Bravo for the B-side Podcast

This week we’ve taken on Wrath of Dracula, starring the fantastic Hannaj Bang-Benz. There was certainly some money behind this independent film, but Wrath of Dracula was lacking on some areas. The actors were great, and there are a lot of fantastic lessons that all Indie filmmakers should tap into. There are, unfortunately, some lessons on what not to do. Among them - writing pitfalls. If you’re going to have a story about Dracula, you should probably invite him to the story. More on that inside.

We have discussed documentaries here and there over the years, but we have never done an episode on them. The wait is over. Documentaries are a fantastic way to break into Indie filmmaking. There are some basics in planning a documentary that we discuss, but you are relieved of having to write a feature script, casting actors, and your equipment needs are minimal. Compared to a feature production, a documentary is far less expensive to get your feet wet in the sea of filmmaking. We discuss some documentaries that we have seen recently, and we have seen a lot of them, as examples of what and what not to do when creating your own. The bottom line is follow your passion or interest, share it with everyone. Support the Podcast Visit our website

It was a cult classic that started in 1987, and in 2024 it was redone by director/writer Ryan Kruger. Street Trash kept a lot of the 80s vibe, music, and practical effects. While the cinematic lessons are all positive, the more important lesson is how to analyze an older film for its ability to be remade in modern times. Not all films or their message will translate to modern sensibilities. Street Trash, however, holds a statement that unfortunately still fits today. Ryan’s take on the older film gives us a fun, gross, splat-filled practical effect bonanza. Before all of that, Jim goes on a pretty heartfelt rant starting with a failed actor and the sad, tragic trajectory of Superman in films. Because, why not. Street Trash can be found on Tubi

For the fourth time in the run of our show, we talk with our friend David Ryan Keith. Writer/director of Primal Games, I Am Rage, Redwood Massacre, Redwood Massacre 2: Annihilation, Ghosts of Darkness, and Attack of the Herbals, David once again talks candidly with us about his latest film Primal Games, making films, marketing, distribution, all of the fun stuff. A key lesson we discuss is that no matter how much passion and heart you have, at the end of the day this is a business and has to be treated as such. Join us for another delightful conversation with David and enjoy quite a bit of laughter. Check David's work at Clear Focus Movies

The trailer was intriguing, it had all the marks of a true earnest effort film. However, Flesh missed the mark in nearly every category. Lessons for this film are mostly what not to do. From writing, directing, lighting, sound, story, plot, character development, you name it, Flesh is absent the very basic tenets of making a feature film. Jim talks about the vast difference between an idea and a story, and how Flesh centered around an idea but never gave us a story. Flesh can be found on Tubi. Support the Podcast Visit our website

It has been a while since we’ve covered Lowell Dean’s work, and Die Alone was worth the wait. With a high budget for an Indie film, Die Alone does not waste it anywhere. The story and writing are solid, acting is top notch, and like any good movie we found ourselves talking about it after the credits rolled. It is a very different take on the zombie genre. It has been tricky as of late to make a successful reimagining of a zombie film, bot Lowell nailed it. Like his other films, Die Alone just drips with Lowell’s skill and vision. There are a number of lessons that we cover on this one. It’s a fantastic watch, not just for the lessons but also for taking in an excellent story and brilliant production value. Die Alone can be found on Tubi. Support the Podcast Visit our website

There was so much anticipation for Graveyard Shark, but instead of delivering the expected fun it ended up being the third film we just could not finish. Maybe this movie will appeal to some. There are still some good lessons to be taken away from this movie, but the bad far outweighs the good. Low-budget Indies are often wrought with limits on sound production, filming, acting, all kinds of things. Those aren’t necessarily bad, but Graveyard Shark looked and felt lazy. The writing was atrocious, directing non-existent, multiple levels of issues with sound, coloring, almost across the board are lessons on not what to do when making a film. The practical suit for Graveyard Shark, however, was baller. Graveyard Shark can be found on Tubi.

Primal Games was a long journey to get to screen. Written and directed by David Ryan Keith, this film marks his first full action film. We follow Ben and Sarah on their honeymoon camping trip that quickly turns dark. They become prey to a sadistic hunter, and from there it spirals into a wild version of The Most Dangerous Game. A lot of talking points here for lessons, not the least of which is how to keep an action film entertaining without bogging it down with needless plot points and protracted story. Another excellent movie by David and crew, it really shines with fantastic lessons. It’s also just a great watch. Primal Games can be rented or purchased on various platforms.

Welcome to Willits gives us aliens, meth, fun-seeking youngsters, and Dolph Lundgren. That’s a lot to take in, and going into the movie none of it is terribly clear until it unfolds as you watch. A fairly high-budget indie film, Welcome to Willits gives some good examples on how to have fun with horror. Funny dialogue, unhinged characters, and solid production value provide lessons on where to focus to make an enjoyable film. We don’t know that this will make any Top Of lists but it certainly fun to watch and we tackle a few good lessons. Welcome to Willits can be found on Tubi.

Watching Come As You Are is a fairly chill, fun road trip film. The trailer for the film did not over-deliver, which is refreshing. The writing is quick, funny, and intimate. On a technical level the film hits the marks straight across the board. The acting is fantastic, with each actor bringing various levels of intensity and humor throughout. One of the standout lessons for screenwriting is the dialogue. It is fast, slowing only to match the moment here and there. Witty and clean, you feel like you’re in the conversation most of the time. Come As You Are can be found on Tubi.

