420 - Director Jonathan Bowen on Building Community and Legacy in Las Vegas, His Film “The Comic Shop,” and the Realities of Making It in Film

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Hello, Hello! 

In this episode, filmmaker Jonathan Bowen joins us to share his journey from running fan sites to directing movies in Las Vegas, offering a candid look at the realities of independent film, including his feature film (streaming now), The Comic Shop. We dive into the challenges of building an authentic audience, balancing creative passion with financial sustainability, and making a lasting impact through film. We hope to provide some practical advice on grassroots marketing, community building, and the importance of staying true to your vision as a filmmaker.

We also talk about:

• The parallels between running an indie comic shop and navigating the world of independent filmmaking.
• How daily creative habits and perseverance can keep your filmmaking dreams alive.
• The significance of audience polls and data in shaping creative and marketing decisions.
• The history and trivia of films shot in Las Vegas, including the first feature filmed entirely in the city.
• Personal stories about creative inspiration, favorite films, and the role of risk-taking in artistic careers.

People, Places, Products, and Websites Mentioned:

Amy Allison Fans (film)

Las Vegas Shakedown (film)

El Rancho Vegas Hotel (Las Vegas)

Quiver (film distributor)

YouTube Red

Tubi (streaming/podcast platforms)

PG County Film Festival (Maryland)

Nashville Film Festival (Tennessee)

Senior Living Tours (video production reference)

Fantasy Flight Games

Marvel

Game of Thrones

Joni Mitchell (musician)

Kevin Kelly (author, “1000 True Fans”)

David Fincher (director)

Daniel Day-Lewis (actor)

Emerald Fennell (director)

Michael Mann (director)

Michael Madsen (actor)

Jesse Metcalf (actor)

Joe Ligo (guest/episode reference)

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