Indie Film Hustle Podcast: Filmmaking | Film School | Screenwriting | Film Marketing | Independent Film | Cinematography | Film Festival

Film Festival Secrets – How to Crack the Festival Code with Chris Holland Submitting to film festivals is a torture. Did I get in? Did the programmer watch it yet? When will I know? How much to submit? You wait by your email to see if Sundance or SXSW accepted you? Wouldn’t be amazing if you had some insight to the film festival process? Maybe even some Film Festival Secrets? On the show today I have one of the leading authorities on film festivals, Chris Holland from Film Festival Secrets.com. The man literally wrote the book on the subject, Film Festival Secrets: A Handbook For Independent Filmmakers. Chris decodes the mystery that is film festival submissions and drops some knowledge bombs on us. Now if you are a listener of the show you also know that Chris and I created a one of a kind course on Film Festivals called Film Festival Hacks: Submit Like a Pro Course but what you may not know is we also created a FREE Podcast Series called the Film Festival Hacks Podcast. We should be launching that podcast in a couple of weeks. It’ll be packed with info on the inner workings of film festivals, submission strategies and more. So check back here and I’ll put a link up when the show goes live! Until then enjoy my conversation with Chris Holland. Right click here to download the MP3 LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE * Film Festival Hacks: Submit Like a Pro Course (50% OFF for a LIMITED TIME ONLY) * BONUS: FREE FilmFestival Secrets Download * FilmFestivalSecrets.com * FilmFestival Secrets: A Handbook For Independent Filmmakers * FREE Film Festival Hacks Podcast Series – (SUBSCRIBE SOON) * FilmFestival Secrets Vault * FreeFilmBook.com (Your FREE Audio Book) * IFH: Filmmaking Hacks * Six Secrets to get into Film Festivals for FREE! Action Items: * Subscribe to the Podcast on iTunes,  Stitcher, Soundcloud or via RSS. If you like Film Festival Secrets – How to Crack the Festival Code with Chris Holland, then click below: HollyShorts: Confessions of a Film Festival Programmer w/ Daniel Sol Enjoyed “Film Festival Secrets – How to Crack the Festival Code with Chris Holland”...

We are all indie filmmakers but are we really making independent film? What truly is an independent film? We discuss the question...

Lloyd Kaufman & Troma: How I Make Money Selling Movies What can I say about Lloyd Kaufman? Director. Writer. Producer. Indie Filmmaker. Innovator. Nice guy. Pain in the ass of main stream media. I believe all of those statements are true and then some. Lloyd Kaufman is one the original indie filmmakers going back to the 1970’s. The Troma Universe was born in 1974 with a series of highly original, raunchy comedies such as Squeeze Play!, Stuck On You!, Waitress!, and other film titles ending with an exclamation point. In my favorite decade, the 80’s, is where Lloyd Kaufman really made a name for himself. His 1984 sleeper hit The Toxic Avenger launched his career and his production company Troma Entertainment. Creating his own brand of independent films, Lloyd Kaufman discovered there was a market for his “unique type” of films. The success of The Toxic Avenger was followed by a string of commercial and artistic triumphs in a similar vein, blending fantasy, comedy, bad ass action, and a bit of eroticism in a style that can only be described as “Tromatic”. These films, including the Class of Nuke ‘Em High trilogy, Sgt. Kabukiman NYPD, and Troma’s War, were often ignored or scorned by the intelligentsia of the time but spoke to an entire generation (including yours truly) of young people who rejected the pandering, commercial films of the mid-to-late 80’s. Some of his fans include Quentin Tarantino, Kevin Smith, Mike Judge, Peter Jackson, and Trey Parker. Related: How a 17 yr old Directed & Sold Her 1st Feature on 16mm Film Always one to help indie filmmakers, Lloyd Kaufman just wrote his most recent book Sell Your Own Damn Movie!, the latest installment of his acclaimed series of books on guerrilla filmmaking that includes Make Your Own Damn Movie: Secrets of a Renegade Director, Direct Your Own Damn Movie! and Produce Your Own Damn Movie!  The books have inspired Kaufman to teach a successful series of Master Classes at colleges and institutions across the country and the world! To say this was an enjoyable and entertaining interview would be an understatement. Enjoy my conversation with the one and only Lloyd Kaufman. Right click here to download the MP3 LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE * Troma Entertainment * Lloyd Kaufman – Official Site * Sell Your Own Damn Movie! (Get a FREE Audio Book Here!) * Produce Your Own Damn Movie! * Make Your Own Damn Movie: Secrets of a Renegade Dire...

