Show Don't Tell: Micro-Budget Filmmaking

In this episode, I sit down with filmmaker Wade Patterson to discuss his micro-budget feature Death Cipher - a contained thriller shot in just 12 days for only $4,000.

Throughout the interview, Wade shares how multiple failed feature attempts led him to radically simplify his process, why he embraced a single-location concept shot in his own apartment, and how limitations ultimately became the film’s greatest creative advantage.

We also dive into the realities of making a feature with almost no money, wearing multiple hats as writer/director/cinematographer/editor, navigating festival rejection, finding distribution through Filmhub and Tubi, and much more:Why several failed feature attempts led to Death Cipher 
The mindset shift that led Wade to design a film around his resources
Shooting the film over weekends and treating each room like a company move
Creating props, puzzle elements, websites, and pre-shot video material
How prioritizing actor comfort and a relaxed set environment improved the work
What changed in post, including reshoots after early test screenings
How Death Cipher landed on Tubi through Filmhub
Links from the show:

Death Cipher - Tubi

Death Cipher - Instagram

Wade Patterson - Instagram 

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In this episode I'm joined by filmmaker and entrepreneur Stefan van de Graaff, whose $75,000 micro-budget feature Simmer landed on HBO after going viral on Facebook. Stefan also co-founded a video agency that grew from a two-person team into a 100-employee business before selling for $17 million, which we discuss at length.

Throughout the episode we talk about Stefan’s unconventional path - from Midwest filmmaker to running a digial advertising business. We also cover how his commercial production work became the foundation for financing and producing indie features, and what it took to scale from a scrappy first feature to a $1M international production.

Topics covered include:
How uploading Simmer to Facebook led to 1M views and sales agent interest
How indie films without stars can land on major platforms like HBO
Financing a micro-budget feature with personal funds, partners, and partial fundraising
The jump from a $75K film to a $1M feature using tax incentives, grants, and talent deals
Why having the right producer dramatically increases credibility with agents and financiers
Lessons from building and selling an ad agency - and why strategy beats fulfillment
How reducing friction (locations, permits, crew, logistics) makes indie filmmaking possible
Why building an audience can be a more reliable path than the traditional Hollywood ladder
Links from the show:

Stefan - Instagram

One of Us - Instagram

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In this episode, I sit down with Academy Award nominee and ASC Award-winner Curren Sheldon to discuss his gritty new narrative feature Beatdown - a boxing drama made for just $60,000.

Throughout the interview, Curren shares how his background in vérité documentary shaped the film’s style, why he cast real fighters and non-actors, and how they filmed key fight scenes inside a live event with 4,000 spectators.

We also dive into the practical realities of transitioning from documentary to narrative, self-financing a feature for under $60K, navigating today’s distribution landscape, and tons more:
Why The Wrestler was a key stylistic reference for Beatdown
The doc-to-narrative transition: what gets easier, what gets harder
Using non-actors (real boxing personalities) without losing story control
Shooting inside a real “Toughman” event with 4,000 extras and a tiny window to film
How he sold two prior films to Netflix, and what it took to break through
A practical cinematography mindset shift that instantly elevates visuals
Links from the show:

Beatdown - Full Film on YouTube

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In this special episode, we celebrate today’s release of our new feature film Teacher’s Pet - Now available where you rent or buy movies!

Two days ago, we hosted a special advanced screening for members of my filmmaking community, and they took part in a virtual Q & A afterward. This episode includes the full live session with myself and lead actor / producer Luke Barnett.

Topics covered include:
Achieving high production value on a budget
Luke’s approach to bringing levity to a dark character
The casting process & landing great actors
Moving from a $0 production into a larger project
Our hardest days on set and how we problem solved
Directing & DP’ing the film simultaneously 
Much more
Watch the film on Apple now: https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/teachers-pet/id1868537677
Full list of platforms where you can watch:
Amazon Prime Video (US, CA)
Apple TV (US, CA)
Google Play / YouTube (US, CA)
Fandango at Home (US)
Comcast / Xfinity (US)
Cox (US)
Spectrum (US)
DirecTV (US)
Dish (US)
Altice (US)
Verizon / Fios (US)
Telus (CA)
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In this episode filmmaker Alec Goldberg joins the show to break down how his micro-budget comedy pilot Soft Boil went from a bootstrapped production to a blind submission acceptance at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival.

We talk about Alec’s path from documentary and commercial work into scripted narrative, how a key creative partnership with lead actor / co-writer Camille Wormser shaped the project, and what it took to pull off a festival-ready pilot on $30,000 across a handful of shoot days.

Topics covered include:
Why Alec believes casting + voice was the “X factor” (and how to recognize it)
The tactical micro-budget choices that mattered most (locations, rehearsals, scheduling)
How to direct comedy with improv-friendly actors without losing the spine of the scene
The producer “role-splitting” approach that let Alec focus on directing
How Alec thinks about finding your “voice” as a filmmaker, and why it's so critical
The films and filmmakers shaping his taste (Kaufman, PTA, Von Trier, Aronofsky, Kubrick)

Links from the show:

Alec D. Goldberg - Instagram

Camille Wormser - Instagram

Madison Shamoun - Instagram

Vivian Kerr - Instagram

Patrick Tabari - Instagram

John Gemberling - Instagram

Alec Goldberg - Website

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