517 episodes

Liz Manashil and Alrik Bursell discuss independent filmmaking, everything from writing, producing and directing to working as crew. But this is not just a podcast about "making it," it's also about struggling with rejection, self-doubt and everything else that comes with pursuing a career in film. Follow along as we forge our own way through the industry and talk to guests who are also making it happen.

Episodes 238-299 are available at our patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/mmihpodcast

Making Movies is HARD!!!: The Struggles of Indie Filmmaking Bleav Life & Leisure

    • TV & Film
    • 4.8 • 14 Ratings

Liz Manashil and Alrik Bursell discuss independent filmmaking, everything from writing, producing and directing to working as crew. But this is not just a podcast about "making it," it's also about struggling with rejection, self-doubt and everything else that comes with pursuing a career in film. Follow along as we forge our own way through the industry and talk to guests who are also making it happen.

Episodes 238-299 are available at our patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/mmihpodcast

    Brenton Gieser - Switching Careers to Become a Filmmaker!

    Brenton Gieser - Switching Careers to Become a Filmmaker!

    This week we welcome first time feature director Brenton Gieser on the show to talk about directing his feature The 50 after switching careers to filmmaking just a few years ago. After that we play another round of THE GAME, enjoy!

    Don’t forget to support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/mmihpodcast

    Leave us a Review on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/making-movies-is-hard-the-struggles-of-indie-filmmaking/id1006416952

    • 1 hr 7 min
    Katie J. Stone - BONUS Throwback Interview!

    Katie J. Stone - BONUS Throwback Interview!

    On this Thursday bonus episode we are going to play the interview from episode 186 from December 2018 with writer actor Katie J. Stone and I thought this was a nice pairing for Deborah because they both are actors who have other roles in the industry, Katie is a writer and producer, currently working on the new show Splinter Cell which is currently shooting. After that we play another round of You’re the expert, enjoy!

    A big note for all listeners! Apple podcasts has frozen all of your downloads of the show which is killing our numbers! The way to fix that is to click the icon for the show on your phone and in the top right corner there is a down arrow icon that needs to be turned on, click on that and select 'Turn on Automatic Downloads'. If you do that, the show will be saved!

    Don’t forget to support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/mmihpodcast

    Leave us a Review on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/making-movies-is-hard-the-struggles-of-indie-filmmaking/id1006416952

    • 1 hr 2 min
    Deborah Smith - Acting and Producing Movies in Hollywood!

    Deborah Smith - Acting and Producing Movies in Hollywood!

    This week we welcome Actor and Producer Deborah Lee Smith on the show to talk about freelance producing, acting and how she balances her many jobs to get a sustainable career in filmmaking. She also talks about working as a producer on Butterfly in the Sky, the documentary about Reading Rainbow. After that we play another round of The Game, enjoy!

    A big note for all listeners! Apple podcasts has frozen all of your downloads of the show which is killing our numbers! The way to fix that is to click the icon for the show on your phone and in the top right corner there is a down arrow icon that needs to be turned on, click on that and select 'Turn on Automatic Downloads'. If you do that, the show will be saved!

    Don’t forget to support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/mmihpodcast

    Leave us a Review on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/making-movies-is-hard-the-struggles-of-indie-filmmaking/id1006416952

    • 1 hr 7 min
    Jonathan Kiefer - BONUS Throwback Interview!

    Jonathan Kiefer - BONUS Throwback Interview!

    On this Thursday bonus episode we are going to play the interview from episode 289 from October 2020 with writer and director Jonathan Kiefer who talks about writing and collaborating on his first feature film, Around the Sun which Alrik felt was a good match for our episode with Charles because they are both filmmakers who wrote a feature that was produced before they directed their first features. After that we play another round of The Game, enjoy!

    A big note for all listeners! Apple podcasts has frozen all of your downloads of the show which is killing our numbers! The way to fix that is to click the icon for the show on your phone and in the top right corner there is a down arrow icon that needs to be turned on, click on that and select 'Turn on Automatic Downloads'. If you do that, the show will be saved!

    Don’t forget to support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/mmihpodcast

    Leave us a Review on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/making-movies-is-hard-the-struggles-of-indie-filmmaking/id1006416952

    • 55 min
    Charles Pieper - Writing An Over The Top Horror Comedy Feature for Shudder!

    Charles Pieper - Writing An Over The Top Horror Comedy Feature for Shudder!

    This week we welcome Writer Charles Pieper on the show to talk about writing his first feature film Destroy All Neighbors, which premiered on Shudder! After that we play another round of You’re the Expert, enjoy!

    A big note for all listeners! Apple podcasts has frozen all of your downloads of the show which is killing our numbers! The way to fix that is to click the icon for the show on your phone and in the top right corner there is a down arrow icon that needs to be turned on, click on that and select 'Turn on Automatic Downloads'. If you do that, the show will be saved!

    Don’t forget to support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/mmihpodcast

    Leave us a Review on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/making-movies-is-hard-the-struggles-of-indie-filmmaking/id1006416952

    • 1 hr 4 min
    Paulina Lagudi - BONUS Throwback Interview!

    Paulina Lagudi - BONUS Throwback Interview!

    On this Thursday bonus episode we are going to play the interview from episode 174 from September 2018 with writer and director Paulina Lagudi who talks about making her first feature Mail Order Monster after having co produced a feature before hand. I thought Paulina was a good match for Zoe because they both talk about making their first feature and they had both produced a feature before writing and directing their own solo features. After that we play another round of The Game, enjoy!

    A big note for all listeners! Apple podcasts has frozen all of your downloads of the show which is killing our numbers! The way to fix that is to click the icon for the show on your phone and in the top right corner there is a down arrow icon that needs to be turned on, click on that and select 'Turn on Automatic Downloads'. If you do that, the show will be saved!

    Don’t forget to support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/mmihpodcast

    Leave us a Review on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/making-movies-is-hard-the-struggles-of-indie-filmmaking/id1006416952

    • 1 hr 14 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
14 Ratings

14 Ratings

Mohosapien ,

An honest peephole into the realities of the world of indie filmmaking

Liz and Alrick are in the trenches reassuring creative folks that if you’re doing it your doing it, even with a whole other Clark Kent existence to support your Super-Person secret identity. Or something to that effect… Cheers Team!

Castalian66 ,

A feast a week

Wonderfully engaging and honest exploration of the challenges of film making, and the experiences of those surmounting them. For those new to this world, a crash course in its culture, mindsets and folkways, replete with thought-provoking advice and practical wisdom from outstanding and generous guests. A great encouragement, too, to those starting out on this journey. Always a highlight of my week when a new episode drops.

iBrasso ,

Really great

Just listened to this podcast for the first time (ep.68) and it was so great. Really informative and relaxed (and enjoyable!) Plus, I’m in the edit on the first (short) film I’ve written & directed so this podcast is exactly what I need. Thanks guys.

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