Show Don't Tell: Micro-budget Filmmaking

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. 

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.

In this episode, I’m joined by Andrew Simonian to talk all about his feature film The Take Out Move, which was made for just $3500.Andrew spent decades producing and developing television for NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX, MTV, BET, and many others, before deciding to take a stab at the world of micro-budget filmmaking. By calling in favors and assembling the perfect team, he was able to pull off his 74 minute comedy thriller with a virtually non-existent budget, and is now gearing up for the festival circuit.Our discussion covers a full breakdown of Andrew’s film, why he chose to make it at this budget level, lessons learned along the way, and much more.Links from the show:Standard Media CompanyFor more content like this be sure to sign up for my newsletter here. 

To celebrate the launch of my new members community for filmmakers The Backlot, I am publishing this special solo episode to help spread the good news.For some context, The Backlot is a community designed to give filmmakers the tools, resources, and connections needed to bring their feature films to life.Members are on a shared journey to create a feature film of their own this year (optionally), and The Backlot provides the structure, education, and accountability needed to ensure the successful completion of each movie. You can think of it like an incubator for micro-budget feature films... But it can really be used however you see fit - whether for networking opportunities, feedback on your work, collaborations, or just as an educational experience. Over the course of the show, I share the purpose behind this community, explain how it can be used make your feature film a reality, and touch on other fun details relating to guest speakers, giveaways, and more.To sign up for The Backlot click here.For more co

Today I am joined by filmmaking duo Sandy Sternshein & Brad Riddell, here to talk about their feature directorial debut Later Days which was shot for just over $1MM and is currently gearing up for distribution.For some quick background - Brad came up through the studio system, writing films like American Pie: Band Camp, and producing features for studios like Paramount, MTV & Universal. Sandy’s background is in the independent world, with writing credits on films like Pushing Forty and Back to the Grind (an upcoming project for Tony Hawk Productions). Both Sandy & Brad have also taught screenwriting for years and have collaborated since meeting in film school at USC.Throughout the interview, we take a behind the scenes look at Later Days, exploring exactly how the film was pulled off from a creative and financial standpoint. We cover almost the entirety of the process, with special attention paid to development and fundraising. During this section, Sandy & Brad share some fantastic advice on r

On this episode, I’m joined by acclaimed filmmaker and editor Mike J. Nichols, known for his amazing work on countless documentary features like Last Play At Shea, Echo In The Canyon, and (most recently) Zappa.Mike generously shares his wealth of knowledge gained through an incredible career in post-production, leading off with a wild story about how he broke into the business by creating an unofficial edit of a Star Wars film. We also take a behind the scenes look at many of the iconic projects he’s worked on, his creative process, technical workflow, gear setup, and so much more. This is essential listening for documentary and narrative editors alike.Links from the show -Mike on TwitterMike on InstagramFor more content like this, sign up for my newsletter - www.noamkroll.com/newsletter

Many would-be filmmakers dream of leaving their day jobs to make films, but few ever take the leap. Today’s guest is certainly an exception to the rule.Michael Rekola spent years working as a lawyer in the political world, and even served as the Communications Director for the U.S. House Of Representatives in 2014-2015, before leaving it behind to pursue a career independent film.Throughout our chat, Michael outlines exactly what it took to jump ship and make such a drastic career change, while sharing invaluable insights for others who may be looking to do the same. We also chat all about the Capitol Hill Film Festival, why he decided to launch it, how it’s helped the industry come to him, what it’s taught him about filmmaking, and much more.Links from the show - Capitol Hill Film Festival - InstagramCapitol Hill Film Festival - TwitterCapitol Hill Film Festival - WebsiteSpecial Code: Anyone who uses "NOAM" at checkout will save 25% and only pay $5.99 to watch 70+ great short films on a 30 day virtual pass. 

On this episode, I’m joined by Mihai Crasneanu (CEO) and Tess Fenn (Director of Communities & Impact) to hear all about their incredibly innovative streaming platform - Beem. Unlike SVOD or TVOD platforms like Amazon and Apple that offer viewers an endless library of film titles, Beem is focused on creating special live virtual events for films, in a sense mimicking the in-person theatrical experience.This solves a major issue for filmmakers looking to monetize their film through self-distribution, as virtual events can be far more profitable than releasing your film to an SVOD/TVOD library. Over the course of our interview, Mihai and Tess speak to this at some length, outlining best practices for filmmakers looking to leverage Beem as a mechanism to bring their title to an audience, and generate revenue in the process. They also share the story behind Beem, touch on marketing and distribution tips for filmmakers, and much more.Links from the show -https://www.watchbeem.comFor more content like this sign

Joining me today is actor turned auteur, Chris Riggi - here to talk all about his debut micro-budget feature film Good Luck With Everything. This film was shot in just 5 days on a shoestring budget of $1300, with Chris not only stepping in as the writer/director, but also DP’ing, producing, and editing the film.Chris is also an acclaimed actor, with leading credits in shows like Gossip Girl and movies like Vampires Suck. Throughout the episode he shares his journey from actor to filmmaker, while breaking down his process making a feature film that was fully produced from start to finish during the pandemic. We also talk about why Chris likes to DP his own work, what it was like to work from a scriptment, how he captured dynamic shots with minimal shooting time, why he released the film without waiting on festivals, and much more.Links from the show:Chris Riggi - InstagramGood Luck With Everything - AmazonThis episode is sponsored by Film Local - http://filmlocal.comFor more content like this visit www.noamkro

