Beyond Your Imagination

In this episode, Kelley Baker AKA The Angry Filmmaker and I explore two films by filmmaker Stacy Peralta: Dogtown & Z-Boys (2001) and Riding Giants (2004).Having no personal experience with skateboarding or surfing, it was eye-opening to have a front row seat to the movements presented in both films. Kelley and I dive into these films and talk about a range of topics including corporatization of sports, filmmaking from the perspective of the insider versus the outsider, why style will always be favorable over slick and shiny aesthetics, and the value of falls and failures.While there are nuggets of wisdom throughout this conversation, I think this quote from Kelley sets the stage for this episode, specifically regarding creativity: "When you have no money and you don't have a lot of options, you become creative."

Kelley Baker AKA The Angry Filmmaker is an author, filmmaker, and music aficionado. Music and music documentaries are a common point of discussion whenever we get together, so we thought a great double feature to discuss would be It Might Get Loud and The Other F Word. How can a good documentary humanize a myth or a god? On the surface, a good documentary brings you into a world you know little about. You see how people live and the choices they make. But on a deeper level, the humanization or elevation of a subject reveals a message that evolves and instructs in new ways as you get older. In this conversation, Kelley and I talk about what we've learned this time around watching these films, specifically relating to art, commerce, the pursuit and obsession of craft, and the price we pay as artists and humans. One final note before diving in to the conversation, it's incredibly powerful to not only watch a film you otherwise wouldn't, but to listen to what that film means to someone else. I am not a father, so Kelley's perspective, as both father and grandfather, helped me to see *The Other F Word* differently, through his eyes. I hope this conversation does the same for you.

Kelley Baker AKA The Angry Filmmaker is an author, filmmaker, and music aficionado. Whenever we get together, we're always talking about music and music documentaries, and two films we can't stop talking about are Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage and Muscle Shoals. As we discuss this double feature, we touch on themes of history and mythology in the music business, curiosity and dissatisfaction, the pursuit of greatness, and how tragedy and rejection shape people. Weaving stories and memories from both films and our lives, Kelley and I talk about how these films reveal necessary traits that all artists need in pursuing their work: upping your game by working on your craft, surrounding yourself with people, and going down your own path.

How do you know you're getting the real story when you go someplace new? If you're a documentarian, how do you tap into the reality that stories are everywhere, as long as you have the key, the very object that provides access to the storytellers? In Searching for the Wrong-Eyed Jesus, directed by Andrew Douglas, the South came alive with a 1970 Chevrolet Impala. Kelley brought this film to my attention as an example of a movie that immediately makes you question, "What the hell is going on here?" It messes with the documentary form, makes you work to understand the underlying meaning, let alone who the people in the film are, and speeds beyond stereotypes. Ultimately, it is a film that many people will not like, will struggle to even see because of its limited availability, but should experience. If you need a shot of artistic courage, this film represents the guts required to make a film the way the director wants to.

Kelley Baker and I are kicking off this season in style with a lively chat about his independent filmmaking and writing journey from film school, working in the sound department, and directing shorts and features in Portland, Oregon to writing books and short stories. We talk about why living life is so important for artists, what makes a memorable story, what he looks for and what turns him off in movies, why book-to-film adaptations often fail to measure up to his imagination, and why you should always help your friends out on their creative journey. Sprinkled throughout is his approach to both filmmaking and writing books: do whatever you need to do to tell your stories.

What is the future of your filmmaking career? This is one of the many questions that Ryan and I talk about in the season finale of the podcast. From producing and releasing feature films on a more consistent schedule to creating projects that have more depth and substance, we explore the topic of legacy and what we bring to our films as we get older. Additionally, we further the discussion around building community with trusted collaborators.

A critical component of filmmaking is making sure there's an audience for your film. Ryan and I talk about ways to get your film in front of the right people from sharing about it on social media and going to related events to premiering it in your local town. But a larger conversation throughout the episode is not just finding the audience, but building the community who will continually support your work: Actors, crew, financial supporters, and community partners. No matter where you are at on your filmmaking journey, never lose sight of the community you are building each day.

