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

IndieFlix – How to Get Your Indie Film to the Masses w/ Scilla Andreen How do you get your indie film out to the masses and actually get paid doing so? Scilla Andreen from Indieflix might have a unique approach. IndieFlix is an on-line streaming service that focuses on independent film, television, web series and short films. The company has been around since 2005 and has survived three technology changes in the distribution space. What makes IndieFlix unique in the indie film distribution space is that they pay by minutes watched. You heard me correctly, filmmakers get paid for every minute people watch their content. Also the filmmaker keeps 70% of the cash! Take a listen to the CEO of IndieFlix Scilla Andreen as we discuss the state of film distribution, marketing your indie films and how exciting it is to be an independent filmmaker today. Right click here to download the MP3 LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE * Official Site * How to Distribute Your Indie Film Online with Scilla Andreen * IFH 023: How to Crowdfund Your Film Like a Pro w/ Emily Best * IFH: Guerrilla Indie Film School * 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 IndieFlix – How to Get Your Indie Film to the Masses, then click below: How to Crowdfund Your Film Like a Pro w/ Emily Best Enjoyed “IndieFlix – How to Get Your Indie Film to the Masses w/ Scilla Andreen” 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...

The FIVE Lies of Indie Film Distribution Indie film distribution in a mystery to most indie filmmakers. It is filled with deception, scams, mis-information and straight out LIES! I wanted to put together an episode spotlighting the five major lies filmmakers hear about film distribution. Like many truths in the world these might not be easy to swallow but there is hope. If you have a plan “BEFORE YOU SHOOT YOUR FILM” your odds of success go up greatly. I see so many indie filmmakers killing themselves to make their films but have no idea how to recoup their money or actually make a living doing what they love to do. I hope this podcast helps. Right click here to download the MP3 LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE * Insider View of Creating an Indie Feature Film – FULL ACCESS MEMBERSHIP * IFH: Filmmaking Hacks: How to Shoot and Market Your 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. If you like The 5 Lies of Indie Film Distribution, then click below: How to Create Multiple Revenue Streams for Your Indie Film Enjoyed “The 5 Lies of Indie Film Distribution” 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

Are the Oscars Too White…Again? #OscarsSoWhite So the question of the moment is “Why are the Oscars® so white again? #OscarsSoWhite The 88th Annual Academy Awards haven’t even aired yet, and there is a hurricane of drama surrounding Hollywood’s most exciting night. Celebrities like Spike Lee and Will and Jada Pinkett Smith have called for a boycott due to a lack of minority nominees. Related: Insider View of Creating a Indie Feature Film – FULL ACCESS MEMBERSHIP If you look at the graphic below (Courtesy of www.mirror.co.uk) you see the Acadamy doesn’t have a firm foundation to stand on. Courtesy of www.mirror.co.uk I usually don’t discuss topics like this on Indie Film Hustle but when the opportunity to have a sit-down with RB Botto from Stage 32.com and talk all things Oscar I jumped at the chance. Related: Filmmaking Hacks: How to Shoot and Market Your Indie Film We discuss not only “Why are the Oscars® so white again? #OscarsSoWhite” but we discuss this year’s Oscar races, surprises, snubs and we talk about the current state of the film business. Take a listen! Right click here to download the MP3 If you like video better, here’s the video feed of me and RB at Stage 32 headquarters.   LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE * Stage 32.com * IFH 023: How to Crowdfund Your Film Like a Pro w/ Emily Best * IFH: Filmmaking Hacks: How to Shoot and Market Your 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. If you like Are the Oscars Too White…Again? #OscarsSoWhite, then click below: Blueprint for Making it in the Film Business Enjoyed “Why are the Oscars so White…Again? #OscarsSoWhite” 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 sect...

