Making A $4000 Feature In 12 Days And Releasing Through Tubi

Making A $4000 Feature In 12 Days And Releasing Through Tubi

From Show Don't Tell: Micro-Budget Filmmaking by Noam Kroll

March 12, 2026 · 1h 2m

About this episode

Filmmaker Wade Patterson discusses his experience making the micro-budget feature 'Death Cipher' in just 12 days for $4,000.

In this episode, I sit down with filmmaker Wade Patterson to discuss his micro-budget feature Death Cipher - a contained thriller shot in just 12 days for only $4,000. Throughout the interview, Wade shares how multiple failed feature attempts led him to radically simplify his process, why he embraced a single-location concept shot in his own apartment, and how limitations ultimately became the film’s greatest creative advantage. We also dive into the realities of making a feature with almost no money, wearing multiple hats as writer/director/cinematographer/editor, navigating festival rejection, finding distribution through Filmhub and Tubi, and much more: Why several failed feature attempts led to Death Cipher The mindset shift that led Wade to design a film around his resources Shooting the film over weekends and treating each room like a company move Creating props, puzzle elements, websites, and pre-shot video material How prioritizing actor comfort and a relaxed set environment improved the work What changed in post, including reshoots after early test screenings How Death Cipher landed on Tubi through Filmhub Links from the show: Death Cipher - Tubi Death Cipher - Instagram…

People in this episode

Host: Noam Kroll

Guest: Wade Patterson

Topics covered

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Tubi, Filmhub

Books & works: Death Cipher

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