The Poor Man’s Palace
Made for $7,000. Feels like a million.
Broke, mugged, and bombing auditions, Miles stumbles through Bushwick clinging to bad gigs and stranger friendships, trying to figure out if he’s chasing a dream or just running in circles.
Max Garfin
Halle Kaufax
Julian Shatkin
Clover Ledbetter
Corey Mitchell
Lucinda Carmicheal
Khalid Abayomi
Jacob Boatsman
Troy Michael
Sadie Prenda
Director’s noteA Note from Jacob Boatsman
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A Note from Jacob Boatsman
ReadWe created The Poor Man’s Palace with one clear goal: to make a simple, universal comedy that feels timeless. We wanted to challenge ourselves to tell a story that isn’t defined by its budget, one that can stand alongside any film around it, in the spirit of Swingers.
After nearly five months of shooting every weekend, the film evolved into something far more profound than we imagined. Our actors and crew brought trust and creativity that fully realized each character. The generosity of the Brooklyn community gave us authentic locations. And with our B-unit team in North Carolina, the scope expanded beyond our expectations, even stunting a real landing plane on camera.
We raised $5,000 and covered the rest out of pocket, but this film isn’t defined by its limitations. It defies them. More than anything, it’s proof that independent filmmaking is more accessible than ever, if you’re willing to get scrappy.
Jacob Boatsman, Writer / Director
