Ron Newcomb's Reel

AI is not the enemy. But lazy, careless, unethical use of AI absolutely can be. In this new episode of The Indie Coach, I talk with Damion Taylor about how filmmakers can use AI ethically for real wins - not shortcuts, not gimmicks, but practical support for the pain points indie filmmakers face every day. This is also part of a new format for the show. Instead of broad conversations, we are going to hyper-focus on one specific industry pain point and bring a clear perspective to it. This...

We’re all pitching something. In filmmaking, we’re honest about it. We literally call it “the pitch.” But pitching isn’t just for movies. I pitched my wife on marrying me. My kids pitch me on ice cream. Entrepreneurs pitch investors. Employees pitch ideas. Parents pitch values. Creators pitch attention. The truth is, pitching is not manipulation. It’s communication with purpose. And the better you get at helping people see the value, the problem, and the path forward, the more...

Most filmmakers can tell you their genre. Far fewer can tell you their niche market. “My film is a drama” is not a distribution plan. Who is the specific audience? Where do they already gather? What do they already watch? Why would they care enough to buy, share, or show up? Before you chase funding, festivals, or distribution, ask the harder question: What niche market is your film built for - and do you actually have a plan to reach them? Check out the full episode with u/vrowen here:...

You don’t need “one investor.” You need an investor pool. If you only have a few people to ask, you don’t have a funding strategy - you have hope. In my free webinar, I’ll show you how to start finding and organizing potential investor candidates the right way. Comment INVESTORS and I’ll send you the details.

If you’re in the creative space right now, hang in there. Yes, things are changing. But let’s be honest… things have always been changing. New tools. New platforms. New business models. New gatekeepers pretending they aren’t gatekeepers. The temptation is to panic. To compete harder. To climb over each other just to reach the top of the mountain first. But that’s not the way. There is room for more than one person to win. We can build. We can collaborate. We can open doors. We can...

Everyone is asking: “How can AI help me build a side hustle?” Better question: “How can AI help us build one together?” That’s the conversation I’m opening up at this event. Check it out here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-ai-proof-your-side-hustle-by-partner...

Filmmakers - your story may be bigger than a film. If you’re building original IP, you should be asking: Can this become a game? A comic? A novel? A tabletop experience? A fan-driven world? The video game space is not just “extra.” It can become a powerful way to expand the world, deepen audience engagement, and create more value around your story. Don’t just make a movie. Build something that can live beyond the screen. Watch the full episode here:...

Pitching in person and pitching over Zoom are not the same game. Zoom is convenient, but in person you can feel the room, read body language, build trust faster, and adjust in real time. Because at the end of the day, you’re not just pitching the project. You’re pitching you. Lindsey shares a few quick thoughts in this clip, then go deeper in the full podcast episode. Sometimes the room matters. Podcast: ...

Short films are a great idea - when they’re intentional. Be slow to just grab a camera and make something random. Treat your short like a professional proof of concept. Have a goal. Are you proving the feature? Testing the tone? Building an audience? Showing investors you can execute? A short film should not just be “content.” It's a story! It should be a strategic step forward. Watch my full interview with @vrowen here: ...

The biggest threat to some filmmakers is not AI. It is pride.