Writer/Director/Producer Matthew Holmes joins me in Episode 12 to discuss his feature film, THE LEGEND OF BEN HALL. It’s microbudget biography about an Australia anti-hero who’s as mythical as America outlaw, Jesse James. Working within the Western genre, Matthew’s film promises to be a unique portrayal of an infamous bushranger.

Screenwriter/Director Kiah Roache-Turner Screenwriter/Director, Kiah Roache-Turner, joins me in Episode 11 to discuss his debut feature film, WYRMWOOD: ROAD OF THE DEAD. It’s a zombie movie with a difference. Think MAD MAX meets DAWN OF THE DEAD! In particular, we chat about: * Learning how to be a filmmaker while shooting swimwear commercials for aussieBum * Finding a loyal crew in the workplace instead of at film school * The influences of MAD MAX on WYRMWOOD * The inspiration of Peter Jackson, James Cameron and the directors of the 1970s * Rewriting during a multi-year shoot * Finding the humour after test screening a work-in-progress cut * Becoming a better writer after seeing your words made into film * The importance of finishing your film LINKS * Wyrmwood on Facebook * Wyrmwood on IMDB * Wyrmwood on Australian iTunes * Wyrmwood on US iTunes * Peter Jackson: A Film-maker's Journey * The Futurist: The Life and Films of James Cameron * Easy Riders, Raging Bulls: How the Sex-Drugs-and-Rock 'N' Roll Generation Saved Hollywood * Down and Dirty Pictures: Miramax, Sundance, and the Rise of Independent Film * Mad Max: Fury Road * Dawn of the Dead * Overnight iTUNES REVIEWS Leave me a Rating and Review in iTunes! https://benphelps.com/iTunesReviews It won't cost you a cent and it makes a big difference. The more you love the show, the higher this podcast is ranked in iTunes which helps new listeners (like you and me) discover it. That's how I found my favourite shows. Just click the link above. It means a lot to me and the guests on the show. SUBSCRIBE You can subscribe directly from your phone. If you've got an iPhone, click the purple app named Podcasts. If you've got a Samsung phone or another Android phone, try the apps Stitcher or Overcast. Both are free. Or find me in iTunes on Mac and PC. Just search for 'Ben Phelps'. Then tap SUBSCRIBE or LISTEN LATER. Every time I release a new episode, it'll appear in your podcast feed. Easy peasy! GOT SOMETHING TO ADD? I love sharing stories and fostering discussion. So reach out to discuss this episode or anything else! Try Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or email. The links are in the right column (or the bottom of the screen if you're reading this on a mobile device).

Screenwriter/Director Stuart Beattie Screenwriter/Director, Stuart Beattie, joins me in Episode 10 to discuss his journey from a little Australian film, JOEY, to big Hollywood movies like PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN and COLLATERAL, then back on home soil with AUSTRALIA, TOMORROW WHEN THE WAR BEGAN and I, FRANKENSTEIN. Stuart grew up in Australia and studied at Charles Stuart University, from where he did a college exchange to Oregon State University, USA. He then moved to Los Angeles in 1992, supporting himself by day at Taco Bell as he studied screenwriting by night at UCLA Extension. After he won UCLA's Diane Thomas Screenwriting Award, Beattie signed with a Hollywood literary agent. And so began his Hollywood ride… In particular, we chat about: * Working at Taco Bell, flipping burgers and working at a ‘bottle-o’ while studying screenwriting * Connecting with the Aussie Mafia in Los Angeles * Writing a feature screenplay in 4 weeks * Breaking into Hollywood after writing the Australian films, JOEY and KICK * The inspiration behind COLLATERAL * Avoiding writer’s block * How to avoid being typecast in a particular genre * Dealing with notes about your script * Making the step from writing to directing with TOMORROW, WHEN THE WAR BEGAN * What to do, and not to do, as a director * Making a ‘Hollywood movie’ in Australia * What Stuart would do, and not do, if he had his time again LINKS * Stuart Beattie on IMDb * Stuart Beattie on Twitter * Joey on iTunes * Joey on IMDb * Kick on IMDb * Collateral on IMDb * Tomorrow, When the War Began on IMDb * Tomorrow, When the War Began on iTunes * I, Frankenstein on IMDb iTUNES REVIEWS Leave me a Rating and Review in iTunes! https://benphelps.com/iTunesReviews It won't cost you a cent and it makes a big difference. The more you love the show, the higher this podcast is ranked in iTunes which helps new listeners (like you and me) discover it. That's how I found my favourite shows. Just click the link above. It means a lot to me and the guests on the show. SUBSCRIBE You can subscribe directly from your phone. If you've got an iPhone, click the purple app named Podcasts. If you've got a Samsung phone or another Android phone, try the apps Stitcher or Overcast. Both are free. Or find me in iTunes on Mac and PC. Just search for 'Ben Phelps'. Then tap SUBSCRIBE or LISTEN LATER. Every time I release a new episode, it'll appear in your podcast feed. Easy peasy! GOT SOMETHING TO ADD? I love sharing stories and fostering discussion. So reach out to discuss this episode or anything else! Try Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or email. The links are in the right column (or the bottom of the screen if you're reading this on a mobile device).

Writer/Director Bradley King and Writer/Producer BP Cooper join me again in Episode 9 for Part 2 of a discussion about their break out feature film, TIME LAPSE. A really fun chat! Bradley King - Writer/Director   Hailing from Los Alamos, New Mexico, Bradley studied animation at the Colorado Institute of Art and then attended the Colorado Film School where he won several student awards for his short films. After moving to Los Angeles, he wrote and directed the film festival winner "Action Figures,” a short comedy about an over-planned yet ill-fated convenience store robbery. He then directed the XBOX / Star Wars viral hit "Thanksgiving Dinner" which became an online sensation garnering millions of web hits. TIME LAPSE is his first feature film. When he grows up he hopes to be a combination of Harry Potter and James Bond. He currently resides in Downtown Los Angeles. BP Cooper - Writer/Producer Born in Denver, Colorado, Cooper moved to L.A. and started producing music videos. Eventually moving into commercials and independent films. Under his new production shingle Uncooperative Pictures, he produced and co-wrote the sci-fi thriller TIME LAPSE. In particular, we chat about: * Working within budget limitations * Writing towards a shooting date * Respecting the audience’s intelligence in the Science Fiction genre * Production schedule * Transforming an abandoned apartment block into a set * Self financing your first film * The pros and cons of disclosing the budget of your indie movie * The value of test screenings * Balancing the script with improvisation * The challenges of low budget productions * The value of film festivals * Seeking criticism of your film from friends and strangers LINKS * Time Lapse website * Time Lapse on Twitter * Time Lapse on Facebook * Bradley King on Twitter * BP Cooper on Twitter * Time Travel Movie Time Lapse Explained by Taylor Holmes If you wanna rent or buy TIME LAPSE, check out: * iTUNES (AU) - Rent / Purchase * DVD / BluRay (AU) * AMAZON (USA) - Instant Video * ITUNES (USA) - Rent / Purchase (Purchased version from USA iTunes only store contains special features) * GOOGLE PLAY - Rent / Purchase * AMAZON (USA) - DVD / BluRay (BluRay from Amazon USA contains special features) * NETFLIX (USA) * TIME LAPSE Motion Picture Soundtrack on iTUNES (USA) iTUNES REVIEWS Leave me a Rating and Review in iTunes!

