IFH 793: Comedy, Confidence, and the Art of Reinvention with Rhonda Shear

IFH 793: Comedy, Confidence, and the Art of Reinvention with Rhonda Shear

Some moments in life are stitched together like the seams of a well-loved garment, their fabric woven with laughter, reinvention, and a refusal to let the world dictate what is possible. On today's episode, we welcome Rhonda Shear, a woman who embodies this spirit of transformation with a playful wink and an unstoppable drive. Many remember her as the effervescent host of USA Up All Night, where she brought an entire generation into the cult world of late-night B-movies, but her journey extends far beyond the glow of a television screen.Rhonda Shear is an actress, comedian, entrepreneur, and accidental feminist, though “accidental” may not quite capture the intentionality with which she has shaped her life. Her story arcs from the glitz of Hollywood to the entrepreneurial success of her intimate apparel empire, with plenty of misadventures and revelations in between. She grew up in New Orleans, a city that instilled in her a sense of pageantry and performance, leading her from beauty pageants to acting, stand-up comedy, and ultimately, to building the number one selling bra in the world, the Ahh Bra.

From the outside, her career may look like a sequence of lucky breaks, but Rhonda speaks to something deeper—the power of embracing reinvention without losing authenticity. Hollywood tried to confine her to a singular image, the bubbly blonde bombshell, but she turned it into her own brand of comedy, injecting intelligence into satire and challenging expectations. “People told me, ‘You can’t be sexy and be funny.’ And I said, ‘Watch me,’” she recalls.Her experiences in the entertainment industry—auditioning against preconceived notions, breaking into stand-up at a time when female comedians were still a rarity, and later navigating the world of business—illustrate the universal lesson that one does not have to be what the world expects. Rhonda's path has been a testament to self-creation, a refusal to be boxed in by labels. In her book Up All Night: From Hollywood Bombshell to Lingerie Mogul, she shares the lessons gleaned from a life spent dancing between entertainment and entrepreneurship, always with an eye on what’s next.One of the most refreshing things about Rhonda is her unwillingness to bow to negativity. When the reality TV industry came knocking, hoping to manufacture conflict in her life, she turned them down. “I don’t do drama,” she says. “I don’t need to create problems where there are none.” This philosophy extends into her approach to life and business—where others see obstacles, she sees opportunities. Whether it’s transitioning from comedy to commerce or proving that reinvention is possible at any stage of life, Shear radiates the certainty that success is about mindset as much as talent.Her journey isn't just about professional transformation; it’s about love, too. In a twist straight out of a romantic comedy, she reunited with her high school sweetheart decades later, and together they built an empire. Their story reminds us that some things are destined to find their way back to us, no matter how much time has passed.

Life, as Rhonda Shear so effortlessly demonstrates, is about embracing every chapter with humor and grace. The journey from late-night TV to the boardroom isn’t as unlikely as it seems—it’s simply the next scene in a story written by someone unwilling to accept limitations.

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

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IFH 822: From Video Games to the Big Screen: The Filmmaking Journey of Nicole Jones-Dion

IFH 822: From Video Games to the Big Screen: The Filmmaking Journey of Nicole Jones-Dion

Nicole Jones-Dion, a screenwriter, director, and producer, shared her unconventional path into filmmaking, beginning in the world of video games and comics before moving into film. Known for her work on projects like Tekken 2, Dracula: The Dark Prince, and the SyFy thriller They Found Hell, she has built a career in genre storytelling that blends sci-fi, horror, and action. Her persistence paid off after writing more than fifteen spec scripts and seizing opportunities to rewrite and adapt existing material, which she says makes up most of Hollywood screenwriting.Nicole’s approach emphasizes discipline, structure, and character-driven storytelling, ensuring her projects are both creative and marketable. She also found success with crowdfunding, raising nearly $20,000 for her short horror film Debris, which explored the legend of a cursed samurai sword. The campaign’s popularity proved the power of a strong concept and led to festival recognition. With her directorial debut Stasis and other projects in development, Nicole continues to explore stories that challenge audiences while entertaining them. Her journey demonstrates the importance of adaptability, hard work, and never stopping the pursuit of growth as a filmmaker.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

