IFH 807: Making Your Own Damn Movies: Inside Dave Campfield’s Troma-Fueled Filmmaking Path

I'm always looking for indie filmmaking models to study. I like to analyze how other filmmakers make successful indie films while doing through a new DIY method, self distributing their film or achieving critical and fan respect for their work.Well I found a film that checks all the boxes, For Lovers Only create by the Polish Brothers, Michael and Mark Polish (more on that film later). These filmmakers have been making films, on their terms, for over a decade now.Since premiering at Sundance with their debut feature, 1999's Twin Falls Idaho, the brothers have remained steadfast in their commitment to creating personal, character-driven films.How does one make money shooting a feature film on a DSLR? The film in question came from a screenplay that Mark Polish wrote more than a decade ago called For Lovers Only, about an American photographer who runs into an old flame while on assignment in Paris. The film follows the rekindled lovers around Paris, France in a series of quiet vignettes that gradually reveal more about the complications in the couples' lives.Related: DSLR Video Tips: How to Make Your DSLR Film or Video Look More CinematicInspired by the guerilla style of the French New Wave filmmakers of yesteryear, Mark and Michael Polish came up with a simple plan: they'd fly over to France with only a Canon 5D Mark II camera (which they already owned) and one actress (Castle star Stana Katic) in tow and just go out and shoot feature film. Oh did I mention it was in black and white?Michael Polish sat down with me for an amazing interview about his filmmaking life, Hollywood and what it means to be an artist.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

27 Apr 20161h 35min

Do You Need a Movie Star to Sell Your Indie Film?Being in post production for over 20 years, many films have walked through my doors. Some with huge movie stars that go nowhere and other with no stars that win Sundance.The question is do you really need a movie star in your independent film to be able to sell it? The answer is yes...and no. I layout specifics on when and if you need star power in your film and I discuss what the new definition of star power is today.The times they are a changing my indie film hustlers and if you don't change with them you'll be left behind. Take a listen and let me know what you thin in the comments below.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

26 Apr 20168min

Submitting to film festivals is a torture. Did I get in? Did the programmer watch it yet? When will I know? How much to submit? You wait by your email to see if Sundance or SXSW accepted you? Wouldn't be amazing if you had some insight to the film festival process? Maybe even some torture Film Festival Secrets?On the show today I have one of the leading authorities on film festivals, Chris Holland from Film Festival Secrets.com. The man literally wrote the book on the subject, Film Festival Secrets: A Handbook For Independent Filmmakers.So enjoy my conversation with Chris Holland.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

21 Apr 20161h 1min

This is a question I've been asked many times."What is an Independent Film?"Is George Lucas an independent filmmaker? He did make all his films outside the studio system and paid for them all out of his pocket. Is the $8000 horror feature created to with the sole purpose to be sold an independent film? Is the five million dollar film starring a major movie star that worked for scale an independent film?Take a listenBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

19 Apr 201611min

What can I say about Lloyd Kaufman? Director. Writer. Producer. Indie Filmmaker. Innovator. Nice guy. Pain in the ass of main stream media. I believe all of those statements are true and then some. Lloyd Kaufman is one the original indie filmmakers going back to the 1970's. The Troma Universe was born in 1974 with a series of highly original, raunchy comedies such as Squeeze Play!, Stuck On You!, Waitress!, and other film titles ending with an exclamation point.In my favorite decade, the 80's, is where Lloyd Kaufman really made a name for himself. His 1984 sleeper hit The Toxic Avenger launched his career and his production company Troma Entertainment. Creating his own brand of independent films, Lloyd Kaufman discovered there was a market for his "unique type" of films. The success of The Toxic Avenger was followed by a string of commercial and artistic triumphs in a similar vein, blending fantasy, comedy, bad ass action, and a bit of eroticism in a style that can only be described as “Tromatic”.To say this was an enjoyable and entertaining interview would be an understatement. Enjoy my conversation with the one and only Lloyd Kaufman.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

14 Apr 20161h 20min

No One Gives a CRAP What You Shoot Your Film On!OK, so before I get bombarded with hate email please hear me out. I was speaking to my filmmaker inner circle the other day and the topic of format and camera came up. I'm a huge tech head. I love gear as much as the next filmmaker.Hell, you can't make movies without gear. Advances in filmmaking technology has liberated a generation of storytellers, filmmakers and content creators. Now does the audience give a SH*T about what camera you used to make your movie...NO!If you want to know what it really takes to be a successful filmmaker in today's world take a listen to this short podcast.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

12 Apr 201613min

IFH 063: The Walking Dead - Working on the Dead SetIf you are a Walking Dead fan you are going to LOVE this episode. If you ever wanted to know what an assistant director does on set you are going to LOVE this episode. On today's episode we have a long time friend Vince Gonzales. Vince has been working in the film industry for over top decades. His IMDB page is pretty crazy. He's worked on 90 classics like The Sandlot, Speed and What Dreams May Come. Now after 2000 his credits start to heat up: Pearl Harbor, Six Feet Under, Charmed, Boston Legal, Grey's Anatomy, Transformers: Age of Extinction and of course The Walking Dead. I wanted to bring Vince on the show to discuss his time on The Walking Dead but also what it takes to be an assistant director on both small and "monstrous" sets. Don't listen to this episode in the dark. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

6 Apr 201648min

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