No-Budget Filmmaking

By Filmmaking Central

Arts Visual Arts

What's No-Budget Filmmaking about?

The art of making films no matter how small the budget.

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No-Budget Filmmaking episodes:

11.24.2020
NBF 061: Mastering the Interview Shoot
Interview style shoots can be seen across a wide range of projects. And they aren't just for documentaries or reality shows... In this episode, Alex and Trevor discuss why mastering the interview shoot is a good move for beginning (and...
11.17.2020
NBF 060: Navigating The Film Challenges
Many of us have done the 24, 48, or 100-hour film challenges, but what are some ways you can master the art of making shorts under pressure? We talk about it in this episode!
11.03.2020
NBF 059: Brand Yourself!
Branding is an important part of any business, and your brand as a filmmaker is no different. In this episode, Alex and Trevor discuss things to think about when creating your own personal or professional brand.
10.13.2020
NBF 058: The Rise of Premium VOD
With the term "blockbusters" taking on a new form during quarantine, are we going to see a rise in this new PVOD window that is emerging from major studios like Universal and Disney?
10.06.2020
NBF 057: Building an Audience for Broader Projects
We've all heard the advice of building an audience. This is pretty straight forward for things like documentaries or films that center around a very specific niche topic, but what about all the other movies that aren't "topical"? In this...
09.29.2020
NBF 056: Short-Form & The Death Of Quibi
Have you ever heard of Quibi? You have? Did you try it? No. In this episode, we discuss short-form content in all its varieties as well as broach the subject of why Quibi failed. Get the show notes for this, and...
09.22.2020
NBF 055: Get A Grip!
It's time to get a grip on... grip! That's right, Alex and Trevor are exploring the vast world of grip gear in this episode and uncovering some of the most common and most useful grip tools you'll come across on...
09.15.2020
NBF 054: Avoid Making Your Movie Look Cheap
In this episode, Alex and Trevor discuss different mistakes one should avoid, lest your movie look cheap... Ah yes, it's a common conundrum. No-budget filmmakers want to spend as little as possible while making the movie look as big as...
09.08.2020
NBF 053: Current Trends in Filmmaking
Alex and Trevor discuss some of the trends that are currently popping up in the film industry. Everything from Instagram to Gimbals, nothing is sacred. Get the show notes for this, and all episodes, at https://www.nobudgetfilmmaking.com
09.01.2020
NBF 052: 3 Things We Would've Done Differently
There's no time to wallow in past mistakes, but hey, we're quarantining, so all we've got is time! Listen to Alex and Trevor discuss the 3 things that they would've done differently on their filmmaking journey, had they known better. You...
08.25.2020
NBF 051: Augment Your Reality
In this episode, Alex and Trevor discuss the latest and greatest in Augmented Reality for film production. We've seen it in the hit series "The Mandalorian", but how can you utilize these advanced techniques in your indie films? Get the show...
08.18.2020
NBF 050: NBF Returns - The Future of the Film Industry and this Podcast
Alex and Trevor discuss where they've been, why they went on a hiatus from the show, and how things have changed now that they are back. They also discuss the future of the film industry in a post-COVID world and...
04.23.2019
NBF 049: SELL SELL SELL!!!!!!! Your Movie
As a No-Budget Filmmaker, your job doesn't stop once the final edit is done, you need peepers to see your hard work! How do you go about marketing your film to make sure the maximum number of people not only...
04.16.2019
NBF 048: I Like To Move It, Move It - Creating Movement In Your Frame
There is nothing worse than a static shot of talking heads, so how can you take a mundane scene or shot and add a little spice? By adding movement! Whether it is moving your camera or moving your actors, Alex...
04.04.2019
NBF 047: The Joy of Casting (With Bob Ross)
Directors often say that the most important work they do is casting, so how do you find the perfect actors for your project. Alex and Trevor break down all the different ways you can discover the next movie star and...
03.28.2019
NBF 046: A Brief Update and a Question for our Listeners
This episode is LATE! And it's not a true blue episode... But, today, Alex and Trevor give a brief update into what they are doing, why this episode is so lame, and ask the listeners to submit their filmmaking questions...
03.19.2019
NBF 045: Why (Most) Horror Movies Suck
Self describe horror movie freaks Alex and Trevor break down what they view as the biggest problems with horror movies these days. Damsel in distress? Cheesy killer? What do many horror films fall victim (get it?) to? But don't fear,...
