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

Secrets of Indie Film Producing with Suzanne LyonsThis week on the show we have a returning guest, Indie Film Producing guru Suzaane Lyons.Suzanne Lyons is president/producer of Snowfall Films, Inc. and to date has produced or exec produced twelve feature films with budgets that range from $200,000 to $10 million.  Suzanne has worked with talent that including Brenda Blethyn, Christopher Walken, Naomi Watts, Alfred Molina, James Caan, Dean Cain, Ariel Winter, Susan Sarandon, Donald Sutherland, Ellen Burstyn, Jennifer Tilly, Jon Lovitz, Asia Argento, Winona Ryder, Peter Fonda, Ed Begley, Jr. and more. Suzanne’s films have won a gamut of awards and festivals from the prestigious BAFTA award, a premier at the Directors Fortnight at the Cannes Film Festival, best picture at Shockerfest, the UK Horror Fest and acceptance into the Toronto, Berlin. LA and Montreal Film Festivals.  In addition to her work as a film producer, Suzanne designed and ran the film school, Flash Forward Institute, with a focus on marketing oneself in the industry. She has guest lectured at over 60 industry events, guilds and organization. In 2012 she published her book through Focal Press (Taylor and Francis) called “Indie Film Producing: The Craft of Low Budget Filmmaking.” Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

10 Okt 20161h 17min

'Blue Jay' & Directing Mark Duplass with Alex LehmannOn today's episode I have the pleasure of interviewing first-time feature film director Alex Lehmann. And his first film is a hell of way to launch a directing career. His new film is called Blue Jay starring Mark Duplass (who also wrote and produced) and Sarah Paulson (recent Emmy Winner for The People vs OJ Simpson).Blue Jay just had it's world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival to rave reviews:"If the hour and a half spent inside this story seems fleeting, it's only because sometimes that's the best you can ask of a good nostalgia trip." - IndieWire"Mark Duplass and Sarah Paulson have extraordinary chemistry, painting a cumulative portrait of the fragility and rareness of being truly in sync with a partner." - Slate MagazineMeeting by chance when they return to their tiny California hometown, two former high-school sweethearts (Mark Duplass and Sarah Paulson) reflect on their shared past through the lens of their differently dissatisfied presents, in this tender, wise and affecting chamber drama from first-time feature director Alex Lehmann.Check out my conversation with Alex Lehmann and if you listen to until the end he promises to give out Mark Duplass' personal cell number. Apparently this is how Mark likes to be pitched. Enjoy!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

4 Okt 20161h 8min

How a Camera and Hustle Created a $30 Million Empire with Joel HollandGet ready to be inspired. I want to bring this week's guest onto the show for a while now. Joel Holland is the founder and CEO of VideoBlocks, the first subscription-based provider of stock video and audio, with over 100,000 customers in the television and video production industry, from NBC to MTV to pro-sumers and hobbyists looking to enhance their video projects and productions. There's a lot indie filmmakers can learn from Joel. In 2013, VideoBlocks was ranked the 32nd fastest growing technology company in the US/Canada, and the 2nd fastest growing technology company in the DC region by Deloitte for the Fast500, for achieving 7,000% revenue growth over the past 5 years.Photo Credit: VideoBlocks.comIn 2012, VideoBlocks was named the #4 Fastest Growing Media Company by Inc. Magazine, and made the prestigious Inc. 500 list. For his work with VideoBlocks, Joel has been named one of the "Top 25 Entrepreneurs Under 25" by BusinessWeek Magazine, "Young Entrepreneur of the Year" by the United States Small Business Administration, and "Entrepreneur of the Year" for the Greater Washington DC Region by Ernst & Young.In 2013, Joel was recognized on the Inc. "30 Under 30" list: He is the definition of the word "Hustle." Sit back and enjoy my conversation with Joel Holland.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