30 Sep 37min

IFH 821: Filmmaking Without Permission: The Independent Journey of Clarke Scott

IFH 821: Filmmaking Without Permission: The Independent Journey of Clarke Scott

Clarke Scott, an Australian writer, director, and commercial photographer, shared his unconventional path into filmmaking after leaving behind academia and corporate work. A chance encounter in the Himalayas reignited his creative spark, leading him to dive into the DSLR revolution and embrace filmmaking as both an artistic outlet and a practical career. His debut feature, 1000 Moments Later, was a fully independent production he wrote, directed, shot, and edited himself — a bold decision driven by his refusal to wait for permission or compromise his creative voice.Clarke opened up about the challenges of independent filmmaking, from battling weather and limited budgets to convincing actors to join his project on back-end deals. He stressed the importance of patience, resourcefulness, and building a body of work rather than chasing quick wins like Sundance. For Clarke, the future of filmmaking lies in using available tools, leveraging local resources, and proving one’s ability to finish projects with vision and determination. His story is a testament to the power of grit and creativity in bringing films to life outside the traditional studio system.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

23 Sep 1h 1min

IFH 820: Screenwriting, The BAM Method, And How To Write A Screenplay That Stands Out with Mike Bierman

IFH 820: Screenwriting, The BAM Method, And How To Write A Screenplay That Stands Out with Mike Bierman

Award-winning screenwriter Mike Bierman has carved an unconventional path into the world of storytelling, moving from reading his daughter’s audition scripts to building a reputation as both a prolific writer and founder of the Facebook group Screenwriters Who Can Actually Write. In this conversation, he shares his journey into screenwriting, his tough-love philosophy for aspiring writers, and the methods he uses to keep scripts sharp, lean, and engaging. Bierman’s unique approach, known as the BAM method (Bierman Asynchronous Method), flips traditional writing on its head by starting with the ending and working backward, ensuring that every scene pushes the story forward.Alongside his process, Mike offers candid insights into the common pitfalls of beginners, from formatting missteps to the trap of relying too heavily on software. He emphasizes that writing is not about perfection on the first draft but about committing words to the page and refining them. His upcoming book, Secrets of Screenwriting: Collected Essays, distills his no-nonsense advice into practical lessons for writers who want to treat screenwriting as a serious craft. Whether through his group, his book, or his methods, Mike challenges writers to move beyond excuses, face the blank page, and create stories that truly stand out.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

16 Sep 1h 59min

IFH 819: How Quentin Tarantino Changed Independent Film: A Conversation with Dale Sherman

IFH 819: How Quentin Tarantino Changed Independent Film: A Conversation with Dale Sherman

In this episode, we welcome Dale Sherman, author of The Quentin Tarantino FAQ, who takes us deep into the life and career of one of cinema’s most unconventional directors. Known first for his books on rock legends like Kiss and Alice Cooper, Dale turned his focus to Tarantino, exploring how a high school dropout and video store clerk rose to redefine independent film. From Tarantino’s abandoned first attempt at filmmaking, My Best Friend’s Birthday, to the unexpected breakthrough of Reservoir Dogs, Dale reveals how persistence, vision, and timing shaped the director’s path and changed Hollywood forever. Dale also dives into the evolution of Tarantino’s storytelling—his nonlinear structures, pop culture-laced dialogue, and signature use of music—while addressing the controversies surrounding violence and language in his films. Drawing on extensive research, Dale offers filmmakers and film lovers alike a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how Tarantino developed his craft and navigated criticism without losing his voice. This conversation is not just a biography but a blueprint for understanding how passion and originality can transform the art of filmmaking.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

9 Sep 30min

IFH 818: From Setbacks to Festival Wins: The Filmmaking Path of Dawn Fields

IFH 818: From Setbacks to Festival Wins: The Filmmaking Path of Dawn Fields

Dawn Fields is a Los Angeles-based producer, writer, and director whose journey through the film industry is marked by both struggle and triumph. Beginning her career as a production assistant in Atlanta, she quickly discovered her true passion was behind the camera. After relocating to Los Angeles with nothing but determination, she worked in distribution and acquisitions before founding Palm Street Films. From early crowdfunding attempts like Zombie Elves to the painful shutdown of Shattered Love, Dawn’s career has been shaped by hard-earned lessons in persistence, preparation, and the realities of independent filmmaking. Her breakthrough came when she stepped into the director’s chair, turning setbacks into opportunities with projects like 209, Found, and Fragile Storm starring Lance Henriksen. Along the way, she learned to navigate the challenges of crowdfunding, casting, and maintaining creative control while still building credibility and an audience. Today, she not only develops new projects but also shares her knowledge through seminars and script contests, guiding emerging filmmakers. Her story stands as a powerful example of resilience in filmmaking—showing that while the path may be filled with setbacks, passion and persistence can transform failures into lasting successes.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

2 Sep 1h 30min

IFH 817: Crafting Stories Frame by Frame with Jason Love

IFH 817: Crafting Stories Frame by Frame with Jason Love

In this episode, we welcome Jason Love, a multi-talented creator whose filmmaking journey began with nothing more than flip books and a VHS camcorder. What started as playful experiments soon grew into a lifelong passion for animation, short films, and motion comics. Jason’s path is far from traditional—after leaving film school frustrated by outdated equipment, he turned instead to digital tools, teaching himself and later teaching others how to create stories with whatever resources they had. From library workshops to YouTube uploads, his philosophy has always been rooted in accessibility, showing that filmmaking is not about expensive cameras but about imagination and persistence. Beyond his teaching and experiments, Jason’s filmmaking ventures have stretched into comics, hybrid projects, and even television appearances. His Kickstarter campaign for an online animation course revealed his belief in breaking down barriers for aspiring creators, offering entry points as low as one dollar to make animation available to everyone. Jason’s story is a reminder that filmmaking thrives on curiosity, courage, and the willingness to start small, whether through a three-second animation, a motion comic, or a daring performance on national TV.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

26 Aug 57min

IFH 816: From Extras to Director’s Chair: The Filmmaking Journey of Rocky Costanzo

IFH 816: From Extras to Director’s Chair: The Filmmaking Journey of Rocky Costanzo

The journey of Rocky Costanzo is a testament to the raw, unpolished path of independent filmmaking. Beginning as an actor and extra on shows like The Wonder Years, he quickly discovered his true passion behind the camera. Without formal film school, Rocky turned to public access television as his training ground, learning through experimentation, trial, and error. From lighting with hardware store lamps to filming with rollerblades for dolly shots, his early projects embodied the scrappy resilience of indie cinema. Each film became a classroom, teaching him the essentials of lighting, sound, storytelling, and directing actors with trust rather than control.As Rocky’s career evolved, so did his perspective on the changing landscape of filmmaking. He acknowledged how technology has lowered production barriers while making distribution more challenging, emphasizing that “story, story, story—that’s what lasts.” His recent project, Ditch Party, highlights this philosophy by focusing less on spectacle and more on the intimate, human drama of students trapped during a tragedy. For Rocky, filmmaking is not just about mastering craft—it is about persistence, passion, and the willingness to embrace limitations as opportunities for creativity.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

19 Aug 52min

IFH 815: Lessons in Filmmaking, Failure, and Persistence with Greg Travis

IFH 815: Lessons in Filmmaking, Failure, and Persistence with Greg Travis

In this episode, veteran actor and director Greg Travis dives into his decades-long filmmaking journey, culminating in the release of his once-abandoned 1984 feature Dark Seduction. Shot on 16mm black-and-white film, the noir-vampire hybrid languished in post-production limbo for over 30 years before digital technology made its completion possible. Greg shares candid stories about the ups and downs of making the film—from lost investors to dusty negatives—and explains how delays actually gave him the chance to polish the project into something stronger than it would have been decades ago. Greg also reflects on lessons learned from working with top-tier directors like David Lynch and Paul Verhoeven, emphasizing the importance of tone, improvisation, and a solid story structure. As both an actor and filmmaker, he offers practical advice for new directors, including taking acting classes, planning with a three-act outline, and remaining open to spontaneous creative choices on set. His story is not just about finishing a movie—it’s about staying committed to your vision through every challenge the industry throws your way.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

12 Aug 54min

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