Truly Independent: Demystifying the Indie Film Journey

Three Coin Productions

Demystifying The Indie Film Journey

  1. Mar 12

    S3 E25 | How a YouTuber Turned a $3M Indie Film into $43M — The Future of Filmmaking

    Independent filmmaking is changing — and the box office proves it. In this episode of Truly Independent, Darren and Garrett break down one of the most fascinating film industry stories of the year: Iron Lung, the self-financed movie from YouTuber Markiplier (Mark Fischbach) that turned a $3 million budget into over $43 million worldwide. No traditional studio. No distributor. Just an audience. They explore how building an audience first might be the most powerful strategy for independent filmmakers today. But that’s not the only story. They also discuss the success of Angel Studios’ Solomon Six and what both films reveal about the future of theatrical releases, marketing, and audience-driven filmmaking. Then the conversation shifts to something every indie filmmaker struggles with: The hidden cost of doing everything yourself. Topics covered in this episode: How Iron Lung succeeded without HollywoodWhy audience building is the new distribution modelThe surprising box office success of Solomon SixWhy independent filmmakers burn outThe opportunity cost of doing everything yourselfDelegation, focus, and building a real filmmaking business If you’re an indie filmmaker, creator, or entrepreneur trying to build something meaningful, this conversation is packed with insight. 🎬 Listen to Truly Independent for real conversations about building sustainable careers in filmmaking.

    40 min
  2. Feb 17

    S3 E23 | How REAL Producers Attract Investors, Actors & Distribution

    What is film packaging—and why does it determine whether your movie gets funded, cast, and distributed? In this episode of Truly Independent, Garrett Batty and Darren Smith break down the real meaning of packaging in filmmaking. Packaging isn’t just attaching a script and hoping for the best—it’s the strategic process of assembling the right combination of script, talent, financing, and distribution to reduce risk and make your project attractive to investors and distributors. You’ll learn how successful producers think about packaging, how casting affects financing, why distribution conversations start early, and how real projects like Brotherhood, Faith of Angels, and The Pearl are being packaged right now. If you’re an indie filmmaker, producer, or aspiring creator, this episode will completely change how you approach getting your film made. ⸻ In this episode, you’ll learn: • What film packaging actually means • The 4 pillars of a strong film package • How packaging helps secure funding and distribution • Why casting decisions impact investor confidence • How distributors evaluate film packages • Real-world packaging examples from current productions ⸻ About Truly Independent Truly Independent is a podcast dedicated to demystifying the independent film process—from idea to distribution. Each episode dives into the real strategies filmmakers use to finance, produce, and release feature films. ⸻ Supported by Help Them See Foundation This season is supported by the Help Them See Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting films that inspire faith, hope, and connection. Learn more:https://helpthemseefoundation.org ⸻ Subscribe for more filmmaking insights: Follow along for real-world breakdowns of independent film financing, packaging, production, and distribution.

    37 min
  3. Feb 11

    S3 E22 | $50K Feature → Theatrical Release: Savannah Osler’s Indie Film Playbook | Truly Independent

    This week on Truly Independent (Season 3: The Script), Garrett Batty and Darren Smith sit down with filmmaker Savannah Osler to break down the real path from idea → screenplay → finished feature → distribution. Savannah shares how she went from writing her first story at 14 to making her first feature Twice the Dream for about $50,000, then leveling up to bigger projects—ultimately making her third feature, Buster Brooks, at the $1M mark. Along the way, she explains what actually moved her career forward: cutting the budget to match reality, refusing to change her story for “marketability,” and making bold phone calls to open doors (including getting her film into theaters). They dig into: • How she raised money (including the “angel investor” moment) • What she learned making a feature on microbudget • How she approached theatrical + distribution (and why you sometimes have to be your own marketing team) • The chaos of producing during major industry disruptions • Why finishing the film is often the hardest part • Buster Brooks premiering at ZIF on February 27 + what distribution looks like now This season is supported by the Help Them See Foundation, a nonprofit helping bring films that inspire faith, hope, and connection to audiences worldwide. 🎬 Learn more: help them seefoundation.org #TrulyIndependent #IndependentFilm #Filmmaking #FilmDistribution #IndieFilm #Screenwriting #FilmProducing #BusterBrooks #ZIF

    45 min
4.9
out of 5
8 Ratings

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Demystifying The Indie Film Journey

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