Making Movies is HARD!!!: The Struggles of Indie Filmmaking
Making Movies is HARD!!! is hosted by Liz Manashil and Alrik Bursell, who discuss independent filmmaking from writing and directing to crew work, including rejection and self-doubt. The show has 600 episodes, releases roughly every three days, and typical episodes run about 58 minutes. Estimated downloads are 2,000 to 8,000 per episode, with a rate of $40 to $200 per episode.
Engaged indie filmmaking audience with 600 episodes and a 4.8 Apple rating
- Six years of consistent output, with a new episode roughly every three days
- Apple Podcasts rating of 4.8 across 218 ratings signals a loyal listener base
- Guests range from working directors to film school graduates, reaching aspiring filmmakers
Brand fit report
Content
- Formats
- interview, co-hosted banter, bonus throwback interview
- Tone
- candid, encouraging
- Language
- English
- Production
- Clean, edited audio
- Typical length
- 50 to 60 minutes
Audience
Commercial
- Brands seen
- None yet
- Categories promoted
- None yet
- Affiliate links
- Yes
The description links to a Patreon funding page and the Bleav site lists host-read advertising, but no sponsor mentions appear in the last 20 episode titles.
Suitability GARM Brand Safety Floor + Suitability
Family friendly
Episode 600 is titled with the phrase 'Lloyd Fucking Kaufman', indicating profanity in titles, and the feed is not flagged explicit.
We classify content, never people. No age, gender, ethnicity, religion or political views are inferred about the creator. Audience figures are estimates unless marked verified. Creators can correct anything on their profile.
Where to listen
| Platform | Link |
|---|---|
| Website | bleav.com/shows/making-movies-is-hard/ |
| Apple Podcasts | podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1006416952 |
| RSS feed | feeds.simplecast.com/2oTJk36x |
Benchmark score: 72 / 100
Public rule, same for everyone. How it works.
Recent episodes
| Episode | Date | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Steve Herold - BONUS Throwback Interview! | 2026-10-15 | 1 h 24 min |
| Alejandro Zavala - From Prison to Legal Secretary to Producing Feature | 2026-10-12 | 1 h 3 min |
| Sebastien Tobler - BONUS Throwback Interview! | 2026-10-09 | 50 min |
| Joel Veach - Finding Success with Feature #1 and Willing #2 into Exist | 2026-10-05 | 52 min |
| Joe Bob Briggs - BONUS Throwback Interview! | 2026-10-02 | 33 min |
| Lloyd Kaufman - Episode 600 with Lloyd Fucking Kaufman! | 2026-09-28 | 1 h 33 min |
Last six episodes from the show's feed, latest 4 days ago, a new one about every 3 days.
Liz Manashil and Alrik Bursell discuss independent filmmaking, everything from writing, producing and directing to working as crew. But this is not just a podcast about "making it," it's also about struggling with rejection, self-doubt and everything else that comes with pursuing a career in film. Follow along as we forge our own way through the industry and talk to guests who are also making it…
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About Making Movies is HARD!!!: The Struggles of Indie Filmmaking
Making Movies is HARD!!! is an interview and discussion podcast about independent filmmaking, hosted by Liz Manashil and Alrik Bursell. According to the show's website on Bleav, the hosts cover writing, producing, directing and crew work, as well as the rejection and self-doubt that come with a film career. Episodes arrive about every three days and typically run around 58 minutes, with 600 episodes published since 2018.
Apple Podcasts lists 218 ratings with a 4.8 average. Listeners are likely aspiring and working filmmakers, though these audience figures are estimates based on ratings and the show's niche, not measured data. Sponsor mentions were not found in the recent feed, and the show links to a Patreon page for listener support.
Estimated downloads are 2,000 to 8,000 per episode, which points to a host-read rate of roughly $40 to $200 per episode. Film equipment makers, streaming services and film education programs are likely fits for this audience.
Written from the show's public RSS feed, its Podcast Index listing and episode titles. Numbers updated 2026-10-19. Making Movies is HARD!!!: The Struggles of Indie Filmmaking can edit or remove this page at any time.
Questions about Making Movies is HARD!!!: The Struggles of Indie Filmmaking
How much does Making Movies is HARD!!! charge for a podcast sponsorship?
Estimated host-read rates are about $40 to $200 per episode, based on an estimated 2,000 to 8,000 downloads per episode. Exact pricing depends on the show's current terms and the placement.
What is Making Movies is HARD!!! about?
The show features hosts Liz Manashil and Alrik Bursell discussing independent filmmaking, including writing, directing, producing, crew work and dealing with rejection.
How do I contact Making Movies is HARD!!! about sponsoring an episode?
The show's contact email unlocks on Starbooked for $0.80, and boosted shows can be booked through Starbooked.
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