IFH 553: How to Build a Production Company with Michael D. Ratner

How to Make a Killer Horror Film in One Location with Michael WilliamsIf you have a micro or no budget feature film shooting in one location will make life a lot easier. Now, how do you make that one location look great and not boring through your film? Indie Filmmaker Michael Williams did just that with his new horror film The Atoning. Check out the trailer below. Michael Williams began creating short films in 2004 and since has consistently produced short films and screened them for audiences at annual film festivals and screenings across the U.S.Williams earned his bachelor of arts in film in 2009 from the University of Southern Mississippi and was awarded the Top Film Student of 2009 Award. In 2007 Williams began his professional film career, accumulating a multitude of credits ranging from assistant camera to director of photography for many independent short and feature-length films.After writing, directing and producing more than 20 short films, Williams broke into the feature-length film territory with the award-winning film OzLand". While his desire to tell complex stories visually drew him to a career in cinematography, as an artist and storyteller, Williams writes and directs films like "OzLand" in order to share his stories with those interested in experiencing them while eagerly pursuing the opportunity to bring other people's stories to life as a director of photography.For his 2nd feature film, Williams turned to the horror/supernatural thriller genre for "The Atoning", an award-winning family drama explored through a fresh take on the thriller/horror genre.Today, the filmmaker owns and operates Shendopen films in West Point, Mississippi and continues to write and direct his own independent films, produce films by other regional filmmakers and works regionally in the industry as a director of photography. Enjoy my conversation with Michael Williams.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

2 Okt 201753min

How Screenwriters Can Navigate the Hollywood System with Scott MeyersFor screenwriters, navigating the shark-infested waters of the Hollywood system can be a daunting task. You never know what the producer or studio is looking for. How do you pitch your story properly? So many questions. I hope today's guest can help guide you a bit through those waters.Scott Meyers has been a professional Hollywood screenwriter for over 30 years. Since selling his spec script K-9 in 1987, Scott has written 30 projects for every major Hollywood studio and broadcast network. His film writing credits include K-9 starring Jim Belushi, Alaska starring Vincent Kartheiser, and Trojan War starring Jennifer Love Hewitt.From 2002–2010, Scott was an executive producer at Trailblazer Studios, a television production company. In 2002, he began teaching screenwriting in his spare time. He won the UCLA Extension Writers’ Program Outstanding Instructor Award in 2005 and for eight years taught in the Writing for Screen and Stage program at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.He has hosted Go Into The Story, an amazing screenwriting website, since its launch May 16, 2008, and is partnered with the Black List as its official screenwriting blog.Scott breaks down the Hollywood system, talks about story and structure and just tells it how it really is in the business. Enjoy my conversation with Scott Meyers. LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODEGo Into the StoryScott Meyer- FacebookScott Meyer - TwitterBuy This is Meg on iTunesDOWNLOAD - The Coen Brothers ScreenplaysDOWNLOAD - Chris Nolan ScreenplaysDOWNLOAD - Quentin Tarantino ScreenplaysDOWNLOAD - TV Script for 2016-2017 SeasonSPONSORSVideoBlocks.com - (IFH Discount SAVE $50)Martin Scorsese Teaches Film Directing MasterclassFREE Movie Trailer Editing CourseHollywood Film & Television Directing Masterclass (EXCLUSIVE 50% OFF)Directing Actors Master Course – (30% OFF – CODE: HUSTLE)Get Your Film on Netflix, Hulu & Amazon & Keep 100% of the Revenue - DistribberHollywood Camera Work: Mastering High-End Blocking and Staging (30% OFF – CODE: HUSTLE)KILLER RESOURCES!!!IFH Masters Circle Filmmaking CommunityIFH's Online Film SchoolSix Secrets to get into Film Festivals for FREE!To share your thoughts:Leave a note in the comment section below.Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest.To help the show:Leave an honest review onBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

25 Sep 20171h 27min

Anytime I location scout a property we are going to shoot at I always look out for the boobie traps that might hurt the shoot. Finding an dealing with locations can be a nightmare, especially when you have little or no budget.Today on the show I have locations guru Brian L. Tan. Brian is the founder of Wrapal.com, a site built to help filmmakers and property owner find location love. We discuss a bunch of tips and tricks to get locations on the cheap, if not for free and we go over the pitfalls that many filmmakers fall into when shooting on location.Below you'll find a great guide on how to location scout on a budget, written by Brian, as well as some genius videos they created. Enjoy and happy hunting!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

