How to Make an Indie Feature Film with Michael Marco

The Honest Filmmaker

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This week on the podcast, I sit down with French-American filmmaker Michael Marco to delve into his gripping indie thriller, Blind Blood—a film that’s been making waves on Amazon Prime and Tubi in the US, UK, and Australia.
Michael, who wrote, directed, edited, and even acted in the film, shares the remarkable journey of bringing Blind Blood to life. From its origins as a haunting idea in the mid-1990s to its realization decades later, the film explores the story of Jack, a man grappling with his violent past and a burgeoning conscience. Shot on a modest $250,000 budget, the production faced numerous challenges, including tight resources and intense shoot days. Yet, Michael and his team, including cinematographer Richard Krall and producer Mark Hanson, managed to craft a tense, character-driven crime drama that resonates with audiences.
In our conversation, Michael opens up about his early influences—from classic American and French cinema to his formative experiences with a local video group in France. He discusses the transition from acting to filmmaking, the collaborative process behind Blind Blood, and the strategies employed to navigate the competitive indie film landscape. The film’s success on streaming platforms and its positive reception at film festivals underscore the dedication and passion poured into the project.
For those interested in the intricacies of independent filmmaking, the evolution of a creative vision, and the resilience required to see a project through, this episode offers valuable insights.
You can watch Blind Blood now on Amazon Prime and Tubi

Check out the re-release of Jim's first solo directing feature The Witches Hammer - out now on amazon
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail/B0F235F4T8/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r
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Chapters

1. Introduction to Michael and his career (00:00:00)

2. How Michael got into Indie Filmmaking (00:01:08)

3. Michaels skill set - acting, writing, editing and directing (00:01:37)

4. What has acting taught Michael about filmmaking? (00:02:09)

5. How do you direct yourself? (00:03:02)

6. How to separate the writer from the director (00:04:45)

7. Blind Blood (00:06:30)

8. Whats the budget and whats it shot on? (00:07:05)

9. Sharing your budget (00:14:24)

10. How do you keep the mood of the film consistent (00:15:03)

11. Film Festival strategy (00:18:09)

12. Sales and distribution (00:19:46)

13. Direct dealing with distributors (00:23:13)

14. Supporting other indie filmmakers (00:25:04)

15. What does Michael wish he'd known before making his feature? (00:25:24)

16. Moving onto other projects - how doe Michael deal with project post mortem (00:27:36)

17. What were the big 'oh no' moments on set when things went wrong? (00:30:47)

18. French American Filmmaker - how does this inform his films? (00:33:57)

19. The Cannes Film Fesitval (00:35:43)

20. Where to watch Blind Blood (00:36:27)

21. Michaels motto (00:36:46)

22. Another episode to listen to - Justin Milton - how to make a profitable movie (00:38:28)