Film Hustlers

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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 indie filmmakers (and how to snag that 40% tax credit!).
• 🤖 How to use AI right now for quick script breakdowns, draft budgets, and scene prep.
• 📲 The massive shift toward YouTube & short-form storytelling (and details on our upcoming free series, Pruno Perez!).
• 🍷 Shoutouts to the unbelievable crew who made Christmas at the Starlight happen.

Grab a drink, light up a cigar, and hang out with us!

TIMESTAMPS:

• 00:00 - Late Start & Getting Back in the Studio
• 01:12 - We Made a Movie! Buffalo, NY Wrap Recap
• 04:08 - Late Night Hanging with Tony Danza & Mario Lopez
• 06:22 - Why Indie Filmmakers NEED to Shoot in Buffalo
• 07:15 - Crew Shoutouts & Making Movies with Friends
• 17:00 - Real Production Talk: Putting Out Fires as a Producer
• 19:15 - How to Use AI for Script Breakdowns & Drafting Budgets
• 24:42 - YouTube Empires & Our Upcoming Series Pruno Perez
• 30:25 - What's Hot in the L.A. Comedy Scene Right Now

Special Thanks to Our Partners: 📍 The Library Cigar Lounge 🎵 Extreme Music – The best music library for filmmakers & creators: extrememusic.com

🔔 Don't forget to Like, Subscribe, and hit the Notification Bell to stay tuned for our next episode! Drop a comment below: Have you ever used AI to help produce your videos or films?

#Filmmaking #IndieFilm #TonyDanza #MarioLopez #FilmProducer #AIFilmmaking #Podcast

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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 Me, producing alongside top talent like Lucy Hale and Josh Duhamel, and his latest venture with Adrian Grenier (Self Custody and the new docuseries Beyond the Break). Plus, we break down the changing landscape of global distribution, why Christmas movies remain bulletproof, the rise of vertical storytelling, and how filmmakers can adapt to survive in a rapidly evolving media ecosystem.

Key Takeaways & Discussion Points:

• From Private Equity to Film: How business acumen translates to the chaotic world of entertainment startups and high-stakes negotiations.
• The Matt Damon Collaboration: Behind-the-scenes look at producing Start Without Me and navigating a four-year post-production and distribution journey.
• Mastering Tax Incentives: Why shooting in places like Buffalo, New Mexico, and international hubs like Spain can make or break a lower-budget indie film.
• The Evolution of Content: The shift toward vertical platforms, global streaming numbers, and why creator authenticity is winning over audiences.
• Adrian Grenier’s Next Chapter: Exploring Bitcoin, nature rehabilitation, and turning life changes into compelling new media.

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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 Barry Diller climbed out of the William Morris mailroom and invented the modern television movie.

Subscribe now and never miss an episode of the ultimate indie filmmaking hustle!

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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 it actually takes to sell your movie.

Turn up the volume, hit that SUBSCRIBE button, and share this with your crew. Our numbers are climbing, and we’re just getting started! 📈

🔑 Key Takeaways From This Episode:

• The 1% Rule: Why only a fraction of indie films find true commercial success, and how to make sure you aren't making a mediocre movie.
• The Mixed-Genre Trap: Why mixing genres without an Academy Award-winning star can be absolute "distribution suicide" on streaming platforms.
• The Self-Distribution Reality Check: The real story behind massive self-distributed hits like Iron Lung and Bus Boys—and why you can't just replicate it without IP or a massive built-in audience.

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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 21-page outline.
• The Cable Shift: How to make a $500k movie look like $5M.

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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 on FS1

💥 Debating Statues and Saints coming to PBS. 

💥 Combat Chaplains in the line of fire. 

💥 The Martin Sheen "Secret Sauce." 

💥 Indie distribution hacks for 2026.

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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 #StayPositive @FilmHustlers

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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 bypassed streamers to gross over $52M globally. Whether you have 40 million subscribers or 400, the lessons on viral hooks, authenticity, and betting on yourself are universal.

🚀 The 2026 Internship Master List: Your Backstage Pass

Tired of the "entry-level but requires 5 years experience" trap? We’re breaking down the Golden Ticket links to help you land a seat at the table with the world's biggest media giants.

From Disney Imagineering to TikTok’s Creator Growth teams, this is your direct line to the recruiters who matter. We’ve categorized the chaos into three high-stakes arenas:

• The Walt Disney Company: View all active U.S. internships (including Creative Production, Casting, and Imagineering) on the Disney Careers Internship Portal.
• Paramount: Access current openings for Film, TV, and Streaming roles (like the Streaming Engineering Intern) at Paramount Careers.
• NBCUniversal: Track applications for Universal City roles (Marketing, Legal, and Distribution) via NBCUnicareers.
• Sony Pictures: Find Culver City-based roles in Post-Production and Distribution on Sony Pictures Jobs.
• Netflix: Explore Los Angeles opportunities (including Documentary Awards & Publicity) at the Netflix Internships Site.
• Fox Corporation (TMZ): Search for active intern listings across News and Sports at Fox Careers.
• BuzzFeed: While they don't have a standalone "Podcast" portal, you can find their production and creator roles (like the College Creator Lab) on the BuzzFeed Careers Page.

🎵 Music & Live Entertainment

• Universal Music Group: Apply for the 2026 Summer Internship Program (Creative, Brand, and Operations) at UMG Careers.
• Live Nation: View current openings in Concerts, Marketing, and Booking at Live Nation Careers.
• Warner Music Group: Check for Emerging Talent Associate Program updates at WMG Careers.
• Insomniac Events: Locate festival-related internships in PR and Marketing (the team behind EDC) at Insomniac Careers.

📱 Digital & Emerging Platforms

• TikTok: Find specialized Los Angeles roles (Creator Growth, LIVE Operations, and Short Drama) at TikTok Careers.
• Mythical Entertainment: Apply for Production and Post-Production roles (Rhett & Link’s studio) through the Mythical Careers Page.

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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 build the world you see on screen.

Robert is a production designer currently in consideration for a Guinness World Record for shooting 7 Christmas movies in 2025.

If you’ve ever wondered how to get started as a PA, how to handle a difficult director, or how to "cheat" a shot for the camera, this episode is a class in set survival and creative problem-solving.

Featured Guest: Robert Wise (Production Designer) Hosted by: Mark Roberts, Rod Rinks, and Davie Dave.