The Film Hacks

James and Chris sit down with Samuel C. Morrison Jr. and Marquis Ransom to discuss their low-budget thriller, By Deception.

James and Chris take edibles and talk about the 2022 horror movie, Barbarian!

James and Chris sit down with Joe Bizarro and Noel Maitland to discuss filmmaking and their film Brides of Satan

James and special guest host Derek Haugen discuss film hacks for filmmakers!

James and guest host Derek Haugen are joined by filmmaker Shawn Burkett to discuss his films and making low budget movies. Shawn Burkett was born on January 3, 1984 in Dayton, Ohio, USA. He is a director and editor, known for Don't Fuck in the Woods (2016), Betsy (2018) and Don't Fuck in the Woods 2 (2022).

James and Chris discuss preproduction on their feature films, Transient and Absolution

Chris and James sit down with director Adam Nelson to talk about the growth from your first feature film to your second, talking with actors, and the struggles of low budget filmmaking. Adam Nelson was born in Portsmouth, United Kingdom, and started his filmmaking and writing careers before the age of ten. He would write short stories based on films he had seen and then make stop motion films based on these with his Dad's VHS camera. He studied both film and media studies at A-level and developed a knack for using analog editing equipment to cut short films. He carried this passion into his degree (also in film studies) where he cut a lot of short films for other students. Upon graduating with a 2:1 in Film Studies Adam took to teaching in order to share his knowledge with others. It was whilst teaching BTEC film production and running the media department at a large further education college that Adam took to directing.

James and Chris sit down with filmmaker Edrar 'Bird' Sosa Edrar 'Bird' Sosa is known for Our Precious Hope Revisited: St. Louis' Little Jane Doe  

James and Chris sit down with filmmaker Hamish Downie. Hamish Downie is a writer and producer, known for An American Piano (2014), Matcha & Vanilla (2021) and Lost Hope (2017).

James and Leigh sit down and discuss indie filmmaking with Director Ryan Kruger. Multi award-winning Director Ryan Kruger is known for his unique conceptual shooting style bringing Narrative and visuals to his music videos spinning over the last 12 years. Working with Some of South Africa's biggest names in the music world. Picking up many awards and nominations from the likes of MTV and SAMA'S (South African Music Award) He has been regarded as one of SA's top Music video directors. But soon made his jump to feature films. Directing his first debut film "Fried Barry" in 2020, which he wrote and directed. Already hitting festivals around the world competing next to major names. The film has already picked up 22 awards and many nominations in festivals such as Sites and Fantasia. Its already been getting its cult status from fan art around the globe and being the first of its kind to come out of South Africa.    

Chris and James discuss production on their two features The Old Man and Transient.

James and Chris sit down with special effects artist Deryk Wehrley. Deryk Wehrley is known for Dark Circles (2022), Late Checkout and Macabre Mountain

James and Chris sit down with filmmaker Zane Hershberger.  Zane Hershberger is a cinematographer and producer, known for Force to Fear (2020), The Barn (2016) and Cryptids (2021).

James and Chris sit down with actor Keith Nussbaum.  Keith Nussbaum is an American TV and film actor with many short films and features to his credit. He has played a variety of characters including a loving but distracted father, a disillusioned rebel and the American outlaw himself, Jesse James. He can also be seen in blockbuster films such as Avengers: Endgame (2019) and Jurassic World (2015).

Chris and James sit down and give some updates about various projects.

Chris and James sit down with filmmaker Scott B. Hansen. Scott is a screenwriter & filmmaker from Virginia Beach, VA. Scott is known for his films Bad Candy, The Possession Experiment, and Monumental

Chris and James sit down with filmmaker Tyler Transue and talk about documentary filmmaking with his company Doc Side Media

Chris and James sit down with filmmaker Luke Sparke. Luke Sparke, director of the sci-fi actioner Occupation, is set to write and direct an adaptation of Ethan Pettus' Primitive War sci-fi military book series as a sci-fi horror pic. Sparke Films has secured the rights to Primitive War: Opiate Undertow, the debut novel by Pettus

James and Chris are joined by writer/director Benjamin Thomas to talk about creating his feature film Deal with the Devil.

Chris and James sit down with filmmaker B. Luciano Barsuglia.  B. Luciano Barsuglia wa born on October 27, 1971 in San Jose, California, USA. He is a producer and cinematographer, known for Social Distance (2020), The Electric Man (2022) and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (2017). He has been married to Simone Palmer since July 24, 1999. They have one child.

James and Derrick sit down to talk with writer Michael Donovan Horn to talk about writing features.

James and Chris are joined by Alejandro Brugués. Alejandro Brugués was born on August 21, 1976 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He is a director and writer, known for Juan of the Dead (2011), ABCs of Death 2 (2014) and Nightmare Cinema (2018).

James and Chris sit down and talk about James new film Fountaine and the Vengeful Nun Who Wouldn't Die which is now streaming on Tubi and Amazon!

Chris and James sit down with filmmaker Brian Cunningham and discuss micro-budget filmmaking. Brian is a native of Louisville KY, has written, produced and directed numerous award-winning feature and short films including the horror/comedy"Overtime" (2011) and the documentary "Monsters Wanted" (2013).

