How to Make Indie Filmmaking Sustainable with Erika Arlee and Kristi Ray
“If you get your timeline pushed back, think of it as another year to make the story better.”
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What does it really take to build a sustainable filmmaking career?
In this episode, Rain sits down with Erika Arlee and Kristi Ray, the powerhouse duo behind Honey Head Films, to explore how they’ve grown a production company that balances passion, purpose, and profit.
They share the story of their debut feature A Song for Imogene, and how they expanded it from a short film into a fully realized, distributed feature while staying true to their vision.
Erika and Kristi break down how they built their brand around authentic Southern stories, women filmmakers, and a collaborative, values-driven approach. You’ll learn how they crowdfunded, built community buy-in, and turned obstacles into creative opportunities.
If you’re dreaming of turning your passion for film into a business that lasts, this conversation is packed with hard-earned wisdom and inspiration.
In the episode, you will learn to:
Build an authentic film brand that aligns with your values and attracts the right collaborators.
Create momentum around your project by involving your community early and often.
Balance client work with creative projects so your passion stays alive while paying the bills.
Approach collaboration strategically to find the partners who can help you grow.
Treat your indie film like a startup by thinking about your audience and exit strategy from the start.
“If you get your timeline pushed back, think of it as another year to make the story better.”
- Erika Arlee
If you want to understand how to build an indie film production business in 2025... this is the episode for you!
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Some of the highlights of the episode:
00:00 - How to Build a Sustainable Filmmaking Career
02:06 - The Origin Story of Meeting Honey Head Films
04:29 - Building a Brand That Reflects Your Passion
06:28 - What Film Festivals Still Offer Indie Filmmakers
10:11 - How Community Buy-In Fuels Indie Film
14:03 - The Role of Collaboration in Honey Head’s Success
17:21 - Balancing Personal and Professional Partnerships
22:18 - From Short to Feature: Expanding A Song for Imogene
26:23 - How Crowdfunding and Equity Investors Came Together
31:21 - Why Authenticity Drives Support
35:32 - Writing Realistic, Subtle Stories About Tough Topics
41:37 - The Challenges of Writing a Passive Protagonist
47:00 - What They Learned About Structure and Pacing
51:27 - Branding and Business Lessons from Honey Head
57:57 - The Entrepreneurial Side of Filmmaking
01:02:04 - Teaching, Workshops, and Evolving the Business
As always, I hope you enjoy the episode!
Rain
Follow Honey Head Films on:
Or visit their website HERE!
*** A Song for Imogene is now on Amazon Prime!
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