Film Hustlers

Send us Fan Mail If you think filmmaking is just about a good script and a camera, think again. Today, you literally cannot get a movie financed without mastering the tax credit game. On this episode, the Film Hustlers talk about state incentives.    We also tackle major shifts in the entertainment landscape: Why local stations axed Access Hollywood in favor of social media content, and how indust...

Send us Fan Mail Clay Epstein drops distributor secrets every young filmmaker must hear on Part 2 of The Film Hustlers Podcast — The budget sweet spot, making a commercial calling card. The added value you need for indie success, and the new Nancy Joan Epstein CSUN “New Voices” scholarship. Hit play if you dare. 🎬🔥 #FilmHustler #IndieFilm #Filmmaking #FilmDistribution #FilmSchool #FilmTips #NewV...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back, Film Hustlers! 🌍 If you’ve ever wondered if it’s actually worth raising a million bucks to make an independent movie, this is the one episode you cannot afford to miss. Veteran film distributor Clay Epstein (Founder of Film Mode Entertainment)      pulls back the curtain on the harsh realities of the market, the myth of "gurus" telling you to believe in yo...

Send us Fan Mail Over $42 Billion is still on the table. Claim it? The business is shifting, but the money hasn't disappeared— On this episode of Film Hustlers , we’re breaking down the cable movie - 15 days, 10 locations, and 8 or so characters. High-concept hooks lift eyebrows. Let's talk about a strategy to stay relevant. Key Highlights: The Outline is King: Why you should stop writin...

Send us Fan Mail We’re sitting down with Father Tom Gibbons, President of Paulist Productions, to discuss the "secret sauce" that has them collaborating with A-listers like Martin Sheen and Chris Pratt . We talk about their acclaimed anthology series, INSIGHT, which ran from 1960 to 1985 and won multiple Emmy Awards. Let's pull back the curtain on the intersection of the sacred and...

Send us Fan Mail Industry vet Jen Aguillon dropped by the Library Cigar Lounge to talk career longevity, the evolution of news, and why "hustling" is a core value. If you’re looking for a dose of positive energy and some real-talk advice on breaking into the biz, this is the episode for you. Watch the full episode on YouTube! 🎥 #FilmHustlers #Podcast #FilmIndustry #CareerAdvice #AccessH...

Send us Fan Mail The needle is moving faster than ever in the film industry. In this episode of Film Hustlers, host Mark Roberts, Rod "Tuddy" Rinks are joined by veteran exec and producer  Ann Lewis Roberts to break down the radical shift from traditional gatekeepers to independent success. We dive deep into the "ultimate blueprint" for modern filmmakers: the story of Iron Lung...

Send us Fan Mail Production Design is often the "invisible" art of filmmaking, but Hustler Robert Wise explains that everything the camera sees is a result of his work. Join the Huslers as they dive into the high-stakes world of the Art Department. From his early days on the iconic Blink-182 "All The Small Things" music video to managing Kanye West’s Sunday Service with an Amex...

Send us Fan Mail On this Micro-Drama edition of Film Hustlers, we sit down with Hollywood heavyweight Tommy Harper, Producer behind Top Gun: Maverick, Mission: Impossible, Star Wars, and currently shooting Wednesday Season 3 in Ireland! and Kasey Esser, the "Brad Pitt of Verticals" with over 57 series and 500 MILLION views! to talk about the future of entertainment.  We dive deep into ho...

Send us Fan Mail The Film Hustlers talk about the secrets to thriving in today’s film industry! Discover how the game has changed since the 90s and learn powerful networking strategies to catch the eye of agents. They discuss  tips on securing funding and overcoming distribution hurdles, while Davy shares his social media wisdom to help you stand out in a crowded market. Plus, find out why getting...

Send us Fan Mail Film Hustlers — Season 6 (now with video) — is a fast-moving Podcast for filmmakers, creators, and anyone hustling in today’s shifting media landscape. Hosts Mark Roberts, Tuddy (Rod Rinks), and Davey  Dave mix 30 years of indie filmmaking experience, industry news, practical advice on financing, distribution, and cross-platform content, plus candid conversations about making movi...

