Low-Budget Rebels: An Indie Filmmaking Podcast

🎙️ This Week on Low-Budget Rebels My good pal and co-conspirator, Sean Ashley, aka R. S. Trashley, joined me to talk about his latest films, Old Man Slaughter and El Ron. We also talked about what's happened since our first conversation way back in July of 2019, how to get your movie in a theater, the challenges of pulling together a community, and the process of working collaboratively with your...

🎙️ This Week on Low-Budget Rebels I was joined by filmmaker and editor Allan Piper to talk about his new movie EVIL SUBLET. We discuss mixing horror with comedy and the art of surprising the audience, the benefits of working with film, and the challenges that can arise on a film set. We also talked about the gaps between projects, self-funding, ways to adapt and utilize what you have at your dispo...

🎙️ This Week on Low-Budget Rebels I was joined by Ian Martin to discuss his film Cooke Concrete. This unique and methodical film stands out in the low-budget scene, showcasing a sincere commitment to its vision. Blending genres, Cooke Concrete consistently surprises with bold stylistic choices and innovative filmmaking techniques. In our conversation, Ian and I explored ways to the right tone for...

On today's episode of Low-Budget Rebels, I chatted with director Garry Medeiros and producer Walter Rivero about their film Plaga Zombie: American Invasion, a comedy zombie movie filmed with hilarious camp, nasty jokes, and a relentlessly fun style. We discuss the process of being able to make a sequel to a cult camp film and why this movie seemed like the right first for the team. We also talked...

On this week's episode of LOW-BUDGET REBELS, I sat down to chat with director and amazing human Dusty Austin. We discussed her new movie The Beast of Walton St. and how a love of visual effects led to experiments with film and made the process seem possible. We also discussed finding the genre you prefer, self-discovery of the type of director you want to be,  the challenges of adapting on set whe...

In this episode of Low-Budget Rebels Podcast, I had a cup of coffee and chatted with Facing East and This Must Be It director Tommy Baker. We discussed working with his brother at Half Brothers Media, a production company that they started together, and how they balance contract work with creative ideas. We also talked about how making a film is similar to being in a band, the benefits of learning...

This week I sat down on two occasions (thanks Hurrican Helene) to chat with filmmaker and genuinely nice guy Tate Hoffmaster about filmmaking and his new movie Pizza Guy 8. We also discuss working with VHS and other media to create art, Troma and its influence on low-budget filmmaking, assessing criticism of films, and things we've learned on set. We also talk about our scripting process and impro...

I had the pleasure of hopping on a call with Micah Khan and discussing his new feature film The Zombie Wedding. Unrelated, but I also had my mic backward the whole time I recorded like an absolute moron. Technical difficulties aside, it was still a wonderful conversation and I hope you all can handle my very hollow-sounding microphone for a week. I hope to not have this issue again for at least a...

This weekend I had the pleasure of chatting with actor and filmmaker Jamie H Jung about all things independent filmmaking! Jamie and I were both part of the the Rebel Without A Crew: The Series process but in very different capacities. Jamie was an actor in Alejandro Montoya Marin's movie Monday; and on this episode, we compared experiences of what it was like to be on reality TV. Jamie also discu...

This week I had the pleasure of chatting with writer and director Rob Mabry. If you look at our film's synopsis, you can instantly see that my film Greywood's Plot and his The Legend of El Chupacabra have some things in common. Watching the movies, it's interesting how unique both movies are as well! Rob and I discussed his rise from early days of playing with cameras, to the break in his filmmaki...

Director Scott McElroy came on the show to discuss his feature film Fey, a twisting, independent psychological-thriller about a rock band that goes to a secluded studio to record their album and finds out they may be in for more than creating tunes and drinking booze. We discuss a wide variety of independent filmmaking topics including how to direct when you don't have technical knowledge, buildin...

Even with the busy holiday weekend, I was able to chat with two indie filmmakers who've made some interesting movies and are looking to take them out to theaters and try a new model of low-budget film distribution. While they're called The Farx Brothers, you'll find out early in this episode that they are not actually brothers. Nick and Kyle are two Minnesota based filmmakers creating short form m...

I'm in my studio and recording new episodes of Low-Budget Rebels Podcast! For my first episode in the new studio, I have Romeo's Distress director Jeff Frumess on to talk about what he's been up to since the last time we chatted on the show. Not only has he been running his patreon page and youtube channel, he's also directed a new film called Gouge Away, and created a gonzo style documentary usin...

On this episode of the podcast, Josh Stifter sits down for a conversation with returning guest Taylor Morden . They discuss what has happened since they recorded the last episode, The Last Blockbuster and it's run on Netflix, the challenges of getting projects off the ground, being hired to direct a movie about Build-a-Bear Workshops , and Taylor's newest adventure in crowdfunding with his horror/...

On this episode of the podcast, I had the pleasure of chatting with Michael J Epstein. In his second appearance on the show, he discussed the movies he's directed since the pandemic. Experimenting with mocumentary mixed media projects that included short scenes from other filmmakers during the pandemic and mocumentaries, Michael and his partner Sophia Cacciola have made three incredibly experiment...

This Is Your Song is a beautiful, sad, and completely unique film about relationships gained and lost. I had the pleasure of sitting down with independent filmmaker Hassan Said to talk about the process of making such an ambitious film. Filmed as one long take, the movie tells a story that many of us can relate to - but also will impress the hell out of all you indie filmmakers. We discussed the c...

On this weeks episode of Low-Budget Rebels, I had the pleasure of talking with first time feature filmmaker of the new sci-fi comedy Love Virtually L.E. Staiman and his co-writer Cheston Mizel. We discussed how they got into making movies and why a comedy about the Metaverse seemed enticing. They tell me about the writing process and how it came together during the Covid quarantine, what the bigge...

I am so excited for you all to hear this weeks episode of Low-Budget Rebels! My friend Anthony Cousins hopped on the show to talk about his new film FROGMAN and the shorts that helped him get to where he is. We discussed the movies and t.v. shows that introduced us to the world of filmmaking, his decision to pursue filmmaking, and the sacrifices that you have to make to do what you love. We also d...

Happy Monday! And we're rollin' into it with a brand new podcast episode. Liz Manashil is a wonderfully different type of director than the folks I usually get on the show. Her two features, Bread & Butter and Speed of Life, are fascinating character studies that are not only low-budget inspiring but a type of movie that makes me want to work outside of the box. She also was the kind of candid...

I've decide to release this episode early for everyone so that we can help get the word out that the amazingly talents and interesting Izzy Lee is making a feature film and needs your support! Izzy Lee is a visionary low-budget short film director who is embarking on the adventure of creating her first feature length horror film called House of Ashes. You can help donate to the campaign today by g...

Happy Monday! On this weeks episode, I talked to RUB director and writer Christopher Fox about his style of filmmaking. We discussed his start in audio recording and engineering, along with playing in bands, and how it led him to making movies. We also chat about the writing process, wearing multiple hats on a movie set, the few positive things that can come creatively from utilizing AI, watching...

Hey, everybody. It's time for another Low-Budget Rebels conversation! In this episode, Rob Hagans and I sat down to chat about his films and the process of making them. Rob is the talented DIY filmmaker behind indie films such as Barbara and Around the World. We discuss filmmaker gear and the ability to use what you have to bring your stories to life, how the low-budget film medium allows for you...

Happy Monday, everyone! On this weeks LOW-BUDGET REBELS, I chatted with the wonderful producer of FAITH BA$ED - Luke Barnett. I've chatted with Luke a bit on social media and we've tried to put together an episode for awhile but it's finally come together into one of the most informative podcast episodes to date! Luke and I discussed the shift from focusing on acting to producing and what lead him...

We're back with a brand new season of Low-Budget Rebels podcast! In this episode, I sat down with the director of an interesting dark comedy called THE IMPROVISOR to talk about his film, the process of making it, and what he learned about filmmaking along the way. We discuss the early stages of finding inspiration and attempting to learn the craft of storytelling, the amount of time it can take to...

We've reached the end of Season 4! On this episode, I was joined by the highly recommended Roman Jossart. He's directed multiple feature films and produced a plethora of content over his short but prolific career in indie horror. In this episode, Roman and I discuss those early days of having the realization that, 'It's time to just go make a movie!' He tells the tale of how he gambled on himself...