Ep #152: Joe Burke - The $7k Greenlight

He made an award-winning feature film for $7,000. Here's exactly how.Joe Burke had a camera, a friend willing to act for free, and a real guy named Burt who'd never acted a day in his life.  No big crew.  No lights, mostly.  No script - just a 15-page outline and two borrowed cameras rolling at once.  What came out the other side was Burt: a black-and-white gem that got rejected by 28 film festivals in a row... and then swept the next three it entered.In this conversation, Joe walks through the whole arc - finding his lead actor at a restaurant in Malibu, shooting a feature in seven days for less than most people spend on a wedding, and the year of straight rejection that nearly broke him before Burt started winning everything in sight.  Then he does something most filmmakers never talk about: how he became his own publicist, landed an LA Times cover story, and got into 50+ festivals just by asking for waivers and refusing to wait for permission.If you've ever felt like you're waiting for someone else to say yes to your film: this is the conversation that gives you permission to say yes to yourself.PS this conversation is the edited version of an Instagram Live session. Due to this, the sound quality is not ideal, but we felt it was worth sharing anyway.  If you want to listen to the whole conversation head over to 🎬 Watch Burt: https://www.joeburke.net/🎙️ Follow Joe: @joeburkefilmWant to greenlight yourself? Join THE GREENLIGHT KEYS: www.dianebell.com/keys

Feeling that back-to-school itch to get back to work...but also a little behind on the goal you set in January? You're not alone.In this episode, I get honest about my own year  (the screenplay I meant to finish, the projects that didn't pan out, the summer I unapologetically took off) and the three things I'm focusing on right now to make sure December 31st feels like a win: protecting your time (yes, I booked myself a solo writing retreat), moving with momentum instead of waiting for perfect, and trusting your process even when self-doubt creeps in.If you've got a script, a film, or a dream you haven't let go of yet, this episode is your nudge to greenlight yourself.Plus: details on my Greenlight Keys live event and a week of course bundles at dianebell.com/school — new offer daily, this week only.MORE RESOURCESJoin THE GREENLIGHT KEYS: www.dianebell.com/school  Follow Diane on Instagram: CLICK HERE 

If you've ever found yourself marveling at those moments in your creative journey that feel genuinely miraculous…or wondered why sometimes, even when you do all the “right” things, nothing magical seems to happen: this episode is for you.I'm sharing something deeply personal in this session, something that's been front-of-mind for me lately.  I open up about my beginnings: broke, no connections, no industry “in”; just a screenplay and a powerful, almost irrational belief that I would succeed.  There was no logic to it, but I felt in my bones that the right people, the right opportunities, the magic, would find me…and, astonishingly, they did.But here's what I want you to truly hear (because when you get this, it changes everything): it wasn’t about luck.  It was about mindset. In this episode, I talk about the “miracle current” AKA: that flow state where crazy things just seem to line up for you. I walk you through the beliefs I held that made all the difference, and the myths I had to shatter - about money, about creativity, about what was possible for “someone like me.” I get raw about my struggles with money mindset, how abundance for me was never about having stuff, but about feeling open to possibility, and how all of that changed (and had to change) after I became a mother for the second time.I also share four of the biggest limiting beliefs I see creatives struggle with, like the idea that you can be creative or financially secure, but not both; or that opportunities are scarce; or that other people’s success means yours is less likely. I show you, step by step, how I’ve rewritten those stories in my own life, and how it’s led to raising money out of nowhere, working with dream collaborators, and seeing “miracles” become the norm, not the exception.Most importantly, I tell you about The Abundant Artist - a 21-day program I designed because I want you to flick that inner switch for yourself.  Whether you’re feeling totally blocked and frustrated, or just sense there's a next level for you but can't quite get there yet, this is about getting out of the grind and back into ease, gratitude, and creative magnetism.  It's the work that’s transformed my own results, selling my first screenplay, landing dream gigs, and going to Sundance for my debut film. And it’s available for you too.If you’re ready to let go of struggle and step into flow, if you want to experience the kind of creative life where miracles are just “what happens” - come join me. I promise: this work matters, and so do you.MORE RESOURCESJoin the Abundant Artist: www.abundantaugust.com  Join The Network: https://www.dianebell.com/offers/FVWUiN6F/checkoutFollow Diane on Instagram: CLICK HERE 

If you've been quietly wondering whether AI is going to destroy screenwriting...or secretly curious about what would happen if you let it help with your next script: this episode is for you.I'll be honest: I did not come to this conversation easily.  I made a film called Obselidia about a man who catalogues obsolete things and hates technology.  That character came from somewhere real.  I have always been the person who loves the old ways, is suspicious of new tools, and would rather write longhand than adopt the latest thing.When AI became impossible to ignore, I took my time, and I watched, and I explored and I thought about it.  What I share in this episode is the result of that - not a "hot take", but my considered, honest look at what AI actually means for screenwriters right now.I talk about the two fears most writers have (and why one of them is completely valid), and why the question we should all be asking isn't "Will it replace me?" but something far more useful.I share the six principles I've developed for using AI with integrity - including why your first draft is sacred territory that no AI should ever touch, and why there is one principle more important than all the others combined.I also tell you about a 95-year-old editor I met in 2008 who was running post-production on $20 million action films, wearing Converse, and how he changed how I think about technology entirely.  In fact, he changed my life.And finally, I introduce you to something I've just built: AI Diane -  a Custom GPT trained on everything I've ever taught. She's available inside THE NETWORK, she speaks in my voice, and she will never write your script for you (that's built in, on purpose) - but she will help you do your best work and get it made.MORE RESOURCESJoin THE NETWORK (doors close Saturday June 21st): https://www.dianebell.com/network26AI Diane is available exclusively to members of THE NETWORKThe Midpoint — free bonus when you join this week:  CLICK HERE•Follow Diane on Instagram: CLICK HERE 

Have you ever found yourself secretly hoping for a risk-free, magic-bullet way to get your script made? If so, this episode is for you...because trust me, I’ve been there too.In this session, I pull back the curtain on what every writer and filmmaker really craves: that fantasy scenario where a producer, agent, or financier swoops in, takes care of the business, and all you do is write.  Sounds dreamy, right? But as I share from my own journey (starting out as a yoga teacher in Barcelona with zero film connections) waiting for someone else to make it happen is the surest way to let your script die on your hard drive.I get super honest about what it really takes to get your script made, including all the risks (financial, emotional, and reputational) you’ll have to be willing to take.  I tell you about the time I went into debt to go to Cannes and LA, in my attempt to get my script in front of someone who could make it happen. (Spoiler: there was NO safety net.)We talk through the huge myth of the “risk-free path", why waiting for permission keeps most writers stuck, and why putting your fate in gatekeepers’ hands is the riskiest move of all. I share how deciding to green light myself, learning about budgets and schedules, and investing my OWN time and money ultimately led me to Sundance, not because I was the most talented, but because I was willing to leap...and trust the net would appear.As you'll also hear: risk doesn’t mean recklessness.  I break down how to actually mitigate risk as you go, with a solid, reality-based plan, the right budget strategy, and (maybe most importantly) the support of a team or community who has your back. You’ll hear why surrounding yourself with mentors and fellow creators is your secret weapon for making smart, bold moves.Throughout this session, I invite you to step out of the comfort zone, stop waiting, and take radical responsibility for your script’s future.  Whether it’s signing up for my free class, joining our Script to Screen Revolution, or finally investing in community support, you’ll walk away knowing there IS NO risk-free way, but there IS a smart, supported path to getting your story onto the screen.By the end, you’ll feel fired up to make your own move, ditch the daydream of being “rescued,” and realize the power you seek is already within you - waiting for you to take that first leap. If you’re ready to stop hoping and start doing, this episode is your rallying cry to take action, embrace the real risks, and become the one who actually makes it happen.MORE RESOURCESTo connect on Instagram for daily inspiration --> CLICK HERETo sign up for SCRIPT TO SCREEN REVOLUTION --> CLICK HERETo join THE NETWORK --> CLICK HERE

We’ve all been there as writers – you finish a script you’re proud of, and then you’re stuck at a crossroads: should you sell it, or should you try to make that movie yourself? In this episode, I get super real about this crucial decision that so many screenwriters gloss over (and let’s be honest, sometimes completely avoid).I walk you through how choosing a path – selling your script vs. making it yourself – actually determines everything about where your energy and focus goes. I share stories from my own journey (hello, terrifying first features and learning what it really takes to raise a budget!) and from filmmakers I’ve worked with. You’ll hear how people just like you have gone from “I could never raise that kind of money” to actually making their first films, and the reality checks along the way (yes, including the $50K “disasters” that started life as million-dollar scripts).Together, we unpack what producing your own film truly requires – not just creatively, but financially and emotionally – and how most people can raise more money than they think, if they approach it the right way. I’ll help you get clear on YOUR realistic number, why you have to design your script to fit that budget, and how being overambitious can quickly become a shortcut to heartbreak.But we also explore the flip side honestly: sometimes, your script really does need the “full machine” – studio, big budget, name actors. And that’s okay! I explain how to get confident in choosing the selling route, what that actually means (hint: it’s not just mailing out query letters and crossing your fingers), and why 100% commitment to your path is what moves the needle.I share practical tools – like my free workbook and quiz to help you weigh your project and decide – plus insider stories of filmmakers (yes, even Christopher Nolan and Sean Baker!) who started small, built up, and eventually greenlit their dream projects.By the end of our conversation, you’ll feel empowered to get real about what your script needs and, most importantly, give yourself permission to claim your vision. Whether you realize your script needs to be your DIY calling card or it’s time to go all-in on selling, you’ll leave with clarity, real-world tactics, and the inspiration to actually move forward – not just daydream about it.So if you’re on the fence, second-guessing which route is right for you, this episode is your friendly nudge to decide, take action, and absolutely be the one who gets your story out of your laptop and onto that big screen.MORE RESOURCESTo connect on Instagram for daily inspiration --> CLICK HERETo sign up for SCRIPT TO SCREEN REVOLUTION --> CLICK HERETo get your free SELL IT OR MAKE IT Workbook --> CLICK HERE

