162 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 Liz Manashil & Alrik Bursell

    • TV & Film
    • 4.9 • 201 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

    Finding Your Producer with Writer/Director Sebastien Tobler!

    Finding Your Producer with Writer/Director Sebastien Tobler!

    This week we welcome writer and director Sebastien Tobler on the show to talk about directing his first feature This Time, his writing process and how he manages his filmmaking and being a father. After that don’t go away because we play another round of the game, enjoy!

    Watch Alrik's short film Parka on Vimeo now!
    https://vimeo.com/357898693?share=copy

    Watch The Alternate on Tubi Out Now: https://tubitv.com/movies/702632/the-alternate

    For 20% off your Jambox subscription use code MMIH @ jambox.io

    Check out the ISA at: www.networkisa.org

    • 1 hr
    Landing Feature & TV Writing Jobs with Melissa Rundle!

    Landing Feature & TV Writing Jobs with Melissa Rundle!

    This week we welcome writer Melissa Rundle on the show to talk about working her way up in the writers room, how the Kung Fu writers room worked and getting hired to write rom coms based on much darker writing samples. After that we play another round of You’re the Expert, enjoy!

    Check out Casting Calls America, it's casting made easy at www.castingcallsamerica.com!

    Watch The Alternate on Tubi Out Now: https://tubitv.com/movies/702632/the-alternate

    For 20% off your Jambox subscription use code MMIH @ jambox.io

    Check out the ISA at: www.networkisa.org

    • 1 hr 4 min
    Working as a Scenic Artist with Sean Casey!

    Working as a Scenic Artist with Sean Casey!

    This week we welcome scenic artist Sean Casey onto the show to talk about what a scenic artist does, how he got into the art department and the struggles he faces in his work. After that we play another round of The Game, enjoy!

    Check out Casting Calls America, it's casting made easy at www.castingcallsamerica.com!

    Watch The Alternate on Tubi Out Now: https://tubitv.com/movies/702632/the-alternate

    For 20% off your Jambox subscription use code MMIH @ jambox.io

    Check out the ISA at: www.networkisa.org

    • 1 hr 4 min
    Writing, Directing and Acting in Multiple Indie Features with Jeff Ryan!

    Writing, Directing and Acting in Multiple Indie Features with Jeff Ryan!

    This week we welcome writer director Jeff Ryan on the show to talk about their movie Mean Spirited and what it took to get this movie made. After that we play another round of You’re The Expert, enjoy!

    Check out Casting Calls America, it's casting made easy at www.castingcallsamerica.com!

    Watch The Alternate on Tubi Out Now: https://tubitv.com/movies/702632/the-alternate

    For 20% off your Jambox subscription use code MMIH @ jambox.io

    Check out the ISA at: www.networkisa.org

    • 52 min
    Making Your First Feature at a High Level with Laura Moss!

    Making Your First Feature at a High Level with Laura Moss!

    This week we welcome writer and director Laura Moss to talk about their first feature Birth/Rebirth, how they got the film made at such a high level and how they are dealing with not working during the strike. After that we play another round of You Are the Expert, enjoy!

    Website: Retrospecter Films
    https://www.retrospecterfilms.com/

    Instagram: @mxlauramoss
    https://www.instagram.com/mxlauramoss/

    This is an article on the status of the strike when we recorded this interview, just for context.

    WGA / AMPTP Negotiations Status when talks broke down https://www.wga.org/uploadedfiles/members/member_info/contract-2023/WGA_proposals.pdf

    Check out Casting Calls America, it's casting made easy at www.castingcallsamerica.com!

    Watch The Alternate on Tubi Out Now: https://tubitv.com/movies/702632/the-alternate

    For 20% off your Jambox subscription use code MMIH @ jambox.io

    Check out the ISA at: www.networkisa.org

    • 56 min
    Making Always, Lola and Going Freelance During the Strike with Jeff Graham!

    Making Always, Lola and Going Freelance During the Strike with Jeff Graham!

    This week we welcome writer/director Jeff Graham on the show to talk about directing his first feature, Always Lola which came out on August 1st, getting started in the world of podcasting, then switching focus to writing and directing, while still producing and co-hosting a podcast. After that we play another round of You’re the Expert, enjoy!

    Check out Casting Calls America, it's casting made easy at www.castingcallsamerica.com!

    Watch The Alternate on Tubi Out Now: https://tubitv.com/movies/702632/the-alternate

    For 20% off your Jambox subscription use code MMIH @ jambox.io

    Check out the ISA at: www.networkisa.org

    • 1 hr 6 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
201 Ratings

201 Ratings

asdfghjjlmnbvcxx ,

LOVE this podcast

If you are a filmmaker or an aspiring filmmaker you have found an outstanding podcast! I love your format and the way you dive in as independent filmmakers. Thank you Liz and Alrik for this awesome podcast, I really enjoy it and I’ve taken a ton away from it!

cwiweb ,

It’s about the journey… and the destination!

If you enjoy the journey AND the destination, Making Movies is Hard is for you. This aspirational and conversational podcast takes you on a journey into the lives of aspiring filmmakers at every level. It delves into the every-day struggles of every department, from the Production Assistant all the way through the Executive Producer. It includes guests from Pixar, Sundance Film Festival, and movies like Fruitvale Station - and even the director of Napoleon Dynamite!

Whether you have produced 10 feature films, are just fundraising for your first short film, or just want to discover what it’s like to make movies, this podcast has it all. AND if you really love the content, be sure to check out the additional episodes on Patreon, where you can follow founding co-host Alrik Bursell’s mission to make his first film (which he accomplished!).

Making movies is hard, but this podcast will inspire you to want to do it more every day.

Jesseca Simmons ,

Best Podcast on Independent Filmmaking Ever!

I’ve learned so much from their filmmaker interviews and different segments. I really appreciate how practical the podcast is, while also striving for a level of transparency that is so lacking in the industry. Liz and Alrik don't shy away from the hard questions and are refreshingly honest.

I am so grateful that this resource for filmmakers exists. It is a source of information, inspiration, and sometimes, it's kind of like artistic therapy. Without a doubt, making movies is very communal, but the times when I feel alone and overwhelmed in my endeavors… I usually shuffle to a random episode and by the end find myself reinvigorated with a fresh perspective on something and by the contagious passion filmmakers share.

Lastly, the evolution of this show is fantastic. I seriously cannot imagine Liz not being a host (her insight and interest in distribution is unparalleled) but I also get so much joy going back into the archive with the founding hosts. Every episode, current and in the archive, is very worthwhile and special.

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