Today on the show we have writer/director Rob Smat. His niche film is THE LAST WHISTLE. It is a Football Drama with a budget of 125K, the crew was almost entirely film students, shot in 13 days in Texas, distributed worldwide by Vertical Ent. for 10 theater releases this past June, and originated as a pitch for Rebel Without a Crew TV show and was turned down so I made it myselfRob formed a cast from high-level B-list stars, fostered relationships with distributors before shooting, and focused on production value without losing sight of the story.  Trying to recoup the budget rather than use the festival circuit to find an audience he did not submit the film to any major festivals, we discuss the pros and cons of that strategy.He was 22 when I started developing the project and wanted THE LAST WHISTLE to lead him to a place where he could build a filmmaking business model that could sustain his filmmaking goals.Enjoy my conversation with Rob Smat.

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FT 085: Making and Selling a Niche Indie Film with Rob Smat

After 500 episodes I need a break. To celebrate this insane milestone we are flipping the script. Many of you in the IFH Tribe has asked me to have someone interview me on the show.So I asked my long-time friend and current IFH Show appearance record holder (he’s been on the show 13 times) writer, producer, actor, and [REDACTED] to come in and take hosting duties for me. [REDACTED] and I sit down to look back at 500 episodes of Indie Film Hustle.[REDACTED] asks deep questions about my journey with Indie Film Hustle and the podcast. If you have heard any other episodes with [REDACTED] you’ll know that they were EPIC and this episode was no exception. [REDACTED] digs deep so I really think you will enjoy this episode.I also reveal some BIG NEWS. Indie Film Hustle has relocated cross-country to a new company location. I get into why I decided to move out of Los Angeles and much more. Here’s to another 500 episodes of the Indie Film Hustle Podcast. Thank you all for continue to allow me to serve you and do what I love.Thanks to my friend, [REDACTED] for interviewing me.

FT 084: Building an Audience & Industry Lessons with RB Botto & Alex Ferrari

Today on the show I have Klaus Badelt. We do a deep dive into the state of independent film and self-distribution. We also discuss the Distribber debacle and how filmmakers can get access to their films back from Distribber.Klaus is not only a tech entrepreneur he also writes the occasional score for feature films including The Thin Red Line, The Prince of Egypt, Gladiator, and Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.He also founded Filmhub, a unique way to distribute your indie film. Filmhub allows filmmakers to upload your film for free, while streaming channels discover, order, and stream your work - worldwide. Once revenue starts flowing, 80% goes to you. No deductions or fees. That's it.Enjoy my epic conversation with Klaus Badelt.

FT 083: The State of Self Distribution in Indie Film with Klaus Badelt

Have you ever been in a place where nothing is going right creatively? Do you ever feel like you are standing in your own way? Me too. Today's guest is author Jeff Leisawitz who wrote Not F*ing Around— the No Bullsh*t Guide for Getting Your Creative Dreams Off the Ground.  This little pack is quite a punch.I wanted to have Jeff on the show to drop some knowledge bombs to wake up the tribe a bit. To help you get out of your own way; to get you out of any creative rut.This guidebook is a manual for creatives who can't quite get their creative juices flowing? The day job sucking your soul? Fizzled out before you put the finishing touches on your amazing creation? With relentless positivity, full-on authenticity, and a punk rock thunder spirit, author Jeff Leisawitz pulls back the curtain on the creative process and reminds us that we are all creative SuperStars.It's time to get off the couch and get on the path. It's time to tap into the cosmic heartbeat that thumps in your chest and shines from your soul. It's time to get NFA!About Jeff Leisawitz: Jeff is an award-winning musician/ producer, a critically acclaimed author, and an internationally distributed filmmaker who has devoted his life to creativity.As the guy behind Electron Love Theory, Jeff fused interviews with Seattle’s WTO demonstrators into electronic music, garnering more than a quarter-million downloads worldwide. Jeff has released five studio albums and has landed thousands of music placements in film, TV, and multimedia for clients like HBO, MTV, Discovery, Microsoft, NBC, and many others.As the founding writer for Seattle’s taste-making alternative rock station 107.7 The End, he chronicled the alternative grunge scene in the 90s.After training as a Life Coach and practicing NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Re-Patterning) Jeff landed a gig as an adjunct faculty member at Pacific Lutheran University— teaching college students to rock. (Seriously)When creative businesses, schools, and organizations like Brown Paper Tickets, Tacoma School of the Arts, Gage Academy of Art, Northwest Film Forum, and others need to amp up the creativity, Jeff leads workshops and events to fire up the creative spirit and empower people to tap into their true potential.Enjoy my conversation with Jeff Leisawitz.

