Bulletproof Screenwriting™ Podcast

On this episode, we sit down with Danny Mac, a Canadian filmmaker, actor, and producer whose story is a masterclass in indie filmmaking grit. Best known for his mockumentary Heel Kick!, Danny proves that passion and persistence can turn any dream—no matter how outlandish—into cinematic reality. Without the luxury of film school or industry connections, Danny started his filmmaking journey in Edmonton, Alberta, a city without much of a film scene. With determination as his tuition, he taught himself the craft by writing, producing, and shooting his first feature, Love/Hate, entirely on weekends while working full-time during the week. That film, made with a mere $40,000 budget scraped from his and his co-producer’s life savings, became his film school—and, against all odds, it sold to a Canadian broadcaster, allowing him to break even on his very first project.Danny’s path wasn’t without struggle.As a first-time filmmaker, he wore every hat imaginable—writer, producer, actor, and sometimes even location scout and transporter. The grueling process taught him one thing: passion can push you through exhaustion, but preparation and teamwork are what truly make a film succeed. His next project, Heel Kick!, would be an evolution of everything he learned—bigger in ambition, sharper in execution, but still rooted in the DIY spirit of indie film.Heel Kick! follows two backyard wrestlers who decide to “go pro” after years of goofing off, only to discover how brutally difficult the dream really is. Inspired by Danny’s childhood fascination with wrestling and his cousin’s real-life experiences at a wrestling academy, the film explores both the absurdity and humanity of chasing an impossible goal. What makes the story shine is its authenticity—Danny and his co-star actually trained at a professional wrestling school for six months to perform the stunts themselves. This dedication gives Heel Kick! a raw, physical realism rarely seen in low-budget comedies.When it came to funding and promotion, Danny combined old-school hustle with modern strategy. He launched a short GoFundMe campaign—not to start filming, but to finish it. Since the movie was already complete, fans could trust that their donations were going toward its release and screenings. That transparency paid off—literally. In just three weeks, he raised $12,000 to cover post-production and distribution costs. And while many filmmakers dread crowdfunding, Danny approached it with honesty and gratitude, proving that if you show people real progress, they’ll show you real support.Danny also secured the backing of Greg Miller, a YouTube and gaming personality known for his Kinda Funny network. Their friendship began after a charity event in Vancouver and evolved into a partnership when Greg joined as co-producer to help spread the word. His involvement brought Heel Kick! a new wave of attention, particularly from online audiences passionate about wrestling and indie entertainment.Ultimately, Danny Mac’s story is about more than filmmaking—it’s about perseverance, community, and creative resourcefulness. His success with Heel Kick! reminds filmmakers everywhere that you don’t need a massive budget or a Hollywood connection to tell a great story. You just need to believe in your vision, work harder than anyone else, and embrace every lesson along the way. Whether you’re wrestling in a ring or fighting for your first film, the key to victory is the same: never tap out.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bulletproof-screenwriting-podcast--2881148/support.

Every once in a while, a filmmaker comes along whose story redefines what’s possible. On today’s episode, we meet Gough, the world’s first legally blind filmmaker to write, produce, edit, direct, and star in a feature film. Based in Australia, Gough’s journey isn’t just about overcoming obstacles—it’s about rewriting the rules of what it means to create. Through his production company, Beer Nuts Productions, he’s built a thriving career in comedy filmmaking, releasing over a dozen films, multiple books, and audio projects, all while turning disbelief into admiration.Gough’s career began with rejection. After writing countless screenplays and sending them to production companies, distributors, and investors, he quickly realized that most people couldn’t see beyond his disability. “They knew I was blind and dismissed me out of hand,” he recalls. Instead of giving up, Gough did the unthinkable—he decided to make his own films from scratch. His first feature-length project, I Will Not Go Quietly, was a 90-minute documentary on disability and mental health. He shot, edited, and funded the entire film himself, interviewing experts, comedians, and teachers to shed light on how society perceives disability. It wasn’t just a film—it was a declaration of independence and proof that storytelling is about vision, not sight.From there, Gough built momentum, producing a string of comedic short films that showcase his wit and unique storytelling style. Each project became a stepping stone for the next. Beer Nuts Productions evolved into a full-fledged creative hub, featuring 14 films, 7 audio downloads, and 5 books. His films—ranging from mockumentaries on the environment and fitness to satirical takes on the entertainment industry—reflect both his humor and sharp social commentary. “I just want to make people laugh and think,” he says. “Entertainment is about making people happy. That’s why I do what I do.”Gough’s success didn’t come without challenges. As an independent creator, he faced the dual battles of production and promotion. While technology made filmmaking more accessible, marketing became the new battlefield. To stand out in a crowded digital landscape, he built a marketing team and launched campaigns across Facebook, Instagram, and traditional media outlets. His approach combines modern outreach with old-school persistence—podcast interviews, press releases, and direct audience engagement. “It’s never been easier to make a film,” Gough says, “but it’s never been harder to get it seen.”What makes his work even more remarkable is his hands-on directing style. Despite his visual limitations, Gough has developed an intuitive approach to editing and performance. He directs actors by focusing on vocal tone, rhythm, and emotion rather than facial expressions. “I can tell by the sound if the performance is right,” he explains. With a trusted crew who understands his creative process, including his longtime editor Simon, he ensures that every cut, cue, and line lands perfectly. The result? Films that are not only technically solid but emotionally precise and deeply entertaining.Beyond filmmaking, Gough is a storyteller, a humorist, and a living example of creative determination. He believes that ignorance about disability can be cured through education and empathy—and his films do exactly that. Whether he’s producing mockumentaries about modern life or stand-up-inspired sketches, his work carries the same message: limitations only exist if you let them.From his first documentary to his recent comedy The Environment: The Real Truth, Gough continues to prove that filmmaking is an act of courage and imagination. His story is not one of pity or perseverance—it’s one of power, laughter, and possibility.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bulletproof-screenwriting-podcast--2881148/support.

