Indie Women

This week I sat down with UK-based Produced Chloe Chudasama. After three successful short films under her belt, Chloe and her partner Leroy Kincaide self-financed a horror feature called "The Last Rite," and gained distribution by Samuel Goldwyn Films for it. Chloe and I talk about how she got started as a Producer, the process of getting "The Last Rite" off the ground and turning it into a financial win, and how when it comes to production, it's important to listen to the signs!   

For more on Chloe: https://www.nocturnalpictures.co.uk/

@chloecproducer on Instagram  

The Last Rite Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dn1jwpRDwQs

This week I sat down with writer/comedian Fielding Edlow and her husband, actor and independent filmmaker Larry Clarke. Together the two have produced the award-winning web-series "Bitter Homes and Gardens," which took home the Best Comedy title at the New York Film Festival. The three of us discuss their respective journeys in the entertainment industry, how they got their series off the ground and how the pandemic led them to an encore season. Throughout all of this they blessed me with their brand-worthy banter and shed light on how playing a dueling husband and wife can hit close to home and sometimes even scare your crew.   

Find Bitter Homes and Gardens -- 

http://bitterhomesandgardens.com

@bitterhomes on Instagram

This week I talked with Sara Robin, a German Director, Writer, Producer and DP based in Boston and Los Angeles. Sara first came onto my radar after her film "Cranberry Nights" caught my attention on the festival circuit. The film was excellently crafted and showcased Sara's instincts and artistry as a filmmaker. She and I discuss not only what inspired her to bring "Cranberry Nights“ to life, but also how she got started in the industry, where her passions lie, and how above all her work is rooted in a desire to showcase the truth. Sara is a fascinating individual who was full of insight on navigating this industry, and with a feature script currently in the top 5% on Blacklist and top 1% on Coverfly, it's clear her career is headed for big, big things. Without further ado, please enjoy my conversation with Sara Robin! 

For more on Sara:

https://saraxrobin.com/

@saraxrobin on Instagram

This week I had the pleasure of talking with comedic content creator, Emily Maya Mills. Before shifting her focus to longer-format storytelling, she was named a “Funny Female to Follow on Twitter” by the Huffington Post and recorded a standup album, By a Thread, on ASpecialThing Records. As an actor, she’s appeared on Orange is the New Black, Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Key & Peele and Parks and Recreation. While earning her MFA at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, Emily placed her first three films in festivals and won the opportunity to direct the university-funded film, Boo Hag or Shadow Man (May 2021). Emily is dedicated to tackling difficult stories with humor and cinematic depth, and she and I talk all about how her roots in comedy help her achieve this goal. Her films are AMAZING and I have no doubt in my mind that Emily Maya Mills is going to be a household name as a writer and director in the very near future. So please, sit back, relax, and enjoy my inspiring conversation with Emily Maya Mills.   

For more on Emily: 

https://www.emilymayamills.com/

@emilymayamills on Instagram

This week I sat down with Danni McClellan, a current student in the Master's Film Program at Chapman University to talk all things film school! Danni breaks down why she ended up applying to the program, talks about the film that got her in, and the pros and cons of her experience since beginning her journey there. She also talks about the evolution of film school brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic, and shares what she thinks will help prospective students make their decision on whether or not to pursue a film school education. An informative conversation all around! Enjoy :)  

For more on Danni: 

@StanislausFilms on Twitter 

Heads/Tails Short Film: https://vimeo.com/271957546

This week I had the chance to sit down with Director of the Pasadena International Film Festival, Jessica Hardin. A lifelong lover of film, Jessica shares all about how she got a festival off the ground in the already fest-heavy vicinity of Los Angeles and how she has set her festival apart from the rest. She also dishes on the selection process and what exactly her festival is looking for on the film front, as well as real success stories that have happened as a direct result of filmmakers showcasing their film at PIFF! This is an informative conversation that any indie filmmaker about to hop onto the festival circuit should hear!   

For more on Jessica and PIFF: 

https://www.pasadenafilmfestival.org/

@pasadenafilmfestival on Instagram 

@PasFilmFest on Twitter

This week I had the absolute JOY of chatting with Mandy Fabian. Mandy is an immensely talented writer and director who co-created and directed Lifetime's first original digital series "The Young Hillary Diaries," and she also wrote the Amazon digital series "Dropping the Soap," which garnered Jane Lynch with a Best Actress Emmy for Best Short Form Original. Mandy shares with me all about her journey in entertainment, from how she answered the call to start directing all the way through her experience directing her first feature film, "Jess Plus None." Not only is Mandy an inspiration, she's also a bright light of a human in this industry, so you are going to love listening to her story!   

