From Indie Horror to Streaming Success: Georgia Conlan & Martin Hardwick on Charlotte
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This week on the podcast, I spoke with filmmakers Georgia Conlan and Martin Hardwick about their debut feature, Charlotte. The film premiered at Fright Fest and is now available on Amazon Prime and Tubi in both the UK and the USA. We discussed their journey from Fright Fest to Film Hub, covering everything from low-budget filmmaking to self-distribution. Their story is a must-hear for indie filmmakers navigating their first release.
The Challenges of Low-Budget Filmmaking
Shooting a film on a tight budget comes with plenty of challenges, and Charlotte was no exception. Georgia and Martin shared how they made the most of their resources, from creative production choices to adapting their storytelling for budget constraints. For filmmakers wondering how to maximize a small budget, their experience offers valuable lessons.
Directing Yourself and Finding the Right Performance
Georgia took on the unique challenge of directing herself while also playing the film’s lead, including scenes where she portrayed a 12-year-old. We talked about the difficulties of balancing both roles and how she ensured her performance was strong without external direction. Aspiring actors and directors will appreciate her insights into self-direction and performance.
From Fright Fest to Film Hub: The Road to Distribution
After premiering at Fright Fest, Charlotte was released through Film Hub, an increasingly popular distribution platform for indie filmmakers. Georgia and Martin explained why they chose this route, how the process works, and what filmmakers should know before uploading their own projects. Their firsthand experience sheds light on the pros and cons of Film Hub compared to traditional distribution.
Promoting an Indie Film and Making It Stand Out
With Charlotte now streaming, Georgia and Martin have taken on the challenge of promoting their film through social media and platforms like TikTok. We discussed their strategies for indie film marketing, the importance of audience engagement, and how self-promotion can make a big difference. For filmmakers looking to boost their film’s visibility, their approach provides essential takeaways.
Watch Charlotte on TUBI https://tubitv.com/movies/100020863/charlotte
Watch Charlotte on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Charlotte-Georgia-Conlan/dp/B0D7B19NX8
Want to find out more about Micro Budget filmmaking – check out my chat with James Chick about how he got his film on Amazon Prime.