The Brutal Truth About Being a One-Person Film Crew
- Indie Film Podcast
- Aug 7
- 2 min read
Updated: Nov 2
Why Doing Everything on Set Might Be the Indie Filmmaker’s Superpower (and Curse)
When you’re making an indie film, sometimes you can’t afford a big crew—or any crew at all. That’s where the reality of becoming a one-person film crew sets in. It sounds heroic (and it kind of is), but it’s also overwhelming, exhausting, and not always glamorous. In this episode of Indie Film Podcast, we sat down with Idaho-based filmmaker Kody Newton, who has worn every hat imaginable on set: director, cinematographer, gaffer, editor, producer, even stunt coordinator. Here’s what we learned about surviving (and thriving) when you’re doing it all.
Why Indie Filmmakers Become a One-Person Film Crew
For many indie filmmakers, it’s simple: budget constraints. Hiring a full team costs money most micro-budget productions don’t have. Kody puts it bluntly:
“I’ve lived my life so I don’t have to depend on anyone else to do anything for me… it just makes it that much cheaper.”
But it’s not just about saving cash, it’s about control. When you handle directing and cinematography yourself, you eliminate the back-and-forth that eats up time and energy. As Kody says, if you can see the shot in your head, sometimes it’s faster to grab the camera and do it yourself.
The Pros and Cons of Doing It All
Being a one-person crew can be empowering, but let’s be real, it’s also a grind.
The Upside:
Creative Freedom: You get full control over your vision.
Efficiency: Less communication means faster decision-making.
Learning Curve: You’ll become a Swiss Army knife of filmmaking skills.
The Downside:
Burnout Risk: Long days, no backup.
Quality Trade-Offs: You can’t be everywhere at once.
Isolation: No crew means no collaborative energy on set.
Tips for Surviving as a One-Person Film Crew
Kody’s advice for indie filmmakers wearing too many hats:
Prep Like Crazy: Storyboard, shot list, and plan everything before day one.
Prioritize Gear You Can Manage: A solid tripod, a versatile lens, and good audio tools will save you headaches.
Know When to Ask for Help: Even if you can do it all, sometimes you shouldn’t. Bring in extra hands for safety or complex setups.
Take Care of Yourself: Reward your wins (Kody buys a new pair of Jordans after each project!).
Lessons from the Field
From shooting a feature on his phone to working on $750K projects and even The Chosen, Kody’s journey proves one thing: wearing multiple hats is practically a requirement in indie film. But with smart planning, a sense of humor, and a willingness to learn, being a one-person film crew can go from a nightmare to your greatest strength.
Want more real talk about indie filmmaking? Subscribe to the Indie Film Podcast on YouTube or wherever you listen to podcasts.
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