Indie Film Hustle® - A Filmmaking Podcast

Indie Film Hustle® - A Filmmaking Podcast

The Indie Film Hustle Podcast is your #1 source for how to hack the film business and indie film world! The show is here to help as many indie filmmakers as I could. We wanted to bring the best guests, industry leaders, creative legends, and film business friends to you, the IFH Tribe. Some of the past guests include 3X Oscar® Winning Writer/Director Oliver Stone, Barry Sonnenfeld (Men in Black), Alex Proyas (The Crow, I, Robot), James V. Hart (writer Dracula, Hook), John August (Big Fish, Aladdin), Jim Uhls (writer of Fight Club), Oscar® Winner Russell Carpenter (DP of Avatar, Titanic) Joe Carnahan (Smokin' Aces, The Grey), and David F. Sandberg (Shazam!) to name a few. We hope this podcast can help you along your journey as an artist, filmtrepreneur, filmmaker, screenwriter, and as a human being. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

Episodes

IFH 843: How to Turn a Short Film Into a Film Career with Jennifer & Kevin Sluder

February 24, 2026 • 55 mins
Jennifer and Kevin Sluder share their journey from North Carolina to Los Angeles and how they built Sunshine Boy Productions into a growing independent film company. Kevin’s early recognition as a screenwriter opened doors, but instead of waiting for projects to materialize, the couple chose to produce their own short films. Their first project ignited a passion for hands-on filmmaking and laid the foundation for their creative par...
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IFH 842: The Art of Networking in Hollywood – Real Strategies That Work with Erman Baradi & Brandon Waites

February 17, 2026 • 74 mins
Erman Baradi and Brandon Waites share practical, real-world advice on how to network effectively in Hollywood without coming across as desperate or transactional. Drawing from their own journeys — from military service and film school to building strong online presences — they explain why relationships, not scripts, are the true currency of the film industry. Their discussion highlights the importance of patience, professionalism, ...
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IFH 841: What a Real Film Producer Actually Does with Marc Bienstock

February 10, 2026 • 46 mins
Marc Bienstock shares an honest look at what producing really means, drawing from decades of experience on both independent and studio films. From his early days at NYU and directing features to becoming a trusted producer on projects like The Visit and Split, Marc explains how preparation, communication, and team building form the foundation of every successful production. His philosophy centers on supporting the director’s vision...
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IFH 840: Finding Your Way into Film Without Film School with David Powers

February 3, 2026 • 128 mins
David Powers shares his unconventional path into filmmaking, one driven by curiosity rather than credentials. From discovering cinema through genre films and festivals to learning production hands-on through wrestling shoots and indie sets, David explains how real-world experience shaped his understanding of storytelling, collaboration, and problem-solving. His journey highlights how festivals like the New York Asian Film Festival ...
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IFH 839: The Rodriguez List: How to Make Movies with What You Already Have with Aaron Kaufman & Brian Levin

January 27, 2026 • 54 mins
Aaron Kaufman and Brian Levin share an unfiltered look at how independent filmmakers can build real momentum by creating instead of waiting. Drawing from experiences ranging from YouTube comedy to studio features, they explain the power of the “Rodriguez List”—writing scripts based on the assets you already have. Their approach emphasizes volume, consistency, and learning through execution rather than chasing perfect conditions or ...
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IFH 838: Finding a New Creative Path in Indie Film with Charmane Star

January 20, 2026 • 52 mins
Charmane Star shares her unexpected journey from a small role in Black Dynamite to discovering a deep passion for independent filmmaking. What began as a routine booking evolved into a Sundance Film Festival premiere and a Sony Pictures acquisition, introducing her to the collaborative and global nature of indie cinema. Through international screenings, she gained firsthand insight into how cultural context shapes audience reaction...
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IFH 837: How Filmmakers Can Win in the Digital Marketing Age with David Feinman

January 13, 2026 • 55 mins
David Feinman shares how cinematic storytelling can be used to build successful businesses and viral experiences. From creating Zombie Run—a nationwide immersive event inspired by zombie films—to founding Viral Idea Marketing, David explains how understanding narrative, pacing, and emotion allows content to cut through digital noise. His approach treats marketing like filmmaking, where suspense, structure, and audience engagement m...
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IFH 836: The New Rules of Indie Filmmaking No One Is Teaching with the Jalbert Brothers

January 6, 2026 • 62 mins
The Jalbert Brothers share how they built their filmmaking careers by embracing low budgets, consistent output, and hands-on learning. Rather than waiting for funding or studio approval, they focused on making films with minimal resources, sometimes for as little as $1,000. Each project became a practical lesson in storytelling, directing, editing, and problem-solving, allowing them to sharpen their skills faster than traditional d...
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IFH 835: What Really Happens After You Write the Script with Michael K. Snyder

December 30, 2025 • 64 mins
Michael K. Snyder shares a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to build a sustainable screenwriting career. From film school and early networking with Lloyd Kaufman to moving to Los Angeles with a plan, Michael’s journey highlights the importance of preparation, persistence, and relationship-building. Rather than chasing quick wins, he focused on writing constantly, producing short films, and using scripts as calling car...
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IFH 834: How to Build a Screenwriting Career That Actually Lasts with Bob Saenz

December 23, 2025 • 70 mins
Bob Saenz shares a rare, honest look at what it means to build a long-term career as both an actor and screenwriter. From his early days in theater and television to writing studio films and Hallmark movies, Bob’s journey emphasizes craft over shortcuts. He explains how his time acting on Nash Bridges became a hands-on education in filmmaking, shaping his approach to writing realistic dialogue, authentic scenes, and story-driven sc...
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IFH 833: Making Movies Without Sight: Inside the Creative Mind of Gough

December 16, 2025 • 59 mins
Gough, the world’s first legally blind filmmaker to write, produce, edit, direct, and star in a feature film, has built a groundbreaking career through his production company, Beer Nuts Productions. After years of rejection due to his disability, he took control of his creative destiny, launching his career with I Will Not Go Quietly, a documentary exploring disability and mental health. Gough proved that passion, skill, and determ...
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IFH 832: The Filmmaker Who Refused to Tap Out: The Making of Heel Kick! with Danny Mac

December 9, 2025 • 62 mins
Danny Mac, a self-taught filmmaker from Edmonton, turned his dream into a career through persistence, creativity, and sheer determination. After producing his first feature, Love/Hate, on weekends while working a day job, he managed to sell it to a Canadian broadcaster—an extraordinary feat for a debut filmmaker. The experience became his hands-on film school, teaching him the importance of preparation, delegation, and resilience.

W...
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IFH 831: Making Independent Films Without Hollywood or a Huge Budget with David Ash

December 2, 2025 • 52 mins
On today’s episode, we meet David Ash, a filmmaker who perfectly embodies the spirit of the weekend warrior — balancing a demanding corporate career, a family of four, and a thriving passion for filmmaking. Living in the Twin Cities, Ash proves that a creative life doesn’t have to mean abandoning stability. With a degree in business administration and a full-time job as a treasury director, he still finds time to write, shoot, and ...
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IFH 830: How Two Filmmakers Captured the Ultimate Rocky Fan Story with Jim Toscano & Danny Gianino

November 25, 2025 • 38 mins
Jim Toscano and Danny Gianino, two filmmakers from Detroit, found an unexpected calling in telling the story of Mike Kunda, the world’s number one Rocky fan. Their documentary, The Pretender, follows Kunda’s lifelong devotion to Sylvester Stallone’s iconic character — a passion that goes far beyond simple fandom. From dressing like Rocky to giving motivational tours in Philadelphia, Mike lives his life through the lens of his cinem...
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BONUS EPISODE: The Ultimate Guide to Getting Money for Your Movie with Franco Sama

November 22, 2025 • 75 mins
Franco Sama, a veteran executive producer, reveals the hard truths and practical steps behind raising real money for independent films. He explains that while many filmmakers obsess over finding investors, the real challenge is making their projects financially viable. To attract funding, he emphasizes the importance of having a solid business plan—complete with budgets, schedules, and realistic revenue projections. Franco also ins...
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IFH 829: The Secret to Marketing Your Movie Like a Pro with Brad Wilke

November 18, 2025 • 87 mins
On today’s episode, we welcome Brad Wilke, a filmmaker, screenwriter, and marketing strategist whose career bridges the worlds of storytelling and audience building. A graduate of West Point turned filmmaker, Brad’s path to Hollywood wasn’t typical—he went from military service to film programming, then into writing creature features for Roger Corman and building his own marketing agency, Smart House Creative. His story isn’t just ...
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IFH 828: The Ultimate Life of Action: Martial Arts, Movies, and Wisdom with Leo Fong

November 11, 2025 • 75 mins
Leo Fong was a true Renaissance man — a martial arts Grand Master, filmmaker, and Methodist minister who turned life’s challenges into fuel for creativity. Born in 1930s Arkansas, Leo faced racial discrimination early, leading him to boxing and later martial arts as a way to build confidence and strength. His journey took him from judo dojos and kung fu studios in San Francisco to becoming a close friend and sparring partner of Bru...
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IFH 827: Turning a Script into a Movie: The Indie Filmmaking Story of Jamie Buckner

November 4, 2025 • 71 mins
Jamie Buckner’s filmmaking journey is one built on passion, persistence, and pure creative drive. After exploring careers in music, architecture, and art, he realized filmmaking combined everything he loved into one pursuit. Starting as a production assistant, Jamie worked his way through Hollywood’s ranks on major films like Seabiscuit, The Departed, and John Wick: Chapter Two. But while learning from industry giants, he continued...
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IFH 826: How to Turn a Script Into a Movie Without Hollywood’s Help with Chris Jay

October 28, 2025 • 79 mins
Chris Jay, once a touring musician with the rock band Army of Freshmen, found a new creative path when the music industry shifted and opportunities dried up. Instead of giving up, he and his bandmate Aaron Goldberg turned to filmmaking, writing and producing their first feature, The Bet. Without studio backing or formal film education, the duo learned everything from scratch — from writing the screenplay to formatting scripts manua...
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IFH 825: The Untold Stories of Women in Action Cinema with Melanie Wise

October 21, 2025 • 52 mins
Melanie Wise, a former model and actress, discusses her transition to producing due to height-related challenges in acting. She produced the horror action film "Hannah's Gift," which she also starred in, and faced issues with lost masters and ineffective editors.

Wise co-founded the Artemis Film Festival to showcase women in action roles, highlighting historical female contributions and contemporary achievements. The festival, fan-b...
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