Cinematic Heartland: A Filmmaking Podcast: Recent Episodes

Kevin Isaacson

Do you have a passion for filmmaking, screenwriting, directing, or acting? Do you live outside a major film industry market? This is the place to be. Kevin Isaacson and Mike Godfrey host filmmakers as well as offer their own insights, thoughts, and opinions on being an independent filmmaker located outside of a major film hub.

Listen in as independent filmmakers from across the Heartland describe their journeys and offer insight into how you can be a successful filmmaker no matter where you live.

Proud Member of the IFH Podcast Network (www.ifhpodcastnetwork.com)

Mike and Kevin make a big announcement today on Cinematic Heartland: A Filmmaking Podcast.

Joining us on this episode of Cinematic Heartland is Elliott Bales who is currently based in Virginia but has appeared extensively on stage and screen in Iowa. He talks about pursuing his acting career full-time after a career in the military, working on the film Remote, producing audio books, getting an agent, and being a member of SAG-AFTRA. What has he learned in his theater work that has helped him in film and vice versa?

Colorado based actor Michael Ridley sits down with Kevin on this episode of Cinematic Heartland: A Filmmaking Podcast. Michael is known on the Iowa film scene by working in such projects as Remote and Knee High which we talk about in depth. He was fortunate enough to be able to work on the set of Jurassic World and he passes along that experience to us.

Demian Alan Mancino joins Kevin and Michael on today’s episode of Cinematic Heartland: A Filmmaking podcast for a fun filmmaking conversation. He was born and raised in New York, has lived in 43 states, and currently resides in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He tells us about his mixed martial arts background, how he got into acting, working on You Should Have Killed Me, and collaborating with the Cintree Films team on multiple projects. We also talk about his experience directing the film Rosie’s Necklace.

Jude Rawlins of Bella Luna Productions sits down with us to talk all things films and filmmaking. He tells us his story from how he came to settle in Marshalltown, Iowa to making the feature film Little Johnny Jewel to his film Dream Time to filming in New York for his film Mania. He has found that filming in Iowa is special in the fact that you can find anything you need almost instantaneously. On top of that, he has been able to work with his dream casts because there are so many talented actors here. He names his filmmaker influences, favorite films at this time, and gives his advice to other Heartland filmmakers out there.

Today's show features our first roundtable discussion and the topic at hand is film festivals. We welcome Eric Dean Freese of The Cedar Rapids Independent Film Festival, Greg Gale of The Flatwater Film Festival, Bill Cooper of The Twin Cities Film Festival, and Tadd Good of The Snake Alley Festival of Film.

They give us tips on what can improve your chances as a filmmaker to get accepted into film festivals and things to do and not do when you attend film festivals. We take a look under the hood of what makes quality, well-run festivals work. They also share some of the horror stories and behind-the-scenes of running your own festival as well as a whole lot more. A definite must listen for filmmakers venturing out onto the festival circuit.

This roundtable will also be released on YouTube very soon.

Michael James Minard returns to the Cinematic Heartland podcast to revisit the very important topic that so many filmmakers and non-filmmakers struggle with... imposter syndrome. We have talked about this on the show before but Michael brings another filmmaker's perspective. He tells us how it has affected him, his work, and what he has done to combat it.

Joining us today are filmmakers Bernd Wittneben and Jörg Rochlitzer, who are both originally from Germany but now reside in Iowa. We go in depth about their feature film, Reveille, how they gathered some of the items used in the movie, and how they set out to differentiate it from other traditional war movies. Bernd explains to us why he prefers making feature films over short films and Jörg talks about his love of old cameras and films and why he was invited to Paramount Studios in California. They also tell us about their production company, Film Farm Iowa.

The multi-talented Iowa based filmmaker, JoJo Munkee, joins us on the show today. Most filmmakers in the Iowa film scene know or have heard of JoJo but you may learn something new about her as our topics range from belly dancing to sword balancing to Batman to wearing goat legs. How did she get involved with the Snake Alley Festival of Film and how did she end up leading the screenplay table reads which take place there. She gives us her advice on successful networking, and we talk about her love of improv.

Nebraska based filmmaker, Maverick Knox, sits down with us on this episode of Cinematic Heartland. He tells us about attending film school in Arkansas, his film projects, his production studio, and what he does as an adjunct professor at Metropolitan Community College. Maverick is an experienced DIT. He tells us what that is and what the job entails. What does he see are the benefits of being a Midwestern filmmaker?

The filmmaking team of Bauston Van Sickle, Wayne D. Barrett, and Lonnie Appleby who are behind the new feature film, Bits and Pieces, join us today on Cinematic Heartland. They walk us through their journeys from what got them interested in filmmaking to the production and animation programs at Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) to what they learned during the production of Bits and Pieces. Epic conversation.

Iowa filmmakers Matthew Tribble and Marc Bauer sit down with Kevin and Mike on this episode of Cinematic Heartland: A Filmmaking Podcast. They pass along their experiences in film school and what they feel are the benefits and drawbacks of attending film school. They also tell us about their short film projects leading up to their soon-to-be-released first feature film, Remote. What advice do they have for other filmmakers looking to do a feature film?

Cassy Nixon returns to Cinematic Heartland: A Filmmaking Podcast to let us know how the Face of Horror competition went and she gives us updates on her projects, The Self Care Scaries and The Camping Trip, as well as her alter ego… Irene Dangles. She also offers her advice for any filmmakers looking to get into the horror genre and we talk about makeup artists in depth.

We have a filmmaker full house on this edition of Cinematic Heartland: A Filmmaking Podcast. Mike was under the weather for the recording of this show, but I welcome J Welin, George Buehler, Dashawn M. Kelly, and Jimmy Miller who join the podcast from the state of Kentucky. This was a wild but fun conversation. They give us tips on working as a group as well as welcoming people into your circle. We also talk about their early projects, interactions with law enforcement on set, the Louisville, Kentucky film scene, radical journalism, and much more.

Michael Finney joins us on this episode of Cinematic Heartland. We talk about his music background, voiceover work, and his documentaries Exploring Our National Parks as well as Chicago 1893 which is available on Amazon. We discuss his upcoming projects and give a shoutout to the Indiana Filmmakers Network.

Nebraska based fellow musician / filmmaker Brett Droege joins us on this episode. We branch out a bit from filmmaking to talk music, music videos, writing horror books, as well as writing childrens books. He tells what his process is in preparing for and shooting a music video and he fills us in about his first full length heavy metal project Rico’s Pass.

Filmmaker Marissa Vonn sits down with us on this episode of Cinematic Heartland: A Filmmaking Podcast. Marissa is currently living in Los Angeles, but she is an Iowa native and quite frequently returns to the state to work on her films. Mike and I have heard so many great things about Marissa, but this is the first time that we have had the opportunity to sit down and chat about filmmaking with her and we had an absolute blast. She tells us about her feature film Knee High, working with Deft Productions, why she comes back to Iowa to film, what makes an authentic character in a story, and how she turned her passion into a career. What tips does she have for filmmakers trying to get their project done on a low or no budget?

Lea Donovan joins us today to discuss obtaining rights to material and clearing intellectual properties (IP) for creative projects, using archive footage, sponsorships, and using products in your films. She tells us about clearing 3rd party IP for the Apple TV series Bad Sisters and what that means exactly. How are the choices made in the use of archive footage or others’ IP such as logos, film clips, music, and artwork as much a creative decision as how a shot is framed? How do you get into this line of work? Lea gives us some of her advice.

Dillon Jacobson, who is currently a student at the University of Iowa in their Cinematic Arts program, joins us this episode to talk about embarking upon his filmmaking journey. He tells us about his past projects starting with one film titled Psychics Class which was produced for the short film category of the Iowa High School Speech Association competition and his follow up film called Following which was also for the IHSSA competition. He has worked on several 48-hour film projects, a feature film called Reveille which was shot in Missouri, and is scheduled to work on a horror film in December. On top of that, we discuss sound design and shooting films on iPhones.

Mike and I welcome Iowa filmmaker Rob Merritt to this episode of Cinematic Heartland. From stage to screen, in front of the camera and behind, Rob has brought his talent to a multitude of different projects. He tells us about his experiences while studying acting at the University of Iowa, his viral parody video, This Year is a Dumpster Fire, which was a result of a weekly film challenge during the pandemic, and his biggest and most important role… being a dad. We talk about working with other filmmakers including our upcoming collaboration on the feature film Until the Music Fades, how to prepare for a role, and Rob also shares his advice for other Heartland filmmakers which involves quoting Shia LaBeouf.

Minnesota native, Zach Hammill sits down with us on this episode of Cinematic Heartland: A Filmmaking Podcast to discuss his experience at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York, his screenwriting process, how he got into film editing, and other services he offers. He tells us about embarking upon his first feature film project which will be filmed in Minnesota. Zach was also a recipient of an IFP McKnight Artist Fellowship for screenwriting in 2006.

Writer / Director Lauren Barker joins us on this episode of Cinematic Heartland: A Filmmaking Podcast. We talk about the Vancouver Film School Screenwriting Program, her feature film called Cohabitation, her distribution deal with Indie Rights, and how she works with the director of photography on her films as well as the editor. She also tells us about her short film Lock the Door Behind You which she shot earlier this year. What’s her advice to filmmakers on building a career in the Midwest? You’ll have to listen to find out.

On this episode of Cinematic Heartland: A Filmmaking Podcast, Josh Hughes, a filmmaker from Waukesha, Wisconsin joins us to discuss his filmmaking journey which includes adapting a Stephen King short story while attending college at University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh, working on the sidelines at the Super Bowl which led to working on the Tony Awards, and his preparation for his first feature film. Josh also weighs in on the film school vs. no film school debate.

We welcome Indiana filmmaker Demetrius Witherspoon to Cinematic Heartland: A Filmmaking Podcast. We deep dive into the Submerge Universe which is the science fiction franchise that he built from the ground up. He explains what transmedia is and how he uses it to build his franchise which includes films, an animated series, trading cards, action figures, coloring books, and even perfume. He has developed a blueprint of how an independent filmmaker can create and develop their own intellectual property. We also touch upon the Indiana Filmmakers Network and how it benefits the filmmaking community.

Nebraska filmmakers Jesse Eastman and Chance Guida join us on this episode of Cinematic Heartland. We discuss how they started working together, their filmmaking journeys, and their latest projects like Nervous Records: The Series. How do they handle continuity when shooting primarily on weekends and what advice do they have for other Heartland filmmakers? We also touch upon Jesse’s podcast Double Feature Creatures.

If you’d like to contribute to their project Nervous Records: The Series, you can go to:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=VD4Q8NCP6JKP2&fbclid=IwAR1YNKyEJtmyBq9JR6ywCV8pEX599UXbkq4ArwzlIWKdLRDge8OjM6feWPs

His son Landon was a previous guest on the show, and now Nebraska filmmaker Brandon Fiscus sits down with us on Cinematic Heartland: A Filmmaking Podcast. We discuss how watching special effects in films ignited his love of filmmaking, the influence Edgar Allen Poe has had on his family, and a little bit about his aptly named companies Nevermore Special Effects and Crow Show Productions. We talk about the Filmmakers Hangout which is a great networking opportunity in the Omaha area. We also delve into what can be the confusing world of insurance for filmmakers on set. Are you looking for a film school? Brandon talks about his experience with Full Sail University.

His son Landon was a previous guest on the show, and now Nebraska filmmaker Brandon Fiscus sits down with us on Cinematic Heartland: A Filmmaking Podcast. We discuss how watching special effects in films ignited his love of filmmaking, the influence Edgar Allen Poe has had on his family, and a little bit about his aptly named companies Nevermore Special Effects and Crow Show Productions. We talk about the Filmmakers Hangout which is a great networking opportunity in the Omaha area. We also delve into what can be the confusing world of insurance for filmmakers on set. Are you looking for a film school? Brandon talks about his experience with Full Sail University.

Casey Kelderman joins us from Sioux Falls, SD on this episode of Cinematic Heartland: A Filmmaking Podcast to discuss not only what he has been up to since Backlot 605 left the internet airwaves, but also SiouxperCon which sounds like an absolutely amazing event. Celebrities, cosplay, and great films. What more could you ask for? SiouxperCon starts Sept 30 so listen to this episode right away to hear how you can still get tickets and attend.

As mentioned in this episode here is the link to the Until the Music Fades IndieGoGo campaign. https://igg.me/at/utmf/x/27030702#/

Casey Kelderman joins us from Sioux Falls, SD on this episode of Cinematic Heartland: A Filmmaking Podcast to discuss not only what he has been up to since Backlot 605 left the internet airwaves, but also SiouxperCon which sounds like an absolutely amazing event. Celebrities, cosplay, and great films. What more could you ask for? SiouxperCon starts Sept 30 so listen to this episode right away to hear how you can still get tickets and attend.

As mentioned in this episode here is the link to the Until the Music Fades IndieGoGo campaign. https://igg.me/at/utmf/x/27030702#/

Matty Weiland, a filmmaker from Dubuque, Iowa, joins us on this episode of Cinematic Heartland: A Filmmaking Podcast. They talk about their acting journey from a role they reluctantly auditioned for and got in a stage production of Bugsy Malone Jr to their latest film role in Michael James Minard’s The Dead Man Walking. We also talk about Matty’s directorial debut on the film Torch which is currently out on the festival circuit.

As mentioned in this episode here is the link to the Until the Music Fades IndieGoGo campaign. https://igg.me/at/utmf/x/27030702#/

Matty Weiland, a filmmaker from Dubuque, Iowa, joins us on this episode of Cinematic Heartland: A Filmmaking Podcast. They talk about their acting journey from a role they reluctantly auditioned for and got in a stage production of Bugsy Malone Jr to their latest film role in Michael James Minard’s The Dead Man Walking. We also talk about Matty’s directorial debut on the film Torch which is currently out on the festival circuit.

As mentioned in this episode here is the link to the Until the Music Fades IndieGoGo campaign. https://igg.me/at/utmf/x/27030702#/

On today's show, we talk about imposter syndrome. Is it a real thing? Have we experienced it? How do we combat it? We are not health care professionals by any means. We are just a couple of filmmakers who are going through the same struggles that many of you are and we talk about them here.

As mentioned in this episode here is the link to the Until the Music Fades IndieGoGo campaign. https://igg.me/at/utmf/x/27030702#/

On today's show, we talk about imposter syndrome. Is it a real thing? Have we experienced it? How do we combat it? We are not health care professionals by any means. We are just a couple of filmmakers who are going through the same struggles that many of you are and we talk about them here.

As mentioned in this episode here is the link to the Until the Music Fades IndieGoGo campaign. https://igg.me/at/utmf/x/27030702#/

Mary Rohne from Mason City, Iowa joins us on Cinematic Heartland today. We talk about her journey as an actor from children’s theater to early films where she played a Dorito Ghost to her latest role as Virginia in the I Like Ike Films production Pre-Existing. We also touch upon her incredible performance in the two-hander play by Nick Payne called Constellations at the Mason City Community Theater. Mary is a very close friend of the show and it will be quickly apparent when you tune in that we had such a great time recording this episode.

As mentioned in this episode here is the link to the Until the Music Fades IndieGoGo campaign. https://igg.me/at/utmf/x/27030702#/

John Gaspard who is a Minneapolis, MN filmmaker joins us on the show today. Once we get past discussing Kubrick, Carpenter, and the movie Dark Star, we talk about his filmmaking journey, some of his feature films including Beyond Bob and Ghost Light, the Minneapolis film scene, and the book on filmmaking that he wrote called Fast, Cheap and Under Control as well as the follow up book called Fast, Cheap and Written That Way. We also touch upon his own podcast, The Occasional Film Podcast.

As mentioned in this episode here is the link to the Until the Music Fades IndieGoGo campaign. https://igg.me/at/utmf/x/27030702#/

Iowa filmmaker, Michael James Minard joins Cinematic Heartland to update us on his latest feature film project, The Dead Man Walking. We got to see some preview clips and all we can say is simply amazing. Michael is claiming his corner of the film world with his unique voice and extraordinary vision. Michael tells us about some of the cast and crew and how the project came together. The film is a who's who of the amazingly talented Iowa film scene. He also fills us in on his new venture, Red Arc Productions. And how can we have Michael on the show and not talk about hot sauce.

As mentioned in this episode here is the link to the Until the Music Fades IndieGoGo campaign. https://igg.me/at/utmf/x/27030702#/

Filmmaker Jake Ryan Baker from Fort Wayne, Indiana joins Cinematic Heartland today. Jake’s passion for films and filmmaking shines brightly throughout this entire episode. We talk about the film and theater scene in Fort Wayne, tax incentives or the lack thereof, the short films that he has worked on, the casting process, the writing process, the idea of shooting a feature film, and his tips for screenwriters. And there is so much more.

The Twin Cities are a hot spot in the Midwest for filmmaking and the home of many talented filmmakers. Our guest this week on Cinematic Heartland, Josh Scott Sibley, is another prime example of that. His journey started, as it does for many of us, with the original Star Wars. He tells us about his new short film to be released soon, The Wraith, which he wrote, directed, and produced and his feature film Not Bad for a Punk Band which is currently in pre-production. He co-wrote and was the assistant director for the film The Outcast which screened at the coveted Cannes Film Festival. Hear what his main filmmaker influences are as well as his advice for other Heartland filmmakers.

