Filmmaker Freedom

An in-depth conversation with Alex Ferrari about mastering your psychology, making features quickly and cheaply, and winning the game of distribution.

Show Notes

Alex Ferrari is the founder of Indie Film Hustle, one of the most popular indie film podcasts and blogs around.

He's also got a streaming platform called Indie Film Hustle TV and a book called Shooting for the Mob about his insane early experiences in film.

Not to mention he's made two micro-budget films in the last 3 years, and both have been profitable.

So here's a rundown of the fun stuff we cover in this wide-ranging conversation.

  • Alex's "stranger than fiction" true story of almost making a feature film for a mobster.
  • How many filmmakers hold themselves back through limiting beliefs and stories, and how to get out of your own way.
  • The various ways that filmmakers shoot themselves in
  • How Alex made $90,000 selling a short film (yes, really).
  • The improvisational techniques Alex used to make his first two feature films quickly and cheaply.
  • What to look out for when you get offered a distribution deal so that you don't get taken advantage of.
  • The one item to include in every distribution contract you sign.
  • What Alex has learned from the entrepreneurial filmmaking guests on his podcast.
  • And plenty more good stuff.

Full Transcripts & Archive

Each solo episode of Filmmaker Freedom (not the interviews) has a complete written transcript so that you can revisit the ideas quickly and easily.

You can find those transcripts, as well as the full archive of shows, right here:

www.filmfreedomshow.com

A Weekly Newsletter for Ambitious Filmmakers

Every Sunday morning, I send out a handful of stories, carefully picked to help you make films you care about, build a business, and master your psychology. Plus I share a short film I love, and various other bits of inspiration. Get it here:

www.filmfreedomshow.com/newsletter

A Community Just for Entrepreneurial Filmmakers

Want to join a community of like-minded entrepreneurial filmmakers who will push you to grow and succeed? Then Freedom Fighters is the place for you.

Here's where you can learn more about this one-of-a-kind community and apply to join our ranks. (Don't worry, it's totally free, but there's an application process to make sure this community is full of the right people.)

www.filmfreedomshow.com/community

Thanks for listening, and I'll see you next time!

-Rob Hardy

What is Filmmaker Freedom?

Filmmaker Freedom is a new kind of filmmaking podcast. It's handcrafted it for those of us who like to think outside the box, to experiment, to walk our own path instead of doing things the way they've always been done. If you want to make make films you're proud of and make a living from it, this is the show for you. It's full of clear, focused, and actionable advice to help you succeed as an indie filmmaker in a constantly changing world.