Indie Filmmaking: Truth & Reality

Hiring the wrong writer - or overpaying without a solid agreement - can stall your film before pre-production even starts. In Episode 5, Jeff Deverett outlines everything you need to know about hiring screenwriters: navigating Union vs. Non-Union rules, sourcing talent, and structuring fair payment deals. Learn how to get a professional, production-ready script for your next indie film! 👉 Subscri...

Before you send your script to producers or investors, you need to understand how IP rights work. In Episode 4, Jeff Deverett breaks down what is actually protectable under copyright law, how licensing deals work, and how to protect your screenplay without killing potential deals. Learn how to navigate rights, options, and licensing like a seasoned industry professional! 👉 Subscribe to the channe...

Making a great movie is an artistic achievement, but ensuring that movie reaches an audience and makes its money back is a business strategy. In Part 2 of our deep dive into the development phase, Jeff Deverett breaks down why financing and marketing must be planned before you ever step on set. If you want to turn your filmmaking passion into a sustainable career, this episode is a must-listen. 🌐...

Think writing the script means your film is ready for pre-production? Think again. In Episode 2 of Indie Filmmaking Truth & Reality, Jeff Deverett breaks down the unvarnished reality of the development phase - the crucial stage where project ideas either transform into viable commercial assets or get stuck forever. Whether you're working on your first draft or trying to package a script for invest...

Season 2 of Indie Filmmaking Truth and Reality walks through the entire filmmaking process, from the first idea to getting the finished film in front of people. Host Jeff Deverett introduces himself, explains why he's worth listening to, and lays out how the season works. He will break down the filmmaking journey with practical, honest guidance. No fluff. No sugar-coating. Just the truth - and the...

Jeff Deverett dives deep into the often misunderstood world of film festivals. Having recently attended a festival with one of his films, Jeff shares his insights on the realities of the festival circuit, including what indie filmmakers can truly expect when submitting their work. Join Jeff as he discusses: The evolution of film festivals and their role in celebrating indie filmmaking. The stark c...

In this episode, Jeff Deverett dive deep into the world of film distribution with Ava B., the CEO of House of Film, an international distributor with over 15 years of experience. Ava shares her extensive knowledge about the indie film landscape, discussing the importance of marketing, the challenges of securing distribution deals, and the criteria that can make or break a film's success. From the...

Jeff Deverett dives deep into the essential topic of budgeting for your indie feature film. Whether you're a seasoned filmmaker or just starting out, understanding how to create a comprehensive and accurate budget is crucial for the success of your project. Jeff breaks down the two primary methods of budgeting: top-down budgeting and bottom-up budgeting. He explains the Hollywood way of budgeting,...

In this episode, Jeff Deverett dives deep into the world of film markets and how independent filmmakers can navigate them effectively. Discover the key differences between film festivals and film markets, and learn why attending a market is essential for understanding the business side of filmmaking. Jeff shares valuable insights on how to prepare for a film market, including registration tips, bo...

In this episode of Indie Filmmaking Truth and Reality Jeff Deverett dives into the future of indie filmmaking. With the rapid evolution of technology—especially AI—and the constantly shifting film industry landscape, Jeff explores what the future may hold for independent filmmakers. He addresses key questions such as: Will audiences continue to crave indie films? How can indie filmmakers effective...

Jeff Deverett breaks down one of the most overlooked parts of filmmaking delivery. Finishing your film is a huge milestone but before you celebrate there is still an important step to get it ready for distributors and streaming platforms In this episode Jeff explains what goes into delivery from timelines and technical requirements like formats and audio tracks to the difference between dubbing an...

In this episode, Jeff Deverett sits down with location scout Jeff Morris, also known as LA Scout, to dive into the world of location scouting. As a professional location scout and manager, Jeff shares valuable insights on the importance of finding the right locations for indie films and how they can shape the overall look and feel of a project. They discuss the challenges of securing locations in...

In this episode, Jeff Deverett records from home after a positive COVID test, but the show goes on with special guest Sandra Lipski—film festival consultant and founder of the Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival. Together, they unpack the world of film festivals, offering practical guidance for filmmakers looking to make the most of the circuit. Sandra shares how to choose the right fes...

In this episode, Jeff Deverett sits down with professional script supervisor Lori Suri for an inside look at the fast-paced world of indie filmmaking. Together, they unpack the crucial role of a script supervisor—often called a “scripty”—and why this position is essential to keeping a production running smoothly from start to finish. Lori breaks down her responsibilities across pre-production and...

Jeff Deverett dives deep into the challenging world of self-distribution for indie filmmakers. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the idea of releasing your film without a distributor, you're not alone. Jeff discusses the realities of self-distribution, including the importance of both distribution and marketing, and why understanding these components is crucial for your film's success. Learn abou...

In this episode of Indie Filmmaking: Truth & Reality, host Jeff Deverett breaks down the hard truth behind why only about 1% of indie films actually make money. He walks listeners through the full lifecycle of an indie film—from production quality, to distribution, to the often-overlooked challenge of marketing—explaining how thousands of well-made films never reach an audience or fail to stand ou...

 In this episode of Indie Filmmaking Truth and Reality, host Jeff Deverett dives into one of the most frustrating realities indie filmmakers face after distribution: piracy. Joined by Wilson Hack, Head of Product and Customer Success at Red Flag AI, the conversation breaks down how quickly films are pirated once released, why piracy is far more organized and sophisticated than most creators realiz...

Jeff Deverett dives deep into the current state of indie film viewership. Are fewer people watching indie films? Why is that the case? Jeff explores the challenges independent filmmakers face in a landscape dominated by major studios and streaming platforms like Netflix. Discover the reasons behind the decline in demand for indie films, despite an increase in production. Jeff discusses the importa...

In this episode Jeff Deverett dives deep into the journey of turning a film idea into a finished product. If you're an aspiring indie filmmaker wondering what steps to take after coming up with a great idea, this episode is for you! Jeff addresses the most common question he receives from filmmakers: "I have an idea for a film, but what do I do next?" He outlines the essential steps to navigate th...

In this episode of Indie Filmmaking Truth and Reality, host Jeff Deverett breaks down the business mechanics behind faith-based film distribution. While most indie filmmakers focus on traditional “secular” channels—major streamers, TV networks, and mainstream aggregators—there’s an entirely separate infrastructure serving Christian and faith-centered audiences. Jeff explains how the faith-based ma...

In this episode of Indie Filmmaking: Truth and Reality, Jeff Deverett explores the concept of “Plan A vs. Plan B” and how it applies to both filmmaking and life. He reflects on the long, often unpredictable journey toward making his first feature film and emphasizes the importance of holding onto your dream (Plan A) while maintaining a practical, sustainable life (Plan B). Jeff discusses the reali...

Host Jeff Deverett sits down with independent filmmaker Brandon Keeton to unpack his journey from Marine Corps veteran and martial arts school owner to producing his first feature film, Turbo Cola. Brandon shares how a simple table read sparked the project, how he assembled locations, crew, and resources through community connections, and why he chose to self-finance the film. They dive into the r...

On independent film sets, creative ambition and practical constraints often collide. In this episode, host Jeff Everett breaks down the critical relationship between producer and director—and why their ability to collaborate can determine whether a film gets finished at all. Drawing from real-world set experiences, Jeff explores how budget limits, time pressures, weather issues, and equipment fail...

You made a great film — now how do you get anyone to watch it? In this episode of Indie Filmmaking Truth & Reality, host Jeff Everett breaks down why artwork and trailers are the two most important elements in indie film distribution. With thousands of titles competing for attention on streaming platforms, Jeff explains how thumbnail artwork, color choices, character focus, and title treatment can...

In this episode of Indie Filmmaking: Truth & Reality, host Jeff Deverett continues the Filmmakers Speak series with indie filmmaker Adam Kilbourn, the creator of the action-comedy feature Action Action. Adam shares his complete journey—from the first idea and years of script development to financing, production, and the ongoing challenge of distribution. Adam breaks down why the script is the foun...