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What happens when you stop waiting for Hollywood to give you a chance and start building an audience yourself?

On this episode of The Honest Filmmaker, I’m joined by writer, director and producer Dempsey Tillman, who is taking an unconventional approach to independent filmmaking with his sci-fi horror series, The Bad Ones. Instead of waiting for a streamer or distributor to come knocking, Dempsey is releasing his series on YouTube, using paid promotion to reach viewers and building an audience for future seasons.

Dempsey shares what it takes to grow a YouTube audience of around 600,000 subscribers, why making the series is only half the battle and why marketing your own films can become an almost never-ending job.

We also discuss the increasingly controversial use of AI in filmmaking. Dempsey explains how he uses AI to enhance visual effects that would otherwise be beyond his budget, while still writing, shooting and directing the performances himself and working with professional actors.

Plus, we get into practical micro-budget filmmaking advice, from writing scripts around locations you can access to planning shots, shooting efficiently and taking on multiple roles to get your production made.

We cover:

• Building an audience for an independent film or series on YouTube
• Using YouTube Promote and paid advertising to find viewers
• Why filmmakers need to think about marketing from the start
• Using AI for visual effects without generating an entire film
• Making ambitious sci-fi on a limited budget
• Finding distribution opportunities and building a fanbase
• The reality of pursuing a filmmaking dream when success isn't guaranteed

If you're an independent filmmaker trying to get your work seen, fund your next project or find a route to an audience outside the traditional film industry, this is an honest conversation about taking control of your own filmmaking future.

Check out The Bad Ones on YouTube and see the approach we're discussing in action: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBadOnes_Series/videos?view=0&sort=dd&shelf_id=1

The Honest Filmmaker explores the realities of independent and micro-budget filmmaking, from funding and production to film festivals, marketing, sales and distribution.

Listen, subscribe and join the conversation.

#TheHonestFilmmaker #IndependentFilmmaking #FilmMarketing

Check out the re-release of Jim's first solo directing feature The Witches Hammer - out now on amazon
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail/B0F235F4T8/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r

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HONEST, OPEN ADVICE ABOUT YOUR FILMMAKING CAREER

Are you about to leave Uni with a filmmaking degree? Or want to change careers and work in a creative industry? We want to give you the tools you need to enter the real world of production or freelancing. Honest and open career advice from people in the business.

We also talk to those in other creative industries to discuss their careers, the potential cross over with film production and practical tips for a successful and fulfilling career.

Join the community: http://www.thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk

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Making an independent film is only half the battle. Finding an audience, marketing your movie and making your money back are challenges every indie filmmaker needs to plan for.

In this episode of The Honest Filmmaker, Jim speaks with prolific independent filmmaker Dewey Allen about his journey from buying a camera at a pawn shop to producing multiple feature films on tight budgets.

Dewey shares practical lessons from shooting features in as little as six to eight days, writing scripts around the resources available and allowing for unexpected production costs. But his biggest message is about marketing: it shouldn't be an afterthought once the film is finished.

We discuss why Dewey starts marketing a project at the idea stage, how he budgets for promotion, why behind-the-scenes footage is valuable and how filmmakers can create a library of promotional material while they're on set.

The conversation also covers distribution contracts, working with entertainment attorneys, managing expectations around distributors, casting professional actors and the mistakes that helped shape Dewey's approach to filmmaking.

Whether you're making your first micro-budget feature or looking to improve the way you produce and release independent films, this is an honest conversation full of hard-earned lessons from someone who has learned by doing.

Check out Dewey's films on Tubi https://tubitv.com/person/450eb5/dewey-allen

Watch the trailer for Side Piece - Full Body Massage: https://youtu.be/63naya3GHSw?si=lWG68CDn-NSpah1j

#TheHonestFilmmaker #IndieFilm #MicroBudgetFilmmaking #FilmMarketing #FilmDistribution #IndependentFilmmaking #FilmmakingTips #LowBudgetFilm #FilmProducer #DeweyAllen

Check out the re-release of Jim's first solo directing feature The Witches Hammer - out now on amazon
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail/B0F235F4T8/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r

Support the show

For regular updates and exclusive content - sign up for The Honest Filmmaker newsletter
https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/e-newsletter/

Join The Honest Filmmaker community on our Facebook Group or Discord
https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/join-the-community/

HONEST, OPEN ADVICE ABOUT YOUR FILMMAKING CAREER

Are you about to leave Uni with a filmmaking degree? Or want to change careers and work in a creative industry? We want to give you the tools you need to enter the real world of production or freelancing. Honest and open career advice from people in the business.

We also talk to those in other creative industries to discuss their careers, the potential cross over with film production and practical tips for a successful and fulfilling career.

Join the community: http://www.thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk

Send us Fan Mail

What happens after you've made your independent film? Finding a distributor might feel like the finish line, but for many filmmakers, it's where the next challenge begins.

In this episode of The Honest Filmmaker, Jim Eaves talks to actress, writer, director and producer Nicki Micheaux about her journey from acting in television to making her own independent feature, Summer of Violence.

Nicki shares how she found investors, built a successful festival run and secured distribution as well as the lessons she learned about the importance of marketing, the limitations of relying on distributors and the need for filmmakers to take control of their own careers.

We discuss whether film festivals are still worth the cost, approaching distributors directly, why you need to budget for marketing before production begins and how to get your work in front of an audience. Nicki also talks about directing actors, trusting your instincts on set and why sometimes you have to stop waiting for permission and make the film yourself.

An honest, practical conversation for independent filmmakers navigating the challenges of getting their films made, released and seen.

🎬 Stream the film: Watch Summer of Violence internationally at http://www.summerofviolence.com Every purchase directly supports independent cinema.

💡 Level up your career: Go deeper and learn the business of the business at www.elevatecreativetalents.com.

👉 Connect with Nicki: @nickimicheaux

#TheHonestFilmmaker #IndieFilm #FilmDistribution #IndependentFilmmaking #MicroBudgetFilmmaking #FilmmakingTips #FilmFestivals #FilmMarketing #FilmDirector #NickiMicheaux

Check out the re-release of Jim's first solo directing feature The Witches Hammer - out now on amazon
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail/B0F235F4T8/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r

Support the show

For regular updates and exclusive content - sign up for The Honest Filmmaker newsletter
https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/e-newsletter/

Join The Honest Filmmaker community on our Facebook Group or Discord
https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/join-the-community/

HONEST, OPEN ADVICE ABOUT YOUR FILMMAKING CAREER

Are you about to leave Uni with a filmmaking degree? Or want to change careers and work in a creative industry? We want to give you the tools you need to enter the real world of production or freelancing. Honest and open career advice from people in the business.

We also talk to those in other creative industries to discuss their careers, the potential cross over with film production and practical tips for a successful and fulfilling career.

Join the community: http://www.thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk