Show Don't Tell: Micro-Budget Filmmaking

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.comhttps://vimeo.com/bengarchar

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

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

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

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

On this episode, Noam interviews Will Gong - a Writer and Editor with years of experience working on large scale feature film projects. Currently working at Disney, Will has edited promos, featurettes, behind the scenes content, and much more for films like Star Wars: Rogue One, Beauty and the Beast, Straight Outta Compton, and many others.While Will has a great deal of experience working on larger productions, he has most recently decided to develop his own content on a smaller scale, and is now in pre-production for a new micro-budget web series he wrote, titled “Bunkheads”. Over the course of this interview, Will shares his invaluable insight on the development and writing process for his project, experiences with crowdfunding and pre-production, and much more.For more info on Will Gong and his project Bunkheads, please visit: www.bunkheads.netYou can also check out Bunkheads on social media using the links below:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BunkheadsTV/Twitter: https://twitter.com/bunkheadsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/bunkheads/And for more content like this, be sure to visit: www.noamkroll.com

Many micro-budget feature films are budgeted around $10,000 - $15,000, and are produced over the course of 10 - 12 days. While this type of budget can be a challenge to work with once cast, crew, locations, and other costs are factored in, it can actually go a very long way when approached the right way.In this podcast, Noam breaks down a simple formula for budgeting a 12 day feature film at $1000/day. Using this approach, filmmakers can confidently approach their production process, knowing that all of their core expenses will be covered, including: Cast and crew, location fees, gear, post-produciton and more. The methods outlined here can be easily adapted to feature films with larger or smaller budgets, and are designed to be custom tailored to the unique needs of films of all shapes and sizes.For more content like this visit www.noamkroll.com

One of the most challenging tasks for micro-budget filmmakers is creating a shooting schedule that serves both the creative needs of a feature length production and the logistical paramters of the project. The goal is often to shoot as many pages per day as possible without sacrificing quality, but that is easier said than done.Over the course of this episode, Noam outlines a 12 day shooting schedule that he highly recommends for filmmakers looking to find that perfect balance between quality and efficiency. The schedule is designed for an average shooting rate of 7 1/2 pages per day, and a total of 5 days off over a 17 day period.While no two productions will ever have the exact same logistical needs, this schedule offers an optimal starting point designed to serve a wide variety of micro-budget films.Learn more at www.noamkroll.com

It goes without saying that actors are the lifeblood of any film, and for this very reason it's crucial that all narrative directors fully understand how to elicit powerful and authentic performances from their talent. No two actors are trained in exactly the same way, and no two use the same tools to bring their characters to life, making communicating a specific vision with talent particularly confusing for many directors.There are however, many universal techniques and approaches that directors can and should apply both on set and off, that will allow them to tap into the full potential of their talent, regardless of their training or background. Over the course of this podcast, Noam explores a number of these key fundamental techniques along with many practical tips for directors looking to better inspire, empower, and uplift their actors, with the ultimate goal of fully bringing their vision to life.For more content like this visit www.noamkroll.com

No two filmmakers have the same story, or have broken into the industry in the same way. Filmmaker Jens Jacob is certainly no exception. After moving to Los Angeles with no industry contacts or resources whatsoever, he leveraged his unique abilities behind the camera, a strong business acumen, and invaluable soft skills to carve out a spot for himself in this industry.By working hard, staying humble, and strategically building his network while also opening up multiple businesses of his own, Jens was able to move from PA to Producer and beyond in practically no time at all. Over the past few years, he has produced and directed a number of high profile projects including network airing pilots, the online smash hit Anomaly, and most recently a feature film titled The Heart Of Man, which will have it’s theatrical release this fall.In this episode, Jens shares his wisdom, stories, and insight on all things filmmaking - including some poweful advice for filmmakers that aiming to build a lasting and lucrative career for themselves.You can view more of Jens' work on his production company site here: www.sypherfilms.com, learn about his rental house here: www.redefinerentals.com, and check out his drone company here: www.unrealfreedom.comAnd for more content like this, be sure to visit www.noamkroll.com