Mentorless Podcast

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Latest Episodes:

Ivy Jelisavac - Deconstructing the Making of a Web Series (#10) Jun 05, 2018

In this episode, I interview German writer-director Ivy Jelisavac with whom I deconstruct the making of her web-series: Relationsh*t. Ivy has a clear vision of where she is heading and the brand she wants to build. During our conversation we talk about how she decided which project to push forward when she was at a crossroad of opportunities, what having a business mindset as an indie filmmaker really means, why she decided to book an industry premiere before the web series was done and the benefits of doing so, the challenges and opportunities to have a Patreon as a filmmaker and much much more.

Jacob Feiring - Making a Documentary: from Zero connection to DOC NYC May 22, 2018

In this episode, I talk with American media maker Jacob Feiring about his first feature documentary Samantha’s Amazing Acrocats. Together we talk about following your instinct when a potentially interesting topic pops out, making a documentary without knowing its final shape, where to place your budget when you have none, attending DOC NYC Fest and much much more. If you’re into documentaries and thinking about making one, listen up, you’ll learn a ton.

Elisabeth Subrin - the Unexpected Battles a Filmmaker Has to Fight May 07, 2018

In this episode, I talk with American filmmaker and visual artist Elisabeth Subrin about the making of her first feature film A Woman/A Part. We cover a lot of important and inspiring topics: how Elisabeth convinced Scott McCauley, her producer, to get on board, the cold pitch she gave Maggie Siff to offer her the lead role while they were still looking for financing, the reality of selling and distributing a feminist film and the many lessons she’s taking with her for her next film. Elisabeth determination to make her film was so infectious I personally got inspired to reach out to an actress I had in mind for my feature film and convinced her to play in the short film we’re now shooting as proof of concept. If it were not for Elisabeth’s story, I believe I would have waited until I had “more” and missed a big opportunity out of fear of being rejected for not having enough. I hope this episode will leave you as empowered and inspired as I was, enjoy:

Richard 'RB' Botto - How to Cultivate Your Competitive Advantage Apr 23, 2018

In this episode, I talk with Richard 'RB' Botto who is the Founder and CEO of Stage 32, a global social and educational platform that allows creatives from the filmmaking and the theater industry to connect and grow. But that’s not it. RB is also an actor, a screenwriter, and a producer. I invited him on the podcast so we would deconstruct the making of his new book: “Crowdsourcing for Filmmakers: Indie film and the Power of the Crowd” published by Focal Press Book, but things took a different turn. This episode is for you if you want to learn how to ask people to read your screenplay, how to cultivate your competitive advantage, how to build relationships, how to make sure you're moving the needle of your creative career in the right direction and of course, if you want to understand why crowdsourcing is a vital component if you want your career to thrive. The conversation with RB should leave you with your neurons ready to connect aspects of your career in a brand new way. Enjo

Portia Barnett-Herrin: the Skill Set You Need to Make a Film (Episode 6) Apr 09, 2018

In this episode I talked with British filmmaker Portia Barnett-Herrin about the making of Killing Kora, a silent and black and white film that also was her first feature film. Kevin Smith maxed out credit cards to make his first feature. Robert Rodriguez underwent beta testings in hospitals to pay for his first feature. What would you be willing to do to make your first feature? Through Portia’s story we look at the skill set one needs to make and sell a movie. In this episode we talk about how to turn fear into adrenaline, the balance between prep and budget, the benefits of trying out your ideas in a short form first, ways to raise your chances to get your film picked and much much more. Find out more about the episode and Stephen: www.mentorless.com/podcast Reach out: nathalie@mentorless.com Jingle by Soul of Bear > @soulofbear Photo by Namroud Gorgis > namroud.myportfolio.com

Stephen Van Vuuren - the Odyssey of Turning a Passion Project into an IMAX Release (Episode 5) Mar 23, 2018

