IFH 777: Carving Her Own Path: Kansas Bowling on Confidence, Creativity, and the Magic of 16mm Film
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Welcome to the Indie Film Hustle Podcast, episode number 777. Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on. Louis L'Amour. Broadcasting from the back alley in Hollywood, it's the Indie Film Hustle Podcast, where we show you how to survive and thrive as an indie filmmaker in the jungles of the film biz. And here's your host, Alex Ferrari.

Welcome, welcome to another episode of the Indie Film Hustle Podcast. I am your humble host, Alex Ferrari. Today's show is sponsored by Rise of the Filmtrepreneur, how to turn your independent film into a profitable business. It's harder today than ever before for independent filmmakers to make money with their films. From predatory film distributors ripping them off to huckster film aggregators who prey upon them, the odds are stacked against the indie filmmaker. The old distribution model of making money with your film is broken and there needs to be a change.

The future of independent filmmaking is the entrepreneurial filmmaker or the filmtrepreneur. In Rise of the Filmtrepreneur, I break down how to actually make money with your film projects and show you how to turn your indie film into a profitable business. With case studies examining successes and failures,

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Enjoy today's episode with guest host, Dave Bolas.

In this next interview, I just want to pre-note this by saying I'm a little rusty, and it shows. I don't know if it was just how bad I sounded, or maybe I'm just that bad. I don't know. But this interview was extremely quick, wasn't really that in-depth. So it is what it is, right? So without further ado, on this week's episode of the podcast...

I talked to a filmmaker who was the first graduate of the Shloma Institute for the Gifted. She made the film. She directed and wrote the film B.C. Butcher when she was 17. Now she's gone on to direct a ton of music videos, which we talk about. She's also in production right now of her second feature film. She shoots everything on 16mm. So she's, you know, throwing it back old school.

Which, by the way, I actually like. If you find a style, I say stick with it. And whether it's shooting on film or digital, and I talk about that too because

I think film does give you certain things that digital doesn't. But either way, with guests, Kansas bowling. You know, it's been funny because we've been trying to get a hold of each other for a while now. But see, it's hard because you live such an awesome life. Like every time I see your Instagram, you're out doing something really, really cool. A lot cooler than what I'm doing. Well, my Instagram just got permanently deleted yesterday, so...

Why was that? I made a post about a new wave of fascism on the internet and I got banned for hate speech.

Really? So did they even give you a warning or they just immediately take you down? No, they just took me down. It was because I was coming in defense of James Gunn, this whole thing. And so everyone started calling me a pedophile because it's like a new wave of mass hysteria where if you don't agree with someone, they're suddenly a pedophile. So now I don't have any form of social media now. Yeah, because didn't it get banned before? Didn't your Twitter or something or didn't you have something and it got banned once before?

Uh, no, I just have, they like always delete my posts and stuff, but now they just deleted my whole account. So now what are you going to do with that social media? Uh, just keep doing what I'm doing. Just without social media. I don't know. Nothing really changes. Yeah, I know. Well, you know the old saying, Kansas, if you don't do it on social media, it never really happened. Oh, no!

Yes, so see, now we don't know what's going to happen. See, you're such a cool person, and I'm not going to be able to keep up with your life anymore. So, but... Because honestly, like...

And that's what I want to get into in this interview. You know, you're out doing so many like cool projects and stuff like that. You know, I mean, you've directed like 20 music videos. You directed, you know, directed a feature film. You're you're you're in pre-production for the next one. So, you know, let's just get started with, you know, at the beginning. You know, how did you get started doing this whole, you know, filmmaking thing?

Um, well, I made a feature film right when I got out of high school, just basically because I wanted to make movies and I thought it would be easier to just make one than to like go to film school and everything. And it would prove to be better for me. And I was right. I just, yeah, I just made, I made, um, the slasher cave woman slasher for trauma. Um, when I was 17, I mean, I made it and then, uh, gave it to trauma. Um,

And then, yeah, and then from that, I've just gotten a lot of jobs and stuff. Like, people saw it. Like, it's, I mean, within the, it's not, like, a widely recognized film by any means, but within the sort of trauma community, it is. So from that, I've gotten, like, music video offers, like, directing and a lot of acting stuff. And, you know, once I do one music video, I usually get another because someone saw it and,

you know, it's just kind of like a word of mouth sort of thing. So that's how I got started. Yeah. You know, and by the way, that is a good idea, by the way, not to go to college. Um, cause trust me, I made the mistake of going to college. And, um, I remember I saw one of your posts one time about that and, uh, I couldn't agree. I could not hit that love button fast enough, Kansas, because yeah. Oh yeah. That, that actually got deleted by Instagram too, for hate speech. Yeah.

