Show Don't Tell: Micro-Budget Filmmaking

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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In this episode, I’m joined by filmmaker West Eldredge to break down how he made his debut feature Take From Me on a budget of $80,000 - and turned it into a real-world release on major platforms.

We talk candidly about what actually moves the needle on an ultra-low budget feature: prioritizing casting, building a crew that can adapt under pressure, using festivals as a testing ground, and leveraging a strong trailer to start distribution conversations early.Topics covered include:Why West chose micro-budget filmmaking as a solution to finally making a feature
How crowdfunding, personal investment, and favors helped build an $80K budget
Why he prioritized casting above almost everything - and what 4,000+ submissions taught him
Chemistry reads, ensemble casting, and avoiding the “name actor trap” on low budgets
Skeleton crew realities and what happens when a key crew member is suddenly gone
Festival strategy lessons and how audience feedback helped define the film’s genre
Pitching distributors andwhy a great trailer matters more than you think
Post-production burnout, bringing in new collaborators, and staying motivated
Links from the show:

West Eldredge - Instagram

West Eldredge - Website

Take From Me - Watch on Prime Video

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In this episode I’m joined by filmmaker Anna Elizabeth James, whose psychological thrillers Deadly Illusions and Held Hostage in My House both found major success on Netflix, including top-chart placement on the platform.

Throughout the interview we break down Anna’s unconventional approach to building a sustainable filmmaking career outside the traditional studio system. We dive deep into intellectual property ownership, licensing vs selling films outright, and how filmmakers can retain long-term leverage while still working with major distributors and streamers.

We also explore how shifting industry economics are creating new opportunities for independent storytellers who understand how to position themselves strategically. 

Topics covered include:How Deadly Illusions and Held Hostage in My House reached Netflix
Licensing vs selling films, and why IP ownership matters more than ever
What filmmakers should know about distributors, streamers, and rights reversion
Navigating the post-streaming-boom slowdown and emerging opportunities
Why film festivals aren’t the only viable path anymore
Thinking entrepreneurially without sacrificing creative integrity
The future of branded storytelling and creator-led business models
Links from the show:

Anna Elizabeth James – IMDb

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In this episode, I’m joined by filmmaker Mark Hensley, whose new feature Clown and Out in Valley Village was shot entirely guerrilla-style over the course of a year, for just $4,000.

Mark shares how he wrote, shot, lit, and edited the film with no crew, no permits, and no safety net, all while working full-time as a re-recording mixer for major network shows.We dive deep into micro-budget filmmaking, practical sound strategies, on-the-fly rewrites, and why taking your time on a no-budget feature can actually elevate the final product far beyond what traditional indie shoots allow

Topics covered include:
Shooting a feature over a full year with no crew
Rewriting and reshaping a 200-page script for micro-budget practicality
Why slow, flexible production schedules often lead to better movies
Reshooting scenes strategically - and why even big studio films build this in
Making “bad” production audio usable with smart technique
How pros mix dialogue on network shows (and why lavs can beat booms)
Picking the right camera for the film - not the “best” camera
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In this episode, I’m joined by Steven Bernstein, ASC - the legendary cinematographer behind films like Monster, Bulletproof, and The Waterboy - to explore his extraordinary journey from BBC-trained writer/director to one of Hollywood’s most insightful visual storytellers.

We discuss Steven’s unconventional path into cinematography, how he developed his philosophy of the “20 languages of cinema,” and why he believes most screenwriting rules hold filmmakers back rather than push them forward.

Topics covered include:
How Steven transitioned from the BBC to shooting studio features
The craft lessons he learned working on Monster and major studio comedies
Why he rejects rigid screenwriting formulas in favor of cinematic “grammar”
Understanding the 20 languages of cinema: composition, editing, sound, and more
How filmmakers can avoid being pigeonholed creatively or professionally
Building a sustainable career by mastering both story and image
Links from the show:

Steven Bernstein – Instagram

Steven Bernstein – IMDb

Filmmaker and Fan’s Podcast

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