The Break Breakdown: A Podcast From Queens Bird Films podcast

52:57

The big goal for many indie filmmakers is a theatrical release. But when you are self-distributing your own feature film, is a theatrical release possible? For director, actor, and executive producer Scott Monahan, it was. With an acting resume and a background in devised theatrical work, Scott's debut feature film Anchorage came together one intuitive step at a time. Benjy and Courtney speak with Scott about the big obstacles he faced in getting the feature film produced and distributed, how he approached the project as a first time feature director, and the intuitive, creative methods he used to theatrically release this epic debut film. MORE ABOUT ANCHORAGE: Buy or Rent Anchorage https://geni.us/Anchorage Anchorage Official Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmuGZz_lKwo Follow Anchorage on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anchoragemovie/ Follow Scott Monahan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chipsahoyjunkie/?hl=en Follow Dakota Loesch on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dakotaloesch/?hl=en When you're ready to start your own web series or indie film, start here with: HOW TO MAKE A WEB SERIES | PLAYBOOK: https://www.artists-strategy.com/queens-bird-web-series-playbook SUBSCRIBE & STREAM KINSLEY VS. on YouTube now: ⁠⁠⁠bit.ly/kinsleyvs⁠⁠⁠ ---------- Host & Producer: Courtney Romano Host & Executive Producer: Benjamin Shaw Musical Theme: Match Zimmerman The Break Breakdown is a production of Queens Bird Films. ---------- Follow @thebreakbreakdown on IG Follow @kinsleyvs.series on TikTok and IG Follow @queensbirdfilms on TikTok and IG ---- ABOUT QUEENS BIRD FILMS: Queens Bird Films is a production company telling stories to make life fun. With irreverence, depth, and a bit of whimsy, we make things for people who want to fall back in love with life. See the films, series, and podcasts we made for you here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠queensbirdfilms.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to the NEWSLETTER: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/QBlist⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow on INSTAGRAM: ⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/queensbirdfilms⁠⁠…

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S3 E12 | How a $6000 Feature Film Launched a Filmmaking Career with Director Joshua Caldwell [BONUS Episode] 59:57

1 year ago59:57

59:57

Can you really launch a film career with a microbudget feature? The short answer is yes, and Joshua Caldwell has done it. Joshua shares his insights on winning the MTV Movie Award, the jobs he took in LA to make connections in the industry, his writing process, how he approached his self-produced $6k microbudget feature The Layover by flipping the traditional approach, and how it all led to his latest film: Mending the Line, starring Brian Cox. And now, as he continues to build his own career, Joshua has taken his experience with The Layover and put it into his 6K Filmmaker Course, teaching aspiring filmmakers how to make microbudget feature films and launch their own careers. Watch Mending the Line here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSkv_sEyPSc Watch The Layover here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tNXYvA6ahQ Read more about Joshua here: https://www.meyd-ent.com/ Check out the 6k Filmmaker course here: https://www.meyd-ent.com/6kfilmmaker When you're ready to start your own web series or indie film, start here with this FREE GUIDE TO PITCHING: ⁠⁠https://view.flodesk.com/pages/64e37261c7567cef7b9f6cd9⁠⁠ SUBSCRIBE & STREAM KINSLEY VS. on YouTube now: ⁠⁠bit.ly/kinsleyvs⁠⁠ ---------- Host & Producer: Courtney Romano Executive Producer: Benjamin Shaw Musical Theme: Match Zimmerman The Break Breakdown is a production of Queens Bird Films. ---------- Follow @thebreakbreakdown on IG Follow @kinsleyvs.series on TikTok and IG Follow @queensbirdfilms on TikTok and IG ---- ABOUT QUEENS BIRD FILMS: Queens Bird Films is a production company telling stories to make life fun. With irreverence, depth, and a bit of whimsy, we make things for people who want to fall back in love with life. See the films, series, and podcasts we made for you here: ⁠⁠⁠queensbirdfilms.com⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to the NEWSLETTER: ⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/QBlist⁠⁠⁠ Follow on INSTAGRAM: ⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/queensbirdfilms⁠⁠…

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S3 E11 | The Grit and Resilience of a 10 Year Film Project with Documentary Filmmaker Kevin Longa [BONUS Episode] 26:41

