In this episode filmmaker and novelist Mick Lexington joins me to unpack the development phase for his debut feature Mr. Jack - an existential New York drama adapted from his own novel.

Through the interview we dig into the process of raising a ~$400K production budget, why he brought on a dedicated fundraising lead, and how his “agile filmmaking” approach allows him to start elements of production ahead of principle photography. We also dive deep on writing craft - outlining, “killing your darlings,” beating procrastination with consistent routines and much more.

Topics include:

• Working with a fundraising specialist to raise a target budget of $400K
• “Agile filmmaking”: building momentum by shooting key exteriors ahead of produciton
• Casting strategy without star names and avoiding audience-misleading cameos
• Turning New York City into a story engine: LES & Williamsburg as living backdrop
• Writing cadence & anti-procrastination: consistent daily blocks vs. bursts
• Why the final rewrite is the edit - and planning for pickups and pivots

Links from the show:

Mr. Jack - Website

Mick Lexington - Website

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In this episode, I am joined by filmmaker Matthew Freiheit, whose career has spanned work with major artists like Wu-Tang Clan, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Nicki Minaj - and who has now broken into feature filmmaking with his debut Iconic.

Shot for just $40,000 in his Los Angeles apartment and across more than 25 locations, the feature film blends arthouse style with run-and-gun energy, and has already secured distribution.

Throughout our discussion we cover:

• Transitioning from music and fashion projects to narrative filmmaking
• How Matthew maximized limited resources to create a big-scope on a micro-budget
• Writing around real locations and existing gear to stretch production value
• Directing while also DP’ing and editing - and how to balance those roles effectively
• Tips for pre-lighting and shooting 6–8 pages per day without sacrificing quality
• What it’s really like taking your debut feature to AFM 
• The evolving role of AI tools in filmmaking and how Matthew is exploring them
• Much more

Links from the show:

Matthew Freiheit – Instagram

Iconic – Instagram

Iconic – Website

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Filmmaker Emily Elizabeth Thomas joins me this week to break down the making of her debut feature film Keily: Homecoming Dweeb, a YA romance that bridges classic rom-com elements with bold visual experimentation.

Emily shares how the project grew out of a Candy Jar–financed vertical web series, why she embraced an unconventional format to connect with Gen Z, and how she maintained her distinctive voice on both the series and the feature.

We also dive deep into practical directing craft - from navigating budgets and production constraints to lens testing, working with young actors, rewriting on set, and keeping tone at the center of every decision. Topics include:

• Moving from commercials to narrative filmmaking by way of a vertical series
• Why embracing nontraditional formats can expand your audience reach
• Practical strategies for navigating low budgets without sacrificing vision
• The role of zoom lenses and lens testing in creating emotional storytelling
• Building authentic performances with young actors through collaborative rehearsals
• Managing tone as a director’s primary responsibility
• Much more.

Links from the show:

Watch Keily: Homecoming Dweeb on Candy Jar

Keily: Homecoming Dweeb on IMDb

Emily Elizabeth Thomas – Official Portfolio

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In this episode, I’m joined by director and photographer Dave Hill to discuss the making of his second feature film — a visually dynamic, deeply personal story shot with virtually no crew in the Arizona desert. All on the Blackmagic Pocket 4K.

Throughout the interview we dive deep into Dave’s tactics and workflow, and explore how they empowered him to fully own the visual language of his film. Topics covered include:

• Why Dave ditched the traditional crew structure and shot entirely handheld
• How the Blackmagic Pocket 4K + Micro Four Thirds sensor unlocked his style
• The pros and cons of running sound without a sound person
• Leveraging camera choice and post-production to mimic the 16mm film aesthetic
• Recasting day players, last-minute locations, and other stories from set
• Why low-budget filmmaking is actually a gift when paired with the right creative vision
• Much more!

Links from the show:

Dave Hill – Instagram
Dave Hill – Website
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In this episode, I’m joined by filmmaker Julian Sol Jordan to talk about his self-made debut feature Real Life — an 82-minute hybrid narrative-documentary that was shot, directed, edited, colored, and mixed entirely by himself.

The film, which screened recently at the Texas Theatre in Dallas thanks to a generous grant from David Lowery, is a raw, poetic exploration of early adulthood, nostalgia, and the struggle to find meaning in your 20s.

Throughout our conversation, Julian and I unpack the entire creative process, from rediscovering dusty VHS tapes in his attic to crafting a structure out of chaos with no script in hand. 

