Afleveringen
-
What does it actually take to self-fund an entire feature film, shoot it on every format of film ever made, invent two new cinematic formats in the processâ and make a movie so stunning that people think you spent millions?
In this episode of The Next Film, Jessica sits down with renowned photographer and filmmaker Tyler Shields, whose indie feature 'Chapter 51' looks nothing like an indie at all. Tyler funded the entire film himself, using money made from his photography career to make more artâ and it's one of the most technically audacious indie films ever made. The film stars Abigail Breslin, Colman Domingo, and Emily Alyn Lind. Tyler also won the Kodak Vision Award for his extraordinary dedication to the film medium.
Whether you're making your first feature on a shoestring, trying to protect your creative vision, or figuring out how to use what you have access to â this conversation is one of the most inspiring and technically rich we've ever had on the pod.
We dive into:
⢠How he self-funded the entire film and burned his own Ferrari for it
⢠Inventing anamorphic IMAX⢠Collaborating with Giovanni Ribisi, Kodak, IMAX, and Panavision
⢠How scanning technology for IMAX went from taking 9 months to 9 daysâ because of this film
⢠Shooting with a maximum crew of 7 people
⢠Making the IMAX camera quiet and shooting dialogue scenes
⢠Why time is the real difference between a $100K and a $1M movie
⢠Using film stocks from the 1970s and unreleased Kodak stocks that haven't come out yet
⢠His advice for filmmakers shooting on film for the first time
The Next Film follows the real-time journey of making a second feature, documenting what it actually takes to level up in scope, budget, and craft. Each episode features candid, craft-focused conversations with filmmakers who have done it, are doing it, or are experts in the process.Hosted by award-winning filmmaker & actor Jessica Michael Davis
New episodes premiere every week on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
Subscribe and join the journey, we'd love to have you! @thenextfilmpodcast
For partnership inquiries, please contact: [email protected]
Let us know in the comments what stage youâre at in your filmmaking journey, what advice resonated most from this episode, or what topics youâd love us to cover next.
Produced by Casey Geraghty
Support The Next Film:If you value these conversations and want to help keep them free and accessible to filmmakers everywhere, you can make a tax-deductible donation at the link below. Simply select The Next Film from the dropdown menu. https://www.allianceofwomendirectors.org/fiscal-sponsorship/
-
What does it actually take to level up as a director, and what can two days inside a room full of working directors teach you about making your next film?
In this episode, The Next Film goes live! Jessica covered the Alliance of Women Directors' Back to Set Working Directors Intensiveâ a two-day symposium bringing together working directors and industry leaders for workshops, masterclasses, and panels. Jessica sat in on every panel and got access to some of the most accomplished directors working today.
Whether you're making your first film, your next one, or trying to figure out how to keep going in an industry that doesn't make it easy, this episode is packed with honest, unfiltered insight from the people who have actually done it.
We dive into:
⢠Paul Feig on why story always beats technical and why he sees the studio as his ally
⢠Bella Thorne on longevity, vulnerability on set, and what it really means to keep getting up
⢠Katie Aselton on going back to scrappy indie filmmaking
⢠The one question to ask before pitching your project
⢠The writer/director and DP behind Sundance Grand Jury Prize winner Josephine
⢠A behind-the-scenes look at directing stunts and action
⢠A hot take on the filmmaking advice we keep hearing, and why it's time to retire it
⢠What the community of Back to Set does that no online course or YouTube video can replicate
Featured voices: Paul Feig (Bridesmaids, A Simple Favor), Bella Thorne, Katie Aselton (Golden Hour, Mack & Rita), Tina Mabry (The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat, Pose, Insecure), Beth de AraĂşjo & Greta Zozula (Josephine, Sundance Grand Jury Prize), Zachary Wasserman (VP of Feature Film Development at Mandalay Pictures) and more.
The Next Film follows the real-time journey of making a second feature â documenting what it actually takes to level up in scope, budget, and craft. Each episode features candid, craft-focused conversations with filmmakers who have done it, are doing it, or are experts in the process.
Hosted by award-winning filmmaker & actor Jessica Michael Davis
New episodes premiere every Wednesday on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.Subscribe and join the journey, we'd love to have you! @thenextfilmpodcast
For partnership inquiries, please contact: [email protected]
Let us know in the comments what stage youâre at in your filmmaking journey, what advice resonated most from this episode, or what topics youâd love us to cover next.
