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Watch This Episode On YouTube NowGo and listen to THE CORONER'S ASSISTANT, a new show on Tubi by filmmaker Angeline Walsh, and I'll bet you have the theme music caught in your head for the rest of the day (week, month, etc.) Kudos to Angeline for putting music first.The episodic model might look scary, but my guest is here to convince you otherwise -- for her, it was a way to follow her heart.In this episode, we discuss:the ridiculously catchy theme music and how she decided to start with that instead of leaving it to the end;how she got into filmmaking;she calls her filmmaking "weird and too dark for children" -- where did that come from? it's more lighthearted than you may think;what they should expect to see from THE CORONER'S ASSISTANT;isn't that the point of good filmmaking, to subvert expectations?why episodic content on Tubi versus a short or a feature?the metrics available on Tubi?what advice would she give about the process of putting a show on Tubi?how to monetize episodic or short films -- "I'm not being hired to do this, so I might as well just make it the way I want to because I'm not beholden to anyone's rules right now";will there be a season two?what other projects is she working on?Angeline's Indie Film Highlights: Valyo Gennoff, composer of the catchy music for THE CORONER'S ASSISTANT; Mabel Normand; Marion Davies (Angeline later mentioned she meant Frances Marion)Links:Follow Angeline On InstagramAngeline Walsh's WebsiteWatch THE CORONER'S ASSISTANT on TubiSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/first-time-go/exclusive-content

Watch This Episode On YouTubePreorder on Apple TV NowIn the beating heart of the most successful independent filmmakers you can find one thing for certain: a belief in oneself. I've hardly ever heard a more powerful defense of one's vision than from filmmaker Rachel Suissa, who is here to talk about her debut indie film, GREEK MOTHERS NEVER DIE (2025).If you want to be inspired by a woman and her vision, this is the episode for you.And don't forget -- preorder her film! Rachel lets us in on the insight of the Apple algorithm and so much more.In this episode, Rachel and I discuss:how she got involved in filmmaking, starting as an actress and boldly taking control of her career after a show bombed -- "people had different ways to grieve and mine was to take control, of things and have freedom to tell my stories";what people should expect to see during GREEK MOTHERS NEVER DIE;what kind of advice she gives on creating ethnic related films? "if somebody wants to make a first indie movie, it has to be something that resonate with his heart, his universe, and his experience";her feelings about MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING (2002);how she was able to keep a two hour plus run time in a field (romcoms) that's very hard to do -- how did she manage this?whether being an actress helped her direct this film with the vision she wanted -- "it's all ink and paper until an actor brings it to life";her thoughts on funders demanding a "name" cast and what an indie director should do about it;her sticking to her vision, no matter the consequences;how many preorders it takes to beat the Apple algo;what's next for her -- "The Hangover meets Mamma Mia!"Rachel's Indie Film Highlight: ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND (2004) dir. by Michel GondryLinks:Follow Rachel Suissa On InstagramPreorder on Apple TV NowSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/first-time-go/exclusive-content

Watch This Episode On YouTubeEvery Sunday, I'll post a quick video -- and podcast -- about an indie film from at least a year ago. Today's film: THE BACHELORS (2017).Director: Kurt VoelkerWritten By: Kurt VoelkerCast: JK Simmons; Josh Wiggins; Odeya RushSYNOPSISAfter the death of his wife, Bill and his 17-year-old son, Wes, move from a small town to a big city for a fresh start. As they begin to adjust to life in the city and seek ways to heal their wounds, they both find comfort in newfound romances. Although circumstances contribute to Bill and Wes growing apart, they come back together and rediscover their true selves in the process.Watch This Episode On YouTubeSubscribe to our YouTube channelFollow us on LetterboxdFollow us on InstagramFollow us on XFollow us on FacebookFollow us on TikTokFollow us on LinkedInSubscribe to our YouTube channelSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/first-time-go/exclusive-content

