Indie Film Hustle® - A Filmmaking Podcast

On today's episode, we welcome Matthew T. Burns, an individual who embodies resilience, creativity, and reinvention. Known to wrestling fans as "Sick Nick Mondo," Matthew has transitioned from his legendary career in ultraviolent wrestling to become a filmmaker, storyteller, and advocate for the art of storytelling. His journey is nothing short of a profound odyssey, weaving together themes of pas...

On today's episode, we welcome the multi-talented Kim Ray, a writer, producer, and director whose career spans reality TV, documentaries, and scripted projects. Best known for her work on the Netflix documentary Gaga: Five Foot Two, Kim’s journey through the industry is an inspiring tale of creativity, resilience, and innovation. Our conversation begins with Kim’s fascinating experience co-writing...

There’s a certain magic in the way creativity stirs the soul, and on today’s episode, we welcome Kristin Overn, a seasoned producer and the visionary behind the PAGE International Screenwriting Awards. With a career steeped in the art of storytelling, Kristin has spent years cultivating opportunities for writers to transform their ideas into scripts that resonate across the industry. Kristin’s jou...

On today’s episode, we are graced with Kristen Maldonado, a vibrant storyteller whose passion for pop culture and digital strategy has led her to roles like Social Media Manager at MTV's "Total Request Live." Kristen’s journey from theater major to social media powerhouse is nothing short of inspiring, filled with twists, determination, and a lot of heart. Kristen started her career as a theater e...

The landscape of existence can sometimes feel like a cosmic play—actors shifting between roles, creating stories that ripple through time. On today's episode, we welcome Phil Proctor, an artist whose life weaves a tapestry of creativity, resilience, and humor. Known for his work with the legendary Firesign Theatre and an illustrious voice acting career, Phil has left an indelible mark on the world...

When two brothers decide to turn their holiday traditions into a cinematic thrill, they step into a world where creativity is born from the mundane. On today's episode, we welcome Peter Paul and Tony Shaker, the innovative minds behind the indie horror film Killer Christmas. With the echoes of sleigh bells and the flicker of holiday lights, they invite us into their journey of making an 80-minute...

Stories are the connective tissue of humanity. They reveal our commonality, our struggles, and our triumphs. And in the vibrant chaos of the world, some individuals rise with a unique ability to live, breathe, and tell these stories—through performance, words, and relentless passion. Today, we welcome Jenny Paul, an actress and producer who has graced both the stage and the screen with her ever-de...

On today's episode, we dive into the fascinating world of creativity, resilience, and the art of storytelling with Phillip Andrew, a multi-talented producer, motivational speaker, and DJ from Los Angeles. From his humble beginnings in Michigan to his relentless pursuit of opportunities in Hollywood, Phillip's journey is a testament to the power of determination, adaptability, and the enduring impa...

On today’s episode, we welcome the dynamic duo, Lily Yasuda and Michael Wolfe, two inspiring filmmakers who have decided to take the road less traveled by creating their own feature film, Like Love. Their journey is one of collaboration, determination, and creativity—filled with moments of laughter and the occasional unexpected hurdle. From the outset, you’ll sense the chemistry between Lily and M...

On today's episode, we welcome Jim Wynorski, a filmmaker whose career is a kaleidoscope of genres, relentless creativity, and a staggering portfolio of over 160 films. Known for his ability to churn out projects with unmatched efficiency, Jim's journey through the cinematic landscape is nothing short of fascinating. From cult classics like Chopping Mall to unexpected forays into family-friendly te...

The craft of filmmaking is as much about the soul as it is about the frame. In today's conversation, we sit down with Kansas Bowling, a maverick filmmaker who began charting her creative course at just 17 years old. As the first graduate of the Troma Institute for the Gifted, Kansas burst onto the scene with her debut feature, B.C. Butcher, a cavewoman slasher filmed on 16mm. From that bold beginn...

In today’s episode, we welcome the brilliant comedic minds behind Chasing Molly: Shelley Pack and Josh Sutherland. Together, they share the odyssey of making an independent film from scratch, driven by pure creativity and an unwavering dedication to laughter and storytelling. Their journey is not just one of filmmaking but of persistence, grit, and a desire to carve a unique voice in the comedy ge...

On today's episode, we welcome Jameson Parker, a seasoned producer with roots in theater, who’s climbed the ranks in the world of film and television. As a Development Director at Bright Light Pictures, Jameson has developed a keen eye for projects that align with his passion and resonate with audiences. Starting as an actor, he transitioned to production, taking on the mentorship of industry vete...

On today's episode, we welcome Sean Buckley, founder and CEO of Buck Productions. From humble beginnings to becoming a force in content creation, Sean’s journey is a testament to persistence, passion, and adaptability. Through his story, he paints a vivid picture of the challenges of building a media production company from scratch, especially in an ever-evolving industry where technology has tran...

Today on the show we have author, filmmaker and screenwriter Mick Hurbis-Cherrier. Mick  is an independent filmmaker and screenwriter. His works have been broadcast and shown around the country and have garnered prizes at many festivals including the Black Maria Film & Video Festival, Ann Arbor Film Festival, Athens Film & Video Festival and the Cin(e) Poems National Film Festival. His wor...

Tom Benedek is a screenwriter known for his work in the film industry. He was born on March 16, 1949, in Los Angeles, California, USA. Benedek has written several screenplays for movies across various genres. One of his notable works includes co-writing the screenplay for the 1984 science fiction film "Cocoon," directed by Ron Howard. "Cocoon" was a critical and commercial success and received two...

Today on the show we have Jim Mercurio. Jim is a filmmaker, writer, and author whose screenwriting instruction has inspired tens of thousands of writers around the world.  Creative Screenwriting ranked him as one of the country’s top story analysts: “The best example of how an analyst can give concrete help without veering off the track of your story... (Jim) is not just telling you how to rewrite...

Today on the show we have Emmanuel Oberg. Emmanuel is a screenwriter, author and script consultant with more than twenty years of experience in the Film and TV industry. After selling his first project to Warner Bros as a co-writer, he went on to be commissioned by StudioCanal and Gold Circle before writing solo for Working Title / Universal and Film4.He has also designed an internationally acclai...

Sarah Elizabeth Mintz received her BFA from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, where she completed her thesis film Transit, starring Dakota Johnson. After graduating she mentored with filmmakers Cary Fukunaga on True Detective, Joachim Trier on Louder Than Bombs, and worked with Alejandro Inarritu on The Revenant. Sarah was a Sundance Fellow in the 2017 Writer’s Intensive and 2018 Sun...

Aram Rappaport is filmmaker based in New York. Originally from Los Angeles, he began writing, directing and producing in his late teens including the one-take experimental film HELIX starring Alexa Vega. He later adapted, produced and directed Max Berry's acclaimed novel into the film SYRUP starring Amber Heard, Shiloh Fernandez and Kellan Lutz and wrote, produced and directed the original film TH...

Brooks Elms is a screenwriter and independent filmmaker. His specialty is grounded personal characters and writing story tension so thick it knots up your stomach. He's written 25+ screenplays, a dozen of them on assignment, and sold several scripts, including one this year with Brad Peyton as Executive Producer. Brooks was recently hired to rewrite a screenplay started by an Oscar-winning writer....

If you were a kid of the late 80s or early 90s then today's guest definitely had an impact on your life. Larry Wilson is the co-creator of the cult classic Beetlejuice (directed by Tim Burton), writer of Addams Family and worked on the legendary television show Tales from the Crypt. Larry wasn't always a screenwriter, he worked on the studio side of things as well as an executive. In this intervie...

Jocelyn Jones was raised in an artist's community on the Hudson River just 30 minutes north of Manhattan. This idyllic hamlet is home to some of the most influential artists of our time and it was here that her interest in art, artists and their process began. She is the daughter of Henry Jones, a character actor whose credits include some 40 films and over 300 televisions shows. Mr. Jones started...

Niceole grew up under the bright stars of the Mojave Desert before swapping them for bright lights of Los Angeles. Studying acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts yielded the epiphany that she preferred writing. She worked as a police dispatcher to pay her way through undergraduate USC, and then completed the Master of Professional Writing program, also at USC. An alum of the CBS Writers...

Today on the show we have Oscar® and two-time Emmy® Nominee Simon Kinberg. He has established himself as one of Hollywood’s most prolific filmmakers, having written and produced projects for some of the most successful franchises in the modern era. His films have earned more than seven billion dollars worldwide.  Kinberg graduated from Brown University and received his MFA from Columbia University...