In this episode, I am joined by filmmaker Kim Noonan, who made his feature directorial debut at age 50 with two horror films - proving you can take your career to the next level at any age. After years of making award-winning short films, Kim transitioned to features with the found-footage horror film Nyctophobia and followed it up with the supernatural thriller Are You There? which secured distribution through Dark Sky Films. Topics covered include: Kim's journey from acting to directing Making...
Nov 15, 2024•46 min
In this episode, I am joined by filmmaker Sripal Sama, who turned his engineering background into an advantage when crafting his debut feature How's That for Monday? While holding down his day job as an IT security engineer, Sripal managed to write, direct, and produce a compelling thriller for just $65,000 - and secured theatrical distribution in both the US and India. Our discussion dives deep into his filmmaking approach and distribution journey. Topics covered include: How Sripal benefitted ...
Nov 06, 2024•43 min
Today I am joined by film critic turned filmmaker Jean-Baptiste Herment, here to talk about his DIY feature film Épidermique. Throughout the episode we discuss: How Jean-Baptiste produced the feature film with no crew Benefits of spreading out the production schedule over a year Drawing inspiration from Italian cinema, Robert Rodriguez and beyond The benefits of shooting monochrome on a low budget Using 4 - 5 different cameras and matching them in post The merits of film festivals vs. online sel...
Oct 04, 2024•43 min
Today I am joined by acclaimed documentary filmmaker Roger Nygard, who you might know from films like Trekkies, Suckers, and The Truth About Marriage. Throughout our discussion, we unpack Roger’s winning formula for making and selling documentary films. Topics covered include: Why $100,000 is the magic number as a starting point for your budget The realities of recouping your costs, and what to expect from sales How to generate interest from multiple buyers to up your minimum guarantee The impor...
Sep 19, 2024•55 min
In this episode, I am joined by filmmaker Mark Mc Auley to discuss the creative process behind his feature film aWake, which was shot in a single day! The discussion covers his entire creative workflow, philosophical approach to filmmaking, production tactics, and loads more. Some of the topics covered include: Adapting a short film into to a feature Using single takes to produce a feature in one day Elevating “stage play” ideas with a cinematic treatment The importance of setting rules for your...
Aug 30, 2024•57 min
This episode is part 2 in the no-budget cinematography series, where we explore methods and tactics for achieving strong visuals with limited means. Topics covered include: The 33% rule for shooting coverage 5 ideal coverage methods for no-budget productions Shooting scenes in a single take (while avoiding common mistakes) Alternate methods to traditional “film school” coverage How the “scene split” technique can improve quality and save time Much more! These lessons offer a glimpse into my upco...
Aug 15, 2024•21 min
Today I am thrilled to be joined by the amazingly talented Jim Cummings, who you know as the Sundance winning writer / director / actor behind films like Thunder Road, The Wolf Of Snow Hollow, and The Beta Test. Jim recently released a brand new short film titled Is Now A Good Time , which we discuss at length throughout the podcast. The conversation spans Jim’s filmmaking journey post- Thunder Road , his creative process for developing ideas, and tactics for filmmakers looking to improve their ...
Aug 09, 2024•1 hr 22 min
Today we take a deep dive into the world of no-budget cinematography, looking at methods and workflows for achieving better results within limited means. The full episode covers: The 3 “no’s” of no-budget cinematography Workflow differences on a no-budget production Avoiding common pitfalls that can kill production value Lighting setups, blocking, framing, and actor placement Using day-for-night as a tool for both interiors and exteriors Much more! These lessons offer a glimpse into my upcoming ...
Aug 05, 2024•24 min
Today I am joined by returning guest Whitney Ingram to talk all about the world of freelance filmmaking. After a stint working in-house as a content creator, Whitney recently re-entered the freelance world and is already finding success landing projects that align with her creative goals. Throughout the episode we explore the benefits (and challenges) of going freelance full time, and how Whitney strikes a balance between corporate gigs and passion projects. Whitney also shares her recent experi...
Jul 19, 2024•37 min
In this episode, we explore the age old issue of imposter syndrome and look at ways to eliminate self-doubt as a filmmaker. From comparing yourself to others to fear of failure - the episode is packed with strategies to combat negativity. Topics covered include: The difference between healthy self-criticism and debilitating doubt Why you should avoid sharing your film ideas prematurely The dangers of setting arbitrary deadlines for "making it" in the industry How to handle criticism from non-fil...
