# Making A $4000 Feature In 12 Days And Releasing Through Tubi

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/show-don-t-tell-micro-budget-filmmaking-809490/making-a-4000-feature-in-12-days-and-releasing-through-tubi
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/show-don-t-tell-micro-budget-filmmaking-809490/making-a-4000-feature-in-12-days-and-releasing-through-tubi.md
Podcast: [Show Don't Tell: Micro-Budget Filmmaking](https://stenobird.com/podcast/show-don-t-tell-micro-budget-filmmaking-809490)
Published: 2026-03-12T17:05:38+00:00
Episode link: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/making-a-4000-feature-in-12-days-and-releasing-through-tubi--70611062
Audio file: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/70611062/show_dont_tell_ep270.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/show-don-t-tell-micro-budget-filmmaking-809490/episodes/making-a-4000-feature-in-12-days-and-releasing-through-tubi
Duration seconds: 3736

## Resource

In this episode, I sit down with filmmaker Wade Patterson to discuss his micro-budget feature Death Cipher - a contained thriller shot in just 12 days for only $4,000. Throughout the interview, Wade shares how multiple failed feature attempts led him to radically simplify his process, why he embraced a single-location concept shot in his own apartment, and how limitations ultimately became the film’s greatest creative advantage. We also dive into the realities of making a feature with almost no money, wearing multiple hats as writer/director/cinematographer/editor, navigating festival rejection, finding distribution through Filmhub and Tubi, and much more: Why several failed feature attempts led to Death Cipher The mindset shift that led Wade to design a film around his resources Shooting the film over weekends and treating each room like a company move Creating props, puzzle elements, websites, and pre-shot video material How prioritizing actor comfort and a relaxed set environment improved the work What changed in post, including reshoots after early test screenings How Death Cipher landed on Tubi through Filmhub Links from the show: Death Cipher - Tubi Death Cipher - Instagram Wade Patterson - Instagram Sign up for my newsletter for exclusive filmmaking insight each Sunday

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## Transcript

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