Movie Moolah Podcast

Movie Moolah Podcast

The Movie Moolah Podcast is all about the business of the entertainment industry. We bring on serious people to talk about serious topics facing the film and television industry in conversations that often get a little silly. The podcast is hosted by Veteran executive Producer Ben Yennie who’s overseen multiple indie theatrical runs and directly sold films to outlets like Starz, Showtime, Walmart, Redbox, every TVOD and AVOD platform, and dozens of international territories. His credits include Tim Travers and The Time Travelers Paradox, I Am Lisa, Queen of the Capital, and many more.

Episodes

November 28, 2023 57 mins

If you want to make a living as a filmmaker without a day job, you have to do more than make great movies. Indie Filmmakers need to have a shrewd business sense, which means that you as a content creator need to thoroughly understand the economics of the film industry. That's why I brought on my longtime friend and collaborator Bruce Nash to talk about data that drives the film industry. Check it out for a thorough analysis of ...

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Filmmakers in both the studio system as well as on the independent side of the film industry are often vexed by film distribution, marketing, and press relationships. That's why we had Ben's long-time client and former business partner from Mutiny Pictures on the podcast to talk about his experiences as a director seeking distribution for his film as well as working on the inside of an independent film distribution startup....

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If you want to be the top dog on a series, you're going to need to know what's involved in pitching streamers and networks. This illuminating interview with independent filmmaker David Chai is all about the path to creating your first series, as well as some interesting information about an innovative new studio's methods of figuring out who will watch your film, as well as how to reach them. Finally, David and I talk a...

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In this episode of the movie moolah podcast, I speak to long-time friend Joanne Butcher who has helped more than 20 filmmakers make their first feature. Find Joanne below. Website https://www.filmmakersuccess.com/Filmmaker-Success-Home Clubhouse https://www.clubhouse.com/join/filmmakers-on-filmmaking/pOFv6idw/xoe74zQo Instagram https://www.instagram.com/joannefilm/ Facebook Group bit.ly/FilmGlobal LinkedIn https://www.linked...

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In this special episode of the Movie Moolah Podcast, I chat with Jason T. Gaffney, a strike captain for SAG-AFTRA in the LA Area about the situation on the front lines as well as a few misconceptions about the strike and what it's actually about. Donate to the Entertainment Community Fund to support actors through the strike: https://secure2.convio.net/afa/site/Donation2?df_id=8377&mfc_pref=T&8377.donation=form1&g...

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In this episode of the movie moolah podcast, we talk about the issues with diversity that still pervade Hollywood. This isn't a question of being woke, it's a conversation about economics and how studios are missing the mark by only focusing on Diversity on a surface level.


We also talk about how to get your first job in the film industry, how producers can get their degree when film schools don't teach business, a...

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Making your first feature film is hard. Making it for a 7 figure budget is nearly impossible. In the 10th episode of the Movie Moolah Podcast we talk about the perils of creating family films, how to attach recognizable names, the con artists that run rampant about the industry, and the importance of background work in creating a sustainable indiefilm career. Stimson is the director of Tim Travers and the Time Travelers Paradox, ...

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If you're a filmmaker, you need to shoot locally but think globally if you want to make any significant money from the distribution of your film. In this episode of the Movie Moolah Podcast, I talk to Brittany Devries about the landscape of funding and shooting truly independent films in Panama, as well as the effects on regional cinema,. We also talk about our experiences at Film Markets like The American Film Market (AFM) The...

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It's no secret that most of the US film industry is centered on the coasts. While Atlanta has become a production hub in the past few decades, the money filmmakers need to make movies still flows through New York City and Los Angeles. My guests Ivan Wiener & Kira Sipler are the Executive Director and Director of Operations at the Albuquerque Film & Music Experience, which was started in part by Sundance Founder Robert R...

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No filmmaker succeeds in a vacuum, filmmaking is a collaborative industry and you need support who excel in areas you don't. One of those people you will need at some point in your career is a manager. This episode of the Movie Moolah podcast is all about getting that manager to help you hone your work and get you in rooms you can't get in on your own. Check it out! Connect with Jess on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in...

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Hip hop and black culture have long led the innovation of the entertainment industry, and while many networks and studios have been pushing representation as a way of advocating equality, it's not had an effect. This week on the Movie Moolah podcast I talk to CR capers about how communities of color consume content, how performative representation doesn't help anyone, and where the independent film industry is heading in th...

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Getting your start as a filmmaker is really hard. Getting your first film industry job can seem impossible, and recent film school graduates don't even know where to start. Luckily for you, we've got Josh Friedman, author of Gettig It Done: The Ultimate Production Assistant Guide and founder of CrewMeUp. Check out CrewMeUp (Not Sponsored) www.crewmeup.com Check out Josh's Book (Affiliate link, supports the show) http...

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If you're an independent Filmmaker, you've got some on-set horror stories. For Halloween, I thought I'd have noted Horror Director Patrick Rae to talk about his experiences as the director of  @Tubi  chart-topping I Am Lisa, NailBiter, Arbor Demon, and They Wait in The Dark. Please Like and Subscribe! They Wait in the Dark Reviewed in the  @nytimes  https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/07/movies/they-wait-in-the-dark-revi...

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If you're a Filmmaker who's ever wanted to compile an anthology, then you've probably had someone tell you that no one would ever distribute it. That person might have even been the host of this podcast.

However, once in a blue moon, a film comes along to prove all of us distribution professionals wrong. Sinphony did just that, so I thought I'd talk to one of the filmmakers involved about it on the Movie Moolah Pod...

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Making an independent film is a miracle in and of itself. That said, it's only the first part of the process. Too Few Filmmakers think about what comes after the film is in the can, how to find your audience, how to find distributors, and which festivals will actually help you? Get your spooky season started while we talk about horror movies with this week's episode of the Move Moolah Podcast, I interviewed Manny Serrano Te...

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Giovanni Espirtu is a Telly award-winning filmmaker and one of the most influential Filipino actresses in the business. This interview has us chatting about Distributor mismarketing, leaving a cult to start a voice-acting career, and a whole lot more. Check it out, you won't be disappointed. Connect with Giovanni Site: https://giovannieespiritu.com IG: https://www.instagram.com/Giospirit2 Get the extended cut on Patreon http...

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If you want to get your film financed, you probably need a producer and someone who truly understands the weird and wonky world of film finance. Sean's first film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in competition for the best American Drama. Since then, Sean has played a significant role in financing numerous other films including Super Troopers 2 - Released by Searchlight Pictures Check out this fantastic interview to lea...

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Nobody starts out in film school wanting to be a producer, but those who graduate from film school understand their importance. This interview with Brandon Bond shows how he went from a wall street investment analysist to a high-level film producer and entrepreneur. Check it out, let us know what you think! https://www.movietestscreening.com/?fbclid=IwAR3oVQ28sJzHpb_BEss6IiGqjzDDpbRK5246Wv4IercsN3r0VWpYIt03Zrc Connect with Brando...

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In this episode of the Movie Moolah Podcast, I speak to Eric Winkler about making indie films outside the major hubs, and the success of I Am Lisa. Watch I Am Lisa legally for Free on MovieCentral here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzYGwvVTQlUWatch I am Lisa on Tubi here: https://tubitv.com/movies/600347/i-am-lisa Connect with Eric on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-winkler-8444a022/ Get the FREE Indiefilm Resource...

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In this episode of the Movie Moolah Podcast, I chat with the queen of independent films in Northern California, Debbie Brubaker. Debbie's resume is miles long and includes films like Sorry to Bother You, Clickbait, Diary of a Teenage Girl, Miss Representation, Blue Jasmine, and a whole lot more. Given that Resume, Debbie's had the privilege of working with the likes of Boots Riley, Tim Burton, Woody Allen, Jennifer Seibel N...

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