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In this weeks episode I sit down with husband and wife filmmaking team Erin and Kyle to talk about their latest indie horror project, Zombie Con Vol. 1 a blood-soaked, heartfelt, and surprisingly funny take on fandom, filmmaking, and the undead.

We chat about what it’s really like to make a feature film together as a couple, the creative challenges behind the story and the nitty-gritty of getting a movie made on your own terms. From E&O insurance and copyright pitfalls to fundraising, distribution and film festival strategies, Erin and Kyle share what they’ve learned (and what they wish they knew sooner).

Watch the film now on Amazon Prime
https://www.primevideo.com/detail/ZombieCON-Vol-1/0GSPOHE8MRBVZBIV1ID7F45Z85

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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https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/e-newsletter/

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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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#IndieFilm #FilmmakingTips #TimeTravelIsDangerous #ShortToFeature #IndieFilmmakers #FilmPodcast

In this episode, I sit down with filmmakers Hillary Shakespeare and Chris Reading to talk about the making of their indie sci-fi feature Time Travel Is Dangerous,  the journey of turning a short film concept into a full-length movie.

We dive into how they built a stellar cast and why shooting the film in sections helped them land incredible talent. The behind-the-scenes process of indie production from development to final cut. What they learned about sales, distribution, and marketing in the indie film world and practical tips and tricks for filmmakers looking to evolve a short film into a feature

If you’re an indie filmmaker (or dreaming of becoming one), this conversation is packed with real, hard-won insights about creativity, resourcefulness, and making your film happen on your own terms.

Check out the film now: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail/amzn1.dv.gti.596b2135-7d19-46af-9576-9037fc26939f?autoplay=0&ref_=atv_cf_strg_wb

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 #crowdfunding #kickstarter #indiegogo

This week on the podcast I sit down with actor, filmmaker, and crowdfunding coach Melissa Center for a deep dive into the world of indie filmmaking and raising money for your creative projects. Melissa shares her journey from producing her very first micro-budget feature to balancing the roles of both actor and producer. Along the way, she reveals what it really takes to launch a project from scratch and why choosing between shorts or features isn’t always as straightforward as it seems.

In our conversation, Melissa demystifies the crowdfunding process, tackling common fears, debunking myths, and highlighting what makes a campaign successful. We talk about whether genre plays a role in funding, what the “perfect” budget looks like and her platform of choice. From building momentum before a campaign launches to choosing the right perks (hint: story driven ones are best!), Melissa provides practical advice that can empower filmmakers at any stage.

We also explore bigger questions around sustainability and community. Can you rely on previous investors? Does online advertising really work? And what’s the best timeline for running a campaign? Melissa opens up about what she wishes she had known when she started out, and we unpack the ever-present fear of asking for money. To round out the episode, Jim recommends How to Crowdfund Your Film with MJ Dixon, a perfect companion to Melissa’s invaluable insights.

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

#filmmaking #filmpodcast #podcastclips #indiefilm 

This week Jim sits down with writer-director Alexandru Borchescu to explore the bold leap that launched his first feature. Alexandru shares why he left film school in his final year, how he scraped together the funding on his own, and how he plans sales and distribution for the film.

Check out Alexandru's filmmaking here: https://alexandruborchescu.org

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

#filmmaking #indiefilm #podcast  #microbudget #podcastclips 

This week I sit down with playwright-turned-filmmaker Michael Head to trace his leap from the stage to the big screen. We dive into the skills he carried from theatre into directing his first feature, the art of crafting a gritty gangster movie on a shoestring, and what it’s really like working with legends like John Hannah and Alan Ford.
Michael shares how he finds his audience, why comedy still matters in crime films, and the hard-won lessons from financing and finishing a debut feature. From keeping a set running smoothly to balancing creative ambition with budget realities, his advice is gold for any indie filmmaker.

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

 #filmmaking  #indiefilm  #podcast  #podcastclips

This week’s episode takes a bit of a different turn. I’m diving into the story of how I made my first feature film, The Witches Hammer, and sharing my best advice for getting your own debut project off the ground. Filmmaker Michael Marco joins as a guest host, putting me on the spot with questions about the production. I had no idea what he’d ask, but I did my best to stay true to the spirit of The Honest Filmmaker and open up about the lessons, challenges, and behind-the-scenes knowledge I gained while making my first indie feature.

Watch The Witches Hammer Free on Tubi:
https://tubitv.com/movies/100033776/the-witches-hammer

Watch The Witches Hammer Free on Youtube: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCDRwpG8PsU

Watch The Witches Hammer on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail/B0F235F4T8/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r

Watch Michaels film Blind Blood on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail/B0CTXRV8B9/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r

Listen to my chat with Michael about his film: https://youtu.be/Qe6_Ld65nUo?si=CqIjjPcMQvFjsTgB

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

#tubi #filmmaking #selfdistribution

This week on the podcast I have a returning guest, filmmaker Justin Milton. I had Justin on about a year ago and it was one of my most popular episodes as Justin is a real source of knowledge when it comes to making money with low budget movies and Tubi, self distribution and getting your films to turn a profit. 

I sat down with Justin to ask him what he's been up to over the last 12 months and what trends and changes to the business he's seen, in particular with regards to streaming and Tubi. 

Justin's Films on Tubi: https://tubitv.com/person/b7d4c9/justin-milton
Check out Justins IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6266024/?ref_=fn_all_nme_1
Follow Justin on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/justinmilton710/

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'm talking to writer/director William Kaufman. Will has made a bunch of action films both as an indie filmmaker but also as a director for hire. I ask Will about his career, his advice for new people entering the business, what he would do if he had to start from scratch and what it was like working with Linda Hamilton on his latest movie the sci-fi action film Osiris. 

Check out Wills IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0442287/

Follow Will on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/williamkaufman_director/?hl=en

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 on the podcast I talk to filmmaker Andy Edwards. Andy started making shorts then wrote and directed his debut feature IBIZA UNDEAD (Zombie Spring Breakers) - he's a regular at Fright fest Film festival and has released a film ever year since 2022. I chat to Andy about his movies, how he funds them, shoots them and now why he's moving into self distribution with the release of his latest film CUSTOM.  

Andy also directed the horror movies 'Midnight Peepshow', 'Rumplestiltskin' and 'Cinderellas Revenge'. Find out more about Andy's filmography here: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3591033/

Watch Custom now on Amazon Prime: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail/B0F9Q2WC2K/ref=atv_sr_fle_c_Tn74RA_1_1_1?sr=1-1&pageTypeIdSource=ASIN&pageTypeId=B0F9QFWYY6&qid=1755636464446

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 #moviemaking #filmmaking #indiefilm 

This week on the podcast I'm chatting to filmmaker Nathan Benham. Nathan started out as an actor and got frustrated with not getting the parts he wanted so he wrote and directed himself in a short monologue that was then taken on the festival circuit. Since then he's been putting together a dedicated team of cast and crew and building with each production.

I talked to Nathan about coming from acting, the types of short films he's made and tips for a successful festival run. We also talked about what he's learned on each project. 

Check out Nathan on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/benhammedia/

Check out Nathan's YouTube channel 
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOmETgve1oGxypHJ3z8jeJQ

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