Get Real: Indie Filmmakers

Borgus Network
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Surviving as a Filmmaker in 2025. Join us as we chat about all things indie film, including interviews with industry pros.

  1. Yes, Theatrical is Still a Thing | guest Kyle Henry

    JAN 4

    Yes, Theatrical is Still a Thing | guest Kyle Henry

    Kyle Henry is a filmmaker and associate professor from Northwestern University, Chicago, where he teaches editing, producing, writing, and directing. His latest documentary, Time Passages, is about Kyle's struggle to care for his mother during her final months with late-stage dementia. GET REAL INDIE FILMMAKERS is hosted by filmmaker and author Jeffrey Michael Bays (www.borgus.com), and filmmaker Forris Day, Jr. Show Notes: The power of self-distributionThe film festival lotteryHis database of theater contactsTheaters aren't deadSplits, 4-Walling, and Multi-nightsPreparation timeHis film: https://www.timepassagesfilm.com/-- Email us: info@borgus.com Hosts: Jeffrey Michael Bays & Forris Day, Jr. Jeffrey's book Creatives Working Together: https://www.amazon.com/Creatives-Working-Together-Communication-Professionals/dp/1041091893

    47 min
  2. Releasing Political Films Can Be Scary | guests Marc Weinberg & Victoria Fraser

    12/12/2025

    Releasing Political Films Can Be Scary | guests Marc Weinberg & Victoria Fraser

    Marc Weinberg and Victoria Fraser are screenwriting partners who have sold scripts to Paramount, USA, and Dick Clark Productions. They've also written for the Discovery Channel and A&E. Before they teamed up, Victoria worked as Director of Development for the Disney Channel. Marc has taught screenwriting at Boston University, Emerson College, and Brandeis University. He also developed a story structure course for Pixar animators. Film: Outrage: (political thriller) A podcaster is held hostage for saying something offensive. GET REAL INDIE FILMMAKERS is hosted by filmmaker and author Jeffrey Michael Bays (www.borgus.com), and filmmaker Forris Day, Jr. Show Notes: Producing the film "Outrage"Making art in a politically charged timeSelf-funding the filmKnowing your niche on a productionWriting together as a married coupleNever give up-- Email us: info@borgus.com Hosts: Jeffrey Michael Bays & Forris Day, Jr. Jeffrey's book Creatives Working Together: https://www.amazon.com/Creatives-Working-Together-Communication-Professionals/dp/1041091893

    23 min
  3. Horses, People, and Persistence | guests Ashley Elaine & John Schimke

    11/25/2025

    Horses, People, and Persistence | guests Ashley Elaine & John Schimke

    Ashley Elaine is a producer and actor starring in 'Mayberry Man' and 'Mayberry Man: The Series,' as well as the soon to be released feature films, 'Empty Nets' and 'Disciples in the Moonlight.' After earning a marketing degree from the Fashion Institute of Design, Ashley launched her career as an event coordinator in Beverly Hills, California. Her exceptional work on weddings and events earned features in renowned publications such as People Magazine, Brides Magazine, The Knot, and InStyle Weddings. John Schimke is an award-winning director, producer, writer, and editor with over 20 years in the entertainment industry. Has collaborated with leading companies like Disney, HBO, Meta, MTV, HISTORY, and Food Network. He served as lead editor and producer on Red Table Talk (Facebook Watch). Film: Where the Wind Blows: (drama, western, period) select theaters and Apple TV and Prime. Adapted from Caroline Fyffe’s Prairie Hearts series. GET REAL INDIE FILMMAKERS is hosted by filmmaker and author Jeffrey Michael Bays (www.borgus.com), and filmmaker Forris Day, Jr. Show Notes: Optioning the scriptProducer's neighbor makes the connectionRaising the moneyProducing and acting simultaneouslyActing process for 1800sProduction foibles and horsesMotivating when things get badWatch the movie: https://www.amazon.com/Where-Wind-Blows-John-Schimke/dp/B0FKC2XVVB-- Email us: info@borgus.com Hosts: Jeffrey Michael Bays & Forris Day, Jr. Jeffrey's book Creatives Working Together: https://www.amazon.com/Creatives-Working-Together-Communication-Professionals/dp/1041091893

    31 min
  4. Producing & Knowing Story Structure | guest Paul Chitlik

    10/20/2025

    Producing & Knowing Story Structure | guest Paul Chitlik

    Paul Chitlik has written for all the major networks and studios. He was story editor for MGM/UA’s The New Twilight Zone, staff writer for Showtime’s sitcom Brothers, wrote features for Rysher Entertainment, Nulmage, Promark, Mainline Releasing, and others. He directed episodes of Real Stories of the Highway Patrol and wrote and produced Alien Abduction: The McPherson Tape for UPN. Recently he wrote, produced, and directed The Wedding Dress for Amazon Prime. Paul taught screenwriting at UCLA, TV and film writing at Loyola Marymount, and founded their study abroad program in Budapest, Hungary. He has written two screenwriting books: Rewrite, and Screenwriting Sensei. GET REAL INDIE FILM[CAST] is hosted by filmmaker and author Jeffrey Michael Bays (www.borgus.com), and filmmaker Forris Day, Jr. Show Notes: ProducingProducer-director relationshipDevelopment process is getting harderAudience expectations are universalStory structure in series vs. featuresPaul's 7 points of story within the actsAlternate structuresRewriting and responding to feedbackWhat he's watching nowPaul's book: https://www.amazon.com/Screenwriting-Sensei-Complete-Writing-Script/dp/1615933638-- Email us: info@borgus.com Hosts: Jeffrey Michael Bays & Forris Day, Jr. Jeffrey's book Creatives Working Together: https://www.amazon.com/Creatives-Working-Together-Communication-Professionals/dp/1041091893

    40 min
  5. Getting Through On-Set Crises | guest Richard Currie

    09/16/2025

    Getting Through On-Set Crises | guest Richard Currie

    Richard Currie is a Scottish filmmaker from Cambodia who was 1stAD on a feature film that went wrong. He has a degree in TV from Aberdeen College and has spent years on TV and indie film productions. A "horrific" and "cursed" film shoot in Scotland led him to write a book about his experiences called Lights, Camera, Anarchy. GET REAL INDIE FILM[CAST] is hosted by filmmaker and author Jeffrey Michael Bays (www.borgus.com), and filmmaker Forris Day, Jr. Show Notes: Location issuesConflict on setThe voice memosRichard's book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F1NDQM3D-- Email us: info@borgus.com Hosts: Jeffrey Michael Bays & Forris Day, Jr. Pre-order Jeffrey's book Creatives Working Together: https://www.amazon.com/Creatives-Working-Together-Communication-Professionals/dp/1041091893

    30 min
  6. Winning Sundance as a First-time Feature Director | guest Alessandra Lacorazza

    08/19/2025

    Winning Sundance as a First-time Feature Director | guest Alessandra Lacorazza

    Alessandra Lacorazza Samudio is a Colombian-American filmmaker from New York City. Her feature directorial debut, In the Summers was awarded the grand jury prize and the directing award in the U.S. Dramatic Competition at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. She was the first Latina filmmaker to win this award. She is a member of Meerkat Media, a New York-based filmmaking collective and cooperative. GET REAL INDIE FILM[CAST] is hosted by filmmaker and author Jeffrey Michael Bays (www.borgus.com), and filmmaker Forris Day, Jr. Show Notes: Assembling the teamWorking with actors, including child actorsConflict on setAdvantages of editing in-personSundance surprises-- Email us: info@borgus.com Hosts: Jeffrey Michael Bays & Forris Day, Jr. Pre-order Jeffrey's book Creatives Working Together: https://www.amazon.com/Creatives-Working-Together-Communication-Professionals/dp/1041091893

    24 min

  7. 08/14/2025

    Producing & Funding Projects | guest William Rosenfeld

    William Rosenfeld is a producer based in Los Angeles. His film: It’s What’s Inside (2024, Netflix), premiered at Sundance. This horror/sci-fi film was directed by Greg Jardin and was filmed in 18 days in Portland with companies Such Content, Edith Productions, and Boldly Go Productions. Within two days of being at Sundance they had a Netflix deal -- $17 Million -- which beaks the record for the sale of an independent film. Variety called it “a bidding war that lasted about 36 hours.” GET REAL INDIE FILM[CAST] is hosted by filmmaker and author Jeffrey Michael Bays (www.borgus.com), and filmmaker Forris Day, Jr. Show Notes: Negotiating the dealWhat kind of stories he producesAdvice for directors contacting producers-- Email us: info@borgus.com Hosts: Jeffrey Michael Bays & Forris Day, Jr. Pre-order Jeffrey's book Creatives Working Together: https://www.amazon.com/Creatives-Working-Together-Communication-Professionals/dp/1041091893

    21 min
  8. Working on Studio Films & TV | guest Peter D. Marshall

    12/15/2024

    Working on Studio Films & TV | guest Peter D. Marshall

    Peter D. Marshall worked more than 40 years as a film and TV director, TV producer, 1stAD. He directed 30 episodes of TV and was 1stAD on 12 movies including Dawn of the Dead, The Butterfly Effect, and Happy Gilmore. He worked with directors like John Woo, Zack Snyder, Phillip Noyce, Ed Zwich, and John Badham. He worked with actors: Peter O’Toole, Kevin Spacey, Morgan Freeman, John Travolta, Kathy Bates, Michelle Pfiefer, Mel Gibson, Ashton Kutcher, Goldie Hawn, Halle Berry, and Adam Sandler. Peter was also a film instructor for Vancouver Film School 2008 – 2023 in both Vancouver and Shanghai. GET REAL INDIE FILM[CAST] is hosted by filmmaker and author Jeffrey Michael Bays (www.borgus.com), and filmmaker Forris Day, Jr. Show Notes: Peter's website: https://actioncutprint.com/Peter's book: https://www.amazon.com/MAKING-MAGIC-HAPPEN-Craft-Directing/dp/1615932658Forris' audiobook: https://www.amazon.com/Suspense-Camera-Filmmakers-Hitchcocks-Techniques/dp/1615932739-- Tweet us @borgusfilm or email info@borgus.com Hosts: Jeffrey Michael Bays & Forris Day, Jr. Suspense With a Camera: https://www.amazon.com/Suspense-Camera-Filmmakers-Hitchcocks-Techniques/dp/1615932739 Follow us on Twitter @borgusfilm

    40 min
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About

Surviving as a Filmmaker in 2025. Join us as we chat about all things indie film, including interviews with industry pros.

Information

  • Creator
    Borgus Network
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    56
  • Rating
    Clean
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    © Copyright 2018 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Get Real: Indie Filmmakers