Bulletproof Screenwriting™ Podcast

What does it really take to make an independent film with almost no money, no studio backing, and no guarantees? In this episode, filmmakers Bob Woolsey and Darren Borrowman break down the entire chaotic journey of making their indie feature film Do Something with Your Life—from crowdfunding disasters and broken cameras to film festivals, self-distribution, and the harsh realities of today’s indie...

What happens when a lifelong wrestling fan decides to document one of the most chaotic and misunderstood subcultures in entertainment history? In this episode, filmmaker John Philapavage breaks down the 13-year journey of creating Barbed Wire City, the unauthorized documentary about ECW and the culture surrounding extreme wrestling. From tracking down elusive wrestlers and dealing with conflicting...

What does a career look like when it spans cult films, Bollywood productions, Hollywood boardrooms, and ultimately a complete reinvention of purpose? In this episode, Will Keenan shares one of the most unconventional journeys in entertainment. From landing the lead role in Tromeo and Juliet alongside a young James Gunn to producing independent films, working in Bollywood, and eventually becoming a...

What separates a good cinematographer from one that directors, producers, and talent repeatedly trust with high-pressure productions? In this episode, cinematographer Jared Hess shares hard-earned lessons from over a decade shooting for ESPN, WWE, Bellator, and major fight promotions. From filming in dangerous neighborhoods and chaotic gyms to working directly with elite athletes and unpredictable...

Erman Baradi and Brandon Waites share practical, real-world advice on how to network effectively in Hollywood without coming across as desperate or transactional. Drawing from their own journeys — from military service and film school to building strong online presences — they explain why relationships, not scripts, are the true currency of the film industry. Their discussion highlights the import...

What if the biggest threat to your film isn’t your budget… your script… or even your distribution—but something legal you never even thought about? In this episode, Nellie Akalp, CEO of CorpNet, breaks down the essential legal foundations every filmmaker must understand before stepping onto set. From LLCs to liability protection, she reveals why treating your film like a real business isn’t option...

In this episode, Will Ball—talent agent and founder of a new agency—breaks down the harsh realities of the film and acting industry that most aspiring filmmakers never hear. From the oversaturated market in Los Angeles to the misconception that talent alone leads to success, Will explains why many creatives struggle after chasing the Hollywood dream. He shares firsthand experiences from working in...

What really stops independent filmmakers from succeeding? According to producer and actress Jenna Edwards, it’s not talent, money, or even connections—it’s the complete lack of a real plan. In this powerful conversation, Jenna shares the hard truths she learned moving from acting on shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Malcolm in the Middle into producing independent films. From networking mist...

James Altucher breaks down the real foundation of creativity and why most writers and filmmakers struggle—not because they lack talent, but because they don’t consistently generate ideas. He explains how developing an “idea muscle” through daily practice can completely transform your ability to create stories, solve problems, and build projects. Instead of waiting for inspiration, he reframes crea...

What if the biggest obstacle to your film career… isn’t talent—but misunderstanding how the industry actually works? In this eye-opening conversation, Bill Ostroff—founder of one of the longest-running indie film festivals—pulls back the curtain on the hidden realities of film festivals, distribution, and why most indie films never reach an audience. From the explosion of fake festivals to the har...

What if the only thing standing between you and your film career… is you? In this raw and unfiltered conversation, Rob Dimension pulls back the curtain on the real struggles of indie filmmaking—from failed crowdfunding campaigns to the harsh truth about why most people never finish what they start. Drawing from years of experience creating films, building audiences, and navigating the chaos of ind...

Ethan Marten shares his journey from growing up around Hollywood through his father’s connections to forging his own path as an actor, producer, and filmmaker outside the traditional system. From landing early acting roles to learning the realities of auditions, collaboration, and directing, he offers a grounded perspective on what it actually takes to sustain a career in the film industry. His ex...

In this episode, Sandra Leviton pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to build a career in television and film. From her early days working in reality TV to her time at FX during the rise of hit shows like Sons of Anarchy and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, she shares a firsthand look at how the industry has evolved—and why breaking in today is more competitive than ever. She explains...

Guy Goldstein discusses how his background as both a programmer and screenwriter led to the creation of WriterDuet, one of the most innovative screenwriting tools available today. Recognizing that screenwriting is often a collaborative process, he built software that allows writers to work together in real time rather than sending drafts back and forth. The result is a platform designed to streaml...

Patrick Epino shares how a simple YouTube video about Hollywood tropes evolved into the crowdfunded feature film Awesome Asian Bad Guys. After building an audience through the National Film Society, Patrick and his team leveraged their online community to raise over $50,000 on Kickstarter. He explains why crowdfunding requires relentless outreach, consistent content creation, and a pre-existing au...

Jennifer and Kevin Sluder share their journey from North Carolina to Los Angeles and how they built Sunshine Boy Productions into a growing independent film company. Kevin’s early recognition as a screenwriter opened doors, but instead of waiting for projects to materialize, the couple chose to produce their own short films. Their first project ignited a passion for hands-on filmmaking and laid th...

Aaron Kaufman and Brian Levin share an unfiltered look at how independent filmmakers can build real momentum by creating instead of waiting. Drawing from experiences ranging from YouTube comedy to studio features, they explain the power of the “Rodriguez List”—writing scripts based on the assets you already have. Their approach emphasizes volume, consistency, and learning through execution rather...

David Powers shares his unconventional path into filmmaking, one driven by curiosity rather than credentials. From discovering cinema through genre films and festivals to learning production hands-on through wrestling shoots and indie sets, David explains how real-world experience shaped his understanding of storytelling, collaboration, and problem-solving. His journey highlights how festivals lik...

Marc Bienstock shares an honest look at what producing really means, drawing from decades of experience on both independent and studio films. From his early days at NYU and directing features to becoming a trusted producer on projects like The Visit and Split, Marc explains how preparation, communication, and team building form the foundation of every successful production. His philosophy centers...

On today’s episode, we meet David Ash, a filmmaker who perfectly embodies the spirit of the weekend warrior — balancing a demanding corporate career, a family of four, and a thriving passion for filmmaking. Living in the Twin Cities, Ash proves that a creative life doesn’t have to mean abandoning stability. With a degree in business administration and a full-time job as a treasury director, he sti...

David Feinman shares how cinematic storytelling can be used to build successful businesses and viral experiences. From creating Zombie Run—a nationwide immersive event inspired by zombie films—to founding Viral Idea Marketing, David explains how understanding narrative, pacing, and emotion allows content to cut through digital noise. His approach treats marketing like filmmaking, where suspense, s...

Charmane Star shares her unexpected journey from a small role in Black Dynamite to discovering a deep passion for independent filmmaking. What began as a routine booking evolved into a Sundance Film Festival premiere and a Sony Pictures acquisition, introducing her to the collaborative and global nature of indie cinema. Through international screenings, she gained firsthand insight into how cultur...

Melanie Wise, a former model and actress, discusses her transition to producing due to height-related challenges in acting. She produced the horror action film "Hannah's Gift," which she also starred in, and faced issues with lost masters and ineffective editors. Wise co-founded the Artemis Film Festival to showcase women in action roles, highlighting historical female contributions and contempora...

The Jalbert Brothers share how they built their filmmaking careers by embracing low budgets, consistent output, and hands-on learning. Rather than waiting for funding or studio approval, they focused on making films with minimal resources, sometimes for as little as $1,000. Each project became a practical lesson in storytelling, directing, editing, and problem-solving, allowing them to sharpen the...

Chris Jay, once a touring musician with the rock band Army of Freshmen, found a new creative path when the music industry shifted and opportunities dried up. Instead of giving up, he and his bandmate Aaron Goldberg turned to filmmaking, writing and producing their first feature, The Bet. Without studio backing or formal film education, the duo learned everything from scratch — from writing the scr...