From Drill to Director: Param Gill’s Indie Filmmaking Journey- EPSIODE 162

About this episode

Rob Fredette interviews Param Gill about his journey from dentist to independent filmmaker and the realities of indie filmmaking.

Rob Fredette sits down with Param Gill, a former dentist turned independent filmmaker, to discuss his career and films — from a PTSD-focused community drama to Hotel Hollywood and the political satire Bad President. They cover the realities of indie filmmaking: financing, casting, distribution, the role of background actors, and how Bad President used real campaign moments to find an audience, plus a look ahead to a sequel and Gill’s advice for aspiring creators. INSTAGRAM: @paramgill

People in this episode

Host: Rob Fredette

Guest: Param Gill

Topics covered

• independent filmmaking
• career transition
• PTSD in film
• political satire
• advice for creators

Keywords

• indie filmmaking
• Param Gill
• Bad President
• Hotel Hollywood
• filmmaking advice

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Bad President, Hotel Hollywood, PTSD-focused community drama

More episodes of HODGEPOD with Rob Fredette

• 82nd Airborne, SEER Training, and Two Thrillers: Jared Maxwell on War, Law Enforcement, and Writing- EPISODE 166 · June 7, 2026 · 47 min
• Ideasphere: How Our Ideas Became an Ecosystem- EPISODE 165 · May 27, 2026 · 55 min
• The Superman Wars: Inside the Creator's Fight for Justice- EPISODE 164 · May 10, 2026 · 47 min
• Talking Rick Pitino, UCONN Mens and Women's Basketball and Boston Sports Nostalgia with Author Clayton Trutor- EPISODE 163 · April 20, 2026 · 44 min
• Make the Impossible Possible: Rehan Jalali's Fitness Playbook- EPISODE-161 · April 6, 2026 · 49 min
• Skincare Secrets with Chris Gibson: From Acne to Ageless Skin- EPSIODE 160 · March 30, 2026 · 54 min