Filmmaking (Actually)

Welcome to Filmmaking (Actually)! In this episode, Koura Linda dives into that deep dark well of zero-budget filmmaking! But is it even possible? Or is it a myth?

Welcome to another episode of Filmmaking (Actually)! In this episode, written by Spacey, Koura Linda shares a valuable piece of advice that has helped her and Spacey and other storytellers: it's all about feeling. Emotions are an essential component of storytelling, and audiences seek an emotional connection and response from what they watch.

There is a misguided notion that special effects or star-studded casts are what audiences crave in movies and shows. However, that's only partially true!

In this episode, our host Koura Linda speaks with a panel of film professionals at various stages of their filmmaking  careers: SCAD 2022 Valedictorian and full-time filmmaker Sarah M. Penn, UCF Screenwriting Bachelor's Program student and Film Production Intern, Joselyn Martinez, full-time VFX artist for major Hollywood motion pictures Alex Heffner, and 2022 Austin Film Festival Winner, Writer Nick Gambino about the pros and cons and pros and cons of film school.

All of these filmmakers are on different paths when it comes to formal education's involvement in their careers, and because no two paths are the same, this panel discusses the many, many options available for those looking for a career in film.

While the full conversation will be shared exclusively on our Patreon, and portions of the panel will be shared here, during the audience Q&A there were some questions about how to manage what it takes to make it in the film industry, especially when living with various disabilities, but the insights shared can be valuable for anyone.

Join us as we explore this important and often overlooked aspect of filmmaking!

Get ready to hear from a true rising star! On this episode of "Filmmaking Actually," Koura Linda sits down with Sarah M. Pennington, a recent film school graduate, motivational speaker, and USA National Miss Independence State 2022. Sarah received a BFA in Film & TV at SCAD, the Savannah College of Art and Design, with a minor in Business Management and Entrepreneurship. As a passionate advocate for mental health and invisible disabilities, Sarah uses her platform as a motivational speaker to inspire others with her story of courage and self-love.

In this episode, Sarah shares her thoughts on the ins and outs of attending film school, including the pros and cons of pursuing a degree in this industry. Koura and Sarah also discusses the importance of breaking down barriers in the entertainment industry and share their experiences and let you, the listener, decide for yourself.

Join Koura Linda and Spaceship for Part Two of a two-part series featuring Space Dream Productions' third Patreon-exclusive event! A live virtual panel with Team SpaceLilly answering your questions about storytelling and movie-making and more. You can watch the entire event as a video on the Space Dream Productions Patreon page, but! You can enjoy this audio-only version - and who knows, you might even learn something!

Join Koura Linda and Spaceship for Part One of a two-part series featuring Space Dream Productions' third Patreon-exclusive event! A live virtual panel with Team SpaceLilly answering your questions about storytelling and movie-making and more. You can watch the entire event as a video on the Space Dream Productions Patreon page, but! You can enjoy this audio-only version - and who knows, you might even learn something!

Join Koura Linda for Part Two of a two-part series featuring Space Dream Productions' second Patreon-exclusive event! A live virtual panel with established writers of film, TV, and novels give some fascinating and thought-provoking insights about their processes and approaches to telling great stories. You can watch the entire event as a video on the Space Dream Productions Patreon page, but! You can enjoy this audio-only version - featuring writers Monique Impagliazzo, Nick Gambino, Sarah Daly, and Nora Raleigh Baskin - and their unique perspectives on the behind-the-scenes view into the world of writing.

Join Koura Linda for Part One of two episodes featuring Space Dream Productions' second Patreon-exclusive event! A live virtual panel with established writers of film, TV, and novels give some fascinating and thought-provoking insights about their processes and approaches to telling great stories. You can watch the entire event as a video on the Space Dream Productions Patreon page, but! You can enjoy this audio-only version - featuring writers Monique Impagliazzo, Nick Gambino, Sarah Daly, and Nora Raleigh Baskin - and their unique perspectives on the behind-the-scenes view into the world of writing.

Join Koura Linda as she discusses the pitching of your project! Whether you want to sell your project, or if you want to gain funding or support so that you can have creative involvement from start to finish, there's a lot to talk about and learn on this subject. So listen to Koura's take on all this, and who knows - you might actually something - ta-da!

Join Koura Linda as she discusses the import, impact, and impetus of the movie event of 2022, "Top Gun: Maverick," the long-anticipated sequel to the original 1986 Tom Cruise vehicle. But what sets it apart from the pitfalls of substandard remake/reboot/sequel/IP rehashing? And why does its success have a massive impact on mainstream movies and indie filmmaking alike? Listen to Koura's take on all this, and who knows - you might even learn something - ta-da!