FT 082: The NO Bullsh*t Guide to Making Your Indie Film with Jeff Leisawitz

Today on the show we have a director who shot a time travel feature film in two days, his name is Grant Pichla and his film is called Making Time. Making Time's 110 pages were shot in just two crazy, fast-paced days, separated by seven months and a house renovation.After traveling back in time, a divorced workaholic must repeat his past footsteps in order to return to an unaltered present but struggles when it means re-proposing to his ex-wife. How'd they shot​ a full movie in 2 days? This documentary series explains it all.This remarkable documentary is available on Indie Film Hustle TV. Grant and I discuss the insanity of shooting a film in two days, how he came up with this crazy idea, and what it took to put this beast together.Enjoy my conversation with Grant Pichla. 

FT 081: How to Shoot a Feature Film in Two Days with Grant Pichla

Today on the show we have film producer and distributor Shaked Berenson. Shaked has been on the show a few times now and each time he brings a wealth of knowledge bombs to the tribe. Shaked is the CEO of The Horror Collective company---a community of independent horror filmmakers, connecting their films to fans, transparently. It provides direct distribution combined with a cost-effective, high-impact festival, marketing, and release strategy.Shaked Berenson produced, and executive produced 22 features and two television series including many horrors and cult favorites such as Turbo Kid (2015), Big Ass Spider (2013), The Aggression Scale (2012), and most recently, The Man Who Killed Hitler, and The Bigfoot (2019), Extra Ordinary (2019), Pretending I'm A Spiderman - The Tony Hawk Video Game Story (2020), and The Lodgers (2018).In the past 15 years, Shaked financed, marketed, and distributed over 120 films across all genres. He served as a Board Director for IFTA™ (Independent Film & Television Alliance) since 2011, a PGA (Producers Guild of America) member since 2013, and currently on the advisory board of The Film Collaborative, a non-profit committed to distribution education and facilitation of independent film.In this episode, Shaked and I discuss the realities of film distribution in today's world, why most indie films fail to make money, why many film distributors screw over filmmakers, and how filmmakers can better position their films for the marketplace. The RAW TRUTH that Shaked and I discuss is not for the faint of heart but I truly hope it helps filmmakers better understand the marketplace they are entering.Enjoy my conversation with Shaked Berenson.

FT 080: The RAW TRUTH about Film Distribution in Today's World with Shaked Berenson

I've been getting asked almost daily if filmmakers should submit to film festivals during the pandemic since most festivals are moving online? Well, I went straight to an expert to discuss this.On the show today I have one of the leading authorities on film festivals, Chris Holland from Film Festival Secrets.com. Chris is a 20-year veteran of film festivals, journalism, marketing, distribution and literally wrote the book on the subject, Film Festival Secrets: A Handbook For Independent Filmmakers.If you are a listener of the show you also know that Chris and I created a FREE Podcast Series called the Film Festival Hacks Podcast. Chris and I discuss the pros and cons of submitting to film festivals in today's world, what value film festivals have in the current marketplace, and if festivals can bounce back after the brutal hit they took from COVID.Enjoy my conversation with Chris Holland.

