indie film hustle podcast

Why Filmmakers are Always So F*ckin' Broke

I'm truly PISSED OFF guys and am tired of seeing my fellow indie filmmakers and artist struggle to make a living doing what they love. I decided to put together a lists of steps that every indie filmmaker needs to do in order to thrive in the film business.

Since this website is call INDIE FILM HUSTLE the terminology I'll be using will be aimed at filmmaking or screenwriting but all of these concepts can be applied to any art form.

PLEASE NOTE: If you were to ever listen to a podcast of mine, this is the one. I'll be laying out the steps in the article but I go MUCH DEEPER into each one on the podcast. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN.

Right click here to download the MP3

indie film syndicate, indie film hustle, filmmaking course, online film school, filmmaking, indie film, social media

LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

INDIE FILM SYNDICATE Filmmaking Community
THIS IS MEG Crowdfunding Campaign
IFH 005: Do I Need to Move to Los Angeles to Make it in the Film Business?
Aaron Sorkin Master Class
Werner Herzog Master Class
Robert Townsen - Hollywood Shuffle
Spike Lee - She's Gotta Have It
Kevin Smith  - Clerks
FreeFilmBook.com (Your FREE Filmmaking Audio Book)
IFH's Online Film School
Intro to RED Cinema Camera - Online Course
Six Secrets to get into Film Festivals for FREE!
Action Items:

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If you like Why Filmmakers are Always So F*ckin' Broke & What They Can Do to Change It,
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Werner Herzog, Werner Herzog Masterclass, Masterclass, Werner Herzog: A Guide for the Perplexed, Rogue Film School, filmmaking, Grizzly Man, Cave of Forgotten Dreams, Into the Abyss, Aguirre, the Wrath of God, The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser, Fitzcarraldo, Little Dieter Needs to Fly

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

IFH 088: Why Filmmakers are Always So F*ckin' Broke & What They Can Do to Change It

How to Find an Audience for Your Indie Film with Media Circus

Today on the show we have Adam Bowman and Paul Koshlap from Media Circus PR. These guys specialize in marketing for indie films and filmmakers. They handle digital marketing, public relations, digital advertising and much more. 

We discuss the state of indie film marketing, how to find an audience for your film and tips and tricks to get you film and yourself out there. 

Enjoy my interview with Adam and Paul from Media Circus.

Right-click here to download the MP3 
Download on iTunes Direct
Watch on IFH YouTube Channel

Slamdance / Blackmagic Design Workshop

Join Alex Ferrari as he shares tips and tricks using Blackmagic Design cameras and post-production workflow. He discusses handling the post for Hulu's Dimension 404, directing the Nerdist/Legendary Digital's series The S.P.A.A.C.E Program and his debut feature film This is Meg.

The workshop will be on Saturday, January 20th at the Treasure Mountain Inn from 2:30pm-4:30pm, followed by a happy hour. 

Slamdance HQ, Screening Rooms, and Filmmaker Lounge
at Treasure Mountain Inn (TMI)
255 Main Street, Park City, Summit County, UT 84060
(323) 466-1786

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

IFH 213: How to Find an Audience for Your Indie Film with Media Circus

How to Become a Working Director without Film School with Cole Walliser

I've always said that "film school" isn't for everyone. There is so much noise and advertising telling filmmakers that you NEED to go to film school to be taken seriously. I disagree COMPLETELY and so does today's guest! On the show today is director Cole Walliser. Here's a bit on Cole's amazing filmmaking journey so far.

Cole Walliser, born in Steveston, BC Canada and bred in Vancouver, now lives in Los Angeles doing most of the same things he did in his country of birth – playing guitar, drinking scotch and directing cool videos.

“I started with filming skateboarding at about 14. For some reason everyone kept handing me the camera. I guess I had a knack for getting cool shots. Music videos has been a natural progression.”



Once he decided to pursue directing as a career, he knew he had to be in Los Angeles to reach his full potential. In LA, Cole began shooting videos for professional dancer friends on a pro-bono basis when a dancer, returning the favor, asked him to be involved in some dance videos for Miley Cyrus.

These videos impacted the entertainment industry bigger than anyone could of imagined with everyone from Ellen DeGeneres to Madonna to Ryan Seacrest reporting and commenting on the videos. These videos then led him to direct Miley’s 2008 Teen Choice Awards performance featuring LL Cool J.



