What does it take to make your first film? Robert Larriviere shares the journey from conceptualizing to having an award-winning debut.

John Cooke and Bishop Porter sit down with Robert to unpack the making of This is Jan, discussing topics such as crowdfunding, casting, securing a SAG-AFTRA contract, and creating space for queer stories rooted in history. With warmth, candor, and behind-the-scenes wisdom, Robert shares how he turned a deeply personal experience into a festival-winning short.

Key insights from this episode:

• What first-time directors need to know before stepping behind the camera
• How Robert turned screenwriting accolades into momentum for fundraising
• Why choosing the right lead actor changes things

Chapters:

(00:00) Meet Robert Larriviere

(01:59) Inspiration behind This is Jan

(04:48) Winning awards before filming began

(06:59) Planning every shot, then embracing the moment

(09:36) How the location affected the entire story

(14:25) Crowdfunding strategy that actually worked

(18:13) Working with SAG-AFTRA on a short film

(22:05) Advice for first-time indie filmmakers

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