Show Don't Tell: Micro-Budget Filmmaking Winning Kevin Smith’s Smodcastle with FOIBLES Writer / Director Ryan Oksenberg
Sep 13, 2025
01:00:32
In this episode I am joined by longtime friend and fellow filmmaker Ryan Oksenberg, here to break down the making of his debut feature FOIBLES - a darkly comic, surreal satire about codependency and addiction.
Throughout the episode we take a behind the scenes look at this feature - How Ryan greenlit the project himself, pulling off big set pieces on an indie budget, the 13-month post pipeline, music licensing reality checks, and taking home an award at Kevin Smith’s Smodcastle for best Actor.
Topics covered include:
FOIBLES — Official Trailer
Support FOIBLES on Kickstarter
Sign up for my newsletter for exclusive filmmaking insight each Sunday.
Throughout the episode we take a behind the scenes look at this feature - How Ryan greenlit the project himself, pulling off big set pieces on an indie budget, the 13-month post pipeline, music licensing reality checks, and taking home an award at Kevin Smith’s Smodcastle for best Actor.
Topics covered include:
- Moving from shorts to a debut feature with a SAG Ultra Low Budget agreement
- Building a 40-person crew, and setting up basecamp at home
- Practical vs. digital: stunt days that don’t go to plan, and why it works in the edit
- Shot listing & storyboarding every beat vs. staying nimble on the day
- Casting on a budget: personal letters, partnering with casting directors
- Post for indies: cutting, feedback screenings, and when to let go
- Music supervision 101: masters + publishing, MFN, festival vs. all-media licenses
- The Kickstarter × Tubi path: hitting the goal to unlock a grant and AVOD distribution
FOIBLES — Official Trailer
Support FOIBLES on Kickstarter
Sign up for my newsletter for exclusive filmmaking insight each Sunday.