Gene Teplovsky

I’m not posting my plans on Twitter anymore. The second I shared my idea about giving money to aspiring filmmakers, Sofia Coppola immediately stole it from me.

The phrase “I’m dating a model” hits very differently now than it did 10 years ago.😄

@_microbudgetpod I agree. What I meant is, doing just one short a year isn’t really a sustainable career path. As a hobby - sure, absolutely. But the truth is, nobody is really interested in shorts these days. It’s sad and it needs to change, but that’s the reality right now.

I’ve done this several times. I promise you it is.

@_microbudgetpod Man, if it were that simple…

You can be a filmmaker with a 9-5 corporate job. Give yourself 1 year to save and write the script. $200 a check. Thats $400 a month. That’s nearly $5K saved by end of year. Write a short that can be filmed in 1 location on a weekend with a skeleton crew.

@LukeBarnett @themoviedadsc There are better ways to waste money, but this one is the most interesting by far.

@themoviedadsc Stocks are cool but what if I told you you could invest in an independent film that has a really solid chance of barely recouping?!

Still remember buying the S&P 500 for the first time out of college (summer 2014) when it was in the 1,900s. It’s returned ~336% w/dividends reinvested since. Was told many times to sell due to that time/moments "something." Never did. Stayed optimistic, kept buying, got rich.

Just watched Mortal Kombat. Fun film. Worth watching.

Nothing special today. Just a flock of geese walking around.

Maybe the reason we feel lost is because modern life teaches us how to survive, but not how to feel alive.

What if intimacy coordinators in movies were like Todd from Scrubs? “Naughty five 👋”

@CindyBegel Thank you! I’ll definitely check it out. I really appreciate the recommendation.

Indie filmmakers are banding together to share information & collaborate incl distribution which is increasingly difficult. Finding ways to have sustainable economic careers. One group is the NonDe 50 Films Project & the other is the Black Magic Film Collective. Check them out!

Always wondered: does a name really drive success, or does it only feel cool because the idea hit the mark?

Finally saw Verhoeven's Flesh + Blood today. Absolutely killer movie. The man is a genius. Now I’m looking for something similar.

There is something special about having a day off on Monday.

@andycompton_ Sounds like a fun challenge! Best of luck with everything. I’ll keep an eye on updates to see how it’s coming along. By the way, when are you planning to start production?

@GeneTeplovsky It’s a scrappy little dramedy. Heart and humor. Not sharing full details yet but soon! TBH, we have no idea how to do this yet but we’re taking what we’ve learned making shorts and absorbing all the info we can and learning along the way.

Had a meeting with my DP today to talk about the ultra low budget feature we’re gonna shoot here in St. Louis and I’m so excited I had to prematurely post something about it 👀🎬

I'm not stuck. I've simply accepted that this 2-meter patch of highway is my new legal address. Mail me my bills here.

@LukeBarnett @QTarantino_ Any recommendations for filmmakers from abroad?

If I were to start over in 2026, I’d try and get regional representation and build up some credits there. IE you’re in Indiana, so having an agent for the Chicago and Midwest market. Get some TV credits. Keep making your own shorts, etc. Move to LA when it feels like you NEED a bigger pond.

Do you think to be a successful actor, you have to move to Los Angeles? I’m a writer and actor so tell me the truth. I can handle it.

@_microbudgetpod Exactly. The industry chases trends, we chase stories. That’s why indie work often feels more artistic and alive than most big studio movies.

regardless of what the industry is doing, indie filmmakers are creating we’re writing our scripts wrangling our friends filming with our iPhones editing ourselves learning lighting techniques learning sound techniques self distributing we will outlast every industry hurdle.

@QTarantino_ Depends on what country you’re shooting in. I’ve done shorts even for $1000. But I can’t recommend this experience.

I honestly don’t think a short film should cost $10,000 to make. I’m no filmmaker so I’d have to hire my cinematographer and sound mixer, but $10,000? Geez. Man…

Is it just me or the process of making a film doesn’t look cool anymore?