Your Definitive Guide to Microbudget Filmmaking 

Learn how you can make your movie for under $50k from a microbudget expert who's produced features for Legendary, Lakeshore Entertainment, Netflix, and IFC Films, as well as series for Fox Television Studios, Hulu, FreeForm, Netflix, and 20th Century Digital.

Get a downloadable sample film budget!

The barrier to entry for making a film is at an all time low.  With access, opportunity and new distribution options you can now take your film idea from concept to distribution easier than ever before. Best of all? You get to collaborate with people you choose to make that story a reality.

How can you do that?

By making your film independently on a microbudget under $50,000. 

This process means you don't have to pitch to studio executives and major financiers who will have their own notes about your story and what it should be and who to sell it to -- all of which you and your team might disagree with. In fact, you are in full control of the process from start to finish. Microbudget filmmaking is a path to creative freedom, and one that is paved with profits if done correctly. 

To make your story see the big screen, you're going to need to spend extra time working to make sure you're doing everything right because you have no time or money to waste. We have the perfect Stage 32 Educator, Michael Wormser, who is here to show you how to develop, produce, and distribute your microbudget movie.

Michael is an award-winning producer who specializes in microbudget filmmaking and has produced over 70 projects including features for Legendary, Lakeshore Entertainment, Netflix, and IFC Films, as well as series for Fox Television Studios, Hulu, FreeForm, Netflix, and 20th Century Digital.

Through an interactive 4-part virtual class, Michael dives deep into the four key areas of microbudget filmmaking that you must master in order to be successful: Development, Planning, Production, and Distribution. Each of these four phases comes with unique challenges and opportunities that Michael will show you how to use to your advantage to produce the best microbudget film possible and get it out to your audience to enjoy. You'll walk away from these sessions with everything you need to know to collaborate and produce your own microbudget film.

You will have assignments between each session to put to practice what you learn for your own film, and you will also get a sample film budget download that will help you on your own journey!

Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to work with an acclaimed producer who's helped countless creators bring their microbudget projects to life!

Praise from Michael's previous class:

"Michael is the real deal. His tricks to the process blew my mind. I can't thank you enough for all you taught us!" - James P.

"Run, no, sprint to learn from Michael. His knowledge and attention to detail is bar none. I highly recommend Michael as a teacher. I've produced projects before but he has an incredible knowledge base on all aspects to help streamline processes." - Aimee M.

CLASS ONE: Development Phase

In this class, we are going to first access your script, elements, assets and resources to ensure you can both make your film under the micro-budget and maximize what you already have to keep your quality high and budget low.

• Making sure your script works for your intended budget level
• Sandbox Filmmaking - working within the allotted confines of a micro-budget
• Resource Filmmaking - leveraging the resources you have
• 6 Ways to Test the story (beta testing)
• The key to networking- Where and How

Q&A with Michael

Assignment: You will have an assignment after this class

CLASS TWO: Planning and Pre-Production Phase

What things should you do in the early stages to create a plan that will allow you to keep a handle on your budget as you move into production? This class will cover those with tips, tricks, and guidance. Preproduction is key to producing a micro-budget film so we are going to dive right into steps to take in pre-prod to set you up for success. How prepared are you? The key to good execution is good preparation. You shouldn’t rush into production unless you are prepared

• Building your film’s blueprint
• Creating a budget & making adaptations based on it.
• Creating a schedule and setting your shoot length
• Making Storyboarding - help to visualize the story
• Casting – Getting the best talent possible on a budget.
• Location Scouting – Allowing you to maximize your budget and define production
• Sales Agencies- Access the Market and your audience

Pre Production

• Hiring Crew
• Setting up an LLC
• Insurance
• Banking
• Legal - through Sale of Film
• Locking in Locations and permitting
• Finalize Budget/Schedule
• Cast Rehearsals/ Table Read
• Crew Meetings
• Shot listing
• Collaborating with each department

Q&A with Michael

Assignment: You will have an assignment after this class

CLASS THREE: Executing Production

Time to put on your hats of manager, therapist, problem solver, sales, and marketing. This is where all the pre-production hopefully allows for a smoother production, but there are always things that will pop up, and we will discuss how to manage and communicate with success.

• Investing In and Communicating with Crew
• Your role as a problem solver
• Editing during production
• Managing daily setups
• Managing the budget and cost reports
• Marketing Starts Now
• Post Production – 7 costs you should be set before you start shooting
• Test Screenings

Q&A with Michael

Assignment: You will have an assignment after this class

CLASS FOUR: Film Festivals & Distribution

Ending strong is just as important as starting strong and this is the phase that determines if anyone actually gets to see your film. We will wrap up here and the class.

DISTRIBUTION PHASE

• Building a Sales and Legal Team
• Finding a Sales Agent
• Creating a Plan
• Creating a Film festival/Sales Package that gets attention

Q&A with Michael

Assignment: You will have an assignment after this class

ASSIGNMENTS: WATCH (WILL BE ASSIGNED EACH WEEK)

• Micro-Budget Movie Examples for
• Horror Film - Down Range
• Indie Drama - Primer
• Newlyweds

HANDOUTS:

• Sample Budget download

*This is a previously recorded class, although Michael is no longer available on email we encourage you to participate in the class assignments! 

All levels of directors (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to learn how to develop, produce, and distribute your microbudget movie.

All levels of writers (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to learn how to develop, produce, and distribute your microbudget movie.

Producers looking to learn how to develop, produce, and distribute your microbudget movie.

Actors looking to learn how to develop, produce, and distribute your microbudget movie.