Ultimate Filmmakers Resource: Watch IFH Make a KICK ASS Movie Well we’ve been together for 50 episodes. I really can’t believe it. What started out as something small has ballooned into something far beyond anything I ever dreamed of. My goal with IFH and the podcast was and is to help filmmakers naviagte the dangerous waters of the film business. What happen though is I got so much more out of this personally than I ever expected. The IFH Tribe has been so supportive and thankful for the show and you all truly keep me going. Thx u! In the spirt of creating more AWESOME CONTENT for the IFH Tribe I have a HUGE announcement. I will be directing my first feature film this year and it’s not any feature, the screenplay is written by the writer of AUGUST RUSH, Mr. Paul Castro. You must be asking, “How the hell did this happen?” Me too! Take a listen to the amazing story and find out about the “one of a kind filmmakers resource” Paul and I are creating for the IFH Tribe. I know you’ll love it. Take a listen to this podcast to get all the details on our new film “ANYA.” If you want to be a part of the marketing LAUNCH TEAM and want to be on the inside and see how we launch the crowdfunding campaign email me: launch@indiefilmhustle.com. Spaces are limited & this is a RARE opportunity to see how you really launch a crowdfunding campaign and beyond!  If you want to sign up for that “one of a kind filmmakers resource” go to: FULL ACCESS We encourage you to ask questions and see how what we are doing with ANYA applies to your film project. Thank you all for being loyal members of the IFH Tribe. I hope we can continue to learn from each other and also learn how to navigate these rough film business waters together. This is just the beginning. More to come… Right click here to download the MP3 LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE * Be a Part of the LAUNCH TEAM: launch@indiefilmhustle.com * Sign Up for the One of a Kind Filmmakers Resource:  FULL ACCESS * Anya – IMDB * Seed and Spark * IFH 039: How to Write the Million Dollar Screenplay with August Rush writer Paul Castro * Filmmaking Hacks: How to Shoot & Market Your Indie Film * The Million Dollar Screenplay Course * 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.

Stephanie Palmer – How to Pitch Your Film Like a Pro Ever wanted to learn the dark craft of being able to pitch your story idea successfully? Stephanie Palmer has made it her life’s mission to help people do just that. Stephanie Palmer is a former MGM Pictures executive and best-selling author of the book “Good in a Room: How To Sell Yourself (And Your Ideas) And Win Over Any Audience” Stephanie Palmer was the Director of Creative Affairs for MGM where she supervised the acquisition, development, and production of feature films. During my time at MGM, she was named by The Hollywood Reporter as one of the “Top 35 Executives Under 35.” Prior to MGM, she worked at Jerry Bruckheimer Films. She has heard thousands of pitches. She know how to and how not to pitch your screenplay or story idea. She worked on films like Legally Blonde, Armageddon, Con Air and was even on an intern on Titanic, there’s a very inserting story there. Learn how to pitch your screenplay like a pro with Stephanie Palmer. Right click here to download the MP3 LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE * Official Site * Good in a Room * Filmmaking Hacks: How to Shoot & Market Your Indie Film * The Million Dollar Screenplay Course * 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.

I know that everyone reading this has had a moment in time where someone did not believe in them for one reason or another. It’s a part of life and a REAL BIG PART of the film industry. So many times in my career I was told that: “You nuts! That’ll never work.” or “That’s never been done before.” Well I love hearing that. It has taken time for me to enjoy when people say “it can’t be done.” I truly use it as fuel. You must first believe in yourself before anyone will believe in you. Now you also have to be smart about this. You can’t blindly believe in yourself without having a plan, educating yourself and understanding the playing field you’ll be walking on to. In this episode I go over exactly that, how to deal with non-believers and how to build a plan to make your goal come true. Please share this episode with anyone who needs to hear it. Right click here to download the MP3 LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE * IFH: Film Festival Hacks: How to Submit Your Film Like a Pro * IFH: Filmmaking Hacks * Twitter Hacks: How to Build a Following on Twitter * USC Film School’s ONLY On-line Course: Directing the Actor * FreeFilmBook.com (Your FREE Filmmaking Audio Book) * IFH 039: How to Write the Million Dollar Screenplay with August Rush writer Paul Castro * 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 this episode, then take a listen to: Enjoyed this podcast episode? 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

Yancey Arias – How to Make It as a Working Actor Want to learn how to make it as a working actor? Well studying actor, producer and director Yancey Arias would not be a bad start. I met Yancey Arias years ago and since have worked on several projects together. I’ve always admired how Yancey was able to always keep working. To date Yancey Arias has over 70 acting credits in film, television and Broadway. His credit list is kind of nuts: * Castle * NCSI: New Orleans * The Sopranos * Bones * Hawaii 5.0 * Elementary * Blue Bloods * CSI: NY * NCIS: Los Angeles * Burn Notice * The Shield I just got tired of typing, his credit list is impressive to say the least. He’s also worked on huge studio tentpoles live Live Free or Die Hard, Time Machine and the Hands of Stone starring Robert DeNiro.

Film Festival Hacks: Secrets on How to Get Your Film Accepted Getting into film festival is getting tougher and tougher everyday. Indie filmmakers can end up spending thousands and thousands of dollars submitting to every film festival around, and there are a ton. At last count there was over 3000 film festivals around the world. That’s a lot of submission fees. When I was doing my rounds with my films I learned a few things. A few tricks that I put into a FREE eBook: “Six Tips to Get into Film Festivals for cheap or FREE.” This eBook was such a success that the Indie Film Hustle Tribe kept reaching out to me to create some sort of “master class” on film festivals. Well I heard the call and teamed up with arguably one of the leading voices in film festivals Chris Holland from FilmFestivalsSecrets.com. We got together and create a one of a kind resource for any filmmaker even thinking of submitting to a film festival. We call it Film Festival Hacks! In this episode I give you a SNEAK PEEK at Film Festival Hacks and let you listen to a FREE lecture from the course. So get ready to take notes and have a taste of Film Festival Hacks. Oh, before I forget Chris Holland is also giving you another FREE sample of the course on his podcast so when you are done listening to this head over there for more FREE content. Click here: FilmFestivalSecrets – Podcast Right click here to download the MP3 LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE * Film Festival Hacks * IFH: Filmmaking Hacks * Twitter Hacks: 10,000 True Fans in 10 Weeks * FilmFestivalSecrets – Podcast (FREE PREVIEW OF FILM FESTIVAL HACKS) * 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 Film Festival Hacks: Secrets on How to Get Your Film Accepted , then click below: How to Use Social Media to Sell Your Film Enjoyed ” Film Festival Hacks: Secrets on How to Get Your Film Accepted ” Please share it in your social networks (Facebook, Twitter, email etc) by using social media buttons at the side or bo...

Twitch Film – From Film Geek to On-line Media Empire How does a film geek turn his love for movies into a media empire? Ask Todd Brown from Twitch Film. I met Todd Brown over ten years ago when I was promoting my short film “BROKEN.” He did a killer review of the film and we became fast friends. His movie review site Twitch Film.com was just starting out then but it has grown into a leading voice in global cinema. Twitch Film focuses on more obscure, independent and international films; something that was missing from the movie review site blogosphere. Twitch Film’s focus on those kind of films made it stand out and over the years has grown into a mega movie website. My advice, always be nice to people you never know when you paths will cross again. Todd leveraged his knowledge and access to great international and independent films and joined forces with XYZ Films. XYZ Films is an integrated content company whose mission is to empower visionary storytellers from every corner of the planet. As an independent production company and worldwide sales agency, the company is uniquely suited to identify talented filmmakers and bring their stories to life. You might of heard of some of their breakout hits “The Raid ” and “The Raid 2.” Todd and I sat down to discuss all things film geek, the state on independent film and the new landscape of film distribution. Enjoy! Right click here to download the MP3 LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE * Official Site * XYZ Films * The Raid & The Raid 2 * Filmmaking Hacks: How to Shoot & Market Your Indie Film * Twitter Hacks: 10,000 True Fan in 10 Weeks * 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 Jon Reiss – The Ultimate Guide to Film Distribution & Marketing,

How to Create Multiple Revenue Streams for Your Indie Film The one thing more difficult than actually making an indie film is marketing and selling that film. I get asked all the time the same question: “How can I make CASH, MONEY, DINERO with my film?” So I decided to put together this very dense podcast with suggestions on multiple revenue streams for independent films. This podcast is probably one of the most info packed episodes I’ve ever done. So get your iPad ready to take some detail notes cause this episode is worth MUCHO DINERO for the filmmaker who wants to put in the work. Right click here to download the MP3 LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE * IFH 023: How to Crowdfund Your Film Like a Pro w/ Emily Best * IFH: 025: How t Get a Theatrical Release for Your Indie Film * IFH 017: Guide to Selling Your Film to VOD * IFH: Filmmaking Hacks * Twitter Hacks: 10,000 True Fans in 10 Weeks * 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! * Kung Fury * Turbo Kid * Vimeo Pro * VHX.tv * Seed and Spark * Tugg * Indie Rights Action Items: * Subscribe to the Podcast on iTunes,  Stitcher, Soundcloud or via RSS. If you like How to Create Multiple Revenue Streams for Your Indie Film, then click below: How to Crowdfund Your Film Like a Pro w/ Emily Best Enjoyed “How to Create Multiple Revenue Streams for Your Indie Film” 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: 

Jon Reiss – The Ultimate Guide to Film Distribution & Marketing Want to hear a crazy story on how one filmmaker used a hybrid distribution and marketing strategy to sell his film Bomb It. May I introduce Jon Reiss.  After hearing his story I had to have him on the show so he can tell his story to the IFH Tribe. Jon Reiss was named one of “10 Digital Directors to Watch” by Daily Variety, Jon Reiss is a critically acclaimed filmmaker whose experience releasing his documentary feature, Bomb It with a hybrid distribution and marketing strategy. This strategy inspired him writing Think Outside the Box Office: The Ultimate Guide to Film Distribution and Marketing for the Digital Era, the first step-by-step guide for filmmakers to distribute and market their films. Two years ago he co-wrote Selling Your Film Without Selling Your Soul and last year co-wrote Selling Your Film Outside the U.S.: Digital Distribution in Europe. (FREE AUDIO BOOK VERSIONS HERE) Jon Reiss teaches in the Film Directing Program at California Institute of the Arts. He created the course “Real World Survival Skills: Everything I Wish I Had Been Taught in Film School” which covers the practical/business aspects of filmmaking from fundraising through distribution. Jon is a very interesting filmmaker. When I spoke to him he brought the heat and shared a ton of film marketing and distribution knowledge. Take a listen to a few film distribution tips from Jon Reiss: Enjoy my conversation with Jon Reiss. Right click here to download the MP3 LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE * Official Site * Think Outside the Box Office: The Ultimate Guide to Film Distribution & Marketing * Selling Your Film Without Selling Your Soul  FREE AUDIO BOOK VERSION *

Social Media: How to Use It to Sell Your Film Social media is a mystery to most filmmakers. It’s really easy to get lost in Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Tumblr, Youtube, Snap Chat, Periscope, Meerkat, or any of the hundreds of other social media platforms available online. With so many choices and platforms to learn many of us just don’t even bother but for those that take the time to educate themselves on social media and it’s power the rewards can be HUGE. Marketing an indie film today without including social media is crazy. To watch how Star Wars: The Force Awakens leveraged social media in their marketing campaign was like watching Bobby Fisher play chess…masterful. In this episode I give you a few tips on how to use social media to build your brand, sell your product or promote your film. I also introduce my new social media mega online course: Twitter Hacks for Filmmakers: How to Get 10,000 True Fans in 10 Weeks Right click here to download the MP3 LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE * Twitter Hacks for Filmmakers: 10,000 True Fans in 10 Weeks – Click Here * IFH: Filmmaking Hacks * 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 this show take a listen to: Marketing Star Wars: 5 Secrets Indie Filmmakers Can Learn Enjoyed “11 Ways on How to Use Social Media to Sell Your Indie Film” 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:

Paddy Bird’s: How to Craft a Freelance Career The Indie Film Hustle Podcast has been around for five short months. I have not had the same guest on twice, until now. Paddy Bird from Inside the Edit. Last time he was on Paddy Bird dropped some major post production knowledge on the IFH Tribe. I had to have him back. Just as a refresher, Paddy Bird  is one of television’s most prolific and accomplished editors. For the past fifteen years he has edited dozens of prime time documentary, entertainment and reality TV shows for British and American television. He has even worked in war zones, spending time editing news stories on location in Iraq. He also created Inside the Edit, the world’s best course on creative editing…period. You can get more info on Inside the Edit and listen to our last podcast here: IFH 013: Inside the Edit. This time around we discuss how to build a career as an editor and a freelancer. Paddy goes into a ton of detail and as always delivers the goods. You may need to listen to this episode more than once. Enjoy my conversation with Paddy Bird! Here’s a FREE Tutorial from Inside the Edit: If you’re interested in checking out his master editing course click here: Inside the Edit TO GET 10% OFF USE THE PROMO CODE: IFHCREATIVE Right click here to download the MP3 LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE * Inside the Edit – TO GET 10% OFF USE THE PROMO CODE: IFHCREATIVE * IFH: Online Indie Film School * 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 this show take a listen to: Post Production Workflow – UNDERSTAND IT or DIE! Enjoyed “How to Craft a Freelance Career with Paddy Bird” 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: 

