr.Today on the show is Carlos Moreno Jr. Carlos was the voice of a handful of characters in the Oscar® Nominated Animated Masterpiece "Coco." Coco is, by far, one of the best-animated films I've ever experienced. It one of my top five films of 2017.Carlos Moreno Jr., key to the stellar cast of Pixar's most lauded feature since "Toy Story," is a name you need to know from "Coco," the multi-awarded, "Golden Globe" and "Critic’s Choice" winner, was the headline speaker at the Sundance Latino Filmmakers panel where he will launch the Legacy App. (www.legacyapp.co) with the always appealing, creator Mel Ramirez.  This app allows you to share your photos and videos with your loved ones long after you have passed.This app allows you to share your photos and videos with your loved ones long after you have passed.  A highlight of this stand-alone special Festival programming, is the selection of a unique, top-tier film to premiere after the panel which is Mor

Using Algorithms to Help Sell Your Indie Film with Sundance's Liz and JessSundance is back on the show. I had the pleasure of having returning champion Liz Manashil (listen to her interview here) and Jess from the Sundance Institute. We discuss the very cool things they are up to at the Sundance Creative Distribution Fellowship and how they are using data to help indie filmmakers find an audience and sell their films.Thanks again to Media Circus PR who co-produced these podcasts episodes with me. Enjoy my interview with Liz and Jess.

Insider Tips on How to Crowdfund Your Film on Kickstarter with Elise McCaveOn the show today is Elise McCave, Director of Narrative Film at Kickstarter. Elise drops some major knowledge bombs on this episode. She goes over what it takes to have a successful crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter, what makes a good pitch video and we discuss some success stories as well.Thanks again to Media Circus PR who co-produced these podcasts episodes with me. Enjoy my interview with Elise McCave. 

From Indie Films to Oscar Nominations with David PermutI'm back from Sundance! What a ride this year. So much to tell you guys. The first interview in my Sundance Film Festival Interview Series (co-produced with my buddies Adam Bowman at Media Circus PR) is legendary producer David Permut.David has produced almost 40 feature films in the course of his career. Here are a few trailers of David Permut's work.His new film, The Polka King starring Jack Black,  just got released on Netflix. Check out the trailer. Enjoy my interview with David Permut.

How to Become a Working Director without Film School with Cole WalliserI've always said that "film school" isn't for everyone. There is so much noise and advertising telling filmmakers that you NEED to go to film school to be taken seriously. I disagree COMPLETELY and so does today's guest! On the show today is director Cole Walliser. Here's a bit on Cole's amazing filmmaking journey so far.Cole Walliser, born in Steveston, BC Canada and bred in Vancouver, now lives in Los Angeles doing most of the same things he did in his country of birth – playing guitar, drinking scotch and directing cool videos.“I started with filming skateboarding at about 14. For some reason everyone kept handing me the camera. I guess I had a knack for getting cool shots. Music videos has been a natural progression.”Once he decided to pursue directing as a career, he knew he had to be in Los Angeles to reach his full potential. In LA, Cole began shooting videos for professional dancer friends on a pro-bono basis when a dancer, returni

Sundance Film Festival Survival Guide   This year will be the sixth time I've been to the Sundance Film Festival and I've picked up a few tips and tricks on how to survive the experience. I've many many mistakes when traveling to the festival. From the wrong shoes to not having Chapstick. These small things can turn into nightmares if not done correctly. I teamed up with Adam Bowman from Media Circus (listen to his past IFH Podcast Episode here). Adam is a true veteran of the Sundance FilmFestival, this year being his seventeenth outing. Between the both of us we have you covered. Also if you want to get a behind the scenes / backstage pass to the Sundance Film Festival check out #crashsundance during the festival to see all the inside stuff we are creating from the festival. Take a listen and take some notes. Enjoy and I hope to see you at the Sundance Film Festival this year!

How to Find an Audience for Your Indie Film with Media CircusToday on the show we have Adam Bowman and Paul Koshlap from Media Circus PR. These guys specialize in marketing for indie films and filmmakers. They handle digital marketing, public relations, digital advertising and much more. We discuss the state of indie film marketing, how to find an audience for your film and tips and tricks to get you film and yourself out there. Enjoy my interview with Adam and Paul from Media Circus.Right-click here to download the MP3 Download on iTunes DirectWatch on IFH YouTube ChannelSlamdance / Blackmagic Design WorkshopJoin Alex Ferrari as he shares tips and tricks using Blackmagic Design cameras and post-production workflow. He discusses handling the post for Hulu's Dimension 404, directing the Nerdist/Legendary Digital's series The S.P.A.A.C.E Program and his debut feature film This is Meg.The workshop will be on Saturday, January 20th at the Treasure Mountain Inn from 2:30pm-4:30pm, followed by a happy hour. Slamdan

Out of Time & the Back to the Future DeLorean Documentary with Steve ConcotelliToday on the show we have documentary filmmaker Steve Concotelli, the director of OUTATIME: Saving the DeLorean Time Machine. Out of Time is the documentary about the restoration of the screen used Back to the Future DeLorean Time Machine.We discuss how the film came to be, his Kickstarter campaign, getting the rights from Universal, working with Back to the Future co-creator, producer and overall Godfather Bob Gale and how he distributed his little indie doc.Here's some more info on Steve.Steve has been a creative force in the entertainment industry for over 10 years.  He began his career as an Editor on G4's "Attack of the Show".  Since then, Steve has worked nearly every job in production including Writer, Producer, Videographer, and ultimately, Executive Producer.  His clients span the creative landscape and include Disney, Crackle, Paramount, Science Channel, Discovery, TruTV, Spike and more. In 2015, Steve partnered with

How to Get Up Off Your Butt & Make It Happen in 2018 with Eric ThomasHappy New Years everyone. 2018 is going to be insane!! I wanted to give you a gift to get your year off to an explosive start. Today's guest is Global Phenomenon Eric Thomas.Eric Thomas, Ph.D. is a critically acclaimed author, World-renowned speaker, educator, pastor and audible.com Audie Awards Finalist. ET, as he is better known, has taken the world by storm, with his creative style and high-energy messages. His words continue to impact tens of millions of people in several hundred countries across the planet!  Through a significant social media presence and his recent domestic and international tours, “ET, The Hip Hop Preacher” has become a global phenomenon!As CEO of his Consulting Firm, ETA LLC., Eric has led his team through the doors of dozens of reputable organizations and Fortune 500 companies such as General Electric, Quicken Loans, AT&T, Nike, Under Armour, New Balance and UPS.  He has also consulted for major Universities

How to Work Creatively with People and Not Kill Each OtherOne of the biggest issues filmmakers, screenwriters and creative types in general have is working with other people. Creativity is very personal to an artist, in any part of the process. I've seen first-hand decade-long friendships get destroyed by "creative differences".I could see the deterioration of relationships in my edit suite over the years; producers, directors, writers, cinematographers, etc. I personally lost friends along my filmmaking journey because of creative differences.The biggest problem I see is that people need to set up a clear distribution of responsibilities for each person in the party. Create sandboxes and rules of play in those sandboxes. Miscommunication is death in any relationship.In this episode, I go over a few techniques that have helped me work creatively with people. I can't tell how sad it is when you lose a friendship over a project, I hope this episode can help you avoid this unneeded pain. We make movies. We tell