Producers & Market Data: Low-Cost First Steps for "Data Deficit"?

Hey everyone,

I’m Nadine, a script supervisor currently working on an indie feature, and I've been doing a lot of thinking about the broader industry. Something I keep seeing highlighted as a major pitfall for producers is 'Ignoring the Data Deficit.' It makes total sense, understanding your audience and market seems crucial for project success and finding funding.

My producer friend on this current film, and frankly many others I’ve observed, often rely on gut feelings or broad industry trends when planning. We haven't really delved into specific market data beyond distributor conversations much later down the line. I'm genuinely curious: for an independent producer, what's a practical, low-cost first step they can take to start gathering actionable market data? I'm not talking about expensive research firms, but something tangible that could inform early-stage decisions.