IFH 826: How to Turn a Script Into a Movie Without Hollywood’s Help with Chris Jay

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Every creative career has a turning point — for Chris Jay, it came when his rock band Army of Freshmen hit the wall of a collapsing music industry. Years of touring and chasing label deals ended with the rise of digital downloads and the 2008 financial crash, forcing him to rethink everything. Out of that chaos came a bold new pursuit: filmmaking. With no formal training, Chris and his bandmate Aaron Goldberg set out to write and produce a comedy called The Bet. They weren’t chasing approval from Hollywood — they were determined to make their movie, no matter the odds.

The idea for The Bet came from Chris’s own curiosity about reconnecting with old crushes from school and wondering how those stories might turn out decades later. The script, written entirely from scratch and formatted by hand before they even discovered Final Draft, became a crash course in DIY filmmaking. They didn’t have a studio or a rich backer; instead, they raised funds through family, friends, and a pair of theatre producers from the UK who believed in the project. That resourcefulness defined every part of production — from filming in Ventura, California, to juggling countless roles on set, from catering to prop design.

Chris and his team faced every imaginable indie film obstacle: tight budgets, long hours, and post-production delays that nearly derailed the entire project. Yet through determination, collaboration, and sheer grit, they finished The Bet, securing distribution on iTunes, Amazon, and cable VOD. The film also features one of the final appearances of wrestling legend Roddy Piper — a personal highlight for Chris, who grew up a wrestling fan.

What began as a long shot became proof that independent filmmaking still thrives on passion over privilege. For Chris Jay, The Bet wasn’t just a film — it was a statement of creative survival. It showed that even when the industry turns its back, you can still make something lasting with the right mix of heart, humor, and hustle.

Please enjoy my conversation with Chris Jay.

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IFH 825: The Untold Stories of Women in Action Cinema with Melanie Wise

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Sometimes the film industry opens doors, and sometimes you have to build the door yourself. On today’s episode, we welcome Melanie Wise, an actress, producer, and founder of the Artemis Women in Action Film Festival. Standing six feet tall, Melanie discovered early that Hollywood wasn’t built for women who didn’t fit its narrow mold. Struggling to land traditional roles and tired of being typecast, she turned to producing her own projects, determined to tell stories where women weren’t victims but warriors.

Her breakthrough came with Hannah’s Gift, a horror-action film she produced and starred in, which won multiple festival awards. But the road wasn’t easy. Technical setbacks destroyed the original masters, forcing her team to reshoot the film entirely. Instead of breaking her, the challenge sharpened her skills as both a producer and post-production powerhouse. She carried those lessons into her larger mission: creating a platform where strong female leads could thrive without compromise.

That vision led to the launch of the Artemis Women in Action Film Festival, a global event dedicated to celebrating badass women on screen and in real life. From honoring icons like Zoë Bell, Nichelle Nichols, and Paul Feig, to spotlighting stuntwomen who risk it all for unforgettable scenes, the festival has become a beacon for action storytelling with women at the center. As Melanie put it, the festival proves there’s a massive audience hungry for female-driven action, and the worldwide submissions—from places as unexpected as Iran—show that this movement is not limited by borders.

Beyond screenings, Artemis has uncovered hidden histories of women in sports, the military, and aviation, stories too often left untold. Panels have featured pioneers like WWII’s WASP pilots, reminding audiences that women have always been forces of action both on and off screen. With fans crowdfunding the festival year after year, Melanie sees undeniable proof that people want to see empowered women in leading roles — and are willing to back it with their wallets.

For Melanie, the work is both personal and universal. She knows firsthand the obstacles women face in Hollywood, but she also knows the thrill of defying them by creating your own path. With Artemis, she’s not just producing a festival; she’s building a movement that challenges outdated industry narratives and showcases the limitless potential of women in film.

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IFH 824: The Screenwriting Secrets Every Indie Writer Needs to Know with Dan Benamor

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Every writer’s journey begins with a blank page, but for Dan Benamor, it also began with an internship that grew into a career in film development. Starting at a small production company, he worked his way up from intern to head of development, gaining hands-on experience that taught him how vital confidence, responsibility, and strong opinions are in the industry. He saw firsthand how scripts live or die not just by their story, but by the conviction with which they’re written and pitched. “If you project confidence on the page, people will come with you,” Dan explained, underscoring the importance of writing with authority and clarity.

While Dan has directed, he realized his true passion lies in screenwriting. He thrives on crafting stories, breaking down structure, and refining characters until the narrative feels inevitable. His development background gave him “muscle memory” for story, allowing him to navigate theme, character, dialog, and pacing with ease. For him, the planning stage is where the heavy lifting happens — once the blueprint is clear, the writing itself becomes the fun part. This approach served him well on Initiation, a film he co-wrote with his cousin Oren, who also directed. The movie, distributed by Gravitas Ventures, follows strangers forced into a deadly cult ritual, blending action, horror, and a deeper message about inner strength.

What makes Dan’s story compelling is not just the film’s success, but the lesson it carries: you don’t need a massive budget or studio machine to create meaningful, marketable work. Initiation was made independently, yet earned legitimate distribution and strong reviews, proving that ingenuity and story can outshine resources. For aspiring filmmakers, Dan’s career is a reminder that discipline, persistence, and a fearless approach to writing can turn a simple idea into a film that audiences around the world can watch.

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IFH 823: The Secret to Getting Noticed as a Screenwriter with James Moorer

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The first spark of storytelling for James Moorer came in the fifth grade, when he wrote a play that hinted at the career he would one day pursue. But the path from childhood curiosity to professional screenwriter was anything but simple. James’s journey moved through Ohio State and eventually Los Angeles, where he started at the very bottom of the industry ladder. Even as a PA fetching water on set, he absorbed everything, knowing that each small step was part of a much larger climb.

Early experiments with short films exposed gaps in his craft, but those failures became his greatest teachers. James doubled down on learning, attending Robert McKee’s Story seminar not once but twice, and taking every screenwriting class he could find. It was here he discovered that writing alone wasn’t enough — success required understanding the business of Hollywood. “Half of the work is writing,” James said, “the other half is being a people person.” Screenwriting, he learned, demands not just strong pages but the ability to navigate relationships with producers, managers, and collaborators.

His real breakthrough came after joining Screenwriting U, a program that emphasized the industry side of the business. James realized credibility matters more than cash at the start of a career. He took on assignments not for big paychecks, but for credits that proved he could deliver. This “move the needle” approach — where every script, meeting, or assignment pushed his career forward — became his guiding principle. It wasn’t about chasing a golden ticket, but about building a consistent track record.

Networking, for James, isn’t about forced schmoozing — it’s about building real relationships. Whether it’s connecting through social media or face-to-face on set, he insists that a writer’s reputation is their most valuable currency. He often shares his passions online — from screenwriting tips to his love of pancakes — because being authentic and consistent makes people want to work with you.

The pivotal moment came when he signed with Purple Skull Management, not through blind queries but thanks to a trusted referral. What sealed the relationship wasn’t just his script, but his openness to feedback. Instead of resisting notes, James embraced them, expanding on producers’ ideas to make the story stronger. In his words, rejecting feedback is “the ultimate screenwriter’s fatal flaw,” while collaboration shows professionalism and staying power.

James also stresses the importance of paying it forward. He credits mentors and peers for opening doors and believes sharing knowledge with other writers strengthens the entire community. For him, progress in screenwriting is about steady improvement — reading scripts, writing daily, and treating every interaction as part of the bigger picture of a career.

In the end, James Moorer reminds us that screenwriting is both art and business. It’s a craft honed by constant practice and a career built on trust, adaptability, and persistence. His story shows that success doesn’t come from one big break, but from the accumulation of small, deliberate steps forward.

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IFH 822: From Video Games to the Big Screen: The Filmmaking Journey of Nicole Jones-Dion

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The lights of Los Angeles flicker differently when you’re chasing stories instead of stars. On today’s episode, we welcome Nicole Jones-Dion, a screenwriter, director, and producer whose journey took her from the world of video games and comics into the unpredictable realm of filmmaking. Her work spans from co-writing Tekken 2 to crafting the supernatural thriller They Found Hell for the SyFy Channel, to directing her first feature film, Stasis.

Nicole’s creative path began in the interactive worlds of games and graphic novels, where storytelling was often bold, visual, and larger than life. That same sensibility carried over into her screenplays, which naturally gravitated toward sci-fi, horror, and action. With a love for genre storytelling, she found herself writing for projects that demanded both imagination and grit — Dracula epics, video game adaptations, and stories designed to thrill audiences while tapping into familiar myths.

What makes Nicole’s story remarkable is not only her resilience but her ability to adapt. Before breaking into films like Dracula: The Dark Prince, she had already written over fifteen spec scripts, proving that persistence is as essential as talent. Many of her earliest opportunities weren’t born from original pitches, but from being brought in to rework or refine existing scripts — a reality she stresses is the bulk of Hollywood writing. “If you’re writing for someone else, your job is to give them the best possible version of their idea,” she explained.

She also experimented with crowdfunding to bring her short film Debris to life. Originally seeking just $5,000, she raised nearly $20,000 — 330% over her goal. The film, centered on a cursed samurai sword that washes ashore after the Fukushima tsunami, struck a chord with audiences and festival juries alike. For Nicole, the campaign revealed the power of a strong concept: if the hook is intriguing, audiences will rally to see it made.

Her passion for character-driven storytelling shines in her approach to screenwriting. Nicole Jones Dion works from detailed outlines and insists on strong titles and character names before diving into pages. She draws from methods like Save the Cat and the mini-movie structure, blending them into her own system. For her, clarity in the outline stage prevents wasted effort later. She builds stories where protagonists and antagonists clash as equals, each the hero of their own narrative. “The antagonist is the engine of the whole story,” she noted, underscoring how much weight villains carry in shaping drama.

Nicole also cautions against soapbox storytelling, advocating instead for themes that pose questions rather than dictate answers. Whether tackling sci-fi adventures or occult horror, she wants stories to leave room for audiences to think and engage with the material. Her love for speculative fiction — tales that echo the spirit of The Twilight Zone — continues to guide her work, from her award-winning samurai scripts to the YA sci-fi of Stasis.

Through all of it, Nicole embodies the philosophy of persistence. She writes daily, often at night, and embraces the idea that growth never stops. Even after multiple films, she continues to study, refine her craft, and chase new challenges. From feature films to shorts, from crowdfunding campaigns to international distribution, her career is proof that genre filmmaking thrives on both discipline and passion.

Please enjoy my conversation with Nicole Jones-Dion.

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IFH 821: Filmmaking Without Permission: The Independent Journey of Clarke Scott

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Sometimes the most unexpected turns lead us to our true calling. On today’s episode, we welcome Clarke Scott, an Australian writer, director, and commercial photographer who stepped away from academia and corporate life to pursue the art of filmmaking. His path wasn’t straightforward, but out of its twists and setbacks emerged a filmmaker determined to carve his own way.

Clarke first discovered filmmaking while burned out in the Himalayas, working on a PhD in philosophy. A chance encounter with a cinematographer shooting a documentary on the Dalai Lama introduced him to the DSLR revolution that was reshaping independent film. It was a moment of revelation. Filmmaking offered a space where creativity and technical craft could coexist — a marriage of his artistic roots in music and poetry with his love of technology and problem-solving.

That spark led Clarke to build a career from the ground up, beginning with corporate and industrial video before turning toward narrative film. Eventually, he wrote, directed, shot, and edited his first feature, 1000 Moments Later, a completely independent production. He described the film as both an artistic challenge and a practical choice — an opportunity to create a story that meant something to him while gaining the hands-on experience of every stage of production. “At some point, I decided I wasn’t going to rely on anyone. I will do everything,” he said.

Throughout our conversation, Clarke emphasized the realities of working outside Hollywood. He spoke openly about choosing not to move to Los Angeles, even when the chance was there, because he knew it would mean compromising his creative voice. Instead, he focused on what he could build in Australia, working with limited budgets but maintaining full control over his vision. For him, the long game mattered more than short-term industry approval.

He also shared the lessons learned on set. One story in particular stood out: a difficult scene that stretched over two days, with weather turning stormy and an actor struggling to hit the right emotional note. Frustration ran high, but in the end, the raw energy of the struggle — combined with the dramatic backdrop of the storm — elevated the performance. Clarke’s eye for adapting to circumstance became as important as his direction, a reminder that resourcefulness is often the hidden key to independent filmmaking.

Beyond the anecdotes, Clarke offered hard-earned advice for filmmakers navigating the realities of the industry today. He warned against chasing unrealistic dreams of festivals like Sundance as a financial plan, urging instead a focus on building a body of work, finding an audience, and learning every part of the process. In his view, the strongest path forward is to create work that proves both your creative vision and your ability to finish what you start.

His approach is clear: use the tools available, leverage your community, and never wait for permission. Whether that means borrowing locations, persuading actors to work for back-end deals, or using today’s digital platforms to self-release, Clarke believes filmmakers have more opportunities than ever to make their work seen — if they are willing to do the hard work themselves.

