Show Don't Tell: Micro-Budget Filmmaking

Latest Episodes:

How To Reverse Engineer Your Indie Feature With “Around The Sun” Writer/Producer Jonathan Kiefer Jul 23, 2021

Show notes

In this episode I’m joined by writer and producer Jonathan Kiefer, whose feature film Around The Sun premiered last month on Kanopy, and is now widely available on digital platforms everywhere.
Around The Sun is an amazing example of what’s possible when you use available resources to reverse engineer a film concept. In Jonathan's case, he had access to an incredible French Chateau with a unique historical significance to the scientific community. This location served as the launching pad for an amazing story that ultimately attracted actors Cara Theobold (Downton Abbey), and Gethin Anthony (Game Of Thrones, Kodachrome, First Kill) to the project. Throughout the interview we delve into Jonathan’s process at length - from the development of the story to producing the film overseas, the release/distribution strategy, and much more.
Links from the show:
Around The Sun - Website
Jonathan Kiefer - Instagram
Jonathan Kiefer - Twitter
Get a free exhibit pass to the 2021 NAB Show by visiting bit.ly/21NABShow and using code BA03 at checkout.
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How To Get $25,000 + Professional Post-Production Services For Your Feature Film With Sam Mestman Jul 02, 2021

Show notes

My guest today is Sam Mestman, CEO of We Make Movies - an incredible resource for indie filmmakers looking to take their work to the next level. Among many of the other initiatives currently in motion at WMM, Sam is running a filmmaking competition that will award several micro-budget filmmakers a $25,000 investment, plus exclusive access to high end professional post-production services like color grading, audio mixing, and deliverables.
Throughout this episode we chat all about the competition, how it can benefit you as a filmmaker, and tips for improving your odds of acceptance. Sam has also generously offered members of my filmmaking community (The Backlot) free WMM memberships and fee waivers for their feature films. If you not yet a Backlot member, you can try it free for 7 days at www.noamkroll.com
Links from the show:
We Make Movies - Competition
The Backlot - Free 7 Day Trial
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Director & DP Emily Skye AKA "She Wolf Films" On Blazing Your Own Path In The Film Industry Jun 24, 2021

Show notes

Joining me today is Director & DP Emily Skye, who you might also know as "She Wolf Films" on her incredibly popular Instagram account.
Emily has been working in the film industry for 14 years, but recently her industry success has reached new heights. After building a massive fanbase for her work online, she created a short film called River. The short was so well received that within just 2 months it landed her financing for the feature length version.
Throughout the interview we discuss what it’s like to simultaneously direct and DP your own film, and how doing so can open up some unique creative advantages. Emily speaks to the importance of building an audience for your work, and how her efforts in this area led to relationships with brands like Lumix and RED. We also discuss the challenges of working in the industry as a female filmmaker, and Emily even shares a story about having to walk off a DGA production after experiencing a harassment issue on set.
All this and much more on today's episode.
Links from the show:
She Wolf Films - Instagram
She Wolf Films - Twitter
Emily Skye - Website
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Shooting A $30,000 Feature Film In 10 Days With Screenwriter & Producer Hudson Phillips Jun 18, 2021

Show notes

This week on the show, I’m joined by screenwriter and producer Hudson Phillips to chat all about his new feature film This World Alone.
This World Alone is a post-apocalyptic arthouse thriller about three women attempting to survive after a cataclysmic event leaves the Earth without technology or power. The film was shot for just $30,000 over the course of 10 days, with cast & crew living and working together under one roof in the North Georgia mountains. The film went on to have a successful festival run, picking up awards at countless festivals including the Oxford Film Festival and Phoenix Film Festival.
Throughout our chat we take a deep dive into the creation and release of this awesome project, tackling everything from production to distribution and loads more. Enjoy!
Links from the show:
This World Alone - Movie Website
Hudson Phillips Website
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Producing For The Rock, Running Charlie Sheen’s Production Company & Making Features With EP / Director / Author Shane Stanley Jun 11, 2021

Show notes

Today I’m joined by the multi-talented Shane Stanley, whose career has led him to executive produce for Dwayne (The Rock) Johnson, run Charlie Sheen’s production company, and direct his own feature films - just to scratch the surface.
In addition to his impressive career as a filmmaker, Shane is also an author and educator. His book What You Don’t Learn In Film School covers filmmaking from concept to delivery, and has been endorsed by some of the most respected names in Hollywood. Throughout the interview we chat all about Shane’s journey, how he was able to navigate the business with such success, critical lessons for filmmakers from his book, and loads more!
Links from the show:
What You Don't Learn In Film School - Book
Shane on Instagram
Shane on Facebook
Shane on Twitter
CINECOLOR Color Grading LUTs
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3 Unconventional Ways To Allocate Funds On Your Next Micro-Budget Feature Film May 28, 2021

