How to Have a Sustainable Career in the Film Business with Straw Weisman
I always talk about "hustle" and that "you have to keep moving forward no matter what" to make it in this business. Today's guest is the most authentic example of those concepts I've ever met. Straw Weisman is a writer, director, producer, post supervisor, movie trailer writer/producer, film consultant, and film market guru. These are just some of jobs Straw has done in his over 40 years in the indie film business.
Through his own company, Marquee Productions, Straw has supervised post-production and/or associate produced or produced over 75 films, including “Without Men”, starring Eva Longoria and Christian Slater, "Abel's Field", starring Kevin Sorbo, “Shine On”, starring Jenna Dewan-Tatum, “Order of Redemption” with Busta Rhymes, Armand Assante and Tom Berenger,  the multi-festival award-winning biopic “Crazy” featuring“Heroes” Ali Larder,  “Magic”, a family film starring Christopher Lloyd as a talking dog, Richard Gere’s “The Flock”, “Sex and Breakfast”, starring Macaulay Culkin, “Say It In Russian”, featuring Faye Dunaway, the spiritually based sleeper hit “What The Bleep Do We Know!?”(which grossed over $16 Million at the box office), Tobe Hooper’s “The Toolbox Murders”, and the horror feature “Hatchet." Marquee Productions has also played host to over 25 independent films, which have used its editing and audio facilities and Straw’s creative consultancy.
Straw and I have been working together on projects for close to 10 years. I wanted him to come on the show to discuss his career, how he keeps going, and what skills helped him to have such a long and sustainable career. Straw also shares a very intense story that will illustrate how tough and brutal this business can be.
My hope is that this interview not only inspires you but sheds a light on what is really needed to make it in the business. Enjoy my conversation with Straw Weisman.