Nicole Jones-Dion, a screenwriter, director, and producer, shared her unconventional path into filmmaking, beginning in the world of video games and comics before moving into film. Known for her work on projects like Tekken 2, Dracula: The Dark Prince, and the SyFy thriller They Found Hell, she has built a career in genre storytelling that blends sci-fi, horror, and action. Her persistence paid off after writing more than fifteen spec scripts and seizing opportunities to rewrite and adapt existing material, which she says makes up most of Hollywood screenwriting.Nicole’s approach emphasizes discipline, structure, and character-driven storytelling, ensuring her projects are both creative and marketable. She also found success with crowdfunding, raising nearly $20,000 for her short horror film Debris, which explored the legend of a cursed samurai sword. The campaign’s popularity proved the power of a strong concept and led to festival recognition. With her directorial debut Stasis and other projects in development, Nicole continues to explore stories that challenge audiences while entertaining them. Her journey demonstrates the importance of adaptability, hard work, and never stopping the pursuit of growth as a filmmaker.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bulletproof-screenwriting-podcast--2881148/support.

Dawn Fields is a Los Angeles-based producer, writer, and director whose journey through the film industry is marked by both struggle and triumph. Beginning her career as a production assistant in Atlanta, she quickly discovered her true passion was behind the camera. After relocating to Los Angeles with nothing but determination, she worked in distribution and acquisitions before founding Palm Street Films. From early crowdfunding attempts like Zombie Elves to the painful shutdown of Shattered Love, Dawn’s career has been shaped by hard-earned lessons in persistence, preparation, and the realities of independent filmmaking.Her breakthrough came when she stepped into the director’s chair, turning setbacks into opportunities with projects like 209, Found, and Fragile Storm starring Lance Henriksen. Along the way, she learned to navigate the challenges of crowdfunding, casting, and maintaining creative control while still building credibility and an audience. Today, she not only develops new projects but also shares her knowledge through seminars and script contests, guiding emerging filmmakers. Her story stands as a powerful example of resilience in filmmaking—showing that while the path may be filled with setbacks, passion and persistence can transform failures into lasting successes.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bulletproof-screenwriting-podcast--2881148/support.

Award-winning screenwriter Mike Bierman has carved an unconventional path into the world of storytelling, moving from reading his daughter’s audition scripts to building a reputation as both a prolific writer and founder of the Facebook group Screenwriters Who Can Actually Write. In this conversation, he shares his journey into screenwriting, his tough-love philosophy for aspiring writers, and the methods he uses to keep scripts sharp, lean, and engaging. Bierman’s unique approach, known as the BAM method (Bierman Asynchronous Method), flips traditional writing on its head by starting with the ending and working backward, ensuring that every scene pushes the story forward.Alongside his process, Mike offers candid insights into the common pitfalls of beginners, from formatting missteps to the trap of relying too heavily on software. He emphasizes that writing is not about perfection on the first draft but about committing words to the page and refining them. His upcoming book, Secrets of Screenwriting: Collected Essays, distills his no-nonsense advice into practical lessons for writers who want to treat screenwriting as a serious craft. Whether through his group, his book, or his methods, Mike challenges writers to move beyond excuses, face the blank page, and create stories that truly stand out.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bulletproof-screenwriting-podcast--2881148/support.