Independent Filmmaking Without Hollywood’s Permission: Courtney Daniels on Forging Your Own Path

Margo is joined by independent filmmaker and writer Courtney Daniels to discuss the joys and challenges of creating outside the Hollywood studio system. Courtney shares her journey from writing spec scripts as a receptionist at Warner Brothers to producing her own feature films, including What Other Couples Do. She opens up about the power of not waiting for validation, making films on a budget, and turning her latest screenplay, A Blind Date in NYC, into a short novel. Together, they explore the freedom of independent creativity and why success comes from taking action rather than waiting to be chosen.

Margo and Courtney discuss:

• The freedom of independent filmmaking outside Hollywood

• Why waiting for validation hinders creativity

• How Courtney made her first feature film on a shoestring budget

• Tips for affordable filmmaking and getting started with minimal resources

• Turning a screenplay into a book: A Blind Date in NYC

• Overcoming fear and embracing the creative process

• Film festivals as stepping stones for indie filmmakers

• Building daily creative habits to stay inspired

• The importance of manufacturing surprise in storytelling

Connect with Courtney:

https://courtneydanielsfilms.com/

https://www.instagram.com/courtneydanielstoyou/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtney-daniels-9abb0864

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQFenMHq7I8

https://www.amazon.com/What-Other-Couples-Michael-Friedman/dp/B00QLZRLKK

https://www.amazon.com/Its-Not-You-Courtney-Daniels/dp/B0CJJZ9VTG

Connect with Margo:

www.windowsillchats.com

www.instagram.com/windowsillchats

www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill

https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry