They were just a bunch of friends in their early 20s.https://www.instagram.com/aryl.films/No studio backing.No industry connections.Just a remote location, a small team, and a belief that they could pull it off.Within weeks, they raised $15,000.Shot on a $100k cinema camera.Filmed in a remote location with a tight crew.And walked away with awards.In this episode, we break down what actually happened behind the scenes.Not the polished Instagram version.The real one.We talk about:• How a group of young filmmakers formed a serious production team• Producing a short film with limited resources• Raising funding fast and managing budget pressure• Shooting in a remote location without wasting time• Why leadership on set matters more than gear• Cinematography decisions that made the film look bigger than it was• Why chemistry reads were critical in casting• What kills a film set (and how to avoid it)• The mindset shift that helped the film stand out at festivals• What film festivals actually respond to• What happens after you winThis isn’t a motivational story.It’s a practical breakdown of how an award-winning short film was made by filmmakers who decided not to play small.If you’re serious about filmmaking — producing, directing, cinematography, or taking your short film to festivals — this episode is for you.🎬 CHAPTERS00:00 How the Film Team Was Formed00:23 Welcome + The Award-Winning Short Film00:38 Producing, Directing & Cinematography Roles01:07 From Friendship to Filmmaking04:30 Building a Strong Creative Team10:45 Our First Major Film Collaboration18:20 Producing a Short Film on a Budget24:46 How to Make an Award-Winning Short Film30:15 Balancing Creative Vision & Budget38:11 Cinematography: Lighting & Visual Strategy40:07 Writing vs Budget: Should Writers Care?48:27 Pre-Production & Strategic Planning55:46 Understanding Your Film’s Core Strength01:07:27 Casting for Short Films01:10:11 Why Chemistry Reads Matter01:26:53 What Kills a Film Set (Leadership & Efficiency)01:38:40 The Hardest Part of Production01:47:31 Leading a Film Set Under Pressure02:14:40 How to Make Your Short Film Stand Out02:16:20 Don’t Follow Trends — Create Them02:17:03 Film Festival Strategy & Submissions02:20:27 Competing at Film Festivals02:23:47 Standing Out at Festivals02:25:36 After Winning: What’s Next?

Making a feature film with little to no budget sounds impossible - but Arturo did it.

In this episode of The Wizard's Cut, Arturo breaks down the real process behind creating a micro-budget feature film: the mindset, the mistakes, the creative decisions, and how he leveraged resources instead of money to get it done.

This is not theory. This is real, independent filmmaking.

If you're a filmmaker, creator, or storyteller who feels stuck because of budget, gear, or lack of connections - this conversation will change how you see what's possible.

🎥 In this episode, we cover:

• How Arturo started his feature film with almost no money

• Writing a script you can actually produce

• Using locations, people, and resources you already have

• Micro-budget filmmaking strategies that actually work

• The difference between thinking like a writer vs a producer

• Why finishing the film matters more than perfection

This episode is for filmmakers who are tired of waiting and ready to make the movie.

👇 Drop a comment and tell us:
What's stopping YOU from making your feature film?

In this first episode, I sit down with Warren - a director/DP working between Wellington and Miami - for a real conversation about what filmmaking actually looks like before the "perfect" version exists.

We talk about learning on set vs. film school, why lighting is the difference between amateur and cinematic, and how small-budget crews solve big problems in real time. We also go behind the scenes of Distortion -filming in the Florida woods at night, building practical gear, shaping moonlight, and surviving mosquitoes while trying to keep the production value high.

If you're starting your filmmaking journey (or you're deep in it), this episode is a reminder that the craft isn't theory - it's decisions, teamwork, and doing the work.

Topics covered:

• Director/DP life and building experience through real sets

• Mentorship vs. trying to do everything alone

• "Fix it in post" and what you can't actually fix

• Night exteriors: moonlight strategy and controlling practicals

• Distortion BTS: practical vests, forest lighting, safety, and logistics

• Gear talk: cameras, lenses, and avoiding "GAS" (gear addiction)