In this episode, filmmaker Jesse McAnally joins Geoffrey to break down the real process of making an indie feature from scratch. Jesse shares how he developed The Daughters of the Domino, ran a successful Kickstarter, storyboarded every shot in Cine Tracer, and navigated the unexpected challenges that hit indie sets. From on-the-fly rewrites to managing clashing personalities, Jesse opens up about the realities most filmmakers never talk about.<br />If you’re building your own film or planning to, this one is loaded with practical insight and encouragement.<br /><br />What You’ll Learn in This Episode<ul><li>How to develop a feature from a childhood concept</li><li>Smarter ways to run a Kickstarter without drowning in giveaways</li><li>Why pre-visualization can save your production</li><li>How to adjust performances and scenes in real time</li><li>The truth about set conflicts and managing morale</li><li>Why your film is your calling card</li><li>The power of collaboration and treating people well</li></ul>Key Moments<br />00:20 Jesse explains the origin of The Daughters of the Domino<br />02:50 How he structured a stress-free Kickstarter with digital perks<br />05:40 Storyboarding every shot using Cine Tracer<br />07:00 The first-day disaster and managing crew expectations<br />10:26 On-set rewrites after discovering new opportunities in performance<br /><br />About the Guest<br />Jesse McAnally is a filmmaker whose latest feature, The Daughters of the Domino, blends mystery, character-driven storytelling, and sharp visual planning. His work has screened at festivals across the country and continues to draw attention for its craft and originality.<br /><br />About the Host<br />With films on network television, streaming platforms, and in theaters, Geoffrey D. Calhoun is a screenwriter, author of The Guide for Every Screenwriter, and a passionate mentor in the industry. He hosts The Successful Screenwriter podcast to empower writers and filmmakers at every level.<br /><br />Resources Mentioned in This Episode<ul><li>The Daughters of the Domino film info and festival updates</li><li>Cine Tracer (previz/storyboarding tool)</li></ul>Connect with Guest<br />Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jessemcanally" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@jessemcanally</a><br />Website: <a href="https://www.jessemcanally.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.jessemcanally.com</a><br /><br />Connect with Geoffrey D. Calhoun<br />Website: <a href="https://www.thesuccessfulscreenwriter.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">thesuccessfulscreenwriter.com</a><br />Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/screenwriterpod" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@screenwriterpod</a><br />YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@thesuccessfulscreenwriter" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@thesuccessfulscreenwriter</a><br /><br />#screenwriting #filmmaking #indiefilm #podcast #thesuccessfulscreenwriter #kickstarterfilm #storydevelopment<br /><br />🎬 <a href="https://thesuccessfulscreenwriter.aweb.page/p/fc9d2bc4-9176-499e-8f59-5d3335ea791f?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAadlPzJbP0uPfCDBAcvM3ayhgLKxvH-olZWPzK5-ZiB2p1qe1BEAB0_xQpwAbA_aem_SXvELLCRzge8AFd2L3YCxg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Get Free Script Leads</a> — be the first to know which producers are requesting scripts and accepting submissions.<br /><br />If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe. Share it with a fellow screenwriter who’d find it valuable!