Jun 26, 2024•23 min
In this episode, I am joined by writer, producer and actor Jonathon M. Smith - who originally connected with me through my filmmaking community (The Backlot). Not long after joining the community, Jonathon went on to make his debut feature film Broken City , lock in distribution, and launch an impressive film marketing event in his hometown. Throughout the interview, Jonathon sheds light on his philosophy on filmmaking, the challenges of fundraising, and his decision to shoot a low-budget film i...
Jun 20, 2024•39 min
In this episode, I dive deep into the world of single location filmmaking and share my thoughts making the most of your micro-budget production. Throughout the show I unpack many of the common pitfalls associated with this approach - like keeping your audience engaged and avoiding visual repetition - along with creative solutions at each step. Topics covered include: Writing your script around the location from the beginning Seeking out primal stories with high stakes and character potential Uti...
Jun 19, 2024•25 min
Today I am joined by Ryan McGuire, who heads up the commercial production company Cutter Studios in Tokyo, Japan. Throughout the interview, Ryan and I take a deep dive into the world of commercial filmmaking. Ryan shares his story launching a niche production business in Japan, which has attracted clients like Amazon and Zeiss along the way. We also discuss tips for filmmakers looking to build an impressive body of work, how to best differentiate yourself, the impact of AI on the industry, and m...
Jun 07, 2024•32 min
In this episode I am joined by friend of the show and host of Past Present Feature ( @pastpresentfeature ), Marcus Mizelle. An Emmy award winning feature filmmaker who has made numerous successful DIY narrative and documentary films. Throughout the interview we talk about Marcus’ leap from scripted micro-budget narratives, to breakthrough feature doc projects. He speaks to the importance of curation in modern day cinema, the state of the theatrical experience, and shares the benefits of podcasti...
May 31, 2024•38 min
Today I am thrilled to have acclaimed DP Oren Soffer on to talk about his recent work on The Creator, and all other things cinematography. Oren is of course known for his brilliant camera work on countless narrative, commercial, and music video projects. He recently co-DP’d The Creator along with Greig Fraser - which drew tons of attention for its stunning visuals and innovative use of the Sony FX3. Throughout the interview, Oren talks about his journey into cinematography, the process of co-DP'...
May 09, 2024•46 min
In this episode I am very excited to share my interview with the amazing Barbara Crampton - Known for her iconic genre films like Re-Animator, Jakob’s Wife, Suitable Flesh , and countless others. After recently working with Barbara on our new feature film, I had to get her on the podcast to discuss her unique creative process. Throughout the discussion, we cover Barbara’s career path from soap star to genre legend. We also discuss tips for new directors working with actors, the importance of re-...
May 01, 2024•1 hr 22 min
In this episode, I share a breakdown of some amazing and unconventional lens choices on the feature film Poor Things. While many lenses were used throughout production, there were 4 in particular that I believe contributed most critically to the distinct look of this film - Including a pair of Lomography Petzval lenses, and a 4mm lens adapted from Super 16. Throughout the episode, I cover each lens in depth, explore how they were used, and share other key takeaways from the film. Sign up for my ...
Apr 12, 2024•18 min
In this episode I am joined by DIY filmmaker Marty McGowan, who recently completed his feature film Ava on a budget of just $200! Throughout the episode, we unpack Marty’s creative process, how he pulled off a feature with a 2 person crew, and his approach to building a strong visual palette on a budget. We also touch on his workflow for capturing great performances, the importance of building your own filmmaking model, and more. Links from the show: Marty McGowan - Instagram Marty McGowan - Web...
Mar 29, 2024•1 hr
In this new solo episode, I break down these 8 common issues that can kill your indie film: Big egos Rushing the script Dragging out development Overspending on equipment Neglecting actors for camera Making sound an afterthought Not taking feedback from the team Not caring about the small details Throughout the show I take a deep dive into the root cause of each of these issues, along with practical solutions for working around them. Sign up for my newsletter for exclusive filmmaking insight eac...
Mar 07, 2024•28 min
In this episode, I am joined by filmmaker Steven Pierce to talk all about his latest feature film Herd. The film follows a woman that ends up trapped between a zombie outbreak and warring militia groups while trying to outrun her past. An ambitious concept for a micro-budget, making the execution of it all that much more impressive. Throughout the episode Steven and I speak about his new film at length. We cover his tactics for shooting action sequences on a budget, how he covered 20+ locations,...
