A look at what it takes to make an indie film. Each episode shares advice on things like funding, planning, and getting a project across the finish line, without a studio-sized budget.
The Movement To Bring Production Back to LA With Cale Thomas
Securing film permits in Los Angeles can feel like an uphill battle. But a grassroots movement is working to change that, one policy win at a time.
Bishop Porter (https://www.linkedin.com/in/bishop-porter-59740380/) sits down with Cale Thomas (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1312238/), an Emmy Award-winning makeup artist and co-lead for legislative and policy efforts at Stay in LA (https://www.stayinla.org/). They discuss why productions keep leaving Hollywood and what it will take to bring them back. Cale shares the realities film crews face and explains what his organization is doing to address long-standing issues, including understaffed film offices and inequitable permitting fees.
Key insights from this episode:
Why LA's permits process is driving productions to other cities
How grassroots advocacy can influence city council policy and legislation
How inequitable fees are hurting small independent productions the most
Chapters:
(00:00) Meet Cale Thomas
(02:50) How Stay In LA got its first policy wins
(06:27) Why productions choose to shoot outside LA
(11:34) The fixes needed to win productions back
(15:35) Permit inequity that hinders independent films
(18:03) How to find and attend the public hearings that actually move policy
(19:20) Culver City is the blueprint for a production-friendly city policy
Learn more on https://castandcrew.com/ (https://www.castandcrew.com/)
Contact us at http://info.mediaservices.com/inside-indies (http://info.mediaservices.com/inside-indies)
Follow us on our socials:
Facebook: https://facebook.com/CastCrew (https://facebook.com/CastCrew)
Instagram: https://instagram.com/castandcrewllc/ (https://instagram.com/castandcrewllc/)
LinkedIn: https:/linkedin.com/company/castcrew/ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/castcrew/)
X: https://x.com/CastAndCrewNews (https://x.com/CastAndCrewNews)
25 Jun 2026
Why Microdramas Are the Next Big Thing With Nancy Pop and James Barker
The next opportunity for indie filmmakers might not be on a big screen. It might be vertical.
In this episode of Inside Indies, Anthony López (https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonymlopez/) sits down with Nancy Pop (https://www.linkedin.com/in/popnancy/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_search_srp_all%3BjAdDVNzZQ4msGl5qhO%2Bkyw%3D%3D), Senior Producer at In Case You Missed It Productions (https://www.icymiproductions.com), and James Barker (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesbarkerfilm/), Founder and CEO of Edits Etc. (https://www.edits-etc.com) They discuss the booming world of microdramas and how this new format is revolutionizing the way stories are told and consumed. Nancy and James share their experiences producing microdramas, detailing the creative challenges, rapid production timelines, and the editing style needed to create engaging content in a vertical format. They explore how microdramas are providing new opportunities for indie filmmakers and creators who are eager to break into the fast-paced world of mobile-first content.
Key insights from this episode:
What vertical microdramas are and why they're booming
How producing and editing verticals differ from traditional film and TV
What skills filmmakers need to succeed in this fast-growing space
Chapters:
(00:00) Meet Nancy Pop and James Barker
(04:07) What is a vertical microdrama?
(05:49) Producing verticals vs. traditional film
(13:07) Microdrama budgets and ROI
(17:25) Opportunities for actors, editors, producers
(27:23) Microdrama myths and future trends
(30:09) Advice for producers & filmmakers
Learn more at https://castandcrew.com/ (https://castandcrew.com/)
Contact us at http://info.mediaservices.com/inside-indies (http://info.mediaservices.com/inside-indies)
Follow us on our socials:
Facebook: https://facebook.com/CastCrew (https://facebook.com/CastCrew)
Instagram: https://instagram.com/castandcrewllc/ (https://instagram.com/castandcrewllc/)
LinkedIn: https:/linkedin.com/company/castcrew/ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/castcrew/)
X: https://x.com/CastAndCrewNews (https://x.com/CastAndCrewNews)
11 Jun 2026
The Making of “Weather Hunters” With Al Roker and Dete Meserve
Every great series starts with an idea, but it takes a team to bring it to life.
In this episode of Inside Indies, Bishop Porter (https://www.linkedin.com/in/bishop-porter-59740380/) sits down with Emmy-winning broadcaster and producer Al Roker (https://www.linkedin.com/in/alroker)and bestselling novelist and author Dete Meserve. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/detemeserve)They discuss the creation of “Weather Hunters (https://pbskids.org/videos/weatherhunters)”, an animated series that blends storytelling, science, and education for kids.
Al and Dete share the collaboration that happens behind the scenes and how each contributor plays a role in shaping the final product. They offer insights into the challenges of animation and the patience it takes to see a project through from concept to completion.
Key insights from this episode:
How to manage large, distributed creative teams
How to design stories that encourage curiosity, not fear
How “Weather Hunters” expanded the series with shorts, apps, and live events
Chapters:
(00:00) Meet Al Roker and Dete Meserve
(01:06) Why weather became the perfect kids' show concept
(07:46) Making the show accessible across platforms
(12:44) Managing creative teams across multiple locations
(18:59) Advice for first-time creators
Learn more on https://castandcrew.com/
Contact us at http://info.mediaservices.com/inside-indies
Follow us on our socials:
Facebook: https://facebook.com/CastCrew (https://facebook.com/CastCrew)
Instagram: https://instagram.com/castandcrewllc/ (https://instagram.com/castandcrewllc/)
LinkedIn: https:/linkedin.com/company/castcrew/ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/castcrew/)
X: https://x.com/CastAndCrewNews (https://x.com/CastAndCrewNews)
Who has been a guest on Inside Indies
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Kimberly Sparks
Gerardo Maravilla
Joe Wein
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 5 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
