Badass on a Budget: A Timeless Guide for Zero-Budget Action Filmmakers (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9798309254866)

Drawing on a career of action in films like Man Who Feels No Pain, viral hits like Rope-A-Dope and Blindsided, and game series like God of War and Mortal Kombat, Eric Jacobus delivers a tech-agnostic guide that prioritizes the timeless "human universals" of physiology, psychology, and relationships over the latest gear trends.

This masterclass maps the complete Action Ecosystem, demonstrating how to synthesize performance, choreography, camerawork, and editing to create maximum cinematic impact regardless of your equipment. By focusing on the soul of movement and the meaning of action, Badass on a Budget proves that you don't need a Hollywood budget to start making epic action films.

Praise for Badass on a Budget

"I consider Eric Jacobus to be a truly unique talent in the world of action cinema. With his encyclopedic knowledge of action and martial arts films, he brings passion and commitment to every project. In the low-budget independent realm, Eric is undoubtedly one of the most inventive action stars and filmmakers out there. His creativity and skill as an action performer in projects like Rope-a-Dope and Blindsided were awe-inspiring to me. Watching Eric in action is always amazing, so I can't think of a better guy to write a book about it."
- Scott Adkins (Prisoner of War, John Wick 4, Ip Man 4)

"Even when I look back on my own experience, most of the shots that audiences found interesting were born out of ingenuity and creativity in overcoming desperate, make-or-break situations on set. In any film, you ultimately run out of money and time. But there's no need to worry-most of the answers can be found in this book!"
- Kenji Tanigaki (The Furious, Rurouni Kenshin)

"I've worked with Eric and found him to be the consummate professional with an exceptional, unique arsenal of choreography. In Badass on a Budget, he finally shares the secrets behind that fresh, fast-paced, and unexpected style. For any filmmaker tired of the 'same old same old, ' this book is a refreshing masterclass in action design from a true indie pioneer."
- JJ Perry (Day Shift)

"Eric Jacobus has a unique, fresh, and unexpected arsenal of choreography. On The Man Who Feels No Pain, he coached me-an actor with zero martial arts training-to play a world-class fighter safely and convincingly. He knows the perfect balance of when to push and when to protect. I've never trusted anyone this much before or since. This book is an essential resource for anyone serious about action design."
- Gulshan Devaiah (The Man Who Feels No Pain)

"Success isn't magic-it's about 5% talent and a relentless 95% of hard work and smart planning. Eric stands at the top tier of performers in the American martial arts film world. What he delivers in this book isn't just advice-it's a battle-tested blueprint. Whether you're aiming to create action films, martial arts cinema, or any kind of movie, this guide lays out exactly what it takes to get there."
- Isaac Florentine (Undisputed II & III, Close Range)

"When it comes to encyclopedic knowledge and insight into the history and creation of cinematic action sequences worldwide, Eric Jacobus is peerless. His years of passionate film consumption, in-depth cross-cultural research, and practical on-set experience make him the ideal author for this subject. Anyone with an interest in action films and filmmaking will benefit from owning this book."
- Jude Poyer (Havoc & Gangs of London)

"Jacobus is an unsung hero of the low budget action realm, and his new book is a treasure map for anyone looking to begin their quest in building everything from almost nothing."
- David J. Moore, author of The Good, the Tough, and the Deadly: Action Movies and Stars and the Chance & Gamble action adventure novels.

Author: Eric Jacobus
ISBN-13: 9798309254866
Publisher: Independently Published
Language: English
Published: 05/01/2026
Pages: 220
Format: Paperback
Weight: 0.49lbs
Size: 8.00h x 5.00w x 0.46d