Feature Filmmaker: Recent Episodes
Kent & Anna Thalman
For anyone who wants a career making feature films. Study success patterns of industry professionals, hear takeaways from our favorite film courses/books, get behind the scenes breakdowns and insights on films you love, and more.
In this episode as we uncover the powerful impact of time constraints on getting things done. We illustrate how setting tight time limits can drastically reduce procrastination and boost your focus. These principles apply whether you are managing household chores or attempting to finish a film with our 1 year timeline in the Feature Filmmaker Academy. Discover how working within set time frames can lead to more efficient and concentrated work sessions.
Successful runners often prioritize the time spent running over distance or pace, emphasizing the importance of consistency. We'll discuss how incorporating short, intense bursts of activity—akin to "speed work" in running—into your daily life can yield significant results. Tune in as we explore balancing endurance and speed work, and learn how limiting yourself can actually help you get the results you want faster.
Free "Make Your Feature Film" ChecklistSchedule my Greenlight Call
Director of the post-apocalyptic film, Permafrost, Lenni Uitto takes us behind the scenes and shares his experiences making and ultimately self-distributing his first film with Film Hub.
Join us as we unravel Lenni's journey from coding to creating post-apocalyptic films. From making camping videos on YouTube to experimenting with After Effects and even taking acting classes, Lenny's story is a testament to how following your passion can lead to unexpected and rewarding paths. We explore how his love for storytelling led him to create short films that have garnered impressive online viewership, followed by his first feature film.
Reflecting on his own experiences, Lenni shares the highs and lows of quitting a stable job to chase the dreams of acting and filmmaking. The importance of financial stability became evident as he navigated the challenges of an industry hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. With a touch of serendipity, a friend's intriguing story idea sparked the creation of his post-apocalyptic film, showcasing creativity and resilience to produce meaningful art amidst adversity.
Expect an in-depth look at the nitty-gritty of indie filmmaking, from budgeting and resourcefulness to the crucial role of collaboration. We discuss practical tips on managing costs, securing essential equipment, and feeding a cast and crew on a budget. We also dive into film distribution, marketing strategies, the process of audience targeting, and specifically Lenni's experience and results so far partnering with an aggregator, Film Hub, to release his movie.
Free "Make Your Feature Film" ChecklistSchedule my Greenlight Call
In this episode we explore why thinking like a hobbyist filmmaker may be the fastest way to eventually transition into a professional career. Learn how starting with passion projects and investing in your hobby can lead to professional growth and financial sustainability. We delve into the concept of building filmmaking assets, illustrating how every project, no matter its immediate success, contributes to a lucrative portfolio over time.
It's not just about the career milestones. We also explore the intrinsic joy of creative pursuits, drawing a parallel with our son's newfound passion for baseball. His love for the game, regardless of professional equipment or formal training, serves as a poignant reminder of why we started filmmaking in the first place. Drawing inspiration from industry legends, we invite you to embrace a fearless, joyful approach to filmmaking. Whether you consider yourself a seasoned filmmaker or a passionate hobbyist, we hope this episode offers valuable insights and inspiration to fuel your creative journey.
Free "Make Your Feature Film" ChecklistSchedule my Greenlight Call
Join the conversation as filmmaker Matthew Taggart pulls back the curtain on the life of an indie filmmaker, from his first leap into directing with "The Counterfeit Kid" to managing the delicate balance of family and film. Matthew's journey offers a relatable peek into the highs and lows of bringing a vision to the big screen, navigating through the world of independent cinema with a blend of passion and pragmatism. His unique perspective as a father and husband infuses our chat with anecdotes that resonate, whether you're a film buff or a curious listener enchanted by the art of storytelling.
Ever wondered how indie films come to life against the odds of tight budgets and logistical hurdles? Our episode peels back layers of the production process, from scriptwriting collaborations to a barter system that keeps the wheels turning. Matthew shares tales of community generosity and the creative solutions that define indie projects, painting a vivid portrait of the camaraderie and resourcefulness that fuels the film industry's underdogs. The discussion also ventures into the nuanced arena of directing young talent, especially when the actors are from your own family tree, offering a heartfelt glimpse into the intersection of personal and professional worlds on set.
As we wrap up, Matthew ushers us through the maze of indie film distribution, highlighting his positive experiences with Porter Craig and the importance of aligning with partners who champion the film's essence. This episode is a testament to the shared dedication that courses through the veins of filmmakers and the impact of a supportive community. By the end, you'll not only have a deeper appreciation for the art of cinema but also be inspired by the determination and inventiveness that bring indie films from script to screen.
Free "Make Your Feature Film" ChecklistSchedule my Greenlight Call
Where do I distribute the funds that I have procured for my film?
How much will each facet of making a movie cost me so that I know how to lay out the budget?
Once you have finished your film, you can receive laurels from festivals; even the small film festivals. These laurels help promote trailers and posters that are used to market your film to the masses.
Join us today as we dive into the subject of four walling and what it takes to do it.
Free "Make Your Feature Film" ChecklistSchedule my Greenlight Call
How do you add value to your film? What does that mean? What determines value and why would people pay money to watch what you make?
It's impossible to amplify the and sell the value of your film to the world if you don't understand why it matters to your audience on a deep level early on.
Tune in to this episode to explore the most intrinsic deep value films can offer their audiences and how you can tap into and amplify that value to make a radical ROI with your first feature film.
Free "Make Your Feature Film" Checklist
Schedule my Greenlight Call
Do you think that you need to give up everything in your life to get your feature film off of the ground? The opposite may actually be true.
Sacrificing your lifestyle will only deplete your store of creativity and contacts that can lead to the very connections and resources you need.
Keeping your day job can provide a safety net that allows you more creative freedom.
Tune into this episode to learn about why a practical self-paced approach can lead to a better feature film career.
Free "Make Your Feature Film" Checklist
Schedule my Greenlight Call
Anna and Kent talk about characters and how to build them to fit each scene as they grow and evolve throughout the script.
Free "Make Your Feature Film" Checklist
Schedule my Greenlight Call
Are you feeling overwhelmed with all that you need to accomplish? In this episode, we talk about the importance of self care and how to prioritize your time in order to feel better.
Thinking that there isn't an interesting enough story in your life worth telling? This episode will help you discover what you can share with the world. In this episode, Kent and Anna discuss how to make a story personal, how to use your resources, and share some of their own personal perspectives on the subject.