2 years ago26:41

26:41

Web series production is not one size fits all. Some indie filmmakers may start with web series distribution. Others could start with a web series script they are itching to write. And then some might start on a whim while traveling, and spin one simple idea into an epic documentary series made up of 70 short films, shot across 3 continents, over the course of one decade. That's what filmmaker Kevin Longa did. In today's episode, producer Benjamin Shaw talks with Kevin about TASTE, his indie web series cataloguing the stories of food entrepreneurs — from pastry chefs to foragers — from around the world. Starting on this journey with a DSLR camera he got off Craig's List, Kevin has made a prolific body of work by bringing a sense of experimentation, grit, and resilience to this massive 10 year project. Watch Kevin Longa's indie web series here: TASTE And! Kevin is looking for collaborators. DM him on Instagram for more info. When you're ready to start your own web series or indie film, start here with this FREE GUIDE TO PITCHING: ⁠https://view.flodesk.com/pages/64e37261c7567cef7b9f6cd9⁠ SUBSCRIBE & STREAM KINSLEY VS. on YouTube now: ⁠bit.ly/kinsleyvs⁠ ---------- Host & Producer: Courtney Romano Executive Producer: Benjamin Shaw Musical Theme: Match Zimmerman The Break Breakdown is a production of Queens Bird Films. ---------- Follow @thebreakbreakdown on IG Follow @kinsleyvs.series on TikTok and IG Follow @queensbirdfilms on TikTok and IG ---- ABOUT QUEENS BIRD FILMS: Queens Bird Films is a production company telling stories to make life fun. With irreverence, depth, and a bit of whimsy, we make things for people who want to fall back in love with life. See the films, series, and podcasts we made for you here: ⁠⁠queensbirdfilms.com⁠⁠ Subscribe to the NEWSLETTER: ⁠⁠https://bit.ly/QBlist⁠⁠ Follow on INSTAGRAM: ⁠⁠instagram.com/queensbirdfilms⁠⁠…

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S3 E10 | Punk Rock Filmmaking and How to Make a No-Crew Feature Film with Filmmaker Noam Kroll [BONUS Episode] 52:31

2 years ago52:31

52:31

[BONUS EPISODE] Hot take: you don't need piles of cash and limitless free time to make a feature film. You can make a feature film with no crew, write as you go, edit you as you go, shoot on weekends, and in less than a year, have a feature film in the can and ready for distribution. This is exactly what filmmaker Noam Kroll did with his film Disappearing Boy . Noam is a vertiable fount of wisdom when it comes to micro-budget filmmaking. He has made a living as a working indie filmmaker , hosts the successful filmmaking podcast Show Don't Tell , and created a feature film incubator called The Backlot for indie filmmakers. Noam knows how to make something from nothing, and he's done it again and again and again. We were thrilled to have him on this bonus episode of TBB! SHOW NOTES 7:28 Defining micro-budget filmmaking 10:42 The Rick Rubin / Def Jam ethos of filmmaking 12:07 Is the micro-budget filmmaking practice a strategy or necessity? 15:14 Be the best or be the only 20:20 How Noam started crafting the narrative of his micro-budget film 29:40 The production schedule for Disappearing Boy 33:47 How narrative directors can approach the technical aspect of a no-crew feature 40:20 Noam’s advice for making a big film 41:54 The one thing Noam wish he knew about filmmaking earlier 44:08 The strong foundation to launch your career from 47:09 Inspiration vs. Luck Sign up for Noam's newsletter here: noamkroll.com/newsletter Follow Noam on social here: @noamkroll You might not need a lot of money for a no-crew feature film, but when you do need to raise money, start here with this FREE GUIDE TO PITCHING: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/64e37261c7567cef7b9f6cd9 SUBSCRIBE & STREAM KINSLEY VS. on YouTube now: bit.ly/kinsleyvs ---------- Host & Producer: Courtney Romano Executive Producer: Benjamin Shaw Musical Theme: Match Zimmerman The Break Breakdown is a production of Queens Bird Films. ---------- Follow @thebreakbreakdown on IG Follow @kinsleyvs.series on TikTok and IG Follow @queensbirdfilms on TikTok and IG ---- ABOUT QUEENS BIRD FILMS: We’re an independent film company based in New York City. Our mission is to make films, episodics, and theatrical events that tell the whole, and sometimes overlooked, story. We believe how we make things is just as important as what we make. We strive to unearth the surprising and inevitable. Practical & philosophical tips for your indie filmmaking journey, as well as QBF production news, casting calls, episode releases, and more: http://bit.ly/QBlist…

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S3 E9 | Exposing the Unseen Moments of Making an Indie Web Series 26:01

2 years ago26:01

26:01

Over the course of two years, we made a web series. And in that time, writer/director Courtney Romano recorded moments of the process — from self-reflection to directing actors to producer's meetings. In today's episode, we piece together a two year process through those BTS audio clips and commentary. Hopefully they give you a feel for the process as a whole. And hopefully, their inherent nebulous, winding, hard-to-pin-down ethos reminds you that you can do this, it isn't a straight line, and the work you do that no one ever sees will indeed add up to something. Today's Final Word is from creative producer Kara Griffin Cushman, who you can find here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kara-griffin-cushman SUBSCRIBE & STREAM KINSLEY VS. on YouTube now: bit.ly/kinsleyvs ---------- Host: Courtney Romano Executive Producer: Benjamin Shaw Supervising Producer: Match Zimmerman Producer: Sara States Musical Theme: Match Zimmerman Kinsley Vs. Theme: Shira Krasnow Created by Courtney Romano The Break Breakdown is a production of Queens Bird Films. ---------- Follow @thebreakbreakdown on IG Follow @kinsleyvs.series on TikTok and IG Follow @queensbirdfilms on TikTok and IG ---- ABOUT QUEENS BIRD FILMS: We’re an independent film company based in New York City. Our mission is to make films, episodics, and theatrical events that tell the whole, and sometimes overlooked, story. We believe how we make things is just as important as what we make. We strive to unearth the surprising and inevitable. Find out about our latest production news, casting calls, episode releases, and more by joining the QNS BRD List here: http://bit.ly/ QBlist…

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S3 E8 | How to Work with the Psychology of Color in Film 33:17

2 years ago33:17

33:17

Color is emotional. And while you might not be consciously aware of the importance of color in film, once you start noticing color's effect on your feelings, you can't unsee it. In this week's episode, Kinsley Vs. colorist Marika Litz talks with Courtney and Benjy about the psychology of color in film, how a colorist and a director work together to find a common color language, they break down what a colorist's job is and isn't, and they dive into the pink effect of Episode 3: Spiral with Courtney. This episode will convince you of the importance of color in film and inspire you with practical tips on how to color grade your videos and films. Today's guest was colorist Marika Litz, who you can follow here: https://www.marikalitz.com Today's Final Word is from actor Angela Reed, whose work you can read about here: https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Angela-Reed SUBSCRIBE & STREAM KINSLEY VS. on YouTube now: bit.ly/kinsleyvs ---------- Host: Courtney Romano Executive Producer: Benjamin Shaw Supervising Producer: Match Zimmerman Producer: Sara States Musical Theme: Match Zimmerman Created by Courtney Romano The Break Breakdown is a production of Queens Bird Films. ---------- Follow @thebreakbreakdown on IG Follow @kinsleyvs.series on TikTok and IG Follow @queensbirdfilms on TikTok and IG ---- ABOUT QUEENS BIRD FILMS: We’re an independent film company based in New York City. Our mission is to make films, episodics, and theatrical events that tell the whole, and sometimes overlooked, story. We believe how we make things is just as important as what we make. We strive to unearth the surprising and inevitable. Find out about our latest production news, casting calls, episode releases, and more by joining the QNS BRD List here: http://bit.ly/queensbirdfilms…

1
S3 E7 | Creating a Sonic Environment: How to Collaborate & Produce Music for Indie Film 31:23

2 years ago31:23

31:23

One of the biggest components of film post production is music. Music for tv and film can affect the whole mood of the piece. It can create comedy, drama, or urgency. It's another character in the film or series. In this week's episode, Benjy talks with Courtney and Kinsley Vs. music composer, Match Zimmerman. They talk about how to begin a musical collaboration, how to produce music for film, and how film scoring influences and amplifies what's on screen. They also discuss how they made an 11th hour change to the background music in the final episode. This episode is packed with tangible tips about an intangible process! Today's guest was multi-disciplinary artist Match Zimmerman, who you can follow here: instagram.com/matchzimmerman Today's Final Word is from Broadway music composer Martin Lowe, whose full work you can see here: theagency.co.uk/the-clients/martin-lowe SUBSCRIBE & STREAM KINSLEY VS. on YouTube now: bit.ly/kinsleyvs ---------- Host: Courtney Romano Executive Producer: Benjamin Shaw Supervising Producer: Match Zimmerman Producer: Sara States Musical Theme: Match Zimmerman Created by Courtney Romano The Break Breakdown is a production of Queens Bird Films. ---------- Follow @thebreakbreakdown on IG Follow @kinsleyvs.series on TikTok and IG Follow @queensbirdfilms on TikTok and IG ---- ABOUT QUEENS BIRD FILMS: We’re an independent film company based in New York City. Our mission is to make films, episodics, and theatrical events that tell the whole, and sometimes overlooked, story. We believe how we make things is just as important as what we make. We strive to unearth the surprising and inevitable. Find out about our latest production news, casting calls, episode releases, and more by joining the QNS BRD List here: http://bit.ly/queensbirdfilms…

1
S3 E6 | Post Production Advice: How to Master the Film Editing Process 40:48

2 years ago40:48

40:48

They say a film gets made three times — once when it's written, once when it's filmed, and once when it's edited. The filmmaker may see all three versions, but the audience will ever just see one: the edited movie. So whether you're the film's editor, director, or producer, the post production steps are arguably the most important part of your indie filmmaking process. In this week's episode, Courtney is joined by filmmaker Akram Shibly. Akram does it all — he's a writer, director, editor, actor, and podcast host. He brings his multi-disciplinary talents to his own film company, True Intent Productions . Akram served as Post Production Supervisor on Kinsley Vs., working closelly with the Editor, Colorist, and Sound Designer to ensure the overall technical vision was executed through the post production steps. Courtney and Akram discuss the importance of film editing, the intangible trust factor a team needs during the film editing process, post production troubleshooting tips, and how they decided to axe one of Courtney's favorite scenes. Today's guest was filmmaker Akram Shibly, whose work you can find here: trueintentproductions.com and on YouTube here: youtube.com/trueintent Today's Final Word is from playwright and librettist, Tasha Gordon-Solomon, who you can read more about here: dgf.org/fellows/tasha-m-gordon-solomon SUBSCRIBE & STREAM KINSLEY VS. on YouTube now: bit.ly/kinsleyvs ---------- Host: Courtney Romano Executive Producer: Benjamin Shaw Supervising Producer: Match Zimmerman Producer: Sara States Musical Theme: Match Zimmerman Created by Courtney Romano The Break Breakdown is a production of Queens Bird Films. ---------- Follow @thebreakbreakdown on IG Follow @kinsleyvs.series on TikTok and IG Follow @queensbirdfilms on TikTok and IG ---- ABOUT QUEENS BIRD FILMS: We’re an independent film company based in New York City. Our mission is to make films, episodics, and theatrical events that tell the whole, and sometimes overlooked, story. We believe how we make things is just as important as what we make. We strive to unearth the surprising and inevitable. Find out about our latest production news, casting calls, episode releases, and more by joining the QNS BRD List here: http://bit.ly/queensbirdfilms…

1
S3 E5 | How the Director-Cinematographer Relationship Brings Your Footage to Life 31:57

2 years ago31:57

31:57

As you're beginning the process of indie filmmaking, you can answer "what makes a good web series?" a hundred different ways. But one way to ensure success is the relationship between director and cinematographer. It's this dynamic that creates the footage that eventually becomes your indie film or web series. And the dynamic you create in the behind the scenes of the filmmaking process — from your shot list, to the narrative vibe, to decisions like whether the camera is handheld or static — will determine what kind of footage you can get. Executive Producer Benjy Shaw fills in as host today for a conversation between director Courtney Romano and cinematographer Ian McCay. They discuss what they look for in a director/cinematographer collaboration, how they approached on-set challenges, tips for leading both the camera department and the actors, and how they filmed the final episode of the series as a one take. Today's guest was cinematographer Ian McCay. You can find out more about Ian's work here and on social . Today's Final Word is from performance artist, writer, and professor of Contemporary Performance, AB Brown . SUBSCRIBE & STREAM KINSLEY VS. on YouTube now: bit.ly/kinsleyvs ---------- Host: Courtney Romano Executive Producer: Benjamin Shaw Supervising Producer: Match Zimmerman Producer: Sara States Musical Theme: Match Zimmerman Created by Courtney Romano The Break Breakdown is a production of Queens Bird Films. ---------- Follow @thebreakbreakdown on IG Follow @kinsleyvs.series on TikTok and IG Follow @queensbirdfilms on TikTok and IG ---- ABOUT QUEENS BIRD FILMS: We’re an independent film company based in New York City. Our mission is to make films, episodics, and theatrical events that tell the whole, and sometimes overlooked, story. We believe how we make things is just as important as what we make. We strive to unearth the surprising and inevitable. Find out about our latest production news, casting calls, episode releases, and more by joining the QNS BRD List here: http://bit.ly/queensbirdfilms…