Feb 23, 2024•43 min
In this new solo episode, I compare and contrast my experience directing and DP’ing two separate feature films, and share tips for other filmmakers looking to do the same. Throughout the episode we cover everything from camera & lens choice to on-set workflow. All with the intention of maximizing collaboration with actors, achieving great production value, and simplifying your on-set workflow. Sign up for my newsletter for exclusive filmmaking insight each Sunday....
Feb 16, 2024•14 min
Today I am joined by writer / director Benjamin Epstein to talk about his acclaimed feature film Buck Alamo , which stars Bruce Dern, Sonny Carl Davis, Lorelei Linklater, and premiered at the Oldenburg Film Festival. Throughout the episode we discuss Benjamin’s path as a filmmaker. From his early short film work to his first premiere at SXSW. We also unpack his creative process, his experience directing TV, and take a behind the scenes look at his latest feature film Buck Alamo. Links from the s...
Feb 09, 2024•40 min
After taking a brief hiatus while in production for our new feature Teacher's Pet , I am thrilled to return to the show! Before sharing a slew of new interviews with you, I wanted to first publish this solo episode to give you a behind the scenes look into our process on the new movie. Throughout the episode I discuss how the film was developed, my approach to keeping a DIY mentality while scaling things up, specific on set workflows, and much more. Sign up for my newsletter for exclusive filmma...
Feb 01, 2024•13 min
In this episode I am excited to be joined by acclaimed DP Danny Ruhlmann, whose latest feature film Anyone But You (starring Sydney Sweeney & Glen Powell) is out in theaters today. Throughout the episode Danny generously shares his wealth of knowledge on all things cinematography - From specific tactics for beauty lighting to creative workflows for achieving better results on set in less time. We also discuss networking methods for aspiring DPs, overall career advice, and much more. Links fr...
Dec 22, 2023•41 min
Today I am joined by filmmaker, director, and actor Scott Monahan to talk all about his brand new feature film Anchorage. Anchorage was shot in just 5 days on a budget of barely over $50,000, but that didn’t stop the film from landing a wildly successful festival tour and eventual theatrical release. Throughout the interview we take a deep dive behind the scenes look at this innovative feature. We also go in depth on the importance of telling personal stories, the production process, festival st...
Nov 10, 2023•50 min
Today, I am thrilled to be joined by Tom DeLonge of blink-182, Angels & Airwaves, and To The Stars, here to talk all about his debut feature film Monsters Of California. As a longtime fan of Tom’s, it was a treat to host this conversation and hear about his evolution into filmmaking first hand. We discuss the origin story of Monsters , how Tom’s band Angels & Airwaves sparked his interest in cinema, and Tom’s directorial approach to making this film. Tom also speaks to how his DIY roots ...
Oct 06, 2023•21 min
In this episode I am joined by writer / director Bishal Dutta to talk all about his debut feature film It Lives Inside. After making dozens of short films, Bishal leveraged his impressive body of work to develop an amazing feature film with NEON. Throughout the interview, we discuss Bishal’s trajectory from making self funded projects to a theatrically released feature. We also touch on the nuances of the horror genre, Bishal’s creative approach to directing, and much more. Links from the show: ...
Oct 05, 2023•42 min
Today, I am thrilled to be joined by Jennifer Esposito, here to discuss the incredible journey making and releasing her debut feature film, Fresh Kills. Throughout the episode Jennifer documents her creative process at length - from conceptualizing the first female driven organized crime movie, to navigating countless obstacles to raise production financing. She also shares invaluable insight for filmmakers on vetting producers, building a team, and working with actors, along with her experience...
Sep 04, 2023•58 min
In this episode I am joined by acclaimed cinematographer and Columbia University film professor Tal Lazar. Throughout the interview, Tal shares his perspective on the art of cinematography from a storytelling perspective. We discuss visual tactics for directors, how to achieve a specific cinematic vision, and the improtance of developing your own visual language. Tal also shares his philosophy on why cinematography is not inherintly a technical artform, recommendations for buying vs. renting gea...
Aug 25, 2023•41 min
In this episode, I am joined by professional location scout Jillian Fisher - Known for her work on films like The Whale, Theater Camp, Reality, and countless others. Throughout the interview, Jillian shares a behind the scenes look at her career, from breaking into the business to working on Hollywood feature films. She also talks about her journey to build up the local film industry in Kingston NY, micro-budget scouting tactics, and many lessons learned along the way. Links from the show: Jilli...
Aug 18, 2023•37 min
