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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
Mental Health
Sundance Film Festival
Documentary Filmmaking
Kickstarter
Short Films

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 ReviewsTV & FilmFilm 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 516 from February 2025 with actor turned feature writer/director Julia Stiles. Julia talks about going from acting in studio features and shows to making her first feature... more

This week we welcome writer/director/actor Katie Aselton on the show to talk about her latest film Magic Hour which she co-wrote, directed and starred in alongside Daveed Diggs. Katie talks about why she decided to make this film and how she pulled i... more

On this Thursday bonus episode we are going to play the interview from episode 333 from August 2021 featuring writer/director Nicholas Bruckman on the show to talk about making his Documentary on the late Ady Barkan, how he found his subject and what... more

This week we welcome producer/director Loren Goldfarb to talk about making his first feature documentary 96lbs of Dynamite, how he found his subject Chad “shorty” McDaniel and what drove him to make this documentary. After that we play another round ... more

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Recent Guests

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!
Eric Smolowitz
Producer
Episode: Marc Smolowitz - BONUS Throwback Interview!
Julia Coulter
Writer, director, and star of Road to La Top de Tour
Road to Le Top de Tour
Episode: Julia Coulter - Live at the Phoenix Film Festival!
Alicia Jo Rabins
Creator, star, composer, co-EP of a feature; collaborator with Alicia Rose
Alicia Jo Rabins Studio / related projects
Episode: Alicia J. Rose and Alicia Jo Rabins - BONUS Throwback Interview!

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 286 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 States9 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

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Melinda Bryce - From Author to Set Mom to Screenwriter and Producer!
Q: Give us the elevator pitch for Delirium.
Delirium is a psychological thriller about two diner workers who become entangled in a drug pickup and end up trapped in a house with a woman suffering from late-onset schizophrenia, creating a tense, single-location dynamic.
Rob Smat - BONUS Throwback Interview!
Q: Why did you choose to work with a distributor rather than self-distribute given your knowledge and contacts?
Rob notes time and energy as the main constraint, values the distributor's relationships and placement power, and emphasizes using a hybrid approach where self-operations complement distributor activities, including an expense cap and clear back-end economics.

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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These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. The No Film School Podcast
2. The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
3. The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast
4. Scriptnotes Podcast
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. Nicholas Bruckman
2. Loren Goldfarb
3. AJ Bermudez
4. Melinda Bryce
5. Rob Smat
6. Gille Klabin
7. Eric Smolowitz
8. Julia Coulter

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