indie spunk: UNFILTERED

"When it comes to building & monetizing a business that gives you brand visibility AND the ability to build a big abundant creative life... you HAVE to be able execute quickly. We don't have time for complicated. We don't have time for small. We don't have time for fear..." APPLY TO JOIN *FREEDOM CREATOR* HERE.

This isn't the end... It's just a new beginning! Things will be changing for the pod next year, so we compiled the BEST of the best highlights of Season 1 so all your film tips could land in one place! Keep an eye out for more episodes in 2024, and join us on January 12th at 2pm for the Momentum Retreat to kickstart your 2024 with High-Level Support & Your Unique Action Plan! Snag tick...

In this episode, Izzy has a vulnerable, honest and empowering convo with Katy Chen Mazzara about financial wellness as a freelancer. Katy Chen Mazzara is a certified trauma-informed financial wellness coach and graduate of UC Berkeley’s Personal Financial Planning program. As a former TV producer and award-winning documentary filmmaker, Katy understands the balance between dreaming and doing. Thro...

This is an exclusive recording of a Q&A Workshop inside the All-Access membership of indie spunk club. BLACK FRIDAY OFFERS expire on Friday 11/24 at 8 pm PST! Get in on it here. In this episode, Izzy speaks with close friend and Sundance director Chloé Aktas. They discuss capitalizing on beginner’s luck, making pitching personal, and Chloe’s process for writing. By the end of this episode, you...

In this episode, Izzy and Sonja explore Sonja’s journey of self-made success, forged through hard work, relationship-building, and creating her own opportunities.  Sonja O'Hara, an Emmy-nominated queer writer/director/actor, represented by The Gotham Group and WME, has been recognized as one of the "10 Filmmakers To Watch" by Independent Magazine. She's known for her Shudder seri...

In this episode, Izzy dives deep with TV & Film Writer Tawnya Benavides Bhattacharya. They discuss how betting on herself led Tawnya on a journey toward writing and to the creation of her business, Script Anatomy.  As Izzy and Tawnya discover similarities in their life paths, Tawnya shares how building her platform coincided with her career taking off. Tawnya and her writing partner, Ali Laven...

Sneak a peek inside one of Izzy’s coaching calls in this episode... THE DOORS TO SCRIPT TO SCREEN CLOSE TOMORROW OCT 10! Get your booty in here: https://indiespunk.com/script-to-screen   In this ep, Izzy also discusses how she’s built her career over the past decade, through failures and setbacks, from hiding her first short film, to landing premieres at prestigious film festivals and getting feat...

JOIN INDIE SPUNK CLUB FOR FREE & COME TO ELEVATE TO YOUR NEXT BIG PROJECT: https://indiespunk.com/script-to-screen In this episode, Izzy speaks with her client, actor/filmmaker Renu Razdan about her journey as a first time filmmaker, and the joy that comes with knowing that you only get to do that once! Former Silicon Valley Tech Exec turned actor and now filmmaker, Renu came to indie spunk wa...

Click HERE (and scroll down) to add yourself to the indie spunk mailing list & be one of the first to snag a free membership to indie spunk club! (Avail until Oct 4 2023 only!) _________________________________ In this special extra-Aussie episode, Izzy talks with long time friends and collaborators, Raechelle and Karina Banno, to speak about their newest project THE PARTY JOB and their produc...

This is Part Two of a three part series recorded LIVE at Production Connect’s indie film night, co-hosted by Izzy and award-winning filmmaker & founder of Production Connect, Andrew Sandler. Featuring Brandon Dermer, Quinn Shephard and Izzy Stevens. In part two, Izzy and Andrew chat to the wonderful Quinn Shephard about her path to becoming a breakout film director. Quinn’s directorial debut f...

This is Part One of a three part series recorded LIVE at Production Connect’s indie film night, co-hosted by Izzy and award-winning filmmaker & founder of Production Connect, Andrew Sandler. Featuring Brandon Dermer, Quinn Shephard and Izzy Stevens. In part one, Izzy and Andrew chat to Brandon Dermer about his path to becoming an indie filmmaker. Brandon’s debut feature “I’m Totally Fine” star...

Hop on the waitlist for Micro-Budge Bootcamp quick if you want early discounted access: https://indiespunk.com/bootcamp Meditation starts at 4:11.

Listen: We have to get out of our own way. Take a peak at micro-budge bootcamp & hop on the waitlist here 🚀 I hate to break it to you, but your current project is NOT the be-all-and-end-all. It is NOT make-or-break to your career. It's a just a puzzle piece. The whole puzzle is so much larger. But our ego can do some funky shit when we're 'new' to a film role or a trying a new...

Download Izzy's brand new Movie Money Mini-Masterclass for free, right here (+ access a PDF sample budget for a 6k short film) ------------------------ Let's get technical! In this episode, Izzy is joined by the brilliant minds behind Cinematography for Actors, founders Indeana Underhill and Haeleigh Royall, and CFA partner Breanna Wing. CFA are focused on the technical side of performance...

In today’s episode, Izzy answers a common question from her indie spunk club members: How to transition from working for free to getting paid as a creative?  Our money mentality can be one of our biggest creative blocks. Through sharing her own story of getting paid as a director for the first time,  Izzy goes into detail on the mindset shifts that need to happen, as well as some practical advice...

In this episode, Izzy chats with actor, podcast host, and communications coach, Michelle Miller . As the host of the Mentors on the Mic podcast, Michelle engages with industry veterans and emerging talent to uncover the stories, insights, and lessons that have shaped their successful careers. From her journey as a working actor to deciding to become a communications coach for creatives to intervie...

Join Micro-Budge Bootcamp [DOORS CLOSE IN 2 DAYS] Couldn't make it to Izzy’s free class ‘ Money Doesn't Make Your Film ’ last week? Press play to hear a key lesson from the class.  In this episode: Izzy shares her #1 scriptwriting tool when working with a micro budget short film, and how it helped her turn a failing short into a festival success. Micro-Budge Bootcamp kicks off on June 28th...

Snag a spot to Izzy's free Masterclass Here >>>. -------------------------------- In today's episode, Izzy gets a lil sassy about the oft heard phrase creatives hear: "Why don't you just make your own work?" But is it really that simple? Don't feel obligated to create a film cuz it's what you "should" do. But if you have a project noodling around in...

Snag your spot to the FREE upcoming masterclass >>> Money Doesn't Make Your Film [an introduction to Micro-Budge Filmmaking] . -------- In this episode, Izzy sits down with actor, creator, and host, Sarah Pribis . Sarah has amassed over 200k followers across her social media channels for her working actor life videos (If you're on Tik Tok you've probably seen her there!). From...

In this episode, Izzy is breaking down 3 actionable tips to managing your time and creativity wisely – without causing burnout. From setting intentions for each project to visualizing progress and avoiding calendar fatigue, listen up to feel more confidence in your creativity and managing your workload effectively, including:   starting with intention how to delegate when you’re so used to doing i...

In this special LIVE episode, Izzy sits down with actress, writer, and creator, Marta Pozzan at Aviator Nation Dreamland in Malibu at the official indie spunk Podcast launch party to talk about the importance of female filmmakers. From her early days in Italy dreaming of moving to Los Angeles to be a filmmaker to what it’s like working with one of the top directors in the industry. Marta and Izzy...

In this episode, Izzy dives into the importance of casting in indie filmmaking – something that can make or break your film. From casting her first film with no knowledge of casting to getting confident with matching her actors to the tone of her films, Izzy gives practical and actionable tips for casting, including how to:   — identify qualities and talents you are looking for in your actors — fi...

Ever wondered what it’s like to make a living as a TV comedy writer? Or be in the Writer’s Room for one of the most popular animated series’ on TV? Izzy sits down with Writer + Comedian, Julia Prescott, to answer those questions and more – from learning how to advocate for yourself as you grow and evolve in the industry to figuring out how to trust your own voice and what your passionate about. Ju...

In this episode, Izzy gets real about what it was like launching a podcast while also being a full time coach and filmmaker, and the mindset shifts that have come through the process. From having to postpone the launch to learning how to trust the support of others, Izzy goes behind the scenes of indie spunk, including: — how to build a successful team around you — the importance of having a great...

How do I gain support as an emerging director, producer, or screenwriter? Should I get a producer on the team? What to the Sundance Labs look for and how to they support talent? If you’ve found yourself laying in bed at 3am pondering these kinds of questions, listen up as Izzy chats with Lauren Lukow – Producer & Sundance Managing Director. As the Manager of Creative Producing and Artist Suppo...