Izzy Stevens Talks About Her Podcast ‘indie spunk’ And Gives Advice To Aspiring Filmmakers

Not just an amazing actress!

From her acting career to her podcast ‘indie spunk’, Izzy Stevens is making her name known in the entertainment industry.

We had the amazing honor of talking with Izzy about her favorite podcast, ‘Seafoam’, and more!

What inspired you to start your career in the entertainment industry?

I: “Passion and a whole lot of naivete — It really pays not to know how hard something is going to be until you’re truly hooked. This industry is kinda like a drug. 

When I stepped foot on a TV set at 17 as an actor, I fell in love. I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life collaborating on film and TV.”

What has been your favorite movie of the ‘Occupation’ franchise?

I: “Tough call! I loved working closely with Ken Jeong in the sequel, Rainfall, but the first film has to be my favorite. 

I met my great friend Rhiannon Fish on set shooting that film, and working with her in the deep forest late at night, freezing cold under the rain machine while we were screaming our lungs out in some very intense scenes — these are some of the most memorable experiences I’ve had on set. I was apparently getting hypothermic and started to babble nonsensically but I kept agreeing to do more takes until they had to pull me out of there. But I would have stayed. I was in my happy place!”

Tell us more about your amazing podcast ‘indie spunk’.

I: “As a filmmaker’s mentor and coach I work with mostly women, non-binary folks, and creatives from largely underrepresented backgrounds, and almost every single one of them struggles with imposter syndrome. Or fear that their ideas aren’t worthy. Or that they’re not good enough, on some level. Even later into their careers where they’ve achieved great heights of success. When you don’t see enough examples of people like yourself who are making a career in this industry work, it’s natural to assume your stories aren’t important. But they are.

I needed to bring the conversations I’m having with my clients and my colleagues working in the industry to a public forum, because I know it can help more diverse stories get told. I think creatives are looking for that roadmap to be demystified. This is something that I wish I had access to 10 years ago, and I’m so lucky that it teaches me more and more every day. 

On indie spunk, we break down the tangible steps. How to practically forge your own career. How to make a micro-budget film. How to get funding. How to get your film into festivals. What to do when it’s there. How to juggle projects as a multi-hyphenate: actor, filmmaker, entrepreneur. How to forge ahead by playing to your strengths, and build a big, unapologetic career in this industry. That’s what the podcast is all about.“

What are your go-to podcasts that you listen to?

I: “I love a great real-life story. This American Life is always fascinating. Sweet Bobby was addicting. All the seasons of Live and Die in LA. Anything that’s well reported. 

My favorite podcast of all time is Scamfluencers. Scaachi and Sarah do a highly entertaining job of telling fascinating stories about brazen scammers. They share some really wild stories. It’s shocking the lengths some people will go. I probably like it so much because it reminds me that I don’t need to second guess or doubt myself nearly as much as I do, because some confident guy out there is just walking around like he owns the place and getting exactly what he wants based on pure confidence and bravado. Oof! But it always bites them in the ass, which is so satisfying.

I also have a running list of women-led podcasts on building businesses, and anything film related, although I think podcasts are really lacking in that area. Hello, indie spunk!”

If you could describe your Indie Spunk platform in three words, what would they be?

I: “I’m going to cheat and give you phrases.

• A Supportive Industry Community
  
• Badass Resourceful Innovators

• Impact-Driven Artists”

Let’s talk about ‘Seafoam’! What has been your reaction to its success?

I: “It’s exciting of course, and yet the funnest part was making the thing, so I can’t wait to hop on set of my next film which is happening in a couple months. For me, the best part of the process is the process. 

However seeing it play on a big screen and being in the room feeling people respond is electric. Seafoam is a disorienting psychological thriller about a woman who believes she’s being followed after she visits her mother in a psychiatric ward. I love and always aim to take the audience on a surprising & visceral journey, so being in the room with the audience is really fun!”

What is your best piece of advice for young girls who want to pursue a filmmaking career?

I: “Don’t let the big dream trip you up! Just get busy making stuff, find your voice through trial and error, don’t be afraid to get it wrong and fail, get up and go again. Success is just getting up again. Good stuff takes a lawwwng time, so just start now. And, as much as you can, press the mute button on everyone else’s opinions. It’s just not worth your time to worry about it. It’s your life.”

Where can we follow your amazing journey?

I: “Come find me on ig @indiespunk and @izzystevens. Also www.indiespunk.com!Can’t wait to see you there.”

Trina Hannah- Entertainment Editor/Graphic Designer– Trina is currently studying Graphic Design at Siena Heights University, she is into all things digital media such as video editing, photography and more! She loves getting to express herself through her work and hopes that it can make people smile as well as inspire them to be creative.