Whether you are in the film industry or not, you've probably heard the phrase, "We'll fix it in post." It's a philosophy of production that allows directors to speed through shoots, not worrying about whether something is technically perfect or not, because everything can be fixed in the computer. In this conversation, Ryan and I talk about our thoughts on this phrase, along with our philosophies of editing, new technologies we would love to have in software, and the inspirational impact that KISS and George Lucas has had on Ryan's career.

You've done the work of writing, casting, and preparing to make your film, now it's time to actually shoot it. From planning production days and figuring out what equipment you'll need to making sure you have the necessary crew members and getting everything set up accordingly, there are endless factors that can make or break your film. And those issues multiply if you are both director and cinematographer. Throughout this episode, Ryan and I talk about learning lessons and various tales from our projects over the years and how we continue to grow in our skills.

We're taking a short interlude from the regularly scheduled program as Ryan recovers from some seasonal sickness and regains his voice. We collaborated on a few ways for you to strengthen your imagination, because let's be honest, if you're anything like us, you need to let your mind wander in the ethereal realm of creativity more often. But how do you do that? I'm glad you asked. It starts with: 1) Searching for new ideas and stories; 2) Writing a one-page story; and 3) Creating a challenge for yourself.

Yes, actors are essential to the success of any film, but equally important are the found spaces and sets that contain the stories. In this episode, Ryan and I talk about our formative years of exploration and how they influence the films we make and the stories we aspire to tell. One of Ryan's superpowers that never ceases to amaze me is his ability to find filming locations, and he shares how he explores the area and seeks permission when discovering a place to film. We also talk about the sets he would build that he has yet to find and his approach to set design.

There are two big questions that inform this episode: First, when we trace back the mythological lineage of our modern stories, where in time do we end up? And second, will modern audiences accept and believe old stories if told in new ways? Ryan and I explore these questions along with where ideas come from starting with our shared love for concept albums and music videos. Additionally, Ryan shares stories of collaborating with writers on his latest film projects and what is missing in a 40-page feature film script.

Welcome to a brand new season of Beyond Your Imagination, a podcast that celebrates the kick-ass DIY spirit of independent film. I'm Chris Martin, and my co-conspirator this season is Ryan Erlandsen of Marble Mountain Films. In this episode, we explore team work and the many ways to build a cast and crew for independent projects. From gas station casting and coffee shop networking to bringing people of all skill levels together, Ryan shares his experiences of finding the right—and sometimes wrong—people for his projects. As someone who often approaches my own creative projects by myself, I also share how collaborating with Ryan has positively impacted my work. Be advised that our language filters didn't adapt to the shifting temperatures in the cabin, so we have lots of colorful words and phrases throughout the conversation.

Welcome to a brand new season of Beyond Your Imagination, a podcast that celebrates the kick-ass DIY spirit of independent film. I'm Chris Martin, and my co-conspirator this season is Ryan Erlandsen of Marble Mountain Films. In this episode, we dive into the murky waters of money and what it takes to make micro-to-no-budget films in the Pacific Northwest. From creative ways to funding movies and paying for actors and equipment to figuring out the modern-day path to profitability, Ryan candidly shares how he has gotten two feature films made and how he will approach distribution and selling the films. Be advised that we removed our language filters to keep it conversational, so there are plenty of colorful words and phrases throughout the conversation.

Welcome to a brand new season of Beyond Your Imagination, a podcast that celebrates the kick-ass DIY spirit of independent film. I'm Chris Martin and I love movies—watching them, making them, talking about them. My co-conspirator this season is Ryan Erlandsen of Marble Mountain Films. Ryan produces music videos, short films and features of the horror persuasion. Throughout the season, we are exploring micro-to-no-budget filmmaking in the Pacific Northwest. We'll touch on the hot topics of the day and our shared love for symphonic metal and cheesy horror films. On top of that, each episode is recorded in Ryan's cabin, which he built specifically for his horror projects. And be advised, we removed our language filter, so we keep it conversational and full of colorful words and phrases. So, welcome back to Beyond Your Imagination, grab a warm beverage, come on into the cabin, and hear us talk about where ideas, inspiration, and re-inspiration come from when making movies...it's show time.

