Writing to your Budget w/Aaron Pagniano - Just Shoot It 519

Writing to your Budget w/Aaron Pagniano - Just Shoot It 519

Author: Filmmakers Matt Enlow & Oren Kaplan March 19, 2026 Duration: 1:17:35

Aaron Pagniano https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3142582/ talks about their new micro-budget feature film "It Needs Eyes" and they share secrets to overcoming hurdles when you don’t have a ton of money to play with.


Matt and Oren get a lot of info, like how much money you really net when you raise, say $60,000 on Kickstarter. As well as the secret to affording 35 mm film stock and a Panavision when your budget is limited.


Aaron’s big on building a crew that is excited to work within the budget. And they’ve learned a lot about writing the script to your budget and skillset. And if you’re trying to get your film distributed, Aaron has some insight into shady sales agents and distribution companies and all the ways they will get your film in and cheat you out of the upside and reward.


Find Aaron at https://www.formidablefilefilms.com/ and on IG @formidablefilefilms

Help Matts' film: https://wefunder.com/badfeeling

Help our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/JustShootItPod


Matt's Endorsement: Chris Gethard on "The Vulture" podcast and the nature of DIY and punk rock ethics in comedy, and there's no longer a middle class of comedy.

Oren's Endorsement: The Original Proper Popper Silicone Microwave Bowl and "The Pitt" on HBO

Aaron's Endorsement: Colorado Gators & Reptile Park https://www.coloradofunguide.com/colorado-gators-reptile-park/


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


Behind every film you've ever loved is a collection of hard-won lessons, creative struggles, and moments of pure luck. Just Shoot It: A Podcast about Filmmaking, Screenwriting and Directing pulls back the curtain on that process. Hosted by working directors Matt Enlow and Oren Kaplan, this podcast operates like a long-form conversation between peers, delving into the granular details of building a life behind the camera. Each episode features an interview with a filmmaker, but the focus is less on promoting projects and more on dissecting the craft. You'll hear directors, writers, cinematographers, and other artists break down their approach to story development, the visual language of a scene, working with actors, and the practical realities of navigating a career. The discussion is grounded in the hosts' own experiences, making the advice tangible and the pitfalls relatable. This isn't abstract theory; it's a field guide compiled from the trenches. Whether you're an aspiring director, a seasoned screenwriter, or simply fascinated by how movies are truly made, this podcast offers an honest, unvarnished look at the art, business, and relentless problem-solving that defines filmmaking. Tune in for a masterclass that feels like a coffee shop chat, where the goal is to demystify the journey from script to screen.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Just Shoot It: A Podcast about Filmmaking, Screenwriting and Directing
Podcast Episodes
Good Times w/ EP Eric McCasline  - Just Shoot It 462 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:38:51
Executive Producer (EP) Eric McCasline talks about building his new, top-tier production company, Good Times. https://ItsGoodTimes.com/ And he chats with Matt and Oren about how directors can get on the roster, win jobs,…
Choreograph Your Career w/Daniel Russell  - Just Shoot It 460 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:26
Daniel Russel https://www.daniel-russell.com/ went from an assistant for Dave Meyers www.radicalmedia.com/us/directors/dave-meyers to directing music videos for Justin Timberlake and Jason Derulo. And he chats with Matt…
LA Stories w/Matt & Oren - Just Shoot It 459 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:15
Matt & Oren chat about the LA fires and their impact on freelancers, filmmakers, and the industry. It's a conversation about navigating so-called 'normalcy' -- where normalcy is lacking. And the tough decisions around wh…
New Year, New Goals w/Matt & Oren - Just Shoot It 458 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:10
Matt and Oren chat about 2024, what they learned and what they're planning to do for 2025. Everything from posting on Instagram & LinkedIn, being more productive, toilet training, and gold stars. Then they tackle a quest…
10 Tips from Thailand w/Matt & Oren - Just Shoot It 455 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:29
What's different about directing a commercial internationally? Everything!! Oren's back from 3 weeks in Thailand and he's got 10 things to remember when shooting overseas. Matt and Oren talk health, prep, working with ac…