Each week, filmmaker Noam Kroll shares valuable insight into the world of micro-budget filmmaking, geared towards true DIY filmmakers looking to get out there and create their own films.
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In this special episode, we celebrate today’s release of our new feature film Teacher’s Pet - Now available where you rent or buy movies! Two days ago, we hosted a special advanced screening for members of my filmmaking community, and they took part in a virtual Q & A afterward. This episode includes the full live session with myself and lead actor / producer Luke Barnett. Topics covered include: Achieving high production value on a budget Luke’s approach to bringing levity to a dark charact...
In this episode filmmaker Alec Goldberg joins the show to break down how his micro-budget comedy pilot Soft Boil went from a bootstrapped production to a blind submission acceptance at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival. We talk about Alec’s path from documentary and commercial work into scripted narrative, how a key creative partnership with lead actor / co-writer Camille Wormser shaped the project, and what it took to pull off a festival-ready pilot on $30,000 across a handful of shoot days. Topi...
In this episode, I’m joined by filmmaker West Eldredge to break down how he made his debut feature Take From Me on a budget of $80,000 - and turned it into a real-world release on major platforms. We talk candidly about what actually moves the needle on an ultra-low budget feature: prioritizing casting, building a crew that can adapt under pressure, using festivals as a testing ground, and leveraging a strong trailer to start distribution conversations early.Topics covered include: Why West chos...
In this episode I’m joined by filmmaker Anna Elizabeth James, whose psychological thrillers Deadly Illusions and Held Hostage in My House both found major success on Netflix, including top-chart placement on the platform. Throughout the interview we break down Anna’s unconventional approach to building a sustainable filmmaking career outside the traditional studio system. We dive deep into intellectual property ownership, licensing vs selling films outright, and how filmmakers can retain long-te...
In this episode, I’m joined by filmmaker Mark Hensley, whose new feature Clown and Out in Valley Village was shot entirely guerrilla-style over the course of a year, for just $4,000. Mark shares how he wrote, shot, lit, and edited the film with no crew, no permits, and no safety net, all while working full-time as a re-recording mixer for major network shows.We dive deep into micro-budget filmmaking, practical sound strategies, on-the-fly rewrites, and why taking your time on a no-budget feature...
In this episode, I’m joined by Steven Bernstein, ASC - the legendary cinematographer behind films like Monster, Bulletproof , and The Waterboy - to explore his extraordinary journey from BBC-trained writer/director to one of Hollywood’s most insightful visual storytellers. We discuss Steven’s unconventional path into cinematography, how he developed his philosophy of the “20 languages of cinema,” and why he believes most screenwriting rules hold filmmakers back rather than push them forward. Top...
On today’s episode, I’m joined by filmmaker Hudson Phillips, who returns to share the incredible story of how his first appearance on the podcast led to getting his feature film financed (via one of our listeners) Throughout the discussion we take a deep dive into the realities of making micro-budget features profitable - Touring films like bands, selling merch, building community city-by-city, and designing a sustainable filmmaking life outside the traditional Hollywood pipeline. Topics covered...
In this episode I’m thrilled to be joined by Luke Barnett to discuss our viral short film OVATION , made for just $50 over a two-hour shoot. The film satirizes the never-ending standing ovations at major festivals that have dominated the trades in recent years. Within days of completion, the short caught fire online and even landed a feature in Variety - proof that the smallest, most spontaneous projects can yield outsized results. Throughout the discussion we unpack OVATION in detail, along wit...
In this episode I’m joined by filmmaker Jon Bregel, who recently DP'd the new Jay Duplass feature film The Baltimorons - which premiered at this year's SXSW film festival, and was released theatrically in September via IFC Films. Throughout the interview we trace Jon's journey from leveraging Vimeo as a tool to launch a successful commercial career in New York, to stepping away and redefining what it means to be a working filmmaker. We dig into creative alignment, sustainable career building, an...
In this episode I am joined by longtime friend and fellow filmmaker Ryan Oksenberg, here to break down the making of his debut feature FOIBLES - a darkly comic, surreal satire about codependency and addiction. Throughout the episode we take a behind the scenes look at this feature - How Ryan greenlit the project himself, pulling off big set pieces on an indie budget, the 13-month post pipeline, music licensing reality checks, and taking home an award at Kevin Smith’s Smodcastle for best Actor. T...
