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Artwork for Making Movies is HARD!!!: The Struggles of Indie Filmmaking

Making Movies is HARD!!!: The Struggles of Indie Filmmaking

Liz Manashil & Alrik Bursell
Indie Filmmaking
Crowdfunding
Sundance
Independent Filmmaking
Dick Bunny
Comedy
Little Lucha and the Big Deal
Kickstarter
Motherhood
Filmmaker Mental Health
Trailer Editing
Entertainment Marketing
Pre-Production
Josh Stifter
Scream
Starry Eyes
A Holiday I Do
Film Distribution
Black Comedy
Visual Effects

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 h... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes600Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Film ReviewsFilm InterviewsTV & Film

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Artwork for Making Movies is HARD!!!: The Struggles of Indie Filmmaking

Latest Episodes

This week we welcome writer/director J Davis and Star Andre Hyland on the show to talk about the making of I Hate Myself and I Want to Die which premiered at the Austin Film Festival last fall, just about a year ago! Our producer extraordinaire Eric ... more

On this Thursday bonus episode we are going to play the interview from episode 414 from March 2023 featuring writer director, Yoko Okumura! Alrik thought this was a good match for our episode with Mercedes Bryce Morgan from Monday because Yoko also s... more

This week we welcome writer/director Mercedes Bryce Morgan on the show to talk about her latest film Bone Lake, how she got the feature and her start doing paid short form content. After that we play another round of THE GAME, enjoy! Don’t forget to ... more

On this Thursday bonus episode we are going to play the interview from episode 453 from December 2023 with short filmmakers Anne Hu, Geoffrey Prather and Bryan Poyser who all talk about their latest short films at the time. We felt that this short fi... more

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Recent Guests

J. Davis
Writer and Director of 'I Hate Myself and I Wanna Die'
Episode: J. Davis and Andre Hyland - Making Feature #2 and the Actor/Director Relationship!
Andre Hyland
Actor in 'I Hate Myself and I Wanna Die'
Episode: J. Davis and Andre Hyland - Making Feature #2 and the Actor/Director Relationship!
Yoko Okumura
Writer and director known for her film "Unseen," which explores themes of survival and unlikely friendships.
Blumhouse
Episode: Yoko Okumura - BONUS Throwback Interview!
Mercedes Bryce Morgan
Director of Bone Lake
Episode: Mercedes Bryce Morgan - From Short Content to Paid Feature Work!
Bryan Poyser
Writer, Director and Editor of Don't You Go Nowhere
Episode: Anne Hu - Geoffrey Prather - Bryan Poyser - BONUS Throwback Interview!
Anne Hu
Director, Writer, Lead Actor, and Editor of Lunchbox
Episode: Anne Hu - Geoffrey Prather - Bryan Poyser - BONUS Throwback Interview!
Geoff Prather
Writer, Director and Editor of Mind Cannot Touch
Episode: Anne Hu - Geoffrey Prather - Bryan Poyser - BONUS Throwback Interview!
Ted Hayden
Director of Violet Vendetta, an action-comedy short film
Episode: Brandon Shypkowski and Ted Hayden - Why Make a Short?
Brandon Shypkowski
Writer, director, and actor of 29 Palms
Episode: Brandon Shypkowski and Ted Hayden - Why Make a Short?

Hosts

Alrik Bursell
Founding host of the podcast and a sci-fi horror filmmaker, he shares insights into the struggles independent filmmakers face alongside his own creative journey.
Liz Manashil
Co-host and producer of the podcast, she is a writer, director, and producer with extensive experience in indie filmmaking and distribution, providing valuable insights into the industry.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 281 ratings
  • Essential for indie filmmakers!

    Started listening to MMIH about a year ago. Alrik, Liz, Eric, and their guests always provide great insight for the independent filmmaker. I love hearing about fundraising and distribution, which a lot of other film podcasts gloss over or omit, and I always look forward to THE GAME. Keep up the great work!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    C.J. Talbott
    United Statesa month ago
  • The best filmmaking podcast

    Always been my go-to filmmaking podcast. Liz and Alrik have great chemistry and makes you feel part of the community!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Captain BlackJack
    United States5 months ago
  • An indispensable resource for filmmakers

    The path to becoming a filmmaker sometimes feels like you’re alone in the jungle, struggling to move in a direction, while you’re holding what might be an out of date map. This podcast is a fantastic resource to tap into the experience of other filmmakers, to listen their successes and failures, all guided by the passion of Alrik and Liz as they continue their own journey as filmmakers.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Nathan_Blackwell
    United Statesa year ago
  • An honest peephole into the realities of the world of indie filmmaking

    Liz and Alrick are in the trenches reassuring creative folks that if you’re doing it your doing it, even with a whole other Clark Kent existence to support your Super-Person secret identity. Or something to that effect… Cheers Team!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mohosapien
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Making movies is HARDly fun

    I’m loving the podcast. (I tried leaving reviews but they don’t populate?) this is third I’m attempting to leave. I make tv and movies too and highlight underrepresented groups like naturists and the disabled among others. Eric and I have been talking about me coming on as a guest and I’m excited! I’m industry but more so a fan. Love what you doooo It’s a thorough and honest podcast that encourages in a realistic way. ~ Tim Chizmar

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Atlantis70
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners find the content relatable, resonating with their own experiences in filmmaking.
The hosts are praised for their honesty and ability to connect with their audience on shared struggles.
Overall, the podcast is seen as an essential resource for independent filmmakers looking to navigate the industry.
Many appreciate the insights and practical advice offered by the guests, describing it as invaluable for aspiring filmmakers.
Feedback highlights the supportive community fostered through the podcast, making listeners feel less isolated in their creative journeys.

Chart Rankings

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Theo Brown - BONUS Throwback Interview!
Q: What would be one piece of advice you would give yourself if you could go back in time?
Theo would advise himself to make a feature earlier, as real-world experience is invaluable in filmmaking.
Theo Brown - BONUS Throwback Interview!
Q: How did you raise money for the film?
Theo highlights the importance of building relationships and starting fundraising conversations with larger potential investors to gather discretionary income.
Theo Brown - BONUS Throwback Interview!
Q: How did you navigate casting conversations with agents?
Theo shares that they avoided traditional channels, opting for direct casting methods to secure actors willing to collaborate on a budget.
Theo Brown - BONUS Throwback Interview!
Q: How did you keep the story and performances smooth when going into pickups over a year later?
Theo emphasized the importance of familiarity with the script and the editing process to maintain consistency during pickups.
Theo Brown - BONUS Throwback Interview!
Q: Can you talk to us about the origin of the idea?
Theo discusses how he and his producer Ben Taylor transitioned from making shorts to features, wanting to create a project with a controlled budget and representation in mind.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The content focuses on the challenges and realities of independent filmmaking, addressing a wide array of topics from writing, producing, and directing to the wider crew experience. Hosts often share their personal journeys, intertwining discussions about rejection and self-doubt with practical advice for navigating the industry. Unique features include candid conversations with diverse guests ranging from first-time filmmakers to seasoned professionals, providing insights into their struggles and triumphs. This podcast aims to cultivate community among aspiring filmmakers, making it an invaluable resource for those interested in pursuing a career in film.

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. The No Film School Podcast
2. The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
3. Script Apart with Al Horner
4. Scriptnotes Podcast
5. The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 10 years ago and published 600 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 this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. J. Davis
2. Andre Hyland
3. Yoko Okumura
4. Mercedes Bryce Morgan
5. Bryan Poyser
6. Anne Hu
7. Geoff Prather
8. Ted Hayden

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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