IFH 544: Filmmaking Lessons: The Art of Adaptation with Joe Wright

Every once in a while we all need to get a gut check. A "gut check" is when some new situation, or in this case knowledge, that tests your belief on what it takes to achieve your goal.I invited Sebastian Twardosz to give us that gut check and lay down some major knowledge bombs on the Indie Film Hustle Tribe. Now Sebastian has been playing the Hollywood game for close to two decades and has ranked up some major experience. Hollywood and the film business in general is a "relationship business". Here's what Sebastian said:"Some of you will be successful and some of you will be less successful—it’s a numbers game, but regardless of the stats, you will likely fail if you don’t help each other."Sebastian Twardosz’s first production job was from 1995-1999 for Tom Cruise and Paula Wagner’s Paramount-based company where he started as an assistant and was promoted to executive, actively participating in the making of Mission Impossible 1-2 and Without Limits.Like many hopefuls wanting to get into the film biz, Sebastian Twardosz started as an agent's assistant in the motion picture department at ICM. He graduated from the USC School of Cinematic Arts in 1993. His short film, Silent Rain, received a Student Academy Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as well as the Student Emmy.Sebastian co-produced the independent feature Small Town Saturday Night starring Chris Pine, and he has been an adjunct professor at both UCLA and USC Film Schools teaching about the art and business of film since 2006.He also hosted a weekly show called The Insiders which aims to shed light on the “behind-the-scenes world of Hollywood” for aspiring filmmakers. Sebastian is currently a partner in Circus Road Films, which advises and represents emerging filmmakers. Take a listen to this eye opening interview.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

19 Touko 20161h 12min

We making money selling your short film, feature film or web series just got a whole lot easier. Amazon.com has thrown it's hat into the Independent creators VOD ring with the launch of Amazon Video Direct.This move is designed to go head to head with Google's YouTube for video-ad dollars. as well as going after other juggernauts like Facebook and Vimeo.Amazon Video Direct has four distribution options for its creators.Filmmakers can make their films available to Prime Video subscribers and receive a per-hour royalty feeFilms or Series can be sold as a subscription through the Streaming Partners ProgramFilms can be made available for digital rental or purchaseFilms can be made available to ALL Amazon customers for free with ads, and filmmaker would receive a 55% share of the ad revenue (exactly as they do on YouTube).Take listen for the lowdown. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

16 Touko 201610min

Film Gear in Cinematography Today with Ernesto LomeliOh, the dilemma! What film gear should I use for my film? Which camera will give me the look I want for my project? What gear can I afford? Well as I've said before:"Film gear does not make a movie, the story does. No one ever won Sundance or an Oscar® because they used the latest and great film gear. They won because of, you guessed it, story."With that said choosing the right film gear for your film is important. You need to have the right paint brush and not nesseraly the most expensive or newest paint brush to create your opus. I thought it would be interesting to have cinematographer Ernesto Lomeli  on the show. He's one of the most technical film geeks I know. Ernesto shares a bunch of knowledge bombs with us in this interview and discusses what film gear to get and what you really need to make your project sing!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

12 Touko 20161h 22min

How Marketable is Your Film Idea or Screenplay?So how marketable is your film idea or screenplay? I know so many screenwriters and filmmakers who spend months and sometimes years on an idea that is cool to just themselves. Depending on what you are attempting to achieve with your story, you should always figure out if you idea is marketable or if you have a fighting chance of selling the screenplay or final film. Paul Castro, the writer of the Warner Brothers feature film August Rush (Starring Robin Williams) shares with us his thoughts on how to test and find marketable ideas. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

10 Touko 201612min

Why would you want to ‘Save the Cat’? If you are a screenwriter or aspiring one you should of heard by now of Blake Snyder’s game changing screenwriting book.In his 20-year career as a film producer and screenwriter, Blake Snyder sold dozens of scripts, including co-writing Blank Check, which became a hit for Disney, and Nuclear Family for Steven Spielberg — both million-dollar sales. Named “one of Hollywood’s most successful spec screenwriters,” Blake sold his last screenplay in 2009.His book, Save the Cat!® The Last Book on Screenwriting You’ll Ever Need, was published in May, 2005, and is now in its 24th printing. When I read this book it really had an impact on my storytelling and screenwriting.Thankful Blake was not done and apparently it was not quite the last book on screenwriting you’ll ever need, as the eagerly awaited sequel, Save the Cat!® Goes to the Movies: The Screenwriter’s Guide to Every Story Ever Told, was published in October, 2007 — shooting to #1 in the Screenwriting and Screenplay categories on Amazon.com. Blake’s third book, Save the Cat!® Strikes Back: More Trouble for Screenwriters to Get Into… And Out Of, was published in November, 2009.Blake’s method has become the “secret weapon” of many development executives, managers, and producers for its precise, easy, and honest appraisal of what it takes to write and develop stories that resonate. Save the Cat!® The Last Story Structure Software You’ll Ever Need has codified this method. Blake passed unexpectedly in 2009 but the Save the Cat community carries on Blake’s work.I had the pleasure of interviewing one of Blake’s main pupils Jose Silerio. Jose is carrying the torch of Blake’s work and travels around the world well…saving the cat.Enjoy my informative interview with Jose Silerio.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

4 Touko 20161h 11min

So this week I'm doing something different. I occasionally get asked to be guest on other people's podcasts. In these podcast I go over topics I might not of spoken about on the IFH Podcast in the past so to mix things up, with the permission of the hosts,  I'll be uploading bonus episodes with these interviews.In my effort to bring you more value I think you'll enjoy these interviews. First up is my interview with Doc Kennedy from the Filmmaker's Focus Podcast. This interview was a ton of fun. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

3 Touko 20161h 3min

I'm always looking for indie filmmaking models to study. I like to analyze how other filmmakers make successful indie films while doing through a new DIY method, self distributing their film or achieving critical and fan respect for their work.Well I found a film that checks all the boxes, For Lovers Only create by the Polish Brothers, Michael and Mark Polish (more on that film later). These filmmakers have been making films, on their terms, for over a decade now.Since premiering at Sundance with their debut feature, 1999's Twin Falls Idaho, the brothers have remained steadfast in their commitment to creating personal, character-driven films.How does one make money shooting a feature film on a DSLR? The film in question came from a screenplay that Mark Polish wrote more than a decade ago called For Lovers Only, about an American photographer who runs into an old flame while on assignment in Paris. The film follows the rekindled lovers around Paris, France in a series of quiet vignettes that gradually reveal more about the complications in the couples' lives.Related: DSLR Video Tips: How to Make Your DSLR Film or Video Look More CinematicInspired by the guerilla style of the French New Wave filmmakers of yesteryear, Mark and Michael Polish came up with a simple plan: they'd fly over to France with only a Canon 5D Mark II camera (which they already owned) and one actress (Castle star Stana Katic) in tow and just go out and shoot feature film. Oh did I mention it was in black and white?Michael Polish sat down with me for an amazing interview about his filmmaking life, Hollywood and what it means to be an artist.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

27 Huhti 20161h 35min

Do You Need a Movie Star to Sell Your Indie Film?Being in post production for over 20 years, many films have walked through my doors. Some with huge movie stars that go nowhere and other with no stars that win Sundance.The question is do you really need a movie star in your independent film to be able to sell it? The answer is yes...and no. I layout specifics on when and if you need star power in your film and I discuss what the new definition of star power is today.The times they are a changing my indie film hustlers and if you don't change with them you'll be left behind. Take a listen and let me know what you thin in the comments below.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

26 Huhti 20168min