In this episode filmmaker and novelist Mick Lexington joins me to unpack the development phase for his debut feature Mr. Jack - an existential New York drama adapted from his own novel. Through the interview we dig into the process of raising a ~$400K production budget, why he brought on a dedicated fundraising lead, and how his “agile filmmaking” approach allows him to start elements of production ahead of principle photography. We also dive deep on writing craft - outlining, “killing your darl...
Filmmaker Matthew Freiheit discusses creating his debut feature, "Iconic," for just $40,000 by maximizing resources and leveraging his background in music and fashion videos. He shares insights into the challenges of directing and DPing, navigating the American Film Market, and offers a nuanced perspective on AI's potential and ethical implications for independent filmmakers and the industry at large. The episode also touches on his diverse career working with major artists and brands.
Filmmaker Emily Elizabeth Thomas joins me this week to break down the making of her debut feature film Keily: Homecoming Dweeb , a YA romance that bridges classic rom-com elements with bold visual experimentation. Emily shares how the project grew out of a Candy Jar–financed vertical web series, why she embraced an unconventional format to connect with Gen Z, and how she maintained her distinctive voice on both the series and the feature. We also dive deep into practical directing craft - from n...
In this episode, I’m joined by director and photographer Dave Hill to discuss the making of his second feature film — a visually dynamic, deeply personal story shot with virtually no crew in the Arizona desert. All on the Blackmagic Pocket 4K. Throughout the interview we dive deep into Dave’s tactics and workflow, and explore how they empowered him to fully own the visual language of his film. Topics covered include: Why Dave ditched the traditional crew structure and shot entirely handheld How ...
In this episode, I’m joined by filmmaker Julian Sol Jordan to talk about his self-made debut feature Real Life — an 82-minute hybrid narrative-documentary that was shot, directed, edited, colored, and mixed entirely by himself. The film, which screened recently at the Texas Theatre in Dallas thanks to a generous grant from David Lowery, is a raw, poetic exploration of early adulthood, nostalgia, and the struggle to find meaning in your 20s. Throughout our conversation, Julian and I unpack the en...
In this episode, I am joined by DP Justyn Moro, whose cinematography career has included collaborations with artists like Jared Leto, Tom Delonge and countless others - and most recently has been shooting features and television at Tyler Perry Studios. Justyn shares the full scope of his creative journey—how he got started shooting music videos, learning cinematography on the road with Jared Leto, and making the leap into narrative storytelling on projects like Monsters of California and Beauty ...
In this episode, I am joined by filmmaker Felipe Vargas - whose viral horror short films helped him land his feature film debut Rosario . Throughout our discussion, we explore Felipe’s journey from DIY shorts to large scale feature productions and lessons learned along the way. Topics covered include: How Felipe's childhood passion for horror and folklore shaped his filmmaking style The success of his short films, including Milk Teeth which garnered 15 million views on YouTube The realities of g...
In this episode, I am joined by filmmaker Joe Burke to discuss his incredible journey making the feature film Burt for just $7,000. Executive produced by David Gordon Green, the film follows a street musician with Parkinson's disease who discovers he has a son. Throughout our conversation, we explore Joe's innovative approach to micro-budget filmmaking, including how he infused real-life relationships into the narrative. Topics covered include: How Joe cast his non-actor subjects in their first ...
In this episode, I am joined by filmmaker Christopher Folkens to discuss his debut feature film The Catalyst - a psychological thriller that was produced in just 8 shooting days. Throughout our discussion, we explore the unconventional production methods Christopher employed, including structured improvisation and a non-traditional shooting schedule. Topics covered include: Why Christopher chose to embrace structured improvisation with actors How they filmed nearly half the movie in a single nig...
In this episode, I am joined by filmmaker Clinton Cornwell to discuss his feature film 12 Months , which he shot over the course of two years (and 60 shooting days) in a style inspired by Richard Linklater's Boyhood. Throughout our conversation, we dive deep into Clinton's unique production approach and creative process. Topics covered include: Creating an improvised relationship drama shot over real time Working with a minimal crew (often just 3 people) across 60 shooting days The benefits and ...
