Indie Film Hustle® Podcast: Filmmaking | Screenwriting | Cinematography | Film School | Film Production | Independent Film

Have you ever had a near-death experience that changed the direction of your life? Today's guest has. Mike Pecci is a filmmaker with a unique path. With over 18 years of experience, Mike has cemented a name for himself not only as a photographer and music video director but as an abstractly edgy filmmaker who is undeniably devoted to the art of storytelling. His characters are the faces of his work - passionate, emotional, and distorted stories are the basis for some of Mike's most well-received films.His ability to touch audiences through his films is a credit to his commitment to understanding humanity. The work has an emotional quality that can both frighten and pull you in, playing off the darkest chasms of the human condition. ​Mike's story is inspirational, to say the least. I also love the aesthetics of his work and his ability to produce INSANE sizzle reels for films he wants to pitch.He also has a bit of cult status for directing a Punisher Fan FIlm that Marvel shut down. You can find out more about

Today on the show we have returning champion Ben Yennie. Been has the honor of being the very first guest I ever recorded for the IFH Podcast. He is a wealth of information so get ready to take some notes. As Founder and CEO of Guerrilla Rep Media, where I've gotten distribution deals for more than 8 films, that will soon be appearing on Starz and other major outlets across the globe.Ben is also the Founder and Executive Director of Producer Foundry, as well as Producer of more than 50 events on film finance and distribution.  He's worked with people like Lew Horowitz, the inventor of Indiefilm Gap Financing, Jeff Dowd, Executive Producer of Blood Simple, Fern Gully, and inspiration for “The Dude” from the Big Lebowski. Ben co-founded Global Film Ventures, screened business plans and advised the Film Angels and is the former chapter leader for the San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, and Vancouver Chapters of the Institute for International Film Financing.  And screened business plans for the Film Angels.Ben

Every week I'll be posting new videos as part of my Weekly Motivation Series to help the #IFHTribe along their filmmaking or screenwriting path. We all need some help, guidance, motivation or inspiration on our long journey in this crazy business so I hope these video help in a small way.If you like this please share it with your friends and inner circle. Keep on hustling and never give up on that dream!

For anyone who wasn't able to make it out to my talk at the Chinese Theater a few weeks ago you are in luck. I recorded it LIVE so I could bring it to the IFH Tribe. If you want to watch the talk check out the video below but if you are on a commute or can't watch it sit back and enjoy my velvety voice, well just enjoy. The talk is about how not to follow your filmmaking dream. The mistakes I made and why I sold my soul to the devil to make my filmmaking dream to come true. I go in deep on my story from Shooting for the Mob. I speak about things I never discussed in public before so you are in for a treat. I hope this helps a few of the IFH Tribe out and serves as a warning of what NOT to do. Here some info on the book that inspired my talk.A bipolar gangster, a naive, young film director, and Batman. What could go wrong? Alex Ferrari is a first-time film director who just got hired to direct a $20 million feature film, the only problem is the film is about Jimmy, an egomaniacal gangster who wants the film to

Today on the show we have directors Megan Petersen & Hannah Black. They are the winners of the Seed and Spark/Duplass Brother Hometown Heros Contest. Here more about this remarkable contest.Join us for an opportunity to have your feature film executive produced by Duplass Brothers Productions, Salem Street Entertainment, and UnLTD Productions and be eligible for a total of $50,000 in no-interest loans for your narrative or documentary feature. Whether you’re from a small town, the suburbs or a special corner of a major city, now is the time to bring your hometown-centered story to the screen.Their film is called DROUGHT.Join Sam, her Autistic brother Carl, estranged sister Lillian & friend Lewis, as they try to navigate life in a small town. It's 1993 and the south is in the worst drought in history but Carl is fascinated by weather. Hoping for a better life, they steal an ice-cream truck to become storm chasers.We sit down and discuss all things indie film, what it was like to direct this film while

Every week I'll be posting new videos as part of my Weekly Motivation Series to help the #IFHTribe along with their filmmaking and/or screenwriting path. We all need some help, guidance, motivation or inspiration on our long journey in this crazy business so I hope these videos help in a small way.If you like this please share it with your friends and inner circle. Keep on hustling and never give up on that dream!

Today on the show we have the legendary Linda Segar. Linda was one of my first ever interviews back when I launched Indie Film Hustle and her episode is by far one of the most popular ever. Here's some info on our lovely guest.In 1981, Linda Seger created and defined the career of Script Consultant. She based her business on a method for analyzing scripts that she had developed for her doctoral dissertation project. Since then, she has consulted on over 2,000 scripts including over 50 produced feature films and over 35 produced television projects. Linda was the consultant for Peter Jackson’s breakthrough film, Brain Dead and for Roland Emmerich’s breakthrough film, Universal Soldier.She was the script consultant on Pasttime and Picture Bride–both winners of the Audience Favorite Award at the Sundance Film Festival–as well as for the films The Long Walk Home, The Neverending Story II, Luther, Romero, and television movies and mini-series including The Bridge, the Danish-Swedish mini-series (now playing in the

Today on the show we have 17-year-old scriptwriter and filmmaker Jonathan Perry who directed a large budget short film titled SUBNIVEAN which will debut on Amazon Prime June 12, 2019, making Perry the youngest director on any streaming service. I know, it's crazy.After filming SUBNIVEAN in December of 2018, Perry and his team of producers wrote a nine-page appeal which was submitted to Amazon. Amazon accepted Perry’s appeal and formed a partnership with Perry. Perry’s partnership with Amazon includes the release of SUBNIVEAN on the Amazon Prime streaming platform, as well as coverage of select advertising costs. Additionally, Perry partnered with EDM band ODESZA for promotional sound mixing.Once offered a large sum of money for his script titled SUBNIVEAN, Perry decided SUBNIVEAN may be his golden ticket into directing his first large budget feature film. Perry, still hard at work on SUBNIVEAN, doesn’t plan on taking any breaks after the Amazon release. Recently, Perry has signed with a Hollywood director and

Seriously, on today's episode, I get RAW and REAL with the tribe. This is by far one of the most impactful episodes I've ever recorded. Truth bombs will be dropped. Hearts may be broken. The purpose of this episode is to force you to confront some real and raw truths about your filmmaking journey. My hope is to help you not turn your filmmaking dreams into filmmaking nightmares.These are questions that I have asked myself on multiple occasions. These questions have helped me refine and sharpen my filmmaking dream. I hope it does the same for you. Prepare yourself. Don't say I didn't warn you. = )

Today we have a very special episode of the Indie Film Hustle Podcast. My guest is coming from an undisclosed location somewhere in Los Angeles. His code name is BORIS: The Cinematographer. We changed his voice and image for his protection. Boris was my cinematographer on the film I almost directed for the mob. I met him while prepping the infamous feature film discussed in my book Shooting for the Mob. If you want to learn more about the story of the book take a listen to this podcast. (http://indiefilmhustle.com/shooting-for-the-mob-alex-ferrari/)I asked Boris, an industry-recognized cinematographer if he would be willing to do an interview on his experience working with Jimmy the gangster, the craziness that happened all those years ago and what it was like being in the center of that filmmaking tornado with me.Boris jumped at the chance but he asked that we change his voice to protect his identity. He doesn't want to put himself out there at this time. Trust me you are going to love this episode.Boris let

Today's guest is Paul Dudbridge, author of Making Your First Blockbuster: Write It. Film It. Blow it Up! Paul Dudbridge is a British director, producer, cinematographer, ​and educator, making feature films, television, commercials, and music videos. Paul started producing at the age of 11 when he roped in his father to shoot his first short film. When the resulting footage didn’t match up to what he had seen in his head, Paul decided to go behind the camera himself, and from there the whole notion of making films; directing, scripts, shots and angles started to come about. With over 20 years of​ experience in the business, Paul has numerous film and television credits to his name. His first broadcast credits include producing and directing ITV’s The Christmas Storybook, featuring legendary actor Joss Ackland, as well as directing music promos for MTV. His work as a cinematographer includes the action thriller By Any Name based on the best-selling book by Katherine John. As a producer and director, he helmed t

Today I wanted to discuss the concept of "Fake it till you make it. There are a lot of misconceptions on how to do it properly, when you should or shouldn't do and if it's ever a good idea. I can tell you that without faking it till you make it I wouldn't have gotten anywhere in the film business. Without creating opportunities for yourself it can be impossible to get a leg up in the business.“You must be the person you have never had the courage to be. Gradually, you will discover that you are that person, but until you can see this clearly, you must pretend and invent.”― Paulo CoelhoI discuss the proper way to fake it till you make it without hurting yourself, your reputation or anyone around you. There is an art to it, trust me. I tell Fake it till you make it stories from my own career, Oscar winners and the mythical story on how Steven Speilberg got his start. Guess what, he faked it too. This will be an eye-opening episode. Still back and enjoy.If you find value in this episode please share it with some

Today's show is going to be EPIC. Our guest is Matthew Helderman, CEO, and Co-Founder of Buffalo 8 and the BondIt Company. Buffalo 8 operates seven core divisions: development, production, post-production, distribution, client management, marketing, and creative branding services with accolades from the Sundance, Berlin, Toronto, Tribeca, and SXSW festivals.At Buffalo 8, Matthew is endlessly passionate about creative storytelling, media technology, and the business of entertainment in equal quotients; we are the fusion of entrepreneurial ethos and quality content creation with a unified ambition to provide first-class service. With a background rooted in media production, finance, and digital technology he leads the team of both businesses on a daily basis.We get DEEP into the weeds on how to raise money for indie films, how to approach investors, what companies like him are looking for and so much more. I learn a ton for this conversation and I know you will as well. Get ready to have your mind blown.Enjoy m

Today on the show we have an amazing and inspirational story from filmmaker and entrepreneur Antonio Pantoja. Antonio is an​ Indie Film Hustle School graduate, as he puts it. He has been listening to the podcast since the beginning and has used everything he has learned​ to build up his career and finally direct his first feature film One Must Fall.Antonio's story is one of the most inspirational stories I've had on the show. Coming from being homeless on the streets to building up a production company, photography business and directing career. He personifies H U S T L E.He is proof that if you have the will, positive mindset and the hustle you can make anything happen for yourself in life! If you need some motivation or inspiration then take a listen to this interview.Enjoy my inspirational conversation with Antonio Pantoja.

