SYS Episode 297
On this episode of the podcast I talk with A Quiet Place screenwriters Scott Beck and Bryan Woods about how they got started in the business, how they came up with the idea for A Quiet Place, and how their new horror feature, Haunt, got produced.
SYS Episode 296
On this episode of the podcast I talk with Atlanta based screenwriter Mark Leidner about his career living far from Hollywood and how he's been able to get some of his scripts produced. And then we talk about his new film, Empathy, Inc., a grounded sci-fi / thriller.
Just Click Submit with Clarissa Jacobson
In this episode, ISA welcomes award-winning filmmaker and author Clarissa Jacobson to the show and website to talk about her book, “I Made a Short Film, Now WTF Do I Do With It?” The book is jam-packed with hard-earned knowledge, tips, and secrets on how to enter film festivals, promote your movie… and SUCCEED!
"I Made A Short Film Now WTF Do I Do With It" covers everything from what festivals to submit to, how to maximize your money, secure an international presence, deal with rejection, gain publicity, harness the power of social media, what a sales rep does and much more.
Included are exclusive filmmaker discounts on services/products from the festival platform, Reelport, subtitling company, Captionmax, and promo merchandisers, Medias Frankenstein and The Ink Spot. Check out the book on the ISA site here: https://www.networkisa.org/product/view/shortfilmwtfbook
IFH 342
Today episode is probably one of the most important shows I have released in some time. On the show is filmmaker Naomi McDougall Jones the writer, actress and producer behind the indie film Bite Me, a subversive romantic comedy about a real-life vampire and the IRS agent who audits them, directed by Meredith Edwards.
The filmmakers of Bite Me have decided to take a radical approach to distribute their film: they’re doing it themselves. For 3 months, they traveled in an RV around the U.S. and screening the film wherever they can – be it a theater, a bar, or someone’s living room. Not only did they tour around the country like carnies they also documented their entire process with a docu-series.
EVERY FILMMAKER NEEDS TO WATCH THIS SERIES. It is mandatory for every IFH Tribe member. I’ve never said this before so take it seriously. It will save you a ton of pain and suffering. Naomi is so open, raw and honest about her experience. Get ready for one heck of an interview. Enjoy!
SYS Episode 295
On this episode of the SYS Podcast I interview director Jason Winer about the early days of his career, and how that lead him to directing, and eventually his latest feature, An Ode to Joy, starring Martin Freeman.
SYS Episode 294
This week on the podcast I talk with director Shawn Ku about how he launched his career as a writer/director with a short and low budget feature, and how that has lead him to his latest feature film, A Score To Settle, with Nicolas Cage.
The writer/director of the popular Amazon TV docu-series, Hellier, Karl Pfeiffer joins Society co-hosts, Max Timm and Scott Markus to talk all things fantastic. Karl's documentary, Hellier, launched on Amazon in 2019 and there is a second season coming out on Amazon Prime before the end of 2019. The series documents the accounts of small, goblin-like creatures that supposedly invaded a small Kentucky mountain town. It's absolutely worth your time to watch the 5-episode first season, especially since the next set of episodes are expected to drop soon! You can find out more at Hellier.TV.
On top of his accounts of these little goblin creatures, Karl's unique story at the end of this podcast episode about his most amazing experience while ghosthunting at the famous Stanley Hotel is enough to keep you on edge (to say the least).
Passionate about the supernatural since as far back as he can remember, Karl began amateur experiential investigation during his sophomore year of college. Shortly after, he was cast on and later won the Syfy Channel's reality competition series, Ghost Hunters Academy. He went on briefly to work with the Ghost Hunters International team on the same network. From there, he began work at the famous Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado as one of the resident paranormal investigators on the Stanley's SPI team, leading weekend public investigations. He worked there for five and a half years, conducting almost 250 investigations on the grounds.
He lectures across the country about approaches to investigation, the philosophy of science and the paranormal, as well as paranormal photography.
Find us on Twitter @FantasticGhosty and share your own Fantastic Stories with us!
I have a treat for the tribe today. In this episode, I speak to prolific film producer/writer/director Mike Feifer. Mike has directed over 70 films and produced over 100 feature films. His approach to filmmaking is true indie film hustle. He write/produces and directs 7-10 feature films a year for multple production companies.
