You Don’t Need Permission | Shane Dresch on Making It Work Without a Big Budget, a Full Crew, or a Perfect Plan

Before you hit play, go watch Sleepwalking—a surreal, floating, time-bending music video Shane directed for Mario McClean: Watch here. Then come back and hear how it came together—one melted phone prop and 4-hour beach shoot at a time.

In this episode, Shane Dresch breaks down the emotional math and creative strategy behind directing, designing, and assembling deeply personal visual work. We talk about building a story around a feeling, knowing when to kill your darlings (goodbye, train scene), and the long-tail confidence you build by actually finishing things—especially when you’re doing it all yourself.

Shane Dresch is a Director of Photography and visual storyteller based in Chicago, IL, with a decade of professional video production experience. He holds a Bachelor’s in Video Production and a Master’s in Digital Storytelling, overcoming academic challenges by focusing on his passion for visual media. Since 2015, Shane has worked on a wide range of projects including commercials, music videos, and documentaries, contributing as a DP, Gaffer, Writer, Director, and more. His work has earned regional Emmy nominations and recognition at indie film contests. Crafting unique visuals and solving creative challenges alongside a collaborative crew is where Shane truly feels at home.

We also talk about scope creep, learning to trust collaborators, and how side quests like D&D and small insert shots can refuel a tired creative brain. If you’ve ever wrestled with choice paralysis, one-person production, or the urge to DIY everything, this one’s for you.

Learn more about Shane at shanedresch.com
Follow on Instagram: @anxiyeti
Follow on YouTube: @zeroshane50

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