Indie Film Podcast

How small can your indie film crew actually be before “lean” turns into “understaffed”?
In this episode of Indie Film Podcast, we’re talking about skeleton crews, low-budget filmmaking, and which film crew roles can safely overlap without creating even bigger problems on set. We get into director/DP combinations, producer and assistant director responsibilities, sound, art department, continuity, and the jobs that still need to happen (even when you don’t have enough people to fill every traditional position).
If you’re building a small crew for a short film, micro-budget feature, or independent production, this episode is all about figuring out what you can combine, and what you really shouldn’t.
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Show Links: 
Featured Filmmaker of the Week, David Ramer: https://www.youtube.com/@ramerdirects 
Be Our Next Featured Filmmaker: https://www.indiefilmpodcast.com/submit
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Web: https://www.indiefilmpodcast.com
Newsletter: https://indie-film-podcast.kit.com/68f74bc072 
Get Featured on the Pod: https://www.indiefilmpodcast.com/submit

How do you know when it’s time to stop pushing through and start over on a film?
In this episode of Indie Film Podcast, we talk with filmmaker Jordan Gore about what happens when a project’s original format just isn’t working, and why he ultimately rebuilt Smokin’ Saga from a 12-episode web series into a feature film.
We break down the sunk cost fallacy in filmmaking, how to recognize when a format is hurting the story, when to pivot instead of forcing the original plan, and what it really takes to re-edit, restructure, and rebuild a film after months of work.
We also get into web series vs. feature films, film festival submission challenges, experimental filmmaking, sound design, and making the most of a small crew and limited resources.
Sometimes the hardest part of filmmaking isn’t finishing the project. It’s admitting the version you made isn’t the version that works.
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Show Links: 
Smokin’ Saga Part 2 Trailer: https://youtu.be/3KmIl_tZiOk?si=dJn6kQFzNkBJkHdi 
Pineapple Productions on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pineappleproductions308
Pineapple Productions on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pineapple.productions/ 
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Follow Indie Film Podcast:
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Web: https://www.indiefilmpodcast.com
Newsletter: https://indie-film-podcast.kit.com/68f74bc072 
Get Featured on the Pod: https://www.indiefilmpodcast.com/submit

Is Buddy (2026) worth watching now or later? We review Casper Kelly’s bizarre new horror comedy from the perspective of indie filmmakers, breaking down what works, what doesn’t, and why this twisted children’s-show nightmare feels like Barney wandered straight into a horror movie.
From the practical effects and production design to the film’s mythology, pacing, and surprisingly emotional moments, we dig into what filmmakers can learn from Buddy (but be warned, there are spoilers).
Plus, we answer the most important question: Should you see it now? Or wait ‘til later?
Watch Buddy first if you want to go in completely blind, but drop your thoughts in the comments to let us know if you agree with our verdict!
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Show Links: 
Want a review of your indie film? https://www.indiefilmpodcast.com/submit
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Follow Indie Film Podcast:
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Newsletter: https://indie-film-podcast.kit.com/68f74bc072 
Get Featured on the Pod: https://www.indiefilmpodcast.com/submit

How do you know if your story should be a short film or a feature? In the final installment of our Conceptual Mistakes in Indie Filmmaking series, we break down short film vs. feature film structure, story length, screenwriting, pacing, and why forcing an idea into the wrong format can hurt the finished movie.
We also dig into ideal short film length for festivals, storytelling psychology, causality, escalating stakes, and some warning signs that your feature screenplay might actually be a short film. Inversely, we discuss if your short has enough story to become something bigger.
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Show Links: 
Household, by Robbie Lemieux: https://youtu.be/SqR9UNPjQwU?si=ilQZd_Yq86y0JzFR 
Chit Chat Webseries, by LowerGentry Studios: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV8r3i4wLP48aH-qx8xlqLymMNJsUF8aF&si=oGj62Zw5srer0jJ3 
Why Your Brain Turns Life Into Stories: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-brain-doesnt-just-experience-reality-it-edits-it-into-a-story/ 
The Man Who Would Not Shake Hands: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QPzwr5-txY 
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Follow Indie Film Podcast:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indiefilmpodcast/
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Web: https://www.indiefilmpodcast.com
Newsletter: https://indie-film-podcast.kit.com/68f74bc072 
Get Featured on the Pod: https://www.indiefilmpodcast.com/submit

If you’re writing an indie film on a limited budget, the smartest creative decision you can make may be figuring out what you can actually afford to shoot.
In this episode, we break down how to write a strong low-budget movie script without sacrificing story, ambition, or creativity. We talk about the difference between a good script and a well-executed film, why filmmakers should consider locations, cast, equipment, technical skills, and production limitations during the writing process, and how constraints can actually lead to better creative choices.
We also look at films like Saw, Clerks, The Room, Troll 2, and Transformers, share some painful lessons from our own early short films, and talk about how making more projects helps you build the skills to tackle bigger ideas later.
Plus, featured filmmaker Lauren Caster shares what she learned independently financing, producing, directing, starring in, and distributing her debut feature, Rhythm is a Dancer.
The goal isn’t to make your story smaller. It’s to write the best version of it that you can actually bring to life.
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Show Links: 
Featured Filmmaker of the Week, Lauren Caster: https://rhythmisadancer.movie/ 
Be Our Next Featured Filmmaker: https://www.indiefilmpodcast.com/submit
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Follow Indie Film Podcast:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indiefilmpodcast/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@indiefilmpodcast
Web: https://www.indiefilmpodcast.com
Newsletter: https://indie-film-podcast.kit.com/68f74bc072 
Get Featured on the Pod: https://www.indiefilmpodcast.com/submit