

Making Movies is HARD!!!: The Struggles of Indie Filmmaking
Liz Manashil & Alrik Bursell
Liz Manashil and Alrik Bursell discuss independent filmmaking, everything from writing, producing and directing to working as crew. But this is not just a podcast about "making it," it's also about struggling with rejection, self-doubt and everything else that comes with pursuing a career in film. Follow along as we forge our own way through the industry and talk to guests who are also making it happen.
Episodes 238-299 are available at our patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/mmihpodcast
Episodes 238-299 are available at our patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/mmihpodcast
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 29, 2026 • 1h 19min
Listener Calls - BONUS Throwback Interview!
On this Thursday bonus episode we are going to play the interview from episode 105 from June 2017 featuring a series of listener call in questions. Alrik thought this was a good match for our episode with Cory from Monday because Cory was probably listening to the show back then and while he didn’t call in with a question, this is an opportunity for us to hear from some other past listeners of the show. After that we play another round of You’re the expert, enjoy!
Don’t forget to support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/mmihpodcast
Leave us a Review on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/making-movies-is-hard-the-struggles-of-indie-filmmaking/id1006416952 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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Jan 26, 2026 • 1h 11min
Cory Thibert - Weaving a Personal Story into Your First Feature!
This week we welcome director, writer, main actor, editor, and only producer on his first feature Mild Life, Cory Thibert on the show to talk about how he approached creating a very personal first feature! Cory also has been a long time listener, way back since the Timothy days, so glad to have him on the show! After that we play another round of the GAME, enjoy!
Don’t forget to support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/mmihpodcast
Leave us a Review on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/making-movies-is-hard-the-struggles-of-indie-filmmaking/id1006416952 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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Jan 23, 2026 • 1h 13min
Timothy Plain and Alrik Bursell Talk Directing - BONUS Throwback Interview!
On this Thursday bonus episode we are going to play the conversation from episode 171 from August 2018 featuring a conversation that my old co-host Timothy and I had about directing experience and if there is good and bad directing experience. I thought this was a good one for David Zeigers episode because this conversation might get lost to time, which is what almost happen to David’s episode, and I’m really glad we got it out into the world. After that Liz and Eric play another round of You’re the expert, enjoy!
Don’t forget to support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/mmihpodcast
Leave us a Review on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/making-movies-is-hard-the-struggles-of-indie-filmmaking/id1006416952 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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Jan 19, 2026 • 1h 9min
David Zeiger - Talking Filmmaking in 2020!
This week we welcome producer/filmmaker David Zeiger on the show to talk about filmmaking in an episode we recorded in December 2020 and we are finally releasing it today in 2026. After that Liz and Eric talk play a round of the Game and talk about their projects, enjoy!
Don’t forget to support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/mmihpodcast
Leave us a Review on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/making-movies-is-hard-the-struggles-of-indie-filmmaking/id1006416952 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
for information about our collection and use of personal data for
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Jan 15, 2026 • 53min
Jhennifer Webberley - BONUS Throwback Interview!
On this Thursday bonus episode we are going to play the interview from episode 433 from July 2023 featuring producer, editor and filmmaker Jhennifer Webberley. Alrik thought Jhennifer was a good match for our episode with Robert from Monday because they both wear so many hats and continue to make movies and provide for themselves through their filmmaking. After that we play another round of You’re the expert, enjoy!
Don’t forget to support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/mmihpodcast
Leave us a Review on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/making-movies-is-hard-the-struggles-of-indie-filmmaking/id1006416952 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
for information about our collection and use of personal data for
advertising.

Jan 12, 2026 • 1h 6min
Robert Enriquez - Acting, Producing, Managing Talent and Directing Features!
This week we welcome producer/director/actor Robert Enriquez on the show to talk about his career making movies including his latest feature, Stone Creek Killer. After that Liz and I talk about what it means to be an independent artist, enjoy!
Don’t forget to support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/mmihpodcast
Leave us a Review on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/making-movies-is-hard-the-struggles-of-indie-filmmaking/id1006416952 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
for information about our collection and use of personal data for
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Jan 8, 2026 • 1h 52min
Andrew Chesworth - BONUS Throwback Interview!
On this Thursday bonus episode we are going to play the interview from episode 191 from January 2019 featuring animator and animated filmmaker Andrew Chesworth, who talked about working at Disney and making his latest short film. I thought this was a good match for our episode with Miguel Rodrick from Monday because they are both animated filmmakers, working on very different spectrums of filmmaking. After that we play another round of You’re the expert, enjoy!
Don’t forget to support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/mmihpodcast
Leave us a Review on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/making-movies-is-hard-the-struggles-of-indie-filmmaking/id1006416952 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
for information about our collection and use of personal data for
advertising.

Jan 5, 2026 • 1h 10min
Caleb Walker and Miguel Rodrick - Making Movies in High School and Pushing to be Shortlisted!
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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Jan 1, 2026 • 34min
Janeen Damian - BONUS Throwback Interview!
On this Thursday bonus episode we are going to play the interview from episode 403 from December 2022 featuring producer/director Janeen Damian who talks about making her first feature Falling for Christmas after producing multiple features! ALrik thought Janeen was a good match for our episode with Frank from Monday because they are both producers turned directors and plus it’s holiday season, and she talks about making a Christmas movie! After that we play another round of You’re the expert, enjoy!
Don’t forget to support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/mmihpodcast
Leave us a Review on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/making-movies-is-hard-the-struggles-of-indie-filmmaking/id100641695 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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Dec 29, 2025 • 1h 13min
Frank Merle - Sustainably Producing and Directing Indie Features!
This week we welcome writer/director/producer Frank Merle on the show to talk about his latest film Namaka and how he juggles producing movies and directing his own. After that we play another round of THE GAME and Alrik reads a listener email on the show, enjoy!
Don’t forget to support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/mmihpodcast
Leave us a Review on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/making-movies-is-hard-the-struggles-of-indie-filmmaking/id1006416952 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
for information about our collection and use of personal data for
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