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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

38:20

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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1:24

Indie Film Highlight: THE NATURE OF LOVE (2023)

First Time Go ·

2025/02/22

Watch This 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 NATURE OF LOVE (2023).Director: Monia ChokriWritten By: Monia ChokriCast: Magalie Lépine Blondeau; Pierre-Yves Cardinal; Francis-William Rheaume; Steve LaplanteSYNOPSISSophia's comfortable life turns upside down the day she meets Sylvain, and she leaves everything for a new, burning passion.Subscribe to our YouTube channelFollow us on

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23:37

Kyle Henry

First Time Go ·

2025/02/19

Watch This Episode On YouTubeWhat do you get by matching "a former Marine Corps drill instructor and an elementary arts educator"? A fantastic filmmaker in Kyle Henry. Kyle teaches film production at Northwestern University and has made both narrative and docs films to the acclaim of the Independent Spirit Awards and other film festivals. He's back with his newest film, TIME PASSAGES, which is one of the most unique documentaries you'll ever see.In this episode, we discuss:how TIME

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1:46

Indie Film Highlight: BROADCAST NEWS (1987)

First Time Go ·

2025/02/16

Watch This On YouTubeEvery Sunday, I'll post a quick video -- and podcast -- about an indie film from at least a year ago. Today's film: BROADCAST NEWS (1987).Director: James L BrooksScreenplay: James L BrooksCast: Holly Hunter; William Hurt; Albert BrooksSYNOPSISA highly strung news producer finds herself strangely attracted to a vapid anchorman even through she loathes everything he personifies. To make matters worse, her best friend, a talented but not particularly telegenic news

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1:42

Indie Film Highlight: ONCE AGAIN (2019)

First Time Go ·

2025/02/09

Every Sunday, I'll post a quick video -- and podcast -- about an indie film from at least a year ago. Today's film: ONCE AGAIN (2019). The film is also on streamers as "una vez más."Director: Guillermo RojasWritten By: Guillermo Rojas; Kevin Dániel di AngeloCast: Silvia Acosta; Teresa Arboi; Beatriz ArjonaSYNOPSISAbril left Daniel behind 5 years ago, when she decided to try her luck in London. She is back home now, to bury her grandmother. Walking the streets of what was her home

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1:57

Indie Film Highlight: AFTER EVERYTHING (2018)

First Time Go ·

2025/01/27

Every Sunday, I'll post a quick video -- and podcast -- about an indie film from at least a year ago. Today's film: AFTER EVERYTHING (2018).Director: Joey Power; Hannah MarksScreenplay: Joey Power; Hannah MarksCast: Jeremy Allen White; Maika MonroeSYNOPSISElliot is a young and carefree New Yorker whose world gets turned upside down when he finds out that he has cancer. He soon finds comfort and happiness when he falls in love with Mia, a woman who sticks with him through the hard

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29:04

Marc Iserlis

First Time Go ·

2025/01/21

The motto of the podcast is the future of filmmaking -- well, this is it. I'm joined by Marc Iserlis, head of film at Republic.When you find out about Marc Iserlis' job in finance and film, you might make certain initial assumptions. Those would be wrong -- about nearly everything. Globally knowledgable, intellectually curious, Marc turns on its head what you might expect, and maybe that's why his work as Head of Film @ Republic is so innovative.In this episode, we talk about:how he

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227 results

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