Every screenwriter has been there.  There's that script of yours that you poured so much time and energy into - and now it's just quietly gathering dust on your hard drive.  If you find yourself wondering why your screenplay hasn’t made the leap from hopeful document to cinematic reality, this episode is for you.In it, I dive deep into the real reason that script is still stuck on your hard drive (and spoiler: it’s not because you’re lazy, or don’t know the right people, or even that your script isn’t good enough).  After years of working with screenwriters and filmmakers (and reflecting on my own wild journey), I’ll share the #1 shift you need to make to finally get your work on the screen.We’re talking about taking your power back and stopping those sneaky “energy leaks” that so many writers fall into. I open up about my own patterns - how there were moments I gave away my power, waiting for outside validation, confusing busyness with real progress, or believing I had to do it all on my own.   Sound familiar?  Trust me, you’re not alone.  I break down the three main ways writers give their power away and, most importantly, how you can gently reclaim it.I also share stories from my own career of the times I truly decided, “This film is getting made, no matter what,” and how everything changed when I claimed that level of commitment as well as how things just floated along whenever I didn’t. You’ll hear how a simple mindset shift is truly the secret sauce, and why you can (and should) greenlight yourself, right now.We wrap up with an invitation to take one small, powerful action as soon as you finish listening (no, it’s not another rewrite!).  Plus, I share details for my upcoming free three-day workshop, where I’ll walk you through, step-by-step, how to move from script-to-screen without giving your power away.Whether you’re a seasoned screenwriter or just quietly dreaming, this episode is here to spark you back into action and remind you: your story deserves to be seen. Here’s to shifting your mindset, reclaiming your power, and finally making the movie only you can make.Ready to get your script off your hard drive and onto the screen? Join me - it all starts with claiming your vision and calling back your power.MORE RESOURCESTo connect on Instagram for daily inspiration --> CLICK HERE

If you’ve ever wondered how to turn an unconventional path into a thriving creative career, you’re going to love this session. In this episode, I sit down with the incredible Valerie Weiss, a true powerhouse of TV and film directing, for a candid and inspiring behind-the-scenes conversation.We talk about everything from Valerie’s fascinating leap from scientist (yep, Harvard Medical School PhD!) to filmmaker, to her latest shows gracing your favorite streaming platforms. Valerie opens up about her beginnings—foregoing film school, building skills diy-style, and learning to trust her instincts while finding her way through a rapidly evolving industry. We reminisce about our early days, the connections and creative energy that kept us going, and how sometimes, the most unconventional detour ends up being your superpower.But more than Valerie’s (many) impressive credits, this episode is full of gold on what it really takes to break into Hollywood—and actually keep going when the road gets tough. Valerie shares the realities of rejection, tenacity, and why the creative journey never really gets “easy,” even after 40+ TV credits. If you’ve been feeling daunted by a changing industry or stalled by self-doubt, her advice on loving the process, staying grounded, and building your skills no matter who’s watching—or who isn’t—is worth its weight in gold.We get practical, too: Valerie breaks down the real differences between film and TV directing and the importance of networking, authenticity, and serving the vision of the work (and the team) you’re part of. She also reveals the magic of pivoting, following your authentic voice, and why new opportunities often arrive from the most unexpected places—like landing Star Trek with no previous fandom, but all the right preparation.Pull up a chair and dive in.  MORE RESOURCESFollow Valerie Weiss on Instagram --> CLICK HERETo connect on Instagram for daily inspiration --> CLICK HEREJoin The Shoot From the Heart Society (free Facebook group with exclusive classes) --> CLICK HEREFor current course offerings --> CLICK HERETo learn more about THE NETWORK --> CLICK HERE

If you’ve been feeling the energy shift as we close out the year, you are not alone - and the good news is we are on the cusp of a new cycle of life.In this session, I dive into the magic of honoring endings and beginnings - not just the end of 2024 and the start of 2025, but the completion of a nine-year cycle (thank you, numerology!) and the launch of an entirely new era. It’s the kind of turning point that calls for something more than New Year’s resolutions.  This is an opportunity to pause, reflect, and harvest the real, earned lessons from the past chapter.I open up about my own rollercoaster nine years, beginning as a newly minted mother of two, uprooting my life from LA to Denver, journeying across oceans for Spain, and even hitting those hard moments that made me question everything - from my finances to my habits, my creative identity to the meaning of “home.” (Plot twist: it turns out you really ARE always walking back toward yourself.)If you’ve felt yourself drifting from your creative spark, feeling blocked around money, or just wondering what season of life you’re living in, I share how I moved through all those transitions. Sometimes it looked like buying “the dream house” only to realize it wasn’t the dream after all. Sometimes it meant leaving behind my first love - filmmaking - only to circle back with even more heart and clarity.But more than anything, this episode is a gentle invitation for you to join me in reflection. We explore how true abundance isn’t just about chasing “more,” and why our happiness has much less to do with what we have and much more to do with how we tune into the present moment. I talk about why making bold mistakes (sometimes on a whole other continent!) is not just okay, but necessary- and how letting go of old beliefs opens the door to new possibilities, as long as you remember to keep one foot on your solid ground.I also share details of my free live workshop “A New Era,” designed for anyone who craves depth in their reflections and wants to consciously build not just a new year, but a new nine-year journey. Whether you’re navigating transformation, searching for creative revival, or simply ready to close out a chapter with gratitude, I welcome you to come along.This episode is for those of us dreaming bigger than just “goal-setting.” It’s about soul evolution - the kind that changes your art, your business, your relationships, and your experience in the world. I’d love to hear what resonates, what lessons you’re harvesting, and invite you to share your own story with me, so after you listen, please screenshot this episode & share it on Instagram with your biggest takeaways.Here’s to walking each other home, to new cycles shaped by presence and vision, and to the heart-opening magic of beginning again, together.If you want to sign up for a free live experience A NEW ERA Click here: www.dianebell.com/neweraMORE RESOURCESTo connect on Instagram for daily inspiration --> CLICK HEREJoin The Shoot From the Heart Society (free Facebook group with exclusive classes) --> CLICK HEREFor current course offerings --> CLICK HERETo learn more about THE NETWORK --> CLICK HERE

The end of every year is the opportunity to close a chapter and start a new one - but this year, it's even bigger.We’re not just stepping into a new year, but closing out a powerful nine-year cycle and starting a new one. If you’ve ever heard me talk about pre-planning before, you know how much I believe in intentionally shaping your path - not waiting for January 1st to decide who you want to be, but using this transition as a springboard for true transformation and the fulfillment of your big dreams.In this episode, we explore what it means to look back - not with regret, but with gratitude and clarity. I share how my own past nine year era was marked by motherhood, business-building, new homes, and some wild pivots in creative passion. There were years where I lost my spark for filmmaking, only to reunite with it in the most unexpected ways. (Including a return to directing documentaries and hammering out new scripts with a kind of creative fire I hadn’t felt in ages!)But most of all, this session is designed to remind you that you’re not alone in feeling big shifts. So many of us are moving through huge changes, both personally and collectively, and I truly believe there’s magic in coming together to mark these moments. In this session, we touch on numerology, seasons of life, and why harnessing the lessons of the past sets you up to create a vision for the future that’s expansive, intentional, and uniquely yours.This about so much more than bullet journaling your goals at the beginning of a new year. It’s about evolution. It’s about creating the life, the art, the business, and the impact that only you can bring into the world. I also share details of my upcoming (totally free!) three-day live event, especially designed to walk you through closing out your own nine-year chapter and consciously launching the next one.I invite you to listen in, reflect, and join me - whether you’re ready for a new beginning or just curious about what the next nine years could look like if you claimed them intentionally.Here’s to a new era: one created from the heart, shaped by vision, and shared in community. To sign up for the FREE LIVE 3 DAY EVENT:  CLICK HEREMORE RESOURCESTo connect on Instagram for daily inspiration --> CLICK HEREJoin The Shoot From the Heart Society (free Facebook group with exclusive classes) --> CLICK HEREFor current course offerings --> CLICK HERETo learn more about THE NETWORK --> CLICK HERE