Show Don’t Tell: A Podcast On Micro-Budget Filmmaking
Over the last year I’ve become a huge fan of podcasts and have learned so much by listening to them almost every day. I typically cycle between podcasts on filmmaking and business, and have genuinely...
View ArticlePODCAST: How To Break Into The Industry As a Director
For my second installment of Show Don’t Tell: A Podcast On Micro-Budget Filmmaking, I am tackling an extremely important question that filmmakers consistently ask me: How do I break into the film...
View ArticlePODCAST: Finding Motivation & Staying Committed To Your Film
Filmmakers are notorious for starting projects and never finishing. I should know, as I’ve done it more than once! But the truth is, nothing is more detrimental to our ability to grow and succeed as...
View ArticlePODCAST: An Interview With Micro-Budget Filmmakers: Jamie Benyon & Lucy Jordan
In this episode, I chat with two independent filmmakers from London, England, who recently completed production on their feature film Time of the Season. With exprience on big-budget productions such...
View ArticlePODCAST: How To Pick The Right DSLR or Mirrorless Camera For Your Film
To this day, the most common question I am asked by readers of this site is “Which DSLR or mirrorless camera should I buy?” And while there is never an easy answer to that question (largely because all...
View ArticlePODCAST: Mastering The Art Of Coverage As a Director
Using scene coverage in unique or unexpected ways is one of the most effective ways for you to leave your mark on a film. Filmmakers are often taught to simply cover their scenes with just a master and...
View ArticlePODCAST: Short Films Vs. Feature Films
Filmmakers at all levels – amateur and professional – often struggle with the same question: What type of project would best help my artistic career, a short or a feature film? While there is no right...
View ArticlePODCAST: How To Find Existing Writing Material To Direct
While some filmmakers absolutely love the writing process and consider themselves true writer-directors, many others prefer to focus strictly on directing, and as such are often searching for high...
View ArticlePODCAST: Utilizing Vimeo To Grow As a Filmmaker & Build Your Audience With...
Countless filmmakers have leveraged the power of Vimeo to showcase their work, refine their craft, and ultimately build an audience for themselves. Some have had so much success on Vimeo that they have...
View ArticlePODCAST: Directing a $67,000 Micro-Budget Feature Film With Joe McClean
No two feature films are made the same way, and this sentiment is especially true of micro-budget productions which often come together under very unconventional circumstances. Director Joe McClean’s...
View ArticlePODCAST: Moving From PA To Producer In No Time: An Interview With Filmmaker...
No two filmmakers have the same story, or have broken into the industry in the same way. Filmmaker Jens Jacob is certainly no exception. After moving to Los Angeles with no industry contacts or...
View ArticlePODCAST: The Key Fundamentals Of Directing Your Actors
It goes without saying that actors are the lifeblood of any film, and for this very reason it’s crucial that all narrative directors fully understand how to elicit powerful and authentic performances...
View ArticlePODCAST: Scheduling a 12 Day Micro-Budget Feature Film Production
One of the most challenging tasks for micro-budget filmmakers is creating a shooting schedule that serves both the creative needs of a feature length production and the logistical paramters of the...
View ArticlePODCAST: Breaking Down The Budget For a $12,000 Feature Film
Many micro-budget feature films are budgeted around $10,000 – $15,000, and are produced over the course of 10 – 12 days. While this type of budget can be a challenge to work with once cast, crew,...
View ArticlePODCAST: Writing and Crowdfunding an Original Webseries With Will Gong
On this episode, I interview Will Gong – a talented Los Angeles based Writer and Editor with years of experience working on large scale feature film projects. Currently working at Disney, Will has...
View ArticlePODCAST: How To Direct & Execute a No-Budget Production Without a Crew
Making a micro-budget film is hard. Making a no-budget film is even harder – especially when you are the only crew member. In this episode, I share some actionable tips and advice for no-budget...
View ArticlePODCAST: 7 Time Saving & Efficiency Rules For The Micro-Budget Filmmaker
Production and post-production time on micro-budget films is severely limited, making it crucial for filmmakers to ensure they are being as efficient as possible with the limited time that they do...
View ArticlePODCAST: Developing a Festival Strategy That Works For Your Film
With thousands of film festivals in existence and more popping up every year, filmmakers are finding it increasingly difficult to navigate the festival circuit. And while most filmmakers have some...
View ArticlePODCAST: 5 Fundamental Tips For Shooting In Natural Light
Micro-budget filmmakers often utilize natural light as a means to simplify production requirements and reduce time on set, while also benfitting from the beautiful aethetic that it offers. When done...
View ArticlePODCAST: Making a Micro-Budget Short Film in 35mm With Ben Garchar
35mm film is still seen as the holy grail for many filmmakers, but from a cost perspective it is often prohibitive for micro-budget productions. The cost of purchasing new film stock combined with...
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