Episode 15: Tina Carbone
Podcast Art for Season 2 Episode 15 with Tina Carbone
Normally, I aim for 30 minute episodes, but with Tina Carbone, the legendary -- okay, we can use that word if you've helped make, produce, whatever word you want to use for being a part of over 70 films in 11 years -- the conversation flows.
This is a masterclass of indie film producing and we cover hopefully most of the topics on your mind of what you would ask this amazing, prolific indie filmmaker.
In this podcast, we talk about:
1:21 Welcome, Tina Carbone! Where does the kindness come from? Her family from New Orleans.
2:52 Where did she get her love for filmmaking?
4:39 Directing, editing, producer. Does she have more love for one of those than another?
6:38 We discuss the importance of learning by doing
7:22 We talk about whether it's possible to get a formal education in producing; Tina learned by doing.
9:11 We talk about the generosity that almost comes from being honest and transparent about where you're at in film.
12:18 Her work ethic is crazy amazing. Since 2013, Tina has helped produce over 70 short films. Probably more! She has worked so unbelievably hard to help other people make their films.
17:11 She talks about the short that she directed and how so many people came and gave of their time because Tina is Tina.
19:00 Tina talks about how she manages around 7 projects at the same time -- by drinking a lot of coffee.
21:00 Does she recommend creating a short first? We talk about Bridge Stuart pushing forward to make a feature versus a short and whether she'd recommend that. She says a first feature is like a half-marathon and that indie filmmakers should be thinking about 5ks (shorts).
25:40 Does a director's experience come up when raising money for a feature? Even for shorts, Tina says things like your shot list matters a lot to getting your film funded.
27:49 How do you balance work-life culture and getting ahead in indie films? She talks about how she is a big believer of running sets that take care of people on set.
33:07 Snacks for everyone! "I am an Italian girl from New Orleans. There is no way I'm not going to feed people on set."
33:47 Do the unions have a role to play in managing a set so that directors can focus on their craft? She says learning all the other jobs actually help her to be a better director.
** 36:20 Why do we see so many director's second films "not feel like them"? According to Tina, it's because everybody else gets their say on their sophomore effort. **
38:14 How do I watch a film produced and/or made by Tina Carbone?!
40:29 Are top festivals getting it right for emerging film festivals? Tina says they are great for networking but she isn't sure they are elevating true indie films.
47:30 Does she see a big jump of females in the indie film space? She says yes. To her, it used to feel like females had to gatekeep their own piece of the pie; it's not like that anymore, thankfully.
53:45 Indie Film Highlight: H.P Mendoza
Links:
Tina Carbone's Instagram