Our latest Movie Producer Mastermind gathered filmmakers from across the indie world for another packed session led by Jason Brubaker.
With Tom Malloy working the American Film Market, Jason kept the focus on proof-of-concept strategy, AFM follow-up, and realistic funding moves that move projects forward before the year wraps.
The discussion mixed business tactics, creative breakthroughs, and a reminder that progress happens one deliberate step at a time.
Members shared wins across every phase of producing—from short-film festival runs to distribution meetings, studio outreach, and AI-driven story development.
🔥 Key Topics Covered
This session focused on momentum—how to use proof-of-concepts, AFM meetings, and disciplined habits to keep projects alive and growing.
Jason reminded everyone that success at the market doesn’t come from chance encounters; it comes from knowing your numbers, packaging smart, and following through.
Members discussed sales projections, Netflix submissions, and how to combine creative vision with business data for real-world traction.
Other conversations explored how to leverage AI tools for screenwriting and budgeting, build strong industry relationships, and take advantage of tax incentives without losing creative control.
Across every topic, the advice was clear… Stay consistent, keep learning, and use each meeting or milestone to strengthen the overall package.
🛠Action Items by Member
Every mastermind wraps with everyone sharing their two week goals.
Below are the commitments each member shared.
Small, measurable goals that build momentum toward long-term success.
- Walt is continuing pages and moving forward with a lawyer to secure rights on the Coal Train story.
- Scott is building the investor package and following up with sales agents after AFM for the slasher comedy.
- Jean is finishing a structural model for script rewrites, advancing AI use, and sharing Canada funding context with Scott.
- Marvin is doing post-AFM follow up and hosting a cast-and-crew screening for the proof of concept.
- Rick is leveraging a new letter of intent with a recognizable actress on Isaac Hill and focusing on funding while selling completed titles.
- Renee is filming key comedy scenes for Granny Has a Gambling Problem and seeking traction for the completed short Blessings.
- Nathan is returning to the business plan after AFM meetings and in-person networking.
- Cornelia is writing twenty more pages of Paper Doll and continuing development on Two A Crowd with a directing conversation set.
- Joseph is locking a date for a Dry Bar special, preparing an approval tape, and building a stronger comedy-focused social presence.
- Marisol is completing dialogue and pushing the first draft forward while maintaining consistent writing habits.
- Dominic is setting a firm shoot date for the horror anthology segment and lining up alternates for vendors as needed.
- Krista is tightening the feature budget and using a production-designer advocate to move the short forward.
- Kjanyll is finalizing the website, following up with AFM contacts, and activating the new fiscal sponsorship.
- John is completing the self-directed IRA setup for film funding and gathering intel on cost-effective international locations.
- Bill is syncing with Jason at AFM and continuing outreach with a targeted contact list.
- Ben is targeting a UK actor for the proof-of-concept short, completing the film-funding courses, and using Movie Plan Pro for a business plan.
- Angelia is refining pitch materials, schedule, and budget, and applying new audience insights while progressing a second project.
- Adem is starting the screenplay draft and considering documenting the first-feature journey on social channels.
- Brian is aligning the team, locking a schedule, and engaging a lawyer to formalize the feature plan.
- Zadrina is packaging a funded documentary, continuing casting-director follow-ups, and writing and research for the new project.
- Chris is finishing the trailer for an early 2026 release and timing around the holiday window.
- Deirdre is nurturing the studio-level project by deepening the Netflix relationship, aligning a director and talent, and calibrating outreach while protecting agency relationships.
💡 Top Takeaways
Each mastermind ends with insights worth carrying into the next production cycle.
This week’s theme was discipline… Combining creative drive with financial clarity.
Members were reminded that even a low-budget feature must be backed by real projections.
Talk to genre-specific sales agents, test the numbers, and think of each film like an asset that can be licensed territory by territory.
Jason encouraged everyone to revisit the member-only training inside
These frameworks help producers create plans investors respect and give every project a path toward recoupment.
🎯 What’s Next
The next focus is implementation.
Jason is coordinating a session with a payroll-services expert to unpack incentives and production credits.
Members attending AFM are prioritizing ten targeted meetings and fast follow-ups to turn introductions into partnerships.
Behind the scenes, work continues on The Seven Levels of Movie Producing… A 2026 roadmap designed to track and measure progress for every filmmaker in the mastermind.
Between sessions, members are encouraged to keep refining business plans using Movie Plan Pro and revisit Backyard Blockbuster Blueprint for grassroots marketing strategies that build audience traction before production begins.
🙌 Final Thought
Momentum doesn’t appear on its own.
It’s built through consistent effort, smart follow-up, and daily creative habits.
This week’s mastermind was a reminder that the filmmakers who keep showing up… on Zoom, on set, and at AFM… are the ones who turn ideas into finished films.
Keep moving forward.
The next win starts with the next small step.