Knowing When to Work for FREE in the Film Industry So I know working in the film industry can be tough. Breaking in is even tougher. Many people tell you you have to work for free or intern somewhere to get a foot in the door. Now those people aren’t totally wrong. The question is when do you work for free? When is trading your time, energy and effort really worth it? In this episode I break down when you should work for free or cheap and when you need to stand your ground and get paid. This episode is not just for film students. I tell you my story of when I got to Los Angeles and what I choose to do and why even after having 10 years of experience, credits and work under my belt. Enjoy this eye opening episode. Right click here to download the MP3 LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE * IFH: Guerrilla Indie Film School * IFH 035: What Happens After You Win the SXSW Film Festival with Brant Sersen * 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 Knowing When to Work for FREE in the Film Industry, then click below: How to Crowdfund Your Film Like a Pro w/ Emily Best Enjoyed “Knowing When to Work for FREE in the Film Industry” 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: Guerilla Indie Film School

August Rush: The Million Dollar Screenplay Paul Castro We’ve all read in Variety or The Hollywood Reporter of some no name screenwriter selling his or her screenplay for a million bucks. Ever wonder how they did it? What structure did they use? What tricks of the trade were employed? May I introduce Paul Castro, the original writer of one of my favorite films August Rush. Paul Castro is a produced, award winning screenwriter and world-renowned screenwriting professor. “Structure…is the canvas on which we paint with words.” – Paul Castro His project, August Rush was produced by Warner Brothers and starred the late great Robin Williams, Keri Russell, Freddie Highmore and Jonathan Rhys Meyers. The film took Paul Castro into the belly of the Hollywood beast. The business of screenwriting can be tough, but while a student at the UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television, he was a finalist for the Coca-Cola Refreshing Filmmaker’s Award for directing and producing his original screenplay Healing, and landed a three picture screenwriting deal worth $1 million. The lessons he learned not only from selling August Rush but many other Hollywood screenwriting adventures were invaluable. He later went back and became a screenwriting professor at UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television, teaching thousands of students over his ten years of teaching. “Paul Castro teaches screenwriting from the inside out.” – Richard Walter, UCLA Screenwriting Chairperson. After being a screenwriting professor, script doctoring and consulting Paul decided to create the ultimate screenwriting course. He calls it “The Million Dollar Screenplay.” I took the course myself and all I have to say is WOW! Paul teaches with an elegant style that’s extremely understandable and straight to the point. Success leaves clues and so do masterfully crafted screenplays that sell for millions of dollars. Paul Castro shows you those secrets. Not trying to do a hard sell here but I just love this course. “What clearly resonates with me is Paul’s love for and dedication to his students and to storytelling. He is a composed and practical artist and teacher, yet highly imaginative in his approach.” – Michael Eisner, Former CEO of The Walt Disney Company. Here’s some of what Paul covers in his course: * Professional screenwriting techniques * Plot development for the big screen * Creating compelling characters to attract movie stars * Winning dialogue * Structure to serve as the blueprint for your movie * Scene construction to evoke suspense * Sequence writing to manage an ensemble cast After taking his course I reached out to him and asked him to be a guest on the podcast. What followed was not only a master class in screenwriting but also lessons on the film business and he also discussed how to discover your own voice as an artist. Pretty mind-blowing. Enjoy this whopper of a podcast episode and if you haven’t seen August Rush do yourself a favor a watch it. It’s worth watching for Robin Williams alone! If you’re interest in downloading his course click here: The Million Dollar Screenplay  Right click here to download the MP3