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#filmmakingpodcast #shudder #directing 

This week on the podcast I'm talking to Director Josh Forbes. Josh started his career making music videos, he went on to direct a horror film called 'Contracted - Phase 2' and then directed a film for Shudder starring Alex Winters called 'Destroy all Neighbours'. He also recently completed a documentary called 'Gallagher' about the famous American comedian of the same name. 

I talked to Josh about music videos and how this might be a good avenue into filmmaking instead of short films, we talked about his first feature film, what the shoot was like and the lessons he learned and we talked about the film he directed for shudder, how it came together and I  asked him about working with Hollywood legend Betty White.

Check out the trailer for Destroy all Neighbours: https://youtu.be/puY9AthRUCQ?si=vrkyoa8SqXQE65YJ

Check out the re-release of Jim's first solo directing feature The Witches Hammer - out now on amazon 
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail/B0F235F4T8/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r

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HONEST, OPEN ADVICE ABOUT YOUR FILMMAKING CAREER

Are you about to leave Uni with a filmmaking degree? Or want to change careers and work in a creative industry? We want to give you the tools you need to enter the real world of production or freelancing. Honest and open career advice from people in the business.

We also talk to those in other creative industries to discuss their careers, the potential cross over with film production and practical tips for a successful and fulfilling career.

Join the community: http://www.thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk

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#filmpodcast #filmindustry #filmmaking

With 2025 upon us, I thought it would be a good opportunity to look back at the first full 12 months of the podcast and give you a 2024 year round up. Chat about some of lessons I've learned from speaking to industry professionals, career advice, some tips from Indie Filmmakers and also some of my recommendations from the last 12 months.

We also hear from some of the contributors to the podcast and friends of the podcast with their top recommendations from 2024. Enjoy!

Check out the episodes from contributing guests featured this week:

Watch the Cannes Vlog
https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/2024/05/21/cannes-film-festival-market-report-2024-with-mark-hampton/

Lucy V. Hay 
https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/2024/06/11/how-to-write-a-commercial-screenplay-with-lucy-v-hay/

Corrinne Wicks
https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/2024/08/13/how-to-be-a-successful-soap-actor-with-corrinne-wicks/

Jon Moore 
https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/2024/01/29/how-to-be-a-marvel-studios-make-up-sfx-artist-with-jon-moore/

Tom Butcher
https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/2024/08/27/how-to-have-a-career-in-television-theatre-with-tom-butcher/

Ross Boyask
https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/2021/10/24/how-film-sales-distribution-works/

Bev Sandford
https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/2021/10/24/how-to-be-a-published-author/

Pat Higgins
https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/2021/10/22/how-to-get-your-script-optioned/

Check out the re-release of Jim's first solo directing feature The Witches Hammer - out now on amazon 
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail/B0F235F4T8/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r

Support the show

For regular updates and exclusive content - sign up for The Honest Filmmaker newsletter
https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/e-newsletter/

Join The Honest Filmmaker community on our Facebook Group or Discord
https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/join-the-community/

HONEST, OPEN ADVICE ABOUT YOUR FILMMAKING CAREER

Are you about to leave Uni with a filmmaking degree? Or want to change careers and work in a creative industry? We want to give you the tools you need to enter the real world of production or freelancing. Honest and open career advice from people in the business.

We also talk to those in other creative industries to discuss their careers, the potential cross over with film production and practical tips for a successful and fulfilling career.

Join the community: http://www.thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk

Send us Fan Mail

#filmpodcast #filmmaking #filmmaker 

This week I'm talking to filmmaker Eric Wong. Eric started out as a composer and then went on to make feature films in his home country of Singapore. He's recently completed and released at the cinema in Singapore his Christmas movie 'Hi Noel'. 

I spoke to Eric about what it was like making the film,  what it's like being a filmmaker in Singapore, we also spoke about his decision to make a Singapore's first Christmas film and what it was like directing children. Finally, we talked about what he was able to transfer from his composing experience into filmmaking. Enjoy!

Check out the re-release of Jim's first solo directing feature The Witches Hammer - out now on amazon 
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail/B0F235F4T8/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r

Support the show

For regular updates and exclusive content - sign up for The Honest Filmmaker newsletter
https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/e-newsletter/

Join The Honest Filmmaker community on our Facebook Group or Discord
https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/join-the-community/

HONEST, OPEN ADVICE ABOUT YOUR FILMMAKING CAREER

Are you about to leave Uni with a filmmaking degree? Or want to change careers and work in a creative industry? We want to give you the tools you need to enter the real world of production or freelancing. Honest and open career advice from people in the business.

We also talk to those in other creative industries to discuss their careers, the potential cross over with film production and practical tips for a successful and fulfilling career.

Join the community: http://www.thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk

Send us Fan Mail

#genre #filmpodcast #filmmaking

This week on the podcast, I’m joined by filmmakers Lorrisa and C.J. Julianus, the husband-and-wife team behind the feature film The Misadventures of Mistress Maneater.

Lorrisa wrote the script and stars in the lead role, while C.J. directed the film. We dive into the challenges they faced during the release of this unique romantic comedy—a film that defies easy categorization and was at times misunderstood by audiences.

In this episode, we discuss the sales and distribution process, the difficulties of marketing a genre-bending movie, and how being “hard to define” impacted the film’s reach. Lorrisa also shares what it’s like to edit a film while critiquing her own performance as an actor, and C.J. offers valuable advice for new directors on working with actors, especially on a low-budget feature.

We also cover marketing and PR strategies, the realities of piracy in independent filmmaking, and practical tips for protecting your film from being pirated.

If you’re a filmmaker, storyteller, or film fan, this episode is packed with insights into the highs and hurdles of independent cinema. Don’t miss it!

Check out the re-release of Jim's first solo directing feature The Witches Hammer - out now on amazon 
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail/B0F235F4T8/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r

Support the show

For regular updates and exclusive content - sign up for The Honest Filmmaker newsletter
https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/e-newsletter/

Join The Honest Filmmaker community on our Facebook Group or Discord
https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/join-the-community/

HONEST, OPEN ADVICE ABOUT YOUR FILMMAKING CAREER

Are you about to leave Uni with a filmmaking degree? Or want to change careers and work in a creative industry? We want to give you the tools you need to enter the real world of production or freelancing. Honest and open career advice from people in the business.

We also talk to those in other creative industries to discuss their careers, the potential cross over with film production and practical tips for a successful and fulfilling career.

Join the community: http://www.thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk

Send us Fan Mail

#filmmaking #filmpodcast #tubi

This week on the podcast I talk to actor and director Dzifa Mallet. Dzifa decided he wanted to change careers and move into acting so made a short film and then turned this into his debut feature "Remedy for a Broken Heart". 

I spoke to Dzifa about what it was like working on his debut feature for someone with very little experience behind a camera, the strains and stress of directing yourself as well as producing an entire production on your own on a shoestring.  

We also talked about sales and distribution, how Dzifa ended up working with Indie Rights and how he promotes the film with a $0 marketing budget

Check out the re-release of Jim's first solo directing feature The Witches Hammer - out now on amazon 
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail/B0F235F4T8/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r

Support the show

For regular updates and exclusive content - sign up for The Honest Filmmaker newsletter
https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/e-newsletter/

Join The Honest Filmmaker community on our Facebook Group or Discord
https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/join-the-community/

HONEST, OPEN ADVICE ABOUT YOUR FILMMAKING CAREER

Are you about to leave Uni with a filmmaking degree? Or want to change careers and work in a creative industry? We want to give you the tools you need to enter the real world of production or freelancing. Honest and open career advice from people in the business.

We also talk to those in other creative industries to discuss their careers, the potential cross over with film production and practical tips for a successful and fulfilling career.

Join the community: http://www.thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk

Send us Fan Mail

#filmmaking #filmpodcast #directing

This week on the podcast I talk to Director Joshua Caldwell. After making a bunch of short films Joshua went onto make his debut micro budget feature 'Layover'. It won a bunch of awards and launched his directing career. Joshua's directed television and feature films including 'Infamous' and  'Mending the Line' for Netflix starring Brian Cox. 

Joshua also runs the '6k Filmmaker Micro Budget Course', one of the students of which was James Chick, who I have previously interviewed on the podcast about his micro feature 'Feet of Death'. 

