The Indie Playbook

Flashback Pictures
  • 5.0 (3)
  • TV & Film

How indie film production actually works. How do films get developed and financed? Why is vertical filmmaking exploding? Are studios everywhere secretly using AI? The Indie Playbook is a monthly podcast hosted by Emmy-winning producer Grace Porras featuring Flashback Pictures founder and CEO Daniel Cotroneo (Mad Men, This Is Us) and executive "Creative Guy" Dominic Russo (co-creator of Workaholics). With more than 60 combined years in the business, they're building Flashback Pictures, an independent film studio, during one of the industry's biggest disruptions, and they're pulling back the curtain on how. Their core belief is that the old studio gatekeepers are gone, old budgets are dead, and that's the best thing to happen to filmmakers in decades. They have the receipts. A vertical series that went from concept to launch in three months and has been licensed across multiple platforms internationally. A 2D animated feature built with a human-first, AI-assisted workflow for $350K instead of $75 million. And a recently-secured $375K CA Film Credit for a $1M feature shooting in Fall 2026. This plus a slate of nine feature films coming over the next three years. So if you make films, write them, or just want in, pull up a chair. This is how movies get made when you stop waiting for permission. Flashback Pictures. Old School. New Screen.

Episodes

  1. Oct 26 ·  Video

    EP 8: Why Smart People Are Quitting Their Jobs to Make Movies

    Everyone says the film industry is dying — so why are the people who’ve already made it choosing to start over and make movies? This week, Daniel sits down with two guests who left proven careers to bet on independent film. Salma Qarnain — a rocket scientist by training, HBS MBA, Stanford and MIT grad, and Broadway performer in Life of Pi — is the co-founder of Black Man Films and producer of Silent Partner, a legal thriller that qualified for the Oscars as a short and makes its world premiere October 15 at Urbanworld in New York. Kareem Alston-Rosales spent 15 years in philanthropy before founding Film 4 Good Fund to close a gap he kept seeing at festivals like Sundance: the money was in the room, but the filmmakers who needed it couldn’t afford to be. Silent Partner is the fund’s flagship investment — which is why they’re here together. The conversation gets into why a $5K finishing grant can be the difference between a film that gets finished and one that dies on a hard drive, why Salma’s team took Silent Partner independent instead of spending five years in “pitch hell,” how they de-risked the film at every level to win over equity investors during the strikes, and Kareem’s warning that if independent filmmakers don’t build their own infrastructure, the AI conglomerates will rebuild the gatekeeping model instead. Plus a rapid-fire round on the one skill from their old lives that made them better filmmakers — and whether they’d tell their own niece or nephew to quit a law career to go make movies. “It always feels impossible until it’s done. But it can’t be done until you start.” — Kareem

  2. Sep 11 ·  Video

    Ep 7: Is the SF Bay the next BIG film hub?

    Why the SF Bay Area is primed to be the next BIG film hub...The Bay Area has long been overshadowed by Hollywood, yet its rich history in filmmaking and innovation is beginning to resurface. In this issue, we dive into the conversation around Oakland's significance in American film history and the exciting future ahead for independent filmmakers. Chapters 00:00 The Bay Area's Role in Film History06:04 Challenges of Filmmaking in the Bay Area33:18 The Future of the Coliseum34:49 Tech Companies and Local Manufacturing40:26 Revitalization of Downtown Oakland45:30 The Ghost Ship Fire and Its ImpactThe Bay's Cinematic LegacyDaniel Cotroneo points out that while cities like Atlanta and Los Angeles often come to mind when discussing film hubs, Oakland has quietly been a powerhouse in cinematic storytelling for over 50 years. "The Bay Area has been a film hub for 50 years. It just never got the credit," he asserts. This recognition is long overdue, especially considering the cultural movements and institutions that Oakland established, which aimed to uplift filmmakers that Hollywood overlooked. The Pioneers of OaklandGrace Porras highlights the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame, an organization dedicated to celebrating and educating black filmmakers in an era when mainstream Hollywood largely ignored them. It was spearheaded by Mary Perry Smith and aimed to provide tools and resources to independent filmmakers. "We were recognizing artists way before Hollywood was like, 'Oh, these are actually folks doing really good work.'" — Grace Porras Notable figures like Spike Lee received their first awards in Oakland, showcasing the city’s role as a nurturing ground for talent. A New Era for Independent FilmFast forward to 2018, and Oakland filmmakers like Ryan Coogler and Boots Riley produced critically acclaimed films such as Black Panther and Sorry to Bother You, putting the Bay back on the map. Daniel notes, "There's a generation of filmmakers that were shaped by the same streets, the same stories, the same history." The Bay Area’s diverse settings and consistent weather make it an attractive location for filmmakers looking for unique backdrops. The Future of Filmmaking in the BayWhile challenges like infrastructure and competition from out-of-state tax incentives remain, the Bay Area is poised for a resurgence in film production. As Daniel explains, "The Bay Area has one of the most lucrative tax credits in the country at the moment." This could attract more filmmakers back to the region. Grace emphasizes that the Bay has something many locations lack: a vibrant, creative community eager to support indie film. "Let us champion why the SF Bay area should be the next indie film hub," she urges. As technology evolves, so too does the definition of filmmaking. The Bay Area is at the forefront of innovation, developing tools that will shape the future of content creation. "We are the innovation capital, but we're not retaining our talent here." — Grace Porras The conversation reveals a passionate commitment to not only recognizing Oakland's cinematic past but also building its future. ReflectionAs we look to the future, Oakland's filmmakers are eager to harness the region's unique strengths and history. This is just the beginning of a renewed movement to put the Bay Area back on the film industry's map. To dive deeper into this discussion, check out the full episode of the Indie Playbook.

  3. Aug 19 ·  Video

    Ep 6: What the HELL is a Vertical?

    What exactly are vertical microdramas—and why is everyone suddenly talking about them? 📱🎬 In this episode of The Indie Playbook, the Flashback Pictures team dives into the rapidly growing world of serialized, phone-first storytelling: short episodes, constant cliffhangers, and an evolving business model that’s already generating serious revenue. Drawing from our experience making Pizza Guys vs. Vampires, we break down what it actually takes to write, produce, finance, and distribute a vertical series—and why creating great content is only half the battle. From paywalls and TikTok distribution to brand partnerships and reaching the right audience, we explore where the opportunities are for independent filmmakers. We also look ahead at where vertical storytelling could go next. Will platforms like TikTok help microdramas break into the mainstream? Can indie filmmakers compete with major vertical studios? And as AI makes it easier to adapt content for different formats, could the future of filmmaking be less about what screen you create for and more about how quickly you can adapt? Plus, Daniel takes us behind the scenes of Kong: Skull Island for this week's set story, sharing what he learned while working with the second unit on massive practical stunts, helicopters, explosions, and more. Are vertical microdramas the next major evolution of entertainment—or just another format waiting for its moment? Tune in to The Indie Playbook and decide for yourself. 🎥

  4. Aug 5 ·  Video

    Ep 5: How to get your indie film FINANCED

    How do independent films actually get financed—and where does the money come from? In this episode of The Indie Playbook, Daniel Cotroneo, Grace Porras, and Dominic Russo break down the realities of independent film financing. From tax credits and private investors to pre-sales, gap financing, brand partnerships, and building a financeable package, they unpack the strategies filmmakers use to get movies made outside the traditional studio system. Along the way, they share lessons from Flashback Pictures' own journey producing Time Windows, discuss why timing is just as important as a great script, and explain why no good idea is ever truly dead. Whether you're an aspiring filmmaker, producer, or entrepreneur, this episode offers a practical roadmap for turning a great idea into a funded feature.

  5. Jul 21 ·  Video

    Ep 4: A.I...the end of movies as we know them?

