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

How to Have a Sustainable Career in the Film Business with Straw WeismanI always talk about "hustle" and that "you have to keep moving forward no matter what" to make it in this business. Today's guest is the most authentic example of those concepts I've ever met. Straw Weisman is a writer, director, producer, post supervisor, movie trailer writer/producer, film consultant, and film market guru. These are just some of jobs Straw has done in his over 40 years in the indie film business.Through his own company, Marquee Productions, Straw has supervised post-production and/or associate produced or produced over 75 films, including “Without Men”, starring Eva Longoria and Christian Slater, "Abel's Field", starring Kevin Sorbo, “Shine On”, starring Jenna Dewan-Tatum, “Order of Redemption” with Busta Rhymes, Armand Assante and Tom Berenger,  the multi-festival award-winning biopic “Crazy” featuring“Heroes” Ali Larder,  “Magic”, a family film starring Christopher Lloyd as a talking dog, Richard Gere’s “The Flock”, “

The Indie Film Hustle Tribe Interrogates Alex Ferrari with Rob AliceaToday’s episode is a first for the IFH Podcast. I had Indie Film Hustle Tribe Member Rob Alicea reach out to me with a crazy idea. He wanted to interview me for the podcast. He thought that the tribe would like to know more about me and my personal journey. I have to say I was skeptical. I didn’t think you guys would be that interested but Rob convinced me so here we are. Rob asked questions I never answered before and I have to say Rob was a great interviewer. I hope you find some value in it.So here we go. Enjoy Rob’s interview with…I guess me. = )

Trailer Editing Techniques to Cut a Badass Movie TrailerI've probably edited over 500 movie trailers, network promos, and commercials in my career. So many indie filmmakers and feature film editors think they can just throw together a trailer for their feature film and make it work. Over the years, I've shared my Trailer Editing Techniques with many of the indie filmmakers that have walked into my post suite.Trailer editing requires a very different set of skills from feature film or other long-form editing. I've seen way too many bad movie trailers in my day. I wanted to bring on today's guest Chris from FilmEditingPro to drop some knowledge bombs on the IFH Tribe on what it takes to really edit an effect and kick ass movie trailer, regardless of genre.Enjoy my conversation with Chris from FilmEditingPro.

How to Cast a No Budget Indie Film with Backstage's Veronika LeeAhhhh casting. It’s probably the last thing a director or producer wants to think about during production. But it’s true: casting can make or break a film. A bad casting decision can be glaringly obvious at the worst possible time. So it’s important to get started thinking about your process early on. On today's show, we have casting director Veronika Lee from Backstage. We go into how to cast a no budget indie film, finding the right actors for the part and much more. (Note: IFH listeners can always cast for free by entering promo code HUSTLE at checkout at Backstage.com.)Enjoy my conversation with Veronika Lee. LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODEBackstage.com (EXCLUSIVE FREE Casting Package from Backstage.com Use the promo code HUSTLE at checkout)Veronika Lee - TwitterBuy This is Meg on iTunesSPONSORSHollywood Film & Television Directing Masterclass (EXCLUSIVE 50% OFF)Editing with DaVinci Resolve Course ($15 Special)Directing Acto

Oscar-Winner Russell Carpenter A.S.C. - Shooting Blockbusters, Titanic & James CameronI can't tell you how excited I am about today's guest. I sat down with the legendary and Oscar® Winning Cinematographer Russell Carpenter A.S.C. Russell has been shooting blockbusters for over 40 years and has shot films like Ant-Man,  xXx: Return of Xander Cage, Charlie's Angels, The Negotiator, True Lies, Monster-in-Law and classic 90's action flicks like Hard Target, The Perfect Weapon, and Death Warrant.He won the Oscar® for his cinematography on the second highest-grossing film of all time, Titanic. We go down the rabbit hole on shooting Titanic, working with James Cameron, crazy Hollywood stories, how he approaches each project and much more. This episode is a treasure chest of behind the scenes stories and cinematic techniques from the highest levels of Hollywood.Get ready to be entertained and have your mind blown. Enjoy my epic conversation with Russell Carpenter A.S.C.