03.12.2019
NBF 044: Nerdin' Out About Post Equipment
So you have the best camera you could afford, all the equipment, have shot the best project of your life, and are about to sit down and edit it......on an Acer laptop from 2010. Time for a post-production workflow UPGRADE!...
03.05.2019
NBF 043: The Theory of Everything...Filmmaking Related
They've done many, many episodes - too many, some would say - on the technical aspects of filmmaking. Well today, Alex and Trevor are going in a different direction and talking about the theory behind film and why you should spend...
02.26.2019
NBF 042: Kitted Out: Your Dream Equipment Kit
There is no such thing as a perfect equipment kit that can shoot any project, but we sure can dream can't we? Alex and Trevor walk you through what you should look for and strive for as you build out...
02.19.2019
NBF 041: So You're Going to Film School
They've talked about the pros and cons of going to Film school, but if you are pulling the trigger, what exactly can you expect? How should you prepare for your first class? And what would Alex and Trevor do differently...
02.12.2019
NBF 040: YouTube: Key for Indie Filmmakers or Nothing But Cat Videos?
People love to put their videos on YouTube. Cat videos, kids dunking in trash cans, there are endless videos about countless subjects, but is YouTube a haven for getting your shorts and feature seen by the masses? Alex and Trevor...
02.05.2019
NBF 039: Our EDCC - Every Day Cinema Carry
We've had episodes about some of the big gear that everyone likes to talk about... Cameras, Lights, and Grip... But in this episode, Alex and Trevor sweat the small stuff and dive into what they carry with them to set...
01.29.2019
NBF 038: How To Keep A Production Company Afloat
They talked about what to do to make money as a freelancer, but what do, and how to you survive and thrive if you want to start your own production company? Alex and Trevor talk you through the growth of...
01.22.2019
NBF 037: Its Not Short...It's Just Not That Long
It's 2019 so it's time to get rocking on your film career! What better way to kick it off than to produce I high quality, well done short to show the world what you can do. Alex and Trevor will...
01.15.2019
NBF 036: Additional Edumacation
So you don't think Alex and Trevor have all the answers???? Boy are you....right! In this episode, the intrepid duo share their favorite flimmaking learnin' sites, from editing, to VFX, to lighting, if you want to dive deeper into any...
01.08.2019
NBF 035: New Year, New You, New Goals!
Happy 2019! It's time to start the new year off right and set yourself up for success. When planning out your filmmaking goals, is it is best to aim high at the unreachable, or to set numerous, obtainable goals? Alex...
12.18.2018
NBF 034: To Edit or Not To Edit, That Is The Question
You wrote your masterpiece, the shoot is in the can, now the question is, do you hand your baby off to someone else, or do you hunker down in a dark room for 3 months and edit it on your...
12.11.2018
NBF 033: Artistic or Money Maker? What Kind of Film for Your First Feature
As filmmakers, we all probably got into this industry to make art, but when you boil it down, the film industry is still a business and most movies need to make money. When planning your first feature, what should you...
12.04.2018
NBF 032: Shorts vs Features - What Makes The Most Sense In The Current Industry?
The question of, "Do I make a short or a feature?" came up quite a bit throughout college and we thought we had a pretty cut and dry answer. But, the industry has changed so much just in the last...
11.20.2018
NBF 031: How To Stay Motivated: I'll Write Something Clever Later
Sometimes the hardest thing for a filmmaker to do is to find motivation when the grind gets to you. What can you do to keep powering through to push your career forward? Alex and Trevor have some tips, techniques, and...
11.13.2018
NBF 030: What Camera Should I Buy? - Answering the Age Old Question
We see this question asked over and over again on Facebook, in forums and videos, and even in person. In this episode, we attempt to peel away some of the layers of this question and give you a better understanding...
11.06.2018
NBF 029: All About You - Marketing Yourself for Gigs
You got the gear, you got the experience, but you still don't have the work! It's hard out there for a freelancer, so Alex and Trevor dive into the different ways you can build your resume, build your network, and...
10.30.2018
NBF 028: All the Avenues for Self-Distribution. Make that Money!!
You did everything you should in preparation for distribution BEFORE you started filming. Your film is mastered and in the can, ready for the world to see. In this ever-changing field, what avenues do you have to distribute your film...
