Shows / Indie Filmmaking: Truth & Reality
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 20-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…
Episodes
- Indie Filmmaking: Truth & Reality
The Indie Film Brief: How to Earn an Investor's Trust When Raising Money for Your Film
Raising money for an independent film isn't just about having a great idea or a compelling script. It's about convincing someone that you're the right person…
- Indie Filmmaking: Truth & Reality
How to Pitch Your Film to Investors & Earn Their Trust
Getting an investor interested in your film is only half the battle. The real challenge is earning their trust and convincing them that you're the right person…
- Indie Filmmaking: Truth & Reality
How to Raise Money for Your Indie Film (Finding Investors)
Where does the money to make an independent film actually come from—and how do you find the people willing to invest in your project? In Episode 9 of Indie…
- Indie Filmmaking: Truth & Reality
How to Budget an Indie Film: Save Money Without Sacrificing Your Vision
How much should your film cost—and how do you make the most of the money you have? In Episode 8 of Indie Filmmaking Truth and Reality, Jeff Deverett breaks…
- Indie Filmmaking: Truth & Reality
How to Build a Cost-Effective Shooting Schedule
A shooting schedule does more than tell you when to film. It can determine how much your movie costs, how efficiently your crew works, and whether your…
- Indie Filmmaking: Truth & Reality
How to Choose the Right Story for Your Film (And Keep Audiences Hooked)
Every great film starts with a story—but how do you know if you’re choosing the right one? In Episode 6 of Indie Filmmaking Truth and Reality, Jeff Deverett…
- Indie Filmmaking: Truth & Reality
How to Hire a Screenwriter (Union vs. Non-Union & What to Pay)
Hiring the wrong writer - or overpaying without a solid agreement - can stall your film before pre-production even starts. In Episode 5, Jeff Deverett outlines…
- Indie Filmmaking: Truth & Reality
Protecting Your Script & Screenplay Rights (IP & Licensing Explained)
Before you send your script to producers or investors, you need to understand how IP rights work. In Episode 4, Jeff Deverett breaks down what is actually…
- Indie Filmmaking: Truth & Reality
Artistic Success vs. Financial Success (Development Part 2)
Making a great movie is an artistic achievement, but ensuring that movie reaches an audience and makes its money back is a business strategy. In Part 2 of our…
- Indie Filmmaking: Truth & Reality
The Script Isn't Enough: What Development Really Means
Think writing the script means your film is ready for pre-production? Think again. In Episode 2 of Indie Filmmaking Truth & Reality, Jeff Deverett breaks down…
- Indie Filmmaking: Truth & Reality
Indie Filmmaking Truth & Reality Season 2: The Filmmaking Journey
Season 2 of Indie Filmmaking Truth and Reality walks through the entire filmmaking process, from the first idea to getting the finished film in front of…
- Indie Filmmaking: Truth & Reality
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…
- Indie Filmmaking: Truth & Reality
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…
- Indie Filmmaking: Truth & Reality
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…
- Indie Filmmaking: Truth & Reality
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…
- Indie Filmmaking: Truth & Reality
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…
- Indie Filmmaking: Truth & Reality
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…
- Indie Filmmaking: Truth & Reality
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…
- Indie Filmmaking: Truth & Reality
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…
- Indie Filmmaking: Truth & Reality
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…
- Indie Filmmaking: Truth & Reality
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…
- Indie Filmmaking: Truth & Reality
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…
- Indie Filmmaking: Truth & Reality
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…
- Indie Filmmaking: Truth & Reality
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…
- Indie Filmmaking: Truth & Reality
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…
- Indie Filmmaking: Truth & Reality
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…
- Indie Filmmaking: Truth & Reality
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…
- Indie Filmmaking: Truth & Reality
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…
- Indie Filmmaking: Truth & Reality
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…
- Indie Filmmaking: Truth & Reality
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…
- Indie Filmmaking: Truth & Reality
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…
- Indie Filmmaking: Truth & Reality
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…
- Indie Filmmaking: Truth & Reality
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’…
- Indie Filmmaking: Truth & Reality
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…
- Indie Filmmaking: Truth & Reality
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…
- Indie Filmmaking: Truth & Reality
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…
- Indie Filmmaking: Truth & Reality
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…
- Indie Filmmaking: Truth & Reality
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…
- Indie Filmmaking: Truth & Reality
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…
- Indie Filmmaking: Truth & Reality
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…
Indie Filmmaking: Truth & RealityInside 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…
Indie Filmmaking: Truth & RealityIt’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…
Indie Filmmaking: Truth & RealityTruth & Reality in Indie Filmmaking; Why I Do This Podcast
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Indie Filmmaking: Truth & RealityCracking 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…
Indie Filmmaking: Truth & RealityPayroll 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…
Indie Filmmaking: Truth & RealityLegal 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…
Indie Filmmaking: Truth & RealityMarkets, 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…
Indie Filmmaking: Truth & RealityIndie 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…
Indie Filmmaking: Truth & RealityThe 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…
Indie Filmmaking: Truth & RealitySelling & 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…
Indie Filmmaking: Truth & RealityWhy 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…
Indie Filmmaking: Truth & RealityFilm 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…
Indie Filmmaking: Truth & RealityDistribution 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…
Indie Filmmaking: Truth & RealityThe 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…
Indie Filmmaking: Truth & RealityEditing 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…
Indie Filmmaking: Truth & RealityCinematography 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…
Indie Filmmaking: Truth & RealityThe 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…
Indie Filmmaking: Truth & RealityScript 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…
Indie Filmmaking: Truth & RealityMusic 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…
Indie Filmmaking: Truth & RealityScript 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…