Writer/Director, Bradley King, and Writer/Producer, BP Cooper, join me in Episode 8 for Part 1 of a discussion about their break out feature film, TIME LAPSE. Writer/Director Bradley King Bradley King - Writer/Director Hailing from Los Alamos, New Mexico, Bradley studied animation at the Colorado Institute of Art and then attended the Colorado Film School where he won several student awards for his short films. After moving to Los Angeles, he wrote and directed the film festival winner "Action Figures,” a short comedy about an over-planned yet ill-fated convenience store robbery. He then directed the XBOX / Star Wars viral hit "Thanksgiving Dinner" which became an online sensation garnering millions of web hits. TIME LAPSE is his first feature film. When he grows up he hopes to be a combination of Harry Potter and James Bond. He currently resides in Downtown Los Angeles. BP Cooper - Writer/Producer Born in Denver, Colorado, Cooper moved to L.A. and started producing music videos. Eventually moving into commercials and independent films. Under his new production shingle Uncooperative Pictures, he produced and co-wrote the sci-fi thriller TIME LAPSE.       In particular, we chat about: * The pros and cons of film school * Making the jump from film school to production in Hollywood * Keeping the dream alive during your first day job * Coping with trash and maggots in the early days * Dealing with festival rejection and cherishing festival success * So close, yet so far with the reality TV series, ON THE LOT * Making money to keep the film dream alive * What the American Midwest and Australia have in common LINKS * Time Lapse website * Time Lapse on Twitter * Time Lapse on Facebook * Bradley King on Twitter * BP Cooper on Twitter * Time Travel Movie Time Lapse Explained by Taylor Holmes If you wanna rent or buy TIME LAPSE, check out: * iTUNES (AU) - Rent / Purchase * DVD / BluRay (AU) * AMAZON (USA) - Instant Video * ITUNES (USA) - Rent / Purchase (Purchased version from USA iTunes only store contains special features) * GOOGLE PLAY - Rent / Purchase * AMAZON (USA) - DVD / BluRay (BluRay from Amazon USA contains special features) * NETFLIX (USA)

Director/Editor Duane Fogwell Duane Fogwell joins me for Part 1 of a discussion about making the step from Tropfest to Los Angeles. Duane is an award-winning film and television Director/Editor who grew up in Canberra. After being short-listed for ABC TV’s RACE AROUND THE WORLD at the age of 18, Duane discovered his love of all things film. Duane completed a Bachelor of Arts from the ANU majoring in English Literature and Film Studies and was later accepted into the Victorian College of the Arts. His graduation film, THE BEST MAN, won Best Script and Best Editing. Duane has been editing since childhood and continued to hone his skills after film school. Upon graduation Duane began directing and editing television commercials and subsequently television editing with the boom of reality TV in the mid 2000’s. When a little show called MASTERCHEF exploded in Australia, Duane found himself in demand as one Australia’s top TV editors. Duane continued to make his own short films and is a three-time Tropfest finalist. His most recent Tropfest film FISH LIPS won Best Editing and People’s Choice. Duane relocated to Los Angeles in early 2015 with his family, working in network television as an in-demand freelance editor. In Episode 7 we focus on his journey from film school to Tropfest. In particular, we chat about: * The pros and cons of studying film theory. * Taking the leap into film production. * Shooting and editing wedding videos. * Getting a break with Tropfest. * Commercial popularity versus artistic acclaim. * The character of film festivals. * Celebrating success and dealing with rejection. LINKS * Duane Fogwell on IMDB * Duane’s website, including his editing and directing reel * Duane on Instagram * FISH LIPS, Duane’s 3rd winning film at Tropfest * NYE, Duane’s 2nd film selected for Tropfest * FORE!, Duane’s 1st film selected for Tropfest iTUNES REVIEWS Leave me a Rating and Review in iTunes! https://benphelps.com/iTunesReviews It won't cost you a cent and it makes a big difference. The more you love the show, the higher this podcast is ranked in iTunes which helps new listeners (like you and me) discover it. That's how I found my favourite shows. Just click the link above. It means a lot to me and the guests on the show. SUBSCRIBE You can subscribe directly from your phone. If you've got an iPhone, click the purple app named Podcasts. If you've got a Samsung phone or another Android phone, try the apps Stitcher or Overcast. Both are free. Or find me in iTunes on both Mac or PC. Just search for 'Ben Phelps'. Then tap SUBSCRIBE or LISTEN LATER. Every time I release a new episode, it'll appear in your podcast feed. Easy peasy! GOT SOMETHING TO ADD? I love sharing stories and fostering discussion. So reach out to discuss this episode or anything else! Try Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or email. The links are in the right column (or the bottom of the screen if you're reading this on a mobile device).

