The Honest Filmmaker

Send us Fan Mail What does it really take to survive as a micro budget filmmaker? In this episode of The Honest Filmmaker , I sit down with filmmaker Pat Higgins for an honest conversation about the realities of independent filmmaking. Together we unpack ten hard truths that every filmmaker eventually learns—usually the hard way. From discovering that making a great film doesn't automatically...

Send us Fan Mail What does it really take to make a feature film? In this episode, filmmaker Alex Alessi joins me to discuss the journey behind Homebody , from deciding to self-finance the project to working with Richard Kind, navigating the film festival circuit, and finding distribution. We also explore the blurred line between acting and directing, profit-sharing with cast and crew, approaching...

Send us Fan Mail What does it really take to make a first feature film? In this episode, writer-director David St. Clair joins The Honest Filmmaker to share the journey behind his debut feature, The Lonely Crowd. David discusses moving from short films to feature filmmaking, raising finance, working with investors, designing a film around a realistic budget, surviving challenging night shoots, nav...

Send us Fan Mail AI is rapidly changing filmmaking — but what are the real implications for artists, copyright and the future of creative work? This week, Jim sits down with Jonathan Yunger, Co-President of Millennium Media and Co-Founder & CEO of Arcana Labs. Jonathan has spent years producing major Hollywood films including titles in The Expendables and Has Fallen franchises, before stepping...

Send us Fan Mail What does it actually take to make a feature film on a micro budget ? Filmmaker Evan Marcewicz joins the podcast to share how he went from skipping film school to shooting a feature film in just five days . We discuss financing an indie film, choosing the Sony FX6 , the realities of filming in difficult locations like cars and the financial risks involved — including loans and max...

Send us Fan Mail Filmmaker Daniel J. Pico joins the podcast to unpack the realities of making independent horror films on a micro budget. We discuss the pitch behind The Withering , why horror remains one of the strongest genres for indie creators, how film financing actually works behind the scenes and what is involved in getting projects funded. The conversation then turns to the growing role of...

Send us Fan Mail Director Daya Dodds and actor/writer/producer Zoe Carroll join the podcast to discuss the making of Witches of God — a micro budget black and white horror feature created with extremely limited resources. In this conversation, we explore the realities of making independent films on low budgets, including production compromises, camera choices, film festival strategy, marketing thr...

Send us Fan Mail Filmmaker Jason Morris joins the podcast to discuss the realities of micro budget filmmaking in today’s industry . Including film funding, distribution, profitability and the changing landscape for independent filmmakers. From producing films at different budget levels to releasing projects through distributors and aggregators, Jason shares practical insight into what actually wor...

Send us Fan Mail #moviemaking #filmmaking #indiefilm  #filmmakingpodcast #filmmaking #moviemaking #microbudget #indiefilm  Filmmaker, actor and producer Austin Galante talks about the grind of making independent films in today’s market, from shooting music videos and working with major recording artists to directing feature-length horror films and navigating distribution deals. Austin shares the s...

Send us Fan Mail #moviemaking #filmmaking #indiefilm  #filmmakingpodcast #filmmaking #moviemaking #microbudget #indiefilm   In this episode of The Honest Filmmaker Podcast , director Beasy Jones joins us to unpack the realities of building a career in independent filmmaking, starting with nothing but self-taught skills and a drive to create. We explore how Beasy went from learning the craft online...

Send us Fan Mail #moviemaking #filmmaking #indiefilm  #filmmakingpodcast #filmmaking #moviemaking #microbudget #indiefilm   Filmmaker Nick Psinakis joins the podcast to discuss the journey behind his feature film Cheat and the realities of independent film distribution. From development and production through to release, Nick shares a transparent look at the financial side of filmmaking including...

Send us Fan Mail #moviemaking #filmmaking #indiefilm What separates convincing screen action from something that just feels fake? In this episode of The Honest Filmmaker Podcast , I’m joined by Bruce Fontaine, stunt performer, martial artist and filmmaker, to talk about the craft behind action filmmaking at the micro-budget level. Bruce shares insights from his experience working in Hong Kong, one...

Send us Fan Mail #moviemaking #filmmaking #indiefilm  #filmmakingpodcast #filmmaking #moviemaking #microbudget #indiefilm  What happens when one person takes on every role in a film production? In this episode, I’m joined by Matt Simpson to talk about Disremembered, a project where he handled everything himself , from acting and directing to shooting and editing, without a crew. We get into the re...

