Making Movies is HARD!!!: The Struggles of Indie Filmmaking
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
- Update frequency
- every 3 days
- Average duration
- 71 minutes
- Episodes
- 621
- Years Active
- 2016 - 2025
Nicholas Bruckman on new Ady Barkan Doc and Building a Sustainable Career in Film!
Alrik and Liz start the show but Liz takes the interview with Nicholas Bruckman solo as they talk about Nicholas' new documentary on activist Ady Barkan. After that, A+L come back together to talk ab…
The Indie Spirit with Starry Eyes/Pet Sematary Filmmakers Dennis Widmyer and Kevin Kolsch
This week Alrik and Liz connect with Widmyer and Kolsch on their journey from indie Starry Eyes to the remake of Steven King's Pet Sematary, to directing tv. This episode is a celebration of the indi…
Hip Hop Storytelling with Joslyn Rose Lyons!
This week Liz and Alrik chat with storyteller Joslyn Rose Lyons about her career thus far. Joslyn inspired us to no end about the importance of process, her philosophy of filmmaking, and the value of…
Navigating The Massive Success of an Indie Genre Film with Brett and Drew Pierce!
This week we welcome back filmmakers Brett and Drew Pierce to talk about the pandemic release of their film, The Wretched. The movie thrived and was number one in the country week after week, grossi…
Living the Artist's LIfe with Writer/Director T. Arthur Cottam!
This week Liz and Alrik welcome writer/director T. Arthur Cottam on the show to talk about the re-release of his feature film Carbuncle which is now out on Amazon Prime, Plex and Vimeo on Demand. T. …
From Razzies to Release from Director Jail --- Tom Putnam!
Alrik and Liz have a wonderful, substantive and vulnerable conversation with filmmaker Tom Putnam about the trajectory of his career (from massively popular shorts to a razzie nominated feature, to h…
Chatting with BAD ASS' Craig Moss about LET US IN!
This week Liz and Alrik chat with writer/director Craig Moss about his latest feature, LET US IN. This film was a bit of a departure from his previous films, and Craig goes into taking on producerial…
For The Love of Genre Writing- Scribing WEREWOLVES WITHIN with Mishna Wolff!
This week, Liz and Alrik chat with screenwriter and comedian Mishna Wolff. Mishna talks a lot about process, how enjoyable this specific project was, and goes into her love of genre films. We also ha…
Reopening the Edit and Making Movie Magic with In The Heights Editor Myron Kerstein!
This week Liz and Alrik invite editor of the musical, In The Heights, Myron Kerstein on the show to talk about his two years editing the film, re-opening the edit during the pandemic to make some key…
Kate Forsatz and Meredith Veach: Shooting an Indie Feature with TONS of Locations in NYC in Eleven Days!
This week Liz and Alrik welcome star and co-director Kate Forsatz and editor Meredith Veach to come on the show to talk about their first feature, Threebound which they shot in NYC in eleven days wit…
The Life of a Documentarian and Making It’s Not a Burden with Director Michelle Boyaner!
This week we have documentary filmmaker and director Michelle Boyaner on the show to talk about making her latest: It’s Not a Burden, about adult children taking care of their elderly parents. Michel…
Shooting and Distributing a Genre Feature for $30k with Hudson Phillips and Jordan Noel!
This week Liz and Alrik welcome Writer/Producer Hudson Phillips and Director/Editor Jordan Noel on the show to talk about their feature film This World Alone which they made out in Atlanta on a budg…
Anna Elizabeth James: Planning and Executing Your Career with the Director of Deadly Illusions!
This week Liz and Alrik welcome writer and director Anna Elizabeth James on the show to talk about the making of her smash hit Netflix film, Deadly Illusions starring Kristen Davis, Greer Grammer and…
Burning Pustules of Regret AKA Making Your First Feature Film with Chelsea Christer!
This week Liz and Alrik sit down with filmmaker and commercial director Chelsea Christer to talk about her first feature film, Bleeding Audio, which she made over the course of six years and which pl…
Transforming From Actor to Director w/ Nitzan Mager!
Liz and Alrik chat with Actor, writer, producer and director Nitzan Mager to talk about her web series Quarantine I Love You which she wrote/produced/directed three seasons of since the start of the…
Jen McGowan: Living The Filmmaking Dream with Director!
In our second episode in our double episode week we welcome Director Jen McGowan on the show to talk about her second feature Rust Creek and making the leap from indie features to directing episodic …
Andrew Carlberg - Sustaining a Producing Career!
Sorry for the delay but this week Liz and Alrik chat with Producer Andrew Carlberg, who talks about his process for getting a film made, how he chooses his projects and why he continues to work on sh…
Larry Fessenden: Acting, Filmmaking and Living the Artist's Life!
This week Liz and Alrik welcome writer, director, producer and actor, Larry Fessenden on the show to talk about his latest role in the new film Jakob’s Wife. Larry talks about how he got the role in …
Barbara Crampton: Creating Killer Roles by Producing Your Own Films!
This week Liz and Alrik welcome horror legend Barbara Crampton to the show to talk about her recent jump from acting to producing/acting and to hear about how she got her latest film made Jakob’s Wif…
Sustaining a Feature Directing Career with Slamdance Co-Founder Dan Mirvish!
This week Liz and Alrik sit down with writer, director, producer, author, Slamdance film festival co-founder and all around indie film expert, Dan Mirvish, to talk about how he has managed to direct …