IFH 560: Misadventures in Directing Your 1st Feature with Brian Petsos

Film Crowdfunding CampaignSo today is the day. The THIS IS MEG Film Crowdfunding Campaign is LIVE! Click here to check it out: Down the Filmmaking Rabbit Hole. I've been working for months on the campaign and am very proud of what I and the team has done. So below I wanted to share the Top ten tip I have learned from the many experts, guest and successful campaigns I've reviewed in prepping for my launch. I'll be going in greater detail on all these topics in the podcast so definitly take a listen: Top 10 Tips to Launch a Film Crowdfunding CampaignTop 10 Tips to Launch a Film Crowdfunding CampaignAssemble a Team Ahead of Time: You are not an island! You need a group of amazing people who are willing to help you on this journey. Check out our Launch Team for THIS IS MEG - Click here30 day campaigns works best: Of all the film campaigns that met their goals, 32.71% of them ran their campaigns for 30-39 days, while only 13.87% of successful campaigns ran for 60 days.Keep your campaign page updated: On average, successful film campaigns post 5 updates. Updates can include anything from press mentions, new incentives, celebrity endorsements, events, – anything that you think your community would be interested in. After all, your contributors are giving their money to help bring your film to the screen, so naturally they’ll be interested in any updates you provide. Continually updating your campaign page is one of the best ways to keep your community and fans involved in the process.Estimate Costs Carefully: So many filmmakers just pull a budget out of their butts. Breakdown what you really need for your entire filmmaking journey.Study Successes and Failures: I studied sooooooo many campaigns before we launched. I took courses (see free crowdfunding campain below) and analized both successes and failures.Give Fans An Inside Look: People want to be part of the process. Bring them into your process, your filmmaking craftmanship.Add New Perks through the Campaign: One unique aspect of film campaigns is that filmmakers have an huge range of creativity for your incentives. From signed memorbilia to meet-and-greets to set visits, you have lots of ways to incentivize your backers to help you reach your goal.Include affordable perks: Don't make the incentives for the private sky boxes, create incentives for the bleachers too. Make the journey accessable to all who want to join the trip.Include a pitch video: For God's sake make a good pitch video. I go into a ton of detail on this in the podcast. Check out our pitch video and let us know what you think:Build an Audience & Networking: I can not stress the importance of building and audience before you launch. Not only that but also know where the audience for your film hangs out online so you can reach them.Right click here to download the MP3LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODEINDIE FILM SYNDICATE Membership CommunityTHIS IS MEG Crowdfunding CampaignAudio-Technica ATR2100-USB Cardioid Dynamic USB/XLR MicrophoneTASCAM DR-40 4-Track PorBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

21 Juni 201626min

Why I Choose Seed & Spark.com to Crowdfund THIS IS MEGWith all the choices out there to crowdfund your film, it can get kinda crazy! Kickstarter and Indiegogo are the two Goliath's in the arena with Seed&Spark.com play David. If you know the story the two Goliaths don't fear David but this David has a hella of a punch. I choose Seed and Spark to crowdfund my new feature film THIS IS MEG, because of a few reasons.They have a 75% Success Rate (2 times any other platform)The average raise is $17K (2.5 times any other platform)There average fee is only 3% (40% Less than anyone else)They guarentee distribution if you hit a certain benchmarkHow is this possible because they focus on one thing...FILMMAKERS. They don't crowdfund for the next transforming coffeemaking pen. Seed and Spark is all about indie filmmakers and creating independence for film artists. Take a listen to this episodes and find out how we are putting our crowdfunding campaign together for THIS IS MEG. When you're done listening to the episode take a look at the remarkable FREE Crowdfunding Course created by Seed & Spark to entertain, educate and make you a truly "independent" filmmaker. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

