Film Hustlers

Film Hustlers

Filmmaker Mark Roberts (Meet Me Next Christmas, Strangers with Candy) and aspiring filmmaker Rod "Tuddy” Rinks discuss in detail how to navigate the treacherous world of filmmaking from pitching, financing, casting, securing rights, post-production, distribution etc. We cover it all!

Episodes

August 4, 2026 • 36 mins

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We’re BACK in the studio to break down what really goes on behind the scenes of an indie movie set.

From hanging out late-night with the legendary Tony Danza and Mario Lopez to navigating the chaos of production, flight layovers, and getting "on a sick one" (you'll see what we mean 🍻), we’re sharing all the real, unfiltered stories from location.

Plus, we dive into:

  • 🎥 Why Buffalo, NY is a goldmine for...
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THE Film Hustlers, sit down with actor, entrepreneur, and filmmaker Garrett Patton (TBK Productions) to talk about the reality of independent filmmaking. From a 15-year career in private equity to navigating union negotiations, tax credits, and the chaotic world of indie budgets, Garrett shares what it really takes to push the boulder up the hill.

We dive into his upcoming projects, with Matt Damon on Start Without M...

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If you think filmmaking is just about a good script and a camera, think again. Today, you literally cannot get a movie financed without mastering the tax credit game.

On this episode, the Film Hustlers talk about state incentives. 
 
We also tackle major shifts in the entertainment landscape: Why local stations axed Access Hollywood in favor of social media content, and how industry titan Barr...

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Clay Epstein drops distributor secrets every young filmmaker must hear on Part 2 of The Film Hustlers Podcast — The budget sweet spot, making a commercial calling card. The added value you need for indie success, and the new Nancy Joan Epstein CSUN “New Voices” scholarship. Hit play if you dare. 🎬🔥

#FilmHustler #IndieFilm #Filmmaking #FilmDistribution #FilmSchool #FilmTips #NewVoices #FilmModeEnt

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Welcome back, Film Hustlers! 🌍 If you’ve ever wondered if it’s actually worth raising a million bucks to make an independent movie, this is the one episode you cannot afford to miss.

Veteran film distributor Clay Epstein (Founder of Film Mode Entertainment)      pulls back the curtain on the harsh realities of the market, the myth of "gurus" telling you to believe in your dreams, and what ...

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Over $42 Billion is still on the table. Claim it?

The business is shifting, but the money hasn't disappeared— On this episode of Film Hustlers, we’re breaking down the cable movie - 15 days, 10 locations, and 8 or so characters. High-concept hooks lift eyebrows. Let's talk about a strategy to stay relevant.

Key Highlights:

  • The Outline is King: Why you should stop writing scripts and start perfecting the...
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We’re sitting down with Father Tom Gibbons, President of Paulist Productions, to discuss the "secret sauce" that has them collaborating with A-listers like Martin Sheen and Chris Pratt. We talk about their acclaimed anthology series, INSIGHT, which ran from 1960 to 1985 and won multiple Emmy Awards. Let's pull back the curtain on the intersection of the sacred and the secular.

💥 Basebal Beyond belief o...

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Industry vet Jen Aguillon dropped by the Library Cigar Lounge to talk career longevity, the evolution of news, and why "hustling" is a core value.

If you’re looking for a dose of positive energy and some real-talk advice on breaking into the biz, this is the episode for you.

Watch the full episode on YouTube! 🎥

#FilmHustlers #Podcast #FilmIndustry #CareerAdvice #AccessHollywood #SeniorProducer #HustleHardER #Sta...

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The needle is moving faster than ever in the film industry. In this episode of Film Hustlers, host Mark Roberts, Rod "Tuddy" Rinks are joined by veteran exec and producer  Ann Lewis Roberts to break down the radical shift from traditional gatekeepers to independent success.

We dive deep into the "ultimate blueprint" for modern filmmakers: the story of Iron Lung, a film made by a YouTuber for $3M that byp...