Michael Hemenway, a Twin Cities filmmaker, joins us today to discuss how Facebook helped bring his first film crew together to shoot his debut short film, Miracle of Science, in the fall of 2019. That film went on to premiere at the Z-Fest Film Festival. His second film, Mind Breaking, took home Best Thriller at the Tokyo Film Awards. His first documentary, Just Breathe Normally, was released earlier this year and is currently on the festival circuit. He explains how he shot the underwater scenes for this film. He also tells us about his collegiate experience at the University of Iowa… Go Hawks!!!

Omaha, Nebraska native Tom Knoblauch sits down with us on this edition of Cinematic Heartland: A Filmmaking Podcast to discuss his newly released feature film Moving Parts which is available on Amazon Video. He tells us about his company Aksarben Creative as well as his projects with Yankee Deer Media and what he covers on his Riverside Chats. On top of everything else he does, he is also an author of two novels. And we probably mention the film Ishtar more in this episode than any other podcast in the last 10 years.

Minneapolis based Max Eric Lemberger sits down with us on Cinematic Heartland: A Filmmaking Podcast to discuss his acting / filmmaking journey. Acting first caught his eye in 1959 when he saw Steve Reeves as Hercules, but that idea got put on the shelf until he was in his 60’s. He has now appeared in close to a dozen short films, did some modeling, and wrote several screenplays. He tells us about the challenges he has faced coming into acting later in life and offers advice for others who may be in the same boat.

Ben Richards, an Indiana based filmmaker who is making a big splash right out of college, joins us to talk about his feature film Angels of Perdition which is the third film in a trilogy that he started working on in high school. He tells about Intravision Entertainment where he is a multimedia producer and what services they offer. We also discuss the importance of self-creating opportunities and a lot more.

On today’s episode, we welcome Sharonville, Ohio based, Emmy Award winning filmmaker, Scott Wegener. Scott explains his process of getting films made all around the world on a zero budget. From the Czech Republic to Norway and back home again, Scott has been able to pull together films that would normally be made on huge budgets. This is a must listen to episode if you are looking to get that big budget idea of yours made but don't have the deep pockets or rich relatives.

Jeff Winkelman returns to the Cinematic Heartland podcast to tell us about this year’s Frightfilm Competition. If you are a filmmaker interested in the horror genre, this is right up your dark, foggy, and creepy alley. Jeff fills us in on the Frightfilm origins, rules, timelines, screenings , and how to register. Frightfilm is based in Ohio but is open to filmmakers anywhere. Don’t miss out on this opportunity.

https://frightfilmcompetition.com/

This is the 100th episode of Cinematic Heartland: A Filmmaking Podcast. Mike and Kevin reflect on the past conversations that they've had with filmmakers and what advice can they can offer from everything they've learned. What has surprised them in talking to these guests and what lies ahead for Cinematic Heartland?

Trigger Warning - Please note, in this episode we discuss the sensitive topic of school shootings.

Oconomowoc, WI native and current resident of San Diego, CA, Calvin Zimmerman, joins us on this episode of Cinematic Heartland. He tells us what the indie film scene is like in San Diego and why he flies back to Wisconsin to film his projects. We discuss the film “Wild Life” which is not only Calvin’s first feature film but is also his first film and we delve into the challenges he faced in getting this film, which addresses several controversial topics, made.

Today’s episode of Cinematic Heartland: A Filmmaking Podcast features Minneapolis based filmmaker Nicolas Jaramillo. On top of filmmaking, we discuss photography and his YouTube series called The Artist Stool. We delve into the problem of self-doubt that many artists in all mediums go through as well as the work that he has done with some major brands. Hear his tips on what he looks for in the frame whether it is photography or cinematography. And as Nicolas points out... in this business... you are your own boss.

Landon Fiscus, a 15-year-old filmmaker from Benson, NE sits in with us on Cinematic Heartland: A Filmmaking Podcast. This episode went off the rails several times but was so much fun to record... from technical difficulties to the three of us discussing strange high school mascots. We do talk filmmaking as well. Landon was an absolute pleasure to chat with and is a shining example of how bright the future of filmmaking is in the Heartland. He explains how he went from playing his high school mascot to filmmaking and his first feature film ‘F.’ We discuss the filmmaking scene in Nebraska, his first short films which he dubbed his teenage triple feature, the influence and encouragement his dad has had on his filmmaking career, and why his company is called 1 Poe Productions. Also, being a young filmmaker, do people look at him differently? We had way too much fun with this episode.

Clinton J Phillips, a Chicagoland filmmaker, joins us on this episode of Cinematic Heartland: A Filmmaking Podcast. We discuss his latest project, a full-length feature called Weekend Deadaway, which happens to be his first feature film. We talk about how less is more when it comes to the horror film genre. Do you need tips on getting funding for your film? Clinton offers up advice on what to have in hand when approaching potential investors as well as how to approach them. Self-doubt is something many filmmakers struggle with. What does Clinton suggest?

On this episode of Cinematic Heartland: A Filmmaking Podcast, Actor Katie Otten joins us from Omaha, NE to talk about what got her involved in filmmaking, the filmmaking scene in the Omaha area, her web series called Inner Worlds, Dungeons & Dragons, and how she ended up on the cover of a VC Andrews novel. She also shares her experience as an adjunct professor at University of Nebraska – Omaha and what prompted her to pursue that opportunity.

Ben Roney, a Fort Wayne, IN based filmmaker / set designer joins us on this episode of Cinematic Heartland to talk about his journey from community theater to building sets for commercials to independent films. He tells us a little bit about his project Angels of Perdition, what the film scene is like in the Fort Wayne area, location management, and what are the Summit City Cinephiles. He also stresses how important collaboration is in building and sustaining a film community.

Tristan Bennett, a Cedar Falls, IA based marketer, photographer, digital artist, and filmmaker, sits in with us on this episode of Cinematic Heartland. We chat about his latest short film Life’s Work, 48-hour film challenges, tips on marketing your film, as well as things you should keep in mind when editing your film’s trailer.

Charlie Gandez, Forest City, IA based filmmaker, assistant professor at Waldorf University, President of the Iowa Independent Film Festival, and mastermind and creative driving force behind his latest film The Hatman Vol II, joins us on Cinematic Heartland: A Filmmaking Podcast. We talk about The Hatman Vol II, Waldorf University, diversity in film, and we get his thoughts on attending film school. We also discuss Kubrick, Fincher, and why you should only watch the last 15 minutes of Godfather 3.

On this episode of Cinematic Heartland, Northern Minnesota filmmaker Brandon Cole joins us to discuss the thriving Duluth film scene and what the area is doing to become the next hot spot for filmmaking. We also discuss his latest short film, a web series screenplay that he is writing, and how he adds different layers and social commentaries in his horror films to elevate the genre. And find out what his special connection is with a prior guest on Cinematic Heartland, Victoria Tanley.

Michael Huntington and Brittany Benedict seem to be everywhere these days, releasing one great project after another, and today they join us on Cinematic Heartland: A Filmmaking Podcast. We cover a lot of ground as we talk about their projects including our recent collaboration on the short film Pre-Existing, why did they start doing an annual Christmas film, 48-hour film challenges, how they balance or are they even able to balance working on film projects with their relationship, and actors that have passed on way too early. We also talk about their podcast, Indie Social, which they share with Dylan Jaeger and Kevin Shepherd. My appearance on the first iteration of that podcast was very much the inspiration for starting Cinematic Heartland so it holds a special place in my heart. This conversation was so much fun and I don’t think any of us wanted it to end.

Cintree Films
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbX89Zfz8d9D7SZA9wCXUBA

Indie Social Podcast
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9cWHsr0sDPxI-1Sxv_Vb_g

Iowa Filmmaker Michael James Minard joins us today on the Cinematic Heartland podcast to discuss his projects From the Void, The Entity, and The Dead Man Walking, what is the difference between attending and not attending film school, and his love of Quentin Tarantino. Michael is a filmmaker that believes in just getting out there and doing it. Stop with the excuses. Don’t let things hold you back. Michael’s positive attitude and drive are infectious and inspiring.

Filmmaker Wes Worthing joins us today to discuss film festival etiquette. We discuss the difficult feeling of having your film turned down for a festival. It’s not fun but how can you handle it in a more positive manner. We also discuss the film festival experience from submission to the Q&A panels to the awards as well as what you should NOT do on social media. This show has some good reminders for all of us as film festivals open back up to in-person events.

