Episodes

  • Artwork & Trailers: The Make-or-Break Tools of Indie Film Distribution

    Artwork & Trailers: The Make-or-Break Tools of Indie Film Distribution
    Jan 22 2026
    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 and trailers are the two most important elements in indie film distribution. With thousands of titles competing for attention on streaming platforms, Jeff explains how thumbnail artwork, color choices, character focus, and title treatment can determine whether a viewer stops scrolling or clicks away. Drawing from real-world experience, he covers why artwork comes before the trailer, why simplicity beats crowded ensemble designs, how to visually target a niche audience, and what makes a trailer compelling enough to convert interest into views. If you want your indie film to stand out in a crowded marketplace, this episode offers practical, honest insight into marketing your film the right way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    43 mins
  • The Truth Behind Making an Indie Feature Film with Adam Kilbourn

    The Truth Behind Making an Indie Feature Film with Adam Kilbourn
    Jan 15 2026
    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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • Protecting Your Idea — Legal Truths & Practical Realities

    Protecting Your Idea — Legal Truths & Practical Realities
    Jan 7 2026
    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 foundations of copyright, what is and isn't protectable, and how filmmakers should navigate pitching, sharing, and developing concepts in the real world. The episode begins with a listener question about mixing equity crowdfunding with private investors, where Jeff clarifies how to structure both without creating legal or financial conflicts. Takeaway To succeed as an indie filmmaker, you must balance protecting your work with sharing it enough to gain traction. Jeff emphasizes that real protection comes from expressing, documenting, and registering your idea—not hiding it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    37 mins
  • Breaking In as a Writer: The Real Paths to Film & TV

    Breaking In as a Writer: The Real Paths to Film & TV
    Jan 1 2026
    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’ room, to selling a script to studios or streamers, to taking the DIY route and making the project yourself, Jeff explains why the process is difficult, competitive, and often misunderstood. He dives into the importance of representation, why unsolicited scripts are rarely accepted, and how agents act as the industry’s filtration system.The episode also offers a grounded reality check on rejection, persistence, and self-belief. Jeff emphasizes that “no” usually means “not today,” and that success often comes from consistently putting yourself into play—networking, improving your craft, and knocking on the right doors at the right level. It’s an honest, practical guide for aspiring writers navigating the business side of indie filmmaking. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    27 mins
  • Cathy Yonek, Chocolate for Christmas

    Cathy Yonek, Chocolate for Christmas
    Dec 25 2025
    In this episode of Indie Filmmaking Truth and Reality, Cathy Yonek, a first-time feature filmmaker, discusses her debut independent film Chocolate for Christmas. Cathy shares her journey from making short films to tackling her first feature, emphasizing the challenges of production and the advice that led her to create a Christmas movie. The story centers around a woman who returns to her family's chocolate business to save it from financial collapse. Cathy details her organized approach to the film's seven-day shoot, with a supportive crew, including director of photography/editor Josh, and praised her calm and collaborative atmosphere on set. Lead actors Angela Cole and Joel Berg later join the conversation, offering insights into their characters and the themes of family, love, and Christmas. Cathy also opens up about the financial struggles of making a "no-budget" film, using credit cards and various side jobs to fund it. The episode concludes with Cathy discussing the film's distribution and a potential sequel, Marry Me in Greece, starring the same lead actors. The episode highlights the resilience and creativity needed for independent filmmaking. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 6 mins
  • Owning Your Distribution with Uscreen CEO Allison Yazdian

    Owning Your Distribution with Uscreen CEO Allison Yazdian
    Dec 18 2025
    In this episode, Jeff breaks down one of the biggest frustrations indie filmmakers face today: distribution. From being ghosted by distributors to getting lost on YouTube with no revenue, the traditional paths are tougher than ever. But there is another way—taking control of your own destiny.Jeff sits down with Allison Yazdian, CEO of Uscreen, a platform that lets creators build and run their own streaming services without the tech overwhelm. Allison shares how filmmakers, fitness instructors, educators, and thousands of creators are using Uscreen to own their audience, monetize directly, and build real communities around their work.Together, they explore the realities of subscription vs. transactional models, how much content you actually need, what pricing looks like, and why email lists and marketing are the real secret weapons. Jeff also reveals his new initiative: a collective streaming platform and marketing support system designed specifically for indie filmmakers who don’t want to go it alone.This is a must-listen for any filmmaker ready to break away from the old system and finally build a sustainable, audience-driven career. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    46 mins
  • Capturing Reality: Luc Forsyth on the Art and Risk of Documentary Filmmaking

    Capturing Reality: Luc Forsyth on the Art and Risk of Documentary Filmmaking
    Dec 11 2025
    In this episode of Indie Filmmaking: Truth & Reality, Jeff Everett welcomes cinematographer and documentarian Luc Forsyth to discuss his unconventional path into filmmaking. Luc shares how his early years traveling and working as a photojournalist shaped his eye, eventually leading him into high-risk documentary work across Southeast Asia, Mexico, and beyond.The conversation explores the realities behind documentary cinematography—how the craft relies less on perfect gear and more on instinct, access, adaptability, and the ability to build trust in challenging environments. Luc breaks down the differences between narrative and documentary shooting, explaining why he prefers the unpredictability of real-world moments over controlled sets.Luc also opens up about the dangers of covering cartel territories, the experience that forced him to step back, and how he rebuilt his career after moving home during the pandemic. He explains how his YouTube channel became both a creative outlet and a way to regain control of his career while sharing practical industry knowledge.This episode offers a grounded look at the craft, mindset, and resilience required to thrive as a documentary filmmaker today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    57 mins
  • Navigating the Film Festival Circuit w/ Jon Fitzgerald

    Navigating the Film Festival Circuit w/ Jon Fitzgerald
    Dec 4 2025
    In this episode, Jeff Everett sits down with Jon Fitzgerald — filmmaker, festival founder, former AFI Festival Director, and president of Cause Pictures — to break down the real strategy behind submitting to and succeeding on the film festival circuit.Jon shares how he co-founded Slamdance after being rejected by Sundance, and how decades of festival experience have shaped his expertise in submission strategy, credibility building, audience targeting, and festival networking.Together, Jeff and Jon explore how filmmakers can identify their goals, design custom submission plans, understand the differences between top-tier, regional, and destination festivals, and avoid the traps of meaningless awards and low-impact screenings. They also discuss strategies for getting on programmers’ radar, hospitality considerations, and how real distribution often happens outside of Sundance-level events.Jon closes with insights into today’s evolving indie landscape — emphasizing that while Hollywood feels uncertain, independent filmmakers have more opportunity than ever if they’re willing to think entrepreneurially and creatively about screenings, audiences, and post-festival life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    52 mins