In this episode, I am joined by filmmaker Nick Psinakis to discuss his journey creating four feature films with creative partner Kevin Ignatius and how they've developed a sustainable model for indie filmmaking. Throughout our conversation, we explore their evolution from DIY beginnings to community-supported productions, with special emphasis on how they've maintained high production value on micro-budgets. Topics covered include: Their progression from a $65K genre film to their newest feature...
In this episode, I am joined by filmmaker Vivian Kerr to discuss her journey from acting to directing and how she successfully brought her first two feature films to life without traditional industry connections. Vivian's debut feature, Scrap - a family dramedy starring herself alongside Anthony Rapp ( Rent, Star Trek Discovery ) - completed a two-year festival run spanning 43 festivals before its recent VOD release. She followed this quickly with her second feature, Seance , a psychological thr...
In this episode, I am joined by filmmaker Ethan Hegel, who recently made his feature directorial debut with Purgatory Station after years of honing his craft behind the camera. Throughout the interview, Ethan shares his unique path to serving as director, DP, editor, and colorist on multiple feature films. Topics covered include: The importance of having a supportive network that encourages creative risk-taking How color grading expertise deepened Ethan's cinematography knowledge. Adapting and i...
In this episode, I am joined by actor/director Matt Cohen ( Supernatural, General Hospital, Entertainment Tonight ) and producer Sean Flanagan to discuss their innovative approach to making films in today's changing landscape. Throughout our conversation, we explore their upcoming feature Exes and animated series Public Domain, while unpacking their unique production model built on relationships, creative problem-solving, and maximizing resources. Topics covered include: Juggling 12+ projects in...
In this episode, I am joined by filmmaker Ernie Gilbert to discuss his work on A24's upcoming horror-thriller-comedy OPUS , which recently premiered at Sundance. Throughout our discussion, we explore Ernie’s creative process, his work in commercials & music videos, career building, and more. Topics covered include: The benefits of bringing editors on early in pre-production Editing remotely while production is taking place How to maintain fresh eyes on long-form projects Balancing work acros...
In this episode, I am joined by filmmaker Rob Smat who shares his experience transitioning from the $100,000 feature film The Last Whistle to a $10,000 documentary Walkout , and the valuable lessons learned along the way. Throughout our discussion, we explore the realities of micro-budget filmmaking and distribution through the lens of both projects. Topics covered include: • How scaling down production increases creative control • Working with traditional distributors vs. self-distribution plat...
In this episode, I am joined by film editor Stephania Dulowski to discuss her work on the Sundance dramatic competition feature film Bunny Lover . We dive deep into her editorial process and explore the tactics she used to pull off an amazing edit in record time. Topics covered include: Completing a first cut in just one month Navigating test screenings and filmmaker feedback The importance of technical skills and communication in editing Editorial workflow breakdown from dailies review to final...
In this episode, I am thrilled to be joined by actor and filmmaker Samantha Scaffidi, known for her role in the massively successful Terrifier franchise, and her upcoming short film Open Your Eyes. Thought the episode, Samantha offers a unique perspective on independent filmmaking from both sides of the camera. We unpack how the Terrifier films evolved from a $30,000 micro-budget horror film to a $2M theatrical blockbuster, while maintaining its independent spirit - thanks to director Damien Leo...
In this episode, I am joined by director Misha Calvert and actor Raye Spielberg to unpack their latest short film PINK FLAGS - a figure skating drama that stars both Raye and her husband Sawyer Spielberg. Throughout our discussion, we dive into the collaborative process at length, with special emphasis on the merits of working with close friends and family. Topics covered include: Misha's journey from directing comedy & TV to making a full scale short film Turning a $50K budget into $300K of...
In this episode, I am joined by filmmaker Shannon E. Brown, here to discuss her latest short film Overnights - inspired by her real life experience in the veterinary industry, and the burnout that it caused. Shannon combined her background in the veterinary world, improv comedy, and horror sensibilities to create a deeply personal, uniquely stylized short film. Throughout the interview, we discuss: The parallels between comedy and horror genres in filmmaking Producing the film in two days in a b...
