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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
Covid-19
Filmmaking Challenges
Distribution
Film Distribution
Austin Film Festival
Indie Film
Horror Genre
Independent Film
Sundance
Youtube
Micro-Budget Filmmaking
Short Films
Ren: the Girl With the Mark
Mental Health

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 InterviewsArtsTV & FilmVisual Arts

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

Latest Episodes

This week we welcome writer/director Cameron Francis writer and director of Blood Secret on the show to talk about his feature playing Fright Fest straight from the festival in London! This interview was a short one so we have another special guest o... more

On this Thursday bonus episode we are going to play the interview from episode 309 from March 2021 featuring film sales and finance agent Ross Putman! I thought this was a really good match with our episode with Itzchak Maghen from Monday because the... more

This week we welcome Itchak Maghen Sales Rep and Founder and CEO of Consulting IM on the show to talk about why he got into sales and how the business works today and how it is the same and different from when he got started! After that we play anoth... more

On this Thursday bonus episode we are going to play the interview from episode 214 from June 2019 featuring animator, pre-viz artist and filmmaker, Michael Cawood! Michael has done pre-viz work for some of the biggest Hollywood films and his last sho... more

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Recent Guests

Ross Putnam
Film finance and sales agent, former independent producer
Verve
Episode: Ross Putnam - BONUS Throwback Interview!
Itchak Maghen
Film sales representative and founder and CEO of Consulting IM
Consulting IM
Episode: Itzchak Maghen - The State of Film Sales in 2026!
Michael Cawood
Animator, previsualization artist and filmmaker who has worked on major films and animated shorts
HeroMation
Episode: Michael Cawood - BONUS Throwback Episode!
Lucas Culshaw
Concept artist, illustrator and filmmaker
Universal
Episode: Lucas Culshaw - Can AI Make Art?
Steve Herold
Writer-director with about 18 years in the industry at the time of the interview
Independent filmmaker
Episode: Steve Herold - BONUS Throwback Interview!
Alejandro Zavala
Writer, director, and producer discussed on the show
Broca Ones / Real Ones (films)
Episode: Alejandro Zavala - From Prison to Legal Secretary to Producing Feature Films!
Sebastien Tobler
Writer-director of the feature film This Time
Episode: Sebastien Tobler - BONUS Throwback Interview!
Joel Veach
Writer-director of American Muscle and writer-producer of Old Man
Episode: Joel Veach - Finding Success with Feature #1 and Willing #2 into Existence!
Joe Bob Briggs
Legendary horror commentator and interviewer
Episode: Joe Bob Briggs - BONUS Throwback Interview!

Hosts

Alrik Bursell
Host of the show; sci-fi horror filmmaker; founding/longtime host; produces and guides discussions.
Liz Manashil
Co-host; writer/director/producer; discusses distribution and production with guests; often guides conversations.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 289 ratings
  • The best filmmaking podcast (or anything really) you can listen to.

    Making Movies is Hard is a daily staple for me. I’ve listened to so many episodes many times, and can’t begin to thank the team for how much it’s helped. Filmmaking is hard. Listening to others go through the same thing though is probably the best thing you can do. My last film Manifest was tough, but I’d put on an episode that fit something I was dealing with or trying to figure out, and it got me through. It’s helping me get my next project going with the inspiration too, knowing we’re all in ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    andr3wgibbs
    United States3 months ago
  • 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 States10 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 States2 years 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

Listeners Say

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

The show is a daily staple for many listeners and a go-to for practical indie filmmaking insights.
Community-focused and inspiring, with a strong emphasis on navigating the realities of indie filmmaking.
Listeners praise candid hosts and guests who share hard-earned lessons and transparent funding/distribution talk.

Chart Rankings

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Itzchak Maghen - The State of Film Sales in 2026!
Q: What are the assets that help a pitch, and what shows a project's potential without giving away too much?
Maghen recommends genre- and tone-appropriate comps, a polished script and clean materials that explain the project's goals and realistic expectations. He cautions against using outsize box-office figures as a substitute for showing how the project will work.
Itzchak Maghen - The State of Film Sales in 2026!
Q: Does cast still matter, and is it still part of the sales conversation as filmmakers build projects?
Maghen says cast can bring money and security, but its value depends on genre, budget and territory. He recommends evaluating the whole package, including the director, producers and project, rather than relying on a fixed list of recognizable names.
Ross Putnam - BONUS Throwback Interview!
Q: Due to lack of transparency in this industry, we don't really know if filmmaking is sustainable. But you are in a unique position where you could tell us, Ross, are people recouping from these deals that you're working with, or can you even speak to that?
Putnam says some films recoup, but there is too much content for every film to do so. He describes using sales estimates, cast, comparable titles, and other factors to assess and mitigate investment risk, while noting that distribution models keep changing.
Ross Putnam - BONUS Throwback Interview!
Q: Can you tell us a little bit or can you respond to the idea that a filmmaker should not chase after representation, but wait to be approached? And do you agree with that or do you welcome cold inquiries to your office?
Putnam says agencies generally avoid cold submissions for legal reasons. He recommends making work that can attract attention and seeking representation through a genuine, mutually positive relationship.
Sebastien Tobler - BONUS Throwback Interview!
Q: What were some of the things you did as a director on set that you liked, and what would you change next time?
Tobler puts extensive work into script analysis, mapping each beat, character intention, emotional turn, and camera intention before creating a shot list. He says this preparation supports clear communication and a calm set. Next time, he would leave more time for actors to explore scenes while ensuring there is enough time to capture the script as written.

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

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

A practical, founder-friendly show focused on the realities of independent filmmaking. Conversations span fundraising, rights negotiations, distribution strategies, festival paths, and the daily grind of making features and shorts with a strong emphasis on transparency, hands-on lessons, and sustainable career-building. Unique strengths include candid anecdotes from varied guest backgrounds (filmmakers, cinematographers, producers) and a recurring emphasis on community, mentorship, and practical steps beyond “getting started.” Listeners can expect actionable guidance on crowdfunding, self-distribution, and collaborating across departments, all delivered in an approachable, frank tone.

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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. IndieWire's Filmmaker Toolkit
5. The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

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. Ross Putnam
2. Itchak Maghen
3. Michael Cawood
4. Lucas Culshaw
5. Steve Herold
6. Alejandro Zavala
7. Sebastien Tobler
8. Joel Veach

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