ShowRunHer: Your Filmmaking Coach

Michelle A. Daniel

This podcast is for filmmakers who are tired of guessing. I freestyle through real conversations about what it actually takes to build a career in film, not just make one project. Money. Awards. Audience. Ownership. We talk features, shorts, web series, funding, packaging, distribution, and strategy, all through the lens of thinking like an executive producer. Follow Michelle on all platforms @ShowRunHer

Episodes

  1. Apr 23

    Protecting Your Film From Budget To Distribution

    Send me a text Paying for a lawyer can feel painful until you realize what “free legal help” might really cost you: your IP, your leverage, and your ability to distribute. We walk through what to look for in a good entertainment lawyer, why chain of title matters so much in film distribution, and how to avoid agreements that quietly trade a credit for ownership. We also get very real about the producing side of money: how to plan theatrical release marketing when you are opening in cities you do not live in, and why you must budget for visibility instead of hoping a platform does it for you. Then we shift into film budgeting and tax deductions, including the expense categories indie filmmakers miss most often like post-production, trailer finishing, festival travel, and even your own time. If you want cleaner expense tracking and fewer surprises, this part is a must. From there we zoom out into career strategy: the practical Oscar qualification route through Academy Award-qualifying festivals, the difference between film production insurance and E&O insurance, and how MPAA ratings affect theatrical screenings. We talk sales agents in development vs post, building a producer presence that does not depend on posting all day, and using IMDb Pro and IMDb pages to position yourself professionally. We close with a simple product placement cold email approach that is short, readable, and designed to get you on a call. Subscribe for more filmmaking business Q&As, share this with a producer friend, and leave a review with the one topic you want us to tackle next. Support the show www.ShowRunHer.com ShowRunHer IG

    56 min

  2. Apr 16

    Product Placement For Indie Films

    Send me a text A logo in the background can be a missed paycheck or a future legal headache, and most indie filmmakers don’t realize how often those moments show up on every page of a script. We walk through what product placement really is, how it’s different from sponsorship, and why both can impact your bottom line when you’re trying to get a project from concept to screen. We get practical about identifying product placement opportunities in wardrobe, props, set dressing, locations, and dialogue, then we talk money: how screen time, camera focus, and even who’s holding the product can change what you charge. You’ll hear examples of placements that feel seamless versus placements that turn a scene into a commercial, plus a simple way to keep your choices aligned with character and theme so the story stays first. Then we go into the part that can make or break distribution: permissions, chain of title, and E&O insurance. We explain when an email “yes” can count as approval, when you should push for a contract, and why skipping clearance can lead to blurring logos, reshoots, or getting blocked from major platforms like Netflix and Apple TV. We also share our outreach workflow using a tracker, LinkedIn, Apollo.io, and a product placement deck or shareable website, with tips on who to contact and when to send the email. If you’re building a film financing plan that includes brand partnerships, product placement, and sponsorship, this one gives you a clear starting point and a system you can actually follow. Subscribe, share this with a filmmaker friend, and leave a review with the brand you’d most want to land for your next project. Support the show www.ShowRunHer.com ShowRunHer IG

    1h 10m

  3. Mar 12

    Inside The Writers Room w Ben Cory Jones

    Send me a text The writers room is not a mystery club, it’s a workplace with real rules, real politics, and real opportunities if you know how to show up. We sit down with Ben Cory Jones (Insecure, Boomerang, Underground) to talk about what it really takes to build a sustainable screenwriting and television writing career, especially when you’re not starting with connections or a perfect plan. Ben walks us through his path from Memphis to Morehouse to Wall Street, then the pivot that changed everything: discovering TV writing as a craft and deciding to pursue it with structure. We dig into the long game of Hollywood success, including applying to writing fellowships multiple years in a row, learning under demanding showrunners, and building the kind of community where one win can lift the whole group. If you’ve ever wondered how writers actually get staffed, why representation matters, or how a manager differs from an agent, we break it down in plain language. On the craft side, we get specific about pilot writing, character development, and the moments that make audiences lean in. Ben shares his rule for openings that grab by page three, why an early “death” (literal or emotional) creates stakes, and how to write with actors in mind so your dialogue plays like a meal. We also talk room culture, flat versus hierarchical rooms, how to pitch without draining the energy, and how to make yourself indispensable on day one. If you found value here, subscribe, share the episode with a filmmaker or screenwriter friend, and leave a review with the biggest lesson you’re taking into your next draft. Support the show www.ShowRunHer.com ShowRunHer IG

