IFH 544: Filmmaking Lessons: The Art of Adaptation with Joe Wright

Today on the show we have writer/director Rob Smat. His niche film is THE LAST WHISTLE. It is a Football Drama with a budget 125K, the crew was almost entirely film students, shot in 13 days in Texas, distributed worldwide by Vertical Ent. for 10 theater release this past June and originated as a pitch for Rebel Without a Crew TV show and was turned down so I made it myselfRob formed a cast from high-level B-list stars, fostered relationships with distributors before shooting, and focused on production value without losing sight of the story.  Trying to recoup budget rather than use the festival circuit to find an audience he did not submit the film to any major festivals, we discuss the pros and cons of that strategy.He was 22 when I started developing the project and wanted THE LAST WHISTLE to lead him to a place where he could build a filmmaking business model that could sustain his filmmaking goals.Enjoy my conversation with Rob Smat.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

25 Sep 20191h 19min

There are a few filmmaking books that have made as big of an impact on the craft of directing like today's guest's Film Directing: Shot by Shot: Visualizing from Concept to Screen, written by director Steve Katz.Shot by Shot is the world’s go-to directing book, now newly updated for a special 25th Anniversary edition! The first edition sold over 250,000 copies, making it one of the bestselling books on film directing of all time. Aspiring directors, cinematographers, editors, and producers, many of whom are now working professionals, learned the craft of visual storytelling from Shot by Shot, the most complete source for preplanning the look of a movie.The book contains over 800 photos and illustrations and is by far the most comprehensive look at shot design in print, containing storyboards from movies such as Citizen Kane, Blade Runner, Dead-pool, and Moonrise Kingdom. Also introduced is the concept of A, I, and L patterns as a way to simplify the hundreds of staging choices facing a director in every scene.Shot by Shot uniquely blends story analysis with compositional strategies, citing examples then il-lustrated with the storyboards used for the actual films. Throughout the book, various visual approaches to short scenes are shown, exposing the directing processes of our most celebrated auteurs ― including a meticulous, lavishly illustrated analysis of Steven Spielberg’s scene design for Empire of the Sun.Enjoy my conversation with Steve Katz.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

20 Sep 20191h 42min

In this episode, I ask the question do film aggregators make sense anymore? Does it make sense for every indie film? I also discuss the larger problem that the Distribber meltdown has shown us about the entire film agreeation business. This is an eye opening show.I also give you updates on the Distribber debacle and bring you the latest information from the frontline.Take a listen. I hope this helps!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

17 Sep 201956min

In this episode, I update filmmakers on the emergency situation going on with the film aggregator Distribber. In last weeks episode, I spoke a bit about what is going on with this company. After that show I kept getting emails, messages, and tweets of filmmakers telling me their horror stories of no one return email, no people picking up calls, nonpayments​ for months and so on. I'm in the same situation with my film This is Meg.I decided to dig deep into the problem and find out what the hell is going on. I breakdown everything I know about what is happening and give you a few ways to protect yourself and your film.Also, their website www.distribber.com is still live but DO NOT SUBMIT YOUR FILM. They would just be taking the money and not providing a service. Take a listen. I hope this helps!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

12 Sep 201925min

Today on the show is one take filmmaker Gavin Michael Booth. Gavin is obsessed with one take movies, music videos and real-time filmmaking in general. His latest film is Last Call. Shot in two true single takes, filmed simultaneously in two different parts of a city, Last Call, is a real-time​ feature presented in split-screen​ showcasing both ends of a wrong number phone call that has the potential to save a life. The film's music was also conducted and recorded live to picture.Gavin Michael Booth is an award-winning​ filmmaker hailing from Toronto, Canada. He works as a writer, director, producer​, ​ and editor. His film THE SCAREHOUSE was distributed by NBC/Universal (USA) and D Films (Canada) (currently available on Amazon Prime & Showtime) with international releasing including the Philippines, UK, Australia, Germany and more. The Scarehouse won Best Feature at the New York City Horror Film Festival. Booth was recently nominated for two videos of the Year awards for Canadian Country Music as well as Director of the Year by Now Magazine.In October 2015 Booth broke new filmmaking ground teaming up with producer Jason Blum (The Purge, Get Out) to create the world’s first movie broadcast live using Twitter’s Periscope App. BLUMHOUSE'S FIFTEEN was a success with worldwide media coverage.He is also co-writer of Sony's DEAD RUSH, another Canadian produced feature. His short film ARE YOU MY MOMMY is currently on the festival circuit, taking awards home from several fests. Booth has worked with top entertainers in the music industry with music videos and documentary projects for Eminem’s D-12, The Tea Party, SYML, Third Eye Blind, Vanessa Carlton and more. These projects have aired on global television as well as appeared on best-selling DVDs and Enhanced CDs released by major labels.Enjoy my conversation with Gavin Michael Booth.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

10 Sep 20191h 33min

I'm pissed off guys. I'm tired of getting emails, messages, and calls from filmmakers who have been or are going to get taken advantage of by a traditional film distributor. THIS NEEDS TO STOP! So many filmmakers have been taken advantage of by predatory film distributors over the years that is has become a punchline. It's not funny.These predatory film distributors are destroying the lives of filmmakers. I know filmmakers with families that extended themselves financially to make their films. Then once they sign on the dotted line with a predatory film distributor never heard from them again. This poor filmmaker has little to no recourse. They basically made a non-tax deductible donation to the distributor.It's disgusting and it needs to stop. In this episode, I expose a lot of tricks these predatory film distributors use to con and steal from filmmakers. I also talk about some other options filmmakers have and discuss what a good film distributor looks like. I even call out one of the good guys in the film distributor game.Even self distribution is not safe. I’ve been a big supporter of the film aggregator Distribber over the years because they were of great help releasing my film This is Meg. But many of the people I worked with there have left the company. The Distribber I promoted for years is not the same company that is in business today. I have been hearing way too many stories about filmmakers not getting paid, can't get anyone to return their calls, and I just need to call this out. I NO LONGER recommend the ANY filmmaker use Distribber to self distribute their film. This is just a taste of what you can expect to hear in this episode. I truly hope this helps filmmakers out there and please spread the word.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

6 Sep 201933min

Today episode is probably one of the most important shows I have released in some time. On the show is filmmaker Naomi McDougall Jones the writer, actress and producer behind the indie film Bite Me, a subversive romantic comedy about a real-life vampire and the IRS agent who audits them. The filmmakers of Bite Me have decided to take a radical approach to distribute their film: they're doing it themselves. For 3 months, they traveled in an RV around the U.S. and screening the film wherever they can - be it a theater, a bar, or someone's living room. Not only did they tour around the country like carnies they also documented their entire process with a docu-series. EVERY FILMMAKER NEEDS TO WATCH THIS SERIES. It is mandatory for every IFH Tribe member. I've never said this before so take it seriously​. It will save you a ton of pain and suffering. Naomi is so open, raw and honest about her experience. Get ready for one heck of an interview.  Enjoy!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

3 Sep 20191h 30min

Every once in a while I come across a filmmaker who is just a bit crazier than I am. This is true for writer/director Gaelan Connell who's film Blood Sand and Gold is a true indie film miracle. This mad man decided to raise $250,000 (much of which was out of pocket) and go off and make a big budget action film, just one problem he didn't have a big budget.Yes, I know $250K is a lot of money but it's not enough for what Gaelan Connell was attempting to do. Check this out, Blood Sand and Gold was shot over the course of 58 days across 5 countries and 4 continents! It has Jason Bourne/James Bond-style​ action. I mean it's nuts.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

30 Aug 20191h 14min