First Act Break
First Act Break
Podcast Description
Insights on finding success in the film industry — by young filmmakers, for young filmmakers. Hosted by USC film directors Jiayang Liu and Richard Li.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
This podcast explores themes such as navigating film school, financial literacy in filmmaking, and personal stories from industry professionals. Episodes include discussions on the honest experiences of attending USC film school, managing finances while pursuing a career in film, and insights on developing creativity, with examples like conversations with film directors about directing at a young age and the hustle required to break into the industry.
Insights on finding success in the film industry — by young filmmakers, for young filmmakers. Hosted by USC film directors Jiayang Liu and Richard Li.
Welcome to episode 32 of The First Act Break podcast, the show where we dive into the art, business, and hustle of breaking into the film industry, and help you build a career doing what you love. In this episode, Tribeca feature film director Chris Merola breaks down exactly how he made his first feature film Lemonade Blessing and premiered it at the Tribeca Film Festival. He shares the full journey: from writing the script, fundraising, building a team, and navigating indie production, to landing reps, taking meetings, and understanding today’s brutal distribution landscape. Whether you're an aspiring director, indie filmmaker, or USC film student, this deep-dive reveals the real strategies, risks, and mindset needed to make your first feature.
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