All Episodes
Displaying 1 - 20 of 84 in total
S3 E26 | How a Line Producer Turns Your Script Into a Real Movie | ft. Willem Kampenhout
This week Garrett and Daren sit down with line producer Willem Kampenhout of Mystery Box to break down one of the most misunderstood roles in independent filmmaking. W...
S3 E25 | How a YouTuber Turned a $3M Indie Film into $43M — The Future of Filmmaking
Independent filmmaking is changing — and the box office proves it.In this episode of Truly Independent, Darren and Garrett break down one of the most fascinating film ...
S3 E24 | How Filmmakers Actually Get Deals at Film Festivals (NRB, Distributors, AI Strategy)
What really happens at film festivals and major industry conventions?In this episode of Truly Independent, Garrett Batty and Darren Smith break down their real-world e...
S3 E23 | How REAL Producers Attract Investors, Actors & Distribution
What is film packaging—and why does it determine whether your movie gets funded, cast, and distributed?In this episode of Truly Independent, Garrett Batty and Darren S...
S3 E22 | $50K Feature → Theatrical Release: Savannah Osler’s Indie Film Playbook | Truly Independent
This week on Truly Independent (Season 3: The Script), Garrett Batty and Darren Smith sit down with filmmaker Savannah Osler to break down the real path from idea → sc...
S3 E22 | Why Most Indie Films Fail (And How to Fix It)
🎬 Welcome back to Truly Independent — Season 3 is all about the script.In this episode, Garrett Batty and Darren Smith break down a powerful principle that can complet...
S3 E21 | How passion (not luck) creates momentum
This episode of Truly Independent dives deep into the real, messy, rewarding journey of independent filmmaking with director and producer Ben Stier.Ben shares his path...
S3 E20 | The Real Secret to Film Fundraising
Season 3 of Truly Independent is all about the script—from idea to draft to breakdown, budgeting, and getting it to production.In this episode, Garrett Batty and Darre...
S3 E19 | Making a Feature Documentary With Almost No Budget (And Taking It to Theaters) - Tanner Christensen
What does it take to turn a real-life story into a feature film—without a studio, without a big budget, and without any guarantees?In this episode of Truly Independent...
TI S3 E18 | Five Goals Every Independent Filmmaker Should Set Before 2026
As the year comes to a close, Garrett Batty and Daren Smith take a step back to reflect—and then look forward.In this episode of Truly Independent, they break down fiv...
S3 E17 | Begin With the End: Distribution, Funding, and Strategy Before You Shoot
In this episode of Truly Independent, Garrett Batty and Darren Smith unpack a mindset shift that separates struggling indie films from profitable ones: starting with t...
S3 E16 | Momentum vs. Distraction: How To Choose Projects
This week on Truly Independent, Garrett Batty and Daren Smith get real about one of the most important (and messy) parts of an independent film career: knowing when to...
S3 E14 Final | 5 Ways to Turn One Indie Film into Multiple Revenue Streams
This season of Truly Independent is supported by the Help Them See Foundation.Help Them See is a nonprofit dedicated to supporting feature films that inspire faith, ho...
S3 E13 | How to Work With Your DP (and Make Your Film Look Better)
This season of Truly Independent is supported by the Help Them See Foundation – a nonprofit dedicated to supporting feature films that inspire faith, hope, and connect...
S3 E12 | How This Indie Couple Turned a Web Series Into a Feature Film (Without a Studio)
In this episode of Truly Independent, Garrett Batty and Darren Smith sit down with Andrew and J. Huff — the filmmaking duo behind Doc Connor. They break down how they ...
S3 E11 | The Announcement: Brotherhood Is Greenlit
This season of Truly Independent is supported by the Help Them See Foundation — a nonprofit dedicated to championing films that inspire faith, hope, and human connecti...
How We’re Finding Investors (Without Pitching) + The Real Indie Bottleneck
Season 3 of Truly Independent is here—supported by the Help Them See Foundation, a nonprofit backing feature films that inspire faith, hope, and connection. Learn more...
S3 E09 | How Screenwriters Survive Hollywood and Indie Film | Truly Independent Podcast
This episode of Truly Independent dives deep into the journey of screenwriter David Plyler, known for Outlaw Trail and Forever Strong. Hosts Garrett Batty and Daren Sm...
S3 E08 | Teenage Resistance, Timeless Courage: The Story Behind TRUTH & TREASON | Matt Whitaker
Independent filmmaker Matt Whitaker joins Garrett Batty and co-host Daren Smith to unpack the two-decade journey behind TRUTH & TREASON—from a PBS documentary to a nat...
S3 E07 | How Indie Films Really Get Funded + The Power of a Live Read-Through
This season of Truly Independent is supported by the Help Them See Foundation— a nonprofit dedicated to supporting feature films that inspire faith, hope, and connecti...