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

Have you ever wanted to know what really happens behind the scenes at a top level film festival like the HollyShorts Film Festival? Well this week I kidnapped co-founder and film festival programmer Daniel Sol, tied him up in a darken warehouse and shine a bright light on his face to get the truth out of him. The interview might not have been that dramatic but Daniel laid down a ton of behind the scenes knowledge bombs you all you Indie Film Hustlers out there. HollyShorts! and I go way back. My first short film BROKEN played at the very first HollyShorts Film Festival over a decade ago and I've been friends with Daniel Sol and Theo Dumont (co-founders) ever since. They truly care about filmmakers and were name one of the Top 25 film festivals in the world worth the submission fee by Filmmaker Magazine. Enjoy my candid chat with Daniel Sol from the HollyShorts! Film Festival.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

17 Mars 20161h 22min

Is an agent or talent agency needed to make it in Hollywood? Well it helps! Seriously, this is a question I get asked all the time.In this episode I go over what you need to do to get an agent and also help you figure out if you need one right now. Below are the seven major talent agencies in Hollywood.APA Talent AgencySize: 3,400 clients; 325 employees (210 agents, 15 managing partners); offices in Los Angeles, New York and NashvilleOrigin story: Founded in 1962 by former MCA agents David Baumgarten, Roger Vorce and Harvey Litwin.CAA Talent AgencySize: About 5,000 clients; 1,500+ employees; 11 offices worldwide, including in ChinaOrigin story: Founded in 1975 by William Morris agents Mike Rosenfeld, Michael Ovitz, Ron Meyer, Bill Haber and Rowland Perkins.GERSH Talent AgencySize: About 2,000 clients; 175 employees (75 agents, 16 partners); offices in L.A. and New YorkOrigin story: Founded in 1949 by Phil Gersh.ICM PARTNERS Talent AgencySize: 4,500+ clients; 400+ employees (200+ agents and execs, 40 partners); four officesOrigin story: Formed in 1975 with the merger of Creative Management Associates and International Famous Agency.PARADIGM Talent AgencySize: 2,500 clients; 370+ employees (160 agents); six officesOrigin story: Founded in 1992 by Sam Gores through the mergers and acquisitions of several boutiquesUTA Talent AgencySize: 3,000+ clients; 500 employees (200 agents, 46 partners); offices in L.A. and New YorkOrigin story: Founded in 1991 with the merger of Bauer-Benedek and Leading Artists.WME | IMG Talent AgencySize: 4,000+ clients; nearly 5,000 employees (200 agents) in 25+ countriesOrigin story: WME | IMG was founded in 2014 with the merger of IMG and WME, which was founded in 2009 with the takeover of William Morris by upstart Endeavor.Hope this episode helps you out on your journey to get an agent. Good luck!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

15 Mars 20169min

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

14 Mars 20163min

Michael Hauge - Writing a Screenplay That SellsYou are in for a treat. This week's guest, MICHAEL HAUGE has been one of Hollywood’s top script consultants, story experts and authors for more than 30 years. He coaches screenwriters, novelists, filmmakers, professional speakers, internet marketers and corporate leaders, helping transform their stories and their audiences using the principles and methods of Hollywood’s most successful movies. Michael has consulted on films starring – among many others - Will Smith, Tom Cruise, Reese Witherspoon, Julia Roberts and Morgan Freeman, and has presented lectures and workshops to more than 70,000 participants worldwide. He is the best selling author of Writing Screenplays That Sell (now in its 20th Anniversary Edition), and Selling Your Story in 60 Seconds: The Guaranteed Way to Get Your Screenplay or Novel Read. According to Will Smith, “No one is better than Michael Hauge at finding what is most authentic in every moment of a story.” - Will SmithAfter our interview Michael Hauge and I decide to bring one of his best courses to the IFH Tribe. We called is Screenplay and Story Blueprint: The Hero's Two JourneysIf you click here you'll get a SPECIAL IFH DISCOUNT: Screenplay & Story BlueprintBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

10 Mars 201653min

Over the years I've seen many of my fellow indie filmmakers get completely ripped off when they entered the post production process.So many promises are given and the rates they charge are criminal. I wanted to put together a podcast to pull the curtain back on the "true" pricing of post production services.Now this is based on my experience working in Los Angeles so the prices might differ depending where you are in the country or the world.I hope this episode provides a great amount of value and that it saves you your hard earned cash while making your next indie film. Enjoy!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

8 Mars 201619min

Film distribution in a mystery to most indie filmmakers. It is filled with deception, scams, mis-information and straight out LIES! I wanted to put together an episode spotlighting the five major lies filmmakers hear about film distribution.Like many truths in the world these might not be easy to swallow but there is hope. If you have a plan "BEFORE YOU SHOOT YOUR FILM" your odds of success go up greatly.I see so many indie filmmakers killing themselves to make their films but have no idea how to recoup their money or actually make a living doing what they love to do. I hope this podcast helps.Insider View of Creating an Indie Feature Film - FULL ACCESS MEMBERSHIPBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

23 Feb 201617min

So the question of the moment is"Why are the Oscars® so white again? #OscarsSoWhiteThe 88th Annual Academy Awards haven’t even aired yet, and there is a hurricane of drama surrounding Hollywood’s most exciting night. Celebrities like Spike Lee and Will and Jada Pinkett Smith have called for a boycott due to a lack of minority nominees.If you look at the graphic below (Courtesy of www.mirror.co.uk) you see the Acadamy doesn't have a firm foundation to stand on.Courtesy of www.mirror.co.ukI usually don't discuss topics like this on Indie Film Hustle but when the opportunity to have a sit-down with RB Botto from Stage32.com and talk all things Oscar I jumped at the chance.Related: Filmmaking Hacks: How to Shoot and Market Your Indie FilmWe discuss not only "Why are the Oscars® so white again? #OscarsSoWhite" but we discuss this year's Oscar races, surprises, snubs and we talk about the current state of the film business. Take a listen!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

17 Feb 20162h 17min

Stephanie Palmer - How to Pitch Your Film Like a ProEver wanted to learn the dark craft of being able to pitch your story idea successfully? Stephanie Palmer has made it her life's mission to help people do just that. Stephanie Palmer is a former MGM Pictures executive and best-selling author of the book "Good in a Room: How To Sell Yourself (And Your Ideas) And Win Over Any Audience"She has heard thousands of pitches. She know how to and how not to pitch your screenplay or story idea. She worked on films like Legally Blonde, Armageddon, Con Air and was even on an intern on Titanic, there's a very inserting story there.Learn how to pitch your screenplay like a pro with Stephanie Palmer.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

11 Feb 201647min