Ep718: IndieSeen: Tales of the Tape: An Interview with 18 1/2 Co-writer / Director Dan Mirvish!

In their latest deep-dive into the world of independent film, Ian and Sujewa welcome Dan Mirvish, founder of the Slamdance Film Festival and the co-writer/director of 18 1/2!

Set in the aftermath of the Watergate scandal, 18 1/2 stars Willa Fitzgerald as Connie, a federal transcriber who happens upon the missing minutes from President Nixon's infamous White House recordings. While seeking help from journalist Paul Marrow (John Magaro), Connie discovers that extreme paranoia isn't exclusive to the disgraced Commander in Chief!

In this spirited, spoiler-free conversation, Dan talks about the movie's origins; the mix of blessings and curses he experienced in working during the pandemic, and his plans for expanding the film beyond the festival circuit. Also, Sujewa shares a new idea for connecting indie filmmakers with indie film critics and provides an update on his recently completed new film, The Secret Society for Slow Romance!

Timestamps:

• Intro: 0:00 - 1:30

• Filmmaker/Film Critic Patronage and the Tomatometer Problem: 1:31 - 20:56

• Slow Romance Update: 20:57 - 22:26

• 18 1/2 Discussion: 22:27 - 1:01:13

• Outro: 1:01:14 - 1:05:53

Show Links:

• Watch the 18 1/2 trailer.

• Read Dan's latest article in Filmmaker Magazine.

• Order Dan's book, The Cheerful Subversive’s Guide to Independent Filmmaking.

• Follow Dan on Twitter.

• Check out our previous slow cinema-centric series, "The Slowdown".

• Find clips, making-of videos, and other cool info about Sujewa's upcoming film, The Secret Society for Slow Romance.

• Keep up with all of Sujewa's projects.

• Follow Sujewa on Twitter.

• Subscribe to, like, and comment on the Kicking the Seat YouTube channel!