137 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 • 200 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

    BONUS: Throwback Interview with Production Designer Rob Riutta!

    BONUS: Throwback Interview with Production Designer Rob Riutta!

    On this Thursday bonus episode we are going to play the interview from episode 241 way back in December 2019 with production designer Rob Riutta right while we were in the middle of shooting The Alternate which we talk about the design of quite a bit. This one is a good match for Garo because we talk about set building which ties into the set talk we had with Garo, plus we focus our talk on a sci-fi movie same with Garo, so yeah, I figured this was a pretty good fit!

    • 59 min
    From Editing Trailers to Directing Sci-Fi Features with Garo Setian!

    From Editing Trailers to Directing Sci-Fi Features with Garo Setian!

    This week we welcome writer director Garo Setian on the show to talk about making of his second feature film Space Wars: Quest for the Deep Star, how he raised the budget for the film and we get into a bit of the current climate of franchises and have some nerd debates. 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 23 min
    BONUS: Throwback Interview with Anna Biller!

    BONUS: Throwback Interview with Anna Biller!

    On this Thursday bonus episode we are going to play the interview from episode 305 back in February 2021 with writer/director Anna Biller about the making of her feature The Love Witch, which we felt was a pretty good match for Emily since they both had long periods in between projects, although the circumstances are a little different. After that we play another round of You’re the Expert, enjoy!

    • 1 hr 31 min
    Sundance to Docs to Narrative Feature #2 with Emily Abt!

    Sundance to Docs to Narrative Feature #2 with Emily Abt!

    This week we welcome writer director Emily Abt on the show to talk about making her first feature film Toe to Toe and her experience premiering at Sundance, her fourteen year break to making her 2nd Narrative feature Thirsty, getting reps, losing reps and making three documentary features in between, all while raising two kids! After that we play another round of THE GAME, enjoy!

    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 10 min
    BONUS: Thursday Throwback Interview with Eduardo Castrillo!

    BONUS: Thursday Throwback Interview with Eduardo Castrillo!

    On this Thursday bonus episode we are going to play the interview from episode 231 with prolific director Eduardo Castrillo about how he has directed so many features and how he has kept doing it over and over. This is a great pairing for Jon Garcia because I feel like Eduardo is equally as prolific as Jon but just working in very different genres. But stick around because we play another round of You’re the Expert, enjoy!

    • 1 hr 21 min
    Making 11 Feature Films and Counting with Jon Garcia!

    Making 11 Feature Films and Counting with Jon Garcia!

    This week we welcome writer/director Jon Garcia on the show to talk about making over eleven feature films, how he survives as a filmmaker and what motivates him to decide to make a feature. After that we play another round of THE GAME, enjoy!

    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 11 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
200 Ratings

200 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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