Michael Feifer grew up in a show business family. His father was Head of Television Research for Twentieth Century Fox in the late 60’s and 70’s. In fact, when Michael was born he was announced in the back pages of The Hollywood Reporter and Variety. Although Mike’s father worked for Fox, the editor of Variety lived across the street, and his brother shot Super 8 films with J.J. Abrams, surprisingly Mike’s interests were not yet in film but rather photography, art, and architecture.
Mike went on to earn a degree in Architecture from the University of Colorado at Boulder. It was in Boulder where Mike began to truly understand the use of perspective, color, and composition. Little did he know that his education in architecture would transcend so well to a career in directing movies.
After graduating from college and working as a furniture and graphic designer, Mike decided to take advantage of the fact that his father was producing independent films. And, after working on only three projects, at the age of twenty-four Mike produced his first feature. It was from that point that his career in film took off. Mike continued to work for his father as Vice-President of Vista Street Entertainment where he went on to oversee all production, run the home video label, and sell films to foreign territories at Cannes, MIFED, AFM, and more. It was this experience with his father that Mike received an extremely well rounded understanding of the entire business from production to distribution.
Eventually, Mike left the safety of his father’s company and began producing films for others. In fact, Mike has now produced over 100 feature films. He even went on to marry one of his directors, Caia Coley. But, there was always a feeling that Mike should be doing more creatively.
He knew that his background in “the business” and his interest and education in art and architecture were merging together to push him to work behind the camera. And, when a director dropped out of a film that Mike was producing, he finally got his shot to direct. The film was called Lethal Eviction and it starred Jennifer Carpenter (Dexter, The Exorcism of Emily Rose) and Judd Nelson (Breakfast Club).
Once he had the first film under his belt, Mike focused almost entirely on directing. Mike then went on to write and direct a variety of smaller horror and true crime features which were great experiences that allowed Mike the opportunity to develop his visual style, master the language of film, and learn to work efficiently. His ability to move his crew quickly and make concise decisions on set allow Mike to get an incredible amount of set-ups shot per day.
Additionally, Mike is considered an actor’s director because of his innate ability to collaborate with his talent yet lead them. But, he’s also considered a producer’s director due to his ability to bring in films on budget, on-time, and with amazing production quality.
Mike has directed stars such as Val Kilmer, Brittany Murphy, Tom Arnold, Mimi Rogers, Tom Skerritt, Jennie Garth, Peter Bogdanovich, Dean Cain and many more. Since directing that first feature, Mike has gone on to direct many more films in a wide variety of genres from horror to thriller to drama to comedy. His films are seen regularly on channels such as ABC Family Channel, Lifetime, Hallmark, The Chiller Channel, and more. And, his films are sold in every territory throughout the world.
We go over his entire method, how he makes money and how the heck he gets so much done. Enjoy my conversation with Mike Feifer.
In this second installment of The Fantastic Story Society, we welcome a new member to the group - Mike Huberty. Long-time ghost tour guide and veteran (he owns and operates tours throughout the Midwest, including one in Max Timm's hometown of Lake Geneva, WI), Mike joins co-hosts Max Timm and Scott Markus as they dive deep into some of the fantastic stories of Mike's ghost tour business. Mike also is a member of the oh-so-fun and popular band, Sunspot, writing and performing music that is inspired by legends, myths, and all things spooky weird.
Our favorite part of the show? When he tells the hosts the most famous ghost story of Lake Geneva, WI...and long-time resident, Max, never even knew about it! (Shows how much Max is up to speed on his hometown ghosts.)
Follow the Society on Twitter @FantasticGhosty or find us on Facebook. We would love to hear your fantastic stories.
Even if your idea may not be immediately "hook-y" like a Happy Death Day or 40 Year-Old Virgin, your idea can still be simplified so the industry understands what the middle of your story is at its core. It's all about marketing, folks. Yes, you need to develop and execute an entertaining screenplay, but if no one understands your pitch, it's all for naught. So listen in on episode 72 of Wine Wednesday with Max Timm and Felicity Wren for insights, tools, and an all-around fun time.
A huge thanks to our sponsors, Your Script Produced Contest (which you must check out!), and the ISA's online class in screenwriting, The Craft Course. Go to www.TheCraftCourse.com. Only $99 for a 12-week, full-development online virtual consultant that will move you through your script quickly and efficiently. And you get to keep the course for life!
