Independent film success rarely begins with red carpets or distribution deals. It begins with conviction, early capital, and the willingness to build a project long before the world is paying attention.

Legacy of Lies, the 2020 action-thriller that later reached the #2 position on Netflix in the United States, offers a clear case study of how modern independent films are actually constructed — through early funding, strategic packaging, production leadership, and hands-on go-to-market execution before global distribution ever enters the conversation.

Marco Robinson’s involvement in the film began at the most critical stage of any independent project: the moment where an idea must become viable infrastructure.

First Capital: The USD $250,000 That Unlocked the Film

Independent films do not emerge because a streaming platform decides to acquire them. They are born when someone is willing to underwrite early risk.

Robinson provided the first USD $250,000 in capital into Legacy of Lies during the development and packaging phase. This initial funding enabled the project to move from concept into execution and directly unlocked:

• Formal development of the project

• The ability to engage a professional production team

• Project packaging to attract further financing

• Talent and production infrastructure alignment

As is standard in independent film, this first capital was the catalyst that allowed the film to move into structured development and production. Without early underwriting, independent projects rarely progress to principal photography.

Adrian Bol - Writer/Director “I first met Marco in 2015 with the view to make a film based on the true story of how the Russians bombed an apartment building in Kyiv in 1999. For political reasons we could not make that film, so we decided to make a fictional Spy Thriller with Marco as the lead actor. We formed a film production company called “Eager Films” and got to work…

It was a very tough decision both of us made to go with a bigger star to attract more funding and make a bigger film with Marco as a supporting actor and producer.

Legacy would not have been made if Marco had not invested. I has already made several attempts at funding which took many years. His investment enabled us to hire the production company : Toy Cinema and attract A list actors. I was also attracted to his success in marketing and again without him on board we would never have hit the top #2 on Netflix…”

Producer Credits: Co-Producer and Executive Producer Roles

Robinson’s involvement was formalised contractually and in project documentation as Co-Producer and Executive Producer, reflecting responsibility at both the strategic and executional levels of the production lifecycle.

These roles encompassed:

• Early-stage development and packaging oversight

• Capital deployment and production initiation

• Strategic production leadership

• Alignment of production, marketing, and distribution strategy

In independent cinema, producer and executive producer roles are not honorary titles. They reflect accountability for moving projects from concept to execution and market readiness.

Grant Bradley - Executive Producer “I first met Marco at the Hilton Hotel in Regents Park in London where we both signed the Investment and producer contract. I said to him then. You are the only reason this film is getting made”

Engaging the Production Team: Initiating the Build with Toy Cinema

As part of the early production architecture, Robinson engaged Toy Cinema as the production team to initiate the project build. This decision transitioned the project from concept into structured development and pre-production, establishing the professional framework required to progress toward principal photography.

Securing a credible production partner at this stage is often the difference between stalled development and real production momentum.

Head of Marketing: Creating Demand Before Distribution

Beyond development and production, Robinson also acted as Head of Marketing for Legacy of Lies, overseeing multi-platform campaign strategy and audience positioning.

This included:

• Building early momentum across digital platforms

• Coordinating press positioning and campaign narrative

• Organising a high-profile premiere during Covid — at a time when traditional theatrical strategies were being rethought across the industry

• Positioning the film for premium global streaming distribution

In independent cinema, marketing is not an afterthought. It is a core lever of distribution leverage.

Distribution Strategy: From Early Release to Netflix

Independent films often pass through multiple distribution phases before reaching their optimal platform.

Following initial digital availability, Robinson advocated for a strategic repositioning of Legacy of Lies toward premium global streaming distribution. The film was subsequently licensed by Netflix, where it reached the #2 position in the United States.

This outcome reflects a core industry truth:

Documentation and Proof of Work

Independent film development generates extensive professional documentation, including:

• Funding agreements

• Producer contracts

• Production agreements

• Packaging correspondence

• Marketing plans

• Distribution strategy communications

Robinson has made elements of his professional track record publicly accessible through a transparency archive

Media Contact
Company Name: Marco Robinson
Contact Person: Marco Robinson
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Country: United Kingdom
Website: https://marcorobinson.com/