In Love with the Process Podcast EP412 | Feature Film Pre Production Day 01 | They Like the Dark
Sep 29, 2026
Pre-production officially begins on They Like the Dark. Follow the creative team taking shape, preparing for three months in New Jersey, and using storyboards as the film’s blueprint. The conversation explores indie film financing, tax incentives, delegation, creative relationships, trusting your instincts, and the milestone of bringing a first feature to life.
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Making One Volume Wall Cover An Entire Film
- The production uses New Jersey’s tax incentive and a volume stage to stretch a small indie budget.
- A single moving video wall requires careful planning to capture coverage before the set changes.
Why Storyboards Become The Film’s Bible
- Mike rereads the final script and marks every scene with questions, reasons, and ideas for shooting.
- Because the film has little dialogue, the crew will treat detailed storyboards as its visual shooting bible.
Why Indie Film Money Disappears So Fast
- Independent films consume millions before production through legal, staffing, union, and business costs.
- A short film’s production budget badly understates feature costs because essential infrastructure cannot be obtained for free.