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What does it take to build a real career in independent filmmaking?

In this episode, I talk with filmmaker Ramon “Swift” Sloan about the realities of making and releasing indie films today. Swift shares how he got started, the first movie he made and why focusing on a specific genre can be a powerful strategy for independent filmmakers.

We also discuss building a recognisable filmmaking brand, why sequels often make sense in the indie world and how to think about budgets when you’re working outside the Hollywood system.

The conversation covers marketing, sales and distribution, early mistakes Swift made in his career and the creative problem-solving that happens on set when resources are limited.

If you’re trying to figure out how to make films that actually get seen and make money — this episode is for you.

Check out the re-release of Jim's first solo directing feature The Witches Hammer - out now on amazon 
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail/B0F235F4T8/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r

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HONEST, OPEN ADVICE ABOUT YOUR FILMMAKING CAREER

Are you about to leave Uni with a filmmaking degree? Or want to change careers and work in a creative industry? We want to give you the tools you need to enter the real world of production or freelancing. Honest and open career advice from people in the business.

We also talk to those in other creative industries to discuss their careers, the potential cross over with film production and practical tips for a successful and fulfilling career.

Join the community: http://www.thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk

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In this week's episode, I’m joined by filmmaker Tobias Jon to break down the making of his debut feature, Gifted Pain. We talk about how the film came together, how he shoot a feature on weekends, navigating funding delays and what Tobias wishes he’d known before starting. 

We also dive into music, editing, stock footage, sales agents, physical releases, and partnering with Indie Rights, an honest, practical look at getting a first feature made and released.

Check out the re-release of Jim's first solo directing feature The Witches Hammer - out now on amazon 
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail/B0F235F4T8/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r

Support the show

For regular updates and exclusive content - sign up for The Honest Filmmaker newsletter
https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/e-newsletter/

Join The Honest Filmmaker community on our Facebook Group or Discord
https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/join-the-community/

HONEST, OPEN ADVICE ABOUT YOUR FILMMAKING CAREER

Are you about to leave Uni with a filmmaking degree? Or want to change careers and work in a creative industry? We want to give you the tools you need to enter the real world of production or freelancing. Honest and open career advice from people in the business.

We also talk to those in other creative industries to discuss their careers, the potential cross over with film production and practical tips for a successful and fulfilling career.

Join the community: http://www.thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk

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This week on the podcast, I’m joined by producer ZB Siwek, who shares how he’s monetising short films by packaging them into anthology features for streaming platforms like Tubi and Amazon. ZB walks me through the process behind his first anthology release, Merge, which went on to reach number six on the Amazon charts.

Check out the re-release of Jim's first solo directing feature The Witches Hammer - out now on amazon 
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail/B0F235F4T8/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r

Support the show

For regular updates and exclusive content - sign up for The Honest Filmmaker newsletter
https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/e-newsletter/

Join The Honest Filmmaker community on our Facebook Group or Discord
https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/join-the-community/

HONEST, OPEN ADVICE ABOUT YOUR FILMMAKING CAREER

Are you about to leave Uni with a filmmaking degree? Or want to change careers and work in a creative industry? We want to give you the tools you need to enter the real world of production or freelancing. Honest and open career advice from people in the business.

We also talk to those in other creative industries to discuss their careers, the potential cross over with film production and practical tips for a successful and fulfilling career.

Join the community: http://www.thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk

Send us Fan Mail

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You might know Craig Conway from Dog Soldiers, The Descent, and his long collaboration with Neil Marshall. In this conversation, we focus on something different, his move from actor to director, and what it really takes to get a first feature off the ground.

Craig shares how Red Riding came together, how the film was financed, and what it meant to have Neil Marshall onboard as executive producer. We talk honestly about directing for the first time and what acting taught him about working with performers, why rehearsal time is invaluable and how to balance creative vision with the responsibility of leading a set.

If you’re developing a horror project, preparing your debut feature or considering a shift into directing, this is a grounded, practical conversation about making the leap.

Plus: stories from Dog Soldiers, reflections on The Descent, and insights into working with actors in heavy prosthetics.

Check out the re-release of Jim's first solo directing feature The Witches Hammer - out now on amazon 
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail/B0F235F4T8/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r

Support the show

For regular updates and exclusive content - sign up for The Honest Filmmaker newsletter
https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/e-newsletter/

Join The Honest Filmmaker community on our Facebook Group or Discord
https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/join-the-community/

HONEST, OPEN ADVICE ABOUT YOUR FILMMAKING CAREER

Are you about to leave Uni with a filmmaking degree? Or want to change careers and work in a creative industry? We want to give you the tools you need to enter the real world of production or freelancing. Honest and open career advice from people in the business.

