# Raising $400K, Casting Without Names, and Writing the Iron-Core Story with Mick Lexington

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/show-don-t-tell-micro-budget-filmmaking-809490/raising-400k-casting-without-names-and-writing-the-iron-core-story-with-mick-lexington
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/show-don-t-tell-micro-budget-filmmaking-809490/raising-400k-casting-without-names-and-writing-the-iron-core-story-with-mick-lexington.md
Podcast: [Show Don't Tell: Micro-Budget Filmmaking](https://stenobird.com/podcast/show-don-t-tell-micro-budget-filmmaking-809490)
Published: 2025-09-05T15:34:41+00:00
Episode link: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/raising-400k-casting-without-names-and-writing-the-iron-core-story-with-mick-lexington--67639398
Audio file: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/67639398/show_dont_tell_ep257.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/show-don-t-tell-micro-budget-filmmaking-809490/episodes/raising-400k-casting-without-names-and-writing-the-iron-core-story-with-mick-lexington
Duration seconds: 2736

## Resource

In this episode filmmaker and novelist Mick Lexington joins me to unpack the development phase for his debut feature Mr. Jack - an existential New York drama adapted from his own novel. Through the interview we dig into the process of raising a ~$400K production budget, why he brought on a dedicated fundraising lead, and how his “agile filmmaking” approach allows him to start elements of production ahead of principle photography. We also dive deep on writing craft - outlining, “killing your darlings,” beating procrastination with consistent routines and much more. Topics include: Working with a fundraising specialist to raise a target budget of $400K “Agile filmmaking”: building momentum by shooting key exteriors ahead of produciton Casting strategy without star names and avoiding audience-misleading cameos Turning New York City into a story engine: LES & Williamsburg as living backdrop Writing cadence & anti-procrastination: consistent daily blocks vs. bursts Why the final rewrite is the edit - and planning for pickups and pivots Links from the show: Mr. Jack - Website Mick Lexington - Website Sign up for my newsletter for exclusive filmmaking insight each Sunday.

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## Transcript

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