PODCAST: Directing and DP’ing A No-Budget, No-Crew Monochrome Feature Film With Jean-Baptiste Herment

Written by Noam Kroll

Today I am joined by film critic turned filmmaker Jean-Baptiste Herment, here to talk about his DIY feature film Épidermique.

Throughout the episode we discuss:

How Jean-Baptiste produced the feature film with no crew
Benefits of spreading out the production schedule over a year
Drawing inspiration from Italian cinema, Robert Rodriguez and beyond
The benefits of shooting monochrome on a low budget
Using 4 – 5 different cameras and matching them in post
The merits of film festivals vs. online self-distribution
Much more!

This is Episode 235: Directing and DP’ing A No-Budget, No-Crew Monochrome Feature Film With Jean-Baptiste Herment

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Links from the show:

Épidermique – Instagram

Akaba Media – Vimeo

Akaba Media – YouYube

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About Author

Noam Kroll

Noam Kroll is an award-winning Los Angeles based filmmaker, and the founder of the boutique production house, Creative Rebellion. His work can be seen at international film festivals, on network television, and in various publications across the globe. Follow Noam on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for more content like this!

11 Comments

rter
at

Spreading production over a year sounds like a practical way to manage a DIY film. I’d be interested to know which camera setup worked best. It’s inspiring to see independent creators bring their ideas to life, just like people making FNF mods.
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jevx
at

It is always fascinating to hear how solo directors manage both the camera and story, especially on a monochrome feature like Épidermique. When tackling complex DIY pre-production, organizing script notes and character types can get overwhelming, which is why tools like What is Jev AI? The model that answers in types , not senten are so useful for breaking down creative ideas. Thanks for putting together another inspiring episode.
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Threshing Day Game
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This is some wild stuff! A no-budget film with that kind of vision? Gotta respect it. If you need a break from the usual, check out this creative game as a little side adventure while you’re at it: dragonkind threshing.
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AI Tools Discovery and Launchpad
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The part about spreading production over a year really stuck with me. Most no-budget advice assumes you shoot everything in a few weeks, but letting a schedule breathe seems like a smarter way to handle a tiny crew. Also curious how he kept the monochrome look consistent across four or five different cameras. I occasionally poke around AI Tools Discovery and Launchpad for workflow ideas, though honestly the discipline here is the real lesson.
Reply
viewmaxai
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The conversation about Jean-Baptiste Herment handling both directing and cinematography on a no-budget, no-crew monochrome feature was especially interesting. For filmmakers experimenting with compact workflows and short-form ideas, Viewmax Alternative (Viewmax Alternative — Make Short-Form Clips Free, Without a ) may also be a useful resource to keep in mind.
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preciogasolinahoy
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The discussion of Jean-Baptiste Herment handling both directing and cinematography on a no-budget monochrome feature was especially interesting, particularly the practical limits that shaped Épidermique. For readers also comparing everyday production costs with current expenses in Spain, Precio de cada tipo de combustible hoy en España offers a straightforward reference for today’s fuel prices.
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Anna
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The discussion about directing and DP work on a no-budget feature is really interesting. It’s impressive how creative decisions and practical techniques can make a film work even with a very small crew. The monochrome approach sounds especially effective for creating a distinct visual style. convertir png a png transparente
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Dorothy Cruz
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Minimax h3
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This kind of filmmaking is refreshing. No crew? Sounds like a nightmare but also kinda freeing, right? Check out this neat tool for vid creation—could complement the DIY vibe. minimax h3
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Pal Breed
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Shooting a feature with no crew? That’s gutsy! Love that he’s taking inspiration from the real pioneers. Also, if you’re looking to maximize your resources, check this out palworld breeding calculator 1.0.
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Alfred Griffin
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This sounds like a really interesting episode. The idea of producing a feature film with no crew is wild, and I’m curious how he managed to stay consistent over such a long production schedule. The part about using multiple cameras and matching them in post also seems super useful for low-budget filmmakers Sprunki.
Reply