Chris and James sit down with indie filmmaker  Steve Rudzinski. Steve is no stranger to horror or the film industry, working on numerous projects. He started making 'movies' when he was age 16 and continued to self teach himself how to best use budgets and crews to work on small budgets. He has several films available.

James and Chris sit down with the Paul Ragsdale and Angelica De Alba and discuss low-budget filmmaking. We talk about their film Streets of Vengeance and their recent release Slashlorette Party.  

James and Chris sit down with the Film Reverie podcast and discuss making no-budget movies, and shooting their feature Really Pathetic & Totally Awkward   

James and Chris sit down with experienced actor Najarra Townsend and discuss her career, tips for working with actors, and the differences between micro-budget and low-budget movies. Najarra knew what she wanted to do in life by the time she was three. She started modeling and also performing in local stage productions, continuing to be deeply involved in both theater and musical productions throughout her childhood and teenage years. At ten, she made her big screen debut co-starring in the film "Menace". Najarra's performance in the Sundance and Cannes award winning "Me and You and Everyone We Know" in 2005 drew international notice. She has played the titular character in various films, including: "Tru Loved", "Marin Blue", "Betty I am" and has appeared in various other indie favorites. In 2014, audiences got to see a new side of the young actress in the IFC Midnight horror hit "Contracted". Najarra hopes to continue to devote her life to these things she loves and that inspire her.

Chris and James sit down with Sarah Terpning and discuss creating a web series.  

Chris and James sit down and talk with actor/writer/director Riley Cusick and discuss making his first feature, Autumn Road Riley Cusick is an actor and writer, known for Autumn Road (2021), VFW (2019) and Satanic Panic (2019).  

Chris and James sit down and talk about crowdfunding.

Chris and James sit down and talk with writer and director Bruce Carlton Cunningham Jr.! We talk about his feature film Un-Resolved. Bruce Carlton Cunningham, Jr. has been a prolific producer in St. Louis, MO for the past 20 years as a writer and director. He has and appeared in several short films such as Ricky's Hurt (2016), Retribution (2015), Static: A Fan Film (2018), Icon: A Fan Film (2020), Hardware: A Fan Film (2021), a feature film, A New Husband For Christmas (2020) and a web series, Gonzo (2016). In addition to Cunningham's acting projects, he directed and starred in his first feature length film entitled, Un-Resolved (a dramatic thriller about an ex-convict who tries to make up the lost time with his terminally ill daughter, and reconnect with his oldest daughter who has befriended a deadly enemy from his past.) set to be released in 2021.

Chris and James sit down and talk with actor and writer Derek Haugen! Derek Haugen is an actor and writer, known for I Had a Bloody Good Time at House Harker (2016), Good Cops (2011) and Assisted Fishing (2012).  

Chris and James sit down and talk with producer and writer Justin Beahm.   Justin Beahm is a producer and writer. His Reverend Entertainment creates content for Paramount Pictures, Shout! Factory/Scream Factory, Anchor Bay, Vinegar Syndrome, Scorpion, Music Box Films, and other studios and distribution companies. Beahm has spearheaded theatrical releases in partnership with Screenvision and Trancas International Films, and his documentary 'You Can't Kill the Bogeyman' ran nationally and internationally with the 2012 re-release of John Carpenter's 'Halloween'. He is a feature writer for cinema publications Fangoria, Famous Monsters of Filmland, Delirium, Horrorhound, and Scream, and recently served as guest editor for the. October 2021 issue of TVGuide's ReMIND magazine. He hosts events and film festivals, including his own indie screening series at the TCL Chinese Theatres in Los Angeles. Justin splits his time between Iowa and California.  

Chris and James sit down and talking about James feature film Fountaine and the Vengeful Nun Who Wouldn't Die.  

Chris and James sit down with Armageddon films to talk about creating low budget films. Ghosters is currently CROWDFUNDING - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ghosters/ghosters-bluray-release Armageddon Films is a family friendly Production company Started by Milko Davis (Director, writer, and producer) and his wife Kathy Davis (executive producer). Some of there more popular projects would be Jurassic Thunder and Jurassic Dead.

Chris and James sit down with filmmaker Steven Grayhm. Steven Grayhm takes us through his journey of bringing his feature debut The Secret of Sinchanee from funding to release.   About Steven Grayhm Steven was born in London, Ontario Canada to a Polish German mother and Canadian father whose family lineage descends from the Weskarini Algonquin First Nation people of La Petite Nation (Little Nation) from Western Quebec, Canada. Filmmaker/Co-Founder/Team House Studios. The Secret of Sinchanee

Chris and James sit down with filmmaker Stryker Spurlock.   Stryker Spurlock's debut feature is an abstruse and challenging work that captures with droll black humor the anxious torpor of go-nowhere middle-class life. Set amidst the drab, freeway-clogged suburbia of North St. Louis County, Part Time evokes the opaque psychological inquiry of Cristi Puiu's Aurora, inviting the audience to try to make sense of the directionless deportment of a puddering, inarticulate twentysomething part-time book sorter (Casey Paulsen) who doesn't understand himself. Peppered with motor-mouthed soliloquies, sudden jolts of enigmatic surrealism, and a couple of abrasive meta-pranks, Part Time's somber black-and-white surfaces mask a subtle, audience-tweaking playfulness.  