FT 079: Are Film Festivals Worth It Durning COVID with Chris Holland

FT 078: Hybrid Self Distribution in the Times of COVID with Peter Rader

FT 077: The American Film Market in the Times of COVID-19 with Jonathan Wolf

I've been working on a new podcast for sometime now. Introduction Next Level Soul. The podcast that asks the big questions about living, evolving and thriving in the world today. The show attempts to answer those questions by having candid and inspiring conversations with thought leaders from every walk of life.Global icon, musician, and animal rights activist, Moby(né, Richard Melville Hall) has lived many lives right before the gazes and judgment of the world. Self-discovery is a continual process that each time, when done right, unravels a new purpose and even newer challenges. This conversation is about the rise and fall of ego, fame, fortune, self-destruction, and eventually self-rediscovery and redemption.Moby came onto the entertainment scene with his 1991 single, ‘Go’ --- the start of a remarkable critical and commercial success. He went on to sell over 20 million records globally; especially with his 1999 album ‘Play’. In the interview, Moby describes the success of the PLAY album as unanticipated. Each track on the record was licensed to films, television shows, and commercials making it one of the most licensed albums in history.The accomplishments brought in a wave, and he rode it. Alcohol and drugs became part of that wave, even missing his mother’s funeral because he was passed out drunk in bed.Moby’s journey to healing, self-peace, and sobriety has not been all unicorns and rainbows. In spite of living the dream life and having the world at his feet, the peak of his career was a period when he suffered deep depression. He sought to turn the course of his fears into a vision of purpose. By, regaining control of his life - sobering up since 2008, finding spirituality that works for him, and crystalizing his imperfect, yet extraordinary life and career in his new documentary, Moby Doc.Moby doc is the creative, offbeat, wry, music-filled chronicle of an eventful life examined. filled with existential discussions, extraordinary concert footage, deep cuts from 30 years of moby’s music, unconventional narrative, quirky animation, rare clips, and thoughts from moby’s friend David Lynch, it’s a vibrant, eclectic conversation between a man and his past. as music and a commitment to veganism and animal rights guide him, moby delves into himself to share honestly what he’s gone through, what it might mean to others, how he turned confusion about life into the beauty of art…and why the answers to some of the deepest questions we can ask as human beings may not be found in the way we’re actually living.It was an honor to have this conversation with this remarkable artist and human being. Please, enjoy my sit-down with the iconic, Moby.

Introducing My New Weekly Podcast with Guest Musical Icon Moby

BONUS EPISODE: Eric Roth - From Forrest Gump to Dune - Adventures Screenwriting in Hollywood

FT 076: Navigating the Shark Invested Film Distribution Waters with Jerome Courshon

After working in the IFH labs for the first part of 2021 I can finally announce what it is. May I introduce Indie Film Hustle's FILMMAKER PROCESS?Filmmaker Process offers comprehensive professional services for hire to help filmmakers and screenwriters, working at any budget level, get their film project to the finish line. I wanted to put the much-needed services filmmakers need but rarely have access to all under one roof.Filmmakers and screenwriters usually could only get access to these services if they "knew someone." Here are the services and products Filmmaker Process gives you access to:- Pitch Decks- Budget and Scheduling- Domestic and International Sales Estimates- Legal Contracts and Form Templates- Indie Film Investor Package- Consulting and Coaching- Script Coverage- Post Production Services- Trailer Editing- Poster, VOD, and DVD/Blu-Ray Artwork- Film Deliverables (Both Physical and Legal)- Production PayrollIn this episode, I go over what each service is and how you can use it to get your film project to the finish line.For more info go to: www.filmmakerprocess.com

ANNOUNCEMENT: Filmmaker Process - Need Help Getting Your Film Funded, Finished and Distributed?

