Show Don't Tell: Micro-Budget Filmmaking

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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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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