Show notes

I am currently in pre-production for my next feature film, and will be approaching the budgeting process very differently this time around. Rather than allocating the majority of funds to production, they will be re-distributed to three key areas with the intention of maximizing the film’s potential reach.
Most filmmakers fall into the same trap - overspending in production (and post), and leaving little to nothing for their launch. This causes the vast majority micro-budget feature films to get lost in the noise, often failing to find audiences. As we discuss in this episode, by allocating funds to three specific areas (that are overlooked by 99% of micro-budget filmmakers), it is possible to dramatically improve your film's odds of sales, distribution, festival placement, and overall reach.
Throughout this episode I outline my budgeting strategy in detail, which can serve as a blueprint for your next feature film.
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Cannes Actor & Award Winning Filmmaker Leandro Taub On His Debut Feature Film EXTERNO May 28, 2021

Show notes

Joining me today is actor, author and filmmaker Leandro Taub. Leandro has found incredible success in many creative disciplines - first as an author (he’s been published 5 times and counting), then as an actor - debuting in Endless Poetry, which premiered at the Cannes film festival in 2016, and now as a filmmaker with his first feature film titled Externo.
Throughout the interview we delve into Leandro’s creative process and discuss exactly what it took for him to find success in so many different creative fields. We also chat about his film Externo at length, detailing the entire process from development to production to festival strategy and beyond.
Links from the show:
EXTERNO - Website
EXTERNO - Trailer
Leandro on Instagram
Leandro on Twitter
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How To Succeed In Filmmaking By Leveraging Commercial Productions - An Interview On Filmmakers In Advertising Podcast May 07, 2021

Show notes

Today on the show I am sharing a recent episode of the Filmmakers In Advertising podcast, which I was just interviewed on by host Codey Wilson. As the title would suggest, this podcast is all about what it’s like to work in the realm of commercial production and advertising as a filmmaker - what it takes to balance both sides, how to navigate freelancing opportunities, the benefits of managing your own production company, and more.
I don’t often speak about my commercial work on the podcast or my blog, since those channels are mainly focused on narrative filmmaking. But seeing as there are probably many filmmakers in the audience who work in both worlds, I thought this would be a fun crossover episode to help those of you trying to balance both sides. Throughout the episode I share my journey as both a filmmaker and creative entrepreneur, outlining each step of my process and obstacles encountered along the way.
Click here to enroll in 6 Figure Production Company
Links from the show:
Filmmakers In Advertising Podcast

Using NFTs To Monetize & Distribute Feature Films With SXSW Filmmaker Jason Charnick Apr 30, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, I am joined by filmmaker Jason Charnick, known for his incredible documentary feature film Getting Over, which premiered at SXSW in 2018. Today, Jason is here to talk all about NFTs - a new technology that’s been generating a ton of buzz in the world of indie film.
NFTs are a type of digital collectible that artists (including filmmakers) can use to help monetize and distribute their work in new ways. There’s a lot of debate as to the viability of NFTs in the filmmaking space, so Jason and I sat down to discuss this issue at length. We outline exactly what an NFT is (or could be) in the context of filmmaking, their potential upsides and downsides from a creator’s perspective, how filmmakers could leverage them to find more profitability in their work, and much more.
Links from the show:
Jason Charnick - Facebook
Jason Charnick- Twitter
Jason Charnick - Instagram
Up Start Film Collective
Getting Over - Film Website
Getting Over - Amazon
Head Above Water - Podcast
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How To Leverage Social Media, Podcasting, and Content Creation As a Filmmaker, With Tessa Markle & Carolina Alvarez Apr 15, 2021

Show notes

Returning to this show this week are Tessa Markle and Carolina Alvarez, co-hosts of the the Femme Regard podcast.
Tessa and Carolina have been able to leverage their amazing podcast to not only grow an audience for their work, but also expand their industry connections and meet new collaborators along the way. Throughout the episode we discuss their journey at length, going in depth on the benefits of podcasting for filmmakers, and why it's a path many filmmakers may want to consider. We also talk extensively about social media, discussing its merits as a marketing tool for your work, and why it's not always mandatory for all filmmakers.
Links from the show:
https://www.femmeregard.com
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