Hey everyone, we are taking a break from recording new episodes in April to think through what Season 2 will look like, work on finding new guests, improving our Youtube recording experience as well as focusing on improving the overall experience and marketing of the podcast. 

Not to mention that all of us are super busy with our various other film projects:) Keep an eye out for the next episode to come out sometime in May!

Thanks to everyone for the support for Season 1 and we are excited to launch Season 2 here soon!

This podcast is sponsored by the MO Film Office (https://mofilm.org) and Shock City Studios (www.shockcitystudios.com) and is brought to you by Speak Up Productions (www.speakupproductions.com) and the In Motion team (www.inmotionconference.com)

Music by Courtney Orlando Peebles of So Hot Productions (https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtney-jr-peebles-05a2a19/)

This episode is full of the business info you need if you want to raise money for films and make money from your films. Jessica, Michael and Dan sit down with Cole Payne at Shock City Studios to learn about his journey from dropping out of college in MO, to learning the ropes of producing in LA and then his journey back home to start to produce a different kind of film. Cole get super transparent sharing actual numbers and the truth about financing and making money from your films.

Hailing from Russellville, MO, Cole Payne has been involved with financing and producing over 20 feature films with more on the way. 3 films he produced premiered at Sundance Film Festival.  His company is called Traverse Media and in 2020 Payne launched genre label Traverse Terror to develop, produce and sell clever low budget horror films, currently released are the films YOU DIE, MONSTROUS, THE RETREAT and DAWN OF THE BEAST with more coming soon.

A few links to things mentioned in this episode:

Traverse Media's Website

Cole's IMDB

Shock City Studios 

Hollywood Reporter & Variety 

Film in MO 

Cannes Film Fest

Berlinale 

AFM

Film Hub - self-distribution platform 

Indie film hustle podcast/Alex Ferrari

Filmtreprenuer book

This podcast is sponsored by the MO Film Office (https://mofilm.org) and Shock City Studios (www.shockcitystudios.com) and is brought to you by Speak Up Productions (www.speakupproductions.com) and the In Motion team (www.inmotionconference.com)

Music by Courtney Orlando Peebles of So Hot Productions (https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtney-jr-peebles-05a2a19/)

Today's interview is with Marlana Hope, a TV writer and producer who has worked on shows like Grey's Anatomy, Friday Night Lights, Army Wives and more. Michael & Dan sit down to learn about her journey as a TV writer, what it's like to be in a writers room, the importance of relationships and the difference between an agent and manager. This is a great episode for those that want to write for TV but also just for anyone trying to navigate their next steps in the industry. 

Marlana was born in Illinois, survived five years as a little girl in a log cabin in rural Pennsylvania and spent her tween and teen years on a horse ranch in Missouri. For St. Louisans, she went to Eureka High School. After obtaining a BFA in Theatre from the University of Illinois, she swore off inclement weather for good and headed west. 

 Early in her career, Marlana worked on DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES, FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS and SOUTHLAND. Her writing and producing credits include GREY’S ANATOMY, ARMY WIVES, THE KICKS, REAPER, and SKAM AUSTIN. Marlana has two pilots currently in development. She was a part of the MO Stories program as both a writer and mentor. 

 In her free time, Marlana mentors military veterans as part of the Writers Guild Foundation’s workshop series, and has traveled to Abu Dhabi, UAE to teach episodic writing workshops for emerging filmmakers in the Arab World. She also serves on the Writers Education Committee where she organized the WGA Writers Salon for three years bringing together hundreds of Guild members with top showrunners for a series of break-out sessions.

A few things mentioned in this episode:

Marlana Hope (IMDB)
IG: @marlanahope
MO Stories Scripwriting Fellowship
Save the Cat - Screenwriting book
The Screenwriters Bible - Screenwriting book

This podcast is sponsored by the MO Film Office (https://mofilm.org) and Shock City Studios (www.shockcitystudios.com) and is brought to you by Speak Up Productions (www.speakupproductions.com) and the In Motion team (www.inmotionconference.com)

Music by Courtney Orlando Peebles of So Hot Productions (https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtney-jr-peebles-05a2a19/)