đ Produced by Casey Geraghtyđ§
Support The Next Film:If you value these conversations and want to help keep them free and accessible to filmmakers everywhere, you can make a tax-deductible donation at the link below. Simply select The Next Film from the dropdown menu. https://www.allianceofwomendirectors.org/fiscal-sponsorship/
-
Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
-
Rejection is part of filmmaking. But what happens when it actually breaks you?
In this solo episode, I get candid about a heartbreaking rejection I experienced just last week for my next featureâ and what it took to come out the other side.
This isn't a polished "here's the lesson I learned years ago" story. I'm still in it. But I'm forging ahead. Because when rejection hits in this industry, you really only have two options: give up or keep going. And giving up was never an option.
We dive into:
The casting rejection that stopped me in my tracksâ and why it still ended up being a winWhy I couldn't hear that little voice telling me "something better is coming" and what changedHow losing my dream cast for Escaping Ohio led to something even betterHow a "no" from my favorite author in 2019 eventually led to us co-writing a film togetherThe short film that fell apart over a creative disagreement, and how it became the foundation for my next featureWhy you should never protect yourself from caring too much about your workThe mindset shift that makes rejection survivableRejection doesn't get easier. What matters is what you do next.
The Next Film follows the real-time journey of making a second feature, documenting what it actually takes to level up in scope, budget, and craft. Each episode features candid, craft-focused conversations with filmmakers who have done it, are doing it, or are experts in the process.
Hosted by award-winning filmmaker & actor Jessica Michael Davis
New episodes premiere every Wednesday on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
Subscribe and join the journey, we'd love to have you! @thenextfilmpodcastFor partnership inquiries, please contact: [email protected]
Let us know in the comments what stage youâre at in your filmmaking journey, what advice resonated most from this episode, or what topics youâd love us to cover next.
Produced by Casey Geraghty
-
What does it actually take to direct four indie featuresâ and land Awkwafina, Anthony Ramos, and Ken Jeong for your most ambitious one yet?
In this episode of The Next Film, Jessica sits down with Mercedes Bryce Morgan, a director whose career spans horror, erotic thriller, and now surrealist dark comedy. Mercedes just wrapped her 4th feature 'Kaet Might Die' and this is the first interview she gets to talk about it. We also dig into 'Bone Lake', her erotic thriller from Bleecker Street, which debuted on the Top 10 when it hit Netflix, and all the lessons she's learned along the way.
Whether you're making your first, second, or third feature, trying to level up, or figuring out how to evolve your voice across genresâ this conversation is packed with honest, unfiltered insight from a filmmaker who has built her career entirely on her own terms.
We dive into:
⢠How she cast Awkwafina, Anthony Ramos, Ken Jeong & more in an indie surrealist dark comedy
⢠What changed in her prep and directing process after four features
⢠Why she stopped over-storyboarding â and what she does instead
⢠Shooting Bone Lake as an erotic thriller and navigating that genre as a female director
⢠The "shoot the inserts later" method that transformed how she works on set
⢠Why she scheduled the hardest scene on day one
⢠How she found her repsâ and kept them for 9 years
⢠Her advice for indie directors coming up
The Next Film follows the real-time journey of making a second feature â documenting what it actually takes to level up in scope, budget, and craft. Each episode features candid, craft-focused conversations with filmmakers who have done it, are doing it, or are experts in the process.
Hosted by award-winning filmmaker & actor Jessica Michael Davis.
New episodes premiere every Wednesday on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
Subscribe and join the journey, we'd love to have you! @thenextfilmpodcast
For partnership inquiries, please contact: [email protected]
Let us know in the comments what stage youâre at in your filmmaking journey, what advice resonated most from this episode, or what topics youâd love us to cover next.
Produced by Casey Geraghty.
Support The Next Film: If you value these conversations and want to help keep them free and accessible to filmmakers everywhere, you can make a tax-deductible donation at the link below. Simply select The Next Film from the dropdown menu. https://www.allianceofwomendirectors.org/fiscal-sponsorship/
-
What does it actually take to shoot your first feature on 16mm film, get nominated for cinematography alongside Hoyte van Hoytema, and build a career as one of indie horror's most distinctive visual voices?
In this episode of The Next Film, Jessica sits down with cinematographer Ksusha Genenfeld, whose work on the Shudder horror film 'A Wounded Fawn' earned her a cinematography nomination alongside some of the biggest DPs working todayâ on her very first feature. She's since shot 'Perfect' (SXSW 2026, starring Julia Fox) and 'Motherland' (starring Tony-winner Miriam Silverman) and has seven features under her beltâ all while championing 16mm film, all-women camera departments, and a deeply actor-informed approach to cinematography.
Whether you're a director trying to understand how to work with your DP, a filmmaker considering shooting on film for the first time, or someone just trying to make something bold on a limited budget, this conversation is packed with honest, craft-level insight from someone doing it at the highest level of indie film.
We dive into:
⢠How she got hired to shoot 'A Wounded Fawn' on 16mmâ on her very first feature
⢠The visual "rules" she creates for every film
⢠Why she lets actors move first and lights around them
⢠The DP-director relationship⢠Shooting 'Perfect' and premiering at SXSW 2026
⢠How color grading can make or break your filmâ and why she puts it in her contract
⢠Advocating for women behind the camera
⢠Her shooting ratio advice for indie films on 16mm
⢠The tip most indie filmmakers don't know
⢠Why going bold on set beats playing it safe
⢠Her key takeaways from shooting 7 features
The Next Film follows the real-time journey of making a second feature â documenting what it actually takes to level up in scope, budget, and craft. Each episode features candid, craft-focused conversations with filmmakers who have done it, are doing it, or are experts in the process.
Hosted by award-winning filmmaker & actor Jessica Michael Davis
New episodes premiere every Wednesday on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
Subscribe and join the journey, we'd love to have you! @thenextfilmpodcast
For partnership inquiries, please contact: [email protected]
Let us know in the comments what stage youâre at in your filmmaking journey, what advice resonated most from this episode, or what topics youâd love us to cover next.
Produced by Casey Geraghty
Support The Next Film: If you value these conversations and want to help keep them free and accessible to filmmakers everywhere, you can make a tax-deductible donation at the link below. Simply select The Next Film from the dropdown menu. https://www.allianceofwomendirectors.org/fiscal-sponsorship/
-
What happens when your short film goes viral, sparks a four-studio bidding war, Darren Aronofsky sends you a cold email, and you become the youngest filmmaker ever signed to a major studioâ and then the film doesn't get greenlit?
In this episode of The Next Film, Jessica sits down with Wesley Wang, 21-yr-old writer/director, Harvard student, and Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree. His short film 'nothing, except everything' made during his senior year of high school, amassed over 9 million views on YouTube, led to a deal with Sony Tristar produced by Darren Aronofsky, and made him the youngest filmmaker ever to have a project set up at a major studio. Now, he's building his own creative company, developing a Lionsgate series for his YouTube channel, and betting on self-distribution as the future of indie film.Whether you're making your first short, navigating the studio system for the first time, or figuring out how to build an audience and own your distributionâ this conversation is packed with honest, unfiltered insight from someone who has already been through it all at 21.
We dive into:
⢠How Nothing Except Everything went viral with 9M+ views
⢠The four-studio bidding war and how Darren Aronofsky came on board as producer⢠What it's really like developing a film inside the studio system
⢠Why the Sony Tristar project didn't get greenlit and what Wesley learned after
⢠How he's now building his own creative company and self-distributing
⢠His upcoming Lionsgate series going straight to his YouTube channel
⢠The power of building your own audience
⢠Being selected for Ari Aster's first Square Peg Social
⢠His advice for anyone navigating their first studio deal
The Next Film follows the real-time journey of making a second feature â documenting what it actually takes to level up in scope, budget, and craft. Each episode features candid, craft-focused conversations with filmmakers who have done it, are doing it, or are experts in the process.
Hosted by award-winning filmmaker & actor Jessica Michael Davis @jessicamichaeldavis
New episodes premiere every Wednesday on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
Subscribe and join the journey, we'd love to have you! @thenextfilmpodcast
For partnership inquiries, please contact: [email protected]
Let us know in the comments what stage youâre at in your filmmaking journey, what advice resonated most from this episode, or what topics youâd love us to cover next.
Support The Next Film:If you value these conversations and want to help keep them free and accessible to filmmakers everywhere, you can make a tax-deductible donation at the link below. Simply select The Next Film from the dropdown menu.
https://www.allianceofwomendirectors.org/fiscal-sponsorship/
-
What does it actually take to write, direct, produce, and edit your debut feature for $86,000 â win the SXSW Audience Award â and then leap to a $10 million Sony Pictures studio film that opens at #1 at the box office?
In this episode of The Next Film, we sit down with Emmy-nominated Australian filmmaker Jessica M. Thompson, whose journey from scrappy indies to Hollywood studio director is as honest and hard-won as they come. She wrote, directed, produced, and edited 'The Light of the Moon', which premiered at SXSW 2017 and won the Audience Award on just a $86K budget â then made the jump to 'The Invitation' at Sony Pictures, which opened at #1 at the box office and hit #2 on Netflix. She's now on her next two films, shooting later this year â American Paradise, shooting in Spain on 35mm, and Natural Selection, which she also wrote.
