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, hope, and connection. Learn how to get involved at helpthemseefoundation.org.

Welcome to Season 3 of Truly Independent — I’m Garrett Batty, alongside my co-host Daren Smith. This season, it’s all about the script: from the first spark of an idea to a polished final draft, breaking it down for scheduling, budgeting, and ultimately shooting.

In this episode, we zoom out from the page and look at the bigger business picture:

Your film is not just a movie — it’s a product ecosystem.

We talk about:

How to stop thinking of your film as a single product

Using spark events/script readthroughs as investor & partner magnets

Building an email list and early audience before you ever hit “export trailer”

Why profit = permission for your next project

How studios think about IP, spin-offs, and long-tail exploitation

The three pillars every film needs: Production, Brand, and Distribution

We also share real-time behind-the-scenes from current projects like Brotherhood (a new musical feature), readthroughs for one of my heist comedies, and how those “invite-only” preview events are leading to real investor conversations.

If you’re an indie filmmaker trying to build a sustainable career (not just survive one movie at a time), this episode is for you.

🔑 Key Takeaways

Your movie is a storefront, not the only product.

Think in terms of product ecosystems, not single SKUs.

Spark events/script previews can generate feedback, fans, and funding.

Your email list may be more valuable than your opening weekend.

Every project needs strong Production, Brand, and Distribution to really be a product.

The release is the beginning of exploitation, not the end.