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First Time Go

Benjamin Duchek
Tribeca Film Festival
Independent Film
Tribeca
Out Of Love
White Belt
Lurker
Alex Russell
MUBI
Straight To Hell
Minnesota
Paying For It
Criterion Channel
Lindsay Calleran
Indie Film
MOUTH FULL OF GOLDS
Ponderosa
Generational Conflict
Los Angeles
Mon Taxi
Roger Ebert

A weekly podcast highlighting the creators of independent film and the business behind it. Hosted by Ben Duchek.

PublishesDailyEpisodes180Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Film InterviewsTV & FilmVisual ArtsArts

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Artwork for First Time Go

Latest Episodes

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There's something especially New York about the sentiment of my guest, Anthony Argento, saying, "we're only going to give you what you give us" about film promotion.

And in the best possible sense, that kind of New Yor... more

I imagine there's not a lot of debate out there but here's what I believe: there's nothing worse in the human experience than losing a son or daughter. It violates our understanding of the cycle of life and it forces a unyielding loss amongst the liv... more

Every Sunday, I'll post a quick video -- and podcast -- about an indie film from at least a year ago. Today's film: SHOT CALLER (2017)

Director: Ric Roman Waugh

Written By: Ric Roman Waugh

Stars: Nikolaj Coster-Waldau; Omari Hardwick; Lake Bell; J... more

Director Zoe Zhou's film, WE ARE HAPPY FISH (2025), is described as "a nihilistic girl escapes from her family with a robot boy to revive a dead fish", which by itself is interesting and accurate. But it only nibbles at how wild, zany, carefree the f... more

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Recent Guests

Nell Lawrenz-Wareham
Deputy Director of Explore Minnesota Film
Explore Minnesota Film
Episode: Why Film In Minnesota? Deputy Director Of Explore Minnesota Film, Nell Lawrenz-Wareham
Lindsay Calleran
Director of Caity, independent filmmaker
Caity (film)
Episode: Special Tribeca Podcast: Lindsay Calleran, dir. of CAITY (2026)
Maria Sofia Hernandez
Director of La Lucha De Lucia (2026)
Episode: Special Tribeca Podcast: Lily Weisberg, dir. of RARE BIRDS (2026) & Maria Sofia Hernandez, dir. of LA LUCHA DE LUCÍA (2026)
Lily Weisberg
Director of Rare Birds (2026)
Episode: Special Tribeca Podcast: Lily Weisberg, dir. of RARE BIRDS (2026) & Maria Sofia Hernandez, dir. of LA LUCHA DE LUCÍA (2026)
David Clancy
Director of Nio Ko Bokk, This Belongs To All Of Us
Nio Ko Bokk
Episode: Special Tribeca Podcast: David Clancy, dir. of NIO KO BOKK (THIS BELONGS TO ALL OF US)
Elisee Junior St. Preux
Filmmaker, director of The Tropic Sun And His Eyes (2026)
SOIL Pictures / Alamo'd Films
Episode: Special Tribeca Podcast: Elisee Junior St. Preux, dir. of THE TROPIC SUN AND HIS EYES (2026)
Hannah Peterson
Director of Via Negativa
Via Negativa (filmmaker)
Episode: Special Tribeca Podcast: Hannah Peterson, dir. of VIA NEGATIVA (2026)
Shan Jiang
Director of Ephemera
Ephemera
Episode: Special Tribeca Podcast: Shan Jiang 姜姗, dir. of EPHEMERA (2026)
Meriem Sakrouhi
Director of Mon Taxi
Mon Taxi
Episode: Special Tribeca Podcast: Meriem Sakrouhi, dir. of MON TAXI (2026)

Hosts

Benjamin Duchek
Host of the show; primary host and interviewer across episodes; engages guests on indie film topics and industry dynamics.
Ben Duchek
Host of First Time Go; multiple appearances across episodes as interviewer and host.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 17 ratings
  • An approachable insight into a dynamic media

    First Time Go is a great podcast for those unfamiliar with filmmaking to gain an appreciation of the art form. The host has a natural rapport with guests as they have candid conversations on the behind the scenes of filmmaking. Highly recommend.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    epfrei
    United States3 years ago
  • A great look into Independent Film

    As someone who typically doesn't venture into independent films, Ben's podcast keeps me thoroughly engaged with his insightful questions and fascinating guests. I'm eagerly anticipating the evolution of this podcast and the introduction of new guests each week. It's a five-star experience that leaves me ready for more!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JonnyBigRig
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Insightful conversations that pull back the curtain on indie filmmaking.
Great for guests looking to showcase practical craft and festival know-how.
The host conducts interviews with warmth and curiosity, making complex topics accessible.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Special Tribeca Podcast: Elisee Junior St. Preux, dir. of THE TROPIC SUN AND HIS EYES (2026)
Q: Why Tribeca for this film, and how was the experience?
Tribeca embraced the film, providing a platform that aligned with the creator's vision and allowed him to share Haiti's story with a wider audience.
Special Tribeca Podcast: Elisee Junior St. Preux, dir. of THE TROPIC SUN AND HIS EYES (2026)
Q: Did people try to take it away from you?
The filmmaker details pushback on shooting in Haiti and pressure to change directors, but he persisted, valuing his own vision and advocating for staying true to the project's roots.
Why Film In Minnesota? Deputy Director Of Explore Minnesota Film, Nell Lawrenz-Wareham
Q: What is the logline pitch for Minnesota? Why should a filmmaker consider filming there?
Nell explains that Minnesota offers free permits, a large tax credit pool, and a quick turnaround on applications, framing it as economically advantageous and logistically accessible for productions.
Special Tribeca Podcast: Lindsay Calleran, dir. of CAITY (2026)
Q: What lessons did you learn about executive producing and navigating credits and funding during your first feature?
The experience taught me that the process is brutal and unforgiving, with long development cycles and often opaque credits. Securing support from Sundance Institute Lab and a philanthropic grant from Resonance Philanthropies kept the project alive, underscoring that you must persist, build relationships, and pursue all possible funding avenues, even when the odds seem stacked against you.
Special Tribeca Podcast: Lindsay Calleran, dir. of CAITY (2026)
Q: How did you cast each person, and what was the casting process like?
Casting depended on relentless advocacy from Suzanne Shield, who championed the project for years. We replaced a late Paul with an alternate choice just days before production, and Kiara Aurelia came in via a tape after Kiara had other commitments; Morgan Spector joined through a mutual connection and a shared belief in the project. It was a mix of miracles, timing, and trust in the process that brought the leads together, resulting in chemistry that felt like fate.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About First Time Go

What is First Time Go about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A show spotlighting independent filmmakers and the business side of making indie cinema, with in-depth conversations about creative process, funding, casting, festival strategy, and the realities of distributing small films. Episodes frequently center on personal journeys, craft choices, and practical lessons from makers navigating festival circuits and regional film ecosystems. A standout aspect is the recurring focus on international and cross-cultural projects, from Tribeca premieres to regional incentives, plus candid discussions about challenges like casting, budgeting, and navigating gatekeeping. Listeners can expect thoughtful, artistically grounded interviews that mix storytelling with actionable takeaways for emerging storytellers ... more

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1. MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories

How many episodes of First Time Go are there?

First Time Go launched 3 years ago and published 180 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on First Time Go?

Recent guests on First Time Go include:

1. Nell Lawrenz-Wareham
2. Lindsay Calleran
3. Maria Sofia Hernandez
4. Lily Weisberg
5. David Clancy
6. Elisee Junior St. Preux
7. Hannah Peterson
8. Shan Jiang

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