The secret to staying under budget isn’t just cutting costs. It’s mastering the right tools and strategies.

In this episode of Inside Indies, seasoned line producer Steve Gruskin shares his proven methods for managing production budgets efficiently. With experience at major production companies like ABC News Studios and Embassy Row, he offers invaluable insights into budgeting, forecasting, and planning for indie films.

Alongside host Steve Bizenov, he discusses how he uses Showbiz Budgeting to manage shifting schedules, compare cost scenarios, and answer tough financial questions without manually updating every line item. Whether you're dealing with complex financials or just trying to streamline your process, Steve’s tips will help you stay in control and avoid costly mistakes.

Key insights from this episode:

• How Showbiz Budgeting simplifies planning and forecasting
• Why phases and subgroups save time when shoot plans change
• What real-time actuals do to keep budgets accurate and responsive

Chapters:

(00:00) Meet Steve Gruskin

(02:36) How Showbiz Budgeting helped Steve in his early years

(06:54) Using Showbiz Budgeting for what-if scenarios

(08:42) Managing tax incentives with Showbiz Budgeting

(10:36) Importing payroll actuals to save time and improve accuracy

(13:41) The benefits of using Showbiz Budgeting for episodic productions

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Contact us at http://info.mediaservices.com/inside-indies

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How do you produce a Grand Jury Prize-winning indie film? Daniel Tantalean joins John Cooke and Anthony López to walk us through the creative, chaotic, and deeply personal journey behind the making of “In the Summers.”

From cold emails and festival mixers to navigating production without a post supervisor, Daniel shares how he found his voice as a producer and why trusting your instincts (and your community) can take a project further than you'd imagine. You'll hear about the four-year path to Sundance, how “In the Summers” survived budget gaps, and what it’s like to support first-time writer-directors through their boldest work.

Key insights from this episode:

• Building trust with first-time directors
• Creative ways to stretch a limited budget
• Why your early jobs on set still matter later

Chapters:

(00:00) Meet Daniel Tantalean

(01:26) How early crew jobs guided his approach to producing

(04:07) A turning point after personal loss

(07:50) Cold email that led to “Ale Libre”

(11:52) What made “In the Summers” script stand out

(17:06) Stretching a microbudget for a complex shoot

(26:39) Story behind “Rebel Without a Pause”

(34:35) Real advice for aspiring indie producers

Learn more on https://castandcrew.com/

Contact us at http://info.mediaservices.com/inside-indies

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If your workflow feels like a bigger production than your film, Florian Reimann has a fix you’ll want to hear.

In this episode of Inside Indies, Florian joins hosts John Cooke and Steve Bizenov to share how his experience producing films, commercials, and documentaries led him to co-found Yamdu, a production management platform that streamlines everything from script breakdowns to budget exports. He explains how indie creators can use Yamdu alongside tools like Showbiz Budgeting and shares how his work with MovieLabs and the Media Carbon Calculator is helping build more sustainable workflows across the industry.

Whether you’re scheduling a weekend short or budgeting your next feature, this conversation is filled with practical insights for building efficient, future-ready production pipelines.

Key insights from this episode:

• How Yamdu connects your workflow from script to budget
• What indie filmmakers can automate and what they shouldn’t
• Why better workflows mean more room for creativity

Chapters:

(00:00) Meet Florian Reimann

(02:30) What Florian’s early jobs taught him about workflows

(03:33) How Yamdu helps organize your entire production

(09:12) The value of Yamdu’s partnership with Cast & Crew

(12:07) Breaking down the Showbiz Budgeting integration

(15:42) Simplifying onboarding and connecting to payroll tools

(17:45) What global sustainability means for indie filmmakers

(23:01) Upcoming features and innovations in Yamdu

Learn more on https://castandcrew.com/

Contact us at http://info.mediaservices.com/inside-indies

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Every movie has its stars, but few know about the accountants who keep them on screen. While audiences see the action, production accountants like Brad Field keep the budgets balanced, the crews paid, and the incentives in check.

In this episode of Inside Indies, Bishop Porter sits down with Brad, a military veteran turned production accountant, with credits on “Bird Box,” “Knives Out,” and “The Book of Boba Fett.” He discusses the realities of working on studio blockbusters and indie films, the lessons he’s learned on set, and the advice he gives to anyone trying to break into the business.