Writer/Director Megan Riakos joins me in Episode 6 to discuss her debut feature film, Crushed.  In particular, we chat about: * The importance of calling yourself a ‘director’ and living as one. * The value of film school. * Dealing with rejection. * Writing within the thriller genre. * The inspiration behind Crushed. * Writing habits and dealing with writer’s block. * Working as both a director and a producer. * The pros and cons of screening a rough cut. * Finding your tribe of collaborators. * Finding your audience. * The value of ‘event cinema’ to distribute an indie film. LINKS * Crushed on IMDB * Crushed website * Crushed on Facebook * Crushed on Twitter * Crushed on Instagram * Crushed on Tumblr * Megan Riakos on IMDB * Megan Riakos’ website * Megan Riakos on Twitter iTUNES REVIEWS Leave me a Rating and Review in iTunes! https://benphelps.com/iTunesReviews It won't cost you a cent and it makes a big difference. The more you love the show, the higher this podcast is ranked in iTunes which helps new listeners (like you and me) discover it. That's how I found my favourite shows. Just click the link above. It means a lot to me and the guests on the show. SUBSCRIBE You can subscribe directly from your phone. If you've got an iPhone, click the purple app named Podcasts. If you've got a Samsung phone or another Android phone, try the apps Stitcher or Overcast. Both are free. Or find me in iTunes on both Mac or PC. Just search for 'Ben Phelps'. Then tap SUBSCRIBE or LISTEN LATER. Every time I release a new episode, it'll appear in your podcast feed. Easy peasy! GOT SOMETHING TO ADD? I love sharing stories and fostering discussion. So reach out to discuss this episode or anything else! Try Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or email. The links are in the right column (or the bottom of the screen if you're reading this on a mobile device).

Producer Tait Brady joins me in Episode 5 to begin an ongoing conversation about budgeting and financing an independent film in today's climate. In particular, we chat about: * No Budget vs Microbudget vs Low Budget. Terms are relative. What type of budget do those terms refer to? An independent film financed by Megan Ellison's Annapurna Pictures, made outside the studio system such as EX MACHINA which cost $15M, will often be referred to as 'low budget'. What's our definition? What will be the budget of our film, CONTROL ROOM? * Deferrals vs Reinvestment. What do those terms refer to? Deferrals usually refer to deferred profit. Whereas reinvestment refers to a share of revenue (as distinct from profit). In the words of Tait, it's 'a share of the pizza'. Which option are we going with? * Private Financing vs Government Funding vs Philanthropy. What do those terms refer to? 'Funding' conveys an expectation that a profit may not be expected. Whereas 'financing' relates to investment where a profit is usually expected. And Australia doesn't have a philanthropic culture like the United States. What's our finance plan for CONTROL ROOM? LINKS * Low Budget Films - a definition * Annapurna Pictures * Men's Group (2008) * Mystery Road (2013) * Toomelah (2011) * The Story of the Kelly Gang (1906) - the world's first feature film * Screen Australia Funding * Screen Australia Producer Offset iTUNES REVIEWS Leave me a Rating and Review in iTunes! https://benphelps.com/iTunesReviews It won't cost you a cent and it makes a big difference. The more you love the show, the higher this podcast is ranked in iTunes which helps new listeners (like you and me) discover it. That's how I found my favourite shows. Just click the link above. It means a lot to me and the guests on the show. SUBSCRIBE You can subscribe directly from your phone. If you've got an iPhone, click the purple app named Podcasts. If you've got a Samsung phone or another Android phone, try the apps Stitcher or Overcast. Both are free. Or find me in iTunes on both Mac or PC. Just search for 'Ben Phelps'. Then tap SUBSCRIBE or LISTEN LATER. Every time I release a new episode, it'll appear in your podcast feed. Easy peasy! GOT SOMETHING TO ADD? I love sharing stories and fostering discussion. So reach out to discuss this episode or anything else! Try Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or email. The links are in the right column (or the bottom of the screen if you're reading this on a mobile device).

