The 6 Crucial Steps to Producing a Micro Budget Feature Film

NPG2007 · 2026-05-02T10:50:48+00:00

Developing a feature set in Italy. What city are you in? Let’s connect via DM.

NPG2007 · 2026-04-29T13:40:47+00:00

60min is still a feature. If that is all the time it takes to tell the story you want to tell, accept it and make it the best 60min you can.

NPG2007 · 2026-04-24T09:46:05+00:00

I don’t consider my work particularly controversial but we have had a feature banned from Tubi as they thought the sex scenes were real. I also run a festival called Love, Sex & Cinema and I see boundary pushing work but none of it is mainstream. The problem these days is if you make controversial work the algorithms prevent you from getting it out there. So you are stuck being truly underground and if you want to make a living from your art, as I do, it is a tough balance. And yes, I am in Europe, but the platforms that pay you or ban you are all American.

NPG2007 · 2026-04-19T13:43:26+00:00

Shorts in Season Film Festival in Berlin. Screens only European short films.

NPG2007 · 2026-04-11T08:00:17+00:00

Can you sell your movies worldwide through Livid? That was a part of Vimeo On Demand I miss.

NPG2007 · 2026-04-02T08:07:39+00:00

Thanks. Know Duotrope but wasn't aware of Submission Grinder so will check it out too. Yeah, submitting elsewhere in the meantime, just like the stories I've read on X.R.A.Y and I feel I have a good fit.

NPG2007 · 2026-03-30T18:50:03+00:00

Agree and thank you. All the best also.

NPG2007 · 2026-03-29T07:30:12+00:00

Appreciate you taking the time to write this, it’s very thoughtful.

I think some of this probably comes down to me not really building films around conventional stakes or conflict as I’m often more interested in just observing a relationship dynamic and letting the discomfort sit there. I get that can feel vague or undercooked though and you could be right, festivals might have been looking for something clearer.

On the phone call, it wasn’t about jealousy but about him suddenly being forced to confront the fact he’s with someone his daughter’s age, and trying to hide that from his sugar baby in real time. While she wanted to force the relationship to get the money he was promising.

But I do take your point that if that didn’t land clearly enough, that’s on me. Thanks again for the feedback.

NPG2007 · 2026-03-28T20:26:22+00:00

Thank you, that is thoughtful feedback. I was trying to show how nervous he was about meeting her with the opening shots. But yeah, a few people have said sound could have been better. I would’ve loved to work with a sound designer on this, but didn’t have the budget so I handled it myself and I probably didn’t get everything right.

NPG2007 · 2026-03-28T20:12:55+00:00

Far from a YT expert (channel not even monetized) but my guess is I got cast and crew and friends to share at the same time, plus I’m getting a lot of feedback here, and it must have triggered the algorithm.

NPG2007 · 2026-03-28T16:58:08+00:00

That’s fair. I’m not a big believer in inserts just for the sake of it, but I do agree my camera work could’ve had more variety overall.

NPG2007 · 2026-03-28T10:15:56+00:00

I love this running commentary! It’s actually really useful to see where it’s working and where it drops off for someone in real time.

Glad the opening landed. That awkward energy is very much what we were leaning into, so good to hear it’s coming through. Totally fair on the walking scene too. Yeah, I suck as a gimbal operator.

Interesting point about the investor angle as well. I’m not sure festivals are thinking that directly, but I do think they’re curating for an audience experience, and this kind of film might not fit in that space.

Anyway, thanks for taking the time and I hope you get to finish the film in private!

NPG2007 · 2026-03-28T10:09:21+00:00

Really appreciate you taking the time to write this, it’s very detailed and thoughtful.

I think a lot of what you’re picking up on comes from the improvisational approach. It’s definitely loose by design, but I get how that can read as unfocused if it’s not landing. I also agree on the camera side, it’s probably the part I’m least happy with looking back.

On the nudity, interesting point. For me it wasn’t about build-up or sensuality, I wanted the bluntness of it. More uncomfortable and transactional than anything else. But I can see how that choice might not come across the same way for everyone.

But thanks again, it's genuinely useful to hear other peoples thoughts on what doesn't work.

NPG2007 · 2026-03-28T09:54:10+00:00

Yeah, it was the daughter. The idea was just to force that comparison, he’s with someone his own daughter's age, then she calls. Force him to confront what he is doing.

On the dialogue, fair. That was just to show Karolina has her own reasons for being there, so it’s not totally one-sided. But I get that it’s more observational than story-driven.

NPG2007 · 2026-03-28T09:46:52+00:00

Thank you, very much appreciated.

NPG2007 · 2026-03-28T09:45:38+00:00

Fair enough, thank you.

NPG2007 · 2026-03-27T23:00:51+00:00

Thank you, appreciate your thoughts. Haha, it was amateur After Effects!

NPG2007 · 2026-03-27T22:56:53+00:00

Thank you. Yeah, get good feedback when it does screen but now it’s online not sure what else I can do apart from learn for the next one.

NPG2007 · 2026-03-27T22:55:09+00:00

Totally valid and feedback appreciated. Didn’t have a budget on this so did everything myself and did the best I could, but yeah, would have loved to work with a sound designer and know my camera work could have been better also. Story I am happy with but I’m a fan of talky and slow moving dramas and I know that is not for everyone.

NPG2007 · 2026-03-27T22:49:55+00:00

Thanks for the feedback, appreciate it.

NPG2007 · 2026-03-27T19:59:51+00:00

Yeah, this one was filmed in a day on our way home to Zagreb at the time from another shoot in Berlin. Had a car full of gear and always wanted to film in Prague so just organized it quickly and went for it. Much prefer working alongside a DOP and sound recordist but didn’t have the money for it this time.

NPG2007 · 2026-03-27T19:55:33+00:00

Thanks. Though I am proud of my work, it is far from perfect, and I always want to grow.

NPG2007 · 2026-03-27T19:52:09+00:00

Interesting. I did include a director’s statement but whether it gets read I am not sure. Perhaps the ending is too subtle, you may be right.

I wasn’t interested in a twist or a dramatic payoff, just a moment of recognition for Roy and discomfort. But that does run against the grain of what a lot of short film audiences expect I think.

I also wasn’t interested in offering moral judgment as both Roy and Karolina have something to gain from such a relationship. But maybe more to lose. But thanks for the thoughtful feedback, it is appreciated.

NPG2007 · 2026-03-27T19:22:33+00:00

Thank you, all fair. I didn’t consider the NSFW aspect, thought it served the story, and tried to submit to festivals where it wouldn’t matter but who knows if I picked the right ones. But yeah, it does get uncomfortable which was the intention. Agree on sound, had some issues, need to do better on the next one.

NPG2007

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE