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PODCAST

First Time Go

Benjamin Duchek

A weekly podcast highlighting the creators of independent film and the business behind it. Hosted by Ben Duchek.

tv & film film interviews

All Episodes

38:50

Lisa Trifone

First Time Go ·

2024/12/27

Happy holidays! We wrap up season two with Lisa Trifone, a multitalented woman who founded Bright Iris Film Co. No matter what angle you come at indie films, Lisa has it covered. Several of the films highlighted on the pod came from work Lisa did, and as I mention in the episode, I knew that they'd be good because an email came from Lisa Trifone and Bright Iris. I thought she'd be reluctant to share her secrets -- she's not! Here they all are.In this episode, we talk about:how an indie

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2:25

Indie Film Highlight: LONG DECEMBER (2023)

First Time Go ·

2024/12/22

Every Sunday, I'll post a quick video -- and podcast -- about an indie film from at least a year ago. Today's film: LONG DECEMBER (2023).Director: Thomas TorreyWriter: Thomas TorreyCast: Stephen Williams; Emily Althaus; Charley KoontzSYNOPSISNearing the end of another financially difficult year and feeling pressured to finally give up on his dreams, struggling musician Gabe Lovell wonders if his break is just around the corner when his rock star cousin offers him a spot in the final show of

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2:38

Indie Film Highlight: KLAUS (2019)

First Time Go ·

2024/12/16

Every Sunday, I'll post a quick video -- and podcast -- about an indie film from at least a year ago. Today's film: KLAUS (2019).Director: Sergio PablosScreenplay: Sergio Pablos; Jim Mahoney; Zach LewisCast: Jason Schwartzmann; J.K. Simmons; Rashida Jones; Will Sasso; Norm MacdonaldSYNOPSISAfter proving himself to be the worst student at the academy, a postman is sent to a frozen town in the North where he discovers a reclusive toymaker named Klaus.Watch This On YouTubeSubscribe to our

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43:32

Mira Shaib

First Time Go ·

2024/12/11

I am so pleased to be joined by groundbreaking filmmaker Mira Shaib, director of Arzé, a brilliant first feature comedy-drama about the relationship of a family in Lebanon. (In North America, it should be released early next year.)Mira Shaib is an alumnus of prestigious film development labs and residencies, including Robert Bosch Stiftung, where she attended the Film Academy Baden-Württemberg, Film Independent's Global Media Makers LA Residency, the Red Sea Lodge, and the Torino Film Lab. Her

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28:22

Adam Kinyon

First Time Go ·

2024/12/07

Gratitude is the operative word with filmmaker Adam Kinyon, founder of Best Dressed Films and producing two independent features in 2024. How do you get your short made? What's the state of play for producers in independent film? If you're an indie director looking for a producer or a producer looking for a director, this episode is for you.In this episode, we talk about:how Adam got started and the importance of mentorship;the importance of "relentless positivity". how he takes that

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41:16

Jake Fallon & Nick Craven (Re-Release)

First Time Go ·

2024/11/30

In celebration of this holiday, I re-released one of my favorite episodes of last year: my conversation with Jake Fallon & Nick Craven. Their film, CRYING ON COMMAND, is hitting the festival circuit over the next few months. I had a blast re-listening to this episode. Enjoy.In this episode, we talk about...how the duo got involved in filmmaking;whether you can start out just making films or if you can start high-minded;the reasons behind the success of their Seed & Spark campaign(s) for

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1:12

Thanks!

First Time Go ·

2024/11/28

To all my guests, subscribers, and listeners:thank you so much. I am so grateful every time you press play or choose to talk with me about your art. I hope you have a great Thanksgiving.Subscribe to our YouTube channelFollow us on LetterboxdFollow us on InstagramFollow us on XFollow us on FacebookFollow us on TikTokFollow us on LinkedInSubscribe to our YouTube channelSupport the Podcast Through MembershipSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/first-time-go/exclusive-content

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2:17

Indie Film Highlight: AMIRA AND SAM (2014)

First Time Go ·

2024/11/24

Every Sunday, I'll post a quick video -- and podcast -- about an indie film from at least a year ago. Today's film: AMIRA AND SAM (2014).Director: Sean MullinScreenplay: Sean MullinCast: Martin Starr; Paul Wesley; Dina ShihabiSYNOPSISA veteran tries to assimilate back into civilian life in a country he barely recognizes while trying to win the heart of an Iraqi immigrant.Watch This On YouTubeSubscribe to our YouTube channelFollow us on LetterboxdFollow us on InstagramFollow us on XFollow us

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35:07

Slava Leontyev & Brendan Bellomo

First Time Go ·

2024/11/22

The film PORCELAIN WAR (2024), opening in New York City today (November 22nd, 2024), won the 2024 Sundance Festival Grand Jury Prize, among numerous other plaudits. And I asked the directors -- Slava Leontyev and Brendan Bellomo -- whether the awards matter to them, and in one of the many heart-aching answers in this interview, Slava responded: I am here instead of my friends. Sharing this film is the main mission in my life.The film offers hope in a sea of hopelessness against Russian aggression,

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50:54

Matt Beurois

First Time Go ·

2024/11/20

If the best documentaries are made by outsiders observing a cultural phenomenon -- and then filming it -- consider watching FANCY LIKE, available for streaming on November 19th, 2024.Filmed by "French guy" filmmaker Matt Beurois, it shows the life behind country music star Walker Hayes in an intimate way and the story behind the song "Fancy Like" going viral (i.e. the Applebee's song). And all Matt had to do was ask.In this episode, we discuss:how he got started in filmmaking --

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48:42

Christine Yoo

First Time Go ·

2024/11/06

From leading the way in Asian-American romcoms to the brilliant 26.2 TO LIFE, I talk with filmmaker Christine Yoo about her career, how to depict marathons and prisons on film, the state of rom-coms and Asian-American filmmaking, and more. Just by those categories alone you should know you are hearing from a wildly original filmmaker. And that's before the CIA gets namedropped.In this episode, we discuss:prison films and film festivals;how she got started as a filmmaker, starting in Iowa as a

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2:41

Indie Film Highlight: THE SQUID AND THE WHALE (2005)

First Time Go ·

2024/11/03

Most importantly, GO VOTE on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. You can find your polling place here. Every Sunday, I'll post a quick video -- and podcast -- about an indie film from at least a year ago. Today's film: THE SQUID AND THE WHALE (2005).Director: Noah BaumbachWritten By: Noah Baumbach; Wes AndersonCast: Laura Linney; Jeff Daniels; Jesse EisenbergSYNOPSISA pair of brothers living in Brooklyn are caught in the middle of, and deeply affected by, the divorce of their erudite parents, Bernard

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1:48

Indie Film Highlight: THE LONELIEST PLANET (2011)

First Time Go ·

2024/10/06

Every Sunday, I'll post a quick video -- and podcast -- about an indie film from at least a year ago. Today's film: THE LONELIEST PLANET (2011).Director: Julia LoktevScreenplay By: Julia LoktevCast: Gael Garcia Bernal; Hani FurstenbergSYNOPSISAn incident on the trail tests two lovers' (Gael García Bernal, Hani Furstenberg) relationship as they take a guided hiking tour through the Caucasus Mountains.Watch the episode on YouTubeSubscribe to our YouTube channelFollow us on LetterboxdFollow

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21:03

Hoku Uchiyama (Re-Release)

First Time Go ·

2024/10/04

Welcome to spooky season in this re-release of my conversation with filmmaker Hoku Uchiyama.Published last year while he was crowdfunding for WHITCH, we talk about: his filmmaking in the Bay Area starting when he was around 10; his new project, a horror comedy short; his fantastic team and whether you could put together such a cool group of people if you were a horrible person (his answer: probably not); behavior standards in indie film, the constraints and excitements of a five minute project, and

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58:53

Vladan Nikolić

First Time Go ·

2024/09/29

Be prepared to get a bill from The New School after this episode -- it's an hour with Vlad Nikolić, dean of the School of Media Studies at The New School.In this episode we talk about:how he got started in filmmaking and his advice for new students ("make something every day"; "watch films every day");what the average day is like as dean of media studies at The New School;can all indie filmmakers be teachers?how does he feel about gen z as filmmakers? he talks about the ethos of

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2:01

Indie Film Highlight: FREMONT (2023)

First Time Go ·

2024/09/29

Every Sunday, I'll post a quick video -- and podcast -- about an indie film from at least a year ago. Today's film: FREMONT (2023).Director: Babak JalaliWritten By: Carolina Cavalli; Babak JalaliCast: Anaita Wali Zada; Gregg Turkington; Jeremy Allen WhiteSYNOPSISFormerly a translator for the United States military in Afghanistan, Donya struggles to rebuild her life in San Francisco and works for a Chinese fortune cookie factory. In a moment of sudden revelation, she decides to send out a

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24:35

Ross McDonnell (Re-Release)

First Time Go ·

2024/09/24

This is a re-release of my discussion with Ross McDonnell. His film, SWIFT JUSTICE, is up for a News & Doc Emmy in Outstanding Cinematography: Documentary. The awards will be revealed live on September 26, 2024.Ross died on November 5, 2023. His co-director, Victor Blue, writes movingly about his work. Later on this year, I'll post an episode remembering Ross and the legacy of independent filmmakers.In this episode, I talk with Ross McDonnell, co-director of the new documentary short, SWIFT

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1:31

Indie Film Highlight: SYNONYMS (2019)

First Time Go ·

2024/09/22

Every Sunday, I'll post a quick video -- and podcast -- about an indie film from at least a year ago. Today's film: SYNONYMS (2019).Director: Nadav LapidScreenplay By: Nadav Lapid; Haim LapidCast: Tom Mercier; Quentin Dolmaire; Louise ChevillotteSYNOPSISA young Israeli man, aided by his trusty Franco-Israeli dictionary, travels to Paris to flee his nationality.Watch The Episode on YouTube.Subscribe to our YouTube channelSupport the Podcast Through MembershipSupport this podcast at —

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31:42

Vallée Duhamel

First Time Go ·

2024/09/20

AI is the most controversial topic in filmmaking right now. I talk about it with the directors' duo of Julien Vallée and Eve Duhamel, artists who are now exploring the medium in the best possible way -- as an extension of their own art.In this episode, we talk about:how they got started in filmmaking and their exceptional career, which has included jobs for top corporate clients including Apple;their thoughts on AI filmmaking;the reaction to critics, who in many cases they said haven't even

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1:36

Indie Film Highlight: FORTY SHADES OF BLUE (2005)

First Time Go ·

2024/09/14

Every Sunday, I'll post a quick video -- and podcast -- about an indie film from at least a year ago. Today's film: FORTY SHADES OF BLUE (2005).Director: Ira SachsScreenplay By: Ira Sachs; Michael RohatynCast: Dina Korzun; Rip Torn; Darren BurrowsSYNOPSISAfter moving from Moscow to Memphis, Tenn., Laura (Dina Korzun) feels isolated living a new, privileged life with her boyfriend, Alan James (Rip Torn), a famous music producer. As time passes, Laura becomes increasingly lonely, while James

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282 results

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