Filmmaker’s Lightning Round on Indie Movies, Games & Investors | Mark Elias with Jeff "fuzzy" Wenzel
In this Invst Guru Lightning Round, host Jeff “fuzzy” Wenzel puts filmmaker Mark Stephen Elias in the hot seat for a rapid-fire conversation about his upcoming film We Could Be Heroes, indie filmmaking, gaming culture, and what investors should actually understand before backing a movie.
Mark is a writer, actor, and producer who blends sharp storytelling, character-first comedy, and video game–inspired energy. In this fast-paced episode, he breaks down creative risk, budget hacks, distribution myths, and how indie films can build real audiences without relying on Hollywood formulas.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
• The one-line pitch behind We Could Be Heroes
• How gaming culture influences modern storytelling
• Why character and pacing matter more than flashy visuals
• Creative tricks indie filmmakers use to stretch small budgets
• What makes a film commercially viable without selling out
• Why momentum matters more than perfection
• The biggest myths about making movies
• What first-time film investors should understand before investing
• Why community-driven distribution is often overlooked
• How indie films can feel mainstream when audiences are invited in
This episode is perfect for filmmakers, creatives, investors, and anyone curious about how independent movies get made, financed, and brought to life in today’s landscape.
🔗 Learn More About the Film
Explore the project, updates, and investor community on Wefunder:
👉 https://wefunder.com/we.could.be.heroes.film
You’ll find behind-the-scenes content, campaign updates, and ways to follow or support the film directly.
🎙️ About Invst Guru
Invst Guru, hosted by Jeff “fuzzy” Wenzel, features candid conversations with founders, creators, and operators building real projects across film, consumer brands, technology, and emerging industries.
“Disclaimer: This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice or a solicitation to invest. Invst Guru and its affiliates are not broker-dealers or investment advisers and do not make recommendations regarding any securities.
If any company mentioned is conducting a Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF) raise, all investments must occur through an SEC-registered intermediary platform such as DealMaker Securities, StartEngine, Republic, or Wefunder. No investment terms or returns are discussed here.
Investing in private and early-stage companies involves significant risk, including loss of capital and illiquidity. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Always conduct your own due diligence and consult a licensed financial advisor before investing.
All opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not represent endorsements or partnerships by Invst Guru.”