DiscoverShow Don't Tell: Micro-Budget FilmmakingWinning Kevin Smith’s Smodcastle with FOIBLES Writer / Director Ryan Oksenberg
Winning Kevin Smith’s Smodcastle with FOIBLES Writer / Director Ryan Oksenberg

Winning Kevin Smith’s Smodcastle with FOIBLES Writer / Director Ryan Oksenberg

Update: 2025-09-13
Share

Description

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:
  • 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
Links from the show:


FOIBLES — Official Trailer

Support FOIBLES on Kickstarter

Sign up for my newsletter for exclusive filmmaking insight each Sunday.
Comments 
loading
In Channel
loading
00:00
00:00
1.0x

0.5x

0.8x

1.0x

1.25x

1.5x

2.0x

3.0x

Sleep Timer

Off

End of Episode

5 Minutes

10 Minutes

15 Minutes

30 Minutes

45 Minutes

60 Minutes

120 Minutes

Winning Kevin Smith’s Smodcastle with FOIBLES Writer / Director Ryan Oksenberg

Winning Kevin Smith’s Smodcastle with FOIBLES Writer / Director Ryan Oksenberg

Noam Kroll