Photos: Low-budget films

Daniel Finkel, right, directs a scene with actor Larry Lederman, in lab coat, at Finkel’s Highland Park home for his latest film, “Brain Pickle.”   (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Actor Brian McGuire smokes a cigarette before working on director Dan Finkel’s latest film, “Brain Pickle,” at Finkel’s home in Highland Park.   (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

KT Kent, center, directs a scene for the movie “Lockhart” on location at Club Fais Do-Do in Los Angeles. Actor Sean McIntire holds an improvised boom microphone as actor David Lockhart, left, waits to enter the scene.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

KT Kent directs a scene for the movie “Lockhart” at Club Fais Do-Do in Los Angeles. The low-budget thriller is based on a story by David Lockhart, the movie’s lead actor and producer.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Director KT Kent, center, confers with cinematographer Anthony Pietromonaco, left, and grip Cornell Mitchell before shooting a scene for the low-budget movie “Lockhart” at Club Fais Do-Do in Los Angeles. Producer David Lockhart was able to rent the bar at a discount because it’s owned by a friend.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Without a slate, director KT Kent claps her hands to begin shooting a scene for the low-budget movie “Lockhart” at Club Fais Do-Do in Los Angeles. Most of the cast and crew are friends of producer David Lockhart whom he had met working on other low-budget films.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Gaffer Cornel Mitchell checks the light level as actress Abby Polakow waits to act in a scene for the low-budget movie “Lockhart,” shot at Club Fais Do-Do in Los Angeles.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Actor Danny Kay practices the trumpet in the kitchen of Club Fais Do-Do in Los Angeles before shooting a scene for the low-budget movie “Lockhart.”   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Cinematographer Anthony Pietromonaco previews a scene while filming the movie “Lockhart” on location at Club Fais Do-Do in Los Angeles.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)