BONUS EPISODE: Big Budget Indie Films and Creative Freedom with Neill Blomkamp
Indie Film Hustle® - A Filmmaking Podcast18 Jan 2023

BONUS EPISODE: Big Budget Indie Films and Creative Freedom with Neill Blomkamp

Ever since I saw District 9 and learned of all the mythical stories behind the short film becoming a feature, I have been a massive fan of today’s guest, Neill Blomkamp. Though Neill is here today to talk about his new sci-fi horror fiction film, Demonic, we also chatted up about his other films that have been successful over the years.

Released in August 2021, Demonic follows a young woman who unleashes terrifying demons when supernatural forces at the root of a decades-old rift between mother and daughter are ruthlessly revealed.

Neill is a South African Canadian film director, producer, screenwriter, and animator, best known for writing and directing multiple-award-winning films such as Chappie, Elysium, and the iconic District 9, along with a plethora of short films, commercials, and special effect credits.

If you have seen a few of Neill’s works already, you would already know and admire his dystopian, action, and sci-fi style of writing and filmmaking. He depicts the short film in documentary style, with xenophobic social segregation themes.

In 2009 Neill and his wife, Canadian screenwriter Terri Tatchell, co-wrote a short film titled, Alive in Joburg, which later became his feature film debut, District 9. Neill received an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Picture for this $210.8 million-grossing film from a $30 million budget.

District 9 was a critically acclaimed splash, earning multiple awards, including the Bafta, the Academy, Golden Globes, etc., for its visual effects, editing, screenplay, and picture. And a 90% on rotten tomato. But the success of this film is truly in the story it tells and the inspiration that drove it.

In 1982, a massive star ship bearing a bedraggled alien population, nicknamed "The Prawns," appeared over Johannesburg, South Africa. Twenty-eight years later, the initial welcome by the human population has faded. The refugee camp where the aliens were located has deteriorated into a militarized ghetto called District 9, where they are confined and exploited in squalor.

In 2010, the munitions corporation, Multi-National United, was contracted to forcibly evict the population with operative Wikus van der Merwe in charge. In this operation, Wikus is exposed to a strange alien chemical and must rely on the help of his only two new 'Prawn' friends.

As you will hear in our conversation, this project was inspired by parts of Johannesburg in South Africa's history Neill was learning. His journey involved gaining awareness of xenophobia from relatively poor South Africans against immigrants from Mozambique, Nigeria, and Malawi --- a sentiment is still prevalent with some South Africans to this day.

The initial short film, Alive In Joburg that preceded District 9, had a socio-political theme shot in realism-based style paired with sci-fi but of performers sharing real-life experiences of illegal aliens/immigrants in South Africa.

By the time he had to adapt the script for the feature, District 9, Neill had moved into an interest of South Africa’s history, including apartheid, and precisely its border war period in the 1980s.

As mentioned earlier, Neill started his career in this industry through visual effects and animation in commercials. When he moved to Canada at 18 years old, the pathway opened up for him to finally pursue his childhood dream of working in the film industry.

He did Ads animation for some years while closely following the works of film directors who had gone the commercials to film directing route. One of his most prominent commercials to date, which was shelved by the clients based on creative differences, was a short film Superbowl ad for Nike.

Even though he spent a short time doing commercials, Neill has held on to all the transferable lessons and tips to his filmmaking and screenwriting.

IN 2015, Neill released his third feature film, dystopian sci-fi action fiction, Chappie, co-written with his wife, Tatchell --- starring Sharlto Copley, Dev Patel, and Hugh Jackman. Chappie became a massive success at the box office with a gross of from a $49 million budget.

Chappie, an artificial general intelligence law enforcement robot, is captured during a patrol and reprogrammed by gangsters after being stolen. He becomes the first robot with the ability to think and feel for himself.

Not to give too much away, let's dig into my interview with our incredible guest, Neill Blomkamp.


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IFH 062: Top 5 Film Festival SCAMS Filmmakers Need to Be Aware Of!

IFH 062: Top 5 Film Festival SCAMS Filmmakers Need to Be Aware Of!