Watch This Episode On YouTubeIt takes a really special filmmaker to write, act, direct, produce their debut feature film. Well, let's go to Western Canada to find out in Caitlyn Sponheimer, the dynamo behind the film WILD GOAT SURF (2023), which had its US premiere in the beginning of April.If it was my dream world, it would open in a thousand theaters, but look for it on streaming on May 20th.In this episode, Caitlyn and I discuss:she does everything in her latest film -- acting, directing, writing, producing -- how did she get started? "I wasn't being seen for the type of roles I wanted to be seen for"; "I just kept making stuff";why don't more actors make that jump to writing and directing?her path to feature filmmaking. It started with an indelibly titled short, KITTY'S NAUGHTY KNICKERS (2019) and followed the supposed "path" for indie filmmakers. Does she wish it was different?the incredible cinematography, writing, acting -- everything -- in her film WILD GOAT SURF;the brilliance of Shayelin Martin, the protagonist in the film, and how she found such an incredible actress;how Caitlyn eventually decided to act in the film and what that means for indie filmmaking and casting -- "it's a balance of names...and budget"; "it has to be an actor I want to work with and respect so much...not just a name";the mission of her production company, CouKuma Productions, to empower female voices and how that can be tested in the casting process;how she decided on the release strategy for WILD GOAT SURF, including getting picked up by Tribeca Studios;how should indie filmmakers look at Canada as a film market?what's next for this brilliantly talented filmmaker?Caitlyn's Indie Film Highlight: SHE DIES TOMORROW (2020) dir. by Amy Seimetz; THE WOLVES (2019) dir. by Samuel Kishi; VIOLENT (2014) dir. by Andrew Huculiak and cinematography by Joseph SchweersLinks:Follow Caitlyn On InstagramSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/first-time-go/exclusive-content

Watch This Episode On YouTubeMy guest, Chelsea Christer, is being modest but you can't be just dream adjacent while turning out brilliant, touching, and culturally relevant films like OUT FOR DELIVERY (2025).By premiering the film both at Sundance and SXSW Film Festival this year, it's clear Chelsea is at the top of her game...and closer to dream actualized than ever before.In this episode, we discuss:how she got involved in filmmaking and the rise of female filmmakers, particularly directors;how she chose her path of narrative, docs, corporate work -- "in order to live in San Francisco, you have to make a bit of money to pay the bills";how she found herself "dream adjacent" -- making films and getting opportunities in documentary filmmaking that were not her passion;what did she learn from having her films at premiere film festivals (Sundance, SXSW, Slamdance, and more)?;the story behind her brilliant film, OUT FOR DELIVERY;how she made such a fully encapsulated short film and whether that was the intention;has she moved from dream adjacent to dream actualized?;what is she working on now?Chelsea's Indie Film/Filmmaker Highlights: TOUCH ME (2025) dir. by Addison Heimann; DEATH OF A UNICORN (2025) dir. by Alex Scharfman; Sebastian SilvaLinks:Follow Chelsea On InstagramChelsea Christer's WebsiteSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/first-time-go/exclusive-content

Watch This Episode On YouTubeEvery Sunday, I'll post a quick video -- and podcast -- about an indie film from at least a year ago. Today's film: FIVE YEARS APART (2019).Director: Joe Angelo MenconiWritten By: Joe Angelo Menconi; Zac KrauseCast: Chloe Bennet; Scott Michael Foster; Ally MakiSYNOPSISTwo estranged brothers born on the same day five years apart run into each other at their family vacation home with wildly different expectations for how their birthday weekend will play out.Watch This Episode On YouTubeSubscribe to our YouTube channelFollow us on LetterboxdFollow us on InstagramFollow us on XFollow us on FacebookFollow us on TikTokFollow us on LinkedInSubscribe to our YouTube channelSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/first-time-go/exclusive-content

There's not a person alive who won't be moved by STANDOUT: THE BEN KJAR STORY (2025) -- it's a story of overcoming expectations and spreading kindness into the world. It's also an extraordinary achievement of documentary filmmaking. We get into that and more with director Tanner Christensen.In this episode, Tanner and I discuss:the uplifting qualities of STANDOUT: THE BEN KJAR STORY (2025);what to expect when you watch the film (laughing, crying, feeling better about the state of humanity);the crazy scope of the film, with archival footage from over 25 years ago;the decision-making process of utilizing re-enactments and whether he'd use AI in future documentaries;how he developed the chronology of the film and why he made it the way he did;what did the process of making this film teach him about documentaries?;is it a particular Utahan story?;what's next for him?Tanner's Indie Film Highlight: DISPOSABLE HUMANITY (2025) dir. by Cameron S. Mitchell; COMPLICATED (2025) dir. by Andrew Abrahams; STOLEN KINGDOM (2025) dir. by Joshua BaileyLinks:Follow STANDOUT On InstagramSTANDOUT WebsiteSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/first-time-go/exclusive-content

I don't say this lightly: you've never seen a film like PROJECT DAD. It's a Slamdance original from an artist that is making waves throughout Europe and now looking forward to a North American run: Camilla Jämting.What a film. What a story. PROJECT DAD is a film you have to see to believe, and keep up with Camilla so you can see it just as soon as it screening near you.In this episode, Camilla and I talk about:the courage and bravery to create PROJECT DAD;what should people expect to see when they watch PROJECT DAD;the little moments in the film that touch upon gender stereotypes and social commentary;does she see it as a Swedish film?;does she identify herself as a feminist and how does it influence her filmmaking?why Slamdance?;when people can watch the film -- who knows, maybe partner with Tinder!;what's next for her? PROJECT DAD might be turned into a reality TV series!Camilla's Indie Film Highlight: MY OMAHA (2025) dir. by Nick Beaulieu; TONI ERDMANN (2016) dir. by Maren AdeLinks:Follow Camilla On InstagramPROJECT DAD WebsiteSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/first-time-go/exclusive-content

Watch This Episode On YouTubeEvery Sunday, I'll post a quick video -- and podcast -- about an indie film from at least a year ago. Today's film: HANK AND ASHA (2013).Director: James E. DuffWritten By: Julia Morrison; James E. DuffCast: Mahira Kakkar; Andrew Pastides; Bianca Butti; Brian SloanSYNOPSISAn Indian woman studying in Prague corresponds with a young filmmaker in New York. As their relationship intensifies, they must choose whether to meet.Watch This Episode On YouTubeSubscribe to our YouTube channelFollow us on LetterboxdFollow us on InstagramFollow us on XFollow us on FacebookFollow us on TikTokFollow us on LinkedInSubscribe to our YouTube channelSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/first-time-go/exclusive-content

Watch This Episode On YouTubeOne of one. One of one. One of one. It kept coming back to me that every significant avenue filmmaker Alex Dvorak went into, she was the only one with that path.And that kind of trailblazing requires bravery, vulnerability, and as you see in her film BAD SURVIVOR, a fair bit of snark.Special Slamdance coverage continues with Alex Dvorak.In this episode, we discuss:her completely unique entry into filmmaking...as a cancer survivor;are there more survivor stories out there? "Hard yes" - Alex Dvorak;the range and brilliance of her short film, BAD SURVIVOR;what's it like to have survivors approach her after the film?;how she is going into a different direction with this short by turning it into a YA graphic novel and a series;"writer, director, model" -- Alex is one of one of so many categories; how does she keep finding herself pursuing these unique goals?how does she view Gen Z filmmakers and what kind of films we are going to see from them? "the most interesting and unique stories" - Alex Dvorakwhat's next for her?Alex's Indie Film Highlight: NOGGIN (2024) dir. by Case JerniganLinks:Follow Alex On InstagramFollow Alex On Her WebsiteSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/first-time-go/exclusive-content