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

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes283Founded9 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 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

In this episode, I'm joined by writer, director, and bestselling comics author Michael Moreci, whose reentry into filmmaking came in the form of Revealer, a single-location horror film set in a 1980s Chicago peep show booth. He wrote the film in abou... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Scriptnotes Podcast
Scriptnotes PodcastJohn August and Craig Mazin
Team Deakins
Team DeakinsJames Ellis Deakins, Roger Deakins
The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast
The Director’s Cut - A DGA PodcastDirectors Guild of America

Recent Guests

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
Cory Thibert
Filmmaker of Mild Life, director and actor
Mild Life Productions
Episode: How to Make a Sub-$500K Feature In 14 Days With A Crew of 5 - An Interview With Filmmaker Cory Thibert
Jason Laurits
Filmmaker; Director of Love's Company; graphic artist
Love's Company, PaceUSA
Episode: Making A Micro-Budget Feature In 15 Days, Directing Rachel Dratch & Building A 20-Year Creative Brand With Jason Laurits

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 States10 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
    Canada10 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 States10 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 States10 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
    Canada10 months 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
#37
Chile/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#163
Saudi Arabia/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#172
Israel/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#191
India/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#234
Netherlands/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#242
South Africa/TV & Film

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
How to Make a Sub-$500K Feature In 14 Days With A Crew of 5 - An Interview With Filmmaker Cory Thibert
Q: How did you manage a 14-day shoot with a small crew and limited resources?
He explains the schedule, the five-person crew, two-camera coverage, rehearsals before shooting, and weekend buffers that kept production on track while maintaining performance quality.
How to Make a Sub-$500K Feature In 14 Days With A Crew of 5 - An Interview With Filmmaker Cory Thibert
Q: What inspired you to tell this story and how did your personal experience shape the film?
Cory shares that Mild Life draws from his own family dynamics with cerebral palsy, aiming for authentic representation by casting actors with disabilities and focusing the narrative on a personal coming-of-age journey within a caregiving context.
From 80 Acting Credits To Producing Her First Feature, Plus How To Actually Crowdfund A Film On WeFunder - With Hannah Barefoot
Q: What are the key differences between crowdfunding via WeFunder and a typical Kickstarter campaign, and how long does a WeFunder raise typically take?
WeFunder targets true investors and usually spans a longer window—often around six months—so you can't rely on a constant personal-network push like Kickstarter. It requires strategic outreach to investors, a solid asset package, and a clear articulation of the film's value and anticipated returns.

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

Where can I find podcast stats for Show Don't Tell: Micro-Budget Filmmaking?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Show Don't Tell: Micro-Budget Filmmaking. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Show Don't Tell: Micro-Budget Filmmaking and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Show Don't Tell: Micro-Budget Filmmaking get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for four million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Show Don't Tell: Micro-Budget Filmmaking, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Show Don't Tell: Micro-Budget Filmmaking?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Show Don't Tell: Micro-Budget Filmmaking, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Show Don't Tell: Micro-Budget Filmmaking have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Show Don't Tell: Micro-Budget Filmmaking has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

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. Scriptnotes Podcast
3. Team Deakins
4. IndieWire's Filmmaker Toolkit
5. The Director’s Cut - A DGA 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 283 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Show Don't Tell: Micro-Budget Filmmaking?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Show Don't Tell: Micro-Budget Filmmaking?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Show Don't Tell: Micro-Budget Filmmaking from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Show Don't Tell: Micro-Budget Filmmaking?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Show Don't Tell: Micro-Budget Filmmaking. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

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

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

1. Grace Potter
2. Paul Scanlan
3. Michael Moreci
4. Mark Hensley
5. CR Thompson
6. Aidan Leary
7. Hannah Barefoot
8. Cory Thibert

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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days