Which crew members are most essential for your film, and which ones can you do without for your first feature? Who can manage multiple roles without being overwhelmed? If you're creating a film with a low/no budget range, then this podcast episode is for you.
Free "Make Your Feature Film" Checklist
Schedule my Greenlight Call
If you work with someone you love or are have family roles to play whilst also working on a film production, this episode is for you.
Free "Make Your Feature Film" Checklist
Schedule my Greenlight Call
An exclusive interview with Adam Bova, professor at Columbus State University and Producer on the Indie Feature, A Place Called Home.
We talk about:
Balancing film and family
How distribution is changing
Why passion projects pay
Advantages of making a low-budget first film
Approaching distribution without a sales agent
What Adam wishes he had known before making his debut feature
Trailer for the Film
Awards Page
Free "Make Your Feature Film" Checklist
Peter Jackson is the 3rd highest grossing film director of all time. He is an absolute legend, but he got his start following the same pattern that all best filmmakers do.
He made movies for fun with his friends. They wore all the hats and played all the roles. They DIY-ed their own gear/props/costumes as they went. They broke all the "rules." They kept their day jobs. They made their first feature film in their spare time. They had no formal training, but lots of fun. And the rest is history.
Documentary about the making of Bad Taste
Free "Make Your Feature Film" Checklist
This week on the podcast, we break down the exciting new film, "Top Gun 2 - Maverick" by filmmaker Joseph Kosinski. You can watch behind the scenes footage and interviews about the making of the film here.
Once a month, as part of our Movie Club series of the podcast, we share a noteworthy film and discuss it in depth. In this episode, we talk about how Top Gun 2 demonstrates leadership, why the filmmakers decided to use more expensive practical effects instead of digital, and what the film's popular reception teaches us about audiences today.
Make Your Feature Film (Free Step-by-Step Guide):
www.InvisibleMansion.com/FreeChecklist
Schedule a Free Consultation Call
This week on the podcast, we interview award-winning commercial director and founder of Variable, Jon Bregel. This one is a treat. Jon is humble, personable, and open.
I can't wait for you to hear his incredible story and learn about the wellness community he created after struggling with the pressure of explosive success and difficulty in maintaining a healthy work/life balance.
He shares insights about the power of stillness, prioritizing health and wellness, and how personal relationships with his wife and mom helped him get through. Check it out!
This week on the podcast, we interview Barrett Burgin about the recent theatrical release of his debut feature film, Cryo.
Join us as we discuss the process he went through to get this film made and sold while also finishing school, working a day job, and providing for his young family.
Barrett shares his biggest takeaways from his experience making and selling this film. He is a great example of the success that you can achieve, too, by following the process we teach in the Feature Filmmaker Academy.
Learn more about Cryo on IMDB
Schedule a Free Consultation Call
Schedule a Free Consultation Call
Watch the Movie Here
Watch the Clip of them running through a Field
This week on the podcast we discuss some filmmakers who are exceptions to the typical success patterns or career trajectory that we teach.
Make Your Feature Film (Free Step-by-Step Guide):
www.InvisibleMansion.com/FreeChecklist
A little goes a long way.
This week's podcast focuses on the power of 10 minutes.
Specifically, setting 10 minutes aside each day to work on your feature film career.
The episode is also only 10 minutes long.
Check it out!
And if you're ready to commit to 10 minutes a day on your film....
We can do it together in the Free Challenge.
And get some big bonuses at the end as a reward. Why not?
Hope to see you there!
We always say you can make a movie in just 10-15 minutes a day. Production is usually the exception to that rule. But not for Christopher Nolan and his wife Emma Thomas. They shot their first feature film in intervals of 15 minutes every weekend for 14 weeks.
In his own words:
"I didn’t raise anything, I had a job and I was receiving regular pay cheques for the first time in my life. I would spend half on my rent and the other half on film stock and processing. Whatever I had, I’d work out how much footage I could shoot that week. I knew that if we ran out of money we could just stop for a couple of weeks. I was not going to process anything because that was expensive, I was just going to keep shooting.
You need time. And that doesn’t mean necessarily even working full-time on it itself; it means time to throw some ideas together and then let them sit, go off and do something else, come back and see what still feels right and everything."Make Your Feature Film (Free Step-by-Step Guide):
www.InvisibleMansion.com/FreeChecklist
Learn about the Feature Filmmaker Program:
www.InvisibleMansion.com/FeatureFilmmaker
This month’s Movie Club podcast highlights the new Batman movie by Matt Reeves. If you haven’t seen the film yet, be warned that this episode is full of spoilers...
We take you behind the scenes into the making of the movie, discuss the theme, emotional moments, and our biggest takeaways both personally and as artists.
The Movie Club series is designed to model for you how taking a few minutes after you watch a film to have a discussion can add so much to the experience!
This is some of the best (and more fun) schooling we can get as filmmakers.
Please feel free to steal the questions we use to facilitate your own discussions about the movies you watch with your family or friends.
We get a lot of people asking us for movie recommendations, so if you follow along, we’ll show you a new film each month that we love. Next month’s movie will be The Miracle Worker (1962) which streams on Amazon Prime and other free platforms.
Make Your Feature Film (Free Step-by-Step Guide):
www.InvisibleMansion.com/FreeChecklist
Learn about the Feature Filmmaker Program:
www.InvisibleMansion.com/FeatureFilmmaker
Creativity is creative problem-solving. You can’t have creativity without problems to solve. Every problem or obstacle you face is keeping your creativity alive and allows you to improve. Your limitations in your career allow you to make something that nobody else can make because nobody else has your specific limitations.
In the words of Hans Zimmer, the subject of our podcast this week:
“Anybody’s got access to something that they can go and make a great score with…In a funny way, the more money you have available, the less of an achievement it becomes to make an impressive sound. You don’t need anything. You can compose in your head. You can compose on the piano. You can compose with anything. Open yourself up to the possibility that that could be really interesting. It’s not a problem, it’s a HUGE advantage to work with the bare minimum of available things.”
Check out this episode for more of his amazing wisdom.
