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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
Film Production
Crowdfunding
Filmmaking Challenges
Covid-19
Independent Film
Distribution
Austin Film Festival
Film Distribution
Horror Genre
Sundance
Indie Film
Documentary Filmmaking
Short Films
Kickstarter
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
Number of ListenersCategories
Film InterviewsFilm ReviewsTV & Film

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

Latest Episodes

This week we welcome writer/director Joshua Porter on the show to talk about the eleven year journey he went on to make his first feature film No Evidence of Man and how he finally got the film made and released! After that we play another round of t... more

On this Thursday bonus episode we are going to play the interview from episode 80 WAAAAY back in August 2016 featuring writer and director Lucas Kitchen to talk about making short films for his youtube page and distributing them with distribber. Alri... more

This week we welcome writer/director/producer Eli Shell on the show to talk all things Verticals, which Eli assured me no one calls “verts”, he talks about making his first vertical series In House. After that we play another round of THE GAME, enjoy... more

On this Thursday bonus episode we are going to play the interview from episode 366 from March 2025 featuring writer Director Jane Schoenbrun who talks about getting into sundance with their first feature, leading to their 2nd feature being bought by ... more

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Recent Guests

Jane Schoenbrun
Writer-director featured in the interview
Episode: Jane Schoenbrun - BONUS Throwback Interview!
Georgia Bernstein
Writer-director and producer of Night Nurse
Night Nurse (Film)
Episode: Georgia Bernstein - Getting Your First Feature into Sundance!
Bryant Griffin
VFX artist turned feature director, known for Young King
Los Angeles–based filmmaker, formerly at Lucasfilm
Episode: Bryant Griffin - BONUS Throwback Interview!
Anthony Lucero
writer/director of Paper Bag Plan
Filmmaker
Episode: Anthony Lucero - From VFX Artist to Indie Feature Filmmaker!
Roger Nygard
Editor and director, known for Trekkies; discussant on directing and editing
Independent filmmaker; author of Cut to the Monkey
Episode: Roger Nygard - BONUS Throwback Interview!
David Wain
Writer, director, actor; guest discussing Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass
Episode: David Wain - From The State to Comedy Filmmaking in 2026!
Alice Brooks
Cinematographer
Filmmaking/Indie Cinema
Episode: Alice Brooks - BONUS Throwback Interview!
Julia Swain
Cinematographer, Director of Photography for Voicemails for Isabelle
Independent film; Vancouver/LA based
Episode: Julia Swain - From Shooting Indie Films to Studio Features!
Naveen Chathapuram
Writer-Director of The Last Victim
Independent Filmmaker
Episode: Naveen Chathapuram - BONUS Throwback Interview!

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 288 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 States7 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 Statesa year 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

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Georgia Bernstein - Getting Your First Feature into Sundance!
Q: What stood out to you about Sundance and the sales process?
Sundance arrived as a surprise after submitting through the standard portal; Bernstein collaborated with Gersh as the sales agent, and IFC emerged as the dream partner due to their track record and alignment with the film's vision.
Georgia Bernstein - Getting Your First Feature into Sundance!
Q: How did you assemble the budget and secure financing for the project?
The budget came together through a Northwestern class project led by Bernstein and her co-producer, who then connected with investors through the Missing Link network; the process involved leveraging prior collaborations and a strategic timeline to move quickly.
Georgia Bernstein - Getting Your First Feature into Sundance!
Q: First, give us your elevator pitch for Night Nurse.
Night Nurse is an erotic thriller set in a retirement community where a young nurse becomes entangled in a web of scams and a mysterious older patient, creating a tense, morally complex story about desire, power, and perception.
Anthony Lucero - From VFX Artist to Indie Feature Filmmaker!
Q: Why did you decide to shoot in the Bay Area instead of Oakland or Central Valley as you originally envisioned?
Budget constraints and housing costs for cast and crew led to shooting in Burbank and nearby Los Angeles locations, though he expresses a strong fondness for Oakland's cinematic quality and its accessibility for food and logistics.
Anthony Lucero - From VFX Artist to Indie Feature Filmmaker!
Q: Anthony, can you ID your roles on the film and give us a quick elevator pitch?
Lucero outlines that Paper Bag Plan was written and directed by him, produced with his wife, and involved hands-on roles across the process, culminating in a story about a father who, facing his own mortality and his son's needs, devises a plan to prepare his son for independence.

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?

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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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. IndieWire's Filmmaker Toolkit
4. The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
5. IndieWire: Screen Talk

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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. Jane Schoenbrun
2. Georgia Bernstein
3. Bryant Griffin
4. Anthony Lucero
5. Roger Nygard
6. David Wain
7. Alice Brooks
8. Julia Swain

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