Indie Filmmaking: Truth & Reality : The Truth Behind Making an Indie Feature Film with Adam Kilbourn
SHOW NOTES
In this episode of Indie Filmmaking: Truth & Reality, host Jeff Deverett continues the Filmmakers Speak series with indie filmmaker Adam Kilbourn, the creator of the action-comedy feature Action Action. Adam shares his complete journey—from the first idea and years of script development to financing, production, and the ongoing challenge of distribution.
Adam breaks down why the script is the foundation of everything, explaining how nearly a decade of rewrites, collaboration, and discarded drafts ultimately made the film possible. He emphasizes that no amount of gear, talent, or ambition can save a weak story, and why loving the script is essential when you’re committing years of your life to a single project.
The conversation dives deep into the realities of indie film financing, including raising money from private investors, lowering budget expectations, and launching a Kickstarter campaign that helped push the film into production. Adam shares hard-earned lessons about crowdfunding momentum, managing limited resources, and making tough decisions when the budget doesn’t match the vision.
Jeff and Adam also explore the challenges of production and distribution, from exhausting shoot schedules and pre-production oversights to the harsh truth that distributors often care more about recognizable names than the quality of the film itself. This episode offers an honest, practical look at what it truly takes to make—and finish—an independent feature film.
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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 Straw Hut Media
Have a question for Jeff?
jdeverett@deverettmedia.com
From Straw Hut Media