21 Sep 20171h 4min

How to Have a Sustainable Career in the Film Business with Straw WeismanI always talk about "hustle" and that "you have to keep moving forward no matter what" to make it in this business. Today's guest is the most authentic example of those concepts I've ever met. Straw Weisman is a writer, director, producer, post supervisor, movie trailer writer/producer, film consultant, and film market guru. These are just some of jobs Straw has done in his over 40 years in the indie film business.Through his own company, Marquee Productions, Straw has supervised post-production and/or associate produced or produced over 75 films, including “Without Men”, starring Eva Longoria and Christian Slater, "Abel's Field", starring Kevin Sorbo, “Shine On”, starring Jenna Dewan-Tatum, “Order of Redemption” with Busta Rhymes, Armand Assante and Tom Berenger,  the multi-festival award-winning biopic “Crazy” featuring“Heroes” Ali Larder,  “Magic”, a family film starring Christopher Lloyd as a talking dog, Richard Gere’s “The Flock”, “Sex and Breakfast”, starring Macaulay Culkin, “Say It In Russian”, featuring Faye Dunaway, the spiritually based sleeper hit “What The Bleep Do We Know!?”(which grossed over $16 Million at the box office), Tobe Hooper’s “The Toolbox Murders”, and the horror feature “Hatchet." Marquee Productions has also played host to over 25 independent films, which have used its editing and audio facilities and Straw’s creative consultancy.Straw and I have been working together on projects for close to 10 years. I wanted him to come on the show to discuss his career, how he keeps going, and what skills helped him to have such a long and sustainable career. Straw also shares a very intense story that will illustrate how tough and brutal this business can be.My hope is that this interview not only inspires you but sheds a light on what is really needed to make it in the business. Enjoy my conversation with Straw Weisman.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

18 Sep 20171h 11min

The Indie Film Hustle Tribe Interrogates Alex Ferrari with Rob AliceaToday’s episode is a first for the IFH Podcast. I had Indie Film Hustle Tribe Member Rob Alicea reach out to me with a crazy idea. He wanted to interview me for the podcast. He thought that the tribe would like to know more about me and my personal journey. I have to say I was skeptical. I didn’t think you guys would be that interested but Rob convinced me so here we are. Rob asked questions I never answered before and I have to say Rob was a great interviewer. I hope you find some value in it.So here we go. Enjoy Rob’s interview with…I guess me. = )Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

13 Sep 20171h 4min

Trailer Editing Techniques to Cut a Badass Movie TrailerI've probably edited over 500 movie trailers, network promos, and commercials in my career. So many indie filmmakers and feature film editors think they can just throw together a trailer for their feature film and make it work. Over the years, I've shared my Trailer Editing Techniques with many of the indie filmmakers that have walked into my post suite.Trailer editing requires a very different set of skills from feature film or other long-form editing. I've seen way too many bad movie trailers in my day. I wanted to bring on today's guest Chris from FilmEditingPro to drop some knowledge bombs on the IFH Tribe on what it takes to really edit an effect and kick ass movie trailer, regardless of genre.Enjoy my conversation with Chris from FilmEditingPro.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

11 Sep 20171h 6min

How to Cast a No Budget Indie Film with Backstage's Veronika LeeAhhhh casting. It’s probably the last thing a director or producer wants to think about during production. But it’s true: casting can make or break a film. A bad casting decision can be glaringly obvious at the worst possible time. So it’s important to get started thinking about your process early on. On today's show, we have casting director Veronika Lee from Backstage. We go into how to cast a no budget indie film, finding the right actors for the part and much more. (Note: IFH listeners can always cast for free by entering promo code HUSTLE at checkout at Backstage.com.)Enjoy my conversation with Veronika Lee. LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODEBackstage.com (EXCLUSIVE FREE Casting Package from Backstage.com Use the promo code HUSTLE at checkout)Veronika Lee - TwitterBuy This is Meg on iTunesSPONSORSHollywood Film & Television Directing Masterclass (EXCLUSIVE 50% OFF)Editing with DaVinci Resolve Course ($15 Special)Directing Actors Master Course – (30% OFF – CODE: HUSTLE)Get Your Film on Netflix, Hulu & Amazon & Keep 100% off the Revenue - DistribberHollywood Camera Work: Mastering High-End Blocking and Staging (30% OFF – CODE: HUSTLE)Werner Herzog's Filmmaking MasterClassAaron Sorkin Screenwriting Master ClassKILLER RESOURCES!!!IFH Masters Circle Filmmaking CommunityIFH's Online Film SchoolSix Secrets to get into Film Festivals for FREE!To share your thoughts:Leave a note in the comment section below.Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest.To help the show:Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one.Subscribe to the Podcast on iTunes,  Stitcher, Soundcloud or via RSSBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

7 Sep 20171h 16min

Oscar-Winner Russell Carpenter A.S.C. - Shooting Blockbusters, Titanic & James CameronI can't tell you how excited I am about today's guest. I sat down with the legendary and Oscar® Winning Cinematographer Russell Carpenter A.S.C. Russell has been shooting blockbusters for over 40 years and has shot films like Ant-Man,  xXx: Return of Xander Cage, Charlie's Angels, The Negotiator, True Lies, Monster-in-Law and classic 90's action flicks like Hard Target, The Perfect Weapon, and Death Warrant.He won the Oscar® for his cinematography on the second highest-grossing film of all time, Titanic. We go down the rabbit hole on shooting Titanic, working with James Cameron, crazy Hollywood stories, how he approaches each project and much more. This episode is a treasure chest of behind the scenes stories and cinematic techniques from the highest levels of Hollywood.Get ready to be entertained and have your mind blown. Enjoy my epic conversation with Russell Carpenter A.S.C.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

5 Sep 20171h 35min