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Show Don't Tell: Micro-Budget Filmmaking

Noam Kroll
Micro-Budget Filmmaking
Filmmaking
Cinematography
Film Festivals
Short Films
No-Budget Cinematography
Film Production
Poor Things
Documentary Filmmaking
Film Industry
Screenwriting
Catalyst
Character Development
Indie Filmmaking
Independent Film
Actor Collaboration
Disappearing Boy
Music Videos
Writing Process
Filmmaking Process

Each week, filmmaker Noam Kroll shares valuable insight into the world of micro-budget filmmaking, geared towards true DIY filmmakers looking to get out there and create their own films.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes273Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
TV & Film

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Show Don't Tell: Micro-Budget Filmmaking

Latest Episodes

In this episode I'm joined by filmmaker Nick Toti - one half of the DIY filmmaking duo behind the viral 80-second short Dead Grandma, the TIFF Midnight Madness sensation It Doesn't Get Any Better Than This, and the upcoming feature Homebody.

Through... more

In this episode, I'm joined by actor, filmmaker, and musician Nathan Xia to talk about his unconventional path into the industry - from making YouTube sketches with a flip camera to acting in studio projects, getting repped as both an actor and write... more

In this episode, I’m joined by filmmaker and YouTuber Blake Calhoun to talk about his new feature film Casey Makes A Mixtape, his long-running channel iPhoneographers, and his highly entrepreneurial approach to building a sustainable filmmaking caree... more

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 hi... more

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Recent Guests

Nick Toti
Filmmaker, co-director of It Doesn't Get Any Better Than This and Dead Grandma
Independent filmmaker
Episode: Getting a $5K Feature into TIFF & Going Viral With An 80 Second Short Film With Nick Toti
Nathan Xia
Actor, filmmaker, musician, writer-director
Independent filmmaker, represented by M88
Episode: Making A $2000 Feature, Landing Vanishing Angle & Getting Into the Blacklist Project Lab - With Nathan Xia
Blake Calhoun
Filmmaker, YouTuber behind iPhoneographers
Independent film/YouTube
Episode: Building A 160K+ YouTube Channel & Making A 1980s Period Feature On A Micro-Budget
Wade Patterson
Filmmaker who made Death Cipher
Episode: Making A $4000 Feature In 12 Days And Releasing Through Tubi
Stefan van de Graaff
Indie filmmaker and digital marketing strategist who built Chamber Media and directed Simmer and One of Us
Stefan van de Graaff / Independent filmmaker
Episode: Getting a $75K Feature On HBO & Selling a Video Agency For $17MM With Stefan van de Graaff
Alec Goldberg
Director of the pilot 'Soft Boil'
Self
Episode: Getting Into Sundance With A $30K TV Pilot
West Eldredge
Filmmaker discussing his debut feature film experience
Episode: West Eldredge On Making An $80,000 Debut Feature Film
Jon Bregel
Filmmaker and Director of 'The Baltimorons'
Independent Filmmaker
Episode: DP’ing Jay Duplass' New Feature THE BALTIMORONS With Filmmaker Jon Bregel
Ryan Oksenberg
Filmmaker and Director of 'Foibles'
Episode: Winning Kevin Smith’s Smodcastle with FOIBLES Writer / Director Ryan Oksenberg

Hosts

Noam Kroll
Host of Show Don't Tell: Micro-Budget Filmmaking; filmmaker and educator focused on making films with limited resources.
Luke Barnett
Filmmaker and actor, known for micro-budget projects; contributes on topics around indie filmmaking and audience-building.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 296 ratings
  • Champion of Indie Filmmakers Everywhere

    While I can’t remember how I discovered SDT, I’ve been listening since 2017. Impossible to overstate the value of Noam’s insight and perspective. He’s a tireless muse for would-be auteurs prone to making excuses instead of making films. In a crowded field of film-making podcasts, Show Don’t Tell is one of the smartest. If I had to pick just two, this would for sure be one of them.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    WyKelso
    United States7 months ago
  • Gold Mine for Micro-Budget Filmmakers

    A podcast is one of those rare tools that filmmakers overlook when trying to get into the industry, and Noam’s is perhaps one of the most valuable of the bunch. I love the array of cast he brings on, and he’s constantly asking the right questions that help you gain actual insight into a lot of the industry’s biggest questions—stuff you get from coffee chats. The talks always feel robust and I highly recommend his newsletter as well.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Yourfavouritebud
    Canada7 months ago
  • My Film School - Show Don’t Tell

    Noam,

    I have been a follower since you posted the 04.19.2017 podcast. Back then I thought all I wanted to do was edit, but the podcast you posted got me to thinking that maybe I aught to give some thought to screenwriting and story. I thought I would never be interested in writing because, first I didn't graduate from high school and 2nd, I simply thought I would never be able to write a movie let alone a short of any kind.

