No-Budget Filmmaking

There is nothing worth 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 and Trevor break down how to keep your audience engaged and liven up any shot. In this episode, we discuss: Why to create movement Motivation Ways to move the camera Moving actors within a scene Moving props and sets   WHAT'S... Read more

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 talk about how the casting process is moving towards a new process in the digital age.   In this episode, we discuss: The Process Creating Breakdowns Finding Audition Locations Scheduling Using Readers Taping Platforms ... Read more

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 and ideas for future podcast episodes.   In this episode, we discuss: Updates What do you want to hear? What are your biggest questions about filmmaking? What episodes should we do next?   WHAT'S COOL GimbalGun (htt... Read more

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, the horror duo also focuses on what they love so much about horror flix. In this episode, we discuss: Predictability Impossible Predicaments Origin Story Woes Character Issues Exposition Dumps and More... Read more

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! Alex and Trevor nerd out (mostly Trevor) about what you should look for when pimping out your post-production workshop. From building your own computer and what components are most important to accessories, monit... Read more

They've done many, many episodes - too many, some would say - on thtechnicalal 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 the time to learn about the critical studies of film and television. In this episode, we discuss: Critical thinking and film theory Why it will help you as a writer or filmmaker Style, tone, and theme How... Read more

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 your equipment and move towards bigger projects, budgets, and profits. In this episode, we discuss: Building Your "Perfect" Kit What is important to you Phase 1 & Phase 2 How to scale, and should you? Working with a small footprint vs ... Read more

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 if they could start film school all over again?   In this episode, we discuss: How to Prepare What to Expect What to Get Out of It What We Would Have Done Differently   WHAT'S COOL Zylight F8 200 (https://www.cinema... Read more

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 dive into the pitfalls and drawbacks of relying on YouTube and offer better alternatives for the indie filmmaker. In this episode, we discuss: The Pros and Cons of YouTube Alternatives for Hosting Alternat... Read more

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 each day. There's no telling if either of them were every Boy Scouts, but they sure do like to Be Prepared.   In this episode, we discuss: Bags Tools Tech Accessories Bibs and Bobs   WHAT'S COOL Sony Venice Firmware (... Read more

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 their production company, Gilded Cinema. How they grew it from a small company doing local gigs for small amounts of kesh to a company that is now working on pilots and feature films. In this episode, we discuss: Starting Small Fi... Read more

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 take you step-by-step through their process as they begin pre-production on two shorts they plan on shooting this year. What to do, where to put your time, energy, and money towards, and what the goals of a short should be. In this episode, ... Read more

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 aspect of filmmaking, Alex and Trevor will tell you their favorite sites to do so. Plus, what awesome new filmmaking gadgets were revealed at CES this year? In this episode, we discuss: Masterclass (h... Read more

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 and Trevor talk about their approach to goal setting and discuss their plans for the new year. In this episode, we discuss: New Years Goals Reaching for the Stars or Striving for Realism Avoiding Burnout Why So Many G... Read more

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 own. Alex and Trevor tackle to pros and cons of editing your own projects and also talk about how they individually go about setting up their workflow for a new edit. In this episode, we discuss: The Pros & Cons of Editing Your Own Stuff Learning E... Read more

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 focus on, an artistic film that shows of your skills, or one more likely to make money? Alex and Trevor break down the pros and cons of each, plus are back to drinking during podcasts! Horray!   In this episode, we di... Read more

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 8-10 years that the answer is no longer that simple. In this episode, Alex and Trevor discuss why they had made up their minds about the short film/feature film debate and what has changed their mind in the opposite direction as of late.  ... Read more

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 personal motivations to help push you through the rut. In this episode, we discuss: Creating systems Journaling Continuing your education Building your network Partnering up aka Accountabilibuddies Experimenting Just ... Read more

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 of different elements to look for when searching for a new camera to buy.   In this episode, we discuss: Budget Purpose Color Science Low-Light Form Factor Codecs Lenses Accessories     WHAT'S COOL Causality Screenwritin... Read more