Indie Film Podcast

You don’t have to move to Los Angeles to build a real film career.
In this special live episode of Indie Film Podcast, Chuck and Victoria host a panel of working filmmakers to talk honestly about what it takes to build a film career outside Hollywood. From ultra-low budgets and burnout, to balancing day jobs and building an audience in smaller markets, this conversation gets real about the realities of indie filmmaking.
We dive into creative compromises, AI and vertical content, social media strategy, data-driven storytelling, and what the future of film might actually look like beyond major industry hubs.
Featuring Dylan Hamar, Kristy Lussier, Mason Dodson, Hailey Jackson Boucher, and Drew Garcia.
If you’re building a filmmaking career outside LA (or wondering if you have to move there at all) this one’s for you.
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Show Links:
Dylan Hamar: https://linktr.ee/dylanhamar
Kristy Lussier: https://rockitmovingpicture.com/ https://www.instagram.com/kantoka127/ 
Mason Dodson: https://www.instagram.com/masondodson/ 
Hailey Jackson Boucher: https://lionessstudiosfilms.com/ 
Drew Garcia: https://www.instagram.com/drew_j_garcia/ 
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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

Why does romance in movies so often feel fake — even when everything looks right on screen?
In this episode of Indie Film Podcast, Chuck and Victoria unpack why on-screen romance frequently falls flat, how filmmakers get trapped by bad movie tropes, and why intensity is so often mistaken for real intimacy. This isn’t a rom-com takedown, and it’s definitely not a “how to write romance” lecture. It’s a conversation about storytelling, film craft, and set realities that affect every genre.
We talk about:
Why romance is often shoehorned into stories where it doesn’t belong

How familiar tropes quietly sabotage otherwise strong films

The difference between emotional intensity and genuine intimacy on screen

Why intimacy coordinators exist (and how they actually contribute to storytelling)

How set safety, trust, and clear communication lead to more believable performances

Why indie films are uniquely positioned to do romance better than Hollywood

Whether you’re writing, directing, producing, or editing an indie film, this episode is about recognizing when something “doesn’t play”, and understanding why audiences feel it immediately, even if they can’t explain it.
A craft-focused conversation for filmmakers who want their stories (romantic or not) to feel honest, grounded, and real.
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Show Links:
Faking It with Ariel and Morgan: https://www.fakingitthepod.com/
Faking It (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_6QvzWCYmnNusquGAynhOw
Faking It (Insta): https://www.instagram.com/fakingitthepod/
Faking It (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/32YQgLGp8G6YCRPcuYCAnT
Filmmaker of the Week, Karin Trachtenberg: https://www.karintrachtenberg.com/directing
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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

How do you promote your film with confidence, without letting ego get in the way?
In this episode of Indie Film Podcast, we explore the fine line between ego and confidence in filmmaking, and how that line can quietly impact feedback, collaboration, networking, and long-term creative growth.
Indie Film Podcast | S2E06
We talk about:
The difference between ego, confidence, and imposter syndrome

Why filmmakers sometimes ignore feedback without realizing it

How to network at film festivals without feeling fake or transactional

Promoting your film without burning bridges

What humility looks like on professional film sets

Why self-awareness matters more than talent alone

This is a reflective, honest conversation for indie filmmakers who want to improve their craft, work better with others, and build sustainable careers in film.
Indie Film Podcast focuses on the real mistakes, lessons, and behind-the-scenes realities of independent filmmaking, so you can learn from what went wrong, not just what went right.
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Show Links:
Filmmaker of the Week, Maria Tran and the Echo8 Trilogy: https://www.echo8trilogy.com/ 
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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

“We’ll fix it in post.” It’s one of the most common phrases in indie filmmaking, and one of the most dangerous.
In this episode of Indie Film Podcast, we break down the post-production mistakes that make indie films look cheap, even when everything seemed fine on set. From color grading myths and LUT culture to audio mistakes, ADR pitfalls, and disorganized edit workflows, we’re talking honestly about what post-production can’t fix, and what actually makes a low-budget film feel intentional and professional.
This episode wraps up our cheap vs inexpensive filmmaking series by focusing on where many indie films quietly fall apart: post-production. We share real mistakes we’ve made, lessons learned the hard way, and practical advice for indie filmmakers who want their films to land well, not embarrassingly.
If you’re an indie filmmaker trying to avoid the “fix it in post” trap, this conversation is for you.
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Show Links:
Big Lebowski (TV Overdub) https://youtu.be/IQUdJ6FdUQ0?si=-rkgCPJ4TML-JNVg
Snakes on a Plan (TV Overdub) https://youtu.be/z4t6zNZ-b0A?si=JKvy_6ZIT0-TuqRK 
Filmmaker of the Week, Andy Blithe (Aturn Films) https://www.youtube.com/@aturnfilms
P’Luck: Rise of the Twee’zors https://youtu.be/5bIMsha-eRY?si=JipbWodSEOLzyJI6 _____________________________________
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

How do low budget films end up looking expensive, without spending more money? This episode breaks down the production decisions and on-set habits that actually determine whether a film looks polished or painfully cheap.
Part two of our Cheap vs. Inexpensive Filmmaking series, this conversation focuses on production: Why budget doesn’t predict quality, how big-budget films still fail, and what indie filmmakers can do to make smarter choices on set.
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Show links:
Canyon County Web Series:  https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV8r3i4wLP4-wfbUrzVYCgU51Xpg2AoTY&si=bFCqOnLKdM3Fttvo
The Man Who Would Not Shake Hands: https://youtu.be/8QPzwr5-txY?si=maM2582BQin-o3Ba
Twomancrew: https://youtu.be/Zs6X4b9Ij1Y?si=NSZB-UEVNfHID597
Chit Chat Web Series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV8r3i4wLP48aH-qx8xlqLymMNJsUF8aF&si=4798m5KmLpZvwO_Y
Filmmaker of the week, Frank Merle: https://www.instagram.com/frankmerle/
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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