The Honest Filmmaker
REAL TALK FOR ASPIRING FILMMAKERS
Are you wrapping up your film degree or contemplating a career shift into the creative industry? The Honest Filmmaker is your go-to resource for navigating the real-world challenges of micro-budget and indie filmmaking.
Hosted by award-winning filmmaker Jim Eaves, the podcast delves into the nitty-gritty of independent film production. From securing funding and managing tight budgets to distribution strategies and building a sustainable career, this is unfiltered advice and practical tips from professionals who have been in your shoes.
Whether you're a recent graduate, a career changer, or an indie filmmaker determined to make your mark, The Honest Filmmaker equips you with the tools, insights, and honest guidance to thrive in the world of independent cinema.
http://www.thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk
Episodes
106 episodes
Indie Filmmaking Essentials - Everything I learned from making The Apocalypse Box
#filmmaking #horror #31daysofhalloween #indie film #microbudget #filmdirectorWith Halloween right around the corner, I thought this would be the perfect time to talk about The Apocalypse Box , the last feature film I made ...
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Episode 105
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17:02
Everything you need to know about Directing Indie Film with Andrea M. Catinella
#filmdirecting #indiefilm #filmmaking #microbudgetThis week I chat to indie film director Andrea M. Catinella about his career and his advice for directing indie film. We talk about his work on horror films like '...
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Episode 104
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29:51
How to Make a Horror Movie with Erin Aine & Kyle Valle
#filmmakingpodcast #halloween #horrormovies #filmmaking 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 bloo...
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Episode 103
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36:05
Turn your Short into a Feature film with Hillary Shakespeare & Chris Reading
#IndieFilm #FilmmakingTips #TimeTravelIsDangerous #ShortToFeature #IndieFilmmakers #FilmPodcastIn this episode, I sit down with filmmakers Hillary Shakespeare and Chris Reading to talk about the making of their indie sci-fi feature Time...
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Episode 102
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28:04
Crowd Funding Masterclass with Melissa Center
#filmmakingpodcast #crowdfunding #kickstarter #indiegogoThis 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 creati...
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Episode 101
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31:23
Should your Micro Budget Feature be a Passion Project? with Alexandru Borchescu
#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...
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Episode 100
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27:00
How to Shoot a Gritty Gangster Flick - Michael Head’s Indie Gangster Blueprint
#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...
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Episode 99
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29:58
How to Make Your First Feature Film with Jim Eaves
#filmmaking #indiefilm #podcast #podcastclipsThis 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 g...
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Episode 98
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32:06
How to make a Profitable Low Budget Movies on Tubi in 2025 with Justin Milton
#tubi #filmmaking #selfdistributionThis 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 co...
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Episode 97
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32:18
Breaking into Indie Film Directing with William Kaufman
#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 a...
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Episode 96
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23:46
How to Make Feature Films on a Micro Budget with Andy Edwards
#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 Frig...
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Episode 95
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37:18
How to get your Micro Budget Short Film into festivals with Nathan Benham
#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 directe...
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Episode 94
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29:55
How to Work with Actors on a Micro Budget Indie Feature
#filmmakingpodcast #moviemaking #indiefilm #movieproduction This week on the podcast I break down some of the lessons I've learned working with actors on Low Budget and Micro Budget film productions. I talk about blocking, bad acti...
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Episode 93
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25:22
How to Direct an Episode of Black Mirror with Carl Tibbetts
#filmmakingpodcast #blackmirror #moviemaking #indiefilm This week on the podcast I'm talking to Director Carl Tibbetts. Carl started his career editing before writing and directing his debut feature 'Retreat' starring Cillian Murphy...
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Episode 92
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27:40
The Benefits of Shooting an Indie Feature on Film with Ian Diaz
#filmmakingpodcast #filmmakersfamily #moviemaking #movieproduction #indiefilm This week on the podcast I talk to indie director Ian Diaz. Ian has had a similar trajectory as me having shot his first feature films on film. I talk to...
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Episode 91
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34:53
How to make a Successful Short Film with Vincent Wrenn DOP
#filmmakingpodcast #filmmaking #moviemakingThis week on the podcast I'm talking to DOP Vincent Wrenn. Vincent has worked on an absolute ton of projects having started at a young age working with his father who was also a Director of Phot...
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Episode 90
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33:15
The Indie Filmmaker’s Survival Guide: 20 Things I wish I knew when I started
#filmmakingpodcast #moviemaking #indiefilm In this episode, I reflect on 20 key lessons I wish I'd known when I started making feature films over 20 years ago. Whether you're gearing up for your first shoot or deep into your filmmak...
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Episode 89
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14:17
How to Make an Indie Feature Film with Michael Marco
#filmmakingpodcast #filmmaking #moviemaking This week on the podcast, I sit down with French-American filmmaker Michael Marco to delve into his gripping indie thriller, Blind Blood—a film that’s been making waves on Amazon Prime and...
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Episode 87
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38:58
Brutally Honest Truths about Film Distribution
The Cold, Hard Truth About Film DistributionIn this week's episode I share the tough lessons I've learned over the past two decades of making films. From dealing with competition and sales agents to the harsh reality of piracy and...
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Episode 86
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12:33
Film Hub 2025 update special with Jason Horton
#indiefilm #filmhub #filmpodcast So if you've ever thought about getting your film up on Film Hub then you've probably come across the name Jason Horton, he's definitely the filmmaker to talk to about Film Hub, he's got over 40 film...
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Episode 85
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31:21
How to be a Composer for Minecraft with Crispin Hands
#filmmakingpodcast #composer #moviemaking #musiccareer #minecraft Are you interested in becoming a composer? or hearing from a successful one? This week I speak to Crispin Hands; he's a multiple award winning composer, producer, au...
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Episode 84
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43:32
Micro Budget Movie Masterclass - Film hub and Tubi - with Jason Park
#tubi #filmmaker #filmhub #microbudgetReady for a Micro-Budget Movie Masterclass?This week’s guest, Jason Park, is a true indie filmmaking powerhouse. He’s made and released multiple feature films—often appearing in them—and takes on...
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Episode 83
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36:58
How to Start Making your Micro Budget Feature with Daniel Talbott & Andrew Klaus-Vineyard
#filmmakingpodcast #film #indiefilm #microbudgetI usually talk to filmmakers at the end of their journey, when the film has been shot and released, but this week I thought it would be interesting to chat to two filmmakers at the very beg...
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Episode 82
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26:53
How to get a Famous Actor in your £30k Micro Budget Feature with Mitchell Tolliday
#filmmakingpodcast #film #indiefilm #microbudgetDo you want to know what it takes to make your first feature film and get it released? Well I spoke to Mitchell Holliday and he's done just that with his debut film Murder Ballads: How to M...
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Episode 81
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31:08
Funding, Filming & Finding an Audience - Micro Budget Movie Hustle with Jake C. Young
#filmmakingpodcast #microbudget #filmmaking This week on the podcast I chat to filmmaker Jake C. Young about his movies, how he funded them through Indiegogo, working with what you have and how he handled sales an...
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Episode 80
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36:19
