The Honest Filmmaker

Jim Eaves

REAL TALK FOR ASPIRING FILMMAKERS Are you wrapping up your film degree or contemplating a career shift into the creative industry? The Honest Filmmaker is your go-to resource for navigating the real-world challenges of micro-budget and indie filmmaking. Hosted by award-winning filmmaker Jim Eaves, the podcast delves into the nitty-gritty of independent film production. From securing funding and managing tight budgets to distribution strategies and building a sustainable career, this is unfiltered advice and practical tips from professionals who have been in your shoes.  Whether you're a recent graduate, a career changer, or an indie filmmaker determined to make your mark, The Honest Filmmaker equips you with the tools, insights, and honest guidance to thrive in the world of independent cinema. http://www.thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk

  1. 3d ago

    Dewey Allen: Why Indie Film Marketing Matters as Much as Making the Movie

    Send us Fan Mail Making an independent film is only half the battle. Finding an audience, marketing your movie and making your money back are challenges every indie filmmaker needs to plan for. In this episode of The Honest Filmmaker, Jim speaks with prolific independent filmmaker Dewey Allen about his journey from buying a camera at a pawn shop to producing multiple feature films on tight budgets. Dewey shares practical lessons from shooting features in as little as six to eight days, writing scripts around the resources available and allowing for unexpected production costs. But his biggest message is about marketing: it shouldn't be an afterthought once the film is finished. We discuss why Dewey starts marketing a project at the idea stage, how he budgets for promotion, why behind-the-scenes footage is valuable and how filmmakers can create a library of promotional material while they're on set. The conversation also covers distribution contracts, working with entertainment attorneys, managing expectations around distributors, casting professional actors and the mistakes that helped shape Dewey's approach to filmmaking. Whether you're making your first micro-budget feature or looking to improve the way you produce and release independent films, this is an honest conversation full of hard-earned lessons from someone who has learned by doing. Check out Dewey's films on Tubi https://tubitv.com/person/450eb5/dewey-allen Watch the trailer for Side Piece - Full Body Massage: https://youtu.be/63naya3GHSw?si=lWG68CDn-NSpah1j #TheHonestFilmmaker #IndieFilm #MicroBudgetFilmmaking #FilmMarketing #FilmDistribution #IndependentFilmmaking #FilmmakingTips #LowBudgetFilm #FilmProducer #DeweyAllen Check out the re-release of Jim's first solo directing feature The Witches Hammer - out now on amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail/B0F235F4T8/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r Support the show For regular updates and exclusive content - sign up for The Honest Filmmaker newsletter https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/e-newsletter/ Join The Honest Filmmaker community on our Facebook Group or Discord https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/join-the-community/ HONEST, OPEN ADVICE ABOUT YOUR FILMMAKING CAREER Are you about to leave Uni with a filmmaking degree? Or want to change careers and work in a creative industry? We want to give you the tools you need to enter the real world of production or freelancing. Honest and open career advice from people in the business. We also talk to those in other creative industries to discuss their careers, the potential cross over with film production and practical tips for a successful and fulfilling career. Join the community: http://www.thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk

    Dewey Allen: Why Indie Film Marketing Matters as Much as Making the Movie

  2. Oct 13

    Nicki Micheaux: The Truth About Indie Film Distribution, Festivals & Marketing

    Send us Fan Mail What happens after you've made your independent film? Finding a distributor might feel like the finish line, but for many filmmakers, it's where the next challenge begins. In this episode of The Honest Filmmaker, Jim Eaves talks to actress, writer, director and producer Nicki Micheaux about her journey from acting in television to making her own independent feature, Summer of Violence. Nicki shares how she found investors, built a successful festival run and secured distribution  as well as the lessons she learned about the importance of marketing, the limitations of relying on distributors and the need for filmmakers to take control of their own careers. We discuss whether film festivals are still worth the cost, approaching distributors directly, why you need to budget for marketing before production begins and how to get your work in front of an audience. Nicki also talks about directing actors, trusting your instincts on set and why sometimes you have to stop waiting for permission and make the film yourself. An honest, practical conversation for independent filmmakers navigating the challenges of getting their films made, released and seen. 🎬 Stream the film: Watch Summer of Violence internationally at http://www.summerofviolence.com Every purchase directly supports independent cinema. 💡 Level up your career: Go deeper and learn the business of the business at www.elevatecreativetalents.com. 👉 Connect with Nicki: @nickimicheaux #TheHonestFilmmaker #IndieFilm #FilmDistribution #IndependentFilmmaking #MicroBudgetFilmmaking #FilmmakingTips #FilmFestivals #FilmMarketing #FilmDirector #NickiMicheaux Check out the re-release of Jim's first solo directing feature The Witches Hammer - out now on amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail/B0F235F4T8/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r Support the show For regular updates and exclusive content - sign up for The Honest Filmmaker newsletter https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/e-newsletter/ Join The Honest Filmmaker community on our Facebook Group or Discord https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/join-the-community/ HONEST, OPEN ADVICE ABOUT YOUR FILMMAKING CAREER Are you about to leave Uni with a filmmaking degree? Or want to change careers and work in a creative industry? We want to give you the tools you need to enter the real world of production or freelancing. Honest and open career advice from people in the business. We also talk to those in other creative industries to discuss their careers, the potential cross over with film production and practical tips for a successful and fulfilling career. Join the community: http://www.thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk

    Nicki Micheaux: The Truth About Indie Film Distribution, Festivals & Marketing

  3. Oct 6

    Steve Barton: The Story Behind TERRIFIER, Dread Central & 30 Years in Horror

    Send us Fan Mail This week on The Honest Filmmaker, I'm joined by filmmaker, producer and horror industry veteran Steve Barton. Steve has spent around 30 years in the film business, from working in journalism and founding Dread Central to making films and working alongside some of the biggest names in horror, including George A. Romero and Sid Haig. We talk about the long, messy reality of building a career in independent film, learning on the job, dealing with rejection, working with friends, taking criticism, protecting yourself with contracts and why sometimes you have to be prepared to do absolutely every job on a production. Steve also takes me behind the scenes of one of the biggest stories of his career: Terrifier. He explains how he first discovered Damien Leone's film, why he believed in it when others didn't, how he helped get Terrifier 2 into the hands of its audience and what he learned from being part of a film that went from an independent horror movie to a genuine phenomenon. We also get into the changing world of film criticism, social media, marketing indie films, distribution, the importance of finding your audience and why there's no shortcut to building a sustainable filmmaking career. It's an honest conversation about the highs, lows, frustrations and rewards of spending decades trying to make films and finding an audience for them. And, naturally, we finish by talking about George Romero's Night of the Living Dead,  the film that started Steve's lifelong love affair with horror. If you're making independent films, trying to get your work noticed, or simply wondering how people actually build a career in this industry, there's plenty here to dig into. Watch the trailer for Terrifier 2: https://youtu.be/gXt-ERKFGVM?si=q-A6BIYUVaSSs8bu Check out Steve's book A COMEDY OF TRAGEDIES: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Comedy-Tragedies-American-Completely-Dysfunctional/dp/1960721747/ #TheHonestFilmmaker #Terrifier #Terrifier2 #SteveBarton #IndependentFilmmaking #HorrorMovies #IndieFilm #Filmmaking #DamienLeone #GeorgeRomero Check out the re-release of Jim's first solo directing feature The Witches Hammer - out now on amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail/B0F235F4T8/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r Support the show For regular updates and exclusive content - sign up for The Honest Filmmaker newsletter https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/e-newsletter/ Join The Honest Filmmaker community on our Facebook Group or Discord https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/join-the-community/ HONEST, OPEN ADVICE ABOUT YOUR FILMMAKING CAREER Are you about to leave Uni with a filmmaking degree? Or want to change careers and work in a creative industry? We want to give you the tools you need to enter the real world of production or freelancing. Honest and open career advice from people in the business. We also talk to those in other creative industries to discuss their careers, the potential cross over with film production and practical tips for a successful and fulfilling career. Join the community: http://www.thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk

    Steve Barton: The Story Behind TERRIFIER, Dread Central & 30 Years in Horror

  4. Sep 29

    How to Make, Distribute & Release a £33K Feature Film with Kevin Walls

    Send us Fan Mail How do you make a feature film for around £33,000 and get it into cinemas without a traditional distributor? In this episode of The Honest Filmmaker, Jim talks to filmmaker Kevin Walls about his feature film Premature , from writing the first draft in just two weeks and bootstrapping the production, through to crowdfunding, a 23-day shoot and the challenge of distributing the finished film. Kevin explains why the film cost around £16,000 to produce, how crowdfunding helped take the overall budget to around £33,000 and how his freelance work helped him finance the project. But the conversation really gets interesting when they get onto distribution. After taking Premature to the European Film Market in Berlin, Kevin received distribution offers but decided to take a different route when the deals didn't include the theatrical release he wanted. Instead, he set up his own company and started approaching cinemas himself. Kevin talks about getting the film into cinemas, using YouTube and TikTok audience data to help sell the film to cinema bookers, negotiating ticket splits, getting PR and reviews and what he's learned from taking control of the release himself. They also discuss shooting on a tiny budget, getting filming permissions, working with a small crew, crowdfunding and what Kevin would do differently on his next feature. A practical conversation about making an independent film and what happens when you've finished it. 🎬 Watch Premature / find out more: https://www.prematurethemovie.com #IndieFilmmaking #FilmDistribution #MicroBudgetFilmmaking Check out the re-release of Jim's first solo directing feature The Witches Hammer - out now on amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail/B0F235F4T8/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r Support the show For regular updates and exclusive content - sign up for The Honest Filmmaker newsletter https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/e-newsletter/ Join The Honest Filmmaker community on our Facebook Group or Discord https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/join-the-community/ HONEST, OPEN ADVICE ABOUT YOUR FILMMAKING CAREER Are you about to leave Uni with a filmmaking degree? Or want to change careers and work in a creative industry? We want to give you the tools you need to enter the real world of production or freelancing. Honest and open career advice from people in the business. We also talk to those in other creative industries to discuss their careers, the potential cross over with film production and practical tips for a successful and fulfilling career. Join the community: http://www.thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk

    How to Make, Distribute & Release a £33K Feature Film with Kevin Walls

  5. Sep 22

    How Ole Hartmann Made a $25K Feature Film After Writing It in 8 Days

    Send us Fan Mail What happens when you decide you're going to make a feature film,  despite having almost no connections in the film industry? For Ole Hartmann, it started while watching Desperado. Inspired by Robert Rodriguez's story of making El Mariachi, Ole realised that perhaps he didn't need to wait for someone else to give him permission to make a movie. He could finance one himself. Six days later, he started writing. Eight days after that, he had a feature script. The result was a $25,000 horror film, made with a team he largely assembled after moving to Texas without knowing anyone in the local film industry. In this episode, Ole talks about his unconventional route into filmmaking, writing a feature in eight days, finding cast and crew online, making a movie around the resources he actually had, the compromises that come with a tiny budget and why he decided to self-distribute the finished film. We also get into the realities of making low-budget horror; including fake dogs, fake blood, unexpected scenes, creative problem solving and the moments on set when collaboration produced something better than what was originally written. And Ole explains what he wishes he'd known before making the film; including why he believes filmmakers can never study enough movies. If you're trying to make your first feature, working with a tiny budget or wondering whether you really have everything you need to get started, there's plenty here to take away. Listen to the episode and find out how Ole went from watching Robert Rodriguez's Desperado to making his own $25,000 feature film. Watch the Trailer for CHAT: https://youtu.be/Et9EzdxGB5Y?si=W0S7Cmt026W-UwBn #TheHonestFilmmaker #IndieFilmmaking #MicroBudgetFilmmaking #IndependentFilm #Filmmaking #Screenwriting #FilmDistribution #HorrorFilmmaking Check out the re-release of Jim's first solo directing feature The Witches Hammer - out now on amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail/B0F235F4T8/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r Support the show For regular updates and exclusive content - sign up for The Honest Filmmaker newsletter https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/e-newsletter/ Join The Honest Filmmaker community on our Facebook Group or Discord https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/join-the-community/ HONEST, OPEN ADVICE ABOUT YOUR FILMMAKING CAREER Are you about to leave Uni with a filmmaking degree? Or want to change careers and work in a creative industry? We want to give you the tools you need to enter the real world of production or freelancing. Honest and open career advice from people in the business. We also talk to those in other creative industries to discuss their careers, the potential cross over with film production and practical tips for a successful and fulfilling career. Join the community: http://www.thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk

    How Ole Hartmann Made a $25K Feature Film After Writing It in 8 Days

  6. Sep 15

    We Thought Making Our First Feature Would Be Easier… with Devin Smock and Sam David

    Send us Fan Mail What does it really take to make your first feature film? This week on The Honest Filmmaker Podcast, I'm joined by Devin Smock and Sam David, who are currently making Hollar, their debut feature. They're about 60% through the film, having already completed a 16-day shooting block and spent around $15,000. Now they're working towards the next stage and figuring out how to get the remaining footage in the can. Along the way, they've learned some valuable lessons about writing for a micro-budget, scheduling, casting, locations, working with a small crew and adapting when things don't go according to plan. We talk about why they chose Hollar as their first film, the challenges of making a post-apocalyptic story on a limited budget, how they attracted talented cast and crew with their script, and the things they wish they'd understood before starting production. It's an honest conversation about the realities of making a first feature,  what works, what doesn't and how you adapt when the film you're making starts to evolve from the one you imagined. If you're thinking about making your first feature, there's plenty here to take away. Listen, subscribe and follow The Honest Filmmaker Podcast for more practical conversations about independent and micro-budget filmmaking. Watch Hollar's trailer / follow the film: https://youtu.be/fd25jum_VOQ?si=JANsqhKuyrYZHi2E Support the film on Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/hollerfilm/holler-the-final-push Check out the re-release of Jim's first solo directing feature The Witches Hammer - out now on amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail/B0F235F4T8/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r Support the show For regular updates and exclusive content - sign up for The Honest Filmmaker newsletter https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/e-newsletter/ Join The Honest Filmmaker community on our Facebook Group or Discord https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/join-the-community/ HONEST, OPEN ADVICE ABOUT YOUR FILMMAKING CAREER Are you about to leave Uni with a filmmaking degree? Or want to change careers and work in a creative industry? We want to give you the tools you need to enter the real world of production or freelancing. Honest and open career advice from people in the business. We also talk to those in other creative industries to discuss their careers, the potential cross over with film production and practical tips for a successful and fulfilling career. Join the community: http://www.thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk

    We Thought Making Our First Feature Would Be Easier… with Devin Smock and Sam David

  7. Sep 8

    From $100 to HELLMARE: Victor Gabriel on Making Micro-Budget Feature Films

    Send us Fan Mail What happens when you want to make a feature film but don't have much money? Filmmaker Victor Gabriel joins The Honest Filmmaker to talk about the making of HELLMARE, his horror feature that cost roughly $10,000 and was shot in just 13 days. Victor started out by making a tiny $100 found-footage film, using friends' houses, borrowed locations and the equipment he already owned. That first experiment wasn't something he was particularly proud of, but it got distributed, made its money back and, most importantly, taught him to actually make films. For HELLMARE, Victor took things considerably further. He talks about raising money through Indiegogo, putting his own money into the production, spending six months in pre-production, finding locations for free, building a crew around friends and family, renting professional camera and sound equipment and creating practical effects on a micro-budget. We also get into the complicated world of film distribution, after HELLMARE found a home with Troma. Victor explains what it meant to sign the film away in perpetuity, why he was comfortable with that decision, how the deal helped him break even and why sometimes getting your film into the world can be more important than holding onto every single right. It's a brutally honest conversation about making feature films without much money, learning by doing, building a filmmaking team and figuring things out as you go. If you're a filmmaker trying to get your first feature made, there's plenty here to steal. Watch the trailer for HELLMARE: https://youtu.be/cjlTDfbA_kI?si=jq9vWl1kOaY4JCC0 Check out Victor on IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm15973777/ #MicroBudgetFilmmaking #IndieFilmmaking #IndependentFilm #LowBudgetFilm #FeatureFilm #Filmmaking #FilmFunding #HorrorFilm #FilmDistribution #Troma #Hellmare #VictorGabriel Check out the re-release of Jim's first solo directing feature The Witches Hammer - out now on amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail/B0F235F4T8/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r Support the show For regular updates and exclusive content - sign up for The Honest Filmmaker newsletter https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/e-newsletter/ Join The Honest Filmmaker community on our Facebook Group or Discord https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/join-the-community/ HONEST, OPEN ADVICE ABOUT YOUR FILMMAKING CAREER Are you about to leave Uni with a filmmaking degree? Or want to change careers and work in a creative industry? We want to give you the tools you need to enter the real world of production or freelancing. Honest and open career advice from people in the business. We also talk to those in other creative industries to discuss their careers, the potential cross over with film production and practical tips for a successful and fulfilling career. Join the community: http://www.thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk

    From $100 to HELLMARE: Victor Gabriel on Making Micro-Budget Feature Films

  8. Sep 1

    From a £6K Feature to an £80K Film with Peter Stylianou

    Send us Fan Mail How do you finance an independent feature film when you don't have a studio behind you? Filmmaker Peter Stylianou joins Jim to talk about his journey from making his first feature, Who Needs Enemies, for around £6,000 to his latest film, The Nice Ones, made with a budget of around £80,000. Peter explains how he self-financed his first feature with help from his family, what he learned from getting the film into distribution and why it took seven years before he made his next feature. We talk about the realities of micro-budget filmmaking, the importance of having a body of work, finding private investors, approaching production companies, building a finance plan and understanding UK film tax incentives. Peter also shares the lessons he learned from shooting The Lost in just nine days, including why time may be the most important thing you can spend money on when making a film. And we get personal about filmmaking too, including the hardest day Peter has ever experienced on set, the moment he thought about walking away and the rare moments when everything comes together and you realise this is why we make films. A candid conversation about making films, finding the money, learning from mistakes and gradually building a career as an independent filmmaker. Check out the trailer for DRAINED https://youtu.be/pMzA6y1mCfE?si=UciPXgOIGxsHCdlF Have a look at Peters IMDB page: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4726444/ #IndependentFilmmaking #IndieFilm #Filmmaking #FilmFunding #FilmInvestors #MicroBudgetFilmmaking #FeatureFilm #Filmmaker #FilmProduction #FilmIndustry #FilmFinance #HorrorFilm #TheHonestFilmmaker Check out the re-release of Jim's first solo directing feature The Witches Hammer - out now on amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail/B0F235F4T8/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r Support the show For regular updates and exclusive content - sign up for The Honest Filmmaker newsletter https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/e-newsletter/ Join The Honest Filmmaker community on our Facebook Group or Discord https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/join-the-community/ HONEST, OPEN ADVICE ABOUT YOUR FILMMAKING CAREER Are you about to leave Uni with a filmmaking degree? Or want to change careers and work in a creative industry? We want to give you the tools you need to enter the real world of production or freelancing. Honest and open career advice from people in the business. We also talk to those in other creative industries to discuss their careers, the potential cross over with film production and practical tips for a successful and fulfilling career. Join the community: http://www.thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk

    From a £6K Feature to an £80K Film with Peter Stylianou
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About

REAL TALK FOR ASPIRING FILMMAKERS Are you wrapping up your film degree or contemplating a career shift into the creative industry? The Honest Filmmaker is your go-to resource for navigating the real-world challenges of micro-budget and indie filmmaking. Hosted by award-winning filmmaker Jim Eaves, the podcast delves into the nitty-gritty of independent film production. From securing funding and managing tight budgets to distribution strategies and building a sustainable career, this is unfiltered advice and practical tips from professionals who have been in your shoes.  Whether you're a recent graduate, a career changer, or an indie filmmaker determined to make your mark, The Honest Filmmaker equips you with the tools, insights, and honest guidance to thrive in the world of independent cinema. http://www.thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk

Information

  • Creator
    Jim Eaves
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    156
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Honest Filmmaker
  • Show Website
    The Honest Filmmaker

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