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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
Independent Filmmaking
Comedy
Dick Bunny
Little Lucha and the Big Deal
Motherhood
Filmmaker Mental Health
Entertainment Marketing
Trailer Editing
Pre-Production
Josh Stifter
Scream
Starry Eyes
Pet Cemetery
Sundance
A Holiday I Do
Film Distribution
Visual Effects
Black Comedy

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 weeklyEpisodes600Founded11 years ago
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TV & FilmFilm ReviewsFilm Interviews

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

Latest Episodes

On this Thursday bonus episode we are going to play the interview from episode 321 from June 2021 featuring director Jordan Noel and writer/Producer Hudson Phillips talking about making their first feature This World Alone for $30k. I thought this wa... more

This week we welcome filmmaker, actor and director Stephen Sanow on the show to talk about his latest feature Stripper Boyz, which he wrote, directed and starred in! After that we play another round of the Game, enjoy! Don’t forget to support us on P... more

On this Thursday bonus episode we are going to play the interview from episode 447 October 2023, featuring Oz Krakowski, CFO of DeepDub.ai on the show to talk about starting an AI based company in the film business, what DeepDub does and why AI isn’t... more

This week we welcome filmmaker, film festival programmer and founder of Festival Fixer, the new AI driven Festival Consultant, Heather Brittain. After that we play another round of the Game, enjoy! Don’t forget to support us on Patreon! www.patreon.c... more

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Recent Guests

Heather Brittain
Filmmaker, film festival programmer and founder of Festival Fixer
Festival Fixer / Film Festival Insider
Episode: Heather Brittain - From Filmmaker to Programmer to Festival Fixr!
Jenn Page
Writer-director-producer
Playing Beethoven (at the time)
Episode: Jenn Page - BONUS Throwback Interview!
Ben Hall
Writer and director of Remote; discussed budgeting and production strategies
Indie filmmaker (Remote)
Episode: Ben Hall - Crewing Up on Big Budget Features and Directing Feature #3!
Tamika Miller
Writer and director of Undercard
Filmmaker
Episode: Tamika Miller - Attaching Wanda Sykes to Undercard and Making the Film 10 years later!
Anna Elizabeth James
Writer-director, multiple-feature filmmaker
Kiss and Tail Productions
Episode: Anna Elizabeth James - BONUS Throwback Interview!
Natasha Kermani
Writer, director, producer of The Dreadful
Episode: Natasha Kermani - Sustainably Directing Budgeted Feature Films!
Brett Pierce
Co-director of The Wretched
Episode: Brett and Drew Pierce - BONUS Throwback Interview!
Drew Pierce
Co-director of The Wretched
Episode: Brett and Drew Pierce - BONUS Throwback Interview!
Leila Gorstein
Co-writer and actress in Love Dump
Episode: Leila Gorstein and Jesse Kendall - BONUS Throwback Interview!

Hosts

Alrik Bursell
Founding host of the podcast and a sci-fi horror filmmaker. Alrik shares insights into the challenges of indie filmmaking and serves as a voice for aspiring filmmakers.
Liz Manashil
Co-host, writer, director, and producer with experience in indie filmmaking. Liz emphasizes the importance of distribution and the struggles in the indie film scene.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 285 ratings
  • Best Indie Film Podcast PeriodTaaa!!!!

    Alrik, Liz and Eric do an amazing job curating the show and bringing knowledge from indie filmmakers to other filmmakers. The vibe is chill and easy going and the guest get discuss their projects, issues and ways of improving. The consistency of these shows are awesome. Keep up the good work I’m here for all of it gang!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JasonnnnnnPa
    United States3 months ago
  • 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 States7 months 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 Statesa year 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 States2 years 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

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise the hosts for their engaging and supportive approach to discussing the realities of indie filmmaking.
The podcast is noted as a great resource for both aspiring filmmakers and established professionals looking to navigate the complexities of the industry.
Many appreciate the authenticity and transparency of the content, highlighting the honest sharing of struggles and successes.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Jenn Page - BONUS Throwback Interview!
Q: What advice would you give to directors just starting out with limited resources?
Start by making your own break-in movie with whatever funds you can raise, use grants or collective programs to gain traction, and prioritize projects that truly push you forward rather than chasing big budgets first.
Jenn Page - BONUS Throwback Interview!
Q: How did you approach budgeting and getting a five-day feature to work?
She details flat-fee arrangements for key crew, strict 12-hour day limits, live-on-set music, and leveraging donations and discounts to keep costs down while maintaining quality.
Jenn Page - BONUS Throwback Interview!
Q: What about the writer made you say yes to making this movie?
Jenn Page describes loving the simple story of two kids in Philadelphia and how the script evolved with input from the cast and crew, ultimately becoming a project they could execute within their constraints.
Anna Elizabeth James - BONUS Throwback Interview!
Q: Can you describe how you got the money to write the script before a film was produced?
Anna describes building an investor network, presenting a five-to-seven year equity model, and using a detailed Excel-based plan to show how multiple scripts can return value, which attracted a development investor and created a pathway to fund the writing and development phase.
Tamika Miller - Attaching Wanda Sykes to Undercard and Making the Film 10 years later!
Q: what changed to enable the film to be made now?
Tamika attributes the shift to the right timing, along with her expanded directing experience and a financier recognizing the vision after years of development.

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?

Conversations often center on the multifaceted journey of independent filmmaking, emphasizing the personal and professional challenges faced by creators. Expect candid discussions about writing, producing, directing, and working as crew members, along with the emotional hurdles of rejection, self-doubt, and the ongoing quest for success in a demanding industry. Episodes are enhanced by guest insights that shed light on the struggle to navigate the film landscape, making it relatable and insightful for aspiring and established filmmakers alike. This content not only shares technical expertise but also fosters a supportive community atmosphere, which is especially appreciated by those in the indie filmmaking space.

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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. Show Don't Tell: Micro-Budget Filmmaking
3. IndieWire's Filmmaker Toolkit
4. Scriptnotes Podcast
5. The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 11 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. Heather Brittain
2. Jenn Page
3. Ben Hall
4. Tamika Miller
5. Anna Elizabeth James
6. Natasha Kermani
7. Brett Pierce
8. Drew Pierce

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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