1
S3 E4 | What Happens on a Film Set: Behind the Scenes Filmmaking Tips 21:51

2 years ago21:51

21:51

What happens on a film set? The answer is: anything and everything. From managing full company moves between locations, to making sure everyone is fed, to running behind on time, to straying from the script, the energy of a film set can be (at times) overwhelming. Each time you "make your day" can feel like a miracle. Executive Producer Benjy Shaw joins Courtney today to talk through the big lessons they learned from being on a film set as a small film production company and what makes a good web series. Courtney shares how she made on-the-fly directorial choices when they were running out of daylight. Benjy discusses how to make a film set operational. And they both share their takeaways on what worked, what didn't, and what they'll do differently in their next film production process. Today's Final Word is from celebrated theatre and film actor Cherry J ones . SUBSCRIBE & STREAM KINSLEY VS. on YouTube now: bit.ly/kinsleyvs ---------- Host: Courtney Romano Executive Producer: Benjamin Shaw Supervising Producer: Match Zimmerman Producer: Sara States Musical Theme: Match Zimmerman Created by Courtney Romano The Break Breakdown is a production of Queens Bird Films. ---------- Follow @thebreakbreakdown on IG Follow @kinsleyvs.series on TikTok and IG Follow @queensbirdfilms on TikTok and IG ------------ ABOUT QUEENS BIRD FILMS: We’re an independent film company based in New York City. Our mission is to make films, episodics, and theatrical events that tell the whole, and sometimes overlooked, story. We believe how we make things is just as important as what we make. We strive to unearth the surprising and inevitable. Find out about our latest production news, casting calls, episode releases, and more by joining the QNS BRD List here: http://bit.ly/queensbirdfilms…

1
S3 E3 | Making Costume Design Magic Happen on an Independent Film Budget 25:57

2 years ago25:57

25:57

Low budget indie films usually require lots of cutting corners. So why is costume design important? How can you get visual bang for your microbudget filmmaking buck? And what is the one department you really can't live without? Costume designer and producer Allison Koehler joins Courtney today to answer those questions and more. From costume design as character analysis to pulling off slick, aesthetic indie film costume ideas within her budget constraints, Allison describes how costume design in film can make or break a project. Today's Guest was costume designer & producer Allison Koehler. You can find out more about her work on http://alliekoehler.com . and follow her on social @allisonOkoehler Today's Final Word is from Eddy Lee, Broadway and voice actor. Learn more about Eddy's work here: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4003963/ and follow him on social @edru00 SUBSCRIBE & STREAM KINSLEY VS. on YouTube now: bit.ly/kinsleyvs ---------- Host: Courtney Romano Executive Producer: Benjamin Shaw Supervising Producer: Match Zimmerman Producer: Sara States Musical Theme: Match Zimmerman Created by Courtney Romano The Break Breakdown is a production of Queens Bird Films. ---------- Follow @thebreakbreakdown on IG Follow @kinsleyvs.series on TikTok and IG Follow @queensbirdfilms on TikTok and IG ---- ABOUT QUEENS BIRD FILMS: We’re an independent film company based in New York City. Our mission is to make films, episodics, and theatrical events that tell the whole, and sometimes overlooked, story. We believe how we make things is just as important as what we make. We strive to unearth the surprising and inevitable. Find out about our latest production news, casting calls, episode releases, and more by joining the QNS BRD List here: http://bit.ly/queensbirdfilms…

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S3 E2 | A Film Budget Breakdown & the Basics of How to Raise Money for an Independent Film Project 17:25

2 years ago17:25

17:25

You've got the script. You've got the team. But how do you get the money? Before you can raise a dime, you have to understand the importance of budgeting in film production and the basic strategies behind raising money for your indie film project. In this week's episode, Courtney is joined by Kinsley Vs. actor and producer Sara States to talk about budgeting in pre-production, and how to raise money for an indie film project. Sara and Courtney discuss specifics like film budget percentages, how much of a movie budget goes to actors, and the lessons they learned in fundraising for a low budget series — including specific line items they would change if they could do it over again and who to ask for independent film funding. Today's Guest was actor & producer Sara States. You can find out more about her work on http://sarastates.me and follow her on social @sarastates Today's Final Word is from Charles O. Anderson, choreographer and Chair of the Dance Department at The Ohio State University Learn more about Charles here: http://charlesoanderson .me SUBSCRIBE & STREAM KINSLEY VS. on YouTube now: bit.ly/kinsleyvs ---------- Host: Courtney Romano Executive Producer: Benjamin Shaw Supervising Producer: Match Zimmerman Producer: Sara States Musical Theme: Match Zimmerman Created by Courtney Romano The Break Breakdown is a production of Queens Bird Films. ---------- Follow @thebreakbreakdown on IG Follow @kinsleyvs.series on TikTok and IG Follow @queensbirdfilms on TikTok and IG ---- ABOUT QUEENS BIRD FILMS: We’re an independent film company based in New York City. Our mission is to make films, episodics, and theatrical events that tell the whole, and sometimes overlooked, story. We believe how we make things is just as important as what we make. We strive to unearth the surprising and inevitable. Find out about our latest production news, casting calls, episode releases, and more by joining the QNS BRD List here: http://bit.ly/queensbirdfi lms…

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S3 E1 | The Development Process: First Steps for How to Make a Web Series on YouTube 25:57

