Truly Independent: Demystifying the Indie Film Journey

Ep 88 | What Really Happens on a Director's Scout?

Garrett and Daren discuss director scouts and how they differ from full location and tech scouts, using examples from their films Brotherhood and The Carpenter. Garrett is preparing to travel to Romania for an early-stage international scout for a film set in 1960s–70s East Germany, after doing extensive remote research, building a lookbook, and working with a potential local fixer/location partner. They explain how scouts begin with a location manager compiling options from the script, then a director scout tests story fit and feasibility while producers assess logistics, budget, access, parking, sound issues, and scheduling constraints. They share six practical tips: scout with shot lists in mind, bring the DP or capture detailed video, look for deal-breakers, know must-have vs flexible locations, think aloud to collaborate, and document everything (including map pins). 00:00 Season Sponsor Message 00:26 Welcome Back Update 01:17 Romania Scout Preview 02:38 What Is A Director Scout 03:34 Scouting Workflow Basics 05:30 Vision Lookbook Research 08:19 Scout Day Logistics 11:10 Solving Location Count 14:29 Open Mind No Commitments 18:07 Six Scout Tips Start 18:54 Tip One Shot List 21:14 Tip Two Bring DP 21:35 Phone Scout Workflow 22:22 360 Camera Walkthroughs 23:53 Spot Dealbreakers Early 25:42 Sound And Hours Checks 26:40 Hero Vs Flexible Locations 28:36 Locations Tell Character 29:58 Think Out Loud Together 31:49 Document Everything 35:32 Producer Reality Check 40:25 Wrap Up And Sponsor

S3 E29 | You Have to Be Possessed

What does it take to spend six years, $300K+, and countless sleepless nights making your first feature? Boston McConaughey and Renny Grains break down exactly how they pulled off Alien Country — the funding, the festivals, the ransomware scare, and why the drive to make a movie isn't something you can will into existence.

S3 E28 | Making Movies with $20K

What does it actually take to make a feature film for under $25,000 — and then shoot the sequel in Ireland? This week Garrett and Daren sit down with filmmaker Rob York (Magellan, Curse of Crom) to talk about how he got his start editing for Aero Storm, why post-production is where low-budget movies go to die, and the scrappy decisions that turned a YouTube web series into an Amazon top-3 streamer. Rob gets into the real economics of micro-budget filmmaking: writing to your assets, building trust with actors over time, choosing locations that do the heavy lifting, and why going over budget on visual effects isn't always a disaster. Topics covered: → How Rob's first feature Magellan was greenlit for $20K → Writing scripts around locations, actors, and assets you already have → Why budgets above $250K change the entire distribution equation → Filming in Ireland on a shoestring — and shooting dialogue scenes on the actual plane → Distribution deals, minimum guarantees, and a theatrical run in Afghanistan Curse of Crom 2 is coming soon. First film is streaming free on Tubi. Truly Independent is produced by Three Coin Productions and supported by the Help Them See Foundation — a nonprofit dedicated to feature films that inspire faith, hope, and connection. Learn more at helpthemsee.org. Subscribe so you don't miss the rest of Season 3 — all about getting from script to screen.

S3 E27 | The Tools That Make or Break Your Film

What happens when your director shows up on set and the costumes are completely wrong? Or the set decorator built the wrong thing entirely? Garrett Batty and Daren Smith break down the tools that prevent those nightmare moments — lookbooks, vision boards, director statements, character tone guides, and the creative summit they just ran for Brotherhood. This week, Daren is 5 weeks out from production and Garrett is 3 weeks from Romania — and they're both doing this in real time. You'll hear exactly what went down at their all-day creative summit, why it might be the most important money spent on the movie, and how a director's statement got them access to a location that had turned down every film before them. Whether you're a first-time filmmaker or a seasoned indie vet, this episode is packed with practical tools to align your team before the chaos of production begins. Subscribe and follow along as Garrett and Daren chart their paths on two brand-new independent films — from page to production. Truly Independent is supported by the Help Them See Foundation — visit HelpThemSeeFoundation.org to learn more.

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. Willem walks through when to bring on a line producer, what a script breakdown actually looks like, and why that "key assumptions" document can make or break your budget. In this episode: * When in the filmmaking process to hire a line producer (hint: ~80% through your script) * What a script breakdown covers — cast, locations, props, background, and more * Why your "key assumptions" define everything about your budget * Production company vs. assembling your own team — how to decide * Filming internationally and when to hire a fixer * The director/producer trust dynamic and why it matters on set Whether you're prepping your first feature or your fifth, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom that can save you serious time and money. 🎬 Find Willem Kampenhout: mysterybox.us | @WillemCampenHout 🙏 This season is supported by the Help Them See Foundation — learn more at helpthemsee.org Subscribe so you don't miss the rest of the journey.