Discovering Independent Film with Bryan Louzil of Mometu

@freemometu
@mometucollegefilmfest
eventbrite.com/e/1475275411469?aff=oddtcreator

In this episode of Truly Independent, hosts Garrett Batty and Daren Smith are joined by guest Bryan Louzil, co-founder of Mometu, a streaming platform focused on hand-curated independent films. Bryan shares his fascinating upbringing in the film industry, the journey of creating Mometu, and how the platform aims to support independent filmmakers by offering a marketplace free of algorithms. They discuss the intricacies of promoting films, insights for filmmakers on gaining visibility, and the unique Mometu College Film Festival. Emphasizing the importance of personalizing the viewer experience, Brian explains the benefits of setting up creative marketing strategies from the start to benefit both the platform and filmmakers. The episode wraps up with an overview of Mometu social media strategies and the launch of their new podcast, 'The More For Me and You,' dedicated to sharing the journeys of individuals in the entertainment industry.

00:00 Introduction and Greetings
00:25 Meet Brian Louzil
01:19 Brian's Background in Film
03:18 The Birth of Mometu
05:46 Hand-Curated Content on Mometu
09:01 Supporting Independent Filmmakers
22:19 Mometu College Film Festival
24:05 Red Carpet Interviews and Screenings
24:34 Exciting Awards and Prizes
25:52 Supporting Independent Filmmakers
28:52 Challenges and Trends in Filmmaking
30:15 Connecting with Audiences
32:46 Mometu's Social Media Strategy
34:25 The More For Me and You Podcast
37:31 Exploring Mometu Film Library
38:45 Final Thoughts and Future Plans

In this episode of 'Truly Independent,' hosts Garrett Batty and Darren Smith discuss the evolving landscape of indie filmmaking. They introduce guest Greg Beckers, a talent manager turned producer and distributor, who shares insights into the business side of filmmaking. Greg talks about the importance of LinkedIn for networking, the challenges in talent management, the intricacies of film sales and distribution, and strategies for indie filmmakers to attach talent and recoup investments. The episode also touches on the changing genre preferences of distributors and the significance of effective marketing and sales strategies.

00:00 Introduction to Truly Independent

00:34 Meet Our Guest: Greg Beckers

01:21 Greg's Journey into Talent Management

03:17 The Role of a Talent Manager

05:54 Navigating the Indie Film Industry

10:31 From Talent Management to Producing

12:10 The Challenges of Film Distribution

15:51 Mindset Shift: From Talent Manager to Producer

16:17 The Chaos of Producing

16:43 Skills from Talent Management

17:18 The Importance of Problem Solving

17:33 The Value of Business Experience

17:54 Passion for Films and Filmmaking

20:57 Challenges in Distribution

22:11 The Importance of Trailers

28:26 Navigating Distribution Deals

32:02 Connecting with Greg Becker

33:31 Conclusion and Future Plans

Creating a $10,000 Short Film: A Truly Independent Journey

Does an iPhone have what it takes to shoot a professional film?

In this episode of Truly Independent, Garrett Batty and Darren Smith discuss their recent project, a short film funded with a $10,000 budget, filmed using iPhones. They delve into the inspiration behind the project, their approach to working with a minimal budget, and the logistics of shooting 16 pages in a single day. The discussion covers the importance of maintaining a student mentality, the value of creative problem-solving, and the benefits and challenges of using unconventional filmmaking techniques. They also address the broader implications of working with limited finances and how it impacts future projects and industry standards. The episode concludes with insights into the collaborative process, the importance of relationship-building, and encouraging audience feedback on maximizing a $10,000 budget for short films.

00:00 Introduction to Truly Independent
00:27 Catching Up After the Holiday
01:15 Exciting New Project Announcement
01:33 The $10K iPhone Short Film Challenge
01:57 The Creative Process and Experimentation
10:49 Building the Team and Production Details
19:34 Lessons Learned and Future Implications
27:16 Client's Marketing Strategy for Short Films
27:40 The Evolution of Production Value
28:52 Practical Tips for Independent Filmmakers
29:43 Prepping for a Successful Shoot
32:17 Challenges and Solutions on Set
38:27 Balancing Budget and Quality
46:22 The Future of Low-Budget Filmmaking
50:14 Final Thoughts and Takeaways