In the end, Clarke Scott leaves us with a portrait of a filmmaker committed to telling stories his way, on his terms. His journey is proof that determination, creativity, and adaptability can turn even the smallest production into something meaningful.

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IFH 820: Screenwriting, The BAM Method, And How To Write A Screenplay That Stands Out with Mike Bierman

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The lights of Hollywood may glitter, but behind them lies the quiet, disciplined work of the storyteller. On today’s episode, we welcome Mike Bierman, a 45-time award-winning screenwriter and the founder of the Facebook group Screenwriters Who Can Actually Write. His path is not a typical one, for he began not from film school corridors but from a father’s intuition, reading his daughter’s audition scripts and thinking, “I can do better.” That spark ignited a journey into screenwriting that has not only led to awards but also to a philosophy of writing that challenges the very conventions so many cling to.

Mike’s story begins with a simple observation: much of what passes for screenwriting is less than inspired. As he dove into the craft, he discovered both the rigid rules that bound beginners and the profound freedom of bending or breaking those rules once mastered. “Every writer is different,” Mike explained, “what works for me works for me. That’s a good place to start to look at. But it doesn’t mean it’s going to work for you.” His wisdom is clear: writing is less about formulas and more about discovering one’s unique method of bringing stories alive.

One of the most fascinating aspects of Mike’s process is what he calls the BAM method—the Bierman Asynchronous Method. Instead of marching forward from page one like a dutiful soldier, he starts with the ending. Knowing where a story resolves anchors the journey. He writes from the outside in, weaving scenes like a puzzle, placing them out of sequence until the picture emerges whole. This approach, he says, prevents the dreaded writer’s block and keeps the story tethered to a meaningful destination. To know where you are going, after all, is to never be truly lost.

And yet, Mike’s tough-love philosophy is equally important. He pulls no punches when it comes to the common mistakes of new writers. Formatting errors, bloated scripts, and the belief that software can replace skill are illusions that must be shattered. “You’re not a writer if you don’t write,” he says with conviction. Fear of failure, fear of the blank page—these are ghosts that vanish the moment one dares to type anything at all. A poor script can always be rewritten, but a script unwritten is nothing but dust in the imagination.

Beyond his personal method, Mike has also created a community. His Facebook group was born out of frustration with shallow discussions elsewhere, but it has grown into a gathering place for professionals and serious learners alike. Within that group, contracts have formed, films have been optioned, and wisdom is freely shared. It is, as he describes, a place where screenwriters commit to treating the craft not as a hobby but as a vocation worthy of study, rigor, and respect.

His upcoming book, Secrets of Screenwriting: Collected Essays, continues this mission. Unlike traditional manuals that promise formulas for success, Mike’s book is a raw compilation of essays, reflections, and, at times, rants that emerged from his years of guiding and challenging fellow writers. It is filled with cursing, passion, and honesty—meant not to coddle, but to awaken. Readers may feel scolded one page and inspired the next, but they will always feel challenged to rise higher in their craft.

In listening to Mike, one can sense the deeper undercurrent: screenwriting is not just about structure or technique—it is about truth. Flawed characters, difficult choices, and endings that reveal the essence of a story. Scripts are not machines to be engineered; they are living things to be breathed into existence. And like any living thing, they grow best in the soil of discipline, vision, and a willingness to face one’s own creative challenges.

In the end, Mike reminds us that the screenwriter’s path is both solitary and communal. Solitary in the hours spent with words that only we can birth, and communal in the shared wisdom, encouragement, and hard truths of those who walk beside us. Every page written is a step closer not only to a finished script but to a deeper understanding of the craft.

Please enjoy my conversation with Mike Bierman.

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IFH 819: How Quentin Tarantino Changed Independent Film: A Conversation with Dale Sherman

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The story of cinema is often the story of unlikely beginnings. On today’s episode, we welcome Dale Sherman, an author who began his career chronicling the world of rock music before turning his attention to one of the most distinctive filmmakers of our time—Quentin Tarantino. Best known for his books on Kiss and Alice Cooper, Dale’s latest work, The Quentin Tarantino FAQ, is a deep dive into the life, craft, and legacy of the director who reshaped independent film.

Dale’s own path mirrors the persistence required of any filmmaker. In the early ’80s, he was part of a fan magazine scene, writing and producing work at a time when exposure was rare and self-publishing meant Xerox machines and stapled pages. That grassroots hustle translated into authorship, and eventually, into a fascination with film. When deciding on his next subject, Dale saw Tarantino as a perfect study: “People know his films, but they don’t know the man.” For filmmakers, this book offers not only behind-the-scenes anecdotes but also a map of how vision, persistence, and timing can converge to launch a career.