How a 19 Yr Old Directed & Sold 6 Feature Films with Dylan MarsI always talk about the grind, doing the work and just going out and shoot your film. Today's guest does just that, Dylan Mars Greenberg. Dylan has directed 6 feature films at the ripe old age of 19 years old. I can't tell you what a treat it was to speak to this young filmmaker. I hope Dylan's drive, excitement to tell stories and good old fashion hustle rubs off on you all. Enjoy my conversation with Dylan Mars Greenberg.Keep Hustlin!

Why Facebook Watch is a Game Changer for Indie FilmmakersThe online video landscape is changing on a daily basis. The newest gladiator to step into the ring is Facebook. Facebook is launching Facebook Watch, a new "show tab" that will host original shows produced exclusively for Facebook. Considering that Facebook has 1.32 Billion people who come to the site on a daily basis this is a game changer for filmmakers and content creators.Facebook Watch will launch with a handful of shows first but they plan to open the platform up to independent filmmakers, production companies, and content creators.  They will also be adding REVENUE SHARE option for all content creators. My sources tell me that the revenue will be higher than YouTube. Many are saying that this could be a YouTube killer, only time will tell. Personally, I don't think Facebook Watch will kill Youtube but it will injure it for sure.We are living in an "Attention Economy." Whoever can command the most attention will be successful. Take a listen to th

How to Become a "Jack of All Trades" Indie FilmmakerOn today's episode, I want to discuss the need for indie filmmakers to become a "Jack of All Trades." As you travel down your filmmaking path you need to be adding tools to your tool box. You have to be adding new skills, knowledge, and experience to your tool box every day.I go over not just the basic skills you need to know but some tool you never thought you needed to add to that box. The more tools you have in your tool box, the more dangerous of a filmmaker you become.Keep Hustlin and enjoy!Right click here to download the MP3Download on iTunes DirectWatch on IFH YouTube Channel

How to Build an Audience w/ Social Media & Hustle - Hollyshorts! Film Festival ConferenceIn today's episode, I wanted to share the talk I did with RB Botto (Stage 32) at the Hollyshorts! Film Festival Conference 2017. RB and I spoke about a lot of different topics covering, crowdfunding, crowdsourcing, building an audience, self-distribution, and much more. There's truly one knowledge bomb dropped after another. I thought the IFH Tribe could get a lot out of it.Also, if you are in the LA area This is Meg is LA Priemering at the TCL Chinese Theater, I know crazy! We are the closing night feature film of the Hollyshorts! Film Festival. The screening is August 19th, 8pm. For discount tickets read below. The entire cast will be there and it'll be a fun time! Hope to see you there.Enjoy!Right click here to download the MP3Download on iTunes DirectWatch on IFH YouTube ChannelLINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODEBuy This is Meg on iTunesHollyshorts! LA Premiere of This is Meg - Aug 19th - 8pm - Tickets D

Hollywood Directing: How to Choose the Right Lens for Your ShotOn today's episode, I wanted to give you a sneak peek of one of the best selling filmmaking courses on Udemy right now, Hollywood Film & Television Directing Masterclass with former guest and master film instructor Gil Bettman. On the show, you'll hear a lesson on how you can AMP UP your static shots by the choosing the right lenses.Enjoy!LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODEBuy This is Megon iTunesHollywood Film & Television Directing Masterclass (EXCLUSIVE 50% OFF)Indie Film Syndicate Membership - First Month FREESPONSORSDirecting Actors Master Course – (30% OFF – CODE: HUSTLE)Get Your Film on Netflix, Hulu & Amazon & Keep 100% off the Revenue - DistribberHollywood Camera Work: Mastering High-End Blocking and Staging (30% OFF – CODE: HUSTLE)Werner Herzog's Filmmaking MasterClassAaron Sorkin Screenwriting Master ClassFreeFilmBook.com (Download Your FREE Filmmaking Audio Book)KILLER RESOURCES!!!INDIE FILM SYNDICATE Filmmaki