Whether you’re curious about the business side of filmmaking or looking for guidance on starting your own career, this conversation offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at life as a production accountant.

Key insights from this episode:

• Why indie films are a proving ground for production accountants
• What to know before taking your first keying job
• How to survive (and succeed) when your crew is small and your budget’s smaller

Chapters:

(00:00) Meet Brad Field

(01:11) Military logistics and film production have more in common than you think

(04:37) From Batman to Suicide Squad: Brad’s first roles on set

(07:59) Landing jobs by being prepared, not just lucky

(10:09) First time keying an indie

(13:13) What flipping a nonunion production looks like

(16:48) Working with your partner on set (and off)

(18:15) Advice for breaking into film if you’re starting out

Learn more on https://castandcrew.com/

Contact us at http://info.mediaservices.com/inside-indies

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What does it take to make your first film? Robert Larriviere shares the journey from conceptualizing to having an award-winning debut.

John Cooke and Bishop Porter sit down with Robert to unpack the making of This is Jan, discussing topics such as crowdfunding, casting, securing a SAG-AFTRA contract, and creating space for queer stories rooted in history. With warmth, candor, and behind-the-scenes wisdom, Robert shares how he turned a deeply personal experience into a festival-winning short.

Key insights from this episode:

• What first-time directors need to know before stepping behind the camera
• How Robert turned screenwriting accolades into momentum for fundraising
• Why choosing the right lead actor changes things

Chapters:

(00:00) Meet Robert Larriviere

(01:59) Inspiration behind This is Jan

(04:48) Winning awards before filming began

(06:59) Planning every shot, then embracing the moment

(09:36) How the location affected the entire story

(14:25) Crowdfunding strategy that actually worked

(18:13) Working with SAG-AFTRA on a short film

(22:05) Advice for first-time indie filmmakers

Learn more on https://castandcrew.com/

Contact us at http://info.mediaservices.com/inside-indies

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What if your next film could do more than win awards… What if it could spark a movement?

John Cooke sits down with Ben Arnon, co-founder of Color Farm, to discuss how independent filmmakers can use storytelling to spark social change. With his unique background in both Hollywood and Silicon Valley, Ben shares how innovation and community organizing can fuel the creation of films that are not only impactful but also inclusive. From navigating the challenges of indie filmmaking to building ecosystems that support underrepresented voices, Ben offers practical insights for every creator looking to make their mark.

Key insights from this episode:

• How to build a production ecosystem that supports diverse talent
• The role of nonprofit arms in amplifying social impact through film
• Strategies for blending tech innovation with traditional filmmaking processes

Chapters:

(00:00) Meet Ben Arnon

(02:03) The origins behind Color Farm and its mission

(06:30) How community organizing influenced Color Farm's approach

(08:46) Merging Hollywood and Silicon Valley to fuel innovation

(14:40) Tech’s role in transforming independent film production

(20:33) Building an ecosystem for diverse indie film talent

(24:42) Balancing entertainment and impact when selecting stories to tell

(30:02) Ben’s advice to indie filmmakers

Learn more on https://castandcrew.com/

Contact us at http://info.mediaservices.com/inside-indies

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Want to make your budget go further?

The right production incentives, from tax credits to rebates, can put real money back into your project if you know how each one works.

In this episode of Inside Indies, John Cooke breaks down the two main types of production incentives, explains terms like refundable and transferable, and shares why early planning can make or break your funding.

Key insights from this episode

• What “refundable” and “transferable” really mean for your cash flow
• Why early planning is essential to secure funding
• How indie filmmakers can benefit from state-specific programs

Follow us on our socials:

Learn more on https://www.mediaservices.com

Contact us at http://info.mediaservices.com/inside-indies

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An LLC might seem like just another legal formality, but in independent filmmaking, it’s a smart tool that safeguards your vision, your team, and your wallet.

In this episode of Inside Indies, host John Cooke shares how and why to create an LLC for your next project. You’ll learn how it protects personal assets, what it means for investors, and the practical steps to getting it done, without the legal jargon.

Key insights from this episode:

• Why having one LLC per project matters
• The steps to legally set up your film company
• How to navigate risk, ownership, and credibility from day one

Follow us on our socials:

Learn more on https://castandcrew.com/

Contact us at http://info.mediaservices.com/inside-indies

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