    AI is transforming filmmaking faster than ever—but is it replacing creativity or unlocking new possibilities? In this episode of The Indie Playbook, Daniel Cotroneo and Dominic Russo are joined by filmmaker Blane Dydasco to unpack one of the biggest debates in Hollywood today: the rise of artificial intelligence. Inspired by George Lucas' recent comments on AI, they explore how these new tools are changing film production, the future of creative jobs, why story still comes first, and what independent filmmakers should embrace—and be cautious of—as the industry evolves. Whether you're a filmmaker, writer, content creator, or simply curious about the future of storytelling, this episode offers a thoughtful look at where AI fits in the next chapter of cinema.

  6. Jul 14 ·  Video

    Ep 3: Spielberg was a YouTuber too

    Everybody's talking about Hollywood's future—but history shows we've been here before. In episode 3 of The Indie Playbook, Daniel Cotroneo, Grace Porras, and Dominic Russo explore how filmmakers like George Lucas, Francis Ford Coppola, Steven Spielberg, and Martin Scorsese built new paths outside the traditional studio system—and what independent filmmakers can learn from them today. They discuss creating opportunities instead of waiting for them, why ownership matters, the fight for audience attention, and how reviving the Bay Area film community could shape the next generation of storytellers. Whether you're a filmmaker, writer, content creator, or entrepreneur, this episode is a reminder that disruption often creates the biggest opportunities.

  7. Jul 4 ·  Video

    Ep 2: Is the next big director a YouTuber?

    Hollywood is looking for its next great filmmaker—and increasingly, they're finding them on YouTube. In Episode 2 of The Indie Playbook, Daniel Cotroneo, Grace Porras, and Dominic Russo explore the surprising rise of YouTube creators becoming Hollywood's newest directors. The conversation dives into why studios are scouting creators instead of film school graduates, the skills YouTube teaches that traditional education often doesn't, the realities behind low-budget productions, and whether independent filmmakers should focus less on waiting for opportunities—and more on creating their own. Whether you're a filmmaker, content creator, writer, or simply curious about where the entertainment industry is headed, this episode offers an honest look at how the path into Hollywood is changing—and why building an audience may be just as valuable as building a résumé.

  8. Jun 20

    Ep 1: Why we're betting on indie filmmaking NOW

    Hollywood is changing fast. Traditional production models are shrinking, jobs are disappearing, and creators everywhere are asking the same question: What comes next? In this premiere episode of The Indie Playbook, Daniel Cotroneo, Grace Porras and Dominic Russo from Flashback Pictures pull back the curtain on how they're building an independent film studio in the middle of one of the film industry's biggest disruptions. They discuss developing films, the rise of vertical filmmaking, and AI-assisted animation. Whether you're a filmmaker, writer, content creator, or someone just trying to break into the entertainment industry, this episode offers a candid look at what it takes to build a creative career when the rules are being rewritten.

  • 8 Episodes

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

How indie film production actually works. How do films get developed and financed? Why is vertical filmmaking exploding? Are studios everywhere secretly using AI? The Indie Playbook is a monthly podcast hosted by Emmy-winning producer Grace Porras featuring Flashback Pictures founder and CEO Daniel Cotroneo (Mad Men, This Is Us) and executive "Creative Guy" Dominic Russo (co-creator of Workaholics). With more than 60 combined years in the business, they're building Flashback Pictures, an independent film studio, during one of the industry's biggest disruptions, and they're pulling back the curtain on how. Their core belief is that the old studio gatekeepers are gone, old budgets are dead, and that's the best thing to happen to filmmakers in decades. They have the receipts. A vertical series that went from concept to launch in three months and has been licensed across multiple platforms internationally. A 2D animated feature built with a human-first, AI-assisted workflow for $350K instead of $75 million. And a recently-secured $375K CA Film Credit for a $1M feature shooting in Fall 2026. This plus a slate of nine feature films coming over the next three years. So if you make films, write them, or just want in, pull up a chair. This is how movies get made when you stop waiting for permission. Flashback Pictures. Old School. New Screen.

Information

  • Creator
    Flashback Pictures
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    8
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Flashback Pictures
  • Show Website
    The Indie Playbook