Dale walks us through Tarantino’s early days—stories of odd jobs, unfinished projects, and his first attempt at a feature, My Best Friend’s Birthday. Though the film collapsed in execution, Dale emphasizes how even failure provided Tarantino with a kind of rehearsal for the industry. “You look at his early script and you think, this really works,” Dale notes, underscoring that the DNA of Tarantino’s later brilliance was already present. For filmmakers, it’s a reminder that abandoned projects and rough first drafts are not wasted—they’re training grounds.

The turning point came with screenplays like True Romance and Natural Born Killers, born from an earlier script titled The Open Road. These works not only earned him recognition but also the financial means to pursue Reservoir Dogs. Initially envisioned as a $50,000 black-and-white project starring his friends, the film exploded into something much larger after Harvey Keitel came onboard. Filmmakers will recognize this pivot: the moment when a small independent vision suddenly attracts momentum and becomes a cultural event.

Dale’s book also examines Tarantino’s evolution through films like Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown, Kill Bill, and beyond. He explores how Tarantino developed signature techniques: weaving pop culture references into dialogue, using music as an almost narrative force, and structuring non-linear stories that challenged Hollywood norms. For directors and writers, these insights are valuable lessons in how a personal voice can both shape and disrupt an industry.

No discussion of Tarantino is complete without controversy. Dale doesn’t avoid debates around violence, language, or Tarantino’s own cameos. Filmmakers may find inspiration in how Tarantino navigates criticism. As Dale points out, Tarantino faces questions about violence or offensive dialogue with the same persistence he faced rejection in his early years. Rather than retreat, he continues to double down on authenticity, even when it divides audiences.

What makes Dale’s book stand out is the depth of research. Instead of relying solely on retrospective interviews, he digs into contemporary articles and early reactions, contrasting them with later reinterpretations. For filmmakers, this approach is a lesson in the importance of context—understanding how a work is received in its moment and how that reception changes over time. It also reflects the reality of any creative career: today’s controversy can become tomorrow’s milestone.

In the end, Dale Sherman’s exploration of Tarantino is more than biography—it’s a case study in independent filmmaking, artistic persistence, and the messy but vital process of creating work that endures. For filmmakers navigating their own uncertain paths, the story of a video store clerk who transformed cinema serves as both cautionary tale and inspiration.

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IFH 818: From Setbacks to Festival Wins: The Filmmaking Path of Dawn Fields

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The magic of cinema often begins in the unlikeliest of places. For Dawn Fields, it all started when she signed up as an extra on the film Love Potion No. 9. What was supposed to be a day in front of the camera became a lifelong passion for the world behind it. Watching the crew work, she realized her true calling wasn’t to act, but to create. That spark ignited a journey that would carry her from the film sets of Atlanta to the heart of Los Angeles, where she would build a career as a producer, writer, and director—one forged not by ease, but by relentless perseverance.

Dawn cut her teeth in the early 1990s, working on big productions in Georgia as Hollywood expanded into the South. She worked her way up as a production assistant, grinding through long hours and tough assignments until she eventually landed opportunities with major companies like Lucasfilm, Fox, and NBC. But even with those early credits, she quickly learned that the film industry is as unforgiving as it is intoxicating. Seeking greater opportunity, she packed her life into a U-Haul and drove across the country to Los Angeles with nothing guaranteed. That leap of faith marked the beginning of a new chapter—one filled with both remarkable experiences and the kind of hard lessons every filmmaker eventually faces.

Her early years in Los Angeles brought valuable experience in acquisitions and distribution, where she scouted films at festivals and courted agents. But the allure of production kept pulling her back. Founding her company, Palm Street Films, she launched projects that taught her the intricacies of independent filmmaking, from raising money to navigating the demands of pre-production. Her first big crowdfunding effort, Zombie Elves, became a crash course in audience engagement and marketing. The idea—a zombie outbreak at the North Pole—generated excitement, but Dawn soon realized that a strong fan base is essential long before a campaign launches. The project may not have hit its funding goals, but it gave her the foundation to succeed later.

The pivotal turning point came with Shattered Love, a powerful short script she developed from a contest. What began with enthusiasm spiraled into a nightmare of budget overruns, director clashes, and ultimately a shutdown mid-shoot. The experience was crushing. As Dawn recalls, “I was heartbroken. It was the most devastating thing that’s ever happened to me, and for a moment, I thought about walking away from the industry.” But instead of leaving, she doubled down. Recognizing that she lacked directing experience to fully protect her vision, she made the bold decision to step into the director’s chair herself.

