My First Feature

By Ethan Cushing

Arts Education TV & Film Educational Technology Visual Arts

What's My First Feature about?

A movie podcast where host Ethan Cushing interviews filmmakers on the process of directing their first feature film. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/my-first-feature/support

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My First Feature episodes:

10.29.2020
27 - Evan Morgan made "The Kid Detective"
We're back!! In this episode we chat with writer/director Evan Morgan about his first feature film "The Kid Detective" a dark comedy starring Adam Brody that Evan pitches as Encyclopedia Brown meets Chinatown. Ethan speaks with Evan about how he...
08.02.2018
26 - Oscar Rene Lozoya made "How We Met"
In this episode we chat with writer/director Oscar Rene Lozoya about his first film "How We Met" an action comedy about the worst blind date ever. Ethan speaks with Oscar, an editor on Law and Order, about how we got...
05.02.2018
25 - Bobby Miller made "The Cleanse"
This week, Ethan sits down with writer/director Bobby Miller – a talented filmmaker whose first feature film “The Cleanse” premiered at SXSW in 2016 and is playing in select theaters, digital and VOD May 4. The Cleanse stars Johnny Galecki...
04.02.2018
21 - Splend Grandst made "The Heart Can't Find What it Wants to Want"
Ethan sits down with writer/director Splend Grandst to discuss his first feature film "The Heart Can't Find What it Wants to Want", a dark drama about the human condition and psychological torment. Ethan and Splend talk about being mentored by...
01.23.2018
20 - Matt Angel and Suzanne Coote made "The Open House"
Power couple slash directing duo Matt Angel and Suzanne Coote stop by to discuss their first feature, psychological thriller "The Open House", starring Dylan Minnette and now streaming on Netflix. They discuss what it takes to co-direct a film, how...
12.14.2017
19 - Alex Ferrari made "This is Meg"
Writer/Director/Producer Alex Ferrari calls in to chat about his first feature film, "This is Meg". The comedy is a sneak peak into the Los Angeles lifestyle of a working but not famous female actress/comedienne's point of view that is forced...
03.09.2017
18 - David Au made "Eat With Me"
Writer/Director David Au stops by to discuss his family dramedy, "Eat With Me". David and Ethan talk about cultivating your team of collaborators, location challenges, and working with George Takei! Check out the film at www.eatwithmemovie.com. As always, we are...
02.28.2017
17 - Kelly Fremon Craig made "The Edge of Seventeen"
Writer/Director Kelly Fremon Craig joins Ethan to discuss her first feature, the Golden Globe and DGA Award nominated film "The Edge of Seventeen". Kelly and Ethan discuss transitioning from writing to directing, producer James L. Brooks' many pearls of wisdom,...
02.02.2017
16 - Nick Corporon made "Retake"
Writer/Director Nick Corporon sits down to chat with Ethan about his first feature Retake, an emotional drama about a lonely, middle-aged man who hires a male prostitute to recreate a road trip from his past. Nick recounts what pushes him...
01.12.2017
15 - Liz Manashil made "Bread and Butter"
Writer/Director Liz Manashil stops by to discuss her first feature film "Bread and Butter", a romantic comedy starring Bobby Moynihan and Christine Weatherup. Liz and Ethan discuss the kickstarting ecosystem, writing love letters to actors, what it's like to work...
01.05.2017
14 – Duane Andersen made “Superpowerless”
Writer/Director/Producer Duane Andersen calls in from Utah to talk about his directorial debut, “Superpowerless” a coming of middle-age story about a superhero who, in his early 40s, must now grapple with the loss of his powers and the question of...
12.20.2016
13 – David Steinberg made “Miss Dial”
Writer/Director David Steinberg has Ethan over for a chat about his experience writing and directing “Miss Dial”, a romantic comedy about a bored customer service rep looking to make a connection. David discusses writing such scripts as “Slackers” and “American...
12.15.2016
12 – Alex Lehman made “Asperger’s Are Us”
Director Alex Lehman sits down to discuss his first feature, the documentary called “Asperger’s Are Us“, a coming of age story about the first comedy troupe comprised of all openly autistic people. Alex chats about taking the leap of faith...
10.28.2016
11 – Trevor Stevens is making “Rock Steady Row” (Part 1)
Writer/Director Trevor Stevens stops by to talk about his first feature “Rock Steady Row“, a spaghetti western set in a modern day college campus. This is a special episode as at the time of recording, Trevor was 48 hours out from beginning principal...
10.23.2016
10 – Doug Archibald made “I Love You Both”
Writer/Director Doug Archibald stops by to talk about his first feature “I Love You Both”, a coming of age dramedy about twin siblings who must confront their codependency when they start dating the same guy. Doug and Ethan discuss what it’s...
08.10.2016
9 – Jeff Janke made “Highway to Havasu”
Writer/Director Jeff Janke calls in from the road to talk about his first feature “Highway to Havasu“, a teen road trip comedy about some teenagers who steal an RV and do spring break at Lake Havasu. Jeff and Ethan discuss...
08.10.2016
8 – Barbara Stepansky made “Hurt”
Writer/Director Barbara Stepansky stops by to chat about her first feature “Hurt”, a thriller about a family who takes in an orphan girl who’s not what she seems. Barbara and Ethan discuss the film school that is working on Christopher...
08.10.2016
7 – Will Prescott made “Feeding Mr. Baldwin”
Writer/Director Will Prescott calls in from Minnesota to talk about his first feature “Feeding Mr. Baldwin“. Will and Ethan discuss the “just do it” mindset required to make a movie, working with supportive friends, and the importance of having your...
06.25.2016
6 – Michael Mohan made “One Too Many Mornings”
Writer/Director Michael Mohan stops by to chat about his first feature, “One Too Many Mornings”, an indie coming of age dramedy about two guys who are way too old to be coming of age. Michael’s film was shot over the...
06.08.2016
5 – Nathan Scoggins made “The Least of These”
Writer/Director Nathan Scoggins stops by to talk about his first feature film “The Least of These”, a mystery about the murder of a catholic priest. Ethan and Nathan discuss the experience of winning the Doritos Superbowl contest TWICE, believing in...
05.25.2016
4 – America Young made “The Concessionaires Must Die!”
America Young stops by to chat about her first feature film “The Concessionaires Must Die!“, an indie comedy about a group of movie theater workers who must fight to save their theater from an evil corporation. Ethan and America talk...
05.10.2016
3 – Nate Atcheson made “Herpes Boy”
Nathaniel Atcheson stops by to chat about his first feature film “Herpes Boy“, an indie comedy about a vlogger with an unfortunate birthmark. Nathaniel and Ethan talk about life after film school, directing big name actors, and editing your own...
04.26.2016
2 – Nick Ozeki made “Mamitas”
Writer/Director Nick Ozeki talks about his feature film “Mamitas” which he adapted from his student short film of the same name. Nick and Ethan discuss the long and awkward process of raising money, being honest with actors, and managing expectations...
04.08.2016
1 - Jack Perez made “America’s Deadliest Home Video”
Writer/Director Jack Perez (director of “Some Guy Who Kills People” and “Mega Shark vs Giant Octopus“) is the first guest on MFF. Right after film school in the early 90’s, Jack wrote and directed the grand-daddy of found footage films,...

