510 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
    • 4.9 • 204 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

    Greg Barker - BONUS Throwback Interview!

    Greg Barker - BONUS Throwback Interview!

    On this Thursday bonus episode we are going to play the interview from episode 263 from May 2020 with Greg Barker about moving from career in documentaries to making his first narrative feature for Netflix. I thought this was a good pairing for Stefon because both their first narrative features were produced by Netflix, under very different circumstances and in different points in their careers. 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 19 min
    Stefon Bristol - Leveling Up By Directing A List Actors for Feature #2!

    Stefon Bristol - Leveling Up By Directing A List Actors for Feature #2!

    This week we welcome director Stefon Bristol on the show to talk about his 2nd feature Breathe which he made with Thunder Road, being mentored by Spike Lee and how he got his first feature produced by Netflix. 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

    • 59 min
    Rebecca Cutter - BONUS Throwback Interview!

    Rebecca Cutter - BONUS Throwback Interview!

    On this Thursday bonus episode we are going to play the interview from episode 359 from Februrary 2022 with writer and show runner Rebecca Cutter who talks about working her way up in the writers room and creating her own show, Hightown! I thought Rebecca was a good match for Debby because they both worked their way up in writers rooms before running their own shows. 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

    • 48 min
    Debby Wolfe - Creating and Writing Lopez vs. Lopez!

    Debby Wolfe - Creating and Writing Lopez vs. Lopez!

    This week we welcome writer and showrunner Debby Wolfe on the show to talk about being the creator/showrunner of Lopez vs. Lopez and how she landed that show after working her way up in writers rooms. After that we play another round of Ask 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

    • 51 min
    Kevin O'Brien - BONUS Throwback Interview!

    Kevin O'Brien - BONUS Throwback Interview!

    On this Thursday bonus episode we are going to play the interview from episode 222 from August 2019 with writer director Kevin O’Brien who talks about making his first feature film At The End of the Day and making the movie in his home town. I thought this was a nice pairing for Nathan because they both raised the budgets for their films on their own and shot in their towns where they live, one in Florida and one in Arizona. 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 21 min
    Nathan Blackwell - Making a Prop Heavy Feature in Your Own Town!

    Nathan Blackwell - Making a Prop Heavy Feature in Your Own Town!

    This week we welcome Writer Director Nathan Blackwell to talk about writing and directing his latest feature The Last Movie Ever Made which he made on a shoestring budget in a small Arizona Town. After that we play another round of Ask 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 1 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
204 Ratings

204 Ratings

Atlantis70 ,

Making movies is HARDly fun

I’m loving the podcast. (I tried leaving reviews but they don’t populate?) this is third I’m attempting to leave. I make tv and movies too and highlight underrepresented groups like naturists and the disabled among others. Eric and I have been talking about me coming on as a guest and I’m excited! I’m industry but more so a fan. Love what you doooo It’s a thorough and honest podcast that encourages in a realistic way. ~ Tim Chizmar

Cal Barnes 1 ,

Great Podcast for Aspiring and First Time Filmmakers

Big fan of this podcast by Liz and Alrik. Been listening for a few years and I always hear something valuable every episode. It’s a great podcast for first time filmmakers looking for inspiration and knowledge on how to get their first feature made. It’s a smaller filmmaking community in LA then people realize, and they’ve interviewed a handful of artists I’ve worked with over the years which is always fun when old acquaintances come on talking about the success of completing their first feature. Good stuff. Highly recommend.

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!

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