10.23.2018
NBF 027: Get That Money! Packaging Your Project for Funding
So you have a great idea that needs money to make, how do you put together a great package to attract investors? Alex and Trevor walk you through the process to build the most attractive package of talent, vision, and...
10.16.2018
NBF 026: How to Develop and Finance Your Film with Slated
Everyone has a great idea, a great script, or a relationship with a great actor. But that rarely means you can make a film if you don't have the money! So what are your options when it comes to financing?...
10.09.2018
NBF 025: Interview With the Directors of Camp Manna
It's time to go camping! Alex and Trevor talk with writer-director duo Eric Scott Johnson and Eric Machiela about their recent film 'Camp Manna'. How long did it take before it was made, how was it working with Gary Freaking...
10.02.2018
NBF 024: Is Film School The Best Option?
Film school and whether or not to go is a big topic of debate online amongst filmmakers. They are asked it all the time, is going to film school worth it?! In response, Alex and Trevor give a resounding......maybe! The duo...
09.25.2018
NBF 023: Average Movie Budget - Unforeseen Expenses of a No-Budget Film
What is an average movie budget for a "no-budget" film? A movie shot on an iPhone still had a budget of over $100,000?!?! Filmmakers thinking they are going to make a film super cheap, or free even, need to beware of underlying...
09.18.2018
NBF 022: Make a Living Doing What You Love
You love making films, shooting projects, editing away in your parent's basement, but how do you go about making it a sustaining career! Alex and Trevor offer friendly advice on how you can turn your passion in to dolla dolla...
09.11.2018
NBF 021: Our No-Budget Filmmaking Philosofizzle
People keep asking Alex and Trevor all the time... at gas stations, during baseball games, in parks, side-by-side at the urinal... (hahaha jay kay jay kay) what they mean when they say "No-Budget Filmmaking". Then they ask why anyone would...
09.11.2018
An Announcement from Alex & Trevor (Full Episode Coming Later Today)
Alex gives an update on a current project in the works and teases the full episode that will be coming out later today. Listen in on what is to come, and stay tuned for episode 21!
09.04.2018
NBF 020: Distribution Pitfalls! What You Need to Know Before You Shoot!
People rarely, if ever, starting thinking of distribution early, just thinking once their film is done they just need to hand it off to a sale agent, but they couldn't be more wrong! Alex and Trevor walk you through the...
08.28.2018
NBF 019: The Future (Of Independent Cinema) Is NOW!
Trevor and Alex join you from the middle of their road trip to Las Vegas to talk about where the future of no-budget filmmaking lies. They discuss trends and give predictions for where we all (the no-budget filmmakers) fall into...
08.21.2018
NBF 018: Double Whammy! Creating Depth in Your Story AND Your Frame
Is your script flat, uneventful, unmotivated, or just flat out boring? Can the same be said about the composition and the look of your shots? Well Alex and Trevor have (rarely) all the answers! They give advice on how to...
08.16.2018
NBF 017: Filmmaking for Actors - How to Take You Career into Your Own Hands
Actors seemingly get the short end of the stick, having to rely on other people in the industry to get their careers started. But no more! Now it is even easier for actors to take control and get their name...
08.07.2018
NBF 016: Zef is in THE HOUSE! Interview with Indie Filmmaker Zef Cota
We promised and now we deliver! Filmmaker Zef Cota stops by the Cinema Summit offices to talk about his debut feature, "The Trouble". What went wrong, what went right, and what did he learn from his first foray into directing...
07.31.2018
NBF 015: You Made a Film!....Now What? Interview with Distribution Expert Jason Brubaker
Our second guest! Alex and Trevor talk with Jason Brubaker, Vice President of Worldwide Sales at Distribber and the Founder of Filmmaking Stuff. They dive into the essentials of distributing your film and getting the most eyes to see it!...
07.24.2018
NBF 014: Why Work Harder When You Can Work Smarter? Software and Apps to Help Your Project
Every day there seems to be some hot new app out there and it is no different in the film industry. Alex and Trevor dive into software and apps that can help your project run smoother. From pre-production to post-production,...
07.17.2018
NBF 013: It's Biznaaasss, it's Biznaaasss TIME! The Film Business Plan - The Necessity of Writing One
Even though you may be a creative, you must remember, for the most part, the film industry is a business. Because of that, you need a business plan if you want to raise capital for your next project. Alex and...

What's No-Budget Filmmaking about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

No-Budget Filmmaking episodes:

NBF 061: Mastering the Interview Shoot

NBF 060: Navigating The Film Challenges

NBF 059: Brand Yourself!

NBF 058: The Rise of Premium VOD

NBF 057: Building an Audience for Broader Projects

NBF 056: Short-Form & The Death Of Quibi

NBF 055: Get A Grip!

NBF 054: Avoid Making Your Movie Look Cheap

NBF 053: Current Trends in Filmmaking

NBF 052: 3 Things We Would've Done Differently

NBF 051: Augment Your Reality

NBF 050: NBF Returns - The Future of the Film Industry and this Podcast

NBF 049: SELL SELL SELL!!!!!!! Your Movie

NBF 048: I Like To Move It, Move It - Creating Movement In Your Frame

NBF 047: The Joy of Casting (With Bob Ross)

NBF 046: A Brief Update and a Question for our Listeners

NBF 045: Why (Most) Horror Movies Suck

NBF 044: Nerdin' Out About Post Equipment

NBF 043: The Theory of Everything...Filmmaking Related

NBF 042: Kitted Out: Your Dream Equipment Kit

NBF 041: So You're Going to Film School

NBF 040: YouTube: Key for Indie Filmmakers or Nothing But Cat Videos?

NBF 039: Our EDCC - Every Day Cinema Carry

NBF 038: How To Keep A Production Company Afloat

NBF 037: Its Not Short...It's Just Not That Long

NBF 036: Additional Edumacation

NBF 035: New Year, New You, New Goals!

NBF 034: To Edit or Not To Edit, That Is The Question

NBF 033: Artistic or Money Maker? What Kind of Film for Your First Feature

NBF 032: Shorts vs Features - What Makes The Most Sense In The Current Industry?

NBF 031: How To Stay Motivated: I'll Write Something Clever Later

NBF 030: What Camera Should I Buy? - Answering the Age Old Question

NBF 029: All About You - Marketing Yourself for Gigs

NBF 028: All the Avenues for Self-Distribution. Make that Money!!

NBF 027: Get That Money! Packaging Your Project for Funding

NBF 026: How to Develop and Finance Your Film with Slated

NBF 025: Interview With the Directors of Camp Manna

NBF 024: Is Film School The Best Option?

NBF 023: Average Movie Budget - Unforeseen Expenses of a No-Budget Film

NBF 022: Make a Living Doing What You Love

NBF 021: Our No-Budget Filmmaking Philosofizzle

An Announcement from Alex & Trevor (Full Episode Coming Later Today)

NBF 020: Distribution Pitfalls! What You Need to Know Before You Shoot!

NBF 019: The Future (Of Independent Cinema) Is NOW!

NBF 018: Double Whammy! Creating Depth in Your Story AND Your Frame

NBF 017: Filmmaking for Actors - How to Take You Career into Your Own Hands

NBF 016: Zef is in THE HOUSE! Interview with Indie Filmmaker Zef Cota

NBF 015: You Made a Film!....Now What? Interview with Distribution Expert Jason Brubaker

NBF 014: Why Work Harder When You Can Work Smarter? Software and Apps to Help Your Project

NBF 013: It's Biznaaasss, it's Biznaaasss TIME! The Film Business Plan - The Necessity of Writing One