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

I had a fun chat with our guest today. We hit it off pre-interviewing, geeking out about James Cameron and his latest masterclass, and so much more. On the show this today is Will Hicks who is head of Screenwriting and production at Colorado Film School and an associate professor at the Community College of Aurora.Will had a start in producing and screenwriting earlier in his career until making the shift to teaching few years in --- appreciating more, the elements of studying the craft of form and purity in teaching that he feels are more rewarding.His commitment to academia led to publishing his book, The Screenwriter’s Workout, which we discuss lengthy in this interview. The Screenwriter’s Workout is a training program consisting of over 75 exercises and activities designed for screenwriters. It aims to help screenwriters explore their creativity and strengthen their storytelling skills.The book includes exercises on designing dynamic characters, exploring structure, creating stories, redefining conflict,

There’s always been a feel-good, easy-times nostalgia for the 80s and 90s TV shows. More so now that we sometimes feel overwhelmed by the plethora of shows we have to pick from. If you feel me then you will enjoy this conversation. Our guest today is the award-winning screen and television writer, professor, and best-selling author, Pamela Douglas. Pamela is a member of the Board of Directors of the Writers Guild of America and a USC School of Cinematics Arts tenure professor for screenwriting. She is credited for her writing on shows/series such as Star Trek: The Next Generation and The Ghostwriter (1992) to name a few.Aside from her awesome career as a screenwriter, she’s an international writer with multi-lingual adaptations of her books (German, Mandarin, Italian, French, Korean, and Spanish). Pamela packed her expertise in her 2018 revised fourth edition of her 2008 book 'Writing the TV Drama Series: How to Succeed as a Professional Writer in TV'.The book is a complete resource for anyone who wants to wr

Today on the show we have best-selling author and screenwriter Eileen Cook. She is a multi-published, award-winning author with her novels appearing in nine languages. Her books have been optioned for film and TV.She spent most of her teen years wishing she were someone else or somewhere else, which is great training for a writer. She’s an instructor/mentor with The Creative Academy and Simon Fraser University Writer’s Studio Program where she loves helping other writers find their unique story to tell.Her best-selling book Create Story Conflict: How to increase tension in your writing & keep readers turning pages is a must-read for screenwriters. Here's a bit about the book:Conflict is essential to story—regardless of genre. The friction between what a character wants and the lengths they will go to reach that goal is what pulls readers through your book. Great conflict is what leaves readers cheering (or crying) at the end of a story. Using humor and her deep knowledge of human behavior, counselor and a

I'm super excited to bring you today's show. Today on the podcast we have best-selling author Will Storr. Will's latest book The Science of Storytelling: Why Stories Make Us Human and How to Tell Them Better is a deep dive into how story affects the brain. Here's a bit about the book:Who would we be without stories?Stories mold who we are, from our character to our cultural identity. They drive us to act out our dreams and ambitions and shape our politics and beliefs. We use them to construct our relationships, to keep order in our law courts, to interpret events in our newspapers and social media.Storytelling is an essential part of what makes us human.There have been many attempts to understand what makes a good story – from Joseph Campbell’s well-worn theories about myth and archetype to recent attempts to crack the ‘Bestseller Code’. But few have used a scientific approach. This is curious, for if we are to truly understand storytelling in its grandest sense, we must first come to understand the ultimate

Randall Jahnson is an American screenwriter and film producer. He was born on March 7, 1951, in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. Jahnson is best known for his work in the film industry, particularly as a screenwriter.Jahnson's notable credits include writing the screenplay for the 1989 film "The Mask," starring Jim Carrey. He also co-wrote the screenplay for the 1992 film "Dudes" and the 1998 film "The Doors," which is a biographical film about the rock band of the same name.In addition to his work as a screenwriter, Jahnson has worked on other aspects of film production. He served as a producer for the 1997 film "The Doors: When You're Strange," a documentary about the band, and was an executive producer for the 2009 film "The Spirit," directed by Frank Miller.Randall Jahnson has had a varied career in the film industry, working on both independent and mainstream projects. While he may not have the same level of name recognition as some other screenwriters, his contributions to the films he has worked on hav

