IFH 126: Should You Own Your Own Film Gear? - Ask Alex

Stephanie Palmer - How to Pitch Your Film Like a ProEver wanted to learn the dark craft of being able to pitch your story idea successfully? Stephanie Palmer has made it her life's mission to help people do just that. Stephanie Palmer is a former MGM Pictures executive and best-selling author of the book "Good in a Room: How To Sell Yourself (And Your Ideas) And Win Over Any Audience"She has heard thousands of pitches. She know how to and how not to pitch your screenplay or story idea. She worked on films like Legally Blonde, Armageddon, Con Air and was even on an intern on Titanic, there's a very inserting story there.Learn how to pitch your screenplay like a pro with Stephanie Palmer.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

11 Feb 201647min

I know that everyone reading this has had a moment in time where someone did not believe in them for one reason of another. It is a part of life and a REAL BIG PART of the film industry. So many times in my career I was told that:"You nuts! That'll never work."or"That's never been done before."Well I love hearing that. I has taken time for me to enjoy when people say "it can't be done." I truly use it as fuel. You must first believe in yourself before anyone will believe in you.Now you also have to be smart about this. You can't blindly believe in yourself without having a plan, educating yourself and understanding the playing field you'll be walking on to.In this episode I go over exactly that, how to deal with nonbelievers and how to build a plan to make your goal come true. Please share this episode with anyone who needs to hear it.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

9 Feb 201619min

Want to learn how to make it as a working actor? Well studying actor, producer and director Yancey Arias would not be a bad start. I met Yancey Arias years ago and since have worked on several projects together. I've always admired how Yancey was able to always keep working.To date Yancey Arias has over 70 acting credits in film, television and Broadway. His credit list is kind of nuts:CastleNCSI: New OrleansThe SopranosBonesHawaii 5.0ElementaryBlue BloodsCSI: NYNCIS: Los AngelesBurn NoticeThe ShieldI just got tired of typing, his credit list is impressive to say the least. He's also worked on huge studio tentpoles live Live Free or Die Hard, Time Machine and the Hands of Stone starring Robert DeNiro.I sat down with Yancey while he was in between setups on the hit show Marvel's Agents of Shield. He'll be popping up on the show in 2016. I really wanted to get a seasoned actor's perspective on what it takes to make it in Hollywood.We also discuss his work on indie films, his new life as a director and producer with his production company NYC Films and much more. Enjoy!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

4 Feb 20161h 10min

Getting into film festival is getting tougher and tougher everyday. Indie filmmakers can end up spending thousands and thousands of dollars submitting to every film festival around, and there are a ton. At last count there was over 3000 film festivals around the world. That’s a lot of submission fees.When I was doing my rounds with my films I learned a few things. A few tricks that I put into a FREE eBook: “Six Tips to Get into Film Festivals for cheap or FREE.”This eBook was such a success that the Indie Film Hustle Tribe kept reaching out to me to create some sort of “master class” on film festivals. Well I heard the call and teamed up with arguably one of the leading voices in film festivals Chris Holland from FilmFestivalsSecrets.com.We got together and create a one of a kind resource for any filmmaker even thinking of submitting to a film festival. We call it Film Festival Hacks!In this episode I give you a SNEAK PEEK at Film Festival Hacks and let you listen to a FREE lecture from the course. So get ready to take notes and have a taste of Film Festival Hacks.Oh, before I forget Chris Holland is also giving you another FREE sample of the course on his podcast so when you are done listening to this head over there for more FREE content. Click here: FilmFestivalSecrets – PodcastBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

2 Feb 201620min

How does a film geek turn his love for movies into a media empire? Ask Todd Brown from Twitch Film. I met Todd Brown over ten years ago when I was promoting my short film "BROKEN." He did a killer review of the film and we became fast friends.His movie review site Twitch Film.com was just starting out then but it has grown into a leading voice in global cinema. Twitch Film focuses on more obscure, independent and international films; something that was missing from the movie review site blogosphere.Twitch Film's focus on those kind of films made it stand out and over the years has grown into a mega movie website. My advice, always be nice to people you never know when you paths will cross again.Todd leveraged his knowledge and access to great international and independent films and joined forces with XYZ Films.XYZ Films is an integrated content company whose mission is to empower visionary storytellers from every corner of the planet. As an independent production company and worldwide sales agency, the company is uniquely suited to identify talented filmmakers and bring their stories to life.You might of heard of some of their breakout hits "The Raid " and "The Raid 2."Todd and I sat down to discuss all things film geek, the state on independent film and the new landscape of film distribution. Enjoy!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

28 Jan 20161h 8min

The one thing more difficult than actually making an indie film is marketing and selling that film. I get asked all the time the same question:"How can I make CASH, MONEY, DINERO with my film?"So I decided to put together this very dense podcast with suggestions on multiple revenue streams for independent films. This podcast is probably one of the most info packed episodes I've ever done.So get your iPad ready to take some detail notes cause this episode is worth MUCHO DINERO for the filmmaker who wants to put in the work.LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODEIFH 023: How to Crowdfund Your Film Like a Pro w/ Emily BestIFH: 025: How t Get a Theatrical Release for Your Indie FilmIFH 017: Guide to Selling Your Film to VODIFH: Filmmaking HacksTwitter Hacks: 10,000 True Fans in 10 WeeksUSC Film School's ONLY On-line Course: Directing the ActorFreeFilmBook.com (Your FREE Audio Book)Six Secrets to get into Film Festivals for FREE!Kung FuryTurbo KidVimeo ProVHX.tvSeed and SparkTuggIndie RightsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

26 Jan 201624min

Want to hear a crazy story on how one filmmaker used a hybrid distribution and marketing strategy to sell his film Bomb It. May I introduce Jon Reiss.  After hearing his story I had to have him on the show so he can tell his story to the IFH Tribe.Jon Reiss was named one of “10 Digital Directors to Watch” by Daily Variety, Jon Reiss is a critically acclaimed filmmaker whose experience releasing his documentary feature, Bomb It with a hybrid distribution and marketing strategy.This strategy inspired him writing Think Outside the Box Office: The Ultimate Guide to Film Distribution and Marketing for the Digital Era, the first step-by-step guide for filmmakers to distribute and market their films. Two years ago he co-wrote Selling Your Film Without Selling Your Soul and last year co-wrote Selling Your Film Outside the U.S.: Digital Distribution in Europe.Jon Reiss teaches in the Film Directing Program at California Institute of the Arts. He created the course "Real World Survival Skills: Everything I Wish I Had Been Taught in Film School" which covers the practical/business aspects of filmmaking from fundraising through distribution.Jon is a very interesting filmmaker. When I spoke to him he brought the heat and shared a ton of film marketing and distribution knowledge.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

21 Jan 201655min

Social media is a mystery to most filmmakers. It's really easy to get lost in Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Tumblr, Youtube, Snap Chat, Periscope, Meerkat, or any of the hundreds of other social media platforms available online.With so many choices and platforms to learn many of us just don't even bother but for those that take the time to educate themselves on social media and it's power the rewards can be HUGE.Marketing an indie film today without including social media is crazy. To watch how Star Wars: The Force Awakens leveraged social media in their marketing campaign was like watching Bobby Fisher play chess...masterful.In this episode I give you a few tips on how to use social media to build your brand, sell your product or promote your film.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

19 Jan 201614min