Bad Ass on a Budget is for Indie Filmmakers
Veteran stuntman and action filmmaker Eric Jacobus (God of War, Man Who Feels No Pain) delivers a tech-agnostic, philosophically grounded roadmap for zero-budget filmmakers to achieve high-impact action by mastering the “human universals” of physiology, psychology, and human relationships.
Badass on a Budget is a masterclass for the “Zero-Budget Action Filmmaker” (ZBAF) by veteran action designer Eric Jacobus, who draws on decades of experience from viral hits (Rope-A-Dope and Blindsided) to indie feature film production (Contour and Death Grip) to global franchises (God of War and Mortal Kombat). Rejecting gear-centric trends, Jacobus focuses on tech-agnostic “human universals”—physiology, psychology, and relationships—to provide a holistic framework for a high-impact “Action Ecosystem” where performance, choreography, camera, and editing work in perfect synergy. The guide explores the neuroscience of creativity through “Open” and “Closed” states, introduces “Storeo” as a narrative scaffolding for choreography, and details technical execution through the “Five Stages of Movement.” Beyond the lens, the book emphasizes the critical “Director-DP marriage,” resilient set culture, creating the “overnight assembly” to build cast momentum, and how you should never chase the “perfect cut” of your film. By addressing the entire lifecycle of a project—from the physical strain of production to the existential “Hangover” of completion—Jacobus offers a timeless, philosophically grounded roadmap for any artist looking to transform minimal resources into a viral masterpiece
In 2025, Jacobus published his best-selling book If These Fists Could Talk: A Stuntman’s Unflinching Take on Violence, which delves into the intersection of violence and art. He is an avid researcher and regularly speaks at conferences on topics ranging from the science of violence to the anthropology of martial arts cinema.
Never has there been a more savvy tutorial in print, something that guides the reader on a path of winning through creativity and crafting a next-to-no budget action film, and peppered with true stories of how one scrappy guy was inspired by Hong Kong martial arts movies to make his own on virtually nothing but knowledge, naivete, and the desire to just go out there and do it himself because no one else would, Jacobus crafts an entertaining, slam-bang roundhouse kick of a book that every indie-spirited filmmaker will find invaluable and essential to honing their craft.
The book went on sale May 1 and is available online. It has already garnered positive comments from industry professionals:
“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, Actor (Prisoner of War, John Wick 4, Ip Man 4)
“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, Director (Day Shift)
“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, Director (Undisputed II & III, Close Range)
