IFH 788: The Unscripted Journey of Steven Bernstein: From Cinematographer to Storyteller

Leo Fong was a true Renaissance man — a martial arts Grand Master, filmmaker, and Methodist minister who turned life’s challenges into fuel for creativity. Born in 1930s Arkansas, Leo faced racial discrimination early, leading him to boxing and later martial arts as a way to build confidence and strength. His journey took him from judo dojos and kung fu studios in San Francisco to becoming a close friend and sparring partner of Bruce Lee. Their friendship shaped his lifelong philosophy that “the ultimate is inside of you,” inspiring Leo to develop his own fighting style that fused boxing precision with kung fu adaptability. His passion for martial arts soon crossed into cinema when a producer invited him to star in Murder in the Orient, launching a decades-long career in independent action filmmaking.From Kill Point and Low Blow to Blood Street, Leo not only acted but also wrote and produced his films, often on shoestring budgets and with his own hands-on ingenuity. He directed scenes using hamburger meat-filled props, bought junkyard cars for $125, and learned filmmaking by doing — one movie at a time. His films, though low-budget, carried immense heart and authenticity, earning cult followings and international success. Beyond the punches and kicks, Leo’s story is about humility, integrity, and community — lessons he carried from the dojo to the film set. As he said near the end of his career, “We’re all family in the martial arts. Better to make friends than enemies — and always have fun while you’re at it.”Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

11 Marras 20251h 15min

Jamie Buckner’s filmmaking journey is one built on passion, persistence, and pure creative drive. After exploring careers in music, architecture, and art, he realized filmmaking combined everything he loved into one pursuit. Starting as a production assistant, Jamie worked his way through Hollywood’s ranks on major films like Seabiscuit, The Departed, and John Wick: Chapter Two. But while learning from industry giants, he continued writing his own scripts — most notably Split, a romantic comedy centered around bowling. Determined to bring his vision to life, Jamie self-financed the project, ran a successful Kickstarter campaign, and transformed a short proof-of-concept into a full feature film.His experience on Split became a masterclass in independent filmmaking — from balancing day jobs to managing budgets, post-production challenges, and distribution. The result was a feel-good movie that found audiences on multiple streaming platforms. Through his story, Jamie reminds aspiring filmmakers that creativity must be paired with discipline, resourcefulness, and an unshakable belief in your own ideas. His message is simple but powerful: if storytelling is in your blood, keep writing, keep filming, and never stop creating — because that’s what makes you a true filmmaker.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

4 Marras 20251h 11min

Chris Jay, once a touring musician with the rock band Army of Freshmen, found a new creative path when the music industry shifted and opportunities dried up. Instead of giving up, he and his bandmate Aaron Goldberg turned to filmmaking, writing and producing their first feature, The Bet. Without studio backing or formal film education, the duo learned everything from scratch — from writing the screenplay to formatting scripts manually and raising money independently. Their story became a lesson in perseverance, proving that filmmaking success often starts with resourcefulness and a willingness to learn by doing.Despite budget limitations and countless challenges during production, The Bet made it to completion and secured distribution on major platforms like iTunes, Amazon, and cable VOD. Featuring wrestling legend Roddy Piper in one of his final roles, the film stands as a testament to the power of determination and creative problem-solving. For Chris, the project wasn’t just about making a movie — it was about proving that great stories can come to life outside of Hollywood when passion, teamwork, and persistence lead the way.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

28 Loka 20251h 19min

Melanie Wise, a former model and actress, discusses her transition to producing due to height-related challenges in acting. She produced the horror action film "Hannah's Gift," which she also starred in, and faced issues with lost masters and ineffective editors.Wise co-founded the Artemis Film Festival to showcase women in action roles, highlighting historical female contributions and contemporary achievements. The festival, fan-backed and media-partnered, aims to prove the marketability of women in action films. Wise also discusses the potential of VR technology and its impact on storytelling.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

21 Loka 202552min

Dan Benamor began his film career as an intern, quickly working his way up to head of development at a small production company. That experience gave him a deep understanding of story and the industry, shaping his perspective on what makes a screenplay stand out: confidence, strong character work, and purposeful storytelling. While he has tried directing, Dan discovered that his true passion lies in writing. He believes the hardest part of the process is in the planning and development stage, where theme, character arcs, and structure are carefully mapped out. Once the blueprint is clear, writing becomes the rewarding part — a process he mastered through developing dozens of scripts and watching them come to life on screen.That skill set came full circle with Initiation, the indie horror-thriller he co-wrote with his cousin Oren, who directed the film. The story follows strangers forced into a deadly cult ritual, blending genre thrills with deeper meaning about inner strength and survival. Despite being a low-budget production, the film secured distribution through Gravitas Ventures and earned strong reviews, showing that ingenuity and disciplined storytelling can overcome resource limitations. Dan’s journey is proof that with persistence, craft, and a confident voice, independent filmmakers can create work that resonates with both audiences and industry professionals.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

14 Loka 202540min

James Moorer is a screenwriter whose path into Hollywood began with early experiments in short films and years of disciplined study. Starting out as a PA, he worked his way up while sharpening his craft through seminars, classes, and relentless writing. He quickly learned that screenwriting is more than just putting words on the page — it’s also about understanding the business side of the industry and building credibility step by step. His philosophy is simple: every script, meeting, or assignment should “move the needle” toward progress, even if the rewards aren’t immediate.What sets James apart is his focus on relationships and professionalism. He believes that a writer’s reputation is as important as their work, and that openness to feedback separates amateurs from professionals. This approach helped him secure management with Purple Skull, not through cold queries, but through trust and collaboration. By embracing notes and staying consistent in both writing and networking, James shows that screenwriting success isn’t about one big break, but about persistence, adaptability, and steady growth in the craft and the business.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

7 Loka 20251h 10min

Nicole Jones-Dion, a screenwriter, director, and producer, shared her unconventional path into filmmaking, beginning in the world of video games and comics before moving into film. Known for her work on projects like Tekken 2, Dracula: The Dark Prince, and the SyFy thriller They Found Hell, she has built a career in genre storytelling that blends sci-fi, horror, and action. Her persistence paid off after writing more than fifteen spec scripts and seizing opportunities to rewrite and adapt existing material, which she says makes up most of Hollywood screenwriting.Nicole’s approach emphasizes discipline, structure, and character-driven storytelling, ensuring her projects are both creative and marketable. She also found success with crowdfunding, raising nearly $20,000 for her short horror film Debris, which explored the legend of a cursed samurai sword. The campaign’s popularity proved the power of a strong concept and led to festival recognition. With her directorial debut Stasis and other projects in development, Nicole continues to explore stories that challenge audiences while entertaining them. Her journey demonstrates the importance of adaptability, hard work, and never stopping the pursuit of growth as a filmmaker.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

30 Syys 202537min

Clarke Scott, an Australian writer, director, and commercial photographer, shared his unconventional path into filmmaking after leaving behind academia and corporate work. A chance encounter in the Himalayas reignited his creative spark, leading him to dive into the DSLR revolution and embrace filmmaking as both an artistic outlet and a practical career. His debut feature, 1000 Moments Later, was a fully independent production he wrote, directed, shot, and edited himself — a bold decision driven by his refusal to wait for permission or compromise his creative voice.Clarke opened up about the challenges of independent filmmaking, from battling weather and limited budgets to convincing actors to join his project on back-end deals. He stressed the importance of patience, resourcefulness, and building a body of work rather than chasing quick wins like Sundance. For Clarke, the future of filmmaking lies in using available tools, leveraging local resources, and proving one’s ability to finish projects with vision and determination. His story is a testament to the power of grit and creativity in bringing films to life outside the traditional studio system.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

23 Syys 20251h 1min