Show Don't Tell: Micro-Budget Filmmaking

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.For more like this click here to sign up for my newsletter.

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 - WebsiteEXTERNO - TrailerLeandro on InstagramLeandro on TwitterFor more like this click here to sign up for my newsletter.

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 CompanyLinks from the show:Filmmakers In Advertising Podcast

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 - FacebookJason Charnick- TwitterJason Charnick - InstagramUp Start Film CollectiveGetting Over - Film WebsiteGetting Over - AmazonHead Above Water - PodcastFor more content like this, click here to sign up for my newsletter.

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.comFor more content like this, click here to sign up for my newsletter.

Filmmakers who have audiences of their own are at a tremendous advantage at every stage. From fundraising to distribution to monetization - each facet is enhanced dramatically by the size and value of any given audience.While the prospect of building an audience yourself can be daunting, the good news is it's easier than ever to accomplish… Even for those who don’t have an existing body of work.In this solo episode, I share my thoughts on why having a built-in audience is critical to the success of many films, the psychology of attracting audience members, practical steps to build your audience from scratch, and much more.For more on audience building, be sure to check out my course Online Audience Building For Filmmakers by clicking here.You can also learn more about audience building on my filmmaking community The Backlot. Register by clicking here and get a free 7 day trial.And for more content like this, click here to sign up for my newsletter.

Today on the show, I’m joined by director/producer Joseph Mensch, here to talk about his new feature film Payback, which was just released last month.Throughout the interview, Joseph shares his journey from PA’ing on Martin Scorsese’s Aviator to directing a debut feature film with a budget in the millions. He also shares some critical insights into the importance of representation, while outlining how he was able to secure an agent at ICM by means of a local film festival screening. And of course, we talk about the development and production of Payback at some length, detailing every step of the process from A to Z.Links from the show:Joseph on InstagramFor more content like this, sign up for my newsletter here.

Joining me on today’s episode is writer/producer/actor Luke Barnett, known for his incredible Funny or Die shorts and his latest feature film project - Faith Based, which features Jason Alexander, Lance Reddick, Tanner Thomason, Margaret Cho, and Luke Barnett himself.Luke’s story is super inspiring, and can be looked at as a roadmap for filmmakers who want to break into the industry by bootstrapping their own projects. Throughout the interview, Luke shares his journey from creating DIY short films for Funny or Die to producing feature films like Fear Inc. and Faith Based, while sharing invaluable tactical advice along the way. We talk about Luke’s development process, how he pulls together financing and attaches star talent to his films, his best practices for approaching agents and managers, and much more.Links from the show:Luke on TwitterLuke on InstagramFor more content like this, sign up for my newsletter here.

Today I am honored to be joined by director David F. Sandberg, known for major studio films like Shazam, Annabelle: Creation, and Lights out, as well as his no budget horror short films which he’s been releasing for years under his YouTube channel ponysmasher. David is about as great a guest as I can imagine on this show. His story is a case in point for making your own films and not waiting for permission - As we talk about throughout the interview, after years of working in documentary and animation, David decided to make some no budget short films with his wife Lotta. One of them in particular - Lights Out - was shot in just one day with no crew, and ended up going viral on YouTube. This attracted the attention of Hollywood and the rest is history. Throughout the interview we talk about David’s journey from no budget filmmaker to studio director, the biggest challenges he encountered along the way, advice for filmmakers who aspire to direct studio films, what makes someone a great director, and much more. Links from the show:David on InstagramDavid on TwitterDavid on YouTubeFor more like this, sign up for my newsletter here.

Today, I’m joined by the expert on all things relating to indie-film marketing and advertising - Kyle Prohaska.Kyle was on the show a couple years ago, and his first episode was incredibly eye-opening and packed with great strategies for filmmakers looking to monetize their creative work. But a lot has changed since then, and an updated chat was long overdue.In this follow up episode, Kyle paints a realistic picture of the marketing and distribution landscape today, while detailing best practices for filmmakers looking to turn a profit with their work. We chat about the drawbacks of releasing films on Amazon and iTunes, why building a library of titles can be the best strategy, how upcoming changes to social media advertising will impact filmmakers, and loads more.Links from the show:Prohaska Studios - WebsiteFor more content like this be sure to sign up for my newsletter here.