Contract Review in Indie Production: When is a Broker Not Feasible?

Hey everyone,

I'm navigating the complexities of an indie feature I'm supervising, and it's a whirlwind. We're shooting on an ALEXA Mini and a V-RAPTOR XL, moving fast, and getting amazing footage, but the backend keeps me on my toes. I've always heard the advice you should have a broker review all your contracts before signing them, 'textbook' best practice, right?

Realistically, with indie budgets and timelines, that's often just not possible. We're too lean to have that kind of buffer for every single agreement that comes through. We're talking everything from location agreements to equipment rentals (like our SkyPanels X and M18s), and even some of our crew deals. I've been doing my best to cross-reference with previous projects and use templates, but it feels like I'm always guessing a little.

When do you all decide that step is simply not feasible in the indie world? And, crucially, what's your 'Plan B'? How do you minimize risks when you can't afford that full brokerage oversight?

Any insights would be hugely appreciated!