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Hey Filmmakers,

Before we dive into this week’s article, I’ve got two quick updates for you:

🎙️ 1. Got a burning question about indie filmmaking?

We’re hosting a Q&A episode of Off the Lot and we want to hear from you! Whether you’re stuck in development, confused about financing, or wondering how to build your team—hit reply to this email and send us your question. We’re recording next weekend and the episode drops early May.

🎬 2. Need help with your film project or career game plan?

All April long, I’m offering a special 90-minute coaching session for subscribers. We can dive into your script, production plan, career strategy, or just workshop where you’re at.

Normally $150 CAD, but for this month only, it’s just $100 CAD.

👉 Book your session here​

Now, onto this week’s article…

Here’s something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately—especially as we go deeper into developing The Quiet Canadians:

Not cameras.

Not budget hacks.

Not even your script (though don’t get me wrong, story matters).

People.

Humans. Allies. Friends. Believers. The team.

Whether you’re developing your first indie short or trying to wrangle $1.5 million for a spy movie set in Canada, your ability to attract, collaborate with, and grow alongside good people is what will make or break your film.

And honestly?

That’s the work.

The script is the starting line. The real race is bringing people together and keeping them rowing in the same direction.

Why Most Development Advice Misses the Point

There’s a lot of talk about development in filmmaking circles—scripts, pitch decks, budgets, grants, schedules, financing strategies, casting, packaging…

But we often miss the most important layer:

Because if you don’t have people who trust you, believe in the story, and bring skills to the table… then you’re not developing a film. You’re just developing documents.

Let me say it plainly:

Even if you’re the writer, director, producer, editor, and caterer—you still need other people to make it real.

You need actors.

You need gear.

You need feedback.

You need buyers.

You need believers.

So instead of obsessing over how to “fund your film,” start with a better question:

Development Is the Art of Building with People

You’re not building a movie. You’re building a team of humans that believes in your story enough to help carry it up a mountain with you.

Yes, writing the script is critical. Yes, getting your schedule and budget right is essential. But without the right people in your corner—from your lawyer to your cinematographer to your coffee sponsor—none of that stuff matters.

This is where most filmmakers (especially those of us starting out) get stuck.

We focus too much on “what we’re making”…

And not enough on “who we’re making it with.”

Let me put it another way:

People Are the Purpose, Not Just the Tool

In a world obsessed with leverage and scalability, we forget something deeply human:

• Your audience is made of people.
• Your team is made of people.
• Your story is made of people.

And people, unlike tools, don’t “scale” in predictable ways. They need trust, communication, shared vision, and respect.

This is where the stoic lens comes in handy.

Ryan Holiday teaches that the four cardinal virtues of Stoicism are:

• Wisdom (use judgment and reason)

• Courage (take brave action)

• Justice (treat others fairly)

• Temperance (exercise restraint and patience)

When working with people on your film, you’ll need every one of these virtues—especially justice.

So when you’re in the development stage, ask yourself:

• Am I listening to my collaborators?
• Am I honest about what I can (and can’t) deliver?
• Am I building trust or demanding loyalty?
• Am I keeping my word, even when it’s inconvenient?

Here’s how they apply to filmmaking:

• Wisdom: Learn to read people. Ask questions. Listen actively.
• Courage: Make the phone call. Walk into the room. Ask for support.
• Justice: Treat your collaborators with fairness and respect. Credit people generously.
• Temperance: Don’t expect everything to happen overnight. Keep showing up.

Chris Voss (former FBI hostage negotiator) often says, “People want to be understood and accepted.” That’s negotiation 101. And it’s filmmaking 101, too.

Everyone you work with wants to feel heard. Seen. Valued.

Don’t just build a team. Build relationships.

Your Movie Is Only as Strong as the People Behind It

If you’re trying to raise money, attach cast, get into festivals, or attract distributors, you need credibility. And credibility doesn’t just come from your résumé. It comes from the people who vouch for you.

Distributors? They’re buying you, not just your film.

Investors? They’re betting on your ability to deliver, not just the concept.

Your crew? They’re trusting you with their time, talent, and reputation.

So your development strategy should revolve around these three human elements:

We talk about this a lot in the Off the Lot podcast, but here’s the simplified breakdown again:

🧱 1. Credibility Partners

These are the names and reputations that vouch for you and your project.

They may not be Tom Cruise (though hey, if you know him, call me), but they do matter. This can include:

• A respected lawyer, DP, composer, or industry crew member
• A local business owner who believes in you
• A festival programmer who champions your short film
• A vendor offering gear discounts because they know your work
• A respected local businessperson who believes in you.
• A lawyer or accountant with industry credits.
• A cinematographer with festival wins.
• A production partner with experience pulling off difficult shoots on budget.

They’re the proof that you’re not some rando with a dream. You’re someone serious with relationships.

They don’t have to be famous. They just have to be real, professional, and trustworthy.

🛠 2. Execution Partners

These are your co-conspirators. Your trench crew.

They’re the AD who keeps the chaos calm. The grant writer who actually hits submit. The co-producer who picks up the slack when you’re stuck rewriting at 2am.

• The ones who stay up late answering emails.
• Who know how to run a film set.
• Who have vendor contacts and can negotiate gear or location deals.
• The people who say, “Don’t worry, I’ve got this.”

Often, they’re people you’ve known since film school. Or since that web series you shot in a warehouse with a broken Red Epic.

Loyalty, trust, and shared language are priceless. If you’ve got those people, hold onto them. Invest in them. Share wins. Build things together.

🔁 3. Audience & Advocates

This is your secret weapon.

We talk a lot about “audience building,” but often forget how powerful it is when your audience becomes part of your team.

These are your early fans. Your believers. Your street team.