Biosphere, not to be confused with Bio-Dome, kind of took us by surprise. Mostly because we didn’t remember the trailer, so it was like going in blind. That made it all the more fun. With Sterling K Brown and Mark Duplass on screen the entire movie, there is no lack of presence. A post-apocalyptic bit about two men surviving in a small biosphere, Biosphere makes you feel right at home with the characters. The camera work is intimate, the writing is natural, and the plot will fire up thinking processes you would never expect watching a light comedy. While science fiction, this film keeps itself grounded. Many good filmmaking lessons here, as well as a great watch. Biosphere can be found on IFC.

Without Name takes us into an ancient Irish forest where surveyor Eric finds himself combatting not just his frail home life, an affair, odd locals, a company with ambiguous intentions, but also the ancient spirit of the forest itself. A slow burn psychological horror, Without Name is visually stunning but only middling on the acting. Some great use of camera techniques and sound use are at the front of the lessons to be learned here. With a fairly broad mix of reviews - love it or hate it kind of thing - it is a worthy watch, and you can decide on which side you fall. Without Name can be found on Tubi.

STOP! Before you do anything else, watch this movie! Seriously. In this episode we go on about Give Me Liberty as if we were singing a love song. Jim considers this the most beautiful movie he has ever seen. Give Me Liberty is a masterpiece of writing, acting, cinematography, directing, and chaos. There is so much about this film that is inspiring on all of the technical levels it is a must see for any new filmmaker. Watch this movie, then listen as we hit on so many terrific points of excellent filmmaking. Give Me Liberty can be found on Tubi.

We could not resist this one. Death Riders was the answer to Jim’s desire to find a true labor and grit Indie film, since it’s been a while. A mid-90s biker culture movie, Death Riders takes us on some kind of journey with the protagonist through the weird web of a biker gang, a lone biker Yoda, and a bunch of random characters. It was a lot of fun to talk about, delivered just what you’d expect from this kind of film. A lot of talk about the basics of filmmaking, such as story, writing, dialogue, direction, sound, you name it really. At the end of the day it’s a movie someone wanted to make, and they did. Death Riders can be found on Tubi.

Monolith is a single location, one actor film that nails it pretty much across the board. We thoroughly enjoyed this movie and there is nothing but excellent lessons throughout. A high-concept film, we have dubbed it a horror-thriller, Monolith is one of the most engaging single-person movies we have come across. A unique concept, fantastic technical prowess, and an amazing actor all converge to create a film that made us feel we were with her rather than watching her. It had a larger budget than most Indie films, but the lessons apply to any budget level. Monolith can be found in IFC.

Sometimes there are movies that bomb out from the start, but miraculously find a fanbase years later. Troll 2 is one such film. A bad movie by all accounts, this poorly written, poorly acted, lifelessly directed debacle is hard to watch. Yet, over the years it has found cult classic status, with regular group showings and gatherings. We put off covering Troll 2 for a very long time because we knew just what we were going to have to endure. This is not an easy watch the first time around, and the second or more times are just grueling. We do have some positive lessons buried in this film. Strap in for the ride on this one. Troll 2 can be found on Tubi.

Pontypool is another sleeper. When Jim saw it back in 2008 he wasn’t sure what to make of it. After watching it a few more times he decided he liked it. A lot. Pontypool is a magnificent example of budget-conscious planning. We talk about the use of just one location, inside, coupled with a great script, makes you feel you are in the middle of the apocalypse without even looking out of a window. Great cast, and a fantastic concept of how a zombie virus could spread makes this a winner at all levels. Nothing to pick at here, it’s a great ride and great technical film. Pontypool can be found on IFC.

Stitches is an Irish horror film production, with a fair amount of comedy strewn in. It has been on our list a long time, and we thoroughly enjoyed the rewatch. The story is simple, Stitches the clown gets killed at a kids party, and sometime later rises from the dead to finish the job. With a decent budget the technical aspects like sound, lighting, coloring, and everything else are great. The practical effects lean towards the comedy, but there is no shortage of blood. Stitches is another film with top examples of what to strive for when making a film. We loved talking about this film, and will undoubtedly watch it again in the future. Stitches can be found on Tubi.

Digging for Fire was something of a sleeper for us. We explain what that means in the episode. What we can say is that this is a solid movie. There are a number of lessons in this one, all good. Except for the trailer. Very misleading, and coupled with the very brief logline it may turn people away. Which is a shame because if you skip past this film you’re missing out on some very good entertainment. There is a lot to enjoy and learn from in this movie. Digging for Fire can be found on FilmRise.

As we end this year, we pay tribute to Oscar Micheaux, an amazing black film producer/director/writer and independent studio owner. Starting in silent films, and going to ‘talkies’ when they arrived on the scene, Oscar Micheaux challenged racism, classism, stereotypes, and other social injustices long before current writers and directors. His movies and message were direct, and called out the poor behavior on everyone’s part with simple, clean stories. A number of his films are lost to time, so far, but those that have survived are works of art that every social-message artist should needs to see. Jim and Dani cover Oscar’s life and his works. Also discussed is the bravery and conviction Oscar Micheaux had to stay true to himself and his message in the early to mid 1900s. Places to learn more about Oscar Micheaux and see his films: Filmography https://archive.org/details/oscar-micheaux-filmography/6+The+Exile+(1931)+First+Black+Feature+Talkie.mp4 Committee https://www.micheaux.org/oscar-micheaux Reference https://www.britannica.com/biography/Oscar-Micheaux https://www.encyclopedia.com/people/literature-and-arts/film-and-television-biographies/oscar-micheaux https://daily.jstor.org/how-oscar-micheaux-challenged-the-racism-of-early-hollywood/