Show Don't Tell: Micro-budget Filmmaking

Many filmmakers fall into the freelancing trap - They develop a relatively specialized skill, get great at their craft, gain lots of clients, but inevitably find themselves buried in work. Ultimately, this leaves them unable to focus on their passion projects (such as original feature films or new business ventures), as they are anchored to their client work day in and day out. Some people find themselves stuck in this situation for their entire careers, but all of us have the ability to choose a different path.In this episode, I outline how you can use passively generated income to avoid this problem entirely, by becoming far less reliant on a single revenue stream. The goal is to stop trading your time for money.Putting systems in place that will ultimately make money while you sleep is not easy, but it is possible. And once that goal is achieved, you will have infinitely more flexibility with how you spend your time. This means more time spent being creative, working on the projects you want to be working

Over the years, I've learned that having too much time to work on any creative project can be a bad thing, but that having too little time can actually be helpful in some ways... So naturally, when it came time to edit my latest feature film (White Crow) I decided to give myself only 3 weeks to edit down a 23+ hour mountain of footage into a 90 minute assembly. While it may seem counter-intuitive to work this quickly, in my case it was actually a huge asset to the process.In this episode, I outline exactly how I used aggressive deadlines and other self-imposed time constraints to tap into my gut instincts, and turn around a great first cut in record time. I also touch on applying these principles to our work consciously, to reach an ideal state of creative flow every time we sit down to work.For more content like this visit www.noamkroll.com 

In today’s episode, I interview Gabe Reiter - an incredibly accomplished commercial producer who has now entered the world of independent content creation with his new series “Bunkheads”. The series (which is now available on Amazon Prime) is a hilarious sitcom set against the backdrop of a zombie apocalypse, following four survivors as they not only attempt to survive the zombies outside, but also eachother.Coming from a background in high end commercial production, Gabe has produced million dollar + spots for brands like UPS, Levi’s, Tide, Hallmark, Nationwide, and countless others. Over the course of this interview, Gabe shares his philosophy on production, how he was able to utilize his expertise in the commercial realm to produce a DIY project with a tremendous amount of production value, and much more. Links from the show: Bunkheads on Amazon Prime -  https://www.amazon.com/Bunkheads/dp/B07K8TQCRCBunkheads Official Trailer - https://youtu.be/NZ1AoacIXQABunkheads Website -  https://www.bunkheads.net/ Bun

Succeeding in film takes far more than a basic understanding of the craft. While technical skills are undeniably important for any filmmaker to master, they alone will not equate to any type of artistic or commercial success. The degree to which any filmmaker succeeds has far more to do with their psychology and tenacity than it does their skill...For instance - Many of us understand the importance of goal setting and strategizing for our film careers, but few of us are able to actually follow through and deliver. This is usually a result of poor motivation, or self-limiting beliefs, which result in a lack of true effort and persistence when the going gets tough. I would argue that these issues - not skill - are responsible for the thousands of film ideas every year that never get off the ground.In this episode, I address this issue head on, discussing specific methods for setting and achieving your filmmaking goals, and using the concept of "obsession" to stay motivated even under the most difficult circumst

Filmmakers are commonly taught to focus on story structure, plot, and formula while screenwriting, with scene writing usually falling into the background of the discussion. This lack of attention can lead to scenes that are underwritten or underdeveloped, and that ultimately won’t serve the story as a whole. In this weeks episode, we shift the focus away from general screenwriting theory, and discuss the granular principles of scene writing - Constructs that are not only designed to push the story forward, but more importantly to illicit an emotional response in the audience. Topics covered include: introducing conflict, writing with theme in mind, creating emotional undercurrents, and much more. Shadows On The Road - https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/shadows-on-the-road/id1436104543 For more content like this visit www.noamkroll.com

Before a film is even written, its success can be determined by the strength of the concept alone. Without a great concept, it can be extremely difficult to attract talent, producers, or investors to your project, and just as hard to market and sell the film once its done. In many respects, the concept development phase is the single most important part of the process, and one that can never be rushed.In today's episode, I outline my entire concept development process from start to finish, using my upcoming feature film WHITE CROW as a case study. Topics covered include: Picking the right idea, development tactics, using the logline as DNA for the screenplay, iterating & revising the core concept, and much more.To follow along with my upcoming feature film WHITE CROW, be sure to follow us on social media using the links below:http://www.instagram.com/whitecrowmoviehttp://www.twitter.com/whitecrowmoviehttp://www.facebook.com/whitecrowmovieAnd for more content like this visit www.noamkroll.com 

In 2018, the art of marketing a feature film is just as critical for independent filmmakers to know as the craft itself. No one knows this better than today’s guest, Kyle Prohaska, who is not only an incredible DIY filmmaker in his own right, but also an expert on marketing independent features.Kyle and his company (Prohaska Studios) have successfully marketed countless feature films including: Asperger’s Are Us, Drive Play Sleep, Standing Firm, and Love Covers All, just to name a few. Over the course of this interview, Kyle shares his expertise on the art of marketing, outlining exactly what DIY filmmakers today need to know in order to successfully sell and market their films online.Links from the show:Prohaska Studios - www.prohaskastudios.comKyle on Twitter - https://twitter.com/kyleprohaska?lang=enKyle on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/kyleprohaskaKyle on IMDB - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2700024/For more content like this visit www.noamkroll.com

For this week's interview, Jason Brubaker of Distribber joins me to share his wealth of knowledge on all things marketing & distribution. Distribber is one of the largest and most prominent aggregators for independent films out there, giving filmmakers without traditional distribution deals the ability to sell their content globally, through iTunes, Amazon, Netflix, Hulu, and countless other platforms.During the interview, Jason outlines exactly what it takes to turn a profit with an indepdent film while working with an aggregator like Distribber. Using case studies and real world examples, Jason outlines a bulletproof method for setting sales targets for any indie film, and reaching those targets through purposeful marketing. Topics covered include: the importance of using a "windowed" release strategy, the differences between popular TVOD, SVOD, & AVOD platforms, how to use grassroots marketing to drive your film up the charts, what Netflix is looking for when licensing independent content, and much

This week, Jim Cummings - Director of THUNDER ROAD - joins me on the show to demystify the process behind his massive success in filmmaking over the past few years. Jim won Sundance in 2016 with his short version of Thunder Road,and went on to win SXSW in 2018 with his full length feature adaptation of the film.Over the course of this hour long interview, Jim shares his creative process at length, touching on every key aspect - development, screenwriting, directing, performance, editorial, and even self-distribution. He also speaks passionatley about his biggest advice for filmmakers - just getting out there and making a movie - and the importance of building a sustainable career in today’s indie film landscape.For more content like this visit www.noamkroll.com

In this week’s episode, I interview Don Hardy - an extremely accomplished documentary filmmaker whose most recent feature film, Pick Of The Litter, is being released theatrically by IFC films later this month.Don and his co-director (Dana Nachman) have an incredible track record of finding success with their feature docs, beginning with their film “Witch Hunt” in 2008 - A complete DIY project that was able to secure Sean Penn as a narrator, and premiere at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival.Over the course of the interview, Don outlines his approach to the art and business of documentary filmmaking, detailing his process for taking an idea from concept to completion, and securing theatrical distribution along the way. Links from the show:Don’s production company - http://ktffilms.comDon on Twitter - https://twitter.com/IamDonHardyDon on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/don.hardy1Pick of the litter trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oW7GVR2c80k For more content like this visit www.no

One of the most essential ingredients for success in today’s filmmaking landscape, is the ability to build an online community that is supportive of your work. Many of the most successful filmmakers, artists, and other creative entrepreneurs have been able to thrive artistically and financially, simply by harnessing the power of community engagement.While building a sustainable community around your passion, interests, and abilities has never been easier, it is still no easy feat. It takes a tremendous amount of time, dedication, and sweat equity, but those who are willing to put in the legwork are rewarded massively over the course of their careers. In this episode, we discuss the fundamental building blocks of any strong creative community, and how you can build one of your own that is based around your unique skills and abilities.For more content like this visit www.noamkroll.com

Last month my feature film - Shadows On The Road premiered at Dances With Films here in Los Angeles. Using my festival experience as a case study, in this episode I detail exactly what to expect after you get your acceptance letter.Topics covered include: Deliverables, DCPs, Press Kits, Publicity/PR, Festival screenings, Distribution, and much more.For more content like this visit www.noamkroll.com 

Filmmaking is one of the toughest businesses to work in, as there is no clear path to success and a tremendous amount of competition. The amount of turnover in the industry is staggering, and many aspiring filmmakers only make one or two films before they call it quits.In order to succeed in film, it's clear you need to play the long game. It can take years to develop the right skills, cultivate mutually beneficial relationships, and build a body of work that can ultimately serve as the foundation for a successful career. And with that, this episode focuses on 5 of the most crucial factors that all filmmakers need to take into account in order to beat the odds, and stay afloat in what can be a grueling industry.For more content like this visit www.noamkroll.com

As a filmmaker, understanding how to find work, land bigger and better projects, and actually make a living while freelancing is as important (if not more) than learning the craft itself. No one knows that better than today’s guest - Cole Walliser - an acclaimed commercial and music video Director based in Los Angeles, who went from shooting skateboarding videos with friends to directing content for Katy Perry, Pink, Miley Cyrus, and countless other artists and brands.Over the course of the interview, Cole shares his unique journey as a filmmaker, outlining each step he took to develop his passion for filmmaking into a thriving and sustainable career. Topics covered include: how to get started as a director, whether or not owning gear is essential, how to know when to take unpaid work, landing large clients, working with the DGA, the importance of social media, and much more.To check out more of Cole’s work, use the links below:www.colewalliser.comwww.instagram.com/colewalliserwww.youtube.com/ColeWalliserwww.

The film festival submission process can be extremely daunting for filmmakers, especially those that have no experience on the festival circuit. Many filmmakers neglect to understand what festivals are truly looking for with their submissions, and don’t give themselves the best chance possible to get programmed.In today’s episode, Karolyne Sosa, Programming Director for DTLAFF, sheds light on the programming process - sharing inside info from behind the scenes, outlining exactly what goes into creating a festival slate. Topics discussed include: programming blind submissions vs. curated films, optimizing communication with festivals, what the programming process entails, how to pre-market your work, what happens after getting programmed, and much more.To submit your film for free to DTLAFF, be one of the first 10 listeners to e-mail: info@DTLAFF.com with the subject: DTLAFF & Noam KrollFor more content like this visit www.noamkroll.com

Micro-budget filmmakers are often far more focused on the creative aspects of their projects than the business side. This can pose challenges for those aiming to raise a substantial budget for their films, as many don’t know where to start, or simply assume crowdfunding is their only option.In today’s episode, we break down the basics of each of the major financing options indie filmmakers have at their disposal. Topics covered include: crowdfunding, private equity, foreign pre-sales, distributor financing, and more. We also discuss how to identify which financing model is most relevant for any given film, based on the goals and objectives of the filmmakers behind the project.For more content like this visit www.noamkroll.com

Many filmmakers end up editing their own feature films, as low budget projects typically call for everyone on board (including the director) to wear many hats. These same filmmakers are also usually left with the responsibility of cutting their own trailers too, which can be far more challenging than feature edit itself.Trailer editing really is its own art form. Large scale feature films are almost always sent to dedicated trailer houses/trailer editors who specialize in this area, as cutting an effective promo piece takes an entirely different set of skills. Independent and micro-budget films don't have this luxury, so lower budget directors/editors must develop a new skill set if they want to deliver an effective trailer that truly does their film justice.In this episode, we explore several key considerations on this topic - from the importance of priotizing the audio bed, to avoiding the temptation of telling the whole story in just 2 minutes, and much more.For more content like this, or to check out the

As expected, NAB 2018 brought us some of the most exciting camera and gear announcements of the year so far, and there is a whole lot to unpack. While Blackmagic once again stole the show with their Pocket Cinema Camera 4K, many other cameras - such as the Sony FS5 II, Canon C700 FF, Fuji X-H1, and Kinefinity MAVO have been making waves too. Over the course of the episode, we delve into these cameras at length, exploring their core features, strengths, and shortcomings.We also discuss the merits of NAB, who the conference is really for, how to get the most out of it, and whether it’s worth attending for filmmakers that have never been. All this and much more on today’s show!For more content like this visit www.noamkroll.com

On today's show we are joined by none other than Alex Ferrari, a micro-budget filmmaker and true hustler - known widely for his popular filmmaking podcast Indie Film Hustle. After 20 years in the film business, Alex turned to micro-budget filmmaking as a means to take control over his own destiny and bring his feature narrative projects to life once and for all. This has culminated in the creation of two feature films over the past two years: This Is Meg, and On The Corner Of Ego And Desire.Over the course of the interview, Alex uses his film Meg as a case study, outlining the exact steps he took to get the film made, premiere at Cinequest, and eventually license the film to Hulu. Topics covered include: Working from a scriptment, casting known actors, handling post-production on your own, navigating the festival circuit, finding distribution on major VOD platforms, and much more.Links from the show:Bulletproof Screenplay Podcast: https://indiefilmhustle.com/bulletproof-screenplay-podcast/ Bulletproof Script

Most filmmakers have a laundry list of excuses for why they're not making their film - They don’t have enough money, can’t find good actors, or don’t have access to the right camera package. But more often than not, these excuses are self-imposed, and it's the filmmaker themself that is holding the project back, often unwittingly creating hurdles that will prevent them from ever making thier movie.Why is this the case, though? Why do so many filmmakers create obstacles for themselves, or believe that making a feature film is an impossible feat, when it is easier now than ever before? The reason is simple: They are afraid to fail. Whether they realize it or not, the excuses they are making for themselves are all rooted in a fear of failure, and that's what today's episode is all about. We look at some of the ways fear of failure can manifest during the creative process, the detriment it can have on any film project, and how to avoid it entirely so that we can all focus on the one thing that really matters - ma