Indiewood

For our final episode with novelist and screenwriter Julia Batavia, we shed light on the gritty realities of a screenwriter in the modern world. Together, we unpack the myth that simply having an agent or manager paves the way to success, emphasizing the necessity of being your own driving force in the creative world. We’ll hear about personal experiences that highlight the significance of maintai...

For our first screenwriting craft episode, we sit down with novelist and screenwriter Julia Batavia to talk about the often overlooked hurdles to telling a good story. We unlock the secrets of compelling character development and thematic evolution in screenplays, discovering how themes can emerge naturally during the writing process rather than being forced from the onset. While Yaroslav shares h...

On our second episode with the versatile writer Julia Batavia, we go beyond writing to how directing, novels, and narrative podcasts can help you evolve your craft. Julia candidly shares her experiences working on her short film "Neptune," inspired by an interview with Robert Pattinson, and the vital lessons she learned while directing in confined spaces. Julia's reflections on tryi...

Julia Batavia, a screenwriter, novelist, and self-proclaimed one-time director invites us into her creative universe where she shares her experience from her first ever draft to getting repped and hired to write on her first assignment. A testament to the power of passion and perseverance, we’ll hear about Julia’s humble beginnings as an editorial assistant at Penguin Random House to crafting her...

Ever wondered where Emmy-winning multi-hyphenate Gene Gallarano keeps his prestigious accolade? Prepare for a chuckle as Gene reveals his award's unconventional home, sparking a broader conversation on the personal significance and often humorous dynamics of award recognition. We explore insights from John Batiste on how awards, while not defining art, are undeniably coveted. Through our disc...

Gene Gallerano, an award-winning producer, actor, director, and writer, shares his fascinating journey from an actor braving auditions to a director and producer making casting decisions. We uncover his intriguing technique to capturing the attention of casting directors during auditions and his insightful reflections on how technology has reshaped the casting process. This episode pulls back the...

In this episode, Emmy-award winning producer Gene Gallerano recounts how he transformed setbacks into opportunities by reimagining his feature documentary about mentor Austin Pendleton into a short film, ultimately landing a spot at the prestigious Tribeca Film Festival. Gene dives deep into the emotional and creative challenges of documentary filmmaking, drawing inspiration from the late Philip S...

What if you could turn a New York City apartment into a film set, defy industry norms, and create a horror feature with your best friend? In this episode of IndieWood, we welcome the incredibly talented Gene Gallerano, an actor, writer, director and Emmy-award winning producer who has done just that. Gene shares his captivating journey from the stages of NYC to the indie film scene in LA, offering...

Is ambiguity in film endings creative brilliance or just plain frustrating? Is having a clear message better? On this episode of the Indiewood Podcast, we tackle the debate with multi-hyphenate filmmaker Jamie Parslow, who defends the allure of open-ended finales. We kick things off with 2001: A Space Odyssey , exploring how the Cold War shaped its narrative. Jamie praises the thought-provoking na...

Can independent filmmaking pave the way to Hollywood success? Join us as we delve into the inspiring journey of Jamie Parslow—director, writer, producer, and cinematographer—who mastered the complexities of the indie film world with his acclaimed short Black Hole . Jamie and Yaroslav discuss their experience and share candid insights into pitching producers, overcoming the challenges of securing f...

Curious about what it takes for a film to shine at a festival? Join us on the Indiewood Podcast as we chat with award-winning filmmaker Jamie Parslow, who takes us behind the scenes of his journey to winning the Matt Stone Trey Parker Comedy Award for his film Black Hole at the Horsetooth International Film Festival. Jamie shares his experiences from a range of festivals, including the vibrant and...

Can you imagine creating an award-winning short film during a period of unemployment? Jamie Parslow, a true multi-hyphenate in the indie filmmaking world, shares shares how he brought his short film “Black Hole” to life in a single weekend. Learn how a serendipitous meeting at Dances with Films led to a spontaneous and transformative writing session that turned struggle into an artistic triumph! J...

