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.