February 07, 2025

402 - Filmmaker and Educator Mariah Kramer - Unlocking the Secrets of Student Filmmaking, Essentials of Filmmaking, Festivals, Funding, and the Future of Documentary

1 hour 39 minutes

Hello, Hello!

In this episode, we welcome Filmmaker and Vanderbilt University Film School Director, Mariah Kramer. Mariah discusses her work, including a PBS-premiered documentary and a new short fiction film. She co-founded the Uptilt Film Festival and the Point of Vu Student Film Festival at Vanderbilt University, where she teaches. The conversation touches on the importance of networking, understanding camera and editing basics, and the challenges of funding and distribution in documentary filmmaking. They also discuss the significance of Vanderbilt alumni who have won Academy Awards, including Delbert Mann for "Marty" and Tom Schulman for "Dead Poets Society."

The discussion focused on entry-level jobs for film school graduates, emphasizing the importance of trying diverse roles to find one's passion. It highlighted the value of being a PA or working in a mailroom to gain industry experience. The conversation also covered the benefits of volunteering at film festivals and being a background actor. The Point of Vu Student Film Festival, happening on February 15, was detailed, including its mission to bring together students from nine schools in Middle Tennessee. The festival will screen 24 films, with categories for fiction, non-fiction, and alternative. Mariah Kramer shared her perspective on fulfillment, value, and flexibility in the film industry.

We also talk about:

The challenges of measuring camaraderie and building a sense of community among students
The role of film festivals in providing networking opportunities and showcasing student work
The potential impact of PBS funding cuts on documentary filmmakers
The value of entry-level jobs like being a PA or working in a mail room for film school graduates
All new Audience Polls
All new Things We Should Know
An all new Filmmaker Q&A
NEW SEGMENT: "Bullets"

Products, software, websites, people or places mentioned:

- Vanderbilt University

- Belmont University

- Belcourt Theater

- Uptilt Film Festival

- Point of Vu Student Film Festival

- Claudia Raschke

- Roger Deakins

- Delbert Mann

- Tom Schulman

- "Marty"

- "Dead Poets Society"

- Abercrombie & Fitch

- MasterChef Junior

- Cotton Bureau

- Apple Podcasts

- Spotify

- YouTube

- Premiere Pro

- Final Cut

- Avid

- DaVinci Resolve

- Canon

- Sony Cameras

- Gerber Baby

- Ed McMahon

- Johnny Carson

- Marv Albert

- Vanderbilt University Library

- Battle Ground Academy

- Julien Baker

- Scared Rabbit Records

- MTSU

- Zach Liff

- Cummins Station

- The Gulch (Nashville)

We are humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work. And your support makes our work possible. Every subscriber, rating, and review matters.

So, if you like what we're doing, please consider subscribing, rating, or giving us a review. Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEIT

All Links: https://beacons.ai/themakeitpodcast

Subscribe to our newsletter at www.bonsai.film/subscribe

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-make-it-podcast/exclusive-content

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

...more

View all episodes

By Chris Barkley & Nicholas Buggs

100100 ratings