2 years ago25:57

25:57

The beginning stages of self-producing indie art can be messy. But we have to start the process to actually produce. Whether you want to figure out how to break into tv and film, make your own web series, or give yourself an acting job, self-producing — and the process it requires — can feel impossible. In today's episode, host Courtney Romano (writer/director of Kinsley Vs.) and guest Benjamin Shaw (executive producer of Kinsley Vs.) discuss how to start making a web series. From casual conversations to table reads to script edits to rounding up producers, Courtney and Benjy break down the exact steps they took at the beginning of their team's process to produce a full web series for YouTube. Today's Final Word is from Jen Spyra, author of BIG TIME. Learn more about Jen here: jenspyra.com SUBSCRIBE & STREAM KINSLEY VS. on YouTube now: bit.ly/kinsleyvs ---------------------- Host: Courtney Romano Executive Producer: Benjamin Shaw Supervising Producer: Match Zimmerman Producer: Sara States Musical Theme: Match Zimmerman Created by Courtney Romano The Break Breakdown is a production of Queens Bird Films. ---------------------- Follow @thebreakbreakdown on IG Follow @kinsleyvs.series on TikTok and IG Follow @queensbirdfilms on TikTok and IG Find out about our latest production news, casting calls, episode releases, and more by joining the QNS BRD List here: bit.ly/queensbirdfilms…

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Season 3 Trailer | Process: The Making of Kinsley Vs. 3:37

2 years ago3:37

3:37

How do you make something out of nothing? As independent artists, we face the same questions with each new project: how do I do this? What comes next? What if it's not good? Join the team behind Kinsley Vs., a 7-episode digital series, as we break down the indie filmmaking process that took us from script to screen. Beginning February 1st. Host: Courtney Romano Executive Producer: Benjamin Shaw Supervising Producer: Match Zimmerman Producer: Sara States Musical Theme: Match Zimmerman and Beth Rausch Created by Courtney Romano The Break Breakdown is a production of Queens Bird Films . SUBSCRIBE HERE to stream KINSLEY VS. on YouTube beginning on 1/23: youtube.com/@queensbirdfilms Follow @ thebreakbreakdown on IG Follow @kinsleyvs.series on TikTok and IG Follow @queensbirdfilms on IG Find out about our latest production news, casting calls, episode releases, and more by joining the Qns Brd List HERE .…

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Episode 33: Tony-Nominated Broadway Producer Rashad V. Chambers on the Simple Mindset Behind Huge Success 56:47

4 years ago56:47

56:47

Rashad Chambers has made quantum leaps and giant strides by leveraging every move — one step at a time. After earning his law degree in Ohio, Rashad found himself in New York City, getting into producing, becoming a talent manager, then co-producing American Son starring Kerry Washington and earning a Tony award nomination for producing Ain't Too Proud — The Life and Times of the Temptations. He discusses the steps it took, over the course of eleven years, to reach his dream to produce on Broadway, and how a simple, clear mindset has given him the confidence to take each and every step. Here's the musician St. Lenox we discussed on the podcast (also, sidebar: his music was featured in the credits of Screen Test!). Rashad on Instagram: @rashadvchambers Esquire Entertainment: esquireentertainment.com The Industry Standard Group: theindustrystandardgroup.com Follow @queensbirdfilms and queensbirdfilms.com for updates on our next project. And don't miss our short film, Screen Test (2020): watch it for free now . Find out about our latest production news, casting calls, episode releases, and more by joining the Qns Brd List HERE . Additional sound effects from https://www.zapsplat.com…

The Break Breakdown: A Podcast from Queens Bird Films

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Episode 17: 5 Principles of Directing for Film When You Haven’t Gone to Film School 32:22

4 years ago32:22

32:22

No film school? No problem. Today's episode covers five principles of directing for film that can help you create your first film when you haven't gone to film school. Courtney breaks down what she needed to know and what she didn't need to know, how she created the particular language of her short film "Screen Test", and why everything in your shot is "Chekov's gun". Sign up for our semi-weekly newsletter where Courtney shares one little bite size piece of courage that can help all of us speak up, be free, and (try and sometimes fail to) make good art: Join the Qns Brd List HERE . Follow @queensbirdfilms for updates on our film, Screen Test, and watch it for free now . Additional sound effects from https://www.zapsplat.com…

The Break Breakdown: A Podcast from Queens Bird Films

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Episode 16: Why Your Day Job is a Success and Other Ways to Be an Anti-Capitalist Artist 33:22

