Shows
Film and FamilyEp. 100 - Q&A with Anna Thalman at the St. Louis International Film FestivalSend us a textCelebrating the 100th episode, we take a look back at our journey from conceptualizing our first low/no-budget feature film, "The Loved & Lost" to making a living as feature filmmakers now. We share a memorable Q&A session captured during our festival run. The discussion highlights the emotional themes, affordances and limitations of indie filmmaking, and the learning experiences that shaped our storytelling and career. This podcast episode includes:• An overview of the Q&A and reflections on the St. Louis Festival • Insights into our first film's origin and pr...
2025-01-1626 minFilm and FamilyEp. 98 - The Domino Effect with Producer Daren SmithSend us a textJoin us as we chat with independent film producer, author, and creative entrepreneur Daren Smith to uncover the often-overlooked role producers play in bringing a story into existence. Daren discusses his collaborations with director Garrett Batty on indie films "Faith of Angels" and "The Carpenter" and how he navigates the complex world of theatrical releases.Daren shares his journey from sound to screen, explaining how passion for theatrical distribution fuels a desire to create immersive experiences for audiences. The conversation touches on the essence of balancing artistry with commerce, as well...
2024-11-191h 08Film and FamilyEp. 97 - Less is More - Change Your Life in Ten MinutesSend us a textIn this episode as we uncover the powerful impact of time constraints on getting things done. We illustrate how setting tight time limits can drastically reduce procrastination and boost your focus. These principles apply whether you are managing household chores or attempting to finish a film with our 1 year timeline in the Feature Filmmaker Academy. Discover how working within set time frames can lead to more efficient and concentrated work sessions.Successful runners often prioritize the time spent running over distance or pace, emphasizing the importance of consistency. We'll discuss how...
2024-07-2511 minFilm and FamilyEp. 96 - Self Distributing on Film Hub with Lenni UittoSend us a textDirector of the post-apocalyptic film, Permafrost, Lenni Uitto takes us behind the scenes and shares his experiences making and ultimately self-distributing his first film with Film Hub. Join us as we unravel Lenni's journey from coding to creating post-apocalyptic films. From making camping videos on YouTube to experimenting with After Effects and even taking acting classes, Lenny's story is a testament to how following your passion can lead to unexpected and rewarding paths. We explore how his love for storytelling led him to create short films that have garnered impressive online v...
2024-06-051h 14Film and FamilyEp. 95 - Approaching Your Career Like a Passionate HobbyistSend us a textIn this episode we explore why thinking like a hobbyist filmmaker may be the fastest way to eventually transition into a professional career. Learn how starting with passion projects and investing in your hobby can lead to professional growth and financial sustainability. We delve into the concept of building filmmaking assets, illustrating how every project, no matter its immediate success, contributes to a lucrative portfolio over time.It's not just about the career milestones. We also explore the intrinsic joy of creative pursuits, drawing a parallel with our son's newfound passion...
2024-05-3028 minFilm and FamilyEp. 94 - The Grit and Vision of Indie Filmmaking with Matthew TaggartSend us a textJoin the conversation as filmmaker Matthew Taggart pulls back the curtain on the life of an indie filmmaker, from his first leap into directing with "The Counterfeit Kid" to managing the delicate balance of family and film. Matthew's journey offers a relatable peek into the highs and lows of bringing a vision to the big screen, navigating through the world of independent cinema with a blend of passion and pragmatism. His unique perspective as a father and husband infuses our chat with anecdotes that resonate, whether you're a film buff or a curious...
2024-04-181h 27Film and FamilyEp. 93 - Four Walling and Self DistributionSend us a textWhere do I distribute the funds that I have procured for my film? How much will each facet of making a movie cost me so that I know how to lay out the budget?Once you have finished your film, you can receive laurels from festivals; even the small film festivals. These laurels help promote trailers and posters that are used to market your film to the masses.Join us today as we dive into the subject of four walling and what it takes to do it.
2024-04-1728 minFilm and FamilyEp. 92 - We're Back!Send us a textCheck Out Our Most Recent Film Free "Make Your Feature Film" Checklist
2024-04-0419 minFilm and FamilyEp. 91 - Personal and Practical Storytelling with Feature Film Director Kiel ThorltonSend us a textCheck Out Our Most Recent Film Free "Make Your Feature Film" Checklist
2023-01-131h 03Film and FamilyEp. 90 - What Is The Value of A Movie?Send us a textHow do you add value to your film? What does that mean? What determines value and why would people pay money to watch what you make?It's impossible to amplify the and sell the value of your film to the world if you don't understand why it matters to your audience on a deep level early on.Tune in to this episode to explore the most intrinsic deep value films can offer their audiences and how you can tap into and amplify that value to make a radical ROI...
2022-11-1635 minFilm and FamilyEp. 89 - Support Yourself Financially, Making Feature FilmsSend us a textDo you think that you need to give up everything in your life to get your feature film off of the ground? The opposite may actually be true. Sacrificing your lifestyle will only deplete your store of creativity and contacts that can lead to the very connections and resources you need. Keeping your day job can provide a safety net that allows you more creative freedom.Tune into this episode to learn about why a practical self-paced approach can lead to a better feature film career.
2022-11-0437 minFilm and FamilyEp. 88 - Creating CharacterSend us a textHow well do you know your characters? Can you anticipate how a person would act in a variety of situations? In art, if you're drawing a person, you have to understand how bone structure works to be able to draw the figure accurately, but you're not going to actually see the bones necessarily in the finished product. The same is true for character development. The benefits of knowing each character well will help you to write and/or direct more confidently. Tune into this episode to learn some practical tec...