Today on the show we have the Stock Footage Yoda James Forsher. James has nearly forty years of experience in producing, writing, and directing documentaries and television commercials. Forsher's productions, ranging from half-hour shows to feature-length documentaries, have aired on the Discovery Channel, The Movie Channel, Cinemax, A & E, and PBS.Forsher's productions range from this year's hour-long show Elvis and the Girl from Vienna back to his 1977 documentary Conrad Hilton: Insight into a Giant. Forsher has also taught film and video production at the college and university level for nearly two decades directed the broadcast program at California State University, East Bay, and has taught communication courses as a Fulbright Scholar in Europe.His new book Stock Footage + Everything Under the Sun: Using Archival Material to Make Your Good Film Great is the bible of stock footage. It is the only book that gives an overview of the use of archival footage and how it played an expanding and crucial role

Before we begin I need to reveal a truth to you."The Matrix is not a movie, it's a documentary"Believe it or not, this is true. Our internal operating system in our mind was programmed years ago when we were children. That programming runs our life through the subconscious. Don't believe me?Did you drive a car today?Did you brush your teeth?Did you think about walking to the kitchen to make breakfast?Did you think about breathing or making sure your heart beats?Probably not. You would be exhaust mentally if you had to think about all of this every day. This is all run by our operating system (aka the subconscious), the problem is many of us are still running Windows 95. In this episode, I go deep down the rabbit hole and discuss how our subconscious can and does stop us from achieving not only our filmmaking dreams but how it affects all areas of our lives. I discuss how my life changed dramatically when I discovered this and made those upgrades. I also go over the two ways you can upgrade the old operating s

I had the pleasure of speaking to the legendary Xzibit at the Mammoth Film Festival last month. Why is a rapper on the podcast you may ask? Well not only is Xzibit a rapper, actor, and producer but he’s also a director as well. His new indie film/series is called BROKEN GROUND.“BROKEN GROUND” is the semi-autobiographical story of James Savage, a man who went to prison, lost his promising career, and now wants to transform into a better man.We discuss his work with some of the greatest directors working today, his approach to directing and what fear he broke through to make the jump in his career. It’s an eye-opening discussion. Enjoy my conversation with Xzibit.

Over the years I have mentioned my meditation practice and how important it is in my daily routine on the show. Many of the IFH Tribe have asked me to do an entire episode on meditation and the importance it has in the creative process. Today is that day.In this episode, I go over:My personal meditation practiceWhy it's impossible to CLEAR YOUR MINDHow to embrace your minds inner voiceHow science view meditationWhat actually happens to your brain when you meditateHow meditation can make you more creativeI discuss practical everyday uses for meditation in your creative life. Some of my greatest ideas and thoughts have come to me during my meditations. I'll also teach you how to meditate for 10-15 min to start and then over time, you can grow your practice to 1-2 hours a day like I do. Once you start meditating it becomes addictive.Get ready to open your creative channels to full flow. Enjoy!

Today on the show we have a good friend of mine, producer's rep Glen Reynolds of Circus Road Films. With 21 years in the indie film biz, he has produced 20 films and sold over 500 films. He founded Circus Road Film in 2006. Glen is also a producer, known for Blood and Bone (2009), Becoming and Conversations with Other Women (2005)Glen has been around the block and has seen a lot in the indie film space. We met because of my scathing commentary on producer's reps in one of my very first podcast episode.We get into the weeds on how to hire a producer's rep and/or sales agent, film festival strategies​ what to look out for and how to choose the right one for your project. Enjoy my conversation with Glen Reynolds.

Today on the show we have director, producer, screenwriter, actor and YouTube sensation Darious Britt I had the pleasure of meeting Darious at the Mammoth Film Festival. At the festival, we were snowed in and pretty much stuck in our hotel. We sat down and talked for hours about indie film, his journey, my journey, the state of indie film, fear, setting goals and so much more.I knew I had to have him on the show to talk shop. What you are about to listen to is a DEEP DIVE into the psychology of a standard indie filmmaker. We break down the brutal and raw truth of what it takes to make it in today's world.We also discuss how to build and engage with an audience. His amazing channel D4Darious is a MUST for any and all filmmakers. I've been a fan of his work for years. I love his approach and teaching style. Here's a bit about the man.He attended film school at the University of Arizona and graduated in May of 2012 with a bachelors in Media production. He toured his short film “Seafood Tester” to four internatio