Wed, Nov 18, 2020
We talk Black Lives Matter, human value and white privilege with the director of topical film, 'The Subject' written by Chisa Hutchison, starring Jason Biggs, Aunjanue Ellis and Anabelle Acosta. "The Subject follows a successful white documentary filmmaker as he deals with the fallout from his last film, which caught the murder of a Black teen on tape. While he shoots a new doc series for a major network, someone films his every move, threatening his idyllic life." - Lanie Zipoy If you enjoy this filmmakers' podcast, please follow us on your favourite listening platform for more. Please also subscribe to our YouTube channel where we post full length video episodes of these podcasts and other helpful content for movie fans, filmmakers and actors alike.
Mon, Nov 23, 2020
Lauren McCann, the writer and director of 'Girl Boxer', discusses the fine lines of morality in life and film with presenter and actress, Aiysha Jebali. Lauren wrote the gritty series' proof of concept which explores the ethics of when it may be tempting to take a life and whether or not extenuating circumstances make a difference. 'Girl Boxer' tells the fascinating story of a struggling single-mother lured into the underground boxing ring by the Irish mob - however - the real question is, why her? --- Film Forums Podcast focuses on the people of film and how they have put their work in the public eye with success. We ask all your burning questions about screenwriting, pitching to studios, raising finance, submitting to BAFTA qualifying film festivals, distribution, marketing and more. We are interested in all aspects of the film industry from independent to blockbuster - all can find a home at Film Forums. We interview directors, actors and screenwriters about movies starring the likes of Sean Young (Blade Runner), Barry Primus (The Irishman, American Hustle), Jason Biggs (American Pie, Orange is the New Black), and Eduardo Sanchez (The Blair Witch Project).
Wed, Nov 25, 2020
People say that your soundtrack is one third of your film - so why is it so often overlooked by independent filmmakers? Film Forums' Aiysha Jebali discusses what narrative music 1really is and why it is so important in the film industry with accomplished movie composer Andrew S. Markus from 4scoreand7music. Andrew also tells us how established men like him are supporting women in film and other under represented groups, by working at cost for the right projects, via his new initiative: The Equity in Film Program.
Mon, Nov 30, 2020
We're delighted to bring you this interview with the charming and wonderfully talented Ferdinand Kingsley, who plays Irving Thalberg in the latest masterpiece by director, David Fincher. Mank (2020, Netflix) is set in old Hollywood and centres around the elite circle that were running MGM at the time Herman J. Mankiewicz was developing Orson Welles' masterpiece Citizen Kane (1941). Accomplished actor Ferdinand Kingsley, son of actor Ben Kingsley and theatre director Alison Sutcliffe, speaks directly to his fellow actors about how he carved out his own path in the performing world. It really wasn't as easy as you may assume. He discusses the criticality of training, the difference between film acting and theatre performance, his childhood behind the curtain and his preparation process for playing a character with such a contrasting worldview and actions taken, such as, Thalberg. This highly accomplished MGM film producer, played by Kingsley, became known for delivering the world's first mainstream "fake news", disguised as service announcements and documentary style clips in cinemas. Irving Thalberg produced these "news" segments using out of work actors and they were played at the beginning of most of his blockbuster movies, in order to influence the vote of the masses towards the Republican party.
Mon, Dec 7, 2020
At the time of publishing, the pilot episode of Boy*Friends (2020) has reached an incredible 1M views on YouTube!Isaiah Frizzelle plays Dom in the comedy series written by Noam Ash and Austin Bening, a show that follows two roommates, one gay and one straight, navigating their way through university to adulthood. Isaiah talks about how he got involved in the project and his hopes for the series in the future...Accomplished yet humble, actor and writer Isaiah Frizzelle also talks about the importance of having a solid support network while we embark on our creative journey as filmmakers. Isaiah touches on working closely with his friends such as fellow actors Kazy Tauginas (John Wick, The Equalizer 2) and Freddy Giorlando (Standing Eight), regarding them as family.Isaiah can also be seen in many award-winning independent films, such as, Standing Eight (2016) for lupus awareness and Terminal Legacy: Lost Souls (2016). Frizzelle's The Bird Brain Podcast can be found on major podcast platforms.