We also talk to those in other creative industries to discuss their careers, the potential cross over with film production and practical tips for a successful and fulfilling career.

Join the community: http://www.thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk

Send us Fan Mail

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This week, I’m joined by filmmaker Devon Bray, a director who’s built a loyal audience across eight independent feature films.

Devon shares how he made the jump from directing music videos to producing feature films, the creative skills that carried over and why understanding your audience early is one of the most important decisions a filmmaker can make.

We also talk genre-hopping, working at different budget levels, navigating sales and distribution with Indie Rights, growing a following through social media and Devon’s honest perspective on using AI in filmmaking.

Check out the re-release of Jim's first solo directing feature The Witches Hammer - out now on amazon 
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail/B0F235F4T8/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r

Support the show

For regular updates and exclusive content - sign up for The Honest Filmmaker newsletter
https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/e-newsletter/

Join The Honest Filmmaker community on our Facebook Group or Discord
https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/join-the-community/

HONEST, OPEN ADVICE ABOUT YOUR FILMMAKING CAREER

Are you about to leave Uni with a filmmaking degree? Or want to change careers and work in a creative industry? We want to give you the tools you need to enter the real world of production or freelancing. Honest and open career advice from people in the business.

We also talk to those in other creative industries to discuss their careers, the potential cross over with film production and practical tips for a successful and fulfilling career.

Join the community: http://www.thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk

Send us Fan Mail

#filmmakingpodcast #filmmaking #indiefilm 

This week I sit down with indie filmmaker Stefan Van De Graff to break down the real journey behind selling a first feature film.

Stefan walks through how his debut thriller Simmer came together, from shaping the story and stretching a small budget to achieving a high-end look and co-directing his first feature. 

We dive into the unconventional release strategy of putting the entire film on Facebook, how that led to a deal with HBO and what the sales process actually looked like behind the scenes.

We talk about how genre plays a role in distribution, working with casting agents, and how Stefan went on to mount a much bigger project starring Kit Connors. 

Along the way, he shares practical lessons, hard-earned advice and what he wishes he’d known when he was starting out.

Check out the re-release of Jim's first solo directing feature The Witches Hammer - out now on amazon 
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail/B0F235F4T8/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r

Support the show

For regular updates and exclusive content - sign up for The Honest Filmmaker newsletter
https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/e-newsletter/

Join The Honest Filmmaker community on our Facebook Group or Discord
https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/join-the-community/

HONEST, OPEN ADVICE ABOUT YOUR FILMMAKING CAREER

Are you about to leave Uni with a filmmaking degree? Or want to change careers and work in a creative industry? We want to give you the tools you need to enter the real world of production or freelancing. Honest and open career advice from people in the business.

We also talk to those in other creative industries to discuss their careers, the potential cross over with film production and practical tips for a successful and fulfilling career.

Join the community: http://www.thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk

Send us Fan Mail

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What is it really like to direct your first micro-budget feature film?

In this episode, I’m joined by first-time feature film director Jessica Boss, who breaks down the realities of making her debut feature Unnamed,  from funding and budgeting to distribution, post-production, and surviving the hardest days on set.

Jessica shares honest, practical advice for independent filmmakers, especially those working with limited resources, including:

How Unnamed was funded on a micro-budget
The challenges of directing a first feature
Lessons she wishes she’d known before starting
Navigating locations, music, and post-production stress
Indie Rights distribution and promoting a low-budget film
Advice for filmmakers writing, shooting, and finishing their first feature

We also discuss the realities of being a female director, how to tackle big subject matter with small resources, and the mindset Jessica uses to push through the inevitable challenges of indie filmmaking.

If you’re developing, shooting, or finishing a micro-budget feature film, this episode is packed with real-world insights to help you avoid common mistakes and move your film forward.

Check out the re-release of Jim's first solo directing feature The Witches Hammer - out now on amazon 
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail/B0F235F4T8/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r

Support the show

For regular updates and exclusive content - sign up for The Honest Filmmaker newsletter
https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/e-newsletter/

Join The Honest Filmmaker community on our Facebook Group or Discord
https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/join-the-community/

HONEST, OPEN ADVICE ABOUT YOUR FILMMAKING CAREER

Are you about to leave Uni with a filmmaking degree? Or want to change careers and work in a creative industry? We want to give you the tools you need to enter the real world of production or freelancing. Honest and open career advice from people in the business.

