IFH 226: The NO Bullsh*t Guide to Making Your Indie Film with Jeff Leisawitz

Today I'm talking about marketing! Yup, marketing. If you, as indie filmmakers, do not understand branding, marketing, and social media YOU WILL NOT MAKE IT IN THE BUSINESS. I really want to get through to you guys. I've been consulting more and more filmmakers lately and I see there is a MAJOR disconnect between filmmakers and understanding the basics of branding (whether personal, company or project), marketing, and social media.In this episode I'll be discussing:Tribe or Audience BuildingBrand Marketing vs. Directing MarketingUnderstanding your smallest viable audienceBrand BuildingBuilding Your Personal BrandDiscovering how you can love the GRIND or your journeyChoosing platforms to build your brandContent creationAlso below are six books that will help you along your path to understanding these basic concepts. I truly hope that you find value in this episode. The understanding, at a basic level, of branding, marketing, and social media is not a luxury but a necessity in today's and tomorrow's world.  Don't get left behind. I want every single #IFHTribe member to make there dream come true, to build a better life for themselves and to love their own journey towards their goals.Warning: this episode might make you think about stuff so beware! Enjoy and keep on hustling.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

24 Jan 201931min

We have all wanted to have a killer song we love in one of our films or projects, that perfect song that makes the scene pop off the screen. When you begin to investigate how to get permission for the song you soon discover the maze of red tape and crap you need to deal with in order to have the song in your film.From getting film festival rights to broadcast rights to VOD rights, Music Licensing is a headache and a half. Today on the show with have Chris Small, a music licensing professional here to demystified the ridiculous and antiquated process of licensing music for film. Chris breaks down the way to properly license music without falling into legal pitfalls.Chris also works for Soundstripe, a music licensing company that is disrupting the way filmmakers get music for their films and projects. I just love what the team at Soundstripe is doing so I've partnered with them. Soundstripe is now the OFFICIAL SOUND LIBRARY OF INDIE FILM HUSTLE.As part of the #IFHTribe, you get an exclusive DISCOUNT CODE: IFH (10% OFF MEMBERSHIP). Click here to check Soundstripe out.I love this service and am using Soundstripe music in all of my videos, podcasts and IFHTV Original Productions. Music licensing is a nightmare but it doesn't have to be.Enjoy my conversation with Chris Small from Soundstripe.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

22 Jan 201948min

Today on the show we have writer, director, author, actor, and all-around indie film pioneer Mark Polish. His new film Headlock (aka Against the Clock, more on that later in the interview)  is out in theaters and VOD.Also, do yourself a favor and read his amazing filmmaking book The Declaration of Independent Filmmaking which is easily one of my favorite filmmaking books of all time. Mark and I discuss his career, the challenges of maintaining your creative vision and working within and out of the Hollywood system. We also discuss how Sundance has radically changed over the years and some of his horror stories when shooting and distributing his films.Enjoy my epic conversation with Mark Polish.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

15 Jan 20191h 25min

You must be saying,Wait? What? You want to give me $30,000 to make a web series?Yup, that is exactly what I want to do. I've partnered with Filmaka.com to launch an amazing Web Series Filmmaking Competition.We are launching cross-platform Web Series filmmaking competition, sourcing diverse ideas & pitches. Filmaka & Indie Film Hustle will select and award the Web Series competition winner with a production budget for completion of the winning series.HOW IT WORKS:Filmaka members have three weeks to submit written Pitches only for the 3-5 minute pilot of an original web series they want to create based on the prompt: THE HUSTLE.After the Pitch competition closes, up to four (4) winners will be given $5000 each to shoot their Short/Pilot which is their pilot for an original web series. The winners will have eight weeks to submit their Short along with nine (9) written Scripts, that together make up a ten-episode web series. Of the up to four (4) submissions, one winner will be awarded $25,000 to produce their original web series.THE PITCH:The Pitch and/or the Scripts should be as detailed as possible so that Filmaka executives have a clear vision of the web series the Member wants to create. Character lists, an overall summary of the web series, storyboards and scene sketches may be included as part of the Member's submission. While there is no limit to the number of pages for the Pitch or Scripts, it is important to remember that the produced version of the Pitch or Script will only be three (3) to five (5) minutes in length.Who is Filmaka?Filmaka is a digital platform for aspiring filmmakers to showcase their talents, compete for opportunities, and build their careers globally. Filmaka currently partners with MarVista Entertainment in a pact to source new and diverse talent through an ongoing pitch forum aiming to aggregate original & unique story ideas. Filmaka’s partnerships also include Riverstone Pictures, with whom they hold a feature film funding pact for the winner of Filmaka’s Final Competition.Through the platforms numerous competitions and production budget prizes, Filmaka creates opportunities for filmmakers without traditional access into Hollywood. Films that are submitted to Filmaka are seen, judged, and selected by a jury of top tier professionals in the entertainment industry and by fellow Filmaka members. At Filmaka, aspiring filmmakers from across the world can connect, collaborate, and compete for a wide range of professional opportunities.I can't tell you how excited I am to bring this opportunity to the IFH Tribe.To submit just go to Filmaka.comIt has been a dream of mine to be able to give this kind of access to the tribe. I can't wait to see what you guys submit. Also the winner's pilots and series will be available to view on Indie Film Hustle TV.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

14 Jan 20198min

The teasing is over. Here it is, I've written a book and not just any book but a book about the craziest and darkest time in my life. Read below to get the skinny on what I'm talking about.A bipolar gangster, a naive, young film director, and Batman. What could go wrong? Alex Ferrari is a first-time film director who just got hired to direct a $20 million feature film, the only problem is the film is about Jimmy, an egomaniacal gangster who wants the film to be about his life in the mob. From the backwater towns of Louisiana to the Hollywood Hills, Alex is taken on a crazy misadventure through the world of the mafia and Hollywood. Huge movie stars, billion-dollar producers, studio heads and, of course, a few gangsters, populate this unbelievable journey down the rabbit hole of chasing your dream. Would you sell your soul to the devil to make your dream come true? By the way, did we mention that this story is based on true events? no, seriously it is.Writing this book is easily one of the toughest things I’ve ever had to do. Some days I would cry as I was typing. Who wants to go back to the darkest time in their lives and relive that hell. Well, that’s exactly what I did. It took me 18 years to build up the courage to sit down and tell my story. I take you behind the scenes of the real Hollywood. and also see how gangsters and Hollywood go together like peanut butter and jelly. This book is RAW and UNFILTERED. I said to myself,"If I'm going to write this I have to tell the entire story, warts and all."The goal of this book is to help, not only filmmakers and people interested in having a career in Hollyweird but anyone stuck in a bad situation they feel they can’t get out of. The story illustrates how someone can lose themselves while chasing that golden carrot that is their dream, not to compromise their morals and stand up for themselves. As cheesy as it sounds if I can help one person avoid even 1% of the pain and suffering I went through then it will be worth it. Now this story is not all doom and gloom, it’s hilarious, ridiculous and one hell of an adventure. I hope you really enjoy the story and have fun, laugh, cry and maybe even learn a little something about yourself. The book will be released on Jan 31st, 2019 on Amazon and we will roll it out around the country soon after that. I plan to do a signing book tour with talks and possibly workshops around the US and then hopefully overseas as well.If you want to sign up for the Shooting for the Mob LAUNCH TEAM email at ifhsubmissions@gmail.com. As part of the launch team, you'll get access to me, we'll have a private Facebook Group and you can see how I market and release this book, which is similar to how you would release an indie film. For more info on the book go to:Shooting for the Mob - (Sign Up for Exclusive Videos and Content)I also want to give a big shoutout to my brotha-in-arms Dan Cregan for designing such an amazing cover. Thank you so much for your support. More to come!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

10 Jan 201919min

Have you ever had writer's block? We all have at one point or another and it sucks! Today's guest, Matthew Kalil, has the cure. He has written a new book called The [easyazon_link identifier="1615932860" locale="US" tag="whatisbroke-20"]Three Wells of Screenwriting[/easyazon_link]. Working from a writer’s perspective, the book explores these Three Wells and helps you consciously draw from them to develop new scripts, or strengthen old ones. It includes 29 exercises and techniques that help you to write stories that contain fresh ideas, intriguing characters, original scenes, inventive dialogue, unique locations, and important themes.I had such a ball with Matthew that I had to make it a crossover episode with the Bulletproof Screenplay Podcast. Enjoy my conversation with Matthew Kalil.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

9 Jan 20191h 26min

Welcome to 2019 IFH Tribe! Last year was one hell of a ride for IFH. I shot a feature, On the Corner of Ego and Desire, which is coming out in the next few months. I launched the world's first streaming service dedicated to filmmakers and screenwriters Indie Film Hustle TV and I also wrote a book called Shooting for the Mob, more on that on the next episode. Needless to say, 2018 was a crazy year for me and the IFH Tribe.On today's episode, I discuss ideas and tactics to help you reach your goals in 2019. I also go over how goals without a plan are just wishes and how you can change that. I want 2019 to be that best year of your life. I hope this episode can help you start this year's journey off on the right foot. Ask yourself the questions,"How bad do you want it? What are you willing to do to make your dream come true?"Once you answer those questions for yourself then you can get down to the business of making your dream come true. Get ready for an inspirational kick in the butt. Happy New Year, now let's get to work!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

1 Jan 201924min

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone in the IFH Tribe and beyond. I wanted to do an episode on this subject for a long time."You are the average of the five people you spend most of your time with." - Jim RohnI wish I had someone to tell me this early on my filmmaking journey. In this episode, I go over what happened to me when I was starting out, how my friends affected me and my ability to move forward in my career and what happened to me when I moved to Los Angeles over a decade ago. I discuss how the people around you affect you on a personal, professional and even spiritual level.I really hope you find some value in this episode. Happy Holidays and keep on hustlin'.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

21 Dec 201814min