This is Meg is LIVE on iTunes & Some Other SurprisesToday is the day. This is Meg is FINALLY been released to the world on iTunes. It's pretty incredible that an idea I had over a year ago is now a feature film that has been released on mutha f'in iTunes. It's humbling. I'm so grateful to you, the IFH Tribe for your support, love and well wishes. I know that I wouldn't have been able to do this with you guys. The power of community is pretty powerful and from the bottom of my heart thank you all so much for the support!So today is a big day. The more transactions we get on iTunes the higher we get ranked on their algorithm. This means sales and rentals (it's available for rental too today) count towards that goal. So if you are going to buy or rent This is Meg do it TODAY!Let's see how this experiment does and I'll report back the results. Here's the link to buy or rent the film today ---> This is Megon iTunesBy the way, I have a few surprises for you in this episodes so listen all the way through = ) Enj

Spielberg, Take Me & Directing for the Duplass Brothers with Pat HealyToday's guest prolific actor/writer/director Pat Healy. Pat discuss his new Netflix film Take Me starring himself and Orange is the New Black's Taylor Schilling. He also talks about his experience working with the Duplass Brothers, working with the legend Steven Speilberg, and how he has made a living being a script doctor over the years. Pay Healy's feature film screenplays Strange Skies and Snow Ponies found their way on the Black List in 2006 and 2007. Enjoy my conversation with Pat Healy.

How to Make Money with Your Indie Film (Crazy Case Studies)So you want to make money with your film. Who doesn't? I've always been a hustler, and I used that word in the most positive way I can. Filmmakers need to stop just thinking about the art and start thinking about the business of filmmaking. They need to become entrepreneurs. That is the only way filmmakers from this and future generations will survive in the business.Sure for every Chris Nolan they're millions of indie filmmakers that are broke, frustrated, angry or just quit the business altogether but it doesn't have to be that rough. Sure the world of self-distribution has exploded and there are some many revenue avenues for filmmakers today but it doesn't have to stop there.In this episode, I break down and analyze a bunch of successful filmmakers that created multiple revenue streams leveraging their feature film, doc, web series or short film.

How a Screenwriter Becomes a First Time Director with Kelly Fremon CraigI'm asked all the time"How does a screenwriter get the opportunity to direct one of their screenplays?"That is the question. In Hollywood, more times than not, writers don't have the power or ability to direct their own material. It took a few screenplays before Quentin Tarantino got the shot with Reservoir Dogs. Today's guest is writer/director Kelly Fremon Craig. She got her shot to director her own screenplay on the 2016 critical darling Edge of Seventeen.Kelly's adventures through Hollyweird is inspiring to say the least. Enjoy my conversation with Kelly Fremon Craig.LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODEBuy This is Meg on iTunesKelly Fremon Craig - TwitterKelly Fremon Craig - InstagramINDIE FILM SYNDICATE Filmmaking Community

How to Make Money Renting Your Film Gear with ShareGrid's Brent BarbanoHave you ever wanted to make a little extra cash with that film gear sitting in your closet? Have you ever wanted o rent that new Arri ALEXA but were afraid you couldn't afford it? Well, I came across the solution for both problems, it's call ShareGrid.ShareGrid is a per to per community, think Airbnb for filmmakers, that allows list film gear for rental or rent gear directly from other filmmakers with instant insurance. I reached out to Brent Barbano, co-founder of Sharegrid to discuss how he built this community up, talk about how to be a working cinematographer and just talk shop.Heres a couple of videos explain what ShareGrid is all about.  Enjoy my conversation with ShareGrid Co-Founder Brent Barbano.