We also talk to those in other creative industries to discuss their careers, the potential cross over with film production and practical tips for a successful and fulfilling career.

Join the community: http://www.thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk

Send us Fan Mail

#filmmakingpodcast #filmmaking #movieproduction #microbudget 

This week I chat to indie filmmaker Alex Srednoselac who breaks down what it’s really like to make, finish, and self-distribute a micro-budget feature film. Alex shares his journey from creating his first feature film Cashing Out to navigating film festivals, promotion, social media, and independent distribution. 

We dive into how micro-budget films get funded, what filmmakers should know before entering festivals and why self-distribution is becoming a powerful option for independent filmmakers. 

Alex also talks about post-production, marketing your own film, using platforms like FilmHub, and finding the balance between creativity and commercial reality.

Check out the re-release of Jim's first solo directing feature The Witches Hammer - out now on amazon 
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail/B0F235F4T8/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r

Support the show

For regular updates and exclusive content - sign up for The Honest Filmmaker newsletter
https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/e-newsletter/

Join The Honest Filmmaker community on our Facebook Group or Discord
https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/join-the-community/

HONEST, OPEN ADVICE ABOUT YOUR FILMMAKING CAREER

Are you about to leave Uni with a filmmaking degree? Or want to change careers and work in a creative industry? We want to give you the tools you need to enter the real world of production or freelancing. Honest and open career advice from people in the business.

We also talk to those in other creative industries to discuss their careers, the potential cross over with film production and practical tips for a successful and fulfilling career.

Join the community: http://www.thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk

Send us Fan Mail

#filmmakingpodcast #filmmakingtips #indiefilm

With 2026 just getting started, a lot of filmmakers are asking the same question: how do I finance my first (or next) indie feature? This week, I’m breaking down five practical ways to fund your film, drawing from both my own experience and methods I’ve seriously considered. I’ll also share two bonus tips for navigating conversations with private investors and getting them over the line and invested.

Check out the re-release of Jim's first solo directing feature The Witches Hammer - out now on amazon 
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail/B0F235F4T8/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r

Support the show

For regular updates and exclusive content - sign up for The Honest Filmmaker newsletter
https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/e-newsletter/

Join The Honest Filmmaker community on our Facebook Group or Discord
https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/join-the-community/

HONEST, OPEN ADVICE ABOUT YOUR FILMMAKING CAREER

Are you about to leave Uni with a filmmaking degree? Or want to change careers and work in a creative industry? We want to give you the tools you need to enter the real world of production or freelancing. Honest and open career advice from people in the business.

We also talk to those in other creative industries to discuss their careers, the potential cross over with film production and practical tips for a successful and fulfilling career.

Join the community: http://www.thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk

Send us Fan Mail

#filmmakingpodcast #filmmaking #moviemaking #microbudget #indiefilm 

This week on the podcast I’m chatting with filmmaker GuGu E. Michaels, an award-winning director and cinematographer whose work spans North American and African cinema. Since the late ’90s, GuGu has directed and shot feature films including Dangerous Men, UNGE’S WAR, Jacob’s Eye, and Best Served Cold, earning multiple awards for cinematography, editing, and best film along the way. 

His work has also reached the commercial world, with campaigns for brands like Cadillac and Porsche. Before film, GuGu led Dallas-based indie label Redrumm Recordz, working with artists like UGK, Ludacris, and Steve Austin. Since moving into African cinema in 2009, he’s been widely recognised as part of a new era of African filmmaking  and I’m excited to dive into that journey with him today.

Check out Gugu's movies: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1975761/?ref_=fn_t_1

Check out the re-release of Jim's first solo directing feature The Witches Hammer - out now on amazon 
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail/B0F235F4T8/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r

Support the show

For regular updates and exclusive content - sign up for The Honest Filmmaker newsletter
https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/e-newsletter/

Join The Honest Filmmaker community on our Facebook Group or Discord
https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/join-the-community/

HONEST, OPEN ADVICE ABOUT YOUR FILMMAKING CAREER

Are you about to leave Uni with a filmmaking degree? Or want to change careers and work in a creative industry? We want to give you the tools you need to enter the real world of production or freelancing. Honest and open career advice from people in the business.

We also talk to those in other creative industries to discuss their careers, the potential cross over with film production and practical tips for a successful and fulfilling career.

Join the community: http://www.thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk