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What does it really take to make your first feature film?

This week on The Honest Filmmaker Podcast, I'm joined by Devin Smock and Sam David, who are currently making Hollar, their debut feature.

They're about 60% through the film, having already completed a 16-day shooting block and spent around $15,000. Now they're working towards the next stage and figuring out how to get the remaining footage in the can.

Along the way, they've learned some valuable lessons about writing for a micro-budget, scheduling, casting, locations, working with a small crew and adapting when things don't go according to plan.

We talk about why they chose Hollar as their first film, the challenges of making a post-apocalyptic story on a limited budget, how they attracted talented cast and crew with their script, and the things they wish they'd understood before starting production.

It's an honest conversation about the realities of making a first feature, what works, what doesn't and how you adapt when the film you're making starts to evolve from the one you imagined.

If you're thinking about making your first feature, there's plenty here to take away.

Listen, subscribe and follow The Honest Filmmaker Podcast for more practical conversations about independent and micro-budget filmmaking.

Watch Hollar's trailer / follow the film:
https://youtu.be/fd25jum_VOQ?si=JANsqhKuyrYZHi2E

Support the film on Kickstarter:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/hollerfilm/holler-the-final-push

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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