Make Your Feature Film (Free Step-by-Step Guide):
www.InvisibleMansion.com/FreeChecklist
Learn about the Feature Filmmaker Program:
www.InvisibleMansion.com/FeatureFilmmaker
This week on the podcast, we talk about what it means to produce. A producer makes a film exist. A producer is a creator. This is power allows you to own your own work and be in control of your film career.
In this episode, Kent talks about the role he played as producer on our feature film. We have since been asked about producing several other projects. And while that isn't out of the question, we recommend that you join the Feature Filmmaker Academy instead. You could potentially make an entire feature for the same price as hiring an experienced producer (including us) would cost.
So, while it's true that you may spare yourself some work, you may also miss out on what you could learn, which is worth so much more.
Make Your Feature Film (Free Step-by-Step Guide):
www.InvisibleMansion.com/FreeChecklist
Learn about the Feature Filmmaker Program:
www.InvisibleMansion.com/FeatureFilmmaker
A Behind the Scenes episode talking about the test screening phase of our feature film, The Loved and Lost.
Testing really is one of the best free ways to improve your work, whether it’s a screenplay, edit, or otherwise. I’m sure these principles apply to all sorts of areas of life too. Listening to others and asking questions can also help us improve anything, even ourselves.Make Your Feature Film (Free Step-by-Step Guide):
www.InvisibleMansion.com/FreeChecklist
Learn about the Film and Family Program:
www.InvisibleMansion.com/FilmandFamily
We've started a movie club! Every month, we'll release a podcast with ideas and questions you can use to discuss a new (or old) movie with your family or friends. February's pick is a French flick that imagines the origins of the world's first restaurant.
Deliciousis a treat that lives up to its name. We realized as we recorded this podcast how much more we appreciate the film after taking time to discuss it together. We would love to have you join the conversation and share your own insights and takeaways. Email us at films@invisiblemansion.com
Isn’t it interesting how the word appreciate is used in economic terms to describe a rise in value?Things appreciate in value when we invest time or money into them. Taking time to appreciate or discuss a film after you watch it, increases its value to you as a viewer.
Our new movie club series gives you an opportunity to practice this pattern, add some variety to your media diet, and lead a monthly discussion with your own group of movie-loving friends or family members.
Make Your Feature Film (Free Step-by-Step Guide):
www.InvisibleMansion.com/FreeChecklist
Learn about the Film and Family Program:
www.InvisibleMansion.com/FilmandFamily
This week on the podcast, we're highlighting director Jared Hess's career and success patterns. As I'm sure you know, his first feature film, Napoleon Dynamite, was a cult classic and huge box office success. It's an excellent case study worth replicating as you develop your own first feature film.
Jared Hess attended the same film school as us (BYU), and as such, we were fortunate enough to have some interactions together and learn details about his first feature experience that are surprisingly not widely known or available on the internet. We're so excited to share his story and advice with you today, and hope it will inspire you as it inspired us.
We intentionally created the Success Patterns series of our podcast to motivate you with the plethora of examples of successful filmmakers who exemplify the model we teach in our program. They all made low-budget first feature films, pulling a lot of their own resources. They didn't have prior industry connections or advantages, and yet, were able to launch extremely successful careers for themselves in this industry. Enjoy!
Learn about the Film and Family Program:
www.InvisibleMansion.com/FilmandFamily
Make Your Feature Film (Free Step-by-Step Guide):
www.InvisibleMansion.com/FreeChecklist
There's something a little deceiving about the subject line of this email. It insinuates that if you're a filmmaker, you're media literate. But that isn't necessarily true!
Media literacy refers to the ability to understand and communicate through media, including film (our primary medium of concern at Film and Family). As obvious as it sounds, it's essential to be media literate as a filmmaker. But it is also very important in today's world to be media literate for, well, everyone.
In this week's episode, we talk about why and how to be media literate. Becoming media literate will increase both your skills as a filmmaker and fulfillment as an audience member.
Learn about the Film and Family Program:
www.InvisibleMansion.com/FilmandFamily
Make Your Feature Film (Free Step-by-Step Guide):
www.InvisibleMansion.com/FreeChecklist
This year, we've started a new series of podcast episodes highlighting successful filmmakers' beginnings. We'll show you patterns you can follow to create your own successful film career and motivate you with examples and ideas of what that path can look like.
We kick off the series by featuring Chloe Zhao, who made her first feature film in 2015. Her third feature, "Nomadland" won 3 Academy Awards. She was also the first woman of Asian descent and the second woman ever to win "Best Director" at the Golden Globes.
Her most recent release, "Eternals" had a $200 million budget, but her first feature film was made with no budget at all. Click below to hear her story.
Learn about the Film and Family Program:
www.InvisibleMansion.com/FilmandFamily
Make Your Feature Film (Free Step-by-Step Guide):
www.InvisibleMansion.com/FreeChecklist
At this time of year, we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. What does Jesus Christ have to do with filmmaking?
In our experience, a lot!
In this episode, we share a loss we experienced 7 years ago and how in the end, the lesson we learned is worth so much more to us now than what we lost.
We share how our belief in Christ helped us with our feature film.
We also teach you how you can experience more internal peace even during turbulent times.
Learn about the Film and Family Program:
www.InvisibleMansion.com/FilmandFamily
Make Your Feature Film (Free Step-by-Step Guide):
www.InvisibleMansion.com/FreeChecklist
Learn about the Film and Family Program:
www.InvisibleMansion.com/FilmandFamily
Make Your Feature Film (Free Step-by-Step Guide):
www.InvisibleMansion.com/FreeChecklist
This week on the podcast:
- How to pick good films to watch in a media-saturated world
- Why what we choose to we watch matters
- Treating media like a mental diet
- How consuming garbage can kill your creativity
- Too much of any one thing isn’t healthy
- Ideas to add variety to your watch lists
- Being open-minded and challenging your preferences
- Following an artist's line of work or influences
- A challenge to watch something outside your comfort zone - old, foreign, documentary, or a genre you don’t typically try
Learn about the Film and Family Program:
www.InvisibleMansion.com/FilmandFamily
Make Your Feature Film (Free Step-by-Step Guide):
www.InvisibleMansion.com/FreeChecklist
This week on the podcast, we answer questions from college students about how to prepare for a film career after school. We also share the most valuable lessons we learned in school and those that we had to discover on our own. Check it out.
