How to Make Money in TODAY's Indie Film with Jon Erwin | IFH Podcast

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In 2002, Jon Erwin founded a production company with his brother, Andrew. Their first ventures were commercials, documentaries, and music videos. The brothers soon were directing videos and producing concerts and television programs for platinum recording artists such as Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Casting Crowns, Switchfoot, Skillet, and others.
They received 11 GMA Dove Awards nominations and 3 wins for Music Video of the Year. Jon and Andrew have also produced and directed several documentaries, including the multiple award-winning 9/11 story, THE CROSS AND THE TOWERS.
In 2010, Jon and Andrew began exclusively developing dramatic feature films. In August 2018, they partnered with Kevin Downs and Tony Young to launch Kingdom Story Company, in an exclusive partnership with Lionsgate, which creates life-changing content from a variety of talented storytellers.
Their features have all opened in the top-ten box office and they have received the coveted A+ CinemaScore® three times.
Early hits include OCTOBER BABY, MOMS’ NIGHT OUT, WOODLAWN, and the surprise hit I CAN ONLY IMAGINE, which became the #1 independent film of 2018, earning more than $86 million at the box office. Others include I STILL BELIEVE, a biopic about CCM megastar Jeremy Camp which was released by Lionsgate in 2020, followed by the 2021 release of THE JESUS MUSIC, sharing the untold story of how Jesus Music transformed into the multi-billion-dollar industry of Christian Contemporary Music.
AMERICAN UNDERDOG followed in 2021, which told the story of NFL MVP and Hall of Famer, Kurt Warner. JOHNNY CASH: THE REDEMPTION OF AN AMERICAN ICON, is a documentary that details the true story of a music legend’s spiritual quest and releases Dec 2022. Their latest film, JESUS REVOLUTION based on The Jesus Movement that changed the course of history and comes to theaters Feb 2023.
Jon is also the author of the book Beyond Valor: A World War II Story of Extraordinary Heroism, Sacrificial Love, and a Race Against Time, which tells the amazing true story of his grandfather Red Erwin, who received the Congressional Medal of Honor in World War II. Beyond Valor was published in August 2020.
Enjoy my conversation with Jon Erwin.
For links to today's guest - click below:
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[@raejones8854]

Very cool interview. I love the transparency of this conversation.

[@dthill96]

The Erwin Brothers (especially in the last 6 years) have been able to transcend past their core demographic/target audience. They were the first filmmakers to have a Christian themed 🎥 be shown on IMAX screens with “I Still Believe”. They do the smart thing of not beating you over the head with their messages/beliefs. An additional reason they’ve transcended past their target audience is how their work looks visually. Their experience in music videos helps them immensely because a bunch of their work visually looks gorgeous. And as someone who’s agnostic/borderline atheist I can watch their work and not feel like I’m being preached to.

[@bryanoldenburg9870]

This was a wise discussion about the reality of marketing in today's world. Know who you are, know who your niche is. Target your audience in a way that others could enjoy your film as well. It's true Alex that we were able to talk to people with differing opinions in the past. That was the gist of my last post (which got removed), when I mentioned my latest series about Blue and Red talking openly in Wisconsin (SWING STATE). We used to be able to not only tolerate others, but to love them! I thought your recent talk with the Bicycle enthusiast was a masterclass in modern filmmaking/marketing as well. As was your interview with Mark Toia and his AI/Robot action film. PS: "Jesus Revolution" was fantastic, and we now see what a success it became!

[@harrellwilliams6044]

What makes Shawshank work is the relationship between Andy and Red; Red’s narration; how Andy finessed the brutality he suffered within the prison, which crashed down on him; how Andy escaped (how they paced the years); and how Red got out and reunited with Andy. And the co-relationships with the other inmates! How they used events to find hope in a hopeless situation! Hope!!

[@Filmmaker809]

One of the best pod casts Alex. Sad, but true as Jon Erwin rightly points out. Covic Pandemic screwed us all, more so than others, but its screwed filmmaking as we know it. The value of failure.And never quit. Success maybe just around the corner. Well said Jon. I have felt quitting this year. I have 3 films in festivals, 1 feature, I'm working on 4 features this year. They won't all get made, but I was going to quit until I heard Jon. @)

[@JYthePE]

Actor here in Austin too- big fan of the Erwin Brothers elevating the faith-based niche

[@grantgreyguda]

👍 👍

[@prometheus200]

Wow, wow, wow. Such a great interview

[@tracycle]

Thank you, Alex!

[@lionhoneyfilms1460]

Great interview.

[@MarineFriesenOficial]

Awesome interview! We just released our own Christian movie - full independent. Called Armageddon Code - Would love to hear a feedback! Greets from Rio - Brazil