Top 5 Film Festival SCAMS Filmmakers Need to Be Aware Of!I've been at a fair share of film festivals in my life and I've submitted to many more than I've been accepts to. With that said I have seen many less than honorable film festival organizers throughout the process. Now not all film festivals are run by grifters and con men but you need to be aware of the signs that a film festival you are submitting to may just be in existence to remove you from you hard earned cash and not to celebrate amazing independent film and filmmakers. I put together a few warning signs you should look out for when submitting to film festivals. Stay safe out there everyone!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

5 Apr 201613min

IFH 061: Chris Vogler - Screenwriting & The Writer's Journey Blueprint

IFH 061: Chris Vogler - Screenwriting & The Writer's Journey Blueprint

If you have seen Star Wars then you know Joseph Campbell's work. If you ever have seen The Lion King then you have seen one of Campbell's best student's, Chris Vogler, work.Chris Vogler wrote the game changing book  The Writers Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers. I read this book over 20 years ago and it changed the way I look at story. Chris studied the work and principles of the late master Joseph Campbell. His book The Hero with a Thousand Faces was the bases for Star Wars as well as almost every other Hollywood feature film in the past 60 years. What Chris Vogler did so well is that he translated Campbell's work and applied it to movies. The Writer's Journey explores the powerful relationship between mythology and storytelling in a clear, concise style that's made it required reading for movie executives, screenwriters, playwrights, scholars, and fans of pop culture all over the world. He has influenced the screenplays of movies from THE LION KING to FIGHT CLUB to BLACK SWAN to NOAH."I teach sometimes, and always say that Chris Vogler is the first book that everyone's got to read." -- Darren Aronofsky , Oscar-nominated Screenwriter/Director, Noah, Black Swan, The WrestlePretty high praised from one of the best filmmakers working today. In this episode I ask Chris to breakdown a bunch of concepts of the Hero's Journey, why it resinates with people around the world and what makes an amazing hero and villain. Enjoy my conversation with Chris Vogler.Screenwriting & Story Blueprint: The Hero's Two JourneysThe Writers Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers, 3rd EditionMyth & the Movies: Discovering the Myth Structure of 50 Unforgettable FilmsThe Hero with a Thousand Faces (The Collected Works of Joseph Campbell)Memo from the Story Department: Secrets of Structure and CharacterThe Million Dollar ScreenplayBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

31 Mars 20161h 12min

IFH 060: Should You Work for Deferred Payment or Back End Points?

IFH 060: Should You Work for Deferred Payment or Back End Points?

A Indie Film Hustle Tribe member recently asked me"Should You Work for Deferred Payment or Back End Points?"Believe it or not I get this question A LOT! So I decided to dedicate a podcast episode to the question. There are times I would say yes definitely work for deferred payment or back end points. I heard a story of a screenwriter that was asked to do a rush job, write an entire screenplay in two week over Christmas vacation. He really didn't want to do it but the agent said he could get him paid and get him back end points. The screenwriter took the gig, the producer love the script and the movie went on to gross $500,000,000 world wide. He took home over $20 million. Not bad.So yes there is a time to make that deal but alas there are times you should never work for deferred. Take a listen to when to and when not to work for deferred payments or back end points. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

29 Mars 20166min

IFH 059: How a 17 yr old Shot & Sold her 1st Feature on 16mm Film

IFH 059: How a 17 yr old Shot & Sold her 1st Feature on 16mm Film

Every once in a while I get sent a story that blows my mind. They story is a 17 year old 1st time director shoot and sells her first feature film (that was shot on 16mm) right out of the gate.How that hell does that happen? Well may I introduce you to Kansas Bowling, the director of the feature film B.C. Butcher. Inspired by the likes of Russ Meyer, Annette Funicello, and Roger Corman, Kansas and her friend Kenzie began writing a script in high school about a tribe of cavewomen being stalked by a prehistoric monster.Thus, the first prehistoric slasher was born! At only 17, Kansas directed, co-wrote, and funded her own feature film, entirely shot on 16mm, called “B.C. Butcher”.The film is unique in many ways, being a horror flick and a comedy, featuring live music, gore, gags, and campy historical inaccuracy. Because of this, immediately after shooting, “B.C. Butcher” caught the eye of Lloyd Kaufman (who will be a guest on the podcast in a few weeks), legendary producer/director and founder of Troma Entertainment Inc. Troma acquired the film for distribution and is now slated for a 2016 release.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

24 Mars 20161h 1min

IFH 058: Tips on How Directors Should Work with a Colorist

IFH 058: Tips on How Directors Should Work with a Colorist

Working with a professional colorist can be intimating if you haven't done it before. I've been a colorist for over 12 years and have spent my fair share of time in a color grading suite.I decided to put together a few tips on how filmmakers and directors should work with a colorist. I also included a few videos to help you along on your post adventures.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

22 Mars 201613min

IFH 057: HollyShorts: Confessions of a Film Festival Programmer w/ Daniel Sol

IFH 057: HollyShorts: Confessions of a Film Festival Programmer w/ Daniel Sol

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

IFH 056: Do You Need an Agent or Talent Agency to Make it in Hollywood?

IFH 056: Do You Need an Agent or Talent Agency to Make it in Hollywood?

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

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

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