Whether you're writing your first feature, trying to scale up your filmmaking career, or figuring out how to stay true to your vision at every budget level â this conversation is packed with the kind of unfiltered, craft-focused insight that only comes from someone who has done it at every level.
We dive into:
⢠How she made her first feature by calling in every favor
⢠What actually changes going from $86K to $10 million (and what doesn't)
⢠How editing shaped her entire approach to directing
⢠Directing the Showtime series 'The End'
⢠Shadowing on 'The Handmaid's Tale'⢠Why she never sacrifices rehearsal time â and how to fight for it
⢠Her intimacy coordinator training and how it informs her work
⢠The real cost of film festival circuits that no one talks about
⢠How to sustain a career in today's industry
⢠Staying true to yourself above all else
The Next Film follows the real-time journey of making a second feature â documenting what it actually takes to level up in scope, budget, and craft.
Each episode features candid, craft-focused conversations with filmmakers who have done it, are doing it, or are experts in the process.
Hosted by award-winning filmmaker & actor Jessica Michael Davis @jessicamichaeldavis
New episodes premiere every Wednesday on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
Subscribe and join the journey, we'd love to have you! @thenextfilmpodcast
For partnership inquiries, please contact: [email protected] us know in the comments what stage youâre at in your filmmaking journey, what advice resonated most from this episode, or what topics youâd love us to cover next.
đ Produced by Casey Geraghty
đ§ Episode presented by Executive Producer Mark Bazil
Support The Next Film:If you value these conversations and want to help keep them free and accessible to filmmakers everywhere, you can make a tax-deductible donation at the link below. Simply select The Next Film from the dropdown menu.https://www.allianceofwomendirectors.org/fiscal-sponsorship/
-
What does it actually take to go from writing and producing your first indie feature to directing a Netflix originalâwhile starring in all of them?
In this episode of The Next Film, Jessica sits down with filmmaker and actress Leah McKendrick, whose journey from a $250K SXSW debut to a Netflix original is one of the most honest and hard-won stories in indie film right now. Leah wrote, directed, and starred in 'Scrambled' for Lionsgate & Roadside Attractions and just wrapped 'Voicemails for Isabelle' â a Netflix original she also wrote, directed, and acted in, out June 19th.
Whether you're writing your first script, trying to get your indie made, or figuring out how to protect your vision at the studio levelâthis conversation is packed with the kind of real, unfiltered insight that only comes from someone who has done it at every budget level.
We dive into:
⢠How she greenlit herself after two studio projects fell apart in one day
⢠What changesâand what doesn'tâgoing from $250K to Netflix
⢠The truth about writing for studios vs. making your own work⢠How to handle notes without losing your voice
⢠Balancing writing, directing, and starring all at once
⢠Why "beginner's luck mindset" might be your greatest creative asset
⢠How to pitch from the heart and actually get investors on board
⢠Protecting what matters most in your scriptThis podcast documents the process of making a feature film from the ground upâsharing what works, what doesnât, and everything in between.
Voicemails for Isabelle drops on Netflix June 19th. Leah wrote the script, which made The Blacklist in 2018. She directs and stars in the film, alongside Zoey Deutch, Nick Robinson, Nick Offerman, Lukas Gage, Harry Shum Jr., and Ciara Bravo.
The Next Film follows the real-time journey of making a second feature â documenting what it actually takes to level up in scope, budget, and craft.
Each episode features candid, craft-focused conversations with filmmakers who have done it, are doing it, or are experts in the process.
Hosted by award-winning filmmaker & actor Jessica Michael Davis @jessicamichaeldavisđŹ
New episodes premiere every Wednesday on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
Subscribe and join the journey, we'd love to have you! @thenextfilmpodcast
For partnership inquiries, please contact: [email protected] us know in the comments what stage youâre at in your filmmaking journey, what advice resonated most from this episode, or what topics youâd love us to cover next.
đ Produced by Casey Geraghty
đ§ Episode presented by Executive Producer Mark Bazil
Support The Next Film:If you value these conversations and want to help keep them free and accessible to filmmakers everywhere, you can make a tax-deductible donation at the link below. Simply select The Next Film from the dropdown menu. https://www.allianceofwomendirectors.org/fiscal-sponsorship/
-
Iâm currently making my second feature filmâand Iâve already made some mistakes along the way.