No One Gives a $#*% What You Shoot Your Film On! OK, so before I get bombarded with hate email please hear me out. I was speaking to my filmmaker inner circle the other day and the topic of format and camera came up. I’m a huge tech head. I love gear as much as the next filmmaker. Hell, you can’t make movies without gear. Advances in filmmaking technology has liberated a generation of storytellers, filmmakers and content creators. Now does the audience give a CRAP about what camera you used to make your movie…NO! If you want to know what it really takes to be a successful filmmaker in today’s world take a listen to this short podcast. Right click here to download the MP3 LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE * How to Make a Feature Film for a $1000 with Mark Duplass * How to Shoot and Sell SIX Features in a Year with Joe Swanberg * How to Build an Indie Film Empire with Robert Rodriguez * USC Film School’s ONLY On-line Course: Directing the Actor * FreeFilmBook.com (Your FREE Audio Book) * Six Secrets to get into Film Festivals for FREE! Action Items: * Subscribe to the Podcast on iTunes,  Stitcher, Soundcloud or via RSS. If you like No One Gives a $#*% What You Shoot Your Film On, then click below: How to Shoot and Sell SIX Features in a Year with Joe Swanberg Enjoyed “No One Gives a $#*% What You Shoot Your Film On!” Please share it in your social networks (Facebook, Twitter, email etc) by using social media buttons at the side or bottom of the blog. Or post to your blog and anywhere else you feel it would be a good fit. Thanks. I welcome thoughts and remarks on ANY of the content above in the comments section below… Get Social with Indie Film Hustle: Facebook: Indie Film Hustle Twitter: @indiefilmhustle  Instagram: @ifilmhustle YouTube: Indie Film Hustle TV Podcast: IFH Podcast IFH: Filmmaking Hacks

If you are a Walking Dead fan you are going to LOVE this episode. If you ever wanted to know what an assistant director does on set you are going to LOVE this episode. On today's episode we have a long time friend Vince Gonzales. Vince has been working in the film industry for over top decades. His IMDB page is pretty crazy. He's worked on 90 classics like The Sandlot, Speed and What Dreams May Come. Now after 2000 his credits start to heat up: Pearl Harbor, Six Feet Under, Charmed, Boston Legal, Grey's Anatomy, Transformers: Age of Extinction and of course The Walking Dead. I wanted to bring Vince on the show to discuss his time on The Walking Dead but also what it takes to be an assistant director on both small and "monstrous" sets. Don't listen to this episode in the dark.

Top 5 Film Festival SCAMS Filmmakers Need to Be Aware Of! I’ve been at a fair share of film festivals in my life and I’ve submitted to many more than I’ve been accepts to. With that said I have seen many less than honorable film festival organizers throughout the process. Now not all film festivals are run by grifters and con men but you need to be aware of the signs that a film festival you are submitting to may just be in existence to remove you from you hard earned cash and not to celebrate amazing independent film and filmmakers. I put together a few warning signs you should look out for when submitting to film festivals. Stay safe out there everyone! Right click here to download the MP3 LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE * Film Festival Hacks: How to Submit Like a Pro (Click here for 20% OFF the Course) * Six Secrets to get into Film Festivals for FREE! * USC Film School’s ONLY On-line Course: Directing the Actor * FreeFilmBook.com (Your FREE Audio Book) * SkillShare – IFH Discount Action Items: * Subscribe to the Podcast on iTunes,  Stitcher, Soundcloud or via RSS. If you like Should You Work for Deferred Payment or Back End Points?, then click below: Film Festival Hacks: How to Submit Like a Pro Enjoyed “Top 5 Film Festival SCAMS Filmmakers Need to Be Aware Of!” Please share it in your social networks (Facebook, Twitter, email etc) by using social media buttons at the side or bottom of the blog. Or post to your blog and anywhere else you feel it would be a good fit. Thanks. I welcome thoughts and remarks on ANY of the content above in the comments section below… Get Social with Indie Film Hustle: Facebook: Indie Film Hustle Twitter: @indiefilmhustle  Instagram: @ifilmhustle YouTube: Indie Film Hustle TV Podcast: IFH Podcast IFH: Filmmaking Hacks

Chris Vogler: Screenwriting & The Writer’s Journey Blueprint If you have seen Star Wars then you know Joseph Campbell‘s work. If you ever have seen The Lion King then you have seen one of Campbell’s best student’s, Chris Vogler, work. Related: Michael Hauge: Writing a Screenplay That Sells Chris Vogler wrote the game changing book  The Writers Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers. I read this book over 20 years ago and it changed the way I look at story. Chris studied the work and principles of the late master Joseph Campbell. His book The Hero with a Thousand Faces was the bases for Star Wars as well as almost every other Hollywood feature film in the past 60 years. What Chris Vogler did so well is that he translated Campbell’s work and applied it to movies. The Writer’s Journey explores the powerful relationship between mythology and storytelling in a clear, concise style that’s made it required reading for movie executives, screenwriters, playwrights, scholars, and fans of pop culture all over the world. He has influenced the screenplays of movies from THE LION KING to FIGHT CLUB to BLACK SWAN to NOAH. “I teach sometimes, and always say that Chris Vogler is the first book that everyone’s got to read.” — Darren Aronofsky , Oscar-nominated Screenwriter/Director, Noah, Black Swan, The Wrestler Pretty high praised from one of the best filmmakers working today. In this episode I ask Chris to breakdown a bunch of concepts of the Hero’s Journey, why it resinates with people around the world and what makes an amazing hero and villain. Enjoy my conversation with Chris Vogler. Right click here to download the MP3 LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE * Chris Vogler – Official Site * Storytech Literary Consulting * Screenwriting & Story Blueprint: The Hero’s Two Journeys * The Writers Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers, 3rd Edition * Myth & the Movies: Discovering the Myth Structure of 50 Unforgettable Films

Should You Work for Deferred Payment or Back End Points? A Indie Film Hustle Tribe member recently asked me “Should You Work for Deferred Payment or Back End Points?” Believe it or not I get this question A LOT! So I decided to dedicate a podcast episode to the question. There are times I would say yes definitely work for deferred payment or back end points. I heard a story of a screenwriter that was asked to do a rush job, write an entire screenplay in two week over Christmas vacation. He really didn’t want to do it but the agent said he could get him paid and get him back end points. The screenwriter took the gig, the producer love the script and the movie went on to gross $500,000,000 world wide. He took home over $20 million. Not bad. So yes there is a time to make that deal but alas there are times you should never work for deferred. Take a listen to when to and when not to work for deferred payments or back end points. Right click here to download the MP3 LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE * Film Festival Hacks: How to Submit Your Film Like a Pro * Filmmaking Hacks: How to Shoot and Market Your Indie Film * The Million Dollar Screenplay * USC Film School’s ONLY On-line Course: Directing the Actor * FreeFilmBook.com (Your FREE Audio Book) * Six Secrets to get into Film Festivals for FREE! Action Items: * Subscribe to the Podcast on iTunes,  Stitcher, Soundcloud or via RSS. If you like Should You Work for Deferred Payment or Back End Points?, then click below: The Million Dollar Screenplay with August Rush writer Paul Castro Enjoyed “Should You Work for Deferred Payment or Back End Points?” Please share it in your social networks (Facebook, Twitter, email etc) by using social media buttons at the side or bottom of the blog. Or post to your blog and anywhere else you feel it would be a good fit. Thanks. I welcome thoughts and remarks on ANY of the content above in the comments section below… Get Social with Indie Film Hustle: Facebook: Indie Film Hustle Twitter: 

