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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
Independent Filmmaking
Filmmaking
Film Festivals
Crowdfunding
Film Production
Filmmaking Challenges
Covid-19
Distribution
Independent Film
Film Distribution
Sundance
Austin Film Festival
Indie Film
Horror Genre
Documentary Filmmaking
Kickstarter
Short Films
Sundance Film Festival
Youtube

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 weeklyEpisodes601Founded11 years ago
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Film InterviewsTV & FilmFilm Reviews

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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 370 from May 2022 featuring writer/director/producer Naveen Chathap-uram talking about making his first feature The Last Victim! Alrik thought this was a good match for ou... more

This week we welcome writer/director/producer Joe Zentil on the show to talk about making his first feature Born to Lose, how he fell in love with motorcycles and the journey he took to get his first feature made. After that we play another round of ... more

On this Thursday bonus episode we are going to play the interview from episode 329 from July 2021 featuring writer/director T. Arthur Cottam on the show to talk about the re-release of his film Carbunckle and how he has gone about making and funding ... more

This week we welcome writer/director/editor Michael Kellman on the show to talk about making his first feature Say Less, how he got the film made and how he went about the distribution of the film. After that we play another round of the GAME, enjoy!... more

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Recent Guests

Laura Moss
Writer and director of Birth, Rebirth
Birth, Rebirth (film)
Episode: Lee Moss - BONUS Throwback Interview!
Madison Young
Writer-Director-Producer of By the Roots
Empress in Lavender Media
Episode: Madison Young - Writing and Directing a First Feature Based on a Memoir!
Katie Aselton
Writer, director, actor of Magic Hour
Hypothetical/indie filmmaker
Episode: Katie Aselton - Making a Movie for Yourself!
Nicholas Bruckman
Writer-director of Not Going Quietly
People's TV
Episode: Nicholas Bruckman - BONUS Throwback Interview!
Loren Goldfarb
Writer-director, producer of 96lbs of Dynamite
Episode: Loren Goldfarb - Finding the Story that Matters for 1st Feature Documentary!
AJ Bermudez
Writer, director; discussed Nightingale, career path from EMT to screenwriting
Independent filmmaker
Episode: AJ Bermudez - BONUS Throwback Interview!
Melinda Bryce
Producer, writer, executive producer on Delirium
Lithium Films / Delirium
Episode: Melinda Bryce - From Author to Set Mom to Screenwriter and Producer!
Rob Smat
Writer-Director of The Last Whistle
The Last Whistle team
Episode: Rob Smat - BONUS Throwback Interview!
Gille Klabin
Writer, director, Weekend at the End of the World
Director/Writer of Weekend at the End of the World
Episode: Gille Klabin - Riding The Wave of the First Feature to Feature 2!

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 287 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 States5 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 States10 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.

Community-focused and consistently helpful for indie filmmakers.
Listeners appreciate the no-nonsense approach and actionable tips.
Guest variety keeps content fresh and highly educational.
Hosts are candid and practical, delivering honest industry insights.

Chart Rankings

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Julia Stiles - BONUS Throwback Interview!
Q: Are VFX programs like Blender hard to learn, and what should beginners focus on if they want to add visual effects to shorts?
Blender is learnable with lots of tutorials, but success depends on what you're trying to do; for 3D environments it's great, while photorealistic VFX requires specialized talent. Start by defining your exact needs, consider affordable options like freelancers on Fiverr, and budget a few hundred dollars to test shots before committing to a fuller pipeline.
Madison Young - Writing and Directing a First Feature Based on a Memoir!
Q: Do you mind giving us the elevator pitch for your film?
By the Roots is an autobiographical feature that follows a kinky, queer art gallerist in San Francisco who returns to her conservative Ohio hometown with her Dom to explore memory, identity, and family, using a bold, intimate lens to examine how memory and self-shaping experiences intersect with trauma and love.
Nicholas Bruckman - BONUS Throwback Interview!
Q: Elevator pitch for Not Going Quietly?
Not Going Quietly chronicles Ady Barkan, a young father with ALS, whose plane confrontation with a senator launches a nationwide movement for health care reform, depicted through a rapid, access-driven documentary approach.
Melinda Bryce - From Author to Set Mom to Screenwriter and Producer!
Q: Where are you based and how is your collaboration with Matt formed?
Bryce is based in Detroit, and she met her director/writing partner Matt Santio on a prior project; their long-standing trust and shared history enable them to co-produce and guide projects together, including Delirium and 1300 Bobian.
Melinda Bryce - From Author to Set Mom to Screenwriter and Producer!
Q: How did you get your scripts produced given your history of writing for others?
Bryce explains that most of her writing has come from collaborations where producers hire her to write specific scripts; she has learned to navigate production by leveraging relationships and eventually producing her own work to maintain control and ensure realization of her vision.

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

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

A long-running show focused on the realities of independent filmmaking, from concept through distribution. Episodes regularly feature directors, writers, producers, and collaborators who share practical lessons on fundraising, budgeting, casting, crew management, and getting projects in front of audiences via festivals, VOD, and streaming. A distinctive edge is the emphasis on transparency and community—hosts frequently lean into the hard truths of making movies with limited resources, while incorporating actionable strategies and real-world anecdotes. The format often includes a mix of guest interviews, behind-the-scenes tales, and recurring segments that spotlight pathways from concept to release, appealing to aspiring and established ind... more

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These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. The No Film School Podcast
2. The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast
3. Scriptnotes Podcast
4. The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
5. IndieWire's Filmmaker Toolkit

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this podcast launched 11 years ago and published 601 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. Laura Moss
2. Madison Young
3. Katie Aselton
4. Nicholas Bruckman
5. Loren Goldfarb
6. AJ Bermudez
7. Melinda Bryce
8. Rob Smat

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