060 - Scott DuPont - Producer - "How to Actually Raise Money for Your Indie Film"

In this episode, we sit down in-person with producer and film finance expert Scott DuPont out in Los Angeles. I first discovered Scott through the documentary MOVIE MONEY CONFIDENTIAL (directed by Rick Pamplin) , and he also runs a great podcast called Finance Your Movie. He’s raised millions of dollars for indie films and has been in the game for a long time...but what really stands out is how practical and down-to-earth his approach is.

We talk about how he raised a million bucks for his first feature back in the '90s, what it was like meeting a major investor while doing background work on THE WATERBOY, and why trying to attach actors before you have money in the bank is almost always a waste of time. Scott breaks down the psychology of raising money, how to build trust with investors, what really goes into a legit business plan, and how to tap into your network without being awkward about it.

He also shares insights about his work with Quentin Tarantino and Burt Reynolds, talks about why most filmmakers fail to pick up the phone, and explains what he calls “asymmetrical risk/reward” basically, how to offer big upside while protecting your downside. It’s all super real and super helpful.

If you’re serious about getting your movie made, this episode’s gonna give you a ton to think about — and a real strategy to actually move forward.

Hosted by Zef Cota