It was a complete honor to have writer, director, and producer Mark Harris on the podcast. Mark has an amazing catalog of 22 independent films. His films have been distributed to platforms like BET, TV One, All Black, and most recently his film, Black & Privileged was trending on Netflix. Mark has a new film out called, White People Money, starring Barton Fitzpatrick from Showtimes, The Chi, and Drew Sidora from Step Up. 

Mark is an inspiration for aspiring indie filmmakers. He's self-made and self-taught. He built his career off a $1000 feature film. He's sold over 10,000 DVDs of his earlier films on the streets of Chicago. He sold out several screenings of his films. Mark has hustled and worked his way up the filmmaking ladder and has a remarkable story. He is also one of the only filmmakers that are so open about filmmaking from a business perspective. He shares so much with the filmmaking community and he does not disappoint in this episode. Mark shares some major gems on how many low-budget filmmakers are getting films made. This isn't fluff. He shares information that you can apply IMMEDIATELY! So get ready to go to the next level!! 

Pre-Order: White People Money

Follow Mark Harris Here: 

FB: Mark on Facebook 

IG: Mark on Instagram

Albert Einstein once said, "We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them." This week’s guest, Travis Wolfe Sr., was born into poverty to parents addicted to crack. At 8 years old he was placed in foster care, where he was starved, beaten, raped, and molested. 

A runaway at 15, homeless by 16; his life looked hopeless. He was told that he would end up dead or in jail, but one day Travis took responsibility for his actions and stopped playing the victim!  

Today, Travis is an Actor, Temple University grad, Army veteran, retired police sergeant, author, speaker, entrepreneur, and leader of a successful entertainment industry family. His son, Travis Wolfe Jr., can be seen on the hit CBS sitcom, Bob Hearts Abishola. His daughter, Aniya Wolfe, is a visionary up-and-coming filmmaker. His wife Diana Ivelis Cherubin-Wolfe, is an author of a book called, Raising a Child Star, as well as an executive director of a talent agency for youth. His youngest daughter, Sky Wolfe, is an up-and-coming child actress.  Travis is the embodiment of what this podcast represents. He shares the tactics he used to literally change the trajectory of his family's life and manifest the dreams he had as a 7-year-old. Grab a pen and paper and take notes!!!  

Follow Travis: 

https://wolfempowerment.com/

IG: @Traviswolfesr

FB: @Travis T Wolfe

Twitter: @Travis Wolfe Sr. 

Linkedin: @Travis Wolfe Sr. 

Follow the Wolfe Family: 

IG: @dianawolfe

IG: @traviswolfejr

IG: @aniyawolfe

IG: @iamskywolfe

It's no secret that it takes money to create films. Many indie filmmakers don't have the money to invest in their own projects. They resort raising funds, borrowing funds from friends and family, getting investors, or going into debt. There is another way, one that most filmmakers never talk about, multiple streams of income. 

David Tinsley, a filmmaker, engineer, and real estate investor started making films using money saved from his 9-5 job, but more recently real estate investing has created another source of funding for his films.  David is now able to create freely. Free from wondering where the money will come from, and free from the pressure and desperation that comes from making decisions that are often based solely on making a return on investment. 

David talks about: 

• The importance of financial freedom
• Real Estate Investing 
• How to use your 9-5 job as a tool
• Why he created a business for his films
• How he monetized his new feature film

This episode is a must-listen for filmmakers looking for creative ways to finance their films. 

Subscribe, review and share the podcast!

Watch his new film: Project 8

Follow David Here: 

FB: David Tinsley

IG: TinBridge Films 

Navigating the Indie-film business can be challenging and a bad decision can cost you your film, finances, and potentially your career. In this episode, Christina Faith - Entrepreneur, Director, Producer, and Writer discusses how she received 14 distribution offers for her first feature film, Love Your Right: An R&B Musical. 

We also talk about:  

• The Entrepreneur Mindset  
• How not to "Get Got" by distributers  
• How to level up your skills  

Cristina shares so many jewels in this episode, so get ready to learn and be inspired!!

Subscribe, review and share the podcast! 

Watch Love You Right Trailer --> Watch Here  

Watch Love You Right Film --> Watch Here 

Follow Christina on Facebook -- > @MrsChristinaFaith 

Follow Christina on Instagram --> @christinafaith 

Follow her Business --> Creative Thought Media 

Making the audience care about and invest in your main character early on is crucial in keeping readers and viewers interested in your film. The first ten pages of your script are important in setting up the whole movie. Will people want to continue watching? Will people feel compelled to continue? In this video, Eunice Smith shares the secret ingredients to a dynamic ten pages.  --> Listen to the full episode #26  Subscribe. Review. 

Marketing is vital to the success of your indie film. Whether you're self-distributing your film or it's being distributed by a company or an aggregator, 99% of the time you must know how to market and promote your film. In part 2, Kyle and I discuss marketing even further. He goes into detail about:  Setting up a system to self-distribute your film  Filmmaking vs Personal Life Priorities  How to create a sustainable filmmaking career If you are serious about indie filmmaking, you need to take notes, and probably listen to this episode multiple times. There's lots of wisdom and information you can apply immediately.  Subscribe, review and share the podcast!

In this RECAP, I revisit episode #26 with Eunice Smith 

A synopsis and logline are two different things and I hear so many new filmmakers use these two phrases interchangeably. Eunice Smith explain in detail what they mean and how filmmakers can use them to their advantage. 

Subscribe, Review and Share the podcast. 

Listen to the full episode here: #26 Writers Block Is a Lie 

Marketing is vital to the success of your indie film. Whether you're self-distributing your film or it's being distributed by a company or an aggregator, 99% of the time you must know how to market and promote your film.  In part 1 of this interview, I sit down with Kyle Prohaska, a digital marketing expert. Kyle has helped major studio films, as well as indie filmmakers, reach audiences through digital advertising, specifically using Facebook Ads.  We get deep in the weeds discussing:  

• The first and most important action a filmmaker must take before they make their film.  



• Kyle's blueprint for self-distribution (He's helped numerous indie filmmakers generate a profit with this method).



• How to cut trailers for social media.  



• IOS 14 update and the impact on Facebook Ads/Targeted Marketing.  

If you are serious about indie filmmaking, you need to take notes, and probably listen to this episode multiple times. There's lots of wisdom and information you can apply immediately.  Subscribe, review and share the podcast!  

Follow Kyle here: 

Website: Prohaska Studios 

Twitter: @kyleprohaska

New screenwriters/filmmakers listen up!! If you are missing this one thing in your screenplays, your film will suffer!!! Check out this new recap of episode #30 with Anthony Cuffie!

Today's episode is powerful. I got my brother Ken Williams on the podcast talking about his new film, Asbury Park. This movie has a star-studded cast and a powerful message. Ken and I go into detail about the journey to make this film a reality. He drops a lot of wisdom for filmmakers to learn and apply!! 

Ken breaks down: 

• How he was able to cast 6 celebrities in his first feature film. 
• The power of sticking to his vision.
• How he waiting 20 years to make a feature, and why? 

I learned a ton in this episode and it inspired me as well. This is a must-listen!!! Subscribe, review and share! 

Follow Ken Here: 

FB: Ken Williams 

Watch Asbury Park --> Asbury Park Movie 

In this recap, we go back to episode #25 with Al Martin.  We discuss the one thing that stops people from pursuing their dreams. This is a big one because many people stop pursuing their dreams too quickly. WHY? Check out this recap!  Subscribe, review and share the podcast.  Listen to the full episode ---> #25 - Al Martin  

The indie filmmaking landscape has become increasingly difficult for indie filmmakers to make money with their films alone. Many indie-filmmakers still have a traditional mindset, which doesn't work anymore. Filmmakers must understand marketing, budgeting, fundraising, audience building, product creation, and much more. 

I'm excited to sit down with the Creative Activist of Art & Storytelling, and Chicago native, Edwin Walker. Edwin is an entrepreneurial filmmaker who has found creative ways to monetize his films, even during the pandemic, not only for himself but for other filmmakers and artists. Edwin is a producer of a film, Caged Birds which he helped raise $250,000 to produce. He also started a creative space, called Colour Reserve which is a collective space that does pop-up events and cultural exchange ideas for the community and artists.

Edwin's mission as a creative activist of art and storytelling is to truly build an independent creative community in Chicago and curate and facilitate experiences that showcase the evolution of black people. Enjoy this episode and take notes. Remember to subscribe and review the podcast. 

Follow Edwin: 

IG: @theedwinwalker, @iamemicheaux

IG: @edclusiveent

FB: @EdwinWalker

Sponsors: 

Ungrateful Novel: ON SALE HERE 

Watch Sincerely, Brenda: AVAILABLE HERE

In my first ever LIVE episode, I sit down with the Detroit filmmakers, actors, and producers behind the new film, In A Sentimental Mood on Facebook Live. We talk about the stories behind the making of the film, the meaning of the film and so much more. Check out this podcast and order the film below:  Watch the film: www.vimeo.com/ondemand/moodmovie Follow the Team:  Zachary Cunningham:  IG: @z.c.cunninggham FB: @mythreeinitials  Deborah Lane Spencer:  FB: @debbie.spencer.921 IG: @deborahslane Don Snipes:  FB: @don.snipes.7 IG: @don_snipes Charles Kennedy:  FB: @ckennedyjr IG: @ckennedyjr

Your  Mindset can be your greatest asset or your worst liability. In this episode, I sit down with Filmmaker and Entrepreneur, Dellguan Coleman. Dellguan is from Memphis, TN and his story is inspiring to say the least. He didn’t let getting shot and serving time in prison stop him. After being released from prison, he built multiple businesses. His film business, Movie Go, is only a year old and has been a success. Movie Go gives indie filmmakers a platform to make a profit and get their films seen. He's built a couture clothing line, as well as a lawn care company that creates profitable opportunities for the youth and ex-convicts. This is an informative and fascinating conversation. We talk about: * Marketing your Film * Growing a business * How to find your niche audience Grab your pen and paper and get ready to learn!

In this episode, I sit down with self-taught Detroit filmmaker, Anthony Cuffie. Anthony has been making waves in the film industry from being a finalist in an Ava Duvernay/Array sponsored screenwriting competition, to completing a fan tribute short film using original music about the legendary singer, Donny Hathaway. In this interview, Anthony discusses how he learned the craft of filmmaking, what he learned from film mentors, his creative process and why it's so important to understand story structure as a filmmaker. We also discuss his highly anticipated short film, DHATH, and his inspiration behind the project. This is an exciting and inspiring episode you don't want to miss!! Watch the DHATH Teaser: https://youtu.be/XUz9gsqty_w Watch the SELFISH short film: https://youtu.be/AyVDD6uwSQI Follow Anthony: FB: https://www.facebook.com/anthony.cuffie IG: https://www.instagram.com/cuffiefilms/

Eugene Wilson, Filmmaker, and owner of 5th Media, a film and video production company, was hit hard during 2020. At the beginning of 2020, Eugene was preparing for his best year yet when the pandemic hit. He lost all of his projects and was sitting at home wondering how he would survive. At the suggestion of one of his closest friends, Eugene decided to venture into stock market trading and investing. He focused all his energy on learning the stock market and now he's created another revenue stream and second business in less than a year. Check out this episode to learn how Eugene became a stock market investor and how it's making him a better filmmaker! Remember, subscribe & rate the podcast. Follow Eugene here: IG: https://www.instagram.com/5thmediallc/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/5thinvestmentsllc/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/eugene.wilson.56

In the final episode of 2020, I sit down with actress and model, Latisha Thomas. Latisha has had a great 2020 despite the pandemic. She started a TikTok account in March 2020 to promote her first series, I Vow, and has built a following of over 70k in nine months! In this episode, we talk about how she built her following so quickly; her role in my film, I Vow; and how she successfully juggles her family and rising acting career.

Remember, subscribe & rate the podcast. 

Follow Latisha Here: IG: @luvlylatisha 

FB: @LatishaThomas

TikTok: @luvly_latisha 

This episode is for my aspiring producers and directors!! David Williams (Writer/Director/Actor) and Mia Francois (Executive Producer) stopped by the show to talk about their new YouTube web series, Little David. After raising $35K, David and Mia shot this 5-episode series in 5 days in New York during the COVID-19 pandemic. This was their first time creating a series and it's being compared to HBO's Insecure. During our conversation, Mia shared how they successfully shot their series on a tight budget and schedule! Tune in to find out how they maximized every resource at their disposal to pull this off! Remember, subscribe & rate the podcast Watch Little David Here: LITTLE DAVID SERIES Instagram - @littledavidshow Facebook - The Little David Show David Williams: @adavidwilliamsfilm Mia Francois: @siocnarf_aim

This episode is for my writers!! If you're stuck staring at a blank page, this episode is a game changer! Eunice Smith is the founder of The Writers Smith Writers Lab. She shares: 1) Why writers block is a myth 2) How changing your mindset, will unlock your inner genius 3) Why writing is more scientific than creative 4) The 2 reasons why you're not writing and how to fix that. Get ready to take notes and learn from the gems. Remember, subscribe & rate the podcast. Follow Eunice Here: IG: @script_sister IG: @thewordsmithwriterslab Facebook https://www.facebook.com/scriptsister https://www.facebook.com/thewordsmithwriterslab

This episode is nothing short of a shot of positivity, inspiration and motivation!! I've got actor and WKAR's Current Sports TV and radio personality, Al Martin back on the show. Al first appeared in episode 2 of Life Beyond The Lens to discuss his role of Rashad in my film, I Vow. Al has since gone on to appear in 3 films and currently booked for many more projects in 2021! This guy is one of THE MOST positive individuals I know and he is sharing why staying positive, consistently executing and being obsessed with your dream is so crucial to your success! Get ready to be energized!  Follow Al:  IG: @__almartin  Twitter: @AlMartinWKAR Facebook: @Al Martin  Watch him in the film I Vow: https://bit.ly/IVowSeries