IFH 631: From Horror Indies to The Revenant with Mark L. Smith

IFH 631: From Horror Indies to The Revenant with Mark L. Smith

I've spoken to many people in the film business over the years but today's guest is one of the hardest working craftsman I've had the pleasure of sitting down with. Today on the show we have screenwriter, producer and director, Mark L. Smith. If you look at his IMDB you'll see a list of 15 projects at various stages of development. He's come a long way from entering the Hollywood scene some 15 years ago with his fear-striking horror screenwriting and directorial debut, Séance in 2006.

Read Mark L. Smith's Screenplays

Mark stumbled onto writing as a hobby during off-seasons at his family’s ranch where he worked after college. Self-taught, some workshops and an inventory of specs later, his path crossed Mel Gibson’s - who bought Smith’s first-ever script written in 2001.

From then onwards, he’s been credited for successful writing and producing for hits like The Revenant (2015) and Overlord (2018) and The Midnight Sky which was just released in 2020, starring the incomparable, George Clooney.

In Overload, a small group of American soldiers finds horror behind enemy lines on the eve of D-Day.

While producing his directorial debut horror, film Séance, with friend of the show and veteran producer Suzanne Lyons, Smith was also a writer on Vacancy in 2006. You will hear more in the interview of his experience navigating the world of filmmaking on both sets, as a rookie, and the village of support he received.

Vacancy follows the unfortunate adventure of a married couple who becomes stranded at an isolated motel and finds hidden video cameras in their room. They soon realize that unless they escape, they'll be the next victims of a snuff film.

After Vacancy, many horror projects started to open up for Smith. He worked those for a while until it felt old and he had the urge to do something different. That's when he co-wrote the revisionist western script for The Revenant with legendary director, Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu. The film was based in part on Michael Punke’s 2002 novel by the same title. You can watch the remarkable Making of documentary of The Revenant here.

Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, Will Poulter, and Domhnall Gleeson, the story sets in the 1820s, where a frontiersman, Hugh Glass, sets out on a path of vengeance against those who left him for dead after a bear mauling.

The twist and turns that caused delayed production of the film and its eventual success will pique your interest. The Revenant became an instant commercial and artistic success. It grossed $533 million worldwide, earned 11 Oscar nominations, 3 Golden Globe awards, and 5 BAFTA awards

Mark recently wrote The Midnight Sky that released last year, starring George Clooney. It is a screen adaptation of Lily Brooks-Dalton’s novel, ‘Goodmorning, Midnight’ which is a post-apocalyptic tale that follows a lonely scientist in the Arctic, as he races to stop Sully and her fellow astronauts from returning home to a mysterious global catastrophe.

I had an absolute ball speaking to Mark. He's one of the hardest working screenwriters in Hollywood. We discuss everything from The Revenant, genius-level tips on how to adapt a book to the screen to what it was like work with Quentin Tarantino on the Star Trek script that has yet to be made. If you pray, please pray to the Hollywood Gods that Mark and Quentin's Star Trek gangster film sees the light of day.

Enjoy this conversation with Mark L. Smith.

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

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IFH: Filmmaking Motivation - Go Make Your Film!

IFH: Filmmaking Motivation - Go Make Your Film!

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

14 Mars 20163min

IFH 055: Michael Hauge - Writing a Screenplay That Sells

IFH 055: Michael Hauge - Writing a Screenplay That Sells

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

IFH 054: How NOT to Get Ripped Off in Post Production

IFH 054: How NOT to Get Ripped Off in Post Production

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

IFH 052: The 5 Lies of Film Distribution

IFH 052: The 5 Lies of Film Distribution

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

IFH 051: Are the Oscars Too White…Again? #OscarsSoWhite

IFH 051: Are the Oscars Too White…Again? #OscarsSoWhite

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

IFH 049: How to Pitch Your Film Like a Pro with Stephanie Palmer

IFH 049: How to Pitch Your Film Like a Pro with Stephanie Palmer

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

IFH 048: What to do when people DON'T BELIEVE IN YOU!

IFH 048: What to do when people DON'T BELIEVE IN YOU!

I know that everyone reading this has had a moment in time where someone did not believe in them for one reason of another. It is a part of life and a REAL BIG PART of the film industry. So many times in my career I was told that:"You nuts! That'll never work."or"That's never been done before."Well I love hearing that. I has taken time for me to enjoy when people say "it can't be done." I truly use it as fuel. You must first believe in yourself before anyone will believe in you.Now you also have to be smart about this. You can't blindly believe in yourself without having a plan, educating yourself and understanding the playing field you'll be walking on to.In this episode I go over exactly that, how to deal with nonbelievers and how to build a plan to make your goal come true. Please share this episode with anyone who needs to hear it.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

9 Feb 201619min

IFH 047: Yancey Arias - How to Make It as a Working Actor

IFH 047: Yancey Arias - How to Make It as a Working Actor

Want to learn how to make it as a working actor? Well studying actor, producer and director Yancey Arias would not be a bad start. I met Yancey Arias years ago and since have worked on several projects together. I've always admired how Yancey was able to always keep working.To date Yancey Arias has over 70 acting credits in film, television and Broadway. His credit list is kind of nuts:CastleNCSI: New OrleansThe SopranosBonesHawaii 5.0ElementaryBlue BloodsCSI: NYNCIS: Los AngelesBurn NoticeThe ShieldI just got tired of typing, his credit list is impressive to say the least. He's also worked on huge studio tentpoles live Live Free or Die Hard, Time Machine and the Hands of Stone starring Robert DeNiro.I sat down with Yancey while he was in between setups on the hit show Marvel's Agents of Shield. He'll be popping up on the show in 2016. I really wanted to get a seasoned actor's perspective on what it takes to make it in Hollywood.We also discuss his work on indie films, his new life as a director and producer with his production company NYC Films and much more. Enjoy!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

4 Feb 20161h 10min

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