# Getting Into Sundance With A $30K TV Pilot

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/show-don-t-tell-micro-budget-filmmaking-809490/getting-into-sundance-with-a-30k-tv-pilot
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/show-don-t-tell-micro-budget-filmmaking-809490/getting-into-sundance-with-a-30k-tv-pilot.md
Podcast: [Show Don't Tell: Micro-Budget Filmmaking](https://stenobird.com/podcast/show-don-t-tell-micro-budget-filmmaking-809490)
Published: 2026-01-23T21:07:22+00:00
Episode link: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/getting-into-sundance-with-a-30k-tv-pilot--69564182
Audio file: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/69564182/show_dont_tell_ep266.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/show-don-t-tell-micro-budget-filmmaking-809490/episodes/getting-into-sundance-with-a-30k-tv-pilot
Duration seconds: 3957

## Resource

In this episode filmmaker Alec Goldberg joins the show to break down how his micro-budget comedy pilot Soft Boil went from a bootstrapped production to a blind submission acceptance at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival. We talk about Alec’s path from documentary and commercial work into scripted narrative, how a key creative partnership with lead actor / co-writer Camille Wormser shaped the project, and what it took to pull off a festival-ready pilot on $30,000 across a handful of shoot days. Topics covered include: Why Alec believes casting + voice was the “X factor” (and how to recognize it) The tactical micro-budget choices that mattered most (locations, rehearsals, scheduling) How to direct comedy with improv-friendly actors without losing the spine of the scene The producer “role-splitting” approach that let Alec focus on directing How Alec thinks about finding your “voice” as a filmmaker, and why it's so critical The films and filmmakers shaping his taste (Kaufman, PTA, Von Trier, Aronofsky, Kubrick) Links from the show: Alec D. Goldberg - Instagram Camille Wormser - Instagram Madison Shamoun - Instagram Vivian Kerr - Instagram Patrick Tabari - Instagram John Gemberling - Instagram Alec Goldberg - Website Sign up for my newsletter for exclusive filmmaking insight each Sunday

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## Transcript

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