What if navigating the world of indie filmmaking and editing could offer you fresh perspectives and creative breakthroughs? Join us as we sit down with the incredibly talented Allie Rae Treharne, an actor, producer, and theater maker who shares her intriguing journey from the advertising to being cast in a Netflix show to pursuing an MFA in London. Allie opens up about her recent experience editin...

What does it take to break into Hollywood as both an actor and producer? Allie Rae Treharne shares her journey from Utah to Los Angeles, discussing her role on "Atypical," her pivot from advertising to producing the Pulitzer runner-up play "Detroit," and her unique approach to adapting plays into contemporary short films. Rae opens up about her screenwriting endeavors and the e...

Creating theater magic from the ground up, Allie Ray Treharne joins us to share her remarkable journey from the world of film and TV to the nuanced realm of theater production. Discover how Allie Ray stumbled upon Lisa Damour's "Detroit" in an acting class and felt an immediate pull to bring it to life on stage. Despite the challenges of a post-pandemic landscape and industry strike...

In this episode of the Indiewood podcast, we sit down with the inspiring Allie Rae Treharne, who shares her journey from Utah to Los Angeles. Starting in Tokyo, Allie dabbled in the arts and battled imposter syndrome. She attended BYU, where she faced challenges in acting but discovered a new direction in advertising before returning to her passion for acting. Allie opens up about using tools like...

What if Al could transform the tedious tasks of filmmaking, letting creatives focus on storytelling? Is it worth using such a tool? Join us for a special mid-season episode of the Indiewood Podcast with director and editor Michael Rotchadl. With experience in live productions, technical direction, and narrative production, Michael shares unique insights on Al's evolving role in indie film and...

In this episode, we sit down with award-winning director Soma Helmi, who shares her extensive experience and unique Director's Prep for Success methodology. Tune in to hear about Soma's journey through the indie film world, including her collaborations with renowned director Catherine Hardwicke, and learn how thorough preparation can make all the difference. Soma Helmi's online work...

Tune in to filmmaker Soma Helmi as she discusses her journey in indie film distribution, highlighting platforms like Amoletto and Dusk that boosted her short films. Discover essential grants like the CAPE grant and how YouTube is reshaping opportunities for filmmakers to connect with audiences globally. Explore budgeting strategies for indie films, focusing on the benefits of starting small to spa...

This week, we sit down with the incredibly talented Soma Helmi, who shares her inspiring journey from advertising in Jakarta to landing a major directing fellowship. Tune in to learn about the unique challenges she faced in Bali, her experience navigating the industry in LA, and the critical importance of building a network in a new city. Our discussion covers everything from the significance of b...

Curious how self-funding can elevate your indie film? Find out in our Season Two finale of the Indiewood Podcast, where we sit down with the versatile Zina Wilde—actor, producer, writer, and master networker. Zina shares her rollercoaster journey of financing indie films, revealing the emotional and financial risks she's embraced to bring her projects to life. Inspired by the trailblazing Dup...

Have you ever wondered how personal experiences can shape compelling narratives? Join us as we sit down with the insightful Yaro and Zina Wild to unpack the age-old advice of "writing what you know." Our discussion delves into the richness that personal life stories bring to storytelling, making your narratives feel authentic and deeply relatable. We'll also explore the emotional ch...

Ever wondered how filmmakers create stunning visuals on a shoestring budget? Our latest episode features the multi-talented Zina Wild, who shares her experiences as an actor, producer, and writer on a dystopian short film project. She takes us behind the scenes to reveal how she and her team ingeniously transformed ambitious VFX plans into practical, budget-friendly effects. From a light shooting...

Ever wondered how to build a filmmaking team that feels like family? Listen to our conversation with the talented Zina, known for her captivating roles in "Billions" and "80 for Brady," as she reveals her journey of forming a trusted network in the indie film scene. Zina opens up about her beginnings in writing shorts and the serendipitous connections made through her then-boyf...

What if the key to elevating your indie film lies not in the visuals, but in the sounds you incorporate? This episode of the Indiewood Podcast promises to unlock the secrets behind the transformative power of music, sound design, and sound mixing in indie filmmaking. We break down how something as unexpected as layering breathing sounds can make a scene more intimate or using a train’s horn in a s...