In this episode, I break down the biggest lessons Iâve learned in real timeâfrom getting ignored by press to approaching major actors too early, and how Iâm adjusting my strategy moving forward.
If youâre an indie filmmaker trying to get your film made, attach talent, or get press attention, this is the kind of information no one really talks about.
We dive into:
⢠Why press outlets werenât responding to my emails (and what finally worked)
⢠The truth about approaching big actors without full financing
⢠Why we decided to bring on a casting director
⢠How packaging and strategy can change everything
This podcast documents the process of making a feature film from the ground upâsharing what works, what doesnât, and everything in between.
The Next Film follows the real-time journey of making a second feature â documenting what it actually takes to level up in scope, budget, and craft.
Each episode features candid, craft-focused conversations with filmmakers who have done it, are doing it, or are experts in the process.
Hosted by award-winning filmmaker & actor Jessica Michael Davis @jessicamichaeldavis
New episodes premiere every Wednesday on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
Subscribe and join the journey, we'd love to have you! @thenextfilmpodcast
For partnership inquiries, please contact: [email protected] us know in the comments what stage youâre at in your filmmaking journey, what advice resonated most from this episode, or what topics youâd love us to cover next.
đ Produced by Casey Geraghty
đ§ Episode presented with support from Executive Producer Mark Bazil
Support The Next Film:If you value these conversations and want to help keep them free and accessible to filmmakers everywhere, you can make a tax-deductible donation at the link below. Simply select The Next Film from the dropdown menu. https://www.allianceofwomendirectors.org/fiscal-sponsorship/
-
What does it actually take to go from talking about movies to making one?
In this episode of The Next Film, I sit down with James and Anthony Devaney, hosts of the Raiders of the Lost Podcastâa film podcast with over 1,000+ episodes and a loyal audience of movie lovers.Now, theyâre making their first feature film.
We dive into:
⢠How to prepare your film before seeking funding
⢠Building a proof of concept that actually attracts investors
⢠What goes into prepping a feature: script, team, funding, and vision
⢠How their podcast helped their creative process
⢠Lessons from working with VFX, prosthetics, and larger crews
⢠Why analyzing and watching movies is better than film school
⢠The rise of filmmaker-podcasters and content-driven careers
⢠The importance of rewriting, failing, and finding your voice
⢠How theyâre leveraging their audience to fund and launch the film
This episode is packed with real-world insight on how to build momentum and create your own opportunities in todayâs film landscape.
The Next Film follows the real-time journey of making a second feature â documenting what it actually takes to level up in scope, budget, and craft.
Each episode features candid, craft-focused conversations with filmmakers who have done it, are doing it, or are experts in the process.
Hosted by award-winning filmmaker & actor Jessica Michael Davis@jessicamichaeldavis
đŹ New episodes premiere every Wednesday on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
Subscribe and join the journey, we'd love to have you! @thenextfilmpodcast
For partnership inquiries, please contact: [email protected]
Let us know in the comments what stage youâre at in your filmmaking journey, what advice resonated most from this episode, or what topics youâd love us to cover next.
đ Shot at Bear Punch Studios in LA
đ Produced by Casey Geraghtyđ§
Episode presented with support from Executive Producer Mark Bazil
Support The Next Film:
If you value these conversations and want to help keep them free and accessible to filmmakers everywhere, you can make a tax-deductible donation at the link below. Simply select The Next Film from the dropdown menu. https://www.allianceofwomendirectors.org/fiscal-sponsorship/
-
If youâre waiting for funding to start your film⌠this episode is for you.
In this second solo episode, I break down why funding shouldnât be your first concern as a filmmakerâand what you should focus on instead if you actually want to get your film made.
I share real experiences from my own journey, including how being prepared to pitch at any moment led to unexpected funding opportunities.
This isnât a âfunding 101â breakdownâitâs a mindset and strategy shift to help you stop waiting and start moving forward.
We dive into:
⢠How to prepare your film before seeking funding
⢠Why knowing your budget and plan builds real confidence
⢠What investors are actually looking for
⢠How to be ready to pitch your film at any time
⢠The importance of momentum, deadlines, and âplanting your flagâ
⢠How to package your project so people take it seriouslyPreparation + momentum = opportunity
This episode is based on my personal experience and approach to getting films fundedâevery project and path will look different.
The Next Film follows the real-time journey of making a second feature â documenting what it actually takes to level up in scope, budget, and craft.
