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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
Poor Things
Film Production
Documentary Filmmaking
Indie Filmmaking
Film Industry
Screenwriting
Catalyst
Character Development
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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes284Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
TV & Film

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

Latest Episodes

In this episode, I'm joined by filmmaker Joe Burke, back on the show to talk about his micro-budget feature Burt.Over the past year, Burt won Best Comedy Feature at Cinequest, Best Picture and Best Ensemble at Phoenix, was the opening night film at A... more

In this episode, I'm joined by filmmaker Pete Ohs for his third appearance, and there's a lot to catch up on. Since we last spoke, Pete made Erupcja, a feature starring Charli XCX that he shot in Warsaw with no script, a crew of three, and the same C... more

In this episode, I'm joined by four-time Grammy nominee Grace Potter to talk about her new record Trespasser, the microfilm series she built alongside it, and the long road back to the film career she walked away from at nineteen.

Grace left film sc... more

In this episode, I'm joined by Legion M co-founders Jeff Annison and Paul Scanlan to talk about the new Green Day comedy Nimrods, hitting theaters August 14, and how the world's first fan-owned entertainment company ended up behind it and Coyote vs. ... more

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Recent Guests

Joe Burke
Filmmaker, Burt director
Self-directed project Burt
Episode: PODCAST: How a $7K Film Beat 28 Festival Rejections and Landed the LA Times, Palm Springs, and a Nationwide Theatrical Run - With Joe Burke
Pete Ohs
Filmmaker known for micro-budget methods and Brat collaborations
Self-directed projects, Brat (Summer)
Episode: Directing Charli XCX With A Crew Of 3 & Playing Sundance, SXSW And TIFF In One Year With Pete Ohs
Grace Potter
Musician and filmmaker, collaborator with Disney alumni and Rolling Stones
Grace Potter's projects (solo and collaborations)
Episode: 4x Grammy Nominee Grace Potter On Making DIY Music Videos & Performing With The Rolling Stones
Paul Scanlan
Co-founder of Legion M
Legion M
Episode: Landing The GREEN DAY Movie "Nimrods", Rescuing "Coyote Vs. Acme" & Building A Fan Owned Studio With Legion M
Michael Moreci
Writer/Director; frequent collaborator on Revealer, Holiday Hold-Up, Revival
Writer/Director, Paper Street Pictures (via projects discussed)
Episode: Writing A Shudder Horror Feature In 10 Days & Making A Micro Budget Paranoia Thriller With Michael Moreci
Mark Hensley
Filmmaker and sound designer with experience on micro-budget features and TV sound
Self-released projects (e.g., Disappearing Boy)
Episode: Shooting A $4,000 Feature With No Crew At 61, Mixing Emmy-Winning TV Sound & Why "Write The Film You Can Shoot" - With Mark Hensley
CR Thompson
Co-writer, editor and puppeteer on Monkey's Magic Merry Go Round
Monkey's Magic Merry Go Round team
Episode: Partnering With Joe Swanberg & Shooting A Puppet Horror Feature In 11 Days - With Aidan Leary & C.R. Thompson
Aidan Leary
Co-creator and collaborator on Monkey's Magic Merry Go Round
Monkey's Magic Merry Go Round team
Episode: Partnering With Joe Swanberg & Shooting A Puppet Horror Feature In 11 Days - With Aidan Leary & C.R. Thompson
Hannah Barefoot
Actor, writer, and filmmaker discussed on the show
Wyoming Christmas Carol (film project)
Episode: From 80 Acting Credits To Producing Her First Feature, Plus How To Actually Crowdfund A Film On WeFunder - With Hannah Barefoot

Host

Noam Kroll
Host of Show Don't Tell: Micro-Budget Filmmaking

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 Statesa year 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
    Canadaa year 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 Statesa year 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 Statesa year 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
    Canadaa year ago

Listeners Say

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

In-depth discussions on funding, production, and distribution are especially helpful for DIY filmmakers.
Filmmaking insight is consistently practical and actionable.
The host asks thoughtful questions without ego, keeping focus on craft and process.
Guests bring diverse micro-budget perspectives and real-world lessons.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#57
Brazil/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#132
India/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#135
Poland/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#214
Saudi Arabia/TV & Film

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Directing Charli XCX With A Crew Of 3 & Playing Sundance, SXSW And TIFF In One Year With Pete Ohs
Q: How do you decide which festivals to pursue and manage multiple films at once?
He explains a pragmatic, calendar-driven strategy—target the top festivals first, then move to next-tier festivals, with a sales agent helping navigate submissions and potential funding while keeping expectations flexible.
Directing Charli XCX With A Crew Of 3 & Playing Sundance, SXSW And TIFF In One Year With Pete Ohs
Q: What changed in your approach after working with Charli XCX that affected future projects?
The collaboration reinforced a workflow centered on low stakes, high collaboration, and the idea that casting top actors is feasible if it serves the process, while maintaining the filmmaker's core method and pace rather than chasing big-budget expectations.
Directing Charli XCX With A Crew Of 3 & Playing Sundance, SXSW And TIFF In One Year With Pete Ohs
Q: How did the collaboration with Charli XCX begin and what made it work given the no-crew, micro-budget approach?
It started with a late-night conversation at a bar where Charli was intrigued by the filmmaker's process; they then collaborated with rapid, ongoing dialogue, treated the project as an experience rather than a traditional script, and leaned into collaborative, against-type casting to shape the film.
4x Grammy Nominee Grace Potter On Making DIY Music Videos & Performing With The Rolling Stones
Q: When you're writing a song versus thinking of a treatment for a music video, do you find that you approach it in a similar way or does your brain work differently on different canvases?
There's one core energy that's different in form, but the underlying drive—world-building, storytelling, and emotional truth—stays consistent. Editing acts as a distinctive 'button' that can shift how I shape a piece, but the momentum comes from the same instinctive creative energy.
How to Make a Sub-$500K Feature In 14 Days With A Crew of 5 - An Interview With Filmmaker Cory Thibert
Q: What were the biggest challenges in directing and acting simultaneously, and how did you handle post-production?
Cory discusses balancing notes with in-scene directing, relying on collaboration, and eventually post-production flow, including delayed but impactful scoring and a Canada Council grant that funded editing and sound work.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

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?

Fresh, practitioner-focused insights into making films with tiny budgets. Across episodes, the show highlights practical constraints—budgeting, scheduling, and lean crew approaches—paired with intimate conversations with independent filmmakers about writing fast, assembling teams, and navigating distribution and festival pathways. Notable throughlines include DIY funding strategies (crowdfunding, grants, sponsorships), sound and post-production as core craft, and building durable collaborations with mentors and peers. The show often features real-world case studies (from micro-budget features to puppet horrors and festival runs) and emphasizes practical mindset shifts over gear-heavy triumphalism, making it a valuable resource for aspiring ... more

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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. IndieWire's Filmmaker Toolkit
3. The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast
4. The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
5. Team Deakins

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 284 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. Joe Burke
2. Pete Ohs
3. Grace Potter
4. Paul Scanlan
5. Michael Moreci
6. Mark Hensley
7. CR Thompson
8. Aidan Leary

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