Photo by: Camila Noriega
We caught up with actress, director, producer, and new podcast host Izzy Stevens who just launched her film-focused podcast ‘indie spunk’. Izzy is widely regarded for her lead role as Isabella Bartlett in Netflix’s Occupation franchise among other lead roles in the films Rainfall, Underbelly, Puberty Blues, and Another Mother.
As the CEO and business owner of her consulting and mentorship company, Indie Spunk, Izzy is passionate about helping fellow filmmakers, producers, actors, and directors find success in the industry. This passion can now be heard in her podcast which highlights and champions emerging independent filmmakers, and gives them and other film community members a platform to share their knowledge and experience with listeners.
We asked Izzy about her multifaceted career and what listeners can expect from the indie spunk podcast. Check out our conversation below.
You wear many hats as an actress, director, producer, business owner, and new podcast host. Was this something you always envisioned doing?
Izzy Stevens (IS): Well — I never imagined this! But it all makes sense looking back. The moment I set foot on a TV set at 17, I fell in love, and I wanted to spend the rest of my life collaborating on films. I was a natural leader as a kid — which actually got me into some hot water in preschool when I tried to direct the entire playground in the big Titanic death scene…they actually tried to expel me! So I suppose the director & entrepreneur seeds were planted long ago, but I wasn’t exposed to many examples of women directing. We need to see examples to know what’s possible. This is what my company, indie spunk, is all about. I did see women acting in films, and that’s where I got my start. Which eventually led me to directing.
As an indie film director, if you want to get your film made, you’ve gotta work with micro budgets and limited resources, you have to wear a lot of hats. You’ve gotta roll up your sleeves and figure it out. Luckily, I’ve always been naturally scrappy and resourceful. My family jokes that I really know how to stretch a dollar. So I took full advantage of those qualities — which are extremely useful in indie filmmaking!
I’m also not particularly patient, I can’t stand waiting around for anything to happen. I’m a quick start and take a lot of messy action, which means things break all the time. I mean, it gets problematic, for instance I have a pathological aversion to taking multiple trips from the car to the apartment, even if I need to. If I have a big grocery haul, I will turn my fingers blue, drop my coffee and throw my back out before daring to do multiple trips. It’s a problem, haha. But, honestly, I’ve found that if I can fail fast and get back up, I’ll be able to do it better next time. All of these natural tendencies have given me the skillset to wear all of these hats and I love ’em!
Can you tell us about your consulting and mentorship company, indie spunk? What inspired you to create it?
IS: Because I had a really early start in the industry and always felt drawn to helping friends creatively problem solve their projects, I naturally became a sounding board for colleagues, friends and emerging filmmakers. There’s nothing I love more than strategizing, whether it’s creative or career-related. When COVID hit, all of my lined-up projects were paused, and, because I can’t ever sit still, I started coaching creatives who wanted to use this time to create a film.
I started indie spunk to bring people together at a time of isolation, and to help facilitate stories, particularly for femme creators, non-binary folks, and historically underrepresented perspectives. Even though the industry has made great headway, I still feel frustrated by the lack of diversity in perspectives that we’re seeing on screen. From where I’m standing now, I can see why. So many of my clients deal with a deep inner struggle that they’re voices aren’t worthy, their stories aren’t worthy, and it breaks my heart because they really are. I work with some amazing people who I know can have the career they dream of, it’s just about getting them the tools and insight they need.
What can listeners expect from your new film-focused podcast, indie spunk?
IS: You can expect down-to-earth career guidance, micro-budget filmmaking strategies, and the kind of industry insight usually saved for those behind-closed-doors, high level production exec coffee meetings. With a mix of solo episodes with yours truly, chatting about many of the topics we cover in my coaching programs, as well as interview episodes featuring some incredible industry trailblazers who share their candid insight, advice, and guidance — indie spunk is a portal for emerging filmmakers to roll up their sleeves, get strategic and create career-changing work, from script to screen.
What is the main goal behind the podcast?
IS: I’m on a mission to help more underrepresented creators tell their stories, make impactful films, and build big, abundant, unapologetic careers in this industry.
As someone who mentors those in the film industry, what has been the best advice you have received?
IS: I saw a live panel featuring the brilliant director and producer Lucia Aniello (Hacks & Broad City), where she gave this exact advice. It’s something we chat about regularly in coaching, too: Hone your own unique voice. Don’t try to mimic someone else, because it just won’t work. Focus on what interests you, what you find funny, what you find meaningful, what you find different or interesting or moving or annoying or bad or wrong. That’s how people will distinguish you from anyone else in the industry. You will only cut through the incessant industry chatter with your authentic voice. If you try to mimic someone else, it’s a dead-end road with nowhere to grow.
The way I put it to my clients is to think about all the reasons you feel like you don’t belong in the industry. All the reasons you feel like you’re an outcast, you’re different, you’re invalid. Where you feel shame or fear to show yourself. Then flip it over, and highlight it, because it’s actually what sets you apart. That’s your ticket to fulfilling success. Often, when you draw from that place with confidence, you will likely open the gates to the success you’re looking for.
Trust yourself. Trust your voice. Hone it. Don’t be afraid to get it wrong or fail, because it means you’re on your way to getting it right. Also, don’t be too precious about it all. Everyone is too busy navel-gazing to really pay attention to you, so use that to your advantage and just take some messy action.
Okay, there’s a lot of different advice there. Haha! Classic.
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Follow Izzy Stevens: Instagram
Follow indie spunk: Instagram|Website
Listen to the indie spunk Podcast: Spotify|Apple Podcasts|iHeart
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