Because it says that because I was like encouraging bad behavior or whatever. I see. That's what I remember most about you, Kansas, is all your deleted social media posts. I think that's what it is. But, you know, but you had a post there and it just was talking about college. And honestly, I haven't gone and even worked at a college. I can tell you a lot of the students there.

there's a good portion who should not be going to college. The only reason that they're going is because they're told that they have to go. You know what I mean? Yeah. Well, that's a problem, too, that people can't really think for themselves. They're just doing what they're told to do. Yeah. And that's why I need Instagram to tell me these things and delete posts. But... So, you know, as you're going out and you're getting these different jobs, you know, like, what are some of the strangest offers that you've gotten? Um... I mean...

I don't know, strangeness? People always, like, try to get me to do porn and stuff. I don't know. I would say no, of course. Wait, really? Well, yeah, you know. I don't know. I feel like that's pretty typical. No one's ever asked me to do that. Usually people pay me to keep my clothes on. I mean, for a girl. Especially in, like, horror world situations.

But I don't know. I feel like that's not really an interesting answer. People send me really horrible scripts all the time where it's like,

The whole thing is just like a giant sex scene. They're like, no, but it's going to be like really artsy, I swear. And I'm just like, uh, you know, I think. Yeah, that, that, I know what you mean. I like, I have friends who would do stuff like that and I'm, and I would just read, be reading the script and I'm just like, I'm not even a girl and you're creeping me out. Like, you know what I mean? Yeah. I couldn't imagine a girl reading this or an actress reading this and being like, yeah, this, this sounds like it's going to be a great scene for a great movie. Yeah. Yeah.

It just seems like a facade, you know what I mean? And it just... So do people just send you screenplays all the time through email and stuff? Yeah. And it's just basically like, hey, Kansas, I want to cast you in this thing. And you read it and it's just like, oh, this is just nothing. Yeah, I mean, not all the time. I mean, I get some good scripts, too, sent to me. And, you know, if I'm able to, I'll appear in those and stuff, so...

So what are some of the better scripts that you've got? What are some of the better pitches that you've gotten for things to do? Well, I'm acting in this one movie called The Electra Complex, which is directed by Jessica Janow. It's starring me and Violet Paley. And we play these two sex workers in the 90s. It's one of the most well-written screenplays. Well, it's actually the most well-written screenplay I've ever gotten sent to me. And probably one of like

And see, that's actually good. You know, it's good that some actually could, you know, you don't get too many crazy offers. And so when you actually read the screenplay and you said it was one of the most well-written screenplays you've ever read, what were some of the, was it just the prose? Was it the characters? I mean, what really stood out for you?

We'll be right back after a word from our sponsor. I give scratchers to my boss and I give scratchers to my wife. I give Virginia Lottery holiday games to every adult in my life. I play the New Year's Millionaire Raffle and online games just for me. It's always a season of fun when you give and play the Virginia Lottery.

This season, give the gift of the Virginia Lottery's Holiday Scratchers to all the adults in your life. But don't forget to play the Holiday Online Games and New Year's Millionaire Raffle for even more excitement this season. Play in-store, in-app, or online. This season, give the gift of the Virginia Lottery's Holiday Scratchers to all the adults in your life. But don't forget to play the Holiday Online Games and New Year's Millionaire Raffle for even more excitement this season. Play in-store, in-app, or online.

And now back to the show. Well, it's just like a very unique story because I hate, you know, when you're watching a movie and you know exactly what's going to happen once you find out what the conflict is, you know? Yeah. It's just like a it's unique and it's personal and it's not trying. It's like it's very it's subversive without trying to be edgy.

And it's not trying to be anything else. It's very genuine.