14 Juni 201616min

From Micro Budget to Million Dollar Budget Films with Christian SesmaMany indie filmmakers dream of going from micro budget to million dollar budget films. Well my friends on this weeks episode I've got a guy who not only did exactly that but also had fun doing it. Christian Sesma is a indie film writer/director based in Palm Spring, CA. I've know Christian for probably over 10 years now and I've watched him grow from a small $15,000 horror film (On Bloody Sunday) to his latest action blood fest Vigilante Diaries starring Paul Sloan, Michael Madsen, Michael Jai White, Jason Mewes and UFC legend Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson. Take a look at the trailer below.Vigilante Diaries will hit select theaters and be available on iTunes on June 24, 2016.Synopsis:Jason Mewes of CLERKS and JAY AND SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK stars as an in-your-face filmmaker known for his web videos of an urban avenger known only as ‘The Vigilante’ (Paul Sloan). But when The Vigilante terminates a creep with deep connections, it’ll trigger a live-feed bloodbath between the Armenian mob, Mexican cartels, a rogue team of Special Forces commandos, and an international black ops conspiracy that’s about to make things very personal. UFC legend Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson, Michael Jai White (BLACK DYNAMITE), Jaqueline Lord (MERCENARY FOR JUSTICE), WWE star Sal ‘Chavo’ Guerrero, Jr., James Russo (DJANGO UNCHAINED) and Michael Madsen (THE HATEFUL EIGHT) co-star in this explosive throwback packed with badass swagger, hardcore firepower and bone-crunching action.I wanted to pick his brain and share his unique journey with the IFH Tribe. Enjoy this one, it's a blast!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

9 Juni 201652min

Follow Your Passion, No Matter What!This is a special episode of the podcast guys. I recently had a good friend of mine pass, Allan Wertheim. He was a legendary First Assistant Director and Unit Production Manager. Allan and I worked together almost 20 years ago on one of my first directing gigs. This is by far the most difficult project I have ever worked on and Allan was kind enough to mentor me and protect me from the siutation. He passed a few days ago at the age of 72 and my friend left it all on the field. He worked with legendary directors like Martin Scorsese and David Fincher but more importantly lived a happy life with his family. I wanted this episode to spotlight the fact that you can't leave with the music still inside of you. Take a listen to this special episode. I hope it inspires you a bit. Right click here to download the MP3LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODEAllan Wertheim - IMDBRaging BullSe7enLove StorySaturday Night FeverAction Items:Subscribe to the Podcast on iTunes,  Stitcher, Soundcloud or via RSS.If you like Follow Your Passion, No Matter What!, then click below:How I Made Over $90,000 Selling my Short FilmEnjoyed this post? Please share it in your social networks (Facebook, Twitter, email etc) by using social media buttons at the side or bottom of the blog. Or post to your blog and anywhere else you feel it would be a good fit. Thanks.I welcome thoughts and remarks on ANY of the content above in the comments section below...Get Social with Indie Film Hustle:Facebook: Indie Film HustleTwitter: @indiefilmhustle Instagram: @ifilmhustleYouTube: Indie Film Hustle TVPodcast: IFH PodcastPodcast: Film Festival Hacks PodcastIFH: Filmmaking HacksBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

1 Juni 20168min

Acting & the Art of Being Yourself with Adrian MartinezBeing yourself in any situation in life is hard for many people. Actors do make a living playing other people but the art of being comfortable in your own skin is a lesson we can all learn. I invited on the show Adrian Martinez, a actor, writer, producer, and soon-to-be-director, with nearly 100 film and TV credits.Adrian's career began as a high school track star on NBC's "Unsolved Mysteries". Some in casting have called Adrian, "the sidekick to the stars," as evidenced by his recent sidekick trifecta-- Will Smith's sidekick in Warner Bros' "Focus," , Ben Stiller's sidekick in his Fox remake of "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty," Will Ferrell's sidekick in Lionsgate's "Casa de mi Padre," to name a few.Mr. Martinez's TV work includes over forty guest spots, including a recurring guest star in CBS' "A Gifted Man," opposite Patrick Wilson, FX's "Louie" opposite Louis CK, HBO's "Flight of the Conchords," "Sex and the City," and is recurring on Comedy Central's "Inside Amy Schumer."Adrian is currently making his directorial debut with the film "iCreep," through his production company, Paloma Pictures.I wanted have Adrian Martinez on the show to see if he would share some of his secret sauce for maintaining such a long and successful career...and he did. Whether your an actor, director, writer, or artist the knowledge bombs Adrian drops are massive. BTW, this happens to be one of the funniest episodes I've ever done. Adrian is not only generous with his knowledge but he's FUNNY AS HELL! Enjoy.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