For more on Mandy:  

https://mandyfabian.com/ 

@mandyfab on Instagram 

@Jessplusnone on Instagram

This week I talked indie film with actor turned director Katie Preston. Katie is a true independent spirit who loves all aspects of filmmaking. She got her start as an actor but quickly turned to writing, producing, directing and editing her own content, and she shares all about her journey making films both in LA and in Boise, Idaho where she resides. Katie also dishes on her latest project, an 11 episode web-series called "Running On Love," (which tackles a very timely and thought-provoking theme) which she received a post-production grant for, and what it was like starring on a series about gynecology called "Vagina Town." I totally vibed with Katie's outlook on what it means to find success as an artist, and I am sure you will too! Please enjoy my conversation with Katie. 

For more on Katie:

https://www.katiepreston.com/

This week I got to chat with writer/director Elaine Chu. Elaine's debut feature film "Purgation" was heralded as "one of the best horror movies I've seen this year, if not the best," by Spinechillr, and Horror Cult Films declared Elaine Chu, "a name to look out for in the future." In addition to sharing all about the financing process for "Purgation," Elaine also talked about how she has managed to pull off the impossible -- make her living as a working director in Hollywood. She shares all about the world of commercial directing and even talks directing over Zoom. This is a knowledge-filled episode that will no doubt leave you inspired to take the next steps in your career. Now please enjoy my conversation with Elaine Chu!

For more on Elaine:

https://www.helloelainechu.com/

The Purgation Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hEXZl_9KjE

This week I sat down with actor, writer, producer and director Sarah Ann Masse. After gaining recognition for her viral YouTube sketch series "We Are Thomasse," Sarah realized the power and fulfillment in creating her own content and made her short film directorial debut with her award-winning dramedy "Tristan & Kelly." Sarah shares all about her experience producing the film overseas and what it was like premiering on the festival circuit during the Covid-19 pandemic. In addition to her work in front of and behind the camera, Sarah is also a survivor of assault by Harvey Weinstein, and after coming forward with her story she decided to start an organization dubbed Hire Survivors Hollywood -- dedicated to helping survivors maintain their careers after speaking out against those who abused them. Please enjoy my conversation with Sarah Ann Masse!

For more on Sarah: 

http://wearethomasse.com

http://hiresurvivorshollywood.org

http://tristanandkelly.com

This week I got to chat with producer, director and writer Linda Palmer. Under her company Runaway Productions Linda has produced 5 feature films and a plethora of other media content. She shares with me how she transitioned from a career in production design to bringing her own projects to life, and how she's managed to keep the ball rolling with each new film project. She also touches on the importance of building a team of collaborators and dishes on the pros and cons of various distribution outlets. For the women out there looking to build a working company that churns out content, this is a must listen! 

For more on Linda:

https://www.runawayproductions.tv/

https://www.youtube.com/user/runawaylsp

This week I talked with Sassy Mohen, a director, writer, producer and editor who is brilliant and courageous voice for women in independent media. Sassy shares with me how she beat the odds to not only gain theatrical distribution for her first indie feature "Happy Holidays," but how she turned a profit as well. We also do a deep dive into her latest creative baby "How to Hack Birth Control," a 3-part digital series full of glorious set pieces and choreographed dance numbers, launching soon!   

For more on Sassy: 

Website: www.sassymohen.com 

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ArdentLifeMedia/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sassymohen/

In this week's episode I chatted with writer/director Robyn Paris about her journey in indie film. Robyn got her start as an actor in the infamous cult film, "The Room," and she opens up about the difficulties she faced in her career as a result of it and how ultimately she decided to turn the experience on its head by creating her hit comedy series, "The Room Actors: Where Are They Now." Robyn is a Blackmagic Collective Future Director of Studio Features Fellow with an MFA in Screenwriting from UCLA, and her story is an inspiring one to say the least. Please enjoy our conversation!  

For more on Robyn: https://www.robynparis.com/ 

The Room Actors: Where Are They Now? https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq7I_2zXFDGlU0bbJ8eKzGw

On the very first episode of the Indie Women Podcast I talked with Keylee Koop-Sudduth, a 2-time Tribeca Film Festival selectee, about her journey in the film business. Starting out as an actor in Texas, Keylee shares how she made the move to Los Angeles and formed Bob Billiams Productions, under which she wrote, produced, directed and starred with her partner Micah in their original web-series "Home" which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2018. From there we get into their latest series, "Backsliders," (Tribeca 2021), and how their festival success led them to directing an entire series for YouTube. 

Keylee has a unique lens, and together with her partner Micah, she has made big things happen due to her independent, self-funded projects. Enjoy our chat as Keylee shares about the joys of taking risks and investing time and money into doing what you love. For more info on Keylee check out the links below. 

https://www.bobbilliamsproductions.com/

https://www.instagram.com/keyleemakes/