So when you read a script like that, do you try to take some... Actually, I know you're a screenwriter too. Do you take that and try to, like, you know... I don't want to say mimic that, but do you try to say... You know what I mean? You know what I'm trying to say? Do you try to do something like that? You know what I mean? We were trying to say, but I don't know. I appreciate other people's styles, and I appreciate when people have their own voice, and I feel like I've been able to develop my own voice, so I don't really...

feel the need to mimic other people's yeah yeah well I mean like you know um yeah exactly I didn't want to use the word mimic I that's a bad a bad word I meant more like uh just pull inspiration from exactly yeah you know what I mean something like that uh yeah no it's um no I I feel pretty confident with my voice and my writing so I just don't ever find myself doing that

So you're actually working on another feature film right now, which is your second feature film. Is there any details you go into? I just shot a scene with Caroline Williams, which was really exciting. Yeah, I'm directing this feature. The feature should be done by the end of the year. I'm not sure when it'll come out, though. But it's like a mondo movie, which is a forgotten genre.

So I'm making a current day Mondo, which I'm very excited about. So like you, like obviously you can't say anything about like the plot or anything, right? Um, I mean, I know what you, I know you probably can't, but I thought I'd ask. Um, but, um, you know, you're shooting on eight on super eight, you know, on 16 millimeter. Oh, 16 millimeter. I'm sorry. You're right. Uh, so is that something that you want to continue to do is just shoot on 16 millimeter? Yeah, of course.

I mean, I always like shooting on film. I've never shot on 35 before because I've just never been able to because it's very expensive. Yeah, I was going to say that. But I shoot on Super 8 and 16mm all the time. Yeah, yeah, those 35mm prices are, you'd think they'd be going down, right, Kansas? Like you'd think that since, you know, they might have some extra stock, it might be going down, but no. No.

Well, I mean, a lot of big movies still shoot on 35. So it makes sense. Yeah. You know, everyone, no, people don't really realize that how many movies are still shot on film, but a vast majority of them are, I mean, not, not sorry, not majority, but a large number of mainstream movies are still shot on film. Yeah. Yeah. It's just, you know, when I was going up to like these different places and we go different film labs and stuff like that, you know,

Even a couple years ago, some of them were already starting to get into the digital world. I know what you mean. Honestly, when I see a movie from the 70s and the 80s, it has that certain aesthetic look to it. You know what I mean? And I really do miss that. You know what I mean? Yeah. Sometimes I think with digital, it has a tendency to look too clean, if you know what I mean. Yeah. Yeah, there's a timeless look to film that you can't recreate with digital. Yeah.

So what are some of your favorite movies to watch? My favorite movie is F for Fake, the Orson Welles film. Okay. Another one is Don Juan or If Don Juan Were a Woman, Roger Vadim movie. Also Midnight Cowboy, the Fulci movie, Don't Torture a Duckling. Yeah, those are like my top movies. Yes.

Cool. You know, I just wanted to just ask you that because, you know, you always get to see what the influences of people are. Yeah.

You know what I mean? So, so, you know, as you're making your second feature film, you actually, you know, crowdfunded. And I apologize, by the way, I know we're kind of jumping around here. I apologize. It's fine. You know, I just kind of I have a list of questions and I'm kind of going all over the place with it. But, you know, and I sometimes don't even ask them. Sometimes we already ask it. We already answer it in another way. But so, you know.

you actually used Instagram to sort of crowdfund the second movie because you, you know, you were asking for a 16 millimeter, uh, Hey, if anyone wants to donate, you know, you'll become a producer on the film. Um, you know, since your social media is now gone, do you think you'll ever get anything back? Like, do you think you'll ever go back to Twitter or Facebook or anything? Um, I don't know. Maybe I haven't, I haven't really thought about it yet. I'm just kind of, I'm just working on a lot of stuff right now. So I'm not really thinking about it. I'm,

I'm like directing three music videos right now. When I hang up, I'm actually about to go on my way to drop off some film. And I'm preparing for a shoot in Miami this weekend. And then I'm acting in a big project coming up. So and then also doing my feature. I don't know. It's definitely not like the most important thing in the world. So there's I don't know.

I'm just focusing on my work right now. So what are some tips you could give the people for directing? Because you directed 20-minute music videos. You've directed two feature films now. So what are some – because you've done more than a lot of people I know who are – that are twice your age, that are in their 40s. You've directed more things.

