William Kaufman: How to Make a Real Action Movie on a Scrappy Budget - #12

William Kaufman on Making Man of War on an Independent Budget. Hollywood-level action on an indie budget is not only possible; it can be scrappier, smarter, and more effective than waiting for a giant check. In this episode of Director Talk Film Podcast, filmmaker William Kaufman breaks down how he made Man of War with real urgency, strong relationships, and a fast-moving crew. From shooting on the streets of Sofia, Bulgaria, to building a war-zone thriller around people caught in the middle of conflict, Kaufman shares how he and co-writer Paul Ryshell developed the story, adapted the screenplay to fit the budget, and turned production limitations into creative opportunities. At the heart of Man of War is a powerful human story: a man entering a dangerous war zone to rescue someone he loves. While the war provides the setting, the film focuses on the people trapped in the middle of it and what they are willing to risk for those who matter most. In this wide-ranging conversation, William discusses: Why filmmakers should stop waiting for major investors before making their first feature How modern technology has lowered the barrier to entry for independent filmmakers Why a proof of concept can help launch a filmmaking career How Kaufman made his early projects through borrowed equipment, favors, and determination Developing the Man of War screenplay with Paul Ryshell Using Bulgaria as a practical stand-in for war-torn locations Writing a story around the budget and locations you can realistically control Why genre can help independent films reach a wider audience Finding an anchor location and building a production around it Casting Lamonica Garrett as the film’s leading man Working with Linds Edwards, Andrew Howard, Daniel Bernhardt, and Jason Patric Why strong relationships are essential in the film industry The value of returning to work with trusted actors and crew members Creating a respectful and collaborative environment on set Completing an action film in just 24 shooting days Managing rain, equipment failures, demanding locations, and limited time How production problems can sometimes become part of the final film The importance of authentic military and tactical details Working with real veterans to improve the credibility of the action Building action sequences around real experiences and firsthand accounts Using handheld cinematography to place the audience inside the chaos Balancing immersive action with clear dramatic storytelling Why a movie is made three times: in the writing, during production, and in the edit Collaborating with his daughter and editor, Sarah Kaufman How editing shapes the pacing, clarity, and impact of action scenes Why aspiring filmmakers should focus on finishing instead of waiting for perfection William also shares honest advice for first-time directors: keep grinding, make the movie you can make now, surround yourself with people who want to do the work, and do not let limited resources stop you from moving forward. You may not have the budget you want, the equipment you dream about, or a major studio supporting you Follow William and his film on socials! @williamkaufman_director @manofwarfilm @irish_channel_studios @lamonicagarrett Go watch now on! : Amazon Apple Google Fandango YouTube https://www.wellgousa.com/films/man-war Find Directors Talk Film on our Socials:   / directorstalkfilm   https://x.com/DirectTalkFilm   / directorstalkfilm     / directorstalkfilm      / @directorstalkfilm   https://substack.com/@directorstalkfilm Want to be on the show and share your film?