Film Hustlers

Send us Fan Mail

The Film Hustlers sit down with producer and director Andrew van den Houten to talk real-world indie hustle, navigate industry shifts, and get movies made today.

Andrew breaks down:

• The 4-Day Feature: The wild production model behind his courtroom thriller Wildcards (starring Leon, Aries Spears, and Elise Neal)—shooting the entire script end-to-end each day like a live stage play.
• Working with Bruce Willis: Negotiating high-stakes talent deals, handling multi-million-dollar budgets, and blowing up a hearse in front of the governor’s mansion on A Day to Die.
• The Modern Indie Model: Partnering with writer/director Wes Miller, moving fast, and turning tight budgets into profitable hits without waiting on studio permission.

🎧 Watch/listen now on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts!

#FilmHustlers #IndieFilm #FilmProduction #FilmProducer #Filmmaking #DirectorLife #BruceWillis #BehindTheScenes

Send us Fan Mail

🎬 From Prison Wine to Chateau des Ghetto! 🍷👇

Ever wondered what happens when an ex-con prison-wine expert tries to become a high-end sommelier? In our latest episode of Film Hustlers, we break down the brand-new vertical short series, Pruno Perez!

Mark, Rod, and Davy sit down to talk about the entire indie hustle: 

✅ How a casual chat with mom inspired the whole concept 

✅ Raising the budget and writing scripts on the fly at airports 

✅ Working with incredible comedian talent and leaning heavily into organic improv 

✅ Why vertical short-form content and YouTube are where the real game is being played right now

Catch the full episode on YouTube, Spotify, or wherever you listen and watch your Podcasts, and let us know in the comments: Would you drink a glass of Chateau de Ghetto? 🍇👇

#FilmHustlers #PrunoPerez #IndieFilmmaking #VerticalSeries #ContentCreators #YouTubeFilmmakers

Send us Fan Mail

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

Send us Fan Mail

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.

Send us Fan Mail

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!

Send us Fan Mail

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

Send us Fan Mail

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.

Send us Fan Mail

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.

Send us Fan Mail

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.

Send us Fan Mail

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