What does it take to go from indie filmmaking on a shoestring budget to working with legends like Sam Raimi? Andrew Kightlinger’s journey from Madagascar to Hollywood shows how personal experiences shape a filmmaker’s voice. Filmmakers Adam Schindler and Brian Netto share how they moved from microbudget horror films to collaborating with one of the industry’s icons. This episode explores the highs and lows of filmmaking, from preparation and improvisation to building trust on set.

Andrew Kightlinger grew up surrounded by the vibrant landscapes of Madagascar, which ignited his passion for filmmaking. Now directing in Hollywood, his films, like Lost on a Mountain in Maine, showcase his ability to merge personal experiences with visually captivating storytelling. Lost on a Mountain in Maine releases on November 1.

Adam Schindler and Brian Netto began their filmmaking journey with microbudget horror, mastering the craft of tension and suspense. Their latest film, Don’t Move, produced by Sam Raimi, is set to release on October 25, 2024 on Netflix, proving that powerful stories don’t require massive budgets

In today’s episode, No Film School’s Jason Hellerman and GG Hawkins speak with Andrew Kightlinger, Adam Schindler, and Brian Netto to discuss:

Andrew Kightlinger’s journey from Madagascar to Hollywood
How his upbringing influenced Lost on a Mountain in Maine
The need for preparation and improvisation with tight budgets
Schindler and Netto’s move from micro budget films to working with Sam Raimi on Don’t Move
Creating real-time horror with minimal voiceover and non-linear techniques
The role of trust and collaboration in elevating a project

Memorable Quotes:

“The big lesson I learned in that movie was who not to work with, and I won't go into more detail than that, but I think that's a very important lesson in a collaborative field like ours.” (12:03)
“I believe that filmmaking is preparation. Like bar none, that's what your job as a director is to do. So prepare because it's gonna be chaos when you start shooting.” (18:02)
“I knew what I wanted the film to be. And then I also storyboarded the whole movie just with stick figures. I just had an iPad and I drew out all the really complicated stuff to the best of my ability.” (20:06)
“He's the consummate collaborator, like… horror icon, but also like one of the best script to screen notes… he lives up to all of it.” (45:22)
“We became directors together. Our passion for film began together. We founded together. I think the things that we enjoy are slightly different. We like the same movies, but we also have different tastes.” (55:17)
“I think the filmmaking part of it is the fun part and the easy part. It's all the other things that you have to juggle and have the temperament for and the stomach for and the patience for and all those sorts of things.” (1:04:26)

Resources:

Follow Andrew Kightlinger on Instagram

Andrew on IMDb

Lost on a Mountain in Maine on IMDb

Adam Schindler on IMDb

Follow Adam on Instagram

Brian Netto on IMDb

Follow Brian on Instagram

Don’t Move on IMDB

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