“We’ll fix it in post.” It’s one of the most common phrases in indie filmmaking, and one of the most dangerous.

In this episode of Indie Film Podcast, we break down the post-production mistakes that make indie films look cheap, even when everything seemed fine on set. From color grading myths and LUT culture to audio mistakes, ADR pitfalls, and disorganized edit workflows, we’re talking honestly about what post-production can’t fix, and what actually makes a low-budget film feel intentional and professional.

This episode wraps up our cheap vs inexpensive filmmaking series by focusing on where many indie films quietly fall apart: post-production. We share real mistakes we’ve made, lessons learned the hard way, and practical advice for indie filmmakers who want their films to land well, not embarrassingly.

If you’re an indie filmmaker trying to avoid the “fix it in post” trap, this conversation is for you.

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Show Links:

Big Lebowski (TV Overdub) https://youtu.be/IQUdJ6FdUQ0?si=-rkgCPJ4TML-JNVg

Snakes on a Plan (TV Overdub) https://youtu.be/z4t6zNZ-b0A?si=JKvy_6ZIT0-TuqRK

Filmmaker of the Week, Andy Blithe (Aturn Films) https://www.youtube.com/@aturnfilms

P’Luck: Rise of the Twee’zors https://youtu.be/5bIMsha-eRY?si=JipbWodSEOLzyJI6 _____________________________________

Follow us for more indie film content:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indiefilmpodcast/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@indiefilmpodcast

Website: https://www.indiefilmpodcast.com

Newsletter: https://indie-film-podcast.kit.com/68f74bc072

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/73sAVvvHVMl7KwoYc4zTxo

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How do low budget films end up looking expensive, without spending more money? This episode breaks down the production decisions and on-set habits that actually determine whether a film looks polished or painfully cheap.

Part two of our Cheap vs. Inexpensive Filmmaking series, this conversation focuses on production: Why budget doesn’t predict quality, how big-budget films still fail, and what indie filmmakers can do to make smarter choices on set.

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Show links:

Canyon County Web Series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV8r3i4wLP4-wfbUrzVYCgU51Xpg2AoTY&si=bFCqOnLKdM3Fttvo

The Man Who Would Not Shake Hands: https://youtu.be/8QPzwr5-txY?si=maM2582BQin-o3Ba

Twomancrew: https://youtu.be/Zs6X4b9Ij1Y?si=NSZB-UEVNfHID597

Chit Chat Web Series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV8r3i4wLP48aH-qx8xlqLymMNJsUF8aF&si=4798m5KmLpZvwO_Y

Filmmaker of the week, Frank Merle: https://www.instagram.com/frankmerle/

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Follow us for more indie film content:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indiefilmpodcast/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@indiefilmpodcast

Website: https://www.indiefilmpodcast.com

Newsletter: https://indie-film-podcast.kit.com/68f74bc072

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/73sAVvvHVMl7KwoYc4zTxo

Get Featured on the Pod: https://www.indiefilmpodcast.com/submit

Cheap filmmaking vs inexpensive filmmaking is one of the biggest (and most misunderstood) differences in indie film production.

In this episode of Indie Film Podcast, we break down why so many low-budget films look cheap before the camera ever rolls. Kicking off a new series on cheap vs inexpensive filmmaking, we focus on pre-production decisions that quietly determine whether a film looks intentional or amateur.

We talk through real mistakes we’ve made ourselves, including writing outside our budget, skipping rehearsals, under-planning locations, overcomplicating scripts, and relying on DIY solutions that created more problems than they solved. We also share practical strategies for planning smarter, collaborating better, and making inexpensive films look high quality without burning out your cast, crew, or budget.

This episode is ideal for indie filmmakers, first-time directors, and anyone working on a low-budget or microbudget film who wants to avoid common pre-production pitfalls and make stronger creative choices from the start.

This is Part 1 of a three-episode series exploring the difference between cheap filmmaking and inexpensive filmmaking

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Show Links:

• Goodfellas Copa Tracking Shot: https://youtu.be/JVDC95rprFs?si=u9CuquIkvZCV_FgP

• What’s the Worst That Could Happen? https://youtu.be/rNnRUQwilys

• Featured Filmmaker of the Week: Janae Rachel Ballot https://www.instagram.com/janae_ballot

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Follow us for more indie film content:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indiefilmpodcast/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@indiefilmpodcast

Website: https://www.indiefilmpodcast.com

Newsletter: https://indie-film-podcast.kit.com/68f74bc072