Indie Film Podcast

What does it actually take to finish a zero-budget indie film in just 12 days?
In this episode of Indie Film Podcast, we break down the reality of indie film post-production, from DIY VFX and After Effects rotoscoping to building a full musical score with no budget and almost no time.
We talk about what worked, what didn’t, and the mistakes we made along the way, including:
The truth behind “fix it in post”

Indie film VFX workflows (Premiere Pro vs After Effects)

Turning rough ideas into fully produced music fast

The importance of creative collaboration and community

Common post-production mistakes (and how to avoid them)

If you're an indie filmmaker, film student, or trying to figure out how to actually finish your film, this episode is for you.
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Show Links: 
Filmmaker of the Week, Da’Rell Miller: https://www.royaltivirtue.net/
Find Da’Rell on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0NxoyanOiH1stfY_pybhJQ 
Get the finished Indie Film Podcast short: https://indie-film-podcast.kit.com/68f74bc072 
Be Our Next Featured Filmmaker: https://www.indiefilmpodcast.com/submit
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Newsletter: https://indie-film-podcast.kit.com/68f74bc072 
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We made a zero budget short film in one weekend…and yes, we made some mistakes.
In this episode of Indie Film Podcast, we break down what actually happens on set when you’re working with limited time, limited resources, and a whole lot of ambition. From forgotten props and gear issues to last-minute pivots and unexpected wins, this is the real behind-the-scenes of indie filmmaking.
If you’re making your first short film, or deep in the chaos of your next one, these are the lessons we learned the hard way so you don’t have to.
In this episode:
The biggest filmmaking mistakes we made on set

How to shoot a short film in a single weekend

Low budget film hacks (including feeding your crew)

Why shot lists and planning matter more than you think

Gear challenges (DJI Ronin vs cinema lenses)

Adapting on set when things go off the rails

What worked…and the one weird win we didn’t expect

Whether you're a beginner filmmaker or a seasoned indie creator, this episode is a candid look at zero budget filmmaking, on-set problem solving, and the reality of making films without a safety net.
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Show links: 
Filmmaker of the Week, Tom Byrne: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083522282761 
Get our actual shot list template: https://indie-film-podcast.kit.com/68f74bc072 
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Follow us for more indie film content:
See the film when it’s finished: https://indie-film-podcast.kit.com/68f74bc072
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indiefilmpodcast/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@indiefilmpodcast
Website: https://www.indiefilmpodcast.com
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/73sAVvvHVMl7KwoYc4zTxo
Get Featured on the Pod: https://www.indiefilmpodcast.com/submit

Will actors really show up to an indie film set for pizza?
In this episode of the Indie Film Podcast, we talk about the very real challenge of casting actors when your film budget is…basically nothing. From posting casting calls on Facebook to leaning on local film communities, we break down the scrappy strategies filmmakers use to find performers when money isn’t on the table.
We also dive into the behind-the-scenes chaos of preparing music and audio for a micro-budget production, including recording temporary vocals, planning lip-sync performances, and figuring out how to make a musical work when time and resources are extremely limited.
If you’ve ever wondered how indie filmmakers actually pull off casting, audio planning, and pre-production with a $0 budget, this episode shares the honest realities, and a few creative workarounds.
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Show links: 
Filmmaker of the Week, Kevin Mounce: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKFOCylFXHw 
Get the finished musical film: https://indie-film-podcast.kit.com/68f74bc072 
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Follow us for more indie film content:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indiefilmpodcast/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@indiefilmpodcast
Website: https://www.indiefilmpodcast.com
Newsletter: https://indie-film-podcast.kit.com/68f74bc072 
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/73sAVvvHVMl7KwoYc4zTxo
Get Featured on the Pod: https://www.indiefilmpodcast.com/submit

We challenged ourselves to make a $0 musical short film in just 28 days, for a real film festival competition.
This is Part 1 of our 28-Day Musical Challenge, where we document the process of making an indie short film from scratch under extreme time pressure.
In this episode, we break down:
The film festival prompt and competition rules (including the “no generative AI” restriction)

Why we chose to make a musical short film on a zero budget

Writing the script during a 12-hour car ride after procrastinating

Turning Dungeons & Dragons mechanics into political satire

How we’re composing original music with no budget

Why we’re pre-recording vocals instead of recording live

The importance of “kill your darlings” when writing a short film under deadline

If you’re an indie filmmaker, screenwriter, or creator trying to:
Make a short film quickly

Meet a film festival deadline

Shoot a musical on a budget

Avoid common indie filmmaking mistakes

Document your filmmaking journey

This series is for you.
New episodes follow the full process, from script to casting to production to post, and whether we actually pull this off.
Real mistakes. Real budgets. Real indie filmmaking.
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Show links: 
Filmmaker of the Week, Adam Smith: https://www.wishingwhalesmotionpictures.com/ _____________________________________
Follow us for more indie film content:
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Newsletter: https://indie-film-podcast.kit.com/68f74bc072

If you’ve ever struggled to explain what you want musically on your indie film, you’re not alone.
In this episode of Indie Film Podcast, we break down how to talk to a composer and actually get the film score you want. From spotting sessions and emotional tone to the difference between stock music vs. original score, we unpack what indie filmmakers often misunderstand about music in post-production.
We cover:
• How to communicate emotion without music jargon
• Why temp tracks can be misleading
• What a “needle drop” really means in film
• When stock music works (and when it doesn’t)
• How to find a film composer on a low budget
If your scenes feel flat, slow, or emotionally disconnected, the issue might not be your edit, it might be your music.
Whether you’re making short films or indie features, understanding the film scoring process can dramatically increase your production value without increasing your budget.
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Show Links:
Jesse Blake Rundle: https://www.jesseblakerundle.com/ 
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kingmathbird 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jesserundle/ 
Eyes (Latest Single) by Jesse: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATdvrwDBQ2I
Filmmaker of the Week, Chris Maes: https://www.youtube.com/@trujillocreek77 https://www.instagram.com/trujillo_creek_pictures/ 
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Follow us for more indie film content:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indiefilmpodcast/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@indiefilmpodcast
Website: https://www.indiefilmpodcast.com
Newsletter: https://indie-film-podcast.kit.com/68f74bc072 
Get Featured on the Pod: https://www.indiefilmpodcast.com/submit