DoubleDownFilmShow

On the final Double Down Film Show of the Fall 2011 semester we’ll be rapping with comedian Issa Rae, who is the Writer/Director and Star of the popular web series, Awkward Black Girl.  Issa’s series chronicles the comedic everyday social misadventures of a young woman that doesn’t quite fit in...anywhere.  -How should you use social media to ENGAGE your audience? -How did their KICKSTARTER campaign raise $56,000 in a month? -What are studio executives looking for on the WEB? -What is the advantage of KEEPING a show on the web? -Why have audiences been so RESPONSIVE to the show?  We’ll elicit the answers to these questions and more on this Season 6 finale of The Double Down Film Show, plus we’ll give out some more free info from new The Shut Up and Shoot Freelance Video Guide and answer your questions on the air. By filmmakers. For filmmakers.  Nothing but real-world case studies and practical wisdom to help you build a filmmaking career.

One of the things we pride ourselves on with this show is that we talk to tomorrow’s indie filmmaker’s today, such is the case with one of our early guests, Writer/Director – Alrick Brown, who’s back to discuss the incredible rise of his first indie feature, Kinyarwanda, an intense and moving drama about the people affected by the Rwandan genocide…   Notably the film was shot entirely on location in Rwanda with a cast of all Rwandans and Africans, won the 2011 World Cinema Audience Award at Sundance and is now being distributed by Ava DuVernay’s outfit A.F.F.R.M. (African-American Film Festival Releasing Movement). - How did his team successfully market this NON-COMMERCIAL film? - WHO should be going to film festival with you and what do they do? - How did an UNDERGRAD film student come to EDIT this indie hit? - What festival STRATEGIES did his team deploy to push the film? - How can you manage the HYPE that comes with attention? We’ll drill Alrick on the answers to all these questions and more. Plus, we’ll also be sharing some of our exclusive tips and advice for video freelancers from the all-new Shut Up and Shoot Freelance Video Guide – now available for pre-orders at DownAndDirtyDV.com. It’s not even hitting the shelves for another 2 weeks, but we’re gonna drop some for your ears only on the very next Double Down Film Show. Some say that, “the game is to be sold, not told”, but we don’t care. We’re giving away the film game for free every Wednesday night at 9pm EST. Get a piece while it’s hot, baby!

On our 80th epic episode of The Double Down Film Show we’re gonna run through the unique journey of self-taught Writer/Director, Matthew Cherry. In the span of just a few years Matthew went from NFL Player for the Jacksonville Jaquars to Production Assistant to directing his first feature film, the new football drama The Last Fall, which features some major Hollywood talent including Keith David, Nicole Beharie and Lance Gross… - How can you get to the director’s chair if you DIDN’T go to film school? - What genre affords you a good opportunity to learn the craft QUICKLY? - What did Matthew do to help his script CIRCULATE among major actors? - How can what you DON’T know work to your advantage? - What does he wish someone would’ve told him BEFORE he started? We’ll reveal the answers to all these questions and more on the very next Double Down Film Show as we walk you through the real-life journey of a first time feature film director – just like you. There are many paths to a successful career in the industry…and we share them all every Wednesday night at 9pm E.S.T. By filmmakers for filmmakers. No B.S. Just real-world case-studies and advice.

On the next episode of the Double Down Film Show multi-hyphenate actor/writer/producer/director Al Thompson of ValDean Entertainment will be breaking down the web series game and how actors and content creators can take charge of their own career and cut out the middle man.  Al has been a featured actor in The Royal Tenenbaums, A Walk to Remember, Love Don’t Cost a Thing, The Cleveland Show and dozens of student films. As a writer/producer/director he’s created and starred in a slew of award-winning new web series including the comedies Johnny B. Homeless, Baby Daddy Memoirs, the drama Lenox Avenue and most-recently the sci-fi series Odessa.  Some his web series have been picked up by Comedy Central, Atom.com and BET. What should you always have READY when your new project drops?? How should you launch a YouTube video so people actually WATCH IT? ?How can you make your project STAND OUT from the rest at a festival?? What ADVANTAGE do actors have crossing over to the director’s chair? ?How can NOT releasing your video online help you attract a distributor? Break out your pens and pads, cause this it’s going to be another chock-a-block wisdom-filled episode of advice from someone who’s been there and done that.  Y’all know how we get down – No B.S. No pie-in-the-sky filmmaking fantasy. No airy fan-boy interviews. Nothing but the practical lessons, hard-won wisdom and strategy from fellow filmmakers hustling in the trenches.  Every Wednesday night at 9pm E.S.T. or download us on iTunes at your convenience. Peep Al’s YouTube Channel: http://www.Youtube.com/AlThompsonInc

It’s all about Production Workflow on the next Double Down Film Show.  In another one of our special semi-annual keynote addresses, we’re going to walk you through all the physical steps of production from load-in to returning the equipment and share with you all of our insights, practical tips and the production practices that we only learned the hard way.   When should you RESERVE equipment? What should you always get BEFORE you start shooting? What’s the FIRST THING that should be ready when the crew arrives? How should crew and talent call times be SCHEDULED? When should you REHEARSE camera, blocking, lines or everything? Grab your pen and pad as the answers to all these questions and more purely practical filmmaking advice and wisdom are dispensed sans B.S. on the next educational episode of the Double Down Film Show.  Listen and learn, baby!

The next Double Down Film Show is all about the art of storytelling with editor/author Norm Hollyn. Norm was the editor of Heathers and the TV series Wild Palms as well as music editor on The Cotton Club and Fame among dozens of other features and TV show credits.... Norm is also an Associate Professor and Head of Editing at U.S.C.’s film school as well as author of The Film Editing Handbook and The Lean Forward Moment, his latest book on the art of visual storytelling. What common storytelling MISTAKES does he see over and over? What is a “lean forward moment” and how can you CRAFT one? How do you decide what info to REVEAL and when? What’s the difference between a filmmaker and audience LOGLINE? How can you build SUSPENSE visually? ...We’ll drill Norm on all these questions and more. Whether it’s framing, color, music, camera moves or editing it’s ALL about the S-T-O-R-Y, baby! This will be an informative conversation about all the many ways filmmakers can tell stories more effectively.

On the next Double Down Film Show we’ll discuss the state of Black Cinema with filmmaker and blogger, Tambay Obenson.  Tambay is the director of the indie film “Beautiful Things” and the founding blogger of Shadow and Act which is part of the Indiewire Blog Network. - Why are some actors of color offered MORE roles than others? - Which minority filmmakers are CHANGING UP the game this year? - What are the COMMON MISTAKES amongst the bad films? - What makes some minority films play in the MEDIA more than others? - Where is the industry HEADED in 2012? We’ll dive into these questions and more on the next thought-provoking episode of the Double Down Film Show. 

  On the next Double Down Film Show, we’ll have a round table conversation with the above-the-line team of the hot new 70’s web series, Queen Hussy.  In this special in-depth case-study, Creator/Actress - Hannelore Willams, Director – Pete Chatmon and Producer – Nicole Sylvester will reveal all the behind-the-scenes prep, logistics and execution that went into creating their wild and hilarious new period piece web series. Why shoot a WEB SERIES and not a short? What do you need to know if your project involves NUDITY? How can you pull off a PERIOD PIECE on a budget? What are the challenges of STARRING in your own project? How do you hire a WEST COAST crew if you’re on the East Coast? We’ll dive into the answers to all these questions and more on the next Double Down Film Show.  Never be alone on-set again. Learn from fellow indie filmmakers who’ve blazed the trail already.  Every Wednesday at 9pm E.S.T. Filmmaking Reality Starts Here. See Episode #1 Here: http://ht.ly/6KRje (WARNING: This Video Contains Adult Language, Humor and Nudity)

On the next Double Down Film Show, we’re gonna talk to veteran costume designer, Jennifer L. Bryan, who has worked on dozens of film and TV shows through the decades including The Vampire Diaries, Dark Angel, Exit Wounds, and more. Over the course of the hour we will delve into such pressing questions as… - What common things are overlooked when BUDGETING costumes? - Who else does the costumer need to COORDINATE with? - What are some of the EXTRA TASKS that costumers often take on? - Why should your production have a “LOOK BOOK”? - What should you LEARN to better communicate with your costumer? Far beyond just writing and cinematography, there are a whole cadre of artistic professionals that are responsible for the success of your story onscreen. And each of these pros has unique contributions to make to your film, but you must first understand their job and what they need from you to help tell your story. That’s where we come in. Listen and learn, baby. Filmmaking REALITY starts here!

On the season #6 premiere of The Double Down Film Showwe’ll be discussing indie film marketing, publicity with microbudget maven, Sheri Candler.  Sheri is an independent film marketing and publicity consultant who co-authored the new book, Selling Your Film Without Selling Your Soul, which features DIY distribution strategies, case-studies and advice for indie filmmakers on tight budgets.  She’s a writer for Microfilmmaker Magazine, been featured in The Guerilla Filmmakers Pocketbookand cited on producer Ted Hope’s Brave Thinkers of Indie Film List.   When should you START marketing your project? How can you effectively use SOCIAL MEDIA? What are the biggest MARKETING MISTAKESfilmmakers make? WHENshould you bring a marketing consultant onboard? How can you sell your film without selling YOUR SOUL? All these questions and more will be revealed on the Season #7 premiere of The Double Down Film Show…film school through the back door.  No registration required and tuition is free. Classes are back in session every Wednesday night at 9pm E.S.T. Filmmmaking REALITY starts here.

On the next episode of the Double Down Film Show it’s “Ladies Night”.  We’ll be recalling the best practical advice and tips from the many women of the film and TV industry we’ve had on the show over the years.  Listen to the best practical wisdom from…   ·      Ava DuVernay– Writer/Director “I Will Follow” ·      Zoe Saldana– Actress ·      Tracey Moore– Acting Coach ·      Sandi Sissel,A.S.C. – Cinematograher ·      Roberta Munroe– Festival Programmer/Consultant ·      Bridget Bedard– Writer “Mad Men” ·      Darnell Martin– Writer/Director “Cadillac Records”, etc. ·      Meena Payne– Dir. Of Development Rainforest Films ·      …plus more!   We’ll also be ending the season with a bang by giving away another FREE 6-month subscription to FilmSkills.com (a $250 value) featuring more than 80 comprehensive instructional videos.  ***You must ‘Like” the Double Down Film Show page on Facebook in order to enter the trivia contest to win.   Thanks for listening.  Don’t forget you can download or stream all 72 archived episodes anytime from iTunes.  Drop us a review while you’re there and we’ll see you in the Fall.

On the next episode of the Double Down Film Show, we’ll be giving our first ever Film and TV State of the Union Address discussing the major developments that have affected our industry in the past year from technical developments, to shifts in distribution models to production workflow. We’re gonna touch on them all and how they directly affect us as independent filmmakers… · How have sites like KICKSTARTER changed the game? · What does the proliferation of 3D mean for indies? · What is the future (and present) of “TV ANYWHERE”? · Should we close or hold tight to the THEATRICAL WINDOW? · How has the landscape shifted for FREELANCE video producers? We’ll discuss the changes, challenges and many ripe opportunities in the current state of the film and tv union and what they mean for informed and motivated indie filmmakers. Don’t let a single new challenge catch you off guard or a golden opportunity pass you by. Listen and learn about the business, craft and hustle of filmmaking every Wednesday night… by film hustlers for film hustlers. Straight up. Practical. No B.S. Filmmaking Reality Starts HERE.

It’s the N.A.B. 2011 Wrap-upShowon Episode #70 of the  Double Down Film Show.  We’ll be discussing some of the most exciting announcements, panels and new cameras and tools for filmmakersthat were announced last week at the  N.A.B. (National Association of Broadcasters) Show in Las Vegas, which is the largest trade show for the film and tv industry in the world. What’s so NEWabout the new FINAL CUT PRO X? Are there any AFFORDABLEoptions for indies to shoot 3D? What camera can STILLoperate in dust or a downpour? Do the RED SCARLET & EPICcameras really EXIST? What’s new in the world of DSLR CAMERA’s? We’ll answer all these questions and more as we give you our perspective on the news out of the NAB 2011 Show, plus we’ll talk about the hot trending topics discussed at panels and classes from DSLR’s to the future of 3D to the savvy new breed of “Digital Rebels”.  Plus more special guests and show segments! Filmmaking RealityStarts Here.

On the next Double Down Film Show, we’ll be talking to Mark Benjamin the co-executive producer and co-director of the riveting and popular Sundance Channel documentary series, Brick City, which has been described by TV Guide as “A real-life version of The Wire”.    This gritty documentary series follows the inner workings of the city of Newark, NJ alternating between the storylines of Mayor Cory Booker, the police department, local Blood and Crip gangs, the city council and the school system.  Mark is partners with documentary filmmaker Marc Levin (Slam, White Boyz, etc.) , Apart from Brick City, Mark is also the director of Gang War-Banging in Little Rock  and Jails, Hospitals and Hip-Hop.   What attracts him to such GRITTY subject matter? What’s his secret to gaining unfettered ACCESS to subjects? Why does Mark also SHOOT the projects he directs? What’s the SHOOTING RATIO for this documentary series? Why did they shoot everything CINEMA VERITE w/ no interviews?   Get the answers to these questions and more when we talk to veteran documentary director/cameraman Mark Benjamin on the next episode of The Double Down Film Show.   Filmmaking Reality Starts Here.

On the next Double Down Film Show we’ll have a special extended interview with Award-winning veteran Director of Photography, Sandi Sissel, A.S.C.. With four decades (and counting) in the film and tv game, Sandi has D.P.’ed such notable feature films as Mira Nair’s Oscar-nominated Salaam Bombay, The People Under the Stairs, and Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns. She has also worked in the camera department on more than 50 feature films including Fame, Blow, Rock Star and as a 2nd Unit D.P. on Master and Commander, which won an Academy Award for Best Cinematography. · How did she manage to break into a MALE-DOMINATED union? · What should a young D.P. know BEYOND the camera? · How is the career path to D.P. vastly DIFFERENT now? · What does she tell other WOMEN that want to be D.P.’s? · How do you become a PARENT and still have a film career? Sandi Sissel will share her insight into all of the above, plus a whole lot more candid wisdom from her decades as a veteran image-maker. Find out how sisters can do it for themselves and craft long-term careers in the male-dominated film industry, only on the next Double Down Film Show. Filmmaking REALITY starts here.