Smart Directing on a Tight Budget: Herb Kimble’s Proven Tips for Independent Filmmakers

Directing doesn’t have to break the bank. Some of the most innovative directors working today began by directing on a shoestring. With a bit of the right attitude, imagination, and planning, directing a film on a low budget can be fulfilling and career-building.

Producer and director and creator of the streaming network UrbanFlixTV, Herb Kimble, puts into words: “Never confuse value and budget. A well-told, good story can override even the most expensive production.”

Kimble’s style is a product of decades of behind-the-scenes work and building one of the fastest-growing independent streaming networks, UrbanFlixTV. He has experienced firsthand how powerful storytelling and a committed crew can triumph even the most meager budgets.

Herb Kimble, director, producer, and founder of streaming network UrbanFlixTV gave us some advice for this article. According to his professional experience in the industry, Kimble suggests some major tips for new or independent filmmakers to be cost-conscious without compromising on production quality at all.

1. Write with Purpose and Authenticity

One of the biggest mistakes that inexperienced filmmakers make is writing outside of their budget. Rather, write a script that works within what you have at your disposal—locations, actors, or equipment.

2. Build a Passionate Team

Surround yourself with the people who understand your vision. When budgets are lean, enthusiasm drives production. Most new creators will work in exchange for both experience and credit, or perhaps credits and experience.

Herb Kimble, founder and CEO of UrbanFlixTV, an internet streaming network, had some wonderful words of wisdom. He stated: “When your team is sold on the story, they don’t just donate their time—they donate their heart. That’s the type of energy that makes independent films unforgettable.”

3. Understand the Basics: Sound and Light

If your actors won’t be heard or seen, they’ll tune out—no matter what your story is. Spend some money on some basic sound equipment and figure out how to use found or practical light. These will bring even the most boring scene to life.

4. Pre-Production is Everything

Plan your days minute by minute. With a small crew and a tight shooting schedule, efficiency is paramount. Take careful shot lists, floor plans, and call sheets. Planning can save hours—and dollars—on the set.

5. Use Your Surroundings Creatively

You do not necessarily need fancy sets to make a scene believable. With proper angles, lighting, and set dressing, ordinary places such as apartments, parks, or garages can be good backdrops.

Herb Kimble added: “Great directors find potential in every nook. It’s not what you lack—it’s how you work with what’s right in front of you.”

6. Prepare in Advance to Distribution

While getting the production of the film secured is a major victory, what follows is just as important. Get your marketing in order first. Reach out to local film festivals, research streaming platforms, and build your fan base on social media.

Herb Kimble also recommends: “Treat your film as a brand from day one. Where you place it can be as powerful as the story itself.”

Herb Kimble is a director, producer and founder of streaming network UrbanFlixTV, a platform that presents unapologetic and diverse voices in television and movies. He continues to guide and inspire new filmmakers who are willing to make it into the industry with true stories and minimal means.

Finally, shoestring-budget filmmaking is not a failing, but a masterclass in storytelling, leadership, and creativity. With the right guidance, such as Herb Kimble, the next generation of filmmakers can leverage constraint as a source of creative strength.