The ISA Podcast

SYS Episode 321

This week Ashley Scott Meyers talks with Filmmaker Brando Benetton.

Brando's credits include writing and directing the short Nightfire (2020). They talk about this action/thriller and how Brando was able to make a lot of production value on a budget.

SYS Episode 320

This week Ashley Scott Meyers talks with Actor/Director Eric Etebari about his latest Action / Adventure movie Emerald Run (2020).

Topics include how taking an acting class changed his life and how Directors can create a "Performance Environment" on set.

I can’t tell you how excited I am for today’s episode. I had the pleasure to speak to the legendary director Barry Sonnenfeld. We discuss his idiosyncratic upbringing in New York City, his breaking into film as a cinematographer with the Coen brothers, and his unexpected career as the director behind such huge film franchises as The Addams Family and Men in Black, and beloved work like Get Shorty, Pushing Daises, and A Series of Unfortunate Events. We also chat about the time he shot nine porno films in nine days. That story alone is worth the price of admission.

In his new book Barry Sonnenfeld, Call Your Mother: Memoirs of a Neurotic Filmmaker  shares his laugh-out-loud memoir about coming of age. Constantly threatened with suicide by his over-protective mother, disillusioned by the father he worshiped, and abused by a demonic relative, Sonnenfeld somehow went on to become one of Hollywood’s most successful producers and directors.

His book is written with poignant insight and real-life irony, the book follows Sonnenfeld from childhood as a French horn player through graduate film school at NYU, where he developed his talent for cinematography. His first job after graduating was shooting nine feature-length pornos in nine days. From that humble entrée, he went on to form a friendship with the Coen Brothers, launching his career shooting their first three films.

Though Sonnenfeld had no ambition to direct, Scott Rudin convinced him to be the director of The Addams Family. It was a successful career move. He went on to direct many more films and television shows. Will Smith once joked that he wanted to take Sonnenfeld to Philadelphia public schools and say,

“If this guy could end up as a successful film director on big-budget films, anyone can.”

His book is a fascinating and hilarious road map for anyone who thinks they can’t succeed in life because of a rough beginning.

Barry Sonnenfeld’s philosophy is,

“Regret the Past. Fear the Present. Dread the Future.”

This EPIC conversation is almost two hours and had me on the floor laughing one minute and in absolute shock the next. This is by far one of my favorite interviews I have ever done on the show.

So sit back, grab a drink and enjoy my conversation with Barry Sonnenfeld.

Note: This is an Indie Film Hustle Podcast episode I wanted to share with you. Be safe out there.

Too many screenwriter’s thinking is based on two months ago. They believe that the world will go back to exactly how it was before on this pandemic blows over. That might be true and I truly hope it does but hope alone will not pay the rent. Our industry is going through an unprecedented shift. If I may quote the Ghostbusters,

Dr. Peter Venkman: This city is headed for a disaster of biblical proportions.
Mayor: What do you mean, “biblical”?
Dr Ray Stantz: What he means is Old Testament, Mr. Mayor, real wrath-of-God type stuff.
Dr. Peter Venkman: Exactly.
Dr Ray Stantz: Fire and brimstone coming down from the skies. Rivers and seas boiling.
Dr. Egon Spengler: Forty years of darkness. Earthquakes, volcanoes…
Winston Zeddemore: The dead rising from the grave.
Dr. Peter Venkman: Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together – mass hysteria.

We as screenwriters need to start thinking about how we can pivot your business, writing skills, and knowledge into the new reality that we are living in and very well might be in for some time to come.

Things that already are pivoting in the film industry:

• No theatrical screenings, release on TVOD Premium
• SXSW teamed with Amazon for a Virtual Film Festival (this could do more harm than good)
• Drive-ins are making a comeback
• Can’t screen your film in theaters, set up a virtual screening
• AMC Theater’s stock has been downgraded and isn’t expected to recover

You have to think about what your customer needs are right now and address them. The companies that are sitting on the sidelines fearful of making any moves will be left behind. You as filmmakers need to change your mindsets. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Entire new industries will rise from this turmoil and if you are smart you will be ready to be a part of the new world.

In this episode, I breakdown some side hustles that will help filmmakers and screenwriters not only survive the pandemic but thrive in the new world we will be walking into.

• Write commercially: handbooks, corporate brochures and the like
• Researchers
• Blog Writing
• Write for a website
• Advertising copywriting
• Editing copy
• Write grant applications
• Offer Gigs on Fiverr
• Create an Upwork Profile to sell your writing services
• Create a comic book (partner with an artist) – Could turn this into a short or feature once the air clears

• Swaybacks.com (Get paid to watch videos)
• Become a virtual assistant
• Virtual Tutor (VIP Kid – $14-$22 per hour) Chegg.com
• Transcribe Audio or video (Rev, Scribe, TigerFish)
• Review Software (SoftwareJungle)

I go into more detail in the episode. Think outside the box because the box you knew is not coming back. It will be a new box. Don’t be Blockbuster Video and fight to keep what you know while you reject the reality of what is.

Stay safe out there.

Episode 319

This week's guest is UK filmmaker Francis Annan. 

His latest credit is Escape From Pretoria (2020) starring Daniel Radcliffe. Francis talks about what led to this film getting made and how they were able to cast a star actor such as Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter Franchise). 

During the intro your host Ashley Scott Meyers talks about how he pushed his successful kickstarter over the goal for his feature The Rideshare Killer. 

Episode 318

This week Ashley Scott Meyers talks with filmmaker Brandon Rhiness.

Topics include how Brandon gets movies made thanks to coming up with stories that only need a few locations. The most recent example of this is the Comedy called Hot Box which he wrote and directed.

Episode 317

Ashley Scott Meyers talks with Actor and Filmmaker Steven Chase. 

Topics include how Steven Chase wrote a script with his intention to star in it, and how he started making movies in Florida. His credits include Stan The Man (2020) and Shut Up And Kiss Me! (2004). 

SYS Episode 316

Filmmaker Martin Gooch is back on Selling Your Screenplay Podcast for a third time! In this episode he talks about his latest Sci-Fi action movie Atomic Apocalypse.

Other topics include, making movies in the United Kingdom and the struggles of getting financing for indie film. 

Today I spoke with Claire Elizabeth Terry, who founded the Rocaberti Writers Retreat, which operates a sort of educational getaway in exotic locations: Medieval castles across Europe!  Writers meet daily with the mentor of their choice, who include Academy award-winning writers, directors and major movie producers - in small groups of just 4 writers, to workshop their project. This is a chance to receive undivided attention and ask questions about anything related to their writing—from their story arc to gaining traction in their writing career to crafting the perfect pitch for an agent or producer.

So consider taking the most exclusive and fun literary ‘vacation’ for furthering your writing and writing career, all while residing in a castle!

In these strange and difficult times, it's important to be reminded that you are not alone. The ISA is a community of writers and creatives who are all focused on one thing - to create. In spite of how the world is changed in such a short time, creation won't stop - it can't stop. And it is your responsibility as a creative creator to continue working, inspiring, entertaining and, again, creating.

The ISA Founder, Craig James, takes ten minutes with you to remind of the above, but also to remind you of how the ISA can help, and the resources that are still available at your fingertips.

We urge you all to stay as positive as possible, to continue to write, and to be even more patient than ever have been. While you're being patient, the ISA's resources and staff are here for you.

Keep working hard.