26 Maj 20161h 14min

How to Blaze Your Own Path in the Film IndustryHave you been banging your head against the wall trying to figure out what you need to do to break into the film industry? Me too. This episode  is dedicated to all the indie filmmakers out there trying to make a living as a filmmaker. After studying so many success stories of directors, writers, producers, and actors who finally broke through and made it into the exclusive party I found one common denominator among every single one of them. I discuss that truth and make a major announcement to the Indie Film Hustle Tribe about what I'll be doing over the next year and how it applies to the topic of "Blazing Your Own Path in the Film Industry."If your a bit lost or just keep running into walls trying to make it as a filmmaker then this is the podcast you need to listen to. I hope you find some value in it. Good luck!Right click here to download the MP3LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODEIndie Film Hustle's FULL ACCESS MembershipTHIS IS MEG Launch TeamJill Michele-MéleanVideoBlocks (Stock Footage - IFH Discount)IFH Online Film School - 30% OFF DiscountIFH 069: Michael Polish – How to Make Money Selling a No Budget DSLR Indie FilmFor Lovers OnlyFreeFilmBook.com (Your FREE Audio Book)Six 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.

23 Maj 201626min

Every once in a while we all need to get a gut check. A "gut check" is when some new situation, or in this case knowledge, that tests your belief on what it takes to achieve your goal.I invited Sebastian Twardosz to give us that gut check and lay down some major knowledge bombs on the Indie Film Hustle Tribe. Now Sebastian has been playing the Hollywood game for close to two decades and has ranked up some major experience. Hollywood and the film business in general is a "relationship business". Here's what Sebastian said:"Some of you will be successful and some of you will be less successful—it’s a numbers game, but regardless of the stats, you will likely fail if you don’t help each other."Sebastian Twardosz’s first production job was from 1995-1999 for Tom Cruise and Paula Wagner’s Paramount-based company where he started as an assistant and was promoted to executive, actively participating in the making of Mission Impossible 1-2 and Without Limits.Like many hopefuls wanting to get into the film biz, Sebastian Twardosz started as an agent's assistant in the motion picture department at ICM. He graduated from the USC School of Cinematic Arts in 1993. His short film, Silent Rain, received a Student Academy Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as well as the Student Emmy.Sebastian co-produced the independent feature Small Town Saturday Night starring Chris Pine, and he has been an adjunct professor at both UCLA and USC Film Schools teaching about the art and business of film since 2006.He also hosted a weekly show called The Insiders which aims to shed light on the “behind-the-scenes world of Hollywood” for aspiring filmmakers. Sebastian is currently a partner in Circus Road Films, which advises and represents emerging filmmakers. Take a listen to this eye opening interview.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

19 Maj 20161h 12min

We making money selling your short film, feature film or web series just got a whole lot easier. Amazon.com has thrown it's hat into the Independent creators VOD ring with the launch of Amazon Video Direct.This move is designed to go head to head with Google's YouTube for video-ad dollars. as well as going after other juggernauts like Facebook and Vimeo.Amazon Video Direct has four distribution options for its creators.Filmmakers can make their films available to Prime Video subscribers and receive a per-hour royalty feeFilms or Series can be sold as a subscription through the Streaming Partners ProgramFilms can be made available for digital rental or purchaseFilms can be made available to ALL Amazon customers for free with ads, and filmmaker would receive a 55% share of the ad revenue (exactly as they do on YouTube).Take listen for the lowdown. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

16 Maj 201610min