SYS Episode 306

Author and Screenwriter Jamie Grefe talks about how his Facebook contact, Indie Filmmaker Jim Wynorski led to his big break and first feature. Jamie Grefe’s movie credits include It, Hunger and The Wishing Forest. 

Episode 303

This week on the SYS Podcast I talk with screenwriters Henry Jacobson (also the director) and Avra Fox-Lerner about how their new crime thriller feature film, Bloodline. We also talk about how this film came together and how they were able to attach Seann William Scott to the project.

SYS Episode 302

This week on the SYS Podcast I talk with Writer/Director Henry Alex Rubin about his new feature film, Semper Fi, and how he got involved with that project. We also discuss his award winning documentary, Murderball, and how that launched his career as a director.

SYS Episode 301

In this episode of the podcast I talk with Bernie Rao about his new horror feature film, Killer Sofa, which he wrote, directed, and produced. We also talk through his career and how he's been able to make movies all while living well outside of Hollywood.

IFH #348

Today on the show we have writer/director Rob Smat. His niche film is THE LAST WHISTLE. It is a Football Drama with a budget 125K, the crew was almost entirely film students, shot in 13 days in Texas, distributed worldwide by Vertical Ent. for 10 theater release this past June and originated as a pitch for Rebel Without a Crew TV show and was turned down so he made it myself

Rob formed a cast from high-level B-list stars, fostered relationships with distributors before shooting, and focused on production value without losing sight of the story. Trying to recoup budget rather than use the festival circuit to find an audience he did not submit the film to any major festivals, we discuss the pros and cons of that strategy.

He was 22 when he started developing the project and wanted THE LAST WHISTLE to lead him to a place where he could build a filmmaking business model that could sustain his filmmaking goals.

Enjoy my conversation with Rob Smat.

BPS #53

Forensic Speak: How to Write Realistic Crime Dramas with Jennifer Dornbush

Today on the show we have author Jennifer Dornbush who has written the book Forensic Speak: How to Write Realistic Crime Dramas. We sit down and discuss all thing forensics. We even discuss the im[pact of the OJ Simpson case on the world of forensics. Here’s a bit about her amazing book.

Crime stories have always intrigued viewers and storytellers. Today, crime shows rule the airwaves and there is truly a procedural drama out there for every personality — and every writer. Born out of the author’s real-life experiences growing up around death investigation, Forensic Speak unlocks the secrets of forensic science for writers and fans alike. With a filmography of 100 film and TV examples and 80 additional resources, the book provides writers direct access to hundreds of ways to make their crime writing more authentic.

Enjoy my conversation with Jennifer Dornbush.

Episode 300 (a huge congrats to Ashley Scott Meyers for delivering his three-hundredth episode!)

Writer/Director (and often writing partner) Nathan Ives comes on the SYS Podcast to talk about his new documentary, Somewhere In The Middle, which is about artists who are make a living doing their art but aren't super famous. It's an insightful film that all aspiring artists should watch. 

SYS Episode 299

This week on the podcast I talk with indie Writer/Director/Producer Anderson Cowan about his latest feature film, Groupers. We also talk about his background and how and why he made the transition from working a 9-5 job to writing and directing films.