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Production Design is often the "invisible" art of filmmaking, but Hustler Robert Wise explains that everything the camera sees is a result of his work. Join the Huslers as they dive into the high-stakes world of the Art Department.

From his early days on the iconic Blink-182 "All The Small Things" music video to managing Kanye West’s Sunday Service with an Amex Black Card, Robert reveals what it really takes to...

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On this Micro-Drama edition of Film Hustlers, we sit down with Hollywood heavyweight Tommy Harper, Producer behind Top Gun: Maverick, Mission: Impossible, Star Wars, and currently shooting Wednesday Season 3 in Ireland! and Kasey Esser, the "Brad Pitt of Verticals" with over 57 series and 500 MILLION views! to talk about the future of entertainment. 

We dive deep into how micro-dramas went from a niche t...

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The Film Hustlers talk about the secrets to thriving in today’s film industry! Discover how the game has changed since the 90s and learn powerful networking strategies to catch the eye of agents. They discuss  tips on securing funding and overcoming distribution hurdles, while Davy shares his social media wisdom to help you stand out in a crowded market. Plus, find out why getting involved in local theate...

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Film Hustlers — Season 6 (now with video) — is a fast-moving Podcast for filmmakers, creators, and anyone hustling in today’s shifting media landscape. Hosts Mark Roberts, Tuddy (Rod Rinks), and Davey  Dave mix 30 years of indie filmmaking experience, industry news, practical advice on financing, distribution, and cross-platform content, plus candid conversations about making movies in the age...

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Ann Lewis Roberts explains how she climbed from intern to network leader and shares today’s creator playbook: get in the door any way you can, treat brands like studios, own and repurpose your content. YouTube, Verticles and MUCH MORE!!         #FilmHustlers #CreatorPlaybook #Filmmaking #ContentStrategy #Reels #YouTubeShorts #IndieFilm #MediaCareer

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Russell Emanuel — co‑founder and CEO of Extreme Music — joins Film Hustlers to unpack how he turned a dusty music library into a global, tech‑driven powerhouse that lets filmmakers instantly find, customize, and license premium cues without the Hollywood price tag. He explains the company’s radical focus on real composers, remixable tracks, and bespoke scoring through Bleeding Fingers, how the plat...

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Season 6 of Film Hustlers is HERE! — 🔥 No-fluff, state tax credits, Great tax credit states,  auditing tax credits — and the exact moves to stretch your budget, protect investors, and actually finish your film. For indie filmmakers who want results. Tune in, level up, and make your next project unstoppable. 

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Join us for an electrifying episode of Film Hustlers as we welcome our very own, the talented Davie Dave Morales! Dive into his journey through the worlds of Social Media, Comedy, and Acting, as he shares the behind-the-scenes stories of performing on stage and capturing the magic on screen.

Davie brings humor and insight into the challenges of stand-up comedy, his evolution as an artist, and the joy of collaborating...

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From the trenches to the screen: John Schimke breaks down the high-stakes chess game of modern filmmaking and why the 'hustle' is the only real currency. He also talks about his new film Where the Wind Blows.

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This week, the multi-talented Actor, Producer Guy Nardulli, talks about his journey from Pro football to General Hospital to Tulsa King. 

#FilmHustlerPodcast #TheChristmasSpark #GuyNardulli #Filmmaking #Podcast #BehindTheScenes #FilmIndustry #Streaming #HollywoodHustle

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Episode: David Kendall (writer/director/producer) — This week the Film Hustlers sit down with TV vet David Kendall (Growing Pains, Boy Meets World, iCarly, Hannah Montana) to unpack sixty-plus episodes, breaking into Hollywood with a spec script, and the real hustle of writing, directing, and producing. They also discuss making their Lifetime movie Steppin' Into the Holiday (Mario Lopez, Jana Kramer), chaotic ...

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