P.S. The Film and Family Academy doors open in just a few more days! Above all, the best way to learn to make feature films for a living is to do it! And that's exactly what everyone who graduates from the Film and Family Academy leaves with: A feature film with your name on it, or your money back.
Sign up soon at: www.invisiblemansion.com/filmandfamily
Free Checklist: www.invisiblemansion.com/freechecklist
Have you ever been on a stressful film set? These days, who hasn't? In this podcast, we talk about the best way to make your experience on set enjoyable!
In this Podcast Episode:
- The Latin root of the word “prepare”
- How use of the word has declined over time
- What is good preparation? Not too much or too little.
- The benefits of preparation outweigh those of procrastination
- How to make a plan but still not turn your brain off on set
- Some unconventional ways to prepare a feature
- Trust with your key collaborators as a form of contingency
- Do you rehearse before you arrive on set?
- Why actors with theater experience know how to prepare
- June’s reading, older films with actors who came from theater
- Can’t just review lines right before or rehearse by doing multiple takes
- People who make it look easy do all the hard work when nobody is around
- How do you know when you have prepared enough?
- Planning around your tendencies on the preparation spectrum
- Announcement: The Film and Family Academy doors open soon for 3 days only!
Learn about the Film and Family Program:
www.InvisibleMansion.com/FilmandFamily
Make Your Feature Film (Free Step-by-Step Guide):
www.InvisibleMansion.com/FreeChecklist
Making a feature film is a journey. Do you ever feel lost along the way?
In this Podcast Episode:
- Dissatisfaction is linked to an unclear vision of what you want
- Like a GPS, you need to know where you are now and where you are going
- The more specific the destination, the better (think an exact address vs. Texas)
- If you are upset, you are focused on what you don’t want
- How to pivot and move towards your goals
- Multitasking leads to crashing
- "Life by the yard is hard, by the inch it’s a cinch"
- Smaller steps are easier to take
- You don’t need to know all the steps to get started
- How to navigate obstacles that arise
- There is no destination you won’t reach if you just keep moving towards it
- How to avoid "The Waiting Place" and why we end up there
- When obstacles become the navigation
- Announcement: The Film and Family Academy doors open soon for 3 days only
Learn about the Film and Family Program:
www.InvisibleMansion.com/FilmandFamily
Make Your Feature Film (Free Step-by-Step Guide):
www.InvisibleMansion.com/FreeChecklist
Don't have enough time to make on a feature film? Our friend and client, Sam Featherstone didn't think so either. Listen to our interview with him, and reconsider.
In this Podcast Episode:
- What's even better than quitting your day job
- An answer to prayer - Sam's experience in the Film and Family Academy
- The power of an outside perspective to show you your blind spots
- Keeping momentum after a rough patch or slow start
- How to make the next step smaller, so it's easier to take
- The tide that raises all the ships
- Sam's best time management tips
- Making pancakes, family memories, and feature films simultaneously
- A secret ingredient to great waffles/pancakes from a Kodiak Cakes insider
- What time management has to do with confident feature filmmaking
Learn about the Film and Family Program:
www.InvisibleMansion.com/FilmandFamily
Make Your Feature Film (Free Step-by-Step Guide):
www.InvisibleMansion.com/FreeChecklist
What kinds of films do you want to make? Will your story matter to the world?
In this Podcast Episode:
- "What matters most is what lasts longest" - M. Russell Ballard
- Both the family and films we create live on after we die
- Funerals, a gathering of posterity, are a testament to this
- Why some stories and archetypes endure forever
- Will it pass the test of time?
- How craft/intellectualism can be overrated
- Imbuing meaning improves craft more than studying the craft itself
- You can't give in your storytelling what you don't have in your life.
- Attempting to explore topics that we can't do justice
- Films with important themes aren't inherently better
- Fluency vs. what you have to say
- How to add your voice to the Great Conversation
- Discovering your artistic ancestry
Learn about the Film and Family Program:
www.InvisibleMansion.com/FilmandFamily
Make Your Feature Film (Free Step-by-Step Guide):
www.InvisibleMansion.com/FreeChecklist
In this Podcast Episode:
- An update: we watched the first assembly of the Loved and Lost
- Developments within the Film and Family program that we are excited to release
- The flip side of generating motivation to do things is getting rid of desires for things we don't want to do
- Determining which desires you want to keep or get rid of
- Focusing on something grows it - what you focus on, you create more of
- The biggest problem people run into when they try to get rid of desire
- A simple solution - desire something else more
- Focusing on the wanted starves the unwanted desire
- Our desires feed off of our attention. Focus on it and it will grow
- Human Nature - not judging yourself or others
- Releasing drama gives the desire less power
- Why thoughts with heavier emotions stick more in your memory
Learn about the Film and Family Program:
www.InvisibleMansion.com/FilmandFamily
Make Your Feature Film (Free Step-by-Step Guide):
www.InvisibleMansion.com/FreeChecklist
In this Podcast Episode:
- Why we’ve been gone for a few weeks
- What "Better than Happy" means to us
- The purpose of life
- How pursuing happiness thwarts happiness. (Victor Frankl)
- How processing emotion allows us to not stay stuck
- When we avoid pain, we also feel less joy
- Your level of heartbreak is a measure of how much you allowed yourself to love
- Pain is inevitable - how to choose between the pain of loving deeply or of regret and numbing your true desires
- An invitation to challenge the typical “happy ending”
- How to create a meaningful life and meaningful stories
Learn about the Film and Family Program:
www.InvisibleMansion.com/FilmandFamily
Free Consultation:
www.InvisibleMansion.com/filmandfamily
The average amount of time it takes to make one feature film (from when it's announced to when it's released) is 2 years, 4 months, and 19 days. That doesn't even include writing the script or prepping/packaging it before it gets financed.
Parenthood and feature filmmaking are long-term ventures. In our latest podcast episode, we outline what you can expect that journey to look like for you. By the end, you'll be able to identify which of the four stages of learning you are in right now and what to do next.
Do you feel like you are failing repeatedly without seeing any progress or results? You're in stage two. Don't worry, the growth is happening. It's just internal and nearly imperceptible.
Does it take you a lot of focused effort to do what is effortless and easy for others? Do not despair. This is a natural part of the process. You're in the final stage that precedes mastery. You're almost there!
Knowing the stages of learning can help you know how to move forward and transition to the next stage on the road to mastery. And as you go, you'll be better equipped to enjoy wherever you are now and find purpose in this part of your experience.
Which stage are you in?
Listen to the episode to find out!
Free Consultation:
www.InvisibleMansion.com/filmandfamily
Free Consultation:
www.InvisibleMansion.com/filmandfamily
In Stephen King's autobiography, On Writing, he describes in detail his struggle with addiction, which nearly cost him his family. King's powerful conclusion is that,
"Life isn't a support system for art. It's the other way around."
If we sacrifice too much on the altar of "art making", we deprive ourselves of anything truly meaningful to make art about.
Ideally, the purpose of film is not to escape our lives, but to help us appreciate and add meaning to them. The investments we make in our health, relationships, and education bring rich rewards, but these take time. Films can condense this timeline and helps us see a perspective beyond the dull or difficult now; to see a character's triumph in context. Our greatest memories are hard-earned, which makes them all the more valuable.
I know our family feels this strongly this week. I (Anna) am in the hospital with pregnancy complications, and Kent is left to manage the home and take care of our other three children single-handedly. We've found it difficult, but necessary, to put some artistic pursuits on hold. But we know the sacrifices we make to bring these little humans into being, are actually the very substance of life.
We cannot forget the whole reason we want to make movies in the first place! The medium enables us to share in our relationships, experiences, and the wisdom we gain from our most difficult trials. It would be completely backwards to sacrifice these treasured life experiences in our efforts to express why they matter so much.
We hope that no matter what you are going through, that art can function to support and inspire you through it. Do not allow artistic expression to rob you of the concrete things in life that matter most. As you protect your life experience, you also put yourself into a position to pay it forward, creating art that inspires and supports others because of the meaningful lessons you allow life to teach you.
How will you make art that supports life instead of sacrificing your life to support art?
Even though I've been away, Kent still managed to record a short "behind the scenes" podcast interview with two of our kids this week, talking about their experience making a feature film as a family. Isn't he amazing? And our kids are pretty adorable too. Check it out.
Free Consultation:
www.InvisibleMansion.com/filmandfamily
There is no such thing as should. There is no rule book about what everyone should or shouldn't do. When you say "should" you are always judging and limiting yourself or those around you.
Looking back, it's not productive to think, "I should have...." because the past is over, and you can't go back and change it. But you can change the way you think about it.
Here's the truth. What you did is what you should have done because it's what you did.
Don't use the past to define you, but to refine you.
Replace "should" with "could" whenever you can. Because it's the truth. You had and continue to have an abundance of options.
There is no "should." Only lots of "could"s. And exploring the contrast of life is how you figure out which you "could's" you want to choose.
If this topic resonates with you, check out this week's podcast for some more examples of why this simple switch can make a huge difference.
Sign up for your free Consultation:
www.InvisibleMansion.com/filmandfamily
Making a feature film is a massive undertaking, but that doesn't mean you can't do it. We've created a program that breaks the entire process from start to end into digestible steps and stages that you can move through one at a time.
In the Film and Family Academy, we guarantee that if you follow every step we teach you, you will have a finished film by the end, or we'll give you your money back. Most film graduates have still never done what every single graduate from the Film and Family Academy does: actually finish a feature film.
Besides the affordable cost to join the program, you don't need to invest any more of your own money into getting your film made. We teach you how to secure the necessary financing as an essential part of our process. Once you're in, you only need time to invest in completing each step. And you can move as fast or as slow as you want to.
You don't have to quit your day job, wait until your kids grow up, or finish school before you get started. You can do it with the time you have right now, no matter what your circumstances are.
We know that there are more important things in life than film. Ultimately, we want you to make your life your greatest masterpiece. But the things that matter more than film also don't prevent you from making films. In fact, the tools we teach to help you make great films, will also empower you to create an amazing life.
Part of our mission is to help more people, like you, who prioritize health and family, add their unique voices to this industry.
To learn exactly how we do that, tune in to this podcast episode.
Download the free "Make Your Feature Film" checklist:
www.InvisibleMansion.com/freechecklist
Sign up for your free Consultation:
www.InvisibleMansion.com/filmandfamily
Learn More about the Film and Family Program HERE.
Did you know that the discomfort of denying dreams is often greater than the discomfort of making them happen?
We talk a lot about the discomfort inherent in pursing something hard - about the price of growth and the importance of being willing to fail in order to expand yourself, but there's another discomfort that we often overlook. It's the discomfort of denying a dream.
Ignoring your dreams is just as much work and just as uncomfortable. It's exhausting to lie to yourself, make excuses, buffer, or ignore the pull instead of going after something you really want.
If you're already uncomfortable not pursuing your dream, what do you have to lose in chasing it? You'll experience discomfort either way, so why not choose the discomfort where your dream has a chance of coming true?
To dive into this topic further, click to listen to this podcast episode.
Learn More about the Film and Family Program HERE.
This podcast is made and sponsored by Invisible Mansion Pictures. Click to join the Film and Family Interest List here: www.InvisibleMansion.com/filmandfamily
Some of the hardest jobs are those of a leader or parent. Didn't it look easy when you saw someone else do it?
I remember thinking I was good at parenting because I could babysit other people's kids. As a parent of three (almost four) I now recognize that the two jobs vary greatly in their level of difficulty.
Parents function as rule creators and babysitters function as rule enforcers. This applies in the work field as well. Employers create rules and employees enforce or follow them.
It's much easier to enforce rules or structures than to create them. And it's especially difficult to act in a role where you are both the creator and enforcer of those rules. In the United States, we have separate branches of government to separate these jobs. But most parents do both. Many small business owners do both. And beginner directors and producers often do both too. This is why the role of AD is so vital.
It's simpler when you didn't make the rule, set the prices, or are able to say, "let me talk to my manager about that and get back to you." Film directors and parents sometimes have the burden of needing to make and defend decisions in the heat of the moment. Emotions can run high. If your children or clients expect an immediate answer, you may get defensive, doubt yourself, or make an impulsive change that you regret later.
Try creating some separation between your roles as the creator and enforcer.
Treating these two functions as separate will make your job much easier. Either role on its own is significantly simpler than trying to perform both at once.
This podcast is made and sponsored by Invisible Mansion Pictures. Click to join the Film and Family Interest List here: www.InvisibleMansion.com/filmandfamily
As a child, you were probably told you couldn't do or have things you wanted because you "weren't old enough yet." Did you look forward to all the freedom and privileges the future would unlock when you could finally date, work, drive, or make more decisions?
As adults, we believe that we still can't have everything we want. When we feel like we can't have what we want, our brains may revert to old thinking. We ask ourselves, "What am I not enough of now?"
The explanation that you aren't old enough might be replaced with:
You aren't attractive enough
You aren't outgoing enough
You aren't talented enough
You don't have enough time
You don't have enough money
You aren't healthy enough
etc., etc., etc.
But none of those circumstances are the actual reason you don't have the result you want. You are enough and you have enough right now. We promise this is true.
As long as you believe circumstances are obstacles, you'll be stuck behind them.
These beliefs are mental obstacles. And they can all come crashing down. In this podcast episode, we discuss the only thing that is truly stopping you from making your film and having the life you want.
The Film and Family Academy is now closed for enrollment. To be notified of our next enrollment window, join the interest list HERE. Selected students make their first feature film and subsequent films using our proven model, until they've achieved their dream career. And we do it all without sacrificing relationships, values, or our sanity.
Have you ever taken years to make a life-changing decision? Indecision is one of the easiest time wasters out there. In this episode, we talk about how to make better, more efficient decisions in order to increase your success rate and speed up your progress towards achieving your desired results.
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This podcast is owned and sponsored by Invisible Mansion Pictures. For more resources, visit us at: www.invisiblemansion.com
Selling a story and telling a story are actually not that different from each other. In this episode, learn how these skills cross over and can both be enjoyable.
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This podcast is owned and sponsored by Invisible Mansion Pictures. For more resources, visit us at: www.invisiblemansion.com
How do you become a film director? Or write any other role for yourself in the film industry for that matter? Today I share the specifics of my experience and how it applies to whatever role you are trying to achieve as well.
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This podcast is owned and sponsored by Invisible Mansion Pictures. For more resources, visit us at: www.invisiblemansion.com
Do you find yourself worrying about what others might think of your art, your life, or any of your decisions for that matter? In this episode we explore how to abandon people-pleasing and making your life and art meaningful and true to you.
This podcast is owned and sponsored by Invisible Mansion Pictures. For more resources, visit us at: www.invisiblemansion.com
Everyone has to start somewhere right? And doesn't it seem like there's always a new challenge to face? We are actually all pioneering something new in our individual lives. Whether we choose to lead others by sharing our experiences or not, we all start somewhere and must overcome obstacles to reach our desired destination. Come join us today as we discuss how to overcome our obstacles to become who we want to be, even when it may seem impossible.
This podcast is owned and sponsored by Invisible Mansion Pictures. For more resources, visit us at: www.invisiblemansion.com
Does instability in your mental health feel like it’s stopping you from pursuing your goals? Millions of people in and out of the film industry struggle with mental health issues and you are not alone. Join us today with Kristen Jensen and learn how she has juggled both things together and come out stronger than ever.
It’s the last week for enrollment in The Film and Family Academy for select filmmakers. Enrollment closes July 1st, 2021. Apply at: www.invisiblemansion.com/filmandfamily
Connect with Kristen at: www.kristenjensencoaching.com
This podcast is owned and sponsored by Invisible Mansion Pictures. For more resources, visit us at: www.invisiblemansion.com
Come join us today with James Hall and learn how to generate your own motivation, start AND finish a feature film script, and set your own boundaries, so you can have fun and stay healthy. Come see how James did it and is still doing it today.
There are only two weeks left for enrollment in The Film and Family Academy for select filmmakers. Enrollment closes July 1st, 2021. Apply at www.invisiblemansion.com/filmandfamily
This podcast is owned and sponsored by Invisible Mansion Pictures. For more resources, visit us at: www.invisiblemansion.com
Come join us today with Cooper and Emma Sutton, a married couple, who are both actors. We have some fun reminiscing but also get down to business to talk about competition, comparison, supporting each other, and how these two are taking their careers into their own hands.
There are only two weeks left for enrollment in The Film and Family Academy for select filmmakers. Enrollment closes July 1st, 2021. Apply at www.invisiblemansion.com/filmandfamily
This podcast is owned and sponsored by Invisible Mansion Pictures. For more resources, visit us at: www.invisiblemansion.com
What does it mean to befriend failure? Most of us think we want to do everything to avoid failure, not be friends with it. Come join us today as we go over why befriending failure will benefit your life with our special guest, Redge Flake.
There are only a few weeks left for enrollment in The Film and Family Academy for select filmmakers. Enrollment closes July 1st, 2021.
This podcast is owned and sponsored by Invisible Mansion Pictures. For more resources, visit us at: www.invisiblemansion.com
What does it truly mean to be a leader? There is a difference between telling people what to do and being a great leader. Sometimes, you don't even have to be in charge to be a brilliant leader. Come join us today as we cover the many different ways people lead, and the most effective ways to influence other people for good.
This podcast is owned and sponsored by Invisible Mansion Pictures. For more resources, visit us at: www.invisiblemansion.com
When you're starting out as a filmmaker you may feel that you are at a complete disadvantage. Understanding the advantages you have as a new filmmaker over Hollywood will help you play to your strengths as you break out. Come learn what small resources can make a big difference in starting your film career.
This podcast is owned and sponsored by Invisible Mansion Pictures. For more resources, visit us at: www.invisiblemansion.com
Why would you want to come in and feel uncomfortable? Why would we want to feel negative emotions? That doesn't seem like a good idea, does it? Well, if you join us today, we will explain that even though negative emotions do not feel comfortable, they can be the key to getting us to where we need to be.
This podcast is owned and sponsored by Invisible Mansion Pictures. For more resources, visit us at: www.invisiblemansion.com
Are you waiting for that perfect opportunity for a big shot producer or agent to see you in action and make you famous? Believe it or not, that hardly ever happens. In this episode we talk about lessons learned from life and La La Land, including how to write your own role and create the opportunity you want for yourself by yourself.
This podcast is owned and sponsored by Invisible Mansion Pictures. For more resources, visit us at: www.invisiblemansion.com
Please excuse our audio issues on this podcast. We accidentally captured the entire thing on the wrong microphone, but decided to release it anyway Do you avoid conflict or confrontation? But then when the conflict inevitably happens does it seem even worse? In this episode we talk about how avoiding conflict can ultimately create contention, and the detrimental effects of keeping things bottled up or hidden. On the flip side, connection and growth are available to us when we decide to lean in towards failure and conflict as soon as they arrive.
This podcast is owned and sponsored by Invisible Mansion Pictures. For more resources, visit us at: www.invisiblemansion.com
Even if you have material wealth and can buy all the things you want, are you still happy? Is there an emptiness inside you? You may be financially wealthy in all the ways you want, but so emotionally broke that nothing makes you happy. Kent may not be with us today, but come take a listen to this podcast to find what emotional wealth is and how it can help you in your life.
This podcast is owned and sponsored by Invisible Mansion Pictures. For more resources, visit us at: www.invisiblemansion.com
Is making a feature film as hard as it sounds? Is it right for me? Will I fall apart while doing it? There are many questions you may ask yourself while preparing to make the movie you have always dreamed of. In this episode we talk more about our first film experience and a few obstacles we faced and strategies were developed in response, as examples.
This podcast is owned and sponsored by Invisible Mansion Pictures. For more resources, visit us at: www.invisiblemansion.com
What is making a feature film actually like? Maybe you don't know where to start and you feel nervous to begin your journey. If you want to take a real look through the director or producer's eyes, this podcast is for you, recorded on the set of our latest production.
This podcast is owned and sponsored by Invisible Mansion Pictures. For more resources, visit us at: www.invisiblemansion.com
Have you ever felt that your emotions are controlling your life and not you? Hint: if so, the first step is to slow everything down. Maybe you feel you have great momentum, like a train going down a track, but that track isn't taking you where you want to go. If that is the feeling in your life, listening to this podcast can help redirect you down the right track.
This podcast is owned and sponsored by Invisible Mansion Pictures. For more resources, visit us at: www.invisiblemansion.com
Today Anna and Kent discuss how expectations differ from our realities. Our experience leading up to and during something, can be either great or horrible, depending on how we depict it. We don't know how circumstances are going to turn out, which is reality. Listen in to determine whether or not your own expectations are serving you or creating unnecessary anxiety or disappointment, and what you can do to help yourself if they are.
This podcast is owned and sponsored by Invisible Mansion Pictures. For more resources, visit us at: www.invisiblemansion.com
In this episode, Kent and Anna talk about getting twice as much done in half the time, and learning to determine the difference between which things are important to do right away and which things aren't. They teach how to make a daily plan to determine priorities, and how to make your time work for you instead of the other way around. (Even with kids or a film career)
This podcast is owned and sponsored by Invisible Mansion Pictures. For more resources, visit us at: www.invisiblemansion.com
In this episode we talk about our personal story and the origin of the company Invisible Mansion Pictures. We discuss why we have chosen to have it all slow instead of one thing fast and the value of building things that are invisible.
This podcast is owned and sponsored by Invisible Mansion Pictures. For more resources, visit us at: www.invisiblemansion.com
We talk about censorship, nudity, sexual content, pornography, how the things we consume affect us and exercising the freedom to choose if you want to watch these things or not.
Studies Cited:
https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/erotic-art/#ModAesProEroArt
Donnerstein, Edward, and L. Berkowitz. “Victim Reactions in Aggressive Erotic Films As a Factor in Violence against Women.” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1981, pp. 710–24.
Donnerstein, Edward, and N. Malamuth. “Pornography: Its Consequences on the Observer.” In Sexual Dynamics of Anti-social Behavior, edited by L. B. Schlesinger. Springfield, Ill.: Charles C. Thomas, (in press).
This podcast is owned and sponsored by Invisible Mansion Pictures. For more resources, visit us at: www.invisiblemansion.com
We talk about censorship, nudity, sexual content, pornography, how the things we consume affect us and exercising the freedom to choose if you want to watch these things or not.
Studies Cited:
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1984/04/obscenity-how-it-affects-us-how-we-can-deal-with-it?lang=eng
This podcast is owned and sponsored by Invisible Mansion Pictures. For more resources, visit us at: www.invisiblemansion.com
In this episode we delve into the difference between means and ends, and how they relate to goal setting. Getting attached to the means or the original plan, can ultimately prevent us from reaching the real end goal. Specification, design, focus and planning are all crucial ways to achieve the end, and you’ll learn how to apply this to your goals this new year.
This podcast is owned and sponsored by Invisible Mansion Pictures. For more resources, visit us at: www.invisiblemansion.com
We discuss the advantages of film school, how to get a good film education no matter your situation, respect for the craft, our own most valuable educational experiences, and the value of ongoing education in general. Enjoy!
This podcast is owned and sponsored by Invisible Mansion Pictures. For more resources, visit us at: www.invisiblemansion.com
Today we discuss:
- Film AND Family vs. Film OR Family
- The dangers of black and white thinking
- The Hegelian Dialectic and finding creative synthesis
- Dealing with cognitive dissonance
- Believing the impossible
- Your why and not giving up when you don't know the how
For more information, visit our website at:
www.invisiblemansion.com
Our interview with Noam Kroll: Feature filmmaker, business owner, and father. We discuss pursuing your dream of becoming a filmmaker, taking the next step in each film, appreciating the good and bad in your films, learning how to plan, dealing with curve balls, and more.
Subscribe to Noam Kroll's email list at: http://noamkroll.com
For more information about Film and Family, check out: www.invisiblemansion.com
Part two of our interview with Noam Kroll: Feature filmmaker, business owner, and father. We discuss pursuing your dream of becoming a filmmaker, taking the next step in each film, appreciating the good and bad in your films, learning how to plan, dealing with curve balls, and more.
Subscribe to Noam Kroll's email list at: http://noamkroll.com
For more information about Film and Family, check out: www.invisiblemansion.com
The power of story telling is demonstrated in a short parable taught by Jesus Christ. "Talents" in this parable refer to money, but there are many ways to invest in what we value. Join us as we discuss a hierarchy of investments and why we recommend prioritizing investing in yourself over time and money.
In this episode we cover:
- How to use our feelings as fuel for our actions
- What we can do with anger and other emotions inside us
- Why resisting emotions makes them grow stronger
- How even "negative" emotions can fuel action that's useful for us
- How our brains automatically create new feelings as we think new thoughts
"What Do You Do With The Mad That You Feel"-Mister Rogers:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BvL1pOep44
Won't You Be My Neighbor:
https://amzn.to/3omixGt
Don't forget to click Subscribe!
