# How to Self-Finance & Distribute an Indie Thriller you shot in 8 days - 'Empire of Lies' with Matthew Hope & Joseph Millson

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-filmmakers-podcast-743342/how-to-self-finance-distribute-an-indie-thriller-you-shot-in-8-days-empire-of-lies-with-matthew-hope-joseph-millson
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Podcast: [The Filmmakers Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-filmmakers-podcast-743342)
Published: 2026-04-29T11:12:00+00:00
Episode link: https://traffic.megaphone.fm/KILM4013727605.mp3?updated=1777461352
Audio file: https://traffic.megaphone.fm/KILM4013727605.mp3?updated=1777461352
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Duration seconds: 4172

## Resource

Empire of Lies: Making an Indie Thriller on a Shoestring with Matthew Hope & Joseph Millson What happens when an established action director strips everything away to make a micro-budget thriller in just 8 days? This week on The Filmmakers Podcast, Giles Alderson sits down with director Matthew Hope (The Veteran, All the Devil's Men) and returning champion, actor/producer Joseph Millson (Casino Royale, Signs of Life), to discuss their tense new two-hander, Empire of Lies. Matthew and Joseph pull back the curtain on true guerrilla filmmaking. They break down what it is actually like to shoot a feature film in under 10 days with a crew of just 4 to 5 people, the realities of self-financing (including how Matthew pitched the investment to his wife!), and how an epiphany on the M1 motorway finally cracked the script. We also do a massive deep dive into the business side of indie film, exploring how they utilized data analytics, Instagram, and targeted ads to independently distribute a sub-£100k movie into cinemas. If you are waiting for permission or a massive budget to make your first feature, this episode will give you the kickstart you need to just go out and shoot it! 🎬 IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: Going Micro: Matthew’s pivot from massive budget action movies to an intimate, self-funded indie. Guerrilla Filmmaking: Shooting a feature in 8–10 days with a skeletal crew of 4-5 people (and a very obliging mother-in-law's field!). Cracking the Script: The collaborative writing process, layering clues for rewatchability, and the M1 car ride that unlocked the twist. Prep vs. Spontaneity: The "John Williams analogy" and why meticulous directorial prep gives actors the freedom to improvise. Indie Distribution Masterclass: Using data analytics, social media ads, and the strategi…

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