The Twin Cities based Actor / Director / Producer Bill Cooper joins us on this edition of Cinematic Heartland: A Filmmaking Podcast to share his love of filmmaking in the Midwest. As an actor, he has appeared in 30 short films and features as well as over 200 television commercials. He brings that vast amount of knowledge and experience to the directing chair as he helms such projects as the Beth Hinde written and produced film Charcoal Skies which was shot in Iowa. We discuss that project in depth as well as the acting workshops he has developed and the Twin Cities Film Festival which he has been the managing director of for 15 years.

The three amigos are back together again on this episode of Cinematic Heartland: A Filmmaking Podcast. Kevin and Mike go way back with their special guest today, Frank Boyd. Over 30 years as a matter of fact. They used to write, record, and play music together and now they make films together. Frank has been very busy with his acting roles over the last year, so he fills us in today on what he has been working on. Kick back and grab a cold one to listen to this episode as these three close friends chat about filmmaking.

On this episode of Cinematic Heartland: A Filmmaking Podcast, Kevin and Mike talk about how they found the cast members for their films and offer up their advice on the different avenues that you can follow to possibly find your cast. They also give advice to filmmakers on how to advertise and hold auditions and advice to actors on how to stay safe while attending auditions.

Duluth, MN based filmmaker / editor Victoria Tanley joins the Cinematic Heartland podcast today to talk all things editing. If you are looking to make editing your career choice, this is a must listen to episode. What happens when there’s something you can’t fix in post? What are the biggest challenges you run into while editing? What is her editing workflow? Plus, she tells us about the burgeoning Duluth film scene.

Nebraska filmmaker, teacher, and writer, Aaron Eugene Stueve, joins Cinematic Heartland: A Filmmaking Podcast to discuss the film courses that he teaches at Bellevue West High School as well as at the University of Nebraska. He tells us what the benefit is in attending a school like the University of Nebraska. We take several detours in our conversation including a dive into the superhero genre where we talk about our favorite versions of Spider-Man. Moreover, we get his advice for all Heartland filmmakers.

Sioux Falls, SD based filmmaker, special effects expert, makeup artist, Cassandra Nixon, who is a horror film aficionado and loves her zombies, joins us today on Cinematic Heartland to discuss those aforementioned horror films, practical effects on set, how less is more when it comes to effects, her projects, and her self-taught path to working on films. Cassandra is a top-notch professional who believes in safety first when it comes to any type of effect on set. She also talks about her love for cosplay. And did I mention zombies?

It’s hard to pin one, two, or even three titles on Leo Sears because his experience spans so many facets of the entertainment industry. From teaching high school theater and English to running a dinner theater to being a published playwright to acting on stage and film to directing 65 plays and producing 90 plays to running the Hawai’i based Big Island Film Festival for 11 years, Leo has done it all and brings the Aloha Spirit. Leo offers up a ton of advice for anyone interested in starting their own film festivals as well as providing tips to filmmakers to increase their chances of getting their films accepted into festivals.

Indiana based producer, Cort Howell, fills us in on his journey in the entertainment industry from infomercials in California to filmmaking in the Midwest and his latest release, "Mayberry Man." He explains how they were able to complete a very successful crowdfunding campaign and how they were able to achieve so much more production value than their budget would suggest. If you have been having a tough time with crowdfunding campaigns and / or bringing production value to your films, you’ll want to get your notepads ready for this one.

Lincoln, NE filmmaker Jesse Eastman joins Cinematic Heartland to tell us how you really have to love filmmaking to pursue this passion. He tells us how he transitioned from theater acting to film acting to eventually working behind the camera. He talks about his experience with a 48 Hour Film Challenge and how he felt he thrived in the chaos of the process. He also makes a special announcement about his new Eastman Features production company and the direction he is taking with that.

Today, we get reintroduced to Michael (Mike) Godfrey who has been a guest several times on the show and who will now be joining Cinematic Heartland as a co-host as we move forward. Mike has been a long-time friend and someone who I have relied upon heavily with I Like Ike Films, so this conversation is like a fireside chat between good friends where we are sitting around with cups of hot coffee and discussing books we're reading, movies we're watching, what films we have coming out, and some of our upcoming projects.

Today, we welcome to the show Blake Bodlak who is a young filmmaker currently attending film school at Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska. We talk about his experience at film school and the role it plays in connecting with other filmmakers and in building a community. He tells us how the Avengers sparked his interest in filmmaking and then how he later transitioned to independent and international film. He also walks us through the process of creating his short film Connor and Annie.

We’re back. After the long, unexpected break, Cinematic Heartland is back on the air and we are once again talking films, filmmaking, and the creative process with filmmakers from across the Midwest.

Today's episode brings us Valerie Rose who is a Minnesota based content creator, author, producer, director, screenwriter, actor, model, voice over talent, and the CEO of Roses Are READ Productions LLC. Not to mention, she is also the creator of Picture's Up Academy and the principal talent for the "Find the Prince in You" campaign for Paisley Park.

She has authored a number of books including Cappuccino in the Winter, The Family Reunion Is Not a Real Vacation (featuring The Triangleheads), Dream Your Dream: Getting Your Writing Out There!, and the Minnesota Book Award nominee, You Better Recognize! A Spiritual Guide Because Life's a Trip!

Valerie has appeared in a number of films including, Black in Minneapolis, Let Me Have My Son, Dear White People, Tuscaloosa, and House of Tomorrow. She has also worked in television, appearing in ABC TV's In an Instant, Dynasty, The Chi, Chicago P.D., Star, and Greenleaf. Valerie is also the creative concept developer and producer for an animation project and two films: The Triangleheads, Hope Sessions (her first documentary which premiered at the Mall of America in Feb 2016), and The Pink Visitor.

You'll quickly find out that part of Valerie's success comes from living in the power of now. Get up and do it now!

In this episode, we continue my conversation with Iowa based filmmaker, actor, stunt coordinator, fight choreographer Nick Messersmith. If you haven't yet, check out part 1. We cover a lot of territory in these two episodes from martial arts to representation in the film industry and everything in between.

Today’s conversation is with Iowa based filmmaker, actor, stunt coordinator, fight choreographer Nick Messersmith. We talk about the martial arts, stunt work, acting, filmmaking, plus representation in the film industry. Matter of fact, we cover so much territory that I split it into 2 parts. Today will be part 1 and then on Oct 16 I will be releasing part 2.

I also touch on what is going on in my life and why the delay in new episodes.

Today I welcome Jeff Winkelman to the show. Jeff is one of the founders and coordinators for the annual Fright Film Competition based in Cincinnati, Ohio. Even though it is based in Ohio, this is a unique short horror film competition open to anyone no matter where you are located. We talk about how you can get involved and all of the special rules that you have to follow for your film. We also touch upon their sister competition, Frightwrite, which is a competition for scripts.

If you are looking to take part in a fun film competition centered around the horror genre, check out this episode.

On this episode, I welcome actor Lakin Mims to the show. I first saw Lakin in the film Flava and was very impressed and then saw him in Miles: A Spider-Man Fan Film and was blown away. So I was genuinely shocked to find in this conversation that he did not have formal training nor a theater background. He jumped right into film acting via short films and has done an an incredible job.

During this conversation, we chat about his past projects, upcoming projects, and his advice for actors out in the Heartland.

SPOILER ALERT - WATCH THE FILM BEFORE LISTENING TO THE PODCAST
Watch the short film, Tea Party, at: https://youtu.be/5AeJeYXW_D0

Tea Party was the 2nd film that I wrote and directed and the 2nd film produced under the I Like Ike Films LLC banner. It was a dream that I had which I quickly typed out in script form as soon as I woke up and the finished film is almost exactly how the dream played out. It has a very Twilight Zone feel to it and there are little bread crumbs hidden throughout hinting at what's to come. It's the type of story that I love to create and would love to make more films like this in the future.

During this episode, I talk about some of the things that went into the making of this film.

Emille Lacsa joins Cinematic Heartland to discuss his beginnings in filmmaking and his career. I grew up on the early days of MTV so was very interested in hearing about Emille’s work in music videos. I was surprised to hear of the current demand for music videos in the Heartland. We talk about how he got representation with The Peak Agency out of Des Moines, Iowa as well as his role in Stay Indie. How does he balance his busy schedule, what are his directing processes, and what has his journey been like?

In this episode we also hear Emille’s vision for building a vibrant Heartland film scene.

Carrsan T Morrissey made it awfully tough coming up with a title for this episode because there were so many inspirational sayings and moments of wisdom that it was hard to pin one down.