Topics covered include:

• How Julian shot 80% of the film alone using everything from a Blackmagic to an iPhone 4
• The value of embracing lo-fi footage and imperfections to elevate emotional truth
• Why David Lowery funded the premiere and how their mentorship began
• The unexpected benefit of not writing a script — and when to start one next time
• How old home movies became the emotional anchor of the film
• Why guerrilla filmmaking might be Julian’s path forward
• Much more!

Links from the show:

Julian Sol Jordan – Instagram
Julian Sol Jordan – YouTube
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In this episode, I am joined by DP Justyn Moro, whose cinematography career has included collaborations with artists like Jared Leto, Tom Delonge and countless others - and most recently has been shooting features and television at Tyler Perry Studios.

Justyn shares the full scope of his creative journey—how he got started shooting music videos, learning cinematography on the road with Jared Leto, and making the leap into narrative storytelling on projects like Monsters of California and Beauty in Black.

Topics covered include:

• Breaking into the film industry with zero connections
• Shooting documentary and music video content with Jared Leto across the globe
• Lessons from working on Monsters of California with Tom DeLonge
• Transitioning from music videos to narrative film & television
• Justyn’s approach to prep, lighting, and working fast on set
• Creative collaboration with directors and building a strong crew dynamic
• Why a clear vision and openness to collaboration make the best directors

Links from the show:

Justyn Moro – Website

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In this episode, I am joined by filmmaker Felipe Vargas - whose viral horror short films helped him land his feature film debut Rosario.

Throughout our discussion, we explore Felipe’s journey from DIY shorts to large scale feature productions and lessons learned along the way.

Topics covered include: 

• How Felipe's childhood passion for horror and folklore shaped his filmmaking style
• The success of his short films, including Milk Teeth which garnered 15 million views on YouTube
• The realities of getting representation and what comes after
• How his feature film Rosario came together after developing relationships with producers
• Shooting across two countries (New York and Colombia) on a sub-$10 million budget
• The importance of being consistently productive and self-generative as a filmmaker
• Using test screenings effectively and the value of planning for pickup shots
• The unique character-first approach Felipe uses to break down scripts and scenes

Links from the show:

Felipe Vargas - Instagram

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In this episode, I am joined by filmmaker Joe Burke to discuss his incredible journey making the feature film Burt for just $7,000. Executive produced by David Gordon Green, the film follows a street musician with Parkinson's disease who discovers he has a son.

Throughout our conversation, we explore Joe's innovative approach to micro-budget filmmaking, including how he infused real-life relationships into the narrative.
Topics covered include:

• How Joe cast his non-actor subjects in their first ever film roles
• Shooting an entire feature in 7 days with just a 3-person crew
• The strategic use of black & white cinematography to elevate production value
• Creating compelling narrative films without traditional scripts
• Navigating 28 festival rejections before winning Best Picture awards
• Self-distributing via theatrical screenings while building community partnerships

Links from the show:

Burt The Movie - Website

Joe Burke - Instagram (@joeburkfilm)

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In this episode, I am joined by filmmaker Christopher Folkens to discuss his debut feature film The Catalyst - a psychological thriller that was produced in just 8 shooting days.

Throughout our discussion, we explore the unconventional production methods Christopher employed, including structured improvisation and a non-traditional shooting schedule.

Topics covered include:

• Why Christopher chose to embrace structured improvisation with actors
• How they filmed nearly half the movie in a single night
• Completing a feature film in just 8 total shooting days
• The evolution from a 12-person proof of concept to a 7-person final cast
• Using obstacles as opportunities in low-budget production
• The benefits of having an editing background as a director
• Finding the balance between having a plan and remaining flexible on set

Links from the show:

Christopher Folkens - Instagram

The Catalyst Movie - Instagram

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In this episode, I am joined by filmmaker Clinton Cornwell to discuss his feature film 12 Months, which he shot over the course of two years (and 60 shooting days) in a style inspired by Richard Linklater's Boyhood.

Throughout our conversation, we dive deep into Clinton's unique production approach and creative process. Topics covered include:

• Creating an improvised relationship drama shot over real time
• Working with a minimal crew (often just 3 people) across 60 shooting days
• The benefits and challenges of spreading production over two years
• Finding actors comfortable with improvisation and maintaining their commitment
• Balancing structure and spontaneity in an improvised film
• Managing 200+ hours of footage during post-production
• The advantages of being a "jack of all trades" filmmaker

Links from the show:


12 Months Film

Clinton Cornwell - Instagram

Clinton Cornwell - Letterboxd

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