I talked to Joshua about his career, how he started out, how he got that first feature film put together. He also told me why he thinks it's much better to make a feature film than lots of short films and the reasons why. We also talked about his course and some of the lessons he's learned from shooting features on low budgets - very useful stuff if you are thinking of working on your own debut feature film. 

Of course, I also asked him about 'Mending the Line' and what it was like working with Brian Cox - enjoy!  

The Oner from 'Infamous': https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0wXaYNOtMp/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

6k Filmmaker Course: https://www.6kfilmmaker.com/

Check out the re-release of Jim's first solo directing feature The Witches Hammer - out now on amazon 
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail/B0F235F4T8/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r

Support the show

For regular updates and exclusive content - sign up for The Honest Filmmaker newsletter
https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/e-newsletter/

Join The Honest Filmmaker community on our Facebook Group or Discord
https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/join-the-community/

HONEST, OPEN ADVICE ABOUT YOUR FILMMAKING CAREER

Are you about to leave Uni with a filmmaking degree? Or want to change careers and work in a creative industry? We want to give you the tools you need to enter the real world of production or freelancing. Honest and open career advice from people in the business.

We also talk to those in other creative industries to discuss their careers, the potential cross over with film production and practical tips for a successful and fulfilling career.

Join the community: http://www.thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk

Send us Fan Mail

#filmmakingpodcast #filmmaking #podcast 

This week on the podcast I talk to the founder of the Independent Horror Society and filmmaker Chris Nials. Chris started the Independent Horror Society in London as a way for horror lovers to get together and watch Horror movies. It quickly transformed and became more of a hub for filmmakers and people who love horror to connect with the horror creators.

Chris is also a producer having worked on a bunch of short films and having recently released 'Walking Against the Rain' . I talked to Chris about the Independent Horror Society, we chatted about his feature film, it was funded through the SEIS scheme in the UK so it was good to quiz him about that and find out the pitfalls and his tips for those of you thinking of doing that yourself. We talked about the feature film, the sales and distribution process. 

Chris says he has a good Sales Agent, which is something you don't often hear so it was great to quiz him about that. He's also a professional marketeer so it was great to get his tips on how to promote your film, Enjoy!  

Watch "Walking Against the Rain" on Prime: https://www.amazon.com/Walking-Against-Rain-Sophia-Eleni/dp/B0B8MSLS1R

Watch Jim's movie 'The Apocalypse Box': https://amberpictures.co.uk/the-apocalypse-box/

Check out the re-release of Jim's first solo directing feature The Witches Hammer - out now on amazon 
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail/B0F235F4T8/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r

Support the show

For regular updates and exclusive content - sign up for The Honest Filmmaker newsletter
https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/e-newsletter/

Join The Honest Filmmaker community on our Facebook Group or Discord
https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/join-the-community/

HONEST, OPEN ADVICE ABOUT YOUR FILMMAKING CAREER

Are you about to leave Uni with a filmmaking degree? Or want to change careers and work in a creative industry? We want to give you the tools you need to enter the real world of production or freelancing. Honest and open career advice from people in the business.

We also talk to those in other creative industries to discuss their careers, the potential cross over with film production and practical tips for a successful and fulfilling career.

Join the community: http://www.thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk

Send us Fan Mail

#filmmakingpodcast #afm #filmpodcast 

With AFM (The American Film Market) having recently wrapped up in Las Vegas I thought it would be a good idea to speak to two filmmakers that went so I spoke to Henry Winnik and Lucas Rios.

Henry is an experienced filmmaker, having been Location Manager on big films like 'The Wrestler' 'Insidious: The Red Door'.  Henry went over to AFM with his production company to look for finance for his feature film 'A Blaze in the Brooklyn Sky'. Lucas took over his feature film 'Till death do us part' (Hasta Que La Muerte Nos Separe) as he was looking to talk to sales agents and distributors. 

I spoke to both filmmakers about why they went to AFM, I got their experience of the market, their tips for going for the first time and we also talked a bit about their individual projects and what their hopes are for the future.

Check out the re-release of Jim's first solo directing feature The Witches Hammer - out now on amazon 
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail/B0F235F4T8/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r

Support the show

For regular updates and exclusive content - sign up for The Honest Filmmaker newsletter
https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/e-newsletter/

Join The Honest Filmmaker community on our Facebook Group or Discord
https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/join-the-community/

HONEST, OPEN ADVICE ABOUT YOUR FILMMAKING CAREER

Are you about to leave Uni with a filmmaking degree? Or want to change careers and work in a creative industry? We want to give you the tools you need to enter the real world of production or freelancing. Honest and open career advice from people in the business.

We also talk to those in other creative industries to discuss their careers, the potential cross over with film production and practical tips for a successful and fulfilling career.

Join the community: http://www.thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk

Send us Fan Mail

#filmmakingpodcast #filmpodcast #movieproduction 

This week on the podcast I talk to educator, producer and film industry data researcher Stephen Follows. Stephen has produced over 100 short films and two feature films, he also co runs Cat Snake Story Agency. He's taught at all the major film schools and specialises in film industry data.

I chatted to Stephen about some of the insights that film industry data brings him, especially in relation to indie filmmakers. We also talked about Stephens recently released Horror Movie Report which is a comprehensive case study of the horror genre, looking at data of every horror movie ever made, it looks at development, production, distribution and profitability.   I asked Stephen about how Indie filmmakers can use data to improve their movies and how they finance, produce and sell them. I asked about any surprises from the insights of his report, if film festivals are worth entering and we chatted about why i HATE the term 'elevated horror'. Enjoy!  

The Horror Movie Report: https://stephenfollows.com/p/the-horror-movie-report

Check out the re-release of Jim's first solo directing feature The Witches Hammer - out now on amazon 
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail/B0F235F4T8/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r

Support the show

For regular updates and exclusive content - sign up for The Honest Filmmaker newsletter
https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/e-newsletter/

Join The Honest Filmmaker community on our Facebook Group or Discord
https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/join-the-community/

HONEST, OPEN ADVICE ABOUT YOUR FILMMAKING CAREER

Are you about to leave Uni with a filmmaking degree? Or want to change careers and work in a creative industry? We want to give you the tools you need to enter the real world of production or freelancing. Honest and open career advice from people in the business.

We also talk to those in other creative industries to discuss their careers, the potential cross over with film production and practical tips for a successful and fulfilling career.

Join the community: http://www.thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk

Send us Fan Mail

#filmmaking #podcast #americanfilmmarket #afm

This week on the podcast I'm talking to filmmaker Tom Malloy. Tom has a huge string of credits starting as an actor he then went onto produce films. He's written and sold screenplays, raised finance for movies and he's also directed. 

I asked Tom about his route into the industry and we also went through the whole process of a production with all his tips on writing, casting, financing, production, sales and distribution for anyone  wanting to work on their debut feature film. He also talked to me about what to expect at the American Film Market (AFM) this year. We covered everything from the pros and cons of AFM vs. Cannes, helping filmmakers decide which market is the best fit for their projects. Tom shared powerful tips on sales and distribution strategies, along with insider advice on which genres are selling at AFM right now—and how much action really makes a difference in indie films. 

We also dug into the real frustrations low-budget filmmakers face with sales agents, with Tom offering advice on how to push past these hurdles. If you’re heading to AFM or just want to learn the secrets to breaking into the film market, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone serious about their filmmaking career. 

Tom's website: https://www.filmmakingstuffhq.com
Tom's Youtube Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/c/filmmakingstuff

The American Film Market: https://americanfilmmarket.com

Check out the re-release of Jim's first solo directing feature The Witches Hammer - out now on amazon 
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail/B0F235F4T8/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r

Support the show

For regular updates and exclusive content - sign up for The Honest Filmmaker newsletter
https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/e-newsletter/

Join The Honest Filmmaker community on our Facebook Group or Discord
https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/join-the-community/

HONEST, OPEN ADVICE ABOUT YOUR FILMMAKING CAREER

Are you about to leave Uni with a filmmaking degree? Or want to change careers and work in a creative industry? We want to give you the tools you need to enter the real world of production or freelancing. Honest and open career advice from people in the business.

We also talk to those in other creative industries to discuss their careers, the potential cross over with film production and practical tips for a successful and fulfilling career.

Join the community: http://www.thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk