Indie Filmmaking: Truth & Reality
Film school taught you how to make a movie—this show teaches you how to get it financed and distributed. In bite-sized 30-minute episodes, filmmaker and distribution expert Jeff Deverett gives you the real-world advice film schools leave out. From raising money to getting your movie on screens (and making your money back), Indie Filmmaking: Truth & Reality breaks down the business side of indie film with practical, honest guidance. No fluff. No sugar-coating. Just the truth—and the reality—of what it takes to get your film made and seen.Have a question for Jeff?jdeverett@deverettmedia.com From…
Episodes
59 episodes
The Reality of Film Festivals
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 insigh…
Tips and Strategies from House of Film's CEO, Ava B.
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 ye…
Mastering Indie Film Budgets: Top-Down vs. Bottom-Up Approaches
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, understand…
How to Navigate a Film Market
In this episode, Jeff Deverett dives deep into the world of film markets and how independent filmmakers can navigate them effectively. Discover the key differen…
The Future of Film Distribution & Marketing
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…
The Essential Guide to Making Proper Delivery
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 sti…
Location Scouting with Jeff Morris
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…
From Submission to Screen: Film Festival Guide With Sandra Lipski
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…
Continuity and Creativity with Script Supervisor Lori Suri
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,…
The Indie Filmmaker's Guide to Self-Distribution: Getting Your Indie Film Seen
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 fil…
Why Only 1% of Indie Films Make Money and How to Get Closer to the Other 99%
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.…
Piracy After Release: Protecting Indie Films in the Digital Wild West with Wilson Hack
In this episode of Indie Filmmaking Truth and Reality , host Jeff Deverett dives into one of the most frustrating realities indie filmmakers face after distribu…
Competing for Audience Against Big Streamers
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 challen…
Breaking into Filmmaking: Steps to Turn Your Movie Idea into Reality
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 s…
Faith-Based Distribution: The Hidden Market Indie Filmmakers Overlook
In this episode of Indie Filmmaking Truth and Reality, host Jeff Deverett breaks down the business mechanics behind faith-based film distribution. While most in…
Plan A, Plan B: Balancing Your Dream with Reality
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 lif…
Bootstrapping a Feature Film: Brandon Keeton’s Indie Hustle
Host Jeff Deverett sits down with independent filmmaker Brandon Keeton to unpack his journey from Marine Corps veteran and martial arts school owner to producin…
Producer vs. Director: Finishing the Film When Everything Goes Wrong
On independent film sets, creative ambition and practical constraints often collide. In this episode, host Jeff Everett breaks down the critical relationship be…
Artwork & Trailers: The Make-or-Break Tools of Indie Film Distribution
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 an…
The Truth Behind Making an Indie Feature Film with Adam Kilbourn
In this episode of Indie Filmmaking: Truth & Reality , host Jeff Deverett continues the Filmmakers Speak series with indie filmmaker Adam Kilbourn , the creator…
Protecting Your Idea — Legal Truths & Practical Realities
In this episode, Jeff Deverett breaks down one of the biggest concerns for writers and indie filmmakers: how to protect your idea. Jeff explains the legal found…
Breaking In as a Writer: The Real Paths to Film & TV
In this episode, host Jeff Everett breaks down the real-world pathways for writers trying to break into film and television. From landing a spot in a writers’ r…
Cathy Yonek, Chocolate for Christmas
In this episode of Indie Filmmaking Truth and Reality , Cathy Yonek, a first-time feature filmmaker, discusses her debut independent film Chocolate for Christma…
Owning Your Distribution with Uscreen CEO Allison Yazdian
In this episode, Jeff breaks down one of the biggest frustrations indie filmmakers face today: distribution. From being ghosted by distributors to getting lost…
Capturing Reality: Luc Forsyth on the Art and Risk of Documentary Filmmaking
In this episode of Indie Filmmaking: Truth & Reality, Jeff Everett welcomes cinematographer and documentarian Luc Forsyth to discuss his unconventional path int…
Navigating the Film Festival Circuit w/ Jon Fitzgerald
In this episode, Jeff Everett sits down with Jon Fitzgerald — filmmaker, festival founder, former AFI Festival Director, and president of Cause Pictures — to br…
The Rapid Rise of AI in Indie Filmmaking
This episode explores the explosive acceleration of artificial intelligence within the film industry, focusing on how quickly the tools, capabilities, and creat…
Choosing Film Festivals
In this episode, host Jeff Everett breaks down the complex world of film festivals and what indie filmmakers need to know before submitting their work. He explo…
How to find a Distributor
You’ve made your indie feature — now how do you get it out into the world? In this episode, Jeff Deverett breaks down the often confusing world of film distribu…
Inside Indie Film Distribution with Jack Sheehan of Archstone
In this episode of Indie Filmmaking: Truth and Reality, host Jeff Deverett sits down with industryveteran Jack Sheehan, President of Archstone Distribution, to…
It’s All About the Audience
In this episode, Jeff Deverett reminds indie filmmakers that the most important part of filmmaking isn’t the festivals, streamers, or distributors — it’s the au…
Truth & Reality in Indie Filmmaking; Why I Do This Podcast
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Cracking Indie Film Distribution with Indie Rights
In this episode of Indie Filmmaking, Jeff Deverett sits down with Linda Nelson and Michael Madison, founders of Indie Rights, one of the leading distributors in…
Payroll Made Simple with Cameron Woodward, Creator of Wrapbook
In this episode, Jeff Deverett sits down with Cameron Woodward, founder of Wrapbook, a payroll service built specifically for the film industry. They dive into…
Legal Survival Guide for Indie Filmmakers — with Tatiana Perez
In this episode, Jeff sits down with entertainment attorney Tatiana Perez of Ramo Law to break down the side of filmmaking most creators avoid talking about: th…
Markets, Money & Micro-Budgets — Tom Malloy on Real Indie Distribution
Tom Malloy pulls no punches about what actually moves for indie films — who does what in distribution, why audience traction matters more than festival prestige…
Indie Film Distribution Secrets with Clay Epstein
Distribution can make or break your film. In this episode, Jeff Deverett sits down with Clay Epstein, President of Film Mode Entertainment and Chair of the Inde…
The Truth and Reality about Film Festivals.