Each episode features candid, craft-focused conversations with filmmakers who have done it, are doing it, or are experts in the process.
Hosted by award-winning filmmaker & actor Jessica Michael Davis@jessicamichaeldavis
đŹ New episodes premiere every Wednesday on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
Subscribe and join the journey, we'd love to have you! @thenextfilmpodcast
For partnership inquiries, please contact: [email protected]
Let us know in the comments what stage youâre at in your filmmaking journey, what advice resonated most from this episode, or what topics youâd love us to cover next.
đ Shot at Bear Punch Studios in LA
đ Produced by Casey Geraghty
đ§ Episode presented with support from EP's Jeffrey Weber & Mark Bazil
Support The Next Film: If you value these conversations and want to help keep them free and accessible to filmmakers everywhere, you can make a tax-deductible donation at the link below. Simply select The Next Film from the dropdown menu. https://www.allianceofwomendirectors.org/fiscal-sponsorship/
-
How do you go from making a micro-budget indie film to landing a 700-theater releaseâwithout getting into a single major film festival?
In this episode of The Next Film, Jessica sits down with filmmaker John-Michael Powell on his journey from his microbudget feature to IFC's 'Violent Ends'âsharing the real, unfiltered process of directing, casting, scheduling, editing, and distributing an independent film in todayâs industry.
Whether youâre a director, indie filmmaker, actor, or creative navigating your next big leapâor figuring out how to break inâthis episode is packed with real insights, industry truths, and the kind of perspective that only comes from doing it.
We dive into:
⢠How Violent Ends took 10 years (and multiple failed versions) to finally get made
⢠The biggest lessons from scaling up from micro-budget to million-dollar films
⢠Why film festivals are NOT the only path anymore
⢠Developing your visual style⢠Casting strategies ⢠Building resilience in an industry full of rejection
⢠Why timeânot moneyâis the most valuable resource on set
⢠Getting rejected from festivals and still landing 10 distribution offers
⢠Releasing in 700+ theaters and choosing the right distributor
⢠His transition from editor to writer/director
⢠The evolving world of indie film distribution
⢠Why you should make the movie instead of waiting for permission
The Next Film follows the real-time journey of making a second feature â documenting what it actually takes to level up in scope, budget, and craft.
Each episode features candid, craft-focused conversations with filmmakers who have done it, are doing it, or are experts in the process.
Hosted by award-winning filmmaker & actor Jessica Michael Davis đŹ
New episodes premiere every Wednesday on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
Subscribe and join the journey, we'd love to have you! @thenextfilmpodcast
For partnership inquiries, please contact: [email protected]
Let us know in the comments what stage youâre at in your filmmaking journey, what advice resonated most from this episode, or what topics youâd love us to cover next.
đ Shot at Bear Punch Studios in LA
đ Produced by Casey Geraghty
đ§ Episode presented with support from EP's Jeffrey Weber & Mark Bazil
Support The Next Film:If you value these conversations and want to help keep them free and accessible to filmmakers everywhere, you can make a tax-deductible donation at the link below. Simply select The Next Film from the dropdown menu. https://www.allianceofwomendirectors.org/fiscal-sponsorship/
-
How does an indie film with a limited budget and schedule make it all the way to the Oscars?
In this episode of The Next Film, Jessica sits down with with the Oscar-nominated artists behind 'The Ugly Stepsister', Thomas Foldberg and Anne Catherine Sauerberg, to talk about the craft, collaboration, and creativity that brought the film to life and garnered much attention & accolades â from premiering at Sundance to getting noticed by the Academy.
We dive into their approach to practical effects, working closely with actors, and what it means to compete alongside major studio films at the 98th Academy Awards.
This inspiring & insightful conversation is a reminder that great work isnât defined by budget, but by vision, teamwork, craft, and execution.
We dive into:
- Practical effects
- Low-budget filmmaking challenges
- Collaboration across departments
- Working with actors in prosthetics and makeup
- How to prep for an indie film with special effects
- The journey to the Oscars
The Next Film follows the real-time journey of making a second feature â documenting what it actually takes to level up in scope, budget, and craft. Each episode features candid, craft-focused conversations with filmmakers who have done it, are doing it, or are experts in the process.
Hosted by award-winning filmmaker & actor Jessica Michael Davis
đŹ New episodes premiere every Wednesday on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
Subscribe and join the journey, we'd love to have you! @thenextfilmpodcast
For partnership inquiries, please contact: [email protected]
Let us know in the comments what stage youâre at in your filmmaking journey, what advice resonated most from this episode, or what topics youâd love us to cover next.
đ Shot at Bear Punch Studios in LA
đ Produced by Casey Geraghty
đ§ Episode presented with support from EP's Jeffrey Weber & Mark Bazil
Support The Next Film:If you value these conversations and want to help keep them free and accessible to filmmakers everywhere, you can make a tax-deductible donation at the link below. Simply select The Next Film from the dropdown menu. https://www.allianceofwomendirectors.org/fiscal-sponsorship/
-
In this episode of The Next Film, Jessica sits down with her own Executive Producer and film investor Jeffrey Weber to break down how independent films really get financed â and what makes an investor say yes to a project. Jeff has executive produced numerous independent films including the Tribeca-premiering documentary 'Chasing Chasing Amy', Jessica's award-winning feature debut 'Escaping Ohio', and several upcoming projects including 'Snare', 'C-Side', and 'Pancake Skank', as well as Jessica's next film, 'Candy'. In this conversation, Jeff shares exactly what he looks for when deciding to invest in a film, why he repeatedly works with the same filmmakers, and the biggest mistakes filmmakers make when pitching investors.If you're a filmmaker trying to finance your next movie, this episode is packed with real insight.We dive into:⢠What film investors actually look for before funding a project⢠Why investors often back the filmmaker, not just the script⢠How to approach investors ⢠Why pitch decks are more important than scripts⢠The importance of LLCs, K-1s, and the right infrastructure⢠How repeat collaborations between filmmakers and investors happen⢠The âscrappinessâ investors love to see in filmmakersThe Next Film follows the real-time journey of making a second feature â documenting what it actually takes to level up in scope, budget, and craft. Each episode features candid, craft-focused conversations with filmmakers who have done it, are doing it, or are experts in the process.Hosted by award-winning filmmaker & actor Jessica Michael Davis@jessicamichaeldavisđŹ New episodes premiere every Wednesday on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.Subscribe and join the journey, we'd love to have you! @thenextfilmpodcastFor partnership inquiries, please contact: [email protected] us know in the comments what stage youâre at in your filmmaking journey, what advice resonated most from this episode, or what topics youâd love us to cover next.đ Shot at Bear Punch Studios in LAđ Produced by Casey Geraghtyđ§ Episode presented with support from EP's Jeffrey Weber & Mark BazilSupport The Next Film:If you value these conversations and want to help keep them free and accessible to filmmakers everywhere, you can make a tax-deductible donation at the link below. Simply select The Next Film from the dropdown menu. https://www.allianceofwomendirectors.org/fiscal-sponsorship/
-
In this first solo episode of The Next Film, I break down the beginning of my next indie feature, 'Candy' â from securing the rights to a short story, negotiating contracts, and collaborating with the original author, to raising development funds and setting up the legal foundation before writing a single word.
Walking you through the real, behind-the-scenes process, I share the exact emails I sent, how long negotiations really took (longer than expected), how I got funding for development, and the lessons I learned about patience, collaboration, and trusting the process.This project started as a short film adaptation of a story by Edgar-winning author Mindy McGinnis.
After festival success, I knew there was more to explore â but turning this short into a feature required:
â Securing IP rights
â Negotiating with literary agents
â Structuring deal points and writing credits
â Setting creative control boundaries
â Raising development funds
â Setting up an LLC and production bank account
â Protecting the project before entering the writing phase
The Next Film follows the real-time journey of making a second feature â documenting what it actually takes to level up in scope, budget, and craft. Each episode features candid, craft-focused conversations with filmmakers who have done it, are doing it, or are experts in the process.
Hosted by award-winning filmmaker & actor Jessica Michael Davis @jessicamichaeldavisđŹ
New episodes premiere every Wednesday on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
Subscribe and join the journey, we'd love to have you! @thenextfilmpodcast
For partnership inquiries, please contact: [email protected]
Let us know in the comments what stage youâre at in your filmmaking journey, what advice resonated most from this episode, or what topics youâd love us to cover next.
đ Shot at Bear Punch Studios in LA
đ Produced by Casey Geraghty
đ§ Episode presented with support from EP's Jeffrey Weber & Mark Bazil
Support The Next Film:If you value these conversations and want to help keep them free and accessible to filmmakers everywhere, you can make a tax-deductible donation at the link below. Simply select The Next Film from the dropdown menu. https://www.allianceofwomendirectors.org/fiscal-sponsorship/
-
In this episode of The Next Film, actor Will Madden joins Jessica Michael Davis for an in-depth conversation about indie filmmaking, directing actors, and what actually makes filmmakers successful.Will has starred in multiple independent features that premiered at Sundance, SXSW, TIFF, Slamdance and beyond â and brings a rare perspective from both micro-budget productions and studio-backed indie films. Most recently, he stars in Erupjca, opposite Charli XCX. We dive into: â What actually makes indie films succeed â How filmmakers can best support their actorsâ Why simple and active directions work bestâ Acting without a script and improvised filmmakingâ How energy on set mattersâ Why filmmakers must follow through and keep making workThe Next Film follows the real-time journey of making a second feature â documenting what it actually takes to level up in scope, budget, and craft. Each episode features candid, craft-focused conversations with filmmakers who have done it, are doing it, or are experts in the process.Hosted by award-winning filmmaker & actor Jessica Michael Davis@jessicamichaeldavisđŹ New episodes premiere every Wednesday on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.Subscribe and join the journey, we'd love to have you! @thenextfilmpodcastFor partnership inquiries, please contact: [email protected] us know in the comments what stage youâre at in your filmmaking journey, what advice resonated most from this episode, or what topics youâd love us to cover next.đ Shot at Bear Punch Studios in LAđ Produced by Casey Geraghtyđ§ Episode presented with support from EP's Jeffrey Weber & Mark BazilSupport The Next Film:If you value these conversations and want to help keep them free and accessible to filmmakers everywhere, you can make a tax-deductible donation at the link below. Simply select The Next Film from the dropdown menu. https://www.allianceofwomendirectors.org/fiscal-sponsorship/
-
In this episode, I sit down with the GOAT, Thom Kuo, to demystify shooting on film for an independent feature and help me best prepare for my next film on 16mm.
About the Guest:
Thom is a film scanner at Company 3 and has worked on some of the most iconic films of our time â including I,Tonya, Baby Driver, Killers of the Flower Moon, Little Women, Maestro, La La Land, Django Unchained, A Quiet Place, The Hurt Locker, and most recently, Marty Supreme- just to name a few. Heâs also a director, writer, cinematographer, and runs the American Society of Cigars & Films- a club dedicated to keeping celluloid alive. @thom_kuo @ascf_official
We break down:
â Film vs digital misconceptions
â Shooting ratios & budgeting
â Camera reports & working with labs
â The resurgence of film in modern cinema
â How to advocate for shooting on film
â How to load a 16mm magazine (live demo)
We also talk about instinct, confidence, imposter syndrome, and why curiosity is the most important trait a filmmaker can have.
GIVEAWAY The Next Film is giving away 400ft of 35mm and a free spot to one of Thom's ASCF workshops here in LA (Transportation not included) Please check our instagram to find out how to enter.
The Next Film follows the real-time journey of making a second feature â documenting what it actually takes to level up in scope, budget, and craft. Each episode features candid, craft-focused conversations with filmmakers who have done it, are doing it, or are experts in the process.
Hosted by award-winning filmmaker & actor Jessica Michael Davis@jessicamichaeldavisđŹ
New episodes premiere every Wednesday on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
Subscribe and join the journey, we'd love to have you! @thenextfilmpodcast
For partnership inquiries, please contact: [email protected]
Let us know in the comments what stage youâre at in your filmmaking journey, what advice resonated most from this episode, or what topics youâd love us to cover next.
đ Shot at Bear Punch Studios in LA
đ Produced by Casey Geraghty
đ§ Episode presented with support from EP's Jeffrey Weber & Mark Bazil
Support The Next Film:If you value these conversations and want to help keep them free and accessible to filmmakers everywhere, you can make a tax-deductible donation at the link below. Simply select The Next Film from the dropdown menu.
https://www.allianceofwomendirectors.org/fiscal-sponsorship/
-
What does pre-production on an indie feature actually look like â just weeks before cameras roll?
In this first full episode of The Next Film, we sit down with the producing team behind the upcoming Tribeca-backed indie feature Snare â Sonja OâHara, MARS, and Adam Hoelzel â as they are deep in pre-production.
We talk candidly about:
â Balancing creative ambition with budget realities
â Wearing multiple hats as director, writer, producer, and actor
â Building momentum before production
â Protecting the work while everything moves fast
â What it really takes to get an indie feature from idea to setHosted by award-winning filmmaker & actor Jessica Michael Davis (Escaping Ohio)
New episodes premiere every Wednesday đď¸Let us know what stage youâre at in your filmmaking journey, what advice resonated most, or what topics youâd love us to cover next!
@thenextfilmpodcast