Control Room teaser poster Screenwriters Ben Phelps and Gabe Dowrick                     Back by popular demand! Co-screenwriter and editor, Gabriel Dowrick, joins me in Episode 4. We discuss: * How we transform our ideas into screenplays. * How we work as a screenwriting team. * Our individual writing schedules. * Why it’s difficult to craft film titles. * Why our film has a new title. And what our film is about. * Why we love sizzle reels (AKA clipomatics, ripomatics, teasers and pitch trailers). LINKS * Sizzle reel for Control Room * Sizzle reel for Deadpool, Ant-Man, Power/Rangers and Dirty Laundry (ie Punisher) * Sizzle reel for Daredevil, Looper, Gemini Man and The Hunger Games iTUNES REVIEWS Leave me a Rating and Review in iTunes! https://benphelps.com/iTunesReviews It won't cost you a cent and it makes a big difference. The more you love the show, the higher this podcast is ranked in iTunes which helps new listeners (like you and me) discover it. That's how I found my favourite shows. Just click the link above. It means a lot to me and the guests on the show. SUBSCRIBE You can subscribe directly from your phone. If you've got an iPhone, click the purple app named Podcasts. If you've got a Samsung phone or another Android phone, try the apps Stitcher or Overcast. Both are free. Or find me in iTunes on both Mac or PC. Just search for 'Ben Phelps'. Then tap SUBSCRIBE or LISTEN LATER. Every time I release a new episode, it'll appear in your podcast feed. Easy peasy! GOT SOMETHING TO ADD? I love sharing stories and fostering discussion. So reach out to discuss this episode or anything else! Try Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or email. The links are in the right column (or the bottom of the screen if you're reading this on a mobile device).  

Producer Tait Brady Big news! I'm thrilled to announce that Producer Tait Brady has joined our film. Woohoo! Tait joins me as a special guest in Episode 3 of the podcast. Tait has a diverse career in the Australian film industry including 9 years as Director of the Melbourne International Film Festival and 8 years as head of leading distribution company Palace Films. After a 5 year stint in a senior executive role at the FFC and then Screen Australia, he finally succumbed to the glamour and riches of producing and has made 2 features and 2 docs in the last 4 years, including the WW2/Sci-Fi/Comedy-Drama, THE 25th REICH. His most recent film, HEALING, was directed by Craig Monahan and starred Hugo Weaving, Don Hany, Xavier Samuel, Robert Taylor, Justine Clarke and Tony Martin. Shot by the late, great Andrew Lesnie, HEALING was released nationally in 2014 and to date has screened at more than 20 international festivals including Montreal and Seattle. Based in Melbourne, Tait is currently developing a number of feature and documentary projects with collaborators including directors Rolf de Heer, Stephen Amis, Richard Frankland, Ben Chessell, Haydn Keenan. And now me! LINKS * Tait Brady on IMDb * HEALING on IMDb * THE 25th REICH on IMDb iTUNES REVIEWS Leave me a Rating and Review in iTunes! https://benphelps.com/iTunesReviews It won't cost you a cent and it makes a big difference. The more you love the show, the higher this podcast is ranked in iTunes which helps new listeners (like you and me) discover it. That's how I found my favourite shows. Just click the link above. It means a lot to me and the guests on the show. SUBSCRIBE You can subscribe directly from your phone. If you've got an iPhone, click the purple app named Podcasts. If you've got a Samsung phone or another Android phone, try the apps Stitcher or Overcast. Both are free. Or find me in iTunes on both Mac or PC. Just search for 'Ben Phelps'. Then tap SUBSCRIBE or LISTEN LATER. Every time I release a new episode, it'll appear in your podcast feed. Easy peasy! GOT SOMETHING TO ADD? I love sharing stories and fostering discussion. So reach out to discuss this episode or anything else! Try Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or email. The links are in the right column (or the bottom of the screen if you're reading this on a mobile device).