A podcast about making your first short film and getting started as a filmmaker, even if you’re an absolute beginner with no idea what you’re doing!
Host Betty P. Rogers is a screenwriter, actor, and now filmmaker. She’s going to walk you through how she made her first short film and how you can make yours as well.
On Episode 5 of From Zero to Short Film, we’re finally getting to the production process! Call sheets, safety meetings, and being respectful of everyone’s time on set. Also: why the Reddit filmmaker community is going to absolutely hate your film and why that’s perfectly all right. Make Art. Save Lives!
Finding our resources helpful? Show us some love on Patreon https://patreon.com/FZTSF?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink (https://patreon.com/FZTSF?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink) or support my films by buying me a coffee buymeacoffee.com/bigcovenenergyfilms (http://buymeacoffee.com/bigcovenenergyfilms)
Giant Compendium of Filmmaker Resources https://docs.google.com/document/d/1H1KQYy7mNTOakRO0h0R2aVSxiSGqLY7kQ4xtuSTK8Ps/edit?usp=sharing (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1H1KQYy7mNTOakRO0h0R2aVSxiSGqLY7kQ4xtuSTK8Ps/edit?usp=sharing)
Have questions or feedback? Hit me up on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/theroguerogers/ (https://www.instagram.com/theroguerogers/)
27 May 2026
Episode 1: Writing Your Script
On today’s show, I give you the rundown on step 1 of making your first short film, writing your screenplay, as well as the process I used to write my screenplay for Insanity in 5 Acts. As if that weren’t enough fun, I got to speak to actor Dominique Meyer about the joy of hitting me in the face with multiple pies, the allyship of male actors playing sexist characters in feminist films, and making authentic art versus content churning.
Giant Compendium of Filmmaker Resources https://docs.google.com/document/d/1H1KQYy7mNTOakRO0h0R2aVSxiSGqLY7kQ4xtuSTK8Ps/edit?usp=sharing (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1H1KQYy7mNTOakRO0h0R2aVSxiSGqLY7kQ4xtuSTK8Ps/edit?usp=sharing)
Find Dominique Meyer on Instagram @the_blu_library …no guarantees he’ll add you.
Find me on Instagram
@theroguerogers (https://www.instagram.com/theroguerogers/)
or Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559951550977 (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559951550977)
Or email me at pod@bigcovenenergyfilms.com
Complete banger of a theme song created and performed by me, Betty P. Rogers.
Make art. Save lives.
Cheers!
Betty
27 May 2026
Episode 2: Pre-Production Part 1
On Episode 2 of From Zero to Short Film, we discuss the first steps of the pre-production process - forming an LLC, locking your script, breaking down your script, creating a budget, and hiring your department heads. I also speak to my producer and sound mixer Bill Daniilidis about what a producer can do for you on your film, how our film had the best cast and crew of all time, and what specific types of arseholes we can and cannot tolerate. Make Art. Save Lives!
Support the film and this podcast on our new Patreon!
https://patreon.com/FZTSF?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink (https://patreon.com/FZTSF?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink)
Show Bill some love:
Bill’s Instagram:
@bill_daniilidis
Bill’s production company’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573003320630 (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573003320630)
Giant Compendium of Filmmaker Resources https://docs.google.com/document/d/1H1KQYy7mNTOakRO0h0R2aVSxiSGqLY7kQ4xtuSTK8Ps/edit?usp=sharing (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1H1KQYy7mNTOakRO0h0R2aVSxiSGqLY7kQ4xtuSTK8Ps/edit?usp=sharing)
Have questions or feedback? Hit me up on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/theroguerogers/ (https://www.instagram.com/theroguerogers/) Stay tuned for episode 5 where we start discussing production of your short film.
25 Mar 2026
Episode 4: The Pre-Production Process Part 3
On today’s episode, I finally get to the end of the pre-production process! Holy shit, we’ve done it! Location scouting, logistics, scheduling shoot days, the pre-production binder, crafty, production design, and rehearsal.
Also some whingeing about my current creative struggles. Then extended whingeing about Dominique slapping me in the face with a fish.
Stay tuned for episode 5 where we start discussing production of your short film.
Giant Compendium of Filmmaker Resources https://docs.google.com/document/d/1H1KQYy7mNTOakRO0h0R2aVSxiSGqLY7kQ4xtuSTK8Ps/edit?usp=sharing (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1H1KQYy7mNTOakRO0h0R2aVSxiSGqLY7kQ4xtuSTK8Ps/edit?usp=sharing)
Have questions or feedback? Hit me up on Instagram! @theroguerogers (https://www.instagram.com/theroguerogers/)
or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559951550977 (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559951550977)
Or email me at pod@bigcovenenergyfilms.com
Support us at Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/c/FZTSF/membership (https://www.patreon.com/c/FZTSF/membership)
Complete banger of a theme song created and performed by me, Betty P. Rogers.
Make art. Save lives.
Cheers!
Betty
On this episode, I discuss how I sourced my props and costumes and the process for hiring cast and crew. I also speak with actor Berserker Lotus who played Shawna in Insanity in 5 Acts about what it’s like being on an indie film set from the actor’s POV, sequel potential, and being haunted by sexist ghosts. Have questions or feedback? Hit me up on Instagram!
Check out Lotus’s Instagram: @berserkerlotus
And her book of poetry, Cryptic Dreams in Verses: http://bit.ly/4tGt9Cv
Resources:
No Film School article about pre-production https://nofilmschool.com/pre-production-in-film (https://nofilmschool.com/pre-production-in-film)
StudioBinder Script Breakdown article + template
https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/free-script-breakdown-sheet/ (https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/free-script-breakdown-sheet/)
Insanity in 5 Acts Script Breakdown https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Qb0OJZmomFjhk1BI3beqpIWIZX91zcmpZQTfIYOfX3g/edit?usp=sharing (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Qb0OJZmomFjhk1BI3beqpIWIZX91zcmpZQTfIYOfX3g/edit?usp=sharing)
Hiring Crew
Bill’s redacted contract https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EhlnI5dSAW1KwWEKTgxtpzNksUkW9D2J/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=115664374527519287546&rtpof=true&sd=true (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EhlnI5dSAW1KwWEKTgxtpzNksUkW9D2J/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=115664374527519287546&rtpof=true&sd=true)
StudioBinder article with crew contract template https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/mastering-the-crew-deal-memo-with-free-template/ (https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/mastering-the-crew-deal-memo-with-free-template/)
StudioBinder article about hiring crew https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/how-to-find-film-crew/ (https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/how-to-find-film-crew/)
Hiring Cast
Document with links to the casting resources because I’ve gone completely over on my character allowance for the show notes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IpPmrTHAFCeKHFwaD3PJZzZWOcdqmVDX7ougqPRVeH4/edit?usp=sharing
Giant Compendium of Filmmaker Resources https://docs.google.com/document/d/1H1KQYy7mNTOakRO0h0R2aVSxiSGqLY7kQ4xtuSTK8Ps/edit?usp=sharing (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1H1KQYy7mNTOakRO0h0R2aVSxiSGqLY7kQ4xtuSTK8Ps/edit?usp=sharing)
Have questions or feedback? Hit me up on Instagram! @theroguerogers (https://www.instagram.com/theroguerogers/)
or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559951550977 (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559951550977)
Or email me at pod@bigcovenenergyfilms.com
Support us at Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/c/FZTSF/membership (https://www.patreon.com/c/FZTSF/membership)
Complete banger of a theme song created and performed by me, Betty P. Rogers.
Make art. Save lives.
Cheers!
Betty
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