Every filmmaker has their own voice and Carrsan has a very special and unique filmmaking voice. Just taking a look at the premises of films like Roulette Girl, The Woe Land Saga Chapter 1, and What If?, each one caught my eye and piqued my interest. The films as well as the book Old Wounds fully demonstrate how powerful of a creative force Carrsan is and highlight that unique and special voice.

On today’s show, we talk the writing process, directing process, filming challenges, as well as where do some of Carrsan’s unique concepts come from.

I love Carrsan’s comment that there is no right way to make a movie. As filmmakers we are told so many times that this is the way to do it, this is the process to follow, this is what you have to do to be successful. We have challenges thrown in our path trying to bring our films to the screen and we have to adapt and modify to make it work. Through all of it… finding your voice… finding your processes… overcoming your challenges… you must trust your imagination.

With the age of streaming and downloading, it's been tough for creatives to earn money off their content. Then in steps NFTs. What are they? Are they the savior for digital content creators? How can they help us to make money off of our digital assets?

I'm no expert on NFTs. I'm researching and learning right along with the rest of you but the future looks very bright with this new opportunity. Today I pass along what I know about this exciting development.

Finch Moore is a powerful force on the Midwestern film scene so I am extremely happy that Finch was able to join us on Cinematic Heartland to discuss the award-winning performance in Time to Die as well as the love of Scooby Doo. We also discuss comedians in dramatic roles and why their performances are so amazing. You may know Finch as an actor but has so many other talents that have been applied towards numerous projects behind the camera as well. Finch's passion and love for all things filmmaking is infectious and inspiring. And dream role? I think you’ll be surprised.

Joining me on Cinematic Heartland today is actor Bryce Taylor. He came from a high school that did not even offer a theater program but with the guidance of two inspiring teachers, participating in a high school speech program, and then attending the University of North Iowa he was led down the acting path.

We talk about his new streaming series, Stay Indie, which he stars in as Indie Andy as well as some of his upcoming projects. How does he prepare for a role? On top of that, we get totally sidetracked into the Star Wars universe.

Joining me on Cinematic Heartland today is Lauren McDowell who is an actor hailing from Des Moines, Iowa. We discuss her award-winning performance in Time to Die as well as a project she just wrapped up called The Hatman Vol II. Lauren offers up a ton of great advice not only for actors but also for directors in how they can better support the actors on set.

Grab a pen and paper because you will want to take notes.

So many of us cause undue physical and mental stress trying to achieve something that is unattainable... perfection. We have to learn to allow ourselves to be imperfect.

Joining me on the podcast today is Hopkins, MN filmmaker, Vanessa M.H. Powers. Vanessa is an extremely busy filmmaker. She owns the Oxford Comma Film Cooperative, she’s in post-production on a film called Man in the Long Blank Coat and another project called Lucky Strike 2: Lucky in Love, and she’s in pre-production on a feature-length horror called Sins of the Father. On top of that, she is a theater director with the St. Mathew Community Theater.

Just a heads up, the language is just a little salty at one point in the show in case you have some young kids around while listening.

Society has been conditioned to expect their creative content to be free or next to nothing leaving the artist, whether it is a filmmaker, musician, painter, or any creative person, in a position wondering how they are going to make money to make a career out of this venture or even just make enough money to make the next project.

Today, I examine the devaluation of films in the marketplace and what are some alternatives for us as filmmakers.

Hannah Wright, a filmmaker who hails from Des Moines, Iowa, joins us today. Hannah started off writing short stories and then went on to poetry but really didn’t have an early love for movies like most filmmakers. They just didn’t resonate with her. She says that she had a bad attitude towards films in general. That all changed after college.

Hannah is currently promoting her film, Creep, which is being submitted to film festivals and she is in pre-production on a trilogy of short films called Daughters.

Frank Boyd joins us today to talk about how he is also revisiting his childhood dreams of acting just as I am doing in pursuing my filmmaking dreams. Frank has appeared in five I like Ike Films productions including his debut in the leading role of Oliver in Oliver Short. He then appeared in Tea Party, The Route, A Most Forgettable Man, and our feature film Run.

Frank talks about what surprised him and what he learned at his first audition and what surprised him the first time on set. We also discuss his first time on stage in a community theater production of “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

Who is Frank's favorite actor? I think his answer will "make your day."

Frank is one of my best friends and someone who I’ve worked very closely with on our films so this was a treat to sit down and chat about our shared experiences as well as what he has experienced outside of our projects.

Today I talk about our first trip venturing back out to the film festivals after the strange year we call 2020. Last year, many if not all film festivals were virtual. While they did a great job with the tough situation that was dealt to them, I really missed the face to face interaction with other filmmakers. It was great meeting back up with everyone and seeing some great short films produced in the state of Iowa.

Nebraska native and current resident of Hollywood, CA, Alex Mortensen joins us on Cinematic Heartland: A Filmmaking Podcast. He tells us how stage fright actually led to his career in acting and filmmaking and how he takes on a lot of different responsibilities in front of and behind the camera to move his career ahead and meet more people in the industry. His background was in athletics coming up through high school and college but he sees many parallels between athletics and the arts. Do you know what Scene Study Classes are? I didn’t so I was very interested to hear what they are and his experiences with them.

We also delve deep on acting, improv, and how important listening is while acting and in daily life.

From rapping to filmmaking, this show features the talented Marques Brooks from Iowa City, Iowa who talks about how he got into filmmaking by learning all aspects of the process. We discuss how he got involved with the film East of Middle West as well as his work on his own project The Foreigner.

What challenges do we run into in the Midwest when trying to create our content but also what advantages do we have over other parts of the country or the world. Our conversation covers a wide range of topics from how the University of Iowa benefits the film scene to how supportive and collaborative our Heartland community is for filmmakers to how do we get our work noticed.

So come on in, sit down, and enjoy this conversation with a gem of the Heartland filmmaking community.

Composer Kennoniah Dean Bellile joins the show today to help us understand the process behind scoring a film. He goes into depth on how he approaches it and what he is trying to accomplish with his musical choices.

Are you like me when it comes to film scores? You love them but you really don't know the process behind creating the music that goes so beautifully with the moving pictures we see on screen. I have a musical background but it still seems like a daunting task. Music adds so much but it can also destroy a film if it doesn’t evoke the right emotions.

Kennoniah is here to shed light on the mystery of putting music to film. He also offers great advice for all filmmakers such as letting go of the need to be perfect so you can be good.

Excuses... we all make them from time to time. We have to stop. Our projects are relying on us. If you don't bring your creation to life, no one else will and the world will be that much more poor because of it.

Not enough money... not enough time... not the right kind of camera. Instead of creating reasons why it's not getting done... start finding ways to get it done.

Michael Godfrey, who was the first guest on Cinematic Heartland, returns for the 1 year anniversary show. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE PODCAST.

We may not solve the world's problems in this episode but we have a lot of fun talking about movies, filmmaking, and the experiences we shared while working on our films. It was a lot of fun to kick back and just chat with one of my best friends and someone who I consider my brother.

On this episode, filmmaker Shelby Hagerdon joins the show to discuss what women face when they decide to enter the world of filmmaking. She explains the hurdles and obstacles that women must overcome as they are trying to find their place in the industry and build a career doing what they love. We cover what men, such as myself, can do to better educate ourselves and help to make positive movement with these issues.

This is a must-listen-to episode for both women and men as we delve into this very important topic that if we can solve, will make the entire industry stronger.

Lec Zorn, an actor / filmmaker based in the Indianapolis, Indiana area, joins us today on Cinematic Heartland: A Filmmaking Podcast. He tells us how his voice acting abilities kept him busy during the pandemic, what the film scene is like in Indiana, and the projects that he has worked on and is currently working on.

And this is the first time on this show that we delve into the Bad News Bears movies which brought me right back to my childhood.

Catherine Gobeli joins us on Cinematic Heartland to talk about her experiences from Stebens Children’s Theater in Mason City, Iowa to her film work on Ambidextrous, Tea Party, and On Top of the World. We also touch on her love for photography and what’s in store for her artistic endeavors once the pandemic is over.

She also gives great advice to actors. Don’t quit… don’t give up. Failures will help you grow stronger.

On Saturday March 27, 2021, we are releasing our first feature film Run. Actually it is a re-release as this film was shown in a few theaters back in 2019 but has gone through a major overhaul over the last year and will now be unleashed upon the world. Today, I will be talking about some of the aspects that went into the making of the film.

SPOILERS AHEAD!!!

Watch the film at: http://ilikeikefilms.com/run

Today we welcome Iowa filmmaker Michael Huntington to the show. We talk about a few of his projects including The Bright Side and Stay Indie and some of the challenges he has faced on the sets that he’s worked on. We also geek out a bit on cameras and how to get that cinematic look.