4 years ago33:22

33:22

Today's episode is about reframing the capitalist talking points that make us feel like our art is only as good as its paycheck. Courtney breaks down the difference between capitalism v. democratic socialism, how capitalist thinking clouds our artistic vision, why having a day job is an indicator of success, and how to reframe our approach to our work with a value system that centers people and art, instead of capital. Sign up for our semi-weekly newsletter where Courtney shares one little bite size piece of courage that can help all of us speak up, be free, and (try and sometimes fail to) make good art: Join the Qns Brd List HERE . Follow @queensbirdfilms for updates on our film, Screen Test, and watch it for free now . Additional sound effects from https://www.zapsplat.com…

The Break Breakdown: A Podcast from Queens Bird Films

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Episode 15: Quick & Dirty — How to Find an Idea 18:33

5 years ago18:33

18:33

QUICK & DIRTY: Q&D episodes are short conversations investigating one singular idea or concept about creativity and breaking through. This week's Q&D is about ideation, the creative process, and figuring out where to start. Sign up for our semi-weekly newsletter where Courtney shares one little bite size piece of courage that can help all of us speak up, be free, and (try and sometimes fail to) make good art: Join the Qns Brd List HERE . Follow @queensbirdfilms for updates on our film, Screen Test, and watch it for free now . Additional sound effects from https://www.zapsplat.com…

The Break Breakdown: A Podcast from Queens Bird Films

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Episode 14: Quick & Dirty — The Pancake Theory vs. The Hero's Journey 17:26

5 years ago17:26

17:26

QUICK & DIRTY: Q&D episodes are short conversations investigating one singular idea or concept about creativity and breaking through. This week's Q&D is about The Pancake Theory vs. The Hero's Journey and the fear that your great idea might be a flop. Sign up for our semi-weekly newsletter where Courtney shares one little bite size piece of courage that can help all of us speak up, be free, and (try and sometimes fail to) make good art: Join the Qns Brd List HERE . Follow @queensbirdfilms for updates on our film, Screen Test, and watch it for free now . Additional sound effects from https://www.zapsplat.com…

The Break Breakdown: A Podcast from Queens Bird Films

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Episode 13: The Myth of Writer's Block and How to Start Writing Right Now 46:10

5 years ago46:10

46:10

Today's episode is about the myth of writer's block. Courtney breaks down how she approaches the writing process, the resources she's used to self-educate herself on writing, and what makes writing good. She also gets very quote happy. :) This episode is for everyone interested in the writing process: whether you're brand new and looking for a way to start, or a veteran who wants to reinvigorate your process. Follow @queensbirdfilms for updates on our film, Screen Test, and watch it for free now . Stay up to date on everything new by Queens Bird Films by signing up for our weekly newsletter HERE .…

The Break Breakdown: A Podcast from Queens Bird Films

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Episode 12: Getting Attention: The Fundamental Principles Behind an Indie Marketing Strategy 39:07

5 years ago39:07

39:07

Today's episode is about getting attention. But not in the SEO-driven, click-baity kind of way. This episode seeks to answer the big picture question, "How can I market my film (or any creative work) in a way that's sustainable, authentic, and impactful?" It's the 30,000 foot view and a good place to start if you're new to marketing or looking to get re-inspired as you implement your own strategies. In this episode, Courtney breaks down the overall marketing plan for Screen Test. She shares the fundamentals she's implemented over years of working on a variety of professional marketing campaigns, the lessons she's learned from marketing her own work, and how to determine what kind of strategy will work for you. Follow @queensbirdfilms for updates on our film, Screen Test, and watch it for free now . Stay up to date on everything new by Queens Bird Films by signing up for our weekly newsletter HERE .…

The Break Breakdown: A Podcast from Queens Bird Films

1
Episode 11: The Secret Advantages of Collaboration with Producer Mckinzy Powers and Costume Designer Allison Koehler 1:07:15

5 years ago1:07:15

1:07:15

What exactly is producing? What is the path into costume design? How do you find an amazing team and wardrobe when you have a $0 budget? Is New York City dead? Our guests today are answering all of those questions and more. Mckinzy Powers and Allison Koehler produced Screen Test (Allison also did the costume design) and in today's episode, they discuss taking non-traditional career paths, the perils of comparison, and how to get the most out of a micro-budget. Find out more about Mckinzy and Allison on their websites. Follow @queensbirdfilms for new episodes of TBB and updates on our film, Screen Test, and watch it for free now .…

The Break Breakdown: A Podcast from Queens Bird Films

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Episode 10: How Anxiety Impacts Our Ability to Create Art & How Art Can Be Our Path Out of Darkness 1:01:18