How a 17 yr old Shot & Sold her 1st Feature on 16mm Film Every once in a while I get sent a story that blows my mind. The story is a 17 year old 1st time director shoots and sells her first feature film (that was shot on 16mm Film) right out of the gate. How that hell does that happen? Well may I introduce you to Kansas Bowling, the director of the feature film B.C. Butcher. Inspired by the likes of Russ Meyer, Annette Funicello, and Roger Corman, Kansas and her friend Kenzie began writing a script in high school about a tribe of cavewomen being stalked by a prehistoric monster. The film is unique in many ways, being a horror flick and a comedy, featuring live music, gore, gags, and campy historical inaccuracy. Because of this, immediately after shooting, “B.C. Butcher” caught the eye of Lloyd Kaufman (who will be a guest on the podcast in a few weeks), legendary producer/director and founder of Troma Entertainment Inc. Troma acquired the film for distribution and is now slated for a 2016 release. Related: How to Write and Shoot a ZERO Budget Feature Film Here is a trailer for B.C. Butcher: Kansas remains fully committed to shooting 16mm film, Super 8mm film or 35mm film and making features and videos for the cult genre. Sit back and enjoy this wonderfully inspiring interview with Ms. Kansas Bowling. Right click here to download the MP3 LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE * Kansas Bowling – Official Site * Facebook * Twitter * Troma Entertainment * Fotokem * Film Festival Hacks: How to Submit Your Film Like a Pro * Filmmaking Hacks: How to Shoot and Market Your Indie Film * How to Write and Shoot a ZERO Budget Feature Film * USC Film School’s ONLY On-line Course: Directing the Actor * FreeFilmBook.com (Your FREE Audio Book) * Six Secrets to get into Film Festivals for FREE! Action Items: * Subscribe to the Podcast on iTunes,  Stitcher, Soundcloud or via RSS.

Tips on How Directors Should Work with a Colorist Working with a professional colorist can be intimating if you haven’t done it before. I’ve been a colorist for over 12 years and have spent my fair share of time in a color grading suite. I decided to put together a few tips on how filmmakers and directors should work with a colorist. I also included a few videos to help you along on your post adventures. Right click here to download the Podcast MP3 Below you’ll find the color grading demo reels for my post company Numb Robot. It’ll give you an idea of what a colorist can do. “What is a Colorist?” This movie is trying to explain what a Colorist does and how he or she can add value to a film project. Baselight Color No matter what type of production you’re working on, workflow is critical. Base light helps broadcasters, movie producers and creative studios shorten timescales without compromising creativity and quality. LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE * Blackmagic Design DaVinci Resolve Studio for Mac/Win/Linux * Color Correction Handbook: Professional Techniques for Video and Cinema * Baselight Color  * Filmmaking Hacks: How to Shoot & Market Your Indie Film * Film Festival Hacks: How to Submit Your Indie Film Like a Pro * USC Film School’s ONLY On-line Course: Directing the Actor * FreeFilmBook.com (Your FREE Filmmaking Audio Book) * Six Secrets to get into Film Festivals for FREE! Action Items: * Subscribe to the Podcast on iTunes,  Stitcher, Soundcloud or via RSS. If you like Tips on How Directors Should Work with a Colorist, then click below: Post Production Workflow: Understand It or DIE! Enjoyed “Tips on How Directors Should Work with a Colorist” Please share it in your social networks (Facebook, Twitter, email etc) by using social media buttons at the side or bottom of the blog. Or post to your blog and anywhere else you feel it would be a good fit. Thanks. I welcome thoughts and remarks on ANY of the content above in the comments section below…

