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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
Filmmaking
Independent Filmmaking
Dick Bunny
Comedy
Little Lucha and the Big Deal
Kickstarter
Motherhood
Filmmaker Mental Health
Trailer Editing
Entertainment Marketing
Josh Stifter
Pre-Production
Scream
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 325 from June 2021 featuring writer Mishna Wolff! Alrik thought this was a good match for our episode with Arwen Elys Dayton from Monday because while they are very differ... more

This week we welcome writer and Producer Arwen Elys Dayton on the show to talk about writing her latest feature Tilt which is currently in production. Arwen also talks about moving from being an author to a screenwriter and starting her production co... more

On this Thursday bonus episode we are going to play the interview from episode 445 from October 2023 featuring writer/director Anthony DiBlasi on the show to talk about directing his latest feature Malum, which is his 9th feature as a director! Antho... more

This week we welcome writer/director Daniel Goldhaber and Writer/Producer Isa Mazzei on the show to talk about their latest feature Faces of Death, how they got the project and we talk a bit about how they got started in the industry with their first... more

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Recent Guests

Mishna Wolff
Writer; author of Werewolves Within project (interview guest)
Ubisoft (via Women's Fellowship)
Episode: Mishna Wolff - BONUS Throwback Interview!
Arwen Elys Dayton
Writer and producer on Tilt; EP/producer at Getaway Entertainment
Getaway Entertainment
Episode: Arwen Elys Dayton - Forming a Team and Writing Features!
Anthony DiBlasi
Writer, director, filmmaker
Filmmaker (Malum, Last Shift, Dread era projects)
Episode: Anthony DiBlasi - BONUS Throwback Interview!
Daniel Goldhaber
Writer-Director, Faces of Death and CAM
Independent filmmaker
Episode: Daniel Goldhaber and Isa Mazzei - From High School Friends to Full Time Filmmakers!
Isa Mazzei
Writer-Director, Faces of Death and CAM
Independent filmmaker
Episode: Daniel Goldhaber and Isa Mazzei - From High School Friends to Full Time Filmmakers!
Mark Pellington
Writer-director featured guest from episode 401 (December 2022)
Writer-Director, film industry
Episode: Mark Pellington - BONUS Throwback Interview!
John Gaspard
Director, Producer, Writer, and Author of Fast, Cheap and Under Control
Albertsbridge Books / independent filmmaker
Episode: John Gaspard - Writing and Learning the Lessons from the Greatest Low-Budget Movies of All Time!
Hudson Phillips
Writer and Producer of This World Alone
This World Alone
Episode: Hudson Phillips and Jordan Noel - BONUS Throwback Interview!
Jordan Noel
Director and Editor of This World Alone
This World Alone
Episode: Hudson Phillips and Jordan Noel - 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 States8 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.

Mishna Wolff - BONUS Throwback Interview!
Q: How did the collaboration with Ubisoft start, and how involved were you in the final script?
You move from a general Ubisoft pitch to a hands-on collaboration; Ubisoft provided a supportive space, allowed exploration of cul-de-sacs, and involved the writer in refining the script while maintaining creative ownership.
Mishna Wolff - BONUS Throwback Interview!
Q: What is the elevator pitch for Werewolves Within and how did you approach adapting it to a feature?
The pitch centered on a small New England town dealing with a werewolf while the community takes justice into their own hands, which allowed room for a discursive, character-driven mystery with social and environmental subtexts.
Arwen Elys Dayton - Forming a Team and Writing Features!
Q: What led you to form Getaway Entertainment and how do the three partners divide responsibilities?
The founders connected as old friends with complementary skills in directing, producing, and financing; Getaway serves as a full-producer on ground, end-to-end projects, and helps deepen relationships with other creators.
Arwen Elys Dayton - Forming a Team and Writing Features!
Q: How long did the writing process take from outline to final draft?
The outline took about six weeks, followed by a first draft over another six weeks, with additional writing work continuing well after that, spanning more than a year in total.
Arwen Elys Dayton - Forming a Team and Writing Features!
Q: Can you give us the elevator pitch for Tilt and where it's shooting?
Tilt is a light noir mystery set in Los Angeles with a structure that follows a single-day, city-wide setting; the production is aiming to shoot in Los Angeles at multiple locations.

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. Scriptnotes Podcast
3. The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
4. Team Deakins
5. The Business

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. Mishna Wolff
2. Arwen Elys Dayton
3. Anthony DiBlasi
4. Daniel Goldhaber
5. Isa Mazzei
6. Mark Pellington
7. John Gaspard
8. Hudson Phillips

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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