Join Koura Linda - in Part 2 of a two-part discussion - and an award-winning actress who knows quite a bit about this episode's subject: Merri Jamison. Based in Los Angeles, CA, her credits include films like "Dangerous Company," "Back to Zero," "Welcome to Happy Valley," and "The Second Coming of Christ" with Tom Sizemore and Jason London, as well as the Twenty One Pilots music video for "My Blood." Merri has also graced the screen in a few Space Dream Productions projects, including Koura's film "Names On The Wall" - available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video - as well as the lead role in Koura's live-action/animated short "Bringer of War," available on our website.

The idea and challenge of acting, to take a character and turn it into something personal, to make people believe that you are that character and take them on a journey - is something at which Merri excels and then some. So if you want to learn the ins and outs and ups and downs of being an actor - or actress - from someone with a wealth of knowledge and experience, you've come to the right place. Who knows, you might learn something (actually) - ta-da!

Join Koura Linda as she answers the question posed in the title of this bonus content episode - it may save your (acting) life!!

Join Koura Linda and an award-winning actress who knows quite a bit about this episode's subject: Merri Jamison. Based in Los Angeles, CA, her credits include films like "Dangerous Company," "Back to Zero," "Welcome to Happy Valley," and "The Second Coming of Christ" with Tom  Sizemore and Jason London, as well as the Twenty One Pilots music video for "My Blood." Merri has also graced the screen in a few Space Dream Productions projects, including Koura's film "Names on the Wall," available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video, as well as the lead role in Koura's live-action/animated short "Bringer of War," which is available on our website.

The idea and challenge of acting, to take a character and turn it into  something personal, to make people believe that you are that character and take them on a journey - is something at which Merri excels and then some. So if you want to learn the ins and outs and ups and downs of being an actor - or actress - from someone with a wealth of knowledge and experience, you've come to the right place. Who knows, you might learn something (actually) - ta-da!

Be sure to tune in for Part 2 of this convo in the next episode!

Join Koura Linda and her husband Spaceship, host of the Disney Positive Podcast, as they discuss the final episode (and the series as a whole) of "Obi-Wan Kenobi", starring Ewan McGregor in the title role and Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader, streaming in its entirety on Disney Plus. If you want some spoiler-filled spirited discussion about the filmmaking, storytelling, performances and more, you won't want to miss this! 

Join Koura Linda as she discusses what it takes to be a filmmaker  full-time. It's not all fun and games, but the hard work can be worth it. Do you ever wonder what it takes? If so, have a listen to her story, and who knows - you might even learn a thing or two - ta-da! 

Join Koura Linda for Space Dream Productions' first Patreon-exclusive event, a live virtual panel with festival directors giving some inside baseball about judging, film selection, and festival programming. You can watch the entire event on the Space Dream Productions Patreon page, but you can enjoy this preview - featuring Fernando A. Mico, R. Zoe Judd, Wendy Robbins, Ebony Roberts, and TL Westgate - and their unique perspective on the behind-the-scenes view into the world of film festivals.

Join Koura Linda as she discusses directing with Michele Civetta, a veteran director of commercials, music videos and feature-length films, which include Agony, starring Asia Argento, and The Gateway, starring Shea Whigham, Olivia Munn, Frank Grillo and Bruce Dern.

What does a director do? Directors are the creative leader of the films they helm, holding the creative vision throughout the entire process. Some may be vagabonds of the Western world, and some may be ambassadors of humanity, but in the end directors are the keepers of stories. Listen to Koura and Michele compare and contrast their personal experiences, and who knows, you might even learn something!

Join Spacey for part two of his workshop, "How to Not Have to Fix It in Post", hosted by the Organization of Independent Filmmakers.

Spacey discusses how to utilize the perspective of an editor to prevent a world of "fix it in post", and the value of hands-on experience in editing across all aspects of filmmaking -- like continuity, sound, coverage, and story -- to save time, money, and headaches. So enjoy!

Join Spacey for part one of his workshop, "How to Not Have to Fix It in Post", hosted by the Organization of Independent Filmmakers.

Spacey discusses how to utilize the perspective of an editor to prevent a world of "fix it in post", and the value of hands-on experience in editing across all aspects of filmmaking -- like continuity, sound, coverage, and story -- to save time, money, and headaches. So enjoy!

Be sure to check out part two in the next episode!

Join Koura for part two of her workshop, "How to Make a Great Film On a Deadline", hosted by the Organization of Independent Filmmakers.

With so many elements going into every step of creating a film, what  are the key points to check when rushing a project through from development to completion? In this workshop, Koura covers how to make a great film on a deadline and give you an overall understanding of the  tent-pole aspects that can help to make sure your film holds up.

Koura does her best to cover it all - story development, pre-production, lighting, sound, wardrobe, color grading, how to cut your film with a time limit - and much more!

Join Koura for part one of her workshop, "How to Make a Great Film On a Deadline", hosted by the Organization of Independent Filmmakers. 

With so many elements going in to every step of creating a film, what are the key points to check when rushing a project through from  development to completion? In this workshop, Koura covers how to make a great film on a deadline and give you an overall understanding of the tent-pole aspects that can help to make sure your film holds up.

Koura does her best to cover it all - story development, pre-production, lighting, sound, wardrobe, color grading, how to cut your film with a time limit - and much more!

Be sure to check out part two in the next episode!

Join Koura Linda in Part Two of a bonus panel discussion about Space Dream  Productions' first film, "Names on the Wall," which actually just wrapped its festival run back in April at the 2021 NOVA Fest and Capital Film Market.

Following our full cast & crew panel after our opening night screening, we had a lot of audience questions that we were not able to get to due to running out of time.

Thanks to the virtual nature of the festival, as well as the support of NOVA Festival Director Mr. Fernando Mico, we were able to return with Co-Writer/Producer/Director Koura Linda, 2nd Unit Director & Stunt Choreographer Melissa Tracy, and Associate Producer/Editor/All Things Extraordinary Spaceship, for a follow-up panel following our second screening as part of a short film block midweek at the festival where we were able to have a little more behind-the-scenes and take up the additional questions and get them answered.  If you missed the last 2 episodes we recommend checking those out first!

While the full panel was recorded and is available on the FAME LLC  YouTube channel, and also on our website under the "Names on the Wall"  tab below "Films", we wanted to also share the content as podcast episodes, since we know it is sometimes easier to stream a podcast than sit and watch a YouTube video (especially as these panels ran for over an hour!).

Join Koura Linda in Part One of a bonus panel discussion about Space Dream  Productions' first film, "Names on the Wall," which actually just wrapped its festival run back in April at the 2021 NOVA Fest and Capital Film Market.

Following our full cast & crew panel after our opening night screening, we had a lot of audience questions that we were not able to get to due to running out of time.

Thanks to the virtual nature of the festival, as well as the support of NOVA Festival Director Mr. Fernando Mico, we were able to return with Co-Writer/Producer/Director Koura Linda, 2nd Unit Director & Stunt Choreographer Melissa Tracy, and Associate Producer/Editor/All Things Extraordinary Spaceship, for a follow-up panel following our second screening as part of a short film block midweek at the festival where we were able to have a little more behind-the-scenes and take up the additional questions and get them answered.  If you missed the last 2 episodes we recommend checking those out first!

While the full panel was recorded and is available on the FAME LLC  YouTube channel, and also on our website under the "Names on the Wall"  tab below "Films", we wanted to also share the content as podcast episodes, since we know it is sometimes easier to stream a podcast than sit and watch a YouTube video. (Especially since these panels ran for over an hour!)

Join Koura Linda in Part Two of a discussion about Space Dream Productions' first film, "Names on the Wall," which actually just wrapped its festival run back in April at the 2021 NOVA Fest and Capital Film Market.

It was an honor to be the opening night film, and to have opportunity - thanks to the virtual nature of the festival, as well as the support of Mr. Fernando Mico - to bring together our key cast and crew for a full moderated panel and Q&A with an awesome audience!

While the full panel was recorded and is available on the FAME LLC YouTube channel, and also on our website under the "Names on the Wall" tab below "Films", we wanted to also share the content as podcast episodes, since we know it is sometimes easier to stream a podcast than sit and watch a YouTube video (especially as these panels ran for over an hour).

Join Koura and her husband, editor and music-maker extraordinaire Spaceship, our writer and co-executive producer Nick Gambino, Second Unit Director/Stunt Choreographer Melissa Tracy, stars of the film Brendan Healy and Doan Nguyen, and Merri Jamison, and Post-Production Assistant Stevie Collins, along with quick hellos from Koura's executive assistant, the magical Jazmine McGeoch, and Space Dream Productions's social media master and supporting lead of the upcoming feature, "Catching the Light," Erica Taylor.

