IFH 589: Confessions of a Hollywood Writer & Actor with John Leguizamo

I'm never surprised anymore when I speak to filmmakers and ask them one simple but powerful question, does your film have an audience?I usually just get a blank stare. This is probably the most important question you can ask yourself as a indie filmmaker. Now if you are making film as art and have no intention or care at all about making money with your film then should stop reading this email. Now, there's nothing wrong with that but that is not what I'm discussing here today. For the rest of us that want and need to make money with our films these few little words should be your mantra in the development process. Does Your Indie Film Have a Audience?Most filmmakers get so excited by the concept of a story, the emotion or just with the idea of making a feature film that they never ask the question. They are scared to because it might stop the fun they are having. Trust me I know the feeling.Listen to this episode and find out some tips and tricks to see if your film has an audience. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

10 Nov 201513min

Imagine you were back in the early 1900’s, when the film industry was a newborn. People were learning and experimenting with the new technology of moving pictures.Craftsmen were excited about discovering new ways of creating art with this powerful and amazing new technology. You would think that could never be recreated in todays high tech world but you would be mistaken.May I introduce you to Wakaliwood. A remarkable filmmaker by the name of Isaac Nabwana from Ramon Film Productions has created the Ugandan film industry, almost single handily without having any of the filmmaking knowledge or updated filmmaking technology.As we get to study the giants that came before us like Orson Welles, Stanley Kubrick, Martin Scorsese, David Fincher, and Akira Kurosawa, Isaac only had his imagination and his undeniable passion for telling stories.Isaac is easily one of the most passionate filmmakers I’ve ever met. With all the opportunities and technology we in the United States take for granted, he created an entire film industry with basically string and tape.On this podcast we get a true understanding of what the definition of “passion” is. Alan Hofmanis and Isaac Nabwana open up on how they make a Wakaliwood action film, how Isaac taught himself every aspect of the filmmaking process and what he would like to see Ramon Films Production and Wakaliwood become on the world stage.I alway hear excuses why indie filmmakers don’t pull the trigger on making their independent film. Like not enough money, I don’t know any screenwriters, don’t have the camera I want, can’t get name actors, don’t understand post production, can’t find people to help and the list goes on and on. I hope this podcast lights a fire under the asses of every indie filmmaker that listens to it.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

5 Nov 201554min

An issue I see come up again and again is indie filmmakers shooting a format that they can't handle in post production. Currently the big buzz word is "Ultra High Definition."Technically, "Ultra High Definition" is actually a derivation of the 4K digital cinema standard. However while your local multiplex shows images in native 4096 x 2160 4K resolution, the new Ultra HD consumer format has a slightly lower resolution of 3840 X 2160. Now while having a larger image to play with is better it does bring a ton of baggage along with it. RED Cameras started popularizing 4k with it's first camera the RED ONE. It was so far beyond anything else on the market at the time that it ignited the imagination of indie filmmakers everywhere. Now shooting 4k in todays world is a bit different. It cost much more than you'd expect once you factor in all the things you'll be dealing with down the pipeline.In this episode I go over a ton of info on why you shouldn't shoot 4k if you're an indie filmmaker.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

3 Nov 201516min

Making scary independent horror films in the current marketplace is difficult to say the least. Today’s sophisticated audiences are getting harder and harder to scare every dayWhen many filmmakers start out they make a film in the horror genre. It worked for famed filmmakers like Guillermo del Toro, Sam Raimi, George Romero, James Wan, John Carpenter, Wes Craven, Roman Polanski, David Cronenberg and Alfred Hitchcock just to name a few.In this week’s episode, I’m joined by the aficionado of horror films Edwin Pagan from LatinHorror.com. We discuss what it takes to make terrifying horror films, the difference between Latino horror films versus Korean or American horror films and what is truly terrifying.We also packed this scary episode with indie filmmaking tips on the do’s and don’ts of indie horror filmmaking, adventures of a working cinematographer in New York City and what it really takes to scare the hell out of your audience.Don’t listen to the episode alone. Happy Halloween and be safe everyone!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

29 Okt 20151h 26min

Now before I get a bunch of hate mail please let me explain. I love cinematographers. You can;t make a movie without on. It's by far one of the toughest positions on set. The pressure is immense.With that said the explosion of low cost cameras and lighting gear has thrown a huge amount of "cinematographers" into the market place.This podcast is a warning to young and inexperienced filmmakers not to hire not just a director of photography but any top level crew member  solely because they on some of the latest gear.This advice also goes for sound department, editorial, lighting, visual effects and definitely color grading. When hiring any top level positions in a film production it should be based on resume, demo reel, or reputation.All I'm saying is don't hire a crew member just because of the gear he or she owns. You'll thank me. Take a listen to this episode to hear my horror story that cost me over $50,000. OUCH!Get Social with Indie Film Hustle:Facebook: Indie Film HustleTwitter: @indiefilmhustle Instagram: @ifilmhustleYouTube: Indie Film Hustle TVPodcast: IFH PodcasBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

27 Okt 201513min

The world of film distribution is filled with unknown land mines. Even more mysterious is how an indie filmmaker can get their film placed on these elusive VOD or Video on Demand platforms?That's where this episode comes in, we have video on demand expert Linda Nelson from Indie Film Rights, the film distribution arm of Nelson Madison Films. Linda walks us through the maze of VOD and film distribution options and explains what it takes to get your film placed in the potentially very lucrative platforms.Get Social with Indie Film Hustle:Facebook: Indie Film HustleTwitter: @indiefilmhustle Instagram: @ifilmhustleYouTube: Indie Film Hustle TVPodcast: IFH PodcasBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

22 Okt 20151h 12min

I always get asked by indie filmmakers:“How do I get attention for my indie film?”This is one of the major challenges facing indie filmmakers/entrepreneurs in today’s noisy independent film landscape. One fast way is to get an “influencer” to focus a little light onto you or your project.Now this is much easier said than done. When I promote my projects I approach every online indie film influencer I can.This includes indie film sites, niche sites (around your subject matter), industry news outlets, film magazines, movie fan websites, film festivals, podcasters, conventions, and movie reviewers.In this podcast I tell the story of how the legendary film critic Roger Ebert was so amazingly kind to a young filmmaker.Get Social with Indie Film Hustle:Facebook: Indie Film HustleTwitter: @indiefilmhustle Instagram: @ifilmhustleYouTube: Indie Film Hustle TVPodcast: IFH PodcastBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

20 Okt 201511min

If you have ever looked into selling your film at a film market then you more than likely have heard of the North America's largest film market, AFM or the American Film Market.The American Film Market is a labyrinth of crazy characters, thieves, wannabes, filmmakers hustling their latest film, distributors, industry professionals and of course buyers and sellers from around the globe.My guest this week is Ben Yennie who has written the only real guide to this carnival called "The Guerilla Rep: American Film Market Distribution Success on No Budget." You should not go to the American Film Market or any film market for that matter without reading this book.Get Social with Indie Film Hustle:Facebook: Indie Film HustleTwitter: @indiefilmhustle Instagram: @ifilmhustleYouTube: Indie Film Hustle TVPodcast: IFH PodcastBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

15 Okt 20151h 6min