5 years ago1:01:18

1:01:18

In today's episode, Courtney talks about her journey with anxiety, how it was manipulated by a "high control" group, and how she learned to work with it (instead of against it) to finish Screen Test during the 2020 lockdowns. She talks about how art serves as a beacon in the middle of darkness, how we use it to deal with the difficulty of isolation, and why it's essential we keep creating (at our own pace) whatever it is we are called to create. Follow @queensbirdfilms for new episodes of TBB and updates on new projects. Watch our short film Screen Test here: bit.ly/ScreenTest2020…

The Break Breakdown: A Podcast from Queens Bird Films

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Episode 9: Waking Up from the Trance of Social Media 31:30

5 years ago31:30

31:30

In today's episode, Courtney talks about the major theme of her short film "Screen Test": social media and the identity it creates for us. She talks about our obsession with consumption, our need for emotional tidiness, our altered personas crafted by these platforms, and how we might start to wake up from the trance. Follow @queensbirdfilms for new episodes of TBB and updates on our film, Screen Test, which releases 10.8.20.…

The Break Breakdown: A Podcast from Queens Bird Films

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Episode 8: Actor David Gow on the Relentless Pursuit of The Dream 1:08:38

5 years ago1:08:38

1:08:38

David Gow is an actor's actor. He played the cringey, smiley, try-hard Jason in Screen Test, and he's on the podcast today talking with Courtney about the leaps and risks he took to pursue his dream of becoming an actor. He talks about "getting discovered" at six and then putting away his passion, the artistic discipline he fell in love with, and where he finds his edge. Find out more about David on Instagram and his website . Follow @queensbirdfilms for new episodes of TBB and updates on our film, Screen Test, which releases 10.8.20.…

The Break Breakdown: A Podcast from Queens Bird Films

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Episode 7: Actor LaWanda Hopkins on Bypassing the System to Create Her Own Path 1:05:59

5 years ago1:05:59

1:05:59

Today, actor and dancer LaWanda Hopkins who plays the unshakably confident fitfluencer Devvy in Screen Test, joins Courtney for a chat about finding your authentic path. She talks about the moment that made her realize she had something more to give and working with greats like Chadwick Boseman and Spike Lee. In this episode, LaWanda speaks about success's bigger purpose, bypassing the systems and structures that have set up obstacles in her way, and how she has forged her own authentic path with joy and focus. Find out more about LaWanda on Instagram , Facebook , and her website . Follow @queensbirdfilms for new episodes of TBB and updates on our film, Screen Test, which releases 10.8.20.…

The Break Breakdown: A Podcast from Queens Bird Films

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Episode 6: Actor Kennedy Kanagawa on Finding Success by Being Yourself and Why Taking a Break Isn’t a Failure 1:05:59

5 years ago1:05:59

1:05:59

On today's episode, actor and renaissance man Kennedy Kanagawa who plays the belt-your-face-off fitness instructor Kenny in Screen Test, joins Courtney. He talks about about the truth behind success and failure and why they're not exactly what they seem. Kennedy also opens up about the racism he faced when starting out in the industry, how to network without feeling grossed out by it, and his take on getting your big break. Tune in for an episode with a lot of laughter. Find out more about Kennedy at kennedykanagawa.com . Follow @queensbirdfilms for new episodes of TBB and updates on our film, Screen Test, which releases 10.8.20.…

The Break Breakdown: A Podcast from Queens Bird Films

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Episode 5: Actor and Teacher Jillian Paige on Breaking Through by Telling the Truth 52:55

5 years ago52:55

52:55

Today on the podcast, Jillian Paige who plays "fitfluencer" Caroline in our upcoming short film Screen Test joins us to talk about breaking through the blocks that keep us from honest expression. Jillian uses and teaches the Meisner acting technique and in this episode, she discusses everything from how she used the technique to prepare for Screen Test to toxic positivity to letting your instincts guide you. Find out more about Jillian at @thejillianpaige and Meisner in Music at @meisnerinmusic . Follow @queensbirdfilms for new episodes of TBB and updates on our film, Screen Test, which releases this fall.…

The Break Breakdown: A Podcast from Queens Bird Films

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Episode 4: Actor Sara States on Letting Go, Staying Open, and Taking the Intuitive Career Path 53:27

5 years ago53:27

53:27

Courtney's joined today by actor and writer Sara States, who stars as Olivia in our upcoming short film: Screen Test . In this episode, Courtney and Sara discuss how she prepared for the role of Olivia, why she left the theatre industry and how she came back to it, and her advice for anyone wondering when they'll get their big break. Find out more about Sara at sarastates.me Follow @queensbirdfilms for new episodes of TBB and updates on our film, Screen Test , which releases this fall.…

The Break Breakdown: A Podcast from Queens Bird Films

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Episode 3: On Set as a First Time Film Director 26:15

5 years ago26:15