Show Don't Tell: Micro-Budget Filmmaking

Latest Episodes:

3 Story Structures Designed For True Micro-Budget Films Oct 05, 2017

Show notes

Story structure is the backbone of just about every film, and a true mastery of stucture is critical to the success of any filmmaker. Many narrative features falter as a result of poor structure, and unfortunately this is true even of films that are built on very strong premises, characters, and themes. Ultimately, structure provides the connective tissue that brings all of the key ingredients of a great screenplay together, and without the right structural mechanisms it's difficult to create work that is greater than the sum of it's parts.
In this episode, Noam discusses the concept of strucutre from a top level, outlining why it is especially critical for micro-budget filmmakers that need to make the most out of their limited resources. He also provides 3 individivual examplles of unique story structures that can help filmmakers without much (or any) budget to ensure that their work is as original and engaging as possible.
For more content like this visit www.noamkroll.com

When To Quit Your Day Job And Pursue Filmmaking Full Time Sep 28, 2017

Show notes

One of the most universal struggles for filmmakers is knowing how and when to quit working at a day job. Making indepdnent films requires a ton of time and flexibility when it comes to scheduling, and many filmmakers believe that their current work-life setup is preventing them from having the time they need to reach their goals.
Over the course of this episode, Noam dives deep into the idea of leaving a stable career to pursue filmmaking full time, and explores a number of key questions that all filmmakers should ask themselves when making the leap. These questions are intended to guide filmmakers to wholly understand what the next logical step in their career should be, and from a top level standpoint, whether or not leaving their day jobs is in fact even the right choice.
For more content like this visit www.noamkroll.com

Designing & Discovering The Perfect Cinema Lens With Ryan Avery Sep 21, 2017

Show notes

Cinema lenses are one of the most crucial tools in any filmmaker's toolkit, yet many filmmakers have a limited knowledge of how glass will affect their image from both a creative and technical standpoint.
In this episode, Noam interviews Ryan Avery - the founder of Veydra lenses - who designed one of the most sought after lens kits for independent filmmakers: The Veydra Mini Primes.
Over the course of this interview, Ryan details exactly what goes into designing and developing high quality cinema glass, what optical qualities to look for when purchasing lenses, the future of lens technology, and much much more.
Learn more about Ryan's businesses here:
https://www.veydra.com
https://lensfinder.com
And for more content like this visit http://www.noamkroll.com

The 5 Most Critical Color Grading Mistakes Made By Filmmakers Sep 07, 2017

Show notes

Color grading tools have become more accessible than ever, and as a result filmmakers are becoming hyper aware of the role that color plays in their work. Countless filmmakers are now training themselves in the art and science of color grading as a means to elevate the quality of their work without needing to rely on post-houses.
That said, the color process as a whole still poses a steep learning curve, and many filmmakers jump into their color processes before being fully aware of the technical and creative challenges that they will be faced with.
In this episode, Noam addresses 5 of the most common and most critical color grading mistakes made by filmmakers. Topics covered include: the importance of a correct order of operations, how to approach shot matching, why to never overprotect dynamic range, and much more.
For more content like this visit www.noamkroll.com

An Interview With Lift-Off Film Festival Founder Ben Pohlman Aug 31, 2017

Show notes

As one of the founders of The Lift Off Global Network of Film Festivals, Ben Pohlman has made it his mission to not only program groundbreaking films at his festivals, but also to help filmmakers thrive in the commercial marketplace and flourish in their careers.
Over the course of this hour long interview, Ben draws from his unique background as a festival founder to de-mystify the jury selection process and give filmmakers a realistic view of what it takes to get accepted. He also sheds light on many other critical topics including: The odds of getting into a festival, optimal runtimes for shorts & feature films, the main reasons why films get rejected, what happens after you're accepted, and much much more.
Originally launched in England in 2011, Lift-Off is now in ten cities across the globe including: Los Angeles, London, Paris, Berlin, Manchester, Tokyo, New York, Vancouver, Amsterdam, & Sydney. The festival network has grown rapidly as it's support of true independent film and emphasis on finding representation and global audiences for it's alumni.
To learn more about The Lift-Off Global Network of Film Festivals please visit: http://lift-off-festivals.com
For more content like this visit http://www.noamkroll.com

Making a Micro-Budget Short Film in 35mm With Ben Garchar Aug 26, 2017

Show notes

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 processing and scanning can add up very quickly, which of course is why it’s almost always reserved for higher budget productions.
That said, some micro-budget filmmakers are able to execute 35mm projects by thinking outside the box and finding ways to make the cost of shooting on film more manageable. One of those filmmakers is Ben Garchar, our guest this week.
Using some out of the box solutions (such as purchasing short ends on eBay), Ben was able to shoot portions of his latest short film Jake in 35mm, and blend it beautifully with digital footage shot on the Canon C300. In this episode, Ben explains how it was possible to shoot on 35mm film for less than the cost of renting a digital cinema camera, how he was able to match his digital footage to the film material, the benefits of shooting on 35mm and its affect on cast & crew, and much more.
Be sure to check out Ben’s work using the links below:
http://www.bengarchar.com
https://vimeo.com/bengarchar

5 Fundamental Tips For Shooting In Natural Light Aug 17, 2017

Show notes

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 right, this approach can truly offer filmmakers a best of both worlds scenatio - the ability to capture gorgeous images with minimal crew and gear.
Achieving cinema-quality results with natural light can be easier said than done though, as the lack of control over lighting, color temperature, and other variables can pose some major challenges for filmmakers.
In this episode, Noam discusses his 5 fundamental tips for shooting in natural light which cover everything from choosing the right camera for the job to the importance of tech scouting, and everything in between.
For more content like this visit www.noamkroll.com

Developing a Festival Strategy That Works For Your Film Aug 10, 2017

Show notes

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 rough festival goals in mind as they approach the submission process, many have not taken the time to truly develop a strategy that will benefit their film.
In this episode, Noam sheds light on the film festival submission process from his perspective as both a filmmaker, and someone who has judged for festivals and film competitions in the past. Topics covered include: Budgeting for festival submissions, understanding the odds of getting accepted and how to improve them, the benefit of submitting to festivals that only accept blind submissions, and much more.
For more content like this visit www.noamkroll.com

7 Time Saving & Efficiency Rules For The Micro-Budget Filmmaker Aug 03, 2017

Show notes

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 have.
Based on his experience with the micro-budget feature film “Shadows on the Road”, Noam outlines his top 7 rules for filmmakers looking to optimize production time and increase efficiency across the board. Topics covered include: How and why to keep your locations to a minimum, simplified coverage options that allow for better creative results in less time, a post-production workflows that involves locking picture reel by reel, and much more.
For more content like this visit www.noamkroll.com

How To Direct & Execute a No-Budget Production Without a Crew Jul 28, 2017

Show notes

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, Noam shares actionable tips and advice for no-budget filmmakers who need to act as the Director, DP, and Sound Recordist all at once. From making adjustments to the screenplay, to modifying blocking, lighting, and sound recording techniques, there are countless ways in which no-budget filmmakers can ensure they are still achieving a high production value, even without a crew to fall back on...
All of this and much more on this week’s episode!
For more content like this visit www.noamkroll.com