I hope you’re ready for an Odyssey into Space. In this episode, I talk with Stephen Van Vuuren about his incredible journey making "In Saturn’s Rings", a project that started as a play 14 years ago and is about to be released on IMAX Screens. The story of Stephen and his film could be a film. You’re in for a treat. I had a very hard time to stop myself from asking him questions because his journey is both incredible and incredibly inspiring. Find out more about the episode and Stephen: www.mentorless.com/podcast Reach out: nathalie@mentorless.com Jingle by Soul of Bear > @soulofbear Photo by Namroud Gorgis > namroud.myportfolio.com

Wil & Sara Magness: Building a Film Career Through Mindful Steps (Episode 4) Mar 09, 2018

In this episode, I talk with Wil and Sara Magness about The Manual, a medium-length sci-fi film they recently completed and is now going through the festivals circuit. With Wil and Sara I tackle an aspect of filmmaking in the 21st century that has not been covered yet: short film distribution and creating for the long game. The mistakes many indie filmmakers often make is to pour all their energy into the making of the film and afterward… crickets. They have no more juice to push the film and this can lead to strong heartbreaks. In this episode, you will hear a different story. They came up with original and inspiring ways to make sure The Manual will get its best shot. Find out more about the episode and Wil and Sara: www.mentorless.com/podcast Reach out: nathalie@mentorless.com Jingle by Soul of Bear > @soulofbear Photo by Namroud Gorgis > namroud.myportfolio.com

Brian Padian: Surfing Magical Thinking While Shooting on Super 16mm (Episode 3) Feb 23, 2018

Mentorless Podcast offers in-depth interviews with visual storytellers about a particular project that has asked them to stretch their creativity beyond what they could have imagined. Together we look at the steps they took from the moment they had an idea until the moment they released their project into the world. The interviews are meant to leave you with practical tips and lessons from filmmakers who’ve done it before and are willing to share their story with their glorious and less glorious moments. For this third episode I talked with American filmmaker/producer Brian Padian. Together we deconstruct and analyse how Brian went on making his first feature film, Black Sea, shot on nothing less than Super 16 for $50,000. But what makes this episode extra-special is the intervention of Magical Thinking, this phenomenon that always occur when you create, and can prove at times to be your best-friend or your worse enemy. While we cover all the technicals and strategical decisions B

Lynn Reed: From Spec Script to Netflix Deal (Mentorless Podcast - Episode 2) Feb 10, 2018

Mentorless Podcast offers in-depth interviews with filmmakers about a particular project that has asked them to stretch their creativity beyond what they could have imagined. Together we look at the steps they took from the moment they had an idea until the moment they released their project into the world. The interviews are meant to leave you with practical tips and lessons from filmmakers who’ve done it before and are willing to share their story with their glorious and less glorious moments. In this second episode, I talk with American screenwriter/producer Lynn Reed. After a career in american campaign politics, Lynn decided it was time to go back to her first love: writing screenplays. Leveraging from the wisdom and experience she gained not working in the industry, Lynn managed to raise a substantial budget for her first screenplay, and take it all the way to a distribution deal with Netflix and other digital platforms. Lynn is a great strategist, and throughout our conver

Adam Westbrook and the Art of Storytelling on the Internet (Mentorless Podcast - Episode 1) Jan 28, 2018

Mentorless Podcast offers in-depth interviews with filmmakers about a particular project that has asked them to stretch their creativity beyond what they could have imagined. Together we look at the steps they took from the moment they had an idea until the moment they released their project into the world. The interviews are meant to leave you with practical tips and lessons from filmmakers who’ve done it before and are willing to share their story with their glorious and less glorious moments. In this first episode, I talk with British storyteller Adam Westbrook. You might be familiar with Adam’s work and more particularly with his video essays that were often Vimeo staff picked over the years. During this conversation, we tackle many subjects including: - gatekeepers on the Internet - the pros and cons of Vimeo and YouTube - the delicate art of asking money to create - the attitude to have when you open a Patreon page and much much more. I had an absolute blast talking w

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