HollyShorts: Confessions of a Film Festival Programmer Have you ever wanted to know what really happens behind the scenes at a top level film festival like the HollyShorts Film Festival? Well this week I kidnapped co-founder and film festival programmer Daniel Sol, tied him up in a darken warehouse and shined a bright light on his face to get the truth out of him. The interview might not have been that dramatic but Daniel laid down a ton of behind the scenes knowledge bombs for all you Indie Film Hustlers out there. HollyShorts! and I go way back. My first short film BROKEN played at the very first HollyShorts Film Festival over a decade ago and I’ve been friends with Daniel Sol and Theo Dumont (co-founders) ever since. They truly care about filmmakers and were named one of the Top 25 film festivals in the world worth the submission fee by Filmmaker Magazine.  Enjoy my candid chat with Daniel Sol from the HollyShorts! Film Festival. Right click here to download the MP3 LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE * Official Site * Promo Code for the Monthly Screenings $4 off:  indiefilmhustle * Submissions via Film Freeway Promo Code for $5 off submissions:  indiefilmhustle16 * Tickets for HollyShorts! * Film Festival Hacks: How to Submit Your Film Like a Pro * Filmmaking Hacks: How to Shoot and Market Your Indie Film * The Million Dollar Screenplay * USC Film School’s ONLY On-line Course: Directing the Actor * Bitpix: www.bitpixtv.com * FreeFilmBook.com (Your FREE Audio Book) * Six Secrets to get into Film Festivals for FREE! Action Items: * Subscribe to the Podcast on iTunes,  Stitcher, Soundcloud or via RSS. If you like HollyShorts: Confessions of a Film Festival Programmer, then click below: Film Festival Hacks: Secrets on How to Get Your Film In! Enjoyed “HollyShorts: Confessions of a Film Festival Programmer w/ Daniel Sol” Please share it in your social networks (Facebook, Twitter, email etc) by using social media buttons at the side or bottom of th...

Do You Need an Agent or Talent Agency to Make it in Hollywood? Is an agent or talent agency needed to make it in Hollywood? Well it helps! Seriously, this is a question I get asked all the time. In this episode I go over what you need to do to get an agent and also help you figure out if you need one right now. Below are the seven major talent agencies in Hollywood. APA Talent Agency Size: 3,400 clients; 325 employees (210 agents, 15 managing partners); offices in Los Angeles, New York and Nashville Origin story: Founded in 1962 by former MCA agents David Baumgarten, Roger Vorce and Harvey Litwin. CAA Talent Agency Size: About 5,000 clients; 1,500+ employees; 11 offices worldwide, including in China Origin story: Founded in 1975 by William Morris agents Mike Rosenfeld, Michael Ovitz, Ron Meyer, Bill Haber and Rowland Perkins. GERSH Talent Agency Size: About 2,000 clients; 175 employees (75 agents, 16 partners); offices in L.A. and New York Origin story: Founded in 1949 by Phil Gersh. ICM PARTNERS Talent Agency Size: 4,500+ clients; 400+ employees (200+ agents and execs, 40 partners); four offices Origin story: Formed in 1975 with the merger of Creative Management Associates and International Famous Agency. PARADIGM Talent Agency Size: 2,500 clients; 370+ employees (160 agents); six offices Origin story: Founded in 1992 by Sam Gores through the mergers and acquisitions of several boutiques UTA Talent Agency Size: 3,000+ clients; 500 employees (200 agents, 46 partners); offices in L.A. and New York Origin story: Founded in 1991 with the merger of Bauer-Benedek and Leading Artists. WME | IMG Talent Agency Size: 4,000+ clients; nearly 5,000 employees (200 agents) in 25+ countries Origin story: WME | IMG was founded in 2014 with the merger of IMG and WME, which was founded in 2009 with the takeover of William Morris by upstart Endeavor. Hope this episode helps you out on your journey to get an agent. Good luck! Right click here to download the MP3 LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE * Post Production: Consulting * Filmmaking Hacks: How to Shoot & Market Your Indie Film * Film Festival Hacks: How to Submit Your Indie Film Like a Pro * USC Film School’s ONLY On-line Course: Directing the Actor * FreeFilmBook.com (Your FREE Filmmaking Audio Book) * Six Secrets to get into Film Festivals for FREE! Action Items: * Subscribe to the Podcast on iTunes,  Stitcher, Soundcloud or via RSS. If you like Do You Need an Agent or Talent Agency to Make it in Hollywood?, then click below: Stanley Kubrick’s Directorial Techniques Enjoyed “Do You Need an Agent or Talent Agency to Make it in Hollywood?” Please share it in your social networks (

