Funding a DVXuser fest

[HVXOU]

Hey,

I am a student, and I was wondering how to gain some funding for a project like this? Is sponsorship allowed, what are some ways to generate some revenue. I have a camera, tripod, and Audio gear. I would just like to raise some money for actors, locations, and like a jib.

Thoughts?

[Mike Manning]

Bake-sales and carwashes...never fails...haha
Nearly every senior thesis film from my graduating class held a bake-sale and made a couple hundred dollars.
But there's also the usual methods of maxing our credit cards, stealing from mom and dad, shooting guerilla style, or if you get lucky you can find investors who are willing to pay for your film.
The first thing you should do is write out your desired budget. Then start slashing sh*t off that you really don't need. For example... you do NOT need to pay your actors. There is plenty of amazing talent that will work for a meal and reel. Leave paying gigs to the unions. The same goes for locations. See what you can get without dropping a dime. Paying for a location means getting a permit and insurance. Not cheap. Try and restrict all your spendings to equipment rentals and crafty and you'll find that you can have a reasonably sized budget. Then split it with another producer and BAM...you just funded a DVXfest Entry.

[Mattykins]

Sex...

Sex always works. Though you need to understand finesse to please a woman if you are of the male persuasion. Drug and gun running, also very good ways.

But seriously, I am funding this out of pocket.

Addendum: I am a student as well. In college, killing 20K a year. Basically since I am in upstate NY there is no one around here aside from my cinema people. And we have a lot of them. Basically we are going to have a full crew of people who want to get their name on something. I would consider a loan if I had some type of credit. Sex doesn't sell as much as I would like :grin:

Ask yourself this though - do you need a jib? Can you do it lower cost?

[Mark Johnson]

Hey,

I am a student, and I was wondering how to gain some funding for a project like this? Is sponsorship allowed, what are some ways to generate some revenue. I have a camera, tripod, and Audio gear. I would just like to raise some money for actors, locations, and like a jib.

Thoughts?

One of the first things I recommend is that you put the city and state where you live under your avatar. I'm always amazed at how many people don't choose to do that and, as a result, don't get the benefit of having other members near you offering to help out. I have no idea where you are, but if you had listed Los Angeles I would have sent you a PM offering our assistance. Most likely you live somewhere else, but I would bet there are members close enough to be able to help out.

For instance, the guys in Waco Texas are quite active here and they share gear and serve as crew for each other on their respective projects. Sounds like you have some decent stuff to bring to the table along with your attitude that you want to shoot footage. Shouldn't be hard to find some like-minded people close to you who are members here and would like to pool resources.

[pauly_the_hitman]

I have had a good run selling off my children for some quick cash. I can usually fund a good project with one kid but I am running low and only have two kids left. But maybe if I can get my wife knocked up this month I can give you one for your project.

Completely kidding. Hope you knew that. But seriously I have never shot anything that I needed more then $100 bucks for and it is always possible to get props and costumes from thrift stores and make sure when you film you use friends and family. Schedule the shoots before meals or just after that way you don't have to feed anybody. Use what you have and write around it. Trust me this works cause we shot Survival for $25. And honestly you don't need a lot of money to make a good film. Just go out and make it happen, plan plan and then plan some more it really can be done. Hope this helps a little.
Pauly

[HVXOU]

Really appreciate the advice from everyone. I will start shaving off some things, and as for the jib/glidecam/dolly I don't NEED them, but they are always nice to have. Any other ideas, I am open.

Thanks.

[andoguru]

Hey,

I went through the whole student no-money dilemma, in fact, I'm still in that boat as a filmmaker right now. It sounds like you have the gear and crew, but most of the other things like actors and locations can be found for little or no pay. It sucks, but you can convince people if you believe in your project.

Usually you can find actors that will do work to build up their reels and resumes. Hit up the local acting websites or places like Craigslist.com etc to find actors. You are bound to find someone. Plus talk to the theater school and you should definitely find willing actors.

I'm in Austin and most of the time locations were pretty easy to come by because people are generally thrilled by having a film crew shoot at their location even for just a credit. You can always ask for free access. Remember to hit up people you know about using places of work or friends/family owned places.

Don't be afraid to ask for stuff free. Be sure to use the "I'm a student making a film for school." line as much as you can.

The raising of funds is tough. You can go the friends and family route asking everyone you know to chip in a little, but be sure you do it for a project that means a lot to you because usually you can only do this once. Finding investors is tough for short films because you will not make money off of a short 99% of the time...probably even less than that.

Sorry to say most of the time its near impossible to find funding for a short unless you pay out of pocket. It's good to start with the notion that you are not going to pay anyone because if you start paying one person than that is unfair to everyone else on the crew and cast.

Hope this helps.
Ando

[Zim]

Once you get the camera you can do a movie for almost nothing if you want. Just plan your film that way. Gas and red bulls are my biggest cost. I might have to cut the red bulls out.

People will work for free. Locations are free most of the time, but ask before you shot if it is private property. I used a Amtrak station in my last film and they were glad to help.

[Dustin R. Rogan]

Being one of the Waco Kids...

I look at it this way, you scratch my back I'll scratch your back! We're a very disfunctional family here in Waco. VERY! We've yet to venture down to Austin, but I am planning on going down for jpsheets shoot "Daily Special" at least one of the days. Haven't heard from Big D (Dallas for you non Texans) But I'm offering my warm body to stand in on crew I'm sure I can convince my boys here in Waco if availible that they can come to help out! Just remember we might be callin to have you return the favor. If not then I might poo in a paper bag and set it ablaze on your door step...

Rogan

[stinkpot]

HVXOU... are you mostly in Athens or Cleveland?

[HVXOU]

Im mostly in Athens, 9 of the 12 months. But I live in the Cleveland Area - There during the summer months and winter break (6 weeks).

[banksie312]

i recently worked on a project and i know some of the actors were friends (which are always good because they are flexible). as for the rest, just one website helps. craigslist.com. just advertise and say they get to use it as experience for a resume and they will get some clips for their reel. most startup actors/actresses will like doing a short because #1 its a short timeframe and everyone has jobs, #2 they want the experience.
i think that craigslist helped us get a steadicam guy too, and for free none-the-less. i would check it out.
hope it helped

[Nic Aragon]

mark hits it perfectly I believe, finding like minded generous and talented people where you live Is key to getting it done, not just out right funding, plus you can make new friends and it makes everything much more fun enjoyable and less stressful. Finding people you can rely on and who aren't only looking out for #1 can be tough but if you can your golden