Beyond Your Imagination

You've done the work of writing, casting, and preparing to make your film, now it's time to actually shoot it. From planning production days and figuring out what equipment you'll need to making sure you have the necessary crew members and getting everything set up accordingly, there are endless factors that can make or break your film. And those issues multiply if you are both director and cinematographer. Throughout this episode, Ryan and I talk about learning lessons and various tales from our projects over the years and how we continue to grow in our skills.

We're taking a short interlude from the regularly scheduled program as Ryan recovers from some seasonal sickness and regains his voice. We collaborated on a few ways for you to strengthen your imagination, because let's be honest, if you're anything like us, you need to let your mind wander in the ethereal realm of creativity more often.

But how do you do that? I'm glad you asked. It starts with: 1) Searching for new ideas and stories; 2) Writing a one-page story; and 3) Creating a challenge for yourself.

Yes, actors are essential to the success of any film, but equally important are the found spaces and sets that contain the stories. In this episode, Ryan and I talk about our formative years of exploration and how they influence the films we make and the stories we aspire to tell. One of Ryan's superpowers that never ceases to amaze me is his ability to find filming locations, and he shares how he explores the area and seeks permission when discovering a place to film. We also talk about the sets he would build that he has yet to find and his approach to set design.

There are two big questions that inform this episode: First, when we trace back the mythological lineage of our modern stories, where in time do we end up? And second, will modern audiences accept and believe old stories if told in new ways? Ryan and I explore these questions along with where ideas come from starting with our shared love for concept albums and music videos. Additionally, Ryan shares stories of collaborating with writers on his latest film projects and what is missing in a 40-page feature film script.

Welcome to a brand new season of Beyond Your Imagination, a podcast that celebrates the kick-ass DIY spirit of independent film. I'm Chris Martin, and my co-conspirator this season is Ryan Erlandsen of Marble Mountain Films. In this episode, we explore team work and the many ways to build a cast and crew for independent projects. From gas station casting and coffee shop networking to bringing people of all skill levels together, Ryan shares his experiences of finding the right—and sometimes wrong—people for his projects. As someone who often approaches my own creative projects by myself, I also share how collaborating with Ryan has positively impacted my work. Be advised that our language filters didn't adapt to the shifting temperatures in the cabin, so we have lots of colorful words and phrases throughout the conversation.

Welcome to a brand new season of Beyond Your Imagination, a podcast that celebrates the kick-ass DIY spirit of independent film. I'm Chris Martin, and my co-conspirator this season is Ryan Erlandsen of Marble Mountain Films. In this episode, we dive into the murky waters of money and what it takes to make micro-to-no-budget films in the Pacific Northwest. From creative ways to funding movies and paying for actors and equipment to figuring out the modern-day path to profitability, Ryan candidly shares how he has gotten two feature films made and how he will approach distribution and selling the films. Be advised that we removed our language filters to keep it conversational, so there are plenty of colorful words and phrases throughout the conversation.

Welcome to a brand new season of Beyond Your Imagination, a podcast that celebrates the kick-ass DIY spirit of independent film. I'm Chris Martin and I love movies—watching them, making them, talking about them. My co-conspirator this season is Ryan Erlandsen of Marble Mountain Films. Ryan produces music videos, short films and features of the horror persuasion.

Throughout the season, we are exploring micro-to-no-budget filmmaking in the Pacific Northwest. We'll touch on the hot topics of the day and our shared love for symphonic metal and cheesy horror films. On top of that, each episode is recorded in Ryan's cabin, which he built specifically for his horror projects. And be advised, we removed our language filter, so we keep it conversational and full of colorful words and phrases.

So, welcome back to Beyond Your Imagination, grab a warm beverage, come on into the cabin, and hear us talk about where ideas, inspiration, and re-inspiration come from when making movies...it's show time.

Ryan Erlandsen of Marble Mountain Films produces music videos, short films and features of the horror persuasion and is the special guest for season two. Over the next 10 episodes, we are going to explore micro-to-no-budget filmmaking in the Pacific Northwest. We'll touch on the hot topics of the today and our shared love for symphonic metal and cheesy horror films. On top of that, each episode is recorded in Ryan's cabin, which he built specifically for his horror projects. And no filter, so we keep our language conversational and full of colorful words and phrases.

So, welcome back, come on into the cabin and hear us talk about our filmmaking origin stories...it's show time.

Deep in the heart of downtown Vancouver, Washington, on Main Street, you’ll find the Kiggins Theatre, run by a small team of film lovers, including today’s guests, Dan Wyatt and Richard Beer. From storytelling and searching for meaning to the changing nature of audiences and the cinematic experience, our conversation weaves between a multitude of topics. There’s a lot here about the struggles and triumphs of running an independent theater in an industry owned by giant corporations. You’ll get a glimpse into community building and grassroots marketing at its finest. Not to mention a healthy list of films to watch after you listen to the show.

There is something magical about music and how it brings a film to life. From a melody that finds an emotional and psychological connection to characters to the unique soul of instruments, music goes deeper than other storytelling mediums faster. Ian Honeyman is a composer, music producer, and multi-instrumentalist with over 60 feature film and TV credits. In this conversation, he talks about how he comes up with ideas, his interest in unique instruments from around the world, and the secret to creating music and telling stories. He also has a lot of great advice for directors on how they can work with composers.