Check out his YouTube channel at:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbX89Zfz8d9D7SZA9wCXUBA/featured

Documentary filmmaker Andrés A Parra joins the show today. Andrés is originally from Venezuela but has been in the Midwest for about 35 years and currently lives in the Minneapolis, Minnesota area. He offers great insight into the documentary world. He talks about his projects including one headed by Steven Spielberg and a very personal story for him called Terminally Optimistic which is about three women with stage 4 breast cancer which is a journey that his wife is also on.

He also talks about finding the story within the subject matter and the structure of his documentaries.

If you enjoy documentaries or are thinking about working on a documentary or if just enjoy listening to amazing filmmakers, this is a must listen to episode.

On this episode I welcome an extremely talented young lady to the show. Acting, singing, she can pretty much do it all and in talking to her, she is wise well beyond her years. They talk about some people having an old soul… that they just seem to have so much knowledge and wisdom beyond what their years would generally indicate and Patricia Holly is one of those people.

Patricia talks about her musical performances at Bricktown Bakery as well as with The Satin Dollz and how music led to her acting career.

She also answers the tough questions… do you have to move to LA as an actor and how do you build an acting career while living in the Midwest.

Filmmaker Jason Fragale joins the show to discuss a variety of topics including his projects, query letters, what goes on in the room when you meet with producers, how to deal with failure, and a lot more. You may want to grab a notepad and be ready to take some notes. He’s lived through a lot of the things that we deal with as filmmakers as we pursue our dreams and he shares his advice with us today.

Today I talk with fellow filmmaker and fellow podcaster, Casey Kelderman, who co-hosts the podcast Back Lot 605. He is working hard to build up the South Dakota film scene with a great team of collaborators. We discuss not only Back Lot 605, but several other podcasts that he is involved with. We also talk about the tough question of how you balance multiple creative projects and the importance of finding your group.

https://backlot605.com/

On this Valentines Day weekend, we celebrate love by discussing our romantic short film, On Top of the World which stars Jacob Foster, Mia Godfrey, and Catherine Gobeli.

Before listening... check out the film at:
https://youtu.be/-8fi8LG-7og

Announcing a change to the Cinematic Heartland Podcast.

On this episode, I welcome Northwestern Indiana / Chicagoland region filmmaker, Alex Srednoselac to the show. Alex released his first feature film, Cashing Out, at the beginning of 2020 and it has gone on to win the Special Jury Remi Award at the 2020 WorldFest Houston International Film Festival as well as Best Feature at the Hoosier Annual Film Festival. He shares how he got started in filmmaking, tells us about his film Cashing Out, and gives us his thoughts on distribution and filmmaking in Northwest Indiana.

Ignite Your Inspiration is a weekly quick burst of inspiration and motivation to kick off your creative week.

You'll hear so many negative things in life from so many other people. Don't be one of those people telling yourself those negative thoughts. Use daily affirmations to talk to yourself in a positive and uplifting way.

Produce Iowa is a great resource for filmmakers and we’re lucky to have their office available to us in Iowa. We’re also lucky to have the Executive Producer of Produce Iowa, Liz Gilman, on the show today to talk about the benefits and opportunities that they can provide to filmmakers . Get your services and productions registered on their web site and take a moment to check out the Greenlight Grants, The Film Lounge, and more. Hear how Liz got involved in the filmmaking world as well as her tips for filmmakers.

Ignite Your Inspiration is a weekly quick burst of inspiration and motivation to kick off your creative week.

I don't have the money. I don't have the time. Those are merely stories you tell yourself to prevent yourself from accomplishing that project. Today, I'm here to tell you... NO MORE EXCUSES!

Sarah Pirozek returns to Cinematic Heartland to give an update on the distribution journey of her film #LIKE. Last time she was with us, the film was on the festival circuit. It has now found distribution and will be unleashed upon the world. Hear how she found distribution and the process that she went through to land a distributor for the film. We also talk about the red flags to look out for as you look for a distributor for your film because there are plenty of predatory distributors out there.

LIKE will be released on Jan 26.

You can watch the trailer here: https://vimeo.com/387042268

You will be able to watch the film on Apple TV at: https://apple.co/2JN2hQ9

It will also screen on
•(Amazon) Prime Video
•Vudu (TVOD/(AVOD- second window))
•FandangoNow
•Xbox / Microsoft Store

Find out more about the film:

Facebook #LIKE
https://www.facebook.com/hashtagLIKEthefeaturefilm
Instagram:
@like_thefeaturefilm
@pixiehale
Twitter:
@Like_TheFilm

Ignite Your Inspiration is a weekly quick burst of inspiration and motivation to kick off your creative week.

When you are facing a tough problem, situation, or obstacle, it is a good idea to take a step back, silence the world around you, and look at it with a different perspective.

Filmmaker Aaron Bandy who is the man behind films such as The Z Triangle, The Z Mind, Brothers, and I Will Save You joins the podcast today to discuss those projects and much much more like what is the best way to achieve that green screen driving effect? We also have a side tangent into the Marvel and DC universes.

Ignite Your Inspiration is a weekly quick burst of inspiration and motivation to kick off your creative week.

Today I discuss visualization and how you can use it to help you achieve your goals.

On this episode, I discuss one of the avenues we have to get eyeballs on our films... film festivals. What did we do for our film festival strategy and how important it is to set expectations on your film festival experience.

Ignite Your Inspiration is a weekly quick burst of inspiration and motivation to kick off your creative week.

It's that time of year to set goals. Are you setting the correct goals?

Alex Ferrari visited the show on episode 14 and offered such great advice to independent filmmakers on taking control of your career that I wanted to kick off 2021 with a replay of this episode. This will set the tone for the new year. It's time to take control of your career.

This episode was also the catalyst to joining a great list of fabulous podcasts in the Indie Film Hustle Podcast Network which was a huge step for this show. I am honored to be part of such an outstanding network.

Ignite Your Inspiration is a weekly quick burst of inspiration and motivation to kick off your creative week.

We all have bad days, make mistakes, or do things we wish we could change. What's the trick to letting those things go?

Today is a retrospective of the past year that we know as 2020 on Cinematic Heartland: A Filmmaking Podcast. Specifically, we look back at all of the great advice offered by the amazing guests on the show throughout the entire year plus hear the most listened to episode of Ignite Your Inspiration.

Ignite Your Inspiration is a weekly quick burst of inspiration and motivation to kick off your creative week.

This is Christmas week. Are you feeling the Christmas Spirit? What is the Christmas Spirit?

Jim Brockhohn, a fixture of the Iowa filmmaking scene, is featured on today’s episode of Cinematic Heartland: A Filmmaking podcast. Jim has worked on several Coen Brothers films among a long list of projects including the I like Ike Films production, "A Most Forgettable Man" and he is currently the President of the Iowa Motion Picture Association. Jim discusses the Coens, his career, and what the Iowa Motion Picture Association can offer its members. He is such a generous soul and wants to help other filmmakers succeed.

Ignite Your Inspiration is a weekly quick burst of inspiration and motivation to kick off your creative week.

Has anyone told you but you haven't written that novel, you haven't gotten your film in a theater, or you haven't gotten your painting in a gallery? Don't get down. Don't get frustrated. Just add that magical word... YET.

Today I talk about the film that I wrote and directed called A Most Forgettable Man which stars Dylan Jaeger. This film harkens back to the age of silent, black and white movies and Charlie Chaplin. Hear about why we opted for this style and what went into the making of this film including the importance of collaboration and respect.

Link to A Most Forgettable Man on Vimeo On Demand:

https://vimeo.com/ondemand/amostforgettableman

Ignite Your Inspiration is a weekly quick burst of inspiration and motivation to kick off your creative week.

Imposter Syndrome is a very real thing that many people deal with in all lines of work.

Cedar Rapids, Iowa filmmaker and editor, Adam Orton, shares his thoughts on various topics such as film school, his filmography, how he got Ed Begley Jr in his film Amelia 2.0, and creating a green screen heavy film with The Last Minute Till Midnight.

Shortly before we talked, I watched Adam's film The Last Minute Till Midnight which really reminded me of the movie Sin City which I am a big fan of so I was very excited to talk to him about how he accomplished getting that look and feel to his film.

Ignite Your Inspiration is a weekly quick burst of inspiration and motivation to kick off your creative week.

What you put out into the world is what you'll get in return. As Confucius said, "If you are positive, you'll see opportunities instead of obstacles."

Special guest co-host Wes Worthing joins Cinematic Heartland today as we welcome award winning producer, screenwriter, published author, and former executive of the Metropolitan Talent Agency, Jayson Crittenden. Jayson produced the documentary "Playing for Change" and was then one of the writers short listed to write a sequel in the "Die Hard" franchise based on his original treatment which ended up under consideration at Overbrook Entertainment.

We discuss two of Jayson's scripts, Killed Twice in Texas and Harlem Hell Fighters, as we take a deep dive into screenwriting. Get ready to take notes as Jayson shares a lot of great writing tips and discusses his process of researching for his stories.

Ignite Your Inspiration is a weekly quick burst of inspiration and motivation to kick off your creative week.

Even though we are busy chasing our dreams, this is a reminder to start each morning being thankful for what you already have.

Patrick Boberg is a Central Iowa filmmaker known for writing, producing, shooting, and directing the short films Family Tree (2019), Almighty Haul (2016), Lost Soulmates (2014), Trigger Words (2012) among many others with the filmmaking circus known as Tiny Explosions. When not producing short films Patrick is a Producer/Director for Iowa PBS where he is a lead producer on the long running Iowa Outdoors and the Iowa films and filmmaker showcase The Film Lounge.

Ignite Your Inspiration is a weekly quick burst of inspiration and motivation to kick off your creative week.

Why spend time and energy trying to get a seat at someone else's table when we can use that time and energy to build our own table.

Do you need an agent or manager? What should you look for in an agent or a manager? And the biggest question... are you ready for an agent or a manager?

Kevin shares his personal insight on the answers to these questions and provides some tips on reaching out to that agent or manager that you have your eye on.

Ignite Your Inspiration is a weekly quick burst of inspiration and motivation to kick off your creative week.

As you pursue your dream, the people you choose for your circle will be cheerleaders or coaches. Choose wisely.

Tarrell Christie has a strong foundation in visual effects but he has proven himself as a top all-around filmmaker with his releases Flava and most recently, MILES - A Spider-Man Fan Film. Tarrell joins the show to talk about these films and his journey as a filmmaker in the Heartland.

See MILES: A Spider-Man Fan Film here:
https://youtu.be/aGKXA6QH2ak

Ignite Your Inspiration is a weekly quick burst of inspiration and motivation to kick off your creative week.

Consistency takes work, discipline, and patience but it will pay off in the end.

We lost a true legend in Sir Sean Connery. Iconic performances, iconic actor, iconic voice. He leaves behind a body of work for people to enjoy forever. This is my tribute.

HALLOWEEN EPISODE
It was exciting to have the opportunity to talk with screenwriter Patrick Stibbs whose movie “The Call” is now out in almost 400 theaters and I’m thrilled to share the conversation with you on this Halloween episode of Cinematic Heartland: A Filmmaking Podcast. Hear how his film finally got produced after 20 years and how horror greats Lin Shaye and Tobin Bell got involved.

Ignite Your Inspiration is a weekly quick burst of inspiration and motivation to kick off your creative week.

Take an inventory of what you've done to get to this point in your journey and then figure out what you have to change or do more of to get you to the next point.

It is so inspiring and we can learn so much from everybody with their unique perspectives no matter where they are at in their filmmaking journeys. Today is a prime example. Kazek Israni-Winger is a bright, young talent who brings his enthusiasm and passion for screenwriting to Cinematic Heartland for this fun conversation. He talks about his early success with his script “Protect Ya Neck” which was awarded semi-finalist at the Los Angeles International Screenplay Awards and selected for the Las Vegas Black Film Festival. Kazek talks about his writing process, his projects, and offers some great advice for rewriting.

Ignite Your Inspiration is a weekly quick burst of inspiration and motivation to kick off your creative week.

It's almost like magic. You are working on a project and that person shows up at the exact time that you need them. That is the universe providing for you.

Journalist Leo Adam Biga joins Cinematic Heartland to discuss the career of Midwestern native and filmmaking icon, Alexander Payne, as documented in Biga's book "Alexander Payne: His Journey in Film." Payne's body of work and how those films encapsulate his love of the Heartland while tackling tough social subjects is discussed.

Ignite Your Inspiration is a weekly quick burst of inspiration and motivation to kick off your creative week.

Meditation is a great way to take a mental break from the world and give your brain a rest.

Known for his short films Ghost of a Chance and S3RIAL, award-winning writer, director, producer Michael E. Berg visits Cinematic Heartland to discuss his struggles and successes in the independent film world.

Eddie Van Halen - A legend lost

Ignite Your Inspiration is a weekly quick burst of inspiration and motivation to kick off your creative week.

Newton's First Law of Motion - An object at rest stays at rest and an object in motion stays in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.

That applies to human beings as well.

On this episode, Kevin talks about what he and his production company have run into in regards to the business side of show business from trying to get hired on to direct a project to ways they are looking to raise money to fund future projects.

Every path to the top of the mountain is different in this industry and we are all on our own journey. Some things work and some paths are dead ends. Results may vary depending on your unique circumstances.

So sit back, grab a cold beverage, and listen to the struggles of a fellow Heartland filmmaker.

Ignite Your Inspiration is a weekly quick burst of inspiration and motivation to kick off your creative week.

An important question to ask yourself when you are chasing your dreams, trying to get healthy, start that business, or better yourself is "what's your why." Why are you doing this? You're going to need that answer for when times get tough.

Dylan Jaeger returns to Cinematic Heartland to discuss a very important topic that affects not only people in the creative industry but many people across all walks of life... mental health struggles. We explore Dylan's experiences, struggles, and insights in this thought provoking episode.

If this show reaches one person that is struggling and helps them to realize that they are not alone then it has done its job.

If you need to talk to somebody please reach out to a mental health professional who can help you. People are waiting and willing to help. Also, if you need it, the suicide prevention lifeline is 800-273-8255.

Ignite Your Inspiration is a weekly quick burst of inspiration and motivation to kick off your creative week.

Failing happens to all of us at some point in our life but it doesn't define who we are. Failing does not make us a failure.

On this episode, Kevin sits down with Ben Schmidt, an Iowa filmmaker whose projects include several short films... Nocturnal, The Last Sleepover, and Scream of the Crop. He is currently in pre-production on his first feature-length film, Ellie and Xavier.

We discuss his projects past and present, what his process is as a writer as well as a director, and we discuss our shared love for cinema overall.

Ignite Your Inspiration is a weekly quick burst of inspiration and motivation to kick off your creative week.

When you release a project into the world, own your stuff, meaning be strong, be confident, and present your work confidently. Nobody will care about your project as much as you and no one will believe in your project if you don't. Why should they?

Chicago filmmaker Ralph Klisiewicz joins us today on Cinematic Heartland: A Filmmaking Podcast to share his insights on directing, working with actors, his latest projects, and so much more. He really gets you to think in different ways on how to approach your own processes on and off set. His down-to-earth, straight ahead approach is inspiring. After talking with Ralph, I would just love to be on set with him to watch him work. I think you’ll really enjoy this conversation.

Ignite Your Inspiration is a weekly quick burst of inspiration and motivation to kick off your creative week.

Everybody that's done anything special has conquered the odds, otherwise it wouldn't be considered special. Why not let it be you who beats the odds?

On today’s episode, I welcome filmmaker Sarah Pirozek who wrote and directed the film #Like which tackles the tough subjects of sex trafficking, sexual harassment, and sexual exploitation.

Sarah wrote an article for Filmmaker Magazine sharing her insights on film distribution and she will be putting those thoughts to the test as she looks to distribute #Like.

On this episode, Sarah tells us about the film, her thoughts on distribution, and gives us the before snapshot of the distribution process for #Like and she will then come back on a future show to give us the after picture of how the process went. It was a very enlightening and fun conversation that I think you’ll completely enjoy.

Check out Sarah’s article in Filmmaker Magazine at the following link:

https://filmmakermagazine.com/109861-searching-for-an-independent-distribution-strategy-amidst-pandemics-and-streaming-wars/?fbclid=IwAR1tbQEmYh0ccbCmA3qBDv6jvbNiyYuDNMltF_HrMJaGZVeZY9p6p5utKrY#.XxIJzPhJEyn

Ignite Your Inspiration is a weekly quick burst of inspiration and motivation to kick off your creative week.

Comparing yourself to others can often be a depressing moment but realize that you may not be comparing apples to apples.

The benefit of going to film festivals is discovering so many talented filmmakers. The benefit of having a podcast is that you get to talk to them. That's exactly how it came together for today's guest to appear on Cinematic Heartland. Kevin was introduced to Cinematographer / Filmmaker Bruce James Bales through his work in Knee High which he saw at an area film festival and was completely blown away. In this conversation, you will quickly realize that Bruce's outlook on life, the business, and his willingness to help other filmmakers climb the ladder is as outstanding as the work he creates.

Bruce provides his insight into working on set, what he has on his slate, as well as his advice to up-and-coming cinematographers and filmmakers in general.

Ignite Your Inspiration is a weekly quick burst of inspiration and motivation to kick off your creative week.

A football team finds success in the adjustments it makes at halftime to all of the things it did not prepare for originally. Success in life can be found in the adjustments that you make to any unforeseen hurdles that are put in your way.

Kevin's guest on this episode is filmmaker Wes Worthing.

Wes is a board member of the Iowa Motion Picture Association and the Iowa Scriptwriters Alliance and currently has two short films on the festival circuit, Rutting Season and Wilt.

On the show, we discuss the Iowa Scriptwriters Alliance, his films, and delve into several aspects of screenwriting.

Ignite Your Inspiration is a weekly quick burst of inspiration and motivation to kick off your creative week.

One of the keys to success is being able to create positive outcomes from negative situations and we can all learn lessons from the negative situation that we have found ourselves in this year.

Mia Godfrey, who went from a couple of speaking lines and helping as a camera assistant to a leading role, joins Kevin on Cinematic Heartland to discuss her roles in Oliver Short, Tea Party, Run, A Most Forgettable Man, and On Top of the World.

Ignite Your Inspiration is a weekly quick burst of inspiration and motivation to kick off your creative week.
All of your dreams are on the other side of fear.

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Kevin welcomes five guests to this episode of Cinematic Heartland… Mike White, Shelby Hagerdon, Mark Fustos, Amanda Bean, and Rob Merritt. They discuss two films that recently wrapped shooting and will be released soon... "To Live Again" and "Sigmund and Dora." They also give their reasons for getting into filmmaking and offer up their advice.

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Ignite Your Inspiration is a weekly quick burst of inspiration and motivation to kick off your creative week.
One season while I was coaching varsity softball at Osage, Iowa, we had the team mantra of “Climb the Mountain.” That may seem really strange because we don’t have mountains in Iowa. But it meant something to the team and that’s all that matters.

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As independent filmmakers, we face limitations but what we need to know is that they are not show stoppers. Don't have money? Don't worry. Limitations lead to creativity.

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Ignite Your Inspiration is a weekly quick burst of inspiration and motivation to kick off your creative week.
Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.
~ Harriet Tubman

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Actor Carly Neel joins Cinematic Heartland to discuss her experiences on and off set and gives us her insights into the acting profession. Carly starred in the I Like Ike Films productions Oliver Short, Run, and had a supporting role in Tea Party. She was nominated for best actress under the age of 18 at the 2018 Utah Film Awards and won a lead actress achievement award from the Iowa Motion Picture Association. She currently resides in New York City and she is chasing her acting dreams.

This episode is sponsored by
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Ignite Your Inspiration is a weekly quick burst of motivation and inspiration to kick off your creative week.
We hang motivational and inspirational messages around us everyday but do you read them? Do you listen to them? Do you heed their advice? Here's your sign that maybe you should.

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Kevin welcomes very special guest, Alex Ferrari, to Cinematic Heartland today. He has three podcasts to his name… Indie Film Hustle, The Filmtrepreneur, and Bullet Proof Screenwriting. He is the author of Shooting for the Mob and Rise of the Filmtrepreneur. He operates Indie Film Hustle TV and is continually educating, informing, and advocating for the independent filmmaker. He has built a media empire from the ground up by turning his films into money making businesses and he is here today to say that you can do the same and that it’s within your reach.

This episode is sponsored by
· Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

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Ignite Your Inspiration is a weekly quick burst of motivation and inspiration to kick off your creative week.
While I was coaching travel softball, I came across a college football coach by the name of Chip Kelly. The mantra he used with his team was “Win the Day.” I quickly incorporated this into the every day routine of my team and even had it printed on the back of our t-shirts. This philosophy, this attitude very easily transcends into every facet of life including our creative ventures.

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Do you need to go to film school? Should you go to film school? Kevin answers these questions on today's episode.

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Ignite Your Inspiration is a weekly quick burst of motivation and inspiration to kick off your creative week.
Think wild thoughts. Think about what you want to do and who you want to be. You only get one time around this ride. Make it count.

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Today on the show Kevin talks with Jacob Foster. Jacob appeared in the I Like Ike Films production “Run” in which he won an Iowa Motion Picture Lead Actor Award of Achievement for his role as the Irish hit man, Cirus, and he also appeared in the touching drama “On Top of the World.”
Hear about Jacob's experiences on and off set during the filming of both of these films and his advice for aspiring actors.

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Ignite Your Inspiration is a weekly quick burst of motivation and inspiration to kick off your creative week.
Depression is when you are focused on the past. Anxiety is when you are focused on the future. Focus in on today.

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Kevin welcomes a very special young lady on the show today… Avery Knudson. Avery appeared in three I Like Ike Films productions… Oliver Short, Tea Party, and Run. She has also played the lead in a couple of locally produced musicals… The Little Mermaid and High School Musical. She has a very powerful singing voice and just an incredibly focused, determined, and talented young actor.
Avery was awarded the Best Actress Under the Age of 18 for her role of Danika in Tea Party at the 2019 Utah Film Awards. She also won a Lead Actress Award of Achievement at the Iowa Motion Picture Awards and Best Young Actress at the Los Angeles Independent Shorts Awards for that same performance.

This episode is sponsored by
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Ignite Your Inspiration is a weekly quick burst of motivation and inspiration to kick off your creative week.
It’s okay to lose. Now there is a message that is counter to what society teaches us.

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Every director has their own unique style in how they prepare to shoot a film, while on set, and how they handle post-production. On this episode, hear Kevin's approach to these things.
PLUS A SPECIAL BONUS
At the end of the show you can hear a full track off his band's first CD. It's a song called "Road to Nowhere."

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· Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

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Ignite Your Inspiration is a weekly quick burst of motivation and inspiration to kick off your creative week.
Know what you want to accomplish and focus on the process rather than the outcome. ~ Nick Saban

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Dylan Jaeger has appeared in many films including "Morris," "The Z Triangle," "The Z Mind," "Happy Birthday" and the newly released "Miles: A Spider-Man Fan Film." Kevin had the pleasure of working with Dylan when he starred in the I Like Ike Films production, "A Most Forgettable Man." Please join us for this conversation where we delve into Dylan’s career, what he is working on now, the hurdles he’s had to overcome, and his inspiring advice.

This episode is sponsored by
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Ignite Your Inspiration is a weekly quick burst of motivation and inspiration to kick off your creative week.
Tony Robbins has a saying… “You can’t always control the wind, but you can control your sails.”

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Why would anyone want to listen to me? That's something many of us struggle with on a daily basis. We're creating something and putting it out into the world but will anybody care? Kevin discusses his own struggle with getting over this hurdle and what he does to combat it.

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Ignite Your Inspiration is a weekly quick burst of motivation and inspiration to kick off your creative week.
As Mark Twain once said... the two most important days of your life are the day you are born and the day you figure out why.

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On this episode of Cinematic Heartland, Kevin gives his thoughts and insights on screenplay structure. Does your screenplay need a structure? Is one structure better than another? Is there only one correct structure that you can use?

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Michael and Kevin go back about 30 years. They performed together in a rock band back in the 90’s and now they are together again in the filmmaking arena. Michael has been a producer on every film under the I Like Ike Films banner, been the 1st AD on set, and appeared in Oliver Short, The Route, and Run. Join Kevin and Michael as they discuss their films, their music, and the good times they've had each step of the way.

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In this episode, Kevin tackles the tough questions of having to live in L.A. if you want to work in this business and how to create more realistic dialogue. Also, are you wondering about that cool, rocking track that starts and ends each episode? Kevin provides the answer.

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In the fall of 2019, Kevin had the distinct pleasure of being interviewed on the podcast Indie Social with hosts Michael Huntington and Dylan Jaeger. They discussed Kevin's filmmaking career including the film's he has made with I Like Ike Films. A great time was had by all.

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On this episode of Cinematic Heartland, Kevin discusses the benefits of filming on location in the Midwest and one of the keys to success on set.

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Have you sat down and evaluated where you are at in your filmmaking career whether you are a writer, director, or actor? Kevin Isaacson walks you through a pivot he performed recently on his own career and what you should be looking for in evaluating your career and if you should make a similar pivot.

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Welcome to episode one of Cinematic Heartland. I’m your host, Kevin Isaacson, a Midwestern filmmaker with I Like Ike Films. You’ll hear my insights, thoughts, trials, tribulations, and celebrations as an independent filmmaker located in the middle of America.
On this episode...
Introduction
Coronavirus and the Independent Filmmaker
Check This Out - Cool, innovative, and helpful things for your filmmaking journey.

This episode is sponsored by
· Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/kevin-isaacson/support