Indie Film Hustle® - A Filmmaking Podcast11 Marras 2025

IFH 828: The Ultimate Life of Action: Martial Arts, Movies, and Wisdom with Leo Fong

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.”

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IFH 872: How One of the WORST Movies Ever Made Became a Cult Classic with Jackey Neyman

Actress, artist, and producer Jackey Neyman takes us behind the scenes of one of the strangest cult movies in filmmaking history: Manos: The Hands of Fate. Jackey was only six years old when her fathe...

15 Syys 55min

IFH 871: The Screenwriting Advice Hollywood Writers Actually Use with Andrew Bloomenthal

Entertainment writer, screenwriter, and independent filmmaker Andrew Bloomenthal joins the show to discuss what years of interviewing working screenwriters and directors taught him about storytelling,...

8 Syys 49min

IFH 870: He Waited 11 YEARS to Make His Movie—Then Jimmy Kimmel Changed Everything with Don Barris

What happens when Hollywood never comes knocking?Comedian, filmmaker, podcaster, and longtime Jimmy Kimmel collaborator Don Barris shares the unconventional journey that eventually led to the cult com...

1 Syys 1h 15min

IFH 869: He Made 1,500 Short Films Before Hollywood Took Notice with Michael Rousselet

What happens when Hollywood keeps saying no, but you refuse to stop making movies?Filmmaker and screenwriter Michael Rousselet shares the unconventional path that took him from USC film school to crea...

25 Elo 1h 10min

IFH 868: How The Asylum Makes Movies That Actually Make Money with David M. Latt

How do you build an independent film studio that produces movies constantly without betting the entire company on every release?In this episode, David M. Latt, co-founder of The Asylum, breaks down th...

18 Elo 47min

IFH 867: Wes Craven's Secret to Writing Great Movies with Glenn Benest

What does it really take to become a professional screenwriter?In this fascinating conversation, Glenn Benest—screenwriter of two Wes Craven films, producer, novelist, and longtime Hollywood mentor—sh...

11 Elo 55min

IFH 866: The Brutal Truth About Making Horror Movies with Harrison Smith

Success in filmmaking rarely comes from waiting for permission.In this episode, horror filmmaker Harrison Smith shares the lessons he learned from building a career through writing, producing, and dir...

4 Elo 1h 18min

IFH 865: The Screenwriting Blueprint Every First-Time Writer Needs with David Hohl

Writing a screenplay is easy. Writing one that Hollywood actually wants to read is something entirely different. In this episode, veteran screenplay consultant David Hohl shares decades of experience ...

28 Heinä 45min