How To Be Creative - The War of Art & Turning ProHow to be creative? This is a question that surprisingly has a simple answer. DO THE WORK! In this episode, I'll be going over a remarkable book I've read that has truly changed the way I think about life, the creative process and making films. The book is [easyazon_link identifier="1936891026" locale="US" tag="whatisbroke-20"]The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles[/easyazon_link] by Steven Pressfield.If you have writer's block, can't break through the fear or just want some tips on how to be creative this is the episode you need to hear. I'm also running the FIRST EVER Indie Film Hustle Contest. Steve Pressfield sent me a bounty of books to give away to the tribe. All you have to do to enter is "mail me", not email, but actually mail me a letter or video telling me your break through story, when you decided to do the work and stopped being afraid of following that dreamWinner's story will be read on an episode of the I

How to Make $3 Million Selling Your Indie Film on iTunes & Amazon w/ with Nick Palmisciano of Range 15We all hear that self-distribution is the future for indie filmmakers. Build an audience and make a film for that audience but finding real world examples of a "true" indie film breaking $1,000,000+ using that model is tough. Well, I'm happy to introduce you to Range 15, the indie film that not only made $1 million selling on iTunes and Amazon but they have made $3 million+ to date, and growing.Today's guest is Nick Palmisciano, one of the writers, producers, and actors in Range 15. His story of how this film came into the world is truly inspiring.Nick and Mat Best, his co-producer/writer/lead of Range 15, had a crazy idea to create a feature film for the communities they had built up over the years. They are both military veterans and own military themed apparel companies Ranger up Article 15, respectively.They wanted to make a film that the military community would enjoy and they did just that. Check ou

Independent Film Self Distribution & Marketing Blueprint with This is MegOver the past 6 months or so I've been getting an enormous amount of emails and messages asking me the same question:What is your distribution and marketing plan for This is Meg?I hear you IFH Tribe, so I decide to put this podcast together and lay out the marketing and distribution blueprint I created to get This is Megout into the world.In this episode, I break down:Why I didn't go through a traditional distributorWhy I didn't do a theatrical run through TUGGHow I will be self-distributing This is MegWhat platforms I'll be selling on and whyWhat my marketing strategy isThis is Meg has been a giant experiment to see what happens and I wanted to share the ride with you, the IFH Tribe. Thank you for all the support. Take a listen and keep on hustlin'.Right click here to download the MP3Download on iTunes DirectWatch on IFH YouTube ChannelBelow you can check out some of the marketing I'm doing to promote This is Meg and content I'm giv

Why Creating Systems is Better Than Setting GoalsWe've all been taught that creating goals is important and they are but creating systems is even more powerful. How many times have you lost weight just to gain it back? How many half-written screenplays do you have sitting on your computer? When your focus is only the goal then what happens after you achieve that goal? In this episode, I discuss how to create systems that will get you to your goals faster and keep you motivated along the way. Shameless plug: This is Meg is now available for pre-order on iTunes at an early bird discount $9.99. Just go to www.thisismeg.com/itunes. I have a ton of content coming on how we are releasing the film so stay tuned.LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODEBuy This is Meg on iTunesIFH TV - YouTube ChannelSPONSORSFilmConvert - (10% OFF - CODE: HUSTLE)Hollywood Film & Television Directing Masterclass (EXCLUSIVE 50% OFF)Directing Actors Master Course – (30% OFF – CODE: HUSTLE)Get Your Film on Netflix, Hulu & Ama

Vintage Lenses for Indie Filmmakers MasterClass w/ Alan BesedinOne of the main goals of Indie Film Hustle is to give real world knowledge and resources to indie filmmakers so they can make a living doing what they love. Film gear is a big part of that equation. I always am on the lookout for the best bang for the buck when it comes to film gear.I recently began to dip my toes into the world of vintage lenses. Vintages lenses are exactly that, vintage. You may be asking"Alex, why would I but a 50-year-old lens that has color redition issues or is soft on the corners when the lenses of today are perfect, clean and more advanced?"The main reason I've fallen in love with vintage lenses is exactly for that reason, they are not perfect. Years ago lenses were made by hand. Each lens had its own personality. Many of them have beautiful mistakes that made them stand out.Case in point Stanley Kubrick. If you watch A Clockwork Orange you'll notice a wide shot as the doorbell rings about 20min into the film. The crazy wi