    2h 9m

  4. Feb 26

    Sundance Dreams Are Cute, But Do They Fit Your Film

    Send me a text Want your film to do more than collect laurels? We dig into the festival world with a practical, no-fluff blueprint that starts in development and ends with real distribution opportunities. Michelle, EP, filmmaker, and your resident Showrunher, lays out how to build a festival roadmap that actually fits your project, budget like a pro, and turn screenings into meaningful industry wins. We walk through setting clear goals, press, sales, premiere status, awards, and using them to choose the right tiers: top prestige showcases, mid-tier staples, niche identity festivals, genre-specific hubs, and regional platforms. We also unpack Oscar-qualifying festivals for shorts, the reality of theatrical qualifying runs, and when to consider a festival agency. Michelle shares runtime guidance for shorts, script alignment tips based on recent winners, and a social rollout playbook to amplify selections and premieres. Networking isn’t an afterthought here, you’ll get a plan for mixers, panels, and Q&As, plus the simple follow-ups that turn handshakes into collaborators, sales agents, and press. If you’re mapping a 2–3 year festival run, this guide will help you protect your budget, raise your odds, and position your film where it belongs, on screens in front of the right people. Subscribe, share with a filmmaker who needs a strategy boost, and leave a review to help us grow the community. Support the show www.ShowRunHer.com ShowRunHer IG

    45 min

  5. Feb 25

    Chain of Title: The Legal Foundation That Gets Films Sold

    Send me a text Chain of title is the legal paper trail that proves you actually own your film. In this episode, I break down exactly what chain of title means, why distributors require it, and how filmmakers lose deals by ignoring it. We cover: Agreements & contracts NDA vs real production agreements E&O insurance vs production insuranceWhen and why to form your LLCIf you plan to distribute, stream, license, or sell your film — this is not optional. Most indie filmmakers focus on cameras and casting… but the real executive producers focus on ownership. Before you submit to festivals or approach a sales agent, make sure your paperwork is tight. Learn more filmmaking strategy and download free resources at 🖤✋🏾  https://showrunher.com Support the show www.ShowRunHer.com ShowRunHer IG

    31 min

  6. Feb 20

    WGA vs Copyright: What Filmmakers Get Wrong

    Send me a text Confused about WGA vs Copyright? You’re not alone. In this episode, Michelle breaks down what actually protects your screenplay, what doesn’t, and how to legally position yourself before pitching producers, investors, or studios. Download the free WGA vs Copyright template at  www.showrunher.com Build smart. Protect smart. Support the show www.ShowRunHer.com ShowRunHer IG

    14 min

  7. Feb 19

    Feature, Short, or Web Series? Pick the Project That Matches Your Career

    Send me a text Before you write another script or announce your next project, ask yourself one question: What do I want this to do for my career? In this episode, Michelle breaks down how to choose between a feature film, short film, or web series based on where you are in your film journey. Money. Prestige. Audience.  Pick your vehicle wisely. Because at ShowRunHer, we don’t just make films, we build careers. Learn more at www.showrunher.com Support the show www.ShowRunHer.com ShowRunHer IG

    21 min
  • 7 Episodes

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

This podcast is for filmmakers who are tired of guessing. I freestyle through real conversations about what it actually takes to build a career in film, not just make one project. Money. Awards. Audience. Ownership. We talk features, shorts, web series, funding, packaging, distribution, and strategy, all through the lens of thinking like an executive producer. Follow Michelle on all platforms @ShowRunHer

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