{"podcast":{"title":"Show Don't Tell: Micro-Budget Filmmaking","slug":"show-don-t-tell-micro-budget-filmmaking-809490","podcast_index_feed_id":809490,"rss_url":"https://www.spreaker.com/show/5470278/episodes/feed","website_url":"https://www.spreaker.com/show/show-dont-tell-micro-budget-filmmaking","image_url":"https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/d13f89e884537189f8742264eab84f72.jpg","author":"Noam Kroll","episode_count":279,"summary":"Each week, filmmaker Noam Kroll shares valuable insight into the world of micro-budget filmmaking, geared towards true DIY filmmakers looking to get out there and create their own films.","last_synced_at":"2026-07-25T18:20:15.435777+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/show-don-t-tell-micro-budget-filmmaking-809490"},"episode":{"title":"Getting a $75K Feature On HBO & Selling a Video Agency For $17MM With Stefan van de Graaff","slug":"getting-a-75k-feature-on-hbo-selling-a-video-agency-for-17mm-with-stefan-van-de-graaff","published_at":"2026-02-28T00:21:33+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/show-don-t-tell-micro-budget-filmmaking-809490/getting-a-75k-feature-on-hbo-selling-a-video-agency-for-17mm-with-stefan-van-de-graaff","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/show-don-t-tell-micro-budget-filmmaking-809490","url":"https://www.spreaker.com/episode/getting-a-75k-feature-on-hbo-selling-a-video-agency-for-17mm-with-stefan-van-de-graaff--70351696","audio_url":"https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/70351696/show_dont_tell_ep269.mp3","summary":"In this episode I'm joined by filmmaker and entrepreneur Stefan van de Graaff, whose $75,000 micro-budget feature Simmer landed on HBO after going viral on Facebook. Stefan also co-founded a video agency that grew from a two-person team into a 100-employee business before selling for $17 million, which we discuss at length. Throughout the episode we talk about Stefan’s unconventional path - from Midwest filmmaker to running a digial advertising business. We also cover how his commercial production work became the foundation for financing and producing indie features, and what it took to scale from a scrappy first feature to a $1M international production. Topics covered include: How uploading Simmer to Facebook led to 1M views and sales agent interest How indie films without stars can land on major platforms like HBO Financing a micro-budget feature with personal funds, partners, and partial fundraising The jump from a $75K film to a $1M feature using tax incentives, grants, and talent deals Why having the right producer dramatically increases credibility with agents and financiers Lessons from building and selling an ad agency - and why strategy beats fulfillment How reducing friction (locations, permits, crew, logistics) makes indie filmmaking possible Why building an audience can be a more reliable path than the traditional Hollywood ladder Links from the show: Stefan - Instagram One of Us - Instagram Sign up for my newsletter for exclusive filmmaking insight each Sunday","meta_description":"In this episode I'm joined by filmmaker and entrepreneur Stefan van de Graaff, whose $75,000 micro-budget feature Simmer landed on HBO after going viral o…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":3636,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/show-don-t-tell-micro-budget-filmmaking-809490/episodes/getting-a-75k-feature-on-hbo-selling-a-video-agency-for-17mm-with-stefan-van-de-graaff/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/show-don-t-tell-micro-budget-filmmaking-809490/getting-a-75k-feature-on-hbo-selling-a-video-agency-for-17mm-with-stefan-van-de-graaff.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}