FT 075: How to Make Indie Films That Make REAL Money with J. Horton

So today we are going to go down the rabbit hole of NFTs. What the heck is an NFT. It is a Non Fungible Token. Basically, an NFT is a completely original digital file or a digital collectable which is registered on a blockchain ledger just like any cryptocurrency. But unlike cryptocurrency, like Bitcoin or Ethereum, an NFT is totally unique and because it lives on the blockchain it verifies who is the rightful owner of this one-of-a-kind digital collectable file.In February 2021, digital artist Peebles sold a digital artwork for $69.3 million at auction. You heard correctly almost $70 million for a digital file. The founder of Twitter, Jack Dorsey, sold his very first tweet as an NFT for $2.9 million.It took me a minute to understand what these things were and then it clicked. NFTs are digital baseball cards, comic books, Garbage Pail Kids or Pokemon cards. They are just a digital version and in many ways better because you know exactly how many copies exist.The NBA is sell "moments" as NFTs through NBA Top Shots. Basically, they are selling highlight clips as NFT and they are killing it. Fans of the NBA are gobbling these NFTs as fast as they are released. I really think there is now one doing NFTs better than the NBA right now.Musicians are having amazing success selling NFTs directly to their fans. This is turning the established music industry on its head. NFTs are essentially killing off the middle man. No more label, just a direct relationship with the artist's fans.The other amazing thin about NFTs is that the artist continues to make money on every sale of the NFT forever. Let me explain. When an artist creates a NFT by minting it. Minting is the process of create the digital file (NFT) and placing it on the blockchain. The artist then sets the residual percentage every time the NFT sells.So if I mint a short film and sell it for $500. I get $500. Now, if the new owner sells it 2 years from now for $10,000 I get 10% of that sale. Every time that NFT is resold I get my cut. All transactions transparent. All on the blockchain.So how can filmmakers make money? There are so many options because NFTs are in their infancy. Everyone is trying  to figure out how to use them  in indie film. Some ideas are:Selling the distribution rights to the entire film, like Kevin Smith is doing with is latest film KilljoySelling the distribution rights to your film in shares like the indie film LotawanaCreate  an NFT to a short film to finance itSell NFT collectables from the filmFund raise your film's budget with NFTsThese are just some ideas. I decide to throw my hat in the ring and created an experiment. I minted a few NFTs for my first short film BROKEN and some "legacy NFTs" of the first ever filmmaking tutorials ever uploaded to YouTube. Here is the description of one of the NFTs.This NFT is called Muzzle Flash Breakdown and is one of the first filmmaking tutorials to ever be uploaded to YouTube. It was uploaded on August 28, 2006 by filmmaker, author and Indie Film Hustle Podcast host Alex Ferrari from his 2005 award-winning short film BROKEN. It was taken from the best-selling DVD of the film. That DVD was one of the first indie short films to ever create a massive collection of tutorials and making of videos that explained how to make a low-budget independent film with off-the-shelf software and digital consumer cameras.  This is part of a limited series of filmmaking tutorials that were uploaded to YouTube from the short film BROKEN. All the videos were uploaded and released on the same day in 2006. The external link attached to this NFT will show the original upload to YouTube.Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFPoBZY5BrAWhen you purchase this NFT you will also gain access to the short film BROKEN, the entire collection of tutorials and commentary tracks via private link and passcode. You will also receive the original QuickTime file that was uploaded to YouTube.To access my NFTs go to: www.ifhnft.comI released three of 6 of the total filmmaking tutorials I uploaded on YouTune back in Aug 2006. If these sell out I'll upload the rest and maybe some of my other popular short films I directed over the years. I wanted to give you an example of what an independent film NFT looked like and this is totally an experiment to see what happens.Maybe I'll never sell an NFT, maybe I sell  them three years from now or maybe they will sell out in 15 min. Who knows. What I am excited about is the potential of what this could mean for the indie filmmaking community.In this episode I break down everything you need to know about NFTs, how to make money with them and more. Enjoy!

BONUS EPISODE: The Complete Guide to NFT in Independent Film (and How to Make Money)

This podcast shows you how to turn your filmmaking into a viable business. We do a deep dive into marketing, branding, growth hacking, micro-budget filmmaking, and creating revenue streams from your indie films. They don't teach you this in film school. Host Alex Ferrari interviews some of the film industry's most successful and prolific filmmakers, industry professionals and Filmtreprenuers. If you want to learn how to make money with your independent films then take a listen. Start thinking like a Filmtrepreneur today!

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Filmtrepreneur® - The Entrepreneurial Filmmaking Podcast

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