What's My First Feature about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

My First Feature episodes:

27 - Evan Morgan made "The Kid Detective"

26 - Oscar Rene Lozoya made "How We Met"

25 - Bobby Miller made "The Cleanse"

21 - Splend Grandst made "The Heart Can't Find What it Wants to Want"

20 - Matt Angel and Suzanne Coote made "The Open House"

19 - Alex Ferrari made "This is Meg"

18 - David Au made "Eat With Me"

17 - Kelly Fremon Craig made "The Edge of Seventeen"

16 - Nick Corporon made "Retake"

15 - Liz Manashil made "Bread and Butter"

14 – Duane Andersen made “Superpowerless”

13 – David Steinberg made “Miss Dial”

12 – Alex Lehman made “Asperger’s Are Us”

11 – Trevor Stevens is making “Rock Steady Row” (Part 1)

10 – Doug Archibald made “I Love You Both”

9 – Jeff Janke made “Highway to Havasu”

8 – Barbara Stepansky made “Hurt”

7 – Will Prescott made “Feeding Mr. Baldwin”

6 – Michael Mohan made “One Too Many Mornings”

5 – Nathan Scoggins made “The Least of These”

4 – America Young made “The Concessionaires Must Die!”

3 – Nate Atcheson made “Herpes Boy”

2 – Nick Ozeki made “Mamitas”

1 - Jack Perez made “America’s Deadliest Home Video”