The Duffer Brothers: Creating STRANGER THINGS, Directing the Finale, and Surviving Hollywood Rejection

Filmmakers, we have the creators of the biggest show on the planet. The masterminds who took 80s nostalgia, Dungeons & Dragons, and a group of kids on bikes, and turned it into a global empire. I am talking, of course, about Matt and Ross Duffer—The Duffer Brothers! Now, you know them as the creators of Stranger Things , the show that literally breaks the internet every time a new season drops. But what we love about this conversation is that we go right back to the start. We talk about their 2015 low-budget horror thriller, Hidden —a film that got caught in studio limbo but taught them the vital lessons of directing and how they pitched Stranger Things around various studios and TV execs getting rejections along the way. We dive into how they work as a duo, how they pitch to networks (and deal with rejection!), and the absolute mountain of work it takes to land the final season of the most popular show in the world. From the Upside Down to the top of Hollywood, this is a masterclass in long-form storytelling and sticking to your vision. Grab your Eggos and turn up the volume. Let’s welcome... The Duffer Brothers! " STRANGER THINGS s5 is OUT NOW on NETFLIX! Links FOOD FOR THOUGHT documentary out NOW | Watch it FREE HERE. A documentary exploring the rapid growth and uptake of the vegan lifestyle around the world. – And if you enjoyed the film, please take a moment to share & rate it on your favourite platforms. Every review & every comment helps us share the film’s important message with more people. Your support makes a difference! Help us out and Subscribe, listen and review us on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts but more importantly, tell your pals about this podcast. Thank you! PODCAST MERCH Get your very own Tees, Hoodies, on-set water bottles, mugs and more MERCH . https://my-store-11604768.creator-spring.com/ COURSES Want to learn how to finish your film? Take our POST PRODUCTION COURSE https://cuttingroom.info/post-production-demystified/ PATREON Big thank you to: Serena Gardner Mark Hammett Lee Hutchings Marli J Monroe Karen Newman Want your name in the show notes or some great bonus material on filmmaking? Join our Patreon for bonus episodes, industry survival guides, and feedback on your film projects! SUPPORT THE PODCAST Check out our full episode archive on how to make films at TheFilmmakersPodcast.com CREDITS The Filmmakers Podcast is written and produced by Giles Alderson @gilesalderson Edited by @tobiasvees Logo and Banner Art by Lois Creative Theme Music by John J. Harvey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices