No Budget Blockbuster

Creator / Producer / Director / Writer

The visionary behind No Budget Blockbuster and The House in the Middle of Nowhere, Ryan McGonagle is a filmmaker who thrives on passion, persistence, and pure grit. A storyteller with a blue-collar heart and a Hollywood dream, Ryan has spent years carving his own path through the independent film world — often funding projects through sheer determination and resourcefulness.

With a background that spans screenwriting, directing, producing, and editing, Ryan embodies the “no budget” ethos. His philosophy: if you don’t have the money, make up for it in imagination. No Budget Blockbuster is both his most personal and most ambitious project to date — a documentary not just about making movies, but about making them happen no matter what.

Cinematographer

With credits on blockbuster films such as Top Gun: Maverick, Transformers, and The Revenant, cinematographer John Connor brings AAA visual storytelling to a project that can barely afford C-stand rentals. His world-class expertise transforms a “no budget” set into something cinematic, atmospheric, and authentic.

John’s presence embodies the show’s core tension — what happens when a seasoned Hollywood DP joins an indie guerilla shoot. His visuals give the production unexpected beauty, while his deadpan humor adds a dose of levity to the chaos.

SFX / Creature Design

The mad scientist of No Budget Blockbuster, Jim Ojala is the founder of Ojala Productions, known for makeup and creature effects in Hellboy II, Where the Wild Things Are, Deadgirl, and Netflix’s I Think You Should Leave. A disciple of practical effects and DIY ingenuity, Jim brings a punk-rock approach to horror craftsmanship.

For The House in the Middle of Nowhere, Jim designs eight custom death scenes and a suite of grisly yet inventive effects — all created without CGI. His workshop becomes both a creative laboratory and a chaotic circus, adding visual punch and black comedy to the series.

Line Producer / Project Manager 

Anthony Sword is a Los Angeles–based filmmaker with an extensive career in television and advertising, having served as an assistant director on hundreds of commercials for major brands. He began his journey in the industry working on iconic shows like Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, formative experiences that shaped his passion for genre storytelling and fast-paced, high-energy production environments.

In recent years, Sword has shifted his focus toward independent features and short films, taking on expanded leadership roles in producing, development, and project management. Through this evolution, he has established himself as one of today’s leading indie filmmakers, known for delivering ambitious projects with creative vision and exceptional technical precision.

Post-Production Producer

A veteran of major studio projects with Disney, Universal, and Apple TV, Chris Gordon brings Hollywood-level discipline and structure to an otherwise unruly process. Having worked on massive features including Avatar: The Way of Water, Chris knows what it takes to deliver excellence under pressure — and he’s here to prove that the same standard can exist in a micro-budget world.

In No Budget Blockbuster, Chris becomes the calm in the storm (and sometimes the storm itself), guiding post-production with a perfectionist’s touch and a producer’s patience as the team battles to meet the premiere deadline.

Veteran Actor

Mike Starr is an American actor celebrated for his memorable turns in both comedy and drama. Born on July 29, 1950, in Queens, New York, Starr has built a long and versatile career defined by his commanding presence and unmistakable charm. Standing 6'3" (190 cm), he often embodies tough, blue-collar characters—yet brings surprising depth, humor, and heart to every role.

A Hofstra University graduate, Starr broke into the industry in the late 1980s and quickly became a familiar face on screen. His filmography includes standout performances in iconic movies such as Goodfellas, Dumb & Dumber, The Natural, and Uncle Buck, among many others.

On television, Starr has appeared in a wide range of series, including a memorable turn as Tony Cicci on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and his fan-favorite role as Angel Grotti on The Office. His extensive TV work showcases the same grounded intensity and subtle humor that make him a standout in film.

With a career spanning decades, Mike Starr remains one of Hollywood’s most dependable and recognizable character actors—an enduring talent whose work continues to resonate with audiences.

Actor

Curt Eric Clendenin is an American actor, filmmaker, musician, visual artist, and podcaster known for his wildly imaginative, humorous, and surreal creative voice. His film work includes The Legend of Fall Creek, Black Pumpkin, and Max Neptune and the Menacing Squid, where his distinctive style blends genre storytelling with offbeat charm and visual flair.

He is the host of Inspirado Projecto, a spontaneous podcast and radio show that dives into art, synchronicity, consciousness, and creative exploration, offering conversations that are as unpredictable as they are inspiring. Clendenin also co-organizes the KaPow Intergalactic Film Festival, a celebration of bold, inventive independent cinema that champions emerging voices and experimental storytelling.

As a member of the internationally touring band Yächtley Crëw, he helps bring the golden era of yacht rock to life, delivering classic hits with theatrical energy, humor, and authentic showmanship. Across all mediums, Curt’s work is fueled by curiosity, collaboration, and a fearless embrace of creative adventure—embodying the boundless spirit of artistic exploration.

Casting Director

Known in the indie circuit as “the actor’s producer,” Dave Uchansky brings relentless drive and a sharp eye for talent to No Budget Blockbuster. With years of casting experience across independent films, commercials, and web series, Dave is the gatekeeper of performance — the man responsible for discovering the project’s elusive “Final Girl.”

Equal parts hustler and heart, Dave’s grounded humor and on-camera charm make him a cornerstone of the docuseries. Whether wrangling talent, calming chaos, or calling out the absurdity of it all, he represents the backbone of every indie production: the producer who refuses to let the dream die.

Composer / Music Producer (Beat Royalty)

Dutch-born producer Chris Kooreman, half of the award-winning duo Beat Royalty, brings sonic polish and emotional depth to No Budget Blockbuster. Having created music for global brands and major network shows, Kooreman blends cinematic orchestration with indie grit to craft a signature sound for both the docuseries and The House in the Middle of Nowhere.

His score mirrors the emotional rollercoaster of filmmaking — equal parts tension, humor, and triumph. Behind the boards, he becomes the show’s pulse, turning chaos into rhythm and fatigue into melody.