Today on the show we have returning champion Heather Hale. Heather Hale’s new book Story Selling: How to Develop, Market, and Pitch Your Film & TV Projects helps you get your stories out of your head and onto the worldwide stage. From the inspiration and conception of all kinds of creative writing, through the development and refinement of all the elements, to navigating the legal, financial, physical production, distribution, and marketing labyrinths of the overlapping businesses of mass media, she explores how (and why) we write, co-create, share and monetize stories around the world today.Pitching is an art form that brings together content and communication channels. Regardless of What you’re pitching . . . Where, When and to Whom . . . the principles are universal. It’s How you pitch that matters ― and there are countless strategies that combine elements in different combinations.Heather's book details all of them, their construction and applications, in a fun and interactive way that inspires reade

Steve Kaplan is a well-known comedy writer, teacher, and consultant. He is the author of the book "The Hidden Tools of Comedy: The Serious Business of Being Funny," which is a popular resource for aspiring comedy writers. The book delves into the principles and techniques of comedy writing, offering insights and practical advice for creating humorous and engaging content.Steve Kaplan has been teaching comedy writing and performance for many years, and his expertise has made him a sought-after consultant in the entertainment industry. He has worked with numerous writers, actors, and directors, helping them develop their comedic skills and enhance their comedic projects. Kaplan's approach to comedy emphasizes the importance of understanding human nature, exploring characters' desires and obstacles, and using specific comedic techniques to elicit laughter.In addition to his book, Steve Kaplan has also conducted workshops, seminars, and lectures on comedy writing and has worked with various entertainment companie

Jeff Schimmel began his Writing/Producing career in the 1980s while attending law school in Los Angeles. When not studying for the bar exam, Jeff wrote and sold his original Cold War spy thriller, Archangel, to Phoenix Entertainment Group. Soon after, Jeff was chosen by comedy legend Rodney Dangerfield and award-winning Writer/Director Harold Ramis to co-write the full-length Warner Brothers animated film, Rover Dangerfield. This led to a sports comedy screenplay assignment from Orion Pictures and 20th Century Fox, and Jeff’s first TV writing job as Story Editor on ABC’s top ten sitcoms, Full House.Next, Jeff co-wrote and produced The Schimmel Papers, a series of several short films for Fox TV's Sunday Comics, then went on to write for the groundbreaking, Emmy Award-winning sketch comedy series, In Living Color, worked as Story Editor on the WB network’s first-ever sitcom, then served as Writer and Producer on Laughing With The Presidents, NBC TV's final comedy special starring Bob Hope, with appearances by P

Pilar Alessandra is the director of the screenwriting and TV writing program On the Page®, host of the popular On the Page Podcast and author of the top-selling book “The Coffee Break Screenwriter.”Pilar started her career as Senior Story Analyst at DreamWorks SKG and, in 2001, opened the On the Page Writers’ Studio in Los Angeles. Her students and clients have written for The Walking Dead, Modern Family, Grey’s Anatomy, Lost and Family Guy. They’ve sold features and pitches to Warner Bros, DreamWorks, Disney and Sony and have won the prestigious Nicholl Fellowship, Austin Screenwriting Competition and Warner Bros. TV Writing Workshop.In addition to her private classes taught out of the On the Page Writers’ Studio, Pilar has trained writers at DreamWorks, Disney Animation, ABC, CBS and regularly moderates the Pitch Conference at the American Film Market. Pilar has traveled the world teaching in London, Dublin, Beijing, Warsaw, Lisbon and Cape Town, training writers, animators, producers and show runners in t

Showrunning is a mysterious art form to many so I wanted to bringing he someone who can shine a light on what it takes to be one. Today on the show we have powerhouse show runner, writer, director, producer, and all-around good guy Steven Deknight. Best known for his work across the action, drama, and sci-fi genres on TV shows like Smallville, Spartacus, Daredevil, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, and Jupiter's Legacy.Realizing his strengths early on in his career, Steven is a jack-of-all-trades who studied acting at the onset of film school transitioned through to writing, playwright, and screenwriting. Buffy the Vampire Slayer was his big break - starting off as writer and story editor on the show, Deknight went on to produce 42 episodes of the Spin-off show, Angel.The vampire Angel, cursed with a soul, moves to Los Angeles and aids people with supernatural-related problems while questing for his own redemption.Steven went on to direct and co-executive produce 66 episodes of the 2001 show, Smallville which

Chris Soth developed the “Mini-Movie Method” after years of success as a Hollywood screenwriter. Chris has multiple projects in development at major Hollywood studios. This master storyteller is also an expert in pitching and selling - necessary tools for a screenwriter in Hollywood.Chris holds an MFA in screenwriting and a BA in Dramatic Literature. He is the only seminar instructor whose work has been produced by a major Hollywood studio.MILLION-DOLLAR SCREENWRITING presents a method of story design that is easy to understand and easy to do, The Mini Movie Method! This is the key to unlocking your future as a working screenwriter in Hollywood. It turns writing into an effortless, step-by-step process and makes beginners into experts and experts into masters of the craft. The secret to successful screenwriting has finally arrived: The Mini-Movie Method!-THE MINI-MOVIE METHOD WAS INVENTED FOR MOVIES!-When the film was born story changed forever. Traditional “Three-Act Structure” was invented for the theater,

I’m taking a journey down the rabbit hole of screenwriting psychoanalysis with Professor William Indick, who is a psychology professor at William Paterson University in New Jersey, professor of psychology executive chair of faculty at Dowling College, and author of Psychology for Screenwriters.We take a nerdy dig into the world of psychology and how it affects writers, screenwriters, and characters. With some expert contextualization, William psychoanalyzes some of our favorite films and characters while also breaking down character archetypes and themes he has studied. How did it all start, you ask? Well, in 2003 he made the decision to incorporate more culturally relevant theories of personality instead of antiquated theories in his psychology classes by sorting references from famous films. Based on his students growing interested and fascination, William researched to find psychology textbooks about films, but none existed. So he wrote one instead. The book was published by Michael Wiese productions in 2

In today's show we have a returning champion Albert Hughes. Albert is a well-known American filmmaker. He is one half of the Hughes Brothers, a filmmaking duo consisting of Albert and his twin brother, Allen Hughes.The Hughes Brothers are known for their work in the film industry and have directed and produced a variety of films, often with a focus on gritty, urban themes. Some of their notable films include "Menace II Society" (1993), "Dead Presidents" (1995), "From Hell" (2001) , "The Book of Eli" (2010), "Broken City" (2013). Albert Hughes, along with his brother Allen, has made significant contributions to the world of cinema, and their work often explores complex and socially relevant themes.Albert's new film The Continental: From the World of John Wick - Set in 1970s New York City, The Continental explores the origin of the iconic hotel-for-assassins centerpiece of the John Wick universe seen through the eyes and action of a young Winston Scott.Please enjoy my conversation with Albert Hughes.This show i

Randall Jahnson is a screenwriter known for his work on various films, including "The Mask of Zorro." He co-wrote the screenplay for "The Mask of Zorro" along with Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio. The film was released in 1998 and starred Antonio Banderas as the titular character and Catherine Zeta-Jones as the female lead.After being imprisoned for 20 years, Zorro -- Don Diego de la Vega (Anthony Hopkins) -- receives word that his old enemy, Don Rafael Montero (Stuart Wilson), has returned. Don Diego escapes and returns to his old headquarters, where he trains aimless drunk Alejandro Murrieta (Antonio Banderas) to be his successor. Meanwhile, Montero -- who has secretly raised Diego's daughter, Elena (Catherine Zeta-Jones), as his own -- hatches a plot to rob California of its gold.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/2664729/advertisement

In this episode we have Racer Max and Rebel Rodriguez. The sons of the legendary filmmaker Robert Rodriguez and film producer Elizabeth Avellán. Racer, Rebel and I had an amazing conversation about what it was like being raised by two master filmmakers, what it was like to be on set, but also what they've learned along the way, what they are doing differently than their predecessors have, and the amazing work that they're doing on big projects like Hypnotic, We Are Heroes, and the latest in the Spy Kids franchise, Spy Kids: Armageddon.Please enjoy my conversation with Racer Max & Rebel Rodriguez.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/2664729/advertisement

Richard Walter was born on July 11, 1944, in New York City, New York, USA. He is a writer known for Group Marriage (1972), The Cinematographer (1969), and The Production Manager (1969). He has been married to Patricia Sandgrund since 1967.In 1988, he released his first instructional book Screenwriting: The Art, Craft, and Business of Film and Television Writing (Plume). This was followed a decade later (2000) by his debut novel Escape from Film School, which tells the sprightly tale of a young man who makes it in Hollywood without ever leaving film school.Richard is one of the few OG writers who have studied and taught through the evolutive eras of screenplays and screenwriting in Hollywood. With his wealth of knowledge, he released his third and most recent book, Essentials of Screenwriting: The Art, Craft, and Business of Film and Television Writing. In this one, he shares the secrets of writing and selling successful screenplays for aspiring screenwriters.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if

Brooks Elms has written more than 25 scripts over the term of his career for companies like Gold Circle Films, Base FX, and Broken Road. We connected through a mutual friend and I couldn’t wait to have him on the Bulletproof Screenwriting podcast. Elms is a member of the Writers Guild Of America and a part-time screenwriting instructor at UCLA Extension where he's shared his filmmaking and plot structuring skills with his students since 2016 through two classes he currently teaches; Story Analysis for Film & TV, and Story Development.You may have seen films and television series he's directed such as The Ultimate Fighter, Snapshots from a .500 Season, Montauk Highway, Drew, Trip and Zoey and So Happy Together.Elms have consulted with all levels of creatives across Hollywood, including studio directors, rewrites for the Oscar-winning writer while also writing and directing his own indie feature films. In his free time, Elms loves to coach other writers who have a burning ambition to deeply serve their audi

Scott Myers is a screenwriter and educator known for his work in the film industry. He has written numerous screenplays and is the co-writer of the 2006 film "K-9: P.I." starring James Belushi. Myers is also the founder of the website Go Into The Story, which is a popular resource for aspiring screenwriters.Myers has been involved in the film industry for several decades and has worked as a screenwriter, script consultant, and script doctor. He has taught screenwriting at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and has conducted screenwriting workshops and seminars around the world.In addition to his work as a screenwriter and educator, Myers has written extensively on the craft of screenwriting. His book "The Screenwriter's Bible: A Complete Guide to Writing, Formatting, and Selling Your Script" is a widely recognized resource in the field. He also regularly shares insights and advice for screenwriters on his blog, Go Into The Story.Scott Myers is a respected figure in the screenwriting community

The impact that Blake Snyder's Save the Cat® book series has had on Hollywood screenwriting is incalculable. Rarely does a book change the way screenwriters approach story and structure. In his best-selling book, Save the Cat! Goes to the Movies: The Screenwriter's Guide to Every Story Ever Told, Blake Snyder provided 50 “beat sheets” to 50 films, mostly studio-made.Now his student, screenwriter and novelist Salva Rubio applies Blake’s principles to 50 independent, auteur, European, and cult films (again with 5 beat sheets for each of Blake’s 10 genres in the book Save the Cat!® Goes to the Indies: The Screenwriters Guide to 50 Films from the Masters.If you're a moviegoer, you'll discover a language to analyze film and understand how filmmakers can effectively reach audiences.If you're a writer, this book reveals how those who came before you tackled the same challenges you are facing with the films you want to write. Writing a “rom-com”? Check out the “Buddy Love” chapter for a “beat for beat” dissection of

Since he was eighteen years old, Johnny Martin has been solely working in the film and television industry. He began his career as a stuntman, and within a relatively short period of time graduated to being a stunt coordinator and second-unit director. In those capacities, Johnny has worked on over 260 films, TV shows, and commercials, and even won the award for Best Stunt Coordinator of the Year for the film "Gone in 60 Seconds" and later receiving two nominations for an Emmy and one Screen Actors Guild award.In 2003, Johnny launched his own production company, MARTINI FILMS. In just the first year he produced three films under his banner and two of the films received SYFY Channel's "Premiere of the Year". In 2012 Martini Films was one of the first US companies to partner with China Film Group ("CFG") for the feature film "Urban Games", which was entirely shot in China and Korea. Since, Martini Films has produced 20 films for Lionsgate, Sony, Paramount, and Saban.In 2014 Johnny began his Directing debut on t