In this episode, we dive into the truth behind the film festival circuit and what indie filmmakers really need to know before submitting their work. From the ce…
Selling & Distributing Your Indie Film with Ryan Tillotson
In this episode of Indie Filmmaking: Truth and Reality, Jeff Deverett sits down with filmmaker Ryan Tillotson to discuss his journey producing and directing his…
Why the Indie Film Business Has Never Worked
In this solo episode, Jeff Deverett unpacks a bold but honest take: the indie film business isn’t broken—because it’s never truly worked in the first place. Jef…
Film Distribution with Berry Meyerowitz of Quiver Distribution
In this episode, Jeff Deverett sits down with Berry Meyerowitz, President of Quiver Distribution, for a deep dive into the realities of indie film distribution.…
Distribution Reality with Noah Segal
In this episode, Jeff sits down with longtime industry veteran and Elevation Pictures Co-President, Noah Segal. Together, they unpack the hard truths of indie f…
The Sound Behind the Scenes
In this episode, Jeff Deverett is joined by longtime collaborator and sound designer Dan Blessinger to dive deep into one of the most overlooked—but absolutely…
Editing with Scott Leslie
Key Takeaways: Start editing on set: Shoot with the edit in mind—get plenty of coverage for smooth pacing and transitions. Script advisor tip: Use one in post t…
Cinematography with Scott Leslie
In this episode, Jeff Deverett is joined by Cinematographer & Editor Scott Leslie to explore the art and strategy behind great cinematography in indie filmmakin…
The Truth About Casting For An Indie Film
In this episode, Jeff Deverett sits down with Casting Directors Miriam Hoffman and Candice Bernstein to uncover the truth and reality behind assembling the perf…
Script Scheduling and Shooting Schedules
In this episode, Jeff Deverett dives deep into the essentials of script scheduling and shooting schedules for indie filmmakers. He shares valuable insights on h…
Music Composing in Indie Filmmaking with James Covell
In this episode of Indie Filmmaking with Jeff Deverett, Jeff is joined by special guest James Covell, a veteran film composer, to pull back the curtain on the r…
Script Writing & Hiring a Writer
In this episode, Jeff Deverett dives into the different ways indie filmmakers can get a script—whether writing it themselves or hiring a writer. He breaks down…
The Importance of Production Sound Mixing in Indie Films with Beto Cabral
In this episode of Indie Filmmaking Truth & Reality, host Jeff Deverett sits down with professional sound designer and mixer Beto Cabral to dive into the often-…
The Truth About Being a Production Manager: Passion, Pressure & Getting It Done with Kelli Lessie
In this episode of Indie Filmmaking: Truth & Reality, filmmaker Jeff Deverett sits down with Production Manager Kelli Lessie for an honest conversation about th…
Wardrobe on a Budget with Maribeth Moy
In this episode, Jeff Deverett sits down with wardrobe specialist and organizing expert Maribeth Moy to dive into the realities of managing wardrobe on a tight…
Funding your Indie Film with Crowdfunding
In this episode, Jeff Deverett dives into crowdfunding and equity funding for your indie film project. He shares valuable insights on how to get donations and t…
Tax Credits in Indie Filmmaking
In this episode, Jeff Deverett dives into the world of tax credits for indie filmmakers. He covers: The Dos and Don’ts: Essential tips for navigating the tax cr…
Pitching Your Movie to Uncle Charlie
Indie Filmmaking with Jeff Deverett In this episode, Jeff Deverett breaks down the essentials of pitching your movie to an investor—affectionately referred to a…
Getting Financing for Your Indie Film
In this episode, Jeff dives into one of the biggest challenges indie filmmakers face: securing financing. He shares insights on the uphill battle of finding fun…
Choosing The Right Film Concept (And Why Most Filmmakers Get It Wrong)
So many indie filmmakers begin their journey with a passion project—or a story they’ve always wanted to tell. But if you want your film to reach an audience and…
Introduction to Indie Filmmaking
Most indie filmmakers set out to tell great stories—but what they often don’t realize is that great stories aren’t enough. Without a clear understanding of how…
Introducing, Indie Filmmaking: Truth & Reality
Film school taught you how to make a movie—this show teaches you how to get it financed and distributed. In bite-sized 30-minute episodes, filmmaker and distrib…