In 2009 Cole was introduced to P!NK’s management, led by industry heavyweight Roger Davies. The meeting proved fateful, providing him with his next project directing the opening video for her Funhouse World Tour (originally slotted for Dave Meyers).

Cole continued working with P!nk on the record-breaking Australian tour where he gave fans a glimpse into P!nk's life on tour with a 30-minute documentary “On Tour with P!nk”. His successive work on four new P!NK music videos (Please Don’t Leave Me, Funhouse, Leave Me Alone [I’m Lonely], Mean), along with the documentary, found their home in P!NK’s 'Greatest Hits So Far' DVD.

Enjoy my inspiring conversation with Cole Walliser.

IFH 215: How to Become a Working Director without Film School with Cole Walliser

Insider Tips on How to Crowdfund Your Film on Kickstarter with Elise McCave

On the show today is Elise McCave, Director of Narrative Film at Kickstarter. Elise drops some major knowledge bombs on this episode. She goes over what it takes to have a successful crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter, what makes a good pitch video and we discuss some success stories as well.

Thanks again to Media Circus PR who co-produced these podcasts episodes with me. Enjoy my interview with Elise McCave.

IFH 217: Insider Tips on Crowdfunding Your Film on Kickstarter with Elise McCave

Using Algorithms to Help Sell Your Indie Film with Sundance's Liz and Jess

Sundance is back on the show. I had the pleasure of having returning champion Liz Manashil (listen to her interview here) and Jess from the Sundance Institute. We discuss the very cool things they are up to at the Sundance Creative Distribution Fellowship and how they are using data to help indie filmmakers find an audience and sell their films.

Thanks again to Media Circus PR who co-produced these podcasts episodes with me. Enjoy my interview with Liz and Jess.

IFH 218: Using Algorithms to Help Sell Your Indie Film with Sundance's Liz and Jess

Please note: Throwback Fridays are archival episodes from the Indie Film Hustle Podcast. After many requests from the IFH Tribe to bring back some of the show's best episodes, I decided to create Throwback Fridays. These episodes will not be posted every week but at least twice a month...if not more. There's so much amazing info and knowledge bombs in many of these past episodes and I don't want them to be lost in the sea of IFH Content so I'll be putting a spotlight on them in Throwback Fridays. Enjoy!

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!

THROWBACK FRIDAY: Top 5 Film Festival SCAMS Filmmakers Need to Be Aware Of!

How to Package an Indie Film for Investors with Tiffany Boyle

Today on the show is Tiffany Boyle from Ramo Law. Tiffany helps indie filmmakers package their projects in a way that helps them attract producers, investors, other top-end actors, and studios. We had a great conversation at this year's Sundance Film Festival. Here's some info on today's guest.

Tiffany Boyle has been with Ramo Law since 2009, where she works with the attorneys to review, collaborate, develop, submit and supervise creative materials on behalf of clients within the Firm. Boyle actively works with clients in connection to production and distribution opportunities that bring their new material to life. From television (unscripted/scripted) to feature films to internet properties, she oversees all creative content represented by the firm. Her recent projects include REBIRTH (Netflix original film), YOUTH IN OREGON (starring Christine Applegate, Billy Crudup and Frank Langella), SPRING (premiered in TIFF), THE 12TH HOUR (documentary narrated by Jeff Bridges), STUCK IN LOVE(starring Greg Kinnear and Jennifer Connelly), FRANKIE GO BOOM (starring Charlie Hunnam), SOME GIRL(S) (starring Adam Brody), and FREE SAMPLES (starring Jesse Eisenberg). She also executive produced I-LIVED (directed by Franck Khalfoun).

Prior to joining Ramo Law, Boyle was the Director of Sales at Crystal Sky Pictures (GHOST RIDER, TEKKEN). Her responsibilities included the creation of marketing materials, coordination of marketing and delivery materials for international buyers and planning and selling at markets and festivals (including EFM, AFM, Marche Du Film, MIPCOM, Sundance and Toronto). She also acted as the financial intermediary for buyer collections and proper bank filings.