28 Sep 20161h 15min

What if I told you you could production design an entire house with for a hundred bucks. Can't believe it? How about if I throw in labor, delivery, setup and guys will come and pickup all the furniture when you're done? I didn't believe either until I did it. In this episode I discuss the little loop hole/trick I used to furnish an entire house for my film BROKEN. You can get thousands of dollars worth of high end furniture, appliances, computers, televisions, lamps, tables, dining sets, bedroom sets and all sorts of accessories for pennies on the dollar. Now this solution is not for every film. If you are doing a period piece or drug den this ain't for you. This technique will work for contemporary decor and it works great. Are you drooling yet? Want to know the secret? Sometimes the simplest ideas are the most powerful ones. Take a listen to this short episode and find out. You won't regret it. LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODEThis is MegAlex Ferrari's Films on Amazon Video Direct (WATCH FOR FREE on Amazon Prime)SPONSORSWerner Herzog Master ClassAaron Sorkin Master ClassFreeFilmBook.com (Download Your FREE Filmmaking Audio Book)KILLER RESOURCES!!!INDIE FILM SYNDICATE Filmmaking CommunityIFH's Online Film SchoolSix Secrets to get into Film Festivals for FREE!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

26 Sep 201615min

How to Record Audio for Your Indie Film on the CHEAP!I was lost when it came time to record audio for my film. So since my podcast on How to Build a Pimp'd Out BlackMagic Cinema Camera Rig on the CHEAP! was such a hit with the tribe I decide to put a list of the gear I used to record audio on This is Meg.I go into great detail on each piece of gear, how I used it and what worked and didn't work. The biggest tip I can give you is no matter how inexpensive the mic you have the key is to get that mic as close to the subject as humanly possible. The audio I recorded on This is Meg came out surprisingly great! Since I've never had the chance to record audio for any of my films this was a first. What saved my ass was taking an online course the explained everything I needed to know about the art of how to record audio on set and location. It's called Sound for Indie Film: Recording Audio Like a Pro. I not kidding you, this course was a life saver for me. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND it to anyone even thinking of recording their own audio for a film. I also recommend it to any director or producer as well so they can get a better understanding of what the sound man is doing. Below is a list of all the gear I used, tested and recorded with on my film. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

19 Sep 201632min

Well, the first IFH Podcast episode went live September 2015. That’s a short time to be able to produce 100 podcast episodes, but what can I say I'm a hustler = )I’m so glad I finally got around to launch Indie Film Hustle, because the podcast has done wonders for my brand, my career and my life. The results were far beyond what I had ever imagined.It allows me to reach more people than I could ever do with just my blog alone, and at the same time create a much deeper connection with them too. Beyond that, it has opened up doors to my filmmaking career, keynote speaking opportunities, potential book deals and more.THANK YOU TRIBE!Without you, the Indie Film Hustle Tribe, the IFH Podcast would had never reached episode 100 or become the #1 filmmaking podcast on iTunes! I owe you guys so much, and that's why I'm extremely excited for the next 100 episodes of this podcast. Your support means the world to me, and I appreciate each and every one of you!If you enjoyed this episode, or any of the other of the 99 episodes of the podcast, and you have not left a rating or review yet on iTunes, I would really appreciate an honest review and rating from you. It’s one of the most important parts of the ranking in the iTunes algorithm, but more than that, it’ll show future indie filmmakers that this is (or is not) worth their time.To quickly leave a review, open up iTunes and search for Indie Film Hustle Podcast and then leave a rating and review as shown below. You can do this on your mobile device as well, and even if you’re not subscribed, and even if you listen on another platform – this is where I’d love your review.This Weeks Special Guest - Aaron Kaufman & Brian LevinOn this special episode of the show I have a chat with Aaron Kaufman. Not only was he Robert Rodriguez's producer on films like Sin City: A Dame to Kill For, Machete and Machete Kills but he also directed a film called Urge starring James Bond Legend Pierce Bronson.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