Send us Fan Mail #moviemaking #filmmaking #indiefilm  #filmmakingpodcast #filmmaking #moviemaking #microbudget #indiefilm  What happens when you decide to make a feature film without the safety net of a big budget? In this episode, I’m joined by filmmaker Shawn Goolsby to talk about his debut feature ' The Test' , a project born out of determination, creativity and the realities of indep...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I’m joined by filmmaker Steve Love , who describes himself as “The Film Machine.” We explore his journey into filmmaking, the lessons he learned from his first projects and the realities of working within budget constraints while still creating compelling films. Steve shares insights on casting, contracts, distribution and why understanding the business side of fi...

Send us Fan Mail #filmmakingpodcast #scriptwriting #screenwriting #scriptwriter In this episode, I chat with Andrea Mann, a British screenwriter and mentor, about her journey into the industry. Her first spec script was picked up by a Golden Globe–winning producer and is set to feature Oscar-nominated actors Emily Watson and Richard E. Grant.  Alongside her writing success, Andrea has a real talen...

Send us Fan Mail #filmmaking  #filmmakingpodcast #moviemaking #indiefilm #movieproduction  How do you scale a big idea on an indie budget? Director Edward Castrillo joins the show to discuss his new film, Bears on a Ship . While the title promises a wild ride, the process of making it is a masterclass in independent production. Edward shares his "honest" experiences in the director'...

Send us Fan Mail #indiefilm #filmmaking #indiefilmmaking #filmmaker #filmpodcast  What does it take to build a real career in independent filmmaking? In this episode, I talk with filmmaker Ramon “Swift” Sloan about the realities of making and releasing indie films today. Swift shares how he got started, the first movie he made and why focusing on a specific genre can be a powerful strategy for ind...

Send us Fan Mail #indiefilm #filmmaking #indiefilmmaking #filmmaker #filmpodcast In this week's episode, I’m joined by filmmaker Tobias Jon to break down the making of his debut feature, Gifted Pain . We talk about how the film came together, how he shoot a feature on weekends, navigating funding delays and what Tobias wishes he’d known before starting.  We also dive into music, editing, stoc...

Send us Fan Mail #filmmakingpodcast #podcast #indiefilm #shortfilms  #shortfilm #shortfilmmakers  This week on the podcast, I’m joined by producer ZB Siwek , who shares how he’s monetising short films by packaging them into anthology features for streaming platforms like Tubi and Amazon . ZB walks me through the process behind his first anthology release, Merge , which went on to reach number six...

Send us Fan Mail #filmmakingpodcast #filmmaking #indiefilmfest #moviemaking #indiefilm #movieproduction  You might know Craig Conway from Dog Soldiers , The Descent , and his long collaboration with Neil Marshall. In this conversation, we focus on something different, his move from actor to director, and what it really takes to get a first feature off the ground. Craig shares how Red Riding came t...

Send us Fan Mail #filmmakingpodcast #filmmaking #indiefilm #interview #movieproduction  This week, I’m joined by filmmaker Devon Bray , a director who’s built a loyal audience across eight independent feature films . Devon shares how he made the jump from directing music videos to producing feature films , the creative skills that carried over and why understanding your audience early is one of th...

Send us Fan Mail #filmmakingpodcast #filmmaking #indiefilm  This week I sit down with indie filmmaker Stefan Van De Graff to break down the real journey behind selling a first feature film. Stefan walks through how his debut thriller Simmer came together, from shaping the story and stretching a small budget to achieving a high-end look and co-directing his first feature.  We dive into the unconven...

Send us Fan Mail #filmmakingpodcast #filmmaking #indiefilm #moviemaking #microbudget  What is it really like to direct your first micro-budget feature film? In this episode, I’m joined by first-time feature film director Jessica Boss, who breaks down the realities of making her debut feature Unnamed,  from funding and budgeting to distribution, post-production, and surviving the hardest days on se...

Send us Fan Mail #filmmakingpodcast #filmmaking #movieproduction #microbudget  This week I chat to indie filmmaker Alex Srednoselac who breaks down what it’s really like to make, finish, and self-distribute a micro-budget feature film. Alex shares his journey from creating his first feature film Cashing Out to navigating film festivals, promotion, social media, and independent distribution.  We di...