Indie Film Podcast

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

Cheap filmmaking vs inexpensive filmmaking is one of the biggest (and most misunderstood) differences in indie film production.
In this episode of Indie Film Podcast, we break down why so many low-budget films look cheap before the camera ever rolls. Kicking off a new series on cheap vs inexpensive filmmaking, we focus on pre-production decisions that quietly determine whether a film looks intentional or amateur.
We talk through real mistakes we’ve made ourselves, including writing outside our budget, skipping rehearsals, under-planning locations, overcomplicating scripts, and relying on DIY solutions that created more problems than they solved. We also share practical strategies for planning smarter, collaborating better, and making inexpensive films look high quality without burning out your cast, crew, or budget.
This episode is ideal for indie filmmakers, first-time directors, and anyone working on a low-budget or microbudget film who wants to avoid common pre-production pitfalls and make stronger creative choices from the start.
This is Part 1 of a three-episode series exploring the difference between cheap filmmaking and inexpensive filmmaking
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Show Links:
Goodfellas Copa Tracking Shot: https://youtu.be/JVDC95rprFs?si=u9CuquIkvZCV_FgP 

What’s the Worst That Could Happen? https://youtu.be/rNnRUQwilys 

Featured Filmmaker of the Week: Janae Rachel Ballot https://www.instagram.com/janae_ballot

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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

Burnout in indie filmmaking doesn’t always hit all at once. Sometimes it builds quietly, through overcommitment, creative exhaustion, and the pressure to always do more. And before you know it, the work you love stops being fun.
In this episode of the Indie Film Podcast (S2E02), we talk honestly about burnout: sharing personal stories from post-pandemic projects, unpacking unrealistic productivity expectations, and exploring why burnout can linger even after your workload lightens. We also discuss dangerous filmmaking myths, hard-earned technical lessons, and what it really looks like to set boundaries without walking away from film entirely.
This episode covers:
Burnout and creative exhaustion in indie filmmaking

Wearing too many hats and overcommitting

Post-pandemic hustle culture

A humbling lesson about Poly WAV audio files

Industry news on movie theaters and changing audience behavior

Filmmaker of the Week: Trisha Furhman on self-reflection and growth

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Links & resources:
Submit Your Story: https://www.indiefilmpodcast.com/submit

Theaters are making a comeback: https://cinemaunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Strength-of-Theatrical-Exhibition-December-2025-Update.pdf

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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

"Become a better filmmaker” sounds like a great resolution, until it leads to burnout and unfinished projects. In this episode, we break down why vague filmmaking goals fail, how indie filmmakers accidentally sabotage themselves, and what to do instead to set realistic, sustainable goals you can actually finish. 
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Links & resources:
Submit Your Story: https://www.indiefilmpodcast.com/submit

Learn about Idaho’s next horror feature at www.lowergentrystudios.com 

Victoria’s favorite After Effects tutorials: www.videocopilot.net 

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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

The Chicago Horror Film Festival packs 250 films into one epic weekend of indie horror, filmmaking energy, and nonstop screenings. In this episode, we break down what makes this IMDb-certified festival so special, from the massive programming slate and passionate horror community to the filmmaker lounge, networking, and a few unexpected tech hiccups at the Logan Theater.
We cover submission value, festival communication, audience turnout, neighborhood vibes, and whether indie horror filmmakers should submit (or attend) this long-running Chicago staple. If you're planning your festival run or love hearing how big genre festivals operate behind the scenes, this review has you covered.
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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