Wed, Dec 9, 2020
American actress, producer and recording artist, Tamela D'Amico joins presenter Aiysha Jebali for another insightful episode of the Film Forums Podcast. D'Amico takes us through her amazing career in the performing arts from an early age, all the way to her recent outlook-altering experience in the Cannes selected Indian film One Little Finger (2019) by Rupam Sarmah. This eye-opening film follows a neurologist (played by Tamela D'Amico) as she gives up everything to study music therapy in India. D'Amico's character helps the differently abled come together through music and alters their, and her own, perception of what it means to be "disabled".
Tue, Dec 15, 2020
Not too many people can tell you that they've directed Bruce Willis on the set of Die Hard. Movie director John Suits can - albeit in a 2 minute commercial for some batteries. Before that, John had the opportunity to work with the legendary actor in Breach (2020) an action-packed, Sci-fi thriller. Ironically, the movie features the escape of humankind from a devastating plague on Earth - In this episode of the Film Forums Podcast we talk with John about the making this movie and why the characters played by Bruce Willis et al should really have worn masks at the beginning of the film. We also discuss the interest on movies about viruses during the Coronavirus pandemic, what he wishes he'd known when he first started out as a filmmaker, and so much more.
Wed, Dec 16, 2020
USC School of Cinematic Arts graduate and successful filmmaker, Braden R. Duemmler, reveals what he has learned over the years - from being a student at a prestigious top-tier film school to producing his own cinematic horror What Lies Below (2020) and how it gained full distribution with Saban Films. Duemmler walks us through the most important aspects of filmmaking, how he handled his budget and how he made the connections necessary to get his film off the ground. What Lies Below (2020), starring American Beauty's Mena Suvari, is a science fiction horror that follows a 16 year-old girl as she returns home from camp. Her mother has a new boyfriend, one she is set to marry; a man whose charm, intelligence and good looks set him apart from the rest. Is he really all that he seems?
Mon, Dec 21, 2020
Political exile and award-winning filmmaker, Nadira Murray, tells Film Forums' Aiysha Jebali exactly what inspired her cinematic rendition of the UK former "Fast Track" deportation system in her film Locked In (2017). When we think of such a topic as detention centres and deportation, we often expect to see it in a documentary format. This can sometimes feel quite detached and almost cold. We may even be less connected to the very raw subjects featured than we are to the characters in a far less realistic Sci-Fi movie. It was this knowledge and Murray's personal love of cinema that spurred her on to bring the stories of so many in suffering to life in a narrative film with characters we could relate to. Her RADA training and strong acting background meant that Nadira was dedicated to finding the right people to tell this important story via crucial casting efforts. Not to mention, it has been over 16 years since Nadira herself has been able to return home to Uzbekistan, since fleeing for political protection. Nadira knows this story all too well and has stood hand-in-hand with many others who are new to the UK and desperately trying to navigate our seemingly complex immigration systems in order to literally save their own lives.
Wed, Jan 6, 2021
That difficult question: How to Fund an Independent Film? The truth is, there are many routes and here we discuss some of the biggest ones with Jeffrey A. Brown - independent filmmaker of The Beach House (2019/II), distributed by AMC Network's Shudder. Just a few things you could consider for raising capital to fund your indie movie: . Create a pitch deck . Pitch to studios from a film treatment, synopsis or film script . Approach independent financiers with your pitch at any stage of the filmmaking process . Try crowdfunding using JustGiving, GoFundMe, IndieGoGo, Kickstarter or any of the other fantastic platforms out there . Self-fund or partially self-fund using your own savings . You could create a proof of concept and use it as a visual pitch for studios, independent financiers and/or crowdfunding .Enter film festivals with your proof of concept and network while there . Collaborate with other producers to bring together the capital, labour or equipment you need to make your movie. There really are just so many options. We hope you enjoy hearing how Jeffrey A. Brown got his film, The Beach House, funded and the financing routes he explored. Most of all, we hope his filmmaking journey gives you some ideas and inspiration that can be applied practically. Jeffrey A. Brown is an NYU Film School graduate who gained 50+ credits on well-established film sets before embarking on his feature film debut. After gaining experience, he is truly going from success to success with is independent filmmaking career, as his film takes cinemas and OTT distribution platforms by storm. THE BEACH HOUSE LOGLINE: 'A romantic getaway for two troubled college sweethearts turns into a struggle for survival when unexpected guests - and the surrounding environment - exhibit signs of a mysterious infection.'