Maria Tran -The Rise Of The Indies (59)

What does it really take to make a feature film with almost no money… and actually turn a profit? In this episode, we sit down with Maria Tran—a powerhouse indie filmmaker who turned a $6,500 feature shot in 14 days into a profitable project across 12+ platforms. We break down how she:Built a feature film using community, non-actors, and pure grit Rejected traditional distributors to keep control and ownership Used FilmHub to land on platforms like Tubi, Amazon, and YouTube Movies Turned real data into smarter filmmaking decisions Scaled up to shooting TWO films back-to-back with a $30K budget each This isn’t theory—this is real, boots-on-the-ground filmmaking strategy. We also get into:Why most indie filmmakers get burned by bad distribution deals The truth about AFM (and why it’s not the golden ticket people think) How to fund films through local businesses and product placement Why action & horror are about to dominate the next 5 years The shift in power from Hollywood gatekeepers to independent creatorsIf you’re serious about making films, making money, and not losing your rights in the process, this episode is required listening.  👉 Bottom line: You don’t need permission anymore. You need strategy, stamina, and the willingness to build your own lane.0:00 Holy S**+ Intro4:28 The Ghetto Part of Australia10:56 Preproduction 14:29 Based on Real Life 19:40 All for the money? 25:00 "She ONLY does action"30:00 I don't like your energy, keep your money38:30 Be resilient, gatekeeping is over 39:19 Gatekeepers are losing power 50:20 Action star? What a stupid, silly idea 1:01:52 5,000, 10,000 and Marrese Crump1:09:26 What are the numbers1:14:45 Distribution 1:22:56 Should I stop making movies?Like and subscribe. Comment below and let us know what you think! Who do you want us to bring on next? Let us know.Action Addicts Podcast© 2025 Action Addicts Podcast. All rights reserved.Connect with us: X | Instagram | Email (mailto:Contact@AustinActionFest.com)