IFH: Filmmaking Motivation – Go Make Your Film!

Michael Hauge – Writing a Screenplay That Sells You are in for a treat. This week’s guest, MICHAEL HAUGE has been one of Hollywood’s top script consultants, story experts and authors for more than 30 years. He coaches screenwriters, novelists, filmmakers, professional speakers, internet marketers and corporate leaders, helping transform their stories and their audiences using the principles and methods of Hollywood’s most successful movies. Michael has consulted on films starring – among many others – Will Smith, Tom Cruise, Reese Witherspoon, Julia Roberts and Morgan Freeman, and has presented lectures and workshops to more than 70,000 participants worldwide. He is the best selling author of Writing Screenplays That Sell (now in its 20th Anniversary Edition), and Selling Your Story in 60 Seconds: The Guaranteed Way to Get Your Screenplay or Novel Read. According to Will Smith, “No one is better than Michael Hauge at finding what is most authentic in every moment of a story.” – Will Smith After our interview Michael Hauge and I decide to bring one of his best courses to the IFH Tribe. We called is Screenplay and Story Blueprint: The Hero’s Two Journeys If you click here you’ll get a SPECIAL IFH DISCOUNT: Screenplay & Story Blueprint Right click here to download the MP3 LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE * Official Site * Screenplay and Story Blueprint: The Hero’s Two Journeys * Writing Screenplays That Sell * Selling Your Story in 60 Seconds * Filmmaking Hacks: How to Shoot & Market Your Indie Film * USC Film School’s ONLY On-line Course: Directing the Actor * FreeFilmBook.com (Your FREE Filmmaking Audio Book) * Six Secrets to get into Film Festivals for FREE! Action Items: * Subscribe to the Podcast on iTunes,  Stitcher, Soundcloud or via RSS.

How Not to Get Ripped Off in Post Production Over the years I’ve seen many of my fellow indie filmmakers get completely ripped off when they entered the post production process. So many promises are given and the rates they charge are criminal. I wanted to put together a podcast to pull the curtain back on the “true” pricing of post production services. Now this is based on my experience working in Los Angeles so the prices might differ depending where you are in the country or the world. I hope this episode provides a great amount of value and that it saves you your hard earned cash while making your next indie film. Enjoy! Right click here to download the MP3 LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE * Post Production: Consulting * Filmmaking Hacks: How to Shoot & Market Your Indie Film * Film Festival Hacks: How to Submit Your Indie Film Like a Pro * USC Film School’s ONLY On-line Course: Directing the Actor * FreeFilmBook.com (Your FREE Filmmaking Audio Book) * Six Secrets to get into Film Festivals for FREE! Action Items: * Subscribe to the Podcast on iTunes,  Stitcher, Soundcloud or via RSS. If you like How Not to Get Ripped Off in Post Production, then click below: Post Production Workflow: Understand It or DIE! Enjoyed “How Not to Get Ripped Off in Post Production” Please share it in your social networks (Facebook, Twitter, email etc) by using social media buttons at the side or bottom of the blog. Or post to your blog and anywhere else you feel it would be a good fit. Thanks. I welcome thoughts and remarks on ANY of the content above in the comments section below… Get Social with Indie Film Hustle: Facebook: Indie Film Hustle Twitter: @indiefilmhustle  Instagram: @ifilmhustle YouTube: Indie Film Hustle TV Podcast: IFH Podcast IFH: Filmmaking Hacks