Boyle was previously a development assistant at Crystal Sky, working under head of production Benedict Carver (UNDERWORLD, RESIDENT EVIL) and head of international sales Daniel Diamond (THE BELIEVER). She worked in all aspects of production on the company’s films, including DOOMSDAY, BIG STAN and BRATZ.

Thanks again to Media Circus PR who co-produced these podcasts episodes with me. Enjoy my interview with Tiffany Boyle.

IFH 220: How to Package an Indie Film for Investors with Tiffany Boyle

Finding an Audience for Indie Films in 2018 with Shaked Berenson

Today's guest is a returning champion Shaked Berenson from Epic Pictures. On this special edition Sundance episode Shaked and I discuss marketing and finding an audience for your indie films in 2018. We discuss their recent acquisition of the Horror Blog/Brand Dread Central and how you can use today's tools to find your audience. 

Shaked has produced films like the cult hit Turbo Kid (SXSW Audience Award), Entertainment (Official Sundance Film Festival Selection) and the animated film Space Dogs: Adventure to the Moon. What is great about Shaked is that he has created his own ecosystem. From financing to production to distribution, all under one umbrella. This way he cuts out the middleman and he can keep more of the profits.

Thanks again to Media Circus PR who co-produced these podcasts episodes with me. Enjoy my interview with Shaked Berenson.

IFH 221: Finding an Audience for Indie Films in 2018 with Shaked Berenson

Please note: Throwback Fridays are archival episodes from the Indie Film Hustle Podcast. After many requests from the IFH Tribe to bring back some of the show's best episodes, I decided to create Throwback Fridays. These episodes will not be posted every week but at least twice a month...if not more. There's so much amazing info and knowledge bombs in many of these past episodes and I don't want them to be lost in the sea of IFH Content so I'll be putting a spotlight on them in Throwback Fridays. Enjoy!

Fast and Cheap: Lessons Learned for the No-Budget Feature

On this week's episode, I go way to a simpler time, the 90s, and discuss the lessons we can learn from some filmmaking legends. I'll discuss films by Robert Rodriguez, Kevin Smith, Christopher Nolan, and Richard Linklater to break down and learn the techniques they used to make awesome, no-budget feature films with limited resources.

"In no-budget filmmaking, your limitations are your guide."

If you take note of what filmmakers did before you, you can jump-start your filmmaking career. Enjoy!

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

THROWBACK FRIDAY: Fast and Cheap: Lessons Learned for the No-Budget Feature Film

Today's guest is writer/director/actor/producer Claudia Pickering. She recently wrote and directed the feature film "Frisky" for just $5000. I wanted to have her on the show to discuss the tricks of the trade when making a feature for such a low budget. The film has also played at countless film festivals and won a ton of awards.

Two twenty-somethings move to San Francisco to chase their career but end up chasing tail instead.

When two twenty-something women move back to San Francisco, where they had met on exchange years earlier, their high career aspirations quickly become sidelined by their sexual interests. While wildly crass and charismatic in their public personas, they are in fact fundamentally at odds on many levels. Their opposing beliefs surrounding responsibility and romance, combined with their close quarters while crashing in an acquaintance's living room, find them thrust onto a fast track to discovering what their friendship is really made of. Based on true events, Frisky is an honest, tongue-in-cheek look at what it is to be a woman in the limbo years between college and "the real world".


★★★★  "This fearless, fun comedy offers a welcome female take on twentysomethings finding themselves amid aimless drifting, partying and hook-ups, its simple story bolstered by a sharp script and charismatic comedic turn from writer/director Claudia Pickering." - Empire Magazine

Here's some info on Claudia: 

Claudia Pickering’s comedy filmmaking career began with acting which lead to writing comedy sketches... and they just kept getting longer. To be more specific, it began when she and her mate Anna convinced Danny Trejo - movie star, ex-convict and face of Old El Paso - to perform a Backstreet Boys-style dance under a dimly-lit bridge. They did not ask the 65-yr old to take off his shirt, he did that all on his own as they evidently have that effect on people.

Since then, International film festivals have showered her two feature films Frisky and Winning Formula with official selections and awards, which is a nice change from when she and her mate Tori used to steal stickers in first grade and wear them on their school uniform collars as though they had been legitimately awarded them.

It surprised the pants off Pickering when Frisky was distributed by Madman and optioned by Jungle Entertainment to create a TV show, which is handy as she is likely to be pantsless for a large portion of the show itself. She did manage to keep her pants on, if you can call yoga tights pants, while directing the Resting Pitch Face webseries for Google and is currently in development on 3 features through her company Cliff House Productions with mixed pants status. One of her extracurriculars includes running the Freshflix Film Festival in Sydney (Vivid) and Los Angeles (AiF) which is mostly just an excuse to take photos at the media wall to update her LinkedIn profile.

The above projects have allowed her to avoid the field of Architecture in which she holds a Masters degree - a method superior to holding her breath until she faints, which was her avoidance tactic of choice up until about age three.

Claudia Pickering's Tips For Budget Filmmaking

Use Craigslist to advertise for cast and crew, also ask your network.
Offer profit share for people to work for free.
Use the majority of your budget for post-production sound and color.
Offer bigger credits for those working for free
Do most of the dirty work yourself.

Enjoy my conversation with Claudia Pickering.

IFH 222: How to Shoot and Sell a $5000 Micro Budget Feature Film with Claudia Pickering

Imagine shooting an entire feature film in 24 hours. How could you do something like that and not make it a bad stage play? Today's guest was not only able to do that but made a damn good film in the process. Ivan Malekin and his partner Sarah Jayne directed the feature film Friends, Foes & Fireworks in just one night (24 hours). Here's some info on the film.

An intimate New Year's Eve reunion of five female friends in the independent acting scene becomes a test of relationships when old tensions spark, truths are told, and rivalries are reignited. Will the group make it through the night together or will their friendship fizzle out like an overzealous fireworks display?

Filmed in a single night, the craziest and most chaotic night of the year - NYE - and relying entirely on improvisation, Friends, Foes & Fireworks is an ambitious Australian drama exploring relationships, love, friendship and the truths we try and fail to keep to ourselves.

We dive into what it took to make a film in 24 hours, did they use a script or scriptment? How many cameras? How many crew and much more. Get ready to be inspired and enjoy my conversation with Ivan Malekin.

IFH 225: How to Shoot a Feature Film in 24 Hours with Ivan Malekin

The NO Bullsh*t Guide to Making Your Indie Film with Jeff Leisawitz

Have you ever been in a place where nothing is going right creatively? Do you ever feel like you are standing in your own way? Me too. Today's guest is author Jeff Leisawitz who wrote Not F*ing Around— the No Bullsh*t Guide for Getting Your Creative Dreams Off the Ground.  This little pack quite a punch. 

I wanted to have Jeff on the show to drop some knowledge bombs to wake up the tribe a bit. To help you get out of you own way; to get you out of any creative rut. 

About the book: Can't quite get your creative juices flowing? The day job sucking your soul? Fizzled out before you put the finishing touches on your amazing creation? With relentless positivity, full-on authenticity and a punk rock thunder spirit, author Jeff Leisawitz pulls back the curtain on the creative process and reminds us that we are all creative SuperStars.

It's time to get off the couch and get on the path. It's time to tap into the cosmic heartbeat that thumps in your chest and shines from your soul. It's time to get NFA!

About Jeff Leisawitz: Jeff is an award-winning musician/ producer, a critically acclaimed author and internationally distributed filmmaker who has devoted his life to creativity.

As the guy behind Electron Love Theory, Jeff fused interviews with Seattle’s WTO demonstrators into electronic music, garnering more than a quarter million downloads worldwide. Jeff has released five studio albums and has landed thousands of music placements in film, TV and multimedia for clients like HBO, MTV, Discovery, Microsoft, NBC and many others.

As the founding writer for Seattle’s taste-making alternative rock station 107.7 The End, he chronicled the alternative grunge scene in the 90s.

After training as a Life Coach and practicing NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Re-Patterning) Jeff landed a gig as an adjunct faculty member at Pacific Lutheran University— teaching college students to rock. (Seriously)

When creative businesses, schools and organizations like Brown Paper Tickets, Tacoma School of the Arts, Gage Academy of Art, Northwest Film Forum and others need to amp up the creativity, Jeff leads workshops and events to fire up the creative spirit and empower people to tap into their true potential.

Enjoy my conversation with Jeff Leisawitz.

IFH 226: The NO Bullsh*t Guide to Making Your Indie Film with Jeff Leisawitz

How to Make Money with YouTube with Christopher Sharpe

Today's guest is a bonafide Youtube Guru. Chris has not only created one but two massive Youtube Channels. His first was with his wife called Hilah's Cooking which has close to 400,000 users and launched books, speaking engagements, Food Network appearances and much more.

From there he partnered with actress/yoga instructor Adriene Mishler and launched the Yoga with Adriene channel. Now that channel's user base is 3.3 Million subscribers. If you type "Yoga" into Youtube Adriene comes up for the first 7 videos. CRAZY!

Together Chris and Adriene built an online empire. They have a huge membership site, licenced products, a US tour and more. Chris shares the secrets on how he was able to hack the Youtube algorithm and get his video ranked in a MASSIVELY competitive space like YOGA.





Chris literally wrote the book on the subject: [easyazon_link identifier="B00N6TZ19M" locale="US" tag="whatisbroke-20"]YouTube Black Book: How To Create a Channel, Build an Audience and Make Money on YouTube[/easyazon_link]

About the Book: Are you ready to launch your own YouTube Channel, develop a devoted fan base and make money while you’re at it? Christopher Sharpe is the producer of multiple YouTube Channels that attract passionate audiences and add thousands of new subscribers per day.



In YouTube Black Book, Christopher shares how he launched these channels and shows you how to turn a passion for creating YouTube videos into a profitable business. YouTube Black Book offers you a glimpse behind the scenes. Christopher shares his journey with complete transparency so you can emulate his success and avoid his failures. This book focuses on the big pictures strategy of what it really means to create a successful YouTube channel. From setting goals and developing your initial idea to strategies to get more views, YouTube Black Book covers all the bases.

Christopher Sharpe is the producer and director of the popular YouTube Channels Hilah Cooking and Yoga With Adriene. 

Get ready to take notes on this epic interview with Christopher Sharpe.

IFH 227: How to Make Money with YouTube with Christopher Sharpe

So today on the show we have returning champion RB Botto from Stage32.com. RB has been on the show six times. Between film festival panels, interviews, and  Sundance. He’s always a favorite of the IFH Tribe so I thought it was time to bring him back. He finally finished writing his remarkable new book Crowdsourcing for Filmmakers: Indie Film and the Power of the Crowd (American Film Market Presents)
Crowdsourcing for Filmmakers: Indie Film and the Power of the Crowd (American Film Market Presents)
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Crowdsourcing for Filmmakers: Indie Film and the Power of the Crowd (American Film Market Presents)
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Crowdsourcing for Filmmakers: Indie Film and the Power of the Crowd.

Here’s some info on the book.

Whether you’re a producer, screenwriter, filmmaker, or other creative, you probably have a project that needs constant exposure, or a product to promote. But how do you rise above the noise?

In Crowdsourcing for Filmmakers: Indie Film and the Power of the Crowd, Richard Botto explains how to put crowdsourcing to use for your creative project, using social media, networking, branding, crowdfunding, and an understanding of your audience to build effective crowdsourcing campaigns, sourcing everything from film equipment to shooting locations.

Botto covers all aspects of crowdsourcing: how to create the message of your brand, project, or initiative; how to mold, shape, and adjust it based on mass response; how to broadcast a message to a targeted group and engage those with similar likes, beliefs, or interests; and finally, how to cultivate those relationships to the point where the message is no longer put forth solely by you, but carried and broadcasted by those who have responded to it. Using a wealth of case studies and practical know-how based on his years of experience in the industry and as the founder of Stage 32―the largest crowdsourced platform for film creatives―Richard Botto presents a comprehensive and hands-on guide to crowdsourcing creatively and expertly putting your audience to work on your behalf.

IFH 230: CrowdSourcing and Build an Audience for Your Indie Film with RB Botto

This week we were lucky enough to have as our guest best-selling author Karl Iglesias. He has written award-winning books including The 101 Habits of Highly Successful Screenwriters, Writing for Emotional Impact, and Cut to the Chase. (FREE AUDIO BOOK VERSIONS HERE)

I discovered Karl Iglesias' work reading Writing for Emotional Impact. It really transformed the way I wrote screenplays and created a bunch of new habits that I still use today.

