Indie Film Podcast

Indie Film Podcast
  • 5.0 (5)
  • TV & Film
  • Updated Weekly

Our Goal with Indie Film Podcast is to share all of the mistakes we’ve made in our film making journey, so you can avoid them! We are owners of over 75 rejection letters from film festivals. In spite of producing several well-received films, neither of us has managed to turn our passion into a career. Our continued efforts to follow the advice doled out by the gurus has given us a plethora of experience in nearly every filmmaking role, but also, a negative balance in our bank accounts. Follow us on our journey as we attempt to break into the national film scene, or just incur more debt.

  1. 2d ago

    How to Build a Skeleton Crew Without Wrecking Your Film

    How small can your indie film crew actually be before “lean” turns into “understaffed”? In this episode of Indie Film Podcast, we’re talking about skeleton crews, low-budget filmmaking, and which film crew roles can safely overlap without creating even bigger problems on set. We get into director/DP combinations, producer and assistant director responsibilities, sound, art department, continuity, and the jobs that still need to happen (even when you don’t have enough people to fill every traditional position). If you’re building a small crew for a short film, micro-budget feature, or independent production, this episode is all about figuring out what you can combine, and what you really shouldn’t. _____________________________________ Show Links:  Featured Filmmaker of the Week, David Ramer: https://www.youtube.com/@ramerdirects  Be Our Next Featured Filmmaker: https://www.indiefilmpodcast.com/submit _____________________________________ Follow Indie Film Podcast: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indiefilmpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@indiefilmpodcast Web: https://www.indiefilmpodcast.com Newsletter: https://indie-film-podcast.kit.com/68f74bc072  Get Featured on the Pod: https://www.indiefilmpodcast.com/submit

    How to Build a Skeleton Crew Without Wrecking Your Film

  2. Sep 10

    When Your Film Isn’t Working: Should You Start Over?

    How do you know when it’s time to stop pushing through and start over on a film? In this episode of Indie Film Podcast, we talk with filmmaker Jordan Gore about what happens when a project’s original format just isn’t working, and why he ultimately rebuilt Smokin’ Saga from a 12-episode web series into a feature film. We break down the sunk cost fallacy in filmmaking, how to recognize when a format is hurting the story, when to pivot instead of forcing the original plan, and what it really takes to re-edit, restructure, and rebuild a film after months of work. We also get into web series vs. feature films, film festival submission challenges, experimental filmmaking, sound design, and making the most of a small crew and limited resources. Sometimes the hardest part of filmmaking isn’t finishing the project. It’s admitting the version you made isn’t the version that works. _____________________________________ Show Links:  Smokin’ Saga Part 2 Trailer: https://youtu.be/3KmIl_tZiOk?si=dJn6kQFzNkBJkHdi  Pineapple Productions on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pineappleproductions308 Pineapple Productions on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pineapple.productions/  _____________________________________ Follow Indie Film Podcast: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indiefilmpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@indiefilmpodcast Web: https://www.indiefilmpodcast.com Newsletter: https://indie-film-podcast.kit.com/68f74bc072  Get Featured on the Pod: https://www.indiefilmpodcast.com/submit

    When Your Film Isn’t Working: Should You Start Over?

  3. Sep 5 ·  Bonus

    This Twisted Barney Horror Movie Is WILD | IFP Reviews: Buddy (2026)

    Is Buddy (2026) worth watching now or later? We review Casper Kelly’s bizarre new horror comedy from the perspective of indie filmmakers, breaking down what works, what doesn’t, and why this twisted children’s-show nightmare feels like Barney wandered straight into a horror movie. From the practical effects and production design to the film’s mythology, pacing, and surprisingly emotional moments, we dig into what filmmakers can learn from Buddy (but be warned, there are spoilers). Plus, we answer the most important question: Should you see it now? Or wait ‘til later? Watch Buddy first if you want to go in completely blind, but drop your thoughts in the comments to let us know if you agree with our verdict! _____________________________________ Show Links:  Want a review of your indie film? https://www.indiefilmpodcast.com/submit _____________________________________ Follow Indie Film Podcast: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indiefilmpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@indiefilmpodcast Web: https://www.indiefilmpodcast.com Newsletter: https://indie-film-podcast.kit.com/68f74bc072  Get Featured on the Pod: https://www.indiefilmpodcast.com/submit

    This Twisted Barney Horror Movie Is WILD | IFP Reviews: Buddy (2026)

  4. Sep 3

    Short Film vs. Feature Film: Is Your Story the Right Length?

    How do you know if your story should be a short film or a feature? In the final installment of our Conceptual Mistakes in Indie Filmmaking series, we break down short film vs. feature film structure, story length, screenwriting, pacing, and why forcing an idea into the wrong format can hurt the finished movie. We also dig into ideal short film length for festivals, storytelling psychology, causality, escalating stakes, and some warning signs that your feature screenplay might actually be a short film. Inversely, we discuss if your short has enough story to become something bigger. _____________________________________ Show Links:  Household, by Robbie Lemieux: https://youtu.be/SqR9UNPjQwU?si=ilQZd_Yq86y0JzFR  Chit Chat Webseries, by LowerGentry Studios: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV8r3i4wLP48aH-qx8xlqLymMNJsUF8aF&si=oGj62Zw5srer0jJ3  Why Your Brain Turns Life Into Stories: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-brain-doesnt-just-experience-reality-it-edits-it-into-a-story/  The Man Who Would Not Shake Hands: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QPzwr5-txY  _____________________________________ Follow Indie Film Podcast: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indiefilmpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@indiefilmpodcast Web: https://www.indiefilmpodcast.com Newsletter: https://indie-film-podcast.kit.com/68f74bc072  Get Featured on the Pod: https://www.indiefilmpodcast.com/submit

    Short Film vs. Feature Film: Is Your Story the Right Length?

  5. Aug 27

    How to Write a Great Low-Budget Script Without Sacrificing Story

    If you’re writing an indie film on a limited budget, the smartest creative decision you can make may be figuring out what you can actually afford to shoot. In this episode, we break down how to write a strong low-budget movie script without sacrificing story, ambition, or creativity. We talk about the difference between a good script and a well-executed film, why filmmakers should consider locations, cast, equipment, technical skills, and production limitations during the writing process, and how constraints can actually lead to better creative choices. We also look at films like Saw, Clerks, The Room, Troll 2, and Transformers, share some painful lessons from our own early short films, and talk about how making more projects helps you build the skills to tackle bigger ideas later. Plus, featured filmmaker Lauren Caster shares what she learned independently financing, producing, directing, starring in, and distributing her debut feature, Rhythm is a Dancer. The goal isn’t to make your story smaller. It’s to write the best version of it that you can actually bring to life. _____________________________________ Show Links:  Featured Filmmaker of the Week, Lauren Caster: https://rhythmisadancer.movie/  Be Our Next Featured Filmmaker: https://www.indiefilmpodcast.com/submit _____________________________________ Follow Indie Film Podcast: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indiefilmpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@indiefilmpodcast Web: https://www.indiefilmpodcast.com Newsletter: https://indie-film-podcast.kit.com/68f74bc072  Get Featured on the Pod: https://www.indiefilmpodcast.com/submit

    How to Write a Great Low-Budget Script Without Sacrificing Story

  6. Aug 20

    Why You Can’t Explain Your Movie Idea (and How to Fix It)

    What makes a strong film premise? And…how do you know if your movie idea actually has enough story to carry a screenplay? In this episode of Indie Film Podcast, we break down the difference between a theme, a message, a cool concept, and an actual movie premise. We look at why filmmakers sometimes struggle to explain their story, how a weak premise can create problems long before production, and how a clear logline can help guide the entire screenwriting process. We cover: * The four core elements of a film premise: Character, world, goal, and obstacle * Why themes like grief, friendship, or growth are not enough on their own * How to turn real-life experiences into higher-stakes movie stories * Why world-building and interesting information are not the same as plot * How to avoid letting your message overpower character and conflict * What a story engine is and why your screenplay needs one * John August’s five essential logline elements: Inciting incident, hero, antagonistic force, goal, and stakes * How to use a working logline as a North Star while writing your screenplay We also compare examples from Everything Everywhere All at Once, Wild Wild West, The Menu, Don’t Look Up, and Manchester by the Sea, plus revisit one of our own early indie film loglines to see how a vague concept can become a much clearer story. If you're developing a movie idea, writing a screenplay, fixing a logline, or trying to figure out why your story still feels unfocused, this episode will help you identify the problem and strengthen your film premise before you get too deep into the script. _____________________________________ Show Links:  Be Our Next Featured Filmmaker: https://www.indiefilmpodcast.com/submit Watch What’s the Worst That Could Happen here: https://youtu.be/rNnRUQwilys?si=kHm6IMP1NXhWLQbz  Watch Stockton to Table Rock here: https://pickrelay.com/app/t/x8tb-q4zg  John August Logline Tips: https://johnaugust.com/2020/loglines  _____________________________________ Follow Indie Film Podcast: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indiefilmpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@indiefilmpodcast Web: https://www.indiefilmpodcast.com Newsletter: https://indie-film-podcast.kit.com/68f74bc072  Get Featured on the Pod: https://www.indiefilmpodcast.com/submit

    Why You Can’t Explain Your Movie Idea (and How to Fix It)

  7. Aug 14

    Great Gore Can’t Save a Terrible Script | IFP Reviews: Ice Cream Man (2026)

    Eli Roth’s Ice Cream Man delivers plenty of blood, practical gore, and wildly campy horror imagery, but can great effects save a weak script? In this IFP Review, we break down Ice Cream Man from a filmmaker’s perspective, including the practical effects and makeup that impressed us, the story and dialogue that didn’t, some very dated creative choices, and a villain motivation that arrives almost entirely through exposition in the third act. We also discuss the performances, the movie’s 86-minute runtime, who this gore-filled horror comedy is actually for, and the biggest filmmaking lesson we took away from watching it. So should you see Ice Cream Man now…or wait ‘til later? _____________________________________ Show Links: Get an Indie Film Review: https://www.indiefilmpodcast.com/submit  _____________________________________ Get More Indie Film Podcast: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indiefilmpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@indiefilmpodcast Web: https://www.indiefilmpodcast.com Newsletter: https://indie-film-podcast.kit.com/68f74bc072  Get Featured on the Pod: https://www.indiefilmpodcast.com/submit

    Great Gore Can’t Save a Terrible Script | IFP Reviews: Ice Cream Man (2026)

  8. Aug 13

    Where Does $31K Go on an Indie Feature Film? A Real Budget Breakdown

    What does it actually cost to shoot a low-budget indie feature film? Writer/director Jack Judson joins us after wrapping Pineapple Promise to break down our real $31K indie film budget. From the cast, crew, gear, craft services, locations, all the way to the unexpected $3,000 expense we definitely didn’t see coming. We also get into how we shot a 95-page feature film in just 14 production days with a five-person crew, what went right (and very wrong), and the production planning, compromises, sound problems, free locations, long days, and occasional uncooperative llama that made this independent film possible. _____________________________________ Show Links:  Learn more about Pineapple Promise: https://www.patreon.com/cw/BuildingAnArc  _____________________________________ Follow Indie Film Podcast: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indiefilmpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@indiefilmpodcast Web: https://www.indiefilmpodcast.com Newsletter: https://indie-film-podcast.kit.com/68f74bc072  Get Featured on the Pod: https://www.indiefilmpodcast.com/submit

    Where Does $31K Go on an Indie Feature Film? A Real Budget Breakdown
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Our Goal with Indie Film Podcast is to share all of the mistakes we’ve made in our film making journey, so you can avoid them! We are owners of over 75 rejection letters from film festivals. In spite of producing several well-received films, neither of us has managed to turn our passion into a career. Our continued efforts to follow the advice doled out by the gurus has given us a plethora of experience in nearly every filmmaking role, but also, a negative balance in our bank accounts. Follow us on our journey as we attempt to break into the national film scene, or just incur more debt.

Information

  • Creator
    Indie Film Podcast
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    90
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Indie Film Podcast
  • Show Website
    Indie Film Podcast

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