14 Sep 20161h 45min

How to Write a Screenplay with FAST with Jeff BollowHave you ever wanted to learn how to write a screenplay fast? I know I do. This is why I invited on the show award-winning producer/director, best-selling author, film festival organizer and public speaker, Jeff Bollow.He is the author of Writing FAST: How to Write Anything with Lightning Speed. Jeff Bollow began as an actor at age 12 in his native Los Angeles (credits include Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead and TV's Columbo) before working nearly every job in production, from camera to sound to lighting — and including jobs in development, post-production and distribution.Jeff has worked on feature films, TV series, commercials, music videos, radio, and corporate productions for companies such as Universal, Castle Rock, Propaganda Films, DNA and the Oxygen Network.After migrating to New Zealand, where he directed television for TV3 and co-founded the Big Mountain Short Film Festival, he moved to Australia, where he launched Embryo Films. Through his company, Jeff has reviewed over 20,000 project submissions, and has edited, assessed and/or mentored over 350 projects. He has script doctored in Singapore, Australia, NZ and the US; and has conducted over 80 live weekend workshops to over 1200 writers in 9 cities in 5 countries, with a unanimous "recommend" approval rating.His students have been optioned, produced and won (and placed) in competitions worldwide. He designed FAST Screenplay in 2004, and began officially building it in November 2009. It was finally completed in July 2016, nearly 7 years later. Alongside it, he created the FASTscreenplay YouTube Channel, which now includes over 30 detailed and insightful free videos to encourage writers and screenwriters around the world.In May 2015, Jeff Bollow delivered his first TED Talk, "Expand Your Imagination... Exponentially" (see video below) at TEDxDocklands in Melbourne, Australia, to prepare for the next phase of the larger plan. Jeff's aim is build an independent film studio that inspires creativity worldwide, to help prepare humanity for the dramatic changes our future holds. When he's not busy helping writers with FAST Screenplay, he is working on a new book, developing a television series, and planning two feature film projects.I've added below Jeff Bollow's TEDTalk and a series of amazing video on screenwriting. Enjoy!LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODEJeff Bollow - Official SiteJeff Bollow - IMDBFast ScreenplayWriting FAST: How to Write Anything with Lightning SpeedBig Mountain Short Film FestivalScreenplay.com.auSPONSORSVideoBlocks.com - (IFH Discount SAVE $50)Werner Herzog Master ClassAaron Sorkin Master ClassFreeFilmBook.com (Download Your FREE Filmmaking Audio Book)KILLER RESOURCES!!!INDIE FILM SYNDICATE Filmmaking CommunityBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

13 Sep 20161h 13min

When I began my filmmaking journey with my first feature film, This is Meg, I had no idea what camera I'd be shooting with. I had access to both RED Cinema and Arri Alexa Cameras for free if I wanted them but I choose against using them on this film for the following reasons:The infrastructure need to make those camera work was complicated and expensive (even if you are getting the camera bodies for free)I wouldn't have the freedom to shoot whenever I had the cast available. (we shot over 6 weeks)The "footprint" of those cameras do not lend themselves to run and gun guerrilla filmmaking.The Post Production workflow would be costly and drives are expensive.Production Insurance would be needed and that's pricey.So I looked around and settled on the BlackMagic Cinema Camera."But Alex you are nutz! You could've shot on a RED or ALEXA and you choose a BlackMagic Cinema Camera?"Yes I did. For a few reasons:I could own the camera, play with it, test and experiment.No production insurance.Small footprint for those "guerrilla filmmaking" moment out in the streets.Amazing post production workflow (I edited and finish This is Meg on the DaVinci Resolve, more on that in the podcast)I could affordably pimp out the rig and customize it for my shooting needs.This is Meg is a small character driven indie film, shooting with RED or ALEXA would've been overkill.Shooting with the BMCCNow I've been a colorist for over 10 years and the image quality of RED or ALEXA is superior to the BlackMagic Cinema Camera but you need to choose the right tool for the project. The BMCC gave me the freedom that the other couldn't and the BlackMagic Cinema Camera is BY FAR the best bang for your buck. Speaking as a colorist and the director of photography of the film, the image quality is stellar. You just need to understand the camera's strengths and weakness.Here are some tips when shooting with the BlackMagic Cinema Camera 2.5k.The camera need a ton of light.Make sure you shoot at 400 ISO unless you are shooting nights. Try to always shot 400 ISO. The BMCC Image will like it better.Record with a minimum 240gig Card.SHOOT RAW, not ProRes 422 HQ!I also decided to shoot with the BlackMagic Cinema Camera because of its amazing RAW Cinema DNG file it produces. I shot with the BlackMagic Cinema Camera 2.5K not the 4k version. The 4k would've been nice but the cost in media and hard drives out weighted the extra pixel. I also knew I'd be mastering in 1080p and blowing up to 2k for the DCP deliverable.You can shoot ProRes 422 HQ but I'd suggest shooting RAW because if you don't light the scene perfectly having that RAW Cinema DNG file can really get you out of a pickle...trust me!I go into great detail on how I put this rig together in this weeks podcast. I share tips, tricks and real world stories of what worked and what didn't. I also talk about the post production workflow I went through editing in DaVinci Resolve.For links to all the gear spoken about goto: https://www.indiefilmhustle.com/blackmagic-cinema-camera/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

7 Sep 201650min