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
J. Lee: Don't focus on the problem, focus on the opportunity!
This week On episode #266, Liz and Alrik have writer, director and actor J. Lee on the show to talk about working with Seth McFarland, making a feature film in 12 days, and working his way from PA to…
From Acting to Directing to Writing a Studio Feature with Leah McKendrick!
This week Liz and Alrik have actor, producer, writer, and director Leah McKendrick on the show to talk about producing, writing, and starring in her first feature film, MFA. Additionally, Leah discus…
Directing Television and Getting to Sundance with Rashaad Ernesto Green!
This week Liz and Alrik have indie filmmaker and television director Rashaad Ernesto Green on the show to talk about what it's like to get into Sundance, making the leap to directing television, and …
Creating a Sustainable Career as an Indie Director with Bruce McDonald!
This week Liz and Alrik have on indie filmmaker Bruce McDonald to talk about his latest film Dreamland (which hit VOD on Friday, June 5th), starring Stephen McHattie, Henry Rollins and Juliette Lewis…
Jonathan Milott and Cary Murnion: Pitching and Packaging Your Third Feature!
This week Liz and Alrik have directing duo Cary Murnion and Jonathan Milott on the show to talk about how they pitched, packaged and made their third feature film, Becky starring Lulu Wilson, Kevin J…
Navigating a SXSW Feature Film Premiere with Kestrin Pantera!
This week Liz and Alrik are joined by writer/director and actor Kestrin Pantera, whose film Mother's Little Helpers was just released on VOD in May. Kestrin talks to us about how she got the film pro…
Creating a Sustainable Career Making Feature Films with Bradley Gallo!
This week Liz and Alrik are joined by producer Bradley Gallo from Amasia Entertainment, known for films such as The Call, Mr. Right, Them That Follow, the upcoming Wild Mountain Thyme and Green Horne…
Winning an Emmy with Your First Film with Cameo Wood!
This week Liz and Alrik are joined by part time co-host Samiat Salami and Indie Filmmaker Cameo Wood to talk about making her first film the Emmy Award winning Real Artists, how she approached her in…
Directing Famous Actors in the True History of the Kelly Gang with Justin Kurzel!
This week Liz and Alrik are joined by director Justin Kurzel to talk about the making of his most recent film, True History of The Kelly Gang, which hit VOD and select drive in theaters around the co…
Greg Barker - Making Netflix Feature Sergio After a Career of Making Documentaries!
This week Liz and Alrik are joined by documentary filmmaker Greg Barker to talk about making his first fiction narrative feature, Sergio, which is currently streaming exclusively on Netflix! Greg tal…
Going Home For Feature #2 'The Wretched' with Brett and Drew Pierce!
This week Liz and Alrik are joined by brother directing duo Brett and Drew Pierce to talk about directing their second feature, The Wretched that hits VOD and select drive-in movie theaters on Friday…
Just Shoot It/Making Movies is HARD Crossover #3 - How to Pick a DP!
This week Liz and Alrik chat with Matt Enlow and Oren Kaplan from the Just Shoot It Podcast about how to choose a cinematographer for your projects.
This all started with a text that Matt sent Alrik i…
Neasa Hardiman - Shooting Sea Fever Across Four Different Countries!
This week Liz and Alrik welcome Irish Filmmaker Neasa Hardiman on the show to talk about making her latest film, Sea Fever! Neasa talks about how she made her most recent feature film Sea Fever with …
Malgorzata Szumowska - Directing a Film in Another Language!
This week Liz and Alrik welcome acclaimed Polish Filmmaker Malgorzata Szumowska to the show to talk about directing her first film in english, The Other Lamb!
Andrew Schrader - Filmmaking during COVID 19!
This week Liz and Alrik welcome back filmmaker and friend of the show Andrew Schrader to talk about how we are all dealing with our filmmaking lives during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Josie Azzam - Editing at the Speed of Life!
This week Liz and Alrik welcome film editor Josie Azzam, editor of Liz's second feature, Speed of Life! We talk to Josie about her process, how she and Liz met and what her biggest challenge was in g…
The Final The Alternate Update w/Andrew Schrader!
This week Andrew Schrader and Alrik are back with the final update from the set of The Alternate. The updates become less frequent in the last couple days of the shoot and something crazy happens at …
Chris Mollica - Kenneth R. Frank - Making Micro Budget Films Sustainably!
This week Liz and Alrik welcome Independent Filmmakers Kenneth R. Frank and Chris Mollica to talk about their indie films The Mix and their latest release, Family Obligations!
Anthony Aguiar - Micro Budget Filmmaking on Your Own Terms!
This week Liz and Alrik welcome Bay Area Independent filmmaker Anthony Aguiar to talk about his first feature film, How to Grow a Tiger Lilly. Anthony talks about why he thinks micro budget filmmakin…
Tom Huang - Finding Your Path as an Indie Filmmaker!
This week Liz and Alrik welcome independent filmmaker Tom Huang to the show to talk about his latest film, 'Find Me'. In addition to writing/directing Tom also stars in his films and he talks about h…