My First Film

About My First Film

Hollywood's top directors explain step-by-step how they made their first feature film. Hosted by Alec C. Cohen. Distributed by Pro Video Coalition.

Publisher

Alec Cohen-Schisler

Category

tv & film

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

28 Jul 2024

Latest episode

26 May 2026

Latest episodes

12 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   26 May 2026

   Ep. 11 - “Filming in the Florida Swamps Nearly Broke Us”: Adam Rioux on Urchins | MFF 11

   Adam Rioux made his debut feature Urchins in the swamps, forests, and forgotten backroads of rural Florida, and nearly got destroyed by the process. From seven rain delays on day one to losing a lead actor less than two weeks before production, Adam’s journey to making his first feature is a masterclass in indie filmmaking survival. Before directing Urchins, Adam shot sorority promo videos across Florida, operated Camera Car Arms on Marvel productions, and slowly built a filmmaking career through hustle, community, and pure obsession with storytelling. In this episode, he breaks down how he crowdfunded the film, found collaborators through social media, rewrote the script during production, edited the movie while shooting, and pulled off a 16-day feature shoot in brutal Florida weather. We also talk about the realities of first-time feature filmmaking: why every indie film needs pickup days, the changing landscape of festivals and distribution, working with a tiny crew, and how authenticity, not perfection, became the thing that attracted people to the project in the first place. Stick around until the end for a big update on Petunia, my debut feature, including picture lock, color, music, VFX, and what post-production has actually been like after wrapping principal photography.

2. 

   5 Jun 2025

   From Viral Short to Sundance: Jim Cummings on Making Thunder Road

   Writer-director Jim Cummings recounts his journey creating the film *Thunder Road*, from initial funding and distribution to earning over $1 million, in this interview.

3. 

   26 Jan 2025

   Ep. 9 - The Burghart Brothes on "Head Count"

   Meet Jacob and Ben Burghart, the dynamic filmmaking duo behind the indie feature "Head Count" (2023)! In this episode of My First Film, host Alec C. Cohen dives deep into their incredible journey from small-town Kansas to creating a critically acclaimed movie. The Burghart brothers share how they honed their craft with whimsical VHS shorts, broke into the industry with their short film "Suspense," and turned a bold vision into a reality by working with Continuance Pictures and Shout Factory. Their story is proof that great cinema can come from anywhere! Learn how they navigated the challenges of indie filmmaking, from funding their project to managing a 13-day shoot schedule. The Burgharts' tale is a masterclass in resourcefulness and determination, a must-watch for aspiring directors and film enthusiasts alike. Stick around until the very end to hear a quick update on Alec's debut feature, "Petunia."

4. 

   27 Dec 2024

   Ep. 8 - Francis Galluppi on "The Last Stop in Yuma County"

   In this episode of the My First Film podcast, director Francis Galluppi shares the extraordinary journey of creating his debut feature film, The Last Stop in Yuma County, on a budget of under $1 million. Francis discusses the pivotal decisions that brought the project to life, including his intentional approach to writing stories rooted in real locations and his friend's life-changing decision to sell his house to fund the film. Francis also reflects on how he secured his dream cast by writing heartfelt letters to actors he admired, showcasing the power of persistence and genuine passion in filmmaking. His candid insights into navigating the indie film world, embracing unconventional methods, and staying prepared at every turn make this episode a must-listen for aspiring filmmakers. For those looking to make their first feature, Francis offers invaluable advice on turning constraints into creative opportunities, building trust with collaborators, and remembering that there are no rules in independent filmmaking. Stick around until the very end to hear a quick update on Alec’s first film, Petunia.

5. 

   11 Dec 2024

   Ep. 7 - Amanda Lundquist on "Pinsky"

   Director Amanda Lundquist shares her creative journey behind the debut feature film Pinsky, made on a shoestring budget, and offers valuable lessons on crowdfunding, working with constraints, and building a collaborative team.

6. 

   9 Oct 2024

   Ep. 6 - Clay Tatum on "The Civil Dead"

   In this episode of the "My First Film" podcast, director Clay Tatum shares his journey to making his debut feature film, "The Civil Dead", for under $50,000. Clay talks about how his long-standing friendship with producer Mike Marasco played a crucial role in getting the film funded, as well as how years of making short films and comedy sketches helped him build the network needed to take the next step. He emphasizes the importance of staying connected in the industry and using those relationships to create opportunities. The film, shot in just 12 days with a skeleton crew, is a testament to the power of low-budget filmmaking when you leverage your resources and connections effectively. Clay also reflects on his struggles in Los Angeles, working at a pizza joint for six years while creating shorts and sketches. His unconventional path through film school, mixed feelings about formal education, and dedication to filmmaking eventually led him to success. If you’re an aspiring filmmaker, this episode provides valuable insights into networking, perseverance, and how to create a feature film on a tight budget. Stick around until the very end to hear a quick update on Alec's first film, Petunia.

7. 

   16 Sept 2024

   Ep 5. - Edoardo Vitaletti on "The Last Thing Mary Saw"

   In this episode of *My First Film*, host Alec C. Cohen interviews Edoardo Vitaletti about his debut feature film *The Last Thing Mary Saw*. Edoardo shares his journey from Monza, Italy, to New York, where he attended NYU to study filmmaking. He discusses how his love for writing led him to film, despite not picking up a camera until later in life. The conversation dives into the challenges of making his first feature, including transforming a short script into a feature-length project and directing on a tight budget with a limited schedule. Edoardo also talks about securing talent like Isabelle Fuhrman and Rory Culkin, which helped elevate the film’s profile. He offers advice for aspiring filmmakers, emphasizing the importance of writing a strong script and staying disciplined throughout the process. Edoardo’s story is an inspiring example of the dedication needed to complete a first film and the unexpected opportunities that can arise from perseverance. Stick around until the very end for a quick update on Alec's debut feature, Petunia.

8. 

   26 Aug 2024

   Ep. 4 - Jonathan Cuartas on "My Heart Can't Beat Unless You Tell It To"

   Filmmaker Jonathan Cuartas is making waves in the indie horror scene with his debut feature, "My Heart Can’t Beat Unless You Tell It To." In this episode, Jonathan sits down with host Alec C. Cohen to discuss how he brought his intimate horror-drama to life outside the traditional film hubs of Los Angeles and New York. From turning a proof of concept short film into a feature to collaborating closely with his brother and father, Jonathan's journey is a testament to the power of family and perseverance in filmmaking. Throughout the episode, Jonathan dives into the unique challenges and triumphs of working on a tight budget, building emotional depth into his horror narratives, and the creative ways he navigated the indie film landscape. Whether you're an aspiring filmmaker or a fan of unconventional horror, this conversation is packed with inspiration and practical insights. Stick around until the very end for an update on Host Alec C. Cohen's first film, "Petunia."

9. 

   15 Aug 2024

   Ep. 3 - Joel Potrykus on "Ape"

   One of the fiercest contemporary voices in independent cinema, Joel Potrykus stands firmly in a league of his own when it comes to grungy slacker flicks. His recent works include "Buzzard," "The Alchemist Cookbook," and "Relaxer" garnering him prestigious festival selections like SXSW and Fantasia. But his first feature, "Ape," is a total miracle child. Done on a shoestring budget of less than $2,000, Joel and his team paid more money to attend the Locarno Film Festival where he won Best Emerging Director than the film itself. "Ape" is a ferocious and wholly original piece of work with a very slippery process that's a blast to revisit. There are tons of critical takeaways and learning moments that everyone should know before making their first film. Stick around until the very end for an update on Host Alec C. Cohen's first film, "Petunia."

10. 

    7 Aug 2024

    Ep. 2 - Colin West on "Double Walker"

    For our exciting second episode, we're joined by Colin West, an ~out of this world~ director known for incorporating Sci-Fi concepts into grounded drama. His short films have garnered hundreds of thousands of views, Vimeo Staff Picks, and Dust features. He's made two feature films, "Double Walker" and "Linoleum." West discusses his upbringing in Colombus, OH, his decision to go to USC Grad Film, his struggles post-grad, and his journey to make "Double Walker" a reality. He has some great practical advice for first-time filmmakers looking to make their debut feature, especially when it comes to leaning into your available resources. Stick around until the end of the episode to hear an update on host Alec C. Cohen's debut feature, "Petunia."

11. 

    31 Jul 2024

    Ep. 1 - Jonah Feingold on "Dating & New York"

    For our very first episode, we're joined by the incomparable Jonah Feingold, a rom-com director known for his films Exmas, At Midnight, and the upcoming 31 Candles. His first feature is "Dating & New York," a contemporary classic showing the trials and tribulations of millennial dating in the greatest city on earth. Jonah will tell us about his upbringing in NYC, his decision to go to USC Film, his struggles post-grad, and his journey to make "Dating" a reality. He has some great practical advice for first-time filmmakers looking to make their debut feature, especially when it comes to raising funds on their own. Stick around until the end of the episode to hear a quick update on host Alec C. Cohen's debut feature, "Petunia."

12. 

    28 Jul 2024

    Ep. 0 - Welcome to My First Film

    Welcome to "My First Film," a weekly podcast where we interview Hollywood's hottest directors and learn how they made their first feature film. My name is Alec C. Cohen, I'm a writer/director based in Los Angeles, CA who is looking to make My First Film. Each episode will follow one director's journey from first picking up a camera to making a full-fledged movie. At the end of every episode, I'll give a quick update on the development process of my feature "Petunia." Thanks for checking out this pod, make sure to follow along for more!

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

112,477

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

5 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 53 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

61

Social presence

0

YouTube

82

Engagement

32

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.