On today’s episode, we welcome Brad Wilke, a filmmaker, screenwriter, and marketing strategist who’s built a career at the intersection of creativity and audience connection. Brad’s path wasn’t the typical Hollywood story—he began his professional life at West Point, a far cry from the film sets and marketing campaigns he’s known for today. His journey from military discipline to cinematic storytelling taught him the value of strategy, structure, and execution—traits that now define his work in both filmmaking and marketing. Through years of experience, Brad has mastered not just how to create films, but how to connect them with the people who need to see them.
In this insightful conversation, Brad shares how his early career writing creature features for the legendary Roger Corman—films like Camel Spiders and Piranhaconda—became a crash course in creative efficiency. Working with microbudgets forced him to find innovative ways to make stories pop on screen while respecting the limitations of production. He calls this period his “creative boot camp,” a time when he learned to write sharp, focused scripts that could actually be made. That same pragmatic mindset carried over into his later ventures, including co-founding Smart House Creative, a digital marketing agency that helps independent filmmakers reach and grow their audiences.
Brad believes marketing isn’t a task to check off after a film is finished—it’s an integral part of storytelling. He urges filmmakers to think about their audience from the very beginning, to weave marketing into the DNA of their creative process. From crafting effective crowdfunding campaigns to leveraging social media and email lists, he emphasizes that understanding your audience is just as vital as writing a strong script. His work at Smart House Creative bridges the gap between art and audience, helping filmmakers navigate the ever-changing world of online promotion with authenticity and strategy.
He also dives into the realities of indie film distribution, reminding creators that success today requires persistence, adaptability, and a deep understanding of your own brand. Whether you’re pitching a project, releasing a film, or promoting a festival, Brad stresses that every filmmaker must become a storyteller not just on screen, but in how they communicate their vision to the world. For him, the modern filmmaker is both artist and entrepreneur—a creator who can balance inspiration with strategy.
Ultimately, Brad Wilke’s story is one of reinvention and resilience. His unique blend of artistic insight and business acumen shows that the future of filmmaking belongs to those who understand that creativity doesn’t end when the credits roll. It continues through how a story finds its audience—and how a filmmaker builds a lasting connection with the world beyond the screen.