Ryan Erlandsen of Marble Mountain Films produces music videos, short films and features of the horror persuasion and is the special guest for season two. Over the next 10 episodes, we are going to explore micro-to-no-budget filmmaking in the Pacific Northwest. We'll touch on the hot topics of the today and our shared love for symphonic metal and cheesy horror films. On top of that, each episode is recorded in Ryan's cabin, which he built specifically for his horror projects. And no filter, so we keep our language conversational and full of colorful words and phrases. So, welcome back, come on into the cabin and hear us talk about our filmmaking origin stories...it's show time.

Deep in the heart of downtown Vancouver, Washington, on Main Street, you'll find the Kiggins Theatre, run by a small team of film lovers, including today's guests, Dan Wyatt and Richard Beer. From storytelling and searching for meaning to the changing nature of audiences and the cinematic experience, our conversation weaves between a multitude of topics. There's a lot here about the struggles and triumphs of running an independent theater in an industry owned by giant corporations. You'll get a glimpse into community building and grassroots marketing at its finest. Not to mention a healthy list of films to watch after you listen to the show.

There is something magical about music and how it brings a film to life. From a melody that finds an emotional and psychological connection to characters to the unique soul of instruments, music goes deeper than other storytelling mediums faster. Ian Honeyman is a composer, music producer, and multi-instrumentalist with over 60 feature film and TV credits. In this conversation, he talks about how he comes up with ideas, his interest in unique instruments from around the world, and the secret to creating music and telling stories. He also has a lot of great advice for directors on how they can work with composers.

When I think about people who love movies, my friend and today's guest Kyle Shold instantly comes to mind. An illustrator by trade, who created the fantastic poster for this podcast, he uses his passion for film and storytelling tools—from cinematography to scores—to influence his work. In this conversation, we cover a lot of ground, from his first cinematic memory that sparked his imagination to the score that fuels his creativity. We also talk about how movies shift through time, the differences between physical and streaming media, and why quality and control are crucial elements in curating your film library.

How do you reclaim and redefine the stories and American iconography present in films? Kanani Koster is a filmmaker from Portland, Oregon, flipping the script and telling stories that explore race, power, and privilege with violence, gore, and brutality, without feeding collective trauma. From her early days in Seattle meeting amazing mentors to the community atmosphere and punk vibe of Portland, Oregon, Kanani brings her imagination to life by collaborating and ensuring that her team challenges and checks one another's perceptions and ideas.

With over 8,000 and counting film festivals worldwide, how will you make sure your film gets into the right festivals? Dr. Rebekah Louisa Smith is the founder of The Film Festival Doctor, a company that helps filmmakers create a focused film festival strategy, including planning, organization, logistics, and support. Suppose you are a filmmaker who hasn't considered the life-changing impact of film festivals. Rebekah is adamant that you'll discover community and new voices, not to mention the chance to polish your film's vision.

Never before in the entire history of cinema has animation been more crucial to film and television production. Not to mention technologically possible and affordable for artists around the world. From his early days programming draw functions in computers to currently teaching students rotoscoping and animation, Karl Jahnke has been exploring stories and the surreal much of his life. In this conversation, he shares the significant influences in his early career, his approach to storytelling, why he created the Mobile Animation Film Festival, and his prediction for the future of animation.

What does it take to build and connect with an audience in the digital age of independent film? Taylor Morden of Pop Motion Pictures discovered the answer in his early musician days: make friends, not fans. The transition from music to film was natural as the do-it-yourself punk rock work ethic made sense in the world of documentary film. Learn whatever you need to learn, do what you need to do, and always build your community. From his first documentary about the band, The Refreshments, to his films about ska music and the last Blockbuster Video store in Bend, Oregon, Taylor brings movies to life that matter to both him and his audience. On top of that, he makes sure to have a good time.

I'm always fascinated with stories of how people have built long-lasting and sustainable careers. But what happens when someone burns out doing something they love, decides to learn a new trade, and ends up not only rebuilding a career but creates a more meaningful life in the process? That is the story of Robb Mills, an independent audio contractor for over 20 years, working on films and video games as a sound designer and music composer. From the hustle and grind of his early days to resetting his life with yoga therapy, Robb candidly shares story after story of honing his craft around his love for sound and music while serving and sharing life with others.

I met Benjamin Ironside Koppin in 2013 on the set of his indie horror feature, Made Me Do It, where I ruined a long handheld take by dropping the camera into my lap. Fortunately, he was cool about it, and we went on to collaborate on several other projects throughout the years. The philosophy of his production company, Ironside Films, is simple: tell the stories we want to tell in the way we want to do it. Partnering with his wife Kristin, they work together to bust through limitations and manage expectations to make one feature film a year.

A statement on their website is boldly simple yet deeply profound: “We only make Good things.” That's Good With a capital G! The founders of Farsighted Creative, Maggie Hart and Brittany Zampella, are here to talk about what it means to not only create media that's good but also put good into the world. They also share how their creative partnership's power propelled them forward to create short films, write music, launch two podcasts, and work with ethically sourced clients. It's refreshing to talk with two passionate professionals who are doing work that truly matters to themselves and the world.

How do you learn to speak up and step into the power of your voice? For filmmaker Jhanvi Motla, it started with a physical journey from Mumbai, India, to the United States to study filmmaking and bring stories to life that matter to her. In this engaging conversation, Jhanvi shares story after story about how she had to become resilient and disciplined to be independent while also learning to accept other people's support. Throughout the conversation, the weight of family and culture is present as she steps into her voice to tell the story of herself, her mother, and the unacknowledged heroes of the home in her upcoming documentary feature, Household Heroes.

In this conversation with J. Blake Fichera, author of the Scored to Death books and host of the companion podcast, we explore his love for music and how it relates to the work he does as a film editor, podcaster, and blues musician. We talk in-depth about music as a language, the importance of rhythm and structure, and his work as a development editor for reality shows. He also shares about the growth he experienced writing his latest book, Scored to Death 2: More Conversations with Some of Horror's Greatest Composers.

How driven are you to create the work you see in your mind's eye? Will you produce more excuses than scripts and films? Or push through adversity and rejection, doing whatever it takes? From the Gold Coast of Australia, today's guest goes by the name of gough and is the director of Beernuts Productions, “a prolific producer of film, television, audio downloads, books and other forms of creative media.” And he happens to be legally blind. In the past three years, I've interviewed gough eight times on Getting Work To Work, and every time I do, I learn something new that could be a game-changer for my career. This conversation is no different. We dive into how he became blind and the rejection he faced because of his disability. He shares the journey from his early days in radio and audio production, stand-up comedy, and why he created Beernuts Productions. He also talks about various skills every filmmaker needs: from an understanding of business models and leadership to effective communication and why you should never use the word game-changer.

What do you do when you are going through a health crisis, and you are a filmmaker? You turn the experience into a film. When Erica Taylor Davis was diagnosed with uterine fibroids, a medical condition that 80% of African American women and 75% of Caucasian women suffer from, she saw a much larger story unfolding. In the midst of her own pain and struggle, she courageously pushed through to objectively tell her story, and the stories of countless women with the impact fibroids and endometriosis have had on their lives in a documentary called Red Alert: The Fight Against Fibroids. If you are currently struggling with gripping self-doubt as you tell your own story, I hope you find a glimmer of hope and encouragement in Erica's story of courage, patience, and perseverance.

The question at the heart of this conversation was inspired by a moment of brutal truth on a recent job: How does filmmaking change as you get older? As I scrambled to the top of a semi to get the shot, I stood there and thought, “I'm not getting any younger. One day, I won't be able to do this.” I reached out to two filmmakers I madly respect, Beth Harrington and the Angry Filmmaker, Kelley Baker. We had a fun and engaging conversation about the changing nature of filmmaking as you get older. With over 40 years each into their careers, both continually move forward into the future, telling stories that matter to them, building supportive communities, remaining fiercely independent, and realizing that they are in this pursuit for life.