    Since 2017 I have not only wrote but I also believe I can be a pretty... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Fard2500
    United States7 months ago
  • For Filmmakers

    If you’re a filmmaker interested in learning from other filmmakers - give this podcast a listen.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Nigel Ian Zamora
    United States7 months ago
  • Thanks

    Really enjoy this podcast. Just honest, calm conversations about filmmaking, production, and what actually happens behind the scenes. Thank you for that

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Anton Kurkostryha
    Canada7 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The host is praised for focused, thoughtful interviewing and actionable insights.
Guests consistently provide useful tactics on funding, production, and distribution.
Listeners praise practical, inspirational guidance for micro-budget filmmaking.
The show is seen as a reliable education hub for indie filmmakers seeking real-world results.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#116
Hong Kong/TV & Film

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Getting a $5K Feature into TIFF & Going Viral With An 80 Second Short Film With Nick Toti
Q: With multiple projects and formats, how do you prioritize and manage your time across features, shorts, and Die Die Books?
The strategy is to pursue projects that fit their DIY ethos and to leverage both creative and publishing channels; they maintain a balance between pursuing opportunities that scale up with budgets and continuing to publish accessible, affordable non-fiction film criticism through Die Die Books, while keeping the core passion for making and sharing intimate, provocative cinema.
Getting a $5K Feature into TIFF & Going Viral With An 80 Second Short Film With Nick Toti
Q: How did TIFF come into the picture and what was the path to Midnight Madness?
After a festival run and toiling through the festival circuit, a serendipitous post by a horror artist's network amplified interest; TIFF's Peter Kuplowski watched the film and came on board after a direct outreach that emphasized the no-budget, low-risk nature of the project and its narrative potential; this led to TIFF Midnight Madness exposure and broader opportunities.
Getting a $5K Feature into TIFF & Going Viral With An 80 Second Short Film With Nick Toti
Q: What was the origin story of Dead Grandma and how did it evolve into a narrative short?
The idea came from a long-standing fascination with a darkly humorous concept involving a dead grandma and a baby; it evolved into a narrative by adding an answering machine twist to provide a beginning, middle, and end within a one-minute frame, while maintaining the core image that audiences could interpret in multiple ways.
Making A $2000 Feature, Landing Vanishing Angle & Getting Into the Blacklist Project Lab - With Nathan Xia
Q: How did Nathan land his agent and break into acting amidst a challenging industry?
He used aggressive cold outreach, built up a dossier of shorts and festival work, and leveraged relationships from festivals and collaborations to gain attention, eventually landing representation and opportunities.
How an Oscar-Nominated Filmmaker Shot a $60K Boxing Feature With Production Value
Q: Can you share anything about the budget and financing of the film?
Curren explains that they spent just under sixty thousand dollars, financed mostly by himself and his writing partner from previous projects and savings.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Show Don't Tell: Micro-Budget Filmmaking

What is Show Don't Tell: Micro-Budget Filmmaking about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A practical, filmmaker-focused show that centers on micro-budget creation, production hustle, and practical paths to distribution. Conversations span financing hacks, creative problem-solving on tight budgets, DIY production techniques, and unique case studies from indie directors and cinematographers who built careers outside traditional studio systems. Noteworthy angles include shifting from traditional production to independent strategies, diverse approaches to distribution, and leveraging cross-disciplinary skills (marketing, editing, sound) to sustain a micro-budget filmmaking career. Listeners can expect actionable takeaways on pitching, budgeting, casting, and leveraging new platforms to reach audiences without big-budget backing.

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Which podcasts are similar to Show Don't Tell: Micro-Budget Filmmaking?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Show Don't Tell: Micro-Budget Filmmaking:

1. The No Film School Podcast
2. Team Deakins
3. The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast
4. IndieWire's Filmmaker Toolkit
5. Scriptnotes Podcast

How many episodes of Show Don't Tell: Micro-Budget Filmmaking are there?

Show Don't Tell: Micro-Budget Filmmaking launched 9 years ago and published 273 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Show Don't Tell: Micro-Budget Filmmaking?

Recent guests on Show Don't Tell: Micro-Budget Filmmaking include:

1. Nick Toti
2. Nathan Xia
3. Blake Calhoun
4. Wade Patterson
5. Stefan van de Graaff
6. Alec Goldberg
7. West Eldredge
8. Jon Bregel

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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