One-Person Crew: Myth or Masterstroke?

“If you wait for the perfect crew, you might never start. But if you learn to wear multiple hats, your film can take flight, today.” Julian Karikalan

When I set out to make Let’s Go Below The Rainbow, I didn’t have a production team. No assistant directors, no lighting crew, no sound engineer. Just me, a camera, a script, and a burning need to tell a story that mattered.

Most filmmakers are taught that cinema is a collaborative art—and it is. But when resources are scarce and time is tight, the idea of a one-person crew isn’t just a workaround. It’s a creative strategy.

🎬 Why Go Solo?

For me, it wasn’t about ego or control. It was about possibility. I had a story that challenged religious dogma, celebrated LGBTQ+ love, and needed to be told with urgency. Waiting for funding or assembling a full crew would have delayed or derailed the entire project.

Going solo meant:

• No scheduling conflicts

• No budget stress over salaries

• Total creative freedom

  
  

It also meant long days, steep learning curves, and moments of exhaustion. But the payoff? A finished feature film that’s now streaming online, bringing revenue and turning a profitable return on investment.

🧰 Roles I Juggled

Here’s a glimpse of some of the hats I wore during production:

• Director: Shaping performances, blocking scenes, guiding the emotional tone

  
  

• Cinematographer: Framing shots, adjusting lighting, choosing lenses

  
  

• Sound Recordist: Monitoring audio levels, managing ambient noise and recording live dialogue

  
  

• Production Designer: Sourcing props, dressing locations, coordinating wardrobe

  
  

Each role taught me something new and gave me a deeper respect for the craft.

🛠️ Tools That Made It Possible

Technology was my co-pilot. I used:

• A compact camera setup with a minimal lighting kit and abundance of natural lighting

• Wireless mics and portable audio recorders

• Tripod, Gimbal and DIY rigs for stability

• Post-production software I could run on a modest desktop

• 
  

I also rehearsed extensively with my cast before shooting, so we could move quickly and confidently on set. The various stages of rehearsals are a core component of my Prudent Filmmaking Approach.

⚖️ When to Go Solo—and When Not To

Going solo isn’t for every project. If your film involves complex stunts, elaborate sets, or large casts, you’ll need help. But for intimate stories, dialogue-driven scenes, or carefully planned setups, a one-person crew can be a powerful choice.

🎯 Final Take

Prudent Filmmaking is all about resourcefulness. Whether you have a crew of 80 or just yourself, what matters most is the story, screenplay, and your commitment to telling it. Without concentrating on that, even millions of dollars and a massive crew would go to waste.

If you’re curious about how I planned my 22-day solo shoot, built production value on a shoestring, and kept the creative energy alive, you’ll love the full Prudent Filmmaking course that I am preparing for aspiring filmmakers. It’s packed with real-world strategies, behind-the-scenes insights, and tools to help you make your film—your way.

Ready to go deeper?

Watch 'Let's Go Below The Rainbow' and Join the waitlist for the Prudent Filmmaking course by emailing me.