Making Movies Is Hard!!! A Podcast For Independent Filmmakers | Filmmaking | Producing | Screenwriting | Directing | Features

We focus on feature films this week with several discussions including "what does a $100k feature really look like?" "How do you ask investors for money?" and "what does a good pitch sound like?"

We answer a listener question and discuss what we know (and don't know) about unions. Should you be in a union? Why aren't we?

We're joined by guest host "Robin Schmidt" who has a filmmaking podcast called "The Break-In". We talk to Robin about his filmmaking career in Europe and his plans to break into Hollywood in 12 months.

Alrik is back from Costa Rica and it's time for the guys to catch up. We talk over what it's like coming back from vacation, Timothy's commerical directing, Alrik's writing while he was gone and much more!

When it comes to paid work, you don’t always get the projects you want. Should you say yes to every project you're offered or say no to ones that don't fit your goals?

We're joined by Bay Area Filmmaker Ronnie Allman to talk about filmmaking contests and his new website JustADollarShort.com

This week we give pointers on writing a filmmaker bio and Alrik downloads us on everything he's learned about fundraising

Timothy and Alrik had two wonderful topics lined up but don't even get to them due to an intense discussion about distribution. We also discuss Timothy's plans for The Spirit Machine, Alrik's realizations about his career and much more!

This week Alrik talks to Timothy about all the millions of screenplay contests, paid skype pitches and all the other filmmaking opportunities that we independent filmmakers can purchase in order to break into the industry.

Alrik is sick this week but powers through an episode about his recent experience with the Black List and getting screenplay coverage on the latest draft of the 'The Alternate'

Timothy's short film, The Spirit Machine, which has been four years in the making, is finally done! We talk about how Timothy is feeling before the two screenings and then come together to talk about how it all went down.

Jim Cummings is the writer/director of Thunder Road, a single take 12-minute short that won the Sundance Grand Jury Prize this year. This week, we ask Jim questions about long takes. When to use them? How to create them? And why they are a powerful tool.

With his first camera he documented his neighborhood and shot videos of his brother playing basketball eventually making his way to music videos. With his company Dream Chaser films, he now works with local Bay Area artists like E-40 and Lil' Dicky

This week we have yet another fantastic guest on the show with commercial and film editor Arielle Zakowski!

After ten years as screenwriters, the Thornton Bros. decided to raise money on IndieGogo and shoot a feature themselves. This week we explore the ins and outs of IndieGogo, the Hollywood system, and the frustrating hamster wheel of a life in filmmaking.

This week Alrik talks how he feels like his filmmaking life is passing him by, but is it really? Timothy talks about how he feels that he missed some key opportunities in the past and talks about how Chris Columbus got his first job.

After a tweet about remaking Quantum Leap, Timothy seriously considers making a fan film. Alrik talks about the relative success of Strange Thing to Brother and the curiosity around uncompromising directors like Michael Cimino.

How do you solve your story problems, what's your favorite film tool and do you feel special? This week we talk through a trio of subjects, discuss Stranger Things and get some editing tips from a editor who's films you've probably seen!

Remember that guy that gave up? Neither does anybody else. This week we talk about why no one should give up. Also, we dig into Ben Hur, Timothy's next project and The Underground Filmmaker's Club.

This week we talk about what options there are for making money with your short films. Is there a viable way to make the budget back or will your short film just end up being a calling card.