Making A No Crew Feature Supported By David Lowery With Filmmaker Julian Sol Jordan
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 4The value of embracing lo-fi footage and imperfections to elevate emotional truthWhy David Lowery funded the premiere and how their mentorship beganThe unexpected benefit of not writing a script — and when to start one next timeHow old home movies became the emotional anchor of the filmWhy guerrilla filmmaking might be Julian’s path forwardMuch more!Links from the show:Julian Sol Jordan – InstagramJulian Sol Jordan – YouTubeSign up for my newsletter for exclusive filmmaking insight each Sunday.
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59:12
DP'ing For Tyler Perry Studios, Jared Leto, Tom Delonge & More With Cinematographer Justyn Moro
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 connectionsShooting documentary and music video content with Jared Leto across the globeLessons from working on Monsters of California with Tom DeLongeTransitioning from music videos to narrative film & televisionJustyn’s approach to prep, lighting, and working fast on setCreative collaboration with directors and building a strong crew dynamicWhy a clear vision and openness to collaboration make the best directorsLinks from the show:Justyn Moro – WebsiteSign up for my newsletter for exclusive filmmaking insight each Sunday
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58:25
From Viral YouTube Shorts To A Multi-Million Dollar Feature Debut With Felipe Vargas
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 styleThe success of his short films, including Milk Teeth which garnered 15 million views on YouTubeThe realities of getting representation and what comes afterHow his feature film Rosario came together after developing relationships with producersShooting across two countries (New York and Colombia) on a sub-$10 million budgetThe importance of being consistently productive and self-generative as a filmmakerUsing test screenings effectively and the value of planning for pickup shotsThe unique character-first approach Felipe uses to break down scripts and scenesLinks from the show:Felipe Vargas - InstagramSign up for my newsletter for exclusive filmmaking insight each Sunday.
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45:54
How To Make A $7K Feature Film With a Crew of 3: An Interview With Filmmaker Joe Burke
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 rolesShooting an entire feature in 7 days with just a 3-person crewThe strategic use of black & white cinematography to elevate production valueCreating compelling narrative films without traditional scriptsNavigating 28 festival rejections before winning Best Picture awardsSelf-distributing via theatrical screenings while building community partnershipsLinks from the show:Burt The Movie - WebsiteJoe Burke - Instagram (@joeburkfilm)Sign up for my newsletter for exclusive filmmaking insight each Sunday.
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55:29
Shooting An 8 Day Feature Film Using "Structured Improv" With Director Christopher Folkens
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 actorsHow they filmed nearly half the movie in a single nightCompleting a feature film in just 8 total shooting daysThe evolution from a 12-person proof of concept to a 7-person final castUsing obstacles as opportunities in low-budget productionThe benefits of having an editing background as a directorFinding the balance between having a plan and remaining flexible on setLinks from the show:Christopher Folkens - InstagramThe Catalyst Movie - InstagramSign up for my newsletter for exclusive filmmaking insight each Sunday.
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.
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