For more information, visit our website at:
www.invisiblemansion.com
The short version: failure is good. It has more potential for growth than success does, especially with proper evaluation.
Our four step evaluation process:
1. What are the facts?
2. What worked?
3. What didn't work?
4. What will I do differently?
www.invisiblemansion.com
We introduce the five-step model that we use to create results for ourselves and our clients. Viewing the world through this lens has been life-changing for us and can also allow you to take ownership over creating the experience you want in every area of your life.
Here's the secret, we always think that when our results change, THEN we'll feel happy or successful. But that's out of order. Circumstances don't create feelings. Our thoughts do. What do you imagine you would feel if you had the result you wanted? Why? When you give yourself permission to think those thoughts now and feel those feelings unconditionally, the result becomes inevitable.
What does a pitch even look like these days? If you are still imagining that it's a 15-second log line that you say as quickly as possible when you run into a famous studio executive in an elevator.... this conversation will be enlightening.
We discuss how to prepare to pitch, the variety of components you can choose to include in a pitch deck, and some tips to make it more compelling. We even offer to send you the pitch deck for one of our own projects as an example, as long as you use it to learn and don't plagiarize any of the material.
www.invisiblemansion.com
How do you finance a film? We answer this question while emphasizing that the more important question to focus on is how to make a good film. The first step is to develop a story that is really meaningful to you and the people on your team.
Once you've done that, we boil the process down to a simple formula. We share our own experiences and the insights we have gathered as we have followed this formula to finance our own projects.
We discuss tips and common mistakes, including how to avoid being a creepy salesperson. For those who don't consider themselves business-minded, we want to show you how getting your film financed is part of the process of creation, refinement, and learning to communicate your vision.
www.invisiblemansion.com/filmandfamily
What is beauty? Is it subjective? What do you find beautiful and what does that say about you and what you value? In this episode we talk about the role of beauty in art and life. Enjoy!
www.invisiblemansion.com/filmandfamily
Surprise! Kent has read at least one parenting book (statistically more than the average Dad). We discuss why is might not really matter what you do as much as why you do it in both parenting and film and the power of finding the why behind your what and how.
www.invisiblemansion.com/filmandfamily
You've heard the age old debate... which is more important? Quantity or quality? We make an argument for BOTH and our belief that quantity actually creates quality. In fact focusing too much on quality can be crippling, especially if you are a perfectionist!
We talk about how doing just a little bit every day grows exponentially over time and give you some examples of successful individuals who are living proof of that principle. We mentioned James Mangold and fogot his name...so here it is in the show notes. Whoops!
As always, if you want to apply everything you are learning on the podcast to your own life, you can join the Film and Family Program, where you'll get in depth personalized coaching, training on all these tools, and lifetime support at www.invisiblemansion.com/filmandfamily.
In this episode, Anna tells Kent that "procrastinative" is not a word. According to Google, it might be. We also cover how to stop ourselves from procrastinating the most important things in our lives, how those most important things are rarely urgent, and why our brain wants us to procrastinate in the first place. Spoiler: because it feels good! ...until it doesn't.
If you're wanting to take greater ownership over your family life and film career, check out the Film and Family program: www.invisiblemansion.com/filmandfamily
What would it be like to know that you can put something into your calendar and it's as good as done? Time is just a mental construct. If we didn't measure time, all that would matter is order. Are you doing things in order of your priorities?
Tune in for some exploration on this topic and if you want some more help managing your mind around how you spend time, be sure to join the Film and Family Program at www.invisiblemansion.com/filmandfamily
Join us for a conversation with Akima Brown, a talented filmmaker, mother, and CEO of Reel Families for Change, Inc., an organization dedicated to serving families in the film industry through advocacy in legislation, unions, studio heads, and more.
In this episode we discuss the purpose of Akima's work and organization, as well as the need for family representation in the film industry.
Learn more about RFC on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/reelfamilies or at https://reelfamiliesforchange.org/.
If you're wanting to take greater ownership over your family life and film career, check out the Film and Family program at http://www.invisiblemansion.com/filmandfamily
Have you ever struggled with family members or cast/crew not living up to your expectations?
What is the purpose of having expectations of someone? What does it mean to have an expectation, and how are your expectations of others serving you? Them?
In this episode we explain how releasing others from our expectations can actually liberate us, in a process called "throwing away the manual." We also explore alternatives to "expectations" and how we can help others without making ourselves emotionally dependent upon their performance/actions.
If you're wanting to take greater ownership over your family life and film career, check out the Film and Family program: www.invisiblemansion.com/filmandfamily
In this episode we talk about the three disciples of film, which we consider theory, history and practice, and why we need all three at the same time. We compare learning film in this three-fold manner to learning a language, learning to draw, and learning an instrument. So many metaphors! We also talk about how to improve our process to include all three of these tools.
Visit us at www.invisiblemansion.com
What is risk? Is it good or bad? Is it possible to avoid risk? We talk about these ideas and more and make a case for taking more risks in certain aspects of our lives and careers.
In this episode, we discuss the topic of motivation. We talk about misconceptions regarding motivation and where it comes from, how you can actually generate motivation in order to complete the projects or goals you are struggling with right now in your life. So are you stuck on a script, burnt out on a project, or tired of something you were once excited about? Give this a listen!
How do we know how we're doing as artists? As parents? As spouses? In this episode, we cover such questions, as well as explore the effects of perfectionism on both our films and families.
Visit us as www.invisiblemansion.com
Why do we care what other people think of us? It's a common question, but we delve into what causes us to care, what it means to care, and how this issue can hurt or help our filmmaking and family lives.
Visit us at www.invisiblemansion.com
In this episode, we discuss why people watch movies, and maybe more importantly, why they don't. We then explore how professor Clay Christensen's Job's Theory can apply to our film careers and family lives.
Visit us at www.invisiblemansion.com
The premiere episode of the wonderful new podcast film and family! Our inaugural episode covers an appropriate question: Are having a family and a film career mutually exclusive?
We talk about why life in the film industry has proven to be so hard on so many families, and what we can do to strike a balance, and what "balance" really means.
Visit us at www.invisiblemansion.com