We absolutely understand that choosing to work with micro-budgets you have to be mad on some level - hence we named our educational YouTube channel Micro-Budget Madness! Don't get us wrong, being a micro-budget filmmaker is not a bad thing, it just means that you have to approach filmmaking with a DIY mentality.
Though this channel we break down how to produce, shoot and distribute micro-budget films with examples from our own micro-budget films, as well as mainstream films with a micro-budget element. We share all our experiences, from festival tips, career advice, distribution, smart business practices and everything else in between!
Want to know how we shoot our improvised micro budget feature and short films with limited crew, budget and resources?
Then you must check out the channel, subscribe and don’t forget to hit the notification bell to get a heads up when we post a new video.
Last weekend we did a short pick-up shoot for our psychological drama / horror Machination, adding more characters to the story and more surreal dream scenes, including this stunning aerial shot (below) of Steffi Thake as Maria floating in the sea.
It was a great day on set, and these new scenes add extra depth to the edit, which is nearing picture lock. We can’t wait to bring Machination to you later this year.
We found ourselves stuck in Portugal during the first half of 2021 as our flights home to Malta kept being cancelled during the pandemic. Naturally, we needed to film something. So we came up with the concept for Encontro (meaning meeting in Portuguese), put out a call for actors, and quickly cast two talented Lisbon locals in Rachel-Hannah Strong and Denise Santos. Just over a week later we were on set using the new Ronin RS2 gimbal we had purchased, and with only a two-person crew we walked through Lisbon capturing various stunning sites on a sunny Saturday afternoon.
“With the lockdown lifted, life goes somewhat back to normal. Inés seizes the chance and invites her friend Joanna to catch up, but as they walk through Lisbon, there’s something troubling Inés.”
Enjoy Life Improvised: Encontro below.
Popular Maltese news outlet Lovin’ Malta did an extensive interview with co-director Sarah Jayne about our latest film In Corpore. The article focuses on love and sex and how our international, sex-positive relationship drama tackles these complex topics from the perspective of the female gaze. We are very grateful to Lovin’ Malta for the terrific write-up. Read the article here and choose a platform to watch In Corpore here.
Aussie underground indie website Pure Shit: Australian Cinema interviewed us about filming In Corpore in four countries / cities and our feelings and perspectives as filmmakers now that we live and breathe film in Europe. They were great questions from Bill Mousoulis and we really enjoyed answering them. Check out the interview here.
Happy New Year! We hope you had a safe and memorable NYE and are ready to tackle 2020.
We are pleased to announce that our improvised micro budget feature film Friends, Foes & Fireworks is now available worldwide on Blu-ray via Amazon. Grab your own collector’s copy and watch with your friends, champagne in hand.
Featuring behind the scenes as well as deleted scenes, all in glorious HD, Friends, Foes & Fireworks is the ultimate New Year’s Eve film, filmed completely in a single night on New Year’s Eve without a script. How many films can say that?
Purchase your copy here now!
NPG directors Sarah Jayne and Ivan Malekin have been travelling and filming In Corpore, our production companies second improvised feature film, which went into pre production mid 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. The bold feature film, which takes an intimate look into relationships around the world was shot in Australia, Malta, New York and Germany and principal photography wrapped up late this month, with the Berlin story ending the quadruple film adventure.
Shot in four countries around the world.
On a whole we are pleased with what we managed to achieve and the improv aspect of the process has not only kept us on our toes but also made directors Sarah Jayne and Ivan Malekin aware that they now have found their niche and have no interest in going back to scripted work or heavy dialogued screenplays.
In Corpore was produced from Melbourne around June 2017 and later on Malta once NPG re-located to the tiny Mediterranean island for a European lifestyle change. This move made it easier for the directing duo to travel to the destinations the film required and the results of the film and the production values will speak for itself on completion. We are sure that this international feel will add some extra appeal to the film for the future audience, yet not take away from the excellent performances and passion for their roles each of our actors gave.
In each country a small and talented team was built - that team includes four DOP's, four second camera operators, 2 sound people, five assistants and an enthusiastic cast was which brought together to make it all possible. Now we have all the footage and we can't wait to start piecing the film together.
Stay tuned for future updates on In Corpore and remember that you can get behind our work by joining our Patreon community today for as little as $1 a month.