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I’m not as concerned about AI as you can probably imagine just being kind of an optimistic person. I do think that [AI] will help people who don’t necessarily have the means to get to Hollywood.
From finance to filmmaking
On this episode of Inside Indies, hosts Bishop Porter and John Cooke sit down with producer, director, and writer Janek Ambros to discuss his unconventional path into independent film. Ambros built his career by balancing creative ambition with business strategy early on. “While I was in college in Upstate New York, I kind of had a bifurcated view of things,” he explains, describing how he pursued filmmaking while also studying economics and working in finance.
That dual mindset helped him break into the industry by securing funding for projects before directing his own. Reflecting on his early career, Ambros shares, “It was a lot of just kind of hustling when I was younger on the business side of things while I was cultivating my career as an actual producer, director, and writer.”
A pragmatic approach to indie filmmaking
Ambros brings a strategic lens to every project he develops. “I work backwards,” he says, explaining how he evaluates ideas based on budget, marketability, and timelines before committing to production. That mindset reflects the realities of independent filmmaking, where creative vision must align with financial feasibility.
He also underscores the long timelines many projects require. “I think the answer to that question is still going,” he says when asked about the longest project he’s worked on, noting that some films can take more than a decade to move from script to screen.
How indie film financing really works
For filmmakers navigating financing, Ambros outlines the independent model in practical terms. “There’s an infinite amount of ways to make a movie,” he explains, pointing to strategies like presales, attaching talent, and leveraging tax incentives to build a budget.
At the same time, he emphasizes flexibility when funding falls short. “Well, maybe I can make this for… Maybe I don’t need to worry about it playing at a big, you know, getting a big distributor, and I just make it for the sake of art,” he says, reinforcing that scaling a project can be a viable path forward.
Process over outcome
A central theme in Ambros’s philosophy is prioritizing the creative journey. “The process is the most important thing,” he says, highlighting the value of collaboration, personal growth, and creative exploration. While financial success and recognition matter, they are not the sole drivers.
He adds that filmmaking should go beyond purely business motivations, noting that without that creative fulfillment, “why do any of this?”
The future of indie film
Despite ongoing industry changes, Ambros remains optimistic about independent filmmaking. “You’ll always have people find a way to make an indie film,” he says, emphasizing the resilience and adaptability of the space.
He also points to technology as a major equalizer for the next generation of creators. Productions will be cheaper to make. Ambrose highlighting how tools like AI and accessible production technology are lowering barriers to entry.
Ultimately, his advice is simple and grounded in action. Keep making stuff.
Ambros’s perspective offers a realistic yet hopeful view of indie filmmaking, where persistence, adaptability, and creativity continue to shape the industry.
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