One Person Production Workflow for Micro Budget Shoots That Actually Works

Posted on: Jun 26, 2025

Photo Credit: Dragos Condrea // iStock Photo

By Brendan Fitzgibbons

These days, indie creators are expected to do everything—from shooting to acting, editing, lighting, and producing. It’s like if in the 1800s, a blacksmith had to be the shoe, the hammer, and the horse. This is especially true on a micro-budget shoot.

So if you’ve ever found yourself on set, holding a boom mic with your knee, propped against a pool table while adjusting ISO with one hand and praying the mic stays stuck with gaffer tape and good vibes—you’re not alone. Welcome to the wild, under-caffeinated world of micro-budget solo production.

Whether you’re shooting a branded spot, comedy sketch, short film, or motivational YouTube video with strong opinions on real estate, here’s how to set up a one-person production workflow that’s streamlined, sane, and (mostly) stress-free.

Key Insights:

Micro-budget creators must master multiple roles—often all at once.
Pre-production planning is the secret weapon for staying sane on set.
Efficiency and smart gear choices are essential for solo production success.

1. Pre-Production is Your Best Friend

While pre-production is critical for large-scale shoots, it’s even more important for micro-budget productions because there’s way less room for error. And if that’s not motivation enough, remember this: the person who will feel the most pain if you don’t prepare… is you. Because on a micro-budget shoot, chances are, you can’t blame the PA—since you are the PA.

Your pre-production must include a script and shot list that breaks your project into bite-sized, shootable chunks. Even if it’s just a talking head, know your framing, camera angles, general aesthetic, and transitions ahead of time.

Have a comprehensive gear plan. Know what gear you’re bringing, what each item does, and what’s truly necessary. You don’t need every lens, mic, and light you own—just what you’ll use. Most importantly, create a detailed schedule for every shot. Build in buffer time, because setup always takes longer when you’re the entire crew.

If you want to go the extra mile, create storyboards—even rough stick figures help. Honestly, those stick figures might end up looking exactly like you on shoot day.

2. Pack Like a Pro

This is where your childhood obsession with Tetris pays off. A true micro-budget shoot can fit its gear into one to two rolling suitcases and a backpack. Before you pack, ask yourself: “Is this essential, and can it serve more than one purpose?” The fog machine no one asked for? It’s gotta go.

A lean, one-person gear list could include items such as:

Mirrorless or DSLR camera (Sony FX30, Canon R5, etc.)
Tripod or monopod (bonus if it doubles as a light stand)
Compact LED light (Aputure MC, Godox, etc.)
On-camera or lav mic (Rode Wireless GO = game-changer)
ND filters, extra batteries, memory cards
Small collapsible reflector (doubles as shade, background, emergency frisbee, or safari hat)

3. Shoot With the Edit in Mind

Efficiency is king in micro-budget production—and shooting with the edit in mind saves you time and sanity. That means filming with intention. This is where your shot list and schedule shine.

The artist in you might need to accept a hard truth: you don’t have 30 minutes to shoot B-roll of the majestic butterfly that photo bombed your set. Stick to the essentials. Use slates or hand claps for each take to sync audio. After shooting a series, speak directly into the camera to note the best take—future-you in the edit bay will thank you. Prioritize the most important shots first.

4. Safe with Sound

Did you hear that? You better—because chances are, you’re also the sound person. Bad audio can ruin everything. If you don’t have a dedicated sound op, get your setup dialed.

Use a lav or shotgun mic plus an audio recorder (Zoom H5 or Tascam DR-10L are great picks). Monitor with headphones before rolling. Just seeing bouncing levels isn’t enough—they might be bouncing on static. Always record room tone—at least 30 seconds of it. It’ll come in handy in the edit bay.

5. Organize Files, Label Everything

You did all the work—don’t lose it now. Label, back up, and repeat. Back everything up to both your computer and an external hard drive. Yes, even if your body is begging to lie face-down on the floor (also known in yoga as The Post-Production Pose)—do it before the nap.

Use clear folder structures like:

Footage > ProjectName > Scene01 > CamA

Back it up in two places: hard drive + cloud (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.). Keep a project log or checklist so nothing gets missed. Then go ahead and melt into the carpet. You earned it.

Final Takeaways:

Preparation is everything—what you plan ahead saves hours (and headaches) later.
Smart packing and dual-purpose gear can make solo shoots surprisingly manageable.
Organization and sound quality are what separate chaos from a finished product you’re proud of.

Brendan Fitzgibbons is a comedy writer and actor living in Los Angeles. He’s written for Comedy Central, The Onion, NBC, HuffPost and Bravo. As an actor, he’s appeared on Comedy Central, MTV and “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee.” His podcast, “Spiritual As****e” was named a Top Indie Podcast by Stitcher.

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