My First Indie Film

Follow along the journey as director, Jason Baumgardner, takes his maiden voyage into no-budget feature filmmaking. Hear recaps of each day as the filmmaker goes from finding an idea, writing the screenplay, directing the film, and editing the footage.

Editing 9: Computer Crash! 01/02/2020

Editing 9: Computer Crash! Editing 9: The Hackintosh crashes Jason’s progress and emotions. He shares how "Rebel without a Crew" TV show encourages him. Then Jason reflects on some scenes he was surprised by in the editing and the attitude of gratitude losing his editing computer brings. /episode/index/show/myfirstindiefilm/id/12366752

Editing 8: Looking at a Mountain 12/30/2019

Editing 8: Looking at a Mountain Editing 8: Jason misses self-imposed deadlines for completing the film and discusses his honest feelings of the post-production slog. He shares his new deadlines. He shares great insight from Robert Cargill about writing that relates to editing. A relatable episode for anyone finding themselves displeased with their own creative progress. /episode/index/show/myfirstindiefilm/id/12366011

Editing 7: When is a Scene Done? 12/26/2019

Editing 7: When is a Scene Done? Editing 7: What is most important in making a cut in the footage?Jason revisits Walter Murch’s book, “In the Blink of an Eye”. Jason tells how he implemented it to make a scene better. Hear Soderbergh insights about film being the only medium where you can truly see characters transition thoughts in the same shot. Jason shares a quote he now has taped up next to his monitor for knowing when a scene is complete. /episode/index/show/myfirstindiefilm/id/12339056

Editing 6: Establish Point-Of-View 12/23/2019

Editing 6: Establish Point-Of-View Editing 6: Jason gleans from the movie Traffic on editing point-of-view and how to get into a scene. He shares how he’s choosing the take he likes as he edits a scene. /episode/index/show/myfirstindiefilm/id/12337697

Editing 5: First Scene 12/19/2019

Editing 5: First Scene Editing 5: Actual cutting of the footage is underway and Jason shares reactions of a first viewing. He shares some encouragement from Jeremy and how taking longer is actually what it takes to get where you want to be. /episode/index/show/myfirstindiefilm/id/12336857

Editing 4: Emotional Ping Pong 12/16/2019

Editing 4: Emotional Ping Pong Editing 4: Honest fellowship with other filmmakers gives Jason perspective on life and career. He finds creative inspiration from a twitter thread of successful directors, James Mangold, Craig Mazin, and Chris McQuarrie, and shares what they talked about and how it relates to editing a scene. /episode/index/show/myfirstindiefilm/id/12336311

Editing 3: Resistance is Back 12/12/2019

Editing 3: Resistance is Back Editing 3: Raw honesty from Jason as he shares his struggle with working on the film in editing. He shares what helped break the resistance and what may help you as well wherever you are in your creative process. /episode/index/show/myfirstindiefilm/id/12335327

Editing 2: Composing the Future 12/09/2019

Editing 2: Composing the Future Editing 2: Jason meets with a possible composer. A post-mortem call with producers goes very well and Jason shares the excitement that comes out of that meeting. /episode/index/show/myfirstindiefilm/id/12334841

Editing 1: Syncing Back To Reality 12/05/2019

Editing 1: Syncing Back To Reality Editing Update 1: The realities of post-production set in quickly with syncing sound to the footage. Jason discusses how the 90-day timeline is going. He shares how much footage they shot and tells how he passed the monotonous time of footage organization while simultaneously learning character development from Breaking Bad. A possible composer reaches out to Jason. /episode/index/show/myfirstindiefilm/id/12280106

Day 67: Exhausted on Cloud Nine 12/02/2019

Day 67: Exhausted on Cloud Nine Day 67: Jason reflects on becoming a feature film director and reentering family life. He discusses what the day after production entailed with returning equipment and taking a few days off. /episode/index/show/myfirstindiefilm/id/12243119

