Be a Guest on Masters of the Micro Budget
Share the real story behind your independent film.
Masters of the Micro Budget is built around honest, practical conversations with independent filmmakers about what it actually takes to get a film made, finished, released, and seen.
This is not a standard press interview. We are not looking for rehearsed talking points or vague stories about “following your passion.” The show is designed for filmmakers who are willing to talk openly about the real process behind their work, including budget, funding, production choices, marketing spend, distribution, revenue, and what they learned after release.
If you have made an independent feature film $100K and under with real financial constraints, your experience may be exactly the kind of case study this series was created to document.
What the Interview Covers
Every episode is focused on the real-world path of one film. The conversation may include:
- What the film actually cost to make
- Where the money came from
- How many days you shot
- How large your cast and crew were
- What you spent on marketing
- What distribution path you chose
- Whether the film has recouped
- What worked better than expected
- What did not work at all
- What you would change if you made the film again
The goal is not to put anyone on the spot. The goal is to make independent filmmaking less mysterious for the next filmmaker trying to figure out how to do this responsibly.
Who Should Submit
This series is a good fit for filmmakers who are comfortable having a direct, useful conversation about the realities of independent production.
You may be a good guest if:
- You have completed and released a film
- You can speak honestly about your budget, even if only in ranges
- You have experience with self-distribution, festivals, streaming, physical media, crowdfunding, aggregators, or traditional distribution
- You learned something from the process that other filmmakers could benefit from
- You are open to talking about both the good decisions and the mistakes
Your film does not need to be a major financial success story. Some of the most useful conversations come from projects that were difficult, underfunded, or still finding their audience. That said, we are especially interested in features that have generated some revenue, partially recouped, or fully recouped, since those stories help filmmakers better understand what happens after release.
About Sharing Numbers
Transparency is the point of this series. If we cannot talk honestly about the budget, the spend, the release path, and the financial outcome, then the conversation is probably not the right fit for the show.
That does not mean every private detail needs to be exposed. We do not need individual cast rates, private investor names, or confidential contract language. But we do need enough real information to make the episode useful: production budget, funding structure, marketing spend, distribution path, revenue picture, and whether the film has recouped, partially recouped, or is still working toward it.
Exact numbers are preferred. Tight ranges are acceptable when necessary. Vague answers are not.
The goal is not to embarrass anyone. The goal is to cut through the secrecy, guesswork, and inflated success stories that surround microbudget filmmaking. Too often, the real numbers are hidden, softened, or exaggerated to create the appearance of success. This series is about replacing that noise with honest conversations about what films cost, what they earn, and what filmmakers can actually learn from the process.
How the Process Works
First, fill out the guest intake form. This gives us the basic information about your film, your budget range, production details, release path, and any areas you do or do not want discussed publicly.
After that, book an interview time that works for your schedule.
Once both steps are complete, we will review your submission and send over interview details, including the recording link and any episode-specific notes.
Step 1: Fill Out the Guest Intake Form
Before booking, please complete the intake form so we have the right information going into the conversation.
Complete the Guest Intake Form
Step 2: Book Your Interview
After submitting the form, choose an available interview time here:
What to Expect
The interview is direct, filmmaker-focused, and built to be useful. We are not trying to catch anyone off guard. We are trying to document what independent filmmaking really looks like when you get past the poster, trailer, and premiere photos.
Come prepared to talk about the choices behind the film: what you planned, what changed, what cost more than expected, what saved you money, how you released it, and what you know now that you wish you knew before day one.
The best episodes are honest, specific, and generous with hard-earned lessons.
Ready to break down your film?
If you have made an independent film and are willing to share the real story behind it, we would love to hear from you.
Start with the intake form, then book your interview.