Exploring the Business Side of Filmmaking with Mikey T | Ep. 392

This week, Tiff dives into the business of filmmaking with special guest Mikey T—a passionate filmmaker whose work centers around Jamaican culture, legacy, and economic empowerment.

Together, they explore the intersection of creativity, culture, and business, and how aspiring creatives can navigate the industry with both financial sense and social impact in mind.

Check out the full show notes: https://moneytalkwitht.com/podcast-show-notes/turning-stories-into-impact/

Key Topics Covered

• What Is Filmmaking (for Mikey T)?
  Filmmaking isn’t just about art—it’s a powerful way to start conversations, drive change, and reach people worldwide. Mikey shares how his love for Jamaica inspired him to document and amplify voices that matter.
• The Importance of the Elevator Pitch:
  In today’s fast-paced networking environment, having a clear, compelling elevator pitch is crucial for filmmakers and creatives looking to find support or funding.
• Common Mistakes in Film Business:
  Mikey discusses why passion alone isn’t enough to attract investors—artistry must be paired with business acumen and clarity on ROI (return on investment), whether financial or social.
• Social Capital & ROI in Filmmaking:
  Not every film yields direct profits, but building social capital can offer tremendous value. Mikey highlights ways filmmakers can appeal to impact-driven investors and align their projects with broader social good.
• Shifting Media Landscape:
  With platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and digital streaming, the paradigms for making—and funding—films are rapidly evolving. Mikey outlines how these changes have opened global doors for storytelling and monetization.
• Current & Upcoming Projects:
  • Jamaica Story (documentary) — Exploring Jamaican diasporic investment and social change
  • Real Jamaican Food (short doc) — Featuring food security activist Peter Ivy
  • Beg Yuh a Call (narrative short) — A festival-circuit film on family and friendship
  • Event mini-docs in the works
• Special treat for Tiff’s email list subscribers: exclusive access to unreleased films!

Tiff’s Takeaways

• Always lead with your passion but NEVER skip the business strategy—investors want to know why they should invest, and how they’ll see a return (not just money, but impact too!).
• Build your social capital and leverage your network, especially if you’re funding your own projects.
• Don’t sleep on new content formats—short-form video and global streaming are changing the filmmaking game.
• Community-building and sharing culture through art can be just as valuable (if not more) than chasing Hollywood profits.

Links & Resources

• Jamaica Story - Watch on YouTube
• Sign up for Tiff’s Email List for exclusive sneak peeks (join here)
• Connect with Mikey T:
  • Instagram: @mikeytspeaks
  • Email: mikeytspeaks@gmail.com

Connect with Tiff

• Website: moneytalkwitht.com
• Instagram / Facebook / Twitter: @moneytalkwitht

Thanks for tuning in! Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoyed the episode. See you next Thursday for more Money Talk With Tiff!