Her determination led to 209, a hotel-room drama that she later expanded into Found. That film not only premiered at festivals but won awards, including Best Director. Suddenly, Dawn had the redemption she was looking for. She had proven to herself—and to the industry—that she could take a project from concept to recognition. This confidence opened the door to even more ambitious work, including Fragile Storm, a short starring veteran actor Lance Henriksen. Securing a name talent was a challenge, but it elevated the project’s profile and showed her that persistence in negotiation and preparation can yield remarkable opportunities.

Through each project, Dawn has built a body of work that reflects both her resilience and her growing voice as a filmmaker. She openly shares the lessons she’s learned along the way—like how physical perks in crowdfunding can eat up budgets, or how vital it is to know exactly what kind of film you’re making before cameras roll. She’s also passed her knowledge on through seminars and script contests, helping other filmmakers navigate the same hurdles she once faced.

The picture that emerges from her journey is not one of overnight success, but of a career carved out by sheer tenacity. Independent filmmaking is filled with obstacles—funding shortfalls, casting challenges, crew missteps—but Dawn’s story reminds us that every setback can be fuel for the next project. As she continues developing features and guiding new voices through Palm Street Films, her career stands as a reminder that filmmaking is not just about vision, but about the will to keep creating when everything seems stacked against you.

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IFH 817: Crafting Stories Frame by Frame with Jason Love

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There’s a peculiar rhythm to life when storytelling becomes your compass, and few embody that dance quite like Jason Love. On today’s episode, we welcome a creator who has dipped his hands into nearly every corner of the craft—animator, magician, comic artist, educator, and even late-night TV performer. His journey is not one of following the rules but of bending them, shaping a path through sheer experimentation, and proving that filmmaking at its heart is about resourcefulness and play.

Jason’s first taste of animation came not through polished studios but through flip books and clunky VHS camcorders. In college, he began experimenting with Windows Movie Maker, breaking down drawings into tiny increments of movement. “It wasn’t scientific, but it was magical,” he recalled. That sense of magic carried him forward, showing him that filmmaking was less about having perfect tools and more about having the willingness to try. While film school often bound students to expensive stock and battered cameras, Jason found freedom in the growing accessibility of digital tools.

What followed was an unconventional route through the filmmaking world. When the weight of traditional film education slowed him down, Jason pivoted to teaching himself and later teaching others. Libraries became his classrooms, where kids and teens learned that movies could be born from simple experiments at home. His workshop, once humorously called “Cheap Animator,” was proof that compelling stories don’t require expensive cameras or Hollywood backlots. They require imagination and the courage to press record.

Jason also branched into making short films, often as learning experiments for new tools or formats. One early project, “Hillary’s Adventures in Politics,” became both a crash course in Flash animation and a test of his persistence. Though the project dragged far longer than planned, it taught him the rhythm of production, the weight of editing, and the satisfaction of seeing an idea evolve into a finished short. Later, while creating his comic “Madman of Magic,” he pushed further into motion comics, combining illustration with filmmaking technique. These hybrid experiments revealed how fluid the borders of film can be when curiosity takes the lead.

And then there were his performances. Jason once landed on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, performing a stunt where he laid on a bed of nails while a partner balanced on a unicycle above him. “I just figured—what’s the worst that could happen?” he laughed. The same daring spirit that led him to late-night television is what has fueled his filmmaking: a willingness to take a chance, submit a demo, or start a project without knowing where it might lead.

Perhaps most telling is Jason’s foray into crowdfunding. With his online animation course, he chose to open the door wide—offering the handbook for only a dollar on Kickstarter. His goal was never about profit; it was about reach. Hundreds of people responded, some diving deeper, others simply curious enough to try. In the process, Jason revealed one of the most important truths about filmmaking in the digital age: accessibility is everything. The fewer the barriers to entry, the more voices get to share their stories.

What Jason reminds us is that filmmaking doesn’t have to be monumental to matter. He tells his students to think in seconds—three or four seconds of animation can hold more value than chasing a perfect feature-length dream. It is in the short, simple acts of creation that filmmakers build their foundation. From motion comics to library workshops, from clunky camcorders to YouTube uploads, Jason’s journey is proof that the heart of filmmaking isn’t in the equipment or the budget. It’s in the play, the persistence, and the willingness to keep experimenting.

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