• The business owner who hosts your investor night.
• The cousin who knows someone at a brand looking to sponsor indie films.
• The podcaster who gives you 30 minutes to talk about your film.
• A sponsor who gives you locations and free coffee
• A local business who puts your poster in the window
• An influencer who shares your crowdfunding campaign or shouts out your teaser trailer.
• An actor who brings their following to your project

Think of your early fans as co-builders. Give them updates. Treat them like insiders. Show them that they’re part of something being born.

These folks are marketing gold. And they’re more likely to help if they feel like part of your mission.

How to Cultivate People: A Tactical Guide

Here’s how to actually put this philosophy into motion during development:

🌱 Start small and specific

Reach out to one potential credibility partner a week. Not to “ask for money”—but to invite them into the journey.

🧭 Learn to lead, not manage

You’re not just assigning tasks. You’re inviting people to co-create something worthwhile. Learn how to make people feel seen and empowered.

📞 Be proactive in your outreach

Send emails. Show up to events. Ask people to coffee.

If you’re an introvert (like many of us are), think of outreach as training in empathy, not self-promotion.

💬 Borrow Chris Voss’ mindset

Every conversation is a chance to negotiate connection. Listen more than you speak. Understand their needs. Find shared ground. Use the phrase: “How can we make this a win-win?”

🧘 Practice Stoic patience

People won’t always say yes right away. Some won’t ever. Don’t take it personally. Keep showing up. Keep planting seeds.

Practical Takeaways for Indie Development:

Here’s how you can start leveraging people more effectively during your development phase:

✅ List out 3 credibility partners you could approach this month. Think: advisors, collaborators, potential investors.

✅ Make a short list of people you already know who you’ve worked well with. Could they join your next project?

✅ Start attending non-film events. Think: local business mixers, fundraising galas, Toastmasters, anything where film isn’t the main thing. You’ll stand out—and make real connections.

✅ Ask yourself: “Who can I help?” It’s not always about what you can get. Give someone else a boost. That goodwill circles back.

✅ Build a 12-week development plan. Just like I discussed on the podcast—don’t try to do everything at once. Choose 2–3 outcomes (e.g., polish the script, create a pitch deck, lock a cinematographer) and go deep. Then repeat.

Don’t Just Build a Film. Build a Village.

If you take one thing away from this, let it be this:

• People are not a hurdle to getting your film made.
• They are the reason your film gets made.

So in this season of development, don’t rush. Don’t isolate. And don’t just “network.”

Build relationships. Cultivate trust. Be kind, clear, and consistent. See people not as gatekeepers or obstacles—but as collaborators, advocates, and future allies.

Because if you focus on the people—your script will get better, your team will grow stronger, and your film will have legs.

I’ll leave you with this:

• You don’t need to convince everyone.
• You just need to find the first three people who believe in you—and build from there.

When you make the decision to develop a film, you’re not just creating a script.

You’re creating a community.

And how you treat that community—your partners, your audience, your crew—will define your success.

Because filmmaking is human work.

And your movie is only as good as the people who help bring it to life.

Let’s build better teams. Let’s treat people like the assets they are.

Onward.

— Anthony (He/Him)

Writer, Director, Builder of Quiet Canadians & Loud Dreams

📬 FOLLOW UP: Got a development challenge you’re facing right now? Hit reply—I’d love to hear what you’re working through and maybe feature your question in a future post.

P.S. Love these emails? Buy me a coffee to say "thanks"!

🎙️ P.P.S. Haven’t caught the latest podcast episode yet? We go deep on the real mechanics of indie film development—and why it’s 90% human strategy. Listen to Off The Lot Via Spotify:

The Indie Producer’s Surviva... Mar 14 · Off The Lot | where indi... 84:00   ​

Ways to Work With Me

1. ​Monthly Coaching: To help you get unstuck in a script, your marketing plan or movie launch, etc.
2. ​Consultation Calls: Great for Pitch Deck reviews, script discussions, pep talks.
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4. Budget and Scheduling: If you want to pitch your script or film idea to producers and investors, you need a tailored budget and schedule. Reply to this email if you'd like this service.

Resources I Like That Could Help You

1. 🎬 If you’re looking for a no-fluff, boots-on-the-ground kind of course to actually make your film this year, check out Make It Now Filmmaking by my friend Tyler Reid. It’s launching May 12, and there is a pre-launch sale on right now. I've see a sneak peak and it will be super practical and designed to get you moving right now — no waiting, no wishing. tylerreid.podia.com/make-it-now-filmmaking​
2. 🎬 6K Filmmaker – A practical guide for indie filmmakers on how to make movies with low-budget, high-quality production techniques. Check it out here.​
3. 📝 Idea to Outline Workshop (by Naomi Beatty) – A step-by-step system to take your film idea and turn it into a structured, compelling outline. Perfect for screenwriters at any stage. Join the workshop here.​
4. 📂 Indie Template Package (by Tyler Reid) – A must-have collection of film production templates to help indie filmmakers stay organized, from budgeting to scheduling. Grab the templates here.​

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The Adaptive Filmmaker The Film Industry Is Evolving—Are You? With 15 years in Hollywood and Canadian TV productions, I navigate today's rapidly evolving film industry while sharing my journey through uncharted territory. Through my weekly newsletter and Off The Lot podcast, I deliver real-world insights and practical strategies from active projects—helping fellow filmmakers adapt and thrive in an industry that's constantly redefining itself. Subscribe​

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Watch and Support My Previous Work

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Upcoming Projects

"The Quiet Canadians", a feature movie about skilled Canadian operatives who are trained in the elimination of local and foreign targets, is in development. Click here for more information​

"Xing'er: Origins", a feature film about a family's fight for survival against a deadly sect of assassins, is in development. Click here to find out more.​

See more of our projects in development by checking out our website.​
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