Join Koura Linda in Part One of a discussion about Space Dream Productions' first film, "Names on the Wall," which actually just wrapped its festival run back in April at the 2021 NOVA Fest and Capital Film Market.

It was an honor to be the opening night film, and to have opportunity - thanks to the virtual nature of the festival, as well as the support of Mr. Fernando Mico - to bring together our key cast and crew for a full moderated panel and Q&A with an awesome audience!

While the full panel was recorded and is available on the FAME LLC YouTube channel, and also on our website under the "Names on the Wall" tab below "Films", we wanted to also share the content as podcast episodes, since we know it is sometimes easier to stream a podcast than sit and watch a YouTube video (especially as these panels ran for over an hour).

Join Koura and her husband, editor and music-maker extraordinaire Spaceship, our writer and co-executive producer Nick Gambino, Second Unit Director/Stunt Choreographer Melissa Tracy, stars of the film Brendan Healy and Doan Nguyen, and Merri Jamison, and Post-Production Assistant Stevie Collins, along with quick hellos from Koura's executive assistant, the magical Jazmine McGeoch, and Space Dream Productions's social media master and supporting lead of the upcoming feature, "Catching the Light," Erica Taylor.

Join Koura on Episode 20 of Filmmaking (Actually) to learn about...knowing what you're worth!  Also, to learn about...what others are worth! With budgets being estimations of revenue and expenses over a specified period of time, it is usually compiled and re-evaluated on a periodic basis. For those who want to be hired and for those doing the hiring, this usually means that a timeless back-and-forth dance will invariably ensue - "What's your rate?" and "What's your budget?" - and only those who know how to navigate the dance floor of trust building and negotiation will stay upright and on their toes. Listen as Koura discusses this topic from her own life experiences. And you know, you might learn something (actually) - ta-da!

Join Koura on Episode 19 of Filmmaking (Actually) to learn about...making a feature length film! Fresh off of directing, writing and producing her first feature length film herself, Koura gives you the scoop on what it was like after working primarily in short films, giving advice and words of wisdom along the way. Also, how do you stay safe on a film shoot during a pandemic? What should you know about craft services during these interesting times when restaurants may (or may not) update their hours of operation, if any? Why does a feature film have so much more of, well, everything?? All these questions and more will be asked and answered. And you know, you might learn something (actually) - ta-da!

Join Koura (and Spacey and Bryan!) as she offers a podcast update. Enjoy!

Join Koura on Episode 17 of Filmmaking (Actually) as she learns and discusses sound in film with Mac Smith, Sound Designer and Supervising Sound Editor at Skywalker Sound, the sound effects, sound editing, sound design, sound mixing and music recording division of Lucasfilm Ltd.. Mac has been working on films since 1999, and has worked on such projects as the Disney+ series Marvel's What If...?, Cast Away, Toy Story 3, Tron: Legacy, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Little Evil, Transpecos, and one of Koura's favorite films, Columbus. What's the difference between sound design and foley? What's the best way to work with a sound team? Should sound be an important part of your film's pre-production, even during the writing stage? Where does the score come into play? Listen to this to find out, and you know, you might learn something (actually) - ta-da!

Join Koura on Episode 16 of Filmmaking (Actually) to learn about...casting! Defined as the assigning of parts in a play, film, or other production, specifically to actors, casting is one of the most important parts of filmmaking. Any discussion about casting calls and auditions must give equal attention to actors who want to fit the part and the filmmakers who need to find just the right actor for a given role. Listen as Koura explains her experiences on both sides of the casting table, from learning how to take and receive notes, what it means to be the character, fitting the look of the project versus typecasting, and more. And you know, you might learn something (actually) - ta-da!

Join Koura on Episode 15 of Filmmaking (Actually) to learn about...networking! Defined as a group or system of interconnected people or things, a network is not just about computers when it comes to your work as a filmmaker. It's been said that it's not about what you know, but who you know! Listen as Koura explains what it means to truly collaborate with other artists so that all can work together toward mutual ends, instead of just seeking to better yourself at the expense of others. And you know, you might learn something (actually) - ta-da!

Join Koura on Episode 14 of Filmmaking (Actually) to learn about...business! Defined as the practice of making one's living by engaging in trade, commerce and dealings, it's important know how to run a business in order to sustain yourself, whether that business is filmmaking itself, or what you do in order to make films! Listen as Koura explains how she runs her Etsy shop with her business partner Callie and husband Spacey, and apply the lessons that she has learned to your process as a creative. And you know, you might (actually) learn something!

Join Koura in this follow-up episode, regarding the 48 Hour Film Project, about what MORE you should know about that wild and sleepless weekend in which you and a team make a movie - write, shoot  and edit it - in just 48 hours!! COVID Quarantine Blues got you down? Going a little stir crazy while  stuck at home? Why not channel that excess energy into a creative  endeavor...like making a short film? No matter your level of experience, it's  good to know a few MORE things before you are assigned your genre, character,  prop, and line of dialogue...so listen now!

Join Koura as she discusses what you should know about that wild and sleepless weekend in which you and a team make a movie - write, shoot and edit it - in just 48 hours!! The 48 Hour Film Project is fun for amateurs and pros alike, but no matter your level of experience, it's good to know a few things before you are assigned your genre, character, prop, and line of dialogue...so listen now!

While this is not legal advice from a lawyer, join Koura Linda as she discusses a side of the filmmaking world that should be talked about - the legal side! Don't let yourself get screwed over by bad contracts by educating yourself. What should you know about contracts and loopholes and contradictions and legalese and so on and so forth? Listen and learn, and know your rights. And then ask an actual lawyer. 

Join Koura on the tenth episode of Filmmaking (Actually) as she discusses what she calls the "most wonderful time of the year" - not Christmas, not Hanukkah, not Festivus, but the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah! As she is gearing up for her seventh year of Sundancing, you may be doing much the same. Learn from her perspective and, as Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience." Also, stay hydrated and put on a sweater, you're making me freeze. (Eleanor Roosevelt didn't say that.) 

Join Koura on Episode 7 of Filmmaking (Actually) to learn about a timely topic for those of you who are headed to the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. Located at over 10,000 feet above sea level, the winter weather during Sundance can get very cold very quickly! So grab your headphones along with your earmuffs, scarf, windbreaker, and waterproof boots: it's going to get hot in here if you know what to wear!

Join Koura Linda in part two of a two-part series as she discusses the ins and outs and ups and downs of making documentary films with award-winning producer and director Ansley Sawyer! Along with director Brandon Li, their films Hong Kong Strong and Nomads of Mongolia were featured as part of the National Geographic Short Film Showcase. And Ansley's directorial debut, Like We Don't Exist, focuses on a refugee community along the Thai-Burmese border, and the uncertain future they face amid the longest ongoing civil war in the world. Want to learn from the perspective of a seasoned documentary filmmaker the way to approach making docs, whether locally or globally? Then listen to this!

Join Koura Linda in part one of a two-part series as she discusses the ins and outs and ups and downs of making documentary films with award-winning producer and director Ansley Sawyer! Along with director Brandon Li, their films Hong Kong Strong and  Nomads of Mongolia were featured as part of the National Geographic  Short Film Showcase. And Ansley's directorial debut, Like We Don't Exist, focuses on a refugee community along  the Thai-Burmese border, and the uncertain future they face amid the longest ongoing civil war in the world. Want to learn from the perspective of a seasoned documentary filmmaker the way to approach making docs, whether locally or globally? Then listen to this!

Join Koura on Episode 4 of Filmmaking (Actually) as she answers her first listener e-mail - from none other than her Mom! What belongs on the page when a writer is crafting a screenplay? How much room for collaboration should be given to directors, producers, actors, etc.? Listen as Ms. Linda answers the question on the airwaves of the world wide interwebs. 

Join Koura on Filmmaking Actually in episode three: Revenge of the Script! How do you go about writing in the first place? How do you avoid and overcome writer's block? How do you avoid writing the same old clichés, tropes and stereotypes so common in screenplays of today? How do you ensure that your stories and characters have real depth? And how do you know your script is ready for production? All of these questions will be discussed, considered, confabulated, sifted, jawed, hashed over and dissertated by Ms. Linda! 

Join Koura on Episode 2 of Filmmaking (Actually) to dig into what she calls 'intentional filmmaking.' Based on your resources and what you want to do with your film, be it a short or feature-length, there are a jillion ways to approach the process. Once you decide what you want to make, whether you simply want to gain experience or show off what you can already do, you'll learn in no time that there's no time like the present to get started!

Join Koura on the first episode of Filmmaking (Actually) as she details the steps she takes when making movies - and you can, too! While everyone can have their own process, every film project goes through these steps, be it intentionally and smoothly, or by sheer painful necessity of what it takes to get it done.

Join award-winning filmmaker Koura Linda as she welcomes you to the Filmmaking (Actually) podcast - yay! Who is she? How is she? When is she? Koura answers those questions and more for those who want to start learning the ins and outs of independent movie-making from a unique perspective.