So, you know, what are some of the tips that you could sort of give the different people listening about, you know, just directing actors, directing the camera, stuff like that? Well, directing is just really just about confidence. And if you're confident that you have a distinct voice or vision or whatnot, then you should just be able to start directing because there's not really much to it besides just telling people what you...

want to see there's really actually like nothing else to directing besides that everything technical I mean you can pretty much just learn along the way um but it's just you know if you um if you see a film in your head or if you see you know a shot in your head or whatever whatever you want to make music video anything just go out and make it and don't doubt yourself

So it's kind of like, you know, what the Farrelly brothers said, where most directing is like watching TV. I guess so.

I guess I think about that. Sorry, I know. I'm sorry. I just kind of threw it out there. But, you know, just like what you were saying, you see it in your head. And for them, they were just basically watching it on Video Village or what have you or a monitor. And then basically, you know, just they can control the TV, though. You know, stop. Let's try it this way. You know what I mean? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, basically, yeah.

It's definitely not something you need to go to school for or anything. It's basically just about confidence because you have to be in charge of a set and stuff. And you have to be confident in yourself that your vision is unique. It's funny because we actually have two mutual friends. The first one is Lloyd Kaufman.

Okay. And, I mean, obviously, everyone knows Lloyd. It's funny, the first time I ever met him face-to-face, Kansas, he actually told me I was covered in fake blood. And he's like, hey, don't touch me. And I thought... And I forgot for a minute I was covered in fake blood, but I thought for a second he just didn't want to touch me, which is normal, you know, and most people have that reaction. And the second person was Alex Ferrari, because you were actually in the full muscle pot. Oh, yeah, yeah. Yeah, so... I was actually...

That podcast episode did really well, actually.

Yeah. It's, uh, Alex is a really, really good guy. Um, and, uh, you know, that, that, that podcast to me, it's just gone, just gone gangbusters. But, um, yeah, no, I just, I just wanted to mention that because, you know, it's, you know, I met those two, uh, through networking and I'm even met you through the, you know, through the power of social media, uh, the internet and you're just talking to people. And, and I think, you know, just, you're sort of going back to, as we kind of tie this all in together, cause I know you have to go, um,

just, you know, going out there and putting yourself out there and try to network in person and, and, you know, you know, through email, wherever you can, it does a lot more for you because by the time you get out of college, cause that doing that by the time you, and versus going to college, you'd have four years of taking classes, et cetera. You got to, and you got a degree. It's also four years where you're actually not out there making anything. Yeah, exactly. We'll be right back after a word from our sponsor and now back to the show.

So Kansas, do you have anything that you want to say to sort of put a period at the end of this whole conversation? It could be anything. Secrets of life, secrets of the universe, winning lottery numbers, anything. Sorry, I can walk around my house like we're seeing inspiration. Let's see. Oh man, I don't know. Still Spectre's innocent.

All right. All right. That will be the way we end it with that. And that might be the most profound, prolific thing that anyone has said on this podcast. But to Kansas, we will check you out online.

I have a website, kansas-bowling.com, and you can see a bunch of music videos I've directed. And there's also links to my first movie, B.C. Butcher. Also, I have contact on there, probably email address and P.O. box. If anyone wants to send me some 16mm, that would be widely appreciated. But do not send her bad scripts.

I mean, you can, but it's not, you're not going to get the reaction you want. And so those are the two rules. Uh, I, I guess I was going to say no bad scripts and no porn, but, um, so, so, so just no porn then. Okay. Yeah. So, uh, Kansas, I'm going to, by the way, everyone, I'm going to link to everything Kansas and I talked about in the show notes. Kansas, thank you so much for coming on. All right, cool. Thanks so much.

I want to thank Dave so much for doing such a great job on this episode. If you want to get links to anything we spoke about in this episode, head over to the show notes at indiefilmmuscle.com forward slash 777. And if you haven't already, please head over to filmmakingpodcast.com, subscribe and leave a good review for the show. It really helps us out a lot, guys. Thank you again so much for listening, guys. As always, keep that hustle going, keep that dream alive. Stay safe out there, and I'll talk to you soon.

Thanks for listening to the Indie Film Hustle podcast at IndieFilmHustle.com. That's I-N-D-I-E-F-I-L-M-H-U-S-T-L-E.com.