Karl is a script-doctor, author, award-winning instructor and story consultant, specializing in the reader’s emotional response to the written page. He helps writers, filmmakers, producers and advertising executives craft better stories that connect emotionally with an audience.

It was a major treat to interview Karl on the show. His work is so specific but yet broad. His one rule that can never be broken,

"Always be interesting."

I think most films coming out of Hollywood today should take that advice. Keep your audience engaged and emotionally invested. So many filmmakers and screenwriters today don't understand that basic concept.

I really asked Karl the tough questions so we could fill this episode with amazing content for you. This is one podcast you won't want to miss. Enjoy!

Bulletproof Screenplay Podcast: Screenwriting | Screenwriters | Screenplay | Movie Scripts | Storytelling | Screenwriting Podcasts | Screenwriting Contests

BPS 007: How to Create an Emotional Impact in Your Screenplay with Karl Iglesias

How to Engage an Audience Before & After You Make Your Indie Film

Today's guest is Kia Kiso, co=producer of the hugely successful indie film Mile… Mile & A Half. Kia and her team where case studies in last weeks guest RB Botto's book Crowdsourcing for Filmmakers: Indie Film and the Power of the Crowd because of the amazing job they did crowdsourcing. Check out the trailer below.

In an epic snow year, five friends leave their daily lives behind to hike California’s historic John Muir Trail, a 211-mile stretch from Yosemite to Mt. Whitney (the highest peak in the contiguous U.S.).  Their goal — complete the journey in 25 days while capturing the amazing sights & sounds they encounter along the way.  Inspired by their bond, humor, artistry & dedication, the group continues to grow: to include other artists, musicians & adventure seekers.  Before they all reach the summit, hikers and viewers alike affirm the old adage — it’s about the journey, not the destination. Mile… Mile & A Half is the feature-length documentary of that journey…

Kia Kiso discusses how they identified, reached out and engaged before and after the production of her film. This episode is a PERFECT companion to lasts weeks (listen to that episode here). Get ready to be inspired and take notes! Enjoy my conversation with Kia Kiso.

IFH 231: How to Engage an Audience Before & After You Make Your Indie Film with Kia Kiso

So how marketable is your film idea or screenplay? I know so many screenwriters and filmmakers who spend months and sometimes years on an idea that is cool to just themselves. Depending on what you are attempting to achieve with your story, you should always figure out if you idea is marketable or if you have a fighting chance of selling the screenplay or final film.

Paul Castro, the writer of the Warner Brothers feature film August Rush (Starring Robin Williams) shares with us his thoughts on how to test and find marketable ideas.

Bulletproof Screenplay Podcast: Screenwriting | Screenwriters | Screenplay | Movie Scripts | Storytelling | Screenwriting Podcasts | Screenwriting Contests | Writers

BPS 009: How Marketable is Your Film Idea or Screenplay?

If you are fans of episode  IFH 088: Why Filmmakers are Always So Damn Broke & What They Can Do to Change It, then you are going to love this one. I wanted to put together an episode as a wake-up call for the IFH Tribe. I wanted to scare the hell out of you a bit but in a good way. So many people talk about their dreams and so few actually doing anything about it. 

This episode is hopefully the kick in the ass you need to get start TODAY and follow your dreams. I share some personal and raw things in this one in hopes that it moves you into action. Disclaimer: I am a bit RAW in this episode so don't listen with small kids in the room. 

I hope this helps you on your path. Enjoy!

IFH 237: Why You Need to Get Up Off Your Ass NOW & Follow Your Dreams

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 with Michael Hauge and I decide to bring one of his best courses to the Bulletproof Screenplay Tribe. We called it the Screenplay and Story Blueprint: The Hero's Two Journeys. (Click here for a special discount)

BPS 010: How to Write a Screenplay That Sells with Michael Hauge

Please note: Throwback Fridays are archival episodes from the Indie Film Hustle Podcast. After many requests from the IFH Tribe to bring back some of the show's best episodes, I decided to create Throwback Fridays. These episodes will not be posted every week but at least twice a month...if not more. There is so much amazing info and knowledge bombs in many of these past episodes and I don't want them to be lost in the sea of IFH Content so I'll be putting a spotlight on them in Throwback Fridays. Enjoy!

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 mainstream 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.

indie film hustle podcast

Naresh Thyagaraj