Zero Budget Filmmaking: 3 Massive Fails and 1 Weird Win on Set

We made a zero budget short film in one weekend…and yes, we made some mistakes.

In this episode of Indie Film Podcast, we break down what actually happens on set when you’re working with limited time, limited resources, and a whole lot of ambition. From forgotten props and gear issues to last-minute pivots and unexpected wins, this is the real behind-the-scenes of indie filmmaking.

If you’re making your first short film, or deep in the chaos of your next one, these are the lessons we learned the hard way so you don’t have to.

In this episode:

• The biggest filmmaking mistakes we made on set

• How to shoot a short film in a single weekend

• Low budget film hacks (including feeding your crew)

• Why shot lists and planning matter more than you think

• Gear challenges (DJI Ronin vs cinema lenses)

• Adapting on set when things go off the rails

• What worked…and the one weird win we didn’t expect

Whether you're a beginner filmmaker or a seasoned indie creator, this episode is a candid look at zero budget filmmaking, on-set problem solving, and the reality of making films without a safety net.

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Show links: 

Filmmaker of the Week, Tom Byrne: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083522282761 

Get our actual shot list template: https://indie-film-podcast.kit.com/68f74bc072 

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