Remember, Felicity Wren and Max Timm always have open Q&A during every Facebook Live broadcast, so you should tune in when they broadcast their next live chat. Even though most broadcasts focus on a particular subject, every writer is welcome to ask anything they like at any time. Felicity and Max will do their best to give you a straight and honest answer.
This is a podcast recording of the ISA's Facebook Live broadcast of Wine Wednesdays. Please note that some promotions offered during the live broadcast are no longer available. We can, however, assist you if you wish to find out more information regarding ISA events, contests, or consulting offers. Just reach out to info@networkisa.org and we will be happy to help.
You can reach out to Max regarding any type of query: max@networkisa.org If you have particular interest in working with him on a one-on-one coaching and development basis, email him at max@thestoryfarm.org. His Story Farm development and coaching service is quickly becoming the best in the business! Felicity can also be reached at Felicity@networkisa.org. She, too, can work with you one-on-one, so don't hesitate to inquire. We can't wait to support you.
Subjects and themes for the broadcasts change from week to week, so stay tuned on most Wednesday evenings at 7:00pm Los Angeles time. For a specific schedule and set of announcements, "Like" the ISA Facebook page and keep up to date.
The always amazing and informative Lee Jessup, screenwriting career coach and mentor, joins the Wine Wednesday team again...and the level of education is off the charts. Get your learning caps on as Lee, Max, and Felicity discuss the current events and trends of the Hollywood business and how screenwriters can gain an edge.
A huge thanks to our sponsors, Int'l Screenwriters' Association and of course, the wonderful Lee Jessup.
Remember, Felicity Wren and Max Timm always have open Q&A during every Facebook Live broadcast, so you should tune in when they broadcast their next live chat. Even though most broadcasts focus on a particular subject, every writer is welcome to ask anything they like at any time. Felicity and Max will do their best to give you a straight and honest answer.
This is a podcast recording of the ISA's Facebook Live broadcast of Wine Wednesdays. Please note that some promotions offered during the live broadcast are no longer available. We can, however, assist you if you wish to find out more information regarding ISA events, contests, or consulting offers. Just reach out to info@networkisa.org and we will be happy to help.
You can reach out to Max regarding any type of query: max@networkisa.org If you have particular interest in working with him on a one-on-one coaching and development basis, email him at max@thestoryfarm.org. His Story Farm development and coaching service is quickly becoming the best in the business! Felicity can also be reached at Felicity@networkisa.org. She, too, can work with you one-on-one, so don't hesitate to inquire. We can't wait to support you.
Subjects and themes for the broadcasts change from week to week, so stay tuned on most Wednesday evenings at 7:00pm Los Angeles time. For a specific schedule and set of announcements, "Like" the ISA Facebook page and keep up to date.
In our first official episode of The Fantastic Story Society, Max Timm and Scott Markus break out the big guns with their own personal weird, wild, and of course fantastic stories AND they bring on their friend and long-time paranormal researcher, Jeff Belanger.
For more than 20 years, Jeff has been exploring ghosts, monsters, history, and legends. He’s the author of more than a dozen books that have been published in six languages, and he’s appeared on PBS, the Travel Channel, History Channel, CBS, Bio, and Amazon Prime, as well as radio programs such as Coast to Coast AM and NPR’s Talk of the Nation. His PBS series New England Legends has been nominated for two Emmy awards, while his podcast of the same name has been downloaded over one million times. To top it all off, he’s been the writer and researcher for the popular Travel Channel ghost investigation show, Ghost Adventures, since episode 1 (which is saying something since they're on season 18)!
As our very first official member of The Fantastic Story Society, we welcome Jeff Belanger...and yes, he has a story about a man-eating tree.
Find us on Twitter @FantasticGhosty and share your own Fantastic Stories with us!
Welcome to The Fantastic Story Society. Within the walls of this super-yet-not-so-secret club, you will find stories of the supernatural, paranormal, and just plain weird. In this pilot episode, co-hosts Max Timm and Scott Markus, each with their special backgrounds in storytelling and paranormal research, you'll be introduced to these two masters of ceremony by way of a few fantastic stories of their own. A shorter introductory pilot episode, Episode Zero, is just the primer for what's to come. Future episodes will highlight fantastic stories every week, but also specific special guests within various fields of the weird and fantastic. So stay tuned to more, and once again, welcome to The Fantastic Story Society.