IFH 499: From Sundance Sleeper Hit To Blockbuster Career with Chris Sparling

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 Okt 1h 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 Okt 52min

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 Okt 40min

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 Okt 1h 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 Sep 37min

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 Sep 1h 1min

Award-winning screenwriter Mike Bierman has carved an unconventional path into the world of storytelling, moving from reading his daughter’s audition scripts to building a reputation as both a prolific writer and founder of the Facebook group Screenwriters Who Can Actually Write. In this conversation, he shares his journey into screenwriting, his tough-love philosophy for aspiring writers, and the methods he uses to keep scripts sharp, lean, and engaging. Bierman’s unique approach, known as the BAM method (Bierman Asynchronous Method), flips traditional writing on its head by starting with the ending and working backward, ensuring that every scene pushes the story forward.Alongside his process, Mike offers candid insights into the common pitfalls of beginners, from formatting missteps to the trap of relying too heavily on software. He emphasizes that writing is not about perfection on the first draft but about committing words to the page and refining them. His upcoming book, Secrets of Screenwriting: Collected Essays, distills his no-nonsense advice into practical lessons for writers who want to treat screenwriting as a serious craft. Whether through his group, his book, or his methods, Mike challenges writers to move beyond excuses, face the blank page, and create stories that truly stand out.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

16 Sep 1h 59min

In this episode, we welcome Dale Sherman, author of The Quentin Tarantino FAQ, who takes us deep into the life and career of one of cinema’s most unconventional directors. Known first for his books on rock legends like Kiss and Alice Cooper, Dale turned his focus to Tarantino, exploring how a high school dropout and video store clerk rose to redefine independent film. From Tarantino’s abandoned first attempt at filmmaking, My Best Friend’s Birthday, to the unexpected breakthrough of Reservoir Dogs, Dale reveals how persistence, vision, and timing shaped the director’s path and changed Hollywood forever. Dale also dives into the evolution of Tarantino’s storytelling—his nonlinear structures, pop culture-laced dialogue, and signature use of music—while addressing the controversies surrounding violence and language in his films. Drawing on extensive research, Dale offers filmmakers and film lovers alike a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how Tarantino developed his craft and navigated criticism without losing his voice. This conversation is not just a biography but a blueprint for understanding how passion and originality can transform the art of filmmaking.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

9 Sep 30min