Day 66: Last Day of Production! 11/15/2019

Day 66: Last Day of Production! Day 66: A day full of script and logistical drama, Jason has to rewrite the script for the last day and doesn’t know what to write. He also forgot to secure the location for the day and so there is a mad dash to try find a location on a national holiday. Catherine once again calms Jason’s nerves and they find a way to get the movie in the can. Listen to how the last day of Spooklight went and all the hurdles the team faced on their last day of production! /episode/index/show/myfirstindiefilm/id/12023222

Day 65: Eleven Weddings in a Row 11/14/2019

Day 65: Eleven Weddings in a Row Day 65: Jason forgot to cast day players, but was able to secure two actresses last minute. He discusses location needs when shooting and the themes of the scenes. Jason discusses how he directs one of the scenes that wasn’t working and how thinking about contrast made it work. He discusses the sacrifice it takes to make a film and all the people it impacts around you. The team was also able to shoot a scene they skipped from the other night and get some pick up shots. /episode/index/show/myfirstindiefilm/id/12023147

Day 64: No Script, No Location 11/13/2019

Day 64: No Script, No Location Day 64: After a late night with kids and little sleep, Jason gets up to write 8 pages in 2 hours before getting to set. Brooke finds a way to secure a difficult role and location we need that day. The cast and crew move out to Anson and get more than what they could have ever expected. /episode/index/show/myfirstindiefilm/id/12031772

Day 63: One Embarrassing Scene 11/12/2019

Day 63: One Embarrassing Scene Day 63: With one scene to shoot on day 8, production has a relaxed feel. A day of rejuvenation was well needed and embraced. Jason talks about giving yourself a deadline and making it public might be the best thing to do to accomplish your goals. Jason also shares how he is stressed that he has to rewrite the scenes and still find locations for the next day! /episode/index/show/myfirstindiefilm/id/11993954

Day 62: Tragedy Strikes 11/11/2019

Day 62: Tragedy Strikes Day 62: There’s nothing that can prepare you for some things in life. Dealing with sudden tragedy is one. Dealing with sudden tragedy while making a film is what this day of shooting became. Jason tells the story of the evening as best he can and what all the cast and crew experienced on the 7th day of production. /episode/index/show/myfirstindiefilm/id/11992619

Day 61: Time to Spooklight 11/08/2019

Day 61: Time to Spooklight Day 61: Back to Anson, Texas for the first of two back-to-back night shoots, all 7 main cast members have a pivotal scene at the Anson crossroads. Jason discusses how the shoot day went, behind-the-scene antic dotes, and lessons learned from planning and shooting at night. /episode/index/show/myfirstindiefilm/id/11955179

Day 60: Four Location Moves 11/07/2019

Day 60: Four Location Moves Day 60: Finishing the basement, moving outside and across town twice... the production has a lot of moves but the nature of the scenes simplifies the production needs. Jason breaks down the scenes of the day, the missteps they overcame and a few things to think about if making your own small budget film. /episode/index/show/myfirstindiefilm/id/11943077

Day 59: Safe in the Scary Basement 10/25/2019

Day 59: Safe in the Scary Basement Day 59: Inclement weather returns to town but filming is in a basement so production stays the course. Jason and Doug collaborate to solve lighting needs from out of story and then work through stepping on each other’s toes for the first time. Jason loves how performances elevated what he had imagined for the ending and discusses how to better protect the important scenes in your shooting schedule. /episode/index/show/myfirstindiefilm/id/11777756

Day 58: Filming in Anson, Texas 10/24/2019

Day 58: Filming in Anson, Texas Day 58: Why chose the "Anson Lights" folklore to create a story around the for the film? Jason explains why they ran over an hour in shooting the first scene of the day. Jason also explains the tone of the film they are hoping to achieve, the excitement of the locals as they start filming in Anson, and why getting bluebonnets into the movie is so great for establishing the setting. /episode/index/show/myfirstindiefilm/id/11764526

Day 57: Tornado! 10/23/2019

Day 57: Tornado! Day 57: Day 3 of production is set aside as another prep day. A tornado plows through Abilene while we all slept. Jason shares a perspective on life struggles from his wife. He talks through how they reworked the schedule and the priorities in putting that together for the next 8 days of shooting his first indie film! /episode/index/show/myfirstindiefilm/id/11753819

Day 56: Exciting Footage 10/22/2019

Day 56: Exciting Footage Day 56: Day 2 of shooting. Jason talks crew dropping out, how positivity helps production, and the schedule of the day. He discusses how he directed a scene differently from the page for more emotional impact, why recording wild lines are important, and why production went over until early in the morning to capture an action sequence. Jason also shares moments throughout the day that were memorable. /episode/index/show/myfirstindiefilm/id/11736245

Day 55: First Day of Shooting! 10/21/2019

Day 55: First Day of Shooting! Day 55: We made it!! First day of shooting is here and not without it’s hiccups and new ‘resistances’ attacking us. Jason talks through the scenes they shot on day one, adjustments they made to scenes and why they chose these scenes to shoot first. Lots happening so these episodes may be a bit longer! /episode/index/show/myfirstindiefilm/id/11719298

Day 54: Last Day of Pre-Production 10/19/2019

Day 54: Last Day of Pre-Production Day 54: Jason and Doug put off shooting another day in order to prep for one day. They go location scouting, talk one hour setup goal in each location, and the excitement of finding locations your DP loves. An actor for day one of shooting has to back out and Jason has to figure out a replacement plan quickly to put everyone in a position to be successful. It’s the last day before the camera rolls on Day 55! /episode/index/show/myfirstindiefilm/id/11701691

Day 53: Everyone Reads Script 10/18/2019

Day 53: Everyone Reads Script Day 53: Jason writes all day to finish the script moments before all the cast and crew table read it for the first time. Originally planned as the first day of shooting, day 53 is needed for finishing the script and prep. Jason adjusts a character for an actor he liked in auditions. Jason talks through the ending of the film and how he wrote it from structure beats, location, production issues, and theme. He discusses the table read and everyone’s response and the decision about shooting the next day. /episode/index/show/myfirstindiefilm/id/11691593

Day 51-52: The 20 Hour Rewrite 10/17/2019

Day 51-52: The 20 Hour Rewrite Jason writes all day and all night, for nearly 20 hours trying to rewrite the script. He discusses waking up with anxiety about not finishing it. Then Jason talks through the workshop they put on for the students at ACU and the process for shooting a scene. /episode/index/show/myfirstindiefilm/id/11676194

Day 50: Preproduction Battles 10/16/2019

Day 50: Preproduction Battles Day 50: Jason wakes to some tough news. He gets ideas going with some morning pages, meets with a potential new actor, gets help with a new location, and finishes the day with outlining the sequences to the film. /episode/index/show/myfirstindiefilm/id/11661842

Day 49: New Location Resets Entire Story 10/11/2019

Day 49: New Location Resets Entire Story Day 49: Jason and Doug pick up the camera in Dallas. That evening they talk story and create a new ending for the film that stems from a location they found. Jason talks story changes based on actors availability. Jason discusses why talking story with the DP is a key collaboration and what’s next to get done. /episode/index/show/myfirstindiefilm/id/11601872

Day 48: Stress and Solutions 10/09/2019

Day 48: Stress and Solutions Jason’s son has a tonsillectomy in the morning. Doug, the DP, arrives in town. The panic to find production insurance overwhelms Jason’s writing time. Doug and Jason make decisions on equipment and have an honest conversation about what needs to change in the script for this film to happen. /episode/index/show/myfirstindiefilm/id/11572334

Day 47: Casting Leads 10/08/2019

Day 47: Casting Leads Jason casts the 3 main leads and talks about what all goes into choosing actors for a project. Doug hits the road from California to Texas to make the movie and Jason talks about the value of empowering everyone to be creative on a no-budget film. /episode/index/show/myfirstindiefilm/id/11545520

Day 46: Different Actors, Different Movie 10/07/2019

Day 46: Different Actors, Different Movie Jason and Doug settle on a camera to use and an equipment house to get it from in Dallas. Jason watches the taped auditions to try to decide on cast and how seeing different roles play out makes a different movie. Then the first crew meeting! /episode/index/show/myfirstindiefilm/id/11545385

My First Indie Film

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