Send us Fan Mail Ann Lewis Roberts explains how she climbed from intern to network leader and shares today’s creator playbook: get in the door any way you can, treat brands like studios, own and repurpose your content. YouTube, Verticles and MUCH MORE!!         #FilmHustlers #CreatorPlaybook #Filmmaking #ContentStrategy #Reels #YouTubeShorts #IndieFilm #MediaCareer

Send us Fan Mail Russell Emanuel — co‑founder and CEO of Extreme Music — joins Film Hustlers to unpack how he turned a dusty music library into a global, tech‑driven powerhouse that lets filmmakers instantly find, customize, and license premium cues without the Hollywood price tag. He explains the company’s radical focus on real composers, remixable tracks, and bespoke scoring through Bleeding Fin...

Send us Fan Mail Season 6 of Film Hustlers is HERE! — 🔥 No-fluff, state tax credits, Great tax credit states,  auditing tax credits — and the exact moves to stretch your budget, protect investors, and actually finish your film. For indie filmmakers who want results. Tune in, level up, and make your next project unstoppable. 

Send us Fan Mail Join us for an electrifying episode of Film Hustlers as we welcome our very own, the talented Davie Dave Morales! Dive into his journey through the worlds of Social Media, Comedy, and Acting, as he shares the behind-the-scenes stories of performing on stage and capturing the magic on screen. Davie brings humor and insight into the challenges of stand-up comedy, his evolution as an...

Send us Fan Mail From the trenches to the screen: John Schimke breaks down the high-stakes chess game of modern filmmaking and why the 'hustle' is the only real currency. He also talks about his new film Where the Wind Blows.

Send us Fan Mail This week, the multi-talented Actor, Producer Guy Nardulli , talks about his journey from Pro football to General Hospital to Tulsa King.  #FilmHustlerPodcast #TheChristmasSpark #GuyNardulli #Filmmaking #Podcast #BehindTheScenes #FilmIndustry #Streaming #HollywoodHustle

Send us Fan Mail Episode: David Kendall (writer/director/producer) — This week the Film Hustlers sit down with TV vet David Kendall (Growing Pains, Boy Meets World, iCarly, Hannah Montana) to unpack sixty-plus episodes, breaking into Hollywood with a spec script, and the real hustle of writing, directing, and producing. They also discuss making their Lifetime movie Steppin' Into the Holiday (...

Send us Fan Mail On this week’s Film Hustlers , we get real with Concrete — a true artist who’s been through the trenches. From losing everything in a theft to grinding behind the scenes in music, acting, and comedy, his story is about hustle, resilience, and never giving up. He tells us about his new Comedy Collaboration with Mario Lopez WEY OUT LOUD! and his new role in The Christmas Spark. Don&...

Send us Fan Mail Film Hustlers: Back to One: The Art of the Pitch & Making Your Money Back 🎬💰 🔥 The Hustle is Global! Mark, Tuddy, and Davie Dave are talking to hustlers worldwide! This week, we dive into The Pitch . How to practice your pitch until it's second nature (even with your wife!), and why you should NEVER get discouraged when someone tunes out. Plus, Tuddy breaks down the ul...

Send us Fan Mail The Hustlers welcome Dr. Tina Vartanian , the principal of the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts (LACHSA)—widely considered the #1 public arts high school in the nation. In a candid, personal conversation, we dive into: How a school modeled after the movie Fame is adapting its curriculum to prepare students for a rapidly changing industry (yes, we're talking about A...

Send us Fan Mail Ann Roberts and the Hustlers discuss the resurgence of live TV, and the growing importance of YouTube and brand-funded content. They analyze the strategies of major players, such as Paramount+, Netflix, Apple, and Warner Bros., and explore opportunities for independent filmmakers and content creators to thrive in the current environment.  The Rise of YouTube and Brand-Funded Conte...

Send us Fan Mail 🎬 Exciting Episode Alert! 🎬 This week on the Film Hustler Podcast, we sit down with the unstoppable - Gil Lopez Hollywood producer, showrunner, and behind-the-scenes mastermind with nearly 30 years of experience! From starting out on Saved by the Bell - The New Class  to transforming iconic shows like Nashville and LA Inc. , Gil shares his incredible journey through the entertai...

Send us Fan Mail Dive in and unpack the shifting landscape of filmmaking, from tax incentives to the rise of short-form, mobile-friendly content like mobisodes and what the future holds for indie filmmakers in a rapidly evolving industry. Plus, the importance of smart content strategies, and how creators can adapt and thrive in a world where attention spans are shrinking. A must-listen for anyone...

Send us Fan Mail How to cast a name STAR in your $10,000 Movie! AND special guest Eric Swanson talks about the heartbreak of getting his script idea stolen and turned into a hit movie.