On this episode, I am joined by Steven Pierce - a multi-hyphenate filmmaker with a wealth of experience in both tv & film well as advertising/commercial production. Steven's career has led him to edit four seasons worth of material for Saturday Night Live, direct content for brands like Hulu, Amazon & Jaguar, and direct live shows for artists like Ed Sheeran, Twenty One Pilots, and Sheryl Crow, just to name a few highlights. He also hosts the Independent Filmmaker's Guide podcast, which I was fortunate to be on earlier this year.We cover a lot of ground over the course of the interview, with special attention paid to Steven's time at SNL, working as an editor and visual effects artist. He walks us through his technical and creative process, and shares his insanely demanding weekly post-production workflow that you'll need to hear about to believe. All this and much more on today's show!Links from the show:Independent Filmmakers GuideFramework Productions - WebsiteFramework Productions - InstagramSteve

In this special crossover episode with the Filmmaker's Corner podcast, I chat with writer/director Michael Bachochin and producer Brooke Lorraine about their micro-budget sci-fi feature film Parallax.Over the course of our discussion we touch on the entire creative process behind this ambitious feature, go into detail on the business strategy behind the movie, and discuss the unique distribution angle being explored by the producing team.The Primal Group - Production CompanyParallax - Movie WebsiteParallax - FacebookParallax - InstagramFor more content like this visit www.noamkroll.com

Joining me on this episode is documentary feature filmmaker Josh Tsui, whose new film Insert Coin premiered earlier this year at SXSW and is out everywhere this week! The film tells the amazing behind-the-scenes story of one of the greatest video game studios of all time – Midway Games.This is one of the most fascinating documentaries I’ve seen in a long time, and learning how it was made only made it more compelling. Throughout the interview Josh details his workflow for cutting down hundreds of hours of footage, outlines why he edited most of the film on a MacBook Air, and shares his decision to turn down an offer to screen an early cut of his film at SXSW 2018 - which is just the tip of the iceberg. The ingenuity behind this movie is truly impressive, and is sure to inspire documentary and narrative filmmakers alike. Links from the show:Insert Coin - Alamo DrafthouseInsert Coin - InstagramInsert Coin - TwitterJosh Tsui - TwitterFor more content like this be sure to visit www.noamkroll.com 

On this episode, I am joined by Noam Tomaschoff (yes, another Noam!), to talk about his upcoming debut feature film Tankhouse. While many filmmaker's first features are bootstrapped on a micro-budget using DIY tactics, Noam was able to defy the odds on Tankhouse by raising a large enough budget for a 30 - 40 person crew, and strong ensemble cast featuring known actors like Christopher Lloyd and Richard Kind.Throughout the interview, Noam walks us through each critical step of his process - from fundraising to post-production and beyond. He also generously shares some tough lessons he learned on set in the first week of production that offer invaluable insight to virtually any first time filmmaker.Links from the show:Tankhouse - InstagramNoam Tomaschoff - InstagramNoam Tomaschoff - WebsiteFor more content like this visit www.noamkroll.com

This is episode features my recent live interview with Bryan Hill from AFM 2020. Bryan is an acclaimed screenwriter known for writing shows like Titans, Ash vs. The Evil Dead, and the upcoming Power Rangers movie. He was on the podcast back on Episode 75, and that interview has since become a fan favorite.This time around, the focus of our chat is Bryan's upcoming micro-budget feature film. We talk about his decision to work on a smaller canvas, how he's approaching the writing process on this film (coming from larger budget productions), and the exact writing workflow that he's following along the way. All this and much more on today's episode!AFM 2020 Session and Logos courtesy of AFM. Copyright 2020. IFTA. All Rights Reserved.For more content like this visit www.noamkroll.com

This week I'm joined by UK based filmmaker Damien Swaby, who hosts the popular Filmmaking Conversations podcast. I was fortunate enough to be interviewed on Damien's show a couple years back, and thought it was about time to have Damien on my podcast for an updated chat.Over the course of our interview, Damien outlines his unique journey as a filmmaker, which started years ago when he transitioned from working as an actor to embracing the role of director. We cover a wide range of topics; the viability of self-funding your films, why grant money isn't always ideal, lessons from Damien's top podcast guests, and much more.Links from the show:Filmmaking Conversations PodcastFor more content like this visit www.noamkroll.com 

This week I'm thrilled to be joined by Emily Best, the Founder and CEO of the wildly popular crowdfunding platform Seed & Spark. As many of you know, Seed & Spark takes a very different approach to crowdfunding, one that is specifically tailored for filmmakers and content creators, which is what makes it so uniquely valuable.Over the course of our discussion, Emily outlines exactly what it takes to successfully raise funds via crowdfunding while avoiding many of the common pitfalls. We also chat about the importance of audience building as it pertains to fundraising, distribution challenges for indie filmmakers this year, and countless other key lessons for filmmakers looking to build a long term, sustainable career.Links from the show:Seed & Spark - EventsSeed & Spark - FundSeed & Spark - TwitterSeed & Spark - FacebookSeed & Spark - InstagramFor more content like this visit www.noamkroll.com