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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

42:34

Jake Rademacher

First Time Go ·

2025/04/26

Watch This Episode On YouTubeOne of the things that fascinates me about filmmaking is the concept of authenticity. That is, the filmmakers either have to put in the time to do research for a particular film genre (veterans, ethnic films, etc) or they have to live it. For the new film BROTHERS AFTER WAR, my guest Jake Rademacher lived it. It's in his blood -- literally, as many of his siblings serve in the military. I felt honored to talk with a director who told veterans' stories so

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22:00

Angeline Walsh

First Time Go ·

2025/04/22

Watch This Episode On YouTube NowGo and listen to THE CORONER'S ASSISTANT, a new show on Tubi by filmmaker Angeline Walsh, and I'll bet you have the theme music caught in your head for the rest of the day (week, month, etc.) Kudos to Angeline for putting music first.The episodic model might look scary, but my guest is here to convince you otherwise -- for her, it was a way to follow her heart.In this episode, we discuss:the ridiculously catchy theme music and how she decided to start with

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39:51

Rachel Suissa

First Time Go ·

2025/04/14

Watch This Episode On YouTubePreorder on Apple TV NowIn the beating heart of the most successful independent filmmakers you can find one thing for certain: a belief in oneself. I've hardly ever heard a more powerful defense of one's vision than from filmmaker Rachel Suissa, who is here to talk about her debut indie film, GREEK MOTHERS NEVER DIE (2025).If you want to be inspired by a woman and her vision, this is the episode for you.And don't forget -- preorder her film! Rachel lets us in

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1:19

Indie Film Highlight: THE BACHELORS (2017)

First Time Go ·

2025/04/13

Watch This Episode On YouTubeEvery Sunday, I'll post a quick video -- and podcast -- about an indie film from at least a year ago. Today's film: THE BACHELORS (2017).Director: Kurt VoelkerWritten By: Kurt VoelkerCast: JK Simmons; Josh Wiggins; Odeya RushSYNOPSISAfter the death of his wife, Bill and his 17-year-old son, Wes, move from a small town to a big city for a fresh start. As they begin to adjust to life in the city and seek ways to heal their wounds, they both find comfort in newfound

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31:00

Caitlyn Sponheimer

First Time Go ·

2025/04/11

Watch This Episode On YouTubeIt takes a really special filmmaker to write, act, direct, produce their debut feature film. Well, let's go to Western Canada to find out in Caitlyn Sponheimer, the dynamo behind the film WILD GOAT SURF (2023), which had its US premiere in the beginning of April.If it was my dream world, it would open in a thousand theaters, but look for it on streaming on May 20th.In this episode, Caitlyn and I discuss:she does everything in her latest film -- acting, directing,

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37:46

Chelsea Christer

First Time Go ·

2025/04/08

Watch This Episode On YouTubeMy guest, Chelsea Christer, is being modest but you can't be just dream adjacent while turning out brilliant, touching, and culturally relevant films like OUT FOR DELIVERY (2025).By premiering the film both at Sundance and SXSW Film Festival this year, it's clear Chelsea is at the top of her game...and closer to dream actualized than ever before.In this episode, we discuss:how she got involved in filmmaking and the rise of female filmmakers, particularly

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38:20

Special Slamdance Coverage: Tanner Christensen

First Time Go ·

2025/04/05

There's not a person alive who won't be moved by STANDOUT: THE BEN KJAR STORY (2025) -- it's a story of overcoming expectations and spreading kindness into the world. It's also an extraordinary achievement of documentary filmmaking. We get into that and more with director Tanner Christensen.In this episode, Tanner and I discuss:the uplifting qualities of STANDOUT: THE BEN KJAR STORY (2025);what to expect when you watch the film (laughing, crying, feeling better about the state of

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19:03

Special Slamdance Coverage: Camilla Jämting

First Time Go ·

2025/03/31

I don't say this lightly: you've never seen a film like PROJECT DAD. It's a Slamdance original from an artist that is making waves throughout Europe and now looking forward to a North American run: Camilla Jämting.What a film. What a story. PROJECT DAD is a film you have to see to believe, and keep up with Camilla so you can see it just as soon as it screening near you.In this episode, Camilla and I talk about:the courage and bravery to create PROJECT DAD;what should people expect to see

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2:01

Indie Film Highlight: HANK AND ASHA (2013)

First Time Go ·

2025/03/30

Watch This Episode On YouTubeEvery Sunday, I'll post a quick video -- and podcast -- about an indie film from at least a year ago. Today's film: HANK AND ASHA (2013).Director: James E. DuffWritten By: Julia Morrison; James E. DuffCast: Mahira Kakkar; Andrew Pastides; Bianca Butti; Brian SloanSYNOPSISAn Indian woman studying in Prague corresponds with a young filmmaker in New York. As their relationship intensifies, they must choose whether to meet.Watch This Episode On YouTubeSubscribe to

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27:10

Special Slamdance Coverage: Alex Dvorak

First Time Go ·

2025/03/27

Watch This Episode On YouTubeOne of one. One of one. One of one. It kept coming back to me that every significant avenue filmmaker Alex Dvorak went into, she was the only one with that path.And that kind of trailblazing requires bravery, vulnerability, and as you see in her film BAD SURVIVOR, a fair bit of snark.Special Slamdance coverage continues with Alex Dvorak.In this episode, we discuss:her completely unique entry into filmmaking...as a cancer survivor;are there more survivor stories out

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1:25

Indie Film Highlight: BROKEN ENGLISH (2007)

First Time Go ·

2025/03/23

Watch This Episode On YouTubeEvery Sunday, I'll post a quick video -- and podcast -- about an indie film from at least a year ago. Today's film: BROKEN ENGLISH (2007).Director: Zoe CassavetesWritten By: Zoe CassavetesCast: Parker Posey; Melvil Poupaud; Drea de Matteo; Justin Theroux; Peter Bogdanovich; Gena RowlandsSYNOPSISNora Wilder (Parker Posey), a single woman, is heading deep into the doldrums as a result of disappointments in her professional and personal lives. A series of disastrous

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29:53

Special Slamdance Coverage: Dave Markey

First Time Go ·

2025/03/20

I never met or even heard of Bill Bartell before watching this documentary, but darn if filmmaker Dave Markey doesn't bring him to life in his brilliant film, THE SECRET LIVES OF BILL BARTELL. The film is a kaleidoscope of events and people; you'll think it's a mockumentary before realizing that...it's all true.It is a testament to the craft of Dave that he creates such a stunning documentary about a unique subject, and we get into how he's sustained a career in music, punk rock,

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1:37

Indie Film Highlight: SAY YOU WILL (2017)

First Time Go ·

2025/03/16

Every Sunday, I'll post a quick video -- and podcast -- about an indie film from at least a year ago. Today's film: SAY YOU WILL (2017)Director: Nick NavedaWritten By: Nick NavedaCast: Travis Tope; Katherine Hughes; Israel Broussard; Sam TrammellSYNOPSISAfter his father's suicide, a promising young musician tries to help his mother survive her grief while he tries to find solace in a troubled childhood crush.Watch This Episode On YouTubeSubscribe to our YouTube channelFollow us on

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27:21

Special Slamdance Coverage: Case Jernigan

First Time Go ·

2025/03/15

Watch This Episode On YouTubeCase Jernigan wins at so many things -- animation, gamemaking, filmmaking, and having without a doubt the best setting for recording a podcast episode. Normally, I edit out all background noise but with the birds chirping, I just could. not. do. it. His sound is such a mood.And I created special podcast animation art to celebrate such a fantastic artist.Case is a true Renaissance man who, not surprisingly, has found himself in Italy, and our discussion demonstrates the

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47:16

Special Slamdance Coverage: Portlynn Tagavi

First Time Go ·

2025/03/11

Watch This Episode On YouTubeJump into the mosh pit with filmmaker Portlynn Tagavi. We talk her stunning filmmaking career, animation, Film Independent’s Project Involve, and her brilliant short film, MOSH, which screened at Slamdance this year. In this episode, we talk about:how she got started in filmmaking through animation;the difference in directing animation vs. life action ("the whole concept of talking to actors still freaks me out");what the AFI Conservatory MFA Directing program is

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38:41

Special Slamdance Coverage: Aisha Amin

First Time Go ·

2025/03/04

Watch This Episode On YouTubeI couldn't have loved CONTOURS (2025) more, Aisha Amin's film which screened at Slamdance, and that bled through into the conversation. The story is brilliantly written, wonderfully acted, and gorgeously shot, so it's no surprise Aisha is such a fascinating guest for the podcast.She comes to filmmaking from the perspective of a Pakistani-American filmmaker and it is clear she will continue to push boundaries of what's possible in independent filmmaking.In

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20:38

Special Slamdance Coverage: Nick Beaulieu

First Time Go ·

2025/03/01

Watch This Episode On YouTubeThe needle-threading to make a great political documentary, a brilliant social commentary about a Midwestern city, and a deeply personal story is truly breathtaking. But Nick Beaulieu delivers with MY OMAHA (2025), a film about a father, a son, and a city in Nebraska that will be viewed as a bellwether of our times for years to follow.In this episode, we discuss:how he got started as a filmmaker -- he went out to LA to "do anything" but came back to Omaha as a

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40:54

Special Slamdance Coverage: Birdy Wei-Ting Hung

First Time Go ·

2025/02/27

Watch This Episode On YouTubeThis is as close as I've ever been to going Joe Rogan style, four hour interview.I've never talked with someone so willing to discuss the history of cinema (in this case, Taiwanese) than my guest today, Birdy Wei-Ting Hung. She directed the brilliant film, A BRIGHTER SUMMER DAY FOR THE LADY AVENGERS (2024), which screened at Slamdance.In order to make the film, she drew on years of reading history and watching cinema. If you loved school, or even if you

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18:50

Special Slamdance Coverage: Woody Bess

First Time Go ·

2025/02/26

Watch Now On YouTubeMy guest, Woody Bess, makes it sound happenstance, but don't kid yourself: Keith David and Richard Kind aren't signing up for just any independent film. But if you've extremely talented and put your heart and soul into a film -- and the script is great -- well, they will, and you've got PORTAL TO HELL (2025), which debuted at Slamdance. Glad Woody didn't go in the portal, and he joined me to discuss this riveting horror comedy feature.In this episode, we

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1:44

Hello, Slamdance!

First Time Go ·

2025/02/24

Hello, Slamdance! Be on the lookout for episodes coming out every day for the next few weeks. with 2025 Slamdance directors.It is one of the most diverse lineups with often debut filmmakers so of course the pod will be highlighting the creators.Thanks for helping filmmakers get their first time go.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/first-time-go/exclusive-content

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213 results

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