2022-10-2739 minFilm and FamilyEp. 87 - You Make What You AreSend us a textAre you feeling overwhelmed with all that you need to accomplish? In this episode, we talk about the importance of self care and how to prioritize your time in order to feel better.Free "Make Your Feature Film" ChecklistSchedule my Greenlight CallCheck Out Our Most Recent Film Free "Make Your Feature Film" Checklist
2022-10-1214 minFilm and FamilyEp. 86 - Mining Your Life, Digging up FilmsSend us a text Thinking that there isn't an interesting enough story in your life worth telling? This episode will help you discover what you can share with the world. In this episode, Kent and Anna discuss how to make a story personal, how to use your resources, and share some of their own personal perspectives on the subject. Free "Make Your Feature Film" ChecklistSchedule my Greenlight CallCheck Out Our Most Recent Film Free "Make Your Feature Film" Checklist
2022-09-241h 00Film and FamilyEp. 85 - Crewing a Feature Film with No MoneySend us a textWhich crew members are most essential for your film, and which ones can you do without for your first feature? Who can manage multiple roles without being overwhelmed? If you're creating a film with a low/no budget range, then this podcast episode is for you. Free "Make Your Feature Film" ChecklistSchedule my Greenlight CallCheck Out Our Most Recent Film Free "Make Your Feature Film" Checklist
2022-09-1923 minFilm and FamilyEp. 84 - How to Make Films Together Without Killing Each OtherSend us a textIf you work with someone you love or are have family roles to play whilst also working on a film production, this episode is for you.Free "Make Your Feature Film" ChecklistSchedule my Greenlight CallCheck Out Our Most Recent Film Free "Make Your Feature Film" Checklist
2022-09-0141 minFilm and FamilyEp. 83 - First Features: A Place Called Home with Adam BovaSend us a textAn exclusive interview with Adam Bova, professor at Columbus State University and Producer on the Indie Feature, A Place Called Home. We talk about:Balancing film and family How distribution is changing Why passion projects pay Advantages of making a low-budget first film Approaching distribution without a sales agent What Adam wishes he had known before making his debut featureTrailer for the FilmAwards PageFree "Make Your Feature Film" ChecklistCheck Out Our M...
2022-08-2953 minFilm and FamilyEp. 82 - Success Patterns: Peter JacksonSend us a textPeter Jackson is the 3rd highest grossing film director of all time. He is an absolute legend, but he got his start following the same pattern that all best filmmakers do. He made movies for fun with his friends. They wore all the hats and played all the roles. They DIY-ed their own gear/props/costumes as they went. They broke all the "rules." They kept their day jobs. They made their first feature film in their spare time. They had no formal training, but lots of fun. And the rest i...
2022-08-1228 minFilm and FamilyEp. 81 - Movie Club: Top Gun 2 - MaverickSend us a textThis week on the podcast, we break down the exciting new film, "Top Gun 2 - Maverick" by filmmaker Joseph Kosinski. You can watch behind the scenes footage and interviews about the making of the film here.Once a month, as part of our Movie Club series of the podcast, we share a noteworthy film and discuss it in depth. In this episode, we talk about how Top Gun 2 demonstrates leadership, why the filmmakers decided to use more expensive practical effects instead of digital, and what the film's popular reception teaches us...
2022-07-2523 minFilm and FamilyEp. 80 - A War to Keep the Peace with Jon BregelSend us a textThis week on the podcast, we interview award-winning commercial director and founder of Variable, Jon Bregel. This one is a treat. Jon is humble, personable, and open.I can't wait for you to hear his incredible story and learn about the wellness community he created after struggling with the pressure of explosive success and difficulty in maintaining a healthy work/life balance.He shares insights about the power of stillness, prioritizing health and wellness, and how personal relationships with his wife and mom helped him get through. Check it...
2022-07-151h 04Film and FamilyEp. 79 - First Features: Cryo with Barrett BurginSend us a textThis week on the podcast, we interview Barrett Burgin about the recent theatrical release of his debut feature film, Cryo. Join us as we discuss the process he went through to get this film made and sold while also finishing school, working a day job, and providing for his young family.Barrett shares his biggest takeaways from his experience making and selling this film. He is a great example of the success that you can achieve, too, by following the process we teach in the Feature Filmmaker Academy.
2022-07-081h 02Film and FamilyEp. 78 - Movie Club: City Girl (1930)Send us a textSchedule a Free Consultation CallWatch the Movie HereWatch the Clip of them running through a FieldCheck Out Our Most Recent Film Free "Make Your Feature Film" Checklist
2022-06-1449 minFilm and FamilyEp. 77 - Success Patterns - Quentin Tarantino and Other Exceptions to the RuleSend us a textThis week on the podcast we discuss some filmmakers who are exceptions to the typical success patterns or career trajectory that we teach.Make Your Feature Film (Free Step-by-Step Guide):www.InvisibleMansion.com/FreeChecklistCheck Out Our Most Recent Film Free "Make Your Feature Film" Checklist
2022-05-2135 minFilm and FamilyEp. 76 - Lessons Learned from Austin KleonSend us a textCheck Out Our Most Recent Film Free "Make Your Feature Film" Checklist
2022-04-2942 minFilm and FamilyEp. 75 - Movie Club: The Miracle Worker (1962)Send us a textMake Your Feature Film (Free Step-by-Step Guide):www.InvisibleMansion.com/FreeChecklistCheck Out Our Most Recent Film Free "Make Your Feature Film" Checklist
2022-04-2340 minFilm and FamilyEp. 74 - The Power of 10 MinutesSend us a textMake Your Feature Film (Free Step-by-Step Guide):www.InvisibleMansion.com/FreeChecklistCheck Out Our Most Recent Film Free "Make Your Feature Film" Checklist
2022-04-1510 min