Chris and James sit down with filmmaker Mike Lombardo from Reel Splatter Productions!  

Chris and James sit down with filmmaker Tonya Pinkins! About Tonya Tonya Pinkins is an American actress and filmmaker. Her award-winning debut feature film RED PILL was an official selection at the 2021 Pan African Film Festival, won the Best Black Lives Matter Feature and Best First Feature at The Mykonos International Film Festival, Best First Feature at the Luléa Film Festival, and is nominated for awards in numerous festivals around the globe. Her web-series The RED PILLING of AMERICA can be heard on her podcast "You Can't Say That!" at BPN.fm/ycst

Chris and James sit down with filmmaker Sam Miller! About Sam Sam is the Director of Marketing at a FinTech, Filmmaker, and Founder of Vidjam

Chris and James sit down with filmmaker Brian Darwas! About Brian Darwas Brian Darwas is considered the worldwide authority on automotive documentaries. Unlike many contemporaries, Brian delves into the worlds and underworlds of his subjects to expose what makes them tick, move and live. His ability to develop the true individual in front of the lens is what makes him a master at telling stories on film.  

Chris and sits down with filmmaker Jim Hickcox! About Jim Hickcox Jim Hickcox was born on June 28, 1982 in New Britain, Connecticut, USA as James Wesley Lloyd Hickcox. He is known for his work on Slow Creep (2015), Soft Matter (2018) and The Rise of Kenji Gojira (2012).  

Chris and James sit down with filmmaker Tony Marion! We talk about preparation, writing and low budget Filmmaking . About Tony Marion Tony is a script to screen filmmaker with over 300 projects produced, a senior-level marketing copywriter, and branding consultant.  

Chris and James sit down with filmmaker J. Horton! We talk about documentary filmmaking, low budget horror features, and monetizing your movies. About J. Horton Filmmaker, Youtube Creator and Producer of many feature films and documentaries, J. Horton is known for boldly crossing genre boundaries and 'getting it done." In addition to his prolific work in the film industry, he's gained a lot of traction in recent years as a Youtube personality.  

Chris and James sit down with filmmaker Noam Kroll! We talk about the importance of building an audience, making a low budget feature, writing with a budget, and distribution. About Noam Kroll Noam Kroll is an award-winning narrative film director based in Los Angeles, California. He is known for his art-house feature films Shadows On The Road (2018) and Psychosynthesis (2020). His personal blog (www.noamkroll.com) is among the most popular filmmaking resources of its kind, as well as his podcast (Show, Don't Tell), which is one of the top rated filmmaking podcasts available.

Chris and James sit down with filmmaker Wyatt Weed. The Dark Knight Returns - An Epic Fan film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZUGnRe37YE&ab_channel=WyattWeed About Wyatt Weed Wyatt Weed is an actor, visual effects artist, and filmmaker who appeared as a Rutian police officer in the Star Trek: Voyager third season episode "The High Ground".

Chris and James sit down with  Director Addison Binek and discuss low budget film making and his feature Psycho Ape! About Addison Binek Addison Binek is a director and writer, known for Psycho Ape! (2020), Tromasterpiece Theatre: The Battle of Love's Return (2017) and Tromasterpiece Theatre: Poultrygeist (2020). See full bio » Born into a wandering carnival, Scott explored the vast shadowy and mist-filled corners of a foreign world known as "Canada". His father, the strongman, and his mother, the bearded lady, knew he was different, and when he failed to make it as a strongman wrestler, he was cast out from the caravan. However, they were not without reason. They knew Scott was a performer, just a different kind, and funded his journey to the far off land of Vancouver where he would hone his craft as a screenwriter.  

James and Louis sit down with VFX artist Zack Anderson    

Chris and James sit down with Director/Writer/Actor Scotty Dunn and talk about making his films Mondao of the Dead! About Scotty Dunn From the Crossroads of Spooky and Snark, Scott Dunn is a screenwriter who's always been obsessed with telling stories inspired by ghastly and ghoulish lore. While a major fan of horror throughout the ages, he aspires to bring spooky tales to a younger audience believing that kids like to be scared, and can handle more than most adults give them credit for. Born into a wandering carnival, Scott explored the vast shadowy and mist-filled corners of a foreign world known as "Canada". His father, the strongman, and his mother, the bearded lady, knew he was different, and when he failed to make it as a strongman wrestler, he was cast out from the caravan. However, they were not without reason. They knew Scott was a performer, just a different kind, and funded his journey to the far off land of Vancouver where he would hone his craft as a screenwriter.  

Chris and James sit down with legendary Director Fred Olen Ray. Fred Olen Ray is an American film director, producer, and screenwriter of more than 200 low-to-medium-budget feature films in many genres, including horror, science fiction, action/adventure, crime dramas, and holiday films.